Let me set the scene for you: we're seated around this very atathetic table, tea steaming in delicate cups, the atmosphere so peaceful you'd think we weren't internationally wanted. And there's Thoma, being all courteous and pouring us tea like he didn't just leave us for dead back in Ritou.
"First of all," he says, all polite-like, "in all seriousness, I would like to apologize about the little 'test' you went through earlier. Though it was quite necessary. It helped us determine whether or not to bring you before Miss Kamisato and whether you had the courage to face the lightning alongside us."
I blew on my tea like a totally normal civilian. Totally. "Oh you mean when you ditched these two in Ritou and all three of us had no choice but to punch our way through those innocent guards? Psh. No biggie."
Thoma chuckled nervously. "Yeah, it's kinda necessary—wait... you did what?"
"Oh, it's nothing," I waved it off like a respectable menace. "Don't sweat the small stuff."
I saw Thoma's eye twitch. A drop of sweat slid down his face. He took a quiet sip of tea like it would protect him from my unhinged energy. News flash: it won't.
Paimon, meanwhile, was still holding onto that grudge like it was her emergency food title. "Hmph! Don't think that Paimon's gonna forgive you just because you're all serious now!"
"Come on, floating emergency food," I said with a grin. "It's all part of the thrill. Life's just more fun when we're on the verge of being imprisoned."
Lumine smacked the back of my head. I deserved that.
"Right," I turned back to Thoma. "So, where were we before I reminded you that you almost made us punch our way into Inazuma's Most Wanted?"
Thoma cleared his throat. "Yes, well, there is one other place I was hoping you three would accompany me to... before I take you to the Kamisato Estate."
Lumine tilted her head. "Where to?"
"The statue of the Omnipresent God," he replied. "It's still under construction now, but you can already see it from practically anywhere on Narukami Island."
I blinked. "Oh great. Another ominous, all-seeing, divine surveillance statue. Just what I needed."
Lumine rolled her eyes and Paimon was like, "Well, if we're going to see a statue, let's hope it's not cursed or glowing or something."
"Don't jinx it," I muttered, thinking about our track record with glowing things.
So off we went. To a giant divine statue being built by a nation obsessed with Eternity, rules, and apparently lightning boobs.
As we walked, I couldn't help but wonder—why do all these gods want statues anyway? I mean, if I were a deity, I'd want a big flashing billboard that says: 'I'm chill. Please don't worship me unless it involves snacks.'
But noooo. We gotta walk toward a thunder-powered monument that watches everyone like a judgmental aunt.
"So," I asked Thoma while dodging an angry sparrow. (Seriously, that thing was out for blood.) "What's the point of this giant statue anyway? To scare people into obedience?"
Thoma was surprisingly calm. "It represents the Raiden Shogun's pursuit of Eternity. It's a symbol of her will."
"Right," I said. "And punching people who disagree with her is... also symbolic?"
He didn't answer. Smart move.
We kept walking, the statue getting bigger the closer we got. It looked like Raiden Shogun herself, all majestic and terrifying with lightning crackling around her. Honestly? Ten out of ten design. Would be more impressed if it wasn't trying to enforce a totalitarian ideal.
"This thing's huge," Paimon whispered.
"That's what she said," I muttered.
Lumine smacked me again.
Thoma took us up to a ledge overlooking the construction site. There were workers everywhere, some lifting materials, others adjusting the stone. The statue's hand was raised like it was about to summon divine wrath or grab a really high shelf.
"This is... a little creepy," I admitted.
"It's meant to inspire reverence," Thoma said.
"Yeah, well, I feel very reverent about getting out of here alive. That count?"
Lumine sighed. Paimon muttered something about regretting everything.
And me? I just stared at that statue, hands on my hips, and thought:
"You know, maybe if she built fewer giant statues and more snack bars, Inazuma wouldn't be so tense."
Thoma ignored me. Probably for the best.
But I wasn't kidding. The Booba Archon's giant lightning statue was impressive, sure, but all I could think was—
This is going to get blown up by the end of our arc, isn't it?
