"So," I said with the most serious face I could muster, arms crossed, chin tilted like I was about to announce world peace. "What are we going to do now? Punch Raiden Shogun square in the face?"
Silence.
Ayaka's jaw dropped, Paimon gasped so hard she almost inhaled her own wings, and Lumine just blinked at me like I'd grown a second head.
Obviously, I was joking.
"N-NO NO NO!" Ayaka practically flailed, which was very un-princess-like but also very adorable. "That would be... that would be way too extreme!"
I threw my hands up. "Whoa, calm down, Your Highness. It's a joke! I'm not suicidal, you know. If I actually did that, I'd be smited out of existence. Just—poof! Into the afterlife. Immediate and dramatic."
Paimon tilted her head. "I don't know, you do stupid things a lot."
"Wow. The floating emergency food speaks."
Lumine smirked.
Ayaka sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. Anyways, I would like your help with something. It's about the three people who had their Visions taken."
She suddenly switched to Serious Mode. Like flipping a switch. Respect.
We all sat down—well, I sprawled out on the nearest cushion like a cat that owned the place—and Ayaka began explaining. Something about a warrior who protects a village, a former samurai who obeyed the Vision Hunt Decree, and a sword guy who was basically Zoro but with a moral crisis.
Ayaka's voice was gentle but determined. "The Vision Hunt Decree has left many lives in disarray. These three individuals… they each have stories that I believe could awaken something important. Inazuma has suffered, but their determination remains. We must help them remember what they once fought for."
I squinted. "So basically, you want us to go and do motivational speeches? I'm great at those. I once convinced a Hilichurl to stop hitting me and rethink his life choices. For two minutes. Then he hit me harder."
Ayaka blinked. "Not quite what I meant, but I admire your spirit."
"A warrior who guards a village, a former samurai who helped carry out the Vision Hunt Decree, and a swordmaster determined to become the best in the world..." Paimon repeated like she was reading the back of a dramatic novel. "Does Paimon got that right?"
"Correct," Ayaka nodded, her voice soft but firm. "Please, do all you can to help them. I will await your return here."
Lumine stood and nodded. "We understand. We'll be going now."
Ayaka gave us a soft smile, the kind that made you think everything would be alright even when it clearly wouldn't. "Then, you have my gratitude."
We turned to leave—but of course, the moment was ruined because Thoma just had to say something nice.
"I'm sure you'll do great."
Bless his sunshine heart.
But before we could step out the door, I raised a hand.
"Actually," I said, tapping my chin. "You guys go ahead first. I've got somewhere to be. I'll catch up with you before you go to Narukami Shrine."
Lumine blinked. "Where are you going? And... why should we meet at the Shrine?"
I gave her the patented Shigeru Grin—that charming, lopsided, dangerous smile that says I definitely have no plan but I'm going to wing it and probably cause chaos.
"Just trust me. I know what I'm doing. I was never wrong before, right?"
"You were wrong literally yesterday—"
"Shhh. Details. Listen, I told you, I'm going to change a few things. So you better be ready."
I turned, coat fluttering even though there was no wind, and dramatically walked out like I was in a movie.
Step one of my legendary plan: wander aimlessly.
Don't laugh. It's called improvising.
I walked through the streets of Inazuma City with my hands behind my head like I was just some guy with nothing to do. Internally? Chaos. But on the outside? Chill. That's the Shigeru Guarantee.
"Alright brain," I whispered to myself. "Time to do what we do best. Be brilliantly unprepared."
My first stop was a street vendor selling dango. Because, obviously, I needed fuel for whatever glorious mess I was about to dive into.
"One stick, please," I said, slapping mora on the counter. "Actually, make it three. One for now, one for the drama later, and one for the inevitable crisis I'm going to cause."
The vendor blinked but handed them over. Good service. No questions.
I bit into one and walked with renewed purpose. Sort of. It was more of a snack-fueled meander. I wasn't exactly sure where I was going, but sometimes destiny just needs a little push. Or in my case, a guy with dango and no shame.
And that's when it hit me—literally, because I walked straight into a blacksmith's signboard.
"OW—alright, universe, I get it," I muttered, rubbing my forehead. "You want me to get a weapon. Sheesh."
I stepped into the forge, ducking slightly because it smelled like molten metal and manly disappointment. The blacksmith—a bulky, soot-stained man with arms like tree trunks—looked up from his anvil.
"Can I help you?" he asked, voice like grinding stone.
"Yeah," I said, dusting myself off. "I want a sword."
He arched a brow. "Any particular kind?"
I smirked. "Ever heard of the Amenoma Kageuchi?"
His eyes flicked with interest. "That's no beginner's weapon. You looking to impress someone, or planning on starting a war?"
"Yes."
He stared.
I cleared my throat. "I mean, look, I'm not just some tourist who wants a souvenir. I want a real blade. A weapon that says, 'this guy might joke a lot, but mess with him and you'll wake up in the next weekly reset.'"
He grunted. "It'll take time. Materials. Mora."
"Fine," I said, slapping what little mora I had on the table. "This is a down payment. Also, I can gather what you need. Just give me the list, and I'll handle it."
He handed me a scroll. "You bring me all that, and I'll make your Amenoma Kageuchi. But don't slack off. I don't work for clowns."
"Good news," I said with a wink. "I'm a jester. Totally different class."
I left the forge with a mission. A real one. A side quest, maybe—but one that would matter.
Amenoma Kageuchi, huh? A fitting name for a man like me.
Sword of shadows. Blade of elegance. Weapon of choice for a guy who acts like a fool but fights like a storm.
"Let's get to work," I muttered.
And this time, no distractions.
...Right after I finish my third dango.
***
I stared at the list like it had personally offended me.
