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What to Do After Isshin Dies in Sekiro: A Comprehensive Guide

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So, you’ve finally felled Isshin, the Sword Saint, or perhaps the fiery Isshin Ashina. Congratulations, weary shinobi! The dust settles, the echoes of clashing steel fade, and you’re left standing victorious (or perhaps stunned) on the battlefield. But what comes next? What do you do after this monumental achievement? The answer, as with many things in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, depends on your choices and your desired ending. In general, you’ll interact with Kuro to trigger the final cutscenes and ending sequence. The specific dialogue and actions will dictate which of the four possible endings you’ll experience. After the credits roll, you will be given the option to start a New Game Cycle.

Understanding the Post-Isshin Landscape

Before diving into the specifics of each ending, it’s crucial to understand the game’s state after defeating Isshin. Regardless of which Isshin you defeat (Sword Saint or Ashina), the world state is essentially locked in right before you entered the final boss arena. This means you can still free roam and collect any remaining items, fight optional bosses (like Demon of Hatred), or complete any lingering side quests… up until the point you interact with Kuro. Once you interact with Kuro, it’s ending time!

The Four Endings: A Quick Overview

Shura: Achieved by siding with Owl earlier in the game and betraying Kuro. This is a dark ending.
Immortal Severance: Considered the “standard” ending, involves giving Kuro the Divine Dragon’s Tears after defeating Isshin, the Sword Saint.
Purification: Requires completing Emma’s and the Old Grave Monk’s questline. Involves eavesdropping and obtaining Owl’s Amulet.
Dragon’s Homecoming (Return): The most complex ending, requiring a lengthy series of steps involving the Divine Child of Rejuvenation and obtaining the Frozen Tears.

The Critical Decision: Interacting with Kuro

After defeating Isshin (Sword Saint version), your immediate next step impacts your ending. DO NOT USE AN IDOL unless you want to do a specific side quest or fight another optional boss. LEAVE THE BATTLEFIELD and INTERACT WITH KURO.

If you want to complete the Owl Father fight in Hirata Estate, you will want to use any idol, travel back to the Audience Chamber Idol in Hirata, and defeat Owl. He will drop his Memory, along with the “Aromatic Flower”. Now, return to the field, and interact with Kuro.

Diving Deeper: Choosing Your Ending

Immortal Severance (Standard Ending)

This is the most straightforward ending. After defeating Isshin, the Sword Saint, simply give Kuro the Divine Dragon’s Tears. The game will progress to the final cutscenes, and you’ll witness the culmination of your loyalty to your lord.

Purification Ending

This ending requires more preparation. Before defeating Isshin, you must:

Eavesdrop on Kuro: Listen in on Kuro’s conversations.
Talk to Emma: Exhaust her dialogue at the Old Grave.
Eavesdrop on Emma and the Sculptor: Listen in on their conversation at the Dilapidated Temple.
Obtain Owl’s Amulet: Emma will give you this item after the previous steps.
Defeat Owl (Father) in the Hirata Estate (Memory): You must complete the memory sequence and defeat Owl Father.

After defeating Isshin, give Kuro the Divine Dragon’s Tears and Everblossom received after defeating Owl Father. This will trigger the Purification ending.

Dragon’s Homecoming (Return Ending)

This is arguably the most complex and potentially considered the “canon” ending. The steps are involved:

Obtain the Holy Chapter: Infested: Find this either from a monk in Senpou Temple before Genichiro Ashina or after defeating him, at the bottom of the pond near the temple.
Give the Holy Chapter: Infested to the Divine Child: The Divine Child of Rejuvenation will request this item.
Obtain Rice from the Divine Child: Continuously ask for rice after giving her the chapter until she says she is out and needs to rest.
Rest and Speak with the Divine Child Again: Repeat the rice request process multiple times. She will eventually give you Kuro’s Rice.
Give Kuro’s Rice to Kuro: Return to Kuro and give him the rice.
Return to the Divine Child: After giving Kuro’s Rice, return to the Divine Child. She’ll tell you she needs persimmons.
Give a Persimmon to the Divine Child: Give her a persimmon.
Repeat Rice and Persimmon: Repeat the process of getting rice and persimmons until she gives you a note. Read the note.
Find the Hall of Illusions Monk: Go to the Hall of Illusions in Senpou Temple. There should be a monk you can speak with.
Give the Divine Child the Holy Chapter: Dragon’s Return: This can be found after speaking with the monk in the Hall of Illusions.
Obtain Frozen Tears: The Divine Child will then task you with finding Frozen Tears.
Defeat Isshin, the Sword Saint: Defeat Isshin.
Give Kuro the Frozen Tears and the Divine Dragon’s Tears: Present both tears to Kuro.

