Outside Yashiori Island, in the nameless waters between Inazuma and the Dark Sea, the sea had been calm just days ago. But ever since Orobashi decided to use his coral branches to create a new home for his people, that calm had been shattered.
One by one, enormous coral branches pierced the sea, forming the foundation of an island. Branch by bloodied branch, the framework of an island took shape.
Like a mother bird building a nest, Orobashi did not only want to create an island—he wanted his people to live well on it. So if the island was too small, he tore off more coral branches to make it larger. If it was too low and at risk of being flooded, he dredged up stones from the sea and piled them onto the coral. If there was no soil for farming, he dove into the depths, risking the treacherous trenches, scooping up mud bit by bit. Or under the cover of night, he would sneak onto Yashiori Island—the Raiden sisters' territory—and secretly carry away its soil.
And so, after nearly a month, Orobashi had created the rough structure of an island. Enormous coral branches as its foundation. Massive stones as its frame. A patch of land already transformed into fertile fields.
Beside the island, Orobashi, who had not slept for more than ten days and nights, was exhausted. But looking at his creation, he smiled.
Next, he would bring a few people up from the abyssal depths as the first settlers to officially inhabit this new island and begin their new lives.
But then, Orobashi looked down at the blue sea. In the water, he saw his own reflection. His heart ached.
For centuries, those shimmering, colorful coral branches had been like his clothing, part of his body. But now, they were gone. He had torn them off one by one. All that remained were horrific wounds, still seeping blood, where the coral had once been.
He looked like a hideous, ugly beast that had shed its magnificent robes. Embarrassing. Hideous.
Even Orobashi himself was startled by his own reflection. Was this what he looked like without his coral? If he returned to Enkanomiya now, would he frighten his people? Would they reject him as their god?
For the first time, even Orobashi, a mighty god, began to feel insecure. He worried about himself.
But then he remembered. He was going to die. No matter how ugly he was, he would soon become a corpse lying beneath the sisters' blades, a soul claimed by that strike.
Looking at his reflection, Orobashi fell silent. He turned away, unwilling to look at the sea, unwilling to see the reflection in the water.
Finally, even he could not bear it any longer. He broke down. He lay on the island he had just created and wept.
He could have lived. But in Enkanomiya, he had met those people. He had become their god. He had read that accursed book.
He could have kept his beloved coral branches. But to give his people a good life after his death, he had chosen to abandon them, returning to the ugly form he had worn centuries ago.
When he first met the young Higashiyama-Ō in Enkanomiya, it was his beautiful coral that had made the boy believe he was Enkanomiya's god. But now, without his coral, even his own people would not recognize him.
Orobashi laughed bitterly at himself.
Then he shook his great head, pushing aside all other thoughts, and dove into the sea. He would return to Enkanomiya and bring his people up to live on this island.
Without his coral branches, Orobashi's power was far less than before—less than a fifth of what it had been. With great difficulty, he made his way back to Enkanomiya.
He saw his people.
And indeed, when they saw Orobashi, they did not bow in reverence. They fled in terror.
"A monster is coming—"
"Call Lord Orobashi to slay this monster—"
"What is this hideous creature?"
"This is Lord Orobashi's territory. Its presence here is an invasion—"
"This monster looks familiar. Have I seen it somewhere before?"
The people and the guards of Enkanomiya sensed that something was wrong, but no one recognized that the hideous monster before them was their god, Orobashi—the god who had given up his coral branches for their sake.
Hearing their words, Orobashi's heart was filled with sorrow. Of course. Even his own people would not think that such an ugly creature could be their god.
But just as Orobashi was sinking into despair, a young warrior charged toward him. It was Higashiyama-Ō, now grown.
The moment he saw the hideous monster, the brave, strong Higashiyama-Ō burst into tears.
He stared at the creature before him. Though its appearance was foreign, he could clearly feel its familiar presence.
This terrifying monster was their god of Enkanomiya. It was Lord Orobashi.
When the other people of Enkanomiya saw Higashiyama-Ō appear, they began to shout.
"It's Higashiyama-Ō, Lord Orobashi's greatest warrior—"
"Lord Higashiyama-Ō, defeat this monster—"
The people shouted frantically, cursing the great creature.
But then, before everyone's stunned eyes, Higashiyama-Ō, tears streaming down his face, fell to his knees before the hideous monster.
"Lord Orobashi—"
"Who took your coral branches? Who did this to you? Let me avenge you—"
"Lord Orobashi, please tell me—"
He knelt at Orobashi's feet, shouting so that everyone could hear.