When the small boat carrying Kamisato Ayato and Yae Miko slowly reached the shore, Shao Yun was already standing there, waiting for the two of them.
He opened his arms enthusiastically and greeted them warmly.
"Long time no see, Mr. Ayato! And Miss Yae, welcome to Kujou Encampment. Although it's no longer the Shogunate's military base, it's still full of history and stories."
Kamisato Ayato stepped off the boat with a smile.
"Hello, Mr. Shao Yun. I thought you might refuse our arrival."
Shao Yun lowered his arms and gave a light wave.
"Don't worry, I'm not that heartless. Come, let's head inside. The sea breeze here isn't exactly refreshing."
With that, he turned to lead the way, guiding them into the Kujou Encampment.
The resistance soldiers stationed there watched Kamisato Ayato and Yae Miko warily, a hint of alertness in their eyes.
However, because Shao Yun had already instructed Teppei to keep everyone calm, the resistance did not show overt hostility—only silently observing these two unexpected visitors.
Shao Yun led Kamisato Ayato and Yae Miko into the interior of the Kujou Encampment, walking all the way to the main hall where the former Shogunate commander used to reside.
He had the large hole in the roof repaired by the resistance, though the rest of the room's furnishings remained largely untouched—except for the table that Kujou Sara had once cleaved in two, which was truly beyond repair.
As Shao Yun sat down in the chair, he got straight to the point.
"Let's skip the pleasantries. What brings you two here? If you just came to reminisce, I can have the resistance prepare a good meal."
Sitting across from him, Kamisato Ayato saw Shao Yun's disinterest in small talk and responded bluntly.
"Mr. Shao Yun, you're still as straightforward as ever. Very well, let's get to the point—can there be a ceasefire between the Shogunate and Watatsumi Island?"
Shao Yun shook his head.
"No."
Kamisato Ayato frowned.
"Why not?"
Shao Yun had already dismissed the resistance members from the room, so he answered frankly.
"I need the war to create a sense of urgency—just like the atmosphere a thousand years ago when Orobashi marched east into Inazuma. I want to force Beelzebul out of the Plane of Euthymia and then cut off her head. That's it. Simple."
Kamisato Ayato was silent for a moment before speaking.
"But the damage caused by war is enormous. It brings immense suffering to the people of Inazuma. Isn't there another way?"
Shao Yun shook his head firmly.
"As long as I kill Beelzebul, I promise the war will end the very next second."
Seeing that a ceasefire was hopeless, Kamisato Ayato knew he had no other choice but to compromise.
He looked at Shao Yun with a grave expression and spoke earnestly.
"Mr. Shao Yun, please hear me out. You may not fully understand the current situation on Narukami Island."
"On the day after you seized the Kujou Encampment—today—the number of Nobushi in the wild has suddenly increased. They're active along the roads between Ritou and Inazuma City. The Tenryou Commission is struggling to maintain public order on Narukami Island."
"If you continue your assault on Narukami Island, the consequences will be unimaginable. I sincerely request that you halt your advance. I'm willing to offer one hundred billion Mora in exchange for a period of peace. What do you say?"
Hearing Kamisato Ayato's sincere words, Shao Yun suddenly understood.
So, this is the potential famine crisis that the devil mentioned might strike Narukami Island.
He recalled how even before the Tenryou Commission suffered such massive casualties, Kurisu from the International Trade Association had already been ambushed by Nobushi in Inazuma City and Byakko Plain.
Now, those Nobushi were likely even more arrogant and lawless.
If Inazuma City became an "isolated island" and Ritou's supplies couldn't be delivered, a severe food shortage would inevitably follow...
As tempting as that one hundred billion was, he already possessed over fifty billion in wealth.
More importantly, he didn't have the luxury of time—his mission to kill the Raiden Shogun had to be completed as soon as possible.
The people of Narukami Island will simply have to suffer a bit more.
Shao Yun shook his head with a sigh and replied calmly.
"That's a very tempting offer, but I really can't agree to it. As I said—Beelzebul must die, or this war won't end."
Just as Kamisato Ayato was about to continue persuading him, Yae Miko suddenly spoke up.
