章 30: Chapter 30: Kaedehara Kazuha
In Inazuma, the Vision Hunt Decree is a manifestation of the Raiden Shogun's pursuit of eternity. Kujou Sara, as the main enforcer of the decree, sees no issue with the Shogun's act of confiscating Visions. If loyal individuals like herself were the ones to wield Visions, it would indeed be a good thing. However, if those with impure intentions gained such power, it would undermine the very foundations of Inazuma.
Thus, the Vision Hunt Decree was necessary.
This did not mean she would enforce the law without discretion. Take the recent case of Arataki Itto. Unless he resisted fiercely, she would approach with utmost patience and sincerity, trying to make him understand the Shogun's far-reaching plans.
Unfortunately, those who feared the shogunate's power would surrender their Visions voluntarily before she even approached. The stubborn ones, despite her efforts to persuade them, rarely yielded positive results.
The divine will is vast and not easily comprehensible to mortals, leading to resentment and even rebellion against the enforcers. In such cases where she had to act, Kujou Sara felt a twinge of regret and sighed as she confronted her enemies. She felt remorse for harming civilians but never questioned the Shogun's will. As long as it was the Shogun's order, it was correct.
She was used to seizing Visions, but this was the first time she encountered a true resistor—not just someone refusing to hand over their Vision, but someone who dared to challenge the Vision Hunt Decree. The young man sought to convey his defiance to the Shogun, even at the cost of his life.
"I already know," Kujou Sara responded.
An event like a duel before the throne hadn't happened in a long time and had quickly spread throughout Inazuma City. It was impossible for her not to know.
"So, what are you going to do? Will you accept?" Bai Luo asked.
"Of course, I'll accept," Kujou Sara replied. In the case of a duel before the throne, her consent was irrelevant. What mattered was the Shogun's will. If the Shogun agreed to the duel, she had no reason to refuse.
She had seen the young man who initiated the challenge. The shy young man had been surrounded by people in Hanamizaka. Out of pity or respect, the merchants there even waived all his expenses, allowing him to eat to his heart's content. The young man, however, stubbornly left the corresponding amount of Mora at the bottom of his bowl. As a man about to die, he had no use for it and preferred to leave it for those in need.
"Then, I look forward to your performance tomorrow," Bai Luo said.
"..."
As she watched Bai Luo leave, Kujou Sara pondered. The actions of the Fatui were indeed unpredictable. Nevertheless, as long as he didn't cause trouble in Inazuma, she would follow her lord's orders and try not to bother him.
...
"My lord, the young man is still wandering around Hanamizaka with no suspicious behavior."
"Continue to monitor him until the duel before the throne begins," Bai Luo instructed.
"Yes, sir!"
After his subordinate left, Bai Luo walked to the window. The founders of Inazuma City had chosen an excellent location for the Tenshukaku and the Tenryou Commission. The Tenryou Commission's position allowed for a perfect view of the entire city.
Unlike the isolated Ritou, this city, despite the Vision Hunt Decree, did not appear desolate. The bustling streets and crowded Hanamizaka still thrived. With good eyesight, one could see every corner of Inazuma City from here.
The night sakura and the layered blue tiles could not conceal the lively sounds of the city. But none of this concerned Bai Luo.
The young man who had issued the challenge was at the center of his thoughts.
What he cared most about was the opportunity to activate his Battousai Class, which was tied to the young man. His useless system, aside from marking a clear "target" above the young man's head, provided no other hints. Did he need to kill him? Or perhaps save him in the duel before the throne tomorrow? Bai Luo had no idea and didn't dare act recklessly.
After initiating the duel, the young man was already under the shogunate's surveillance. If Bai Luo asked the Fatui to do anything, the shogunate would surely notice, making explanations troublesome. It seemed he could only quietly wait for the duel to begin. But before that, he needed to make some preparations.
...
A traveler must always have some skills to rely on, whether it be impressive swordsmanship or a silver tongue.
Kaedehara Kazuha possessed a unique ability: "listening to the wind and observing the clouds."
For him, nature was never silent; it always spoke in its own language. When the wind suddenly stopped and everything fell silent, it was the calm before the storm. When a spring suddenly bubbled up, it signaled the earth's anger. When dark clouds gathered, it was a warning of an impending storm.
It was the rainy season, and the mountain paths were muddy. Kazuha searched for a while before finding a place to rest beneath a cliff.
Shaking off the leaves from his hat and brushing away the dust, he sat down and took out some rice balls from his pack.
Although cold rice balls didn't taste great, they filled the stomach, so he didn't mind.
Gazing at the gloomy sky, Kazuha thought of his friend.
They had met by chance and became close friends, a testament to their deep bond. Though separated by trivial matters for now, they might meet again unexpectedly. If his friend were here, he would surely scold him for eating cold rice balls, which weren't good for the body.
"Hahaha! Of course! I must retrieve my Vision myself!" Kazuha was still chewing his rice ball when he heard a loud, somewhat annoying laugh carried by the wind.
He didn't speak, but pressed himself further into the cliff. In these wild mountains, it was wise to be cautious of anyone encountered.
Once, he had given some fruits to a passing woodcutter, who then noticed his Vision and reported him to the shogunate soldiers, leading to a long chase before he escaped.
More importantly, sometimes those he met weren't even human. But the next words made him pause.
"Boss, have you heard? Someone has challenged that Kujou tengu to a duel before the throne."
"Hmm? Someone dared—cough, cough, of course I heard! But to challenge that tengu, it takes real courage. 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 a sword, began to tremble. It was him!
Even though these Arataki Gang members didn't mention the challenger's name, Kazuha was certain it was his friend. He hadn't forgotten their conversation before parting.
"If one day, Inazuma's land is plagued by calamity and the people are no longer under the gods' protection, what would you choose to do?"
His answer was simple: "I should choose to live a life of seclusion."
That very conversation had set the stage for their temporary farewell. His friend had told him he was going to do something big, something that would shake all of Inazuma.
Now it seemed he had chosen to face the Musou no Hitotachi!
A gust of wind swept by, and Kazuha was no longer at the base of the cliff. All that remained were some grains of rice and the sound of someone excitedly finding the rice ball.
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