"What's with that firework? Should we go check it out?"
"…Forget them. How's your control over those puppets progressing?"
"Not great! Their wills are too weak. Easy enough to manipulate, but impossible to draw out their full strength. You know what I want—Vision holders."
"In Inazuma, those who still hold Visions all have influence. Tug one thread, and the whole web shakes. If we end up drawing out the Shogun herself, everything collapses."
"The Raiden Shogun, the Raiden Shogun… Even if you erased her from their memories, how can you be sure fighting won't draw her attention anyway?"
"You forget… tch… the Raiden Shogun is only a puppet now. She acts on fixed logic. Unless Yae Miko herself petitions her, she won't intervene. All we need do is conceal anomalies near the Grand Narukami Shrine and avoid drawing in the Tenryou Commission."
"The Raiden Shogun… is a puppet?"
A flash of memory stirred. Shigetsu pressed her forehead, but before anything surfaced, another memory—fabricated—emerged instead.
"The Raiden Shogun is a puppet… You! What have you done? Did you tamper with my memories too?!"
Yasen sighed, weary. Forget this matter.
"The Raiden Shogun is a puppet… Right. Why can that ugly hag wield the nation's power to forge a puppet, yet I—a puppeteer—am left with her discarded scraps?!"
"Because she was once an Archon, one of the Seven recognized by the Heavenly Principles."
"Hmph… Then why did that brat we just captured call me 'the Raiden Shogun'? My beauty outshines that rustic hag ten-thousandfold. Yasen, tell me honestly—are you hiding something from me? Did you tamper with my memories again?"
Enough.
No more talk of the Raiden Shogun.
If not for the fact that every time you look into a mirror you recall that truth, would I need to twist your memory of her so extensively?
Once more erasing Shigetsu's memory, Yasen said with irritation: "Make your preparations. You still have Yae Miko to deal with. Don't die too easily."
…
"Captain Beidou, you've been pacing the deck all day."
"In Liyue, there's a saying: 'He who breaks his word shall be judged by stone.' I've already broken my promise once. By now the Alcor should've had its holds filled and be en route to deliver supplies to Watatsumi Island within five days, as agreed. Those supplies are crucial. I can't bear to break my word again."
"Our situation is dire. We don't even know where the missing ones are. But for the Battle Technique Hunters and the South Wing, time is short. Once the Vision Hunt Decree is lifted, the organization will regain much of its strength."
"The Vision Hunt Decree? With Inazuma as it is, who knows if it'll ever be repealed. And even if it is, it won't be soon. Watatsumi opposes the decree, and I admire their ideals—but the war has gone poorly for them."
I've seen the future—the decree will soon be repealed. No… I can't say that…
Victor Wang parted his lips. "Dragging things out favors us. As for the supplies, Sea Drake can handle delivery. You should remain here, Captain."
"I've thought of that. My crew is excellent—but they're only human. I fear…"
Leaning on the rail, Beidou gazed at her sailors, some bustling, some idle, and left the thought unfinished.
"Forget it," she said, waving her hand. "Let's talk strategy. The enemy seems few, but each ability is top-tier: one manipulates memories, one space, one time. Of them, the time-user—Isshin, The Cursed Blade—should be strongest, but oddly, it's shown the weakest power so far."
"Exactly. Its combat ability is wholly inferior to the Demonic Ring. Its Temporal Mirage has clear flaws."
"The Demonic Ring is the real threat. Its Eternal Abyss, and its power to teleport itself, enemies, and weapons—there's no gap, no counter. Alone, it's unsolvable."
"Yes. I've fought Isshin twice, the Demonic Ring once. My record was poor, but I'm confident I can defeat Isshin now. Against the Demonic Ring… no chance. Captain, are you sure you'll take it on alone?"
"Hahaha! You're worrying about me? Just hearing its description tells me the Demonic Ring is formidable. But crossing blades with the strong, testing patience, precision, and timing—that's the thrill of battle. I excel at defense, and I'm fast. I'm the best match for the Demonic Ring. Besides, you said its weapon is a metal whip? Against me, that's a flaw."
