"From today on, you will be a family member of the Kujou Clan. You will recieve education about our clan, and train to become a General to the Shogun's Army."
Those were the words said to her by the Clan Head, Kujou Takayuki, now known as her Father. He had given her the name Kujou Sara with the hope of rising through the ranks and become a General just like his other children.
The Tenryou Commission is led by the Kujou Clan, they are responsible for managing the security and military affairs of the Raiden Shogun. They were a part of the Tri-Commision who oversee every matter in Inazuma along with the Kanjou Commison by the Hiiragi Clan and the Yashiro Commission led by the Kamisato Clan.
Takayuki had made sure Sara knew their positions in the Tri-Commision. The Tenryou Commission is the Head of Public Security, the Kanjou Clan is the Financial Arm of Inazuma, while the Yashiro Commision is the Cultural Representative of Inazuma.
It seemed much for a yong child such as her, but nevertheless, Sara had proven herself once again worthy of the acknowledgement bestowed upon her by the Shogun with her bright mind and knowledge. In less than a week, she had already mastered her formal education, quickly catching up to everything that she had missed while living in the mountain.
Sara had devoured any information given to her by the books like a starved raven, eagerly learning as much as she could—especially the Raiden Shogun who had saved her life.
On her young age, she had already set out a determined path for her fate, and that was to serve the Raiden Shogun as best as she could. She would prove herself worthy, become her servant, and worship the Archon.
Sara knew that in order to prove herself useful, she would have to rise through the ranks of the Shogun's Army just like what the Clan Head wanted.
A week later, accompanied by her Father, she was dropped off at Kannazuka Island at the Kujou Encampment where she would train everyday to become stronger.
Being a young girl who lived in solitude in the mountains, she was extremely timid on her first few days on the encampment. The soldiers had also mistaken her for a boy, which she didn't bother to correct. Amazed that she was already a soldier in training at such a young age.
The soldiers had treated her very well, helping her break off her timid shell and became outgoing with her companions. They would teach her various of things, tell her stories about their homes and families, tell her what to do and shouldn't do to avoid trouble, and many advices that she took to heart. Here, in the camp, surrounded by people who took care of her, her heart felt at ease, and she couldn't help but consider the camp as her home.
Sara knew that the Kujou Clan that resides in inazuma is what she should consider as her family, but being an adapted child, you wouldn't be able to avoid the feeling of being an outsider to a family you did not belong to. She could tell that the Clan Head treats his biological children differently than he treats her, despite insisting that she address him as Father now that she was a part of the Kujou Clan. Sara did not mind, she preferred to be in the encampment were different people came from different parts of inazuma, they were all strangers, not connected by blood, but through the training and time they spent together, the soldiers consider each other as their own family.
And she was a part of that. She was a part of their family. Sara was treated as the youngest sibling, her fellow soldiers in training were very protective of her.
They were willing to do what she wanted, even ditching training to play games with her. The troops had told her that it was important for a child like her to relinquish the spirit of childhood, and thus must enjoy herself while she was still young.
One day, while playing with her, they did not get the notice of the Clan Head's sudden visit to the camp to examine his adopted daughter's progress.
Walking up on them, not doing their usual training but instead playing games with a little girl, the soldiers were heavily punished.
"Is this what you were trained to do? Indulge in child play instead of training my daughter?"
The soldiers who did not know that she was the adapted daughter of the Clan Head had paled considerably at the news.
Takayuki had turned to settle his eyes on her, "Not following military law and neglecting your training... I did not take you in just to have you do such pointless things." He coldy chastened.
Since then, Sara would be conscientious in maintaining a certain distance from others. Rather than blending in with the crowd, she sought first to attain surpassing martial prowess, bearing in mind at all times that she would someday take command.
As years went by she quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a General and making a name for herself.
If you were to ask people about Kujou Sara, you will hear them say that she has a ruthless, yet efficient and stern attitude, fitting for her position in the Tenryou Commission. Her devotion to the Shogun's cause and her honorable conduct has gained her the respect of those under her command.
"The Raiden Shogun's helper. An example to the Tenryou Commission. The pride of the Clan Head."
None of these three identities put her first in any way. But to Sara, this was her. She was a warrior whose being was calm and austerity.
No one ever told her that she should give herself more consideration, and Sara did not necessarily lack such concerns either.
Her chains as an adopted child and the solitude of a non-human had always accompanied her mission and status.
But to stop due to such obstacles is the dilemma of the weak, and being Kujou Sara, her path would not end here. She would be the Electro Archon's staunchest adherent and the most clear-headed of her generals.
