Can you imagine the pain of a god, returning to his people, only to be seen as a monster because of his ugliness? That was how Orobashi felt.
But then, Higashiyama-Ō, tears streaming down his face, recognized Lord Orobashi and knelt before him.
That single act stunned everyone.
Only then did the people, looking again at the ugly creature before them, recognize their god, Lord Orobashi.
In that moment, all those who had fled in terror prostrated themselves on the ground. Lifting their heads slightly, they could see Orobashi's bare body covered in wounds, some still seeping blood.
They could not imagine what had destroyed all of Lord Orobashi's coral branches, reducing him to this state.
In that moment, all the people of Enkanomiya wept for Orobashi.
Because whether beautiful or ugly, the great Lord Orobashi was their supreme god, beloved by all.
"Lord Orobashi, what happened to you?"
"Great Lord Orobashi—"
"Who did this to you?"
"We will avenge you—"
The people knelt before Orobashi, begging for forgiveness.
Seeing this, Orobashi, who had been consumed by sorrow, suddenly felt that it had all been worth it.
Slowly, he spoke again.
"I tore them off myself. I used those powerful coral branches to create a new island above the sea. That island will be Enkanomiya's new home."
"Now, who will be the first to set foot on that island?"
He looked down at his people.
When they all fell silent, Orobashi spoke again. "Higashiyama-Ō, I want you to be the first to set foot on that island."
Then, just as he had done when they first met, Orobashi lifted Higashiyama-Ō onto his back. He also brought the shrine maidens Kumoromo and Amefuri.
With his first group of settlers, Orobashi burst forth from the abyssal depths, breaking through the surface of the sea, and brought them to the island he had just created.
On Orobashi's back, Higashiyama-Ō, Kumoromo, Amefuri, and the others saw the surface world for the first time. They saw the new island, covered in coral branches.
They understood. Lord Orobashi had spoken the truth. He had torn off all his coral branches and created an island out of nothing on the sea. An impossible miracle.
Seeing this, the people knelt on Orobashi's back once more, weeping for him.
Orobashi said gently, "Stop crying. Get down and see what you think of this island. From now on, this will be your new home."
He lowered his body and placed the first settlers onto the island.
On the island, Higashiyama-Ō, Kumoromo, Amefuri, and the others saw the world beyond Enkanomiya for the first time. Following Orobashi's guidance, they piled stones into houses, tilled the land, and planted seeds. Before long, this island would become a new home.
While his people were busy, Orobashi did not rest. He ventured into deep-sea trenches, snuck onto Yashiori Island at night, and brought back more soil from elsewhere, spreading it over the barren island.
And so, the island's soil grew richer.
A month later, seedlings had sprouted from the newly planted fields. In a few more months, round potatoes would grow from their roots, feeding the people here.
When the island was finally complete, Orobashi received another urging from the Heavenly Principles.
[Invade Inazuma. Die.]
But it was not enough. There were still many people living in the barren Enkanomiya. Orobashi needed to bring them to the newly built island.
The Heavenly Principles granted his request but gave him a final deadline: one month. If he did not carry out their command by then, both Enkanomiya and the island would be destroyed.
Orobashi knew this was the Heavenly Principles' final warning.
So in that last month, he worked day and night, shuttling between the island and Enkanomiya, bringing all his people to the surface. They built rows of houses, tilled fields, and began to live happily. Joyful smiles appeared on every face.
To make their lives more stable, Orobashi established a new system on the island, creating a ruling authority led by the "Living God's Shrine Maiden."
Shrine Maiden Kumoromo came to Orobashi and asked expectantly, "Lord Orobashi, what is the name of this island?"
Orobashi was taken aback. He had never thought to name it.
Seeing this, Amefuri suggested, "If it has no name, why not call it Watatsumi Island? And Lord Orobashi shall be Watatsumi Omikami, forever receiving the offerings of Watatsumi Island."
And so, the island had a name. Watatsumi Island.
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed. It was time for Orobashi to invade Inazuma.
Just as he was preparing to go to his death alone, the Heavenly Principles gave another instruction.
[All warriors of Watatsumi Island must join the invading army.]
A lone invasion was not an invasion. To create a plausible deception, the Heavenly Principles demanded that Orobashi lead all the warriors of Watatsumi Island, mustering their full strength, to invade Inazuma. Otherwise, everyone would die.
Faced with this impossible choice, Higashiyama-Ō, sensing Orobashi's distress, said, "Lord Orobashi, whatever you wish to do, I will follow you."
Orobashi said slowly, "Even if it means invading another island?"
Without hesitation, Higashiyama-Ō replied, "I will follow Lord Orobashi forever. I will fight alongside Lord Orobashi."
Ever since that first battle against the Bathysmal Vishaps, fighting alongside Lord Orobashi had become his life's goal.