Chapter 162. The Decisive Battle Begins!
Not long after Futsu Mitama finished speaking, a trace of worry appeared in Gorou's eyes.
He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Just the few of you…is that really alright? If something unexpected happens, wouldn't our side suffer heavy losses?"
In truth, Gorou's preferred approach had always been simple—overwhelm the Fatui with sheer numbers.
According to Lady Kokomi's assessment, among Futsu Mitama and the others, everyone except Kuki Shinobu could be considered high-end combatants capable of decisively influencing the outcome of a battle.
On the battlefield, individuals of that level were comparable to entire armies. It was precisely because they had joined the Resistance that the organization now possessed the strength to confront both the Shogunate Army and the Fatui head-on.
Gorou had never doubted Sangonomiya Kokomi's judgment.
If he had, the Resistance would never have survived its earliest days, let alone grown to its current scale.
"No, it won't."
Futsu Mitama shook his head slightly. Looking at Gorou, he let out a light chuckle.
"In Inazuma, beside Raiden Shogun herself, there's still no one capable of killing me. The Fatui aren't qualified."
After saying that, his tone became a little calmer.
"Besides, this is also a good opportunity. I'd like to see what the situation is really like on the Fatui's side."
Even now, Futsu Mitama still suspected that there might be more than one Fatui Harbinger present at the factory besides Scaramouche.
This mission would allow him to test that theory. If he discovered that two Harbingers were indeed stationed there—Then Futsu Mitama would immediately withdraw.
He would head straight to Watatsumi Island, locate Sangonomiya Kokomi, and wake her so she could take charge of the overall situation. At the same time, Yae Miko—who had already been working tirelessly for several days—would also be called over to join the battlefield.
No matter what, Yae Miko was still a combatant of the Narukami lineage. Although her direct combat ability might not be overwhelming, given sufficient time to prepare, it would not be impossible for her to trap a Fatui Harbinger.
And most importantly, Futsu Mitama felt that Yae Miko almost certainly possessed the ability to summon the Raiden Shogun from afar.
As for how many hidden trump cards that sly fox still held—
Even he couldn't be sure.
"Alright."
After hearing Futsu Mitama's explanation, Gorou no longer hesitated. He nodded firmly and said with determination,
"Then we'll follow your plan. I'll wait here for your good news."
"Now then—about the Tenryou Commission."
Since Futsu Mitama would deal with the Fatui, the next issue was naturally the Tenryou Commission.
In truth, they were the real problem.
Although the Fatui were dangerous, they were ultimately a foreign force from Snezhnaya. Fighting them carried few consequences—even wiping them out entirely would not raise too many concerns.
The Tenryou Commission, however, was different.
They were all citizens of Inazuma.
The Resistance could not afford to act too ruthlessly.
Because of that, Gorou decided to adopt the strategy of "capturing the leader to defeat the army"—arresting the generals of the Tenryou Commission so that the remaining soldiers would pose little threat.
The only problem was Kujou Sara. She was an exceptionally difficult opponent.
As long as she remained standing, the Tenryou Commission would not collapse, and the Shogunate Army would continue to rally under her command.
In Inazuma, her status as the publicly acknowledged strongest warrior was no exaggeration. Having fought her several times before, Gorou understood very clearly just how terrifying Kujou Sara's strength truly was.
Kuki Shinobu also expressed concern about this matter.
Judging by the current military strength of both sides, the Resistance was still at a disadvantage. If the plan to "capture the leader first" failed and the two armies clashed directly, then regardless of who ultimately won, the result would likely be a Pyrrhic victory.
For the sake of preserving strength on both sides, the plan had to succeed.
But Kujou Sara stood before them like an immovable mountain. Dealing with her would not be easy.
"Hmm…"
Seeing the troubled expressions around him, Futsu Mitama spoke calmly.
"Kujou Sara will not participate in this operation."
"Huh?!" ×4
Four people froze in shock.
Aila, Kuki Shinobu, Gorou, and Kazuha all stared at him in disbelief.
How could Kujou Sara—adopted daughter of the Kujou Clan and a general of the Shogunate Army—not participate in such an operation?
