SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 84 out, this is Chapter 85 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?
Pairings: Albedo/Sucrose, Zhongli/Mitsuko/Kazuha, One-sided Diluc/Mitsuko, One-sided Diluc/Jean
Disclaimers: Genshin Impact and Sailor Moon belong to miHoYo and Takeuchi Naoko-sensei respectively. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except the plot, I hope.
Chapter 85: Teyvat Arc: Acer Palmatum, Part One
Sometime later...
"It's been a while since we first set foot on Inazuma!" Paimon remarked, the Traveler was near Byakko Plain. "So many things have happened since then."
"As if in the blink of an eye." the Traveler agreed.
"So, where should we go today?" Paimon asked.
"Wait a moment." the Traveler sensed a malevolent aura about them.
"What's up?" Paimon was puzzled.
"Someone's coming." the Traveler went into defensive mode when a strange samurai suddenly appeared and attacked them without warning.
"So, you don't have a Vision after all." the unnamed samurai remarked after being defeated by the Traveler. "Seems like I've mistaken you for someone else."
"At the very least, you should make sure you've got the right person before you go attacking them!" Paimon huffed. "No, wait... even when you've got the right person, you shouldn't go attacking them out of the blue! It's dangerous!"
"Have you ever met someone by the name of Kaedehara Kazuha?" the unnamed samurai inquired. "He carries a sword, just like you. I've also heard that he possesses an Anemo Vision."
"Why are you looking for him?" the Traveler pressed.
"That's none of your business." the unnamed samurai snorted. "Never mind. You don't look like you know anything anyway. I'm wasting my time."
"What the heck is this guy's problem?" Paimon complained after their mysterious attacker left. "Coming around here, waving that weird sword in our faces and didn't even apologize! Seems like a real nutcase. One thing's for sure: no way are we telling him anything about Kazuha."
"Very smart!" the Traveler nodded. "For once."
"Don't be mean." Paimon complained. "Paimon's smart lots of the time! Anyway, just to be on the safe side, we should go find Kazuha right away and tell him to watch his back."
"Actually, I have a hunch." the Traveler pondered.
"What kind of hunch?" Paimon blinked.
"I think this guy may have a special connection to Kazuha." the Traveler mused.
"A special connection?" Paimon echoed. "You mean, beyond already knowing each other?"
"I feel like their fighting styles are kind of similar." the Traveler spoke.
"Maybe a little." Paimon concurred. "But then again, most people look pretty much the same once they start fighting, so that doesn't really prove anything. Anyway, there's no time to lose; let's go tell Kazuha, so he won't get into any danger!"
At the Nekomata estate entrance...
"Mitsuko-ojou-sama and Kazuha-sama were called away earlier by some people from the Tenryou Commission." one of the Nekomata maidservants informed the Traveler. "They said they had something important to discuss with Kazuha-sama."
"Thank you!" Paimon nodded. "Guess we'll go pay a visit to the Tenryou Commission."
In the Tenryou Commission Headquarters...
"Greetings." Kujou Kamaji looked up from his conversation with the couple. "We were just discussing the repealing of the Vision Hunt Decree. Since you're here, you're very welcome to listen in on the conversation. We invited Mr. Kaedehara here to extend a gesture of goodwill on behalf of the Shogunate. Your hard work has secured for us the agreeable state of affairs that we now enjoy. Also, I have been granted the chance to correct my clan's past mistakes, and for that, I am deeply grateful. The Almighty Shogun has issued a large array of directives aimed at resolving, or at least easing, the tensions that have built up over the years. The Tri-Commission has made the recommendation to use this opportunity to restore the honor of the Kaedehara name. Regarding the history of the Kaedehara Clan, I trust that you are already somewhat informed?"
"I've heard a thing or two." the Traveler admitted.
