At this moment, Kokomi curiously observed the surroundings—an entirely different space from before. It was a dreamy realm of pale blue, where sky and water met seamlessly, with occasional petals of falling cherry blossoms drifting past. The rhythmic sound of ocean waves echoed in her ears, and distant ripples of light rose from the water like a miniature sun, filling the space with a rare sense of tranquility.
"Where is this…"
She couldn't help but murmur softly…
"The Plane of Euthymia—my inner realm."
The Shogun replied casually, arms folded.
"Plane… of Euthymia…"
Kokomi repeated under her breath, her delicate fingers resting thoughtfully against her chin as though pondering something.
"That's right. It's a unique space completely isolated from the outside world. Only the master of this Plane may open a gate leading beyond it."
Her amethyst eyes examined the petite, pink-haired girl before her, who stood just a little shorter than herself, curiosity flickering in her gaze.
"…"
Kokomi lowered her hand and met the Shogun's eyes silently.
"I brought you here today so that our conversation would not be disturbed by outsiders."
The Shogun added in brief explanation, perhaps to avoid misunderstanding.
"I understand your intention."
The other girl nodded obediently in response. Truth be told, her pure, spring-like voice was pleasant to the ear, and her tranquil presence carried a charm distinct from that of the White Heron Princess.
"Enough with the formalities. Since there are no others here, let's be direct."
The Shogun's tone grew colder.
"Good… I was thinking the same."
Kokomi straightened her posture, placing her hand over her heart as she spoke earnestly.
"Sangonomiya Kokomi, I know what you desire—and your purpose. But I can tell you this with full certainty—"
Her violet gaze locked onto Kokomi's rare, pupil-fading eyes.
"—What you seek, I will not grant you. Give it up. Your goal cannot be achieved—it's impossible."
The "thing" the Shogun spoke of—Kokomi knew precisely what it meant. It was her pursuit, her dream: to abolish the Vision Hunt Decree.
Upon hearing this, Kokomi showed neither disappointment nor sorrow. She merely lowered her eyes for a brief second before lifting them again to meet the violet-haired woman's, unyielding.
"Shogun-sama… you must already know my answer. If I were the kind of person who'd be easily defeated by difficulties, I wouldn't have founded the Resistance in the first place."
Kokomi's voice was firm and resolute.
"…Hah."
The Shogun exhaled lightly, averting her gaze toward the horizon of the Plane's sea. Her expression was… complicated.
"Shogun-sama…"
Kokomi called to her softly.
"…"
She didn't reply—only continued to look away.
Seeing the subtle gesture of avoidance, Kokomi smiled faintly in quiet understanding. So it's true… You're in pain as well, aren't you? That fleeting trace of emotion—she could see it.
"Shogun-sama, would you look at me, please?"
Her gentle voice carried a faint note of pleading.
"…"
At those words, the Shogun reluctantly turned her gaze back to her.
"Please hear me out patiently, Shogun-sama. Whether it is the Vision Hunt Decree or the Sakoku Decree—neither aligns with the right path. Deep down, you know this too… don't you?"
Kokomi's tone remained soft, yet her words were steady.
"…What makes you say that?"
The Shogun asked.
"Because whenever you hear those terms, your eyes show a fleeting trace of sorrow."
"…You're mistaken."
She refuted sharply, though her tone carried faint defensiveness.
Is she truly this perceptive? the Shogun thought inwardly.
"Perhaps I am mistaken," Kokomi said quietly, "but can you claim that the will of thousands—the hearts of the people—is also mistaken?"
"The will of thousands?"
"Yes. The Vision Hunt Decree strips people of their aspirations—and those aspirations still shine brightly. Those who pursue their dreams are resisting even now. The glowing Visions embedded in the Statue of the Omnipresent God stand as proof of that. Isn't that enough to represent the will of the people?"
Taking a step forward, Kokomi's voice rose, clear and impassioned, echoing across the boundless Plane.
She had once gone, in disguise, to Inazuma City on Narukami Island, where she stood before that statue—the countless Visions glowing upon it, silently telling stories of strangled ideals and extinguished hopes. It was then she resolved to resist to the end, for Inazuma's future. The Vision Hunt Decree had to be abolished.