Given her prestige within the Shogunate Army, even if only to stabilize morale, she should absolutely be present.
Everyone knew that Kujou Sara had effectively become the face of the Shogunate Army.
Anyone else could be absent. But she absolutely could not.
Yet she truly wasn't coming?
What exactly was going on?
"This…how is that possible?! Is the information reliable?" Gorou asked anxiously, looking at Futsu Mitama with clear anticipation in his eyes.
Kazuha also turned his gaze toward him, visibly interested.
Everyone understood how difficult Kujou Sara was to deal with. If she truly did not appear, the Resistance's originally disadvantaged position would become significantly better.
After all, finding a thousand soldiers was easy—but finding a capable general was not.
The Tenryou Commission had already damaged Inazuma severely. The Shogunate Army had long since lost much of its former glory. Without competent generals to command them, they would only be slightly stronger than a disorganized mob.
"It's reliable. She told me herself."
Futsu Mitama nodded.
Looking at Gorou's excited expression, he continued slowly,
"As for the exact reason, I'm not sure. It may be related to Kujou Takayuki's agreement with the Fatui. Kujou Sara apparently argued with him afterward. Since then, she has no longer had the authority to participate."
"Of course, it's also possible that Kujou Takayuki deliberately prevented her from joining in order to stop her from interfering with his cooperation with the Fatui."
Hearing this, Kuki Shinobu could only shake her head repeatedly.
For a moment, she didn't know whether to say Kujou Sara was fortunate—or unfortunate.
The fortunate part was that she wouldn't have to participate in a war that would determine Inazuma's future.
The unfortunate part was that she wouldn't have the chance to participate in that same war.
"Regardless, this is good news."
Gorou clenched his fists, smiling broadly.
"I know Kujou Takayuki well. As far as I'm aware, the battles he has personally led were mostly limited to suppressing bandits, encircling Nobushi, or dealing with monsters."
"Those experiences are hardly worth mentioning. It's truly fortunate that the truly capable Kujou Sara is still stuck in Inazuma City! And besides, the Shogunate soldiers who defected don't actually want to fight against her. If they knew she wouldn't be appearing in the upcoming battle—"
At this point, a different light flickered in Gorou's eyes.
During the previous two battles, the Resistance had captured many Shogunate soldiers.
Although they had temporarily pledged loyalty to the Resistance due to its ideals—and the recent influence of Yae Miko's reputation—if they were forced to face Kujou Sara directly, a few words from her might easily shake their resolve.
But this information was extremely valuable.
If it were revealed now, the already fragile Shogunate Army might very well see large numbers of soldiers defect to the Resistance.
"No—I should spread this news immediately!"
Gorou jumped to his feet.
Without even questioning whether Futsu Mitama's information might be mistaken, he rushed out of the tent in excitement.
For a moment after he left, the tent fell quiet.
"Do you need my help?"
Kazuha looked toward Futsu Mitama and spoke calmly.
Knowing that Futsu Mitama intended to investigate the Fatui factory, he offered to accompany him.
After all, Kazuha was a capable fighter—and over the past month, he had grown even stronger.
"No need."
Futsu Mitama shook his head.
"The Tenryou Commission will arrive soon. You can't risk anything happening to you."
Although Kazuha was strong, he had not yet reached the level of an Adeptus.
Unless he could achieve a "dual-core drive" electro-anemo—but that was clearly unrealistic.
Aila, on the other hand, possessed the bracelet forged by Futsu Mitama and Zhongli, combined with her own Mirror's Reflection of Tranquility.
With those tools, she could temporarily reach Adeptus-level combat power.
Whether fighting or escaping, she would not become a burden.
Besides, sending too many high-level combatants out at once was dangerous.
If the enemy attacked the camp and no one strong remained to defend it, the situation would become extremely troublesome.
This was also the reason Futsu Mitama had no intention of bringing Kuki Shinobu.
As long as she remained in the Resistance headquarters, she could immediately relay information if anything unexpected occurred.
"Alright."
Seeing that Futsu Mitama had firmly refused, Kazuha did not insist.
Looking at him seriously, he said, "Please be careful."
