Episode 11: Tragic Accident （笑う死神）

For the few past nights, Hakkai was constantly plagued by memories of his wife (Kana)’s death…

Unable to sleep, Hakkai went out for a walk. Gojyo followed him and tried to cheer him up. Suddenly, a puppet appeared, holding a mahjong tile craved with word, ‘grudge’. The puppet then said that Hakkai (also known as Gono) was a criminal and should pay for his sins. Annoyed, Gojyo kicked the puppet away. However, the puppet shot something straight into Gojyo’s chest. Instantly, Gojyo collapsed, his veins turned purple in colour. At that moment, Sanzo & Goku arrived at the scene. Then, the foursome heard Qing’s voice, telling them he had planted a seed into Gojyo’s chest, which will transform him into a tree. As Goku held Gojyo down, Sanzo prepared to destroy the seed (by shooting right into Gojyo’s chest with his gun).

After Hakkai healed Gojyo, he blamed himself severely. Sanzo objected and told him not to fall into Qing’s trap. Hakkai tried to argue but unexpectedly, fainted. Sanzo (who wasn’t shocked a single bit because he knew Hakkai had sleepless nights and naturally, fatigue will overpower him) carried Hakkai and told Goku to get water. In his thoughts, Sanzo knew that Qing deliberately made him shoot Gojyo to torment Hakkai mentally.

In his sleep, Hakkai remembered the happy times he had with his Kana till it was destroyed by 100 Eye Devil, who ordered his henchmen to kidnap her (simply because he was bored with his own women). Angered, Hakkai went to the 100 Eye Devil’s place and had everyone killed. When he found Kana, it was already too late for she was pregnant with the 100 Eye Devil’s child. Ashamed, Kana killed herself right in front of Hakkai. Hakkai woke up, startled. Sanzo (reading newspapers) asked him if he knew who Qing was since he knew his background very well. Unfortunately, Hakkai couldn’t remember. Sanzo quietly told him that it was rumoured there was someone who survived the massacre of the 100 Eye Devil Clan.

Gojyo returned and reported that Goku hadn’t returned. Hakkai wanted to look for him but Gojyo insisted he remained where he was. Sanzo coldly told the duo to gear up while they looked for Goku. Then, out of the blue, Goku appeared. Gojyo & Hakkai were both relieved but Sanzo held out his gun and shot Goku right in the head. Surprisingly, Goku turned into a mahjong tile (craved with the word, ‘monkey’).

Qing finally showed up and told the trio that he had thrown Goku off a cliff. Covering them with centipedes (since the 100 Eye Devil was a centipede demon), Qing revealed his true identity. He was actually the remaining son of the 100 Eye Devil and wanted Hakkai to suffer. Sanzo (disliked being covered with centipedes) used his Sutras of Heaven & Hell to get rid of them. Though they were freed, Hakkai was heavily traumatized.

Qing tried to attack Gojyo but the real Goku gave a surprise attack (Apparently, he had climbed up the cliff despite his broken leg) from behind. Sanzo instantly hit him with his paper white fan. Goku protested loudly. Gojyo & Hakkai both smiled at Sanzo’s way of showing his relief. Goku sensed there was something eerie about Qing. Then, Hakkai remembered he did killed Qing by his own hands.

However, Qing wasn’t happy that he hadn’t succeeded in making Hakkai have a mental breakdown. So, he shifted his attention on Sanzo. top

*****

Episode 12: Wandering Destiny （闇との攻防）

The mysterious Qing, a demon from Hakkai (Gono)’s past, wants Hakkai to have a mental breakdown instead of killing him. After failing to do so by attacking Gojyo & Goku, he shifted his attention on Sanzo....

Goku attacked Qing but ended up with further injuries on his broken leg. Sanzo and Hakkai decided to divert Qing away from Goku & Gojyo due to their weak conditions. While running in the woods, Hakkai knows that Qing wants to destroy his state of mind by killing Sanzo. He remembered that Qing was his last victim of the 100 Eye Devil Massacre that had transformed him into a demon (based on the legend that if a human is covered by the blood of a 1000 demons, he will be transformed into a demon). Sadden by his ironic twist of Fate; Hakkai wondered if he could remain with Sanzo and the others. Sanzo replied that he believed Hakkai would never betray him.

Meanwhile, Goku and Gojyo were looking for them. Gojyo was very worried about Hakkai’s mental state but Goku strongly believed that Hakkai would be able to go through the situation for he once told Goku as long as somebody believed in him he would remain sane.

Back there, Qing attacked Sanzo and Hakkai with his darts. Hakkai vowed to protect Sanzo with his life. Upon hearing this, Qing gave a smirk. Suddenly, Hakkai went into a bizarre state, caught the shocked Sanzo by the neck and started to strangle him. Qing said he desired to have Hakkai’s hands stained with more sin and death since he was the one responsible for his family’s death. Although Hakkai did kill him, he had buried a mahjong tile (carved with the word, ‘life’) in him, thus, allowing him to continue living. His sole purpose was to make Hakkai his puppet and made him suffer even more. Hakkai looked down and saw Sanzo completely lifeless. He started to scream.

