A hush fell across the camp. Every soldier, every attendant, every passerby who possessed even the faintest awareness of Inazuma's laws stood frozen in disbelief. Their gazes converged on the exit permit held in Kujou Sara's hand—then toward Futsu Mitama and his small entourage, who looked almost embarrassed beneath the stares.
Impossible.
That was the word etched into every expression present. Since the day the Sakoku Decree took effect, no one—no merchant, no noble, no wandering traveler—had ever managed to obtain such a document. And yet… there it was.
Kujou Sara's composure faltered. Arataki Itto's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
But among them, Kujou Sara was the first to recover. She had witnessed Futsu Mitama receive the Shogun's personal guidance. With such divine favor, granting him the right to leave Inazuma was only natural. Her calm, however, was not shared.
Especially not by Arataki Itto, who barreled up to Futsu Mitama and shouted,
"Mitama no Anchan! How in the world did you manage this?!"
"Boss!" Kuki Shinobu snapped, shooting him a sharp glare. "This is Futsu Mitama's personal matter. Don't interrogate him."
Her rebuke worked immediately. Itto stiffened, flashed a sheepish grin, and backed away with both hands raised.
"It's nothing much. The Shogun simply instructed me to handle some matters abroad," Futsu Mitama replied lightly.
Kujou Sara returned the permit to him, though her brows knit in puzzlement. "If you're leaving Inazuma, why come here instead of going to Ritou? For a moment I thought you had changed your mind and wanted to join the special unit I assembled."
By the end, her tone carried a hint of regret. She had seen his strength with her own eyes. When the Shogun guided him, his every swing blurred beyond ordinary perception—she had needed full focus simply to track the trajectory. Even though he was clearly overpowered by the Shogun, the Shogun herself had acknowledged his talent. A warrior recognized by the Shogun was not someone she could easily give up on inviting.
But reality was cruel. Futsu Mitama had his own mission—before and now.
"Because Ritou…" Futsu Mitama hesitated, giving her a look that seemed to ask, 'Are you certain Ritou can even put me on a boat?'
Kujou Sara paused—then exhaled softly as realization dawned.
Yes. Under the Sakoku Decree, no outbound ships departed Ritou. And no foreign merchant vessel would alter its route solely for one traveler—unless fate placed their destination precisely where he intended to go. Only the Tenryou Commission possessed ships capable of ferrying people abroad. Yet those vessels belonged to military operations—monster subjugation and troop transport. Diverting one for a single person required a Shogun's command. But judging from the look in his eyes, he clearly had other plans.
"Where exactly do you intend to board a ship?" Kujou Sara asked frankly.
Futsu Mitama did not come here simply to exchange greetings. He was here to depart. But there were no ships. Except on one nearby island—Watatsumi.
"Watatsumi Island," he answered.
Itto blinked. "But that's the Resistance headquarters! Mitama no Anchan, how are you planning to get there?"
Everyone turned toward him. No one believed he would join the Resistance—not someone holding a Shogun-issued permit, nor someone treated with such respect by Kujou Sara. Besides a man of his status and appearance joining the rebels? That would only spark unnecessary rumors—such as coveting the body of the Divine Priestess Sangonomiya Kokomi. A loss all around.
"Just like this. How else?" Futsu Mitama shrugged, baffled by their reactions.
Itto stared helplessly at Kuki Shinobu as if begging for an explanation. This time, Shinobu relented.
"We learned that The Crux Fleet from Liyue will pass near Watatsumi Island to purchase their specialties. So Mitama and I will meet them there and set sail for Liyue."
"Mitama needs to forge a weapon, so he must buy ore from Liyue. I'll guide him—and collect my graduation certificate while I'm there."
They were not hiding their itinerary. Even if they attempted to, the Fatui would learn of it. The Fatui had long cooperated with Kujou Takayuki—and if they secretly fled via Watatsumi Island, it would quickly spread. On returning, the Tenryou Commission would brand them as rebels on the spot. Even if the Shogun herself stepped forward to silence them, why invite trouble?
