As the battle raged, soldier clashed against soldier, and Kujou Sara was locked in a fierce struggle with Gorou. Both close combat and ranged attacks had been exchanged countless times, yet neither had managed to land a decisive blow—their duel instead wreaked havoc upon the unfortunate soldiers nearby.
At one point, a resistance soldier was kicked to the ground by a shogunate warrior. His long spear slipped from his grasp, sliding across the rain-soaked earth. The blood staining its blade was washed away by the downpour, flowing into the muddy rivulets until the water turned a deep, crimson hue.
Rumble!
Each peal of thunder brought with it a blinding flash that illuminated the battlefield, revealing fleeting silhouettes locked in a hellish struggle.
"..."
From her vantage point atop the hillside, Kokomi saw that the time had come. Shifting her gaze, she glanced toward the other side of the hill where her hidden forces lay in ambush. Raising her hand, she made a subtle signal—and her form dissolved into countless azure motes of light, vanishing like droplets into the rain.
In the wake of her disappearance, faint, shimmering bubbles began to rise across the rain-drenched battlefield, glowing softly like those of the ocean depths. One after another, the iridescent spheres drifted upward from the wet soil, floating in midair—this was her elemental power at work.
"Covenant of the Deep!"
As she invoked her ability, the bubbles scattered, rushing toward the resistance soldiers. Wherever they touched, wounds began to close, torn flesh mended, and the weary found strength anew. Even the fallen—those too exhausted to rise—felt life surge back into their limbs. With renewed vigor, they seized their weapons and charged once more at the now-faltering shogunate troops.
The miraculous wave of healing swept the battlefield like a tide, restoring every fallen soldier. It was almost unbelievable.
In that instant, the entire field seemed to transform into the domain of Watatsumi Island. The battlefield shimmered in shades of deep ocean blue—an ethereal underwater realm come to life. The breathtaking beauty of it stunned even the enemy soldiers. The shogunate's advance began to falter, their lines slowly pushed back under the resurgent resistance assault.
Crackle…
Just then, on the tattered mast of an abandoned warship by the shore, a faint glow of violet light flickered to life. The luminous particles gathered, coalescing into a graceful figure clad in a violet gentian kimono, a long braid cascading down her back.
It was none other than the Raiden Shogun herself.
Unfortunately, she had arrived late—the battle was already reaching its climax.
"This is…"
Standing atop the mast, the Shogun frowned slightly. The sheer density of the Hydro energy was remarkable, perfectly timed and precisely calculated. Within that power, she sensed immense healing capability.
That must be… Sangonomiya Kokomi.
The next moment confirmed her thoughts—
Splash~!
High above another wrecked warship opposite her, crystal-clear water gathered and formed into the graceful figure of a pink-haired girl. Surrounded by bubbles and luminous ripples, she descended like a celestial maiden, alighting softly upon the ship's deck.
At the instant of her arrival, the soldiers hidden within the ship revealed themselves confidently, gripping their long spears as they formed ranks to guard her flanks.
The cold rain swept across the scene, tugging at her sleeves and her silken pink ponytail. The translucent drape at her back shimmered with a faint azure light. The sight of her—the calm, radiant presence amid the storm—instinctively drew every gaze upon the field.
"Lady Sangonomiya!!"
Having just dodged one of Sara's arrows, Gorou took several steps back and looked up at her with visible excitement. He could feel it now—victory was within reach. As long as Lady Sangonomiya was here, there was nothing to fear!
"!"
Across the field, Sara too turned her eyes upward at the newly arrived Kokomi. Her brows furrowed, her expression darkening.
"..."
Kokomi gave Gorou a gentle nod, then turned her gaze toward Sara. Even in the midst of chaos, she wore that serene, confident smile—calm yet commanding.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, my ambushers."
"!" ×N
Her clear, melodious voice echoed across the battlefield, light and ethereal as flowing water. The word "ambushers" made the shogunate soldiers—including Sara—pause in alarm, their movements halting for an instant.
A bad feeling swept through their ranks.
