Thank you for your Patreonage~ Mr. Genesis-00
Futsu Mitama fell into quiet contemplation. In his memory, there was once a small, curious episode: the Mondstadt alchemist Timaeus had asked the Traveler to seek out a certain "Potion Master" in Liyue. And that "Potion Master" turned out to be none other than Ying'er—yes, that Ying'er, the one known for steering her scent-laden kiln straight into unsuspecting passersby.
It was such a minor event, yet Futsu Mitama remembered it vividly. After all, who would have thought that the flirtatious owner of the "perfume cart ambush" was a hidden expert in her own right? From this alone, one could see how many remarkable talents Liyue harbored. And if Albedo was truly heading there soon, he would certainly find himself entangled in all sorts of interesting encounters.
As that thought settled in, Futsu Mitama found a restless eagerness rising in his chest.
This stagnant Inazuma… whoever wants to stay may stay. I'm going to Liyue to enjoy life to the fullest!
"Huh? Futsu Mitama, what's wrong?"
Gorou waved in front of him, concerned to see him standing frozen in place. "Did the Fatui business wear you out? Don't worry! If any Harbinger dares show their face, our Resistance will make sure they learn their lesson!"
Through Lady Sangonomiya Kokomi, Gorou and Kazuha had learned Futsu Mitama's group had not arrived immediately because they were tied up dealing with Fatui interference. Thus Gorou now puffed out his chest, promising Futsu Mitama absolute safety within their camp.
"Mhm." Kazuha nodded slightly. His voice was calm, yet certain. "Since that adult has taken action, even a Harbinger would not risk attacking you again."
After all, the two of them had seen the Raiden Shogun's earlier strike with their own eyes. That same blow—along with Futsu Mitama's help—had also granted Kazuha and the Resistance elites enough time to retreat from Kujou Sara, though not without the infamous "serious bean injury" to Arataki Itto.
"No, it's nothing like that." Futsu Mitama gave a small, helpless smile. "I'm not afraid of the Fatui. I'm only thinking that—I probably won't see you for a while."
"Huh?"
"Why is that?"
Gorou and Kazuha exchanged puzzled looks. Did Futsu Mitama have business in Ritou or Inazuma City that would keep him away? That wouldn't be a problem—the Resistance had people infiltrating both areas. They could meet up anytime.
"Because Futsu Mitama is headed to Liyue." Sangonomiya Kokomi spoke softly, her words tinged with melancholy.
Both Gorou and Kazuha widened their eyes in shock.
"Don't be impulsive! What happened?!" Gorou immediately grew anxious. "Was your support for us discovered? Or is the Tenryou Commission still persecuting people from the Yashiro Commission?!"
Kazuha remained steadier, though equally surprised. Given the Sakoku Decree and the raging thunderstorms isolating the nation, leaving Inazuma was nearly equivalent to seeking death. Why would someone with high standing like Futsu Mitama suddenly choose to depart?
"Relax."
Futsu Mitama raised a hand, then explained everything:—his meeting at Tenshukaku
—receiving the Raiden Shogun's guidance—assuming the role of guardian of eternity—and needing to travel to Liyue to obtain special materials for his companion weapon.
Finally, he took out the exit permit. Kazuha, Gorou, and Kokomi all leaned closer. Just as Kujou Sara had said, the moment they laid eyes on it, they faintly felt as though they were standing before the Raiden Shogun herself. Such a thing could only come from her hand.
"Astonishing…" Kazuha breathed, shaken yet admiring.
Gorou's tail wagged furiously. His eyes sparkled with awe—Futsu Mitama was even more impressive than Sangonomiya-sama!
Kokomi, however, remained composed. Having seen the group's livestreams and interacted in the Chat Group, she had long reached her maximum capacity for shock.
Futsu Mitama turned to Kazuha and chuckled. "It seems we might share the same ship soon."
Kazuha was originally planning to depart Inazuma aboard Captain Beidou's vessel. If nothing went wrong, the four of them would travel together. For a moment, it felt strangely reminiscent of an adventuring tale—almost like Journey to the West.
"No," Kazuha replied with a gentle smile. "I'm no longer planning to leave."
"…Eh?" Futsu Mitama blinked in confusion. Even Aila looked surprised.
Kazuha, wanted by the Tenryou Commission, had no choice but to flee Inazuma. Now that his opportunity to leave had arrived—why stay?
"This place needs me." Kazuha looked across the Resistance Camp. "I've seen the possibilities here. And Kujou Sara is gathering many strong individuals. The Resistance is still young, and they lack strength. So I wish to remain and help."
His sincerity warmed the hearts of Kokomi and Gorou. Meanwhile, Futsu Mitama couldn't help wondering: Did I just change a fixed part of history?