Thus, they spoke openly.
"The Crux Fleet—" Kujou Sara murmured. She knew their reputation. "They indeed cooperate with Watatsumi Island. Even under the Sakoku Decree, they forced their way through the thunderstorms to continue business. Liyue is fond of Watatsumi's pearls, and Watatsumi Island—"
She paused. Something in her mind stirred. But she chose not to ask. With a small gesture to the surrounding soldiers, she ordered:
"Let the three of them pass."
Futsu Mitama thanked her and promised to treat her to a meal when he returned. Kujou Sara waved it off, only urging him not to forget their agreement. Arataki Itto warned Shinobu to travel safely—and lamented that if he hadn't sworn loyalty to Sara, he'd never send Shinobu, a young girl, off to Liyue alone.
As for the Arataki Gang, he proudly proclaimed nothing would ever go wrong under his leadership. Shinobu looked deeply unconvinced. She turned instead to Kujou Sara, who could only sigh and promise to overlook the gang's mischief—within reason.
After the trio departed, a general beside Kujou Sara finally voiced his concerns. "Lady Sara, this seems… against regulation."
Even with a Shogun-issued pass, Watatsumi Island remained the seat of the Resistance. Sending them there was akin to tossing sheep into a den of wolves. That noble young master looked refined and delicate, hardly someone suited for battle.
"The Resistance will not harm innocents," Kujou Sara answered firmly.
Her recent assessments confirmed it. They fought cleanly, maintained discipline, never harmed civilians, never mistreated captives, and conducted fair trade with merchants. They were rebels, yes—but unlike bandits or treasure hoarders, they possessed dignity.
If their blades were not pointed at each other, she would have gladly stood beside them. But the Shogun's decree was absolute. No matter the reason behind the rebellion, Kujou Sara had a duty—to apprehend them.
"And if the Resistance captures them?" the general pressed.
Futsu Mitama possessed a personal permit from the Shogun. Losing him would be disastrous.
Kujou Sara met his gaze evenly. "He is stronger than I am. And the two accompanying him are also very strong."
Itto nodded aggressively. "Shinobu might not be on my level, but she's plenty strong! And that maid—Ai-something—A-Ren said she's even tougher! And Mitama no Anchan too, he's like a monster! I wanna spar with him someday—hahahahaha!"
The soldiers visibly relaxed. If both Lady Sara and the rambunctious Oni said so, then perhaps there was no need to worry. But Sara did not notice several soldiers exchanging subtle looks. Moments later, a handful quietly slipped away. Within minutes, pigeons rose from the Shogunate camp—flying toward unknown recipients.
Approaching the Resistance
Guided by Sangonomiya Kokomi in the group chat, Futsu Mitama and his companions moved toward the Resistance camp.
"—Swish!"
An arrow tore through the air toward them.
"Clang!"
Aila unsheathed her frost-tinged tachi in one smooth motion, cleaving the arrow neatly in half. Though it carried only warning intent, she treated it seriously. The Shogunate Army would not attack without cause. The Resistance would not attack them either.
That left only one possibility.
"Stop!"
A general stepped out with a dozen soldiers in tow, expression stern. "Futsu Mitama, you will go no further. Advance, and we will deem you members of the Resistance."
Mitama blinked. "Oh. A familiar face."
Indeed—the same general who once came with a search warrant for Kazuha. The man who had quietly warned him. But now, his hostility was unmistakable.
"Familiar?" The general's expression darkened. "I have no connection with you. Go back. You are forbidden to pass. Disobey me, and—"
Electric light gathered as he drew his bow, aiming straight at Mitama. The soldiers around him maintained unnervingly neutral faces—clearly complicit.
"What do we do?" Kuki Shinobu murmured.
Futsu Mitama exhaled. "We finish this quickly."
He tagged Sangonomiya Kokomi in the group chat, then spoke calmly: "Aila."
