Ritou—This is the gateway port of Inazuma, the Nation of Electro.
"So this is Inazuma? It's completely different from Sumeru."
A sweet girlish voice—Elysia, gazed at the port scenery, looking full of enthusiasm. For Miss Pink Elf, who had legendary street-wandering experiences in her youth, any unknown region held endless fascination.
"After all, Inazuma is an island nation."
"Islands aren't the issue... but Inazuma's environment is truly awful," Furina couldn't help but complain. "Although I've heard from Fontainians who've been to Inazuma that the environment isn't great, but... thunderstorms are just too much."
She hadn't returned to Fontaine; after all, Neuvillette and the others were handling Fontaine's affairs. The Hydro Archon, who had become more of a figurehead, a mascot even, didn't need to worry. Though she was also interested in Natlan, since Jiang Qiao was coming to Inazuma, it was only natural for Miss Furina to choose this side.
However, Inazuma's environment made her quite uncomfortable.
Both were nations surrounded and covered by water. Although Fontaine's so-called sea was actually an inland lake, the difference compared to this godforsaken place called Inazuma was simply too vast.
What she couldn't stand the most were the thunderstorms—although such things didn't harm Furina, an Archon, as a being originating from pure Hydro, Furina instinctively disliked Electro.
"That's the Raiden Shogun's 'barrier,' used to isolate Inazuma from the outside world." Feeling the slightly salty sea breeze, tinged with the smell of fish, [Mei] surveyed this Nation of Electro.
"Only Eternity is closest to the Heavenly Principles—in the eyes of that Raiden Shogun, change is the enemy of eternity. Only immutability can endure."
"I've heard about it... but seeing it firsthand is something else," Furina said with a look of disapproval.
Although she wasn't like Barbatos, whose ideals were diametrically opposed to the Raiden Shogun's, as the God of Justice who had watched over Fontaine for over five hundred years and witnessed its prosperity and progress, she wasn't fond of the Raiden Shogun's self-imposed isolationist policy for Inazuma.
As for Elysia, who believed that people should move forward and not stagnate, there was even less need to elaborate.
—Unlike the small area in the game, when scaled proportionally with other regions, even Ritou, merely a gateway, possessed an extremely vast area.
However, it completely lacked the appearance of a thriving port.
Due to Inazuma's Sakoku Decree, the entire nation presented a closed-off state to the outside world. Outsiders could only enter the main island of Inazuma after passing inspection by the Kanjou Commission in Ritou.
However, there were thunderstorms at sea, and the Kanjou Commission at this entry port wasn't exactly easy to deal with either.
Although it was a nation with an Archon, due to a certain good-for-nothing Archon, Inazuma's governance was almost entirely in the hands of the Tri-Commission.
And the quality of this political system, modeled after the Shogunate era, was plain to see.
Unlike in the game, where NPCs often looked like they were stamped from the same mold, here one could clearly see the pallid complexions of the people living under the Shogunate's rule. They looked like puppets operating according to prescribed procedures.
"The Raiden Shogun's governance is truly terrible," Furina frowned, finding it hard to watch.
Although after Neuvillette took office, she often acted like a mascot, and being an ordinary person, lacked power, in terms of internal affairs, as an extension of Focalors' humanity, she was no different from Focalors.
Looking at Inazuma's situation from Furina's perspective—she would have sent all relevant personnel to the Fortress of Meropide for advanced studies.
Especially those Kanjou Commission samurai and staff responsible for inspecting documents.
Their arrogant, impatient demeanor, looking down their noses at people, made Miss Furina's temper flare up instantly.
"This is infuriating! Doesn't she manage this at all?"
"If she won't, then I'll manage it for her!" Furina gnashed her teeth, wishing she could have Fontaine's navy come and kick down Inazuma's doors, to properly educate and brainwash these local Inazuman bureaucrats.
Of course, this was just said in anger.
After all, Fontaine's navy didn't have black ships, and besides, she wasn't following America's playbook.
Although the Kanjou Commission's attitude was exceptionally poor, fortunately, as long as one had sufficient Mora, obtaining a permit to enter the main island of Inazuma wasn't difficult.
