Public opinion, at all times, is the most crucial matter.
On a small scale, it can influence a person's emotions.
On a large scale, it can even crush a person's life.
Or even their very existence.
Since the resistance began opposing the Vision Hunt Decree, Watatsumi Island has always held the upper hand in terms of public opinion.
Because the Raiden Shogun's Vision Hunt Decree is indeed excessively inhumane.
This is also one of the reasons why Watatsumi Island has been able to stand against the Shogunate's forces for so long.
After all, human nature tends to side with the underdog. And when that underdog has a legitimate reason to fight back, they receive unconditional support.
The destruction of the wards suppressing the Tatarigami might sound insignificant—just the dismantling of shrines and seals meant to restrain Orobashi's remnants. To Watatsumi Island, this might even seem beneficial.
But Sangonomiya Kokomi understands better than anyone how terrifying the Tatarigami's influence can be.
That lingering resentment from Orobashi will mercilessly devour everything around it, including the lives on Yashiori Island.
Even when the Tatarigami was suppressed, villagers who mined Crystal Marrow near the serpent god's remains were affected—some suffering mental breakdowns, others losing their lives.
In short, once the wards are destroyed, the Tatarigami's influence will spread unchecked, plunging all of Yashiori Island into irreversible ruin.
Kokomi isn't certain whether the resistance soldiers were truly responsible, but at this point, it no longer matters who did it.
If she were a Shogunate strategist, she would never pass up this chance to smear Watatsumi Island's name.
So someone must investigate the truth and restore Watatsumi Island's "justice."
And that someone—Battousai is the most suitable.
First, he has never publicly declared allegiance to Sangonomiya, so his words carry no bias.
Second, Battousai holds unparalleled prestige, whether within the resistance or on Narukami Island.
Even though the Shogunate has explicitly forbidden imitating Battousai's attire and mannerisms, red-clad swordsmen can still be seen roaming the wilderness.
Especially among swordsmen obsessed with their craft—none can resist the allure of a swordsmanship that wounded a god, a new path independent of the Shogun's teachings.
"So you mean... you want me to investigate the destruction of the wards?"
Bai Luo's lips still carried that faint smile, his tone betraying neither joy nor anger.
But the more composed he seemed, the more uneasy Kokomi grew.
"Rest assured, Mr. Himura. The resistance will handle uncovering the truth. You need only find the evidence and present it to the public."
Kokomi had phrased it delicately, but Bai Luo understood her implication.
All he had to do was "find" evidence and announce it—even if it wasn't evidence he personally uncovered, or even genuine evidence at all.
At its core, the resistance merely needed Battousai's reputation to quell the storm.
"Very well. I've grown tired of idling in Bourou Village anyway. A change of scenery might do me good. But I have one condition."
After some thought, Bai Luo agreed to Kokomi's request.
"Name it. We will do our best to accommodate you."
Hearing his words, Kokomi exhaled in relief.
As long as he conceded, Watatsumi Island had already half-won the battle of public opinion—victory was all but assured.
"I want Teppei to accompany me. And... another serving of caviar."
"Caviar?"
"Yes, caviar."
...
The next morning, Bai Luo set off from Bourou Village with a confused Teppei.
Reirei and Mirai saw them off, lingering until they crossed the stone bridge.
"Make sure to pass my message to my brother!"
Mirai, clutching Reirei's hand, shouted after them.
Teppei raised a hand in acknowledgment.
"Not bad. In just a few days, how far have you two gotten?"
Once they were out of earshot, Bai Luo smirked at Teppei.
Over this period, he had trained Teppei relentlessly. Though his reverse-blade sword couldn't kill, the wounds it inflicted were very real.
So Teppei had frequently staggered to Reirei's clinic, battered and bruised.
The concern in Reirei's eyes as they left had been unmistakable. Who knew his casual actions would spark a romance?
"I can treat my own wounds now!"
Teppei puffed out his chest proudly.
Under Reirei's guidance, he had learned much about medicine—especially trauma care—and even picked up some supposedly effective folk remedies.
Though whether grinding Onikabuto into powder was genuine advice or just Reirei messing with him remained unclear.
Still, he had inherited some of her skills, even mastering the art of stitching his wounds without anesthesia—surpassing the master herself.
"You... never mind."
Teppei's answer wasn't what Bai Luo had hoped for, so he could only sigh in resignation.
Bai Luo hadn't agreed to resolve the Tatarigami crisis on a whim.
Kokomi's recounting of Watatsumi's history seemed intended to convey one message:
Watatsumi Island is pitiable. Our only god was slain, his remains desecrated, buried and dug up again and again.
A classic appeal to sympathy.
This kind of thing works like a charm in many hot-blooded anime—righteous protagonists would leap to aid the damsel in distress, heedless of the Tatarigami's dangers.
And Bai Luo had fallen for it—just not for the reasons she expected.
It wasn't out of pity or some abstract sense of justice. Whether the resistance fought for justice was irrelevant.
His true target was the Tatarigami itself—or rather, Orobashi's remnants.
So far, every new class, achievement, or equipment had ties to an Archon or demonic entity.
Collei's Archon residue, Morax himself, Osial's followers...
This suggested he might obtain new gear or abilities from Orobashi's lingering wrath.
A new class was too much to hope for—he'd just acquired one at sea. The system needed time to recover, lest it collapse from overuse.
But surely he could get at least one piece of equipment?
Kirito has his ultimate move but not even a signature sword?
Reaching level 5 without an Elucidator is an insult to the character!
As for his schemes on Watatsumi Island, there was no rush.
Transferring three billion Mora wouldn't happen overnight. Accounting for transport from the Shogunate, it would take at least half a month.
Fifteen days—plenty of time to deal with the Tatarigami.
Patting the caviar tucked in his coat, Bai Luo smiled in satisfaction.
This was the fruit of the Divine Priestess's labor last night.
Though true caviar freedom remained elusive, things were moving in the right direction.
Now, to see if he could acquire some new gear.