"The calamity that devoured Lady Saiguu was finally cut down, and her thoughts and memories have returned... to the land of Narukami Island."
"The fallen warriors you struck down during the process, Shogun-sama, were actually the condensed filth of yokai. Their forms and pain are influenced by... the memories and emotions of their era."
Hanachirusato gently clasped her hand in return, meeting her gaze.
"Shogun-sama... may I ask... is Inazuma still at war?"
"..."
The Shogun lowered her eyes slightly at the question, her expression flickering with complexity, unsure how to respond.
But in the next moment, she felt a soft, warm touch on her cheek. Turning her head slightly, she saw Hanachirusato's hand caressing her face tenderly, as if to comfort her.
"It's all right, my lady... this was never your fault. You need not blame yourself."
"...Haa."
She sighed quietly. Why was it that everyone around her was always so gentle? It almost made her feel guilty.
"As I said before... those fallen warriors were the filth condensed from past memories. And I..."
Hanachirusato's hand, still resting against hers, trembled slightly as she slowly drew back.
The Shogun's eyes flickered with realization, gazing at her with a complicated look.
"I... Hanachirusato, am the filth formed from Lady Saiguu's memories."
Once the truth was spoken aloud, Hanachirusato seemed to relax slightly. She leaned into the Shogun's arms, as though cherishing these final moments.
"No wonder you said before that your current state made it impossible to purify the Sacred Sakura."
The Shogun lowered her gaze and murmured softly.
"Yes... because I am filth myself, I cannot purify the Sacred Sakura. I might even worsen the corruption."
"You say you are filth... but when were you born?" the Shogun asked again.
"Lady Saiguu's memories were so strong that even the cataclysm could not erase them completely. When the calamity was defeated, its searing filth flowed into the earth... and from it, I was born."
"The reason I waited for you in Konda Village... is because the people there are the descendants of those Lady Saiguu once protected."
Hanachirusato sighed softly in her embrace, her gaze shifting toward the now-purified roots of the Sacred Sakura that shone with renewed life.
"When I first awoke, remembering all those memories filled me with unease... perhaps even fear. To be born this way—am I unfortunate, or blessed? Unfortunate, because Lady Saiguu has long passed. But fortunate, because—"
Hanachirusato looked back up at her, eyes clear beneath her mask.
"—because I met you, Shogun-sama. In the last moments of my existence, you've stayed by my side... allowing me to accept my fate in peace."
Her pale hand rose once more to caress the Shogun's cheek, her touch filled with such tenderness that it could only belong to someone who truly cherished her.
Feeling that soft, loving touch, the Shogun reached up in turn, brushing aside the girl's damp bangs. Surely, even now, Hanachirusato must be enduring great pain within her body.
"Haa... emotions really are such strange things. I've only known you for a single day, yet I find myself depending on you... even now, lying here in your arms brings me a sense of relief. My fate no longer feels so frightening."
"I don't even know if these feelings belong to Lady Saiguu or to myself. This attachment to you—whether it's hers or mine—I can no longer tell."
Her voice trembled with confusion, her expression fragile. The once-polite, mischievous shrine maiden was gone—what remained was a fragile soul, lost and fading.
The Shogun's gaze softened. She looked at the fox mask on Hanachirusato's face and asked quietly,
"May I... remove your mask?"
Though she phrased it as a question, her hand was already moving—rising gently toward the mask.
"Ah—please don't... don't do that..."
The girl grasped her hand weakly, her voice trembling as she pleaded, like a frightened kitten.
"...Why?" the Shogun asked softly.
"Because... I look unsightly now. If you were to see me, I would feel... ashamed before you."
Hanachirusato's voice trembled weakly as she answered, her hands now completely without strength. Though she held onto the Shogun's hand, even the slightest motion could have broken her grasp—yet the Shogun did not pull away.
"But you wear a mask and keep yourself hidden from me. To never show me your true face—is that not the greater discourtesy?"
