Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

At the shoreline, black smoke spiraled upward, carrying waves of heat into the sky.

With the samurai assisting in evacuation, the townsfolk watched from afar, curiously chattering.

"What on earth happened over there?"

"Looks like the Ruin Guard went berserk!"

"What are you so scared of? Takahashi-sama is handling it."

Their voices buzzed with excitement rather than fear.

After all, they had just witnessed the chaos firsthand.

The legendary war machine, terrifying in reputation, had been brought down in a single strike by Ren.

With someone like him on the scene, what was there to worry about?

"Takahashi?"

Among the crowd, a young ronin quietly appeared.

He tilted his hat upward slightly, his eyes glinting with thought.

"You new to Narukami Island?"

Someone chuckled. "You don't even know about Takahashi-sama?"

"I'm just a wanderer who roams wherever the wind takes me," the ronin replied with a faint smile.

Takahashi... His old friend.

Though he'd heard that Takahashi had changed a lot.

The thought made him sigh softly.

"The wind carries familiar whispers."

"It's time for a reunion."

Boom!

The Ruin Guard collapsed with an earth-shaking crash.

Under Ren's blade, it had been sliced cleanly in two.

"Takahashi-sama, that was incredible!"

The Tenryou Commission's samurai erupted in cheers.

Their thoughts were simple—strength commanded respect.

And for someone like Ren, who had effortlessly dismantled a Ruin Guard...

No wonder the Shogun held him in such high regard.

"Stay alert and secure the area," Ren ordered calmly, sheathing his blade.

"Also, contact the Yashiro Commission for me."

"Yes, sir!"

The samurai dispersed, leaving Ren alone at the scene—

Well, almost alone.

"Let me touch it—"

The doll-like girl pouted, tugging at Ren's finger.

"Touch what?"

"You, of course. Let me have a closer look."

Sandrone's sapphire eyes sparkled as she raised her tiny hand.

Ren's effortless dismantling of the Ruin Guard had piqued her curiosity.

How much more power was he hiding?

She wanted to study him thoroughly, right now.

[Ding! Emotional Resonance from Sandrone +1]

[Talent Unlock Progress: ???]

"..."

Standing atop the lifeless machine, Ren shook his head.

"Say one more pointless thing, and I'll toss you into the sea."

Sandrone sighed theatrically. "Such a rough man."

As Ren gazed down at the shattered machine, he fell into thought.

"What's the next step?"

"Leave it to me," Sandrone offered.

"You?"

The two locked eyes, a silence hanging between them.

Sandrone's lips curved into a faint smile.

"My dear partner, are you still on guard against me?"

"You're the one in control now—you could do whatever you want with me."

Ren's expression darkened. "Behave."

With that, he slowly opened his hand, giving the trapped bird a hint of freedom.

But the little bird showed no intention of flying away.

"Hm, the warmth is gone now," Sandrone murmured, smoothing out her pristine white dress.

Her disheveled hair added a touch of fragility to her beauty, making her seem like a delicate flower that begged to be held and crushed.

"Let's get started, then."

"Don't worry. I'll handle the rest."

After working together to disable the Ruin Guard, the tension between them eased slightly.

For a moment, they just stared at each other in silence.

Finally, Sandrone stomped her foot.

She gestured toward the broken machine with a tilt of her head.

"My dear partner, where are your manners?"

"Are you really going to make a delicate girl like me climb over there by myself?"

Ren clicked his tongue and crouched down, lifting Sandrone toward the core.

"Where do you think you're touching?"

"..."

"Not there, either."

"Tch, so much fuss for a doll," Ren muttered, glancing at her dismissively.

As if I'd be interested in a flatboard like you.

Not in a million years.

"My dear partner, you're thinking something very rude, aren't you?"

Sandrone's light frame landed beside the core.

Turning back, she gave him a sly smile.

"Did you know?"

"A doll's sensory systems are very advanced."

Ren froze mid-motion, suddenly realizing what she meant.

Sandrone turned away with a huff, her voice carrying a teasing lilt.

"Everything you do gets transmitted to my main body."

"Including what you just touched..."

"So, my partner, you need to take responsibility."

Ren took a deep breath. Is this some kind of joke?

"Seems like you enjoy this sort of game," he said flatly.

"Care to try again?"

The wind lifted the hem of her white dress as Sandrone studied his reaction, a faint smile on her lips.

"..."

Ren frowned, his gaze falling on something unexpected.

What he saw gave him pause.

The doll, seemingly perfect in every way, had a flaw—a missing piece on her ankle.

For someone as prideful as Sandrone, such an imperfection was unusual.

"Surprised, my dear partner?"

Sandrone lifted her skirt slightly, spinning in place with a playful twirl.

She didn't shy away from showing her incomplete leg.

"My legs, for now, are..."

As she explained, Ren began to understand.

Her frail demeanor made sense now.

"Don't worry. You're the only one I've told this to."

Sandrone's voice softened as she moved to the core.

"Although, I'm happy you're willing to listen."

"But... my dear partner."

She glanced back at him, her lips curling into a sweet smile.

"Be careful."

Before he could react, a chill raced up his spine.

Clang!

Ren's blade met another in a shower of sparks.

The figure reflected in his blade was a young ronin, wearing a conical hat.

"Long time no see, my friend."

The ronin lifted his face, smiling warmly.

"You're..."

A flash of joy lit up Ren's eyes.

[Ding! Character unlocked: Kazuha.]

[New five-star talent acquired!]