What to Give Kuro for the Best Ending in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
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To achieve the “Return” ending, widely considered the best ending in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, you don’t give Kuro any singular “gift.” Instead, you must collect and utilize specific items throughout the game to advance a crucial storyline involving the Divine Child of Rejuvenation, Emma, and the Immortal Severance. This requires a series of actions and dialogue choices, rather than a single presentation.
Understanding the Return Ending Requirements
The Return ending focuses on breaking the cycle of immortality by transporting the Dragon’s Heritage to a land where it can be severed. This involves more than just defeating the final boss; it’s about uncovering secrets and helping Kuro find a true resolution. Achieving this ending involves several key steps:
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Obtaining the Holy Chapter: Infested: This is found in the Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo. You’ll need to progress through the temple area until you reach the Inner Sanctum, where you’ll encounter the Folding Screen Monkeys boss fight. After defeating them, you can find the chapter.
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Giving the Holy Chapter: Infested to the Divine Child: Once you have the chapter, return to the Inner Sanctum and give it to the Divine Child of Rejuvenation.
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Receiving Rice from the Divine Child: The Divine Child will begin offering you Rice. Take the rice, and when you run out, return and ask for more. Continue doing this until she says she is weary and wants an item from you.
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Giving Persimmons to the Divine Child: Give her a Persimmon. You can buy a Taro Persimmon from the merchant at the Shugendo Idol.
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Receiving Rice for Kuro: After giving the Persimmon, the Divine Child will give you Rice for Kuro. Give this rice to Kuro.
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Listening to Kuro’s Request: After giving Kuro the rice, rest and talk to him again. He’ll ask for something different.
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Finding the Holy Chapter: Dragon’s Return: Once you’ve given the Divine Child Rice for Kuro, speak to Emma about the Divine Child. Keep speaking to Emma until she tells you she has something to tell you. You will then have to eavesdrop on Emma and the Sculptor near the Dilapidated Temple. This will give you the information needed to find the Holy Chapter: Dragon’s Return. The Holy Chapter is located in the Illusory Hall where you fought the Folding Screen Monkeys. After going to the Illusory Hall, go to the left of the main statue and pray at the shrine. This will lead you to the Hall of Illusions, where the Holy Chapter is located.
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Giving the Holy Chapter: Dragon’s Return to the Divine Child: Return to the Inner Sanctum and give the Holy Chapter to the Divine Child.
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Finding Two Dried Serpent Viscera: You need to obtain two key items: Fresh Serpent Viscera and Dried Serpent Viscera.
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Fresh Serpent Viscera: This is obtained by progressing through the Sunken Valley Passage and using the Puppet Technique on a monkey to lure away another monkey guarding a mechanism.
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Dried Serpent Viscera: This is obtained by using the Puppeteer Ninjutsu on the old woman near the Riven Cave idol to have her open the gate for you. Progress through the cave.
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Giving the Dried Serpent Viscera to the Divine Child: Once you have both Fresh Serpent Viscera and Dried Serpent Viscera, give them to the Divine Child. This results in her becoming the Frozen Tears.
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Selecting the Return Ending Choice: After defeating the Divine Dragon and progressing to the final fight against Isshin, the Sword Saint, when prompted with the choice of what to give Kuro, select the Divine Dragon’s Tears followed by the Frozen Tears.
Why It’s Called the “Best” Ending
The Return ending is often considered the best because it offers a sense of hope for the future of Kuro and the Dragon’s Heritage. Instead of simply severing immortality or continuing the cycle, it seeks a permanent solution by taking the Dragon’s Heritage to its origin point. Many players find this a more satisfying conclusion to the story’s themes.
Crucial Details to Remember
- Early Choices Matter: Progressing through the Senpou Temple and engaging with the Divine Child early in the game is essential for unlocking the Return ending.
- Eavesdropping is Key: Pay close attention to dialogue cues and eavesdrop on conversations when prompted. This is vital for unlocking crucial information and advancing the questline.
- Multiple Steps: The Return ending isn’t a single decision, but a series of interconnected actions and choices throughout the game.
FAQs About the Return Ending and Giving Items to Kuro
H3 1. Can I still get the Return ending if I missed something early in the game?
It depends on what you missed. If you missed the Holy Chapter: Infested, you can still backtrack to the Senpou Temple. However, if you’ve progressed too far in the main story without engaging with the Divine Child at all, it might become more difficult or impossible to achieve the necessary steps.
H3 2. What happens if I give Kuro the wrong item at the end?
If you give Kuro the wrong item at the end, you will trigger a different ending. The game offers multiple endings based on your choices.
H3 3. Do I need to beat the game again to get a different ending?
Yes, you’ll need to start a new playthrough or use a save file from before the final boss fight to achieve a different ending. Sekiro allows you to carry over your skills and upgrades in New Game+.
H3 4. Where exactly is the Holy Chapter: Infested located?
The Holy Chapter: Infested is in the Inner Sanctum of the Senpou Temple, accessible after defeating the Folding Screen Monkeys. It will be on an altar inside the sanctum.
H3 5. How do I eavesdrop effectively?
To eavesdrop, approach characters when a small speech bubble icon appears above their heads. Crouch nearby without being detected to hear their conversation.
H3 6. What are the other endings in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice?
Besides the Return ending, there are three other endings: Severance (the standard ending), Immortal Severance (requires incense), and Shura (the “bad” ending).
H3 7. Does giving Kuro sugar affect the ending?
No, giving Kuro sugar or other consumables does not affect the ending. These are merely gameplay mechanics for buffs and stat increases.
H3 8. Is the Return ending the hardest to achieve?
The Return ending is generally considered one of the more complex endings to unlock because it requires completing a lengthy questline and gathering specific items.
H3 9. What is the significance of the Dried and Fresh Serpent Viscera?
The Dried and Fresh Serpent Viscera are crucial ingredients required by the Divine Child to progress her transformation, which is necessary for achieving the Return ending.
H3 10. Can I use a guide to help me with the Return ending?
Yes! Using a guide can be very helpful, especially for keeping track of the numerous steps and requirements involved in unlocking the Return ending. Many online resources and videos can assist you.
H3 11. Does the difficulty of the game affect the ending I can get?
No, the game’s difficulty setting does not affect which ending you can achieve. The endings are determined solely by your in-game choices and actions.
H3 12. What should I do if the Divine Child stops giving me Rice?
If the Divine Child stops giving you Rice, exhaust her dialogue options and rest multiple times. Eventually, she will give you Rice for Kuro. Continue progressing through the questline as described above.
H3 13. Does Emma play a vital role in unlocking the Return ending?
Yes, Emma is crucial. You need to speak with her repeatedly and eavesdrop on her conversation with the Sculptor near the Dilapidated Temple to get the necessary information.
H3 14. Where do I find the Taro Persimmon for the Divine Child?
You can purchase a Taro Persimmon from the merchant located near the Shugendo Idol in the Senpou Temple area.
H3 15. Can I go back and get an item if I accidentally skipped an area?
Yes, Sekiro allows for a good amount of backtracking. You can revisit most areas to collect items you may have missed, unless the game explicitly prevents you from doing so (like after certain boss fights or story events that change the environment significantly).