Chapter 30: Kaedehara Kazuha

In Inazuma, the Vision Hunt Decree was the embodiment of the Raiden Shogun's pursuit of eternity.

Kujou Sara was the main enforcer of this decree.

To her, there was nothing wrong with the Raiden Shogun's act of confiscating Visions.

If someone as loyal as her obtained a Vision, it could be considered a good thing.

But if someone with ill intentions gained the power of a Vision, it could shake the very foundations of Inazuma.

From this perspective, the Vision Hunt Decree was necessary.

However, this didn't mean she would implement the decree by any means necessary.

Take this time with Arataki Itto, for example.

Unless he stubbornly resisted, she would approach with the utmost patience and sincerity, trying to make him understand the Shogun's long-term plans through persuasion.

Unfortunately, those who truly feared the Shogunate's power would surrender their Visions before she even approached them.

And the stubborn ones usually wouldn't listen to her persuasion, regardless of her efforts.

The will of the gods was vast; mortals couldn't easily comprehend it, leading to hatred and even rebellion against the enforcers.

In such unavoidable confrontations, Kujou Sara could only face the enemy with a sigh and a touch of reluctance.

She felt guilty for harming civilians but never questioned the Shogun's will.

As long as it was the Shogun's order, it was always correct!

However, even someone accustomed to confiscating Visions, like her, was encountering a true resistance for the first time.

This resistance wasn't just an ordinary civilian refusing to surrender their Vision.

This was someone who dared to stand up and challenge the Vision Hunt Decree.

Someone willing to risk their life to convey this message to the Shogun.

"I already know."

A duel before the Shogun hadn't happened in a long time.

So this news had already spread throughout Inazuma City.

There was no way she wouldn't know.

"So what are you going to do? Accept it?"

"Of course, I'll accept it."

For a duel before the Shogun, her agreement was irrelevant.

What mattered was the Shogun's will.

If the Shogun agreed to the duel, she had no reason to refuse.

She had already seen the young man who challenged her.

That shy young man had been surrounded by people in Hanamizaka.

Was it out of pity? Or respect?

Regardless, the merchants in Hanamizaka were even willing to waive all his expenses, letting him enjoy a feast tonight.

But the young man stubbornly placed the appropriate amount of Mora under the bowl.

For someone about to die, leaving behind these things was pointless.

It was better to leave them for those in need.

"I look forward to your performance tomorrow."

"..."

After watching Bai Luo leave, Kujou Sara fell into deep thought.

The actions of the Fatui were indeed unpredictable.

Forget it, as long as he didn't cause trouble in Inazuma, it was best to follow the clan master's orders and avoid provoking him.

"My lord, the young man has been exploring Hanamizaka and hasn't shown any suspicious behavior."

"Yes, keep watching him until the duel officially begins."

"Understood!"

The Fatui subordinate left, and Bai Luo walked to the window.

The founders of Inazuma City had great foresight, with the locations of Tenshukaku and the Tenryou Commission being particularly well-chosen.

Not to mention Tenshukaku.

The Tenryou Commission's location allowed for a perfect view of the entire Inazuma City.

Unlike Ritou, even though this city was also affected by the Vision Hunt Decree, it didn't seem as desolate.

The bustling city streets and the lively Hanamizaka.

With good eyesight, one could see every corner of Inazuma City from here.

The layers of night sakura and blue tiles couldn't mask the bustling human voices.

But these weren't what Bai Luo was concerned about.

What he was most interested in was the opportunity to activate his Battousai profession through the young man.

His useless system had only placed a bright target above the young man's head, without any other hints.

Did he need to kill him? Or save him during the duel tomorrow?

Bai Luo didn't know and didn't dare act rashly.

After initiating a duel before the Shogun, the young man was already under the Shogunate's surveillance.

If Bai Luo had the Fatui do something, it would definitely be noticed.

Explaining it would be troublesome.

It seemed he could only wait quietly for the duel to start.

But before that... some preparations were necessary.

Traveling abroad, one must have some skills to rely on.

Whether it was impressive swordsmanship or eloquence.

Kaedehara Kazuha had a unique ability that others lacked—listening to the wind and observing the clouds.

To him, nature was never silent; it always communicated its moods in a unique language.

When the wind suddenly stopped and everything fell silent, it was the calm before the sky wept.

When a spring suddenly surged, it was a sign of the earth's anger.

When dark clouds pressed down, it was a warning of a storm.

It was the rainy season, and the mountain paths had become somewhat muddy.

After searching for a long time, Kaedehara Kazuha found a resting spot at the foot of a cliff.

Shaking off the leaves on his hat and brushing away the dust on the ground, he sat down and took out some rice balls from his pack.

Though cold rice balls didn't taste great, they were filling, so he didn't mind.

Looking at the overcast sky, Kaedehara Kazuha thought of his friend.

They had met by chance but had become close, showing the depth of their bond.

Though they had parted temporarily due to some trivial matters, they might meet again unexpectedly.

If his friend were by his side now, he would surely stop him from eating cold rice balls, saying it was bad for his health.

"Hahahaha! Of course! I must retrieve my Vision personally!"

Just as he was about to eat, he heard a loud, somewhat annoying laugh carried by the wind.

He didn't speak but moved further down the cliff, being cautious.

In this wilderness, it was wise to be careful of strangers.

Previously, after giving some fruit to a passing woodcutter, he had been chased by Shogunate soldiers for a long time when they discovered his Vision.

Most importantly... sometimes, one couldn't even be sure if the people they met were human.

However, the next words he heard made him pause.

"Boss, have you heard? Someone challenged that Kujou Tengu to a duel before the Shogun."

"Hmm? Someone actually... cough, cough, of course, I heard! But to challenge that Kujou Tengu, one must be very brave. If he survives, we should invite him to join the Arataki Gang."

The cold rice ball rolled down the cliff, and Kazuha's hand, which had been holding his sword, began to tremble.

It's him!

Even though these self-proclaimed Arataki Gang members hadn't mentioned the name of the challenger, he was certain it was his friend.

He hadn't forgotten their conversation before parting.

"If one day, Inazuma's land is corrupted by calamity, and the people are no longer watched over by the gods, what would you choose to do?"

His answer had been simple.

"I would probably choose to live a life of anonymity."

This exchange had become the reason for their temporary separation.

His friend had told him he was going to do something big.

Something that would shake all of Inazuma.

Now it seemed...

He had really chosen to face the Musou no Hitotachi!

With a gust of wind, Kazuha's figure vanished from beneath the cliff.

Only some grains of rice from the rice ball and a delighted cheer from someone finding the rice ball remained in the wind.