arrow_back Genshin Impact: Nhiệm Vụ 
Acer Palmatum Chapter: Act I
A Strange and Friendless Road
You and Paimon travel near Byakko Plain on your journey...
Go to Byakko Plain
Paimon:
It's been a while since we first set foot on Inazuma!
Paimon:
So many things have happened since then.
Paimon:
Yeah. We've definitely made some progress on our journey.
Paimon:
So, where should we go today?
Traveler:
Wait a moment.
Paimon:
Huh? What's up?
A strange samurai suddenly shows up and attacks you...
Defeat the attacker
???:
Huh? So you don't have a Vision after all.
???:
Seems like I've mistaken you for someone else.
Paimon:
At the very least, you should make sure you've got the right person before you go attacking them!
Paimon:
No, wait... even when you've got the right person, you shouldn't go attacking them out of the blue! It's dangerous!
???:
Have you ever met someone by the name of Kaedehara Kazuha?
???:
He carries a sword, just like you. I've also heard that he possesses an Anemo Vision.
Traveler:
Why are you looking for him?
???:
That's none of your business.
???:
Hmph, never mind. You don't look like you know anything anyway. I'm wasting my time.
The samurai leaves.
Paimon:
What the heck is this guy's problem? Coming around here, waving that weird sword in our faces... and didn't even apologize! Seems like a real nutcase.
Paimon:
Well, one thing's for sure... No way are we telling him anything about Kazuha.
Paimon:
Right? Paimon has a feeling though, that even if this guy gets to challenge Kazuha to a duel, he won't be able to beat him.
Paimon:
Anyway, just to be on the safe side, we should go find Kazuha right away and tell him to watch his back.
Traveler:
Actually, I have a hunch...
Paimon:
Oh? What kind of hunch?
Traveler:
I think this guy may have a special connection to Kazuha.
Paimon:
A special connection? You mean, beyond already knowing each other?
Paimon:
Hmm, yeah, maybe a little... But then again, most people look pretty much the same once they start fighting, so that doesn't really prove anything...
Paimon:
Anyway, there's no time to lose — let's go tell Kazuha, so he won't get into any danger!
Paimon:
Paimon heard that the Crux Fleet is stocking up in Ritou at the moment. Let's look for him there.
Go to Ritou and look for Kazuha
Ryouhei:
I heard that that guy who took on the Musou no Hitotachi is actually working as a sailor with the Crux Fleet...
Chiaki:
Eh? Wasn't he from Watatsumi Island's army?
Asano:
He still hasn't arrived? Come on, Kaedehara Kazuha...
Nosaki:
All I want is to see our hero with my own eyes.
Taketani:
I gotta interview him today... I have to...
Paimon:
Hey, hello! Do you know where Kazuha is?
Chao:
You're looking for Kazuha too, huh? Guess he must've done something impressive after all.
Traveler:
"Too"?
Chao:
Hahaha, well, we took the small vessels into Ritou on a routine supply run — only this time, as soon as we entered the harbor, we ran into a huge crowd of Inazumans, all of them wanting to know about Kazuha.
Chao:
If it's because of that battle on Nazuchi Beach, Captain Beidou had a great run there too, but I don't see her getting this kind of attention!
Chao:
Kazuha keeps to himself most of the time. In fact, there are times when he doesn't even listen to the captain, but she just laughs it off...
Paimon:
Oh? So, you still don't know what he did.
Chao:
I've heard bits and pieces. Something about him blocking the Raiden Shogun's "Musou no Hitotachi."
Chao:
Is it really as big a deal as everyone's making it out to be?
Traveler:
You could compare it to the technique Beidou used to strike down Haishan.
Chao:
Really? Wow, when you put it like that, it all makes sense. Hahaha, in that case, his new-found stardom is well-deserved!
Chao:
He was called away earlier by some people from the Tenryou Commission. They said they had something important to discuss with him.
Chao:
I thought they'd come to arrest him at first... turns out they couldn't have been friendlier to him. Seems like they really respect the guy.
Paimon:
Just a little while ago, this would have been completely unimaginable...
Paimon:
Thank you! Guess we'll go pay a visit to the Tenryou Commission.
Chao:
Alright then. I'll just stay here and carry on trying to fend off the crowd.
Go to the Tenryou Commission Headquarters
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Oh? It's you, Nhà Lữ Hành.
Kujou Kamaji:
Greetings. We were just discussing the repealing of the Vision Hunt Decree. Since you're here, you're very welcome to listen in on the conversation.
Kujou Kamaji:
We invited Mr. Kaedehara here to extend a gesture of goodwill on behalf of the Shogunate.
Kujou Kamaji:
Your hard work has secured for us the agreeable state of affairs that we now enjoy. Also, I have been granted the chance to correct my clan's past mistakes, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
Kujou Kamaji:
The Almighty Shogun has issued a large array of directives aimed at resolving, or at least easing, the tensions that have built up over the years.
Kujou Kamaji:
The Tri-Commission has made the recommendation to use this opportunity to restore the honor of the Kaedehara name.
Kujou Kamaji:
Regarding the history of the Kaedehara Clan... I trust that you are already somewhat informed?
Kujou Kamaji:
In short, there once was a group of select bladesmiths who served the Shogun directly, responsible for upholding and further developing the traditional blade-forging arts of the Almighty Shogun. The Kaedehara Clan belonged to this class.
Kujou Kamaji:
But there came a time when some of these bladesmiths revolted and fled to Snezhnaya. Both the Kaedehara and Kamisato Clans were held accountable for lax oversight, and entered a period of great turmoil.
Kujou Kamaji:
We later learned that the whole misadventure had been secretly orchestrated by the Fatui. Attributing all of the blame to the Kamisato and Kaedehara Clans was neither proper, nor just.
Kujou Kamaji:
Considering Mr. Kaedehara has once more made an outstanding contribution to Inazuma, the Almighty Shogun believes he should not only be rewarded for his achievements, but also receive recompense for the excessive punishment borne by his clan in the past.
Kujou Kamaji:
In the interest of preventing further harassment of the bladesmith clans by the Fatui, we chose not to publicly release the findings of our investigations into these matters. We trust you can understand why this was necessary.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
This is a true honor. I am delighted to be in a position to receive the goodwill of the Almighty Shogun and the Shogunate at large.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
However... would I be correct to assume that this magnanimous gesture does not come without some strings attached?
Kujou Kamaji:
I can assure you that nothing could be further from the truth. We seek only to correct a past injustice.
Kujou Kamaji:
With the Kaedehara Clan's reputation and occupation restored, the Kaedeharas will be bladesmiths once more, and your wanderings will finally come to an end.
Kujou Kamaji:
You will be able to lead a safe and prosperous life in Inazuma City with the Almighty Shogun's blessing and the full support of the Shogunate.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I have grown accustomed to life among the elements, I fear I would no longer feel at home behind the tall walls of a stately abode.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Yet my ancestors did indeed take great pride in the name of Kaedehara and the art of blademaking for which it stood. I do have a responsibility to restore their honor.
Kujou Kamaji:
I sense some hesitation in your words.
Kujou Kamaji:
Should you accept this offer, I imagine many of the malicious rumors currently circulating through the populace will disappear.
