Major Story Checkpoint & Save Backup

Things to Do Before Great Shinobi Owl

Speaking to Great Shinobi Owl on Ashina Castle rooftop triggers the pivotal narrative crossroads of Sekiro. Before making your choice, ensure you have gathered up to 30+ Prayer Beads, all 10 Prosthetics, 8 Gourd Seeds, and created a Save Backup!

30–33

Prayer Beads (7+ Necklaces)

8–9

Gourd Seeds (9–10 Uses)

10 / 10

All Base Prosthetic Arms

All 4 Endings Available

CRITICAL: The Iron Code Dialogue Choice

When you speak to Great Shinobi Owl atop Ashina Castle, he commands you to obey the Iron Code and forsake Lord Kuro:

Option 1 ("Obey the Iron Code, Forsake Kuro"): Locks you immediately into the Shura Ending. You fight Emma and Isshin Ashina, and the game ends immediately. You lose access to Fountainhead Palace, Owl Father, Demon of Hatred, and all late-game items/Lapis Lazuli!
Option 2 ("Break the Iron Code, Stay Loyal to Kuro"): Slay Great Shinobi Owl. Unlocks access to the other 3 endings (Immortal Severance, Purification, and Dragon's Homecoming / Return) and Fountainhead Palace.

Complete Item Checklist Before Owl

1. All 10 Base Prosthetic Tools: Loaded Shuriken, Firecracker, Flame Vent, Loaded Axe, Mist Raven, Loaded Spear, Sabimaru, Loaded Umbrella, Divine Abduction (Gun Fort), Finger Whistle (Guardian Ape).

2. Up to 30–33 Prayer Beads: Clear all mini-bosses across Ashina Outskirts (6), Hirata 1 (3), Ashina Castle 1 (5), Dungeon (1), Senpou Temple (3), Sunken Valley (4), and Ashina Depths (8, including Headless Ape duo rematch!).

3. 8 Gourd Seeds (9 Healing Uses): Seeds #1-#3 (Outskirts), #4-#5 (Castle & Fujioka), #6 (Senpou Monks Hall), #7 (Sunken Valley Under-Shrine), #8 (Mibu Village cherry tree). Only #9 remains in Fountainhead.

4. Key Story Progression Catalysts: Mortal Blade (Inner Sanctum), Shelter Stone (Corrupted Monk), Lotus of the Palace (Guardian Ape), and Mibu Breathing Technique (for underwater diving).

5. Both Serpent Viscera (For Return Ending): Fresh Serpent Viscera (Senpou kite plunge) & Dried Serpent Viscera (Sunken Valley poison cave puppeteer monkey).

Single-Playthrough Save Backup Strategy

To experience all 4 endings in a single playthrough on PC / PlayStation / Xbox:

Rest at the Ashina Dojo idol right before climbing to the rooftop to talk to Owl.
Exit to the main menu and back up your save file (%APPDATA%/Sekiro/ on PC or USB / Cloud Save on PS4/PS5).
Load game -> Choose Obey the Iron Code -> Defeat Emma & Isshin -> Unlock Shura Ending & Trophy.
Restore your backed-up save file -> Reload -> Choose Break the Iron Code -> Defeat Great Shinobi Owl and proceed to endgame!