On the coast of Yashiori Island, Ei watched coldly as Orobashi's massive body swam desperately through the sea. He was certainly fast when fleeing.
She gripped Engulfing Lightning. One swing of her blade could have killed the fleeing Orobashi, or at least grievously wounded him.
But she did not swing. She watched coldly as his clumsy, enormous body retreated into the distance.
"For leaving willingly and causing no destruction in Inazuma, I will spare you this once. If you set foot in Inazuma again, I will surely slay you."
She did not swing. She sheathed her blade and returned to Narukami Island.
...
Now, Orobashi, who had just fled, was still swimming desperately through the sea, unaware of how close he had come to death. He was congratulating himself.
"The undefeated Raiden Ei? The invincible Musou no Hitotachi? I, Orobashi, fought and retreated strategically. Why would I fear a little girl? I will return."
With that, he continued swimming toward the Dark Sea.
Though he would not admit it, Orobashi knew the truth. He had fought Ei for a full day and night, but he had used his full power without injuring her in the slightest, while she had never used her full strength. The gap between them was immense.
If Ei ever used that terrifying blade, he would have no choice but to flee.
That was why he had chosen the coast of Yashiori Island as the battlefield. The moment she used that blade, he would escape. That was his unbeatable strategy. And it had worked.
Not only had he escaped from Ei, but he had also thrown a defiant taunt over his shoulder: "I will return!"
But in his heart, he knew he had lost. Completely. This departure might be forever. He might never return to Inazuma.
So Orobashi swam forward, looking back reluctantly at the land he missed. Farewell, beloved Inazuma. Farewell, beloved people of Inazuma.
Though he had not defeated Ei, he had always loved Inazuma and its people. In the end, he was content to entrust them safely to Ei's hands.
After swimming for what felt like an eternity, Orobashi, usually an excellent swimmer, began to tire. Perhaps it was the aftermath of his battle with Ei.
The currents beneath him churned wildly, as if some mysterious force was pulling at the sea. A massive vortex formed. Then, the world spun around him.
Orobashi's enormous body was swallowed by the sea, sinking little by little, until it was completely submerged.
What was happening? Orobashi was bewildered. He was a powerful god. He had traveled to the Dark Sea many times. Never had he encountered such a strange phenomenon.
As his consciousness faded, he felt a mysterious force dragging his body down, down, down. Then, with a crash, he landed in a strange place and lost consciousness.
...
Unknown time later. In the depths of the sea—Enkanomiya.
Though adjacent to Inazuma, Enkanomiya was hidden beneath the ocean, beyond the rule of the Seven.
One day, a young boy named Higashiyama-Ō made a bet with his companions. He would venture alone beyond the three straits, evade the Bathysmal Vishaps, and find the legendary Dragonbone Flower.
Fortunately, the boy was agile and did not attract the vishaps' attention. Unfortunately, he searched everywhere and found no trace of the Dragonbone Flower. Did it not exist?
Just as he was wondering, he discovered a dark cave he had never explored before. After a long hesitation, he gathered his courage and entered.
The cave was strange. From the outside, it looked small and dark. But the deeper he went, the larger the space became, and the brighter the light.
Though afraid of the unknown, he carefully made his way to the end of the cave. In a vast chamber, he saw something he would never forget.
An enormous body. Like a dragon. Like a serpent. Covered in coral branches glowing with golden light.
Illuminated by the coral, the massive creature was not frightening at all. It radiated a sacred aura. It captivated the boy.
In his eyes, the sleeping god Orobashi was not a monster but a powerful deity. A god of Enkanomiya. Their god had returned.
The young boy waved his stone in excitement. "The god of Enkanomiya has returned! Enkanomiya is saved! Overthrow the Children of the Sun! Save the people of Enkanomiya!"
He had already taken the sleeping Orobashi as the god of Enkanomiya.
In the noise, Orobashi slowly opened his eyes. He saw a strange sight. Where was this? Beneath the sea?
He looked around and was dismayed. What a barren place. Compared to the abundant Inazuma, the difference was immense.
Just as he was about to leave this barren land, a voice came from below.
"God! The god of Enkanomiya, you have not forgotten your people! You have finally returned! Your people have been waiting for you. Please save your people."
It was the young boy. When he saw the powerful "god" awaken, he was moved to tears. His small body prostrated itself on the ground, bowing to Orobashi, welcoming the return of Enkanomiya's guardian deity, praying to Orobashi.
Orobashi looked down and saw a ragged, emaciated boy kneeling sincerely before him. He was utterly confused.
Enkanomiya? What place? They were calling him the god of Enkanomiya? Defeat the Children of the Sun? Save them?
Orobashi had been about to leave, to continue his journey to the Dark Sea. But hearing the boy's pleas, he froze.
People. God. For Orobashi, who had just lost his people and been forced to leave Inazuma, these words made his heart ache.
He wanted to tell this child that he was not their god. That he could not save them.
But seeing the boy's emaciated body, his ragged clothes, and his innocent, joyful smile, he could not bear it.
So Orobashi, who had just lost his people, decided to help this poor child.
"Yes. I am your god. I have returned."