Paimon:
Malicious rumors? All we heard on the way here was so much praise that we almost wondered whether there was another Kaedehara Kazuha in town.
Kujou Kamaji:
Well, to some, the Musou no Hitotachi is something that can never be defeated. They cannot accept the idea that Mr. Kaedehara really parried the Shogun's strike.
Kujou Kamaji:
Also, eye-witnesses saw him using the power of Electro in addition to that of Anemo. As a result, the falsehood that "Kaedehara Kazuha was using a Delusion" began to spread...
Paimon:
What? But that doesn't make sense. Using a Delusion turns you old and frail, and Kazuha still looks fine...
Kujou Kamaji:
That is correct. However, to some people, the idea of a single person wielding two elements at once is a more inconceivable notion still.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
This is just one of many similar rumors. I am very uncomfortable with being the subject of public discussion, no matter whether it brings suspicion or stardom my way.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
But perhaps, if the Shogunate is willing to publicly support me, this situation will blow over more quickly...
Kujou Kamaji:
This is precisely why I'd encourage you to give our offer some serious thought. It stands to benefit all of us.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Hmm. Please allow me some time to consider.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
In fact, let us put this discussion on hold for the moment. Well then, what brings the two of you here?
Paimon:
Yikes, we nearly forgot about the most important thing!
You and Paimon recount the attack on the outskirts of town to Kazuha.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Why would such a dangerous individual be looking for me...?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
No. This puzzles me as much as it does you.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
My fighting forms were taught to me by my family, based on techniques originally developed for blade-testing. We undergo rigorous training to standardize every motion the blade is put through, so that each can be fairly assessed for quality.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Over time, these techniques came to form something of a Kaedehara sword art, focused on blade-testing but with a full repertoire of combat forms.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Those forms are quite different from the more practical ones typically used by samurai in battle, so it's hard to imagine that the similarity you speak of was coincidence alone...
Paimon:
All the more reason to watch your back! This guy was a serious nutcase.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Indeed. He sounds highly aggressive. Anyone he targets is at risk of serious injury, or worse.
Kujou Kamaji:
In that case, I will send some men out immediately to search for him.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Thank you. I must say, I am now very curious about this matter, and I will also need some time to consider your offer.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I will first join the Traveler in investigating the one who attacked him, then give you a conclusive answer upon my return.
Kujou Kamaji:
Very well. Please stay safe.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Come on. Let's go and track down your aggressor.
Paimon:
The Detective Agency knows the most about what goes on in town.
Paimon:
Let's see what Ryuuji has to say!
To prevent the attacker from causing more harm, you and Kazuha decide to investigate his identity.
Ask Ryuuji for information
Paimon:
Hey there, we'd like to ask you a quick question.
Paimon:
Do you know if anyone around here has been looking for him? For Kaedehara Kazuha, we mean!
Ryuuji:
Aha, so this is the renowned Mr. Kaedehara! I've heard a lot about you. It is an honor to finally meet you today.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
You are too kind. We are currently investigating an assault, and would appreciate any help you can offer.
Ryuuji:
Oh? You were targeted in an assault? Let me think... I can't seem to recall anything of immediate interest.
Ryuuji:
Mr. Kaedehara is currently the talk of the town, so there are always a lot of people looking for him.
Ryuuji:
To be honest with you, our Detective Agency has recently been receiving many inquiries from people wishing to obtain Mr. Kaedehara's personal information.
Ryuuji:
Some of them were offering us millions of Mora just to gather the information they want. If these were more legitimate commissions, Sango would have snapped them up in an instant.
Paimon:
M—Millions of Mora!? Whoa... wait, even at that price, you probably still shouldn't...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Please accept my thanks for looking out for my privacy.
Ryuuji:
Of course. No matter what, we only take on legitimate cases. We don't make our money by revealing details of other people's day-to-day life just for the sake of it.
Ryuuji:
Sorry, I got a little off topic. What I'm really trying to say is, it doesn't surprise me that a complete stranger is looking for Mr. Kaedehara.
Ryuuji:
But I wouldn't know where to begin if we want to connect this with an assault...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Then let's put that connection aside for now. Have there been any other attacks or similar incidents recently that stand out as particularly unusual?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The Tenryou Commission had very few leads. I thought you might have some information from different sources.
Ryuuji:
It's true that the Commissioners aren't clued up about every little thing that goes on out in the streets. But typically, it's only the most trivial events that manage to escape their attention...
Ryuuji:
If anyone had been out there attacking people, that would be assault, in which case the Tenryou Commission would absolutely get involved.
Paimon:
Th—That does make sense...
Paimon:
Uh-oh, looks like the trail's already run cold.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I still find it difficult to believe that whoever attacked you hasn't been causing any trouble elsewhere...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Few people possess your prowess in battle. So unless you were the first person he targeted, someone is certain to have been hurt by now.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I am well aware of your talents, there is no need to be humble around me. In fact, I'm quite relieved that you were the one he targeted.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
It would cause me great grief to see someone become critically injured or lose their life because of me.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
For the poor victim, this would be a completely senseless crime.
Paimon:
Don't worry, we'll find him!
Ryuuji:
It seems you are every bit the selfless hero they make you out to be, Mr. Kaedehara. Surely, this same concern for your fellow man is what drove you to fearlessly raise your blade against the Almighty Shogun.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
You flatter me. Truth be told, I don't know quite what came over me in that moment...
Ryuuji:
Haha, you are much too humble. Don't worry, I completely understand your concerns. I will try my best to gather whatever leads I can for you.
Ryuuji:
Oh, actually, there was one strange incident over the last few days. It doesn't involve an attack, though.
Ryuuji:
Let me tell you about it just in case.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Sure. During times like this, the more information we have, the better.
Ryuuji:
Alright then. Recently, two people went missing from the city at around the same time.
Ryuuji:
One of them is a pretty well-known collector, surname Nagato. The other, Amenoma Yuuya, is a samurai from the Amenoma Clan.
Paimon:
Amenoma... now there's a familiar name.
Ryuuji:
Right. Yuuya is the nephew of Amenoma Tougo, the owner of Amenoma Smithy.
Ryuuji:
Two grown men going missing at the same time... their cases are likely connected, but I don't know much in the way of details.
Ryuuji:
I recalled this because Amenoma Yuuya is also an accomplished martial artist who is skilled with the blade. Perhaps he is the one you are looking for.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Understood, though it seems highly unlikely to me... I neither know this man, nor do I have any idea why he may wish to attack me.
Paimon:
Sure, can't hurt! We never know what we might find out along the way.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Thank you, Ryuuji. We'll start by making some inquiries at the Amenoma Smithy.
Ryuuji:
Sounds good. All the best with your investigation. I'll get moving shortly myself.
Ask Amenoma Tougo for information
Amenoma Tougo:
Ah, if it isn't Kaedehara Kazuha! What brings you here today?
Paimon:
Huh? You two know each other?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Yes. The Kaedehara and Amenoma Clans were both members of the Raiden Gokaden. Historically, there have always been deep links between the two clans.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
After I returned to Inazuma, I visited Mr. Amenoma to pay my respects.
