Inazuma was fundamentally different from Liyue. There were no Liyue Qixing here; instead, the nation was governed by the Tri-Commission. They were the Yashiro Commission, the Tenryou Commission, and the Kanjou Commission, each responsible for managing different aspects of Inazuma's affairs. Among them, the Yashiro Commission had always been synonymous with the Kamisato Clan, overseeing sacrificial activities, festivals, and cultural entertainment.
As the saying went, the Yashiro Commission was the one most deeply rooted among the common people of Inazuma. Today, the head of the Kamisato Clan was a man respected by all: Kamisato Ayato. On the surface, Ayato was a wealthy nobleman—low-key, elegant, and perfectly decent. However, beneath that flawless smile, which felt as warm as a spring breeze, lay an extraordinary mind and a dangerously deep political acumen.
What exactly was he planning? Those Inazuma celebrities who knew that Ayato's mind contained a universe of schemes—such as Yae Miko, Kujou Sara, and Sangonomiya Kokomi—couldn't help but feel a chill when they saw that characteristic smile.
Inside the Kamisato Estate, the atmosphere was tense. Today, Ayato had not only mobilized the Shuumatsuban, the secret force directly under the Yashiro Commission, to defend the family home, but he had also tasked his most trusted friend and housekeeper, Thoma, to invite Yoimiya from the Naganohara Fireworks Shop over for a late-night meeting.
In truth, Yoimiya and the eldest daughter of the clan, Kamisato Ayaka, were close friends. They often collaborated on fireworks for community gatherings. Because of this, Yoimiya had visited the Kamisato Estate many times. However, the standard of reception tonight was clearly different. It was the dead of night, yet she was being led through layers of Shuumatsuban blockades toward the very core of the estate: Ayato's private courtyard.
Through the tea room, the study, and past the meticulously maintained dry-landscape gardens, the residence of the Master of the Yashiro Commission appeared pristine—from the outside, at least. Yet, just as Yoimiya was admiring the cleanliness, Thoma led her through the bamboo curtains and into the main study.
Yoimiya: "..."
The "neat" image she had of the noble son was completely shattered. Books were spread out randomly, some even upside down on the table. Documents of varying sizes were stacked haphazardly. The used inkstone and brushes hadn't been put away, and there were even game pieces and cards scattered under the low table.
Despite the chaos, Kamisato Ayato sat on the debris-strewn tatami with a calm smile, appearing not to feel even a hint of discomfort. It seemed the desk of this powerful social minister usually looked like this, regardless of how often the servants cleaned it.
"So, the respected gentleman actually has a sloppy side that no one knows about," Yoimiya thought. She hadn't met Ayato many times. She only knew he was a workaholic who left early and returned late; even within the clan, he was a ghost-like figure.
"Hmm... the cheerful fireworks shop owner? Can I call you Yoimiya?" Ayato's smile remained as warm as the morning sun.
Yoimiya's eyebrows twitched. This is why I hate dealing with the powerful. Their smiles are so fake it hurts. Hanamizaka is much better; even Arataki Itto's booming, annoying laughter feels more honest!
It seemed Ayato had read her micro-expression. His smile didn't falter, but his tone shifted to something more casual and everyday. "Ah, the egg Ayaka bought from you a few days ago... it has already hatched. She is currently feeding it. I'll have her bring it over in a moment."
As he spoke, Thoma stepped forward and presented a sleek, high-tech device to Ayato. It was Ayaka's personal Pokédex.
"According to Ayaka, this is called a Pokémon Pokédex, or a Trainer's Pokédex? An 'Elftech' device from another world?" Ayato asked, his eyes scrutinizing the gadget.
Yoimiya had no intention of being coy. During her long, boring voyage back to Inazuma on Beidou's ship, she had already drafted a careful strategy for "preaching" the new era. She had a list of key personnel to contact, starting with the Vision holders. She knew that once the elites "got on the boat," the rest of Inazuma would follow like a clap of thunder.
Behind her was the founder of the era, the manager of Pokémon Home, Hiroshi. With his resources and her social connections, she just needed to provide the right push.
As Ayato examined the Pokédex, his smile faded into a look of serious intrigue. "I've seen the latest cameras from Fontaine, but their technological content is far inferior to this small, exquisite device."
Click, click, click... The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, followed by a doting laugh. Kamisato Ayaka entered, holding a small, newly hatched creature in her arms.
It was a blue Pokémon with a round, adorable head. It looked very young. On the top of its head was a long, ribbon-like tentacle that swayed as it moved. Its large eyes were full of spirituality. Above the eye sockets, two blue circular patterns were connected to the eyes by thin black lines. On its chest sat a vibrant, oval-shaped red gem.
"Fi-oh, oh, oh~?"
Upon seeing Yoimiya, the blue Pokémon's long ribbon-antennae perked up immediately, showing its joy. It seemed to have memories from when it was still inside the egg; it recognized Yoimiya as the lady who had carried it across the sea to hand it over to Ayaka.
