"No, I'll be going to the Tenryou Commission as well. As for how exactly to proceed, I need to consult with Guuji-sama first. You two, make sure to keep everything strictly confidential."
At once, Matsuzaka and Inaba Hisakazo's faces brightened. They assumed that Aiden intended to personally eliminate Kujo Takayuki before leading the Shogunate forces to bring an end to the war.
"Always at your service, Lord Aiden!" The two bowed deeply at a perfect ninety degrees, their movements honed by years of devotion to the craft.
Aiden, seeing through their thoughts, merely nodded slightly. "I will end this war. But before that, there is still accounting to be done… Matsuzaka, when the Fatui approached you, I take it they never mentioned that Kujo Takayuki was actually acting under their instigation?"
"Lord Aiden… what are you saying?" Matsuzaka's voice was a mix of shock and disbelief.
Compared to his astonishment, the Fatui operatives standing nearby went pale. Earlier, Aiden hadn't lowered his voice; they had assumed he was merely maintaining the demeanor expected of a 'Divine Ward,' perhaps enjoying the opportunity to learn more about Inazuma's secrets. Now, however, it was clear that Aiden had no intention of letting them off lightly.
They had spilled rivers of blood in a foreign land. They knew all too well—only the dead keep secrets.
Some time later, Aiden retrieved the Evil Eye from Matsuzaka and his squad as evidence. He also employed the Guuji-sama's techniques to administer a simple healing to both teams. Watching them depart, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Fortunately, the earlier skirmish had been brief. Most injuries were superficial; a little care under his hand would suffice for a full recovery.
As he cradled the Evil Eye in his arms, a subtle vibration ran through the Blade of Tongshi—an almost resonant tremor.
"Ah… of course," Aiden muttered, realization dawning. "The Blade of Tongshi has been fused with crystallized marrow… it shares the same material as the Evil Eye." He prepared to turn and leave.
Yet as he watched their figures fade into the heavy rain, and thought of the samurai willing to bear every burden for the Grand Shogun's command, a strange weight settled in his chest.
Raiden Shogun… your people worship you so completely, yet when will you truly cast your gaze upon them?
This Inazuma, strewn with corpses, its people destitute… is this the eternal land you promised?
Aiden could not believe that Raiden Shogun truly knew everything. If she did, she would not have wandered through Inazuma City during the legendary mission like a naive girl, eyes darting here and there. Her obsession was leading Inazuma down a path to ruin.
"I know everything. I want to awaken her, to correct her… but can I really do it?" He raised his hand, letting the rain wash over him, staring at the brooding sky.
He had told Kazuha once that there are always beings brave enough to face the majesty of thunder. But words are easy; action is another matter. When the moment comes, how many truly dare to raise a blade against a god?
This isn't about strength—it's about the courage of the soul.
…
Back at the Narukami Shrine, Aiden painstakingly escorted the five Fatui back to their hideout. He removed their elemental gear and handed them over to the End of the World faction for interrogation.
Despite their gentle appearances, the shrine's miko were merciless to enemies. The Fatui, accustomed to executing missions without pity, now faced the retribution they had earned.
"What a busy day. Being a gatekeeper really is more comfortable," Aiden yawned. Yet instead of heading indoors, he took the shortcut along the back of the mountain to his usual training spot.
The scenery was sublime: maple trees aflame with red leaves, a small pond glinting under the moonlight. He seated himself on a stone by the water, letting the stillness soothe his restless mind.
"One must constantly polish the self, lest dust accumulate," he murmured to himself.
Swordsmanship required more than technique—it demanded unity of heart and blade. Only when sword and soul are one can one cut through both body and spirit. The legendary speed of the Iwakura-style Tengu Scroll could only be mastered by one with a heart pure and untainted.
Drawing his longsword, Aiden reflected on his own understanding of swordsmanship, then resumed practicing the Tenmokuryu techniques.
After a cycle of training, a small gray-and-white cat with two tails suddenly leapt from the undergrowth toward him.
Aiden instinctively sidestepped. The cat's face twisted in surprise midair before it splashed into the pond. Struggling frantically, it soon transformed into its humanoid form.
A beautiful girl in a blue-green dress emerged, her golden hair drenched, shaking off water droplets like a cat after a fall. Compared to a cat, her movements were irresistibly charming.
Seeing her, Aiden's mood brightened. Kirara had originally been a mundane cat from Kagekage Mountain before being adopted by an old woman. By chance, she became a "nekomata" and acquired a God's Eye.
It was through Yae Miko's insight that Kirara came to the Narukami Shrine to learn to control her powers and integrate with humans, with Aiden as her training partner. Though she later worked as a courier at Komahoya, she still returned to the shrine during her breaks—today was evidently one of those days.
Aiden liked her. In Inazuma, his circle was small: besides childhood friend Sayu, half-childhood friend Kirara, and Kaedehara Kazuha, whom Yae Miko had assigned to help Aiden understand the Raiden Five Transmission sword techniques.
"Kirara's as lively as ever… though a bit flat," Aiden noted, disappointedly evaluating her.
Kirara's face flushed. She clenched her tiny fists and jabbed him playfully: "You insensitive blockhead! You'll never get a girlfriend!"
"Maybe not," Aiden replied calmly. "Perhaps if I wait, a silly nekomata will come out of the bath and present herself."
Kirara immediately realized he was referring to her, and swatted him again, grumbling, "You didn't even care when I fell in the water! You've changed, meow!"
"You're a yokai; getting wet isn't a big deal," Aiden said flatly, taking her playful punch with no dodge. "Fine, I'll care. Drink plenty of warm water when you go back."
"This is so half-hearted! You don't treat cats this way."
"The feel of a cat's fur is better than a human's," he replied matter-of-factly.
Kirara pouted, ready to argue, but her keen courier instincts quickly warned her that something was off. In an instant, her mind surged with complex formulas, her consciousness soaring across a vast starry sky, witnessing countless stars born and die…
When Aiden expected her to say something like "Mom made me," the innocent nekomata simply glared, cheeks flushed. "Do I look like someone who's easily fooled?"
Startled, Aiden chuckled. "I'm just strengthening your anti-scam instincts. You're smarter now—before, I could've tricked you into having three more kittens." He teased, gently stroking her chin.
Kirara closed her eyes, savoring the touch unconsciously. Even transformed into human form, she could not resist the conditioning of a lifetime of affection, letting herself quietly enjoy it.
Eventually, she purred and shifted into her cat form, curling in his lap, boldly basking in his attention.
Aiden, delighted, settled cross-legged and began playing with her as he trained. Kirara shared stories of her recent adventures, knowing Aiden craved news of the outside world.
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