Traveler:
"Raiden Gokaden"?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Ah, let me quickly explain. The Raiden Gokaden was the collective term for the five most acclaimed bladesmithing arts in Inazuma.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The techniques of blade-making were personally bequeathed to the Raiden Gokaden by the Almighty Shogun, and over time, further honed and enhanced by the most talented craftsmen.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Unfortunately, a series of events led to the gradual decline of many clans in the bladesmithing trade. Today, only the Amenoma Clan has kept its art alive.
Paimon:
So sad...
Amenoma Tougo:
*sigh* It is a great pity indeed. In the old days, we each had our specialties, and just as iron sharpens iron, so too did we learn much from each other.
Amenoma Tougo:
As an example, the Amenoma Art strives to emulate the abiding patience and determination of water as it turns stone to sand.
Amenoma Tougo:
There is nothing mystical to our work. There is only practice, day in and day out, until both body and mind have memorized the craft, turning each motion of every technique into an intrinsic part of the bladesmith's life.
Amenoma Tougo:
As for the art of the Kaedehara Clan... I believe it's called the "Isshin Art."
Kaedehara Kazuha:
That's right. Isshin Art strives for complete harmony between blade and mind from the moment that forging begins.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
For only a blade thus forged can capture and convey its maker's thoughts and feelings, and eventually become an extension of its wielder's will.
Amenoma Tougo:
Indeed. Most samurai choose their blades, but an Isshin blade chooses its owner.
Amenoma Tougo:
You are, without a doubt, the most worthy wielder of an Isshin blade... It gladdens my heart to see that although the Kaedehara Clan has fallen on hard times, its ideals and virtues are alive and well.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
You overestimate me. My actions are guided by my own personal sentiments, not by any noble aspirations on behalf of my clan.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
But let's get back on topic. The purpose of our visit today is to gather some information on your missing nephew.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
We hope to assist with the investigation. It may turn out that this case is connected to another we are pursuing.
Amenoma Tougo:
Ah yes, my nephew... *sigh* I reported the case to the Tenryou Commission, but I haven't heard anything back so far.
Amenoma Tougo:
He didn't say a word before he left, which is very unlike him. I'm still completely at a loss on what to make of it.
Amenoma Tougo:
But I've done what I can so far. Worrying is futile, all I can do now is wait for the news from the Tenryou Commission.
Paimon:
We heard that there was a collector involved in the disappearance too. Know anything about that?
Amenoma Tougo:
Yes. On the morning that Yuuya went missing, he gave me a very cryptic look and said that he was going to give me a great gift.
Amenoma Tougo:
I believe he went to collect the item from Mr. Nagato after that. The next thing I heard was that a fire had broken out at the warehouse, and neither of them came back...
Traveler:
A fire!?
Amenoma Tougo:
Yes. Strange, isn't it? I wonder what could have caused it? Unfortunately, there was very little evidence left behind, so nobody knows what really happened...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Hmm... Do you have any thoughts on what Yuuya may have wanted to give you?
Amenoma Tougo:
If I had to guess... it must have been some kind of rare weapon. Otherwise, there would have been no reason for him to get my hopes up.
Amenoma Tougo:
He's never been particularly interested in blade-forging, but has always had a fondness for blade-testing, and can sense even the most minute differences in blade quality.
Amenoma Tougo:
He is extraordinarily talented in martial arts, particularly when it comes to the art of the sword.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Truth be told, we have some information that you may find to be objectionable. The person we are looking for... he attacked this friend of mine.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Based on the evidence we have gathered so far, only Yuuya seems to match the suspect's profile.
Amenoma Tougo:
What? No, absolutely impossible. Yuuya is not that kind of person.
Amenoma Tougo:
He is humble and kind. Even his training is done with the goal of calming his mind. He has never gotten into a fight before.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Huh, is that so...
Amenoma Tougo:
Yes. If there's one thing I can say for certain, it's that Yuuya would never draw his blade without a very good reason.
Amenoma Tougo:
But with that said, it's equally out of character for him to just disappear with neither farewell nor fair warning.
Amenoma Tougo:
I also cannot know what course of action he might be capable of if coerced, or otherwise compelled by circumstances unbeknownst to me...
Amenoma Tougo:
Anyway, should you find him, please let me know as soon as possible.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Don't worry. You have our word.
Paimon:
Hmm... from the sound of that, Paimon doesn't think Yuuya was the one who attacked us as well.
Traveler:
We still need to get the info from the Nagato family.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Yes. It sounds as if something happened when the two men met each other.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Let's pay a visit to the Nagato household.
Go to the Nagato household and find out what happened
Nagato Sachiko:
I'm very sorry, but we cannot afford to pay what we owe right now...
Nagato Sachiko:
My husband has gone missing, and I'm still trying to find him.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
No, no, you misunderstand us. We are here to help with the investigation. We'd like to ask you some questions about Mr. Nagato's disappearance, if we may.
Nagato Sachiko:
Ah, I see... I thought the debt collectors had come to visit again.
Nagato Sachiko:
I'm sorry you have to see me in this dreadful state... Has some new information come out? Do you know where he's gone?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I'm afraid we don't have any new information at the moment. We're still trying to find out as much as we can to inform our search.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
With this in mind, can we perhaps ask some questions about your family's current situation?
Paimon:
For example, Paimon's struggling to understand why a collector would be strapped for Mora...
Nagato Sachiko:
*sigh* That's a long story. Ever since I've known him, he's been an avid collector of all sorts of things...
Nagato Sachiko:
He'd always get so animated when he was showing them to me... I knew nothing about the items myself, but seeing how enthusiastic and excited they made him, I was happy to believe that they were just extremely important to him.
Nagato Sachiko:
Everything was fine when we first got married. But as time went by, things changed for the worse...
Paimon:
Uh-oh, what happened?
Nagato Sachiko:
He lost his sense of restraint. He started buying more and more things, and even resorted to borrowing money just so he could pay for them.
Nagato Sachiko:
Our expenses really spiraled out of control when he started getting interested in weapons. It was awful. There were days when he'd spend hours down at the warehouse admiring his weapons even as debt collectors were descending upon our house.
Nagato Sachiko:
He wouldn't sell them, wouldn't even touch them. Just sat there staring at them, like he was in a trance.
Nagato Sachiko:
I'm happy he has a hobby and I'm willing to support him, but making ends meet has to come first. I've tried talking to him about it so many times, but he never listens...
Nagato Sachiko:
On the last day that I saw him, I gave him an ultimatum... I said, if he refused to sell his collectibles and pay off his debts, I would divorce him and take the children with me.
Paimon:
Whoa...!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
And that led to an argument...
Nagato Sachiko:
Actually, it didn't. Generally, he's a quiet man who likes to go with the flow. On most things, he leaves the decision-making to me.
Nagato Sachiko:
You must understand, I never would have dreamed of threatening him with divorce if the debts hadn't pushed our family to the brink...
Nagato Sachiko:
After I said those words, he froze, and was silent for a long time. When he finally spoke, he awkwardly mumbled that he would pick out a few items to sell.
Nagato Sachiko:
His voice was so meek and pitiful that I felt an urge to take everything back. But then what? If I didn't draw the line, what would happen to our family?