"In short, there once was a group of select bladesmiths who served the Shogun directly, responsible for upholding and further developing the traditional blade-forging arts of the Almighty Shogun." Kamaji related. "The Kaedehara Clan belonged to this class. But there came a time when some of these bladesmiths revolted and fled to Snezhnaya. Both the Kaedehara and Kamisato Clans were held accountable for lax oversight, and entered a period of great turmoil. We later learned that the whole misadventure had been secretly orchestrated by the Fatui. Attributing all of the blame to the Kamisato and Kaedehara Clans was neither proper, nor just. Considering Mr. Kaedehara has once more made an outstanding contribution to Inazuma, the Almighty Shogun believes he should not only be rewarded for his achievements, but also receive recompense for the excessive punishment borne by his clan in the past. In the interest of preventing further harassment of the bladesmith clans by the Fatui, we chose not to publicly release the findings of our investigations into these matters. We trust you can understand why this was necessary."
"This is a true honor." Kazuha remarked. "I am delighted to be in a position to receive the goodwill of the Almighty Shogun and the Shogunate at large. However, would I be correct to assume that this magnanimous gesture does not come without some strings attached?"
"I can assure you that nothing could be further from the truth." Kamaji insisted. "We seek only to correct a past injustice. With the Kaedehara Clan's reputation and occupation restored, the Kaedeharas will be bladesmiths once more, and your wanderings will finally come to an end. You will be able to lead a safe and prosperous life in Inazuma City with the Almighty Shogun's blessing and the full support of the Shogunate."
"My ancestors did indeed take great pride in the name of Kaedehara and the art of blademaking for which it stood." Kazuha was in deep thought. "I do have a responsibility to restore their honor."
"I sense some hesitation in your words." Kamaji nodded. "Should you accept this offer, I imagine many of the malicious rumors currently circulating through the populace will disappear."
"Malicious rumors?" Paimon echoed.
"To some, the Musou no Hitotachi is something that can never be defeated." Kamaji explained. "They cannot accept the idea that Mr. Kaedehara really parried the Shogun's strike. Also, eye-witnesses saw him using the power of Electro in addition to that of Anemo. As a result, the falsehood that 'Kaedehara Kazuha was using a Delusion' began to spread. To some people, the idea of a single person wielding two elements at once is a more inconceivable notion still."
"This is just one of many similar rumors." Kazuha winced. "I am very uncomfortable with being the subject of public discussion, no matter whether it brings suspicion or stardom my way. But perhaps, if the Shogunate is willing to publicly support me, this situation will blow over more quickly. Please allow me some time to consider."
"Actually, let us put this discussion on hold for the moment." Mitsuko looked at the Traveler. "And what brings the two of you here?"
"Why would such a dangerous individual be looking for me?" Kazuha wondered after the Traveler related what had happened.
"So, that's what Aunt Hideko's warning this morning was about." Mitsuko muttered.
"Could it be someone you trained with under the same master?" the Traveler asked.
"Most certainly not possible." Mitsuko retorted. "Kazuha's sword skills are 100% self-taught."
"Mitsuko is indeed correct." Kazuha confirmed. "My fighting forms were taught to me by my family, based on techniques originally developed for blade-testing. We undergo rigorous training to standardize every motion the blade is put through, so that each can be fairly assessed for quality. Over time, these techniques came to form something of a Kaedehara sword art, focused on blade-testing but with a full repertoire of combat forms. Those forms are quite different from the more practical ones typically used by samurai in battle, so it's hard to imagine that the similarity you speak of was coincidence alone."
"All the more reason to watch your back!" Paimon warned. "This guy was a serious nutcase."
"Indeed." Kazuha agreed. "He sounds highly aggressive. Anyone he targets is at risk of serious injury, or worse."
"In that case, I will send some men out immediately to search for him." Kamaji spoke.
"Thank you." Kazuha nodded. "I must say, I am now very curious about this matter, and I will also need some time to consider your offer. We will first join the Traveler in investigating the one who attacked them, then give you a conclusive answer upon my return. Come on. Let's go and track down your aggressor."
SailorStar9: Any OOC-ness is regretted. *Grins* Don't you just love plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.
