Susanoo, his divinity broken, was taken to the Sea Plains by Izanagi to recover. Izanagi jokingly called it his secret base and made Susanoo promise to keep it secret.

"Besides the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea," Izanagi put a finger on his lips and smiled as he said. "You and I are the only ones in the whole world who know about this place." With a serious expression, he told Susanoo, "Do not tell anyone about it."

Susanoo didn't expect his adoptive father, the general of the divine army, to have this side in his nature. In a low voice, he responded, "I will never tell."

Although Izanagi had told him about his place, the young god was still shocked by the island's serene beauty. It was different from the human world ravaged by the Evil Gods, and the solemn Takamagahara where everything was so serious. There was no demonic torture nor the cold gaze of the gods. There was only sea breeze, fish swimming in the sea, and flowers that quietly bloomed in the woods.

The still naive Susanoo was unable to stop himself from blurting out, "I wish my friends were here with me."

But then he realized, his friends had all been killed by the monsters.

After a moment of silence, Izanagi patted his head and said, "So, you're already planning on renting this place out." Then he said, "But when I'm not around, it can be a very lonely place."

Before he completely recovered, Susanoo began training on the shore of this paradise island. Imitating Izanagi, the eager young god struggled with his spear, which was much bigger than him.

Seeing the young god's diligent figure, Izanagi smiled and said, "You really are a lively one, aren't you, Susanoo?" It's only been a few days since I rescued you from the monsters. You haven't even fully recovered. The training can wait."

"The weather's good on the island, Lord Izanagi, and there's no one else around, so I... I thought I should get started as soon as possible, so I can protect everyone."

Izanagi smiled, "If there's no one else around, why do you still call me Lord?"

"Master."

"Think again."

"Father..."

Izanagi nodded, satisfied with this answer.

"I took you under my wing, so naturally, I should do my due diligence in educating you. I neglected my duty before, which almost became a huge regret for me. As for the future, I already have a plan. I will certainly not allow you to be so reckless, but nor will I let you be so lonely."

From then on, every time Izanagi returned to the island, he would bring exotic flowers and beasts to alleviate Susanoo's boredom, then he would pour himself a drink as he watched the young god make a break for his life from ferocious beasts and man-eating flowers. As time went on, Susanoo unexpectedly began to attract all sorts of critters. No matter where he went, mythical creatures would follow him, sometimes letting out thunderous roars, sometimes asking for affection, rubbing his ankles like a kitten. They also tried to copy Susanoo's actions, no matter what he was doing.

Witnessing such oddities, Izanagi couldn't help but laugh. "How unexpected. Of all the creatures that inhabit this island, you happen to be the most mythical."

Izanagi decided to join in the fun and play with the creatures too, but was ignored, so he vented his frustration by giving Susanoo a hard time, which upset the young god. Susanoo reprimanded the mythical creatures, "Don't be so mean to Lord Izanagi, but don't get too carried away either. No biting, and no pecking."

As Izanagi went back and forth between the battlefield and the island, more and more exotic beasts were brought home. Over the years, probably because of Izanagi's habit of playing tricks on his disciple, Susanoo didn't become unruly and rebellious like his mentor, but instead grew into a stern and reserved young man. He rigorously followed the training methods created by Izanagi. There wasn't a day when he neglected training his divine power. Izanagi taught him how to handle problems and how to behave as a god. He also brought him fine armor and clothes from the mainland and crafted him a one-of-a-kind weapon. The reborn Susanoo was a well-mannered and dignified god in a white robe and suit of golden armor. Standing on the sea cliff with his spear in his hand, he could command storm and thunder simply by raising the spear. Lightning strikes rained down at his feet, like subjects kneeling before their king's throne. Susanoo devoted himself to training and challenged Izanagi constantly. The two of them often faced off at sea with storm and thunder. Izanagi would stir up the ocean using his power, and Susanoo would summon lightning in a mile-long radius. The lightning from Susanoo's thunderous storms would persist through the night, visible from even fishing villages a hundred miles away. A rumor began to circulate that the god of thunder was a cold and tyrannical god who lived on the island, and that anyone who dared to approach the island would anger him and face divine punishment. Susanoo was surprised when he found out, and went to Izanagi for advice.