Nagato Sachiko:
Had I not indulged his bad habits, we would not have found ourselves in such a predicament.
Nagato Sachiko:
And I also don't know if he had actually come to his senses, or if he was simply angry with me...
Nagato Sachiko:
The next thing I heard was that our warehouse had caught fire, and both he and the buyer had gone missing.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I see. I understand.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Amenoma Yuuya came to purchase a weapon from Mr. Nagato. During the sale, a fire broke out at the warehouse, and both men disappeared.
Nagato Sachiko:
At first, I assumed they must have gotten into an argument over the price...
Nagato Sachiko:
But my husband has never been one to negotiate. He never even haggles when he's out buying groceries, so it's hard to imagine him getting into a fierce argument.
Paimon:
Hmm... maybe he was feeling the pressure from the debts?
Nagato Sachiko:
I don't know. He just disappeared after the warehouse burned down.
Nagato Sachiko:
Perhaps he's too afraid to come home now that all his collectibles have been lost in the fire, and he's got no way to pay off our debts.
Nagato Sachiko:
*sigh* Even though I'm still a little mad at him, we're a family, and I want us to face our family's crisis together.
Nagato Sachiko:
As long as he's willing to turn over a new leaf, I know we can work things out...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Please don't get upset. There could be more to this situation than meets the eye.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
If collecting things is a habit that Mr. Nagato has had his whole life, it is quite unusual for this habit to change so drastically over a short period.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
But the information we gathered from the other side suggests Amenoma Yuuya is also a mild-mannered man who would not be likely to start an argument.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Hmm... this situation is getting a little confusing.
Paimon:
"A little confusing"? More like completely mystifying.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Let's try a change of scenery, and see if we can piece together what we've learned.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Rest assured, we'll notify you if we find anything.
Nagato Sachiko:
Ah, thank you so much. I just want him to come home...
Go over what you know with Kazuha
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Based on the information we've gathered so far, I can only surmise that the sales meeting between the two men was somehow the catalyst for their disappearance.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The fire at the warehouse likely played a part in how the situation unfolded, though its exact role is a mystery.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
...Do you have any thoughts?
Paimon:
Eh? Um, well... Paimon was thinking that maybe someone accidentally knocked over an oil lamp, and um...
Paimon:
Nope, never mind, Paimon's brain needs to rest for a while. Over to you!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
That is the most likely conclusion based on everything we know. What started as a disagreement over the price escalated and ultimately turned into a tragedy.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
However, in this case, only one of the parties would have started the fire. That would make the other party innocent, and they would have no reason to hide themselves from the public.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
If this is indeed what happened, and the innocent man hasn't come forward yet, then it suggests they may have already lost their life.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
One fact that I keep coming back to is that Amenoma Yuuya is polite and well-mannered, while Mr. Nagato is introverted and passive. Neither seems like the type of person who is inclined towards initiating conflict.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Mr. Nagato, being heavily in debt, is also the only one of them with a potential motive to disappear after the fire.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The more I ponder it, the more puzzling it becomes... just what could have happened there?
Traveler:
This also doesn't seem connected to the case of the attacker.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Right. Although the time frame seems to broadly match, no other details that we've learned seem to link the two events together.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Amenoma Yuuya lacks a key distinguishing feature of the attacker — namely, that he is principally a practitioner of the blade-testing techniques of Amenoma Art, not those of the combat-oriented Isshin Art.
Paimon:
Darn, we thought we could get two birds with one stone here, but at this rate it's starting to look like a wild goose chase...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Hmm...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Let's keep going, since we've come this far.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
If we can solve the case, both Mr. Amenoma and Mrs. Nagato will be able to get some closure.
Paimon:
Okay, but where should we go now?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Let's head out of the city and check out the warehouse. There's still a chance we may be able to find some shreds of evidence.
Go to the warehouse where the fire broke out
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Wait.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I hear something ominous in the wind.
Paimon:
Ohh, this must be another one of those sounds that only you can hear.
Paimon:
As sketchy as that whole thing seems, you did put it to good use when we were chasing down that Vision thief at Beidou's tournament, so...
Traveler:
I knew we could count on you.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Hmm, now I'm picking up a strong scent in addition to the sound. It's right around here somewhere...
Paimon:
But there's nothing here.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
It's gone now. But I can still sense the direction it left in.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
It felt very much like that ancient presence in Inazuma... the remnants of the Tatarigami.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Indeed. But this unexpected spring of inauspicious energy may prove to be of benefit to our investigation.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
We should remain vigilant, and approach slowly.
Paimon:
Huh, so it's an underground warehouse...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The force is definitely coming from down below.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The source of the Tatarigami energy has long since left this place, but the residue it left behind still hasn't dissipated completely.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Judging from the concentration... I would have to conclude that the Tatarigami source resided here for a very long time.
Paimon:
Mrs. Nagato said her husband used to hang around the warehouse by himself a lot.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
It could well be that he was already under the influence of Tatarigami energy at that time.
Traveler:
Surely someone would have noticed?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
From what I've been told... Tatarigami does not turn all upon whom it preys into violent monsters.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
But most will develop a stubborn streak upon being exposed to the Tatarigami's unfulfilled will. Their interests become fanatical obsessions.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Mr. Nagato had an interest in collecting to begin with. The influence of Tatarigami could explain why he became an obsessive hoarder, amassing more and more possessions even as he put himself in grave debt.
Paimon:
Um... so what should we do now? Go down and take a look?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Step back. I'll open the door and take a look inside.
Traveler:
That's dangerous.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
If we don't open this door, we can move no closer to the truth.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
You needn't worry. Both of us have faced far greater dangers than this. Relatively speaking, the risk here is trivial.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Ah... hmm...
Paimon:
What's down there?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Everything's buried in debris. I can't see anything.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
It looks like the fire caused a cave-in, reducing the entire warehouse to rubble.
Paimon:
That was too scary! Paimon was so sure that the warehouse bogeyman was about to jump out at us...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
All we can do now is keep searching in the direction that the Tatarigami energy's source left this place.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Two ordinary humans, entangled with the Tatarigami... I fear much misfortune has already befallen them.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Yes, let's go. If nothing else, it's vital that we find out where this Tatarigami energy is coming from.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Quiet your mind and focus on what you sense around you... perhaps you, too, will perceive its ominous presence in the wind.
Follow the scent and look for clues
Kaedehara Kazuha:
From this point, the trail appears to split into two.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The main source of the Tatarigami energy continued on into the distance. But a small portion remained here, and seems to be dissipating slowly.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Quite possibly. Let's search the area.
Paimon:
Whoa, look at all those hilichurls! They're acting really strangely!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Something seems to be drawing their attention. Let's take a closer look.
Keep following the scent and looking for clues
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I—It's...
Paimon:
Agh! Look at this red stuff... Wh—What is it?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
By the looks of it, a letter, written on a piece of torn clothing. The ink is bone-dry... it must have been written quite some time ago.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Well, let's take a look.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Mm-hmm...
You reveal the strip of clothing and begin to read. The words seem to have been penned by Nagato, and according to him, Amenoma Yuuya was the one who took his blade. But Nagato himself seems to have disappeared as well...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
According to this letter, a conflict arose because Amenoma Yuuya wanted to seize a blade belonging to Mr. Nagato.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Yuuya started the fire that destroyed the warehouse, and wounded Mr. Nagato in the fight. Mr. Nagato kept chase as long as he could, eventually stopping here to write this letter when his strength gave out.
