"General, you mean to say… you intend to meet Orobashi in person?"
Sasayuri was visibly shocked. He continued, "Ever since we brought the surrounding islands under the jurisdiction of the Shogunate, Orobashi's response has been… strange. He was wary at first, but didn't make any move to negotiate. Then he vanished for a time. It was during that period that Watatsumi Island began exhibiting odd phenomena—something feels off there, as though a veil has been drawn over it. I fear he may be plotting something unspeakable. Shouldn't you reconsider?"
Gu Chen lifted his eyes from the memorial on his desk and asked calmly, "And what kind of plot do you believe he has?"
Sasayuri hesitated, shaking his head. "I do not know, my lord. It's just… My instincts tell me Watatsumi Island harbors some hidden intent. But we've found no proof."
"My suggestion," he continued cautiously, "is to remain vigilant—keep watch and respond as the situation develops."
"No need."
Gu Chen's brush danced across the paper, completing a few decisive strokes before he said flatly, "Whatever he intends, I'll see it for myself. You can guard against a thief for a thousand days, but what good is it if you never act? The initiative must always be ours."
"If he knows his place, we can coexist in peace."
"If not—then we kill him."
His voice was calm, yet it carried the authority of a sovereign.
Sasayuri swallowed hard, awed by that imperial presence. He immediately bowed. "As you command, my lord!"
Meanwhile, on another battlefield—
Raiden Ei had located the Thunderbird.
The monstrous creature was consumed by hatred, driven mad—slaying anything that approached.
It moved with lightning speed, flashing in and out of sight like thunder incarnate.
Even Raiden Ei found it difficult to close the distance for a killing strike.
Her martial talent was unmatched; the naginata was only one of her weapons.
When she saw the Thunderbird summon a cataclysmic thunderstorm that turned the world into a scene of annihilation, she merely snorted coldly.
Murderous intent flared.
Drawing her bow, she gathered the thunder from all directions—each strand of lightning falling silent under her command.
Power surged through the arrow until it reached its limit—
Whizz—!
The arrow shot forth like a divine bolt, vanishing in a blink as it pierced the heavens.
Screee!
Sensing danger, the Thunderbird screamed—but the gap between it and the Shogun was too vast. With a wet thunk, the arrow pierced its heart.
As it shrieked in fury, the thunder that filled the skies turned mournful, its dying curse spreading outward.
Pure Electro energy converged, saturating the region in endless lightning and thunder.
The Thunderbird was dead, yet its emotions lingered, staining the elements themselves. From now on, this place would surely give birth to elemental lifeforms.
"General, a report from the rear—the Regent has gone to Watatsumi Island," a Tenryou Commission officer announced respectfully.
"Hm?"
Raiden Ei was taken aback. After one last glance at the storm-torn landscape left by the Thunderbird, she dismissed her bow. "Let's return—to Watatsumi Island."
"Yes, my lord!"
[Heizou]: The Thunderbird was that fast? It must've died over Seirai Island, right? That place's environment is still a mess after its death. (Paimon: shocked)
[Furina]: A creature like that—its death is a disaster in itself. But what intrigues me more is… what exactly is Orobashi planning? (Keqing: puzzled)
[Zhongli]: Orobashi… from what I know, his power is far below that of Baalzeph. If he truly harbors a plot, his courage is… considerable. (sips tea)
[Venti]: Maybe it's like they say—fortune favors the bold?
[Gu Chen]: I'll forge a God's Heart, make a divine weapon, and build an empire from there! (playful tone)
[Kaeya]: Joking aside, it doesn't make sense. @[Kokomi], what's your god thinking?
[Kokomi]: I… honestly don't know. (confused)
The ancient texts offered little insight—only that Orobashi launched an eastern campaign seeking more land, only to be slain by the Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi. His colossal bones still lie on Yashiori Island, marking the site of that divine strike.
Kokomi's expression was conflicted.
Ever since the first "previous-life video" exposed the folly of the Vision Hunt Decree, relations between Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate had softened.
Yet the Watatsumi people's faith remained with Orobashi, not the Shogun. Their beliefs were fundamentally different.
If this next video revealed that Orobashi indeed had some hidden plot, the fragile peace might once again crumble into hostility.
