The night passed quickly.
Yae Miko had been thoroughly... "educated."
It was a peculiar form of fox-to-fox communication. Or perhaps just Saiguu's twisted sense of humor. Either way, Yae Miko learned the Secret Art of the Hakushin Clan that night, so her suffering wasn't entirely in vain.
To show some mercy, Su Han convinced Hanachirusato (Saiguu) to return the blackmail photos of young Yae. After all, he had already seen enough with his own eyes. It wouldn't be fair to keep them.
[The Next Morning]
Su Han woke up with a heavy weight on his chest.
He looked down and chuckled.
For all her elegance and wisdom, the legendary Kitsune Saiguu was a terrible sleeper.
She was sprawled on top of him like an octopus, limbs tangled around his waist and neck. Her silver hair was a mess, and there was a small wet patch on his chest where she had been drooling.
"Mmn... Fried Tofu..." she mumbled in her sleep, smacking her lips. "Mine... don't eat it..."
Su Han smiled, grateful for the privacy barrier he had set up. If Yae Miko saw the dignified Saiguu drooling over tofu, her image would be ruined forever.
But honestly? It was adorable.
He reached out and gently tweaked her nose.
"Nnngh..."
Saiguu frowned, her long eyelashes fluttering. She buried her face deeper into his neck to escape the annoyance.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," Su Han whispered.
"No..." she groaned, swatting his hand away. "Five more minutes..."
"It's 8:30. Didn't you say you were going to wake up your clan today?"
Saiguu's eyes snapped open.
"Ah! I forgot!"
She scrambled off him, her grace returning instantly. "Oh no, oh no... I can't let them see me like this!"
She rushed to the vanity, grabbing a comb.
Su Han watched her transformation from "messy girlfriend" to "elegant matriarch" in real-time. "Do you need to go to them personally? I recall the fox statues are scattered all over the island."
"No need," Saiguu replied, applying a touch of rouge to her lips. She winked at him in the mirror. "The Hakushin Clan has a secret art. One spell, and every fox in Inazuma will hear my call. If I had to visit them one by one, I'd die of exhaustion."
She adjusted her hair, looking satisfied.
"See? Love makes a woman beautiful," she teased. "Say, should I go bully Ei later? I'll bet her: 'Winner of Karuta gets to sleep with Su Han.' She's never beaten me at Karuta."
Su Han deadpanned. "I give her three days. After three days of losing, she'll just cut you with the Musou no Hitotachi."
"True," Saiguu laughed. "Warriors have their own way of solving problems. Alright, I'm ready. Don't go anywhere—I need to introduce you to the family."
She grabbed his hand. As the Matriarch, she intended to declare her partner to the world.
[Tenshukaku Plaza]
Thirty minutes later.
Hanachirusato stood before a simple altar in the plaza. In her hand was a sacred kagura suzu—different from Yae Miko's, older and more ornate.
"Hakushin Secret Art: Thousand Mile Voice."
She shook the bells.
Chime.
The sound wasn't loud, but it carried a spiritual resonance that rippled across the entire island.
"I am Kitsune Saiguu. My kin... awaken."
[Across Narukami Island]
In the Chinju Forest. By the Byakko Plain. On the path to the Grand Shrine.
Hundreds of stone fox statues began to crack.
Crack. Crumble.
Stone shells fell away, revealing living fur and breathing bodies. Foxes shook off the dust of centuries, their eyes glowing with recognition.
"The Lady... She has returned!"
"We have waited so long!"
Trails of light shot across the sky, converging on Tenshukaku.
Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh.
One by one, they landed in the plaza. Some remained as foxes, others transformed into beautiful women with fox ears and tails. Tears streamed down their faces as they saw the figure on the altar.
"Lady Saiguu!"
"You're alive!"
"Master!"
Saiguu looked at her faithful subordinates, her own eyes misting over.
They had turned themselves to stone to wait for her. If she had truly died, they would have remained statues until erosion claimed them.
"Rise, my children," she said gently. "However, do not call me Kitsune Saiguu anymore. Having returned from death, I have taken a new name. Call me Hanachirusato."
"Yes, Lady Hanachirusato!"
The clan obeyed instantly.
"Now," Saiguu gestured to the man standing beside her. "There is one more thing. You must remember this man."
She took Su Han's arm.
"Without him, my soul would have been lost to the darkness forever. He is the benefactor of the Hakushin Clan. And... he is my husband."
The plaza went dead silent.
The older, powerful fox spirits stared. Their Lady... the terrifying, unmatched Kitsune Saiguu... married a human?
"He saved me," Saiguu said firmly. "His word is my word. You will serve him as you serve me."
The shock vanished, replaced by gratitude. If he saved their Lady, he was worthy of worship.
"Greetings, Lord Su Han!"
The entire clan knelt in unison.
Su Han smiled. "Please, rise. I don't have much prepared, but take these Vitality Pills. They're made from Qilin and Dragon blood. They should help you recover your strength."
He distributed the pills. The foxes beamed—this was a high-grade treasure.
[The Reinforcements]
Raiden Ei walked out of the Tenshukaku, observing the gathering.
"I wondered where all the fox statues went," she commented. "So they were waiting for you."
"They protected my memory," Saiguu said softly. "If I hadn't returned..."
She shuddered. The thought of her clan waiting in stone forever was terrifying.
"Well, they are back now," Ei nodded. "Have them stay in Tenshukaku. We need the manpower. Don't send them back to the shrine."
"Agreed," Saiguu said. "Nine Sara is a good fighter, but she lacks administrative finesse. My clan can handle governance, intelligence, and hunting monsters. We will stabilize Inazuma."
Su Han nodded. This was exactly what they needed.
The Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree had drained Inazuma of talent. Yae Miko was a lone commander with no elite troops. But Saiguu? She brought an entire army of 30 Elite Youkai, four of whom were stronger than Kujou Sara.
The Shogunate finally had a backbone again.
Ring Ring.
Su Han's Den Den Mushi buzzed.
"Report."
"Lord Su Han!" The voice on the other end was trembling. "The Lottery... the Grand Prize winner has been drawn!"
"Oh? Who is it?"
"It's... well, you know her."
A familiar, high-pitched screeching laughter echoed from the receiver.
"HAHAHAHA! I KNEW IT! I, PAIMON, AM THE GOD OF LUCK! PAY UP!"
Su Han facepalmed.
Of course.
The Emergency Food won the jackpot.
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