With that, Kazuha also left the tent. He still had matters to attend to and had no intention of lingering as a third wheel.
After Kazuha departed, only members of the Chat Group remained.
"Did you say something to Kujou Sara?"
Kuki Shinobu looked at Futsu Mitama with curiosity.
She suspected that he must have told Kujou Sara something—something that ultimately led to her absence from the battlefield.
Kujou Takayuki might be one reason. But Futsu Mitama could very well be another.
Kuki Shinobu knew Kujou Sara's personality extremely well.
Even if Kujou Takayuki forbade her from leading troops, she would likely sneak to the front lines anyway rather than remain obediently in the rear.
And Futsu Mitama understood her temperament just as well.
If he claimed that Kujou Sara would not appear, then he had probably revealed some crucial information to her.
"I didn't say much."
Futsu Mitama looked at Kuki Shinobu somewhat helplessly.
"Actually, she came to see me herself after learning that Yae Miko was cooperating with the Resistance. As a friend… I simply told her the 'truth.'"
His expression was serious.
Kuki Shinobu, however, looked at him with clear suspicion.
The truth?
What truth?
That the true lineage of Inazuma now stood with the Resistance?
"Cough, cough…"
Futsu Mitama coughed lightly before continuing.
"I told her this was the Raiden Shogun's will. So Kujou Sara understood…everything."
"The Raiden Shogun's will?" Kuki Shinobu's expression grew even stranger.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
Technically speaking, Futsu Mitama had not lied.
It really was the Raiden Shogun's will.
The only problem was that this Raiden Shogun was not the one currently residing in Tenshukaku—But the "deceased" Raiden Makoto.
From Kujou Sara's perspective, however, she would naturally assume it referred to the Raiden Shogun of Tenshukaku.
And so, a rather beautiful misunderstanding had been born.
If that was the case, it was no wonder Kujou Sara would refuse to come. After all, if it truly were the Raiden Shogun's will, how could she possibly oppose it?
"I wonder what Kujou Sara will think when she eventually learns the truth," Kuki Shinobu murmured quietly. "Although by the time that happens—she probably won't care much anymore."
Aila nodded slightly.
Given Sara's personality, as long as the final outcome benefited Inazuma, she likely would not dwell on the misunderstanding. In fact, learning that there were two Raiden Shoguns might even make her happier.
"When are we going to the Fatui factory?" Shenhe suddenly asked.
Hearing this, both Aila and Kuki Shinobu turned their gaze toward Futsu Mitama.
They were curious about the timing as well.
"Tomorrow, most likely."
Futsu Mitama shook his head slightly.
"Tonight would be too rushed."
He suspected that if they attacked now, the Tenryou Commission would immediately react.
The Resistance needed at least until tomorrow to complete its preparations.
Yae Miko had already mentioned in the Chat Group that the Watatsumi Island combat forces would arrive by noon the next day.
Meanwhile, the Tenryou Commission—marching day and night—would likely reach the area tonight.
At that point, some elite troops would not need rest and could immediately join the battle. Although the overall quality of the Shogunate Army had declined compared to the past, it still contained many capable elites.
Futsu Mitama did not want the decisive battle to erupt prematurely.
Because if the battle began too quickly, the Resistance would be at a disadvantage.
If it were the Fatui and the Tenryou Commission who stood to suffer, then Futsu Mitama would not hesitate to raid the Fatui factory tonight and exhaust the Shogunate forces even further.
But considering the current situation, tomorrow remained the better choice.
"Alright."
Shenhe nodded calmly. To her, whether it was tonight or tomorrow made little difference.
"If anything unexpected happens over there tomorrow, contact me immediately."
Kuki Shinobu looked at Futsu Mitama seriously.
"Right now, the Resistance holds a significant advantage on Yashiori Island. Although we can't intervene in a battle against a Fatui Harbinger… we can still assist in other ways."
She understood very clearly how powerful Futsu Mitama, Shenhe, and Aila were.
If even the three of them had to work together to confront a Fatui Harbinger, then the battle would clearly be far beyond the level ordinary fighters could handle.
Anyone else entering that battlefield would simply become a burden.
