Chapter 13: The Smiling Fox

The sun had begun to rise by the time they returned to Denzan's ship. The storm that had once loomed over the island had vanished, leaving only clear skies and the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore. But even with the battle behind them, the weight of what had transpired lingered.

Denzan leaned against the ship's railing, staring back at the island. "So… we just leave it like that? Sealed up and forgotten?"

Renshin stood beside him, arms crossed. "vaelith was never meant to be woken. We were lucky we could bind it again."

Paimon huffed. "Lucky? That thing almost crushed us!"

The Traveler, ever calm, studied the horizon. "What worries me is its final words. This is not the end."

Denzan exhaled, drumming his fingers on the railing. "Monsters like that don't just *go away*. Someone will come looking for it. Someone did." His gaze darkened. "That island wasn't on any map. And yet, there were ships—wreckage—signs of people who came before us. Someone knew."

Renshin's jaw tightened. "Then we need to find out who."

Denzan turned to him, eyes sharp. "You say that like you already have an idea."

Renshin was silent for a moment before finally speaking. "The Shogunate keeps records of lost islands, ancient battles, and failed experiments. If anyone buried the truth, it's them."

Denzan narrowed his eyes. "And you would know this how?"

Renshin met his gaze without hesitation. "Because I've read some of those records. And they don't always tell the whole story."

Paimon waved her hands. "Wait, wait, wait! Are you saying the Shogunate *knew* about the Sleeper and just—what? Pretended it didn't exist?"

Renshin didn't answer.

Denzan pushed off the railing, stretching his shoulders. "Sounds like we need to pay someone a visit."

The Traveler nodded. "The Tenryou Commission might have what we need."

Renshin shook his head. "Too public. If this was buried, it was done quietly. We need someone who deals in information. Someone who sells secrets."

Denzan smirked. "Then I know exactly where to start."

Paimon groaned. "Oh no. This is going to be one of those plans, isn't it?"

Denzan grinned, already setting course. "Relax, it's just a little visit to an old friend."

The scent of sake and grilled fish filled the air as Denzan led the group through the winding backstreets of Ritou. The bustling port town was always alive with merchants, sailors, and all manner of rogues looking to strike a deal. But tonight, they weren't here for trade—they were here for information.

Renshin walked beside him, his expression unreadable. "This 'friend' of yours… Can they be trusted?"

Denzan smirked. "Trust is a strong word. But if anyone in Inazuma knows about buried secrets, it's him."

They stopped outside a secluded teahouse tucked between two larger buildings. A faded wooden sign above the entrance bore a simple fox emblem. Warm light flickered from within, laughter and quiet conversations drifting through the thin walls.

The Traveler gave Denzan a skeptical look. "A teahouse?"

Paimon crossed her arms. "You dragged us all the way here for tea?"

Denzan chuckled. "Not just any tea." Pushing the door open, he strode inside.

The scent of incense mixed with the aroma of warm sake. Patrons sat at low tables, drinking, gambling, whispering. And at the far end of the room, reclining lazily behind the counter, was the man they had come to see.

A kitsune-masked informant, dressed in flowing silks of deep purple and gold, a single dangling earring catching the light. He sipped from a porcelain cup, watching them with sharp, knowing eyes.

"Well, well," the masked man drawled. "If it isn't the little pirate. You only show up when you want something."

Denzan grinned. "You make it sound like a bad thing, Tomoe."

Tomoe, the self-proclaimed 'Broker of Secrets', chuckled. "Flattery won't get you a discount." His gaze flickered to the Traveler and Renshin. "And you've brought… interesting company. I'm intrigued."

Denzan pulled out a small pouch of mora and placed it on the counter. "We need information. Something buried deep. Ever heard of vaelith?"

The room shifted. Conversations slowed. The air felt heavier.

Tomoe went very still, then carefully set his cup down. "That," he murmured, "is a name I haven't heard in a long time."

Renshin leaned forward. "But you have heard it."

Tomoe tilted his head. "I deal in information, not in ghosts." He glanced at the pouch of mora, then back at Denzan. "This isn't enough."

Denzan sighed. "Of course it's not."

Tomoe smirked. "But lucky for you, I do have something to offer. The problem is, I don't give knowledge for free."

The Traveler crossed their arms. "What do you want?"

Tomoe's eyes glinted behind his mask. "A favor. A simple errand, really. Retrieve something for me from a rather… unfriendly group."

Paimon groaned. "This is definitely one of those plans."

Denzan chuckled, already feeling the familiar rush of another job. "Fine. We'll get your trinket."

Tomoe leaned back, satisfied. "Then, my dear friends, we have a deal."

As they left the teahouse, Denzan glanced at Renshin. "Told you he was useful."

Renshin sighed. "Let's just hope it's worth the trouble."

Trouble, Denzan thought, was half the fun.