By the time they emerged from the well, dusk had already fallen. It was around six in the evening, the sun melting into the horizon. Clearly, much time had passed below. The liveliness that once filled Konda Village by day was gone, replaced by the tranquility of night. Gentle paper lanterns glowed warmly beneath every eave, and the laughter of children had faded as families retreated indoors.
The Shogun gazed at the peaceful scene, a quiet satisfaction softening her eyes. As Inazuma's deity, she truly desired for her people to live in safety and harmony.
Clack…
Hearing a faint sound from the well behind her, she turned and crouched slightly. Reaching out her slender hand, she offered it toward Hanachirusato, who was struggling to climb the ladder. The masked maiden looked at that fair, delicate hand and hesitated briefly, almost dazed, before finally grasping it. With the Shogun's assistance, she ascended to the surface.
Once both stood on solid ground, they released each other's hands. Hanachirusato quietly brushed her fingers across the spot where they had touched, then folded her hands before her once more. Her heart felt oddly warm—such subtle kindness… the Shogun was far too disarming. Was this how she charmed others so easily?
Afterward, the two walked along the narrow path leading out of the village, until they reached a field blanketed with soft blossoms swaying in the evening breeze.
"My lady, Shogun-sama…"
The girl's gentle voice called from behind. She had spoken the Shogun's true title aloud. Well, it was to be expected—after what she had witnessed earlier, anyone could have guessed. The Shogun sighed lightly; she had indeed forgotten that she was supposed to be traveling incognito.
"Could you… forget that? Pretend you've lost your memory, if you like."
Turning gracefully, she rested her parasol against her shoulder and said it half-jokingly, teasingly.
"Pfft… Hehe… of course, my lady."
Hanachirusato paused for a moment, then giggled softly behind her mask. "If the Shogun herself asks me to forget, how could I dare remember?"
Then, with mock playfulness, she tapped the back of her hand against her forehead.
"Oh dear~ I've lost my memory… I remember nothing. But who is this beautiful lady standing before me?"
Gone was the solemnity she had shown when they first met. Now, Hanachirusato's tone carried a lively, teasing spirit—like a mischievous little sister unafraid of her elder's scolding.
"Ha… she truly resembles her," the Shogun murmured quietly.
Yes… everything about the maiden—her gestures, her manner of speech—mirrored someone from long ago. Or rather, someone from Raiden Ei's memories.
That person was none other than Inazuma's former Grand Shrine Maiden—Yae Miko's predecessor, the great priestess of Narukami, Lady Saiguu.
Perhaps it was some spiritual connection, but Hanachirusato's every movement seemed unconsciously shaped by that same grace. Yet… why? What secret lay hidden within her past?
"…Resembles?" Hanachirusato tilted her head, puzzled by the Shogun's faint whisper.
"It's nothing," she replied gently. "Just a memory from long ago. Now, let us return to the matter at hand. You said there are several other barriers like this one?"
"Yes," Hanachirusato nodded. "Not far northeast of Konda Village lies another corrupted barrier. You'll find it near an abandoned shrine—the impurity there is far denser than here."
The Shogun's gaze turned toward the distant horizon.
"Understood. I'll—"
Before she could finish, the maiden suddenly coughed softly. "Cough… Cough…" Her delicate frame trembled, the sound frail, as though she might fade away at any moment.
"Are you all right? Are you ill?"
Concern filled the Shogun's voice as she stepped closer, the shadow of her parasol falling gently over the girl.
"I… I'm fine," Hanachirusato said with a faint smile, pressing a hand against her chest beneath her shrine maiden robes. "It's only a small affliction. You need not worry, my lady."
"…Do not push yourself," the Shogun said softly. "Since this concerns the Sacred Sakura, it is my duty as Narukami's vessel to see it through."
To protect Inazuma—that was her eternal responsibility. This was no mere request anymore. It was something she must do.
"Heh… hearing those words puts my heart at ease," Hanachirusato said, smiling faintly behind her mask. "Truly, meeting you must have been fate."
Her hand still rested lightly over her chest as she looked at the Shogun, her voice weak yet filled with quiet devotion.
"My lady Shogun… please accept this."
Hanachirusato reached into her sleeve and took out a small booklet, placing it gently into the Shogun's hand.
"What is this?" the Shogun asked softly.
"…It contains the precise steps of the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual. Please deliver it to the Grand Narukami Shrine—so that future generations may continue the task of maintaining the Sacred Sakura."
