Kannazuka is a mountainous region, where a mountain spring flows gently down, serving as the source of drinking water for Kujou Encampment.
Though the spring begins as a mere trickle, as it descends, several streams merge, forming a small creek over a meter deep.
The spring originates from deep within the rock layers, barely affected by temperature, and its water is crisp and sweet, pure enough to drink straight from the source.
Sayu crouched down, cupping the cold mountain water in her hands and carefully scrubbing the grime from her face.
That terrifying man stood not far behind her, seemingly inspecting the eggplant in his hands but actually keeping watch over her.
Lifting her rear slightly, Sayu peeked at Bai Luo from between her legs, concealed by her long tail.
Noticing his gaze wasn't on her, the corners of her lips curled up slightly.
The Shuumatsuban is a secret organization under the Yashiro Commission, though most people are unaware of its existence.
Skilled in handling unspeakable tasks, the group is involved in many covert operations.
And Sayu is the most unique member of the entire Shuumatsuban.
She is the last inheritor of the ninjutsu school [Yoohoo Art], a tradition famed for toying with enemies. Yet all Sayu learned were escape and substitution techniques—though she's managed to turn even these into something extraordinary.
A flash of fallen leaves, and a figure vanishes instantly. A gentle breeze, and a kite appears on the ground.
Combined with stealth techniques and the concealment of Anemo, anyone unfamiliar with her habits would have a hard time tracking her down.
Can't see me, can't see me...
And those at the top of her "Do Not Provoke" list are, without exception, people who can find her.
"Confirmation complete! Time to escape!"
She had calculated—Bai Luo was a full three meters away from her!
Three meters was more than enough distance for her to use her ninjutsu and flee through the water.
As long as she followed the current to Kujou Encampment and asked that tengu general for help, she could definitely shake him off!
Quietly slipping the sunsettia he'd given her into her pocket, Sayu took a deep breath, bit down on a special reed tube, and plunged into the water with a splash.
But Bai Luo reacted faster than she expected, arriving at the creek's edge in an instant.
Clenching the straw-like tube between her teeth, Sayu hid underwater, not daring to move a muscle.
Though the creek wasn't particularly deep—just enough to submerge her head—her ninjutsu made it seem as if there was nothing in the water but faint ripples.
Bai Luo stared thoughtfully at the spring water for a moment before lifting his gaze downstream.
This motion sent a surge of glee through Sayu, who was watching him from beneath the surface.
Yes, yes! I went downstream! Go chase me downstream!
As if hearing her silent urging, Bai Luo turned and walked in that direction.
But he hadn't gone far before suddenly stopping.
Sayu, who had just begun to relax, tensed up again.
"Let's eat something before leaving."
Muttering to himself, Bai Luo returned to where Sayu had been earlier, pulled a sunsettia from his pocket, and began washing it in the spring water.
Oh, just washing the fruit?
Seeing this, Sayu finally exhaled in relief. As long as he hadn't spotted her, it was fine.
But then something strange happened.
Instead of biting into the sunsettia like she expected, Bai Luo began slicing it into thin strips with his dagger, meticulously collecting even the juice in a small container.
Ten minutes later, he had finished preparing the fruit and gathered some of its juice.
Then...
He stuffed all the sliced sunsettia strips into the reed tube Sayu was using to breathe—the one disguised as a dead leaf stem—while pouring the juice in after it.
Hmm... The tube's opening was small, so while the strips could be forced in, some juice inevitably spilled out.
But it wasn't a big deal.
After cramming it all in, the water's surface remained still for a few seconds.
Then, suddenly, it began boiling violently, as if a cat had been tossed in, sending splashes flying several meters.
Ten minutes later, the water finally calmed.
A trail of bubbles rose, followed by a small figure floating belly-up to the surface—alongside a few fish that had also turned white.
Bai Luo grabbed her by the scruff of her neck, hauled her out, and laid her flat on the grass.
After a moment's thought, he fished out the floating fish as well.
Sayu appeared to have fainted, her limbs twitching sporadically, water (or perhaps drool from the sourness) trickling from her mouth.
Her eyes had rolled back, showing only the whites.
She looked thoroughly broken.
But since she was merely incapacitated and not in any real danger, Bai Luo wasn't particularly concerned.
The real dilemma was the fish scattered on the ground—he had no suitable container to carry them.
Glancing between Sayu's oversized hat and the seemingly lifeless fish, an idea struck him.
He lifted her again, removed her hood, and piled all the fish inside it.
As for the leaf on her head...
Who knew if it was sewn on? Despite everything, it stubbornly clung to her tanuki hood, refusing to fall off.
Once finished, Bai Luo cast another glance at the spring.
If he wasn't mistaken, some fruit pulp and juice had likely flowed downstream.
But it didn't matter. The water would eventually reach the sea, and after dilution, even if it retained a faint sourness, it wouldn't cause any real trouble.
Little did he know...
"Hurry up! The new general's been transferred here today—if she catches us slacking off, we'll be punished!"
Downstream, a group of soldiers dressed in Shogunate uniforms were filling buckets with water.
They usually had better water sources, but due to the Tatarigami's influence, many had become undrinkable.
This mountain spring, however, remained unaffected—sweet and clear, making it the army's primary water supply.
As one soldier finished filling his bucket, he noticed something odd—floating bits of fibrous matter, like... fruit pulp.
Assuming it was harmless (they'd encountered similar things before), he paid it no mind.
If he went back for fresh water now, he'd be late.
The new Kujou General , was said to be strict. He didn't want to make a bad first impression, so...
Better just deliver this batch for now.