SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 65 out, this is Chapter 66 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?
Pairings: Albedo/Sucrose, Zhongli/Mitsuko/Kazuha, One-sided Diluc/Mitsuko, One-sided Diluc/Jean
Disclaimers: Genshin Impact and Sailor Moon belong to miHoYo and Takeuchi Naoko-sensei respectively. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except the plot, I hope.
Chapter 66: Teyvat Arc: Omnipresence Over Mortals, Part Five
In the Chinju Forest...
"That toy tanuki just turned into a human!" Paimon exclaimed, Sayu popped up from the daruma under a rock. "What's going on? Paimon's never seen one of these before!"
"Not a tanuki..." Sayu snored. "I'm a mujina. I'm so tired. If I don't get enough sleep... it'll stunt my growth."
"Is this the 'professional' you were talking about?" Paimon wondered. "She doesn't look very professional at all."
"She is a member of the Shuumatsuban, a genuine, bona-fide ninja." Miko giggled.
"A ninja!" Paimon was surprised. "So, was that one of those legendary ninja transformation techniques? Anyway, what's the Shuumatsuban?"
"It belongs to the Yashiro Commission." Miko explained. "A secret unit under Kamisato Ayato. Now, Kamisato Ayato and the Yashiro Commission are neutral parties, so I have no right to give orders to the Shuumatsuban. However, convincing Lady Mitsuko's adopted daughter to help us is well within my abilities. Here's what I need you to do: go into town and find evidence of the Tenryou Commission's betrayal. It would not be appropriate for me to be seen there myself.
"You make it sound so simple, but..." Paimon winced.
"I have no idea what I'm looking for." the Traveler admitted.
"I thought you would have figured it out by now." Miko rebuked, "Alright then, I'll indulge you with a little more information. For a complete outsider, probing the inner workings of the Tenryou Commission is nigh on impossible. But since the three Commissions work together to serve the Shogun, they have a close relationship. Someone from one of the other Commissions might have an easier job of figuring out what they're up to..."
"The Yashiro Commission!" the Traveler realized.
"Now you're following me." Miko chuckled. "The Shogun's Army haven't given up on their search for you yet, but with the help of this Shuumatsuban ninja, I'm sure you'll be able to rendezvous with your friends. Don/t forget we're on a tight schedule here. Be sure to bring back the evidence in good time."
At the Komore Teahouse...
"Thoma!" Paimon called. "Thoma, you there? It's us, we're back!"
"Traveler, what brings you here?" Thoma exited his room. "Did you meet with the resistance? How's the battle going? Is it safe for me to come out yet?"
"Not just yet..." Paimon responded. "We saw people patrolling on our way here."
"So, it's still not over..." Thoma sighed. "I guess you came here because you have something to discuss? I'll get someone to call for Miss Kamisato, bear with me for one second."
"I see." Ayaka noted after the Traveler related the recent events. "You have been through a lot since we last met. I understand, you need evidence of the Tenryou Commission's betrayal. Let me think. Now that you mention it, there is one thing that has always concerned me. The Shogun's Army has been at war with the resistance for a long time now, but not once has the Shogun ever inquired about it. I used to think that she simply didn't care, but looking at it now, perhaps the problem all along has been with the Tenryou Commission's reports to the Shogun. The Tenryou Commission presides over domestic military affairs. If they ever had any intention of concealing information in their reports, we would have no way of knowing. Meanwhile, the Shogun would incorrectly conclude that the Vision Hunt Decree poses no threat, and would stick to her decision. If we had access to their reports, it would confirm everything."
"But as I recall, the only person authorized to access that kind of official documentation is Kujou Takayuki." Thoma pointed out. "It's heavily guarded too. Even with Sayu's help, swiping a document from under their noses is no easy task."
"If only there was a way we could distract the guards just for long enough." Ayaka mused.
"A distraction, you say..." the Traveler trailed.
"Yoimiya's fireworks!" Thoma declared.