Her tone was calm, her movements tender as she folded the Shogun's fingers around the booklet before slowly stepping back.
"East and west blossoms bloom at different times; north and south petals fall at their own pace," she murmured poetically.
"My lady Shogun… from here on, I may not be able to accompany you further. Yet everything on this island remains under the Sacred Sakura's blessing. As long as it stands, its petals will fall like snow across this land."
Her body was beginning to turn translucent, fading into the soft glow of twilight.
"—I am certain we will meet again, my lady Shogun."
The gentle voice of that divine being lingered in the air as her figure dissolved completely, leaving behind only the faint hum of Electro energy.
Hum~
The Shogun stood quietly beneath her parasol, gazing at the empty space where Hanachirusato had stood. Then, she opened the small booklet in her hand. Neat, delicate handwriting filled each page—graceful yet clear. It was undoubtedly Hanachirusato's own hand.
Rustle…
She turned the pages carefully. On the last one, she found a small doodle—a round, chibi-like figure with short bobbed hair, drawn adorably. Beneath it, in playful script unlike the rest, was the name Hanachirusato.
A faint smile curved her lips. She slipped the booklet into her sleeve and turned toward the northeast, her destination—Mount Yougou.
...
The Grand Narukami Shrine, Inazuma's largest and most sacred shrine, stood atop Mount Yougou. It enshrined Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho—none other than herself.
It was said that those who ascended the mountain with sincere hearts could reach the summit step by step, or that those blessed by thunder might be carried aloft by lightning's grace, arriving beneath the great Sacred Sakura's branches that sheltered the shrine.
The Sacred Sakura's blossoms never wither, just as Narukami's eternity never fades.
—This had always been the guiding proverb of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Countless pilgrims had once passed beneath its torii gates, seeking blessings, drawing lots, and praying for the favor of the Electro Archon.
Tap, tap…
The steady rhythm of footsteps echoed against the stone steps as a kimono-adorned woman ascended the mountain, her parasol shielding her from the moonlight. Crimson torii gates lined her path, glowing faintly under the night sky, lending an air of sacred mystery.
Just before reaching the top, she paused. Glancing down at her simple attire, she seemed to ponder something for a moment. Then, with a faint shimmer of violet light, her form was enveloped by Electro energy.
In an instant, her appearance changed—the casual garments replaced by the regal attire of the Raiden Shogun. Her violet open-chested kimono, patterned with gentian flowers, flowed elegantly over her exquisite legs wrapped in dark violet thigh-high stockings. Her loose hair gathered into a single braided ponytail, falling neatly down her back.
Now dressed in her true form, the Shogun resumed her ascent toward the shrine.
Even at night, the Grand Narukami Shrine remained open, closing only past midnight. It was around seven in the evening—normally still within visiting hours.
However—
For Ei's faithful shrine maiden, Hotomi, it was one of those rare, peaceful evenings. Visitors were scarce, nearly nonexistent at this hour. Over time, the shrine maidens had grown accustomed to such quiet nights.
The young miko sat leisurely with a light novel in hand, turning the page with a faint rustle.
"'Reborn… as the head priestess, Lady Yae…'" she murmured, reading aloud.
"'Assign shrine maidens to handle divine affairs.'"
Her eyes moved down to the next line.
"'Sip tea, meditate in silence… occasionally appear to hear the prayers of worshippers.'"
As she read, her gaze drifted upward toward the night sky, blue eyes glimmering dreamily as though she herself had stepped into the story.
Tap, tap…
Then—footsteps. Light, graceful, and approaching steadily.
Thinking it was the head priestess returning, she turned eagerly to greet her.
Only… it wasn't the Guuji.
It was someone far more imposing.
The Shogun herself.
For a moment, the shrine maiden simply stared.
Oh… it's not Lady Yae. It's… the Shogun.
A sigh of relief—
Wait.
…The Shogun? The Shogun?!
"S-Shogun-sama?!"
In an instant, Hotomi snapped back to her senses—this was bad! Very bad!
She leapt up from the shrine steps in a fluster, hastily hiding the light novel in her hands by awkwardly stuffing it into the pocket of her shrine maiden's robes. Straightening her posture, she hurriedly assumed a proper stance for receiving guests—hands folded neatly in front of her—as she stepped toward the elegantly dressed woman who had just arrived.