"Yes, Young Master," Aila answered, stepping forward with her frost-veiled blade. "It will be over swiftly."
The next moment, she vanished.
The general's pupils shrank. She wasn't bluffing—she was truly attacking. How dare they—?!
He was a loyal general of the Kujou Clan. And Mitama, a mere fallen noble, dared to command his maid to strike him?
Rage exploded within him.
"Kill them!" he roared, loosing an Electro-infused arrow in retaliation.
"Clang!"
Aila knocked it aside effortlessly. Her Vision flared.
"—Flash."
In a breath, she was behind him.
"What?!"
The general barely had time to draw his weapon. How could a maid move at such speed?!
A white arc of frost swept across the battlefield. "—Swish!"
Aila's silhouette flickered through the ranks. The moment her blade resheathed—
"Clang."
A crisp sound echoed. Then the Shogunate soldiers stared at their own bodies in horror as frost crystallized across their limbs. In seconds, all of them froze into statues of ice.
Aila stood motionless, her task complete.
"Clap, clap, clap…"
Applause drifted from the shadows. It was not from Mitama or Shinobu. Aila turned sharply.
A slender figure swayed into view—graceful, arrogant, her every step dripping with mockery.
The Lady, accompanied only by two Electro Cicin Mages, as though she needed no armies.
"A fine display," she purred. "To wield an elemental weapon to such a degree. It seems this decaying nation still holds a few competent individuals."
"As expected—Fatui." Shinobu drew her blade, voice cold. "You're persistent. Aren't you afraid the Shogun will descend from Tenshukaku again and strike you down?"
The Lady laughed richly.
"Strike me down? Look at the scene before you. I am but a humble Snezhnayan diplomat. You, on the other hand, have assaulted Shogunate soldiers."
She smiled sharply. "As a diplomat, I must not attack Inazuman citizens. But as criminals—I am obliged to assist in your capture."
Her heel struck the ground. A storm of glacial wind blasted forth—cold enough to freeze flesh to bone.
Mitama reached out, ready to summon Musou Isshin—
But Shinobu moved faster. She drew several talismans from her leg pouch. "Chì!"
Electro light burst outward as a barrier enveloped her and Mitama. The icy gale crashed against it, howling violently—yet failing to break through.
The Lady's brows rose. "A miko's technique. So the ninja girl has training from the Grand Narukami Shrine… Interesting."
She prepared to intensify her assault—
A voice whispered behind her. (If you wanna ambush, stay silent. Why every anime related content always shout or talk to much before assassinating someone)
"Where are you looking?"
The Lady's eyes widened. Aila's blade was already descending toward her pale neck. Aila swung her tachi, imbued with icy coldness, towards The Harbinger's pale neck. Her expression was very serious, and the Hydro Element Vision on her chest glowed with a soft light.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!!!"
A teeth-chattering freezing sound echoed in the air. This was the strongest strike Aila could unleash while maintaining her stealth. To avoid holding her Young Master back, Aila trained with Kuki Shinobu, specifically learning ninja techniques from her.
Although a full-power Aila could now quickly defeat Kuki Shinobu, regardless of whether the latter had a Vision or a Delusion, their strength difference was no longer as close as it once was. However, Kuki Shinobu was a good teacher; Aila could always learn what she wanted from her at any time.
For example... this very moment!
"Hmph!" The Harbinger sneered, a disdainful smile playing on her lips. She simply stood still, and a terrifying cold wind erupted from her, spreading outwards from her as the center. In an instant, everything around them was frozen solid.
Although the tachi in Aila's hand wasn't frozen, it struck something hard with a "clang." Upon closer inspection, a thin layer of ice crystals had appeared around The Harbinger's neck at some point. This thin layer of ice crystals blocked Aila's surprise attack.
'It's very hard; I need to put more force into it.'
Just as Aila thought this and was about to increase her strength, two delicate laughs came from the side. Two Electro Cicin Mages appeared on either side of Aila, launching their attacks simultaneously.
