"I didn't expect to trouble you again this time."
At the entrance of the International Chamber of Commerce, Chairman Kurisu's expression was strained. He had only wanted to run his business in peace, yet misfortune seemed to come in waves.
The last incident had barely been resolved thanks to the young man standing before him, and now he found himself relying on him once more. The shame of being unable to manage his own affairs weighed heavily on him.
"It's fine, just a small matter," Futsu Mitama replied calmly. His eyes met Kurisu's. "How were the wine sales yesterday?"
Kurisu's expression darkened further. Before he could speak, Harrison stepped forward, agitation clear in his tone.
"Mr. Futsu Mitama, your wine was selling excellently! I've tasted Mondstadt's dandelion wine, Liyue's finest brews, even Snezhnaya's Firewater—but yours is just as good, maybe better! No one in Inazuma would refuse it."
He clenched his fists. "We immediately distributed your wine to the nobles who ordered it—most were delighted. But those people from the Kanjou Commission…"
Harrison stopped abruptly, his voice choked with anger.
Kurisu sighed and continued, glancing around before lowering his tone. "The Kanjou Commission has always been hostile toward foreign merchants. Some likely covet the profits from your wine. They accused us of diluting it, claiming it wasn't worth the price."
He looked around again, as if fearing the walls themselves might have ears. "They're pressuring us to sell it to them at cost, so they can monopolize your wine."
"…How disgusting." Kuki Shinobu frowned, unable to hide her distaste. Even as someone familiar with Inazuma's law, the Commission's behavior was intolerable.
Without Futsu Mitama's involvement, she still would've sided with the Chamber—because if this pattern continued, foreign merchants would eventually abandon Inazuma. The nation's name abroad would rot with scandal, and once tarnished, no decree could mend its reputation.
"It's normal," Futsu Mitama said evenly. "If they had any decency left, they wouldn't be doing this."
He remembered the Chamber's struggles even in the original storyline—barely surviving thanks to the Traveler and Thoma. Without Kurisu's perseverance, the others would've left long ago, leaving Ritou in the Commission's greedy hands.
Kurisu tried to sound hopeful. "Because of the Kanjou Commission, the nobles on Ritou temporarily refuse to buy. But give me a little more time—I can ship the goods to Inazuma City. The nobles there are interested in your wine. They'll pay fair prices."
Futsu Mitama shook his head. "No. Keep selling in Ritou for now. Don't move the wine out."
His gaze turned sharp. "The moment you try, skilled and well-armed Nobushi will intercept your shipment. That's not a risk you can take."
Kurisu fell silent. He wanted to protest, but deep down he knew Futsu Mitama was right. The Kanjou Commission's underhanded dealings were no secret.
"Leave the rest to me." Futsu Mitama patted his shoulder reassuringly. "I'll drop by again later—save me a seat for dinner."
With that, he turned and left the Chamber with Shinobu and Aila.
"So what's next?" Kuki Shinobu asked as they stepped onto the street. Though she burned to bring justice for the Chamber, she knew their main objective came first—to track down the source of the intelligence leak targeting Futsu Mitama and investigate the power behind it.
At the same time, they needed to confirm whether the sudden appearance of the Resistance near Inazuma City was coincidence—or conspiracy.
"We'll visit the Hiiragi Clan first," Futsu Mitama decided. "Time to speak with Hiiragi Shinsuke."
He hadn't planned to get involved with the Chamber's troubles just yet, but now they had intertwined with his own. And if trade faltered, his finances—and his and Aila's retirement plan—would collapse.
"Mhm," Shinobu nodded, her tone steady.
Aila remained silent as always, following behind him like a shadow.
Soon they reached the Hiiragi Clan estate, where a familiar guard stood at the gate.
"Hmm? You again?"
The gatekeeper, Shin'nosuke, looked at Futsu Mitama in surprise. "Didn't you visit half a month ago?"
"Oh, it's you." Futsu Mitama chuckled. Last time, he'd nearly been turned away if not for Lady Chisato's intervention.
"Are you here for the young lady or the clan head?" Shin'nosuke asked cautiously, his tone tinged with jealousy at the memory of Chisato's friendly laughter toward this man.
"For the clan head," Futsu Mitama replied smoothly. "Tell him Futsu Mitama, the winemaker, has come to pay his respects."
"…Alright." Relieved, Shin'nosuke nodded quickly. "Please wait here. I'll report at once."
He hurried off.
The group waited quietly—until the rhythmic sound of heels clicking against the stone echoed from down the path. A woman emerged from the shadows, her graceful form cloaked in elegance and danger. A black, crown-shaped mask covered her eyes, which gleamed with cold amusement as she stopped before them.
"—!"
All three stiffened instantly. Shinobu and Aila stepped forward protectively, instinctively sensing her overwhelming presence. Even without releasing a shred of killing intent, she radiated a suffocating aura—one that warned them that a single wrong move could mean death.
Futsu Mitama, however, froze for another reason entirely. Why is she here?
The Fatui Harbinger known as La Signora, the woman infamous for her sharp tongue and ruthless demeanor—should have been in Mondstadt, tormenting Barbatos himself. Yet here she stood, in Inazuma. Ritou was under Kanjou Commission jurisdiction; her presence could only mean one thing: deep cooperation between the Fatui and the Hiiragi Clan.
"Good intuition."
Her voice was rich and cool, laced with scornful amusement. Her masked gaze lingered on Shinobu and Aila. "I thought this rotting nation was filled with incompetents, but it seems there are still a few capable ones."
A compliment—from her? Futsu Mitama nearly laughed. This woman had argued with gods, the Traveler, even her fellow Harbinger. That she was speaking politely could only mean she wanted something.
"Who are you…" Shinobu asked warily, not drawing her blade. She knew well the futility of fighting without her Vision.
La Signora's smirk widened. "You don't need to know my name, girl. Without your Vision, you're not qualified."
Before Shinobu could respond, Futsu Mitama took two calm steps forward. "The Harbinger, one of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers. What brings you to Inazuma?"
That earned him her full attention. She studied him thoughtfully. "Ah… the noble winemaker."
Futsu Mitama smiled faintly. "I didn't expect a Harbinger to know my name. My wine must truly have made an impression in Snezhnaya."
La Signora's lips curved. "Indeed. I've tasted it. A fine burn—smooth, yet sharp enough to awaken the nerves. Drink it long enough, and one's body grows stronger. An intriguing creation. Tell me, where did you get the recipe?"
He lied without hesitation. "A family heirloom. Legend says the Raiden Shogun herself passed it down."
She studied him closely. "Is that so? Then… are you interested in joining the Fatui?"
Her tone was casual, almost dismissive. "In this decaying nation, your talents will wither unrecognized. Join us, and—"
"Futsu-sama!" Shin'nosuke returned, panting. "The clan head will see you now."
Futsu Mitama turned back to La Signora with a polite smile. "I'm flattered, but I already have a god. As for wine—there's plenty. You're welcome to share a drink anytime."
He walked past her, Shinobu and Aila following tensely.
La Signora didn't stop them. She merely tilted her head slightly, amusement flickering in her eyes, before turning away—her elegant figure disappearing into the sunlight as if nothing had transpired. Only after she vanished did the three exhale quietly and step through the gate of the Hiiragi estate.