Paimon:
So... where is he...?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
He was not only mortally wounded, but also under the heavy influence of Tatarigami. Add to that the fact that its aura seems to have attracted a horde of monsters, and... I'm afraid he may no longer be with us.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Whatever traces there may have been of his fate beyond after this point, they've since been disturbed by the hilichurls. There's nothing more for us to find here.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Yes, right now, we need to uncover some more important truths.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
If Amenoma Yuuya is attacking other people indiscriminately, then the longer we take to find him, the more people risk meeting the same tragic end.
Paimon:
Right, so let's get moving!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I wouldn't be surprised if he, too, fell prey to the influence of the Tatarigami.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
For a practitioner of the martial arts, the easiest desire to inflame would be their pursuit of further power and skill.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
All the clues that at first seemed disparate and disconnected... it seems that now we know the thread that runs between them.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I have a hypothesis that, if it's correct, not only explains the series of events leading to the two men's disappearance, but also zeroes in on the attacker's identity.
Paimon:
...Wait, you've figured it out? So these two cases are connected after all?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I believe so... but it's something of an outlandish idea. I will only be able to confirm my suspicions once we've met him in person.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
On with the search. We must stay vigilant. At any point now, we may find ourselves in danger.
Keep following the scent and looking for clues
Kaedehara Kazuha:
He seems to have stayed here for a long time.
Paimon:
Why here? Is there anything special about this place?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I'm not sure... but on closer examination, I sense that the aura may have lingered here at several different points in time...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Show yourself! It's no use hiding anymore!
???:
Hmph.
???:
Kaedehara Kazuha... it's you, at last.
Paimon:
Aha! So it IS the same guy from before!
Paimon:
What's your problem, huh? What could you possibly have against Kazuha!?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Indeed, there should be no enmity between us... if it is Amenoma Yuuya that stands before us.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
But what if instead of facing Amenoma Yuuya... we are in fact facing the blade in his hand?
Traveler:
...The blade?
Paimon:
Now that you mention it, it is giving off a strange light...
Paimon:
Whoa, whoa, surely you don't mean... Are you serious!?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Tatarigami energy often lodges itself within physical objects, then works to subtly affect any living organisms in its vicinity.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The blade has resided in Mr. Nagato's warehouse for many years, affecting his state of mind, and more recently using the sale as a means to affect...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Or rather, as a means to occupy Amenoma Yuuya's body.
???:
Hmph. You're sharper than I thought. You've already deduced the truth of the matter.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Many, many years ago, I was forged by a famed bladesmith of the Isshin tradition. I was his pride and joy, in me, he placed all his hopes and dreams.
Prized Isshin Blade:
As a descendant of the Kaedehara Clan, you should be able to guess our greatest regret.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I presume it has something to do with the Raiden Gokaden.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Indeed. At that point in time, he failed to live up to the Raiden Shogun's expectations. In the end, all he could do was to flee the nation by sea, on a ship bound for Snezhnaya.
Prized Isshin Blade:
He was a bladesmith of great renown, a master of his craft! There was nothing that he could not accomplish! All he needed was more time, and a little faith.
Prized Isshin Blade:
And sure enough, in the end, he achieved what he had set out to do. All of his life's work — his wisdom, his skill — it culminated in his creation of me.
Prized Isshin Blade:
He not only bestowed upon me the greatest of strength, but also endowed me with a consciousness of my own...
Prized Isshin Blade:
In her conceit, the Raiden Shogun lost not only the single most perfect blade in the entire world, but also an irreplaceable achievement in the art of blade-forging!
Paimon:
So... swords can become conscious? And... control people!?
Prized Isshin Blade:
The people of the time in which I was born never believed I had that kind of power. They saw me as a mere blade — a sharp and well-crafted one, but in all other respects an ordinary weapon. Hmph, but that gave me the opportunity to take action.
Prized Isshin Blade:
After the death of my creator, I decided to leave Snezhnaya, and began my long quest to return to the distant land of Inazuma. Moving from one person to the next, I controlled the minds of countless hosts along the way, each bringing me one step closer to my ancestral home.
Prized Isshin Blade:
I seek but one thing: to face the full force of the Raiden Shogun's blade, and prove my power, the might of Isshin Art!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
So Amenoma Yuuya was not your first victim.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Tell me, what happens to those you've possessed when you've finished using them?
Prized Isshin Blade:
My hosts? Who cares what happens to them. They are but tools that serve my mission.
Prized Isshin Blade:
When they got tired, or injured, or unusable, I hopped to the next one in line. All I needed them for was to take me back to Inazuma.
Paimon:
You're awful!
Prized Isshin Blade:
After I returned to Inazuma, I decided to bide my time in Nagato's warehouse, until Amenoma Yuuya handed himself over to me on a silver platter.
Prized Isshin Blade:
At long last, I am approaching my journey's destination. By Amenoma Yuuya's body I have found you, and by your hand I shall defeat the Raiden Shogun!
Prized Isshin Blade:
Kaedehara Kazuha, you stood against the Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi. There can be no other to serve as my host for what is to come.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Now, give your body over to me!
Talk to Kazuha
Prized Isshin Blade:
Do not stand in my way, or I will strike you down too!
Paimon:
Your bluff's fooling no one. You've lost!
Prized Isshin Blade:
Lost? I can never lose. It is this body that has reached its limit, nothing more.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Even if you defeat me here, the one who falls will not be me, but this man.
Prized Isshin Blade:
He is but a puppet that can be replaced. I can take a new vessel at will.
Traveler:
Then we will smash you into pieces.
Prized Isshin Blade:
The end result is the same! I will end this wretch's life before you can lift a finger.
Prized Isshin Blade:
And even if I were to lose my physical form, it is but a small setback. My consciousness shall endure.
Prized Isshin Blade:
By any means necessary and any medium available, I shall return and fulfill my destiny!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Your fighting style... it is indeed the forms of Isshin Art.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
But from your movements, I sense only hatred and arrogance, as well as a thinly veiled mania and despair.
Paimon:
Really? You can tell all that just from his moves?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
As I've mentioned before, the forms of Isshin Art convey the user's thoughts and feelings.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Since the blade is currently possessing Amenoma Yuuya's body, its movements express the innermost thoughts of the blade.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
If you ask me, the mania is probably due to your desperate, single-minded ambition. You believe I am your only hope.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Are you trying to claim that I am helpless without you?
Prized Isshin Blade:
On his deathbed, he passed to me all of Isshin Art's secrets. The little that you know barely scratches the surface.
Prized Isshin Blade:
In that regard, why would I ever need your help?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Because all of that is in the past.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I've been wondering why you've not caused more trouble in all the years that you've been in Inazuma, if you are indeed a cursed blade that can possess its owner.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Now that I've seen inside your mind, everything finally makes sense. You weren't biding your time... you were trapped.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Hmph...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
After all the time that's passed, you have grown weak, to the point that you are now unable to acquire a new host without making physical contact.