"I only wanted to be strong. Why do people fear me?"

Izanagi said, "The strong can chose whether to be respected or not, but they cannot chose whether to be feared or not. Susanoo, you are diligent, meticulous, and you care for the people. However, do you understand that might alone does not warrant respect?" Izanagi warned, "You can only earn respect by becoming truly strong."

"To become truly strong, besides becoming powerful enough to reshape the world, one must also learn to be prudent with how you use that power. Is that not how it's supposed to be?" Susanoo was puzzled. "When I was born, I was rejected and alienated by Takamagahara because of power beyond my control. When I was young, I caused my human friends suffering due to my lack of prudence. Unlike you, Father. That day, you parted the sea and wiped out an army of monsters. No one could stand in your way. Despite having such unmatched power, you always know when to unleash it and when to stop. And because of that, people don't fear you. They love you. Including me, who's... very far from being a good kid."

Hearing this, Izanagi sat down on top of the sea cliff, and looked out across the waves breaking on the rocks. "Do you know why I parted the sea and rinsed it with blood that day, and who I did it for?"

Susanoo asked, "Was it... me?"

"Wrong. I did it for myself." Izanagi said, "I saved you because I wanted to save you. I killed because I wanted to kill. If one day I decided to die for a cause, it's because I believe I've seen enough. Susanoo, you must remember, a god can care for the people, but he doesn't exist for the people. It's also true the other way around. And so, if you slaughter for the sake of the people, the sin of the killing is yours to bear; if you fall for the sake of the people, the blame for the crime is yours to take; if you sacrifice yourself for the sake of the people, you will be forgotten sooner or later." Izanagi continued, "No one exists solely for the sake of others. To live like that is to desecrate the sanctity of life. Do not be such a fool."

Susanoo then asked, "But if my joy and sorrow belong only to me, and I cannot dedicate my life to others, how lonely must it be to be alive. Must all living beings be imprisoned by this vicious cycle of loneliness?"

Izanagi replied, "No. The day I slaughtered an entire army to rescue you, the sin of the killing was mine to bear. You don't need to worry about that. However, I didn't give something to you, something you must not let go of even if you don't want to accept it. It's a responsibility we must take for my selfish decisions, a price we we must pay for our arrogance in life." Izanagi paused, then said, "In Amaterasu's words, this is what we call 'love'."

Susanoo looked up and locked eyes with his adoptive father, "Then I must love many, many people and many, many things. I love every corner of the world and those who inhabit them. That's why I am never truly lonely or in pain. That's why I want to protect more lands and bless more people. If that's what my destiny has planned for me, then I have nothing but gratitude."

Upon hearing this, Izanagi fell silent, then put a necklace with three pieces of Storm Jade in Susanoo's hand.

"These three pieces of Jade are imbued with the power of storms, and they're my keepsake for you. When you call for me, I will respond, no matter where I am."

The next day, Izanagi's subordinate sent a battle report, saying the Seven Evil Gods were planning a surprise attack on Takamagahara with their army. Izanagi bid Susanoo farewell and went to battle. Susanoo had long been used to Izanagi's frequent war efforts. As usual, he waited on the sea cliff, anticipating Izanagi's return from another victory in battle. Yet this time, what he received was a devastating news of the divine army's total defeat and the death of its general.

After the emissaries had left, Susanoo avoided the mythical creatures and headed off to the edge of the sea cliff alone, clutching the secret letter from Takamagahara in his hand. He read it slowly, again and again, looking for any indication of Izanagi's survival, but he was unable to comprehend what he was reading. He didn't stop until the piece of fabric in his hands had been soaked with water. Only then did he realize he'd been crying the whole time. Under the sea cliff, waves crashed on the rocks. He knelt on the shore, realizing he'd been there for a whole day. Finally, he tried to stand up, but he kept falling down, as if his knees had forgotten how to stand. The jade necklace fell from his neck into the muddy water not nearby. Susanoo rushed to the muddy pond and took out his adoptive father's keepsake. He held it tightly against his chest, ignoring the mud and filth.

