Chapter 9: The Inazuma Purge, Replacing Takemikazuchi
At this moment, more than 80% of Inazuma's aristocrats were laid bare, kneeling disgracefully before the Statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God. Behind them, the cold, steely-eyed Tenryou Commission soldiers stood with blades unsheathed, poised to strike.
"General, the final batch of offenders has been brought forth," reported one of the Tenryou soldiers. Bowing on one knee, he kept his head low as he delivered the news.
Although the Raiden Shogun was not physically present before them, these elite soldiers—victors of the annual martial arts tournament who had earned the honor of serving as her personal guards—knew full well that the Shogun's wrath was enveloping all of Inazuma.
Among those standing apart from the condemned was Sangonomiya Kokomi, trembling as she stood behind Yae Miko at the steps of Tenshukaku. Her face was pale, her fear palpable. Standing alongside her, equally ashamed and guilt-stricken, was Kujou Sara.
Yae Miko cast a playful glance back at the trembling Kokomi, her voice laced with amusement. "Kokomi, Sara, you two stay put for now. Once the Shogun has dealt with these current matters, she'll address you two next."
"…Understood," Kokomi whispered, her face drained of color. Her heart sank into a pit of cold despair, her body numb to the bone.
Would she be the main course after the appetizer? Was she to be publicly executed in front of all of Inazuma's citizens, her head displayed on a banner to cow the people of Watatsumi Island into submission?
As the priestess of Watatsumi Island, this seemed the most effective means to bring her homeland under the fold of the Shogunate.
"Fufu~" Yae Miko chuckled, her gleeful amusement only growing as she saw Kokomi's ashen face.
"She must think she's going to end up like those rotten worms, trembling with fear. This is just too entertaining."
While she toyed with Kokomi, Noah, standing nearby with a fruit platter prepared by Yae Miko, took a bite of a juicy slice.
"Inazuma may be rotting from the inside, but its fruit isn't half bad."
"Oh~ Honored Noah-sama, I'm glad it suits your palate," Yae Miko quickly adjusted her tone, bowing slightly in deference. Despite her sly and calculating nature, she was acutely aware of how to handle a being of such stature.
She thought to herself: This god from Celestia shares the same mischievous streak as… her. But at least he has a rich sense of humor and humanity, making him much easier to deal with.
Once the Raiden Shogun resolved Inazuma's problems, this celestial figure would hopefully return to Celestia.
"Hmm, Yae Miko, you seem bolder than yesterday. I much preferred you trembling in fear," Noah teased, his tone dripping with playful mockery.
"If you wish to see me trembling, your will is my command," Yae Miko replied coyly, feigning a look of helplessness.
"But let's wait until the Shogun sorts out Inazuma's chaos before I entertain you properly, honored guest."
She had learned to navigate personalities like Noah's, indulging his whims to keep the peace and avoid becoming a personal target of his interest.
"Tsk, tsk~ Ei is truly lucky to have a vassal like you," Noah commented with a smirk before casting his gaze down the steps.
Descending from Tenshukaku, Ei strode forward, her expression cold and impenetrable. She held her iconic weapon, the Engulfing Lightning, with a calm but lethal grip.
Seeing her approach, Kokomi, overwhelmed by terror, immediately bowed low, her voice trembling.
"Hail the Almighty Narukami no Mikoto—God of Thunder."
"Are all the guilty present?" Ei asked, her tone colder than steel.
"Yes. All those who incited war and desecrated the sacred objects of Yashiori Island have been gathered," Kokomi replied, head still lowered.
"Good," Ei replied curtly before continuing her descent. Her eyes swept over the gathered offenders kneeling before the statue, her footsteps steady and unhurried.
At one point, Ei had considered executing the Oracle of Orobashi alongside the others. But Yae Miko had convinced her that keeping Kokomi alive would ultimately benefit Inazuma's long-term stability.
"Look, the Shogun is here!"
As Ei emerged, the plaza—packed to the brim with Inazuma's citizens—erupted in cheers.
"Eternity shines everlasting under the Shogun's rule!"
"Eternity shines everlasting under the Shogun's rule!!"
"Eternity shines everlasting under the Shogun's rule!!!"
The frenzied chants of the people contrasted starkly with the wails of the trembling aristocrats.
"We've been wronged, Shogun-sama!"