"This moment… is our opportunity!"
From Kokomi's hand, brilliant blue Hydro particles gathered into a radiant sphere before she released them across the battlefield. Countless bubbles surged toward the surrounding hills of Nazuchi Beach, bursting in midair like fireworks.
"Damn it!"
At that moment, Kujou Sara finally realized—they had been tricked.
Just as she feared, the bubbles had been a signal. The instant they burst, the hills encircling Nazuchi Beach erupted with thunderous shouts that shook the very air.
"Ohhhhh!!" ×N
A massive force of resistance soldiers—equal in number to the shogunate army—rose from concealment. They charged down from the hills like an unstoppable tide, encircling Sara's troops completely. The ambush struck the shogunate's flanks and rear in perfect unison.
"So, you really were patient after all… Strategist-sama."
Hidden among the trees with another detachment of the resistance, Kaedehara Kazuha let out a helpless chuckle. Drawing the katana at his side, he exchanged a nod with his captain before—
Bang!
He leapt forward, swift as the wind, dashing straight into the heart of battle. His unit followed close behind, charging after him.
"I hope you can afford the mercenary fee!! Hah!!"
With a fierce grin, Captain Beidou hefted her greatsword and charged like a living tank, plowing through the shogunate's defensive ranks with overwhelming might, breaking their lines as if they were paper.
With that, yet another wave of allied troops stormed the battlefield. The shogunate army's momentum collapsed—their formation shattered, their morale plummeting under the relentless assault. Soldiers stumbled backward, many throwing down their weapons and fleeing in panic.
"!"
Even the Raiden Shogun, observing from afar, was momentarily impressed. To rout the shogunate's advantage through sheer intellect—such strategy was beyond expectation. Her amethyst gaze fell upon Sangonomiya Kokomi, now tinged with a hint of intrigue.
Whoosh!
Meanwhile, Sara fired an arrow that struck a distant resistance soldier cleanly.
Whoosh!
She then drew one final arrow, infusing it with crackling Electro energy before loosing it into the densest cluster of enemies.
Boom!
The arrow detonated upon impact, releasing a surge of lightning that paralyzed everyone nearby.
Sara had already pushed herself to the limit. Yet no matter how many arrows she loosed, she was only one person. With each shot, she was forced to step back, inch by inch.
"Tch!"
Abandoning her aim, she clicked her tongue in frustration. Normally, her discipline would never allow such a gesture, but this was an exception. Kokomi had completely outmaneuvered her. Lifting her gaze, she glared at the strategist standing above. The girl clearly noticed—but did not avert her eyes. Instead, she accepted the glare calmly, almost gracefully.
This was bad… The surrounding routes were blocked. They were surrounded—utterly encircled by the resistance forces.
Even the planned retreat path was cut off, hemmed in by endless waves of enemy soldiers. There was no doubt now—they were trapped.
"Abolish the Vision Hunt Decree!!" ×N
"Return the people's will!!" ×N
Encircling the shogunate army, the resistance troops—led by Gorou—shouted their slogans in unison, their voices rising like a storm of defiance, echoing across the beach.
"...Tch."
Sara glanced around at the countless resistance soldiers surrounding them, clicking her tongue once more.
"General Kujou Sara… What should we do?" one of her subordinates asked nervously.
"What are you afraid of?! Fight them! Do you think we'll surrender without a struggle?!" another shouted, his voice trembling but resolute.
"..."
Sara tightened her grip on her bow, her expression solemn as she stared directly at Sangonomiya Kokomi. But before either could act—
"Enough!"
A cold yet majestic voice, carrying both authority and divinity, swept across the sky. The sound rippled through the storm clouds, echoing over the entire battlefield.
"...!!" ×N
Not only the resistance—but the shogunate soldiers as well, even Kujou Sara herself—trembled slightly at the sound.
That voice—it was…!!
Shogun-sama!!
Buzz~!
The moment after that divine voice faded, a wall of purple light suddenly materialized between the shogunate and the resistance forces. Formed from countless fragments of shimmering Electro energy, it stood as a radiant barrier, separating both armies entirely.
