After arriving at Nazuchi Beach, Gorou began deploying the troops according to the formations found in military strategy books, preparing for the potential arrival of the Shogunate's main forces.
Since Shao Yun was on horseback, Gorou wasn't quite sure how to place him. Noticing this, Shao Yun took the initiative and offered to scout the Shogunate's movements at the border between Nazuchi Beach and Tatarasuna.
Shao Yun explained that, thanks to his horse, he could move far faster than anyone on foot.
Gorou readily agreed but emphasized again and again that Shao Yun must be careful—and that if he spotted the enemy, he should return and report immediately.
Shao Yun readily agreed, though in his heart, he thought, 'Whether I report now or after killing all three thousand of them makes no real difference.'
Once he had permission, Shao Yun rode hard. At full gallop, it took him less than five minutes to reach the junction between Tatarasuna and Nazuchi Beach.
He took out his spyglass, carefully observing the road ahead, murmuring, "Come on… let me see where you are, Kujou Sara…"
Meanwhile, the Shogunate army marching to attack Watatsumi Island was advancing mightily along the coastal road toward Nazuchi Beach.
Leading this force was the deputy general under Kujou Masahito. He marched in step with the main force.
Dressed in ornate armor adorned with the Kujou clan crest, the deputy had assumed command because Kujou Masahito had returned to Inazuma City.
As for why Kujou Sara wasn't leading this attack—he honestly didn't know where she was. They served under different branches.
Just as the army neared Nazuchi Beach, a scout who had gone ahead suddenly returned in haste.
He dropped to one knee and reported to the deputy, "Milord! A mounted stranger has been spotted ahead. He says he wishes to meet you!"
The deputy was momentarily stunned.
A mounted stranger wants to meet me? Who in the world is this?
Do I even know anyone who rides horses? Wait—are there even horses in Inazuma?
He asked, "Did he give a name? Can you describe him?"
The scout thought for a moment, furrowed his brow, and then slowly shook his head. "The man looked rather sturdy. He said he means no harm, only that if you see him, you'll understand everything."
The deputy scratched his head, muttering to himself.
A lone rider, claiming to have no ill intent… What's going on? Could he be carrying important intel from the Shogunate? And the horse… maybe that's just something above my pay grade…
With that in mind, the deputy nodded. "Alright. I'll go see him."
At that moment, Shao Yun sat alone astride Boadicea, squarely blocking the army's path.
He sat calmly on the saddle, polishing his two cowboy revolvers with gun oil.
After all, he was about to face a major battle and take down three thousand enemies. His guns needed to be in perfect condition.
Once the revolvers were cleaned, and with Kujou Sara still nowhere in sight, Shao Yun reached beneath the saddle and took out his Lancaster repeater, beginning to clean it as well.
Since the scout had already warned them ahead of time, the Shogunate soldiers didn't engage. They simply waited quietly at a distance.
After finishing his weapon maintenance, Shao Yun finally looked up—just as the deputy arrived at the front lines with the scout.
The deputy examined Shao Yun's unfamiliar face and his unfamiliar attire, then asked, "Excuse me, who are you?"
Shao Yun stared at him in disbelief. A question immediately surfaced in his mind.
'Wait a second… since when did Kujou Sara become a middle-aged man? No—this guy isn't her at all!'
He studied the deputy's face carefully, then turned to the scout, frowning.
"Didn't I ask you to bring out the commanding officer of this army? Where's Kujou Sara?"
He was hoping for a reasonable explanation. According to the storyline, wasn't this supposed to be Kujou Sara's offensive?
The deputy looked confused and pointed to himself. "I'm the commander of this Shogunate unit. As for Lady Kujou Sara, she's not here."
His tone held both confusion and helplessness—clearly, he hadn't expected such a question.
Isn't this guy from our side? Shouldn't he know who's in command?
Shao Yun's heart sank.
He'd been expecting to see Kujou Sara—maybe catch up with her, ask about what was happening in Inazuma City, and then give her a dignified exit from this world.
But no such luck…
He sighed and muttered, "So Kujou Sara's not leading this… Guess I won't waste time then."
He cracked a cold smile, eyes glinting with icy resolve.
Raising both revolvers, he aimed them squarely at the deputy and the scout.
"This will be your grave."
The deputy and the scout froze. They hadn't expected Shao Yun to suddenly attack.
Before they could react, Shao Yun pulled the triggers.
Two sharp bangs echoed in the air—bullets streaked forward like lightning.
The deputy and the scout were struck instantly, their bodies pierced, blood spraying as they collapsed into pools of crimson.
The frontline Shogunate soldiers stood frozen in shock.
They hadn't imagined things would escalate so violently. One man… daring to attack the entire army?
And with their commander dead in an instant, chaos and panic erupted.
Shogunate morale shattered. Soldiers broke ranks and scattered, discipline completely gone.
But Shao Yun wasn't finished.
He spurred Boadicea forward, charging into the panicked ranks like a hungry wolf among sheep.
His revolvers spat death with every shot—downing terrified, defenseless soldiers in a one-sided massacre.
Each bullet claimed a life. Each shot came with a scream—and another soul departing this world.
Shao Yun and his steed moved as one—a war incarnation of the apocalyptic Horseman of War. Only instead of swords, he wielded firearms.
But really, weapons were weapons.
…
Back at Nazuchi Beach, Gorou's ears twitched—he caught strange noises coming from the distance.
He looked toward Tatarasuna—the same place where Shao Yun had gone scouting.
His eyes widened. Shocked, he muttered to himself, "No way… Is Shao Yun really trying to take on three thousand men alone?!"
Teppei, standing nearby, caught what he said and looked stunned.
"General Gorou, what did you just say?"
Gorou didn't answer. His heart was filled with unease and dread.
Though Shao Yun had confidently claimed he'd defeated the "fake Raiden Shogun," Gorou couldn't truly grasp what that meant.
But now… realizing that Shao Yun might really be facing three thousand alone, an image surged in his mind.
That… that's not human.
A few minutes passed before Gorou snapped out of it. He took a deep breath and issued a quick command.
"Teppei, take two men and go find Shao Yun! See what's going on!"
Without hesitation, Teppei saluted. "Yes, sir!"
He quickly gathered two members of the Goby Squad and the three of them began moving quickly along the shoreline toward Tatarasuna.
Gorou clenched his teeth, anxiety etched across his face.
'Shao Yun, please… don't be joking this time…'