Kujou Sara's sharp gaze lingered on the pair before she finally spoke, her voice carrying a hint of shock. "What did you two discuss?"
"You're too close—" Futsu Mitama let out a helpless sigh. He subtly tried to put some distance between them—after all, being pressed that tightly against a woman was improper.
If it were someone petite like Hu Tao or Xiangling, he might not have thought much of it. But Kujou Sara—Inazuma's formidable general with a dangerously striking figure—was an entirely different matter. One wrong move, and he would make contact with something he very much shouldn't.
Yet Kujou Sara seemed entirely unfazed. She continued her questioning with unyielding seriousness.
"What exactly happened? Why did Yae Guuji return in such a good mood after going out with you?"
She added in a low voice, puzzled, "This is the first time I've seen her so genuinely happy—and without her usual cunningness."
Despite her respect for the Guuji—as the Grand Narukami Shrine's overseer and a retainer of the Shogun—Kujou Sara had never been fond of Yae Miko's personality. That soft, foxlike smile often signaled the beginning of someone's misfortune. Most who fell into Yae Miko's schemes walked into them willingly, of course. Just as Kujou Sara herself once invited Yae Miko to dinner, only to find both sides extracting benefits from the conversation. That was the Guuji's way.
But a carefree smile like today's? Humming softly as she walked?
Kujou Sara had never seen it—save for moments when the Shogun herself personally guided Futsu Mitama.
Futsu Mitama could only shrug. "If you ask me—it's likely because she knows something interesting is about to happen. That's why she's so 'happy.'"
In truth, Yae Miko had been extremely active in the Chat Group, exchanging rapid-fire messages with Raiden Makoto about the Resistance's future, the fate of surrendered soldiers, the shortage of supplies on Watatsumi Island, and more. Sangonomiya Kokomi—the Resistance founder and its brilliant young Divine Priestess—had, without realizing it, gone from commander-in-chief—to something closer to third in authority.
Even through the screen, Futsu Mitama could sense Kokomi's mind overheating, her energy draining rapidly. She looked moments away from total shutdown. No wonder Yae Miko was delighted. Tormenting Kokomi—whether in person or across a screen—was a rare treat for the Guuji's sharp mind.
Of course, it might also be because she knew Raiden Makoto still lived on in some form. Kujou Sara followed Yae Miko with her eyes. Seeing the Guuji humming happily, she found herself unable to deny Futsu Mitama's words.
Still—Her instincts told her this mood had something to do with Futsu Mitama.
Someone was about to suffer at Yae Miko's hands. Inwardly, Kujou Sara offered silent condolences to that unfortunate soul.
Then she turned back to Futsu Mitama. "Next, I must continue gathering strong individuals. I intend to form a capable unit."
"You're leaving now?" Futsu Mitama blinked. Sara was always swift in her decisions, but this was unusually fast.
"The Raiden Shogun places great importance on this matter." Kujou Sara's tone turned solemn. "I must act quickly."
At those words, Futsu Mitama froze. When had the Shogun expressed such concern?
Then he remembered—right before they left Tenshukaku, the Shogun had asked, "Kujou Sara, have your actions concluded?" Could that offhand remark have been enough to make Sara believe the Shogun was urging her forward?
"I'll take my leave first," Kujou Sara said. "If you plan to return to Tenshukaku for guidance another time, call for me when you go."
With that, she released her hold on him and strode out of Uyuu Restaurant.
"No problem," Futsu Mitama replied with a wave.
Inside the restaurant, he took a seat beside Yae Miko—who watched him with an overly warm smile as he attempted to steal a piece of her fried tofu. That smile alone was enough to make him think twice. One piece of tofu was not worth weeks of her schemes. After finishing their meal, the two prepared to leave. Kujou Sara had settled the bill beforehand.
"Well then, little one, I'll be counting on you next," Yae Miko said with a firm pat to his shoulder before gliding out the door.
Futsu Mitama headed home shortly after. The moment he stepped into the courtyard, the sharp clash of metal reached his ears. Aila and Kuki Shinobu were sparring—both wielding the new Elemental-infused blades, neither relying on their Vision or Delusion.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Aila exhaled steadily, her tachi radiating a cold mist as she deflected Shinobu's rapid strikes. Shinobu darted back, then surged forward like a launched arrow, her movements leaving afterimages.
"You've already used that move once," Aila warned calmly, adjusting her stance.
The two blades—one infused with Electro, the other with Cryo—mirrored each other in quality and craftsmanship. Futsu Mitama watched silently. Elemental power mattered, yes—but pure technique mattered just as much. He had learned that firsthand, beaten by both the Raiden Shogun and Raiden Ei with skill alone.
After half an hour, the two finally lowered their weapons, breaths unsteady. Aila trotted over, bowing slightly.
