In the end, Kazuha managed to craft an excuse—delivered with impressive righteousness.
It wasn't that he couldn't drink, he claimed. It was simply that, as someone hunted by the Tenryou Commission, he had to remain clear-headed at all times. Otherwise, he might implicate Futsu Mitama and everyone around him.
A thousand words, but the essence was simple: Kazuha absolutely did not want to drink.
Naturally, Futsu Mitama didn't force him. After a simple meal, he resumed his training. Thanks to Kazuha's reminder, he no longer continued his old method. According to the Raiden Shogun's theory, her technique involved condensing Electro power into an eye that replaced the "hand," allowing her to release lightning with a single thought.
Simple in explanation—impossibly difficult in practice.
Futsu Mitama finally understood that copying the innate abilities of others was pointless. He needed to start from the basics, just like Kazuha said:
Begin by listening to the sound of thunder.
So this time, instead of forcibly forming the Eye of Thunder, he let his power flow naturally and entered a quiet meditative state. Seeing this shift, Kazuha nodded. Yet curiosity flickered in his eyes.
Who exactly was Futsu Mitama?
He had never seen someone without a Vision wield elemental power so smoothly. And though their earlier spar was brief, he could sense it clearly— Even if he fought at full strength, victory wouldn't be certain. Such a person should have been famous. Yet throughout his travels, he had never once heard Futsu Mitama's name.
But after a moment, Kazuha brushed the thought aside. The world was vast. Countless hidden talents roamed unseen.
——
Days passed quietly. The uproar from the Gozen Duel gradually faded.
Under Sangonomiya Kokomi's command, the Resistance operated with surprising discipline. They knew exactly what they faced, yet none showed fear. Thanks to Tenryou Commission propaganda, their name had spread far. Driven from their lands, many Nobushi defected to them simply to survive.
Civilians whose Visions had been confiscated—those who refused to join the Kujou or Hiiragi Clans—felt lost and powerless.
Then they heard the Resistance's call:
End the Vision Hunt Decree. Let the Shogun look upon her people once more.
For the first time in a long while, hope breathed in their hearts. Many who had lost their Visions picked up their old weapons and prepared to join. But their numbers were still too few. Kujou Sara's army had already marched for Watatsumi Island.
With her forces gone, Inazuma City's tight security relaxed noticeably.
Futsu Mitama, who had remained in the city for almost half a month, took the chance to depart with Aila.
"Going out again?" At the gate, the same Shogunate soldier scratched his head. "It's only been half a month since you were last caught outside, and you're already eager to leave?"
Another guard added, "Things aren't safe right now. The Nobushi may be gone, but the Resistance has been sighted more and more. Even the International Chamber of Commerce got robbed in Ritou."
"Their methods are slick," the soldier continued. "They steal, flee, and leave no trace. Nothing like those useless Nobushi."
"If Kujou Sara hadn't cleaned up the outskirts before leaving, we'd have had even more attacks."
Clearly, they didn't want Futsu Mitama to leave again. But Futsu Mitama merely gestured behind him.
"It's fine. I hired a samurai this time."
Behind him stood a tall, broad-shouldered warrior clad in heavy armor and an oni mask. He radiated strength.
The soldiers exchanged looks. Where had this young noble found such a formidable bodyguard?
Satisfied, they stopped protesting.
Thus, Futsu Mitama walked out of Inazuma City with confidence. Aila and the masked samurai followed silently. Once the three reached the wilderness, the "samurai" removed the armor and mask.
Kazuha's delicate face emerged, still wearing disbelief.
"I can't believe— I actually escaped that easily."
He had expected a fierce battle, then an escape carried by the wind—just like when he had snatched his friend's Vision from Tenshukaku. He had mentally prepared himself but reality had been nothing like his imagination.
"Otherwise?"
Futsu Mitama replied casually. He tilted his head toward Aila. "You underestimate whose maid she is. Her craftsmanship is on another level."
Aila remained composed. The armor she crafted had internal supports to increase height and bulk—turning someone as slight as Kazuha into a towering warrior. It was only good for deception, not combat, and strictly one-use. But all they needed was to exit the city without question.
Kazuha sighed. "I didn't expect there to be no routine inspection."
"That's normal," Futsu Mitama said. He looked back at the distant city. "In their eyes, you already fled Inazuma long ago. The initial search is intense, but once you vanish for a while, they assume you escaped. Masked figures don't interest them anymore."
A faintly mocking smile touched his lips.
"After all, if every masked person were inspected, the Kujou Clan would lose their minds."
Kazuha nodded. He understood now. Inazuma City was no longer the place he once remembered.
"Let's move. We're heading to Tatarasuna."
This journey would be long. Futsu Mitama planned to meet people in person—and lend help to Sangonomiya Kokomi along the way.
[Futsu Mitama: "Alright, we're out safely."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "Do you need me to rendezvous with you?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "No need. Stick to the plan. Shinobu, head to Ritou first and check on the International Chamber of Commerce."]