He didn't doubt Beidou's strength, yet unease gnawed at him. Something was off. The mention of their strongest foe should've raised even more alarms…
"Yasen will fall to Kazuha and Kamisato Ayato. Hopefully Yae Miko won't need to act—that way, the Grand Narukami Shrine will owe us a favor."
"…Something feels wrong." Victor Wang voiced his thought.
"Memory tampering?"
"Not sure. Little Wen didn't warn me, so maybe… it's not memory. Something else."
Fwoosh—bang!
A massive firework like last night's burst, this time over Yashiori.
"So soon?!"
…
"Whoa—look at this! The Kamisato estate! Never thought I'd one day get to attack it openly!"
"All thanks to that master's terrifying power. Honestly, why stick with the Battle Technique Hunters? We should just follow him instead!"
"Better yet, bring him into the Hunters! Memory manipulation like that—wasted on anything but villainy!"
The estate's gates blazed. Guards lay collapsed, fate uncertain. Eight Vision holders pressed the assault. Even the well-trained Yashiro Commission soldiers faltered.
"Don't be careless! These men never surrendered their Visions. They won't fall easily."
"What's the fuss? Just the prim and proper young clan head and that 'Shirasagi Himegimi.' With so many of us, what's there to fear? That master promised us cover—so cut loose! Hah!"
"Kamisato Art: Suiyuu!"
"Kamisato Art: Soumetsu!"
"Gah! A sneak attack—?!"
Confirming the downed guards merely fainted, Ayaka sealed their wounds in ice before handing them to Thoma. Folding her fan, she masked her fury. "Why are so many Vision holders attacking the Kamisato clan?"
"Why, indeed?"
The assailants spread their hands, laughing.
"Since when do villains need reasons?"
"Dislikes your family. Envy your wealth and status. Resents your Visions. Hates your brother. Covets the Shirasagi Himegimi's beauty. Take your pick. Or ask your dear brother—he knows best."
Snuffing out the flames with ease, Ayato sighed. "I didn't expect you'd dare assault the estate. Nor that I'd be moonlighting as Tenryou enforcer after hours."
"Hahaha! What are the Tri-Commissions but dogs? If we succeed today, Isshin will wield power rivaling the Shogun. If we fail… revenge for the past is still ours, and no one will know. I'll remain untouchable. A shame I didn't know sooner you'd joined such an organization, Kamisato Ayato."
"Let's be plain. In politics, you lose to me. In strength—you lose to me."
The Kamisato estate lay directly between the Alcor and the Shrine. When Victor Wang's trio arrived, they found both sides trading barbs. Clearly, Ayato was occupied.
"Need a hand?"
"The Kamisato clan can handle this. What awaits at the Grand Narukami Shrine is far more pressing. Go. I'll follow soon."
"Then hold fast."
Without hesitation, the three pressed on. But not far beyond the estate, the Demonic Ring appeared, whip lashing toward them.
"All shall be returned!"
At the last instant, Beidou blocked the strike with her Electro shield, wrapping Kazuha and Victor Wang as well. Inside, a storm of lightning cut off the trick that once felled Victor Wang. Electricity coursed perfectly down the whip back to the Demonic Ring.
It crackled, smoke curling from its head, yet it sneered, hair flipping. "You're strong. But even the three of you together can't defeat me!"
Beidou grinned. "How do you know before we've even begun?"
Faster than before, it blinked before Beidou. In a flash of lightning, it was the one sent flying.
"What's the fastest wave you've ever seen?"
"Grr!"
It flickered behind Victor Wang and Kazuha, whip lashing to drag them into its abyss.
Lightning erupted again. Beidou blocked once more.
"Lightning is swifter than any wave."
Against a foe who moves by space manipulation, the answer is speed—to intercept them mid-transition.
"You—!"
"Victor, Kazuha—go. Head to the Grand Narukami Shrine. As planned, this one's mine."
"Damn it! If my power had fully returned, I'd crush you with ease!"
"Face reality. For now, I can defeat you… so long as you don't run."
"Damn it! Damn it! DAMN IT!!! As if! You think I'm some mad fool to be baited?!"
Watching the others vanish into the distance, the Demonic Ring sneered. "Very well. Let's play. You can block me a hundred times, but me? I need only one."