The young man approaching possessed a handsome countenance and an extraordinary presence—this was none other than Kamisato Ayato.
Beside him stood a maiden of elegant demeanor, noble and refined—Kamisato Ayaka.
She stood by her elder brother Kamisato Ayato, partially concealing her face with a folding fan as she offered a slight bow, maintaining a veneer of respect.
Kamisato Ayato dispensed with formalities altogether, his expression cold and severe as he fixed his gaze upon Hiiragi Shinsuke and Kujou Takayuki.
The warning just uttered had been directed at Hiiragi Shinsuke by him.
Moreover, the soldiers of the Yashiro Commission under Kamisato Ayato had gathered behind him, forming a clear divide from the troops of the Tenryou Commission and Kanjou Commission.
A subtle tension brewed between the two sides, their auras distinctly hostile.
Not only were the leaders of the Tri-Commission aware of this, but even the distant citizens of Inazuma could see that these two factions were clearly at odds.
The Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions held numerical superiority, while the Yashiro Commission appeared relatively outnumbered, giving a sense of being overstretched.
Yet, Kamisato Ayato, head of the Yashiro Commission, held his ground with unwavering authority.
He strode directly before Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke, his tone still laden with stern warning: “Head of the Kujou Clan, Head of the Hiiragi Clan.
The matter between Shogun-sama and Saku-sama is both their family affair and a matter of state for Inazuma.
As leaders of the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions, you both hold positions of great authority.
Countless eyes within the Shogunate are fixed upon you.
I urge you to choose your words with care.
The term ‘traitorous brother’ used by Head Hiiragi moments ago was highly inappropriate.
As long as Shogun-sama has not passed judgment on this matter, as long as Shogun-sama remains silent, Saku-sama shall forever remain Saku-sama—Shogun-sama’s honored sworn brother, esteemed above all but one, revered by thousands!
We of the Tri-Commission have no right to pass judgment on either of them, much less arbitrarily label Saku-sama a traitorous brother.
Am I correct?” True to his reputation, Kamisato Ayato spoke with reasoned authority and unwavering dignity, leaving no room for criticism.
Hiiragi Shinsuke’s face darkened considerably under this rebuke, but he could offer no rebuttal, merely snorting in displeasure.
In contrast, Kujou Takayuki managed to maintain his composure.
Forcing a smile, he concurred with Kamisato Ayato: “The Kamisato head speaks wisely.
Head Hiiragi merely misspoke in the heat of the moment.
Let us not dwell on it!” Given the uncertain circumstances, Kamisato Ayato refrained from pressing his advantage: “How could I presume to dwell on it?
I merely offered Head Hiiragi a reminder.” With that, Kamisato Ayato fell silent, lifting his gaze quietly toward the distant Tenshukaku.
Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke also ceased speaking, maintaining calm exteriors while their inner anxiety simmered as they continued to wait.
All present waited, anticipating the final outcome.
Beside Kamisato Ayato, Kamisato Ayaka’s fair cheeks flushed slightly, her brows faintly knitted with worry.
Heavens knew how panicked she had been upon hearing that Saku-sama and Shogun-sama had clashed!
In Ayaka’s childhood, before Raiden Saku left Inazuma to wander the world, she had met him on several occasions.
Through those interactions, the young Ayaka had perceived Shogun-sama’s younger brother Saku-sama as a warm, reliable, and shrewd elder brother figure.
He reminded her somewhat of her own brother, yet was distinctly different.
Regardless, the impression Raiden Saku left on Ayaka in those days had been profoundly favorable.
Ayaka was also grateful that besides Shogun-sama, Inazuma had such an extraordinary deity.
But now, a sudden change occurred!
For some unknown reason, Saku-sama, who had been traveling abroad, suddenly returned to Inazuma!
He actually stormed into Tenshukaku and raised a blade of rebellion against Shogun-sama!!!
On her way here, Ayaka had heard many rumors of this nature.
The streets and alleys were buzzing with vivid accounts, claiming that Saku-sama had rebelled against Shogun-sama!
That he intended to seize the position of Raiden Shogun!
Since these were merely rumors, Ayaka did not know the truth of the matter and refrained from commenting.