Goku and Gojyo came running up (apparently, they both heard Hakkai’s screams) and saw Sanzo lifeless. Hakkai (like a zombie) said he killed Sanzo and began attacking the two. He was about to release an energy ball onto the two lit when he suddenly turned and attacked Qing instead. Shockingly, a very much alive Sanzo appeared behind Qing and aimed his gun on him. Qing then realized that Hakkai and Sanzo were putting on an act.

Hakkai stabbed his hand into Qing’s body, pulled out the mahjong tile and crushed it to dust. As Qing soon began to crumble into dust. Hakkai told the dying Qing that Cho Gono was already dead. top

*****

Episode 13: Crude Counterfeit（死を呼ぶ果実）

Gyokumen Koshu was getting impatient with Kougaji for his extensive delay in killing Genjo Sanzo. Dr Ni appeared and introduced her to an ominous-looking fruit…

Goku was complaining of hunger when he smelt something delicious. Instantly, he directed Hakkai to where the smell was coming from. At the mean time, Lilin was playing around in the woods when she too smelt something delicious. Literally following her nose, she found herself at a foothill of a temple. Goku & the others arrived mere seconds later. Both of them heard each other stomach’s rumbling. Suddenly, both of them were dashing crazily towards the temple. Hakkai remarked that Lilin should be Goku’s sister instead of Kougaji. The rest agreed.

At the temple, Goku & Lilin found a tree laden with fruits. While they were climbing upon the branches, their hands were scratched. In addition, the fruits turned rotten the moment they touched them. Goku & Lilin moaned and even louder when Sanzo hit them with his white fan, Hakkai explained to them that it was rude to take the fruits without permission from the owner. After looking around the temple, the owners turned out to a pair of twins – Qingpu & Mingetsu – who offered the group a meal of Ninjinka seeds. Both Goku & Lilin were about to gorge themselves when Sanzo hit them again with his white fan. Being straightforward, Sanzo asked them about the other monks of the temple. The twins replied that they had gone for a journey, leaving them behind to look after the place. They didn’t need any protection was due to the Ninjinka tree in the courtyard. The Ninjinka tree was such a special tree that they had to use tools like Kingekishi & Tanban (scissors & a small stool) to harvest them. After hearing their story, Sanzo, Hakkai & Gojyo decided to leave except the reluctant Goku and Lilin (who ate a Ninjinka seed. Unfortunately for her, it didn’t taste good). Qingpu & Mingetsu were saddened by the quick departure and gave Goku a small rice bun to compensate for the Ninjinka seeds. As they were leaving, Sanzo, Hakkai & Gojyo had already knew the twins were actually demons. Hakkai asked if they should go back & kill them but Sanzo decided to leave them along since he wanted less trouble as possible. However, Goku objected and felt the twins were good demons. Sanzo grunted, snatched the rice bun from him and scold him an idiot. Goku became upset and decided to return to the temple. Hakkai was concerned over Goku’s naivety. Sanzo replied that sometimes people have to learn their lesson through the hard way.

Meanwhile, Lilin was feeling very sick…

Qingpu & Mingetsu were delighted by Goku’s return and offered a full bowl of Ninjinka seeds. Goku gulped it down and felt terrible minutes later. The twins evilly told him that they had taken his DNA data. In a forest, Hakkai, Sanzo & Gojyo were waiting for Goku when they saw Lilin walking past them like a zombie. Sanzo crushed the rice bun and found a Ninjinka seed. The trio followed Lilin to a cave at the foothill of mountain. Inside, they found the temple’s monks being wrapped up by the roots of the Ninjinka tree. An elder monk (probably the survivor) weakly told the trio that the Ninjinka tree was given as gift by a visitor (Dr Ni). The tree grew very quickly over the past few days and the elder monk became fearful. He gave orders to cut it down but ordinary tools had no effect upon the tree. Soon, the Ninjinka tree bore fruits. The elder monk banned the other monks from eating the fruit but Qingpu & Mingetsu disobeyed and ate them. As soon as they ate them, the Ninjinka absorbed their DNA data and created clones of them. With the clones, the Ninjinka tree was able to deceive the other monks into eating the fruit.

Goku was struggling against the effects of the Ninjinka seeds. To weaken him, Qingpu & Mingetsu created a Lilin clone. Goke fought back and destroyed the clone but was soon overwhelmed by the hundreds of the Goku & Lilin clones (that Qingpu & Mingetsu secretly created). Luckily for Goku, Sanzo, Hakkai & Gojyo arrived just in time to finish off the clones. Using his handgun, Sanzo shot the tree, crystallizing it. Freed from the Ninjinka’s control, Goku shattered it to pieces, freeing the monks and Lilin.