However, outside of that confrontation—such as surrounding the Fatui elites or preventing them from linking up with the Tenryou Commission—there were still many ways the Resistance could assist.
Futsu Mitama understood this as well.
He did not refuse.
They agreed to remain in contact through the Chat Group. If any unexpected developments occurred, Kuki Shinobu would be informed immediately.
After chatting a while longer and finalizing the details of tomorrow's plan, the meeting finally came to an end.
It was time to rest.
"Young Master, please rest well tonight. Please follow me."
Aila gestured politely, leading Futsu Mitama toward the place prepared for his rest.
Futsu Mitama followed behind her without hesitation.
After half a day of traveling, he was indeed somewhat tired.
Kuki Shinobu soon returned to her own tasks.
If nothing unexpected happened, tomorrow would mark the eve of the decisive battle.
Meanwhile, Shenhe quietly continued drawing talismans, preparing for the confrontation with the Fatui Harbinger—Scaramouche.
Night gradually deepened.
The Resistance camp remained calm and quiet.
Nothing unusual occurred.
—
Meanwhile, the main force of the Shogunate Army had finally arrived.
After marching day and night, the soldiers were exhausted and had begun resting.
Both sides understood that war would erupt tomorrow.
So for now, they conserved their strength.
However, at this critical moment, a small team quietly departed from the Shogunate Army's camp under the cover of night.
They moved toward Yashiori Island.
The group consisted of more than twenty people.
Each of them either possessed a Vision or a Fatui Delusion.
Their auras were powerful and oppressive—true elites among elites.
Moving swiftly through the darkness, they advanced in silence.
Half an hour later, the group arrived outside the Fatui factory.
"Heh. I thought some blind mouse had wandered in here—but it turns out to be you."
A mocking voice echoed through the night.
Scaramouche stepped out from the factory, looking at the group with clear amusement.
"To be honest, you're quite bold. These people you brought are strong, I'll give you that. But if you had run into that female fox—or Futsu Mitama—you would've died long before reaching this place."
His gaze settled lazily on the leader of the group.
"Kujou Takayuki. Tell me—what brings you here on the eve of your decisive battle with the Resistance?"
"I don't recall having time to entertain you."
Scaramouche's tone was filled with naked arrogance.
In his eyes, Kujou Takayuki and the elites behind him might appear formidable to ordinary people—individuals who could easily become nobles in Inazuma through their strength and status.
But to him—They were hardly worth taking seriously.
Scaramouche looked at them as though they were little more than insects. In his eyes, these people were merely ants that happened to be slightly larger than usual. If he wished, he could toy with them for amusement. Yet today, he had no interest in entertainment.
He was waiting.Waiting for the plan to unfold—And then… revenge.
As his words fell, Kujou Takayuki stepped forward from the center of the formation, his expression dark and displeased.
"Are you looking down on my subordinates?"
His tone carried a trace of cold pride.
"It is true that you are powerful. But the foundation of the Kujou Clan is not something that can be casually insulted."
As the head of the clan, Kujou Takayuki naturally had to defend the people beneath him when they were mocked.
Of course, that concern only extended to those who were useful.
The warriors standing around him were individuals he had personally recruited through promises of benefits and status. In Kujou Takayuki's eyes, the world was divided into only two kinds of people—those who were useful, and those who were not.
For the useful, he could show courtesy and even protection.
For the useless… their fate had nothing to do with him.
"Hahahaha~ foundation?"
Scaramouche suddenly burst into laughter, clutching his stomach as if he had heard the most ridiculous joke imaginable.
"To be honest, I already thought you were rather foolish."
His gaze sharpened with ridicule.
"But I didn't realize you were foolish to this extent."
"These people aren't even worth mentioning. If they are the 'foundation' you rely on, then you might as well kneel obediently before the Scheming Fox and Futsu Mitama."
"Perhaps they might take pity on your position and grant you a little assistance."
Kujou Takayuki's face darkened further.
Everywhere he went lately, it felt as though he was being provoked—first within Inazuma City, and now even here on Yashiori Island.
"Sir."
A samurai suddenly stepped forward.
