"Boom—!!!"
A deafening thunderclap split the skies. Across Inazuma, people froze mid-step, tilting their heads upward. The heavens were cloudless—no hint of storm or rain—yet thunder had struck with divine ferocity. Confusion rippled through the streets, soon giving way to whispers.
"That was Narukami's lightning!"
"Could it be a sign from the Shogun?!"
"Such power Raiden Shogun must be warning us!"
"Maybe it's about the Resistance! The Tenryou Commission must've failed her again."
"The Resistance? When did they get this bold?"
"I heard a merchant on the outskirts was robbed by them. Near the city walls, no less!"
"Unbelievable… they dare so close to Inazuma City? The world's gone mad."
The sudden clap of thunder stirred countless rumors, spreading like wildfire.
Meanwhile, within the serene stillness of Tenshukaku, the Raiden Shogun opened her eyes for a brief moment. Her gaze drifted toward the horizon—indifferent, unreadable—before she silently closed them again, as though nothing had occurred.
But in Futsu Mitama's residence, both Kuki Shinobu and Aila knew better. This wasn't the will of the Shogun. This thunder came from him.
At that moment, Futsu Mitama was seated in meditation, his body wreathed in dense Electro energy. Purple arcs flared and coiled around him, dancing with divine intensity. Shinobu, watching this spectacle, couldn't help but feel both awe and disbelief.
Even as one who bore a Vision, she could tell—this level of elemental control was far beyond what any mortal should achieve.
"Whoosh—!"
Futsu Mitama's eyes snapped open, twin streaks of violet lightning flashing across them. He exhaled slowly; the gathered Electro flared outward, then dissolved into the air like mist at dawn.
"You scared me to death," he muttered, patting his chest. "For a second, I thought it was her."
Both Shinobu and Aila stared at him blankly.
"What?" Shinobu asked, brow furrowing.
"Nothing," Futsu Mitama sighed, shaking his head. "Just don't freak out after you download what Raiden Makoto uploaded."
He was only half-joking. When he'd acquired the technique Transcendence: Baleful Omen, his consciousness had been yanked into a strange space. And there she stood—Raiden Shogun, or perhaps her echo—naginata in hand, eyes cold as eternity.
Had she uttered the words "You are a variable to eternity," that might have been the end of him.
Thankfully, it was only a shadow of the past, a remnant left behind to instruct in the art of Transcendence: Baleful Omen. He had listened carefully, absorbing every word, and followed the teachings to the letter—though each attempt had failed. The technique refused to manifest completely; he could only form a rough prototype.
Unconsciously, the surrounding Electro had responded to his frustration, gathering tighter and tighter until even the heavens roared. When the shadow finished her lesson, he was forcibly ejected from that space—heart still racing.
At least it wasn't the real Raiden Ei or Makoto, he thought in relief. If it had been, he might've needed to sacrifice Makoto herself just to survive.
"But…"
He raised his palm. A faint smile curved his lips. In his hand gleamed a single purple eye, radiating solemn, divine majesty.
"So fast?!" Kuki Shinobu gasped. "That's… a god's technique! You already learned it?!"
Aila, on the other hand, remained calm—unimpressed even. She'd seen this too many times before. For her, Futsu Mitama performing miracles had become routine.
"No," he corrected, shaking his head. "It's only a prototype. I'm still far from true mastery—but given enough time—"
He trailed off, unwilling to sound boastful. Still, the gleam in his eyes betrayed his confidence.
Shinobu fell silent.
"Then," Futsu Mitama said at last, clenching his fist around the glowing eye, "it's time for some long-awaited training."
If it came down to grinding, he'd endured far worse. He'd spent his entire lives grinding—why should this be any different?
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
In that time, the Tenryou Commission had purged the Nobushi from the outskirts of the city. Peace—or something like it—returned to the roads. Kujou Sara also returned from Yashiori Island, bringing explosive news:
The Resistance was real— formed on Watatsumi Island, under the leadership of Sangonomiya Kokomi.
Inazuma was shaken. Outrage spread like wildfire. Watatsumi's people, worshippers of the serpent god Orobashi, had turned against the Narukami faith—against the Shogun herself.
Ungrateful traitors, many cried. The god had spared them after Orobashi's fall, and this was how they repaid her?
'Actually, I agree with this. Orobashi seek death even killed Sasayuri, but Ei didn't touch a single believer of Orobashi or drive them out. But, some of their people still clung to revive Orobashi later'
Rage filled the streets. The Tenryou Commission capitalized on it, calling for new recruits. Countless hot-blooded youths enlisted, eager to "defend eternity" and strike down the Resistance.
Still, in Tenshukaku, the Shogun sat unmoved.
Within Futsu Mitama's courtyard, however, tranquility reigned. He and Aila meditated side by side, surrounded by swirling elemental energy. An Electro Eye floated serenely above his head; Aila's Hydro Vision pulsed with a soft, oceanic glow.
They were calm, focused, disciplined.
Then—
"Are you two still meditating?!"
Kuki Shinobu's voice cut through the quiet. She had just returned from her errands—buying supplies, maintaining Kujou Sara's statue of the Almighty Narukami Ogosho, handling Arataki Gang business.
She sighed as she entered. "You've been indoors ten days straight. Aren't you afraid of turning into mushrooms?"
Futsu Mitama chuckled, opening his eyes. "No. Once, I spent two whole years cooped up at home."
Shinobu blinked. That didn't sound like him at all. Busy as he always was, when could he possibly have stayed home for two years? Of course, she couldn't have known he was referring to his previous life.
"Anyway," he said, "any news in the city?"
Shinobu hesitated, then sighed. "Nothing major except someone just challenged Kujou Sara to a Gozen Duel."
Futsu Mitama's eyes snapped open. Ah. It's finally starting.
Aila stirred as well, murmuring, "The Gozen Duel?"
A divine challenge where the victor earned their wish—and the loser faced divine punishment.
"Yes," Shinobu confirmed grimly. "A well-known samurai challenged her to abolish the Vision Hunt Decree. The Shogun herself will preside over the duel."
Her voice wavered. "I'm worried, honestly. Sara's strong, but what if she lose?"
Futsu Mitama smiled faintly. "Don't worry. She'll win."
But Shinobu shook her head, unable to share his certainty. "I'll go see for myself. Want to come?"
He stiffened. "No, I… better not. I'm not ready to face the Raiden Shogun yet."
He could still remember those eyes from the shadow realm—and he had no wish to tempt fate.
"Alright," Shinobu said softly. "I'll record it for you, then."
With a flash of motion, she vanished.
Hours later, a new video appeared in the Chat Group.
Kujou Sara stood victorious over her opponent. The Raiden Shogun descended, serene and terrible, and ended the samurai's life with a single, world-shattering strike—Musou no Hitotachi.
But before the fallen man's Vision could fade, another figure leapt forth, seizing it from the air.
Chaos erupted.
"Tragic," Futsu Mitama murmured after watching, eyes solemn. "That strike— I'm nowhere near her level yet."
Even Aila sat in silence. The divine power displayed in that single moment transcended all mortal limits.
Then—
Knock, knock, knock.
A soft rapping at the door. Futsu Mitama frowned. It was late. Kujou Sara wouldn't come so soon, and Shinobu never bothered knocking—she preferred scaling walls.
He rose and slid open the door.
Standing outside was Thoma, looking weary and exasperated. Behind him stood a young man with snow-white hair streaked with crimson—calm on the surface, yet clutching something tightly in his hand.
Futsu Mitama's gaze fell on it.
A Vision—still faintly glowing.