Raiden Ei sat quietly, watching her sister Makoto handle the affairs of state.
Everything seemed to return to how it was five hundred years ago—Ei, always reluctant to think too much, simply followed Makoto's lead.
Whoever Makoto told her to cut down, she would cut down.
No hesitation. No questions.
"Ei, haven't you noticed how many problems the Tri-Commission has caused?" Makoto asked as she flipped through a stack of reports, sighing.
It was no wonder. The power Ei possessed as a god inspired both reverence and fear. If not for that, the Tenryou Commission would likely have seized control long ago.
The Tenryou Commission had begun cooperating with the Fatui, the Kanjou Commission was bleeding the people dry, and the Yashiro Commission—though well-intentioned—had aided the resistance army, which in itself bordered on treason.
Only the Narukami Shrine had remained pure and calm.
The rebellion on Watatsumi Island continued, and that issue couldn't be ignored either.
Ei stuffed the last bite of dango into her mouth, drew the sword Engulfing Lightning, and activated her external "thinking module." She thought Makoto was angry and preparing to eradicate the problem at its source.
"Hmph!"
Makoto tapped her foolish sister on the head.
If Ei were left to "solve" these problems, Inazuma would return to its blood-soaked chaos of centuries past. Back then too, Ei had simply stood beside her, waiting for orders.
"Ei, you don't plan to kill everyone involved, do you?" Makoto asked, both exasperated and impressed by her sister's simplicity.
"If you think they're guilty, then they're guilty. Of course we should kill them. Why keep them alive?" Ei said solemnly, as if stating something self-evident.
"And stop calling me Ei-chan," she added with a frown. "I'm not a child. I'm a god."
Makoto smiled. "But Ei-chan sounds lovely. I'll keep calling you that, Ei-chan."
"E-Elder Sister?!"
Ei's face twisted in disbelief. Betrayed by her own sister.
"Please?" Makoto said, feigning sadness.
"Fine… Sister can call me that."
Yae Miko and Yae's companion exchanged a look, suppressing laughter. It was hard not to find the god of thunder's naive side oddly endearing.
Among all the gods they'd met, Makoto was clearly the one who carried herself with the most sense.
"Shinomiya," Yae Miko whispered to the Kitsune Saiguu beside her. "Ei hasn't changed one bit, has she?"
"No," the Saiguu chuckled softly. "And I rather like her this way."
"General."
Kamisato Ayato entered Tenshukaku, bowing as he saw not one but two Raiden Shoguns.
Two?
His composure barely wavered, but even he couldn't hide the shock.
Makoto nodded approvingly. This young head of the Yashiro Commission had poise—intelligent, strategic, careful.
"I am Baal, the first Raiden Shogun. The one you know as the Shogun is my sister, Baalzebul."
Makoto's voice was calm but filled with quiet majesty.
Ayato felt his heart tighten. Unlike Ei's cold and aloof aura, Makoto's gaze was warm but impossibly deep—it felt like she could see straight into his soul.
"Honored to meet you, my lord," he said respectfully.
"I've heard the Yashiro Commission has recently aided the resistance. Whatever your intentions, that is a grave offense," Makoto said evenly. "However, I will grant you a chance to atone."
Ayato's face didn't change, but his chest tightened painfully as if crushed by invisible pressure.
Yae Miko offered a helpless smile. This wasn't the naive Ei—this was the original Raiden Shogun, and there would be no room for negotiation.
"Speak, my lord. The Yashiro Commission will devote everything to your will."
"Good. The resistance on Watatsumi Island won't stop even with the Vision Hunt Decree ended. I need you to suppress them. No mercy," Makoto said, then added, "You're not the best at warfare, though."
"Yes, my lord," Ayato replied, voice steady despite the weight of her words. "But their numbers are vast…"
"Then I authorize you to command the Tenryou Commission's troops," Makoto said.
She didn't specify the method—that was permission enough to do whatever was necessary.
"I understand," Ayato said through gritted teeth.
Makoto continued, "Your sister, Kamisato Ayaka—the 'White Heron Princess'—may assist you. She'll be useful."
Ayato nodded repeatedly. Both for his sister and his commission, this was a great opportunity.
After he left, Kujou Sara of the Tengu clan entered Tenshukaku. She too was confused by the presence of two Shoguns, but bowed deeply nonetheless.
"Descendant of Kujo Byakuren," Makoto said approvingly. "Good. I have a task for you."
There were few in Inazuma Makoto could truly rely on, and though Sara was overly dutiful, her loyalty was unquestionable.
"Command me, my lord," Sara said firmly.
"Yae Miko, you have the evidence regarding the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions, don't you?" Makoto asked.
"Of course," Yae Miko said, handing her a dossier.
Sara flipped through it briefly, her face darkening. The corruption within the Tenryou Commission was far worse than she'd imagined.
"I understand. I will bring you a satisfactory answer," she declared.
Makoto smiled. "Good. When this is done, you will lead the Tenryou Commission."
Sara's eyes widened. "My lord…!"
"Your loyalty deserves reward," Makoto said gently.
Sara clenched her fists. The Raiden Shogun's trust was her greatest honor.
And thus began the quiet purge within Inazuma—each commission to be cleansed, each leader to be tested.
(End of Chapter)
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