A Feudal Fanfiction: Let's Play Inuyasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask

[Waffleman]

Welcome to the castle, this took me more than an hour and a half with my emulator sped up.

Takezo: Can you help them? I’ve been injured and I can’t move from here.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY.

Now yes, this sidequest is entirely optional. And yes, I could have just beelined through this and done the dungeon in like half an hour. But this is like…the only sidequest in the game. I gotta do at least that, right? So now we have to go through just about every room to look for people. I’m not gonna show all of them, because there’s fucking 30 of them and the majority of them are not interesting, but I’ll also show you why this sidequest is BULLSHIT.

You wanna know the other reason this took so long, and basically the main reason this dungeon is just a pain in the fuckin’ ass?

IT’S BUGGED. You can’t run from fights because about 90% of the time, it softlocks the game.

This dungeon has a pretty high encounter rate. And you just have to fight them.

As I cap this, I have my footage going at about 4-5 times speed, because there’s so much dead air between the fights and me checking my guide to make sure I don’t accidentally end the dungeon before ending the sidequest like I did last time I played this game.

The majority of the people you have to save will not actually be visible. They will be hidden in objects with the only indicator that they’re there being the general hot spot indicator over your head.

So yeah, you have to rub your head against everything in a dungeon with a raised encounter rate bugged to prevent you from skipping battles.

It gets worse. Also, this merchant gives us kind of a hint as to where to go next for progression. There are some monks doing monk things.

Oh hey!

Sachi: Last time I was caught by a demon spider. Is this how my life is gonna be? I’m scared of the future.

Be safe, Sachi.

There’s a couple sets of stairs up here with a save cat. At this point, we’ve rescued 7 out of 8 people in this area. We’re saving one for the end.

We’re going downstairs.

Checks out.

It’s just a maid, but yeah, this is what I mean by needing to rub your head on shit.

Ah, another one.

Downstairs, there are stairs to go upstairs, but a different upstairs.

Yikes.

And this is what we came downstairs and upstairs for. Now that we have this, we can rescue that monk and go back downstairs and back upstairs. At this point, we’ll have rescued 15 people. Hey, halway through, right?

This passage on the left of the main floor is our next destination.

We go upstairs from there and eventually, we encounter the samurai, all three of them.

Hey wait.

Denjiro: Aaah… [voiced as a scream]

Tokusuke: Damn demons!

Are they the castle staff?

They’re being attacked by demons!

There’s no way they can beat them. We have to help them.

Hey! Demons! Are you ready to die?!

We fight a small trash mob masquerading as a boss fight as usual and as usual it’s not interesting.

That’s okay. It must have been terrible.

It wasn’t that bad. Those demons were not rich or powerful, so they couldn’t hire a samurai like the daimyo could.

If anyone’s hurt, show me. I’ll take care of them.

Yukimura: We can’t thank you enough.

What is happening to the castle? There’s demons everywhere.

Cripes.

Again, we never see him, unless Naraku is/has taken the place of him.

Did Naraku do this?

But then we get this line that establishes that Naraku and the “King” are two different entites.

Kagura showed up pretending to be a castle messenger.

Miroku, they’re not gonna know who that is.

If that’s the case, then it’s simple. Let’s go destroy them!

Wait, Inuyasha, did you forget that happened?! YOU WERE THERE AND MIROKU WASN’T.

A fourth samurai came in so I guess the numbers add up now.

Yukimura: What? The second unit. We’re the only ones left to protect the castle.

Is your name Yukimura?

Yukimura: Yes, it is. Why?

We met your wife outside the castle. She gave us something to give to you.

Yukimura: Oh! Some rice balls from my wife!

Everyone is really worried about what’s happening in here.

Yukimura: Thank you. We can hold on a little longer now.

Denjiro: Yes!

Tokusuke:Tokusuke: Let’s do it!

We’ll take care of the rest. Everyone, go back to your families.

Yukimura: We can’t do that. There are people who haven’t escaped yet.

You’ve apparently had months.

You’re not scared for your life?

There’s no point dying here.

Yukimura: We are samurai. We protect the King and the people. But, we weren’t able to protect the King. However, we must protect all who are left alive. It is our duty.

Denjiro: Exactly.

Tokusuke: That’s our duty.

But you might die! What will your families that are left do?

You could die and have a negative life span.

This entire time, the guy on the right’s helmet is kinda glitching out on the gold crest from I guess emulator issues?

How could they possibly understand?

Yukimura: It’s already decided.

I don’t get it.

What are you goin’ on about? If we keep dawdling, Naraku will get away.

But what about Yukimura and everyone else?

Yukimura: Are you going after that demon?

Yeah, that’s why we came here.

Yukimura: In that case, take this with you.

What is it?

Yukimura: This is the key for the lock in the tower. The demon is in there.

Is that okay, Yukimura?

Yukimura: Yes. We’re no match for that demon. But I think you guys can do it. Please, take our place and go get that demon!

…Yes, we will bring Naraku down.

Yukimura: We are grateful.

Well, shall we go?

Yeah, let’s go get Naraku and then get back here.

The count of rescued people at this point is 18. We’ll get the rest next time.

[Waffleman]

Back at it again in Naraku’s castle.

We’re going upstair this time.

Upstairs is more of the same, but it does have the biggest bullshit in this whole sidequest.

Yeah, we gotta be ALL the way in the corner for this one. So in the corner, we can’t even tell there’s anything here. YEAH.

Whoa, ANOTHER upstairs?! What will they think of next?

Oh hey, are you Toki?

Otoki, close enough, get back here.

Is your name Toki?

Your brother asked us to bring you this pinwheel that he made for you.

Otoki: He’s okay then! I’m so happy!

The Samurai are downstairs helping the people who couldn’t escape. Try and make it down there and you’ll be able to get out of the castle.

Otoki: Thank you so much.

Be careful, Toki.

Bye Toki.

Up to the tower, where destiny awaits!

Up one more stairs and we’re in the final corridor.

This door actually leads to the end of the dungeon, and as much as I’d like to go through, we still have work to do beyond this.

These two of the only pieces of charming writing in the game round out the running joke and leave us at 29 people rescued. If you remember, we specifically left one person unrescued on the first floor.

So what we have to do is talk to the samurai.

Takezo: I’m sorry, this isn’t much, but please take it as a sign of my appreciation.

If you talk to Takezo after saving 5/6 of the people, he gives you this fertilizer.

Takezo: Thank you very much! How can I thank you enough. This is a memento from my long separated sister. Please take it.

And after 30, he gives you this seed that’s somehow a memento. Now, if you remember, there are certain combinations of seeds and fertilizers that give you special scenes, which is arguably the main point of the mystery field. This fertilizer and this seed are one such combination.

And yes, there is absolutely no indication or any sort of hint that you need to talk to Takezo early to get the fertilizer, so you could go through all of this and have it not even be worth it!

WONDERFUL GOOD GAME DESIGN MOVING ON

Back here.

FINALLY.

Ha ha. You made it.

Who’s voice is that?

Miroku.

Miroku.

Naraku.

I woulda been here earlier but there was a bullshit sidequest also hi Utsugi.

So, this is Naraku. You’re the one that summoned me into this world, aren’t you?

Anime we’ve been over this.

Do you want to know?

Of course I do. Now tell em how to get home.

Is this the girl, Utsugi?

What are you mumbling about? Naraku are you ready?

What a fool!

Shut up and die!

Time to fight Naraku!

Well…

Yeah it’s one of those.

You’re weak. It’s over.

Inuyasha tries to attack again, but no go.

Ugh…

Even the Tetsusaiga won’t work.

It’s being repelled by the barrier.

It’s the authentic Inuyasha experience.

Those who go against Naraku will die a painful death.

Yukimura: Naraku!

The samurai!

Yukimura: I will avenge my King! Take that!

Stop! You can’t beat him.

Denjiro; I know. But we have no choice.

This secret passage…I said I’d have words a few updates ago and those words are a’comin’.

Foolish ones. Die!

Was this not Tokusuke just 2 seconds ago.

There we go.

Yukimura: Don’t run away! It’s our time to die! We have to give them more time.

Wow fuck, can Yukimura be the protagonist?

Tokichi: Rooaaaaar!

Kagome fires an arrow, forgetting about the barrier.

What? You still have strength?

Yukimura: Leave this place now and ready yourselves to come back and destroy this demon and save the castle. Please!

You think I’ve come this far to run away!

And with that, we are OUT OF THE CASTLE and THAT’S THE MOTHERFUCKIN’ TEA.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME. GAH.

[Waffleman]

Looks like Kaede’s house.

It’s not Kaede’s house.

Why am I here?

Kichibei: I don’t know, but I found you and some others on the ground at the entrance of the village this morning.

A teaser for later in the update, this is a massive plot hole.

