Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

Before the ranks of soldiers, blades glinted coldly like a forest of steel.

The young man lifted his head, his expression calm.

At last, he had arrived—Tenshukaku.

"It's Ren!"

The girls immediately recognized his familiar figure.

"Ayaka," Kamisato Ayato said softly, extending a hand to stop her.

"Brother!"

"This is... his own matter."

At that moment, Ren glanced their way.

To his surprise, these girls had come too.

They must have slept comfortably in the same room last night, right?

"Takahashi, come back!"

Yoimiya's face was filled with worry as she made to rush forward.

Tenshukaku—this was the residence of a god.

If he were discovered and angered the Shogun...

No one would be able to save him!

"Don't act rashly," Ayaka and Chisato said almost in unison, holding her back.

"Everyone," Ren said softly, shaking his head, "trust me."

After a sleepless night in the rain, his appearance was slightly haggard, but his eyes remained sharp.

Outside Tenshukaku, Kujou Takayuki raised a hand.

"All units, prepare for battle! Enemy attack!"

The heavily armored samurai guarding the grounds formed into ranks, shouting in unison.

As they stepped forward in unison, the earth trembled.

Any enemy daring to approach this iron tide would surely meet their doom!

"..."

Standing before the Tenryou Commission's forces, Ren slowly raised his fist.

[Elemental Skill: Heartstopper Strike.]

Ding—!

Violent green light surged, the power of Anemo roaring to life.

Kujou Takayuki's eyes widened, his unease growing.

This boy... his mastery of wind was terrifying!

Could he possibly intend to take on the entire army alone?

Ren seemed to sense Takayuki's thoughts and smirked faintly.

Not bad, old man. You guessed right.

The flash of blades and the soldiers' killing intent approached swiftly.

Just as the army charged toward Ren—

his gathered energy exploded in a single punch.

Boom—!

A deafening roar shook the skies.

Kujou Takayuki stood frozen in shock, the powerful gale forcing his breath to quicken.

For a brief moment, the torrential rain seemed to pause.

Tap.

Ren stepped forward through the rain, his expression calm.

Around him, the ironclad army lay in ruins, shattered by the force of a single blow.

Tenshukaku, huh?

Here I am.

---

Kamisato Ayato chuckled softly.

This Ren... his strength was the real deal.

To crush the army so effortlessly—no wonder he was Ayato's pick for Ayaka's companion.

"Let's go," Ayato said, patting Ayaka's shoulder as he took a step forward.

His calm gaze shifted briefly to the distance, where a fox-eared woman happily munched on fried tofu while watching the show.

She had already prepared all the evidence against the two commissions.

Ayato nodded subtly.

The sooner this farce ended, the sooner he could go home.

---

At Tenshukaku, rain poured in torrents.

"Where are the soldiers?!" Kujou Takayuki roared.

"Takahashi dares defy the Shogun. Arrest him!"

"Yes, Lord Takayuki!"

With his command, the samurai unsheathed their weapons.

The clash of armor echoed as an air of bloodlust filled the scene.

These were the Tenryou Commission's true elites—battle-hardened warriors who hesitated not at the sight of death.

To them, Ren was the sole enemy.

Boom!

A muffled explosion rang out as Ren unleashed his power, forcing the rainwater from his body in a rippling wave.

Along with the water, the samurai blocking his path were sent flying.

Step by step, he drew closer to the stairs of Tenshukaku.

Behind him, countless soldiers lay defeated.

Ren didn't bother counting them.

He raised his face to the sky, letting the rain wash over him.

The cut Mei had left on his cheek throbbed faintly, and during his mad charge, it had been grazed again.

His gaze focused on the steps ahead,

where Kujou Takayuki stood, his expression twisted with rage.

Wave after wave of soldiers surged toward Ren like a flood, parting the rain as they charged.

"Seize him!"

"Heh."

Facing the endless tide of elite warriors,

Ren smiled faintly, unshaken.

Shing—!