Violent Electro Element surged towards Aila. Aila felt threatened and decisively chose to evade. The two Electro Cicin Mages guarding The Harbinger this time were clearly stronger than the previous ones.
As Aila instantly dodged, the two Electro Cicin Mages let out delicate laughs, waving the lanterns in their hands and summoning Electro Cicins to surround and attack Aila.
"Come and go as you please?" The Harbinger's smile was sarcastic, as if she was mocking Aila's overestimation of her own abilities.
To dare to approach her without knowing their respective strengths was simply too bold. The Harbinger extended her hand, and several ice cones condensed out of thin air. With a slight wave of her hand, the ice cones shot towards Aila.
———
Aila showed no fear at this sight. She gripped her weapon tightly, and the Hydro Element Vision on her chest emitted a soft glow. The next second, two Hydro Element afterimages, wielding different weapons, emerged from Aila's body. They rushed towards the two Electro Cicin Mages respectively. Aila herself swung her tachi again. Accompanied by several flashes of white light, she shattered all the incoming ice cones.
As soon as the two Hydro Element afterimages, wielding different weapons, approached the Electro Cicin Mages, they decisively exploded, turning into a sky full of water needles that shot towards them. Seeing this, the two Electro Cicin Mages naturally dodged without a word. After the two Electro Cicin Mages didn't attack immediately, Aila instantly felt much more relaxed. She immediately returned to Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu's side, completely unharmed, merely breathing a little heavier.
"Are you okay?" Kuki Shinobu expressed her concern for Aila, and at this moment, she also dispelled her defensive barrier.
"Very strong. For some reason, I feel she's a bit stronger than Scaramouche." Aila frowned slightly. Although she hadn't actually fought Scaramouche.
Kazuha had fought Scaramouche, and although it was a hasty strike, it still served as a reference. Therefore, Aila roughly knew how much strength Scaramouche had used in his previous encounter with Kazuha. If the Fatui Harbingers all possessed this level of power from the start.
And considering Scaramouche's arrogance and this Harbinger's haughty demeanor. Aila was confident she could severely wound her before she unleashed her true strength. So Aila was very surprised now that The Harbinger could take that surprise strike and even counterattack.
"Because she values us more." Futsu Mitama, however, thought it was normal. Although the Fatui were very 'united and friendly' internally, any necessary information would probably be shared. And given the power displayed by Aila and Futsu Mitama's frequent actions, The Harbinger couldn't possibly ignore them.
Although this Lady Harbinger was indeed haughty, as if... The Tsaritsa was first, The Jester was second, she was third, and everyone else was trash. However, among the Fatui members who had appeared, The Lady was indeed the one who got things done. Scaramouche and Childe were both a bit dim-witted, Arlecchino was kinda capable and kinda strictly rigid but she was loyal enough, Dottore was sinister, cunning, and obviously an asshole.
But what was certain was that The Lady was indeed much more dangerous than Scaramouche; she was a Fatui Harbinger who would truly use her full power from the start.
"However, Aila." Futsu Mitama suddenly thought of something and looked at Aila, saying, "Why did you speak just now? Wouldn't it have been better to just cut her?"
Facing Futsu Mitama's question, Aila calmly replied, "Young Master, Kuki Shinobu said that if you focus entirely on a surprise attack, you might subconsciously make the enemy defend. After all, strong individuals have very sharp instincts. If you say something to distract them just as the surprise attack is about to succeed, it might have an unexpected effect."
"But now it seems, whether I spoke or not, the situation would be the same."
Looking at The Harbinger, who was completely unharmed, and the two Electro Cicin Mages who were pulling small water barbs from each other's bodies. Aila felt a sense of gravity internally, but believed things were still under control.
"Good, very good." The Harbinger looked at Aila, who had returned to Futsu Mitama's side. A hint of appreciation flashed in her eyes as she said, "Your strength is excellent. To be able to use elemental power like that, and to be bold and meticulous enough to ambush me. To be honest, I'm almost reluctant to kill you. A talent like yours should join the Fatui. Given time, perhaps you could even become a Fatui Harbinger."