[Raiden Makoto: "The restaurant? What happened this time?"]
[Aila: "According to the gate guards, the International Chamber of Commerce's shipments were robbed again by the Resistance."]
[Aila: "So the Hiiragi Clan in Ritou is likely making their moves again."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "I see. I was heading to Ritou anyway, so I'll scout the situation."]
[Futsu Mitama: "Move carefully. You don't have a Vision right now."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "Relax. With my abilities, they won't be able to touch me."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Ah? You're out already? Our forces are now advancing toward Tatarasuna. We plan to set up our frontline there."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "If things go as expected, our first clash with Kujou Sara will take place there. To be honest, I'm a little anxious."]
[Raiden Makoto: "There's no need for worry. Follow the battle plan—lose the first fight on purpose, retreat in the second, and commit your full strength in the third at favorable terrain."]
[Futsu Mitama: "Are you sure that's wis…?"]
[Raiden Makoto: "It's the only way. Some loyal fighters may be hurt or die, but Inazuma's current illness won't heal without bitter medicine."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Anyway, Group Leader—hurry to Kokomi's side. She has only one reliable general, and the soldiers' quality isn't ideal. She'll need help."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Of course~ Your reward will be the Raiden Style, the martial arts of the Shogun herself."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "I have to say— this is the first time I've seen someone exploit their own deity like this."]
[Futsu Mitama: "No problem. Raiden Style or not, as long as it's for Inazuma's future!"]
After a brief exchange in the group, Futsu Mitama immediately set off for Tatarasuna. Naturally, he had his own objectives. Raiden Makoto had entrusted him with aiding Sangonomiya Kokomi, who needed someone capable to stabilize the Resistance. Makoto herself possessed only consciousness; she could advise Kokomi, but she could not act.
Her goals were clear—forge a force strong enough to counterbalance the Tri-Commission, and use the Resistance's existence as a shock to her secluded sister, Raiden Ei. The moment the situation spiraled beyond control, Ei would be forced to intervene.
Thus, Makoto supported Kokomi and even offered the Raiden Style as compensation—a priceless reward. The martial arts of a deity, with the ultimate technique being the legendary Musou no Hitotachi. Even a fragment of that realm would let a mortal dominate a lifetime.
Futsu Mitama brought Kazuha along both as escort and as someone who could spar with him, helping him master Transcendence: Baleful Omen. At the same Time, it fulfilled Kamisato Ayaka's entrustment—giving Kazuha the safest route toward the Resistance.
Though the journey from Inazuma City to Tatarasuna usually took four to five days on foot, the three of them were far from ordinary. Within half a day, they reached the outskirts of Tatarasuna. After a brief meal, Futsu Mitama suggested a spar. This time, Kazuha accepted without hesitation.
"Windwalk!"
The match began. Kazuha drew his sword, not the Freedom Sword, but a simple Inazuman uchigatana. With a fluid motion, he gathered the Anemo Element along the blade and lunged.
Futsu Mitama responded with pure Electro. Previously, he could only manipulate elemental forces through talismans or Aila's tools, but after receiving the technique uploaded by Raiden Makoto, now he controlled Electro as if he truly possessed a Vision. Lightning and wind clashed violently. Elemental shockwaves rippled through the clearing as the two exchanged dozens of blows in mere seconds, neither able to overwhelm the other.
Futsu Mitama was genuinely astonished—this was the one who had once faced the Raiden Shogun's blade head-on. Kazuha's martial discipline was impeccable, and his elemental control was leagues beyond ordinary Vision holders.
Every shift of the wind seemed to favor him. Each breeze felt like a hidden blade. This was a fight no ordinary Inazuman would ever witness.
"Focus. Try that technique," Kazuha reminded him mid-exchange.
"I am focused," Futsu Mitama replied, though he was already channeling everything he had into manifesting the thunderous eye.
Their battle intensified. Kazuha pushed harder; Futsu Mitama steadily fell behind. Electro flickered around him, agitated and unstable. Feeling the shift, Kazuha unleashed his full elemental strength. Wind roared like a typhoon, battering Futsu Mitama like a small boat in a storm.
Then—
"BOOM!!!"
A deafening crack ripped through the air. Purple lightning flashed in Futsu Mitama's eyes. Behind him, an eye of thunder opened—alive, glaring, pulsing with power.
Zzzzzzzt—
Electro danced across his blade as he swung downward with full force. The slash struck empty air—not Kazuha. A brief confusion flickered in Kazuha's gaze. Then his eyes widened—he understood.
He leapt back instantly.
"BOOOOM!!!"
A bolt of lightning materialized from nothing, crashing into the space where Kazuha had stood a heartbeat ago. Had he reacted a second later, the strike would have hit him cleanly.
Kazuha's pupils tightened. What kind of technique was that?