Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

"Takahashi-sama, congratulations on your triumphant return!"

At the port, the Shogunate's forces had long been waiting.

Their gazes were filled with reverence as they watched the figure step off the ship at a steady pace.

This was the only man who had ever dueled the Raiden Shogun—and won!

And after that, he earned the Shogun's favor, becoming her trusted confidant.

That alone was enough to make Ren a legend.

Now, everyone knew his status was anything but ordinary.

Even more so because, this time, the Shogun herself had personally…!

"Inazuma City… I'm finally back."

Surrounded by a group of Tenryou Commission samurai, Ren stepped onto the port.

He gazed toward Tenshukaku and took a deep breath.

Reflecting on his recent journey at sea, he was filled with emotion.

He had thought it would be nothing more than a simple in-person meeting.

But reality always had a way of surprising him.

By sheer coincidence, Ren had been caught up in the conflicts between the Fatui Harbingers.

And along the way, he ended up meeting three of them.

The Marionette, Sandrone. The Damselette, Columbina…

Oh, and one more—The Doctor, Dottore.

That one was particularly significant, given their life-and-death encounter.

After all, it was Ren and Sandrone who had teamed up to take down one of Dottore's segments.

Following that, Ren glimpsed into Columbina's dreams and uncovered the Fatui's grand plan.

They sought to create a god.

The Damsel and The Marionette formed one faction, while The Doctor belonged to another.

Both sides were locked in a vicious internal struggle, even resorting to underhanded tactics.

"What a crazy idea."

Ren murmured to himself.

A grudge had been formed—this wouldn't end so easily.

But then again, Ren was never one to back down.

He had no regrets about disrupting Dottore's plan to create a god.

After all, the rewards from this journey had been more than worthwhile.

For instance…

"Huh?"

Ren paused for a moment.

For instance, he had managed to bring back a feisty, bite-happy cat girl and an adorable, healing little white-haired girl.

Oh, right—Sandrone was waiting for him in Inazuma City, too.

She had already met Kamisato Ayaka and—

"Since when did I have so many people around me?"

Ren felt a headache coming on.

It was as if some terrifying fate was looming over him.

[Ding! As the wielder of the "Strengthen Bonds System," such thoughts are incorrect.]

[A hero must never retreat from battle!]

[Have faith in yourself—there will only be more people for you to get close to in the future.]

The system, which had been silent for a long time, suddenly chimed in.

Ren: …

Of course. It just had to stir up trouble now.

["Affection only makes you stronger."]

Ren mentally flipped it off.

"Alright, then—where's my reward?"

[Emotion points unlocked. Please check your balance.]

Sensing Ren's disdain, the system promptly provided a notification.

Ren blinked. He actually got a reward just by asking?

He wondered whose emotion points they were this time.

[Ding! They belong to your little angel, Nahida.]

Ren: …

"System, is it you that's weird, or is it me?"

...

"Open it up."

[You have obtained an item: Red King's Technology Blueprint.]

???

The system had upgraded again? And this time, it wasn't a talent but…

Reading the description, it seemed to be some kind of lost ancient technology.

Ren casually glanced at the blueprint—and was shocked.

These designs… They were for high-tech mechas.

Unlike the crude, industrial feel of Khaenri'ah's constructs,

The Red King's mechas had an aesthetic that didn't belong to any human civilization—sleek, elegant, and advanced.

They even had built-in glowing effects.

So stylish. So damn cool.

"Wait… what's the connection between the Red King and Nahida?"

…

"So," Ren's thoughts snapped back to reality as he looked around.

He stared at the samurai gathered in a circle, all watching him with eager eyes.

His expression turned odd.

Why were all these rugged warriors staring at him like this?

He had expected to be greeted by beautiful girls upon his return.

Yet neither Kamisato Ayaka nor—

Wait, none of them were here?

Crap. He was all alone.

"Ahem, Takahashi-sama."

A heavily armored samurai stepped forward and bowed.

"Aren't you an Okuzumeshuu?"

