Within the Plane of Euthymia, the air was stagnant, the light dim, and even the sky was a murky, gloomy purple without a trace of vibrant brightness.
Beneath their feet stretched a vast circular area etched with mysterious patterns, surrounded by rows of torii gates standing tall and encircling the space.
This was the Plane of Euthymia.
At the very center, suspended in the air with one leg crossed and the other elegantly dangling, sat Raiden Ei herself.
Raiden Saku stood before Ei, his expression unreadable.
Breaking free from her meditative state while maintaining her suspended posture, Ei opened her eyes and looked at Raiden Saku.
As her eyes opened, a flicker of complexity passed unmistakably between them.
Centuries of experiences and encounters had caused Ei to lose her sister, her friends, and gradually, all the cherished and beautiful things in her life.
Now, by Ei’s side remained only her familiar and close friend Yae Miko, and the sworn younger brother standing before her, Raiden Saku.
Yet, Yae Miko had been actively distanced by Ei herself, and the two had not seen each other for a long time.
And now, even this younger brother had finally stood in her way!
Ei’s heart, which had remained as cold and unyielding as a rock for so many years, could not help but ache at this moment.
Enough.
For the sake of eternity, I have nothing left to lose.
Thinking this with sorrow, Raiden Ei finally spoke: “I heard everything you and the Shogun said outside just now.
I know your purpose in coming.
Saku, I never expected that even you would defy me!” Raiden Saku responded indifferently: “Defy…
perhaps so.
Ei, I cannot agree with your so-called path of eternity.
Five hundred years ago, I tried to persuade you, but you stubbornly plunged headlong into this mistaken path, and you’ve persisted until now.
If it were just seclusion, just staying shut away, that would be one thing—over time, I could help you slowly come to understand.
But to drag all of Inazuma, all its subjects along with you…
If you intend to pull everyone onto this wrong path, into this pit of fire, I cannot stand by and do nothing!
Ei, the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree are truly the worst ideas imaginable.
These two policies, combined with the corruption within the Shogunate, are on the verge of destroying Inazuma!
They have already caused the people to become disheartened and plunged them into misery!
If this continues, I dare not imagine what will happen!” Ei showed no concern for what Raiden Saku had said: “I am aware of those matters.
They are merely unavoidable growing pains on the path to pursuing eternity.” “Unavoidable growing pains!?” Raiden Saku’s voice suddenly rose, his face filled with anger: “How lightly you speak!
Because of a single misguided thought of yours, the people of Inazuma must suffer such calamity!?
The so-called eternity can never be achieved by sacrificing the aspirations of the people!
Ignoring the dreams of your subjects, condoning your subordinates’ ruthless methods, while you hide away here unwilling to emerge—this is not the conduct of a wise ruler!
Ei, your path is wrong!” Raiden Saku’s expression grew intense and furious.
Being directly accused, Ei’s gaze also turned sharp.
Their ideologies had clashed directly, and at this moment, the conflict was irreconcilable!
Raiden Ei ceased her suspended sitting, her feet touching the ground as she stood before Raiden Saku.
“You say my path is wrong?
No, it is not.
Wishes are inherently detrimental to eternity.
Chasing after wishes often leads to losing even more.
“Before our final farewell, Kitsune Saiguu once told me: ‘Do not be blinded, do not be swayed, always walk the path you firmly believe in.’ And that is exactly what I am doing now!” Raiden Saku was nearly driven to laughter by sheer exasperation.
He shook his head repeatedly: “Not blinded?
Not swayed?
Always walking the path you firmly believe in?
Fine, Kitsune Saiguu’s words were correct, and I agree with her sentiment.
But Ei, are you truly unblinded?” Raiden Ei responded with absolute certainty, as if stating the obvious: “Of course.
If you’re referring to the underhanded dealings within the Tenryou Commission and Kanjou Commission, I am well aware of them.
Once everything is concluded, once they have outlived their usefulness, I will personally execute the Kujou and Hiiragi Clans to demonstrate divine punishment!