His hand rested on the hilt of his blade, his gaze fixed firmly upon Scaramouche.
"To insult Lord Takayuki so brazenly—you truly show no regard for us."
His voice was stern.
"If we are truly as incompetent as you claim, then please—show us your strength. If you don't even possess that much ability, then you should shut—"
Before the word "up" could leave his mouth, the smile on Scaramouche's face remained unchanged.
Yet an overwhelming aura suddenly erupted from him. A terrifying pressure flooded the surroundings in an instant.
Everyone presents instinctively staggered backward several steps. It was the unmistakable sensation of death pressing against their throats.
The stronger an individual was, the more clearly they could feel the vast gulf between themselves and the Fatui Harbinger standing before them.
Even Kujou Takayuki—who held a high position and met the Raiden Shogun several times a year—could not help but step back under that suffocating pressure.
As he retreated, his expression grew even more unsightly.
Part of him knew he should not have stepped back. Yet another part of him felt a faint trace of regret.
The Fatui Harbinger standing before him was a complete madman.
If given the choice, Kujou Takayuki would never negotiate with someone like this.
He would much rather deal with the other Fatui Harbinger he had previously signed a contract with—at least that one appeared far more reasonable.
Meanwhile, the samurai who had stepped forward now bore the brunt of the pressure.
His hand trembled slightly on the sword hilt. He desperately wanted to draw his blade. Yet a terrifying intuition gripped his heart. The moment he unsheathed that weapon and pointed it at the Fatui Harbinger—His death would be certain.
Behind him, his fellow warriors showed no sign of stepping forward to support him.
The samurai suddenly found himself trapped in an impossible dilemma.
If he drew his sword, he would likely die.
If he retreated, he would lose all dignity.
And if he lost face before Kujou Takayuki, how could he ever hope to rise within the Kujou Clan in the future?
"Heh."
Just as the samurai hesitated, Scaramouche withdrew his aura and let out a cold sneer.
"Well then. If you don't dare finish your sentence… and you don't dare draw your sword against me…"
"Then get back in line."
The samurai's face flushed red, then turned pale. Without another word, he silently returned to the formation.
Several of his colleagues glanced at him with faint mockery flickering in their eyes.
Of course, they knew the outcome would have been no different for them. Unless someone was foolish enough to charge forward and fight the Harbinger to the death.
But dying here for the trivial rewards Kujou Takayuki had given them?
That would be far too great a loss.
The assassins trained by Kujou Takayuki also remained motionless.
Without orders, they would not act recklessly.
"Good. Very good."
Kujou Takayuki's breathing grew heavier.
He stared at Lord Scaramouche with a chilling gaze.
"It seems the Fatui have no intention of cooperating sincerely. I was truly blind to have chosen to work with you people."
Lord Scaramouche merely smiled mockingly.
"Cooperate with us?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Are you certain it wasn't for your own safety that you chose to cooperate with the Fatui?"
"You should know very well why the Scheming Fox and Futsu Mitama are assisting the Resistance against your Shogunate Army."
"Don't tell me you truly can't see through it."
"It is you who are in danger—not us."
"We assist you only because you can provide something we desire."
"Otherwise—"
Before his sentence finished—
Whoosh.
Scaramouche vanished.
In the next instant, he appeared directly in front of Kujou Takayuki.
"—!!"
The guards surrounding Kujou Takayuki were instantly alarmed.
The assassins protecting him no longer waited for orders. They immediately drew their weapons and launched forward.
Yet before their attacks could even begin—A violent surge of Electro erupted outward from Scaramouche.
"Boom—!!"
Thunder roared across the area.
The assassins and guards were blasted backward by the explosive force. Those weaker in strength suffered light injuries, while even the stronger fighters were left in disarray.
When the dust settled, only two figures remained standing in the center.
Scaramouche.
And Kujou Takayuki.
Kujou Takayuki stared calmly at the Harbinger before him. He did not even glance at the fallen subordinates around him. Because he knew one thing with absolute certainty. The other party would not dare kill him.
If he died here, Futsu Mitama and Yae Miko would be delighted beyond measure.