"Young Master, forgive the delay. I will prepare tea and snacks—"
"No need," he said. "I already ate."
Kuki Shinobu joined them moments later, still catching her breath. "How's Sara?"
"Recruiting strong fighters," Futsu Mitama replied. "At this rate, her team will be formidable."
Then a thought struck him. He paused, expression turning odd. "Wait—do you think that guy from the Arataki Gang will suddenly decide to join her?"
A visible exclamation seemed to flash over Shinobu's head. Without another word, she sheathed her blade, muttered a rushed "I'll check," and promptly climbed over the wall.
Aila blinked. "Young Master—do you mean that red oni who shouts loudly on the streets and wins children's candy? His Vision was confiscated by General Sara. Aren't they enemies?"
"Hardly," Futsu Mitama chuckled. "She took his Vision in a fair duel. In his mind, that was simply the price of losing."
Arataki Itto's strength was undeniable, his personality straightforward. If Kujou Sara approached him sincerely, he would likely agree without hesitation. Shinobu knew this well—which was why she had rushed off so urgently. As an insider, she understood how dangerous the opposing lineup was: Kamisato Ayaka, Yae Miko, Raiden Makoto…and Futsu Mitama himself.
Aila merely listened in silence, though determination shone faintly in her eyes. When he asked why the two had sparred with real Elemental blades today, she answered plainly,
"Shinobu and I lack practice using Elemental weapons without Elemental power. With a major battle approaching, we must refine both technique and familiarity."
Futsu Mitama nodded. As always, he failed to notice Aila's deeper feelings—the fierce desire to stand beside him in battle rather than watch helplessly from behind.
Time passed quietly until Shinobu reappeared—again vaulting over the wall.
She sighed, exasperated. "It's done. The boss joined Kujou Sara's team. He's doomed."
Kuki Shinobu could only sigh inwardly. The moment she learned that Arataki Itto had accepted Kujou Sara's invitation to join her newly assembled elite unit, she felt a familiar sense of dread settling in. Her boss—was most likely walking straight into disaster. Still, this development made one thing abundantly clear: Kujou Sara intended to gather a truly formidable force—one capable of countering not only the Resistance, but even the Fatui.
Shinobu understood Itto's capabilities well enough. If Kujou Sara judged someone like him as qualified, then the standards for this "elite unit" were likely very high indeed.
Against the Fatui, such a squad would be more than adequate. But against the Resistance… things would not be so simple. If worst came to worst, Futsu Mitama and Aila might be forced to intervene again—risking the exposure of their identities.
With Kujou Sara's temperament, she would surely sigh at first—then mobilize every resource available to pursue them.
But Futsu Mitama simply shook his head. "Where would Inazuma find so many powerful fighters?"
In his view, Kujou Sara's most realistic strategy would be to gather capable—but not exceptional—samurai, perhaps from the Hiiragi Clan. Such a lineup would never push him or Aila into revealing their true strength. Only if Kujou Sara herself entered combat would matters become troublesome.
Three Days Later
Kujou Sara completed her recruitment. The elite squad stood ready. The Shogunate Army marched forth once more—grand banners unfurling, armor ringing, morale at its peak. The people of Inazuma City brimmed with confidence. Last time, the Shogunate had merely underestimated the Resistance.
This time, with General Kujou Sara personally overseeing the campaign, they believed the rebels would certainly be surrounded and crushed.
Meanwhile, Futsu Mitama continued to strengthen himself. He downloaded another martial technique—"Raiden Style · Martial Arts"—and once again entered the inner realm for training. This time, he lasted significantly longer under the Raiden's relentless blows. Guidance from both Raiden Ei and the Shogun herself had undeniably elevated his skill.
Yet even now, he remained far from the Raiden Ei preserved in Raiden Makoto's memories of five hundred years past. The power of a true Demon God was overwhelming—almost unfathomable.
Still, his strength continued to rise, slowly but steadily. One thing, however, weighed on his mind:
Why had the forging method the Raiden Shogun mentioned not yet arrived?
Growing restless, he opened the group chat to vent a little—and also to inform Sangonomiya Kokomi, Raiden Makoto, Yae Miko, and the others of the Shogunate Army's departure.
Yae Miko:"Hehehe~ I suspect the Shogun is… struggling. Forging is a delicate process, after all. And since she cares quite a lot about your growth, it's only natural for her to hesitate."
Raiden Makoto:"True, but since she promised, she will give it to you before next week's guidance."
Raiden Makoto:"Also, I have a forging method of my own. If you want it, I can give it now."
Azhdaha:"I possess one as well. If you want it, sign a contract with me. The terms are simple: just watch the Rite of Descension once."