Paimon:
Ooh, that's right, Paimon remembers now! Mr. Nagato had a habit of never touching his collectibles!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Only when Mr. Nagato witnessed his wife's distress and decided to sell his collectibles did you finally have an opportunity to reach out to Amenoma Yuuya and make your escape.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Hmph, what of it!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Well, that brings me to my second point. There's a despair in you that is so strong, it threatens to overwhelm you.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
You were determined to fulfill your maker's ambition, whatever the cost. But this ambition is too grand, and too heavy for you to bear. Each step you have taken has come at a great cost.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I think you realized your limitations long ago. The more you clenched your teeth and pressed forward, the greater your fear of losing everything you had achieved grew, and the more you wished to run from the truth.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
But the way I see it... what began as an ambition has long since become a delusional fantasy.
Prized Isshin Blade:
What would you know about any of this? I'm just one step away from achieving my goal!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
You returned to Inazuma to prove the unparalleled brilliance of Isshin Art. But to make this arduous journey, you committed countless atrocities, and showed a blatant disregard for human life.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Even if you were to sever that divine light... is this truly the outcome that your maker would have desired?
Prized Isshin Blade:
You...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Sure, you inherited the secrets of Isshin Art, but even as you made your journey to honor this legacy, you treated the ones who wielded you as mere tools to do your bidding.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
How could you possibly unleash the full potential of Isshin Art, when you act in perfect discordance with the principle of harmony between a blade and its bearer?
Prized Isshin Blade:
Silence, you blabbering fool...
Prized Isshin Blade:
I must achieve my goal. This was his life's dream, and the very purpose for which I was brought into being.
Prized Isshin Blade:
I will concede that you are most perceptive. You see my predicament clearly... but you also underestimate my resolve.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
And you should face reality.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Easy for you to say! Facing reality offers me nothing!
Prized Isshin Blade:
I have no need of anything that would stand in my way. Not hesitation, not self-reflection, and certainly not your so-called reality!
Prized Isshin Blade:
...
Prized Isshin Blade:
It is pointless to argue further, descendant of the Kaedehara Clan. If you wish to save this man, then offer me your body in exchange.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
How stubbornly you stick to your wayward path...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I do not believe for a second that you can challenge the Almighty Shogun in your current state. So let us make a bet, and I will put your strength to the test.
Paimon:
What? Surely you're not planning to agree to his demands...
Prized Isshin Blade:
Very well, then find yourself some enemies with whom you wish to cross blades. A taste of my power will more than convince you.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Once we have dealt with them, we shall proceed to Tenshukaku.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
And as for your end of the bargain, if you lose, you must release Amenoma Yuuya from your control.
Prized Isshin Blade:
I accept.
Paimon:
Don't do this, Kazuha!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
This is the only way to save Amenoma Yuuya. If we don't do this, he'll forever be the blade's puppet.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The cursed blade's strength is currently very weak, and I sense he's hesitating. This suggests his heart is still not completely devoid of honor.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The power of the Tatarigami lies in intensifying existing obsessions. This is the reason Mr. Nagato and Amenoma Yuuya fell prey to it. Since I don't have any similar kinds of obsessions, I should be able to put up some resistance for a while.
Paimon:
But, even so...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Even if things take a turn for the worse, I still have you both here with me.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
We have a chance here to save an innocent victim. I am willing to accept the risks entailed.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Your disdain for me betrays your woeful ignorance. I agreed to this bet because there are things I wish to learn, too.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Now, take me in your hand.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Ugh!
Paimon:
Kazuha!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I... I'm okay...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I felt a little dizzy at first, but only for a moment.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
It's alright. So far, this was as I expected.
Traveler:
If something feels off, let me know immediately.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I will. Thank you.
Paimon:
What should we do next? Have you got a plan, Kazuha?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
We find some enemies.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Although this blade has endured much turmoil, it probably hasn't experienced many real fights.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
If a blade built for Isshin Art cannot enter a state of harmony between blade and bearer, it cannot unleash its true power.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
If he wants to avoid reality, then we need to fight until he has no choice but to face it. He shouldn't last long in an intense combat situation.
Paimon:
Wait a minute... Paimon remembers hearing about something from the Adventurers' Guild...
Paimon:
Since the Takatsukasa Clan abandoned that secret base, it's been held by ronin ever since.
Traveler:
That should fit the bill.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Ah, alright. Please lead the way.
Paimon:
What about Amenoma Yuuya? What should we do with him?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The blade says he'll let Amenoma Yuuya trail us silently. Although he hasn't regained his own consciousness yet, he is not in any immediate danger.
Paimon:
Are we sure this is a good idea? It's a pretty treacherous journey...
Paimon:
Okay fine... just be careful.
As it turns out, the one behind the missing person case is a cursed blade that has possessed Amenoma Yuuya's body. To save the latter and to prove the absurdity of the blade's fixation, Kazuha eventually takes up the cursed blade himself.
Talk to Kazuha
Paimon:
How are you feeling? You okay?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I am alright. The blade is performing largely as I expected. Having gone so long without proper use and maintenance, it's become very difficult to use.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Though he's making every effort to persevere, I do not think he can last much longer.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Hmm...
Paimon:
Something else on your mind?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
How strange. Rather than trying to control me, he is instead trying to match my fighting rhythm.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Let's keep going.
Talk to Kazuha
Paimon:
Whoa, something's up with the blade!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I can sense that his strength is slowly fading away. The blade is becoming more and more difficult for me to wield.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
He cannot hold out much longer. If he keeps persisting, he will likely break apart at any moment.
Paimon:
But... what would that do to Amenoma Yuuya...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I will be careful with it. He also says he does not have any plans to give up easily.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
He's still trying to achieve his goal...
Talk to Kazuha
Paimon:
Are you okay? It looked like you were really struggling the entire fight.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Yes. And it looks like he's reached his limit.
Paimon:
The sheen's grown a bit dimmer again. It doesn't look anywhere near as impressive as it did at the start.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Perhaps this time, we'll finally have a chance to see his true form.
Paimon:
True form? What are you talking about... Huh? What the...!?
The illusion disperses, revealing the true form of this sword at last...
Paimon:
Is this the same blade as before!? It looks like a piece of junk!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
If you choose to continue in the state you're in, you wouldn't even be able to beat samurai and kairagi, much less the Almighty Shogun.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Maybe you truly did wield the power to rival the Shogun's light when first forged. But the long journey from Snezhnaya back to Inazuma has left you battered and broken.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
It barely needs stating anymore. Your ambition is a flight of fancy.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I've finally figured out why it was that you agreed to my bet.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
You wanted to reach a state of harmony with me. For perhaps then, you would still be able to wield commendable power.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
But regrettably, we are nothing alike. I will never understand your obstinacy and cruelty, nor can I empathize with the one who made you.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The only one who truly understood you had already passed away by the time you were born.
Paimon:
Huh? What's that supposed to mean?
Murayama:
There they are. Take them down!
Paimon:
Ah! Where do they keep coming from!
Traveler:
You shouldn't fight with this blade anymore.
Paimon:
Yup yup, we can help this time!
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Don't worry, I'll use my own blade.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
It's just more of the same.
Talk to Kazuha
Paimon:
You fought way better with your own sword.