All for the desires of the Raiden Shogun.
~~~
The second time she saw him, it was on the streets of Hanamizaka. She wouldn't miss that unruly and spiky white hair that stood out amongst the crowd like a sore thumb, the red horns and red markings on the face was a dead give a way as well. It has been years since she last saw him, but nothing seemed to change for the boy—no, the young man that he now was.
He was still unruly and boisterous as ever. Sara watched the oni explain himself to the Tenryou Commission Officials about the responsibilities and duties as the First and Greatest Head of the Arataki Gang. To his utter frustration, the officials had interrupted him and simply labeled him as unemployed.
To which the Oni irritatingly replied that it was wrong since he took odd jobs here and there before taking a three days off.
Sara amusedly thought that the oni, therefore, was three quarters unemployed.
She watched as he took off angrily, crossing his arms across his chest as he pouted comically. Muttering proficiencies under his breath. Her lips quirked up in amusement, he was still acting like a child.
Sara briefly wondered if the Oni could still remember her, since to Sara, her last day on the mountain was memorable and simply an encounter she could never forget.
She remembered wanting to know his name, taking note of the Arataki Gang that he mentioned, Sara went to the Tenryou Commision with that in mind.
She had learned that the Arataki Gang was led by the Crimson Oni, Arataki Itto. His gang consist of Kuki Shinobu, Genta, Akira and Mamoru. They were a delinquent group that constantly gives trouble to the Tenryou Commission, and as such they were at odds. Sara noted that the Arataki Gang had not done any evil deeds despite being a thorn at the Tenryou Commission's side.
Sara noticed that the gang member, Shinobu, is responsible for keeping Itto's antics in check, trying her best to compensate for any damages caused from them and also bailing him out of jail.
She closed the record book, glad that the boy who she once wrestled with when she was still such a young child had great people surrounding him, taking care of his antics and child-like personality.
~~~
After a late night training on the training grounds with her bow, Sara slowly walked back to the Tenryou Commission. Enjoying the stillness and quiet of the night, golden eyes floating up to the sky were the moon resides, illuminating all over inazuma while the cherr blossoms moved freely in the air.
She stopped on her tracks, hiding behind a nearby tree when she caught sight of three suspicious people. Sara briefly wondered what they were doing in the middle of the night.
Sara quickly recognized her Father, escorting the two other people, which she identified as the Hiiragi Clan Head of the Kanjou Commission and the Snezhnaya Delegate who they addressed as Signora.
She was confused on what they were doing. If they were discussing national affairs shouldn't they be doing it in broad daylight not at night? It was suspicious, but Sara had no reason to be wary of her Father.
After all, the Tenryou Commision exist to serve the Raiden Shogun, they were loyal to the Archon at a fault. Surely, everything they do is for the benefit of the Shogun.
Sara had her doubts, but she was in no position to question her Father and his actions for the Tenryou Commission.
On the course of the next few days, a conference was held at the Tenshukaku. All the Clan Heads of the Tri-Commision were present along with their aids. Sara quietly stood back behind the Almighty Shogun, acting as her personal guard.
It was her Father who spoke first, breaking the silence. "The Tenryou and Kanjou Commission has a proposal to offer the Raiden Shogun."
Kamisato Ayato rose one delicate brow, unaware of the proposal the two Clan Heads had spoken of. As a part of the Tri-Commision, he should be informed before hand of what they would propose to the Shogun, it displeased him that no one had bother to inform him.
The Shogun's unflinching gaze settled upon them, "Continue."
Upon her permission, Takayuki opened his mouth. "In recent years, more visions has been gifted to the citizen of Inazuma. I believe that we must put a restraint to this issue, as the Head of Public Security, it will become a problem to us, sooner than later. There have already been numerous reports of vision wielders who disobey the Almighty Shogun's absolute rule."
Ayato's eyes widened, his head jerking towards the Kujou Clan Head. Takayuki was proposing to put a stop to the appearances of visions under the pretense of being a threat to the people of Inazuma. As a vision wielder himself, he found it prosperous that Takayuki dares to suggest such insolence. Vision wielders are people with great ambitions who were acknowledged by the Archons themselves, to say that they would use it for evil deeds was equivalent to questioning a God's decision.
"Wouldn't that imply that you are lacking in handling the military affairs of Inazuma when you can't even handle a few accidents?" Ayato spoke casually, raising a questioning brow at Takayuki.