The next day, the foursome continued on their journey. On the way, Goku apologized to Sanzo for his naivety in trusting people. Sanzo replied that it didn’t matter. After all, the true idiots were those who traveling to the west. top

*****

Episode 14: Sweet Client（二人の約束）

At a town, Sanzo was resting at the inn, Hakki & Goku went shopping and Gojyo was finding himself a date…

While Gojyo was examining and analyzing the townswomen, he accidentally bumped into a street punk who challenged him to a fight. Rather bored to death, Gojyo had him beaten up and went on his way. Down an alley, he met a little girl who persisted follow him at all times (she even called him ‘ojisan (uncle)’ even though Gojyo was only 22 years old!). Gojyo sighed and finally gave in to the little girl’s demands. At the same moment, Goku spot him with her (his reaction was exaggerating).

The girl introduced herself as Meihou and told Gojyo that she was camping (with her parents & other travelers) outside a forest near town when a demon came and attacked them. Meihou survived because her parents had hidden her. Meihou hoped to find someone who could help her but no one would. In return for Gojyo’s service, she decided to give him her most precious treasure – her necklace. After hearing her story, Gojyo decided to pay the demon a visit. Meanwhile, Hakkai & Goku returned to the inn. Hakkai told Sanzo that there was a rumour about a demon staying at the forest near town. Sanzo felt they should check the forest out. Goku immediately claimed he had seen Gojyo with a young girl (Both Hakkai & Sanzo found it very hard to believe).

In the heart of the forest, Gojyo found the demon’s hiding place and entered in. As expected, the travelers were kept alive as they were slowly drained of their life source by the demon. Gojyo was immediately attacked but he managed to let Meihou escape. Meihou screamed in horror. Outside the forest, Sanzo, Hakkai & Goku heard her screams, which was a good thing because they barged into the demon’s hiding place just in time before the demon could do his diabolic acts on Gojyo. While they were fighting, Hakkai noticed an ‘eye’ on the ceiling. Taking it as the demon’s vulnerable point, Gojyo leaped up and destroyed it. The demon was killed, the travelers were set freed and Meihou was united with her parents.

Meihou thanked Gojyo who handed back her necklace. He explained it would be easier for him to find her if he ever pass the town again.

*****

Episode 15: Fated Guys（紅の呪縛）

It was raining late at night and Hakkai & Goku were fixing up the tents. Gojyo could see Sanzo in the worst of his foul moods. Like him, he too didn’t like the rain. Every one had a past so sad that the rain itself couldn’t wash it away…

3 years ago, Gojyo living his daily life routine of gambling, smoking & womanizing. On a rainy night, while walking home, Gojyo pondered over the curse of his red hair and eyes. Then, he saw someone lying unconscious on the ground. At the Changan Shayosen palace, the 3 Buddhas ordered Genjo Sanzo to bring them Cho Gono, the man who slaughtered the 100 Eye Devil & Tori families.

The man (whom Gojyo brought home) awoke and found himself sleeping on Gojyo’s bed. Gojyo told him he’s asleep for a week and was advised by the doctor to rest for at least a month. Later, the two began to play cards and soon became friends.

Weeks later, Sanzo & Goku arrived at the town where Gojyo was staying. Sanzo was thinking hard about Cho Gono and didn’t felt the need to bring him to the 3 Buddhas since he probably did a big favour by killing demons despite the ironic twist that Gono was transformed into a demon in the end. Besides that, he couldn’t understand why he set Goku freed from his rock prison in Mt. Gogyo. In the midst of his thoughts, he overheard that a man named Gojyo took in a man with green eyes a month ago.

Back at Gojyo’s place, the man finally told Gojyo his past, including his wife’s death. He blamed himself severely for failing to rescue her when she most needed him. Then, he said Gojyo’s red hair & eyes was like the colour of blood, the only thing that chained him to reality. Gojyo was shocked because he too had the same thought. The man said he had one last thing to do and decided to leave. Before he could tell Gojyo his name, there was a knock upon the door. Gojyo opened the door slightly and saw Sanzo, who questioned him about Gono’s whereabouts. For some reason, Gojyo pretended to know nothing and even got into a fight with Sanzo, allowing the man (Gono) to escape. However, Goku appeared and attacked him. Gono was injured but he managed to take Sanzo’s gun. Yet, he didn’t shoot Goku. Instead, Gono asked for some time. After that, he would give himself up.

Later, Sanzo and Gojyo cleared up the misunderstanding between them. Goku felt that Gono wasn’t an evil for a murderer. Sanzo replied that murderers could be both good and evil people. The price of retribution for them was the constant knowing that others would kill them one day. However, as long as he had the determination to live, he will survive in the end. Then, Sanzo prepared to leave. Gojyo offered to come along with them. top

*****

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