Several question marks flickered through Futsu Mitama's mind, his expression tightening in quiet confusion. Of all people, he had not expected Yae Miko—who appeared so composed and impartial—to be involved with the Resistance as well.
No, that wasn't quite right. In the original course of events, Yae Miko had always been aware of the Resistance's movements, and had even lent her aid to the Traveler, that foreigner who briefly stood among them.
"Don't look so lost." Yae Miko's amused eyes shifted toward him. "Surely you've noticed it yourself—the Tenryou Commission has already fallen into collusion with the Fatui. The only one still in the dark— is dear Kujou Sara."
"I'm also aware that you've helped the Resistance before. And now, that man from the Kujou Clan is getting a bit… flustered."
"After all, the head of the Hiiragi Clan has been replaced. To keep danger from growing, he'll want nothing more than to eliminate the current Resistance—too many unknown factors—and let the Fatui help erect a new one in its place."
Having worked together with Futsu Mitama once, Yae Miko had a general grasp of his temperament. In her eyes, his willingness to assist the Resistance meant he, too, had perceived certain truths alongside herself and Kamisato Ayato. Otherwise, with his naturally low-profile nature, why would he suddenly step forward to confront both the Resistance's enemies and the Fatui?
She had also placed informants among the Resistance. Through them, she learned that Futsu Mitama and Aila had once escorted Kaedehara Kazuha to join their ranks. And during the Fatui's assault, when Scaramouche led an attack on the Shogunate Army, it was Sangonomiya Kokomi and three masked soldiers who intervened.
Later—when Scaramouche displayed clear fear upon seeing Futsu Mitama—everything aligned. Which was why Yae Miko now shared the intelligence she had gathered, hoping he would intercept the Tenryou Commission's next move. With his strength, holding off a sizable Shogunate force was well within reach.
"Support a new Resistance—?" Futsu Mitama murmured in disbelief. He had not expected such a strategy from Kujou Takayuki.
But after a moment's thought, the logic became clear. The vanguard led by Kujou Sara had been defeated. Even elite Fatui fighters had been repelled. To the Tenryou Commission, the situation had become a substantial threat. And similarly—as when the Raiden Shogun personally intervened to replace the Kanjou Commission's head—pressure now rested squarely on the Kujou Clan.
"The man places far too much importance on family honor," Yae Miko said with a soft nod, her lips curved in a faint smile.
"To him, the Resistance has already grown into a dangerous variable. And he will not tolerate the growth of danger."
Futsu Mitama offered no immediate response. He only lowered his gaze, appearing thoughtful. In truth, he had simply opened the Chat Group interface and sent a direct message.
[Futsu Mitama: "@Sangonomiya Kokomi The Tenryou Commission is preparing a formal operation against the Resistance."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Formal? Was the vanguard led by Kujou Sara not considered formal before?"]
[Raiden Makoto: "Judging from their deployment that day, it was not. In a true full-scale operation, once the vanguard is defeated, the main force would immediately join the battle, leaving no opening to regroup."]
[Azhdaha: "That is standard procedure for any army."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "Meaning—the forces they sent last time intended to wipe out the Resistance in a single strike."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "But when Kujou Sara's vanguard fell, the main army did not move—due to… various reasons."]
[Albedo: "Various reasons? Quite an ambiguous description."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "The head of the Kujou Clan must have intervened. Otherwise, the Shogunate Army wouldn't behave in such an unusual way." ]
[Aila: "However… it appears that the Kujou Clan's head, Kujou Takayuki, is now preparing to move against the Resistance in full." ]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Judging by the strength of the vanguard, with the Resistance's current condition, we can endure at most two hard-fought battles. Beyond that, our food, weapons, manpower, and exceptional fighters are all insufficient." ]
[Raiden Makoto: "The disparity is too great. They need time—but being here, I can no longer obtain more information." ]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "Shogun-sama… I'm in the same position. Thoma is capable, but the intelligence he gathers isn't enough to aid the Resistance directly." ]
[Kuki Shinobu: "I can collect information, but my reach is limited." ]
[Futsu Mitama: "I have an idea. If we bring someone into the Chat Group, she should be able to resolve all of our intelligence issues." ]
[Raiden Makoto: "…You're thinking of her?" ]
[Azhdaha: "Who? Who are you trying to pull in?" ]
[Futsu Mitama: "You'll know soon." ]
As he said this, Futsu Mitama checked the invitation privileges—three remaining.