"It's all a misunderstanding!"
"Everything was Takayuki Kujou and Hiiragi Shinsuke's doing! We were forced to comply!"
"Spare us, Shogun-sama! We will never err again!"
Ei's icy voice cut through their pleas like a blade.
"Silence. I am not here to hear your excuses. None among you are innocent."
Her gaze was piercing as she delivered her next command.
"Now, speak. Reveal the atrocities you've committed. Every last detail. Hold nothing back, for I already know the full truth. Should you attempt to conceal even a fragment of your sins, not only will your names vanish from Inazuma's history, but your bloodlines will also be eradicated."
Her words struck fear into the condemned, who began betraying one another in a desperate attempt to spare their descendants. They recounted their heinous deeds: land-grabbing, manipulating food prices, lending at exorbitant interest rates—all of which paled in comparison to the true depths of their depravity. They admitted to forcing women into prostitution, engaging in human trafficking, selling children to the Fatui for experiments, and countless other unthinkable horrors.
The specifics of the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree were laid bare. Jealous of those gifted with Visions and fearful of the threat they posed to their fragile authority, the aristocracy had conspired to manipulate the Shogun into issuing these disastrous policies.
"Tch. These maggots dared covet Visions? Laughable," Noah scoffed with disdain.
"To be granted a Vision, one must possess a beautiful wish—a belief so strong they dedicate their life to pursuing it. In the end, such wishes lead to actions that enrich the world itself. As a reward, those who fulfill these dreams ascend to the Throne of the Gods."
His words carried profound weight, stunning the onlookers.
Yae Miko's fox-like eyes gleamed with intrigue. "So, this is the secret of the Visions?"
She had long suspected that Visions were distributed by Celestia rather than the Shogun. However, the exact mechanism remained shrouded in mystery—until now.
Kokomi, however, had no capacity to dwell on the revelation. With every drop of blood spilled before her, her terror deepened, knowing her own fate loomed ever closer.
"These scum who have poisoned Inazuma shall have their family names erased from history. Any who dare to use these names henceforth shall be charged with treason. All assets belonging to the guilty shall be confiscated," Ei declared to the masses.
"All who participated in corrupting Inazuma are sentenced to death. Any descendants of their families whose crimes outweigh their contributions shall share the same fate. Those with no merit or wrongdoing will be exiled to Yashiori Island for generations of hard labor to atone for their bloodlines. Those with significant contributions but no crimes will be stripped of their noble status and relegated to commoners, with new names to mark their rebirth."
Ei's voice rang through the square as she pronounced judgment. The citizens of Inazuma, long wearied by the yoke of poverty and despair, erupted into fervent cries of devotion.
"Eternity shines everlasting under the Shogun's rule!"
"Eternity shines everlasting under the Shogun's rule!"
"Eternity shines everlasting under the Shogun's rule!"
The entire city reverberated with the chants of its people.
The unwavering faith of Inazuma's citizens in their Shogun had endured even through the darkest days. Now, the hatred they harbored toward the aristocracy had transformed into an unshakable reverence for their protector.
As Ei gazed upon the jubilant crowds, their cheers echoing in her ears, a memory of her elder sister Makoto surfaced in her mind. In this moment of triumph, she almost believed her sister was still alive.
"Perhaps my sister's vision of Eternity was the correct one…" Ei murmured to herself.
For the first time, she began to understand Makoto's philosophy of an eternity shaped by the wishes and aspirations of her people—a flowing, evolving ideal rather than a static state.
Her gaze swept over the joyous faces of the crowd. Their elation seemed to cleanse Inazuma's air of its heavy despair, filling it with hope.
Raiden Shogun's voice joined Ei's thoughts, echoing in unity. "Eternity approaches the truth of the Heavenly Principles. And now, the Heavenly Principles themselves are here."
"Yes," Ei agreed, her gaze shifting toward the man standing atop the steps of Tenshukaku. Noah, casually conversing with Yae Miko while savoring a platter of fruit, seemed almost disconnected from the upheaval he had instigated.
With Inazuma's internal turmoil finally quelled, it was time to prepare for the next phase of the Heavenly Principle' plan.
To conquer the world of Demon Slayer, Ei would need to assume the role of its God of Thunder, Takemikazuchi. Meanwhile, Noah would seize that world's dominion in the shadows.
