Lin Mo recalled one of the missions from a past life.
The mission was called "Rehabilitate Inazuma's Social Delinquent and Make Arataki Itto Truly Understand What It Means When There's Always Someone Stronger."
The method was simple.
First, he joined the Arataki Gang.
As a member of the gang, Lin Mo took part in all kinds of competitions with Arataki Itto.
The more serious ones included things like "Arataki Arm-Wrestling Champion" and "Arataki Sumo King."
The less serious ones were even stranger—"Arataki Beetle-Fighting Champion," "Arataki Card Game Supreme King," and so on.
There were even titles like "Arataki Loli King" and "Arataki Kids' King."
All sorts of bizarre and ridiculous honors—every single one of them was taken by Lin Mo.
That said, Arataki Itto wasn't completely empty-handed.
For example, he proudly held titles such as
"Arataki Itto, the Man Who Can Lose but Never Admit Defeat,"
and "Arataki Itto, the World's Most Enduring Laughter."
It was clear that in nearly every competition, Lin Mo held an absolute advantage.
And because of that, Arataki Itto was utterly convinced.
In the end, he willingly handed over the position of gang leader, letting Lin Mo become the second-generation head of the Arataki Gang.
He even took the initiative to swear brotherhood with Lin Mo, calling him Big Brother from then on.
Thinking back to that loud, hot-blooded guy, Lin Mo couldn't help but smile.
In the current timeline of Inazuma, that fellow's Vision should already have been confiscated by the Tenryou Commission, right?
He was probably standing beneath the Statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God right now—
watching his Vision placed at the very bottom, stomping his feet in frustration.
"What are you thinking about? We're about to enter Inazuman waters~"
At that moment, Yae Miko reminded him softly.
Lin Mo knew what she meant—the storm barrier guarding Inazuma lay just ahead.
Looking into the distance, at the end of the vast ocean, he could vaguely make out the silhouette of Narukami Island.
But…
Only if they could pass through that sea of rolling thunderclouds.
"Do you want to take shelter in the Serenitea Pot for a bit?" Yae Miko asked with concern.
"No need. We'll go straight through," Lin Mo replied calmly.
He wasn't worried at all.
After all, he now possessed Morax's divine origin, along with the crystallization of Khaenri'ah's wisdom—the Super Heart.
His strength was overwhelming.
Tank the lightning head-on? No problem.
Boom—!
Boom—!
Thunder crashed down as if trying to punish this outsider who dared intrude upon Inazuma.
Yet whether the lightning struck Lin Mo himself or Yae Miko's massive body, it failed to halt their advance.
In truth, the thunderstorm zone wasn't very wide.
Ei only intended it as a deterrent.
Anyone capable of enduring the storm could slip through.
Anyone who couldn't wouldn't even dare approach.
Soon, riding on Yae Miko's back, Lin Mo arrived above Yashiori Island.
This was where he had once fallen in battle.
"Lord Sasayuri~"
Yae Miko suddenly spoke.
"Hmm? What is it?" Lin Mo replied evenly.
"Do you know what the sea breeze of Yashiori Island tastes like?"
"The sea breeze?" Lin Mo was momentarily puzzled.
In the original story, wasn't this island's thunder disaster resolved by Lumine and Paimon?
Curious, he asked, "With such violent thunderstorms here, wouldn't the sea breeze be especially harsh and noisy?"
Yae Miko didn't answer.
She merely lowered her gaze, looking down below.
Perhaps no one in Inazuma knew Yashiori Island better than she did.
Ever since she gained her human form, she would often come here, letting the wind—tainted with Electro—brush across her skin, enduring the faint stinging sensation while thinking of Sasayuri.
As that thought surfaced—
"Hm?"
Yae Miko suddenly blurted out, "Master… can you… hug me?"
Lin Mo was startled.
Strictly speaking, that title wasn't wrong.
After all, Yae Miko had been the little fox he picked up and raised.
But hearing it now still felt strange—almost dangerously suggestive.
Still…
Lin Mo soon noticed the place where he had died back then—the area near the serpent's head, the remains of the evil god Orobashi.
Could it be…
That seeing this place had made Yae Miko recall the moment of his sacrifice?
He could imagine it clearly.
When she first learned of his death, that little fox must have been heartbroken—
eyes full of loneliness, barely able to eat or sleep.
Thinking of that, Lin Mo gently lowered himself, pressing against the fluffy fur on the back of her yokai fox form.
Feeling the warmth beneath him, he sighed softly.
"Miko… you're just like when you were little. So fluffy. Hugging you feels just as comforting."
"Actually… when I'm not fluffy…"
"Hugging me… might feel even better~"
Her teasing, suggestive tone immediately sent Lin Mo's thoughts astray.
Not fluffy…
That meant her human form, didn't it!?
This fox… always so mischievous, deliberately stirring one's imagination.
Was she really doing this on purpose?
Their warm, quiet moment didn't last long.
Because ahead lay a sea shrouded in dense fog.
Lin Mo knew it instantly—their destination had arrived.
Tsurumi Island.
Without hesitation, Lin Mo returned to the Serenitea Pot and dragged Venti out.
"Hey—! Didn't you say this was a sightseeing trip?!"
Venti protested drunkenly, his face full of resentment.
"This is clearly tricking me into coming to Tsurumi to work!"
"So… would you be willing to help me with this tiny little favor?" Lin Mo asked with a smile.
"What choice do I have?" Venti muttered.
"You're Venti-sama's idol, after all."
Though still somewhat dazed, he at least recognized Lin Mo as the figure he admired most.
He slumped drunkenly onto Yae Miko's back, the twin braids beside his ears beginning to glow with a faint emerald light.
Lin Mo knew—the Anemo Archon's power was awakening.
Whooo—!
Whooo—!
A violent gale erupted.
Even Yae Miko's massive body struggled to maintain balance in the raging wind.
If it was that intense for her, the fog covering Tsurumi Island stood no chance.
"All done! I'm going back to drink~"
Venti shouted cheerfully.
"That Morax guy still owes me three whole cups of wine~!"
Once the fog was blown away, he noisily wandered back into the portal to the Serenitea Pot.
Lin Mo didn't even spare him a glance.
Because at that moment, his gaze was completely captured by what was unfolding on Tsurumi Island.
"Lord Sasayuri!"
Yae Miko's voice carried unmistakable urgency.
"Let's go. Now," Lin Mo said gravely.
Because…
As the fog dispersed, the southern region of Tsurumi Island revealed a horrific scene.
Countless ruin machines lay shattered, strewn across the land in pieces.
Electric arcs still crackled over their remains—clear signs they had been destroyed moments ago.
And at the very edge of the southern coast—
A frail-looking, one-armed girl stood there, her body drenched in pitch-black blood.
Surrounding her were no fewer than ten ruin machines.
Among them were three towering Ruin Graders.
From a distance, her face was hard to see clearly.
But the missing arm…
And the single sharp horn on her left forehead—
Lin Mo recognized her instantly.
She was the oni girl whose sword arm and horn had once been severed by Ei herself.
The one and only—Chiyo of the Mikoshi Clan.
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T/N:
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