After drawing inspiration and encouragement from Kano, One-Horn returned to the Coral Tribe with his head held high.
Along the way, he puffed out his chest, held his head high, and wore a sunny smile. Whenever any fishfolk dared mock, ridicule, bully, or beat him, he immediately used the power of his black horn to turn them into his "friends."
A large group of fishfolk now followed behind One-Horn. As he walked through the tribe, the fishfolk commoners who had once looked down on and mocked him now kept their distance whenever they saw him. Whether they feared him or the gathered fishfolk behind him, no one knew.
Whenever One-Horn turned around, he saw his "friends" behind him staring at him with respect, admiration, even worship. It gave him immense satisfaction.
This was the life he needed. This was the life he longed for. This was the life he deserved.
Ambition slowly sprouted in One-Horn's heart. He suddenly remembered telling Kano that he wanted to become the tribe's guardian deity and chieftain, enjoying the worship and respect of every fishfolk in the tribe.
His brother had achieved that with nothing but his weapon and brute strength. He possessed the power to turn fishfolk into friends, so why couldn't he do the same?
With dreams and ambitions for the future in his heart, One-Horn continued expanding the ranks of his friends. One day, he would become a chieftain respected, loved, and even worshipped by every fishfolk.
He believed that day would come.
When Coral returned from hunting and learned from his subordinates that his younger brother had suddenly gained many supporters, he felt neither anger nor wariness. Instead, he was happy for his brother.
He had only this one younger brother. Ever since childhood, his brother had been frail and possessed