In the original timeline, Kazuha boarded Beidou's ship, escaped to Liyue, and later met the Traveler.
But this Resistance—reformed, strengthened, and guided by Raiden Makoto's revelations—was no longer the fractured, infiltrated force it used to be. Perhaps seeing real hope for the first time, Kazuha chose to stay.
After chatting for a while, the farewell banquet began. Since no one knew when Futsu Mitama would return, Kokomi prepared a generous table of dishes and drinks. If circumstances allowed, she would have loved to travel to Liyue alongside him. But as the leader of the Resistance, she had too many responsibilities. A warm send-off was the most she could offer.
After dinner, Kazuha and Gorou left to handle their duties.
"Are we going to Watatsumi Island next?" Kuki Shinobu asked Kokomi.
"No," Kokomi replied gently. "Ruko is managing things there. Yesterday I asked her to bring the Dragon King to the seas near Tatarasuna under my name. She should arrive soon, and I'll inform her about your journey."
Futsu Mitama thanked her sincerely. Kokomi shook her head. For her, this was merely the smallest repayment for all he had done:—fighting the Fatui Harbinger Scaramouche—warning her of dangers in Inazuma City—inviting Yae Miko into the Chat Group—helping stabilize the Resistance during its most critical time.
But before they could enjoy a moment of peace, Futsu Mitama warned, "You must all stay cautious. The Fatui want chaos. The Harbingers may act discreetly now, but their soldiers will not."
The Raiden Shogun's two devastating strikes had forced the Harbingers to tread carefully.
But the Fatui soldiers—unburdened by fear—would surely redirect their troublemaking toward the Resistance.
Kokomi agreed. The Resistance was still too weak to risk conflict. If the Fatui approached under the guise of "trade," she would accept. They desperately needed supplies.
Hours later, a priestess entered the tent.
"Has The Crux arrived?" Kokomi asked softly. The flicker of reluctance in her eyes spoke volumes.
"Yes, Sangonomiya-sama. The Dragon King wishes to meet you."
Moments later, a tall woman with black hair, an eyepatch, and a massive greatsword entered—the Dragon King, Captain Beidou. Aila and Shinobu immediately sensed her overwhelming strength.
"Kokomi," Beidou said with a sigh, "you needed something from me? I'll tell you now—I won't interfere in another nation's war."
Kokomi smiled gracefully and pointed to Futsu Mitama, Aila, and Shinobu. "I called for you because these three wishes to travel to Liyue."
Beidou raised a brow. She inspected them with sharp eyes.
"Did they commit a crime? Are they being forced out?"
Kokomi quickly clarified the situation, including their exit permits. Beidou's eyes widened. With the Sakoku Decree active for a full year, no one had left Inazuma legitimately—not once. Yet these three had obtained official clearance?
But Beidou quickly regained composure. With Kokomi's assurance, she accepted without pressing further.
"Alright. I'll take them." Then her tone shifted. "But The Crux doesn't sail for free. Even between old friends, coin is—"
Kokomi placed a prepared pouch of mora on the table.
Beidou weighed it in her hand and nodded. "So, when do you plan to depart? I can wait about five hours at most."
Kokomi looked to Futsu Mitama. He turned to Beidou.
"Give us a few minutes."
"No problem," Beidou replied. "Once you're ready, tell the priestess outside. She'll lead you to my ship."
With that, the Dragon King exited the tent, the pouch of mora in hand.
After Beidou left the tent, Kuki Shinobu and Aila rose to their feet. They straightened their attire, then exchanged a glance with Futsu Mitama, wordlessly signaling that they were ready.
Yet Futsu Mitama turned instead to Sangonomiya Kokomi. "Right, Kokomi. There's something I'd like to ask of you."
"Eh?" Kokomi blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Regaining her composure, she offered a warm smile. "Of course. Do you need me to monitor the Tenryou Commission's movements? Or perhaps keep watch over the Fatui? Or the situation at the International Chamber of Commerce in Ritou? The Resistance can assist with any of these."
For the fledgling Resistance, this was a long-term struggle—one that, according to Raiden Makoto, required steady foundations from the very beginning. The Tenryou Commission remained their largest obstacle, and Ritou's flow of supplies could not be ignored.
Even before Yae Miko joined the Chat Group, Raiden Makoto had entrusted Kokomi with cultivating talent in both Inazuma City and Ritou. Now, with those talents finally trained and with Yae Miko's assistance, the Resistance had officially begun operating in both regions.
But Futsu Mitama simply waved his hand. "No, no. Nothing like that."
