The Heavenly Principles' goal was for Orobashi, who had read Before Sun and Moon, to die in battle. The warriors who accompanied him were merely for show, to make the war more convincing. The Heavenly Principles did not care whether they lived or died.
So when Orobashi fell in battle, all sins would be atoned for, and the war would end.
Hearing Orobashi say this, Higashiyama-Ō quickly said, "Lord Orobashi is too strong to fall in battle."
In the eyes of these people of Enkanomiya, Orobashi was the most powerful god in the world. They could not imagine that the enemy they were about to invade was the Raiden Shogun, who had won the Archon War.
Orobashi said sternly, "That is an order. Do you mean to defy me?"
Higashiyama-Ō hurriedly said, "No, but no one can kill Lord Orobashi before I die."
Though Higashiyama-Ō had learned martial arts, he was still far too weak compared to a powerful god like Orobashi. Protecting Orobashi was impossible.
Shrine Maiden Kumoromo: "We obey Lord Orobashi's command."
Shrine Maiden Amefuri: "We obey Lord Orobashi's command."
With everything prepared, the three great warships sailed at full speed toward Yashiori Island. If Orobashi had traveled alone, it would have taken only a few hours. But the warships were slow. Even at full speed, they were less than half as fast as Orobashi.
After half a day, they finally approached Yashiori Island. Orobashi ordered the warriors to prepare the battlefield and begin landing on the island. He himself walked at the front of the formation.
But the moment Orobashi set foot on Yashiori Island, he saw that the warriors of Inazuma had already gathered and were waiting. And above the Inazuma army, a purple figure had been waiting for a long time.
It was the current Raiden Shogun's sister, Ei. The strongest warrior in Inazuma.
The moment he saw Ei, Orobashi was already exhausted. He did not want to say anything more. He only wanted to fight one last time before he died.
So with a great roar, he leaped into the sky and clashed with Ei.
The battle between two such powerful beings was terrifying. Orobashi swept his tail and flattened a hill. Ei swung her blade and carved a long trench into the earth.
To keep his people from being caught in the crossfire, Orobashi deliberately flew toward the distant mountains, luring Ei to an uninhabited area where they could fight without restraint.
Last time, they had fought for an entire day and night without a victor. But this time, after only an hour, Orobashi was exhausted. As if drained of all strength, he fell to the ground.
Without his coral branches, his power was less than a fifth of what it had been. How could he still be a match for Ei?
After just an hour, Orobashi's body was covered in horrific wounds, drenched in blood. Meanwhile, Ei was completely unharmed. Her clothes were still pristine, untouched by Orobashi's claws.
It looked like a battle. In truth, it was a one-sided slaughter. If Ei wished, she could have ended it with a single stroke, sending Orobashi to hell at any moment.
But Ei was puzzled. She did not know where Orobashi had found these human warriors. She did not know why Orobashi had lost his coral branches, the source of his power, and become so hideous.
Looking at the wounded Orobashi, Ei said coldly, "Last time, I let you go. Why did you come back to die?"
Yes, to die. Though Ei did not know about Orobashi's pact with the Heavenly Principles, she could already see something amiss in his reckless, suicidal fighting style. She grew suspicious.
Facing her question, Orobashi looked at his own ugly, blood-soaked body and smiled bitterly. All his pride had vanished.
"In Enkanomiya, beneath the sea, I found these people abandoned by their gods. I defeated the Bathysmal Vishaps for them. I overthrew the Children of the Sun for them. I tore off all my coral branches to create an island for them."
"But a barren island—even with soil, even with seeds, even if crops grow—the harvest will not come until next year. Their remaining food will not last that long."
"So I had to invade. I know I cannot defeat you. After I die, I beg you to accept the people of Watatsumi Island and let them become part of Inazuma."
As he spoke, tears finally flowed from Orobashi's eyes.
Though these words were an excuse for the invasion, they were also the true state of Watatsumi Island. Without outside help, the people of Watatsumi Island could not possibly survive until next year's harvest.
Having said this, Orobashi opened his chest and welcomed the blade.
Hearing his words, Ei's cold gaze flickered with emotion. She had not expected that Orobashi would give so much for a people he had never known, even tearing off the coral branches that were the source of his power.
Though she was moved, an invasion was still an invasion. A war was still a war. There was no room for sentiment.
"Since you wish to die, I will grant your wish."
Ei raised her blade. Countless Electro energies had already gathered around it. She raised her sword and brought it down—a stroke that split heaven and earth, summoning endless elements.
The Musou no Hitotachi. The undefeated, unparalleled strike.
She swung at Orobashi. Orobashi did not dodge. He welcomed the blade.
In his eyes, there was no fear, no regret. Only relief.
Finally, it would end. No more worrying about his people. No more fearing the Heavenly Principles.
But just as the blade was about to strike Orobashi, a small human figure rushed from the side.
It was Higashiyama-Ō. He wanted to fight alongside Orobashi. With a mortal body, wielding a mortal's weapon, he raised his sword and placed himself before Orobashi.
"Lord Orobashi, you must go. I will—"
Before he could finish, the blade that split heaven and earth struck him. It shattered his sword. It severed his arm. It cut through his body.
Higashiyama-Ō had kept his promise. He chose to face the brilliance of the divine and take the blade for Lord Orobashi.
With his own life, he protected Lord Orobashi.