To ensure command authority within the Shogunate Army remained stable, Kujou Takayuki had deliberately not brought Kujou Sara with him.
He knew very well how high her prestige was within both the army and the Tenryou Commission.
If he were to die now, the Fatui's plan to destroy the Resistance would collapse entirely.
"You see?"
Scaramouche looked down at him indifferently.
"This is the difference between you and me. If you understand that now, then leave. I have no interest in letting your incompetence ruin the plan."
"What I can do, Futsu Mitama and that Scheming Fox can do as well. If you truly wanted the Resistance destroyed, you should never have come here tonight. Now that you understand your own weakness—"
His voice turned colder.
"Return while you still can."
"I have no intention of seeing you off."
With that, Scaramouche vanished again and returned to his original position.
The injured guards quickly regrouped around Kujou Takayuki. The assassins silently gripped their weapons once more. If the Harbinger made another sudden move, they would act immediately.
Kujou Takayuki inhaled slowly before speaking again.
"According to the plan, I have already led the army here in advance. Tomorrow, the Fatui must honor the contract and join the Shogunate Army in battle against the Resistance."
This time, he spoke directly.
Tomorrow would be the day war began. He needed the Fatui's elite forces. And he needed Scaramouche himself to participate.
The stronger their side was, the greater their advantage. Although the Harbinger's attitude greatly angered him, Kujou Takayuki could only endure it.
After all… what else could he do?
Turning hostile now would only make him the greatest fool in Inazuma's history.
He would offend the Raiden Shogun's retainers, lose the people's support, and alienate the very allies he had chosen to cooperate with.
"Got it, got it."
Lord Scaramouche let out a bored yawn.
"For something so trivial, you risked ruining the entire plan just to come here personally."
"How foolish."
"You don't need to remind us. The Fatui will deal with the Resistance regardless. The trouble Futsu Mitama has caused us is far beyond your imagination."
Kujou Takayuki snorted coldly. Without another word, he turned and strode away.
Originally, he had intended to discuss strategy with the Harbinger. But after witnessing this attitude There was no point continuing the conversation. Talking with this madman any longer might truly drive him to death by anger.
Thus Kujou Takayuki departed, his heart filled with resentment.
Scaramouche said nothing further. He simply watched their retreating figures in silence. His expression gradually grew calm.
"Tomorrow, hm…"
A thoughtful glint appeared in his eyes.
Though arrogant and conceited, Lord Scaramouche was far from lacking intelligence.
Kujou Takayuki's personal arrival meant only one thing.
The Resistance was preparing for a full-scale assault.
Of course, Scaramouche was already aware that Resistance forces had been dismantling Fatui strongholds across Yashiori Island.
He knew. But he had never stopped them. Instead, he had allowed it to continue.
Because he knew the Resistance would never recklessly attack the factory itself.
If they truly came here—Then there could only be one explanation.
A decisive battle was about to begin.
"How interesting."
A cruel smile slowly appeared on Lord Scaramouche's lips.
Time passed quietly.
Night gradually faded as dawn approached.
"Lord Scaramouche. Everything is ready."
A Fatui woman stepped out of the factory and knelt on one knee before him.
"Shall we remain here and fight alongside you?"
Behind her, several squads of fully armed Fatui elites stood ready.
Their expressions were solemn.
Their weapons were prepared.
They could enter battle at any moment.
"No need."
Scaramouche waved dismissively.
"You may leave."
He looked toward the faint light emerging along the horizon.
"Proceed according to the original plan. Your presence here would only hinder me. It would be far more useful for you to leave and cause trouble for the Resistance elsewhere."
The Fatui woman immediately bowed her head.
"We guarantee mission completion. We will not disappoint you, Lord Scaramouche."
With that, she departed alongside the elite squads, quickly disappearing into the distance.
Watching them leave, Lord Scaramouche suddenly sneered.
"A contract… is it?"
A low chuckle escaped his lips.
Then he turned and walked back into the factory.
Silence returned once more.
Meanwhile—
On Watatsumi Island.
Inside the Sangonomiya Shrine.
"Phew…it's finally over for now."
Yae Miko—currently disguised as Sangonomiya Kokomi—stretched lazily and let out a long breath.