Others? Ah, Inuyasha, Kagome!

Yeah they were literally right there.

Um, ugh…

We fell off the top floor of a castle.

Where is Naraku?!

At the castle, probably.

And the rest of the crew finally gets up.

I wish I could say it’s a good morning.

Ugh. Where is this?

We couldn’t win against Naraku. Yukimura…

Is everyone okay?

I guess, we weren’t able to destroy Naraku.

Shippo, are you saying we can’t defeat Naraku?

Well I mean…

Anyway, we can’t go anywhere like this.

I guess not, but…

Let’s think about it. If we work together, we can find a way.

We get control now and all the party members just talk about how we gotta break the barrier.

I need to think this over on my own.

Anyway, we gotta get some time to think.

Just a normal village.

Let’s just head up the Eighty Sins of Sasamo.

Oh, you’re in the game again.

What’s wrong?

Lotta things.

I guess you know already. We lost.

Why would he know. Also lost what, he doesn’t know that either.

You lost the battle? Against who?

The Shikigami power didn’t work on the guy we were fighting.

Well, nothing worked, it’s not the Shikigami.

Neither Inuyasha’s Tetsusaiga nor Miroku’s Sutras worked either.

Woman, I have no idea what any of those words are.

It was probably because of a barrier.

Yeah. That’s what Miroku said. Because Naraku put his barrier up, our attack didn’t work.

A barrier, I see.

How many times can I say that this writing is garbage

Now what are you guys going to do?

I really don’t know…

Hmm. If you still want to fight your enemy, I can tell you how.

Really?! Tell us Grandpa Kakuju!

Well listen carefully. Rindo Village is at the foot of Mount Houoh. You first need to go to the top of Mount Houoh and bring back a fruit from the Magatama tree.

A fruit from a Magatama tree, which is on the top of Mount Houoh…I see. But why the fruit?

That’s what you need to break the barrier. I’ll tell you the rest after you get the fruit.

This test will challenge your courage.

(It will not)

I don’t really understand, but I guess we can break the barrier if we use it. Thank you Grandpa Kakuju.

THAT’S WHAT HE–

Oh well, let’s go tell the guys.

GUYS GUYS

Please listen, everybody. We might be able to break Naraku’s barrier.

Yes. Grandpa Kakuju told me.

I see. Kakuju, huh.

God, there is just a LOT of Solid Snaking in this update.

We need to go get a fruit from the top of Mount Houoh.

That is a sacred mountain where monks in training gather.

But, it will be a very difficult task.

(It won’t)

Okay, I will do anything to beat Naraku!

Yes, if there is anything I can do, I’ll also help.

You can throw a boomerang, you’re in.

That’s right. If we stay here, we’ll never be able to defeat Naraku.

Let’s go, everybody!

Let’s head out!

Okay, so words.

This is where Rindoh Village is.

This is where the Castle Town is.

We somehow got from there to here in the course of an evening, halfway across the world map, where it has been established that even going from one town to the other canonically takes at least several days to walk to.

What the fuck.

It’s not like…gonna ruin the story or anything, but…they don’t even attempt to explain it. It just bugs me.

Next time, we climb a mountain.

[Waffleman]

I’d prefer Mount Lugia, but sure, let’s climb this shit.

By the way, I changed our lineup a bit so Sango is our tagalong now.

Now, it sounds like Mount Houoh might be another dungeon immediately after the Bad Castle, but it’s kinda not. It’s more of an overworld area.

After a bit, we come to a house.

What a dump!

Monks don’t need luxury. They only need a roof to protect against the rain.

When we need to rest we can stay here too.

That’s right.

What are you looking at? Let’s get going!

This rock is pretty prominent.

What? We don’t have much time.

I feel something strange…

Really? I don’t see anything strange?

It looks normal. But something is strange. There’s a faint wind coming from the cliff.

Sango of course gets us.

There’s wind…coming from the rock. There’s something behind the rock.

Whatever! We need to hurry. If we can’t get to the top we won’t be able to defeat Naraku.

You’re right. I shouldn’t have brought it up.

Well, we’ll never come back here.

Oh hey, a cave.

The cave is 3D and otherwise unremarkable.

Coming out of the cave, we arrive at the summit, despite making very little vertical traversal.

It looks nice.

???

Ooooh, !!!

Shippo just turns into a balloon and floats you up these cliffs very slowly and nothing else like this happens in the game.

More cliffs. I hope my wife doesn’t fall off one of these.

Romantic.

The wind is getting stronger. But it’s a strange wind.

Miroku, gross.

Whoosh!

I’m gonna blow away!

Aahhh!!

Help!

Shippo, be careful!

Um…What is that?

A mass of air…

Is that a Spirit of the Air. It’s probably the sacred mountain’s guardian spirit.

a what

I’m sorry. But we absolutely need a Magatama fruit!

Spirit: A Magatama fruit. Many neophytes come to ask for them. But no one deserves it. You must have more than just power. You must have a pure heart and courage. Without these, I can not give you a Magatama fruit.

This is the test that Grandpa Kakuju was talking about.

Interesting. Let’s see if we have what it takes!

So to prove that we have more than pure power, we are going to get into a physical fight with the air.

He’s pretty easy, he just likes to give you status effects. Power through and you’ll have no issue.

WE’LL KICK YOUR ASS TOO, CLOUD.

Shut up! I’ll do it as many times as I need too!

YEAH!

Wait Inuyasha. I don’t feel hostility from him.

The wind has stopped too.

Spirit: I attuned all of your hearts. You may take a Magatama fruit.

Does this mean we succeeded?

No, by “You may take a Magatama fruit,” he meant “Don’t take one”

I guess so.

Well then, let’s get a fruit from the tree.

Yes. It seems like a light is coming from the tree itself.

I can see that the tree has mysterious power.

Yes. Okay, I’ll get a fruit.

THEY SAID YOU COULD DON’T APOLOGIZE TO A TREE

Also we got the fruit yay.

I got it! Let’s go back to Grandpa Kakuju.

And go back we do you didn’t miss anything.

Well well, you did it.

Yes. But, it was difficult.

I thought I was gonna die.

You guys really are something. The Spirit of the Air allowed you to have a seed. [The voice acting says fruit]

You already knew that, Grandpa Kakuju.

This is definitely a Magatama fruit. Now, come close to me.

Now, you should know how to use the power of the Shikigami to break the barrier.

If there’s no barrier, we can attack Naraku.

Okay! This time we’ll destroy Naraku!

It looks as though your enemy is very powerful. Be very careful.

Thank you, Grandpa Kakuju!

Alright! Now we have a SPECIAL MOVE. Let’s go to the dang castle.

Good idea. We need to regain our strength before we continue on.

GUYS.

GUUUUUUUUYS.

FINE.

Thank you.

It’s likek you’re already friends.

Inuyasha and Miroku go together as do Kagome and Shippo.

Hey, Sango didn’t immediately ditch us this time.

The weather’s beautiful! We should go to the river.

I agree.

Hey, Sango. Let’s take a rest here.

Okay. It’s been ages since we had a bath, shall we go bathing?

Sure.

Oh boy.

Uh? Sango?

Huh? What is it?

You’re going to go into the water with your Hiraikotsu?

Yeah, just deflect from that with the boomerang.

Is that weird?

Ahh…Yeah, it’s a little weird. It’s weird, 'cuz you’re a girl.

Are you still talking about the boomerang?

Really? But, I’ve had this with me since I was a little girl.

Hmm…

It’s almost like a part of my body now.

I see. So, it’s more than just a weapon for you.

We had a fun time!

Now to the castle!

Wow that doesn’t look good.

Well, let’s leave that to next time.

[Waffleman]

Back at it again in Castle Town.

Oh, this isn’t good.

Was this house so dilapidated last time we were here?

I mean, it’s more than the one house.

I think it was a lot nicer before.

I wonder if a burglar got in there. But, all the other houses look pretty ruined too.

GUYS.

Yes. The whole town feels pretty desolate. I wonder if it’s because of Naraku.

It must be. If Naraku is allowed to continue to sit in the castle, this town will soon…

I don’t know if this is incompetent writing or patronizing writing.

We can’t allow that to happen. Let’s go.

Fuckin’ hell, it’s you.

You sure kept me waiting. I was just about to fall asleep.

Kagura! Why’re you here?

Take one fuckin’ guess, kid.

I knew if I waited here, you guys would eventually come.

What do you want from us?!

Only one thing. I’m here to take your soul.

My soul? You think you can do that by yourself?

Ugggh! I’m gonna cut you up!

Well, well, have [you] forgotten already? I have a barrier rock. You can’t even touch me.

I prefer barrier j-pop.

I don’t know about that.

I see you’re full of confidence. Just try, and you’ll see. I wouldn’t mind seeing the look of despair on your faces. Go ahead and die!