Probably.
Definitely.
...Can I carve a mustache on it before that happens?
No? Okay, maybe later.
So there we were—standing in front of the half-finished statue of Inazuma's glorious... dictator. Ah, yes. Nothing like staring up at a giant stone monument of the very system that nearly imprisoned us. What a vibe.
Paimon squinted. "Huh? Are Paimon's eyes playing tricks, or are there things embedded in the statue?"
I gave her a flat look. "Vision Hunt Decree, remember? Those are Visions. Y'know, dreams, ambitions, power. The usual collectible bling of the chosen ones."
Thoma nodded solemnly. "That's correct. Inazuma is known as the Nation of Etern—"
"—Eternal Depression?" I cut in.
Lumine smacked me so hard I saw actual eternity for 0.3 seconds. "Listen."
"Ow," I muttered, blinking stars out of my vision. Rude.
Thoma coughed into his fist, trying to be diplomatic. "As I was saying... the Nation of Eternity. The Raiden Shogun is both Inazuma's supreme ruler and its deity."
In my head? I'm thinking: man, that lady's a glorified puppet. No, seriously. She's literally a puppet. The real Booba Archon is sitting cross-legged in her magical emo bubble of self-reflection—the Plane of Euty...whatever-the-fuck-it's-called. But hey, this is Thoma's monologue moment. Let the man cook.
"The Shogun wishes to keep Inazuma in stasis," Thoma went on, all serious. "Her goal is to allow time to flow undisturbed, preserving the present forever."
I nodded sagely. "Right right, a prison without walls. Everyone's technically free, but actually not. So like, philosophical jail. Got it."
Thoma blinked. "...That's... actually not wrong."
I grinned proudly. Lumine looked like she was seriously reconsidering her life decisions again. Paimon floated with that expression that screamed, "why are my travel companions like this."
Then Thoma's tone dropped serious again. "The Vision Hunt Decree is something that simply should not exist. Miss Kamisato has been working against it ever since the announcement."
Lumine tilted her head and stepped forward. "These visions... do they still have a connection to their owners?"
She reached out and touched one—classic protagonist move.
"Lumine, no—"
Too late. Her hand brushed one of the glowing stones and she flinched hard.
"Ah... my head..."
I moved beside her in a flash. "That's what you get for touching unnecessary sparkly crap. It's probably whispering the dreams of the poor sucker it belonged to. Ambition, regrets, who knows."
Thoma gave me a weird look. "That's... not how I would've explained it, but you're not exactly wrong."
I gave him a thumbs-up. I may be a chaotic menace, but I'm an accurate chaotic menace.
"We should go," Thoma said gently. "It's time to visit the Kamisato Estate."
OH YES. I clapped my hands like a giddy fanboy. "Time to meet the cutest girl in all of Inazuma—Kamisato Ayaka herself! Let's go!"
Thoma blinked. "Wait... you know Lady Ayaka?"
I grinned like an idiot who just found extra fries at the bottom of the bag. "If it's a cute girl, I probably know her. It's in my DNA or something."
He stared at me like I was either a prophet or a walking disaster. Possibly both.
Paimon rolled her eyes. "Someone's a little too excited."
"Listen," I said dramatically. "Some people dream of adventure. I dream of meeting the Ice Princess. Also, Hydro Daddy isn't here yet, but that's okay. I'll simp for him later."
Lumine: facepalming.
Paimon: floating judgmental emoji.
Thoma: regretting every second of bringing us along.
And so off we went. Three delinquents and our honorary guide, walking down the path to the Kamisato Estate. We had no clue what kind of chaos was waiting ahead...
But one thing was for sure:
If there was drama, trauma, or tea?
Team Chaos was ready.
***
So there we were. Kamisato freakin' Estate. The fancy turf of Inazuma's VIP squad. I half expected a parade, maybe some fireworks, or at least a complimentary mochi platter. Instead? Quiet. Peaceful. Elegant. So elegant that even my chaos had to pause a little.
