Standing face to face with Kokomi at such close range, Kujou Sara's feelings were… complicated.
Not long ago, the two of them had been enemies. Every single day, Kujou Sara had been thinking about how to defeat Kokomi , how to capture her, how to crush the Resistance once and for all.
And yet now, only two or three days later, they were standing here calmly, speaking without hostility.
Thinking about it that way, Kujou Sara couldn't help but feel a little… sentimental.
The world truly was strange.
Deep down, she actually admired Kokomi.
This divine priestess of Watatsumi Island , this so-called "Living Deity" , was no ordinary person.
Although the Raiden Shogun herself had never once joined the fighting directly, Kokomi had still managed to hold together a vast Resistance force, standing firm through countless fierce battles against the shogunate army.
In Kujou Sara's eyes, Sangonomiya Kokomi was indeed a worthy opponent.
And now, with Inazuma in ruins and in desperate need of rebuilding, people like Kokomi were precisely what the nation needed , capable, strategic, and steady.
That general of hers, Gorou, too , despite his gentle appearance, he was an excellent commander in battle.
There were many promising individuals within the Resistance ranks.
Kujou Sara thought perhaps she could speak to the Shogun , or maybe even to Lady Yae , about what should be done with them next.
But now was not the time for that.
Collecting her thoughts, Kujou Sara spoke evenly:
"Sangonomiya Kokomi, I don't have time for small talk. My duties keep me busy."
"This time, I've come to deliver an official order , by command of Her Excellency, the Shogun: effective immediately, the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree are both to be fully abolished."
The moment those words left her mouth, Kokomi, Gorou, and all the surrounding Resistance soldiers were visibly shaken.
What had they been fighting for all this time?
Wasn't it because of the Vision Hunt Decree?
Perhaps some had their own reasons for joining, but for most , for the overwhelming majority of the Resistance , opposing that decree had been their only cause.
Now that it was abolished, what reason was there for the war to continue?
Kujou Sara's expression remained calm, her tone unreadable.
Kokomi stayed silent for a long moment, but in her heart, she already believed her.
Just as Kujou Sara understood her, Kokomi too understood Kujou Sara , once her greatest enemy.
Sara was not someone who would ever lie in the Shogun's name.
Her absolute loyalty simply wouldn't allow it.
Kokomi exhaled softly, a long-awaited relief washing over her.
The war that had dragged on for so long… was finally reaching its end.
She didn't care whether the Resistance would disband or not. As long as the Vision Hunt Decree was lifted, as long as Inazuma could return to what it once was , that was enough.
Even if she were confined, even if she were arrested, she could accept that.
Thinking about it now, she found it almost amusing.
Just moments ago, she'd been worrying about what the shogunate army might be plotting ,
and now, the Vision Hunt Decree was gone?
It seemed a great deal had happened on Narukami Island.
"Lady Sangonomiya…" Gorou murmured, leaning in close and whispering by her ear,
"Be careful…"
But Kokomi only shook her head.
"I believe General Kujou wouldn't lie about something like this. So… what comes next is negotiation, isn't it?"
Kujou Sara nodded slightly, her tone calm as she replied,
"By order of the Shogun herself, the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree are to be completely abolished. All Visions will be returned, and Inazuma's seas are to be reopened."
"The Tenryou Commission's Kujou Clan and the Kanjou Commission's Hiiragi Clan, who deceived the Shogun and exploited the citizens, have all been imprisoned."
"Tomorrow, the Shogun will personally meet with the Resistance for negotiations. You may choose the location."
"But, Sangonomiya Kokomi," Sara's gaze deepened, her tone carrying hidden meaning, "I trust you'll make the right decision."
"The Shogun's current priority is to restore order to Inazuma. There are important matters she must resolve. Within a month, Inazuma must be pacified."
"The Resistance will receive the highest degree of leniency."
"However, if you or your people harbor any misguided intentions, the Shogun will not hesitate to completely purge Inazuma."
"Sangonomiya Kokomi, the situation has changed. This is no longer a war between the Resistance and the Shogunate."
"With the Shogun herself stepping in, you know what that means."
Kokomi nodded slightly, of course she understood.
Once the Raiden Shogun intervened, there would be no further debate.
The Musou no Hitotachi, that peerless strike, was not something they could possibly endure.
Even during the height of the conflict between the Resistance and the Shogunate, no one ever truly thought they could overthrow the rule of the Raiden Shogun.
In this world filled with monsters, without the protection of a god, one was nothing more than a tempting morsel, free for anyone to devour.
The Resistance's true goal had always been to convey the people's will to the Raiden Shogun,
, to end the Vision Hunt Decree.
Now, with the decree abolished, and the Raiden Shogun herself willing to meet them, Sara was clearly not lying.
Given this, and the Shogun's sweeping purge of both the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions, Inazuma would soon be plunged into its busiest period of reform.
The Raiden Shogun would have no time to waste on further conflict.
She had already taken a step back,
and if the Resistance failed to understand that and tried to stir up more trouble,
then one stroke of Musou Isshin would be the end of it all.
"The place for the negotiation, how about Nazuchi Beach?"
Kokomi immediately suggested the most suitable location.
Nazuchi Beach lay right along the frontline between the Resistance and the Shogunate forces.
It wasn't within the Shogunate's territory, nor did it reach the Resistance's base at Watatsumi Island.
Of course, to the Raiden Shogun, it made little difference,
even if she were to travel all the way to Watatsumi Island for the talks and they fell apart, she could still sweep the entire Resistance away with a single blade.
But appearances mattered.
Kujou Sara gave a brief nod.
"Agreed."
With that, her mission here was done.
Still, she couldn't help but note, the morale within the Resistance didn't seem as united as it appeared.
On her way here, Sara had already decided what mattered most now for Inazuma:
joining the Tri-Nation Alliance.
There was no time left to waste on internal turmoil.
And for that, she needed to plant a seed of caution in Kokomi's mind.