Kagura round 2! As she said and as you can see, she has a barrier. Usually, this would be a great issue.

However, we have BLUE SKY CALAMITY, which will allow us to TEAR APART A UNIFIED WORLD which basically means we’ll use it two or three times in plot fights to break barriers.

After we break the barrier the fight is literally no different except for higher numbers.

Fuck yoooou.

I wasn’t just going to wait for you!

What

In that case, it will be useful to keep this one alive.

That happened.

Wait!

Amazing! You really destroyed the barrier.

Yes. I can’t believe it!

Yes! We can win! We can defeat Naraku.

But, now Naraku knows that we can break his barrier.

So what? Since there’ll be no more barrier, it’ll be easy to get to Naraku.

Inuyasha do you know what series you’re in?

Yes! Then, let’s go find Naraku!

Ah boy this place is rough.

The castle is back, with less bugs and less bullshit and it’s a lot shorter. We also have to take a different route through it because there’s rubble in the halls. It’s still not interesting.

We can eventually reach the garden, which is a new place and also not entirely where we’re supposed to be right now, but we save time this way.

What is it? Oh, a flower! It’s beautiful!

Beautiful? Yes, but it’s not only that. It’s called a Pyrethrum. The smoke that comes from burning it has the ability to kill insects.

Pyrethrum is more a genus of flowers rather than a single specimen, but some crysanthemums in the genus can be used to make a pesticide also called pyrethrum, so uh, that’s on the level.

Does it work on demons?

Probably on demon insects. But it takes a while for the flower to burn, so it won’t work on someone that moves quickly.

I see. It might come in handy. We should take it with us.

Good thing there are no bugs here.

A little bit in, what’s this?

Toki?! Not that Toki?!

Oh no, Dethklok is down a guitar!

Yes.

I guess she wasn’t able to escape.

I hope that’s not the case.

Maybe it fell out of her pocket when she was running away.

Either way, we need to get Naraku.

Yes, for Toki’s sake, we need to bring him down.

BUGS.

Oh no! It’s the Saimyosho!

There’s so many of them!

We have to get off this road. Naraku might find us if we continue this way.

But because we have the stinky flower…

I know! If we use this, we might be able to do something about the Saimyosho.

Hey, it’s that flower. What are you gonna to do with it? [sic]

The Pyrethrum? The Saimyosho are insects so we might as well give it a try.

Yes, let’s try it Sango.

What’s wrong, Inuyasha?

What a terrible smell!

Sorry, Inuyasha. Hang in there.

Inuyasha really has a sensitive nose, doesn’t he?

Yes, his sense of smell is very sensitive.

SHUT UP AND GO

It looks like it’s working!

Great! Now we can get going again.

As Jason from Power Rangers would say, back to action!

GOD DAMMIT

They’re all over the place.

Yes, they’re headed this way.

Miroku, have you ever said anything that actually added to a conversation?

If they’re after us…

What?

That red armor…are they the samurai that helped us?

GOD DAMMIT!!!

What?

Yes, it is them.

But, they all died.

They got better.

Yes, they are dead. But some kind of power is making them move.

What?

This isn’t good. They’re aware of us. There’s a whole bunch of them.

Yeah they can see us.

We’ll be surrounded.

All we can do is fight!

No! We can’t do that! Those guys helped us before!

No arguments! We’ll be cornered if we stay like this!

But…

The corpses can smell our vitality. We need to separate, then they won’t come after us!

You’re right. They seem to be moving pretty slow.

Okay, I’ll stop them. The rest of you go!

But, Inuyasha…

I’ll be right behind you.

If we get separated, everybody meet in front of the Castle Tower.

Okay.

Miroku said we should meet in front of the castle tower if we got separated.

Welp.

Nobody’s around!

Guys?!

Also, you can get into random battles alone, I’d advise against it since Anime is useless by herself.

Fuck, not again!

Please, don’t come near me! Don’t!

What.

Huh, what?

Oh, a Homestuck!

That guy just killed those dudes!

But…they were the ones that helped me.

We’ll find out who they are next time.

[Waffleman]

Well, that was weird. Gotta go find our friends though.

You’re not my friends.

Just a moment, Sesshomaru, I’m looking for the road now.

I think I see your problem. This is a building. No roads.

I have also just realized there’s no ceiling and we’re just looking at the black void outside the map.

I think he very much has.

N-no, of course not! Um.

They’re gone.

You are? Oh yeah. Girl, come over here. Do you know the way to the Castle Tower?

I do, but…

Then take me there.

Why do I have to take you there?

I don’t know what you’re doing around here, but you’ll get eaten by demons if you stay here by yourself.

Well…I really don’t want to go with these people. But it’s probably not a good idea to go on my own. And if I don’t go, what is everybody else gonna do?

So, are you gonna take us there, or what?

I guess I have to. Okay. I’ll take you there, but you have to promise to protect me.

Is that right? Lead the way.

Sesshomaru is in our party now. He level 30, which is basically endgame level. So it’s gonna be pretty easy goin’s now.

After a while…

Oh hey, you’re okay. That’s good.

Ah look, she’s comin’ in to give us a hug.

Whoa hey what the heck Sesshy, I get first hugs.

Well now nobody’s getting a hug >:(

Why? That’s terrible…poor thing…

Otoki: Thank you so much.

Huh, Otoki?

Otoki: Thank you so much. Because of you, I was able to escape Naraku’s spell. I can sleep soundly now.

Naraku’s spell? All those corpses were under his spell?

If you destroy a corpse that is under a spell, you will free its spirit.

Really? So Sesshomaru knew about this too?

Don’t waste our time talking. Just take us to the Castle Tower.

Oh yeah! Wait a minute.

What are you doing?

Toki should hold onto this.

Then Toki won’t be sad in Heaven.

Okay nitpick time. As usual, I can’t be arsed to check what they say in Japanese, and there certainly IS a Japanese word for “heaven” (tengoku) and it might be what’s being said, but hoo boy the use of the Capital-H Heaven is yet again an extremely Western idea to be bringing into this game. So lets talk about it since I haven’t been educational in a while.

The two prevailing spiritualities in Japan, and especially in the Sengoku period, are gonna be Shinto and Buddhism, which both have different ideas of the afterlife. Shinto’s afterlife is a place called Yomi, with its closest common equivalent being the Grecoroman Hades, neither a paradise nor a hell, but just…a place where dead people go. Just where ya go. And then of course, one of the core tenets of Buddhism is the constant cycle of reincarnation until one is enlightened and reaches Nirvana, but I do not think this small girl is going to be enlightened.

Now that being said, there IS maybe a minute chance that Kururugi is Christian. They certainly do exist in Japan, and they were even around in the Sengoku period, but it’s unlikely as they’re a tremendous minorty, making up no more than 1% of the population.

Sorry, I’m done.

Jaken.

See! What is it, Lord Sesshomaru?

Leave the kid alone.

Hehe!

Moving on.

Hey!

There were demons all over the place. I was really worried.

I’m glad you’re safe too.

More and more corpses were gathering. We were getting worried.

But, why did they go after you and not me?

Maybe it’s because there were three of us.

Three of you?

I don’t think I could have gotten here by myself. Do you all know Sesshomaru?

Do we know him? He’s Inuyasha’s older brother.

They really don’t get along.

So, Inuyasha. This human girl is your friend.

So what?

Let’s go, Jaken.

You! Where are you goin’?

Y-Yes, Sesshomaru.

Hey, wait a minute!

Not worth it dude.

Anyway, we better get going. I think Sesshomaru is after Naraku too.

I won’t let Sesshomaru get to Naraku first. I’m gonna destroy him!

And we’re back.

Oh.

Sesshomaru!

Look at all the corpses! There’s so many of them. They’re all attacking Sesshomaru.

We should get going while Sesshomaru is busy fighting them.

Too bad for you, Sesshomaru. We’re going ahead.

Yeet, as the kids say.

Oh no! First Toki, now this!

It’s Yukimura, indeed.

What? Naraku’s not here?

This shouldn’t be surprising. He knows that we know where he is. You think he’s not gonna relocate?

Oh hey whassup.

Careful, they’re coming this way.

This demonic aura is strong. He’s using Yukimura’s corpse to control all the other corpses. Even though they are corpses, Naraku knew that we wouldn’t be able to attack them, so he came up with this spell.

Damn, Naraku! Cheating as usual!

So, if we release Yukimura from the spell all the other corpses will be freed?

Yes.

We have to set them free.

Naraku! I’ll never forgive you!

I’m sorry Yukimura. I don’t even want to fight your corpse, but in order to free your spirit, I have to fight you.

It’s a boss you know how it goes.

Yukimura is free now.

I’ve had about as much as I can take of that Naraku!

Naraku! Where did you disappear to?