He had been waiting for the right moment to test whether this meant three invitations in total, or three per day. But in the past few days, the only notable figures he encountered were Kujou Sara, the Raiden Shogun, and Raiden Ei.
All three were impossible to invite. Moreover, Raiden Makoto—now half his mentor after granting him the Chakra Desiderata and Raiden Style · Martial Arts—did not wish for him to contact Raiden Ei prematurely.
As for Kujou Sara, the moment she joined and saw Sangonomiya Kokomi, the Resistance leader—she would immediately realize the three Oni-masked soldiers who stood beside Kokomi earlier were him and Aila. And while there was a minuscule chance she might defect upon discovering Raiden Makoto's identity— well, describing that probability as "not high" would be generous—it was effectively zero.
The Raiden Shogun wasn't even worth mentioning. A puppet who would strike down her own creator would not hesitate to eliminate a variable.
Originally, Futsu Mitama had considered inviting Kamisato Ayato. As his superior and one of Inazuma's most formidable strategists, Ayato's involvement could significantly assist both the Resistance and Raiden Makoto. But the man came and went like the wind, leaving no opportunity to speak. Even Ayaka and Thoma had no idea when he might next appear.
Thus, considering the Resistance's situation, Futsu Mitama turned his attention to Yae Miko.
"What is it?" Yae Miko noticed his gaze. With a light smile, she said, "If you're seeking my assistance, I don't mind offering a hand. After all, our goals align. Ah~ truly troublesome—such an irresponsible deity to deal with."
Yae Miko shrugged. Thanks to Ei's willfulness, Inazuma was now in turmoil. Removing the Hiiragi Clan was only the smallest step. The true problem was the Raiden Shogun herself. Yet the existence of the Resistance gave her a sliver of hope. Citizens unwilling to surrender their ideals had risen in defiance. Their strength may be small—against the Shogun, a single strike could end them—but they were still her people. Perhaps their will might reach the locked heart behind that eternal throne.
Just as that person once said.
"Guuji, aren't you curious why I joined the Resistance and learned every technique of the General?" Futsu Mitama asked, preparing to lay everything bare—because he intended to pull this sly fox into the group.
"Oh?" Yae Miko raised a brow, amused. "So, little one, you're ready to reveal your secret? I've held back my curiosity for quite some time, you know."
Of course, Yae Miko was curious. His blade work, his conjured Electro weapons—they were nearly identical to the Shogun's. She had once suspected he might be Ei's hidden agent. Unlikely, yes, but not impossible.
But the Shogun's later actions disproved that. If anything, she had mistakenly assumed she taught him. Yae Miko was willing to let that misunderstanding stand. If not, Futsu Mitama's fate would have already been sealed. In the land of eternity, "variables" were not permitted.
She had never intended to pry into his origins. Too much curiosity could turn allies into enemies. But now that Futsu Mitama intended to speak of his own accord… she listened.
"Yes. I'll reveal it. And once you see it, you'll understand."
He lifted his hand and pressed the Chat Group's invitation button. He had invited Aila once years ago. For a long time, it had been only the two of them within the quiet Chat Group with no activity. Until others arrived.
Now, aside from Aila, this was the first time he actively invited someone new. A list of names and avatars flickered into view—every person in Inazuma City. Even Kujou Sara, currently in Uyuu Restaurant.
Futsu Mitama quickly found Yae Miko's name, tapped her avatar, and sent the invitation.
"Ding! Are you willing to join the Teyvat Continent Loving Family Chat Group?"
The sudden voice in her mind startled Yae Miko so much she nearly slipped into a different plane. But she composed herself quickly as two options appeared before her: [Yes] and [No].
"Hm?" Yae Miko shot Futsu Mitama a sharp, probing look. From his earlier words alone, she knew he was responsible. This little one—hid more than she expected.