The insult didn't escape the Kujou Clan Head's attention. He gritted his teeth, "It is not because we are lacking, the vision wielders had simply gotten out of control. Perhaps the haughtiness has finally gotten into their heads, thinking they could question the Shogun's rule."
"I agree with Takayuki." The Hiiragi Clan Head interjected. "The vision wielders had become too dangerous. Who can say that they wouldn't pose a threat to us? With the visions granted to them by the Archons they might took it as a sign to challenge the Gods. After all, they were bestowed enough power to do so."
"I assure you Shinsuke that no vision wielder has such malicious thoughts. We are eternally grateful for the Archons who had acknowledged us, we would not use our powers to abuse others."
"You might not abuse yours, Ayato. But how do you speak for the others? Surely, not all has the same thoughts as you."
"Then, I propose for a rule that limits the use of the visions. Enough to use them for daily lives, but not enough to pose a threat. There is no reason to cease all visions simply because of an omen that doesn't exist."
"Allowing them to use the vision doesn't distinguish the threat they possess, Ayato. We must take certain measures to prevent a dreaded future with that scenario." Takayuki hissed at the other side of the table, glaring daggers at the Kamisato Clan Head, who equally stared back unwaveringly like the calm ocean.
"Enough." The Raiden Shogun cut through sharply at the tension in the air. "I will decide the outcome for Inazuma's future."
The three clan head waited with bated breath, anticipating the Shogun's answer.
Ayato was confident that the Shogun will dismiss their proposal, after all, she was an Archon. The Shogun, above all else, should understand more than anyone where he was coming from, especially those who were gifted by a vision.
"As the God of Eternity, I will eliminate all the unstable element that pose a threat to my eternal realm."
"Your Excellency!" Ayato protest loudly, astounded that she had approved so easily.
Ayato's attempt to change their minds fell on deaf ears as Takayuki and Shinsuke carried out the new decrees set for Inazuma. Sara stood silently behind the Shogun's back, mind torn by the turn of events.
To her, Sara's vision was her sign of acknowledgement from the Shogun, to cease her vision was equivalent to saying that she was unworthy of her ambition. Despite this, Sara would not question the Shogun's will, for her words are absolute, and the Raiden Shogun knows more than anyone what was best for inazuma.
She will gladly hand over hers if the Shogun desires so.
Soon after the conference ended, news of the Sokaku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree spread all over Inazuma.
Inazuma would be under lockdown, shutting down the borders of Inazuma as a part of the Vision Hunt Decree.
People who want to leave or enter Inazuma legally must pass the strict assessments conducted by the Kanjou Commission to obtain permission. Those who are not Inazuman cannot leave Ritou without a Travel Permit as a result. However, such restrictions do not apply to the Fatui, since they are able to enter and exit Inazuma freely due to their diplomatic immunity.
The Tenryou Commission also enforces the Sakoku Decree.
The Shogun had surrounded Inazuma with a storm barrier making sure that no one could enter nor leave the nation, destroying all possible threat to her unchanging Eternity.
In a span of a year, the Vision Hunt Decree was carried out successfully. The Shogun had declared that Visions, as gifts from the gods, should be in the sole hands of divinity. The Tenryou Commission was in charge of rounding up all Visions in Inazuma. Inlaying them in the hands of a statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God.
Those who serve the Shogun are seen as exceptions to the Decree so long as they remain useful. Kujou Sara, the General of the Tenryou Commission and the aide of the Raiden Shogun remained in possession of her Electro Vision. But she too, knew, that once her purpose had been served, she too will give up her vision to accomplish the Shogun's pursuit to eternity.
~~~
(A/N: First of all, while reading through this chapter, some of you might recognize some lines. I actually copied some of them from the actual lore since it's more easier to portray them exactly how they were written in the lore. I have no idea where Sara trained as a child but I decided to use the Kujou Encampment instead. No Itto and Sara interaction for now since they did start bothering each other after Sara confiscated his vision so now we go through the Vision Hunt Decree. I hope you managed to understand how the Inazuma Archon quest played out a little better if you were just skipping through the dialogues lol. So, what do you think of my Ayato? I'm already falling in love. (Manifesting to get him even though he's not released yet.) I must admit, I kinda justified Ayato here, I mean, he's the Clan Head of the Kamisato Clan and the Leader of the Yashiro Comission ain't no way is he gonna sit back and relax when they're talking about the decree. The Kujou and Hiiragi are in cahoots with this plan cus it said in the lore that they were working together. Not sure tho and I don't exactly remember cus I'm not innocent as well, I also skip dialogues.)