She did not remove the girl's mask by force, but rather sought to open her heart with gentle words.
"Mm…"
Her opponent faltered, clearly at a loss—and that flustered look was unexpectedly adorable.
"Be good… let me remove it."
Her hand reached forward again, resting gently against the fox mask. This time, Hanachirusato did not resist.
As the ties came loose, the white mask finally lifted away, revealing the face hidden beneath.
"..."
The Shogun froze for a brief moment. Half of the girl's delicate face had been consumed by corruption, stained an inky black that still gave off faint wisps of miasma. Yet the other half remained pure—radiantly beautiful. It was a face so fair it could have rivaled a flower in bloom.
At that moment, the girl's eyes were closed tight, her lips pressed together shyly as though enduring the embarrassment of being seen.
"To possess such beauty, yet hide it from the world… what a waste, don't you think?"
The Shogun brushed her knuckles gently across the girl's cheek in comfort. The resemblance to Kitsune Saiguu's features was unmistakable—even if she had never met her in person, the memories of Ei within her allowed her to recognize it.
Slowly, Hanachirusato opened her eyes. Her pale lavender irises were dazed for a moment before understanding her words—and in that instant, the untainted half of her face flushed a delicate shade of red.
"Shogun-sama..."
"Hm?"
"My duty is to protect Narukami Island, to purge filth, and to perform... the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual."
Now that her mask was gone, her voice was clear and melodic—sweet as a mountain spring. Coupled with her ethereal beauty, she seemed every bit the picture of a divine maiden.
"Since I too am filth, I ask that you... purge me as well."
"The roots of the Sacred Sakura are already cleansed. There is no need to purge you," the Shogun replied calmly.
"No... that must not be. As long as filth remains in this world, it will one day corrupt the Sacred Sakura again. Shogun-sama... I beg of you."
Hanachirusato weakly grasped the edge of her robe, forcing herself to look up at her.
"...Have you truly made up your mind?" the Shogun sighed softly, confirming one last time.
"Yes... Before, our hearts were intertwined—hers and mine—and because I was something she was meant to destroy, I often felt torn."
At this, Hanachirusato smiled—a beautiful, sincere smile.
"But now, I no longer mind. To have walked alongside you, Shogun-sama... that alone is enough. Hanachirusato is already content. Hanachirusato is happy."
It was a smile of pure happiness, unshaken by the corruption that consumed half her face or the pain that wracked her body. A smile born of genuine peace.
"Haa... you really are so... self-righteous."
"Shogun-sama?"
Hanachirusato blinked in surprise, never expecting the woman before her to sound almost—angry. Yet the emotion in the Shogun's voice was not true wrath... it carried a helpless fondness instead.
The fondness of a ruler... for one of her own.
"Truly... self-righteous."
"Eh?"
Hearing those words again, Hanachirusato froze for a moment. Was the Shogun... angry? She looked up at the violet-haired beauty before her, whose expression now carried a trace of restrained anger. It was the first time she had ever seen the Shogun truly upset—and even then, she looked stunning. Even the furrow of her brows had its own charm.
"Shogun... sama?" she called softly, unsure.
"Back then, you called out to me on your own whim, and now you insist on leaving me just as willfully. You truly are... unbearably selfish."
Her voice was calm but carried a quiet weight, the faint edge of sadness hidden within it. From the depths of those amethyst eyes—so soft yet sorrowful—Hanachirusato could sense her true emotions.
"You were born in Inazuma. Therefore, you are my subject—Raiden Shogun's subject. Tell me, do you not wish to remain as such?"
"No! How could I—!" Hanachirusato shook her head frantically. Of course she wished to remain so.
"Then, as one of my people, you must not leave of your own accord."
"..."
Hanachirusato fell silent. The words sounded like a command, yet beneath them was a plea.
