Chapter 266: Chapter 265: I’ll Have One Too

Chapter 265: I’ll Have One Too

Night had fallen. After finishing his conversation with Bai Luo in the courtyard, Ayato quietly returned to his study.

The more he talked with Bai Luo, the deeper his sense of unease grew.

That man—his understanding of Inazuma’s past, its present, and even its possible future—was terrifyingly sharp.

The past and present could still be explained. After all, the turmoil in Inazuma today was mostly the handiwork of the Fatui.

But what made Ayato break into a cold sweat… was the man’s view of the future.

“If you truly wish to break Inazuma’s current stagnation, then one day, you and your Commission might have to… overstep a little.”

The moment Bai Luo spoke those words, Ayato felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Because what the man predicted was exactly what he himself had been thinking.

And what enemy could be more terrifying than one who could see straight through you?

When your thought is still just a faint spark in your mind, he’s already deduced every possible move you might make—and even helpfully pointed out where your plan is flawed.

Being seen through so completely… didn’t feel human.

Was he even still fighting people anymore?

“Ayato-sama.”

A shadow slipped silently into the study, kneeling down on one knee. On his back was a massive scroll, strapped tightly in place.

Ever since Ayato learned that even plants might serve as the Ausbilder’s eyes and ears, he had all the potted greenery in his mansion removed under various pretexts.

Now, his study was the only truly safe place in the entire Kamisato estate.

“How’s the progress?”

Ayato rubbed his temples, exhaustion showing in his tone.

Now that his operatives from the Shuumatsuban had returned, he could finally breathe a little easier.

Over the years, it was only thanks to their silent work in the shadows that he’d managed to secure the Kamisato Clan’s standing in Inazuma so quickly.

“The men have completed the markings on all islands except Watatsumi and Yashiori. This is the map.”

The ninja removed the thick scroll from his back and respectfully presented it to Ayato.

But when Ayato unrolled it, a wry smile crossed his lips.

He truly hadn’t expected that the Fatui had already wormed their way into Inazuma to this extent.

Had he and the Guuji discovered it even a little later… then all of Inazuma might already have become the Ausbilder’s backyard—a place he could come and go from as he pleased.

The situation was far more dire than he had imagined.

It seemed that once this Ausbilder departed, he’d have to pay Lady Yae another visit.

“Is there something else?”

Noticing that the Shuumatsuban operative hadn’t left, Ayato’s voice lowered slightly.

“Reporting, my lord—while surveying near Yashiori Island, our scouts discovered several Fatui agents collecting those same blue wildflowers. We ambushed a straggler, but no matter what we did, we couldn’t make him talk.”

Ayato’s heart tensed.

Anything connected to the Ausbilder demanded his utmost caution now.

If that man ever learned that the Yashiro Commission had attacked one of the Fatui, he would not pass up the chance to use it against them.

“Was the body handled?”

“Yes, my lord. Cleanly. We also found a coded message on him. After partial decryption, we managed to extract a fragment.”

The ninja produced a folded slip of paper and handed it over.

Ayato unfolded it, scanning the cryptic writing.

[ …Ausbilder’s directive… flower… Research Division… ]

“…”

The message was incomplete, but the meaning was clear enough.

Under the Ausbilder’s orders, a certain flower was to be delivered to the Research Division.

And without a doubt, that flower was the blue wildflower.

Was it that the research on that wildflower hadn’t yet been completed… or had it gained some new, unknown function?

Crushing the coded message in his hand, Kamisato Ayato let out a long, weary sigh.

It seemed tonight would be another sleepless one.

. . .

Deep into the night, the Fatui sentries had already changed shifts.

The torches flickered outside their camp, their orange glow standing in sharp contrast to the pitch-black stillness of the Kamisato estate.

Within that darkness, the supposedly sleeping Bai Luo slowly opened his eyes.

He looked toward the courtyard.

Someone was there.

That person’s goal wasn’t him, she was merely passing by.

To avoid waking the Ausbilder inside, she hadn’t even worn her shoes.

Her white socks brushed softly against the wooden floor, making not a single sound.

Passing the Ausbilder’s room, she peeked in slightly.

Seeing that he hadn’t stirred, she finally breathed out in relief and tiptoed onward.

What she didn’t notice… was that a pitch-black shadow had already slipped through the wall and silently followed her.

“—Hm?”

A faint glow flickered across her Vision—she had sensed something.

She spun around in an instant.

But behind her, there was nothing.

Just an illusion?

It must be. After all, she had just walked past that man’s room… it was normal for her nerves to play tricks on her.

Exhaling softly, she continued forward—and the ghostlike shadow glided after her once more, noiseless and unseen.

. . .

“A-Wang, make sure to turn off the lights before you go!”

In the kitchen, the Kamisato servants—who had been forced to work late into the night because of the Fatui guests—finally washed the last dish.

Complaining under their breath, they stacked the bowls neatly, stretched their aching arms, and trudged off to their quarters.

None of them noticed that once the servants’ quarters went dark, the kitchen lights quietly flicked on again.

Standing there in plain clothes was Kamisato Ayaka.

She locked the kitchen door behind her, then relaxed slightly.

Humming softly to herself, she rolled up her sleeves and began to prepare a meal.

From the practiced way she moved—lighting the stove, washing the rice, measuring the tea—it was clear this wasn’t her first time.

She knew where everything was without even looking.

When the rice was done, Ayaka scooped it neatly into a bowl.

A few pickled plums, a sprinkle of seaweed flakes, a dash of sesame seeds—then she reached for the pot of tea she’d brewed earlier, ready to pour it over the rice.

“Ochazuke?”

The sudden voice made her hand freeze midair.

At first, she nodded automatically, answering out of habit.

“Mm… tea over rice—”

Then her mind caught up.

The kitchen… should have been empty.

Her face stiffened.

That voice—she knew it.

Turning slowly, she saw Bai Luo standing right behind her, smiling pleasantly, one hand raised in casual greeting.

That gentle smile of his, under the flickering kitchen light, somehow looked… unsettling.

“If it’s not too much trouble,” he said lightly, “could you make me a bowl too? Less pickled plum, extra seaweed—add some peanuts if you happen to have it, that’d be perfect.”

. . . . .

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