Futsu Mitama froze where he stood.
"Impossible—absolutely impossible!" His voice trembled, his expression struck with disbelief. "How could the Shogun say something like that?!"
The shock spreading through him was mirrored across the entire group livestream.
Yae Miko: "This—?! This!! Am I seeing things? Or did I just hallucinate?"
Raiden Makoto: "It truly is unexpected. Something that should never have happened—actually did."
Azhdaha: "Hah! Splendid! If the Group Leader is coming to Liyue, that's excellent news. But why are you all so surprised?"
Kamisato Ayaka: "Because…the Shogun issued the Sakoku Decree. Citizens of Inazuma are forbidden from leaving, and those abroad cannot return."
Kuki Shinobu: "Yes. That's why I haven't been able to leave Inazuma. That decree caused much of the trouble we went through."
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "If the Group Leader is being permitted to leave and travel to Liyue… doesn't that mean…?"
Ella: "Young Master leaving the nation is a good thing."
Albedo: "Leaving Inazuma to go to Liyue? In that case…shall we meet in person? I cannot go to Inazuma, but I can go to Liyue."
Yae Miko: "Honestly, everything in this group keeps surprising me. To think Ei would open her heart like this…"
Raiden Makoto: "Indeed. I once believed she would never change."
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "But why are the Guuji and the former Electro Archon reacting so strongly…?"
Yae Miko: "Oh, because Ei is a shut-in who never wants to go out. There, I said it for you."
Kuki Shinobu: "As Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine—your words are astonishingly disrespectful."
The chat fell into chaos, but none were more shaken than Futsu Mitama himself. Yet Raiden Ei, standing before him in the Plane of Euthymia, remained composed. She could feel his astonishment, but she saw no need to elaborate; her decision was already made.
He was an Eternal Guardian — he could remain in Inazuma for his entire life. But such confinement, Ei realized, would be far too cruel. So she would allow him to leave. To see the world. To temper his heart. To forge the weapon that would accompany him for life.
A quiet compensation… for the condensed resin she had taken. And as for the possibility of him never returning? Ei dismissed the thought immediately.
He was Inazuman—And he had spoken of eternity. He had refused the Tenryou Commission and Okuzume Clan, and he would never pledge himself to a foreign nation. His bond to Inazuma was absolute.
"Raiden Shogun-sama," Futsu Mitama said cautiously, "may I bring a friend along to Liyue?"
Ei's brows knitted. She would allow him to leave—but others? That was another matter entirely.
"How many?" she asked.
He began to consider: Ayaka had duties. Thoma, too. Kokomi could never leave the Resistance.
Kujou Sara was overwhelmed with tasks.
Only two remained — Kuki Shinobu, and Aila. Shinobu needed her Liyue graduation certificate.
Aila…would never leave his side.
So he stated, "Only two. My maid, and a friend who studied in Liyue."
Ei's expression softened. That much was acceptable.
"Very well," she said. "Wait at home. I will have the Shogun deliver the necessary orders."
"Yes. By the way, Raiden Shogun-sama, Yae—"
Before he could finish, a flick of her hand sent him flying out of the Plane of Euthymia.
"Raiden Shogun? Yae…?"
Ei blinked. She had not meant to interrupt him. It was simply a habit—once she finished speaking, she saw no reason to let anyone linger here.
"I'll ask him when he returns from Liyue."
She attempted to sink back into meditation. But the stillness shattered. The condensed resin's memories—sweet, rich, distracting—flooded her mind.
Desserts. Piles of them. Everywhere.
"Endure," Ei murmured, forcing her eyes shut.
But meditation no longer greeted her. Only cakes.
"Desserts will not affect eternity."
With that solemn declaration, she stood up. "Perhaps—I should have the Shogun bring snacks into the Plane of Euthymia."
———
Back in the mortal realm—
Futsu Mitama found himself suddenly expelled into his courtyard.
"This Shogun really does as she pleases." He sighed. "Won't even let a person finish speaking."
But he did not dwell on it. He had preparations to make for Liyue.
"Young Master," a soft voice called.
Aila appeared, calm and steady as always. "Everything is ready. We can depart whenever you command."
"That fast?!" Futsu Mitama stared, astonished. Kuki Shinobu emerged beside her, arms crossed.
"We packed together," she said lightly. "Naturally it was fast."
Her gaze softened. "To think—even under the Sakoku Decree, I would be able to leave Inazuma. And retrieve the graduation certificate I never received."
Futsu Mitama stretched his limbs, letting his body warm up.