"That's a very Thoma-sounding suggestion." Ayaka remarked. "But it's a reasonable one. The Statue of the Omnipresent God is right by the Tenryou Commission. If someone set off fireworks near the statue, they certainly wouldn't ignore it. While they were preoccupied with that, Sayu could infiltrate the Tenryou Commission and take the report, as well as any other evidence she might find. he Tenryou Commission is heavily guarded. Be careful when you get near. Let's meet back here afterwards."
"Alright, Traveler." Paimon nodded. "First, let's go to Hanamizaka to find Yoimiya."
At Naganohara Fireworks...
"Yoimiya, we need an extra-large firework!" Paimon called. "The super, duper big kind!"
"'Extra-large firework'?" Yoimiya's interest was piqued. "You sure came to the right person. As it happens, I made this really souped-up one just a couple days ago. But it's so powerful that I haven't found anywhere I can test it out yet: may as well give it to you. Let me know how it turns out. Don't forget, move well away from it after you light the fuse, and try to avoid burning your clothes. Also, it's best that you cover your ears."
"Why does Paimon feel so nervous all of a sudden?" Paimon muttered.
"Don't worry, it's just a firework, come on." Yoimiya giggled. "What's the worst that could happen?"
"We'll give it a try." Paimon replied. "Thanks, Yoimiya."
At a secluded spot near the Statue of the Omnipresent God...
"Pretty much how I thought..." Sayu reported back from her survey. "There are loads and loads of people. If one of them spots me, I'll get caught. We need to get rid of them, or I won't be able to sneak inside. After I get the document, let's meet back at Komore Teahouse, okay? Also, if I do get caught, please come rescue me."
After the Traveler's escape to the Komore Teahouse...
"How did it go?" Ayaka asked the returning Traveler.
"We lit the firework and ran away." the Traveler answered.
"Well done." Ayaka nodded. "Let's wait for news from Sayu."
"I know exercise helps you grow, but this was a little too much exercise." a panting Sayu complained. "I feel so dizzy. Everyone is spinning. No, I can't sleep yet." she shook herself awake. "There was something important I was supposed to do first. Oh, right, yeah. I got it! I didn't know how to find the document you guys were talking about, so I just swiped a whole bunch of stuff that looked suspicious. Here you go... I'm going to find Mitsuko-mama and sleep now."
"Milady, what are we looking at?" Thoma wondered.
"This sealed envelope must be an official report that the Tenryou Commission is preparing to present to the Shogun." Ayaka noted. "In addition, we have... correspondence with the Fatui. It seems that Guuji Yae was right. They have been fomenting unrest behind the scenes. Traveler, this should be ample evidence. Please take them to Guuji Yae. I trust she will have a plan for the next step. I will also gather some people to try and root out the rest of the Fatui in Inazuma."
"If Paimon remembers correctly, it should be time for our meeting with Yae Miko soon." Paimon reminded. "Let's pack up our things and get ready to head to the Grand Narukami Shrine."
Shortly afterwards...
Kazuha was stargazing with Mitsuko near the Fort Fujitou Teleport Waypoint when he sensed an intruder. "Who's there?" the Kaedehara samurai turned his head sharply around.
Mitsuko spotted a familiar daruma nearby, smiled and walked over. "It isn't often you drop in, little one." she planted a soft kiss on the leaf on the daruma's head.
"Mitsuko-mama, tired..." Sayu mumbled, popping out of her daruma guise and into the comforting arms of her adopted mother.
"I know, little one." Mitsuko cradled the little ninja in her arms. "I was informed about your little mission earlier tonight. Get some well-deserved rest."
"Mitsuko-mama?" Kazuha smiled, Mitsuko returning with the sleeping pre-teen in her arms.
"You missed quite a lot when you're away." Mitsuko remarked, settling down back on her original spot and gently stroking Sayu's bangs.
SailorStar9: Any OOC-ness is regretted. *Grins* Don't you just love plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.