"As you can see," Futsu Mitama said with a small shrug. "This is the truth."
"Interesting. A little trick from Sumeru, perhaps?" Yae Miko mused, confidence returning. "Little one, there's nothing I haven't seen. Don't underestimate me."
She chose [Yes].
And the world around her shifted. A translucent interface appeared.
[Group Announcement: Ding!!!]
[Welcome Yae Miko to the Teyvat Continent Loving Family Chat Group]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "Eh?! Guuji?!"]
[Kuki Shinobu: "Spits blood—I guessed he might invite Guuji, but this is way too fast."]
[Aila: "From a rational standpoint, Guuji is the only one capable of helping the Resistance overcome this crisis at present."]
[Albedo: "Curious— why does she not need a name change?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "Since I invited her, she doesn't need one—unless I choose to modify it."]
[Futsu Mitama: "Aila was the same. For all of you, you simply use the name you are currently using."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "Why didn't you say this earlier?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "You never asked."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "@Yae Miko, pleased to meet you. We look forward to working together.]
[Azhdaha: "Matters grow more intriguing."]
[Raiden Makoto: "@Yae Miko… Five hundred years. It has been far too long. I never imagined we would speak again in this manner."]
[Yae Miko: "…"]
[Yae Miko: "? ! ! ? !"]
"Guuji? …Guuji?"
Outside the Chat Group, Yae Miko stood frozen in place—eyes blank, her usual mischief nowhere to be found. Futsu Mitama waved a hand before her.
As if to say: Didn't you claim you had seen everything? Then why are you the one stunned?
Frozen in place, the Guuji—long regarded as omniscient and nearly omnipotent within Inazuma—found herself staring at the list of names in the Chat Group, her expression subtly shifting. For a moment, countless memories rippled through Yae Miko's mind. In those distant recollections, the face of that gentle deity remained blurred—yet the warmth she radiated had never faded.
In her memories, Inazuma under that deity's guidance felt far more vibrant than the nation she saw now. It might sound unfair to Ei—but it was the unvarnished truth.
But—why? Why would she still exist?
Had someone impersonated her? It was plausible—but that name was known to almost no one. Could it be a prank? Who would dare? Not unless they wished to face Ei's blade directly. Yet if that were truly the case, then the matter of Futsu Mitama having learned Ei's swordsmanship—suddenly seemed less strange.
"Are you alright…?"
Futsu Mitama leaned forward and waved his hand before the dazed Guuji, trying to bring her back to her senses. He had expected her to be shocked—but not so thoroughly.
"No… I'm fine."
Yae Miko finally stirred. A complicated, unreadable light flickered in her eyes. The smile she always wore was absent. Instead, she looked lost in a way few had ever witnessed. A deity who had vanished five centuries ago… appearing here, inside something called the Teyvat Continent Loving Family Chat Group?
A sight she had truly never imagined. And she recognized each name:
Sangonomiya Kokomi, the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island. The former Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, Kuki Shinobu. Kamisato Ayaka, the young lady of the Kamisato Clan. Aila, a maid with rare potential whom she valued highly.
Albedo—yes, she recalled hearing of him from somewhere. Azhdaha… surely the one from Liyue? One sealed long, long ago by Morax.
She lowered her gaze to the translucent screen, gradually discerning how the Chat Group operated. After a brief silence, she made up her mind. And sent the question that weighed most heavily on her heart.
[Yae Miko: "@Raiden Makoto, is it truly you?"]
[Raiden Makoto: "Do you require proof? I can offer examples if needed."]
[Yae Miko: "Ah… there's no need. After seeing the files you uploaded… I understand. You…"]
[Raiden Makoto: "When you were still a tiny, clueless fox, you once dove headfirst into the snow searching for food. Ei, Kitsune Saiguu, and I laughed so hard that day."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Back then, you loved staying beside us. You should have known the differences between me and Ei even then."]
[Raiden Makoto: "You also enjoyed bringing me fruits. And there were many other interesting stories… Let me think—"]
[Yae Miko: "Wait!!! Enough!!! Please, Lady Makoto, no more!"]