International Chamber of Commerce matters? He had already entrusted his entire stockpile of bottom-barrel wine to them. The Tenryou Commission? He had long ceased to take them seriously.
As for the Fatui…he was already headed to Liyue. What could Inazuma's Fatui possibly do?
Ritou's Kanjou Commission was under strict scrutiny after Hiiragi Shinsuke's scandal. No one dared to act improperly. If the Fatui so much as twitched at the Chamber of Commerce now, the Kanjou Commission would pounce instantly to prove their innocence.
Kokomi tilted her head. If not political, military, or diplomatic matters then what? Before her thoughts tangled further, Futsu Mitama produced a blueprint and placed it carefully into her hands.
"These are the materials I'll need to forge my lifebond armament."
He pointed at two items in particular. "About a hundred Amethyst Lumps and a hundred crystal marrows. The rest isn't urgent. These two are essential for the core of the weapon. I'll need your help."
True, he could have asked the Chamber of Commerce—but the Resistance's proximity to Yashiori Island made Kokomi the most convenient choice. And besides… if he returned to Inazuma aboard Beidou's ship, this island would likely be his first stop again.
Kokomi studied the blueprint with earnest concentration before nodding. "I understand. I will have everything prepared before you return from Liyue."
"Then I'll leave it in your care." Futsu Mitama chuckled softly. "I'll send you some boxed meals in the Chat Group as thanks. Keep up the good work."
He patted her shoulder lightly before heading out of the tent. "See you next time."
"We'll contact you in the Chat Group."
Kuki Shinobu and Aila offered their farewells as well. Kokomi waved after them—reluctant, but accepting. This parting was merely a step toward a better reunion. Outside, they found Beidou still speaking with the shrine maiden.
"Huh? Already done?" Beidou raised her brow as they exited. "That was fast."
"We're in a hurry," Futsu Mitama replied with an easy smile. "We hope to reach Liyue as soon as possible."
Beidou blinked, then burst into a hearty laugh. "Then you've boarded the right ship. Others take six or seven days from Inazuma to Liyue—my ship makes the trip in three to four."
Without further delay, she motioned for them to follow. "Come on. I'll take you aboard."
Along the way, Beidou chatted freely with the group, quickly learning of Futsu Mitama's noble background and Kuki Shinobu's studies in Liyue. Though she seldom bothered herself with other nations' politics, even she knew the implications of a noble consorting with the Resistance.
But Futsu Mitama only offered a calm, simple explanation: they were friends. Beidou accepted this with a loud laugh and moved on. When she learned he was heading to Liyue for forging materials, she was surprised to discover he was a blacksmith as well.
Soon after, the group boarded The Crux. Beidou arranged separate rooms for the three and reminded them to rest—moonlight could be enjoyed on deck, but once they entered the offshore Thunderstorm, no one was to step outside.
After the captain left, Aila tidied the room and placed fresh sunsettias upon the table. Futsu Mitama sat, took a bite of one, and opened the Chat Group. The familiar chorus of responses arrived—concern, teasing, exasperation, and Azhdaha's endless frustration at his failed uploads.
Futsu Mitama could only shake his head with a strained smile. If he could master the Adepti Secret Arts, he might even lend Aila temporary authority, letting her wield multiple reactions at once. The vision amused him.
"Hm?"
Aila noticed his gaze, misinterpreted it, and began to remove her uniform before he stopped her in alarm. Their conversation that followed peeled back Aila's true worries—her slowed progress, her fear that she had become a burden, her discouragement when facing increasingly powerful foes.
Gently, patiently, Futsu Mitama reassured her. She was already strong—exceptionally so. What mattered was not the strength of others, but her own path. And her path, he believed, would one day surpass all.
Hearing this, Aila reaffirmed her resolve. A sudden crack of thunder split the air outside.
"We're entering the Thunderstorm! Stay alert!" Beidou's shout echoed across the ship.
Then Futsu Mitama's exit permit glimmered with a soft violet light. Curious, he stepped onto the deck with Aila and Kuki Shinobu, despite the crew's urgent warnings.
He raised the permit. A brilliant beam of Electro shot skyward. The crew froze. Beidou faltered at the helm. Clouds parted. A colossal eye of Electro opened above them.
An Archon's gaze; literally, not the one giving you vision.
Cold sweat ran down Beidou's neck. The Thunderstorm dissipated entirely—its might silenced under the Archon's watch. The eye scanned the ship… lingered briefly upon Futsu Mitama and his companions… and then closed, retreating from the sky.
Only then did the world breathe again. Futsu Mitama exhaled softly. As he suspected—this exit permit held far more than the right to leave Inazuma. It carried the protection… and the attention… of the God of Eternity herself.