Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin (天穂のサクナヒメ)

So, what does this Omizuchi look like?

You called him an evil god.

Omizuchi is a water dragon who causes calamities.

His size rivals Lady Kamuhitsuki's, requiring one to look up at him.

He resembles a giant snake.

A giant snake?

His entire body is covered in hard scales.

They say there's nothing his claws filled with evil energy can't destroy.

He's that powerful?

Sakuna, you will fight him alone?

How did Lord Takeribi defeat him?

Lord Takeribi cut through his hard scales

after a fierce battle using the Blade of Hoshidama.

But the Blade of Hoshidama broke, didn't it?

All I have is my Divine Raiment.

Lady Toyohana received that Divine Raiment imbued

with divinity from the Visitors in the Lowly Realm.

But that alone won't be enough.

Sakuna, perhaps this is too reckless after all.

I agree.

You cannot fight him without the Blade of Hoshidama.

But...

Actually, we do have it.

Half of the Blade of Hoshidama is right here.

No! I won't do it!

Episode 12 The Blade of Hoshitama

How many times do I have to say it?

It's the only way.

You must melt me down and reforge me into a new farming tool for yourself.

Then you will be able to pierce Omizuchi's scales.

No!

Won't your spirit be lost if we do that?

You won't be able to talk anymore.

My soul will remain as a sword.

I will still be by your side.

Don't be ridiculous!

That's the same as losing you!

Your Highness...

You listen to me. Never bring this up again!

As your master, that's an order!

How's it going?

I tried mending it with the strongest thread I have, but...

Sorry for all the requests.

I don't mind.

This is the strongest one I can make right now.

Perhaps I made it too strong.

I thought I was going to die!

But this may still be weaker than Omizuchi.

Well...

Did it tear again?

Yeah.

I can't fully utilize my strength like this.

On top of that...

I haven't seen that strange light since then.

I'll have to ask him to remake this, too.

Sakuna.

Nothing.

It didn't work, did it?

Can't you make it any stronger?

I've already tried everything I can.

All I can do is reforge this, too.

I see. Sorry, but could you?

What's the point?

Even if I can make it a little stronger, I doubt it'll pierce Omizuchi's scales.

Don't give up.

It may take some time, but by gradually making it stronger, eventually...

That's...

We mustn't allow ash to fall on the fields.

We should cover them, just in case.

Understood.

I will tell the kappa in the field below.

The island...

Should we really start planting when the island is like this?

The number of demons is increasing, too.

It might be impossible to keep cultivating rice here.

Princess Kokorowa.

I have a request.

It's just like when I fought Ishimaru.

Again?

Why'd I have to tear my Divine Raiment now?

Now that you've gotten stronger,

you're probably drawing on the full strength of the Divine Raiment.

Your damaged raiment probably can't keep up.

You might be right.

But how do you know that? You're not Tama.

B-Because...

More importantly, look at this.

I did my best to imitate what I've seen.

Kokorowa.

It's rather short.

I thought that would make it easier to use.

Here we go.

Over here!

What's this?

Sakuna.

I did it. I did it!

What is this? It's so sharp!

I can beat him with this sword!

This is the power of the Blade of Hoshidama.

It is a unique blade unlike any other.

Only the Blade of Hoshidama can defeat him.

Tama...

It's the only way.

No.

Your Highness.

No! I refuse!

Kinta! It's me!

Low-quality?

It's not enough either.

The top of the mountain is covered in fire and unapproachable.

Damn it.

Kinta...

Yui is experiencing the same thing.

She's been sacrificing sleep to make something that won't tear.

They're doing everything they can for you and this island.

At this rate, all their efforts will be in vain.

Do you remember when we first arrived on this island?

You spoke only of complaints and anxieties, lamenting your unhappiness.

“Is there any way to escape this place?”

That's all anyone thought about.

Not just you, but everyone here.

When I saw that, I realized I couldn't disappear.

If I'd left you like that,

I wouldn't be able to face Lord Takeribi and Lady Toyohana.

But now there's nothing to worry about.

Seeing you and the others on the island now, what do I have to worry about?

No.

Please allow me to be your sword.

Please grant this old man his final wish.

No. No, no!

Why do I have to sacrifice you?

Why would you ask me to do that?

To save the island!

Don't you want to save Hinoe Island?

Don't you want to protect everyone here?

Tama.

Yes?

No, Blade of Hoshidama.

Lend me...

Lend me your strength.

Your Highness...

Thank you for saying that.

Preparing For Next Year's Planting How was the rice cultivated? How was the weather? How did the rice turn out? While eating their rice, farmers look back on how the rice was grown that year. This year, the rice grew poorly due to lack of fertilizer, so next year, they'll use more. This year the water was managed poorly, so next year, they'll be more careful. Sakuna and her companions continue swinging their hoes as well, thinking about how to cultivate rice year after year...

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Another beautiful day.

Why are you up so early?

I can't do it.

I can't do it.

I can't melt down and reforge a sword as incredible as the Blade of Hoshidama.

What if I mess up?