Above the vast blue ocean.
The world is quiet.
Only the cries of seabirds and the steady rhythm of waves striking the hull break the silence. Across the water, a fleet advances, oars cutting through the sea and lifting arcs of spray into the air.
Warm sunlight pours over the deck.
At the very front of the flagship, several figures sit peacefully.
After a while, one of them moves.
Luo Li flicks his wrist lightly.
The fishing rod bends, then snaps upward in a smooth arc. A brilliantly colored sea fish leaps from the water and lands perfectly inside the bucket beside him.
Paimon cheers.
"Waaah! Another one!"
She quickly counts. There are already more than twenty fish in Luo Li's bucket.
Then she glances at Lumine's bucket.
Her expression changes dramatically.
"That's way too few!"
In sharp contrast, Lumine's bucket contains only two or three tiny fish swimming pitifully at the bottom.
Lumine shoots Paimon a glare.
It's not her fault.
The real problem is that the person beside her is simply too skilled. Competing against him feels completely hopeless.
Luo Li calmly rebaits his hook and casts again.
The ship continues moving forward, yet the motion seems to have no effect on him.
Lumine stares at her unmoving fishing line in frustration.
Why did it turn out like this?!
If she had known, she would have joined Mondstadt's fishing association and secretly learned a few techniques.
Luo Li speaks lazily.
"Fishing requires calmness. When you no longer care about winning or losing, perhaps then…"
Lumine's eyes light up.
"I'll reach your level?"
He glances at her.
"You'll reach the level where even losing doesn't bother you."
"…."
She grits her teeth.
This humiliation will not be forgotten.
Just as she swears silent revenge, Kazuha's voice calls out.
"It's been seven hours since departure. Captain Beidou spoke with the navigator. We're about to enter the thunderstorm zone. It's safer to move inside."
At their current speed, they are nearing the outer sea of Inazuma.
Because of the Sakoku Decree, the Raiden Shogun sealed the outer waters with a perpetual storm. Ordinary ships cannot pass.
Even the heavily armed Crux Fleet must proceed carefully.
It will take at least three more hours to fully cross the storm sea.
Then two more hours along the inner route before reaching Ritou.
Luo Li waves without turning around.
"No need. I'll stay out here. You should take shelter."
He gazes toward the distant black clouds.
Within them, massive arcs of lightning leap like dragons — hundreds of meters long, violent and terrifying.
Paimon panics.
"We're going inside! If we get struck, we're finished!"
Lumine nods and stands.
She looks back at Luo Li.
"Even if you're strong, don't be reckless. Come inside."
He smiles softly.
"You don't understand."
His eyes remain fixed on the lightning-filled sky.
"Even without protection… her will would never harm me."
Lumine clicks her tongue at the terrifying storm ahead. She would absolutely be vaporized out there.
"Fine. We're going in."
Before stepping inside, she pauses.
His back looks… lonely.
And filled with longing.
Paimon whispers, "He'll be okay… right?"
Lumine presses her lips together and says nothing.
Outside, silence falls as the deck empties.
The fleet sails into the thunder sea.
BOOM!!!
Thunder explodes overhead, loud enough to rupture eardrums. Lightning tears through the sky in violent streaks.
Yet Luo Li remains unmoved.
He watches the lightning with unmistakable tenderness.
The deeper the fleet goes, the more frenzied the storm becomes. Lightning flashes relentlessly. Ships nearby nearly get struck.
But the Alcor remains untouched.
No.
More than untouched.
When lightning approaches the Alcor, it slows.
Softens.
"Gentle" is an odd word for lightning — yet that is what it feels like.
Bolts streak toward Luo Li, only to weaken as they near him, circling as though reluctant to leave.
He reaches out.
The lightning seems almost shy, jumping playfully but never striking him.
Inside the cabin, everyone stares in shock.
Paimon's mouth hangs open.
Lumine watches thoughtfully.
Beidou bursts into loud laughter, eyes blazing with excitement. She knew he was powerful — but this? Now she wants to spar with him even more.
On the deck—
Luo Li no longer notices the others.
Lightning gathers around him in brilliant arcs, wrapping the Alcor in a radiant electric halo.
The emotion in it is unmistakable.
This is not destruction.
This is recognition.
Through the thick sea of thunder, Luo Li gazes toward distant Inazuma.
His expression is unusually gentle.
And he whispers—
"I'm back, Ei."