"S-Shogun-sama! Hotomi deeply apologizes for her rudeness!" she blurted out, bowing deeply. Oh no, oh no—did the Shogun just see her slacking off? What should she do? Should she beg the Guuji to plead for mercy later? Waaah~ what to do~?!
The Shogun, meanwhile, could only sigh inwardly. She had seen every bit of the girl's frantic scrambling earlier. How typical… truly, the subordinate reflects the master, doesn't she?
Forget it—she wasn't here to discipline errant shrine maidens. There were more pressing matters at hand. She let her gaze wander across the quiet grounds of the shrine.
Strange… she wasn't here?
"Shogun-sama?" Hotomi tilted her head, noticing the Shogun's searching expression.
"…Where is the Guuji?" the Shogun asked plainly.
"Ah… Lady Guuji just stepped out," Hotomi replied.
"Stepped out? At this hour? For what reason?" The Shogun's voice carried a hint of sharpness.
"Uh… she said it was official business…" Hotomi's voice trailed off. She knew exactly what that 'business' meant.
The Shogun narrowed her eyes slightly, folding her arms. "At dinnertime, no less? Let me guess—buying fried tofu?"
The Guuji's habits were no secret to her. 'Official business,' indeed. Then again… for that woman, perhaps such indulgence really did count as serious business.
"Hotomi… isn't sure…" the shrine maiden said awkwardly, scratching her cheek. Though she was loyal to the Guuji, she couldn't deny that the Shogun's guess was entirely correct.
"Hmph… never mind. Since she's not here, I'll tell you instead."
"Yes, Shogun-sama. What would you have me do?"
Hotomi straightened immediately, standing attentively before her. The Shogun's presence at this hour could only mean something important—this wasn't a casual visit. Of that, she was certain.
What kind of matter could possibly require the Shogun's personal attention?
"It concerns the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual," the Shogun said at last.
"Eh? The… Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual?"
The sudden shift in topic left Hotomi momentarily dazed, but within seconds, comprehension dawned on her face. The Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual—why would the Shogun bring that up all of a sudden?
"It's a long story," the Shogun began, and then recounted everything that had transpired: Konda Village, Hanachirusato, the corrupted roots of the Thunder Sakura—all of it.
Her voice was calm and measured, yet so melodious that Hotomi found herself listening in rapt attention, eyes wide and heart still. By the time she finished, the shrine maiden felt as though she'd just heard a divine tale.
A few minutes later—
"I see now… The Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual truly is an important ceremony," Hotomi said softly, bowing her head in understanding. No wonder the Shogun herself had come in person—this was no small matter.
"You're familiar with it?" the Shogun asked.
"Yes… the ritual is mentioned in ancient texts," Hotomi replied, her tone thoughtful. "However… the exact procedures have long been lost."
"Lost?" the Shogun frowned slightly. "How did that happen?"
"It's rather shameful," Hotomi admitted, lowering her gaze. "Our preservation methods failed us. The manuscripts suffered water damage… and moths destroyed much of the rest. I'm terribly sorry, Shogun-sama."
"There's no need for apology," the Shogun said after a pause. "The loss cannot be undone, but… it is a pity nonetheless."
"Yes," Hotomi sighed. "Because of that, both Lady Guuji and Lord Kamisato have been quite troubled."
"I see… so the Grand Narukami Shrine can no longer perform the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual," the Shogun said quietly, concluding the matter with a trace of disappointment. She had hoped to enlist the shrine maidens' aid in restoring the ritual—but it seemed the records had been lost entirely.
"Regrettably, yes," Hotomi nodded. "Though regarding the kotodama—the spiritual words of power—we still have some knowledge. But as for the ritual's exact sequence… it remains beyond our grasp. It has been forgotten for too long."
The Shogun folded her arms, eyes lowering as she listened in silence, deep in thought.
If the ritual had truly been lost for centuries… then how had Hanachirusato known its procedures so clearly? Could she have been someone from the past? And that ethereal way her body had faded—surely that wasn't normal. Could it be… she wasn't human at all?
The thought made the Shogun's eyes narrow slightly.
"Shogun-sama? Are you listening?"
"Oh… I am. Please, go on." She composed herself again, looking back at the shrine maiden.
"So," Hotomi continued, "we can't perform the Sacred Sakura Cleansing at this time. The impurities are accumulating at an alarming rate. If we were to attempt purification now, the result could be… catastrophic."
