The night in Inazuma pressed heavily upon the city, draping the streets in soft shadows. Lantern flames flickered uncertainly, stirred by the restless wind carrying a faint scent of sea salt mixed with lingering incense. Ji Bai's footsteps fell steady and measured along the stone path of the Kamisato Estate, the quiet rustle of paper in his satchel accompanying him. The air felt thick, weighted with unspoken tension.
Beside him, Thoma walked silently, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a cautious vigilance that betrayed the calmness of his usual demeanor.
From beneath an ancient cherry tree by the roadside, a figure emerged, her light blue robes shimmering subtly under the pale moonlight. It was Kamisato Ayaka.
"Ji Bai-san," her voice was gentle, yet laced with an unmistakable gravity. "The Shogun's watchers have multiplied. You are no longer alone under her gaze."
Ji Bai nodded, his expression composed, almost serene.
"So the test has truly begun," he murmured.
The three walked in silence toward the Narukami Shrine. The towering torii gate cast long, dappled shadows in the moonlight. The shrine's wooden structures exuded a solemn grandeur, heavy with the weight of centuries. Wisps of incense curled from the braziers, mingling with the damp earth's rich aroma.
Waiting on the stone steps was Lady Yae, dressed in her distinctive crimson priestess robes. Her eyes, sharp and penetrating, met Ji Bai's without hesitation, holding secrets deeper than the night itself.
"You come willingly," she said softly but firmly. "That alone is an answer."
Ji Bai bowed slightly, steadying his breath.
"The Shogun's watchful gaze is born of fear—fear of the unknown. Her eyes are like blades, protective yet probing."
His voice was calm, measured.
"My brush is not a weapon of dominion or destruction," he said. "It is a bridge—connecting this land and its history, its people and the divine, the visible and the unseen. I seek understanding, not power."
A flicker of approval softened Lady Yae's stern expression before a shadow of concern passed over her brow.
"Your path is narrow and perilous," she warned. "If your actions disrupt the balance of Inazuma, no promise or art will shield you from the consequences."
A soft breeze stirred her hair, scattering a few cherry blossoms like pale snowflakes, enhancing the serene yet heavy atmosphere.
Ji Bai's gaze shifted toward the distant churning clouds, a low rumble of thunder faintly resonating.
"I will paint with care," he replied resolutely. "Each stroke will carry my conviction."
He understood well: this was no mere test of skill or loyalty, but a trial that would shape the fate of the land itself.
As their footsteps faded into the night, the unseen eyes of the Electro Archon watched silently from the heavens, their presence as unyielding as the storm that gathered above.
And Ji Bai was ready.