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By the time Victor Wang returned to Chinju Forest, night had already fallen. It had been exactly one day since he disembarked. According to the plan, the Alcor was supposed to remain anchored in the eastern waters of Chinju Forest for another day.
But from a distance, he could already see flickers of firelight near the beach. Two squads of soldiers in violet-gray armor—one on patrol, the other sitting around resting.
And on the sea? The massive ship was nowhere to be seen.
The most reasonable assumption: someone had reported them to the Tenryou Commission. More bluntly—Yasen had reported them.
And the goal…? To prevent him from calling reinforcements?
No. If it had been anyone else, they would've already been dealt with back at Furuya Makoto's house. There wouldn't have been any chance to summon help.
"Heh…"
Victor Wang exhaled softly. In his mind, Hanachirusato's words resurfaced: "On the land above Konda Village, nothing unusual has occurred."
Now he realized—that was the truth. Because the anomaly lay beneath Konda Village.
The Sacred Sakura.
Planted by Ei, from the sapling left by Raiden Makoto. Nurtured with the aid of a higher power—one of the four shadows of the Primordial Phanes: Istaroth, the ruler of time, wind, sun, and moon. It sprouted five hundred years ago, imbued with the power to purge evil and cleanse ley lines.
In all of Inazuma, the only thing that tied both to the Shogun and the Heavenly Principles… was this tree.
Its five roots were spread across Konda Village, the Serpent's Head, the Kamisato Estate, Chinju Forest, and the ruined shrine below Mt. Yougou.
Hanachirusato had hinted at an anomaly beneath Konda Village. Seto Eri had disappeared at the Serpent's Head. At the Kamisato Estate, Ayato was drowning in North Wing's affairs. The Alcor, waiting at Chinju Forest, had been driven away by the Tenryou Commission.
Drawing a deep breath, Victor Wang saw his enemies' moves clearly laid out.
Yasen had cleverly used Windwheel Maru to point him toward Ritou, Konda Village, and Inazuma City—scattering suspicion across the nation, with nothing standing out. He even boldly included Seto Eri's disappearance at the Serpent's Head. Only Furuya Makoto's destination had been falsified as Seirai Island.
Seventy percent truth, thirty percent lies—so seamless it was nearly impossible to detect. But his arrogance betrayed him. Thanks to Little Wen, the deception was unraveled.
On second thought, perhaps calling it arrogance wasn't fair. Even with all that information, an ordinary person wouldn't have been able to see through it.
Because an ordinary person wouldn't know where the roots of the Sacred Sakura lay. They wouldn't even think of the Sacred Sakura. Not even Yae Miko or Ei yet had realized that the tree had borrowed Istaroth's power.
"Blame your bad luck for crossing paths with me."
["Master's talking to himself again!"]
"…"
But the flare firework in his pocket had become a burden. With the South Wing and Battle Technique Hunters aiming for such a colossal goal, their deployment would surely be formidable.
What was already confirmed: The Demonic Sword wielder who could control time. Among the Battle Technique Hunters' Four Heavenly Kings, another was known to control space—the one who wields the Demonic Ring.
If the flare was indeed a locator, his movements might already be compromised. He had planned to return to the Alcor and feign rejoining the crew. But now… he had to keep acting.
An hour later, after cutting across Byakko Plain, he reached Kannazuka Island. The vast sea stretched before him—still no sign of the Alcor.
Beidou was powerful. At worst, she'd run into trouble that kept her from reaching the rendezvous. But wiped out? Highly unlikely.
Burying the suspicious firework in the sands of Kannazuka's shore, Victor Wang finally felt secure enough to head for Konda Village.
This time it was later than before. Many households had already put out their lamps. At the village entrance, Toratarou, the dog, recognized him after a few feedings and no longer barked.
He disturbed no one, merely wandered through the village twice, hoping his ghost-attracting nature might draw Hanachirusato again. No such luck. She wasn't always in Konda Village.
"Then I have no choice…"
The dry well in the village elder's yard tugged at his curiosity. The key to its lock lay hidden in the ruins across the eastern water channel—and of its own accord, it slipped into his hand.