"Though you are the embodiment of Kitsune Saiguu's memories, you still exist in this world. 'Hanachirusato' is not 'Kitsune Saiguu.' Kitsune Saiguu may be gone, but Hanachirusato still remains."
"!"
After speaking, the Shogun shifted from her seated position to a crouch, bracing one knee on the ground as she raised Hanachirusato's upper body with one arm. Her other hand opened before her.
Vmm—
A faint, dreamlike violet light began to form in her palm. The particles of light gathered and intertwined, reshaping into the elegant form of Musou Isshin. The exquisite blade hovered in her grasp like a divine treasure, its glow illuminating Hanachirusato's face—half marred by corruption.
"Shogun-sama, are you perhaps intending to—"
"Indeed."
The Shogun cut her off gently, already knowing what she was about to say.
"You mustn't! I—I am not worthy of such a thing…!"
Even though she had never seen Musou Isshin before, the divine power emanating from the blade made her very soul tremble. She could tell instantly that it was no ordinary weapon—it was the Shogun's own sacred blade, an artifact beyond mortal reach. To use it on her... she felt it was far too much.
"My mind is set. Do not try to stop me."
Her tone carried the weight of command. The cool, resolute words made Hanachirusato's heart flutter uncontrollably, her pulse quickening. Seeing that further protest would be meaningless, she could only nod meekly and remain still.
"To tell you the truth... I had never truly purified the roots before. I merely relied on force to destroy the incarnations of filth. I never intended to cleanse them. Filth is something that corrupts the heart. The true way to defeat it is not through violence, but through purification—from the very root, separating it from the flesh."
The reason she had slain the fallen warriors before was simply because it was more convenient. But now, that so-called 'inconvenience' was meaningless. What mattered was saving the girl before her—allowing her to live once more upon Inazuma's soil.
"Is that... truly possible? I... can really stay?" Hanachirusato's voice wavered in disbelief. She had never imagined her fate could still change.
"This vessel does not break its promises. Now—reach out. Touch Musou Isshin's blade."
"...All right."
Slowly, Hanachirusato extended her trembling hand, her fingers brushing the blade's surface as delicately as a frightened animal. In that instant, the particles of violet light began to flow through her fingertips, coursing into her entire body.
Her form was soon enveloped by a radiant glow. Warmth flooded through her first—then came the pain.
"Ah—ahh!!"
A cry escaped her lips as her body trembled violently, drenched in sweat. The light felt as though it was tearing her apart from within.
"Shogun... sama! I... I... ah!!"
In fear and agony, she clutched at the Shogun's kimono, burying her face against the other's chest, her muffled voice trembling with pain.
"Do not be afraid..."
The Shogun's arms wrapped around her, holding her close as she intensified Musou Isshin's power.
Before their eyes, thick black miasma began to seep from Hanachirusato's body. The violet light pushed against it, repelling it entirely, as though invisible hands were tearing the filth away from her flesh by force.
"Aaaaahhhhhh!!!"
The girl could endure no longer and finally screamed, her sharp cry echoing throughout the cavern. Her body arched violently, and the corruption upon her face began to peel away, revealing once more her fair, unblemished skin.
After several long seconds, Hanachirusato's entire body was drenched as though she had just been pulled from water. The girl—restored to her original form—now trembled weakly in the Shogun's arms, her voice trembling in faint sobs.
Beside them, a dark, humanoid shadow began to take shape on the ground—identical in form to Hanachirusato. The mass radiated a suffocating aura of filth as it slowly rose, glaring at its own hands before letting out an enraged, feminine shriek.
"Ahhhhhh!!"
It howled like a furious spirit, then lunged toward the helpless girl in the Shogun's embrace.
"Filth that hinders eternity... must be eradicated."
With that cold, commanding voice, the Shogun swung Musou Isshin in a single motion.
Shiiing!!
A long, blinding blade of light carved through the air, tearing open space itself. The black shadow was instantly pulled into the rift.
"Ahhhh—!!"
