Teppei didn't follow. Instead, he stood at a distance, watching the two of them.
After walking a bit farther, Gorou stopped and turned around, getting straight to the point. "Teppei told me you escaped from Inazuma City, and that you're quite skilled. The Resistance is indeed short on manpower right now. Teppei encouraged me to let you join, but I won't force anyone to join us. So, I wanted to ask what you want."
Shao Yun didn't hesitate. He looked at Gorou and replied seriously, "I want to help you fight against the Vision Hunt Decree. But..."
He paused, glancing toward Lumine who was resting on her bed, then continued, "Lumine can't. First, I can't make that decision for her. Second, she's injured."
Gorou nodded in understanding. He could tell this was Shao Yun's way of agreeing to join. As for Lumine, they could talk to her once she recovered. If she was willing to join, great. If not, Watatsumi Island could still be a safe haven for her.
He continued, "Before you join officially, I need to be clear. You've probably heard—we're fighting to defeat the Shogunate and end the Vision Hunt Decree. This is no easy task. Everyone who enters the battlefield must be ready to make sacrifices."
Then he asked the most critical question. "Tell me your reason for enlisting. The Resistance can't accept anyone who lacks the will to fight. I hope you've thought this through."
A reason? Because I plan to use you, march with you into Inazuma, and draw out the Raiden Shogun to kill her? Of course, he couldn't say that.
After a moment of silence, Shao Yun calmly answered, "Because... I killed the Raiden Shogun."
Gorou nearly jumped out of his skin. His ears and tail fluffed out in alarm like a startled Taromaru.
"You killed the Shogun?! That's impossible!"
He clearly believed Shao Yun had killed the real Shogun.
Seeing Gorou so shocked, Shao Yun chuckled softly and nodded—then shook his head, as if to clarify.
Gorou stared at him, confused and anxious. "What do you mean? Stop beating around the bush—tell me the truth!"
Shao Yun took a deep breath and began slowly, "Let me tell you something you didn't know. The 'Raiden Shogun' in Tenshukaku was actually a puppet, not the real Archon."
"This is what happened—Lumine went to rescue someone whose Vision was about to be taken. But she got wounded by that fake Shogun."
"I destroyed that puppet. But doing so enraged the real Raiden Shogun. She ordered a manhunt for us, so we had no choice but to flee here."
Hearing this semi-truthful explanation, Gorou finally relaxed. He let out a long breath and muttered, "You scared me… I thought you actually killed the Raiden Shogun."
Shao Yun snorted inwardly. Don't worry—she's next.
Gorou stroked his chin, deep in thought. Shao Yun didn't seem like he was lying. Even if he hadn't killed the real Archon, destroying a puppet of her caliber was no small feat. Having him join the Resistance would ease a lot of pressure.
But then two little voices echoed in his mind.
One said, Drive him away...
He instantly rejected that. Watatsumi needed people. Turning away a Vision holder fighting against the Decree? That'd be sabotage.
The other voice said, Let him stay. Which was what he wanted… but he hesitated. Is this too good to be true?
Still conflicted, Gorou clenched his jaw and chose to allow Shao Yun to join. They were in no position to be picky.
But he left himself some leeway.
"Welcome to the Resistance, Mr. Shao Yun. For now, rest up at camp. We'll talk missions once Lady Kokomi returns… Don't worry, you'll be treated well here."
The unspoken meaning: on paper, he was in. In practice, Gorou was still waiting for higher authority to weigh in.
Shao Yun didn't feel slighted. If it were him, he'd also wonder if this "big Buddha" would fit inside a small shrine.
Thought I was Arthur arriving at the Van der Linde gang. Turns out I'm Kieran instead…
Being too strong can backfire—people start to fear you.
Gorou wasn't the jealous type, but it was only natural to be cautious around someone who had "killed" the Raiden Shogun.
Shao Yun considered this, then offered a faint, wry smile. "If you're unsure, I'll wait for Lady Kokomi's decision. But please believe—I mean no harm."
Gorou, realizing his inner doubts had been seen through, looked slightly flustered.
He waved his hands and stammered, "Sorry—I'm not rejecting you. Anyone willing to resist the Decree is a friend. It's just… your story is… well, a bit extraordinary…"
He glanced toward the wounded shelter, seizing a chance to redirect the conversation.
"Look at it this way—Miss Lumine is still recovering. And while we're short on hands, it's not that desperate. You just got here. It'd be unreasonable to throw you into missions immediately."
