At the one-eyed man's signal, Teppei drew this extraordinary-looking tachi.
On the battlefield, Teppei had noticed the unique blade in the one-eyed man's hands.
Unlike the standard-issue spears or tachis wielded by others, his weapon—though deliberately modified—was renowned among all for its sharpness.
Coupled with the one-eyed man's formidable martial skills, he had been unstoppable in battle.
Yet, for some reason, his swordsmanship bore slight similarities to that of the Shogunate soldiers.
"This blade... belonged to my father."
Gazing at the weapon in his hands, a struggle flickered in the one-eyed man's remaining eye.
Most notably, his complexion seemed healthier than before.
But Teppei knew—this was merely the last glow before death.
"My family was once a renowned swordsmanship school in Inazuma. My father even possessed a Vision. But because of the Vision Hunt Decree, he voluntarily surrendered it."
Here, the one-eyed man sighed.
"My brothers-in-arms and I couldn't understand Father's decision. After a fierce argument, they left in anger, while I secretly stole this heirloom tachi and joined the resistance—the very opposite of the Shogunate my father served."
By this point, Teppei had begun to realize something.
"Uncle... do you want me to find your father for you?"
"No... After surrendering his Vision, Father became a hollow shell. He doesn't even... never mind."
Perhaps feeling some family matters were too shameful to voice, he ultimately left the reason unspoken.
Summoning his last ounce of strength, the one-eyed man raised the tachi and offered it to Teppei.
"This blade is named Hakuen Michimitsu Amenoma—a legendary sword said to be sharp enough to sever even human bonds. As a disciple of Battousai, you won't disgrace it. I'm entrusting it to you... fulfills my final wish."
Teppei hesitated, staring at the trembling tachi—its wielder no longer steady-handed.
He knew that accepting it would mean the one-eyed man's death.
For it was this very resolve that had kept him clinging to life.
"What are you waiting for?! This is a famous sword that can even cut down a tengu!"
Seeing Teppei's reluctance, the one-eyed man glared at him, mustering his last breath to rebuke.
"..."
Teppei raised his bloodstained hands and accepted Hakuen Michimitsu Amenoma.
"At least... tell me your name."
Suppressing his grief, Teppei clutched the blade and asked the fading man.
Since arriving at the frontlines, this one-eyed man had treated him with the utmost kindness.
After Battousai, he admired him most.
Yet his aloof demeanor, paired with swordsmanship eerily similar to the Shogunate's, had alienated many. Most didn't even know his real name.
Had Teppei not cared for him, the arrow wound to his eye alone might have killed him.
"I am Iwakura Mitsu—nothing more than an unworthy disciple of the Iwakura school."
Watching Teppei accept the blade, Iwakura Mitsu smiled in relief.
Though Teppei always insisted Battousai had never formally acknowledged him as a disciple...
Among all the rebels, why had Battousai singled him out?
After their time together, Mitsu understood why.
No matter what, he could rest easy, knowing Hakuen Michimitsu Amenoma was in Teppei's hands.
Beneath the tree, Iwakura Mitsu slowly closed his eyes.
Unlike his usual stern demeanor in camp, this time, he departed with a smile.
Only when arranging his body did Teppei realize—
The man he'd always called "uncle" wasn't much older than him at all.
Gripping Hakuen Michimitsu Amenoma, Teppei stood before the grave he'd dug for Iwakura Mitsu and planted the tachi upright before it.
"The Vision Hunt Decree, huh..."
His grip on the blade tightened.
With one last look at the grave, Teppei turned and walked away.
Gazing up at the endless rain, he seemed to see a familiar silhouette once more.
"Mr. Himura... I want to end the Vision Hunt Decree."
...
Under the ceaseless downpour, three figures walked along the shores of Yashiori Island.
The tallest, on the right, stood over two meters tall. Yet the falling rain never touched her—it simply parted around her, as though recognizing her.
The shortest, on the left, wore a ninja's garb. Her tanuki-like hood shielded her from the storm, though the leaf atop it made her resemble the legendary mujina.
Side by side on the beach, their silhouettes looked like a perfect mobile signal bar.
"When will this rain stop? It's been going on forever..."
Shaking water from her head, Sayu listlessly glanced at the gloomy sky.
Though her Vision made her more resistant to the Tatarigami's influence than most, her mood was inevitably affected.
Unbeknownst to her, the rains over Yashiori wouldn't cease anytime soon.
Bai Luo glanced at her but didn't respond. Instead, he grabbed her by the scruff and hauled her under his oil-paper umbrella.
Sayu merely sighed, offering no protest.
By now, she was used to being carried. She'd even learned how to make it less uncomfortable—sometimes dozing off mid-transport.
Passing by Fort Fujitou, Bai Luo only looked up briefly before moving on.
He still had unfinished business before returning.
Beyond the fort, standing by the shore as waves crashed against the coast, Bai Luo surveyed the ruins before him.
"Hmm...?"
The lethargic Sayu suddenly tensed, as though sensing something.
Breaking free from Bai Luo's grip, she formed a hand seal and summoned her weapon—
A spiked club.
Debate Club
Bai Luo: "...What is this?"
"A Debate Club, obviously."
Sayu hoisted the miniature version over her shoulder matter-of-factly. The tiny club looked adorable yet radiated lethality.
Originally, it hadn't been this small. But the power of a Vision was wondrous—not only allowing her to wield an oversized club but also adapting it to her size for combat.
"Who gave you a Debate Club?"
Such an adorable little tanuki wielding this thing... yet, upon closer inspection, it oddly suited her.
"Lady Guuji did. She said I'm too young for killing, so this is better. Sometimes, just pulling it out can... persuade people without fighting."
"..."
True, like Bai Luo's reversed-blade sword, this weapon couldn't kill.
But getting hit by it? Death might be preferable.