Oh no a bug! It might…affect the gameplay!

Damn! They’re watching us.

Oh, you’re done with your zombies.

If Naraku isn’t here, there’s no use in us hanging around. Let’s go, Jaken.

Okay, Sesshomaru.

Bye Sesh. Bye Jake.

It looks like Sesshomaru is going after Naraku too.

Yes. We should go too.

Yes.

Yes.

I’m sorry, Yukimura. We will avenge your death. Just wait.

Let’s get the fuck outta here, this update took a dang month.

Next time, what’s that over there?

[Waffleman]

I could definitely use a break after all that castle nonsense.

It looks so lively and fun!

If it’s festival time, then the ladies are probably all dressed up! I can’t wait!

Miroku!

Hey, everybody, come look!

Uugaaah. Why are you guys getting distracted by the festival? What happened to looking for Naraku?

It’s okay every once in a while. Humans need to rest.

Now that Miroku wants to do it, I’m with Inuyasha, let’s keep going.

Yeah, Inuyasha. I’m a demon but I still need a breather!

I guess you guys can’t help it. Let’s go take a look.

No matter what Inuyasha says, I can tell he’s interested in the festival too.

Who?

Oh Densuke.

Densuke: They were all being so unreasonable, I didn’t know what to do.

What’s wrong?

Densuke: Today is the annual festival drum competition. But the opposing team couldn’t make it, so we canceled it. But everybody was really looking forward to it, so they won’t accept the fact that it was canceled. That’s why I was surrounded by everyone.

Oh so it’s just Twitter.

Densuke: Hey, wait a second. There’s just the right number of you. Will you join us in the drum competition?

What! Us?

Well that sounds fun! Much more fun than just watching.

Drums, huh? I haven’t played since I was little, but I’m sure we can figure it out.

And everybody is really looking forward to that part of the festival. Let’s give it a try!

Okay, let’s do it!

Densuke: Ohhh! Thank you! The villagers will be so happy! In the drum competition there are 5 people on each side. Please cheer on your friends.

Densuke: So, the drump competition will be 5 against 5. A person from each team will compete against the other on the drum to see who is the best. Whichever team has the most wins is the winning team! And now for our first pair!

You can do it, Inuyasha!

Leave it to me!

Oh he’s real bad folks, this is gonna be a video.

Inuyasha, drum softer!

Oh this is better.

Densuke: The winner is…our last minute contestant!

Did you see that? Now that’s how it’s done!

Densuke: Now for the next match! Okay, drum!

Everybody sucks at this!

Kagome doesn’t have enough strength and the beat is too soft. So…

Kagome! Put your back into it!

Densuke: The winner is…our last minute contestant!

Yeah! I can’t believe it!

Densuke: Now for the 3rd match! Start!

You’re too small! Why couldn’t I have done this?

Shippo is so small, he can’t play the drum very well. So…

Shippo, be more lively!

Densuke: The winner is…our last minute contestant!

See! I won!

Densuke: Now for the 4th match! Start!

MIROKU GOT NO VIM AND/OR VIGOR

Miroku sounds flat and frail. How can he add some flavor to his beat?

Did I mention there’s like nothing pointing you to any of these choices? Like it’s kinda trial and error.

Miroku, drum harder!

Densuke: The winner is…our last minute contestant!

Well, of course! I knew I would.

Fuck off.

Densuke: And now for our last match! Drum!

Girl, you’re even quieter than Kagome!

Sango is good, but she can do better.

Well, Anime is biased.

Sango, move your body!

Densuke: The winner is…our last minute contestant!

That was a good sweat!

フルコンボ！

Yeah!!!

It’s because of your cheering!

Yes! If you hadn’t been here, we wouldn’t have been able to do it.

No, it was because you all played the drums so well!

Densuke: We have prizes from the village for all the winners!

Hey, maybe we’ll do something with these.

What is it? What is it?

We did it, everyone!

I’m glad we won, but most of all I’m glad we got to have fun together!

It’s been a while since we’ve had so much fun!

It’s good to do this every once in a while.

That was fun! I won’t forget everyone’s smiles!

Well, that was a fun diversion. Next time, dogs.

BONUS VIDEO

Everyone is bad at drumming

[Waffleman]

So this isn’t a promise, but I’ve got a couple weeks worth of additional updates written out, and I’m going to try to get at least one out a week. With how I’ve preliminarily meted out the rest of the game, if I do that, I should finish the game just in time for the end of the year.

[Waffleman]

Let’s see what’s up with Kasumi’s sister.

Sorry.

What is it, Inuyasha?

Nothing’s happened, there’s just a terrible smell coming from over there.

Really?

I can’t smell anything.

Inuyasha’s sense of smell is superior to a human’s

I see. Well, let’s go find out what that smell is.

This place seems nice and not stinky.

ああ, もちろん.

I feel like puking.

I mean, it’s just garlic.

Kyusuke: Ha ha ha. Of course, of course.

Is that garlic?

Can I get a clove or two?

Kyusuke: Yup. As stinky as it is, it’s very nutritional. You guys wanna take one with you?

Yes please I love garlic.

Uh. Not today thanks. Ha ha.

Fuck off.

Kyusuke: That’s too bad.

Uggg…

The smell got to him.

It must be tough having such a strong sense of smell, huh, Inuyasha?

Moving on, we encounter a shop.

Ryuuzo: Hey, traveler. You got a good eye to pick that out of everything.

A good eye? What does that mean?

Is this guy tryin’ to pick a fight?

No. He’s saying you chose well.

Oh! These big shoes?

Yeah I got them [i]YEEZYS[/i]

Ryuuzo: They’re called snowshoes. With these shoes, no matter how much snow there is, you can walk without sinking.

I learned about them in school.

Are snowshoes really that alien a concept

Ryuuzo: How about it? You want them, don’t you? If you buy them now, I’ll give you a good deal.

We don’t need them.

Ichi: See, I told you not to buy those from the peddler. They’re just in the way now.

Ryuuzo: I’m no good at this. Mmm…

I kinda feel sorry for him.

Ichi: If you need a place to stay, you can stay at our inn. It’s not much, but you’re very welcome.

Yeh sure.

Ichi: You’re staying? Then come this way. It’s this way. Make yourselves comfortable.

Do I really need to lay out the rest of it? We’re going with Sango.

Shut up Miroku.

God, we EXPLICITY set up a hangout.

She went towards the field.

Thanks. I’ll go see.

But, she looks so beautiful!

Pretty girl

Beautiful, no?

Huh?

This is my favorite field of flowers. What do you think?

Yes, it’s beautiful.

Pretty girl!

Why do you look so spaced out?

It’s so beautiful, I feel like it’s taken my soul away. I didn’t realize Sango was so very beautiful.

PRETTY GIRL

What’s that all about? doesn’t sound like you. Ha ha ha. What’s up? Still spaced out?

Ha ha ha…Am I?

I don’t care what shit this game tries to pull later, there was no heterosexual explanation for that scene.

We’re up and we’re heading deeper into the woods past the village.

There’s mud, we can’t go there.

Wolves? That means…

Puppies.

Yeah, scrawny wolves.

Small puppies.

Scrawny wolves?

Took a moment after this to change up the order a bit and have bae follow us.

If you go south, you head to what’s basically Lost Woods. Don’t get lost in it like I did for like 15 minutes before I realized we’re not supposed to be here.

North is where we wanna go. Hey look, a shiny.

AAH!

RUDE

Wolf Demons. Is this your first time meeting them?

SANGO THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE BEEN HERE I HAVE NOT LEFT YOUR SIDE WHAT DO YOU THINK

Yes.

Hey Kooooooooooooga.

You think you can do what you did and I’ll just forget about it?

What? But, I’ve never met you before!

Don’t pretend that nothing happened. I never forget a face. It’s payback time for attacking my friends everyday!

Ah dangit it’s probably that fool from Kasasagi! Remember that?

Attack? I never did anything like it!

Wait, Koga. This kid has been with us the whole time.

Move, Kagome. I’ll lose face if I let her go.

My portrait tags for Koga and Kagome are almost identical and this is a fuckin’ minefield.

I don’t think he’s going to listen to what we have to say.

Interesting. Now we’ll get to see who’s stronger.

We have to stop them.

Damn, you don’t give up.

I really don’t know you. Please listen to me.

Shut up! I’ll kill you whatever way I can.

No matter what you say, I can’t listen to you.

Until we can prove to you that this kid isn’t guilty, take me as your hostage.

Wait no Kagome.

Kagome?!!

Kagome?!!

Whatever you want.

Really! That means you’ll become my girl.

Who does he think he is? That can’t happen.

Kagome. You…

Alright, it’s decided. Everyone, retreat!

So Kagome’s gone now.

Damn it. Wait!

Good bye, mutt. You can turn and run now.

