"Yo."
Thoma greeted him with visible awkwardness. In the past, he would've worn his usual bright smile—after all, most Pyro users radiated sunshine and carried dreams for the future.
You agree, don't you, Grandpa Lu?
Ahem. But today, Thoma couldn't quite muster that cheer, because—on his lady's orders—he had brought someone straight to Futsu Mitama's doorstep.
"Yo, long time no see." Futsu Mitama greeted back casually, his gaze shifting toward the young man behind Thoma.
"And this is…?" Of course, he recognized the one standing behind Thoma.
Kaedehara Kazuha—the very same who would later block the Raiden Shogun's strike alongside the Traveler. He had just escaped from Tenshukaku, the site of the Duel before the Throne. Without question, news of his act would spread across Inazuma by dawn. Because daring to seize the Vision of a fallen samurai right before the Shogun herself was a transgression of monumental proportions.
"Him, huh." Thoma's tone carried a trace of unease. "This isn't the place to talk. Can we go inside first?"
As he spoke, his eyes flicked around warily—worried that a patrol might spot Kazuha and arrest them all on the spot.
"Alright." Futsu Mitama nodded and stepped aside, allowing the two to enter.
"Thank you." Kazuha inclined his head slightly, gratitude evident in his calm voice.
"You've saved us quite the trouble." Thoma exhaled, visibly relieved. Though the hour was late, this visit was out of necessity. They needed a sanctuary.
Futsu Mitama led them inside. Aila had already brewed tea and set out light refreshments.
"Oh, this is too kind," Thoma said, half-laughing as he eagerly helped himself. Between sips of tea and bites of snacks, he began explaining everything.
He had rushed from Ritou that same day, intending only to gather information about the Duel before the Throne.
But the "show" turned personal.
The Kaedehara and Kamisato clans shared old ties, and once Kazuha took the Vision, Thoma had immediately reported to Ayaka. Unable to locate the clan head, she had instructed Thoma to bring Kazuha here—to Futsu Mitama's residence.
After all, since the Fatui incident, the Kujou Clan had been watching the Kamisato household closely. With the Resistance on the brink of annihilation, Inazuma City crawled with Kujou soldiers. Even a Vision wielder like Kazuha couldn't simply walk free.
After quietly listening, Futsu Mitama only nodded. "No problem. There are plenty of rooms here. Stay as long as you like."
"Phew…"
Thoma exhaled in relief. Shelter for Kazuha was no small favor—harboring someone who had defied the Shogun was practically a death sentence for any household.
"Thank you," Kazuha said, his tone heavy with exhaustion and quiet sorrow. He had traveled endlessly since the duel—his heart burdened by the death of his friend.
If not for Thoma's insistence, he would have chosen solitude among the mountains, to grieve as the wind carried his pain away.
"No need to thank me." Futsu Mitama smiled gently. Truthfully, he would have helped regardless of Thoma's request.
Anyone capable of blocking a divine strike from the Raiden Shogun deserved respect—and caution. At this point, Kazuha's strength was nothing short of extraordinary. Having him nearby was protection in itself.
Unless the Fatui's Harbingers intervened personally, Futsu Mitama's home would remain safe.
"Then I'll take my leave," Thoma said, standing. "As the Kamisato housekeeper, I've still got much to handle."
Pausing, he winked and added playfully, "Oh, and Lady Ayaka said—if you've got time, stop by Komore Teahouse for a meal."
"Got it, got it." Futsu Mitama waved him off.
Thoma only chuckled at his halfhearted reply before heading out into the night.
Now, only Futsu Mitama and Kazuha remained. Kazuha slowly opened his palm, gazing at the dim, lifeless Vision resting there. His sigh was soft, almost swallowed by the night. He had lost a companion who shared his ideals, his battles, his journey. Even his calm spirit couldn't bear that weight so easily.
Silently, Futsu Mitama stood and left the room, giving Kazuha space to mourn.
Outside, he opened the Chat Group—it was alive with chatter.
[Kuki Shinobu: "I never thought I'd see the Shogun unsheathe her blade. So strong. That samurai died instantly—and someone actually dared to seize a Vision right before her eyes."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "That must be the strike that slew Orobashi. Terrifying. No matter how flawless the strategy, none could withstand that power."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "It's tragic. Those two did nothing wrong—only stood against the Vision Hunt Decree—and still met such an end."]
[Raiden Makoto: "She… doesn't seem to be the real Raiden Shogun, does she?"]
[Raiden Makoto: "Though identical in form, her aura betrays her."]
On Watatsumi Island, Sangonomiya Kokomi studied the messages. She had just finished interrogating a man from Mondstadt named Nathan—a supposed freedom fighter in the Resistance.
His story had been inspiring—until she uncovered the truth. He was a Fatui spy. She sighed. Troubles never ceased. The Resistance had barely formed, and already it was riddled with internal rot.
Meanwhile, the Kujou Army's march loomed closer, and Shinobu's footage of the Shogun's strike still haunted her mind. If that was their enemy… what hope did they have?
Then Raiden Makoto's next words appeared, freezing everyone.
[Raiden Makoto: "The one who governs now is no longer the Raiden Ei I knew. She would never strike without reason. The one you saw—was a puppet."]
Kokomi's eyes widened. Somehow, Makoto's tone reminded her of a mother chastising a wayward daughter.
She shook her head quickly. Impossible.
Moments later, Makoto spoke again:
[Raiden Makoto: "@Sangonomiya Kokomi, what is the Resistance's current scale?"]
Here it comes, thought Futsu Mitama.
He had expected Makoto to step in eventually—but not like this. Instead of confronting Ei directly, she was choosing to move through the Resistance.
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "With respect, I prefer not to disclose that."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Oh? Why not?"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Our Resistance isn't much of an army. Mostly farmers, a few trained units, one capable commander."]
[Raiden Makoto: "I see. An idealistic rabble, then."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "The Tenryou Commission commands the Shogunate Army. A direct clash means annihilation."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Perhaps. But ideals draw people. Faith in justice will gather strength."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Indeed. Which is why I've decided to join the Resistance."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "?"]
[Kuki Shinobu: "?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "?"]
[Aila: "?"]
[Raiden Makoto: "Inazuma is no longer the nation I remember. Its ruler has lost her way. So let us—the Resistance—wake her from her slumber!"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Wait, not 'wake' her! She's only been misled! We need to reach her with words—"]
[Raiden Makoto: "Yes, through action and resolve. That is how citizens must guide their god."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "...For some reason, it feels strange hearing a familiar talk about 'teaching a god a lesson.'"]
[Futsu Mitama: "Heh. Just wait—you'll understand soon enough."]
Outside the chat, Futsu Mitama's lips curved into a wry smile. In the Plane of Euthymia, Raiden Ei could never imagine that her sister and Yae Miko now shared a common goal—
to wake her from her "eternal dream," and make her see the chaos Inazuma had become.