"This trip will benefit me as well," he explained. "If I'm outside Inazuma, it'll be harder for the Fatui to reach me. The Doctor is searching for me, Scaramouche is hostile, and the Lady has her eyes on me. Leaving for Liyue gives me breathing room."
Shinobu sighed. "But the Fatui have the Northland Bank there."
"It's fine," he said confidently. "Liyue's public safety is leagues above Inazuma. The Qixing, the Millelith, the Adepti… and—"
He smirked.
"I already chose our lodging. Right next to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. With Mr. Zhongli there, the Fatui wouldn't dare twitch a finger."
Shinobu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. An Inazuman trusting Liyue's safety more than Inazuma's—But after living in both, she couldn't say he was wrong. The Raiden Shogun handled the matter with startling efficiency. By the very next morning, the Okuzume Clan arrived at Futsu Mitama's estate with three emigration permits in hand.
Their expressions could only be described as a mixture of disbelief, awe, and restrained curiosity. It was clear they themselves had no idea how he managed to accomplish what countless others could not. When the Sakoku Decree was first established, the heads of the Three Commissions had unanimously opposed it. Whether from a political, economic, or cultural standpoint, the decree would inevitably harm Inazuma's long-term stability.
But in a land ruled by a god, mortal opposition meant little. Once the Raiden Shogun's will was made known, the Tenryou and Kanjou Commission heads immediately yielded. The Yashiro Commission continued protesting, but their dissenting voice was far too small to sway a divine decree.
The moment the Sakoku Decree took effect, the already stagnant Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions descended into even greater corruption and factional purge. During that time, countless nobles submitted requests to leave Inazuma—whether to visit acquaintances abroad or to pursue commercial affairs. Every single one of them was denied. Even the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, who merely wished to visit Liyue, had been refused without hesitation.
The Okuzume were privy to all these secrets. And so, when they saw Futsu Mitama holding an emigration permit personally issued by the Shogun, even they could not hide their reverence. Though they did not know how he had achieved it, the act itself was something bordering on the impossible.
The news spread swiftly. The heads of the Three Commissions were the first to hear it.
Kamisato Ayato raised an eyebrow in private. Kujou Takayuki fell silent, his face dark. Hiiragi Chisato's shock was evident.
In any case, with Futsu Mitama's permit in hand, a faint shift began to ripple through the stagnant air surrounding the Raiden Shogun's "eternity."
Yet none of this slowed Futsu Mitama. He packed his belongings with the excitement of someone preparing for a long-awaited dream. His retirement paradise—Liyue—awaited.
"Phew… finally done packing." He wiped imaginary sweat from his brow.
"There wasn't much to pack," Kuki Shinobu sighed, watching him place a few sets of clothes and Scaramouche's detached limbs into his bag before declaring himself exhausted.
Aila, dressed in her immaculate maid attire, approached with her usual composure.
"All essential items have already been prepared by me," she informed him calmly. "Young Master and I typically require little—only a few changes of clothes and basic necessities."
It was long ago that Futsu Mitama had told her: compared to Inazuma, Liyue lacked nothing. Where Inazuma suffered shortages and restrictions, Liyue's markets overflowed with goods. She understood immediately what to pack.
"Next, we head to Tatarasuna," Futsu Mitama announced once everything was in order. Before departing for Liyue, they still had matters to attend to there.
Kuki Shinobu nodded. She needed to see her Boss and Kujou Sara before leaving—someone had to keep an eye on the Arataki Gang in her absence. Meanwhile, Futsu Mitama recalled Sangonomiya Kokomi's earlier remark: Crux Fleet—Beidou—would be stopping by Watatsumi Island for supplies.
Which meant—He could leave Inazuma aboard Beido's ship. With an official permit in hand, it did not matter where he chose to depart from. Ritou lacked outbound ships, and whether foreign merchants would be willing to carry passengers was uncertain. Beidou's vessel, however, was reliable. As for the current conflict between the Shogunate Army and the Resistance in Tatarasuna—
It no longer concerned him.
The Resistance leaders in the group had already agreed that direct confrontation would only jeopardize their dwindling strength. Instead, they dispersed into smaller units, launching hit-and-run operations and avoiding decisive battles. As long as the Shogunate Army failed to break through Tatarasuna's defensive line and could not establish a foothold on Yashiori Island, the Resistance would hold the advantage.
Unlike the Shogunate Army, who clamored for swift victory, the Resistance only needed time. After a simple breakfast, Futsu Mitama, Aila, and Kuki Shinobu set out. The gatekeepers of Inazuma City seemed unusually subdued—they did not stop them.