He had intended to open the well discreetly. But fate placed a street lamp nearby, illuminating everything he did. Fortunately, no one was around to see.
Descending the well, he found a fine treasure chest.
"Leave that one for Lumine."
Smashing through a wall of piled stones, he took an Electrogranum from the Sacred Sakura's branch and passed through the barrier. Patterns of violet energy glowed across the chamber. A colossal torii loomed, roots of the Sacred Sakura twining around it.
Though called roots, each was as thick as a great tree. At first glance, nothing seemed amiss. Normal—so normal it made Victor Wang doubt himself. If all his deductions were wrong, then wasn't he just a clown?
He moved closer. Finally—on the inner side of one root, a sword wound. Slowly, painstakingly healing itself.
"Are you a good person or a bad one?" Hanachirusato's voice rang out. He turned to see her behind him, silent until now.
"I'm the enemy of the one who made this wound. That should make me a good person."
"Is that so? But you came here uninvited."
"Wasn't it you who invited me? That line of yours—it was a cry for help, wasn't it?"
"Ah… you realized? Forgive me. I spoke too much. I am weak. Please, leave this place."
"Why?!"
Last time she had begged for help. This time, they'd spoken well. Why turn him away now?
"I cannot trust you."
"Why…?"
"…The aura on you feels familiar. But it is too close to the power that birthed me—and killed her. Because of that, I cannot trust you."
So that was it… And she wasn't wrong.
During Inazuma's Black Calamity, Rift Hounds had appeared—creations of the Khaenri'ahn alchemist known as Gold, Rhinedottir.
The Abyss, the Calamity, the God of Khaenri'ah… all cut from the same cloth. That power had brought Inazuma untold sorrow, even killed Kitsune Saiguu. Carrying the aura of HisDescent, how could the victims possibly trust him?
"As you see, I am weak. Last time those two intruded, all I could do was watch from the shadows. If I did appear… I might not have endured. Yet you've seen me twice, and done me no harm. Perhaps that means you are good. But still, I beg you to leave."
"…But the Sacred Sakura is being destroyed."
"…I will find others to help. By now, the current Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine should have noticed."
"The enemy is strong. She may not be able to handle it alone."
"Miko is stronger."
"She's long withdrawn from worldly matters. She may not act. And even if she does, the enemy may have a backup plan… Besides, the one damaging the tree is only being controlled. I want to save him. If he faces the Shogun directly… I fear he'll die. I know their weaknesses. I'll stop them before it comes to that."
Just like how Venti could only heal the Grandmaster if she survived to return home.
"…This is troublesome."
Hanachirusato sighed softly. Through her fox mask, she studied Victor Wang carefully.
"You need not earn my trust. But I will help you. Listen carefully."
"A request, then. I am curious. What's beneath that mask of yours… You'd show me, without hesitation?"
"Strange, isn't it?"
"No. I think it's cool. At least you have the courage to unmask. I have none. Very well, listen. There are two who are destroying the Sacred Sakura. One is tall, wields the Anemo element and a sword. The other is thin, and manipulates space to pierce barriers. Even from her memories, the power to command space is extraordinary.
The tree has five roots: at Konda Village, the Serpent's Head, the Kamisato Estate, Chinju Forest, and Mt. Yougou.
The first four have already been pierced by the swordsman, who drained from them vital forces sustaining the tree. Only the ruined shrine beneath Mt. Yougou remains—and even now, it is under attack."
Victor Wang started. "Right now?"
"Right now. But that is not the end. The Sacred Sakura's true power lies in its body at the Grand Narukami Shrine. I fear they will invade there as well."
"Perfect timing… No. Timing they've created themselves."
From her description, there was no doubt—it was the magic sword and magic ring. Yet with the Alcor missing, Beidou and Kazuha gone as well, the only two who could stand against them had vanished.
Never had he wished more that the flare truly worked. But Yasen was not one to leave such a gift behind.
"I'll head to Mt. Yougou."
"They are strong. Please be cautious. And one more thing: when the swordsman draws power from the roots, he cannot move. May that aid you."
As Victor Wang departed, Hanachirusato raised her hand to her fox mask, falling into silence…