Kagome!

Damn. We need to go after them.

Then what’s the use of her becoming a hostage?

Yes, I know, but…

First we should seatch the forest. According to Koga, they’re being attacked every day. We may be able to find some clues.

And find clues we will next time!

[Waffleman]

Whenever there’s a crime or trouble
That no one can solve at all it seems

That’s when they come in on the double
Anime and Sango Mysteries~

Oh shit a dude.

Is that a wolf-demon?

Why is he on the ground?

I think you’ll find that most of us are technically on the ground.

Miroku, let me teach you about gravity.

Be careful. It could be a trick.

God, big mood.

I guess we can’t just leave him here.

Yes, we should at least try to mend his wounds.

It looks like he’s waking up! Are you okay?

How are you gentlemen.

Wait a second!

He’s afraid.

It’s okay.

W-Demon: Don’t come near me. Don’t pretend nothing happened and try to attack me again.

What? I didn’t do anything to you!

What’s going on?

Something’s really weird.

GUYS KOGA JUST SAID

IT’S WHAT WE’RE

AND KAGOME

Koga was saying the same things.

THANK YOU

W-Demon: You’re lying. You came to finish what you started a little while ago.

A little while ago?

W-Demon: You were just attacking us! You attack us every day. Be prepared. Koga won’t forgive you for what you’ve done.

But we just got here.

And Koga and his men are going after you.

So, I’m being falsely accused.

It seems that way.

That’s America.

Wolf, please, let me heal your wounds. You don’t have to believe me, but this medicine works.

W-Demon: You’re…

What?

W-Demon: You’re like the person that’s been attacking us, but your scent and aura are different.

That’s what we’ve been trying to say all along.

Shut up no you haven’t.

W-Demon: S-Sorry.

That’s okay. I’m just glad you’ve realized someone is pretending to be me.

Now all we have to do is clear up Koga’s misunderstanding.

W-Demon: Well, I’ll take care of it and talk to Koga.

Really?

W-Demon: Yes, in return for helping me. Well, I should get back to Koga. I’ll see you later.

Oh lord he zoom.

Hey wait a minute! He’s gone.

But he should let Kagome go now.

We should find out where Koga is.

Yes.

And down into the lost woods we go.

Oh no!

W-Demon: Run away!

Hey wait!

Follow those dogs!

A few minutes later, we get here.

W-Demon: Run away!

Wait! They ran away again!

As soon as they see you, those Wolf-Demons run away.

Third verse same as the first two.

Whoever is pretending to be you is doing some really awful things to them.

Damn it! Let’s just catch one of them and make them tell us where Koga’s lair is.

That wouldn’t be right. Then we’ll really become the bad guys.

Watch the fuck out people, we got some Spec Ops shit going on.

I know how you feel, but we have to be patient.

But…

Oh yeah! Can’t you catch their scent?

Do you mean the Wolf-Demons’ scent?

Yes. The wolf-demons have quick feet, so they can run away quickly. But if we trace their scent, then we can follow that to where they are.

Yes. The Wolf-Demons must have a lair somewhere nearby.

If there’s a lair, then Kagome must be there too.

I see. How about it, Inuyasha?

Well, I’ll give it a try.

The screen fades for a second.

Can’t you smell anything?

The scent is too faint. If it was stronger…

He needs a stronger scent, huh. I wonder if there’s anything we can use.

Let’s regroup at the village.

Huh? I don’t smell anything.

There’s no mistake. It’s that same smell. I feel sick just remembering the smell.

Are you talking about the garlic?

But the garlic field is pretty far from here.

Ugh…

That’s definitely garlic, no doubt about it.

Hmmm…If he can smell the garlic this far away, we can use it to find the Wolf-Demons.

Good idea. If we can get some garlic on to one of the, Inuyasha can follow the scent even if he runs away.

It’s worth trying.

Back we go.

This is also traditionally around the time in any playthrough of the game where I take my surplus of money and buy a buuuuuuuuunch of healing items I won’t need. There’s like 5 or 6 stores in the entire game, money builds up.

That’s not the reason, but could you please give me the strongest smelling one?!

Kyusuke: Take whichever one you like.

Inuyasha doesn’t look so good.

Well, he’ll look even worse when we put our plan into motion next time.

[Waffleman]

Hey guys.

You guys are going to take us to Koga!

Throw the garlic at them. Now!

Farfetch’d, I choose you!

W-Demon: What’s that smell? I can’t stand it. Ugh!

Sorry, me.

They run off.

Now, Inuyasha! Follow the scent! Inuyasha?

Ugg…I can’t. I’m gonna die.

The smell got him again. You’re such a mess.

Shut up, Shippo! I’ll get you later. Uuggg…

You poor thing.

Ughhh…Like you care.

You can do it, Inuyasha. Aren’t you worried about Kagome?

I need to find her quickly and give her a piece of my mind.

I think he is worried about Kagome!

Shut up! Oh! It’s this way!

You can do it Inuyasha!

And off we go!

And on we stop!

The smell around here is really faint.

Isn’t it this way, Inuyasha?

Haa.

What is is, Sango?

The Squid beefed it…

There’s a swamp!

Too late.

I’m covered in mud.

Sorry.

It’s not your fault.

This is bad. You need to change right away.

Change my clothes?

I love the implication that our clothes have been spotless til now.

We’ve got those pants from Grandma Kaede.

Another random literally translated family term.

Oh yeah. I hate being covered in mud, so I better change.

That was more than pants.

Hmmm.

Ughguhguhgughguhgughgughuhgh

Really?

Now we just go through the woods for a bit and I’m going to cut it because it’s boring.

I hope Kagome is okay.

Of course she’s okay! Let’s go!

It’s two.

What an unforgivable thing to do.

I don’t know who did this, but I think he’s nearby.

W-Demon: Ahh, ahh…

Are you okay? Let me heal your wounds. Everyone! This one’s still alive!

Oh good.

W-Demon: What did you do to my friend?!

What?

W-Demon: This is terrible! I have to tell Koga.

Wait! We didn’t do anything.

They run back into the cave.

They’ve mistaken us again.

No matter what, those Wolf-Demons will think that we attacked them.

I can smell the scent of Wolf-Demons around here. Kagome must be near here too. We can’t waste anymore time. Let’s go!

Hey girl.

Are you alright, Kagome?

You’re not trying to take Kagome away without me knowing, are you?

What? You wanna fight, you mangy wolf?

Hey mutt, should I knock you down as well?!

There’s that Wolf-Demon we helped.

W-Demon: Um, Koga…

Okay. No matter what your story is, it’s not like I can believe you just like that.

W-Demon: You’re right. And that girl looks exactly like the one that’s attacking us.

You’ll have to prove that she isn’t the one that killed our friends. Or you can just hand her over to us.

You’ve already taken one girl today, what the fuck.

…

Why won’t they believe me? But we can’t leave Kagome like this.

Maybe if we let him vent, he’ll chill out.

Okay. I’ll listen to what you say, if you give Kagome back.

What are you saying? You can’t do that!

So, you finally admit that you’re the killer.

I did not say that.

No, but I can’t leave Kagome here like this anymore.

Do you realize what you’re saying?

I do. If you give Kagome back, you can do with me as you please.

Oh! Then, I’ll kill you! Come over here!

Well this is kind of an anticlimactic end, but I hope you all enjoted the LP.

I guess we have to teach him a lesson.

You idiots don’t know how to listen.

Is this how it’s going to end up?

Hey, wait…

Idiot! You’re not the only one in this fight.

IT SAID TO LISTEN TO HIM WE WEREN’T GONNA FIGHT

Inuyasha…

What’re you mumbling about? If you’re on her side, mutt, then I’ll kill you too!

Wait!

What? What is it now?

I know I said you can do with me as you please, but I take it back.

GOD I HATE THIS SCRIPT

What?

I can’t prove to you that I am not the killer.

Perfect persuasion.

How can I believe you?

W-Demon: She thinks she’s so smart. Let’s get her now!

W-Demon: I’ll use my fangs to tear you apart!

Koga is doing this for his friends. But I can’t die either, because I have friends that love me and will suffer if I do.

W-Demon: Um, Koga…

Friends, huh.

Yes.

I see.

She’s too much of a wimp.

W-Demon: Koga! Why all of the sudden?

W-Demon: Are you sure, Koga?

This silly girl couldn’t possibly be the stealthy killer. The killer is someone else.

Thank you Koga, for understanding. So, can I go now?

Yes. I wanted you to stay longer, but…

She didn’t do anything.

Hey mutt!

Whaddya want, you scrawny wolf?

Kagome is my girl! You can have her back for now, but you better not touch her.

Yeesh.

Who does this mangy wolf think he is?

Shut up! Kagome needs a man like me.