Shao Yun nodded. "I understand. Just know—I won't be a burden."
Hearing Shao Yun's steady, sincere tone, Gorou felt moved. He nodded firmly. "You joining us is a good thing. We're happy to have you…"
But the more he spoke, the more awkward he felt. He quickly waved Teppei over.
Teppei jogged up, and Gorou instructed, "Get Mr. Shao Yun something to eat. I have other matters to attend to."
"Yes, General!"
Turning to Shao Yun, Gorou apologized, "Sorry. Please rest for now."
Then he turned and left—as if fleeing.
Once he was gone, Teppei beamed. "I'll whip something up for you. Don't underestimate me—I used to be in logistics!"
Shao Yun smiled. "Alright, I'm looking forward to it."
Returning to the shelter, he found Lumine just waking up and sitting up on the cot.
Rubbing her eyes, she asked lazily, "Shao Yun… what did you talk about with the Resistance?"
Shao Yun sat beside her and said casually, "Nothing much. I joined the Resistance."
She blinked. Then jolted upright. "What? You joined? I thought we came here to take refuge!"
Shao Yun expected this. He took her hand and looked into her eyes, giving his pre-prepared answer.
"Lumine, you heard what Teppei said. The Resistance is losing to Kujou Sara's army. If they break through Yashiori and reach Watatsumi, even horses won't help us escape."
"So, if we're going to help them anyway, why not defend Yashiori Island instead of waiting for the fight to come to us?"
Lumine frowned. That doesn't sound like him. Since when does he volunteer without payment? When did he get so altruistic?
The more she thought about it, the stranger it felt.
She objected, "No. We came to Watatsumi to avoid battle. We can't just jump in!"
Shao Yun was caught off guard by her intensity.
"I already promised them. Backing out now would be awkward. Besides, if the shogunate reaches Watatsumi, there won't be any refuge."
He finished with weight in his tone: "Helping Watatsumi is helping ourselves."
His argument was sound, and Lumine couldn't find a logical flaw.
"Then I'm joining too."
Shao Yun immediately protested. If she joined too, how was he supposed to manipulate the Resistance into marching on Inazuma?
"No. You need rest."
Lumine's eyes gleamed with defiance. "Then I'll join once I recover."
Shao Yun sighed in defeat.
He quickly changed the subject with a grin. "Lumine, don't you think we've switched roles?"
That distracted her. She blinked and murmured, "No… it's just… something about this feels wrong."
Shao Yun noted her unease and softened his tone, coaxing her gently.
"You're just tired and overthinking. I told you to recover at Komore Teahouse, but you wouldn't listen."
She opened her mouth to argue—but Teppei returned, carrying a large tray with three steaming bowls of soup.
"Dinner's ready. Try my cooking!"
Both Shao Yun and Lumine shifted their attention to the food.
Shao Yun picked up a bowl—and the system flashed a message.
[Stew Bowl: Slightly restores core health, core stamina, and core Deadeye energy]
Only slightly?!
He inspected the soup—basically a hodgepodge: bits of fish and poultry, thumb-sized tofu chunks, seaweed, and a few slices of white radish.
Taking a sip, it tasted mostly of kelp. A seaweed broth.
Paimon gulped hers down and patted her belly. "Tasty, but kinda watery..."
Teppei scratched his head. "Sorry. Our supplies from Watatsumi haven't arrived yet. This is the best I could do. Once we get them, meals will improve."
He meant no harm—but Shao Yun took note.
Supply issues. Locked borders. No time for rituals.
If Kokomi's people start going hungry… that could be a pressure point.
Lumine, however, was simply grateful. "It's fine. Thank you for the effort."
Teppei turned to Shao Yun, hesitating a moment before asking, "Mr. Shao Yun, would you mind visiting the wounded camp with me? Some of my friends are there. I promised them they'd meet any new allies."
Shao Yun instantly stood. "Of course. Let's go."
Not everyone here fights for the same ideals. I need to find those with... other agendas.
Just as they were leaving, Lumine called out, "Teppei! Please tell General Gorou—I'll join the Resistance once I'm better!"
Teppei beamed. "Really? That's great! I'll tell him right away!"
Shao Yun sighed. "Lumine…"
She tilted her chin proudly. "What, you can join but I can't?"
He was caught off guard—but to avoid suspicion, he simply nodded. "Alright. But only when you're fully recovered."
That would buy him time to solidify his plans.
Lumine smiled. "Got it."