A tremor rippled through Futsu Mitama's thoughts. Shock — no, utter disbelief — surged through him, the kind that even Mondstadt's strongest knight would call "mind-shattering" if it done.
So this is how she resolves it? Possible. And yet… incredible.
Until now, his understanding of Transcendence: Baleful Omen was simple: unleash the Elemental Skill, strike repeatedly, and let the violet thunder gather in the void to smite enemies. Later, once he'd learned to wield the Chakra Desiderata, he discovered new possibilities — traversing space, perceiving hostile intent, and letting ambient Electro converge into blade-born destruction.
But what Raiden Ei demonstrated before him now—
This was not merely technique. It was mastery beyond comprehension. Using the Chakra Desiderata as her medium, she identified a spatial weakness, merged her blade into that fracture, and cut through space itself. Her strike slipped past Futsu Mitama's Musou Isshin, bypassed all defense, and landed directly. A thought struck him like thunder:
"Isn't this basically Obito's Kamui?"A slash that functions like a fully controlled spatial intangibility?
Only now did he understand why the three Raiden Shoguns had focused solely on refining his close-quarters combat, offering no guidance on other arts.
In truth. he was still far too weak. Or rather — in someone like Raiden Ei's eyes, he had not yet reached the threshold where one could formally learn a technique on the level of the Chakra Desiderata. No wonder Raiden Makoto had been so surprised. No wonder Scaramouche had screamed that it was impossible.
Everything suddenly made sense.
"Since you understand," Raiden Ei's calm voice cut through his thoughts, "then let us begin today's guidance."
She paused, her gaze steady. "After all…you came all this way. It would be discourteous of me not to teach you anything. Once we finish, I will explain the forging method as well."
This time, she did not vanish and reappear in front of him. She simply walked. Slow, unhurried steps. Yet with every stride, her aura swelled, as if the weight of a nation's eternity pressed down around him. A tightness clamped onto his chest. Instinctively, he gripped Musou Isshin.
He could not let her continue approaching. If he allowed that aura to climb any higher, he might not even be able to draw his blade.
He charged. 'The best defense… is offense.'
Their battle resumed, fierce as thunder upon steel.
———
Meanwhile, in the Chat Group, messages poured in one after another.
Yae Miko: "@Albedo, interested in a collaboration?"
Albedo: "Thank you, Guuji. But I prefer conducting my research alone. If I encounter difficulties, I may trouble you. Still—it seems the Electro Archon places great trust in our Group Leader."
Kamisato Ayaka: "The Shogun herself proclaimed him an Eternal Guardian. It is only natural that she values him."
Kuki Shinobu: "Eternal Guardian—That's the highest honor in Inazuma. Though, to this day, I still don't know what the 'end of eternity' truly means."
Aila: "Young Master's strength grows by the day. At this rate, we might only be able to spectate during future battles. We must accelerate our training."
Azhdaha: "Potential is one thing, but wisdom is another. The Group Leader is promising—perhaps more so than many prodigies of my time—but still too green. If he came to Liyue, he would surely mature further."
Raiden Makoto: "What do you mean by that? Are you trying to steal him away? The Group Leader is an Inazuman citizen—don't even think about it."
Azhdaha: "Steal? No, no~ I merely believe a brief period of study in Liyue would aid him. Hahaha~"
Yae Miko: "He could visit Liyue. But the Sakoku Decree forbids it~"
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "There may be an opportunity soon. The Dragon King of Liyue will visit Watatsumi Island in a few days and escort Kazuha back to Liyue."
Kokomi: "If Futsu Mitama wished to accompany her, he could. Returning, however—may present difficulties."
Azhdaha: "Dragon King—? Liyue has a new Dragon King?"
Albedo: "No — it is merely a title. She is Beidou, captain of The Crux."
Yae Miko: "Yes. Unlike you, she's a young lady — but her reputation as the uncrowned Dragon King is well deserved. She might indeed find a route through the thunderstorms."
Yae Miko: "Unfortunately~ with the Electro Archon's authority on him, the instant he leaves Inazuma, the Shogun would notice."
Azhdaha: "Troublesome~ If he cannot depart soon, he will have to wait an entire year."
Raiden Makoto: "Aha! So you are trying to poach him!"
Azhdaha: "If he resided in Liyue, wouldn't you be just as eager to bring him back to Inazuma?"
Raiden Makoto: "Fair point. After all, as long-lived beings, we always yearn to reunite with old friends."
Thus began yet another round of bickering between ancient companions.
For nearly two hours, Raiden Ei instructed Futsu Mitama relentlessly. Eventually, he dropped to his knees. Not because his stamina failed — but because the pressure of an Archon at full intensity was like a mountain upon his lungs. Even breathing became a struggle.
Now he understood how the cannon fodder in One Piece felt when struck down by Conqueror's Haki. He wasn't unconscious… but in this state, lifting a blade was unthinkable.
"Very good."
Raiden Ei withdrew her aura. Admiration flickered in her eyes. Even a weakened Archon was beyond human capability to withstand — and she stood at the apex of the Seven. For him to remain conscious, let alone resist, was proof of extraordinary potential.
"Hah… hah…" Futsu Mitama gasped, life returning to his limbs. Facing such overwhelming presence, attacking her at all required unimaginable resolve.
"Next is the forging method."
Raiden Ei regarded him quietly.
"I possess many. I intended to grant you one at random, but… choosing is troublesome. You may choose for yourself."
Futsu Mitama froze. With Ei, "too many options" was a familiar predicament. A dozen violet orbs materialized before him, each holding fragments of her memories.
"You may read them directly. If it is you, you will find the method most suited to you."
With that, Raiden Ei closed her eyes again, suspended in meditation — or perhaps reminiscing about the joy of eating condensed resin earlier.
One by one, Futsu Mitama examined the blacksmithing memories.
Electro-infused forging. Thunder-quenched blades. Specialized techniques for elemental resonance, unconventional methods, ancestral arts.
All powerful. All refined. And none… truly suitable.
The forging method he already possessed was on par with—perhaps even superior to—many of these. Raiden Ei opened her eyes, mildly surprised.
"You seem—unsatisfied?"
He hesitated. "No, just…I was wondering if it's possible to forge a weapon that grows together with its wielder."
Ei paused. "A lifebond armament?"
Such weapons belonged only to Archons. Makoto's own Musou Isshin was one.
He nodded. With the Chat Group, his strength would continue to evolve. His weapon must evolve with him.
"I see." A rare spark of approval flashed across Ei's expression. "You choose well."
But her next words were calm, almost apologetic. "However, I cannot assist you."
She raised her hand, and a cluster of violet light merged into him — countless memories, techniques, material lists, refinement methods. Yet among them—most materials originated from Liyue. And Inazuma was under the Sakoku Decree.
He frowned in confusion. As if reading his thoughts, Raiden Ei spoke:
"You may go to Liyue to obtain the necessary materials."
"I will instruct the Shogun to issue you a permit. The Sakoku Decree preserves eternity—but what you seek is also for eternity."
If it were anyone else, she would never allow them to leave. But in him — she and the Shogun both saw something akin to eternity itself.
Futsu Mitama froze.
Raiden Ei — voluntarily allowing someone to leave Inazuma? To travel to another nation?
For the first time, he was completely speechless.