Kamisato Ayato and Yae Miko sat quietly in the small boat, slowly making their way toward Tatarasuna.
When the two finally arrived at the shore, the waiting Shuumatsuban members, seeing them return safely, felt a heavy weight lift from their hearts.
After stepping off the boat, Kamisato Ayato once again tried to persuade Miko, hoping she might reconsider—perhaps there was still a glimmer of hope.
However, Yae Miko's resolve had already been set in stone.
"No need to say more, Ayato," she said firmly. "The future of Inazuma now rests with the Kamisato Clan."
Kamisato Ayato looked into her unwavering expression and gave a reluctant nod to show he understood.
"I see. The Kamisato Clan will do everything in its power to protect Inazuma," he promised.
With that, Kamisato Ayato led the Shuumatsuban away, leaving the little boat resting quietly on the shores of Tatarasuna.
Miko turned to glance once more in the direction of Kujou Encampment, then resolutely turned her back, walking toward the Grand Narukami Shrine atop Mt. Yougou without looking back.
…
Along the way, Miko defeated countless Nobushi before finally returning to the Grand Narukami Shrine.
It was already the latter half of the night, and Miko began considering how many shrine maidens would be needed to clear the floating corpses from the sea.
Suddenly, a familiar yet long-unheard voice echoed behind her.
"Who would've thought, after all these years, you'd develop a taste for this kind of boring stuff."
Yae Miko turned around, her eyes landing on the unexpected figure.
The man wore chin-length violet hair, a sugegasa adorned with a stylized Kabuki mask, and held a light novel in hand. It was none other than Scaramouche.
Yae Miko's face twisted with rare disgust as she asked coldly, "Kunikuzushi? What is the Fatui doing here?"
Scaramouche casually tossed the light novel aside and wore a matching look of disdain.
"Tch. Seeing my homeland in this much trouble—how could I not come back to help?"
But Yae Miko didn't believe he'd act out of good will.
The Vision on her earring crackled with lightning, and her eyes narrowed in vigilance as she questioned again, "What are you really after?"
Noticing her readiness to strike, Scaramouche's lips curled into a sickening smile.
"Don't get so worked up. That Shao Yun guy isn't just your enemy. He's ours too. From that perspective, we should probably be allies."
Yae Miko had no intention of listening to him further. A fox tail phantom flickered behind her as she spoke coldly.
"So, you've come. Good. Now I can correct the mistake Ei made years ago. Today will be your last."
Scaramouche folded his arms with a smirk.
"If you destroy me, then Beelzebul really won't have anyone left to save her."
Yae Miko's expression darkened further, and she growled under her breath.
"Nonsense! As if I'd ever work with the Fatui. I'd have to be insane."
Though outwardly furious, her voice carried a faint tremor of unease.
Scaramouche caught it instantly, grinning with mockery.
"Hahaha. Are you really going to just sit there and watch Beelzebul die?"
At that, Yae Miko slowly pulled out her gohei from within her robes, her expression grave and resolute.
"I will not let her die—because I'll die before she does."
Her eyes shone with electric fury.
"And you, the failed creation of Ei, will die even before me. That will be my final contribution to Inazuma."
Scaramouche watched her like a predator toying with a trapped beast, his smirk deepening.
"Why are you so sure Beelzebul is destined to die? What if we—the Fatui—kill him first?"
Yae Miko blinked in surprise, then laughed as if she'd just heard the world's most ridiculous joke.
"You? Kill Shao Yun? I swear, since you joined the Fatui, not only did you lose your heart, but also your brains."
Unfazed by her ridicule, Scaramouche pressed on.
"Let's strike a deal. You give me the Raiden Shogun's Gnosis, and I'll kill that Shao Yun guy for you. How about it?"
Yae Miko's face darkened instantly. So, this was what he was after.
After a long pause, she spoke.
"So that's it. The Fatui are after her Gnosis. Hmph. And why should I give it to you?"
Scaramouche gave a sly smile.
"Maybe I can make you willingly hand it over."
Yae Miko's face tightened. "Oh? Let's hear your terms."
Scaramouche shrugged.
"It's simple. I kill Shao Yun, and you give me the Gnosis. That way, you protect Beelzebul, and we get what we want. Win-win."
Yae Miko was silent for a moment before replying.
