A few days later, outlying islands.
"Eh? Why are there so many Shogunate Samurai on outlying islands?" Sayu looked at the outlying islands coast from the boat, feeling a bit confused.
"I'm also on the Tenryou Commission's Wanted Poster, so Makoto, I'm sorry, I can only take you as far as outlying islands." Gorou said apologetically, "But why are there so many Shogunate Army soldiers on outlying islands? I haven't seen them here before..."
"Could they be hunting down people with Visions now?" Gorou's expression was grave, but he still couldn't risk himself. "Makoto, you two be careful."
"Mhm."
"You too... Gorou, safe travels."
After watching Gorou and those Sangonomiya Shrine soldiers sail out of the harbor from the shore, her gaze returned to outlying islands.
"Should we ask the locals?" Raiden Makoto also looked puzzled. After all, when she was with Thoma and Kamisato Ayaka, she hadn't seen so many Shogunate Army soldiers on outlying islands.
Although outlying islands wasn't as big as Inazuma City, it was quite prosperous and crowded since it was the only place open to International Merchants.
"Mhm, mhm."
"Sister, do you know why there are so many Shogunate Samurai here?" There were many vendors on outlying islands, mostly foreigners. Raiden Makoto chose a blonde female merchant who looked like she was from Mondstadt.
"You mean those people from the Tenryou Commission? I heard it's because someone has been impersonating the Raiden Shogun lately... They've increased patrols across Inazuma. I heard there's a one-million Mora bounty if anyone finds the person impersonating the Raiden Shogun."
Was she only worth one million Mora?
"I don't know who would be so bold as to impersonate the Raiden Shogun in Inazuma. It's a pity I don't even know what the Raiden Shogun looks like, otherwise I could..." The Mondstadt merchant sighed. "Anyway, you two should be careful. The people from the Tenryou Commission are just as unreasonable as those from the Tenryou Commission."
"Mhm."
As expected, those people had increased patrols because she had impersonated the Raiden Shogun back then.
If there were this many Shogunate Army soldiers even on outlying islands, let alone Narukami Island, Raiden Makoto felt there must be even more on Narukami Island.
"What should we do?" When they reached a corner, a look of worry appeared on Sayu's face. He and Raiden Makoto were actually on the Tenryou Commission's Wanted Poster. Fortunately, he had disguised himself as an ordinary girl early on, so no one would know he was Sayu.
But Raiden Makoto looked just like the Raiden Shogun. If those people recognized her, they would have to face the Tenryou Commission. Sayu had never experienced such things and was starting to panic.
"They're over there... Surround them!" Just as Raiden Makoto was about to comfort Sayu, a shout came from the distance. Looking toward the sound, she saw over a dozen Shogunate Army soldiers charging straight at them.
"Run... Run quickly!" Raiden Makoto immediately realized that the Mondstadt merchant definitely knew what the Raiden Shogun looked like; she had only said that to keep them there.
It had to be said that those merchants were indeed a bunch of swindlers. Their acting was so realistic that even Raiden Makoto had been fooled.
Sayu also reacted instantly, grabbing Raiden Makoto and running into an alley.
After an unknown amount of time, they finally stopped when they realized there was no more movement behind them.
Sayu said pantingly, "Sister... that female merchant just now... really... so annoying."
Sayu's face was flushed, and he was a bit out of breath. They couldn't afford to be caught by the Tenryou Commission.
If he were alone, he would have definitely used his Breath-holding Technique, and with the Shogunate Army's abilities, they would never have found him.
But now that Raiden Makoto was with him, he couldn't do that, and he certainly couldn't leave her behind.
As for Raiden Makoto, she seemed fine. She quietly looked down the alley and muttered to herself, "It seems impersonating the Raiden Shogun is a very serious matter in Inazuma."
"Sister, aren't you tired?" Sayu noticed that Raiden Makoto still looked like a normal person, which puzzled him slightly. He was out of breath, yet Raiden Makoto remained calm.
Indeed, why wasn't she tired at all? It was as if there was an infinite power within her body.
"Not tired."
"Then sister, what should we do now? The Tenryou Commission must be everywhere outside. We might already be surrounded by them." Sayu was a bit panicked. With so many Shogunate Army soldiers, it seemed they couldn't escape.
"Patrols must have been tightened on Narukami Island. Going to the Kamisato Clan now definitely won't work..."
It would take at least a day to get from outlying islands to the Kamisato Clan. Since she had impersonated the Raiden Shogun outside the Chinju Forest, the Tenryou Commission would certainly have increased patrols on the way to the Kamisato Estate.
"If I had known, I should have waited a bit longer before returning to Narukami Island, but saying that now is meaningless."
"Sayu, do you have any other friends in Inazuma? Friends who can provide us with a safe haven." Raiden Makoto could only place her hope in Sayu. Aside from Kamisato Ayaka and Thoma, she was completely unfamiliar with Inazuma.
Raiden Makoto didn't even understand the specific geography of Narukami Island well enough to find a place to hide.
"Friends?" Sayu dazed for a moment and shook his small head, "Sister... I don't really have any friends."
But as Sayu pondered, his eyes suddenly lit up. He knew someone who could help them now.
"I've got it."
"Sister, we can go find Lady Guuji Yae. She should be able to help us." Sayu wasn't stupid; he knew they couldn't contact Kamisato Ayaka now, as that might even harm her.
"Lady Guuji Yae?"
"It's Lady Yae Miko. She often likes to pat Sayu's head... Lady Guuji Yae should help us. If it's that lady, she'll definitely be able to solve this."
"Lady Yae Miko is the Grand Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine. I heard Demoiselle Ayaka say that Lady Yae Miko is on very good terms with the Shogun, so she will definitely be able to help us hold off the Tenryou Commission."
Just as Sayu was explaining, the voices of those Shogunate Army soldiers came from behind again. The chaotic shouting made Raiden Makoto's heart tighten. She certainly didn't want to be caught by the Tenryou Commission; that would ruin everything.
"They're over there!"
"Catch them!"
"Surround them!"
"Sayu, lead the way. We're going to the Grand Narukami Shrine."
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