"You once said that you wouldn't want to build any tombs on this sea cliff, that it would ruin the scenery. If you don't come to stop me yourself, I will bury your clothes right here on top of the cliff."

"What a disobedient child." Suddenly, a burst of laughter came from behind. "Foolish child. When I was teaching you, you would always answer back. But when people from Takamagahara speak, you immediately accept it as the truth."

Susanoo spun around to find Izanagi sitting on the sea cliff, smiling like his old self.

"I'm just joking. The strong set the rules, while the weak follow. This is the first thing I teach my disciples."

Izanagi's return after his disappearance seemed very odd. He claimed he'd been discharged from the army due to his injury, and that he no longer wished to fight in battle. The young god thought nothing of it, for he was overjoyed by their reunion. From then on, Izanagi stayed. The island no longer felt like a lonely piece of rock in the middle of nowhere. It changed into a paradise, like in a dream.

As the years went by, Susanoo grew, and Izanagi never left the sea cliff. But this was the calm before the storm. Unable to stand idly by as monsters slaughtered humans, Susanoo visited his adoptive father by the sea cliff one last time.

"I have learned all the spear techniques you taught me, and I have also learned how to control my divine power. Today, the cliff eagle brought new from the mainland. The Evil Gods' army attacked again, and the mortal world failed to defend itself. It won't be long before the war reaches Takamagahara." Taking hold of his spear, Susanoo stood on the sea cliff and look towards Takamagahara's outline in the horizon. "If we want to save the human world and Takamagahara, we have to have a new Warrior God to lead the army. I want to go to Takamagahara as a volunteer. I want to take your place as the Warrior God."

Izanagi, who was standing on the sea cliff, turned to him and said, "Once you pick up the spear, you won't be able to put it down again. Once you leave this place, you won't be able to come back. You have grown up, brave as a lion and free as a bird. You may go wherever you please. Is the battlefield really your final choice?"

Susanoo said, "Defeating the Evil Gods and returning peace to the people is my duty as a god and my responsibility as your disciple. It's also my unfulfilled wish. I am willing to die for it. But deep in my heart there is also a selfish wish. There are places I want to go and people that I miss." Susanoo smiled, "When the war is over, I will return to the Sea Plains, not as a God-General, not as the Executioner, but as Susanoo. On this sea cliff, in the sound of the tide and the wind, I will be reunited with you once again."

Thought ready for battle, Susanoo still had an air of naivete. He put on his heavy armor, covering the youthful figure, and looked as if he carried the whole world on his shoulders. However, Susanoo's journey as a Warrior God didn't begin until he had fought his first battle and taken victory.

At that time, the monsters had assembled a great army, built a ladder to the heavens, and were almost knocking on the door of the great hall of Takamagahara. Without hesitation, Susanoo charged onto the battlefield. Using the power of lightning, Susanoo created an army of thunder. Leading his mythical beasts, Susanoo rode a thundermare with a spear in his hand and appeared behind the demonic army's formation. He charged into the enemy lines like a storm and cut off the heads of the monsters left and right without any effort. When the monsters led a charge towards him, he never flinched. He swiftly summoned lightning to hit the ladder, which collapsed in a crack of thunder, hurling demonic troops to the ground. Tens of thousands of monsters roared in anger, loud as a tsunami, but there was little they could do. Susanoo looked down at them from the clouds. A moment later, he swooped down like a bolt of lightning into the churning sea of sins. A thunderous explosion soon followed and burned the monsters to a crisp. The charred bodies of the enemy paved the way for Susanoo's army as they marched forward.

The new Warrior God slaughtered his way from Unabara to the hall of Takamagahara. He was covered in blood and cold like the devil. The other gods all fled in fear. No one was brave enough to see his face Priests stood in the hall, trembling as they waited for the infamous murderous god, but what appeared in the hall of Amaterasu was a slender, well-mannered, and handsome young god. He knelt before Amaterasu's throne, bowing his head in respect.

"I, Susanoo, came to protect the human world. I vow to swing my spear for the salvation of the people, for the annihilation of the Evil Gods, and their underlings, and for you, God-Empress. I will not fight for my own gain, not until my body and soul have been destroyed."