"You do not look like someone with so many worries. How about I point out a clear path for you?"
Beidou leaned against the ship, the gentle breeze messing up her hair.
Kaedehara Kazuha asked in confusion, "What clear path?"
"I know someone. His strength can only be described as unfathomable. If you can earn his recognition, you might be able to revive your family. Of course, whether he is willing to help you will depend on your own effort."
"Then who is he?"
"Naturally, it is the owner of the comic shop. Do not let the fact that he is a merchant fool you. His strength is extremely powerful. I have wanted to spar with him several times, but Ningguang stopped me every time. What a pity."
Hearing Beidou's words, Kaedehara Kazuha fell into deep thought.
His father had been very open-minded and never wanted him to live his entire life for the sake of the family. However, if there was even a small glimmer of hope, Kaedehara Kazuha was still willing to give it a try. If he did not even have the courage to try once, then he really would sink into complete despair.
"Alright, then I will trouble you, Sister Beidou. If I can truly revive the family, I will definitely work very hard!"
"Haha, no need to thank me. I only spoke up because I have seen you worrying about this lately. People always have to look forward. Standing still forever will not do."
"Yes, Sister Beidou is right. I will work hard."
The fleet slowly departed from Inazuma. To others, the thunderstorm was terrifying, but to the Crux Fleet it was nothing special, since they had the sea route map.
On Yae Miko's side, after finishing the story of Fox Spirit Matchmaker, she still felt unsatisfied. She felt deep sympathy for Yan Ruyu's story.
"What a pitiful child. It is such a shame that he listened to slander and ended up letting the woman he loved marry someone else. Fortunately, there is reincarnation."
Yae Miko let out a long sigh and turned to look at the massive Sacred Sakura tree before her. Her thoughts gradually drifted back five hundred years, to a time when she was nothing more than a small creature perched on someone's shoulder.
But when the pitch-black calamity descended, all beautiful things were torn apart by that darkness.
"If only that lord could also be reincarnated, or if Makoto could be reincarnated. If that were the case, Ei would not be so stubborn. Sigh, everything is fate."
Yae Miko raised her cup and drank it in one go. She rarely got drunk and usually only drank lightly.
Yet today, after reading the comics, she did not feel happier at all. Instead, even more memories surfaced, so she could only drown her sorrow in alcohol. Unfortunately, after drinking, the Lady Guuji only became even more melancholic.
The shrine maidens standing outside the door showed worried expressions. They had never seen the Guuji like this before. However, while she was venting her emotions, no one dared approach her, or they would surely be tormented miserably.
After a long while, Yae Miko put down the comic in her hands and began reading Under One Person.
Originally, she did not plan to read it, since she did not particularly like the art style. However, after hearing Beidou say that it was quite good, she picked it up. Once she started reading, Yae Miko gradually calmed down.
Because she grabbed it casually, the one on top was the latest volume, the "What It Means to Be Human" arc.
When she saw the conversation between Zhang Chulan and the monkey, the Guuji's eyes lit up and she could not help but praise it loudly. "Standing tall between heaven and earth. That is very well said. Hah, this comic should be promoted heavily. It should even be shown to the Two Commissions so they can see what it truly means to be human. A bunch of dogs relying on power, not thinking about contributing to the nation, but instead killing each other. Truly foolish beyond belief."
The more Yae Miko thought about it, the angrier she became. They were all human, so why could those people not be like Zhang Chulan and act as upright individuals? Was bullying their own people really something to be proud of?
The shogunate troops of the past were nothing like they are now. Even when facing the pitch-black calamity, they never retreated. Instead, they shouted the slogan, "The eternal path is vast, the Narukami endures forever." But what about the shogunate soldiers now?
They not only bully the weak, but are also idle all day long. Especially that foolish tengu. Although loyal, he is foolish beyond measure.
After reading for a while, Yae Miko nodded and said, "As expected of a comic recommended by Beidou. It is truly good. Someone, go and promote it heavily for me. Especially this 'What It Means to Be Human' arc. Let those idiots see exactly how to be human."
"Yes, my lady!"
"And also, promote the fox spirit story more. Do not scream in panic every time you encounter a yokai in the mountains. So what if it is a yokai? Yokai are the guardian gods of Inazuma. Without them back then, who knows how many Inazuma citizens would have died in the calamity."
"Understood, my lady!"
Seeing the Guuji regain her spirit, the shrine maidens were happy from the bottom of their hearts.
As a result, under their enthusiastic recommendations, Yae Publishing House began selling comics at full force, and many people bought what they wanted.
For example, a certain gang leader.
"Shinobu, read me this 'What It Means to Be Human' arc. I hear people on the streets arguing fiercely about it, saying that after reading this comic you can become a real man."
"Alright, boss. But why are your clothes so messy? Did someone beat you up?"
Faced with Kuki Shinobu's question, Arataki Itto immediately denied it.
"Of course not. I won this comic through a contest with someone. This thing is really hard to buy, and a lot of people want it. You know your boss does not have much funding, so I made a bet with him. He said that if I could do one hundred backflips, he would give it to me. So I did it. Haha."
Speaking of his victory, Arataki Itto was extremely proud. However, he did not notice that Kuki Shinobu was already completely speechless.
Although her boss was not very smart, today he was especially not smart.
Still, considering that he had not caused trouble these past few days, Kuki Shinobu decided to help him out.
"I am going to start explaining the comic now. Boss, please do not move around."
"No problem. By the way, I will call the brothers over to listen too. Something this good should not be enjoyed alone."
"Uh, alright."
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn later, the members of the Arataki Gang had all gathered, and Kuki Shinobu began explaining the comic. At first, she thought comics were just children's stuff. It was not until she reached the core themes that the ninja fell into deep thought.
Meanwhile, Arataki Itto and the others shouted excitedly.
"Haha, so this is what it means to be a real man? Standing tall between heaven and earth. Your boss here is a real man every day!"
"That's right, boss, keep it up!!!"
"That's right, boss, keep it up!!!"
"That's right, boss, keep it up!!!"
Encouraged by his subordinates, Arataki Itto became even more pleased with himself.
At that moment, Kuki Shinobu said, "Boss, standing tall does not mean straightening your back. It means… sigh, forget it, I will just say it directly. Acting openly and uprightly is what it means to stand tall. By that definition, you are not exactly wrong."
By the end of her words, even Kuki Shinobu was stunned. Her boss really did not seem to have done anything bad. On the contrary, he had even helped elderly ladies cross the street many times, and his reputation was at least fairly good.
Hearing this, Arataki Itto became even happier and shouted loudly, "I am a real man who stands tall between heaven and earth. Hahaha, everyone passing by, come take a look. The Arataki Gang's real man is right here. If anyone needs help, just come find me."
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