However, this did not mean she wasn’t worried about Saku-sama.
Ayaka was concerned: having been traveling abroad all this time, could Saku-sama have been deceived by something?
Was that why he suddenly returned to Inazuma and clashed with Shogun-sama?
Or perhaps… A hope arose in the young woman’s heart.
Perhaps Saku-sama was dissatisfied with the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree, unable to bear witnessing Inazuma’s suffering and despair, and decided to return to advise Shogun-sama.
Could it be that when his counsel failed, conflict erupted between them?
Which of these possibilities was true?
Kamisato Ayaka felt uneasy, her heart filled with worry and contemplation.
Meanwhile, outside Tenshukaku… Inside the Plane of Euthymia, the battle between Raiden Saku and Raiden Ei continued for some time.
It could be said that neither gained the upper hand; they were evenly matched.
Fortunately, the Plane of Euthymia was vast—otherwise, this realm of consciousness would have been shattered multiple times by their clash!
After over ten thousand exchanges, Raiden Saku realized that to decisively determine the victor, they would need to fight for at least ten days to half a month!
Amid the battle, he began to ponder: Although confident of ultimate victory, there was no real need to waste time.
Fortunately, the Plane of Euthymia was completely isolated from the outside world.
Even if he revealed his true power, the Heavenly Principles would not detect it.
Moreover, the Heavenly Principles were likely already dormant by now!
With this in mind, Raiden Saku made a decision: he would unleash his most fundamental and terrifying power!
Swinging a massive golden Electro blade, he forced Ei back with one strike, then swiftly retreated to create distance between them.
From this movement, Raiden Ei sensed his intent to pause.
She ceased her attacks, holding Musou Isshin as she watched Raiden Saku from across the way.
They stood within a colossal crater comparable to The Chasm, their feet resting steadily on a lake of scorching magma.
In such a battlefield, the two paused, locking eyes in a tense, stifling atmosphere.
Raiden Saku let out a self-deprecating laugh and sighed: “As expected of Ei.
It seems I cannot defeat you with conventional means.” Ei, worthy of her reputation as a peerless warrior, remained calm as ever.
She gazed steadily at Raiden Saku and asked: “Oh?
So you have unconventional methods?” “Indeed.
Rather than unconventional methods, it would be more accurate to call it my essence.” “Your essence?” “Yes, my essence.” Raiden Saku looked up at the sky, sighing faintly: “Ei, when you and Makoto first encountered me, you saw me wielding golden lightning and assumed I was like you—a God who controlled the authority of Electro.
But that wasn’t the case.
The golden Electro was merely a power bestowed upon me by this world after my arrival!
My essence, my true nature, is…” As he spoke, Raiden Saku gazed intently at Raiden Ei, his eyes beginning to radiate a brilliant golden light!
Simultaneously, a glorious sun materialized behind Raiden Saku!
Boundless light and heat emanated from his body, revealing an utterly terrifying power and aura!
When this magnificent sun appeared, the originally dim and violet-hued sky of the Plane of Euthymia was illuminated to dazzling brightness by its radiance!
Witnessing these sudden changes and the transformation of the Plane of Euthymia, Raiden Ei’s eyes widened in astonishment!
Her heart, which had remained as still as stagnant water for centuries, was now violently stirred by towering waves of shock!
“This power…
it’s the sun!” As the sun behind Raiden Saku blazed fiercely, his body began to levitate, rising slowly into the air!
While unleashing his innate, incomparable power, Raiden Saku spread his arms wide and declared with unrestrained passion: “Exactly!
Ei, none of you anticipated this, none of you could have imagined—my essence, my authority, my law, is one of the most formidable forces in the universe: a star!
In other words, the sun!” Hovering mid-air, Raiden Saku looked down upon Raiden Ei, his laughter wild and triumphant.
The terrifying pressure erupting from him churned the heavy magma below into massive waves!
Feeling the overwhelming light and heat so close, sensing the invincible energy above her, Raiden Ei’s heart sank.
Years of martial refinement and her peak warrior’s intuition told her that this power was far too immense—she feared she might not be a match for it!