One moment I was content, finally finishing Ghost of Tsushima after weeks of playing. The next, I found myself pulled into a place that was so breathtaking it felt unreal — a wide plain of golden rice swaying in the wind, foxes darting playfully between them, and cherry blossoms drifting endlessly from a sky that had no sun. At the center stood a woman of divine beauty, radiating warmth and authority, with dozens of foxes gathered reverently around her.
She introduced herself as Inari, the Goddess of foxes, fertility, rice, tea, sake, agriculture and industry, prosperity, and worldly success — one of the principal kami of Shinto.
Her presence pressed down on me like the weight of a mountain, yet at the same time, it soothed me, as if every burden I carried could simply fade away if I asked it to. She explained why I was here: the Kami had watched Tsushima's suffering at the hands of the Mongols, and their fury shook the heavens. With Inari at the forefront, they had decided to intervene — but unfortunately they cannot help their people directly. They needed help from beyond their realm, from our Earth itself.
At first, I was confused. I wasn't even Japanese. Why me?But as I stood there, I realized…I didn't have much waiting for me back home. I had lived as a hikikomori for years, nearly qualifying as a wizard by age, and honestly? Being asked to be isekai'd into one of my favorite game didn't sound like the worst deal. If anything, it was the best chance I'd ever get to live a meaningful life.
So, I accepted.
For agreeing, the kami granted me three wishes and a blessing.
Inari touched my forehead, and I felt divine energy rush into me, searing hot, yet impossibly invigorating. My body would be reborn as a demi-god — gifted with near-supernatural health, strength, speed, stamina, and intelligence. I would still need rest and even need food more than most men as a way to fully bring about these blessings.
"Luckily," I thought, "I'll be reborn into the Sakai clan. Food won't be an issue."
When asked for my first wish, I chose the teachings of Japan's greatest legends. Inari warned me I could only select three.
I spoke their names aloud, and with each, a vision flared around us:
Miyamoto Musashi, master of the blade and strategy — his shadow appeared, striking with twin swords, his stance unwavering.
Minamoto no Yoshitsune, the genius commander and archer — a crimson war banner unfurled in the air, and I heard the thunder of horses charging.
Hattori Hanzo, the shinobi without equal — a black shadow crossed the plain, silent and unseen, yet chilling in its presence.
With their teachings, I would master kenjutsu, battlefield command, and the way of stealth, poison, and hidden blades.
For my second wish, I asked for a bond — a red string of fate.I desired the reincarnation of Tomoe Gozen, the legendary female samurai.
"There are not many women of beauty or strength in that era of Tsushima," I admitted, "So I want someone at my side who is both mesmerizing and nearly my equal in battle."
The string of fate glowed faintly before my eyes, stretching into the unknown, tying me to her descendant. Inari smiled, her foxes chittering with delight. Fate had been rewritten.
My third wish was a personalized system, a divine interface only I could see. It would display:
My name and learned techniques,
The loyalty, health, and emotional state of my family and companions,
Their locations across Tsushima.
I would also wield the powers of an Onmyōji — granting blessings and curses. Yet Inari warned me: no one I blessed would ever match my strength, and curses would not allow me to instantly kill my opponents. If someone held a heavenly oath with me and broke it would they then be punished harshly. It would allow the Kami to punish those who break the oath through their connection with me.
With all these I can self-check myself, know the loyalty of those around me, have the ability to know if my family and companions need my help, and ensure that I can strengthen those around me, while also ensuring that no one betrays me.
As if all that weren't enough, Inari smiled and offered me one final gift for accepting their request so readily.
A figure emerged from the mist — a towering destrier, a warhorse of legends, its mane like midnight silk and its hooves shaking the ground. The sight stole my breath.
Granted that this horse might not be suitable for the land of Tsushima, but I can offset that all those negative with my blessings. Just the image of me riding the tallest and strongest armored warhorse makes me all giddy. I just realized that the warhorses in the game didn't really have any armor at all.
"This steed is not of Japan," Inari admitted, "but she will be yours if you can tame her. With her, you will ride as more than a man. You will ride as the fury of the gods."
I laughed nervously looking at the horse, my heart pounding. "Well, girl, I'll show you just how manly I can be… eventually."
The horse neighed, while the foxes barked like they were laughing too. Inari watched with a smile.
With everything settled, Inari lifted her hand. A brilliant white light engulfed me, warm and blinding.
When it faded, the divine plain was gone. Instead, I was wrapped in warmth, pressed against soft, surrounded by the faint scent of incense and the muffled cries of a newborn.
Then I realized — the newborn's cries were my own.
I felt myself lifted, cradled in the arms of a woman with kind, tired eyes. She gazed down at me with a smile full of love.
Chiyoko Sakai, my Mother.
"Welcome to this world, my son," she whispered.
Thus, I was born anew — the eldest son of Clan Sakai, older brother to Jin Sakai.
Ryuunosuke Sakai, The Gods' Fury of Tsushima.
(Ryu meaning dragon and Nosuke meaning protector. Full name means "One with Dragon's Might)