With the war about to begin, most of the overwhelming administrative matters had finally reached a temporary conclusion.
Before the conflict began, Watatsumi Island had been drowning in tasks. And almost all of them had fallen onto Yae Miko's shoulders.
Now, however, as long as the troops stationed on Watatsumi Island were dispatched to Yashiori Island and a pre-battle speech was delivered—Things would become far simpler.
Of course, there were still minor matters that "Sangonomiya Kokomi" needed to handle.
But compared to before, they were nothing.
"Little Kokomi, oh little Kokomi…"
Yae Miko sighed dramatically.
"For the sake of your Watatsumi Island, I've truly sacrificed far too much."
In just a few short days, the work she had done amounted to what would normally take decades.
The fundamental problem was simple.
The Resistance had grown far too quickly.
Watatsumi Island simply did not have enough capable personnel to support such rapid expansion.
Originally, a small number of people had been more than enough to manage the island. But once the Resistance expanded overnight, the shortage of talent became painfully obvious.
It wasn't that capable people didn't exist.
They simply required time to cultivate. And time was the one thing Watatsumi Island lacked.
Thus, the burden of warfare had fallen upon Gorou.
While all other affairs had been handled by Sangonomiya Kokomi.
But now that Kokomi had inexplicably fallen into a deep sleep—That responsibility had naturally shifted to Yae Miko.
"Sangonomiya-sama—"
A voice suddenly sounded from outside.
At that moment, a shrine maiden's voice sounded from outside.
Shrine Maiden Ruko stepped into the room and bowed slightly before speaking in a serious tone.
"Sangonomiya-sama, the soldiers are ready."
"The elite units—Swordfish I and Swordfish II, as well as Herring I and Herring II—have also finished assembling."
Sangonomiya Kokomi nodded faintly.
Rising slowly from her seat, she spoke in a calm, gentle voice.
"It seems… the endgame has arrived. I originally believed it would come later. I didn't expect it to arrive so soon."
A faint trace of emotion—and a hint of helplessness—could be heard in her voice.
No matter how capable she was, time had simply been too limited.
If the Resistance had been granted more time to grow and stabilize, the balance between the Tenryou Commission and the Resistance would not have been so unfavorable.
At present, the odds stood roughly at six to four.
And unfortunately, the sixty percent belonged to the Tenryou Commission.
Even with the support items generously provided by Guizhong and Klee, and the rallying influence brought about by Yae Miko's efforts, the Resistance still could not match the Shogunate Army evenly.
Not to mention the Fatui, who could intervene in the war at any moment.
"Sangonomiya-sama, you've already done more than enough."
A trace of concern appeared on Ruko's face.
"You've been working for eleven consecutive days. For everyone's sake… you should rest for a while. Please don't overwork yourself any longer."
Hearing those words, Sangonomiya Kokomi's body stiffened slightly.
She opened her mouth as if to speak—yet no words came out.
Because the truth was far more complicated.
Yae Miko had already been working in Sangonomiya Kokomi's place for over seven days.
And now she herself was utterly exhausted.
But where exactly had the real Sangonomiya Kokomi gone to rest?
Even Yae Miko had been unable to find her. Though inwardly she was full of frustration, outwardly she maintained the same calm, gentle expression.
"It's nothing. All of this is for Inazuma's future."
Since the troops were already assembled, the next step was obvious.
"It's time for them to head to the front lines and reinforce the main army."
With that, Sangonomiya Kokomi stepped outside.
Ruko quickly followed at her side.
After a moment of hesitation, she spoke again.
"Sangonomiya-sama… there's something I don't quite understand."
"Please ask."
Kokomi's gaze remained forward as she walked, her voice soft and composed.
"If I know the answer, I will tell you."
Ruko nodded, though a trace of puzzlement lingered in her heart.
After working continuously for so many days, Sangonomiya-sama should have been suffering from severe exhaustion.
Yet today she seemed unusually composed.
She wasn't rambling or distracted at all.
It was…rather rare.
Still, Ruko dismissed the thought and voiced her concern.
