Shao Yun slowly opened his eyes and found himself in a strange space.
Everything around him was shrouded in a soft blue-green glow, as if he had stepped into a dreamlike world.
The space was filled with mystery and the unknown, with no clear boundaries or exits.
Lying quietly on the ground, Shao Yun felt a powerful energy flowing around his body.
The sensation was both unfamiliar and comforting, as if the entire world had merged with him.
'What is this place? Why am I here?' he wondered.
He didn't know how long had passed when he suddenly heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching.
As the sound drew nearer, a familiar figure gradually came into view.
The Man with a Top Hat was still dressed in his black suit, polished leather shoes gleaming beneath him.
He walked up to Shao Yun, stopped, looked down at him, and said softly, "Time to get up."
Shao Yun stared expressionlessly at the devilish man. He recalled the explosion at Tatarasuna—then everything went black, and now he was here.
He took a deep breath to remain calm, then asked, "Am I dead?"
The Man with a Top Hat paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the vast emptiness.
He bent down, leaned in close, and with a mocking tone broke the silence: "If you were dead, I'd be delighted. Sadly, it seems the Archon isn't ready for you just yet."
Shao Yun looked at him calmly and asked, "If I'm not dead, then what is this place?"
The Man with a Top Hat curled his lips slightly, revealing a mysterious smile. "A very beautiful lady wants to meet you. She paid a heavy price for this. So, come with me."
With that, the Man with a Top Hat did something rare—he extended his hand, trying to help Shao Yun up.
Shao Yun stared at the outstretched hand for a moment, then reached out, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.
Once standing, the Man with a Top Hat raised both hands and lightly patted Shao Yun on the shoulders, like a king knighting a soldier with a blade.
Shao Yun paid no attention to the gesture. Instead, he quietly followed behind the Man with a Top Hat in a single direction.
As they walked, Shao Yun observed the environment carefully. A strange familiarity stirred within him.
'This looks just like the place in Raiden Shogun's second story quest... where Baal fought Raiden Ei.'
After walking for some time, the Man with a Top Hat suddenly stopped, glanced around, and then shouted loudly, "We're in the right spot. Beautiful lady, you may show yourself now!"
Shao Yun blinked in surprise. 'Beautiful lady? What nonsense are you talking about this time?'
Then he heard a gentle voice calling to him—it was a woman's voice, coming from behind.
He turned around and saw a woman standing there.
She had long, deep-purple hair that transitioned gradually into a lighter shade toward the tips, tied at the end with a pink sacred rope that draped behind her.
An ornate folding fan adorned her hair. She wore a kimono of white and violet, cinched at the waist with a red sash.
She looked elegant and composed.
Shao Yun studied her carefully. She resembled Baal… but not quite.
He gave her a once-over, then asked calmly, "You're not Baal. She wears braids. And she wouldn't dress like this. You're Baal's sister, aren't you?"
The woman smiled faintly, nodded in confirmation, and said, "My name is Baal. You may also call me Raiden Makoto, or simply 'Makoto.'"
Shao Yun began looking around again. He finally understood where he was—most likely the secret domain beneath Yashiori Island.
"So, this is some kind of consciousness space, isn't it?"
Makoto nodded again, her voice soft. "That's a fair way to put it. Shall we sit and talk?"
Shao Yun nodded in agreement.
At that moment, Raiden Makoto gently swept her kimono sleeve, and a tea table with two cushions appeared before his eyes.
Makoto knelt gracefully on the cushion and began skillfully preparing tea.
Seeing this, Shao Yun sat down opposite her without hesitation, calmly gazing at the former Electro Archon before him.
Makoto carefully handled the teaware with practiced ease.
Before long, she brewed a cup of fragrant tea and poured a steaming cup for Shao Yun.
He looked at the cup of tea, steam rising from it, and couldn't help but feel a little skeptical.
'Can you even taste tea in a consciousness space like this?'
Still, he didn't immediately lift the cup. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Makoto's beautiful face and asked bluntly, "Alright then—what do you need to talk to me about?"
Makoto, seeing his directness, didn't beat around the bush. She paused her movements, then asked firmly, "Can I exchange my life… for Baal's?"
Shao Yun found the question laughable. 'Are you trying to trick a child?'
She was just a lingering consciousness. If he didn't kill her, time would erase her anyway.
Shao Yun stroked his chin and replied bluntly, "No offense, but aren't you just a sliver of consciousness? You'll fade on your own eventually."
Makoto nodded gently, acknowledging the point. She smiled and said, "You're right. I am only a fragment of my former self."
"But I sensed Yae Miko's prayer through the ley lines, and I've learned of your actions in Inazuma. That's why I asked him to bring me here—to see you."
Shao Yun picked up the cup, examined the tea, then set it back down. His tone turned resolute. "If your offer is just a life for a life, then I don't think we have much to talk about."
"I don't kill without reason. Every death I deal has a name attached."
Makoto's expression dimmed slightly. She asked softly, "Why do you want to kill Ei? Is it because she locked herself in the Plane of Euthymia, issued the Vision Hunt Decree, closed the borders, and made life so hard for the people of Inazuma?"
Shao Yun slowly shook his head, his expression calm and his voice firm. "No. I'm no messiah. If I want to help people, I will. If I don't, I won't."