Ei's sharp eyes landed on Kamisato Ayato, the head of the Yashiro Commission, who stood waiting nearby.
"Kamisato Ayato," she ordered, her tone firm. "You have one day to handle the aftermath here. Afterward, bring your sister Kamisato Ayaka to Tenshukaku."
Though puzzled by the Shogun's sudden interest in his sister, Ayato did not question the command. He knew better than anyone that their family's fortunes were rising rapidly in the wake of the purges.
"Yes, Shogun-sama," he replied with a bow. The Kamisato family would now wield immense influence, but Ayato was keenly aware of the responsibility that came with it. Should they misuse their power, they would face the same fate as the fallen clans, their legacy reduced to red stains on Inazuma's soil.
As the purge concluded, the skies over Inazuma cleared, sunlight illuminating a city reborn. Its citizens, still caught up in the fervor of the moment, spoke animatedly about the events that had transpired.
Within Tenshukaku, Ei sat before a low desk, her piercing gaze fixed on Kujou Sara and Sangonomiya Kokomi, who knelt before her.
Sara's face was a portrait of guilt, while Kokomi appeared lost, her trembling body on the verge of collapse. In her mind, one phrase repeated endlessly: I'm going to die.
"Sara," Ei began, her voice heavy with disappointment. "You've let me down."
The Shogun had long regarded Kujou Sara as her right hand, a warrior whose traits mirrored those of Makoto's trusted companion Sasayuri—strategically brilliant, unwaveringly loyal, and supremely skilled in combat. As a tengu, Sara possessed a lifespan far exceeding that of humans, making her an ideal lieutenant.
But despite her virtues, Sara had failed to see through her adoptive father Takayuki Kujou's betrayal. It was only the tengu's proven loyalty that had saved her from being executed alongside him.
"Shogun-sama, this failure is unforgivable. I am prepared to face whatever punishment you see fit," Sara said, bowing deeply. The weight of her failure crushed her, and she believed herself unworthy of clemency.
Ei sighed, her disappointment tempered by an understanding of how pervasive the deceit had been.
"Do you swear to redeem yourself?" Ei asked.
"I do, with all my heart," Sara responded without hesitation.
"Very well," Ei said, her tone softening slightly. "The Kujou name is no more. From this day, you shall bear the name Sasayuri. May you embody the strength and wisdom of your ancestors."
Sara's heart swelled with gratitude at the new name, which carried the legacy of one of Inazuma's greatest generals.
"As your first task, you will lead the Tenryou Commission to eliminate the remaining monsters plaguing our lands. Restore the broken wards, and apprehend any lingering Fatui agents," Ei commanded.
Sara bowed deeply, her resolve renewed. "I will not fail you, Shogun-sama."
With that, she departed, leaving only Kokomi behind.
"Sangonomiya Kokomi," Ei addressed her. "You are a capable leader."
The words startled Kokomi, whose mind had been consumed by thoughts of her impending execution.
"Thank you for your praise, Shogun-sama," Kokomi said weakly. "But I beg you, please spare the people of Watatsumi Island. They bear no ill will toward you, only a desire to survive."
Ei's gaze was cold as she posed a simple question: "Do you wish to live, or to die?"
Kokomi froze, stunned. "Shogun-sama, what… what do you mean?"
"You are not without fault," Ei stated. "Though the war was not your idea, you led troops against the Shogunate. Your actions resulted in countless deaths. However, your talents are undeniable, and I will grant you a chance to atone."
Ei's voice softened, though her words remained firm.
"For the next five years, you will lead the people of Watatsumi Island in integrating with Inazuma. I will appoint you as the acting head of the Kanjou Commission."
Kokomi's mouth fell open. She had braced herself for death, yet the Shogun had granted her a chance not only to live but to serve as a high-ranking official.
It was clear: Ei sought to unite Watatsumi Island fully under her rule. Kokomi's survival depended on her success in this endeavor.
"Thank you, Shogun-sama. I, Sangonomiya Kokomi, swear to fulfill your command."
With Inazuma's internal strife finally resolved, Noah, accompanied by Yae Miko, made his way along the stone path leading to the Grand Narukami Shrine on Mt. Yougou.
There, he would establish the gateway to the world of Demon Slayer.