However, their encounters after entering the main island didn't seem to go so smoothly.
"Make way, make way! The Tenryou Commission guys are arresting people!" A gruff male voice sounded. Looking towards the sound, it was a man with horns, a distinct Inazuman style, carrying a kanabō, and followed by a green-haired ninja girl in ninja attire.
"Seems like some trouble," Furina sighed.
But [Mei] was incredibly calm about it. "Not really, just some minor scuffles, probably."
[She] calmly watched the man rushing in their direction—Inazuma's street loafer, the good-natured delinquent, first leader of the Arataki Gang, Arataki Itto.
The latter seemed to notice her as well, his hurried steps gradually slowing down.
He stammered a bit. "Raiden Shogun?!"
The moment he clearly saw [Mei], Itto panicked a little.
"I told you not to go this way, but you wouldn't listen."
"Pah! So what if it's the Raiden Shogun? I'm still not afraid of her!" Although the Oni youth was scared the moment he saw [Mei]—which was natural, as there was probably no one in Inazuma, aside from very special existences, who wouldn't fear this inscrutable deity, and the reckless Itto was no exception—the next moment, his fearless nature kicked in, and he retorted to the green-haired girl beside him, Kuki Shinobu.
"Truly not afraid?" the girl asked with interest.
"N-not afraid! Hmph, not afraid means not afraid!"
"Don't think I'm scared of you just because you're the Shogun!"
"Idiot! Stop spouting nonsense!" Kuki Shinobu was scared to death, punching Itto on the head, looking thoroughly exasperated.
Then, with a hint of panic, she tried her best to calm down, wanting to say something to the 'Shogun' before them.
However, with the sound of dense footsteps, another group of people caught up.
Leading them was a raven-adorned girl, carrying a bow, her expression stern.
"Arataki Itto! Hand over the Vision!"
"Pah, come and get it yourself if you have the guts!"
"...Shogun-sama, what are you doing here..." Facing Itto's taunt, Kujou Sara didn't intend to waste words, but the next moment, she also noticed [Mei]'s presence, froze, and subconsciously looked astonished.
However, she quickly discerned the difference between this person and the Raiden Shogun she knew, and became furious.
"Insolence!"
Although the '[Mei] model' Jiang Qiao was currently using greatly resembled the Raiden Shogun, the cold temperament and the distinctly different hair color, among other subtle differences, made it easy to distinguish them. And after distinguishing them, this Tengu from the Kujou Clan, looking at this unfamiliar girl who had an 89% similarity to Shogun-sama, instantly became enraged.
"How dare you impersonate Shogun-sama!"
To this, [Mei] shrugged, looking somewhat helpless. "Don't misunderstand, this is the prototype—your Shogun is the later model."
Sara naturally didn't understand these words, but it didn't stop her from a simple interpretation.
Meaning... Shogun-sama isn't even as good as this person?
"Audacious! Not only impersonating Shogun-sama, but also daring to slander Shogun-sama! I will apprehend you and bring you before Her Excellency, for Shogun-sama herself to deal with you, you reckless fool who blasphemes Her Excellency's glory!" Miss Tengu, a devoted fan of the Raiden Shogun, was incredibly furious.
The next moment, she lunged towards [Mei].
"Eh, why are they fighting?"
"Didn't you hear? This Shogun-sama seems to be a fake."
"What? So she's a fake!"
"Phew, that scared me. I thought she was the real Raiden Shogun..."
"Idiot, stop sighing and run! Otherwise, after Miss Kujou deals with that fake Shogun, you'll be arrested again!"
—Jiang Qiao didn't pay attention to the discussion between these two, but looked helplessly at Kujou Sara rushing towards him.
Since Mei didn't intend to switch back voluntarily, he had been using this body. To be honest, when he arrived, he did wonder if that good-for-nothing hikikomori Archon would have some 'interesting expressions' if she saw his face. But he didn't expect that upon entering Inazuma, this face would immediately cause such trouble.
Clarifying and communicating verbally was one method, but looking at her furious state, it seemed unlikely they could sit down and talk peacefully without a bit of a scuffle.
If that's the case—
Crackle!
