Sekiro Walkthrough Part 12

Step 1: Dilapidated Temple — Pray with Father's Bell Charm

Area Clearance Order: Eavesdrop on Kuro, then on Emma and the Sculptor at the Dilapidated Temple. Confront Emma to receive the Father's Bell Charm. Present the bell to the Buddha statue beside the Sculptor. This will transport you back to Hirata Estate, but a slightly different, more difficult version representing Owl's true memory of the night. You'll spawn at the Dragonspring - Hirata Estate Idol, but you'll notice many paths are now blocked by fire.

Step 2: Burning Estate Slope — Mini-Boss Lone Shadow Masanaga (Prayer Bead #33)

Area Clearance Order: Proceed down the burning slope past the initial enemies. Where the bamboo thicket slope used to be, you will find Lone Shadow Masanaga the Spear-Bearer and a pack of his ninja dogs. Sneak around the left wall using Gachiin's Sugar to stealth Deathblow his first health bar. Interrupt his whistling with Shurikens to stop him from summoning the dogs. Defeat him to claim Prayer Bead #33.

TACTICS WARNING: Click to Reveal Stealth Opener & Dog Whistle Interruption Strategy

Stealth Opener & Dog Whistle Counter:

• Stealth Deathblow: Consume Gachiin's Sugar. Crouch along the left wall path to sneak behind Masanaga while he is praying for a free 1st health bar Deathblow!
• Dog Whistle Shuriken Interrupt: Whenever he jumps back to whistle and summon poison dogs, throw a Loaded Shuriken immediately to cancel the summon.
• Poison Kicks: Deflect his 4-kick combo and Mikiri Counter his perilous kick thrust.

Items to Pick Up:

• Prayer Bead #33 — Dropped upon defeating Lone Shadow Masanaga.

Step 3: Burning Main Court — Mini-Boss Juzou the Drunkard II (Prayer Bead #34)

Area Clearance Order: Activate the Main Hall Idol. Grapple over the burning rubble to re-enter the main courtyard where you previously fought Juzou. This time, Juzou the Drunkard II is accompanied by a purple Ministry ninja. Sneak to the left through the pond corridor. Backstab the purple ninja and use Puppeteer Ninjutsu on him to create a powerful 2v1 advantage. Use Oil and Flame Vent on Juzou while distracted. Slay him to acquire Prayer Bead #34.

TACTICS WARNING: Click to Reveal Puppeteer Ninjutsu 2v1 & Oil Fire Tactics

Puppeteer 2v1 Setup:

• Puppeteer Red Guard Officer: Sneak behind the Red Guard officer standing beside Juzou with Gachiin's Sugar. Backstab him and activate Puppeteer Ninjutsu to force him to fight Juzou 2v1!
• Oil + Flame Vent Burn: Throw Oil at Juzou while he is distracted by the puppet officer, then ignite him with Flame Vent for massive burn damage.

Items to Pick Up:

• Prayer Bead #34 — Dropped upon defeating Juzou II.

Step 4: Underground Audience Chamber — Secret Super-Boss Owl (Father)

Area Clearance Order: Activate the Hirata Audience Chamber Idol and proceed into the burning basement where Lady Butterfly was fought. Here you will face the secret super-boss: Owl (Father) in his absolute prime. This is one of the hardest fights in the game. Do not use thrust attacks! Master deflecting his heavy combos and dodging his firecracker slashes. Defeat him to claim the Memory: Foster Father and the crucial Aromatic Flower.

TACTICS WARNING: Click to Reveal Detailed 2-Phase Owl (Father) Deflection & Fire Owl Dodge Masterclass

Phase 1 (Prime Sword & Gunpowder Flurry):

• Gunpowder Slash Sidestep: When he slashes, throws gunpowder, and detonates it, dash forward-right past his shoulder to step behind the explosion and land 2 free slashes.
• Overhead Front-Flip Slam: Deflect his shoulder charge + swipe. When he leaps into the air for a vertical overhead slam, delay your dodge until the blade drops, then sidestep and punish with Mortal Draw or Ichimonji: Double.
• NO Thrust Attacks: Never use charged R1 thrust attacks — he will Mikiri Counter stomp you for instant death!

Phase 2 (Phantom Owl Spirit & Shadowrush):

• Spectral Fire Owl Jump: When he vanishes into his blue owl spirit and re-emerges, stay mobile. When he charges his sword and hurls a fiery spectral owl at you, press Jump over the fire owl, then immediately prepare to execute a Mikiri Counter on his follow-up Shadowrush thrust!

MAJOR STORY SPOILER: Click to Reveal Aromatic Flower & Purification Ending Lore

The Aromatic Flower: Slaying Owl (Father) rewards the Aromatic Flower (Everblossom branch). Giving this flower alongside the Divine Dragon's Tears to Lord Kuro at the end of the game unlocks the Purification Ending, where Wolf sacrifices himself using the Mortal Blade so Kuro can live a peaceful mortal life.

Items to Pick Up:

• Memory: Foster Father — Consume at Idol for +1 Attack Power!
• Aromatic Flower (Key Item) — Required for Purification Ending.