"Mr. Ayato, would you mind stepping out for a moment? There's something I'd like to discuss with Mr. Shao Yun in private."
Kamisato Ayato hesitated briefly but ultimately left the room in silence.
Now, only Yae Miko and Shao Yun remained inside.
Yae Miko gently pressed her lips together, then whispered.
"There were some things I couldn't say earlier with Ayato present."
"Now that it's just the two of us, Mr. Shao Yun, I'm begging you—if you agree not to kill Ei, I'll do anything you ask. I can even grant you the power to kill at will within Inazuma. I mean it!"
The implication was clear: if Shao Yun gave up hunting Ei, he could do whatever he pleased in Inazuma City—even raze it to the ground—and she wouldn't interfere.
Her only wish was for Ei to survive.
Shao Yun sneered inwardly at her offer.
What kind of joke is this from a fox? I don't need anyone's permission to kill. I do what I want.
Everything I'm doing is for the sole purpose of killing Beelzebul. Your proposal is just nonsense.
He slammed the table and spoke with a harsh tone.
"I want Beelzebul's head—nothing else! Either help me, or stay in your little fox shrine and keep quiet."
Yae Miko tried again to persuade him.
"Ei has indeed made many mistakes, but I will try to make her—"
Shao Yun impatiently interrupted.
"Like you said, Ayato was here just now, so I held back a bit."
"Truthfully, I don't care what becomes of Inazuma. Everything I do is to kill the Raiden Shogun. Anyone who gets in my way—I'll kill them."
"Here's my best advice: after I kill the Raiden Shogun, you become the third Raiden. Have the Kamisato Clan unify the 'Three Commissions.' That way, peace can return to Inazuma."
Then he added.
"But if you try to stop me—don't blame me for what happens."
Seeing that Shao Yun was absolutely set on killing Ei, Yae Miko knew there was no longer any point in trying to reason with him.
A bold thought crossed her mind—kill Shao Yun by surprise.
If she could eliminate him, Ei would live.
Yae Miko narrowed her eyes at Shao Yun and asked darkly.
"What if I decide to stand in your way?"
At that moment, Shao Yun's expression turned cold and merciless, transforming almost instantly into a soulless killing machine.
He swiftly drew his cowboy revolver from his waist, pointing it squarely at Yae Miko's face.
"Then Lumine will get a pink fox pelt for a hat."
His voice was low and menacing, exuding an overwhelming sense of intimidation.
A flash of fury passed through Yae Miko's eyes. She clenched her fists and locked her gaze on the dark barrel of the gun pointed at her.
The pressure and fear emanating from Shao Yun's weapon were unlike anything she had ever experienced.
Still, she didn't back down. She bit her lip and forced herself to remain calm.
Shao Yun's eyes caught the faint glow emanating from the Vision embedded in her earring—she was about to unleash her elemental power.
Shao Yun shook his head gently and warned her.
"You can't beat me. Don't throw your life away for Beelzebul."
The two of them stood locked in a tense standoff.
In the end, Yae Miko was the first to relent. She simply wasn't confident enough that she could kill Shao Yun.
If she stayed alive, she might still have a chance to maneuver. But if she died now—there would be no hope left.
She sighed helplessly and asked.
"Would Lumine agree to what you're doing?"
She tried to use Lumine to dissuade Shao Yun, but he saw right through her tactic.
"I know what you're trying to do—use Lumine to threaten me. Don't bother. I already sent her away. She and Paimon are off handling matters on Watatsumi Island."
He paused briefly, then continued.
"And I didn't tell her the truth. By the time she finds out, Beelzebul will probably be dead. She'll have nothing left to say."
Yae Miko nodded bitterly, murmuring.
"So that's how it is... I didn't expect you to be even more cunning than a fox. Very well, if you're set on killing the Raiden Shogun—then as her retainer, I'll be waiting for you in Inazuma City."
"But before I go, may I ask you for one favor?"
Seeing the situation settled, Shao Yun holstered his revolver and gave a small nod.
"Speak."
Yae Miko took a deep breath and explained.
"Tomorrow, I'd like to gather the shrine maidens of the Grand Narukami Shrine to clean up the corpses of Shogunate soldiers in the waters between Narukami Island and Tatarasuna. Would that be allowed?"