As for the minor disturbances caused by the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree, they can be swiftly quelled in my view.
Although Watatsumi Island’s resistance army shows signs of growing influence, they can be easily eradicated with full force.
As for those who lost their Visions—while pitiable, they at least retained their lives, did they not?
As I stated before, these are merely necessary growing pains on the path to eternity!” Growing pains, always growing pains!
The term now ignited Raiden Saku’s anger.
His patience exhausted, his expression darkened as he shook his head in resignation: “Ei, I cannot comprehend how you hold such views.
I no longer intend to debate this with you.
This endless debate will lead neither of us to convince the other.
Ultimately, truth is proven through action—the victor becomes king, the defeated becomes an outlaw.
This has held true since ancient times!” Raiden Ei fully agreed with his words: “You are correct.
No matter how eloquent your arguments, no matter how persuasive your reasoning, without witnessing your determination and martial prowess, it is all meaningless!
Only strength, only victory, can make the other party truly listen!” Raiden Saku fixed his gaze on Ei, his aura sharp and unstoppable: “This battle was inevitable after all.
Very well—the winner takes all, the loser loses everything.
But we are siblings, so let us not be overly cruel.
Ei, promise me this: if you lose, you will not only relinquish the titles of Electro Archon and Shogun to me, but you must also heed my perspective and abandon your flawed concept of eternity!” Raiden Ei gathered her power, poised for action: “If you can achieve that, then come!
Likewise, if you lose, you shall become my obedient younger brother from this day forward—never defying me, and especially never challenging my eternity!
As the defeated, I will confine you within Tenshukaku, forbidding you from ever leaving!” While uttering these perilous words, Raiden Ei activated her divine power.
The tips of her braided hair and her eyes began to emit a brilliant violet glow.
Simultaneously, she placed a hand over her chest and, amidst dancing arcs of Electro light, slowly drew forth the blade Musou Isshin!
The iconic scene had arrived!
Amidst the dazzling violet Electro radiance, Raiden Ei fully unsheathed the blade.
The moment the sword left its scabbard, thunderous light erupted—the Plane of Euthymia became a storm of lightning and thunder!
Raiden Ei held her blade at the ready and declared war aloud: “Come, Saku!
Prove your resolve to me!” Raiden Saku gazed intently at the Musou Isshin in Raiden Ei’s hand.
How nostalgic—this sword once belonged to Makoto.
It had been so long since he last saw it.
And the fact that Ei had drawn this blade meant she was taking this seriously.
A surge of golden lightning erupted from Raiden Saku’s right palm.
Grasping the golden Electro energy, he slowly drew a sword from the void.
The blade was dark cyan, with a subdued cold gleam.
Its form was ancient and unadorned, its edge restrained yet sharp.
Moreover, this sword differed from Inazuma’s traditional tachi—it was a double-edged blade!
Observing the weapon, Raiden Ei’s expression grew solemn: “The Murakumo no Tsurugi?” “Indeed.
This divine weapon accompanied me to this world—the peerless sword, Murakumo no Tsurugi!” As the words fell, Raiden Saku tightened his grip on the hilt.
The bursting golden Electro energy channeled into the blade, awakening its power!
Originally dull and dark cyan, the Murakumo no Tsurugi now radiated brilliant light under the golden Electro’s stimulation.
Saku and Ei exchanged glances, instant understanding passing between them.
Simultaneously, their figures blurred into motion—moving at speeds imperceptible to the naked eye, they charged toward each other like lightning!
At the moment of their violent convergence, Raiden Saku and Raiden Ei simultaneously swung their blades at each other!
A deafening CLANG!
The two swords collided and crossed, their impact echoing thunderously!
Sparks erupted in a blinding flash!
In that instant of explosive sparks, the entire Plane of Euthymia lost color like a monochrome television!
The two figures swept past each other, swords extended forward.
After rushing dozens of meters apart, they halted.
Both maintained their forward-thrusting stances, frozen motionless.