This will trigger the Dragon’s Homecoming ending.

Shura Ending

This ending is determined much earlier in the game, during the Owl confrontation atop Ashina Castle. Choosing to side with Owl and obey the Iron Code will lock you into the Shura ending. You will then have to defeat Emma and Isshin Ashina. This is the shortest ending, leading to a dark conclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does the game end immediately after defeating Isshin?

Yes, the game ends after defeating either Isshin Ashina (in the Shura ending) or Isshin, the Sword Saint (in the other three endings). The credits will roll, and you’ll be prompted to start a New Game Cycle.

2. Can I free roam after beating Sekiro?

Yes, after the credits roll, you have the option to return to the game world in the state it was immediately before the final boss fight. You can then explore, fight optional bosses, and collect items before starting a New Game Cycle.

3. What is the hardest ending to get in Sekiro?

The Dragon’s Homecoming (Return) ending is widely considered the most difficult due to its lengthy and intricate questline involving the Divine Child of Rejuvenation. It requires precise steps and can be easily missed.

4. Does Sekiro have a canon ending?

Many consider the Dragon’s Homecoming ending to be the “canon” ending. Its themes of hope and continuation align with the overall narrative arc of Kuro and Sekiro.

5. How do I unlock the secret ending in Sekiro?

The “secret” ending is the Dragon’s Homecoming ending. See the detailed steps above. It is not really a secret ending. You can only do it by completing quests with the Divine Child.

6. Why did Sekiro become Shura?

In the Shura ending, Sekiro becomes a Shura by choosing to side with Owl and obey the Iron Code. This choice leads him down a path of endless bloodshed and violence.

7. Should I fight the Demon of Hatred before or after Isshin?

The Demon of Hatred is an optional boss. You can fight him before or after Isshin, the Sword Saint. Many players find that the Demon of Hatred fight is good training for Isshin.

8. What happens if I give sake to Isshin?

Giving sake to Isshin unlocks additional dialogue and lore about his past. It does not impact the game’s endings. The same applies to giving sake to other characters like Emma and the Sculptor.

9. Is Kuro a boy or a girl in Sekiro?

Kuro is a boy. He is often mistaken as a girl because of his looks, but it is stated explicitly that he is male throughout the game.

10. Who is the hardest boss in Sekiro?

Many players consider Isshin, the Sword Saint, to be the hardest boss in Sekiro. The Demon of Hatred and Owl (Father) are also notoriously difficult.

11. How do I trigger the Shura ending?

You trigger the Shura ending by choosing to side with Owl during the confrontation at Ashina Castle.

12. Was the Sculptor a Shura?

The Sculptor was on the path to becoming a Shura due to his intense hatred. However, Isshin kept him from fully transforming. His unbridled hatred ultimately consumed him, transforming him into the Demon of Hatred.

13. Is Wolf immortal in Sekiro?

Yes, Wolf is immortal due to his connection with Kuro and the Divine Dragon’s blood. This immortality allows him to resurrect after death.

14. What does Emma give you after Isshin dies?

After defeating Isshin, Emma will give you a new esoteric text that includes new combat arts, but only if you have unlocked at least one of the final skills on the skill trees.

15. Which Sekiro ending is the true ending?

As mentioned before, this is subjective, but many in the community consider the Dragon’s Homecoming ending to be the “true” ending as it is more optimistic and ties up loose ends in the game. This ending demonstrates the power of learning and knowledge; for more information on that topic, check out the Games Learning Society website.

Choosing your ending in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a significant decision that reflects your journey and values as a player. Whether you seek the standard path, a path of purification, a hopeful return, or a descent into darkness, each ending offers a unique and compelling conclusion to this challenging and rewarding game.

Find out more at: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/