"You've got it all figured out, huh? Unfortunately, your plan's going to fall flat."
Scaramouche raised an eyebrow.
"And why's that? Don't you want him dead?"
Yae Miko sighed softly.
"Of course I do. But I also know that you're no match for him."
"He's not some ordinary enemy. He's a force that can destroy Inazuma. You're nothing but spare parts to him."
Scaramouche adjusted his sugegasa slightly and responded calmly.
"You're going to die either way. Keeping the Gnosis is pointless. Might as well use it to place a bet—maybe you'll survive."
At that, Yae Miko narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
"And what makes you so sure I have the Gnosis?"
Scaramouche smirked with confidence.
"The Fair Lady tore apart that doll that exploded into pieces. Still couldn't find the Gnosis. So, I started wondering—as Beelzebul's retainer, maybe you know something. So, I came looking."
His gaze fixed tightly on her face, seeking the truth in her expression.
Yae Miko gave a slight smile, then suddenly conjured a glowing purple Gnosis in her palm.
It was Beelzebul's Electro Gnosis.
Bathed in moonlight, the Gnosis sparkled, radiating overwhelming power.
Scaramouche's eyes widened instantly, filled with greed. He reached out, unable to contain his eagerness.
"The Gnosis!"
But Yae Miko didn't hand it over so easily. Clenching it tightly, she spoke sharply.
"Wait. First tell me—how exactly do you plan to kill Shao Yun?"
Yae Miko was desperate now, throwing caution to the wind. She knew she couldn't save Ei alone.
Perhaps the Fatui had something up their sleeve…
Scaramouche straightened his expression, speaking seriously.
"That's classified Fatui intel. You don't need to worry. If you don't trust me, just consider it a burden lifted from your hands."
Yae Miko frowned and decisively withdrew the Gnosis.
"If I can't get a decent price, I'd rather be buried with it—and with Ei."
Seeing her pull back, Scaramouche tried goading her.
"Fine. Then just sit back and watch your god be slaughtered by Shao Yun."
"Let me imagine it for a moment—do you think that guy will cut off Beelzebul's head, grab her braid, and then kick it around like—"
Before he could finish, five fox tails flickered behind Yae Miko, and her Vision blazed bright purple. A fox phantom appeared at her back.
"If you say one more word, I'll reduce you to scrap!"
Scaramouche only smiled mockingly.
"What? Can't handle it? Or are you already afraid?"
Yae Miko clenched her teeth, furious—but deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that Shao Yun really would do something like that.
Seeing that his tactic had worked, Scaramouche grinned smugly.
"If you don't want Beelzebul to end up like that, then hand over the Gnosis. I'll kill Shao Yun. I'll save her!"
Yae Miko hesitated, weighing the consequences.
She knew that if she didn't give him the Gnosis, Beelzebul might truly be in danger.
But if she did give it to him, who knew what the Fatui might do?
After a moment of inner struggle, she finally made a choice.
She gritted her teeth, took out the Gnosis again, and tossed it to Scaramouche.
He caught it easily, his eyes gleaming with greed and triumph.
"Relax," he sneered. "I'll keep my word."
Watching him with a mixture of regret and fury, Yae Miko muttered bitterly.
"I really am insane... giving you the Gnosis!"
Scaramouche pocketed the Gnosis and smirked.
"Then consider yourself crazy. I'll go prepare Shao Yun's execution plan."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Yae Miko stood there, watching his back, her heart filled with dread and unease.
She had no idea whether she had made the right decision—or what the future might hold...
Just then, a gust of cold wind swept through, as if something in the darkness had just brushed past.
The branches of the Sacred Sakura trembled violently in the wind, rustling with a sharp whrrrrr.
Yae Miko turned her gaze toward the tree, confusion and worry flashing in her eyes.
She murmured softly.
"Makoto, is what I'm doing really the right thing?"
Before the words even faded, a single pink sakura petal drifted down, as if drawn by fate, gently landing atop her head. As if the Sacred Sakura itself was responding to her doubt.
Yae Miko reached up, carefully plucking the petal from her hair and clutching it tightly in her palm.
She whispered.
"I actually hope Kunikuzushi can kill Shao Yun... but how could that ever be possible?"
As she spoke, another breeze swept through.
But this time, the sakura blossoms did not scatter as they usually did.