Gold shines wherever it is. The Harbinger seemed to have reviewed the information on Futsu Mitama and Aila several times. Aside from Futsu Mitama's deceptive surface identity as a Blacksmith and Winemaker. Aila's information was much more complete: she was an orphan in Inazuma City, parents unknown, origin unknown, and no one even knew how she arrived in Inazuma City.
It was only five years ago, during a rare heavy snowfall, that Futsu Mitama picked up Aila, who was about to freeze to death on the streets. After that... the maid Aila appeared. The Harbinger wouldn't casually recruit people to join the Fatui; she was particular about who she chose. People with experiences like Futsu Mitama and Aila.
Those with a weak sense of presence in Inazuma, or even without any particular goal themselves, yet possessed monstrous talent, were very similar to some of the Fatui Harbingers.
...
Faced with The Harbinger's recruitment, Aila said nothing. To make her join the Fatui, only if her Young Master joined, would she follow suit.
"To be honest, how did you find us?"
Futsu Mitama looked at The Harbinger, somewhat puzzled, "I changed many routes along the way, and this route was one I picked on the fly."
To be honest, Futsu Mitama really didn't expect to encounter The Harbinger. As for being challenged by the Shogunate Army, he had anticipated that. Some people in the Tenryou Commission, or rather, members of the Kujou Clan who knew internal information, were definitely unhappy with Futsu Mitama. As for Futsu Mitama, he wouldn't humor them. Anyway, these guys were against him, so he could just throw them to the Resistance or sink them into the Inazuma sea.
But what was The Harbinger doing here? Could she have the ability to foresee the future? Laying an ambush here in advance, waiting for him?
"Don't underestimate the Fatui." The Harbinger looked at Futsu Mitama, rather proudly, "The Fatui's intelligence capabilities are beyond your imagination."
Although The Harbinger said that, she herself was also quite surprised, not expecting to encounter Futsu Mitama in the wild. The Harbinger didn't have that much free time to specifically ambush Futsu Mitama. She was here for the next Delusion Factory and for the Resistance in Tatarasuna. The Harbinger was preparing to make a deal with the Resistance, offering them improved Delusions and other important supplies, to help them survive this crisis. Kujou Takayuki wanted to destroy the current Resistance and then support a new one, but The Harbinger and other Fatui were not afraid of making things worse.
A joke! If Kujou Takayuki's plan succeeded! Then the Resistance would become the Kujou Clan's lackeys! How would the plan to sow chaos in Inazuma proceed then?
Therefore, The Harbinger's primary goal in coming here was the Resistance, and she also knew where the Resistance headquarters was. Coincidentally, Futsu Mitama was also going to the Resistance headquarters, so the two parties ran into each other. At Tenshukaku, Futsu Mitama's words had made The Harbinger furious, and with Raiden Shogun nearby at the time, The Harbinger couldn't even vent her anger.
Now that she encountered him in the wild and witnessed him beating up Shogunate Army soldiers, it was the perfect time to settle both old and new scores!
"Then—" Futsu Mitama's eyes flashed with Electro Element. He looked directly at The Harbinger and said, "There's only one way: fight."
At this moment, Futsu Mitama's body flickered with Electro Element, and his aura slowly became quite terrifying. He was clearly ready for battle.
"Heh." Seeing this, The Harbinger also smiled. She slowly walked forward, a colder aura erupting from her body again. She looked at Futsu Mitama disdainfully and said, "The difference in strength between you and me is simply unimaginable. I am not like Scaramouche; I will make you experience from the very beginning what it means to be—"
Before The Harbinger could finish her sentence, Futsu Mitama reached out and grabbed Kuki Shinobu and Aila's hands. Then, Chakra Desiderata activated. A spatial rift appeared in front of him. Without a word, Futsu Mitama pulled the two women and leaped in.
