For the gods, the war between Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate army lasted only a short two years.
However, for ordinary people, those two years felt extremely long. There had been countless skirmishes and conflicts, resulting in over ten thousand deaths on both sides.
The hatred between the two sides had almost reached a point of no return. Despite being under the Shogunate's oppression and blockade for a long time, the Watatsumi Island rebels, though less well-armed than the Shogunate army, fought fiercely due to the numerous victories they had achieved.
To the Watatsumi Island rebels, victory seemed close at hand. They had pushed the battlefront from Yashiori Island to Nazuchi Beach. One more step, and they could storm Narukami Island and overrun the Shogunate's headquarters.
However, only those with a clear mind were not fooled by this illusion of victory.
Unfortunately, on Watatsumi Island, the only clear-minded person was the island's leader, the Divine Priestess and strategist of the rebel army, Sangonomiya Kokomi.
"It's over... We've alarmed the Raiden Shogun."
Sangonomiya Kokomi looked up at the sky, now completely covered in thunderclouds. The oppressive aura that struck fear into the soul seemed to press the sky down.
Her worst fear had come true.
Watatsumi Island was resource-poor, and arable land was dwindling due to the "sacred soil" phenomenon.
The Raiden Shogun's "Sakoku Decree" and "Vision Hunt Decree" had nearly cut off the Watatsumi people's livelihood, which depended on maritime trade and selling pearls to Liyue.
She had strongly opposed waging war against the Shogunate. However, the island's aristocrats had conspired with the Fatui and incited the people to declare war on the Shogunate without her consent.
When the Shogunate army organized and began to win battles, those aristocrats turned to her, the Divine Priestess.
This almost made her laugh in anger.
It was only at the people's pleas that she reluctantly took command of the rebel forces.
She had hoped to use this opportunity to voice the Watatsumi people's grievances.
She aimed to achieve victories on the battlefield and then negotiate with the Shogunate for resources to improve the Watatsumi people's living conditions.
But this was under the condition that the Raiden Shogun remained uninvolved.
Each step she took was with great caution. After gaining an advantage on the battlefield, she would quickly negotiate with the Shogunate for some benefits and then retreat.
The Shogunate knew they could make the rebels retreat by conceding a little. Although it hurt their pride, they weren't losing resources since they took them from the common people.
Thanks to her leadership, the Watatsumi people's living conditions improved, and even the rebels got better equipment.
Having tasted victory, those aristocrats again stirred trouble, accusing her of disrespecting the fallen soldiers by showing weakness despite winning and forcibly took over command.
They even let the Fatui meddle in logistics, constantly pushing the rebels to advance the front line, aiming to completely defeat the Shogunate.
The war between the rebels and the Shogunate gradually spiraled out of control.
In their quest for victory, they even destroyed the sacred object suppressing the evil god on Yashiori Island, creating a supposed battlefield advantage.
When she heard this news, she was stunned.
Although she didn't know what those people were thinking, she was sure the Fatui were behind it.
Even if she knew the Fatui were causing trouble, she had no evidence. In the end, Watatsumi Island took the blame.
With the war out of control, her worst fear came true.
The Raiden Shogun had been alerted.
Sangonomiya Kokomi felt a deep fear.
The rebels could only fight the Shogunate army as long as the Raiden Shogun was not involved. Once she intervened, the Watatsumi forces were as good as paper.
If the Raiden Shogun took action, not only would the Watatsumi people face retribution, but Watatsumi Island might be wiped off the map of Inazuma.
Seeing the Musou no Hitotachi that split Yashiori Island in half and the storms surrounding Inazuma, she had no doubt about the power of the gods.
Waging war against the Shogunate without divine protection—how could those aristocrats think it was a good idea?
If the Raiden Shogun demanded accountability, she, as the visible leader of Watatsumi Island, the Divine Priestess and strategist of the rebel army, would be the first to be sacrificed. Sangonomiya Kokomi looked at the continuous thunder over Nazuchi Beach, feeling cold all over.
Could any soldier survive such world-ending lightning on Nazuchi Beach?
...
Boom—
Purple lightning descended on the battlefield at Nazuchi Beach, striking pits in the sand but surprisingly killing no soldiers.
All soldiers stopped fighting, intimidated by the thunder.
The Shogunate soldiers, ecstatic, looked up at the thunderous sky with fanaticism.
"Thunder! It's the Shogun! The Shogun is watching us!"
As mere soldiers, they had no complex thoughts. Their only belief was in their leader.
"Her Excellency's grace is boundless. The Narukami reigns eternal."
"Her Excellency's grace is boundless. The Narukami reigns eternal."
"Her Excellency's grace is boundless. The Narukami reigns eternal." The fanatical soldiers, knowing their god was watching, raised their spears and shouted.
"Shogun! We have failed you by needing your intervention."
Kujou Sara, leading the Shogunate forces, quickly knelt on one knee, looking at the thunder-filled sky with guilt.
"We will immediately deal with the rebels."
Kujou Sara thought the rebels' advance near Narukami Island had angered the Shogun.
Compared to the Shogunate soldiers, who were energized by chanting "Her Excellency's grace is boundless. The Narukami reigns eternal," the rebels were terrified by the thunder and divine power as if the sky was falling, losing all will to fight.
Even their weapons fell from their hands without them noticing.
"General Gorou, the Raiden Shogun is here. What do we do?"
The panicking rebels turned to the equally anxious Gorou like drowning men grasping at straws.
The Raiden Shogun is here! Who am I supposed to ask if you ask me?
Do you expect me to fight the Raiden Shogun?
Just as Kujou Sara was about to command the capture or execution of the rebel leaders, an alluring female voice, unexpected on the battlefield, was heard.
"It's quite lively here. At this rate, you'll reach Narukami Island."
Yae Miko walked with elegant steps as if she were strolling through a street lined with cherry blossoms instead of a battlefield.
In her hand, she held a purple sword emanating divine power.
The divine aura from the sword could easily crush anyone's spirit.
Everyone knew it was the Raiden Shogun's sword. No one doubted that one swing of it would obliterate them all.
Seeing the Raiden Shogun's sword was akin to seeing the Shogun herself.
The Shogunate soldiers raised their spears with fanatic fervor, shouting.
"Her Excellency's grace is boundless. The Narukami reigns eternal."
The sound was deafening, almost drowning out the thunder.
The rebels immediately fled in disarray. Gorou, seeing this, quickly turned to run, shouting.
"Retreat! Retreat, quickly!"
Yae Miko didn't even glance at the fleeing rebels, instead looking sympathetically at Kujou Sara.
"General of the Shogunate, Kujou Sara, you're truly unlucky."
"By the Raiden Shogun's decree, the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions have been found guilty of deceiving and conspiring with the Fatui to undermine the nation and harm the people of Inazuma. All those associated with the Kujou clan are to be detained and sent to Inazuma City."
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