Outside Inazuma City, near the foot of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Futsu Mitama sat with a group of Nobushi, enjoying a quiet barbecue under the dim evening light. The atmosphere was awkwardly subdued—oddly peaceful for what was supposed to be a scene of kidnappers and their captive.
After negotiating with the Purple Kairagi, Futsu Mitama had easily won over both him and the now-conscious Red Kairagi. Bruised and defeated, the two brothers agreed to cooperate fully, even swearing an oath not to betray the plan. Thus, the group found themselves gathered around a fire, sharing food like old comrades.
Breaking the uneasy silence, Futsu Mitama finally spoke. "You two aren't weak. Why end up like this?"
The Red Kairagi took a bite of grilled violetgrass, muttering bitterly, "What good are skills in this country? In Inazuma, no matter how strong you are, you still serve the Tenryou Commission."
He sighed, eyes distant. "After the Shogun issued the Sakoku Decree, life became unbearable. The once great sword schools had to choose sides—either the Kanjou or the Tenryou Commission. Refuse, and you'd be harassed endlessly. My brother and I couldn't stand it anymore, so we left Inazuma City and became what we are."
The nearby ronin echoed his complaint, venting their frustration. Forced allegiances, extortion, hunger—it all led them down this path.
"I see," Futsu Mitama said softly, nodding. He lifted a skewer of grilled fish, inhaling the savory aroma. "Everyone's just trying to survive."
'What do you mean everyone? You're a noble with maids and bodyguards!' the brothers thought in unison, silently rolling their eyes.
Suddenly, Futsu Mitama paused mid-bite. He sensed something. In one fluid motion, he calmly set down the fish, grabbed a rope, and began tying himself up.
The Nobushi stared, dumbfounded. You're way too good at that. Do you do this often…?
Futsu Mitama shot them a sharp look, wordlessly telling them to act normal.
"Ah—" The Kairagi brothers quickly caught on, forcing coughs and sitting down as if nothing had happened.
Moments later, several masked figures in black robes emerged from the forest. Their builds varied, but their faces were hidden behind identical masks.
"Why are there so many of you?" the Purple Kairagi asked, frowning. Spotting a bulky man among them, he pointed toward Futsu Mitama, who sat neatly tied. "I've got the man. Where's my payment?"
"Relax," the large man replied in a muffled voice. "Twenty million mora is no small sum. I couldn't carry it all myself, so I brought help."
The Nobushi, though uneasy, felt slightly reassured. Guilt even flickered in their hearts—they'd already sold these people out, yet their supposed employers had still brought the reward.
"Here. Check the goods."
The Fat Man tossed over a bulging bag. The Purple Kairagi caught it reflexively—then froze. The weight was wrong. Not coins…
His eyes widened. "Throw it—!"
"BOOM!!!"
The explosion ripped through the clearing. The Purple Kairagi was sent flying, armor shattered, coughing blood.
"Second Brother!!" the Red Kairagi roared, drawing his tachi—
—but a burly figure lunged forward. With a surge of Anemo energy, he dragged the Red Kairagi toward him and smashed a glowing fist into his face. Unlike Aira's controlled strikes, these attackers aimed to kill. Both Kairagi brothers fell before they could even activate their elemental powers.
"Traitors!" one of the Nobushi cried. But before they could retaliate—
"BANG—!!" "Zzzzzt—!!"
A massive Electro hammer slammed down, releasing purple lightning that crackled across the ground. At the same time, another black-robed figure raised a water gun-like weapon, spraying a high-pressure torrent. The elements merged, forming a violent storm of water and lightning that struck the Nobushi like a thunderclap.
The fight was over in less than twenty seconds.
As the dust settled, the black-robed figures removed their cloaks, revealing the insignia of the Fatui Skirmishers.
"Clean up. The Tenryou Commission's moving—leave no trace," ordered the Fat Man, who turned out to be the Cryo Skirmisher in charge.
"Capture that noble," said another, brandishing a Geo staff. "The Harbinger personally requested him."
But when they turned, they froze. Futsu Mitama, who should have been unconscious from the earlier shockwave, was standing calmly—untied, unharmed.
"When did he—?"
The Anemo Boxer and Electro Vanguard exchanged stunned looks. They hadn't even seen him move.
"Mr. Futsu Mitama," the Cryo Skirmisher said carefully. "You know what's best. Come with us quietly."
Futsu Mitama raised his hands. "Fine, but before that, one question." His voice was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "Answer me, and I'll go with you. Refuse, and I'll call out Guuji Yae's name."
The Fatui stiffened. The Grand Narukami Shrine was close—and Yae Miko was not someone they wanted to provoke.
"Ask," said the Cryo Skirmisher after a pause. "If it's not classified, I'll answer."
"Was it the Hiiragi Clan who leaked my movements?"
The question struck true. The Cryo Skirmisher hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. Someone from the Hiiragi Clan passed us your information. You were being watched the moment you left Ritou."
"Originally, we were to deliver you to them," he continued. "But our Harbinger believes your talents shouldn't be wasted in this rotten nation. She sent us to bring you to Snezhnaya instead."
"I see…" Futsu Mitama murmured, smiling faintly. "Thank you."
He began walking toward them, unresisting. The Skirmishers relaxed—until he vanished.
"Swoosh—!!"
He reappeared in front of the Cryo Skirmisher, fist already drawn back.
"That's for freezing me every time it rains!"
"BANG!!!"
The punch launched the Cryo Skirmisher like a cannonball. Before anyone could react, Futsu Mitama snatched the Red Kairagi's tachi from the ground and drew it in one smooth motion. Two talismans flared as he pressed them to the blade—one Pyro, one Electro.
"BOOM!!! ZZZZZZ—!!!"
Flame and lightning intertwined along the tachi's edge, humming violently but perfectly controlled.
"You're no ordinary brewer!!" shouted the Geo Vanguard, slamming his staff into the ground to raise a golden barrier.
"Wrong intel! He's as strong as a Vision bearer!!"
"You realize that too late," Futsu Mitama said coolly.
He leapt high, tachi blazing red and violet, and brought it down in a single, explosive strike.
"Fall down—!!!"
"BOOOOM!!!"
The Pyro-Electro blast detonated on impact. The Geo barrier shattered like glass, and the Skirmishers were blown apart, their weapons scattering across the scorched earth.
When the smoke cleared, the clearing fell silent once more—only Futsu Mitama remained standing, his tachi humming softly in his hands.