Genshin Impact: Arataki Itto, No Longer the Clown!

The morning sun bathed the courtyard in a warm glow as Itto and the Arataki Gang sat together, enjoying a hearty breakfast of grilled Sakura Tempura.

"Munch munch… Genta, this tempura is amazing today," Itto said, his mouth full as he chewed.

"Of course, Boss! When has Shinobu's cooking ever been bad?" Genta replied, equally engrossed in his meal.

Atsu and Akira nodded in agreement, their mouths too full to speak.

Earlier, when Atsu and Akira had seen Itto and Genta walking back to the courtyard, they had rushed over, showering Itto with overly enthusiastic greetings and questions about his well-being. Their exaggerated concern had made Itto's skin crawl, and he quickly brushed them off, suggesting they eat first before discussing anything else.

Now, the four of them—three humans and one oni—were happily devouring their meal.

Shinobu stood nearby, holding a piece of tempura in her hand. She had removed her mask and was eating with a grace that contrasted sharply with the others' messy eating habits.

Once the tempura was gone, Itto wiped his mouth and stood up.

"Alright, let's get going," he said.

"Let's go, Boss! Today's our day to have fun," Atsu chimed in, urging everyone to get moving.

---

As they set out, Itto walked ahead, with Atsu, Genta, and Akira following closely behind. Shinobu stayed by Itto's side, her sharp eyes observing his every move.

When they reached Hanamizaka, Itto was struck by the sight.

The white-walled, blue-tiled buildings lined the streets, with vendors calling out to passersby. Children ran around, laughing and playing, filling the air with a lively, bustling energy. The scene was far more vibrant and detailed than anything he had seen in the game.

For a moment, Itto felt a sense of unreality, as if he were standing in a dream.

"Boss, what are you staring at? Let's go!" Genta called, snapping Itto out of his thoughts.

The trio ran ahead to buy snacks, leaving Itto and Shinobu behind.

"Wait for me!" Itto shouted, chasing after them.

Shinobu sighed and followed, muttering, "Boss, slow down!"

---

As they climbed the stairs leading to the heart of Inazuma City, the atmosphere grew heavier.

The streets of the city center were eerily quiet, with shopkeepers looking listless and few pedestrians in sight. The occasional patrol of the Shogunate soldiers added to the oppressive feeling.

It was a stark contrast to the lively streets of Hanamizaka. The grandeur of the city's architecture only highlighted its desolation.

Even the usually cheerful trio of Atsu, Genta, and Akira grew subdued, their laughter fading as they walked through the somber streets.

They continued their exploration, buying sushi, admiring the scenery, and stopping for lunch at a local restaurant.

By midday, they were full and satisfied.

"Boss, it's already noon," Genta said, patting his stomach.

"Yeah, time flies," Itto replied, stretching lazily.

"Let's keep going. The day's not over yet," Atsu urged.

---

Their journey eventually brought them to a wooden bridge covered in cherry blossom petals. Beyond the bridge stood the Tenshukaku, the towering residence of the Raiden Shogun.

The building was majestic and imposing, its grandeur undiminished by the passage of time. It stood as a symbol of the Shogun's power, overlooking the entire nation.

Itto stared at it, momentarily lost in thought.

"Boss, that's the Tenshukaku. We can't go in there," Genta reminded him.

Itto turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Do I look that stupid?"

The group exchanged glances before replying in unison, "Yes."

Itto rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll just go look at the statue over there. Don't worry, I won't do anything crazy."

He walked off, leaving the others behind.

Shinobu hesitated, then decided to let him go. She turned to Atsu and asked, "Do you know what the boss's dreams are? Or who he cares about?"

Atsu thought for a moment before answering, "Well, there's this person named Miss Hina. The boss has been obsessed with her ever since he went to her fan meeting. He's bought all sorts of merchandise—figures, pillows, you name it."

Shinobu's expression darkened. "He's been spending my money on another woman's merchandise?"

She clenched her fists, her eyes narrowing. "Looks like I'll have to have a little… chat with the boss later."

---

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of red and orange, Shinobu stood on the bridge, watching the cherry blossoms fall.

She sighed, her thoughts drifting to Itto.

"Boss… what is it that you truly desire?"