"General Sara lost!"
"Heavens! General Sara was actually defeated? Who are those people?"
"Is General Sara going to be captured? We have to save her!"
"But the road ahead is gone. We can't cross. What do we do?"
...
On the cliff overlooking the missing road between Tatarasuna and Yashiori Island, the Shogunate soldiers were in a panic.
From their vantage point, they could see Beidou holding a sword to Sara's neck on the distant Nazuchi Beach. Their faces went pale with fear, desperate to launch a rescue mission.
But the severed road made it impossible.
"Don't panic! Everyone calm down!"
Kujou Masahito shouted. "Didn't you see the opponent lower her blade?"
His heart had been in his throat when he saw the blade on Sara's shoulder.
He was shocked that anyone could defeat the Tengu General. It was inconceivable.
But seeing Beidou step back, he breathed a sigh of relief.
She's safe. That's all that matters.
Since Sara was unharmed, they just needed to wait.
Hearing Masahito's words, the soldiers looked again and relaxed.
"Thank goodness General Sara is okay."
"That scared me to death. I thought she was done for."
"Who is that woman? How is she stronger than the General? Is she with the Resistance?"
"Definitely not. If the Resistance had someone like that, they would have shown up ages ago."
"But how have we never heard of someone so powerful?"
"Who knows? As long as the General is safe, it's good news."
...
While the soldiers gossiped, down on Nazuchi Beach, Furong and Huixing jumped off the docked battleship and ran toward Beidou.
"Captain! Are you okay?"
Huixing looked Beidou over anxiously.
Furong glared at Kujou Sara warily.
Sara ignored Furong. Her gaze was fixed on the ordinary crew members aboard the battleship.
All ordinary humans.
"I'm fine."
Beidou grinned, her demeanor relaxed. "Alright, time to go. Let's wreck some ships and grab some pirates."
She had planned to capture pirates here, but Sara's lightning storm had obliterated everyone on the beach. No survivors meant no captives.
She'd have to find another target.
I just need ten Fatui pirates. I'm sure the next ship will have plenty.
"Okay."
Huixing nodded, glancing at the devastated beach. The craters were still sizzling with residual electricity.
The battle had been intense.
"Don't worry, I won't destroy Inazuma," Beidou assured Sara with a laugh. "Just destroying a few pirate ships and catching some criminals. Once the job is done, I'm gone."
"I hope you keep your word," Sara replied coldly.
She watched Beidou board the ship and sail away.
Without hesitation, Sara moved.
One step, a flash of lightning, and she vanished, reappearing in the distance.
She had to report this to the Shogun immediately, even if it meant exhausting her remaining elemental energy.
"The Captain is back!"
"Captain, you're amazing!"
"Yeah! That was terrifying to watch!"
...
On the battleship, the crew cheered as Beidou returned.
Their admiration for her was boundless.
"Inazuma's Kujou Sara... she's a worthy opponent," Beidou mused, standing on the deck and watching the receding shoreline. "And a tricky one."
Tricky because she can fly.
Being an Electro user with flight gave Sara a massive natural advantage. Without Nozarashi, Beidou admitted she might not have won.
"Let's head to the next target," Beidou laughed. "Sara agreed not to interfere, so we can take our time. Maybe look around a bit. But let's try to finish within half a day."
Since the General gave them a pass, there was no need to rush. They could enjoy the scenery, maybe gather some local specialties.
It would be a waste to visit Inazuma and not look around.
However, she knew the truce was fragile. Sara would report to the Shogun and the other bureaucrats. While Sara might keep her word, the other officials might not.
Speed was still key.
"Sounds great!"
"We can actually sightsee in Inazuma waters!"
"That fight was totally worth it, Captain!"
...
The crew was ecstatic.
Beidou opened her mission scroll, checked the remaining red dots, and set a course.
As the battleship left Nazuchi Beach, Sara returned to the cliff where her troops were waiting.
"Lord Sara!"
Seeing her fly up on black wings, the soldiers looked at her with fanatical devotion.
Defeat didn't diminish their idol worship.
"Mhm."
Sara nodded gravely. "Return to base and hold your positions. I must return to Narukami Island immediately to report to the Shogun."
"The road to Yashiori Island is gone. You cannot cross to Nazuchi Beach, but neither can the rebels. Hold the line here and wait for orders."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
The soldiers saluted.
They watched as Sara spread her wings and flew toward Narukami Island.
"Alright, everyone stay alert!" Masahito ordered. "But you can relax a little. With the road gone, even if we need to build a bridge, it will take time. The rebels can't attack us easily."
"Yes!"
The soldiers cheered.
Finally, a break. The destroyed road was a blessing in disguise.
...
Nazuchi Beach.
Sangonomiya Kokomi arrived via hydro-dash. Seeing the devastation, her face grew serious.
She sensed the residual aura of Kujou Sara.
And another Electro user.
They had fought here.
Analyzing the battlefield, Kokomi quickly pieced together the events.
Then, she saw it.
The Steam Battleship sailing away in the distance.
Even from afar, the steel hull made her pupils contract.
A ship made entirely of steel?
And it was heading away from the battle site?
Did Sara fight that ship?
Inazuma didn't have ships like that. If the Shogunate possessed such technology, the Resistance would have been wiped out long ago.
Her mind raced with strategic possibilities.
Without hesitation, she activated her Vision.
She dove into the water, propelling herself toward the battleship.
She had to investigate.
With her Hydro Vision, the ocean was her domain. Even if it was dangerous, she could escape easily.
While Kokomi chased the battleship...
Liyue. Jar Shop.
Chongyun snapped out of his trance.
A wave of intense cold radiated from his body.
"Hss."
The sudden drop in temperature made Xingqiu gasp. He felt a chill run down his spine. It was uncomfortable.
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