How to Get the Return Ending in Sekiro Shadows Die Twice
There are a number of endings for Sekiro Shadows Die Twice and not all of them are optimal. Some endings are acquired by doing the bare minimum, while others take more effort. This guide will show you how to get the Return ending in Sekiro Shadows Die Twice.
Get the Infested Scroll
To begin this ending, you need to get the Infested Scroll. This can be done a couple way depending on where you are in the story. There are a couple of ways of acquiring this item depedning on what you’ve done in the game:
- Haven’t Killed Genichiro: given by the monk praying to Buddha near the Main Hall Idol of the Senpou Temple.
- Have Killed Genichiro: Dive for the scroll in the pond out front of the Temple Grounds Idol.
Regardless of where you are at boss fight wise, you need to collect the infested scroll.
Reach the Inner Sanctum
This part basically happens regardless of what ending you are going for. As you need to collect the Mortal Blade, you will eventually reach the Inner Sanctum which is home to the Divine Child of Rejuvenating Water (by beating Genichiro and Screen Monkeys). This NPC is the key to the Return ending. At this point in time you can give the Infested Scroll to the child.
Get Rice from Divine Child
Once you’ve met the Divine Child you will be able to ask her for rice. The Divine Child will give you one rice each time you ask, but you can’t have any rice in your inventory. Basically you need to eat the rice she gives you, or give it away to Old Lady that gives you tips in the Temple Ground area. We need to ask for enough rice that the Divine Child starts to sleep (seems like 3x is the amount). Once you’ve requested enough rice, the Divine Child will begin to sleep. Rest at the Idol and move onto the next part.
Give Divine Child a Persimmon
After the area is reloaded, you will be able to interact with the Divine Child once again. This time the child appears sick and will request a Persimmon from you. You can purchase a Persimmon for 30 sen from the Shugendo Memorial Mob near the Shungendo Idol (from Idol turnaround and look along the rock face to you left for a wooden pathway. Jump down to pathway and follow it to reach the merchant). Once the child has eaten the Persimmon, they will give you Rice for Kuro.
Break the Iron Code
Playthrough the story up to the moment you’ve collected the Lotus of the Palace (guarded by the Guardian Monkey). Once you have this item you will notice that Ashina Castle is no longer accessible. You will need to access Ashina Castle via the Abandoned Dungeon Entrance idol. Once you reach the top of the tower (where you fought Genochiro) a cutscene will trigger featuring OWL and Kuro. At this point you will need to decide which ending you are going for as OWL presents you with a couple of options:
- Obey the Iron Code, forsake Kuro (Shura Ending).
- Break the Iron Code, stay loyal to Kuro (Immortal Severance ending, Purification ending, Return ending).
Since we are going with for the Return ending, select Break the Iron Code, stay loyal to Kuro. This will cause you to fight your father to the death. Once you are done this, you be able to speak with Kuro again.
Take Rice to Kuro
With the Rice of Kuro in your inventory, make your way to see Kuro in the Upper Tower – Kuro’s Room. During this interaction, Kuro will tell you he wants to make you something with the rice. Rest at the idol and take with him again to receive the Sweet Rice Ball. Return to the Divine Child.
Visit Divine Child in Hall of Illusions
Upon returning to the Divine Child you can speak with her about Kuro. After speaking with her, request rice one last time then rest and you will find she is gone. Head to the Hall of Illusions to find her sitting there. Speak with her to learn about a monk in the Senpou Temple that may be able to help us. Head to the Main Hall Idol.
Find the Holy Chapter: Dragon’s Return
So the monk that is suppose to help us is dead, like very, very dead. To find the corpse, make your way out the front doors of the Main Hall and head to the right. You will come across a cave opening. Go inside the cave and make your way through it until you reach a room with a number of corpses sitting along the wall. One corpse looks different than the others and has an item. This item is the Holy Chapter: Dragon’s Return. Bring the book to the Divine Child. Once the Divine Child has the book she will mention needing Fresh Serpent Viscera and Dried Serpent Viscera.
Get the Fresh Serpent Viscera
More: In depth guide for getting item here.
The first thing you need to do is get the Fresh Serpent Viscera item. This item can be grabbed by using the kite in the Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo area. Once you reach the snake, kill it to receive the Fresh Serpent Viscera.
Get the Dried Serpent Viscera
More: In depth guide for getting item here.
Next you want to grab the Dried Serpent Viscera from the Sunken Valley area. This item is located in a shrine that is guarded by a snake. To get by you need to use the monkey on the ledge nearby to create a distraction. Grab the Dried Serpent Viscera from the statue inside the shrine.
Receive Frozen Tears
After you’ve collected bot the Fresh and Dried Serpent Viscera return to the child and speak to them. They will tell you that they need to consume the viscera and that they can’t do it in front of you. Rest at the Idol then eavesdrop on the door. Rest again and the door will be open. Speak with the child to receive the Frozen Tears. With this item you are able to unlock the Return ending by giving the Frozen Tears to Kuro at the game’s end.
Unlocking the Return ending will earn you the Dragon’s Homecoming trophy/achievement.
More: how to get the Shura, Immortal Severance, and Purification endings.
