"As expected…"
Qiu Nian looked at the Vision in his hand and murmured inwardly.
"It seems I cannot light it either."
He lifted his head and returned the Vision to Kazuha.
"…Mm."
"So it's still the same."
"In that case, this Vision will continue to stay with me."
Kazuha looked at the dim gem in his hand and spoke calmly.
"Why are you so persistent about this?"
"Do you really have to make it light up?"
Lumine asked, confused.
"Yeah, does this Vision have some special origin?"
Paimon tilted her head curiously.
[Wait! I've got an idea—why not let Paimon try lighting it?]
[You absolute genius (facepalm)]
"…I suppose I have to mention an old friend."
Kazuha fell into silence.
Memories surfaced.
—
A PV began to play.
A melancholic Inazuma-style melody filled the air.
Kazuha sat on a rock.
Beside him stood a man in long robes.
In the distance—Tenshukaku.
"He was once my closest friend."
"One day, he asked me…"
"Have I ever heard of the Musou no Hitotachi…"
"I told him, of course."
"That strike… can only be witnessed when divine punishment descends."
As his voice faded—
The scene shifted across mountains.
A long-haired woman in elegant attire appeared—
Floating in the air, both hands gripping a blade.
Her features indistinct, yet overwhelmingly imposing.
"That strike…"
"Is the pinnacle of the Raiden Shogun's martial skill."
"The symbol of ultimate power."
"But he said…"
"That it was not unreachable."
"That there would always be those who dare to face the lightning."
—
The Vision Hunt Decree began.
The people's ambitions…
Were reduced to bricks in the construction of eternity.
A massive statue appeared—
Wing-like structures lined with countless glowing eyes.
Below it, the woman stood—
Wooden sandals, bare legs, long hair swaying in the wind.
"When I was forced into exile…"
"I heard he had challenged the executors of the decree…"
"To a duel before the throne."
"A duel before the throne…"
"Solemn… and cruel."
"The loser faces divine punishment."
"The winner earns a chance."
—
Kazuha's friend stood before Tenshukaku, blade in hand.
At the steps—
The woman stood above.
Beside her was Kujou Sara.
"Perhaps he believed…"
"He was the one meant to stand there."
"To face that strike…"
"Was his lifelong wish."
"But when I arrived…"
"The duel was already over."
"All I heard… was the sound of his broken blade hitting the ground."
"That must have been the light he wished to witness…"
"In his final moment…"
"What expression did he wear?"
"I never had the chance to know."
"I only rushed forward…"
"Took the fading Vision…"
"And fled."
"I only knew…"
"That his burning ambition must not be buried in that cold statue."
—
The Vision dimmed in Kazuha's hand—
As he escaped.
The PV ended.
—
"…That was painful."
"But the long-haired woman in the PV—that's the Electro Archon, right?"
"She looks so beautiful!"
Xuehua's focus was… slightly off.
[Agreed, I'm already in love just from that PV (facepalm)]
[That kimono, those legs, that hair—perfect]
[So Kazuha's friend challenged the decree and died?]
[He challenged the executor, lost, then got executed by the Archon]
[That duel = instant death if you lose]
[I kinda feel bad for Kazuha now]
"Maybe everything I'm doing now… will turn out to be meaningless."
"But for a wandering samurai…"
"Beyond the journey and the scenery…"
"There is still one's path."
Kazuha looked out at the moonlit Guyun Stone Forest, his tone heavy.
"Kazuha…"
Paimon didn't know what to say.
"Heh… I'm simply following my heart."
"Come. It's time to head back."
Kazuha smiled faintly.
"Musou no Hitotachi…"
Qiu Nian murmured, hand on his chin.
"What's wrong?"
"You seem interested."
Paimon asked.
For a moment, even Lumine looked at him curiously.
Between an ancient god like Qiu Nian…
And one of the Seven—
The Electro Archon—
Who would be stronger?
"…Musou no Hitotachi…"
"…'No'…"
Kazuha unconsciously linked the Shogun's "no-thought" strike—
With Qiu Nian's "nothingness."
"It's nothing."
"Let's go back."
Qiu Nian shook his head slightly.
[Is Guixu interested in that strike?]
[He almost fought Venti… what if he meets Raiden?]
[Only Zhongli knows him among the Seven]
[He left 3000 years ago—everyone else is a new generation]
[A foreign god entering Inazuma… that sounds dangerous]
[And he's still "injured" 😂]
[Bro might wander himself into death]
["An injured ancient god goes sightseeing"]
[Zhongli might just show up if things go wrong]
[Next thing you know—Inazuma belongs to Liyue (joke)]
"…Let's go."
"Walk a little longer."
Lumine said gently.
"…You don't need to worry about me."
"But… thank you."
Kazuha placed a hand over his chest and nodded.
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