Ultimately, Futsu Mitama collapsed.
This time, he endured over an hour beneath the Raiden Shogun's unrelenting strikes—each blow delivered by Musou Isshin's blunt edge, yet carrying enough weight to leave even the sturdiest warrior numb. Without relying on the Electro Archon's Authority, his endurance had indeed improved.
But endurance alone did not equate to strength.
And now, he lay flat on the floor of Tenshukaku, chest rising and falling sharply, limbs trembling from residual currents of violet lightning. Even lifting his arms was impossible.
"Good. Very good."
The Raiden Shogun looked down at him with a rare, quiet nod of approval.
"At this rate, in less than five years, you will surpass Kunikuzushi." She spoke with absolute confidence. "If you fully master the Chakra Desiderata and the Authority, then within two years, you will surpass him."
It was not flattery. The puppet's words were pure, objective judgement—the Raiden Shogun knew better than anyone the true extent of Kunikuzushi's power. Her acknowledging that Futsu Mitama could exceed Scaramouche in a few short years was, in itself, an immense recognition.
"…"
Futsu Mitama said nothing. In truth, he disagreed. Because he had the Chat Group. As long as its members continued signing in, his strength would keep rising.
Perhaps he could surpass Scaramouche in less than a year.
"Today's guidance ends here."
The Raiden Shogun calmly returned Musou Isshin into her chest. "I expect to see improvement next week. Your techniques—and your use of the Chakra Desiderata—remain crude."
Her voice was serene, yet every word struck with precision. She listed every flaw he displayed in battle, each point needing correction. At the side, Kujou Sara wrote frantically, capturing every insight.
She herself might not be able to apply these teachings—but this was guidance from the Raiden Shogun. A privilege ordinary mortals would never receive. Even as envy stirred in her chest, she also understood clearly:
If not for Futsu Mitama, no matter how many times she stepped into Tenshukaku, she would never have witnessed the Raiden Shogun personally instructing another being. Not even the heads of the other Commissions had seen such a sight.
"Yes—"
Futsu Mitama finally managed to speak through ragged breaths. Then a sudden realization struck him like lightning—
He had come here to ask for forging methods!
His spirit rekindled. He pushed himself upright, still sitting on the floor, and looked up at the Raiden Shogun.
"Shogun-sama, I also came today to request forging methods. I want to forge a proper weapon for myself. As for the materials, I can prepare them later. But the forging method—I need it urgently."
His boldness made Kujou Sara's eyes widen. Directly requesting forging techniques from the Raiden Shogun?
Even master smiths of past centuries would not dare speak so freely. To them, divine blacksmithing was a forbidden domain—mortals could only beg for guidance, never claim ownership of such knowledge. Only the most exceptional smiths in history had ever received fragments of divine technique.
The Five Traditions—the Raiden Gokaden—were born from such legacies.
"Forging methods?"
The Raiden Shogun examined him for a moment, as though confirming something silently. Then she nodded.
"Indeed. Your strength is considerable, but without a weapon, you cannot wield even seventy percent of it."
"I will teach you the art of forging. But not today. You may leave."
Futsu Mitama did not press further. If the Raiden Shogun had said so, then she must already have a plan. But just as he and Kujou Sara were about to depart—
An Okuzume guard entered the chamber, face tight with unease.
"Hm?"
The Raiden Shogun turned slightly, her gaze resting upon him. "What is the matter?"
The Okuzume rarely stepped foot inside Tenshukaku. They only entered when confronted with matters they could not resolve.
"Your Excellency—the Snezhnayan Diplomat. The Harbinger… requests an audience."
Futsu Mitama and Kujou Sara halted immediately. A Harbinger appearing at such a sensitive time could only mean trouble.
"Let her in," the Raiden Shogun said calmly.
"Yes, Your Excellency." The Okuzume withdrew.
"Shogun-sama" Futsu Mitama asked quietly, "may we remain here a moment?"
Once, he would have left without a word to avoid Fatui attention. But now? His identity had been exposed. Scaramouche still lived. Avoidance was meaningless. He intended to hear the Harbinger's intentions before deciding anything further.
"You may."
The Raiden Shogun granted permission without hesitation. By right, foreign diplomats warranted privacy. But Kujou Sara was a general of the Shogunate, and Futsu Mitama the future Eternal Guardian acknowledged by the Shogun. Their presence was not something a foreign envoy could contest.
"Tap. Tap. Tap."
The crisp sound of heels echoed through Tenshukaku's hall.