That goes on for a few more lines until Anime interrupts, and I’m gonna skip them because I’ve just made the executive decision that if I don’t start summarizing the more pointless dialogue, I’m gonna go insane.

Haa…

I’ll help. Let’s find the killer quickly.

But how do we find the killer?

Can you think of anywhere nearby, where the killer might be?

If I knew that, I wouldn’t have come after you!

I guess not. Hey, can anybody else remember anything?

W-Demon: We’ve looked in every possible place.

W-Demon: Yes, that’s right.

Anime comes to the brilliant realization that since the killer is here, they must be close. Koga gets an idea and the wolves head off.

Let’s follow him!

Inuyasha and Koga argue a bit more and I die a bit inside.

Also it turns out the only area they haven’t checked is the big fuckin’ swamp.

Inuyasha falls in like we did.

You, stop laughing!

It’s no use.

Unless we can find a way to not sink in the mud, we can’t go on.

Damn.

Fortunately, I know a way!

…I think. I’m not sure if this will work.

It was like a minute.

With these, we can walk without sinking.

Now, we can avenge our friends!

Koga rushes off and we’ll follow him next time.

[Waffleman]

After a year and a half, across 12 recording sessions, gathering 18 hours of footage, I have completed and recorded the entire game.

[Waffleman]

Happy Thanksgiving and belated anniversary! Here’s an update I’ve been sleeping on getting put together due to RETAIL WORK.

Time for swamps.

The swamp is just a couple screens of swamp and a few random battles. You can kinda see where the roads are by the darker parts of the muck.

And on we go.

Oh, it’s Utsugi, appearing for only the second time from 21 chapters ago.

That’s Kagura and Utsugi!

Hey wait a minute hey wait a minute you weren’t there.

Koga, are you okay?

Damn. They used a strange power…

What are you trying to say?

It’s been a while. I guess you didn’t fall for our tricks, since you’re all here.

This whole plot has been your doing, hasn’t it?

That’s their own fault, for falling for our tricks.

I don’t understand what you were intending to do.

That’s what you think. Let’s get 'em.

Boss time!

Kinda! As you can see, Utsugi here is gonna put up a barrier on him and Kagura.

Easy enough to take care of, and we only need to worry about Utsugi’s. Kagura’s just gonna do Dance of Blades and Utsugi just casts Shikigami.

And once we do enough damage to Utsugi, the battle just ends.

Damn, I missed!

Yeah RIP bro

Oh, it’s the mask. Which I don’t think is cursed and has no secrets.

Well, now there’s not even a mask.

WHAT DA

That’s my face!

What is going on?

It’s a sword.

Why are you so tedious?

I’M OVER HERE ON THE SIDE WHERE YOU ARE YOU FUCKING IDIOT

They’re trying to confuse us again. It’s just a demon.

[utsu2] Just a demon, huh?

It’s not working. We should leave for a while.

I’m still not entirely sure what your aim is here.

OH NO

What happened?

A few more exclamations follow.

Who’s that pulling my hand? Is that Inuyasha?

Let’s get out of here now.

Oh no, Kagura is taking us away and not our good dumb friends.

This one is a bit more understandable since there were a lot of particulates in the air but again, Utsugi was significantly closer to Kagura than we were.

You had a hard time, didn’t you?

Kagura thinks I’m Utsugi. Then, I’ll pretend to be Utsugi. Yes.

Anyway, the Wolf-Demons aren’t that big a deal. I thought I’d make it easier for myself by allowing them to fight with Inuyasha and then I’d take care of the rest of them.

Oh okay I guess.

I see. I hope she doesn’t find me out!

You’re sure covered in mud. Whatever. I’m going back now.

But, what should I do now?

We’re behind enemy lines, folks. We’ll formulate a plan next time.

[Waffleman]

Sorry about the extended absence, the next update should be out either tonight or tomorrow. A word of warning, about halfway through the update, I start heavily abridging some of the…less important conversations, which I think will continue for the sake of getting this fucking thing done.

[Waffleman]

We’re all gross and muddy, yeesh. We gotta get cleaned up before we do any sort of subterfuge.

So not only is the mask not cursed and carries no secret, it’s not even THE, it’s A. What a crock.

So we’re just Utsugi now.

Weird crystal. Whatever.

Well well well!

What happened? Why isn’t he answering me? He looks stunned. Something’s strange.

Okay then.

Ah, the villain appears for a second time approximately two thirds into the game.

Utsugi, Kagura told me what happened in the woods with the Wolf-Demon. I can’t believe you had such a hard time with Inuyasha.

What should I do? Naraku thinks I’m Utsugi too.

What’s wrong with you, Utsugi?

I can’t run away. I have to keep pretending I’m Utsugi.

Anyway, next you need to find a girl named Rin. Kagura.

Help Utsugi.

You say it like it’s so easy. But whatever. I’ll go. Okay, I’ll take you. Come with me.

Welcome to what’s called The Field of Ignorance for some reason.

Anyway, the girl, Rin should be around here. Let’s get her!

Sure.

This is where we are, for reference. Also we took the mask off. It’s dumb.

Oh hey it’s a girl. What are the odds that this is Rin?

Excuse me, are you Rin?

Really? What are you doing?

I’m picking flowers. I’m going to make a bouquet.

She’s so cute. I wonder what Naraku is going to do with her?

So to make a long story short, Anime offers to help Rin pick flowers. We have to pick six flowers of different colors around the field.

Imagine this but five more times and other colors. It’s not interesting, this update’s been percolating since November, and I REALLY need to get something out before I go to Disney World next week, okay?

We give the flowers to Rin and ask what she’s going to do with them.

Oh wow, Sesshomaru’s here? Well, I guess that explains what Naraku wants.

So Rin asks us to join her, and we get a choice. I decide to go with her because hey, haven’t seen Sesshy in a while.

You’re late, Rin. Huh? Who’s that girl?

He doesn’t recognize us, huh?

Rin wants to put her flowers around and Jaken’s a buzzkill like usual.

Hey buddy.

So Rin asks if I can play with her for a while and Sesshomaru is fine with it.

Then we talk to the three and imply that we have more contact with Sesshomaru than we usually do, but I guess that might be part of the…secret ending we’re not gonna get. This whole diversion is kinda pointless outside of getting Rin in the game.

A bit.

Well, let’s go get some food.

Sweet, Five Guys?

Today, you’re here too, so let’s eat something really yummy.

Sounds good. But where’s all the delicious food?

I know! I remember that I once ate the meat of a big wild boar! It was so delicious.

Was it caught around here?

I think so.

WHAT

I guess so. It’s this way to the mountain.

Hey wait!

It’s dangerous, so we offer to get the pig.

And get the pig we will next time.

[Waffleman]

Shopping list:

Wild boar that lives in the mountains

So you’d fuckin’ think that this plot important encounter would just be here but noooooooooooo, we gotta wait for it to randomly happen like some SHMUCK.

And our battle model is still the same as always, whether they couldn’t change it within the confines of the engine or they didn’t feel like doing it for one fight.

It’s a fuckin’ pig, how do you think the fight goes?

I see, so this is wild boar meat.

Of course it is. We’re in the mountains.

I should get back. Rin is waiting for me.

Where did she go?

Good job, Utsugi!

So they got Rin already. That sucks. Oh well, it’s time to go back to the castle. Nothing much else to say except at one point Kagura refers to the castle as Naraku’s house which tickles me.

Wait here until Naraku calls you.

Nah.

I wanna see what Naraku’s got in his room.

Yikes.

Hey egg sac, could ya cut it out, there’s kids present.

Who are you?

Kanna.

So yeah, here’s Kanna, one of Naraku’s incarnations. She’s really only here because she was around in the dub of the anime at this time. She’ll have a couple appearances shortly after this and just fuck off forever.

She’s got a mirror, and she uses it to steal souls, and Anime’s getting some bad vibes from it.

It will be born soon?

Be born? The thing inside the cocoon?

Nobody can stop it.

We will stop it with ease.

I don’t understand what’s going on, but I’m scared of the cocoon and that girl.

OH NO OUR COVER

What are you talking about? Why is your face the same as mine?

An artist really only has so many character designs in them, yo. Rumiko’s served her nickel, give her a break.

There’s no value in our faces looking the same.

Anime asks Utsugi if she knows how to get her home and Utsugi…

…challenges us!

Doesn’t go well.

Great, now the gig’s REALLY up.

Is this the girl you were talking about?

Yes.

I see. Definitely a descendent[sp] of yours.

Descendant?

Buh?

They seem to suggest that Naraku brought us here for Utsugi, but to what end?

They also put us in jail. And somehow have our old clothes for us.

Utsugi also tells us that there’s a barrier keeping us in and that we need to wreck that big rock in the courtyard to get out so thanks for the tip.

Anyway, Mayor Pete here is hungry. Might be useful info.