The gleam of steel accompanied a surge of violet light as Ren unsheathed the blade given to him by Mei.

In his eyes, the same violet light glimmered.

I wonder... is she watching from the shadows?

In the distance, Kujou Takayuki's unease grew into dread.

The oppressive feeling of danger sharpened, sending chills down his spine.

Instinctively, his gaze met that of the young man standing at the bottom of the stairs.

Through the storm, those violet eyes burned brilliantly.

Takayuki stumbled back a step.

Impossible...!

How could he—

Suddenly, a figure formed from violet light appeared in his vision.

A soft laugh echoed in his ears.

"!"

Kujou Takayuki's pupils shrank as he turned, disbelieving.

Beside him stood Ren, blade in one hand, water dripping from its edge.

In the other, he held the hairpin, which rested lightly on Takayuki's shoulder.

[Elemental Skill: Stellar Restoration.]

"Hello."

Ren smiled brightly, his tone casual.

It was the warm smile of an old friend catching up.

"Are you touched that I went through so much just to see you?"

Kujou Takayuki gulped, too terrified to move.

Below the stairs, the elite soldiers were stunned.

They had seen the flash of violet light— and then Ren was gone.

What sorcery is this?!

"That move—I've seen it before!"

In the distance, Yoimiya tugged on Ayaka's sleeve, her eyes sparkling.

This guy's unstoppable, even against an entire army!

"So cool..." Ayaka murmured, her eyes glowing with admiration.

"He's amazing, isn't he?"

"Protect Lord Takayuki!" someone yelled from the crowd of soldiers.

Before they could act, one of them glanced down and froze, his face paling.

"L-look at the ground!"

Crack, crack—

Frost quietly spread beneath their feet.

In the midst of the storm, the soldiers found themselves unable to take another step.

Someone swallowed hard.

"W-what are you going to do?!" Kujou Takayuki stammered.

His eyes reflected the ice-blue glow of Ren's power.

It was beautiful, dreamlike— and filled with the potential for destruction.

[Kamisato Style: Soumetsu.]

Ren's gaze swept over the soldiers below the steps.

"Anyone else want to try?"

No one dared to answer.

The ice might shatter, but the storm of ice and wind in Ren's hands...

"Good."

"I don't like violence either."

Ren smiled faintly as he grabbed Takayuki by the collar.

"W-what are you doing?!"

Realizing the danger, Takayuki struggled.

Behind him was the massive door to Tenshukaku.

Ren shook his head and said calmly:

"You're annoying."

"Maybe three good smacks of your head against that door will quiet you down."

Takayuki's eyes bulged as he opened his mouth to retort—

Thud, thud, thud!

With a casual toss, Ren left him sprawled unconscious on the ground.

A heavy silence fell over the area.

No one dared move.

"..."

Ren took a deep breath and stepped toward the grand doors.

At last, he had reached this place.

He raised his hand slowly.

Inside, she was waiting for him.

...Waiting to strike him down.

Before he could touch the door, it opened.

Ren's eyes widened as his gaze fell upon the figure within.

The storm framed her presence with arcs of crackling lightning.

She was breathtaking, yet exuded a palpable danger.

This was the most noble and awe-inspiring being in existence.

Raiden Shogun, the Electro Archon.

"Lord Shogun!"

Behind him, all the soldiers dropped to their knees.

"..."

Ei's expression remained unreadable as she looked ahead.

There, the lone figure of a young man stood, defiant.

He had come before her after all.

That alone was enough.

The duel was no longer necessary.

As long as he remained in Tenshukaku, she could keep him there forever.

But Ei said nothing.

She waited, allowing him the first word.

The silence stretched as their gazes locked.

Finally, Ei's brows furrowed slightly.

Ren seemed to have made up his mind.

Raising the blade in his hand, he spoke firmly:

"I want..."

"To challenge you to a duel!"

His words echoed through Tenshukaku.

"..."

Ei's gaze grew steadily more dangerous.

---

...he's late [patreon.com/WiseTL]