With a piercing sound of thunder, a sword forged from Electro element revealed its sharpness.
This scene also made Miss Tengu, who was fuming, pause for a moment.
This application of Electro element—could it be that she was mistaken, and the one before her was truly Shogun-sama?
But then she thought again, how could Shogun-sama be so clumsy? The person before her definitely couldn't be Shogun-sama.
And this little trick was just a small means to deceive her.
"Stormcluster!" Arrows imbued with Electro energy exploded at extremely close range.
[Mei], unfazed, raised a hand and danced with the blade in her hand—after a perfect circular flourish, the blade extended, transforming into a long naginata.
After a crackle of thunder, the arrows were easily deflected, then absorbed, and in the next flourish of the blade, rushed towards Kujou Sara, who was caught off guard and unable to adjust her position in mid-air, with even greater momentum.
...So fast!
Unable to react, looking at the Electro blade inches away, this thought flashed through Kujou Sara's mind. To say something outrageous, she even suspected if Shogun-sama's blade could be this fast.
But besides doubt, there was more of a sense of crisis from being in danger.
However, the next moment—a flash of lightning appeared, separating the two.
Following it was a charming voice. "Alright, let's end it here."
"There's not much fun in bullying this little block of wood like this, is there?"
"Lady Guuji!" Sara, having landed, immediately saw the pink, fox-eared figure—the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, Yae Miko, looking somewhat surprised.
"Lady Guuji, this person..."
"Alright, you head back first. Leave this to me."
"This..."
"Alright then."
Although Miss Tengu was somewhat reluctant, she nodded and left with the Tenryou Commission samurai, looking back repeatedly.
"I came over because I sensed something interesting happening here, but I didn't expect to find such an amusing scene."
"Oh my~ If I weren't so familiar with that old friend of mine for so many years, I would have been a little confused myself." The alluring, fox-eared woman, Yae Miko, approached [Mei], examining her with a teasing smile, very interested.
"And this one..."
"Fontaine's Archon, Focalors~ To think you'd come to Inazuma. I've truly been remiss in my welcome." To this, Furina curled her lip—she could tell at a glance that this foxy, scheming woman wasn't easy to deal with.
Smiling, Yae Miko lightly shook the Kagura Suzu in her hand, inquiring, "You three, what do you plan to do in Inazuma?"
Her tone carried a hint of profound meaning.
Undoubtedly, Miss Fox was somewhat wary of the trio's appearance.
After all—Inazuma's current situation wasn't exactly good.
Although, if anything really happened, it should be her old friend who deals with it.
But... None of these three were easy to handle.
Miko considered herself quite strong, but setting aside Fontaine's Archon, this girl who closely resembled Ei... no, this temperament, she actually looked more like Makoto, and was completely inscrutable.
And that woman with the same hair color, like a fairy...
If these three caused trouble in Inazuma, it would be an immense headache.
"Returning something to its rightful owner."
[Mei] didn't mind, flipping her fair palm to reveal the purpose of their trip.
"This is..." Miko's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, her thoughts unreadable.
She certainly couldn't fail to recognize what this was—to be honest, she rather regretted it.
After all, this was indeed a major hidden danger left behind by her old friend.
A moment of compassion had led to all sorts of disastrous consequences, ultimately becoming uncontrollable.
If given another chance, Miko would definitely have wanted to step in and clean it up.
But, she never expected to see him in the hands of this person who so closely resembled Makoto...
"I can hand it over to my old friend on your behalf."
"It doesn't really matter," [Mei] wasn't particularly concerned. For him, dealing with 'Scaramouche' wasn't worth worrying about; destroying it would suffice.
But for various reasons, he chose to make a trip to Inazuma.
Entrusting it to Miko was, of course, an option.
However... "Is it alright to continue like this?"
The girl smiled—and Miko, being a cunning person, ah no, a cunning fox, understood very well what this ambiguous statement meant. She fell into contemplation, examining the former with a scrutinizing gaze.
Looking at this gentle, nostalgic [Mei], who bore a ninety percent resemblance to Ei, after a long silence, Miko sighed.
"Perhaps, you are the most suitable one."
"Come with me. I'll take you to see her."