"50 Amethyst Lump. 50 White Iron Chunk. 500 Mora."
That's it? That's all it takes to make a weapon?
Teyvat economy is wild.
I rubbed my chin dramatically. "Hmmm... Not bad."
Simple. Straightforward. Suspiciously reasonable.
Of course, knowing my life, this wasn't going to be easy. Because nothing ever is. Not when you're Shigeru, full-time chaos magnet, part-time unpaid hero, and part-time emotionally unstable ex–Mondstadt citizen with a good heart and no brain.
So, with dango crumbs still stuck to my coat, I set off on a glorious material grind.
Step One: Iron Mining Adventure
Where do you even get Amethyst Lumps? Underground? Side of a cliff? Out of the tears of Electro Hypostases?
Turns out: everywhere. And also nowhere. Because I swear these things hide the moment you need them.
I was mid-swing, breaking some shiny purple rock with my sword, when a voice behind me yelled—
"HEY! YOU! STOP MINING THAT!"
I turned, still chewing a mint I forgot I put in my mouth. "What? Why?"
Three guys walked up. Ronin. Real scruffy-looking. One of them had a hairdo that looked like it lost a bet.
"We saw it first!" yelled the one with half a shirt. Always a sign of trouble.
"Yeah? Well, I saw you guys first, but you don't see me collecting you," I said, casually twirling my sword like an idiot with confidence.
They didn't laugh.
No one ever appreciates good banter.
Cue: Minor Skirmish With Questionable Adults
"Let's teach this punk a lesson!" said the smallest one, clearly trying to sound like a boss.
They charged.
I dodged.
I might have tripped on a log.
BUT I RECOVERED!
With style.
"Alright, you bargain-bin Kairagi," I said, brushing leaves off my shoulder, "time to meet the Shigeru Special."
Cue dramatic battle music.
(Okay, it was me humming while swinging my sword.)
I danced between them like an uncoordinated ballerina with anger issues. It wasn't elegant, but hey—style points are for people not fighting three angry ronin in the woods.
Eventually, I won. Obviously.
One of them groaned on the ground. "What... are you?"
I wiped my brow, struck a pose, and grinned. "I'm the guy who's gonna forge the coolest weapon in Inazuma. That's what I am."
Then I stole the iron they dropped and walked away like a champion.
Step Two: The Electro Arc
Remember earlier when I said I got the Electro element before leaving Ritou? Yeah, best decision of my life.
Because guess what showed up next?
Ruin Sentinels.
Plural.
WHY.
I was just minding my business—digging up a White Iron Chunk with a rock I named "Smashy"—when they rose out of the ground like rejected Transformers.
"Okay," I muttered, backpedaling, "you guys clearly have too much free time."
I summoned Electro.
Felt the buzz.
Felt powerful.
Felt like Raiden Shogun's distant cousin who got kicked out of family reunions.
I charged in.
...and immediately got punched across the clearing.
"WHOA THERE, SIR SLAM-A-LOT!" I yelled, eating dirt and regret.
Round two went better.
With some dodging, slicing, shouting, and one accidental explosion involving a nearby barrel (don't ask), I defeated them.
Barely.
But I survived. My hair was frazzled, my jacket was singed, and I was now legally a war veteran.
And most importantly—I had all my materials.
Step Three: Smith Time
I marched to the blacksmith like I'd just saved the nation. Which I kind of did, if you count saving it from bad fashion and boring swords.
"Hey!" I slapped the materials onto the table like a guy slapping down Uno cards.
The blacksmith, who I swear has never smiled in his life, blinked. "This is... everything?"
"Yup. Count it. Fifty purple rocks, fifty white rocks, and enough Mora to buy exactly two apples and a trauma session."
He didn't laugh.
Tough crowd today.
He got to work, and I watched, pacing around like an expectant father.
Every hammer strike was a promise.
Every spark was a dream.
Every puff of smoke was... kinda choking, actually.
"Hey, ventilation much?" I coughed.
He ignored me.
I leaned on the wall. "You know, once this is done, I'm gonna be unstoppable. I'll look so cool the Shogun herself might pause before frying me."
Still nothing.
"Tough room," I muttered.
Hours Passed...
I watched the clouds change shape.
I told the blacksmith three jokes.
He didn't laugh.
I left. Got a snack. Came back.
Still forging.
Finally—finally—he called me over.
"It's done."
He handed it to me.
My new weapon.
It gleamed. It pulsed. It was cooler than anything I've ever owned. It looked like it came from a gacha pull with a 0.6% chance.
I held it in my hands. My reflection shimmered in the metal.
I grinned.
"Finally..." I whispered.
I turned to the setting sun, dramatically sheathing my new sword. "Now I can proceed... to the next phase of my master plan."
Pause for effect.
Cue heroic music. (In my head.)
"Wait," I blinked. "What is the next phase of my master plan?"
…
Silence.
"…Eh. I'll make it up as I go."
And with that, I walked off into the evening light.
Weapon ready.
Coat slightly burned.
Confidence irrationally high.
Classic Shigeru.
_________________________
End of Chapter 47
Quests Completed:
*Gather 50 Amethyst Lumps, 50 White Iron Chunks, and 500 Mora.
*Be myself. Which includes: talking to rocks, mock-dueling a squirrel, and naming a sword something dramatic.
Rewards:
*+800 EXP (Gained from brawling with Ronins, Kairagi, Ruin Sentinels, and emotional damage)
*+3 Dango Skewers
*Passive Bonus: +1 Stat in Improvisational Bullshit
*Enhancement Ore x15 (Acquired from smashing rocks like a man on a vengeance arc. May or may not have screamed "Ore wa ore da!" while mining)
* 1,000 Mora (looted from a Kairagi who definitely dropped his wallet while running)