After Ayaka left, Itto sidled up to Shinobu.
"Shinobu, Yuna's gone to join the Resistance. Should we go with her?"
In Itto's eyes, Shinobu and Yuna were his closest companions, second only to Granny. Even Mamoru and the others ranked lower.
Now that Yuna might be in danger, he was deeply worried.
"I'll go. You stay here."
After careful consideration, Kuki Shinobu still couldn't bear to leave her sister unprotected.
"Huh? Why? You're going and leaving me here alone, Shinobu?"
"Boss, you need to take care of Granny. Besides, your Vision was confiscated. Just listen to me."
"I..."
Itto fell silent. Why did his Vision have to be taken away at this critical moment?
Without it, he'd only be a burden if Yuna faced danger.
"Damn it! That wretched Kujou girl!"
After reassuring Itto, Kuki Shinobu quickly packed a few essentials and immediately set off for the Resistance camp.
-
On the Resistance side:
After touring the Resistance camp, the group encountered Resistance soldiers preparing to head to the front lines. From them, they learned that battle was imminent.
The group decided to go see for themselves.
Yuna, however, seemed hesitant. It wasn't fear of war that held her back, but rather...
Back in Inazuma City, she and Kujou Sara had been quite familiar with each other, with Sara occasionally looking out for her. Now, the Resistance was facing what appeared to be Sara's Shogunate Army. Would an encounter between them be awkward?
But then Yuna realized her wanted posters had already reached the Resistance camp. Sara likely knew everything by now.
"Yuna, what's wrong?"
Lumine noticed Yuna's distracted demeanor and quietly asked, stepping back slightly.
"Nothing. Just thinking about some things."
"Oh."
-
On the front lines, at Nazuchi Beach, Kujou Sara led the Shogunate Army in a standoff against Gorou's Resistance.
Unlike what was depicted in the game, the combined forces numbered well over ten thousand, a dense and overwhelming mass.
A closer look revealed the Shogunate Army's overwhelming numerical advantage, outnumbering the Resistance by more than two to one.
Disappointed not to see the person she had hoped to meet, Kujou Sara remarked:
"Only you? I'd hoped to finally meet your 'Master Strategist.'"
"After all, she's caused the Shogunate Army considerable trouble. The Resistance's survival thus far is largely thanks to her."
"But this ends now. With such a vast disparity in forces, tactics no longer matter."
"We've thoroughly investigated the Resistance's resources. All who defy the Raiden Shogun will face punishment."
Gorou stood firm, not yielding an inch. "I trust Lady Sangonomiya and the brave soldiers of our Resistance. The Vision Hunt Decree is a misguided path, and we will never surrender."
Kujou Sara remained unfazed. "Very well. There's one more matter. You've likely received the latest wanted posters by now. The Traveler and the barefoot girl should be with you."
"If you hand them over, I can grant you a temporary reprieve. A decisive battle at this point would benefit neither of us."
Gorou: "So, this sudden troop surge... it's all for..."
Kujou Sara: "That Traveler is of great importance to the Raiden Shogun, and the barefoot girl is equally crucial to the Lady Guuji of Narukami Grand Shrine."
"But I imagine they're quite expendable to the Resistance."
Gorou's tone turned icy. "You're mistaken. They're just as vital to the Resistance. They've joined our ranks and are now under my command. I will not surrender them."
"The Resistance will never betray a comrade. This principle was established by Lady Sangonomiya long ago."
Just then, Lumine and her companions finally arrived.
"General Gorou!"
"Teppei... and you all too? What are you doing here?"
Lumine replied, "We're here to help. We're members of the Resistance now too."
Yuna surreptitiously glanced at Kujou Sara nearby. The latter quickly turned her head away, unwilling to meet her gaze.
Gorou was overjoyed by Lumine's answer. "Great! Then let's fight side-by-side!"
Kujou Sara stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Lumine. "I thought you'd fled to the Resistance and be hiding behind the lines, too afraid to show your face. But since you've come here, I acknowledge your courage."
"I have a proposal: why not represent the Resistance in this Trial by Combat?"
Gorou quickly explained to Lumine and her companions that the Trial by Combat was just a pretext for Kujou Sara to capture Lumine.
Undaunted, Lumine strode forward with unwavering resolve.
She won the first three matches effortlessly, and Kujou Sara grew visibly impatient.
"Impressive... It seems further trials would be pointless."
"Soldiers, advance!"
Gorou: "It seems war is unavoidable... Prepare for battle!"
The two armies clashed swiftly, the sight of blades tearing through flesh and blood becoming commonplace.
Yuna, having frequently disciplined reckless wandering samurai and bullying Treasure Hoarders, and even having killed truly heinous criminals, felt no discomfort witnessing the carnage.
War, after all, inevitably claimed lives.
While gathering Emotional Feedback, Jiang Mumu focused on minimizing casualties. In a war like this, she couldn't save every soldier who fell in battle—she lacked the ability, and it wasn't her responsibility.
It's unnecessary.
Yuna drew her Whatever Claymore, embracing her role as a member of the Resistance.
Empowered by her innate strength and the Whatever Claymore, she knocked out one soldier after another with a single strike.
Kujou Sara excelled with a bow, but her skills extended far beyond archery. As a General of the Shogunate, she was proficient in all manner of weapons. Now, she wielded a longsword, carving a path through the melee.
The Resistance was already outnumbered, and the Shogunate Army boasted superior individual combat prowess. The Resistance forces were quickly driven back, retreating step by step.
It was then that Sangonomiya Kokomi, who had remained hidden until this moment, finally emerged.
"You've waited long enough, my troops. This is our chance."
The ambush forces, long concealed in the shadows, surged forward. Kazuha sighed wearily. "You certainly have the patience of a saint, Master Strategist."
Beidou swung her Claymore with ferocious momentum. "Let's hope you can afford the mercenary's price!"
"Kazuha!" Gorou called out.
Kazuha glanced sideways. "It's been a while, old friend."
With the addition of hidden reserves and mercenaries, the battlefield situation quickly turned around.
Though reluctant, the Kujou girl had no choice but to order a retreat.
"Tch... Retreat!"
The Shogunate Army fled in disarray. Yuna planted her Claymore in the ground, a relieved smile spreading across her face.
Suddenly, a hand gripped her ear and twisted it sharply.
"Ow! Ouch, that hurts!"
This... this feeling, this strength...