Ch 210 : The Real and Fake Kamisato Ayato
"So you mean to say that Kitsune Saiguu, that darn fox, has actually been dead all along?"
Ioroi spoke slowly, his tone clearly more somber than before.
"I won't believe what you're saying. I know that darn fox's abilities all too well! Don't try to fool me!"
"What's more, I just saw that darn fox with my own eyes!"
"If it weren't for the seal placed by this human kid, I'd have already chased after her and asked her myself what's going on!"
Seeing Ioroi like this, Su Yuan had already formed a guess…
In truth, Ioroi probably knew everything.
The reason he chose to remain sealed in stone was likely because he didn't want to, and perhaps couldn't, face the truth…
Though Harunosuke was an incredibly skilled onmyouji, Ioroi wasn't your average yokai…
All these years had passed, and even the strongest seals would weaken over time.
Su Yuan didn't believe that Ioroi couldn't break free…
In fact, Su Yuan really hoped Ioroi would join his team to fight against the Eerie forces, because while Eerie powers counter elemental powers, whether they would also counter yokai powers was an entirely different matter.
Ioroi, as one of the great yokai of Inazuma, is skilled in the art of shapeshifting and transformation, which can still be of great use in critical moments.
However, looking at him now, it's clear he truly doesn't intend to face reality and seems determined to stay sealed in stone, waiting for Kitsune Saiguu's return…
Just as Su Yuan was about to say something to Ioroi, he suddenly heard Sayu's voice approaching.
"Traveler, everyone, I'm here!"
Sayu, rolling and swaying, out of breath, said:
"Do you know who I ran into on my way to the Chiyo Forest just now?"
"I ran into the head of the Kamisato Clan!"
Everyone was taken aback!
What? Kamisato Ayato?
Wasn't he missing after his duel with the Raiden Shogun? How did he suddenly appear again?
"The Kamisato Clan head said to tell us to return to the Kamisato Estate, where he'll arrange a concealed location for us. He's not afraid of anyone searching…"
"He has a lot to say to all of us!"
Su Yuan thought for a moment.
That made sense.
The most dangerous places were often the safest.
The Okuzumeshuu had just visited the Kamisato Estate, so they likely wouldn't return so soon.
Returning to the Kamisato Estate now should be relatively safe and wouldn't expose them easily.
"Well then, Ioroi, we'll take our leave for now."
The group bid farewell to Ioroi and followed Sayu, returning to the Kamisato Estate.
"Master, where have you been all this time?"
In a secret room within the Kamisato Estate, Thoma was making tea while asking Ayato:
"During your absence, the young lady has been quite worried about you…"
"I just went to a distant place. Once the Traveler and the others have gathered, I'll explain everything."
Thoma smiled and said:
"Master, is it just my imagination, or do you look a little younger?"
"Well, you've been busy with official duties for so long, you hardly get any rest."
"Now that you've had some time away from work, it's good that you've had a chance to rest!"
"But anyway, it's good that you're back. The young lady will surely be very happy."
Before long, Su Yuan and his group arrived at the secret room and met with Ayato.
Everyone eyed Ayato warily—after all, according to previous intel, he had clearly been under the control of the Eerie…
But now, looking at him, everything seemed perfectly normal.
"So, Thoma," Ayato asked, "since the Traveler and everyone else is already here, why is Ayaka still refusing to come out and see me?"
"Never mind… perhaps she's sulking because I've been away from home for so many days…"
He chuckled softly and continued:
"As for the mental issues you mentioned, Thoma, I'll find the best doctors to treat her."
Ayato waved at the group with a warm smile.
"Greetings, everyone. No need to be formal—please, have a seat."
"Though the rumors outside say that I challenged the Raiden Shogun and died at her hand, that's not what actually happened…"
"On the contrary, after our sparring match, I deeply came to realize that what the Shogun pursues truly is eternal."
"Now, all those eyes that have been taken, all those severed hands—they are merely small sacrifices made in pursuit of true eternity!"
Noticing the strange looks from the others, Ayato smiled faintly and shrugged helplessly.
"Hmm? Why are you all looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?"
"Besides, whether it's the Yashiro Commission, the Kanjou Commission, or the Tenryou Commission—aren't all three of us meant to assist the Shogun in achieving her ultimate goal?"
Just then, the observant Su Yuan finally realized what was off about the Ayato standing before them!
This Kamisato Ayato—there was no mole at the corner of the left side of his mouth!
"Everyone, be careful! This Kamisato Ayato—he's not the real Ayato!" Su Yuan shouted.
"He doesn't have the mole at the corner of his mouth!"
Hearing Su Yuan's words, "Ayato" instinctively touched the corner of his mouth and said:
"Oh? You're right—I forgot there's supposed to be a little mole there..."
"But I really am Kamisato Ayato..."
"I have no intention of harming any of you. I only wish to invite you all to join me in helping the Shogun achieve true eternity…"
But everyone was now certain—this person in front of them was definitely not Kamisato Ayato!
Su Yuan suddenly recalled the rule inscribed on his right palm:
[ If you encounter someone you shouldn't be seeing, no matter what they say—don't believe them. ]
So then… this version of Kamisato Ayato—could he be one of those people they should never have encountered?
The next moment, Ayato drew the blade at his side and began to gently swing it...
"Kamisato Art — Suiryuu."
In an instant, using Hydro elemental power, Ayato created a tranquil garden-like domain centered around himself, causing a rain of shimmering water-blade petals to fall from above!
Everyone hurriedly raised their weapons and activated their elemental powers to defend themselves—only to realize, to their astonishment, that these water-blade petals weren't powerful at all.
It felt... more like a gentle rain shower.
"Enough... You really are my brother..."
At that moment, Kamisato Ayaka stepped out from behind the screen.
She had been secretly observing Ayato from the shadows the entire time...
"To wield the Kamisato Art with such mastery—there's no one else in this world who could do that besides you."
"But that day... I clearly saw you die at the hands of the Shogun while protecting me…"
Ayato gave a gentle smile and sheathed his blade.
The rain of water-blades gradually faded away…
"Ayaka, you're finally willing to come out and see me."
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