The twisted figure writhed, its scream echoing like a nightmare through the void. Moments later, the spatial rift sealed shut, swallowing it completely and erasing it from existence.
The Shogun let Musou Isshin's light fade, lowering her gaze to the exhausted girl before her. Hanachirusato's face had returned to its original purity—no trace of the corruption remained. Her delicate features were as beautiful as ever, her eyes soft with gratitude and shy embarrassment.
"Shogun-sama... thank you..."
Her voice was faint and breathless, her body still weak despite the purification.
"To protect my people is my duty... there is no need for thanks," the Shogun said gently, brushing aside her bangs with a tender hand. Looking at her now, she couldn't help but think—if Hanachirusato were to join the Grand Narukami Shrine, she might rival even Yae Miko in beauty.
"Does your body still ache? Any discomfort?"
"Mm... just a bit of weakness. But this feeling—it's as though I've finally become real again. As if I was reborn... from Shogun-sama's own hands," Hanachirusato said with a small, weary laugh.
"Haa... such a silver tongue. You... would you like to join the Grand Narukami Shrine? As a shrine maiden?"
Such an arrangement would let her live peacefully, adapt to the current era, and earn a proper livelihood. Under Yae Miko's supervision, the Shogun could also rest assured.
"If that is Shogun-sama's will, Hanachirusato will not refuse," she replied sweetly, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
"That's good," the Shogun said softly.
Without another word, she slipped an arm beneath the girl's knees and lifted her effortlessly in a princess carry.
"!"
Hanachirusato gasped, instinctively wrapping her arms around the Shogun's neck. She hadn't expected such closeness—it left her flustered, yet quietly overjoyed.
"I'll take you to the Grand Narukami Shrine."
Crackle...
In the next instant, lightning flared around them, and both vanished from sight.
Moments later—
They reappeared upon the mountainside steps leading to the Grand Narukami Shrine. The vermilion torii still lined the path above, the shrine just a short walk away.
"Shogun-sama... please, set me down. I can walk from here," Hanachirusato said, blushing furiously. She couldn't possibly allow the Shogun to carry her all the way to the shrine.
"Are you sure you're all right?"
"Mm... I've regained some strength."
The Shogun nodded, crouching slightly so that Hanachirusato could stand.
"Haa..."
The girl steadied herself, her steps still weak but far more stable now. As a gentle breeze stirred their garments, she shyly brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her short bob fluttering in the wind.
"Shogun-sama... I'll be going now," she said softly, meeting the Shogun's gaze.
"Go on, then. I'll visit you when I have time," the Shogun replied, leaning casually against a torii pillar with arms crossed.
"Mm..."
Hanachirusato nodded, then turned to climb the steps. Yet after a few steps, she paused, as if remembering something. Reaching into her sleeve, she took out the fox mask she once wore and returned to the Shogun.
"Shogun-sama... please, take this."
The girl offered the mask with both hands.
The Shogun accepted it without hesitation.
"Think of it as... a token between us. Please, don't lose it, all right~?"
"How could I possibly lose it?" the Shogun replied with a small smile.
Hanachirusato nodded happily, then turned once more, ascending the stone steps. At the top, she looked back one last time—the distance between them now wide.
Bathed in the soft light of dawn, she smiled down at the woman below and waved gently. Against the backdrop of the blooming cherry trees, the sight of her—framed by falling petals and violet eyes—was breathtakingly beautiful.
The girl finally vanished from view. The Shogun could almost hear Hotomi's delighted exclamations and Yae Miko's teasing remarks from the shrine above.
Satisfied, the Shogun turned away. Beneath the gentle cascade of sakura petals, her form shifted once more—back to that of the kimono-adorned woman holding a parasol—as she descended the long path of torii gates.
All flowers must fall, yet... even a withered bloom shall one day blossom anew. Hanachirusato, may you take root in the soil of Narukami Island—and bloom once more, radiant and free.
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