Due to military necessity, the Shogunate installed several Divine Kamujima Cannons on Kannazuka Island, the frontline of the war. These cannons employed new technology and were powered by Electro, intended to suppress the Coral Palace forces with overwhelming firepower.
Though the Divine Kamujima Cannons boasted immense firepower, their firing arcs were limited, they couldn't be moved easily, required multiple operators, and maintenance was extremely cumbersome.
With the Shogunate simultaneously maintaining the Mikage Furnace and multiple Divine Kamujima Cannons, their manpower was stretched thin.
Sangonomiya Kokomi, leader of Watatsumi Island, recognized the weaknesses of these powerful cannons.
Thus, she dispatched troops to bypass the cannons' coverage and swiftly overran the Mikage Furnace's defenses.
When the Shogunate urgently diverted forces to reinforce the Mikage Furnace, the resistance struck again from another direction.
However, Kokomi also understood the importance of the Mikage Furnace, so she only harassed without destroying it, continuously draining the Shogunate's energy.
Under this strategy, the Shogunate could only spare a token force to guard the Divine Kamujima Cannons, focusing all efforts on maintaining the Mikage Furnace.
They weren't worried about the cannons being captured—the Coral Palace forces had no way to operate such weapons, which required special conditions to function.
Later, when the Mikage Furnace exploded and both sides halted the war due to the Tatarigami, these cannons were once again maintained and repaired.
But after their restoration, who would have thought their targets wouldn't be the Coral Palace resistance—
But the civilians who still faithfully worshipped the Raiden Shogun.
Bai Luo gripped the hilt of his reverse-bladed sword, resting the flat of the blade against his forearm.
With an ordinary katana, this stance would have cut him.
But the reverse blade was dull, preventing accidental injury while adding a touch of effortless grace.
After the fanatic fired the signal flare, beacons ignited across Tatarasuna.
Bai Luo didn't know what this meant, but he was certain it was nothing good.
Still, the priority was repairing the holes in the hull—otherwise, everyone aboard would drown.
As expected, when Bai Luo explained the situation, the refugees first cursed the Shogunate soldiers' entire families, then expressed a desire for "deep communication" with the mothers of those who had sabotaged the ship.
When Bai Luo called for volunteers to patch the holes, several immediately stepped forward.
They weren't worried about lacking materials—they could just dismantle the bunks. It wasn't like they had anywhere comfortable to sleep anyway.
Just as the ship buzzed with activity, an earth-shaking roar erupted from the shore.
"The Almighty Shogun is angry!"
Several refugees dropped to the deck, trembling in fear.
But Bai Luo knew exactly what this was.
He admitted—as a Fatui Harbinger, he'd done his share of inhumane things.
But the Shogunate's actions made even him, a proud Harbinger, feel ashamed.
Firing that thing at a refugee-filled ferry?
Not even he would do something like that.
Not even Dottore, the most heartless among the Harbingers, would go this far.
He'd never waste so many "test subjects."
BOOM—
The first Electro-cannon shot missed—perhaps due to lack of recent use, the Divine Kamujima Cannon's aim was off, striking the water beside the ship.
But the adjustment was quick—the next shot would be dead-on.
Even a near-miss sent panic through the refugees. Aside from a handful of brave souls, most cowered on the deck, seawater from the blast drenching them.
Using One-Winged Angel, Bai Luo leaped from deck to deck, landing atop the ferry's crow's nest.
Gazing toward the cannons onshore, a jolt of electricity seemed to run from his scalp down his spine.
The cannon's muzzle glowed with concentrated Electro energy, compressed to its limit—
And fired straight at them.
Bai Luo pushed off with his right foot, his body soaring like a swallow.
"Dragon Hammer Flash!"
Timing it perfectly, he swung his reverse blade at the Electro-charged projectile.
BOOM—
The shell was cleaved straight into the sea, sending up a massive wave.
Landing back on deck, Bai Luo stared grimly at the shore.
The cannon's power exceeded his expectations. Had he relied on basic attacks instead of a system skill, he'd have been blasted through the ship.
"Does anyone know how to sail? Get us out of here!"
The moment he steadied himself, Bai Luo ordered an immediate departure.
Though he could deflect the cannon's shots, it wasn't a sustainable solution. If he remembered correctly...
There was more than one Divine Kamujima Cannon nearby.
"We—we can't! Everything's been sabotaged—even the lifeboats are gone!"
Even without Bai Luo's command, someone had already tried steering.
But the Shogunate's sabotage was thorough—every critical component was destroyed.
Unless...
A few strong swimmers had already edged toward the railings, ready to jump.
By the time Bai Luo noticed, it was too late.
"AHHH—!"
The refugees who leaped into the water screamed horrifically before falling silent.
The Divine Kamujima Cannon didn't use ordinary shells—they were Electro-charged. Upon hitting water, the Electro energy would run rampant, electrocuting anyone submerged.
Once the nightmare of the resistance, now experienced by these refugees.
Bai Luo began considering retreat.
On land, he'd have options—but at sea, his choices were limited.
If he switched to "Hei," he could quantum-teleport away.
But...
He glanced up at Tatyana, still on the top deck.
If he left, she'd die here. Even with her hydro control, she couldn't walk on water.
And with the sea electrified, even if she could, the currents would kill her.
He'd just gotten his subordinate back—how could he let her die before even warming up to her?
With that thought, Bai Luo changed tactics.
"You're not the only ones with ranged weapons!"
A fiery red halo materialized around his wrist.
He raised his hand, aiming at the Divine Kamujima Cannon preparing its next shot.
BOOM—
"Heart of the Earth" activated. Scorching magma erupted skyward.
Though the cannon itself stood firm, the Shogunate soldiers operating it were sent flying—
Including the Vision bearer stabilizing the volatile Electro within.
Electro was inherently unruly—someone had to steady it when loaded into the cannon.
Without stabilization...
The Divine Kamujima Cannon exploded.