Nazuhi Beach(2)

"General, the formation has collapsed. Unless we take out the fleet that's bombarding us, we're all finished!"

Yoshihiro grew worried. A three-pronged ambush—from the front, the rear, and the sea. But he couldn't understand how the enemy strategist had managed to hide the troops in the rear from him. He had been keeping track of the retreating rebel armies, and there was no way they could have made such a large movement without escaping their scouts' notice.

Furthermore, the Inazuma Navy's 2nd Fleet should have been keeping the Watatsumi Fleet in a deadlock. Where did those rebel ships come from?

Kokomi, the enemy commander-in-chief, had toyed with them, and they fell for her trap, hook, line, and sinker.

"Commander, a new enemy unit has appeared, it's tearing through our ranks at an incredible pace!"

"What? That's impossible! We were holding out fine minutes ago!"

"They are in sight!"

Yoshihiro looked on at the forces approaching in disbelief. He had hoped to try and force the rebel forces into a battle of attrition and take down as many of them with them as possible. The Houen was an advanced defensive formation that should have allowed them to hold on for quite a while. The battle had been a miscalculation on every turn by him; he regretted not listening to Jason's advice. It was, as he said, the enemy strategist was simply too cunning.

"I did not expect the rebels to have such a skilled fighter in their midst. I see … that canine warrior leading the detachment is most likely a vision bearer of the peak level," he drew his katana. "But this is a gamble for the enemy leader as well. If I kill him here, I have no doubt this would be an irreplaceable loss. Kazuki, once I take the enemy leader down with me, the greatest threat on the battlefield will have been removed. Lead my honor guards and break through the encirclement."

"General … you don't mean."

"Loyalty makes all things possible, and duty makes all things simple. Do it, we cannot afford to have the entire Shogunate force perish here. Vision Bearers of that level of ability are too dangerous to be left alone. As long as he is around, our army stands no chance of escape. I will keep that canine warrior locked down, use that opportunity to rally the troops, and find an opening to flee."

Yoshihiro knew all too well the deciding factors in warfare. As much as strategy is prized, in the face of true overwhelming strength, they become nothing. Peak-level vision bearers were extremely powerful individuals who could turn the tide of battle on their own.

Legends spoke of an individual who was absurdly strong to the point he could call forth a meteor to the battlefield, single-handedly wiping out an entire army. That was how ridiculous the strength of peak-level vision bearers were.

He regretted not bringing Sara along. His own stubborn pride and overconfidence had led to the disaster of a result.

"As you command," Kazuki saluted.

The great general then drew his katana and signaled a direction with it. He was going to concentrate his army's strongest personnel at one point and attempt a breakthrough to escape. They had lost over thirty percent of their personnel from just the bombardment of the rebel ships. As things were, they were sitting ducks.

"Show them the Valor of the Shogunate Army! Only in death does our duty to the Almighty Shogun end! Vision bearers, ON ME!"

Yoshihiro let out a roar, and his katana began to emit streaks of fearsome electricity. With that, he charged to the front, intent on cutting a way out.

"It's the enemy general!"

"Get him!"

The rebel soldiers instantly noticed the imposing figure that had dived headfirst into the melee.

"Trash." The old general spoke with scorn as he swung his blade right through two unlucky soldiers who attempted to strike him. The instant the tip of his sword touched their bodies, they were turned charred black.

"Follow the great general!"

"We can do this!"

Yoshihiro's display had inspired hope in his men, and at their front, the general's figure was simply unstoppable. Every rebel that confronted him could last no longer than a few seconds before they became corpses.

Suddenly, a sense of danger gripped Yoshihiro. He swung his blade in reflex, followed by the sound of steel ringing against steel.

"Die, Shogunate dog!"

A canine with pointy ears had struck at him, unleashed another series of strikes that Yoshihiro met blow for blow. The appearance had already given the identity of his opponent. It seemed the rebel army had sent out their best fighter, clearly to take his head.

Yoshihiro recognized the person at once—Gorou. He had given the Shogunate endless headaches.

"Hmph. Foul heretics who cannot appreciate the boundless grace of our Almighty Shogun. Death is too easy a punishment for you," Yoshihiro responded.

"Surrender, and I will guarantee the lives of you and your troops. Our victory is already clear at this point," the enemy general pointed his weapon at him.

"Nonsense!"

The general charged forward and unleashed another strike. This enemy general had brains as well. He was trying to shake the morale of the troops with his words.

Gorou dodged the attack this time with ease and struck the general with a roundabout kick in the stomach, sending Yoshihiro tumbling backward. Blood was trickling from the corner of Yoshihiro's mouth.

"The Raiden Shogun has treated the people of Watatsumi Island far too kindly in the aftermath of the Great Conflict. I know full well that heretics like you still harbor a grudge against her for Orobashi's death despite the passage of time. The Vision Hunt Decree is indeed a convenient excuse for the Divine Priestess to use to rebel, would you not agree?"

"How dare you accuse Her Excellency of that! She is fighting for a noble cause to protect the aspirations and ambitions of the people!"

"It appears your Divine Priestess has brainwashed you quite well, little dog. I've heard that she's quite the beauty. Did she invite you to her chambers in exchange for your loyalty?"

"Grr, I won't stand for your lewd insults towards Her Excellency! Die!"

Rage overtook the rebel general as he charged toward Yoshihiro. In his eyes, Kokomi was the most beautiful and noble girl who ruled over them. The comments agitated and caused him to lose his cool. Gorou would not allow anyone to defile his beloved goddess in words or deeds!

The old general smiled, realizing he had achieved his objective. He appeared to prepare to receive Gorou's strike, only to lower it at the last moment and let the blade pierce deep into his abdomen.

He knew from the exchange he was no match for the rebel general before him.

"I've got … you now."

"!!?" Gorou let out a shout of astonishment as he realized that Yoshihiro was clinging onto his sword with one hand, causing him to be unable to move an inch.

"I am a member of the Noble Kujou Clan. Even a man who has nothing can still offer his faith." He gripped Gorou's waist with the other hand. "In the name of Narukami Ogosho, I will not let you leave this battlefield alive."

A foreboding sensation swept upon Gorou. He immediately summoned a gigantic flag with a paw emblazoned on it behind him, and his body began to be enveloped in a layer of yellow that grew thicker by the second.

Yoshihiro's eyes burned with determination, recalling the day he entered the throne room; when he met their Almighty God for the first time. As he prostrated and lifted his head, Yoshihiro would never forget the divine sight that greeted him.

Seated atop the Violet Throne was a woman so beautiful and peerless that could not be described in words. Even though she spoke not a single word—Her very presence radiated elegance, authority, and perfection. He couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in witnessing the embodiment of his faith seated upon the throne.

To him and the citizens of Inazuma, the Raiden Shogun was not just a ruler; she was a deity in human form, whom they had devoted their lives to.

"Loyalty unto death. Today, I fulfill the Kujou Clan's Creed." The great general spoke, rivers of blood flowing down the sides of his lips as they curled into a smile. "GLORY TO THE ALMIGHTY SHOGUN … AND HER EVERLASTING REIGN!"

A thundering explosion ripped through the battlefield…