She entered— A voluptuous figure beneath a black crown-shaped mask, radiating icy arrogance:
The Eighth of the Fatui Harbingers — "The Lady" La Signora
"Hmm?"
Her confident stride briefly faltered as she noticed the two figures standing beside the throne.
"General of the Shogunate Army Kujou Sara and the brewer, Futsu Mitama?"
The Harbinger glanced at the Raiden Shogun next, her tone devoid of reverence.
"To think anyone else is permitted within the abode of a god. How unexpected."
Her voice alone provoked Kujou Sara into frowning sharply. Were it not for the Raiden Shogun's presence, Sara would have drawn her bow on the spot. Disrespect toward a god was not something she could tolerate.
"It is none of your concern. Speak."
The Raiden Shogun's reply was cold and unwavering. "Though you bear the title of diplomat—you overstep."
Lightning flickered in her eyes. Scaramouche had already misused that same title once. Her patience with Snezhnaya was thin. Disrespect toward a god warranted punishment.
"—!"
The Harbinger stiffened, feeling the crackling hostility in the air. For a split second, she inwardly cursed Scaramouche. Had his blunder not spiraled into a political disaster, she would not be facing humiliation before a puppet.
She forced her expression under control.
"I come bearing a command from the Tsaritsa. We had no knowledge of Scaramouche's actions."
Her tone softened reluctantly.
"I cannot explain why he attacked Yae Miko, but it should relate to the Kanjou Commission's handling. I have received reports that the Commission was targeting the ancestral secret recipe of that brewer beside you."
She cast another glance at Futsu Mitama. At first, she had taken Scaramouche's warning seriously. But seeing him again now—worn, unsteady, weaponless—she dismissed the idea.
This? A retainer of the Raiden Shogun? Absurd.
"I understand," the Raiden Shogun replied. Her gaze alone made it clear she wished the Harbinger to speak quickly and leave.
"Additionally," the Harbinger continued, "our previous trade with the Kanjou Commission—crystal marrow in exchange for mora—has been disrupted by Scaramouche's—mistake. The merchants have rejected dealings with the Fatui. I request Your Excellency issue an order preventing this hostility."
The Raiden Shogun fell silent. She was about to nod—
But Futsu Mitama cut in sharply. "Then what is the price?"
The Harbinger froze. Futsu Mitama smiled lightly.
"You know the Fatui have earned quite the reputation inside the Kanjou Commission. And crystal marrow is a unique resource of Inazuma. Moreover, your operatives have attacked and kidnapped Inazuman nobles. With all that, you expect the Raiden Shogun to simply command her people to stop being hostile toward you?"
"That seems—unreasonable, doesn't it?"
The puppet's eyes narrowed—and this time, her gaze fully aligned with Futsu Mitama's implication. The Fatui had crossed a line. Their interference had thrown the Kanjou Commission into corruption, deviating from the Shogun's notion of eternity.
Letting the Hiiragi Clan continue managing the Commission was a part of restoring that eternity. And now, the Harbinger's request had touched that boundary.
"Damn him—" The Harbinger's thoughts quivered.
A simple matter—once so easy to obtain—was now slipping away because of this boy's intervention.
"What is it?" the Raiden Shogun asked, voice flat. "Are you dissatisfied, Snezhnayan Diplomat?"
Lightning crackled again. "In the eternal nation, everything is fair. You may speak."
The Harbinger swallowed hard. She had seen what the Raiden Shogun did to Scaramouche.
"The Fatui will purchase crystal marrow at double the market price," she said through clenched teeth. "Those who committed crimes in Inazuma will be repatriated. And we will compensate twofold for the damage caused."
The Raiden Shogun's eyes softened—lightning fading. She turned and looked at Futsu Mitama.
Her gaze clearly asked: Your judgement?
"Ahem."
Futsu Mitama smiled faintly at the Harbinger. "We are satisfied with these terms. However—"
He tilted his head. "Should we not also discuss the matter of the Fatui Harbinger, Scaramouche, attacking the Shogunate Army—and the Guuji—in broad daylight?"
The Harbinger paled. She had completely underestimated him.
"Hm?!"
Lightning surged once more behind the Raiden Shogun's eyes. Ah. Yes. I nearly forgot about that.
Her silent gaze pinned the Harbinger in place. At that instant, the Harbinger felt as though a blade hovered at her throat.
One thought echoed through her mind: If the Fatui do not bleed heavily today—I will not leave Tenshukaku alive.