"Shogun…"
From afar, Kokomi instinctively took a step forward, her expression a mixture of surprise and complexity as she murmured the name under her breath.
As if responding to her words—
Buzz~
A cascade of ethereal violet light descended from the heavens, gathering on the ground and taking form. The luminous particles converged, reshaping into the silhouette of a beautiful woman in a kimono. For now, she was shrouded in brilliant light, her features obscured as she walked through the center of the shogunate ranks—past her soldiers, and even by the side of the stunned Kujou Sara.
When she finally reached the front, the surrounding radiance faded, revealing her true form: a dignified woman clad in a gentian-hued kimono, her sleeves swaying in the wind, her face of unmatched beauty, and her eyes glowing with the dreamy brilliance of starlit amethyst.
"Sara… you've been deceived."
She turned her head slightly toward the younger woman behind her. Her tone held no anger—only a calm, gentle reprimand.
"! Forgive me… Shogun-sama."
Sara looked up, her voice trembling. To lose a battle before the Shogun herself—it was an unforgivable disgrace.
"There is no need for self-blame. Everyone errs. What matters is that you learn from it."
"Shogun-sama…"
Buzz~
The Shogun brought her hands together at her chest. A brilliant arc of violet lightning formed between her palms, gathering at her heart. A rift in space appeared across her chest, shimmering with crackling energy.
Crackle!
The next moment, Musou Isshin emerged from the rift. Grasping the hilt, she slowly drew the blade free.
Crackle!
As the weapon left its sheath, the air itself seemed to twist and tremble under the overwhelming energy it radiated. The violet glow of the sword illuminated the sky.
"!" ×N
Every soldier—both shogunate and resistance alike—instinctively took a step back, their faces pale with awe. Even from a distance, Kokomi narrowed her eyes, carefully observing the Shogun's movements.
The Shogun raised Musou Isshin high with one hand. A wave of soft, radiant violet light rippled outward from the blade, like a warm breeze passing gently over the battlefield.
In that moment, every shogunate soldier bathed in the light saw their wounds close, their strength returning. From minor cuts to life-threatening injuries—all healed in an instant.
"!"
Kokomi's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't expected the Shogun to possess such a large-scale restorative technique. It was far beyond her expectations.
The shogunate troops, now fully healed, stared at their goddess in awe. Though her figure was delicate, her presence stood tall as a mountain—steadfast and unshakable.
"Shogun-sama… we await your command!"
Sara, regaining her composure and resolve, stood upright, voice filled with renewed vigor.
"Sara…"
"Yes."
(A meaningful glance.)
The Shogun turned to her, her amethyst eyes giving a silent signal.
"!"
Sara understood immediately. Though she hesitated for a moment, she obeyed.
"All units—retreat!"
She raised her voice and issued the command.
"Yes, ma'am!!" ×N
Clatter! ×N
In the next moment, the entire shogunate army withdrew in perfect order, leaving the field of Nazuchi Beach to their god and the resistance alone.
"Shogun-sama…"
Before departing, Sara glanced back, worry flickering in her golden eyes.
"Sara, leave the rest to me."
Without turning around, the Shogun's calm voice drifted back.
"!"
Sara bit her lip and turned away, hurrying after the retreating troops until the battlefield grew quiet once more.
As the sounds of the departing army faded, the Shogun knew her soldiers were safely away. Raising her gaze again, she faced the sea of resistance soldiers before her. The moment her violet eyes met theirs, they stiffened in place, backs straight as if awaiting judgment.
Step, step…
With a flick of her wrist, she dismissed Musou Isshin into nothingness, then gracefully folded her arms and began walking forward—each step slow, steady, and impossibly poised.
"!" ×N
As she approached, the resistance soldiers—Beidou, Kazuha, and their crews among them—instinctively retreated, unable to stand firm beneath her presence.
With every step the Shogun took forward, the resistance soldiers instinctively stepped back. Step by step, she alone pushed the surrounding front line back by over ten meters.