Makoto furrowed her brows. "Then is it because of the Fatui? Because two Commissions worked with them, and you've marked Inazuma as your enemy?"
Again, Shao Yun shook his head. This time, he didn't evade the truth.
"It's just because your sister, Baal, injured Lumine. That's all. I don't care if she ruins Inazuma—she touched Lumine, and that's enough."
Makoto froze in place, surprise flickering in her eyes. "That's it? That simple?"
Shao Yun nodded with conviction. "First of all, Lumine's situation isn't simple. Second, many things don't need noble or complicated reasons. If I feel it must be done, that's enough."
Makoto fell silent for a moment, then asked the most crucial question: "Does Lumine support you?"
At this, Shao Yun's body tensed. He slowly shook his head, a trace of helplessness in his eyes.
He sighed quietly. "She doesn't agree with my decision. She wanted to take me away from Inazuma—to the next nation. To forget all this."
Makoto frowned. "Then why stay? Why insist on this path?"
But before she could finish, Shao Yun suddenly slammed his hand on the tea table, cutting her off.
His eyes widened with emotion as he shouted, "Maybe this is just a fool's revenge story—but I've never claimed to be smart!"
"I will kill Baal, no matter what it costs. Even if Lumine hates me, even if she kills me herself—I'll still do it."
Makoto stared at him in shock, unable to comprehend his relentless obsession. "Why are you so fixated on revenge? Is there no other way?"
Shao Yun took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside him. He spoke slowly. "Her brother entrusted Lumine to me. If I can't avenge her, then I'll end it myself—with my gun."
Makoto lowered her gaze, contemplating in silence. After a long pause, she looked up and voiced the heart of the matter.
"So, all of this—your conflict with Ei—boils down to the fact that she hurt Lumine, doesn't it?"
Shao Yun was quiet. Then, he nodded.
Makoto gave a faint smile, and from the sleeve of her kimono, she slowly drew a special cherry blossom seed.
It shimmered with a soft violet glow, faint patterns flowing across its surface like stars in the night sky—small, yet emanating immense power.
A subtle, invisible pulse radiated from it—commanding reverence.
She held the seed carefully in her palm and said softly, "This is the Sacred Sakura seed given to me by Istaroth, the Ruler of Time, five hundred years ago."
"It contains a fragment of temporal power. With it, one can cross time. If you're willing, I'll use my last bit of strength… to send you back."
Shao Yun looked at the seed in surprise.
"You're giving me that? But if I use the Sacred Sakura's power, what happens to the tree at the Grand Narukami Shrine? What about Inazuma?"
Makoto remained calm. "That has been accounted for. If you reset the timeline, Ei will replant the tree someday in the new future."
Shao Yun turned toward the silent Man with a Top Hat, his eyes questioning.
But the man remained silent, as if waiting.
Shao Yun turned back to Makoto. "So, you want me to go back… stop Lumine from taking that commission, so she won't be hurt by Baal?"
Makoto nodded slowly, eyes filled with hope. A chance to change the past—she believed Shao Yun would be moved.
Just then, the Man with a Top Hat—who had been playing background—suddenly moved. Casually, he pulled a revolver from his pocket.
"Or," he said with calm indifference, "you could take this revolver and carry out your plan—kill Baal." He displayed the gun to Shao Yun.
Shao Yun examined it closely.
The revolver was aged, forged from black steel and etched with the marks of time.
A red skull adorned the grip, and strange letters were engraved along the barrel.
Shao Yun frowned. 'This looks familiar… where have I seen it before?'
Then a flash of realization hit him.
'This looks like… Micah's revolver.'
Meanwhile, "Makoto" stared at the Man with a Top Hat in disbelief. Her lips trembled, trying to speak but unsure what to say.
The man grinned contemptuously. "Our deal was to bring him to you—to talk. Not to convince him to abandon vengeance."
Makoto's face went pale. Her eyes filled with despair.
She turned to Shao Yun, pleading, "Follow your heart. You have a chance to save everything!"
The Man with a Top Hat spoke with detached amusement.
"There are only two choices in front of you."
"Take the lady's Sacred Sakura seed, travel back to the day the Vision Hunt Decree ceremony began, and stop your girlfriend from leaving the house—change history."
"Or, take this revolver from me… and kill Baal as planned."
Makoto reached out her hand, her voice sincere. "You still have a chance. Go back—stop Lumine. Talk to Ei calmly, with Yae's help."
"Show her the real Inazuma. I believe she'll understand. There's no need to tear yourself apart."
The Man with a Top Hat didn't extend the gun—he just held it loosely, speaking to himself. "Think it over. Make your choice."
Shao Yun drew a deep breath. His hand hovered between the two items, caught in hesitation.
His eyes darted between the Sacred Sakura seed and the revolver. His heart writhed in turmoil.
Shao Yun slowly closed his eyes. 'What should I do?'
'The seed could change everything… but is that the right thing to do?'
'Everything started because Baal hurt Lumine. If I can stop that moment, maybe nothing else will happen…'
'Then, with Yae Miko's help, Lumine, Paimon, and I could meet Raiden Shogun peacefully. Maybe… just maybe… it'll all change.'