[Raiden Makoto: "Lady Makoto? You call Ei by name, but speak so formally to me? Just call me Makoto."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "To think the Guuji had such a past—"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "I would not mind hearing more."]
[Aila: "So the esteemed Guuji was this adorable in her youth—interesting."]
[Azhdaha: "Hahaha! Such is the nature of little foxes."]
[Futsu Mitama: "Screenshot saved. I'll upload it to the group album later."]
[Yae Miko: "Little one, unless you wish to be flattened, you had better behave."]
Outside the Chat Group, Yae Miko gave Futsu Mitama a sweet, dangerous smile. Though she lacked combat prowess, she knew well that he could not defeat her now—not without the authority she had yet to fully grant him.
"Hahaha…" He offered a strained, polite smile. And wisely remained silent.
"But—what exactly is going on here?" she sighed. "At first I thought this was something from Sumeru."
A reasonable assumption. Their scholars possessed unusual devices, and this Chat Group felt akin to the Akasha. Yet the contents—especially the techniques uploaded by Raiden Makoto—made it clear that this was no mere trinket.
"And you don't know its origins?" Yae Miko asked.
"How would I?" Futsu Mitama shrugged. "I don't even know where Teyvat ends."
The Guuji chuckled softly. Fair enough. Even so… she suspected he knew far more than he let on. Still, she would not pry. She was already more grateful than she could express—because thanks to Futsu Mitama, she could speak with Makoto again.
With a deep breath, she looked back at the screen and resumed typing.
[Yae Miko: "Makoto, if you're truly here… why not meet Ei?"]
[Yae Miko: "You've surely learned Inazuma's recent state from the group. Five hundred years have passed, and Ei remains in seclusion, leaving all matters to a puppet."]
[Yae Miko: "At this point, she might as well let me sit on the Shogun's throne."]
[Raiden Makoto: "If you were the Shogun, Inazuma might flourish. But you wouldn't accept the throne, would you?"]
[Yae Miko: "Of course not. That position is tiresome beyond belief."]
The others, taken aback, could only watch.
[Futsu Mitama: "She's joking. That role isn't something one takes on lightly. Perhaps a few days would be fine, but any longer and she'd find it troublesome."]
[Yae Miko: "Oh? Little one, are you underestimating me?"]
[Yae Miko: "Or perhaps—you wish to compete for the position yourself?"]
More messages followed—Kokomi's confusion, Azhdaha's commentary, Makoto's explanations. And then—
The matter of restoring Inazuma. The reactions were explosive—especially Kokomi's. For the Resistance, the Vision Hunt Decree was a rallying banner—but the Sakoku Decree was the true noose tightening around Watatsumi.
Makoto's words carried hope—but also harsh reality.
[Raiden Makoto: "If Ei knew I existed, the decrees could be lifted. But I am only a fragment of consciousness. If she finds me—and I vanish soon after… the consequences would be disastrous."]
Yae Miko inhaled sharply. She understood all too well. If Ei regained Makoto only to lose her again—her obsession might swallow her whole. Even a god might collapse.
The group continued discussing erosion, the future, and the path forward. Eventually, Makoto made her request:
[Raiden Makoto: "@Yae Miko, you should join the Resistance as well."]
[Yae Miko: "Naturally~ If you are involved, then everything will proceed far more smoothly."]
More questions arose—Ayaka, Shinobu, Aila—and then came the matter of the Plane of Euthymia.
[Raiden Makoto: "Yes. We watched the Group Leader's livestream. Ei pulled him in using the authority you granted him."]
[Yae Miko: "Only the Group Leader? When did this happen? I even left him a brocade pouch."]
[Azhdaha: "Yesterday, I believe. Beelzebub saw through your plan and dragged him in."]
Yae Miko clicked her tongue.
"Sly in all the wrong places," she muttered. Then her gaze shifted toward Futsu Mitama.
"Since it seems you have a chance of being pulled in again," she said, smiling like a fox who had found a new toy, "might you deliver a message for me?"
"What message?" he asked warily.
She leaned forward, eyes sparkling.
"It's simple," she said sweetly. "Just tell her this: 'Inazuma has many new sweets now~ Don't you want to come out and try some?'"
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