Swords clashed within the mindscape. Steel met steel as Allen fought against Kagome, their forms moving with inhuman grace.
"Aren't you in quite the hurry, Allen?" Kagome teased, smiling as she manipulated the rhythm of the fight using her enhanced senses and elemental precision.
"I'm close…" Clang! Allen parried a blow and twisted in, finding an opening.
"You really are a cheat with swords," Kagome remarked, momentarily releasing her blade to slam a kick into Allen's stomach before spinning to reclaim her sword and pointing it cleanly at his throat. "But you're still too weak."
"You have greater instincts, better elemental control, and refined experience," Allen admitted, steadying himself. "But lately… I've felt freer. I'm getting stronger. Day by day. For once, it feels—liberating."
"Of course it does." Kagome's eyes glinted. "You're sinking into the Delusion. Letting it guide you. Taking my power as your own."
"But why doesn't it feel wrong anymore?" Allen mused aloud. "Before, I felt like I was being overtaken… as if I'd disappear inside it. That feeling is still there—but it's faint now. Easier to control. Kagome, is it your influence that's lessened? Or have you just become more insidious?"
"It's simple, Allen." She traced her fingers along the Hasui Geppaku Futsu. "There are two ways not to be consumed by a Delusion: fight it—and win—or follow it. Submit. You've chosen the latter. You've walked my path. Shared my ambition. To show the world my brilliance. To surpass the Shogun. You've inherited my pride."
"So because I no longer resist, you don't have a reason to fight me anymore?" Allen narrowed his eyes. "Even so, I'll surpass you—and devour you."
"Try it," Kagome whispered, fading as the mental space collapsed.
…
Over Watatsumi Island, Allen stood before his group—Endora, Fischl, Collei, and Alina. The sky above was quiet, but the scent of war already lingered in the air.
"The war is near," Allen said, his tone firm. "Each of you will have a role. I expect you to follow it precisely."
He turned to Endora first. "You will stay in the camp—especially if I'm not there. Never fight. Stay in the rear and focus entirely on healing the injured. However, if he is about to appear, you can take care of him."
"Okay, big brother!" Endora nodded enthusiastically, puffing up with pride despite the serious tone.
Next, Allen faced Alina. "You will continue acting as Kagome. Once the war reaches a point of no return—once it becomes truly unstoppable—look for the moment to vanish. Disappear."
Alina's expression didn't waver. "Understood. And on the way out?"
"Disrupt them. Sabotage what you can," Allen instructed. "But do not engage any generals. No direct confrontations. If discovered, run. Your strength lies in misdirection, not battle."
"I will follow your orders," Alina said with a respectful bow.
Then Allen turned to Collei.
She grinned before he even spoke. "I'll charge in, smash everything, cause mayhem, take down as many of them as I can—"
"No." Allen's voice cut cleanly through her excitement.
Collei blinked. "No?"
"I have something else for you." He handed her a small lyre—simple, but finely crafted. He stepped closer and leaned in, whispering softly into her ear.
Collei's eyes widened, confused. "Really? You want me to…?"
Allen nodded. "Yes. Just wait for the right moment. Don't let yourself be discovered, no matter what. Timing is everything."
Collei looked down at the lyre, unsure, but nodded solemnly.
Finally, Allen faced Fischl.
"I know you don't answer to me," he began, "and you're free to act as you wish. But I have one request—just one. In this chaos… limit the deaths. As much as you can, please stop her."
Fischl closed her eyes, silent for a moment. The wind tugged gently at her cloak.
"…Very well," she said softly. "I'll grant this one favor."
Allen gave her a small smile—the closest thing to gratitude he ever allowed himself.
"Thank you," he said.
…
"Let's do it," Allen said aloud, opening his eyes. With renewed resolve, he gripped his sword, masked his face, and ascended the sacred steps of Narukami Shrine.
Halfway up, a voice stopped him.
"You came all the way to Inazuma, but didn't come to see me?"
He turned. "Ayaka…?"
There she stood—poised, but conflicted. Her eyes shimmered with a storm of emotion: anger, longing, pain. A part of her wanted to slap him—for leaving without a word, for returning as a stranger. Another part just wanted to hug him.
"Sayu told me to come here," she said softly. "She didn't explain why, only that it was urgent. Now I understand."
"So?" Allen asked flatly. "What do you want?"
Ayaka flinched at his cold tone. "A-Allen… could you stop this? Surrender peacefully?"
"That's the first thing you say after all this time?" he replied icily. "You want me in a prison cell?"
"No!" Ayaka's voice cracked. "You've become the symbol of rebellion! If this continues, you'll be hunted. Captured. Executed!"
"I know," Allen said, unmoved. "But I have no intention of being captured."
"You can't go against the Shogun, Allen!" Ayaka pleaded, tears forming. "If you surrender, there's still hope. I've been working so hard… if you give me time, I'll earn her recognition. I'll beg for your forgiveness. I'll save you!"
"So naïve," Allen sighed, drawing his sword. "Spoken like the girl who couldn't even hold her clan's leadership. Defeated by a 'stranger.'"
Ayaka's eyes flashed. Frost surged around her as she unsheathed her blade. "I won't let you die!"
CRASH! She surged forward on a wave of ice, wind swirling around her as she brought down her sword—elegant, precise, pure Kamisato technique.
Allen met it effortlessly.
"You haven't changed," he murmured. "Still clinging to an outdated style."
CLANG! He redirected her strike with calm fluidity. He had fought Kagome's Kamisato art countless times—faster, sharper, deadlier than Ayaka's.
To Allen, Ayaka's form was now the worst possible style to face him with.
In a blur, he disarmed her and struck the back of her neck with the hilt.
She collapsed—unconscious, gently caught in Allen's arms.
"I made my decision when I left Inazuma," he whispered, lowering her to the ground. "Now that I've become the face of this revolution, I can't turn back."
He kissed her forehead gently. "Hate me. Forget me. Live your own life."
And then, he turned—and climbed to the summit.
—
At the base of the Sacred Sakura, Yae Miko stood waiting.
"I knew from the moment I met you—you'd bring great change," she said, watching him approach. "But I never expected it to be… like this."
"What do you want, Miko?"
"The better question is, what do you want, boy?"
Allen didn't hesitate.
"I want to change this stagnant nation."
Yae narrowed her eyes. "Don't cloak it in ideals. I can see through you. What do you really want?"
Allen hesitated. Just for a moment.
"…To surpass the Shogun."
The truth settled into the air like thunder before a storm.
Yae blinked. "I see."
She stepped aside, clearing his path to the Sacred Tree.
"You're letting me pass?"
"Do you think I can stop you?" she asked, amused.
Allen regarded her. "You might. You're strong enough to make me use the Delusion."
"I don't like you," she said plainly. "But your twisted fate may be the only thing that can shake her. If you die… she might never change."
"You're insane," Allen muttered, walking past her.
"Perhaps," Yae said, her smile vanishing. "But so are you. Just don't disappoint me."
Allen reached the Sacred Sakura. The ancient bark pulsed with unseen energy. His heart pounded. His soul trembled.
"This is it…" He reached out. "This is the key."
His hand touched the bark.
Yae's eyes widened. "W-wait—STOP!"
But it was too late.
CRACK!
The tree split. A blinding light exploded outward.
Allen vanished into it.
—
When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in Inazuma.
Crimson and violet swirled around him in a void-like space. At its center, a figure stood.
Tall. Radiant. Immovable.
"You shouldn't be here," said a voice that echoed like judgment itself.
Allen immediately recognize her. "Shogun."