"Young Lady Kamisato?"
Gu Sanqiu raised an eyebrow. Well, well, another addition to Inazuma's social web?
"Indeed," Thoma replied with a hint of pride in his voice. "Our Lady Kamisato Ayaka, the peerless Menkyo Kaiden of Kamisato-style tachi arts, also known as the Shirasagi Himegimi."
"Uh-huh. And?"
Gu Sanqiu had no intention of getting involved with them.
This clearly felt like the Yashiro Commission trying to recruit him as a blade against the Tenryou Commission. The risks were far too high for him to agree for a mere reward.
"And…?"
Thoma's usually composed demeanor faltered slightly. He hadn't expected someone to hear Lady Kamisato's name and remain utterly indifferent—borderline dismissive, even.
"Whatever nickname or skill your young lady has, that's your business. What's it got to do with me?"
"Besides, if the Kamisato Clan wants to recruit me, does that mean you're planning to break away from the Yashiro Commission? If not, how are you any different from the Yashiro Commission as a whole?"
Gu Sanqiu waved his hand dismissively. "You can leave. I'm not interested in the Tenryou Commission, and the Yashiro Commission is no different."
The Kanjou Commission managed Inazuma's finances, the Tenryou Commission oversaw military matters, and the Yashiro Commission held authority akin to Gu's family back in Liyue—though with an added focus on religious rites.
It was straightforward enough: while the Gu family lacked a divine patron like Narukami on Mt. Yougou, the Kamisato Clan leveraged their connection to the Grand Narukami Shrine as a source of power.
But in Gu Sanqiu's view, involving himself with the Yashiro Commission would inevitably mean entanglement with both Inazuma City and the Grand Narukami Shrine.
He had deliberately avoided the shrine's radius during his travels—why would he now willingly walk into their domain?
Didn't I just remind myself not to rush things? I already know the general outline of the script. Stick to it, follow the progression, and flip the table at the end.
The one laughing last will be me!
Kamisato Ayaka?
The legendary Ice Bridge Adept?
Honestly, it didn't stir much excitement in him. It certainly wasn't worth the risk.
The women he'd met in Liyue weren't all goddesses descended from the heavens, but each was a gem in her own right. His immunity to beauty had long since maxed out, with proficiency to match.
If he weren't here in Inazuma with a purpose, and Kamisato Ayaka had invited him over as a potential friend, he might've welcomed a companion with independent thoughts and aspirations. Conversations with such people were always enjoyable.
But now?
Does no one here understand the value of focusing on what's important?
Emotionless.
"This… If you agree to serve the Kamisato Clan, we'll ensure you're treated generously in every respect," Thoma continued.
Gu Sanqiu's indifference to the Shirasagi Himegimi's reputation had thrown Thoma completely off balance. Resorting to the most basic persuasion techniques was all he had left.
"That won't be necessary. I understand what you're saying, Thoma, but I currently have no intention of serving anyone else," Gu Sanqiu replied coolly. "Having just returned from the purity and freedom of nature to the dust of the mundane world, I need time to refine my path and improve my swordsmanship. I'm not particularly concerned with worldly matters."
"Not interested in worldly matters?"
Thoma instinctively glanced around the dojo. Such a grand establishment—was he seriously saying it served no ulterior purpose? Even he couldn't believe that.
"Don't bother looking," Gu Sanqiu said, his tone flat. "The dojo exists purely for me to challenge Inazuma's finest warriors. With the war on the frontlines, someone of my status can't approach lightly. So I came to the city instead."
"However, based on what I've seen so far, the samurai in Inazuma City have been… disappointing."
Thoma rose and bowed. "I'll report everything to Lady Kamisato as it was said. Thank you for your explanation, sir. Until we meet again."
"Until we meet again. See yourself out."
Had Thoma come as an independent agent, Gu Sanqiu might've escorted him out. But since he came as a "housekeeper" for the Kamisato Clan, it was more appropriate to leave that to Itto or the other assistants.
After all, as a subordinate of another house, and considering his intentions for this visit, there was no need for Gu Sanqiu to display excessive courtesy. What he needed now was a presence of poise and independence.
Still, due to the sensitive nature of their conversation, Thoma had to leave unaccompanied.
"Interesting. So the little turtle could send Thoma to recruit me. Seems they've planted someone in the Tenryou Commission."
Gu Sanqiu mused to himself. If mere rumors were enough to prompt someone of Thoma's standing to visit, then the Kamisato Clan clearly had inside information from the Tenryou Commission. And whoever leaked it was likely of significant rank.
What surprised Gu Sanqiu the most wasn't the existence of a mole but the audacity of it all. By the time his own informants or Haruto relayed the news, the Tenryou Commission would undoubtedly realize someone had leaked sensitive information.
Yet they'd have no way of pinpointing who. The Yashiro Commission's confidence in this maneuver was almost a direct slap to the face.
"Tsk. I haven't joined the Yashiro Commission, but they've already stirred up trouble by using this recruitment attempt to muddy the waters. Are they trying to force me into the fray?"
This underhanded tactic of dragging Gu Sanqiu into the game without warning didn't quite feel like Kamisato Ayaka's style.
"Could it be her brother pulling the strings behind the scenes?"
Gu Sanqiu seriously suspected he'd been set up. While the scheme was subtle, it had effectively severed any possibility of him siding with the Tenryou Commission.
With rumors of an informant circulating and a high-ranking Yashiro agent openly visiting him, the Tenryou Commission would now view Gu Sanqiu with suspicion, regardless of his intentions.
"Leveraging influence, step by step, until the scales tip in their favor. What a flawless chain of maneuvers. Impressive."
Gu Sanqiu chuckled. "The mere act of Thoma visiting my dojo ensures that, regardless of our conversation's outcome, the Tenryou Commission will be wary of me. Clever, very clever."
"But to go to such lengths for someone like me, an unknown samurai? Why would they risk exposing a Tenryou informant for this? The investment doesn't match the payoff."
Gu Sanqiu frowned. That was the one piece of the puzzle he couldn't figure out. He wasn't Ryuuji or some other legendary figure—just a skilled swordsman. What was their true motive?
These local power players really are hard to read.
---
T/N: Ichinose was blocked :D