Under the tutelage of the three 'Raiden Shoguns,' Futsu Mitama's mastery of Chakra Desiderata progressed rapidly. At this moment, he could use Chakra Desiderata to open a spatial door and quickly leave. Of course, there was also a 30% chance of opening the door to the Plane of Euthymia during this time, but Raiden Ei had locked the Plane of Euthymia's door so tightly that this 30% was almost 0.
"—Despair."
After The Harbinger finished speaking, seeing Futsu Mitama and the two women leave, she frowned slightly, not expecting them to run off just like that. They had seemed ready for a big battle just moments ago, but then they just left.
"Trying to escape? Not that easy." The Harbinger's expression was icy. She and the two Electro Cicin Mages also vanished from their original spot, pursuing Futsu Mitama.
After they all left, several minutes later, Kujou Sara rushed over with her elite squad, only to find Gorou and Kazuha, along with other key Resistance members, moving several ice sculptures.
"How dare they!" Kujou Sara was instantly enraged, not expecting the Resistance to not continue fleeing, but instead actively attack the Shogunate Army.
A battle was imminent here as well. On the other side, Futsu Mitama, after using Chakra Desiderata several times, took Aila and Kuki Shinobu on continuous spatial jumps without stopping. But The Harbinger and the Electro Cicin Mages behind them were biting hard, and several times, The Harbinger anticipated Futsu Mitama's position in advance, launching several attacks towards them.
However, all of them were blocked by Kuki Shinobu and Aila.
"This isn't going to work, Mitama."
Kuki Shinobu could feel that The Harbinger was getting closer to them, and prolonged movement like this. Kuki Shinobu's face was a little pale, and she felt a bit nauseous. Aila, although her expression was normal, her slightly trembling body showed that. This kind of continuous spatial jumping was truly not something ordinary people could endure.
"I know. I'm just moving the battleground."
Futsu Mitama also understood that he couldn't shake off The Harbinger like this. He couldn't fight in the previous location. Because that area was too close to the Shogunate Army and the Resistance. If a fight broke out, he would be restricted. No sooner had he spoken than Futsu Mitama jumped onto an unknown island, probably far from Tatarasuna, closer to Yashiori Island.
As soon as Futsu Mitama finished his spatial jump, Kuki Shinobu and Aila walked to the side, their faces pale, even faintly making slight retching sounds.
"Run! Let's see how long you can run!"
The Harbinger also appeared at this moment, her expression not looking good either. She hadn't expected Futsu Mitama to be so good at running. The Harbinger herself didn't know how far they had run in one breath, and her two subordinates hadn't caught up.
At this moment, The Harbinger was also a bit out of breath, her full chest heaving up and down. After all, spatial jumping also consumed a lot of elemental power, and some of her stamina had been depleted. But Futsu Mitama was completely fine; his expression was normal, as if nothing had happened. This amount of consumption was harmless to him.
"Don't blame us for being despicable, Lady."
At this moment, Futsu Mitama, seeing that there were no Electro Cicin Mages beside The Harbinger, calmly said, "Next is a righteous three-on-one."
"Three-on-one?" The Harbinger sneered, taking a step forward, and an even more terrifying cold aura erupted from her body than before.
Looking at Kuki Shinobu and Aila, who were somewhat unsteady, The Ladycoldly said, "You're trembling, aren't you? Is it from the cold, or from fear?"
"No, they are merely a bit nauseous from the excessive number of spatial jumps."
No sooner had Futsu Mitama finished speaking than Musou Isshin condensed in his hand, and he decisively charged towards The Harbinger.
"Ugh!" Aila let out a slight retch, but she also gripped the tachi in her hand and charged along with Futsu Mitama.
Kuki Shinobu didn't charge. She was currently taking out talismans from her waist pouch. Pure close-combat methods might not be able to harm The Harbinger. Delusions were their items; who knew if the opponent had countermeasures? Therefore, Kuki Shinobu used what she had learned from the Grand Narukami Shrine.
The fierce battle began!
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