Time flew, and Raiden Makoto resumed using her clone for Shogunate duties, easing the workload—great for the Tri-Commission, but not for Reisen Riou. Dragged along on endless trips with no time off, he consoled himself: Last life, I was a college nobody; now I've got a secure job. Exhausting, but the bosses and colleagues are stunning. Raiden Ei, after several outings, shook off her mysterious funk, speaking sparingly but acting normal. Her earlier gloom had spooked Makoto and Yae Miko, who even paused teasing Reisen Riou. Makoto briefly considered not blocking Ei's interest in him—both overthinking wildly.
"Let's picnic on Seirai Island," Makoto decided. Despite its pirate spawns, recent crackdowns had tamed the area, with many pirates turning to farming. Reisen Riou, with no say, followed. Makoto's teleportation via the Statue of the Seven was seamless—one moment on Narukami Island, the next on Seirai. "Is this how you travel, Lady Narukami?" he asked.
"Indeed. The Statues aren't mine, but as Narukami, I sense all in Inazuma, using them as anchors to reach any island," she said.
"Convenient," he marveled.
Near Ooseki Village, Seirai's largest settlement by its Statue, shouts and clashing blades rang out. "Trouble," Reisen Riou noted, but before he could eavesdrop, Makoto said, "Torachiyo, separate them." Torachiyo vanished in a flash, silencing the clash.
They arrived to find Shogunate samurai clashing with villagers, Sumeru scholar Bai at the scene. Villagers gawked at Torachiyo, slight but formidable. "What happened?" Makoto demanded.
"General!" the samurai bowed. Torachiyo, hoisting a burly man, said, "They found pirate fugitive Yuji Hakumoku Saburo in Ooseki."
"I'm Yamashita Itarou, not a pirate!" the man roared.
"Where's the local magistrate?" Makoto asked.
"Moved to Heikai Village—couldn't handle pirate raids," a samurai spat. "But look at Ooseki—no sign of plundering."
A spark flashed. The man screamed as Reisen Riou, retracting a smoking finger, retreated behind Ei. Torachiyo picked up a Pyro Vision. "Yuji Hakumoku Saburo, confirmed," she sighed.
Ei snorted. "Seal!" Lightning crackled, severing Yuji's Vision connection. He collapsed, a dreamless husk. "Vision Hunt Decree!" Reisen Riou thought, stunned. Ei's already developed this? Unbeknownst to him, she'd deduced it from fragments in his mind.
"Overpowered for anyone below LV70 youkai—no blade needed," Ei mused, eyeing the broken fugitive. The magistrate's samurai arrived, arresting the rioting villagers. Reisen Riou was sent to calm the scholars, who were unfazed. "Not scared?" he teased.
"Honored Scholar, we were nervous," Bai said, "but we've seen skirmishes before. This was just bigger."
"How's your work?" Reisen Riou asked.
"Seirai's surveyed, except Ooseki's outskirts. Some areas are too harsh for farming," Bai reported.
"Focus on local strengths—specialty crops, not just flaws," Reisen Riou advised, detailing Tenryou Pass's potential and Inazuma specialties like Naku Weed and Amakumo Fruit.
"Understood," the scholars nodded, summoning their escort farmer. "Why didn't you mention this?" Reisen Riou asked him.
"Apologies, Shrine Lord—I was injured, couldn't join," the farmer said sheepishly.
"Don't embarrass me again. Guide them properly. They're trained, but for Inazuma plants, you're their equal," Reisen Riou instructed, soothing the scholars before reporting to Makoto.
He found her scolding Seirai's magistrate, who cowered pathetically, while Yae Miko berated Asase Shrine's maidens.
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