"I know."
Sangonomiya Kokomi's voice trembled, though her face remained calm. Deep inside, bitterness churned like stormy waves.
"The Lockdown Decree and the Vision Hunt Order issued under General Raiden's name made survival impossible for Watatsumi Island. Our war was never about revenge—it was a desperate cry, a way to show the Shogun the people's suffering."
The hall fell into silence. Thunder rumbled above the island, low and unyielding. Even though the Shogun herself had not appeared, the presence of Yae Miko—the Guuji of Narukami Shrine—carrying the Shogun's sword was no different than if Ei herself stood there. A single word out of place, and lightning would descend.
Yae Miko's gaze swept across the room, her tone smooth but edged like steel.
"The Lockdown and Vision Hunt were not Ei's doing. They were decrees twisted into existence by the Tri-Commission leaders—the Kanjou Commission and the Tenryou Commission—men like Kujo Takayuki who deceived both their master and their people. The Shogun was blind to their corruption."
Her voice sharpened, each syllable like a thunderclap.
"But the chaos consuming Inazuma is no longer theirs alone. Watatsumi has played its part. The Shogun offers you two paths."
She raised her hand, and the air itself seemed to tighten.
"First—Watatsumi Island vanishes from Inazuma's map."
The words fell like a death sentence. The courtiers and elders froze, blood draining from their faces. Kokomi's breath caught in her throat. She had prepared herself for harsh judgment, but to hear her home's eradication spoken aloud filled her with dread.
Yae Miko's voice did not waver.
"Second—hand over every leader who incited war. Surrender all those who destroyed the monuments on Yashiori Island. Restore the Narukami statue your men desecrated here. And finally, abolish your worship of the serpent-god Orobas."
She lowered the Shogun's blade, its glow flickering against the hall's trembling walls.
"Do this, and the Shogun will let the past rest. The people of Watatsumi will be treated as Inazumans once more."
Her words were calm, almost kind. But the ultimatum was absolute.
For a moment, no one spoke. The nobles stared at the floor, hearts pounding. Kokomi's hands clenched tightly in her sleeves, her thoughts racing.
This was their only chance. Resistance meant annihilation. The abolishment of Orobas' faith meant the breaking of their history, their spirit. Yet what choice remained?
Yae Miko turned, her sleeves fluttering as she moved with elegance toward the door.
"You are clever, Sangonomiya Kokomi. I trust you know which choice to make."
Her footsteps echoed until she was gone. The hall fell into silence so heavy it suffocated.
Kokomi stood frozen, her mind weighed by despair. Her position was clear: as the military strategist, the visible leader of Watatsumi, and the living shrine maiden of Orobas' faith, she herself was the root that must be severed.
Ei had offered two choices, but in truth there was only one. Kokomi knew it well.
To defy a god was suicide. To obey was surrender.
And surrender meant her death.
Her lips curved into a bitter smile. "So, this is the end."
But even in despair, clarity came. If her sacrifice bought survival for her people, it was a price she would pay without hesitation.
She straightened, her voice cutting through the still hall.
"You all heard the Shogun's decree. This is our final chance. The fate of Watatsumi rests on our choice. Do not accuse me of arbitrariness—this is survival. Discuss among yourselves what remains to be done."
Her eyes flashed cold as she swept her gaze across the nobles.
"And if any of you think of fleeing—know this. I will strike you down myself. If I am to die, then I will not leave cancers behind to poison our people further."
She turned and left, her robes swaying as she walked away in silence.
---
Outside, Gorou—her most loyal general—followed quickly. His tail bristled, his eyes filled with worry.
"Lady Kokomi, what do we do now?" His voice cracked. He knew better than anyone the burdens she carried. Many nights she had worked until her body nearly collapsed, sparing no effort to keep their people alive.
Kokomi gave a weary smile. "What can we do, Gorou? Can we outrun the Shogun's storm? No… tomorrow, I will bear the blame. I will stand as an example before the Shogun, and accept death so that Watatsumi may live."
Her voice dropped lower, conspiratorial.
"But you must understand—many of those so-called leaders will try to escape. Power makes men selfish. They will cling to hope, even at the expense of their people."
Gorou's jaw tightened, anger flaring in his eyes.
"Then we cannot allow them to succeed. Not after everything you've done for us."
Kokomi placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression firm.
"If, even after my death, the Shogun refuses mercy—take our people and lead them away from Inazuma. Promise me this."
His throat tightened. Every instinct screamed at him to beg her to flee instead, but he knew. If Kokomi abandoned Watatsumi, the island would be destroyed within the day.
"I… understand, Lady Kokomi," he whispered, teeth gritted.
Together, they turned back toward the palace. Both already knew what must come next.
---
That night, Watatsumi did not sleep.
Gorou, grim and resolute, led Kokomi's loyalists into action. Just as she predicted, several nobles had prepared boats to flee under the cover of darkness.
"Traitors," Gorou spat.
The rebels struck swiftly. Families of the nobles were seized, their houses stripped bare. The wealth they had hoarded was distributed to the starving commoners. For once, the people's cries were not of despair, but of relief. Food and supplies flowed into their hands.
The nobles begged, pleaded, screamed—but Kokomi did not waver.
"You feasted while our children starved. You spilled their blood for your ambitions. Now you will pay the price."
Her eyes were icy as she gave the order. The nobles and their kin were executed, leaving no heirs. Their deaths were swift, their blood washing away years of corruption.
Mathew, unseen, watched from afar. He had come quietly, curious to see how the famed Sangonomiya Kokomi would act when cornered. He expected tears, hesitation—anything but this ruthless resolve.
Instead, he saw steel.
"She hides it well," Mathew murmured to himself. "But beneath that gentle face is a ruler's cruelty. A weak girl? No. She is sharper than lightning, deeper than the sea."
His lips curved in faint amusement. "Yes… be wary of the sea. It is no harmless eel."
Compared to Ei, who clung to her ideals of eternity, Kokomi's grasp of survival, her ability to act decisively, was far more pragmatic.
The common people, empowered and fed, rose in fury against the corrupt. With hoes, sickles, and hammers, they struck down those who had exploited them. The island shook with riot—but for once, it was the oppressors who bled.
---
By dawn, Kokomi and Gorou stood at the head of their forces. Behind them, nobles bound in chains were dragged toward Inazuma City. The streets overflowed with people—Narukami Island's citizens had gathered in droves to witness judgment.
Before the statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God, the rebels were cast to their knees.
They wailed, voices hoarse with desperation.
"It's unjust! We have always been loyal to the Shogun!"
"Our clan has served Inazuma for generations!"
"It was Kujo Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke! They forced us to join! We were victims!"
Their cries filled the square, but no sympathy came. The crowd watched in silence, the storm clouds above promising only one verdict.
The gods had spoken.
And Inazuma would never be the same again.
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