"So… is that your reason for rebellion?"
The Shogun turned slightly, taking a few steps to the side with her back to Kokomi, her voice cold as she spoke.
"!"
Kokomi trembled slightly at those words, a trace of sorrow flickering across her expression.
"You, who have received this vessel's protection, still act with such impudence—forming a Resistance to oppose the Shogunate, plotting rebellion?"
"I am not rebelling."
The girl behind her reaffirmed her resolve, her tone firm.
"Not rebelling? Hmph, then what would you call it? Self-defense?"
The Shogun sneered, turning her head to glance back at her.
"We are merely… struggling—struggling in this bottomless mire! The reason I formed the Resistance was to make you see, with your own eyes, those who continue to struggle for their ideals! For their dreams!"
Kokomi pressed her hand over her heart, her voice filled with sincerity as she poured out her will. The purpose behind the Resistance—her original intent—she revealed it all, her tranquil composure giving way to an almost fervent emotion.
"…"
The Shogun fell silent.
Tap… tap…
Kokomi stepped forward, moving closer to her side.
"I did this so that you could see how immense the faith of the people is—their unwavering pursuit of dreams! I wanted you to see that even now, there are those who refuse to give up, still chasing the light! That light… is your gaze itself, Shogun-sama!"
The Shogun silently glanced at the girl beside her who was gazing up at her so earnestly. The color had drained slightly from Kokomi's face—perhaps she had spoken too much all at once.
Her body… is it frail?
The Shogun wondered inwardly.
"…"
Kokomi stood still, locking eyes with the woman before her, unflinching. Even as pain throbbed in her head, she did not frown—only her face had grown paler.
"…Give it up."
The Shogun hid her sorrow behind a mask of cold resolve, speaking those words before turning to leave.
"!"
Kokomi's lips pressed tightly together, her eyes flashing with rare defiance.
"For the future of Inazuma—I will not give up!"
Her clear voice rang out toward the woman's retreating back. Even though she spoke with strength, her tone carried no hysteria—only conviction, clear and unwavering.
"Enough!"
The Shogun snapped, her voice sharp with anger.
"Even if you hate me, despise me… I will not give up hope—"
Yet the girl behind her continued, her voice filled with unshakable faith.
"Sangonomiya Kokomi, do you think this vessel dares not strike you down?"
Her eyes turned back, cold and piercing, meeting Kokomi's directly.
"Shogun-sama… From the moment I stepped forward—and from the instant you drew me into the Plane of Euthymia—my life has already been in your hands. Even so, I will still say this to you… 'I will not give up resisting the Vision Hunt Decree.'"
Zzt!
In the next instant, the Shogun flashed before Kokomi, Musou Isshin forming in her hand. The blade's edge gleamed as she swiftly pressed it to the girl's delicate neck.
"!"
Kokomi flinched, startled by the sudden motion, taking half a step back. But almost immediately, she steadied herself once more, her expression regaining its steadfast calm. She stepped forward again—the icy blade was now less than a centimeter from her skin. She could feel its chilling aura radiating against her throat.
The girl known as Sangonomiya Kokomi glanced at the violet blade glimmering beneath her chin. Her hand clenched tightly at her side as her lips pressed together. Lifting her gaze once more, her eyes—stubborn yet serene—met the Shogun's.
"And now? Still so determined? Then speak your resolve to my blade."
The Shogun's cold eyes bore into the steadfast girl before her. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around Musou Isshin's hilt.
"Shogun-sama… I…"
Even with the blade pressing against her, Kokomi slowly shook her head.
"I… will not give up."
"…"
The Shogun narrowed her eyes, staring deeply into hers. And the girl before her met that gaze without wavering.
"…Everything you just said—was it truly from the heart?"
Seeing the girl's eyes, steadfast and bright as light itself, the Shogun narrowed her gaze, her tone sharp and deliberate.
"Not a single word was false."
Kokomi replied firmly.
"You truly have no intent of rebelling against me?"
The Shogun pressed further.
"Shogun-sama… from beginning to end, our resistance has always been against the Vision Hunt Decree. You have done great kindness to Watatsumi Island—how could we ever be so ungrateful?"