Yoimiya was stunned. "Miss Ayaka, this Pokémon is incredibly spiritual!" she couldn't help but exclaim. "I've seen many people in the group chat hatch eggs, but none of the newborns are as smart as yours!"
As if understanding the praise, the blue Pokémon began to swing its antennae happily. "Fi-oh, oh, oh, nir~!" (Yes, yes! I'm very smart!)
Seeing this, Yoimiya felt a slight "toothache" of envy. Her own second Pokémon had also hatched—the egg Hiroshi had given her as a "salary" for her mission. It had hatched into a Slowpoke. As the name suggested, it was perpetually in a daze, doing absolutely nothing. Apparently, being in a daze was Slowpoke's form of training.
"Has your Pokémon been scanned and recorded yet?" Yoimiya asked eagerly. "Can you share the data with me?"
"Ah, I can scan it with the Pokédex?" Ayaka looked confused.
Yoimiya: "..." Never mind! It seems I need to give a proper demonstration.
"Here, let me show you." Yoimiya took the Pokédex. It had changed hands from Thoma to Ayato, and finally to her. Under the curious gazes of the Kamisato siblings, she tapped the scan function.
Beep~
Pokémon Data: Phione (Fiona)
Type: Water
Classification: Ocean Pokémon
Level: 1 (Newborn)
Ability: Hydration
Skills: Water Gun, Bubble, Water Pulse.
Description: It can be seen floating near the coast when the sea temperature rises. Its pale blue body blends with the seawater, protecting it from predators. No matter how far it drifts, it always returns to its place of birth.
The electronic voice of the Pokédex filled the quiet study. At first glance, the information seemed unremarkable. However, Yoimiya's eyes widened as she stared at the screen. Her brow furrowed into a deep "V" shape.
Normally, a Water-type Pokémon's frame in the Pokédex was a standard deep blue. But on Ayaka's screen, this Pokémon named Phione was framed with a faint, pulsing golden border.
What is going on? Yoimiya wondered. Could it be a 'Hidden' rarity?
She reread the description. Floating in the sea, returning to its birthplace... it sounded so plain. What was so special about it? Yoimiya felt a wave of inadequacy. "It seems my knowledge of the Pokémon Era isn't up to standard yet!"
Ayato and Ayaka were fascinated by the high-tech introduction. Thoma noticed Yoimiya's sudden drop in mood. "What's wrong, Yoimiya?"
Yoimiya took a deep breath, shaking off her dejection. She looked at the Kamisato siblings and spoke quickly. "I'm sorry. With my current knowledge, I can't tell you the full story or the best way to train this Phione. But someone else can! He is Hiroshi, the manager of Pokémon Home and the founder of this entire era. He is omniscient!"
The siblings looked at each other, puzzled. "Omniscient?"
"Manager Hiroshi..." Ayato mused, a small smile returning to his lips. "This founder is currently in Liyue, correct? He is thousands of miles away across the eastern sea. It seems I'll have to wait for a future opportunity to ask him in person."
"No!" Yoimiya countered. She grabbed Ayaka's hand and began guiding her through the Pokédex interface. Her intuition told her that Ayaka's Phione had an incredible origin. She didn't want to waste time explaining. She wanted to prove it. "I'm going to have you apply to join the VIP group chat right now."
Ding-dong!
[System Notification: Group Leader 'Hiroshi' has approved your application!]
[Welcome 'Kamisato Ayaka' (Inazuma/Heron Princess) to the group chat.]
Yoimiya was ecstatic. Hiroshi was online and had approved the request in seconds!
Kamisato Ayaka: "Manager Hiroshi, can you give me a moment of your time? This is Yoimiya using Miss Ayaka's Pokédex. I want to start a live group meeting."
Kamisato Ayaka: [Image: Phione Pokédex Data.jpg]
Kamisato Ayaka: "Miss Ayaka's egg hatched this Pokémon. Also... tomorrow is the Liyue Trainer Competition. I think the timing is perfect. If the Kamisato Clan helps us, the people of Inazuma might be able to watch the live broadcast of the event! Please, Manager, we need your guidance!"
Back in Liyue, Hiroshi was sitting in his office at the Research Institute. He looked at the image of Phione and smirked.
"Well, well," Hiroshi muttered. "Zekrom, look at this. The 'Heron Princess' just hatched a Mythical relative of the Prince of the Sea. Talk about luck."
Zekrom rumbled, his tail glowing with blue light. "The ocean's ideals are strong in that girl. But more importantly, Manager... the 'messenger' is asking for a cross-border broadcast. Are you ready to expose Inazuma to the world?"
Hiroshi leaned forward and typed back into the chat. "Yoimiya, you've done well. Tell the Kamisato siblings to get comfortable. I'm about to explain why that 'blue beast' is framed in gold—and why the Shogunate is about to have a very loud morning."
In the Kamisato study, the Pokédex screen began to glow with a brilliant light as a video call request from "Manager Hiroshi" appeared. Yoimiya, Ayato, Ayaka, and Thoma all leaned in, the sparks of a new era finally crossing the sea into the Land of Eternity.