Chapter 36: The Reverse-Blade Sword

This was an inconspicuous, isolated island in Inazuma, no larger than a small courtyard. Aside from a few trees, the island was covered in unremarkable wild grass. A few cranes strolled along the soft beach, occasionally dipping their heads to snatch crabs that dared to venture onto the sand, enjoying a leisurely meal.

These cranes had lived here for a long time, undisturbed by humans, as the island held no valuable resources. But today, two unexpected visitors had arrived.

"Cough, cough..."

Kaedehara Kazuha lay sprawled on the beach, completely soaked. Despite having the protection of the wind element, he had never done anything so reckless before. For a moment, he had thought he was about to join his departed friend in the afterlife.

Looking over at Bai Luo, who was sitting on a nearby rock by the shore, Kazuha noticed how composed he was. Thanks to the recent unlocking of his secondary job, Bai Luo's physical abilities had greatly improved, making him far more composed than Kazuha.

Bai Luo casually kicked off his wooden sandals and pulled off his white socks, from which he shook out a few lively, jumping fish.

"Thank you for saving me," Kazuha said after catching his breath, sitting up and expressing his gratitude.

If Bai Luo hadn't intervened, he might have ended up sharing his friend's fate.

"You should thank him instead," Bai Luo replied nonchalantly, tossing the Vision he had taken from the Raiden Shogun over to Kazuha.

Before heading to the training grounds, Bai Luo had not only instructed Kujou Takayuki to tighten security around Tenshukaku but had also issued a strict order to the Fatui operatives to keep Kazuha from reaching the palace. To his surprise, Kazuha had stubbornly broken through multiple lines of defense to reach Tenshukaku.

"This... you don't want it?" Kazuha asked hesitantly as he caught the Vision. The Vision was incredibly valuable, often seen as a divine blessing, and while some were granted by the gods, there were instances where they could be awakened by mortals without divine intervention.

He had thought this mysterious person would never return it, but to his surprise, Bai Luo tossed it to him without a second thought.

"I have no use for it," Bai Luo replied. He had already experimented with both Visions and Delusions and found that he couldn't use either. For him, these coveted items were only valuable as currency to be traded for Mora.

But Mora? As a Fatui Harbinger, Mora was just a number to him. Whenever he needed it, the Northland Bank could provide as much as he desired. In a way, he was as wealthy as Tartaglia. Since his secondary job was now unlocked and the system no longer required him to keep holding the Vision, he might as well do Kazuha a favor and give it to him.

"Then..." Kazuha's gaze shifted toward the broken blade lying beside Bai Luo. It wasn't that he wanted to take more, but with his friend's body still in Tenshukaku, reclaiming it was out of the question. However, the broken sword Bai Luo had brought out seemed perfect for creating a gravesite for his friend.

"That's not your friend's sword," Bai Luo said, seeing through Kazuha's thoughts immediately.

"..."

Kazuha didn't argue, but his expression made it clear he didn't believe Bai Luo.

"See for yourself," Bai Luo said, gripping the hilt and drawing the sword. A flash of cold light made the surrounding temperature drop noticeably.

To Kazuha's astonishment, the broken sword had somehow returned to its original, unbroken state, with no trace of the previous damage.

"How is that possible?" Kazuha was stunned. Although he had been occupied with his standoff against Kamisato Ayato, the Yashiro Commission leader had gone easy on him, giving Kazuha plenty of time to observe the fight between Bai Luo and the Raiden Shogun. He had seen Bai Luo pick up his friend's broken sword and use it in battle, including the strike Bai Luo had used to save him.

So how had the sword, once broken, become whole again?

And... Kazuha had a nagging feeling that something was off about that sword, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"After this incident, the Shogunate will likely put you on the Vision Hunt Decree's most-wanted list. What are you planning to do?" Bai Luo asked as he sheathed the sword once more.

He hadn't intended to reveal his identity, as the secondary job of [Battousai] was like a second life to him. Even though he trusted Kazuha's character, he wasn't willing to share this secret.

"And what about you? If you don't have anywhere else to go, why not come with me to Watatsumi Island? The resistance there would welcome people like us," Kazuha offered. He had planned to go to Watatsumi Island before, only returning midway due to his friend's situation. After witnessing Bai Luo's abilities, he thought having him as an ally would be advantageous.

"You go ahead. I'll stay in Inazuma City," Bai Luo replied. He did plan to go to Watatsumi Island eventually, but not just yet. The recent chaos at Tenshukaku would undoubtedly stir up trouble in Inazuma City. As a Snezhnayan envoy, his sudden disappearance would raise suspicions. He not only had to stay but also return as quickly as possible.

"What if you're discovered?" Kazuha asked, concerned about Bai Luo's decision to stay. After what had happened, the Tenryou Commission would likely turn Inazuma Island upside down, making even the outskirts unsafe. Returning to the city now seemed suicidal.

"They won't find me," Bai Luo said confidently as he stood up. The Tenryou Commission had already been heavily infiltrated by the Fatui. Even if they wanted to find him, it would be a futile effort. After all, what did a mysterious swordsman have to do with a Fatui Harbinger? He wasn't known for wielding a sword but a dagger.

Kazuha was taken aback by Bai Luo's confidence, but he quickly realized something: this mysterious man had wounded the Raiden Shogun herself. Such power wasn't something ordinary Shogunate soldiers could easily apprehend. Worrying about Bai Luo being captured was as absurd as worrying about a fish drowning in water.

"You should leave quickly. The Shogunate will surely send people to investigate the cliff below. They'll probably search this island too," Bai Luo advised, glancing up at the cloud-covered Tenshukaku.

With that, he didn't wait for Kazuha to respond. He dove into the water and disappeared beneath the surface. By the time Kazuha reacted and jumped in after him, Bai Luo was nowhere to be seen.

"What a strange person," Kazuha mused, looking at the long sword in his hand.

His gaze focused on the blade. It wasn't that there was anything wrong with his sword, but...

"That sword..."

Finally, Kazuha realized why the sword Bai Luo had used seemed so strange. The blade, which should have had a sharp edge, was dull, while the back of the sword was sharpened.

In other words, when Bai Luo wielded it, the cutting edge of the sword was facing himself.

"A reverse-blade sword?!"