"Hmph… Perhaps you are not, but that does not mean your Resistance is the same."
The Shogun sneered faintly, mocking.
"...?"
Kokomi blinked, slightly startled, not immediately understanding her meaning.
"The matter on Yashiori Island—are you aware of it?"
The Shogun's tone turned cold.
"Yashiori Island? If you refer to the civilians affected by the calamity of the Tatarigami, I have already relocated all of them to Watatsumi Island for refuge. You need not worry."
Kokomi assumed she was concerned about the island's people, and she answered truthfully without reservation.
"Relocated… to Watatsumi Island?"
The Shogun's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yes. The environment on Yashiori Island has already become unsuitable for living. I could not simply abandon them to their fate."
Kokomi lifted her gaze to meet the Shogun's directly.
"Hmph…"
The Shogun gave a faint, derisive laugh.
"...?"
Kokomi frowned slightly at that cold laugh, confusion flashing in her eyes.
"How do I know you weren't the ones behind it all?"
The Shogun said with biting sarcasm.
"...Behind it all? What do you mean by that?"
Kokomi's voice grew sharper. That merciless suspicion struck a deep chord of pain within her. Her brows furrowed, and even before the Shogun herself, she refused to yield her composure.
"You know perfectly well what I mean."
The Shogun's voice was low and cold, Musou Isshin once again pressing against Kokomi's neck.
"…Then forgive my ignorance, Shogun-sama, but I ask that you speak plainly."
Kokomi's sharp tone matched hers, unflinching even as the blade touched her skin.
"Very well, if you insist. Yashiori Island now suffers unending storms—torrential rain, constant thunder, floods that grow worse each day. The people can hardly survive. And the reason for this is that the seal suppressing the Tatarigami has been destroyed!"
The Shogun's voice was taut with restrained anger as she spoke each word.
"Because of that, we took in the civilians from—"
"The ones who destroyed that seal," the Shogun cut her off coldly, "were your Resistance forces from Sangonomiya!"
"!"
Kokomi froze, her body trembling slightly as her eyes widened in disbelief. For a brief moment, confusion and denial filled her expression—but then she shook her head slowly.
"I… truly have no knowledge of this."
Her voice turned faint, her gaze falling as she murmured softly.
"Unaware? Or simply unwilling to admit it? Those were your soldiers, not mine."
"I truly… didn't know. Impossible… we would never…"
She tried to explain instinctively, but her voice faltered midway. She knew, deep down, that blind denial would not change the fact before her. The woman standing across from her had spoken with certainty—and Kokomi was not the kind to cling to empty delusions. She was rational, not fanatic. So she remained silent.
"…"
The Shogun stared at her in silence.
"...I, too, had suspected the Tatarigami incident on Yashiori Island. That such heavy resentment appeared so suddenly—I questioned my own officers. But they all shook their heads, saying they knew nothing. I even suspected that the Tenryou Commission might have released it secretly, to hinder our movements. After all, they have always been willing to sacrifice the people for their goals."
"But for us, saving those poor civilians was the most urgent matter. I had my soldiers escort them overnight to Watatsumi Island, to take shelter there until the curse dispersed—then, they would return."
As she spoke, Kokomi's lips pressed together. Her eyes lifted, filled with a complex light.
"But… I know. No matter what I say, you will not believe me."
She whispered bitterly. The prejudice of the people—she understood it better than anyone.
"...Is that truly the case?"
The Shogun asked again, voice quiet yet firm.
"Every word I said is true."
Kokomi replied.
"If even one word is false—"
Thud…
Before the Shogun could finish speaking, Kokomi suddenly stepped back and dropped to her knees, sitting seiza-style before her.
"If there is even half a lie in my words, I—Sangonomiya Kokomi—am willing to die beneath your blade."
Kneeling before the Shogun, Kokomi gently touched the elegant violet blade pressed against her neck. Then, with both hands, she held the back of the sword and guided it closer to her own skin.
"!"
The Shogun's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden motion.
"I swear upon my blood."