Futsu Mitama:"That actually sounds tempting. I really want to see the Rite… If I miss it this year, I doubt I'll get another chance."
Kuki Shinobu:"Why wouldn't you? It's a yearly festival. If I recall correctly, this year's Rite should be approaching soon."
Albedo:"My acquaintances say the Yuheng Xing will preside over this year's ceremony. I'm curious about the Geo Archon's new governance proposal.""But why say you won't get another chance?"
Futsu Mitama:"Things will get busy. And who knows what may happen next."
Raiden Makoto:"Don't say such things. Even I, a ghost… no, a god, cannot foresee everything."
Yae Miko:"Makoto is a god. A very dead god, but still a god."
Azhdaha:"So… a god of death?"
Kamisato Ayaka:"Under the Sakoku Decree, traveling to Liyue is not easy."
Kuki Shinobu:"I miss Liyue a little. Inazuma is home, of course, but Liyue's customs are fascinating."
Albedo:"Mondstadt is lovely too. When the Sakoku Decree ends, you're welcome to visit."
Futsu Mitama:"Certainly. Speaking of which—@Sangonomiya Kokomi, how are things on your side?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi:"Ah! I wasn't dozing off!"
Everyone:
"…"
Yae Miko:"Get some rest, alright? If you face Kujou Sara like this, you'll be defeated before the battle starts."
Futsu Mitama:"Kokomi! Rest! And—have you checked in today?"
Yae Miko:"Speaking of check-ins—three days! And all I've gotten is experience."
Futsu Mitama:"Try checking in for three years."
Kokomi:"…I'll check now."
Kokomi tapped the check-in button.
[Ding! Check-in Successful!]
[Obtained: "Condensed Resin · Chocolate Edition" ×20]
[Effect: Restores energy. Best consumed when exhausted.]
Kokomi froze. Her eyes widened. Only one thought filled her mind:
'Check-ins—can give something other than experience?!'
Kokomi:"Everyone! I actually got something!"
Futsu Mitama:"WHAT?!"
Raiden Makoto:"Impossible! Impossible!!"
Azhdaha:"I thought check-ins only gave experience -_-."
Yae Miko:"What did you get?"
Kamisato Ayaka:"Congratulations."
Kuki Shinobu:"It's normal."
Aila:"The group level has risen—item chances have increased."
Futsu Mitama:"Not normal!! What is it?!"
Kokomi:"A… condensed resin. Chocolate flavored. It smells sweet, and it says it restores energy."
Raiden Makoto:"Restores energy… and it smells like dessert… hmm. Perhaps it could lure Ei out of the Plane of Euthymia."
Azhdaha:"Chocolate… resin… can such a thing taste good?"
Yae Miko:"Little one, do you know what this is?"
Futsu Mitama:"I have some guesses. Kokomi, try one—your mental state isn't good."
Albedo:"Fascinating. If there were more, I'd like to study one."
Kokomi:"There are twenty."
Futsu Mitama:"There are no words for what I'm feeling."
Ayaka and Shinobu quietly laughed.
Outside the chat, Kokomi stored fifteen pieces neatly in a small case. She held one between her fingers. Its sweet aroma tickled her senses.
Crunch.
A crisp sound echoed. Then—
Warmth surged through her. The fatigue clouding her mind vanished like dissipating mist.
Visions flashed through her thoughts—reading in her secret nook, swimming with fish, chatting with Futsu Mitama beneath a sunset sky.
Energy +99
Fatigue –99
Kokomi drew a deep breath, her complexion restored, her eyes bright again.
"A miraculous item…"
She immediately sent out red packets—one each to Futsu Mitama, Aila, Yae Miko, and Albedo. Their help had earned her gratitude. The others could request one if needed—Kokomi was not one to hoard things.
Futsu Mitama Receives His Resin. He opened the red packet, held the resin in his hand… and his expression twisted slightly. It looked almost exactly like the condensed resin he once crafted after a frenzy of crystalfly hunting—only chocolate flavored.
Just as he was staring at it—
"Buzz."
Electro lightning flickered inside his body. His pupils shrank. Before he could react—
His consciousness was abruptly pulled into the Plane of Euthymia.
Raiden Ei materialized before him, still seated in her meditative posture.
"I have finished sorting the forging methods," she began calmly. "There are several approaches. You may choose—"
Then she froze. Her nose twitched. She sensed the dessert-like fragrance coming from the resin in his hand. Raiden Ei descended gracefully, stepping closer.
Her gaze fixed on the resin—not on him.
"What is this?" Her voice remained composed, but her eyes betrayed a faint sparkle. "Why does it carry such… a sweet scent?"
She tilted her head slightly—much like an inquisitive shrine maiden rather than a fearsome Archon.
"It smells… tempting."