Shao Yun nodded in agreement but followed up with a question.
"How long will it take?"
Yae Miko thought for a moment before replying.
"It depends on the situation, but probably around a week."
Hearing this, Shao Yun let out a cold chuckle.
A week, huh? By then, Lumine will have already helped the people of Watatsumi Island complete the Watatsumi Goryou Matsuri.
"You're planning to recover them one by one? Just use two ships, tie a fishing net between them, and drag them all ashore like fish."
"If two ships aren't enough, use four—or eight. I'll give you one day. After that, any ships I see on the sea—I'll do everything I can to sink them."
Faced with Shao Yun's uncompromising attitude, Yae Miko nodded helplessly.
"All right."
…
Yae Miko slowly stood up and walked out of the room.
At that moment, Kamisato Ayato, who had been standing by the door, opened his mouth to ask how it went—but Yae Miko gently shook her head, signaling that nothing more needed to be said.
Kamisato Ayato instantly understood—they had accomplished nothing by coming here today.
Shao Yun personally saw them off to the shoreline, silently watching as they boarded the same small boat they had arrived on.
Yae Miko sat steadily on the boat, turning to gaze at Shao Yun with a look of regret and resignation in her eyes.
One last time, she tried to plead with him.
"Is there really no way we can negotiate? I can find a way to make Ei kneel and apologize to Lumine."
But Shao Yun immediately refuted her.
"Do you really think that's possible? The Raiden Shogun, kneel and apologize? I don't buy it."
Yae Miko knew such a thing was nothing more than a fantasy, and she replied with a faint smile.
"It is unlikely…"
Seeing this, Shao Yun waved casually.
"In that case, there's nothing more to discuss. I suggest you go back and think about your future."
"Stop throwing your life away for Beelzebul. You should start planning for your time as the third Raiden. You won't have much time for the Yae Publishing House after that."
Yae Miko then asked.
"Mr. Shao Yun, when do you plan to attack Narukami Island? I need to coordinate with Ayato to evacuate the citizens of Inazuma City."
Shao Yun scratched his head and thought for a moment.
"Hmm... let me think. Probably once the rumor about Orobashi coming to avenge the Raiden Shogun spreads throughout Inazuma City."
"Then I'll see if Beelzebul emerges from the Plane of Euthymia. If she doesn't—then I'll just storm Narukami Island myself."
Yae Miko let out a bitter chuckle and shook her head.
"So, it's coming soon then?"
Shao Yun nodded and added.
"Pretty much. Let's say—by your Inazuman standards—three days."
With that, Shao Yun turned and walked back toward the Kujou Encampment, while Yae Miko and Kamisato Ayato sailed back to Narukami Island.
…
On the boat ride back, Yae Miko gazed silently at the distant Tenshukaku, her eyes filled with worry.
Suddenly, she turned toward Kamisato Ayato, who was rowing, and said in a serious tone.
"The future of Inazuma is now in the hands of the Kamisato Clan."
Kamisato Ayato's movements suddenly froze. He looked at her in surprise.
"Lady Guuji Yae, what do you mean by that? Do you believe this crisis is truly that severe?"
Yae Miko let out a gentle sigh. Her eyes showed fatigue, though she still wore a faint smile.
"Shao Yun is determined to kill Ei. As her retainer, I have neither the right nor the reason to stand by and watch. When he comes for her life—I will be the one standing in his way."
"My funeral doesn't need to be fancy. Just prepare a few plates of fried tofu for me. And during future rituals—burn me the best novels from Yae Publishing House each season."
Kamisato Ayato's face showed rare shock. He stared at her in disbelief.
Yae Miko was practically arranging her own funeral! Had things truly become this dire?
"Lady Guuji, perhaps there's still another way. I could send the Shuumatsuban to Watatsumi Island to find Lumine—"
He was about to suggest another plan, but Yae Miko slowly shook her head, her expression filled with despair.
'Even if you find Lumine, what difference will it make? I can feel it—Shao Yun's killing intent toward Ei is unstoppable.'
'As her retainer, if I can't protect Ei, I don't deserve to live in this world. The future of Inazuma... can only be guarded by the Kamisato Clan now.'