Paimon floated beside me, arms crossed like a tiny food critic. "So this is the kind of place where the bigshots of Inazuma live, huh? Paimon kinda expected it to be... snazzier."
I leaned down and whispered, "Jade Chamber still slams. But wait till you see the cutie behind that screen. Certified 100/10."
Thoma, the ever-polite cinnamon roll of Inazuma, smiled at us. "Welcome to the Kamisato Residence. Miss Kamisato is delighted to finally meet you."
Lumine glanced around. "Where is she, exactly?"
And like clockwork, a soft cough echoed from behind a paper screen.
I smirked. "Told you. Behind the screen."
Thoma gave a polite chuckle. "Yes, haha. As the daughter of the Yashiro Commission, this is how Miss Kamisato is accustomed to receiving guests. It's a time-honored tradition within the Yashiro Commission. Forgive me if this is an unwelcome surprise."
I waved him off. "No worries, man. She's a Very Important Princess. I get it. Royal protocol. Hidden beauty. Anime entrance drama."
Then her voice. Oh, Archons. Her voice.
Ayaka spoke, still unseen. "Please forgive my lack of courtesy for receiving you in this fashion... especially following such a long and wearisome journey over the sea. I have awaited your arrival with great anticipation, and Thoma assures me that you do indeed possess the power to change the tide of the times."
I elbowed Paimon. "Told you, emergency food. Even her voice sounds cute."
"Paimon is not emergency—ugh, forget it."
Ayaka continued, each word wrapped in gentle resolve. "At present in Inazuma, in the name of the Vision Hunt Decree, the people's aspirations are being senselessly trampled underfoot. Though the Yashiro Commission serves the Shogun, it is the people with whom we share close bonds, given the contact we are required to have with them in the performance of our duties."
"A commission's power rises and falls with the trust of their people. Thus, we cannot remain indifferent to this situation without also remaining indifferent to our own fate."
She paused.
Dramatic silence.
Perfect for a meaningful ask.
"Dear Travelers, lend us your power, and we can—"
I raised a hand. "Yeah, I think we heard enough."
Thoma's eyes widened. "See, milady, it's just like I said… this will take us nowhere—"
"Yeah nah," I cut him off too, shooting him a grin. "What we mean is—point to the bastard you want us to destroy, and I'll do it blindfolded."
For a second, there was silence. Like, the kind where even the wind stops moving.
Then...
She stepped out.
The one, the only—Kamisato Ayaka. Graceful. Composed. Teary-eyed?
"D-Do you mean that?"
I gave her my signature grin. The kind that says I cause problems on purpose but also you can trust me with your cat.
"Where there is Chaos, we are always present. Ain't that right, gang?"
Lumine gave me a side glance, then nodded. "...He's not wrong."
Paimon sighed, hands on hips. "We really need to work on your timing... but yeah. Count us in."
Ayaka's eyes sparkled like the first snow of winter.
Boom. Mission accepted. Drama unlocked. Princess impressed.
Let the next phase of chaos... begin!
__________________________
End of Chapter 46
Quests Completed:
*Arrive at the base of the Raiden Shogun's statue of not-so-eternal joy.
* Let Thoma explain the state of Inazuma while resisting the urge to roast every sentence.
*Reach the estate in one piece. Try not to trip over the sheer fanciness of the floor tiles.
* Initiate contact with Kamisato Ayaka through a screen like you're in a soap opera.
*Accept Ayaka's request to help Inazuma and pretend you didn't just interrupt her dramatic speech.
Rewards:
*+500 EXP in "Diplomatic Disaster Management"
*+1 Ice Princess Ally (Kamisato Ayaka unlocked!)
*+1 Emotional Damage to Paimon
*+1 Reputation Increase with the Yashiro Commission
*+3 Dango Milestone Achieved
Achievement:
"I Know a Cutie When I See One"
-Know an important character before being introduced specially when it's white haired from Inazuma who happens to be the sibling of the Hydro Daddy.