Good thing I still have this wild boar meat. Mountain to plate.

I smell something good! That meat smells pretty tasty!

No! It’s mine!

What did you say? Give it to me! Aaah!

How’s that working for you?

Rin!

We tell Rin she’s gotta get outta here and she follows us.

Worth a shot. We leave Rin behind for some reason and head off.

Ba-boom, fuck you. We’re about to head back, when…

Don’t move, they can’t see anything standing still.

They talk about how both Sesshomaru AND Inuyasha are heading to the castle and I’m still not entirely sure what their endgame with Sesshomaru is. I guess…to kill him? I don’t think Sesshomaru was ever that interested in Naraku, at least not at this point.

Inuyasha and Sesshomaru are here? What should I do? Inuyasha must be looking for me. But what about Rin? And I’m concerned about Sesshomaru too.

At this point, we’re given the choice to go to Inuyasha or Sesshomaru. This is a big turning point for the secret Sesshomaru route and I honestly don’t know what happens when you go for him. It’s honestly a surprisingly big blind spot I have with this game.

There’s no barrier here. Maybe I can get out.

Unfortunately, I can’t allow you to go any further.

I know Naraku is just ahead. If you get in my way, you’ll be sorry!

The boy!

Where have you been?

You’re supposed to be in your cell.

You’re supposed to be…dumb.

Little trash talk happens and Kagura just bolts. Oh well, we’re back with the fam!

And Miroku.

We were so worried cuz you disappeared so suddenly, but I’m glad you’re safe.

I’m sorry. A lot has happened since then.

Well, that doesn’t matter now. That barrier sure was strong, though.

Barrier?

Yes. When we entered the barrier, you disappeared. We were really worried.

Wait, we’ve been gone for like 4 months.

Wait! But I got separated from you in the Wolf-Demon forest.

After we fought with Utsugi, you brought us here.

I know she looks like me, but didn’t you get sus when our voices were different?

Come to think of it, ever since we left the Wolf-Demon forest, you’ve been acting really strange.

It’s Utsugi, y’all.

Come to think of it, you and Utsugi look very similar.

Yes, Utsugi is my ancestor.

Your ancestor?!!

We hem and haw a bit about that, and get right back to business.

Sesshomaru! I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to talk with you.

THEN WHY DID YOU KIDNAP HIS KID

They both do cool guy shit before we come along

There’s some boring back and forth and Naraku farts at us.

After this, he and Sesshomaru get the heck out. Cool.

Oh hey Rin’s safe that’s nice.

The party is all finally back together, and we’ll bust outta here next time.

I’m also basically done with this one fuckin’ recording it’s been 4 months aaaaaa

[Waffleman]

Alright, let’s get the hell out of here.

Ah beans.

It’s you, Utsugi!

I can’t believe this is your ancestor.

But, this one’s working with Naraku, so we can’t just ignore the situation.

Alright, let’s fight her!

Wait, Inuyasha.

We’re just about to fight her when Kagome brings up a…pretty salient point:

If we kill Utsugi, you will disappear too.

The Back to the Future problem, yeah.

Utsugi thankfully doesn’t really wanna fight us today. Hey lady, you had a kid yet?

Inuyasha still wants to fight, but Kagome has to actually explain how lineage works to us. I mean, we’re not sure that’s EXACTLY how it’ll work, but we do not want to risk it.

Well, Naraku should have the answers.

Oh no the cocoon!

Hahaha…you fools! Did you come to die? You’re just in time to see my new incarnation come to life!

Oh man, a new incarnation of Naraku is a big deal. This game could make its mark on the canon with a character joining the likes of Kagura, Kanna, let’s see…Goshinki? K-Kageromaru? I remember the baby…the fuck’s a Byakuya?

Whatever, I’m sure this is gonna be a cool and compelling character.

Or it could just be a skellyman.

JESUS.

His neck!

Hahahahaha…

Oh, it’s a puppet! Now it’s REALLY Inuyasha.

Now it’s time for a fight!

Fuck off.

I think Naraku planned to get rid of us and Sesshomaru all at once.

Still don’t know WHY.

But I guess we’ll get Naraku next time.

But, I wonder where Naraku has escaped to.

Let’s just go home to Kaede. I feel like it’s been half a year since we’ve been there.

I dunno, let’s just go to bed.

Ah, it’s time to spend some time with our best friend Sango. Yep, just gals being pals.

This is actually the final interval event of the game! We’ve basically locked in our relationship with Sango and we’ll be seeing more of what that means later in this very update.

Yes. It’s been a while since I’ve stared at the sky for so long.

Come with me for a little while. You too, Kirara.

We’re always going after demons, so it’s good to relax sometimes.

Yes, this is great! Thank you, Sango! But, we’re not too heavy for Kirara?

It’s fine. Kirara says she’s happy to fly freely again. It’s been a long time. Right, Kirara?

I didn’t realize Sango could smile so much! But I guess, she’s about my age.

Gears are turning in this poor girl’s head.

Sango, even if I get to go back to my world, I will never forget this day.

What? I can’t hear you that well because of the wind.

I won’t forget about you, Sango! I promise!

What are you saying? That’s a given.

Aaah this poor mess of a girl.

The next day…

Perhaps the traveller knows something.

Kakuju! Let’s go find grampa!

Inappropriate.

Where is Naraku? I haven’t heard anything. The last time I was in Minamo village, I heard that many of the villagers had been spirited away. The villagers didn’t know what to do.

Welp, a lead’s a lead, I guess. To Minamo Village.

Looks like we’ll be able to sleep in a bed for the first time in ages.

Don’t…don’t acknowledge the in-universe time that passes when traveling through the world map. It makes things weird.

In fact, we’re hemming and hawing about being out for so long a lot for having done it several times.

It’s still up in the air whether or not we’ll stay the night. But I like the thought of having a bath.

Anime laments the lack of shampoo, which yeah, shit, we’ve probably been using soap for our hair if that, huh?

Shampoo? You mean that odd-smelling lotion? I’d rather stay away from it. Soap’s good enough for my hair.

Oh baby baby you’re lucky Anime is so in love.

Your hair’s so gorgeous, Sango, it’s hard to believe you wash it with soap.

See?

fuck off

It’s nice having friends like this. Come to think of it, I haven’t had friends that I could talk to like this, until now.

Is this a dril tweet.

Well, either way, the rest of the gang does their gimmicks and seem to be having a good time.

Huh? What is this feeling?

This dialogue is accompanied by a small chime.

Well, whatever. Let’s go check things out.

INAPPROPRIATE

He just…talks about women getting spirited away. Let’s not humor this man.

fuck off

I don’t think you’d have to stay at an inn to know if there’s one in your very small town but.

Well, I guess this was a dead end. On to the next village.

Wait? Doesn’t that house over there look like an inn?

Everyone says that it is and we should check it out.

Especially before Inuyasha raises a fuss.

Another chime.

Everyone’s getting along so well, just like always. So, why do I feel so upset?

This is where the relationship aspect comes to a head. If we were on a romantic line, we’d be getting jealous at one of the two Designated Couples in the party.

But also we have to go all the way to the other side of the village because we haven’t flagged the inn to open JUST YET.

Phew! Finally, we can take a bath.

Sango!

What?

You don’t feel well, do you?

Why’d you ask that all of a sudden? I’m totally fine.

Kagome detects a fever and we get another chime.

I didn’t even notice. And I was right next to Sango.

Well now back to the inn.

We get a big room for all of us and Sango gotta lay down.

It’s not the perfect 3.5 tatami room, though. Trash, not a rose-colored campus life.

I’m sorry everyone. I hope you don’t get my cold.

Kagome offers to take care of her, but Anime wants to do it, of course. We offer to get some water so we can at least put a cold cloth on her head.

Once we’re out of the room, the rest of the party’s broiled in conversation, but the important thing is…

Yeah, when we’re camping someone always needs to stay on watch.

Why don’t we tell stories?

And general good times.

A chime.

I don’t fit in. They don’t need me to have fun.

Remember when our friend was telling us about all our classmates who had boyfriends? They didn’t tell us they had boyfriends! What do you mean there was a more obvious reading of that scene? Nah.

Even if I wasn’t here…

Am I the only one that thought we were friends?

This feels a bit contrived, to be honest.

I’ve got a lump in my throat and it won’t go away.

Sango offers a bath and we offer to go get some herbs for it. There’s some at the edge of the village, so let’s go!

“But you’re such a tomboy!”

“Don’t laugh at me! You’re the only one that I can talk to about these kind of things.”

“I’m not laughing! We’re best friends, aren’t we?”

Wow it’s weird that all these friendship things also involve romance of a sort. Not relevant to us, though, we’re not in love with anyone.

“I’m so happy! Because I have a friend who I can talk with about anything.”

Fuck you too.