Ever since the head of the Hiiragi Clan had been imprisoned, incidents of noble misconduct and merchant harassment had abruptly ceased. People now quietly assumed all prior disturbances stemmed from Hiiragi's corruption.
With the danger gone, the guards no longer felt the need to delay anyone's departure from the city. But once the trio crossed the gates, spies lurking in the shadows immediately relayed the news. Several continued trailing them from a distance.
In the group chat:
[Futsu Mitama]:Tsk. As expected… eyes on us the moment we stepped outside.
[Kuki Shinobu]:Well, you are quite the figure in Inazuma now. I sensed several gazes instantly.The higher-ups likely already know we've left the city.
[Aila]:Probably the Fatui. And the Tenryou Commission.
[Yae Miko]:And my little informants too~
[Kamisato Ayaka]:Ah… Thoma is still in the city. He must know as well.
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]:@Futsu Mitama, are you already on the way? Isn't it a bit early? Beidou arrives tomorrow.
[Azhdaha]:Tomorrow? Far too slow. I want to see Liyue already!
[Kuki Shinobu]:@Azhdaha, even if you board the ship now, it won't reach that fast.
[Yae Miko]:Given the distance between Liyue and Inazuma, a normal ship takes at least four days. If it's Beidou's ship, with ideal weather, perhaps three.Hurried or not, reality must be respected.
[Raiden Makoto]:Speaking of which… the Fatui have been oddly quiet.
[Kuki Shinobu]:After one of their Harbingers lost an arm and a leg to the Shogun, they won't act rashly.
[Futsu Mitama]:No. They'll keep stirring trouble. They still haven't obtained what they want the most.
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]:And what exactly is that? Their actions in Inazuma have caused so much chaos, yet we still don't know their ultimate objective.
[Kamisato Ayaka]:Indeed… it would be helpful if we knew their goal.
[Yae Miko]:The Gnosis.
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]:The… Shogun's Gnosis?!
[Kuki Shinobu]:Unbelievable. Their courage borders on madness.
[Kamisato Ayaka]:They've gone too far! That is simply unacceptable!
[Raiden Makoto]:The Gnosis… So that is her intention. Is the Tsaritsa preparing to act?
[Futsu Mitama]:@Raiden Makoto… do you know what the Tsaritsa seeks?
His question sparked curiosity across the entire group.
[Raiden Makoto]:The Fatui are gathering the Gnosis for a large-scale conflict… a war capable of reshaping Teyvat.
[Raiden Makoto]:Though the Tsaritsa may prepare, it does not mean the other Archons will cooperate.
[Raiden Makoto]:In Inazuma's case… Ei considers the Gnosis unnecessary.
[Yae Miko]:Indeed. The Gnosis has been in my hands. A troublesome item, truly—not one whose price anyone can actually pay.I refuse to hand it over for nothing… but if a certain little one grows stronger, perhaps I'll let him have it~ @Futsu Mitama.
Futsu Mitama winced. This fox was up to something again. He hurriedly typed that it wasn't necessary—he did not want the Gnosis, nor the trouble that came with it. They continued chatting while subtly losing the spies trailing them.
After several hours, they arrived near Tatarasuna—only to be halted by Shogunate soldiers.
The area had become a battlefield; entry was restricted. Futsu Mitama stated that he sought Kujou Sara and presented his noble token. One soldier hurried off, and soon Kujou Sara arrived with an elite squad—several even bore Visions.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Shinobu! You're here?!"
A boisterous laugh echoed as Arataki Itto bounded past Sara directly toward Kuki Shinobu.
"Boss," Shinobu said seriously, "I'm leaving Inazuma temporarily for Liyue. Please manage the Arataki Gang while I'm gone."
Everyone knew she was the true manager behind the scenes.
"Hahaha—easy! Leave it to—wait. What did you say? Going to Liyue?!"
Kujou Sara and the surrounding soldiers stared at her as though they had misheard. Going to Liyue? During the Sakoku Decree? Was she implying she would—smuggle herself out? Right in front of the Shogunate Army's elite?
Kujou Sara hesitated. If they were joking, fine. If not—they could be detained on the spot.
"Ahem. It's true." Futsu Mitama coughed lightly and produced the emigration permit. "This is our official permission to leave."
"An exit permit? Mitama no An-chan, don't joke around." Itto laughed nervously.
But Kujou Sara took the document—and froze.
"This—this is genuine."
"What?!"
She could feel the Electro power lingering in the calligraphy. The characters shone with authority—authority that only one person possessed. The Raiden Shogun herself.
The Shogunate soldiers stiffened. Itto's eyes widened in disbelief. Silence rippled across the group.
Everyone was stunned.