Prized Isshin Blade:
...You are a true Kaedehara, in flesh and in spirit. Though we fought briefly together, you have seen me for who I really am.
Prized Isshin Blade:
No one knew anything of my story throughout my travels, nor did I tell it to anyone. You are the first person to know the truth.
Prized Isshin Blade:
I thought that if I could achieve Isshin harmony with you, perhaps there would still be a ray of hope for me.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
But in this, too, you have failed.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Indeed. No matter how hard I tried, I could not attain that perfect harmony that your personal blade does with you.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Too much time has passed... My physical state is poor, and without proper maintenance, I can only disguise my true appearance behind an outer sheen.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Yours is the blade that took on the Musou no Hitotachi... And what a magnificent blade it is. Perhaps I shall never reach that level of glory...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Actually... this is just a generic blade that I picked up during my travels in Liyue.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Wh—What?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Forging and maintenance are both important for a blade, but they are not everything.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
This blade has traveled the land with me for many years, and we have formed a close bond during that time. Plus, in the moment that I most needed it, I received aid from another power...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Skill, blade, determination, and desire — all these must be aligned in the practice of Isshin Art.
Prized Isshin Blade:
...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
There is something else I must tell you. Though your maker may not have been aware, your ability to possess your own consciousness derived from the power of the Tatarigami.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Tatarigami is a malevolence from the ancient past. It is the source of your mania and savagery.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Though you tried to cooperate with me while I was wielding you, the part of you driven by Tatarigami was constantly trying to seize control of my body.
Prized Isshin Blade:
I sensed it, but I couldn't change it. It is an integral part of my consciousness.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I resisted its temptations because I wanted to save Amenoma Yuuya. But I do not know whether you yourself have any intention of trying to fight it.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I feel a great sense of regret for you, since you embarked on a journey bound for a destination you were destined never to reach.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The moment you embarked on this journey, you lost the only person who could have ever unleashed your true potential. And yet there was no way for you to turn your back on his ambition.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
You have known this for a long time. It is the true source of your despair.
Prized Isshin Blade:
He gave me everything... my life, my form, my consciousness and purpose...
Prized Isshin Blade:
How could I possibly deny him his wish...
Prized Isshin Blade:
I said to him, "Do not worry. From here on, I shall forge your legacy."
Prized Isshin Blade:
How could I go back on my word...
Paimon:
Aw...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I believe our bet is now settled. I have nothing further to say.
Paimon:
Where are you going, Kazuha?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
He now has neither the ability, nor the motivation to cause further harm. Let's give him some time to reflect on things.
Talk to Kazuha
Kaedehara Kazuha:
When I touched the hilt for the first time, it's as if I was transported to a strange dimension. It was somewhere I've never been.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
A bladesmith lay quietly on the bed, his frail face barely visible under the moonlight. His breaths were weak, and his life near its end.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
A newly forged blade lay by his side, listening attentively to his final words.
Paimon:
Wow... that was the blade's memory, wasn't it?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Indeed. While in exile in Snezhnaya, the bladesmith eventually learned the truth behind everything that had happened. The Isshin Art had been dealt a devastating blow by the desertion of its best smiths.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
He spent the rest of his life in the forge, not to vent his frustration and hatred, but to atone for his actions.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
He felt intense regret at being tricked by the Fatui, but he could never again return to his homeland. His sole wish was to one day return his single proudest creation back to the land of his birth.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
So he instructed this sentient blade to find a way back to Inazuma, no matter how long or how hard the journey. But he never wished to rival the gods...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
All he wanted to show was that they once shone brilliantly as blade and smith, that they were still worthy of being trusted.
Paimon:
So that's the true story...
Paimon:
But after that, the blacksmith's intentions were warped by the Tatarigami, slowly turning his proud creation into the cursed blade of today.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Right. I believe the bladesmith might never have known that the power he worked with was that of the Tatarigami. The hatred within that power is what sent the blade down its ill-fated path.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
This blade has committed unforgivable atrocities, but only because it lost its original master. No one was there to correct its errors when it was losing its way.
Paimon:
*sigh* Shame it's too late now.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Yes, it is too late.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Time would not wait or stop because of his determination. While the world moved on, his ambition remained stubbornly stuck at that fleeting moment at the dawn of his journey.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
He seems to have calmed down though. Let's go and check in.
Listen to what the cursed blade has to say
Prized Isshin Blade:
When I look back at the past, I can remember the day of my forging like it was just yesterday.
Prized Isshin Blade:
I once told him that I would pay any price to fulfill his wishes, such was the debt I owed to him for giving me the gift of consciousness.
Prized Isshin Blade:
But darkness and slaughter numb the mind. Over time, I lost sight of the difference between gratitude and grudge.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Not only did I fail to fulfill his ambition... I also defiled it...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
You are finally seeing reality clearly.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Since we agreed to the terms of the bet, I will honor the agreement, and release Amenoma Yuuya.
Prized Isshin Blade:
But I still cannot bring myself to forsake his ambition. It is the entire purpose for my existence.
Prized Isshin Blade:
So, may I ask you to help me fulfill the ambitions of myself and my creator?
Paimon:
Hey, now you're adding yours into the mix, too? Geez, don't push your luck mister!
Prized Isshin Blade:
It has to be done in this order. At least hear what I have to say... and if you don't agree, I will still release Amenoma Yuuya as promised.
Prized Isshin Blade:
My physical form, as well as the knowledge I possess, should still be of some value to you.
Paimon:
His attitude has grown a lot milder...
Paimon:
What do you think, Kazuha? Should we give him a chance?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Let's hear it.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Thank you all. When I was first forged, my maker was already terminally ill. He told me that he had wanted me to have the grandest opening battle.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Alas, after that, he never rose from his sickbed again...
Prized Isshin Blade:
Nor have I ever had the chance to prove myself in battle since.
Prized Isshin Blade:
My fights were devoid of any noble meaning. They were merely the next step in my never-ending journey... the next in a long line of transgressions.
Prized Isshin Blade:
You are a fine warrior. I would like to request your hand in battle, and experience a true duel between samurai.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Oh, and who would be the opponent?
Prized Isshin Blade:
I will release Amenoma Yuuya, and restore his consciousness. Perhaps after that, you can convince him to commit to a fight with you.
Prized Isshin Blade:
He must have plenty of reasons to both hate me and desire a good fight.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Understood. Then let's start by waking him up and seeing if he has the stamina and will to fight.
Amenoma Yuuya finally regains consciousness. The party explains the situation to him.
Amenoma Yuuya:
I see. He used my body... to inflict harm on others.
Amenoma Yuuya:
I utterly despise him and his actions, but since he stayed true to your agreement by releasing me, he must still have some remaining semblance of honor.
Amenoma Yuuya:
If a duel can help to set this state of affairs in order, I am willing to put myself forward.
Amenoma Yuuya:
I do not wish to be a mere victim in this story.
Paimon:
There's no need to worry, we'll vouch for your innocence to the Tenryou Commission!
Amenoma Yuuya:
Thanks for your help. Who knows how this would have ended without your intervention.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Alright, then let's move on.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
More ronin could appear at any moment. We can't stay here.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
In any case, for a final duel, I think we should aim for a greater sense of ceremony.