As soon as she said this, Kokomi lightly pushed the blade's back forward. The edge of Musou Isshin cut a thin line across her neck. Crimson blood trickled down her fair skin, staining the blade and soaking into the collar of her clothes. The sight of red upon white was stark—yet within that vivid color was a will unshakable and pure.
Seeing the girl swear upon her blood, the Shogun's eyes grew distant for a moment… and she recalled Ayaka's words:
"That girl is about my age. To already serve as both the leader and strategist of the Resistance at such a young age… truly remarkable."
Truly remarkable indeed…
The thought flickered through her mind as she quietly withdrew her blade. Musou Isshin dissolved into light.
Looking down at the girl kneeling before her—like a small, stubborn cat—she met Kokomi's upward gaze. The wound upon her neck still bled faintly.
"…Stand up."
The Shogun awkwardly extended a hand toward her.
"…"
Kokomi looked at her hand for a moment, then relaxed her expression, obediently taking it. With the Shogun's help, she slowly rose to her feet.
The Shogun then reached into her kimono pocket and, almost hesitantly, handed her a pale violet handkerchief. She turned her face slightly away as she did so, a hint of awkwardness in the motion.
"?"
Kokomi blinked in mild surprise at the offered cloth.
"Wipe your neck."
When Kokomi didn't respond right away, the Shogun gave her a look and urged her again, lightly shaking the handkerchief in her hand.
Kokomi nodded and took it gently.
"…Thank you."
She whispered softly, then pressed the cloth against her wound, wiping away the blood. The cut wasn't deep—just a fine scratch—and it stopped bleeding after a short while.
"If you truly don't intend to give up," the Shogun said quietly, "then keep struggling. But control your subordinates. If they cause trouble again, even if I do not strike you down, they will take your place beneath my blade."
With those cold words, she turned away. In the next moment, her form dissolved into motes of light—and the Plane of Euthymia faded, revealing the familiar beach once more.
"…"
Shogun-sama…
Kokomi held the violet handkerchief in her hand, its edge stained faintly with her own blood. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and complexity as she gazed toward the space where the Shogun had vanished.
You already know everything… Don't you? The Vision Hunt Decree, the Sakoku Decree… You've been grieving in silence all along. Why must you bear this burden alone, playing the role of the 'villain'?
That fleeting pain beneath her cold gaze—Kokomi had seen it. It had pained her deeply.
So the Shogun-sama… has her own burdens to carry as well?
Her fingers tightened slightly around the handkerchief.
Abolishing the Vision Hunt Decree… is also saving you, Shogun-sama.
"Lady Sangonomiya! Are you alright?!"
Gorou rushed to her side, relief flooding his face. He quickly examined her, checking her over for injuries.
"I'm fine, Gorou."
She lifted the handkerchief to cover her neck, pretending to wipe away rainwater. She didn't want her subordinates to see the wound—it would only cause misunderstanding toward the Shogun.
"And the Raiden Shogun?"
Gorou glanced around. Other than their strategist, no one else was there.
"She's gone. We simply… talked, that's all."
Kokomi replied, trying to calm him.
"Oh… that's good, then. Whew… when you disappeared so suddenly, we feared you'd fallen into one of her traps."
Gorou scratched his head, visibly relieved.
Soon, the rest of the Resistance members arrived, worry written on every face. Kokomi reassured them one by one.
"She didn't harm me—nor use any trickery. We merely spoke."
As for the wound on her neck, that had been her own doing. The Shogun was not to blame. Still, Kokomi said nothing about the content of their conversation—it was confidential. Especially since the Shogun had mentioned Yashiori Island. She would investigate the matter herself later.
…Shogun-sama.
Remembering the sorrow that had flashed in the woman's eyes when the blade was at her throat, Kokomi sighed quietly. Her own eyes—those pupil-fading gradients—reflected the same sadness, resonating faintly with that unspoken pain.
"Lady Sangonomiya, this is the Traveler I mentioned. Please, come meet them."
Gorou gestured toward Aether, Paimon, and Teppei in the distance.
"…I'll be right there."
Kokomi replied softly, regaining her composure. She looked once more at the violet handkerchief in her hand, her gaze complicated, before tucking it carefully into her pocket and walking toward them.