Tap… tap…
At last, she stopped. The soldiers before her also halted, gripping their weapons tightly though none dared to move.
"..."
The Shogun crossed her arms casually, showing no intention of drawing her weapon. She glanced down at her kimono's hem and brushed away a speck of dust with an elegant flick of her fingers.
Crack! ×N
That small motion alone made the soldiers flinch and take another step back—a sight almost comical in its tension.
After dusting herself off, she let her gaze sweep across the resistance fighters, her eyes finally landing on the wanted Traveler, Aether.
"!"
The moment their eyes met, Aether's entire body tensed, and he instinctively raised his guard.
"Ah—!"
Paimon quickly ducked behind Aether's back.
Hmph…
The Shogun's lips curled in a faint, disdainful smile before her gaze shifted toward the members of the Crux Fleet—especially Beidou.
"Well, well… greetings, Shogun-sama," Beidou said awkwardly, raising a hand in greeting.
"You're from Liyue?" The Shogun's cold, commanding voice cut through the air.
"Ahem… y-yes, that's right," Beidou replied, her tone unsteady.
"As a Liyue native, to interfere in Inazuma's internal affairs—how disgraceful."
The Shogun's words were sharp, her voice like the edge of a blade.
"Uh… well, we were just… passing through! And maybe, uh… earning a little… side pay…" Beidou scratched her head, her voice trailing off as her confidence dwindled.
"Enough. I'll report this matter to your Geo Archon."
The Shogun's tone was indifferent as she turned her eyes away.
"Uh… but our Archon already—"
"Then I'll inform the Liyue Qixing," the Shogun interrupted. Even if Morax had retired, someone in charge could handle it.
"P-please don't! Shogun-sama, can't we just talk this out?"
Beidou's face fell. She could already imagine Ningguang's glare. How did things turn out like this? She never expected Raiden Shogun herself to appear! If she'd known, she'd never have taken this job—now she was about to get all of Liyue in trouble.
Ignoring Beidou's turmoil, the Shogun turned her gaze toward Gorou at the front of the resistance.
"Bring Sangonomiya Kokomi forward. This one wishes to speak with her."
"That's impossible! If you intend to harm Lady Sangonomiya—"
Gorou's fur bristled, his ears twitching as he glared defiantly, ready to snap back—
"If I truly intended to strike, none of you would still be alive. And this is not a request."
Her voice was cold, commanding, and absolute.
"!!"
Gorou froze, trembling under her presence. Even the soldiers behind him turned pale.
"Gorou, mind your manners."
Kokomi descended gracefully from the ship, walking past her soldiers and Gorou to stand alone before the Shogun. As she passed him, she murmured a calm instruction.
"Lady Sangonomiya!"
Gorou immediately tried to follow, but—
Buzz~
Just as Kokomi crossed the line of soldiers, a violet barrier rose instantly, identical to the earlier one, cutting off the entire resistance from entering. None but the two women remained within its shimmering bounds.
"Lady Sangonomiya!!" ×N
From outside the barrier, countless hands struck against its surface as the resistance soldiers shouted anxiously, their faces full of worry.
"Do not be concerned for me…" Kokomi said softly, turning back to reassure them.
"But—!"
"I'll be fine. While I'm gone, maintain order within the ranks."
She did not forget to remind them firmly.
"…Damn it… understood!" Gorou growled, slamming a fist against the barrier in frustration, but he obeyed.
Kokomi turned once more to face the woman before her. "Shogun-sama… I'm ready."
"..."
The Shogun raised one hand, summoning a Eye of Stormy Judgment into the air between them.
Crack!
The ominous symbol began to spin, discharging streaks of violet light. The surrounding space shattered like glass, fragments scattering as a rift opened—revealing the tranquil expanse of the Plane of Euthymia beyond.
The serene, water-blue landscape spread outward, enveloping the two women completely.
As the final flash of violet faded… the beach fell silent.
Both the Shogun and Sangonomiya Kokomi had vanished without a trace.
—
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