How ironic—she had already cleansed one such corruption herself. But if even trained shrine maidens couldn't handle it, how had she managed? Could it be that the Raiden Shogun also possessed the qualities of a shrine maiden? Was Hanachirusato right—was she truly the destined one?
Perhaps. Or perhaps not. There was no way to know.
"If you were given the exact procedures," she asked, "would you be able to relearn and perform the Great Cleansing?"
Hotomi nodded without hesitation. "Yes, my lady. If we had the precise instructions, Lady Guuji herself would study them and simplify the process before passing them down to us shrine maidens."
The Shogun saw the confidence and resolve in her eyes. It was not arrogance—it was conviction.
"Very well. Then I will entrust this to you. Explain it to the Guuji upon her return."
With that, the Shogun handed her the small booklet Hanachirusato had once given her.
"This is… eh? This is—!!"
Hotomi gasped as she opened it, scanning the pages filled with meticulously written, detailed instructions for the purification ritual—clearer and more precise than any surviving records.
How did the Shogun possess the full Sacred Sakura Cleansing procedures?! Her worldview was collapsing by the minute. Was the Shogun even more extraordinary than she had imagined?
"Hmph… you misunderstand," the Shogun said calmly. "This was not written by me. It was given to me by a shrine maiden named Hanachirusato."
"I-I see… Then Lady Hanachirusato must have been an incredibly skilled shrine maiden," Hotomi said, admiration filling her voice. "To write something so complex in such detail… she must have been exceptional."
"Indeed," the Shogun agreed softly.
"Ah—please wait, my lady," Hotomi said suddenly, as though recalling something. She dashed into a nearby room and quickly returned with a small, ornate round mirror, offering it respectfully.
The Shogun accepted it, gazing curiously at the delicate patterns etched along its surface. "What is this?"
"This is called a Memento Lens," Hotomi explained.
"'Memento'?" The Shogun repeated the word thoughtfully.
"Yes, Shogun-sama. Long ago, when Ritou was newly established, the head of the Hiiragi Clan, Lord Hiroshi, imported many curiosities from distant lands. This mirror was once gifted to him by Lady Saiguu herself—a divine mirror of warding. Using it as a token, he commissioned a special 'memory device' from Fontaine. It was said to record thoughts and memories, a symbol of cherished bonds, which he later returned as a gift to the Grand Shrine."
"I see… and what purpose does this 'Memento Lens' serve now?" the Shogun asked.
"It still retains a fragment of Lady Saiguu's blessing," Hotomi said patiently. "In certain sacred places, it can reveal traces of what no longer exists. Hence, its name—'Memento.'"
The Shogun lowered her gaze, studying the mirror in her hands. The firelight reflected off its polished surface, revealing intricate designs untouched by time. It looked newly made, preserved perfectly through the centuries.
"Shogun-sama… do you intend to continue purifying the Sacred Sakura?" Hotomi asked softly.
"Indeed," the Shogun replied. "Since the roots of the Sacred Sakura have been so deeply defiled, this vessel cannot stand idly by. If the Grand Shrine cannot perform the cleansing, then… I shall perform the Great Cleansing myself."
Hotomi's eyes widened in admiration, awe filling her voice. "As expected of the Shogun… Lady Guuji was right about you."
What exactly had that fox said about her? The Shogun sighed inwardly.
"Then… please allow me to express the Grand Shrine's gratitude, Shogun-sama," Hotomi said earnestly, bowing deeply.
"Good," the Shogun said with a soft nod. "Although… there is one more thing."
"Eh?" Hotomi looked up, puzzled.
The Shogun's tone shifted—calm but faintly mischievous. "Mhm~."
She lifted one arm slightly, her delicate hand extending gracefully before Hotomi, slender fingers curling in a beckoning gesture.
"Eh? S-Shogun-sama?" Hotomi's heart froze. Something about this felt… ominous. Could it be—?!
"…Confiscated."
The Shogun's voice was deceptively gentle.
"E-ehhehe… S-Shogun-sama, w-what are you—"
"Con~fis~ca~ted~," she repeated, each syllable drawn out slowly, her melodic tone carrying both amusement and authority.
Hotomi's face paled. She knew exactly what this meant.
With a defeated sigh, she reluctantly pulled her beloved light novel from her pocket and placed it in the Shogun's outstretched hand, her shoulders drooping in despair.
Waaah~ Lady Guuji, please come back soon~! (>_<)