Sometimes, these "past-life" videos could be dismissed as fiction.
Other times, they could shape nations—and even sway the hearts of gods.
"I just hope it doesn't end badly…" Kokomi murmured anxiously as she watched.
Watatsumi Island.
A breathtaking paradise—dreamlike in beauty.
Its buildings, shaped from colossal shells, gleamed with a pearly luster; waterfalls cascaded from cliffs thousands of meters high. Every corner of this island looked like a fragment of a painting come to life.
At the island's heart, the water stirred.
A vast shadow moved beneath the surface.
Splash—!
Water erupted skyward, droplets glinting in rainbow hues as they fell.
A massive head emerged from the waves, scales gleaming white and iridescent under the sun. Its immense body glided through the island's waterways, the movement of its scales grinding against the rocky ridges.
This colossal being was none other than Orobashi, the Watatsumi people's patron god.
Even a glance at his mountainous form was enough to make one imagine the power he held.
On the eastern shore of the island, Orobashi's slit pupils turned toward the beach.
The tide rolled in, leaving shells and fish upon the sand.
Orobashi waited in silence.
The next wave came—but did not recede. The surging water climbed the shore, forming a humanoid shape.
The figure of Gu Chen stepped from the dissolving waves.
Orobashi lowered his enormous head, his very breath roaring like a storm.
To face such a vast being would make any mortal tremble.
But Gu Chen's gaze was calm. He looked up at Orobashi for a long moment before saying slowly, "Lord Orobashi, it's an honor to finally meet you."
"The Shogunate's Regent… a pleasure indeed."
Orobashi's voice rumbled like thunder. He studied the unflinching human before him and let out a low, amused hum. "They say you are human. I have heard many of your deeds—worthy of respect."
"You flatter me."
Gu Chen smiled faintly. "And I have heard much of you, Lord Orobashi—the god who sheltered the people of Watatsumi and led them to light. You are a being worthy of reverence."
The compliment clearly pleased Orobashi—but then Gu Chen's tone shifted. "Yet, you could not resist your curiosity… could you?"
Orobashi's eyes sharpened. "You know something?"
Gu Chen leaned back slightly; the waves behind him rose to form a chair. Sitting upon it, he sighed. "Perhaps you are unaware—there exists an art called divination. When you vanished, I performed one… and foresaw your fate. Must you really go through with it?"
Orobashi fell silent for a long time, then nodded helplessly. "There's no other way."
"I thought as much." Gu Chen inclined his head.
Orobashi turned toward his resplendent island, his eyes filled first with reluctance, then with resolve.
"I only hope," he said solemnly, "that my people may live on—like the citizens under your Shogunate's rule."
"Granted," Gu Chen replied without hesitation.
"...Thank you."
A faint smile crossed Orobashi's face, as though a great burden had been lifted.
"Don't thank me just yet," Gu Chen said lightly. "I admire your intentions—but I expect compensation."
Orobashi blinked, then chuckled. "And what do you desire?"
After a moment's thought, Gu Chen answered, "Something that can provide a vast, sustained source of power—for at least a thousand years."
"What do you need such a thing for?"
"No matter," Orobashi said, shaking his head. "I do possess such an item."
A soft glow rose before Gu Chen—a pink pearl, filled with oceanic energy.
He examined it briefly, then nodded in satisfaction and pocketed it. "Then our deal is sealed. What happened today—stays between us."
"Naturally."
Orobashi agreed.
Before his eyes, Gu Chen's form dissolved into foam, scattering with the tide. When the waves retreated, no trace remained.
Orobashi too slowly sank back into the depths.
[Furina]: So… what was that all about? I can't make heads or tails of their deal! (confused)
[Collei]: I don't get it either! Total riddle-talk! (frustrated)
[Paimon]: That's how riddle-people are—they either know but won't tell, or can't tell! It's always some secret! (Yae Miko: chuckles)
[Zhongli]: Seems Paimon has grasped our situation quite well. (sips tea)
[Venti]: True enough—no one wants to be the mysterious one everyone dislikes! (shrugs)
[Kaeya]: You. (grinning)
[Dvalin]: I second Kaeya.