"Sangonomiya-sama, you've already sent most of Watatsumi Island's forces to the front lines. What if enemies take this opportunity to attack Watatsumi Island?"
This was the issue weighing most heavily on her mind.
Yashiori Island served as the Resistance's battlefield.
But Watatsumi Island was their headquarters.
If the island were attacked during the war, the Resistance army fighting on Yashiori Island would face an impossible decision.
Should they continue fighting the Shogunate Army?
Or abandon the battlefield and rush back to defend their homeland?
In Ruko's opinion, if Watatsumi Island were to fall, then even victory on the main battlefield would feel like defeat.
Yet at this critical moment, Sangonomiya-sama had deployed nearly all combat forces to the front.
Ruko knew Sangonomiya Kokomi was extraordinarily wise, but she still felt compelled to remind her—just in case exhaustion had affected her judgment.
"It's alright."
Sangonomiya Kokomi turned slightly and offered her a gentle smile.
"I've already prepared a contingency. I asked the wise and beautiful Lady Yae Miko to establish a barrier around Watatsumi Island."
"If anyone dares invade, they'll soon regret it."
Naturally, the possibility Ruko mentioned had long been part of Yae Miko's calculations. Both the Shogunate Army and the Fatui might attempt a surprise attack on Watatsumi Island.
But neither side knew where Yae Miko currently was.
The Fatui likely assumed she had already gone to Yashiori Island, secretly lurking near Futsu Mitama and the others—ready to intervene at any moment.
In reality, because Sangonomiya Kokomi had fallen into an inexplicable slumber, Yae Miko had been forced to remain on Watatsumi Island and manage everything in her place.
Still…After working so tirelessly for so many days, Yae Miko was rather curious to see which unfortunate group might stumble into the barrier she had prepared.
If it were the Shogunate Army—She might allow them to leave with their lives.
But if it were the Fatui—At that thought, Sangonomiya (Yae Miko) Kokomi's lips curled slightly.
For a brief moment, Ruko saw something unusual in her expression.
A sly, fox-like smile.
The next instant, however, the expression vanished.
Sangonomiya Kokomi's familiar gentle smile returned, as though nothing had happened.
Ruko blinked, momentarily confused, but quickly dismissed the thought.
"As expected of Sangonomiya-sama."
She praised her sincerely.
If the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine had personally established a barrier, then unless the enemy was extraordinarily powerful, Watatsumi Island should remain secure.
And with the rear protected, all of their forces could focus entirely on defeating the Shogunate Army.
Their chances of victory would naturally increase.
"Let's go." Sangonomiya Kokomi spoke softly. "It's time to begin Inazuma's newest chapter."
With that, she led the way outside.
Ruko followed respectfully behind.
Outside, the main forces of Watatsumi Island had already gathered.
Their expressions were solemn and resolute.
Every soldier present understood what awaited them.
When the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island—Sangonomiya Kokomi—finally appeared before them, countless fervent gazes turned toward her.
She was their leader.
Without her guidance, Watatsumi Island would never have reached its current strength.
"Everyone."
Kokomi's voice rang out across the assembled army—gentle, yet firm.
"The final battle is about to begin."
"The Resistance was founded to oppose the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree."
"We have never wished to stand against the Raiden Shogun herself, nor against the Shogunate Army."
"But the path toward change has never been easy."
"Now, we are only one final step away from reaching our goal—speaking directly with the Raiden Shogun and abolishing both decrees."
Her gaze swept across the crowd.
"What stands before us as that final step?"
A moment passed before her voice sharpened slightly.
"That's right."
"The Shogunate Army led by Kujou Takayuki."
"They are the criminals who have brought chaos upon Inazuma!"
"As long as we defeat the forces under Kujou Takayuki, victory will be ours!"
She raised her voice clearly.
"In the name of Sangonomiya Kokomi, I issue this command!"
"Advance to Yashiori Island!"
"Defeat the Shogunate Army!"
"Capture Kujou Takayuki alive!"
"Inazuma's future… rests in the hands of the Resistance!"
The moment her words ended, thunderous cheers erupted from the assembled soldiers.
The morale of Watatsumi Island's army soared to its absolute peak.
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