The Vortex

The majestic divine power was released through her new divine authority, causing the vast expanse that had turned into a battlefield to tremble amidst the waves. Under the immense power of the goddess, a rift was carved into the surface of the sea. Before the countless eyes of the Sea Nation army and the Arakawa crowd, the ocean was splitting in two of its own accord.

This spectacle was like the grand miracle created by a certain prophet on the shores of the Red Sea thousands of years ago.

In mythology, Amaterasu rules Takamagahara, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto governs the Plain of Night, and Susanoo-no-Mikoto's domain is the Plain of the Sea. As an extremely important divine authority of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, one of the Mihashira-no-uzunomiko, Miketsu had borrowed the Sea God authority through the Deity Summoning Spell to manipulate the ocean.

Facing this lot of seafood, the Sea God's authority was clearly more intimidating.

The ocean was split in two, and the flow between the bay and the open ocean was officially severed. The coral reefs on the seabed near the shore were exposed to the sunlight, and a land passage connecting both sides of the estuary was officially formed. On either side of this passage were two tall water curtain walls. Looking out from within felt like being in an aquarium, except the walls were not filled with various fish, but with all sorts of stunned water yokai and sea yokai.

As beings living in rivers, lakes, and seas, they could appreciate the shock of this miracle more than ordinary people. Such a massive volume of water was something even a Yokai Lord skilled in water manipulation could not control. Yet now, a mere miko had actually made the sea part just by praying. Was this truly the power of a god? Were the gods truly watching this battlefield?

"No... you've got to be kidding... the sea actually split. This... even that big lunkhead couldn't do something like this!" Kingyohime, still in the water, stared at the scene before her. She and the Arakawa crowd beside her stood frozen in shock, as did the Sea Nation army on the other side of the ocean.

The Sea Nation army, which had been preparing to advance, found its path blocked by the divided sea and was forced to halt. The ghost ships sailing on the surface nearly plunged off the water walls, only coming to a screeching halt after the frantic efforts of the sea yokai on board.

"Is this... the power of a human god?" On one of the ships, the sea yokai elder Uminari spoke in shock. Beside him, many sea yokai were visibly shaken by this display of heavenly might, and a hint of retreat appeared in the eyes of some.

"The human Inari Okami... can actually command the great sea like this." Watching the spectacle, the Lord of Arakawa, riding his demon fish, sighed in admiration. As a yokai of water, he could perceive this power very intuitively.

"Tch... a god of the land... having this kind of skill even on the sea." Unlike the Lord of Arakawa's admiration, Otakemaru stood on the ghost ship with clenched teeth, his face showing clear annoyance.

"You see it now, don't you? This is the power of Lady Uka... Her intention in creating such a miracle with her divine power should be understood by everyone," Kikyo said, remaining calm as she floated in the air between the two water walls.

"This is a warning from Lady Uka to the people of the Sea Nation. This path carved through the sea beneath my feet is your final boundary. The Sea Nation's conquest ends here. If you return now, Lady Uka will not pursue the matter further. If the people of the Sea Nation insist on moving forward, what awaits you will be a greater divine punishment."

Hearing Kikyo's words, Otakemaru fell silent for a moment. However, the hand gripping his sword did not loosen in the slightest, his teeth remained clenched, and the fury on his face showed no signs of dissipating.

"A god's warning? Hmph, the high-and-mighty human gods certainly like to put on an act. This hypocritical mercy makes me sick. The Sea Nation's fate has only one path now: forward. There is no longer any talk of retreat..." As Otakemaru spoke, he suddenly waved his hand and shouted loudly.

"Uminari! Call the tides! We're charging through!"

"Yes... Young Lord..."

The sea yokai elder Uminari bowed respectfully. He then began to release his demonic power and cast his yokai arts. Seeing this, Kujira nearby picked up a conch and let out a howl, blowing it with all his might. Instantly, the long, low sound of the horn, infused with demonic power, spread throughout the Sea Nation army.

Amidst the horn's blast, on the ghost ships and within the ranks, countless sea yokai casters began to cast spells simultaneously, following Uminari's lead. In an instant, thousands of demonic energy streams intertwined. With Uminari as the core, a massive yokai art was coming into being, its range of influence spreading across the vast sea.

Suddenly, the sound of massive waves came from the distant horizon. Between the sea and the sky, the waves surged, and a white line came rushing toward them.

A tide—a massive tide—was being pulled from the distant horizon by the sea yokai's spell. It rolled higher and higher amidst the roaring sound, the towering giant wave resembling a bellowing beast as it raced toward them at extreme speed, vowing to swallow everything in its path.

Before such a giant wave, the divided sea would be filled in an instant. The momentum behind it would be enough to crash onto the shore, flooding vast areas of land and turning the entire coast into the domain of the Sea Nation.

"Soldiers of the Sea Nation! The power of the human god is nothing to fear! Charge with the tide! For the future of the Sea Nation, conquer Arakawa! Conquer the land!" Otakemaru brandished his great sword and shouted to his subordinates. The Sea Nation army let out a roar amidst the booming sound of the approaching tide. Their morale was restored by the giant wave, and the sea yokai gripped their weapons, ready to cross the divided sea along with the tide.

On the other side, the hearts of the Arakawa crowd rose into their throats again. They resumed their stances, preparing to face the impending, cataclysmic impact.

"Sigh..."

In the sky, Miketsu watched the situation below and let out a soft sigh. Then, dressed in her military attire, she silently reached out her hand and made a stirring motion in the air toward the sea where the waves were rushing.

Suddenly, every sea yokai caster, including Uminari, coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood. The massive spell they had painstakingly constructed collapsed under an irresistible force. Then, that power mercilessly seized control of the ocean. Uminari, sensing that things had gone wrong, didn't even have time to wipe the blood from his mouth. Dragging his weakened body from the backlash, he spoke to Otakemaru ahead of him.

"Young Lord... run..."

"What..."

BOOM!!

To Otakemaru's shock, the ocean let out an even more violent roar. Amidst a thunderous crash, the tidal currents that had been moving forward were forcibly twisted in direction, beginning to spiral. Under the invisible and magnificent power, the speed of the currents suddenly increased dozens of times over.

In just a split second, the lunging tide transformed into a massive whirlpool. The whirlpool's range expanded rapidly, swallowing thousands of sea yokai. The ghost ships were swept up by the irresistible currents, and even sea yokai who were skilled swimmers were forcibly dragged into the depths.

Amidst the ocean's roar, a vortex that engulfed everything was forming, and hundreds of thousands of sea yokai were about to be swallowed by it.