Fulfill the cursed blade's wish
Paimon:
This reminds Paimon a bit of The Crux Clash.
Traveler:
That was a much more relaxed occasion.
Paimon:
Yup, we still can't let our guard down, even now. Paimon has a sneaking suspicion that blade hasn't told us everything...
Paimon:
Still... even if he's way past the point of redemption, it's hard not to feel a teensy bit sorry for him.
Paimon:
Are you ready?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Ready?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
...Okay. Alright then.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Successor of Isshin Art, Kaedehara Kazuha.
Amenoma Yuuya:
Successor of Amenoma Art, Amenoma Yuuya.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Honored to cross blades with you.
Amenoma Yuuya:
It is my honor also.
Have a duel with Amenoma Yuuya
Amenoma Yuuya:
...Thank you for the experience.
Amenoma Yuuya:
Although he appears battered and broken, in your hands, it seems he's regained a glimmer of brilliance.
Amenoma Yuuya:
His sense of savage cruelty has completely faded away, but that same sense of determination remains strong.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
You also fought well. I'm sure he relished the experience.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
There are a few things that I shall leave him to tell you himself.
Prized Isshin Blade:
I must apologize to you for all that has transpired.
Amenoma Yuuya:
You need not seek my forgiveness, nor do I have the right to forgive you on your victims' behalf.
Amenoma Yuuya:
It is too late for all of that.
Prized Isshin Blade:
I do not wish for forgiveness. I only hope that you will see my transgressions as mine alone, and not let them stain the legacy of Isshin Art.
Prized Isshin Blade:
I strayed far from the straight and narrow path, but the Isshin Art still has a worthy successor in Kaedehara Kazuha.
Prized Isshin Blade:
I beseech you... please understand this.
Amenoma Yuuya:
Yes. I, too, trust Mr. Kaedehara to do the right thing.
Prized Isshin Blade:
Thank you, successor of Amenoma Art.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
This blade has also told me that he has another wish: He would like to visit the Amenoma Smithy.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Maybe we can go back there together.
Paimon:
What does he want to go there for?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I'm not sure. But I think that all this is about to come to an end.
Return to Amenoma Smithy
Amenoma Tougo:
Ah, it's Yuuya! You have returned!
Amenoma Yuuya:
I am sorry to have troubled you. It's all thanks to them that I was able to return safely.
You tell Amenoma Tougo about the various things that happened.
Amenoma Tougo:
A prized Isshin blade, turned weapon that controls the human mind...
Amenoma Tougo:
*sigh* Considering their forging philosophy, this was indeed within the realm of possibility. This is a great pity.
Amenoma Tougo:
But I have some good news as well. Ryuuji from the Bantan Sango Detective Agency tells me that they've found the missing Mr. Nagato.
Paimon:
Really? Is he okay?
Amenoma Tougo:
Yes. Badly wounded, but he will live.
Amenoma Tougo:
And now that Yuuya is back... it seems like the final ending to this story is a happy one after all.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
...I think I know what you want to do.
Paimon:
What's wrong, Kazuha? Is the blade whispering in your ear again?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Yes... he said, he wants to take control of me for a brief moment.
Paimon:
What? No way! Hasn't it learned its lesson?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
He tells me that he's thought of another way to fulfill his maker's wish. And he assures me that he won't use my body for anything nefarious.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I've decided... to let him do it.
Paimon:
You...! But...! He...! Ugh, guess there's nothing we can say to change your mind, huh?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Thank you. I will explain my reasons later.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Okay, I am ready. Let us begin, please stay true to your promise.
Putting forth the last remnants of its power, the prized Isshin blade exhorts Kaedehara Kazuha to go to the anvil in the smithy. Its final wish is to be reforged at the cost of everything that comprises its present consciousness. At its instruction, Kazuha hammers and forges, and the red blade slowly regains its luster. In this manner is the Isshin Art at last revived and continued...
Talk to Kazuha
After leaving the Amenoma Smithy, you learn of the blade's final words from Kazuha.
Paimon:
So that's why he said it had to be done in that order...
Paimon:
His consciousness will disappear forever after fulfilling the bladesmith's wish.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
"Kagotsurube Isshin"... It was the first time I ever heard his name.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
It seems like deep down, he disapproved of his own actions, and thus chose to bury this name deep within his heart.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Only in the final moments before his consciousness faded was he willing to entrust it to another.
Paimon:
Seems like he really, really wanted to fulfill his maker's wish...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The same fervent ambition that gave him the motivation to keep going forward also fueled the stubborn determination that blinded him to the path ahead.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Speaking for myself, I'd rather see him recognize and atone for his mistakes than see him punished for them.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I understand. Perhaps this is a flaw in my personality... I've always been captivated by grand aspirations.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Hearing his wish to rival the divine light touched something inside of me, just as the sight of those who fought to repeal the Vision Hunt Decree did...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Your quest to face the gods and trace your sibling inspires me in the same way.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
After everything I've seen, perhaps these pursuits fascinate me a little more than they should.
Paimon:
Oh, Kazuha...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I will continue to support you from this point on. Know that you will have my assistance whenever you need it.
Paimon:
Wait, shouldn't we also go update Kujou Kamaji?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Oh, you're right. We need to tell him about the findings of our investigation.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
And it's also time to give him a response to the offer he made me.
Accompany Kazuha while he gives Kujou Kamaji his response
Kujou Kamaji:
You have returned! I hear that the issue has been resolved. Though this was a treacherous investigation indeed, we are most fortunate that no lives were lost.
Kujou Kamaji:
The Tenryou Commission has already attended to the danger at the warehouse. The investigation into Amenoma Yuuya should conclude soon, I do not believe he will be charged with any crime.
Paimon:
Wow, you sure kept your ear to the ground.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Then we needn't recount all the details again. Now, as to your earlier offer, I wish to give you my answer... please take a look at this blade.
Kujou Kamaji:
What's this?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
"Kagotsurube Isshin," a weapon crafted using a long-lost blade forging art of the Kaedehara Clan.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
By means of a series of fortuitous events, I was able to recover and restore him. I also promised him that I will continue to study and pass on the secrets of Isshin Art.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
And so, it looks like I will likely continue with my journey across the nations, learning more about this blade as I go.
Kujou Kamaji:
I see... I understand.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
The Kaedehara Clan has always been a family of bladesmiths, so it is only proper for me to continue on this path.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Were I to accept your goodwill, I may find myself embroiled in conflicts between the Shogunate and Sangonomiya. That would not suit me.
Kujou Kamaji:
Ah, you misunderstand, that was most certainly not our intent...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
I am aware, but I still desire to continue walking my own path.
Kujou Kamaji:
Very well. I can understand. Then let's pretend this offer was never raised.
Kujou Kamaji:
However, if you should ever change your mind, or find yourself in need of the Shogunate's assistance, please do not hesitate to inform me.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Great, thank you for your generosity.
Paimon:
Where will you travel to next, Kazuha?
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Hmm... I'll probably take to the seas with Captain Beidou again for now.
Kaedehara Kazuha:
As for my next destination...
Kaedehara Kazuha:
Let's see where the wind takes me.