Like, seriously. Am I the only one who thinks this is suddenly way out of what little character Anime has? We seemed to get along pretty damn well with everyone.

On some level, I understand the need for a platonic option, there being Shippo and it being 2004. But it’s so clumsily implemented.

So here, we get confronted by our relationship character. If we were in love, they’d straight come on to us, with a couple special pictures.

Tell me. Aren’t we friends?

But we’re not in love, so we get the same “ARE WE FRIENDS” stuff.

Get serious. Of course we’re friends.

Sango…

Ha ha ha! You fell for it! Honestly, women are such pathetic fools!

OH NO.

Dangit, it’s all a setup by a demon. This is why people have been Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi! And now he’s going to eat me! Oh my gooooooooooooooo

Yay, it’s the real Sango!

You think I could just sit around doing nothing when there’s nothing wrong with me?

I won’t forgive you for this! Ever!

Boy, if you come into this fight with Shippo as your partner, I bet that’d be a rough time.

Sango’s not sick anymore and we didn’t win Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards, so everyone’s fine.

Aw crap, now everyone else is here in this very vulnerable moment.

Well, at least they were worried about us.

I didn’t think about anyone but myself. Yet everyone’s been worried about me so much. I’m sorry everyone!

Wait, were you goin’?! We need a protagonist!

You said it, not me. I guess we’ll have to follow her next time.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

[Waffleman]

From now on I have to look for a way to get back to my world on my own. First, I need to look for a place to stay tonight.

Well, we wanged everything up.

Ah beans.

I was waiting for you.

Utsugi wants our soul and

we kinda need that.

AAH NO

What?! That arrow?!

Kagome?!

…Kagome?

Huh? A priestess?

Nah, I don’t think Anime’s THAT dumb. She knows this is a different people.

So yes, it’s Kikyo! Priestess, Kaede’s sister, former lover to Inuyasha, preincarnation of Kagome, and now she’s just kinda a walking corpse.

She’s also enough to get these two assholes to fuck off.

And she took us to her house.

Pretty.

Beautiful? That’s a weird thing to say.

Take the compliment.

There are villagers here?

Oh no this is some Kanna bullshit.

Let’s get outta here!

Well, we’re safe now, I guess.

That light that you thought was beautiful. It is the souls of people who have died. I am collecting souls. Something that normal people wouldn’t find a use for.

Just a note, at this moment while I’m writing this update, they announced Inuyasha Funko Pops and I’m upset okay back to the game.

Kikyo tells us to get outta here but nah, she’s cool.

You can’t blame me. You’re a nice person. A nice person…

Maybe we can be a nice person even though we weren’t doing anything wrong…

Hmmm. They’ve caught up to us already!

Did we?

Anime takes the opportunity to explain what her deal is and hey we both wanna kill Naraku.

Kikyo also reinforces how dumb we were being by running away. But we still like our friends, so…

Then you have nothing to worry about. Stop feeling remorseful, and be true to your own feelings. When you find the answer in your hear, no one will be able to blame you for anything.

Ah fuck they caught up.

They’re about to end it when…

Someone’s coming.

They fuck off, but why?

The thing that got in their way is the same thing that you are troubled about.

Heeey!

Kikyo and Inuyasha past relationship at each other, she leaves, and we head back to the inn.

No reason, get off my back, gosh.

Kagome gets jealous and goes for a walk, with Inuyasha going after.

We get the chance to talk to the others about Kikyo and they say what I did up there, they liked each other, Naraku did shit, Kagome reincarnation.

Yeah, sucks man. Torn between two girls.

Kagome talks to us about her feelings for Inuyasha and Kikyo and all that and it’s very weird that we never really resolved our own plotline we started, huh? Anyway, none of this is relevant to the game as is and she goes off.

Anime please stop pretending this is still about you.

Shippo’s all afuss because Utsugi is going to kill Kikyo for some reason. Which he knows somehow. Ah well, back to the shitty ghost village.

Kikyo! Aw beans, they still want my soul.

A saimyosho comes in and it’s time for Utsugi to bounce.

Do you know how to say anything else?

Oh hey guys, you wanna beat up a little girl?

Another boss battle. Kanna is one of like maybe two fights in the entire game that requires a modicum of strategy.

Every so often, Kanna will raise her mirror and you don’t wanna hit her or else she’ll turn it back on you and hurt you bad.

That’s it, it’s really not that hard.

Hooray, we beat up a child. Kanna’s not in the game anymore, good character.

Also we make a halfhearted attempt to tie up Anime’s issues whatever.

Kikyo and Inuyasha also do their thing which doesn’t matter because this is the last time in the game these two are onscreen together.

This is the important shit. We have our next lead!

Oh also I forgot.

Better.

As we exit the village, we talk about how we have to go to Shiyosai Village and get a boat to Asagiri and some useless fucking dialogue happens about

Fuckin’…shut up.

We’re just gonna ignore all the question marks now. None of it matters. Next time, we go on an Animal Crossing New Horizons.

[Waffleman]

Here’s a rare non-update post to announce that if all goes as planned, there should be three updates left in the LP, no more than four.

[Waffleman]

Well, time to get a boat.

Unfortunately, none of the fishermen here will go to Asagiri Island. It’s too spooky. But there is…one.

It’s this guy.

Sh-Shippo…what? We…we’re explicitly trying to go there…to get Naraku…have you been paying attention?

We ask about the island and the dude just makes a noise so Inuyasha literally threatens him with his sword.

Ah sweet.

Wow, this island is surprisingly bright for being foreboding and on the horizon in a dark foggy port town.

Also Inuyasha almost fucked things up on the way there it’s not funny this game is never funny.

Hey, a boat! Is someone else here too?

If there’s another boat here, there must be someone else here too. But, I wonder who?

You see why I’m abridging this shit now?

Inuyasha smells the boat and it’s Kikyo’s scent, which…I don’t think makes sense with the nature of Kikyo as she exists now? I dunno.

Ah geez, I’m lost already.

Ah geez.

I wandered for about 20 minutes. Here’s a demon.

Who are you?

I wonder if it’s because of this guy that there aren’t any people on the island.

Yeah no it’s not the tens of demons we just fought for half an hour. It’s this fuckin’ trash mob nobody.

But, he’s not very big.

The demon takes umbrage to being called small which is a hilarious quirk of its…chaaaaaracter? It asks us not to, which, hey, reasonable enough request.

Kagome what the fuck

Inuyasha rightly figures our time is being wasted and makes to leave.

So uh…this boy planted explosives in the ground. Somehow. And has the fuse.

This is obviously bad.

I mean yeah I guess.

F. Demon: So you won’t say I’m small anymore?

I won’t, I won’t! I won’t ever say you’re small again!

F. Demon: Aaaa. You said I’m small! You said it!

Oh no, I did.

WE DIDN’T THOUGH. CONTEXT. FUCK THIS IS DUMB.

Well, RIP.

Just kidding.

Well it’s just you and me, Sango.

Sango!! Hang on! Don’t die! Don’t…!

Good news we’re all fine.

Well, Sango’s a bit tender, but hey, considering we got blown up, I’ll take it.

Bad news it’s the dinguses.

Run away.

What about you, though?

If you’re alone, you’ll be able to run away.

Um, no. We’re gonna stay because we ARE FRIENDS WITH you.

Hey idiots, here we are!

Oh thank God, Kikyo. I did not actually have an exit strategy.

The two bolt because I guess Kikyo is too strong.

I didn’t come here to help you.

Sango, are you okay?

I’m not okay. If you had died, my getting hurt would have been for nothing.

It was dumb, but we’re FRIENDS.

Kikyo has medicine and helps Sango get back to health.

I really look bad now.

That’s not true at all!

Since you’ve already seen me fail, can I say something else?

What?

I’m really happy that you stayed, Anime. When I said you should run away, I was actually really scared.

Sango…The reason I’ve been able to hang in there till now is because of you.

…

When I came into this world I felt so lonely and afraid. But you’ve helped me this whole time.

Me too. Up until now I’ve had many bad things and sad things happen…but I am grateful that I have been able to make such a close friend, which whom I can talk about anything.

Friends? Yes, you’re right.

You can see the exact moment her heart breaks.

Oh hey guys I’m fine I’m just fine.

Alright, we’re back, we’re okay.

Ah.

Utsugi! Kagura! I’m gonna destroy you this time!

Inuyasha they’re gone, settle down.

Let’s…just follow them.

That’s weird because there’s definitely no other way they could have gone, not over the rocks or through the grass.

Nowhere else to go.

Does that mean they flew away?

Anime with a reasonable suggestion for once.

Or a secret passage. Let’s head in.

This lovely cave is accompanied by what sounds like the lovely screams of the damned.

And those screams of the damned are where we leave off this part. Tune in later today to see the exciting conclusion.