[Heizou]: Their exchange clearly had layers of meaning. Gu Chen must have foreseen something—that's why he came. Orobashi's words sound like he's entrusting Watatsumi to the Shogunate. Could this video's title—Suppressing a God—refer to Orobashi himself? But he wasn't one of the Seven Archons… curious.
[Furina]: Suppressing a god? If it's rebellion against the Seven, I'll have to judge them myself! (Paimon: leave it to me!)
[Neuvillette]: Can you not pass judgment before finishing the video? (sighs)
[Kokomi]: From how Orobashi spoke, he knew his end was near—and wanted to entrust Watatsumi Island to Lord Gu Chen. But why do it in secret?
[Tartaglia]: Yeah, I don't get it either. Wouldn't it be easier to just merge Watatsumi into the Shogunate and leave peacefully?
[Amber]: Ahhh, it's so frustrating when everything's left to guesswork! (desperate)
Tenshukaku, Inazuma City.
Raiden Makoto paced anxiously across the great hall, worry written on her face after learning that Gu Chen had gone to Watatsumi Island.
Outside, the cherry blossoms rustled in the wind, their fragrance drifting into the room.
Turning toward the doorway, she watched as petals whirled into a small vortex, startling a butterfly into flight.
The blossoms gathered, forming a humanoid figure in the swirling air.
"You're back."
Her eyes searched Gu Chen for injuries; seeing none, she exhaled in relief.
"I'm back." Gu Chen nodded, then asked casually, "How's the preparation for the yokai festival?"
"Eh?"
Makoto blinked in surprise. She had been about to ask about his meeting with Orobashi, but realizing he didn't wish to discuss it, she went along. "It's ready. Kitsune Saiguu even hoped you would attend."
"I'll make an appearance," Gu Chen said, walking to the map behind the throne. He pointed to a spot. "Have Ei station her forces here for now."
"Understood."
Though puzzled, Makoto nodded.
Soon, the message reached Raiden Ei.
Having found nothing unusual on Watatsumi Island, she was preparing to return to Narukami when the command arrived. Without hesitation, she said, "Very well—let's go."
Ei led the Tenryou Commission's samurai to what would one day be Yashiori Island and established a camp there.
Surveying the terrain, she nodded. "A fine position. From here, we can watch Watatsumi across the sea. Should Orobashi attack, we'll see him coming."
If he tried to circle around, she could still intercept him from here.
"Gu Chen… he even foresaw this," she murmured with quiet admiration.
"General," Yae Chiyo said teasingly, "at this rate, the Regent will soon be your brother-in-law."
Ei pondered briefly, then said, "Perhaps. My sister does seem fond of him… though as for him—never mind, I don't understand such things."
After Raiden Ei's troops settled on Yashiori Island, they faced Watatsumi across the sea in uneasy silence.
The calm before the storm.
Beneath the depths of Watatsumi—
A pair of golden eyes snapped open.
"Time grows short…"
A deep, muffled voice echoed through the sea.
Boom!
The surface erupted.
A colossal shape surged from the ocean, churning up waves that reached the sky.
The dreadful aura of a god spread outward, bearing down toward Yashiori Island.
In an instant, Orobashi's massive body landed, encircling the entire island.
"Orobashi!"
Thunder rolled across the heavens.
Raiden Ei floated in midair, her naginata gleaming with lightning as she glared down. "You mean to invade Shogunate lands?!"
"Haha… what a joke!"
"All land under heaven belongs to those with the power to claim it!"
Orobashi's laughter turned to a roar as his serpentine tail lashed out, tearing through mountains as it struck at Ei.
"Are you sure about that?" Ei frowned, dodging aside as the tail smashed through a cliff.
Seeing that Orobashi would not relent, her gaze turned cold.
"Then you are beyond redemption."
In a flash, terrifying thunder ripped the sky apart.
Behind her rose the Eye of All Wishes, and above it manifested the Tri-fold Tomoe Seal, gleaming like an eye of divine judgment.
But Orobashi only grew more frenzied under her overwhelming might.
Thus began the battle between god and god—
A shadow of dread falling over Inazuma.
Inside Tenshukaku's great hall, Gu Chen sat before a blank scroll.
He dipped his brush and slowly wrote two lines—
One—Fate.
One—To break it with life itself.
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