Ren raised an eyebrow in surprise.

The Okuzumeshuu were the elite guards of the Raiden Shogun.

What were they doing here?

Unless…

A sudden realization struck Ren.

The reason there were no beautiful girls here was because—

His big boss had decided to step outside?!

It sounded a bit self-absorbed to say out loud…

But was she really here… for him?

Ren suddenly felt lightheaded.

"You'll understand when you step outside the port," the samurai said, shaking his head hastily.

After all, their orders came directly from her.

Saying too much would be risky.

"In that case, I should head back to the ship first," Ren muttered, thinking of Keqing.

He couldn't just leave her waiting.

What if she got anxious and started running around?

She wasn't familiar with Inazuma, after all.

"Takahashi-sama, please—just go already!"

The samurai, seeing his hesitation, quickly urged him forward.

"Fine, at least leave a message for me," Ren relented, giving instructions to the samurai beside him.

"Understood!"

…

Ren walked through the bustling port.

Strangely, none of the samurai followed him.

As if they had been ordered to stay put…

"Takahashi-sama, welcome back!"

"You must be exhausted!"

…

Seeing the warm smiles and greetings around him, Ren returned them with a nod.

His heart stirred with emotion.

Inazuma had long since stabilized, its once-oppressive atmosphere now a thing of the past.

And with the Sakoku Decree on the verge of being lifted, trade between the islands had grown more frequent and lively.

With a peaceful life, the people's smiles came naturally.

This nation had been reborn with new vitality.

"Do you like the Inazuma of today?"

Ren murmured, his gaze softening.

No one had ever asked her that question, had they?

That cold, noble figure had been alone for far too long.

But now, things were different.

"Boss, one order of tri-colored dango, to go."

Ren spotted a street vendor and walked over.

If he was going to see the big boss, he couldn't show up empty-handed.

He had to bring a proper gift to…

Ahem. Obviously, to secure a promotion and raise.

What else could it possibly be?

…

With the dango in hand, Ren had just stepped out of the port—

And at that very moment, someone set their eyes on him.

"…"

A faint tremor ran through Ren's heart as he sensed something.

His instincts kicked in, and he scanned his surroundings.

Then, his gaze locked onto a single figure.

A cold and noble silhouette stood quietly in the distance,

Her flowing violet hair lifted slightly by the sea breeze.

"…"

She looked his way, her expression calm.

But when she saw the slight daze in his eyes, her amethyst gaze flickered.

The irritation of waiting melted into something far softer.

"Shogun-sama…"

Ren whispered.

The once lively crowd around him fell silent.

All eyes turned toward the distant figure, their expressions overtaken by shock.

"The Shogun?!?"

For centuries, she had never stepped foot outside Tenshukaku.

What could possibly have happened today…?!

Before anyone could process it,

A single figure suddenly rushed toward the aloof and imposing Shogun.

"…!"

Ei ignored the stunned onlookers.

Her eyes focused only on the young man running toward her.

She saw the joy in his expression—

And the sweets he held carefully in his hands.

A ripple passed through her once-calm gaze.

Something inside her stirred.

At that moment, all the waiting had been worth it.

"Shogun-sama!"

Ren reached her, slightly out of breath.

Standing before the cold and elegant figure, he could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart.

Before he could say anything else—

"Ren."

Ei took a step closer.

Under Ren's startled gaze, she slowly reached out—

And plucked a fallen leaf from his collar.

"…?"

The crowd's jaws dropped.

Ren stopped thinking entirely.

"Welcome home."

Ei's voice was soft.

Noticing his reaction, she let a faint smile grace her lips—one that could steal hearts.

Ren's heartbeat skipped several beats.

A gentle and affectionate big boss—who could possibly resist?!

Had she really been waiting for him here all this time?

At the thought, an overwhelming sense of satisfaction surged within him.

Staring at the tender smile on Ei's face, Ren couldn't help but grin as well.

"The Shogun is the best!"

"???"

From a distance, everyone else was utterly petrified.