Anime Daisukii!!

Episode 36: Brotherhood（紅いの花）

The four seemed to be going around in circles in a foggy forest. When Sanzo decided that they should rest till the fog cleared, Gojyo decided to go off on his own because he intend to spend the night with a woman.

While searching for a way out of the forest, Gojyo came across a patch of red flowers. Seeing them, Gojyo had sad memories of him trying to give red flowers to his stepmother. Enraged, his stepmother flung the flowers aside and beat Gojyo, shrieking hurtful painful words. In the midst of his thoughts, it began to rain, forcing Gojyo to take shelter in a cave. Curious, Gojyo explored the cave, using coins as his markers. Soon, he came to realize that he actually was walking in circles (based on the markers). Then, he heard someone coming. It was Dokugakaji. The two brothers looked at each other in surprise. Like Gojyo, Dokugakaji too placed markers (scratches on the wall). Then, he showed coins that he found on the ground. Gojyo immediately demanded to have his coins back. Dokugakaji playfully refused as Gojyo tried to get the coins from him. Suddenly, it began to dawn on them that they were doing the exact thing as they did during their childhood days. Feeling awkward, Dokugakaji dropped the coins. Gojyo grumbled as he picked up the coins, commenting that he had one coin missing. Then, he noticed a talisman stuck at the foot of a wall. He pulled it out. The ground beneath crumbled and the brothers fell into the darkness.

Meanwhile, Hakkai observed that the fog had returned after the rain ended.

Gojyo & Dokugakaji survived the fall and two had a mini quarrel. Seeing Dokugakaji gripping his injured arm, Gojyo took out his bandana and wrapped it around Dokugakaji's arm. Dokugakaji commented remembering a kid who often need bandaging and related Gojyo's bandana as an emergency bandage. Suddenly, the walls started to enclosing upon the two. Luckily, Dokugakaji found a switch, enabling them to escape. That didn't end as water swiftly flooded in, throwing them into a room where water beasts awaited them. Shockingly, Gojyo attacked Dokugakaji who stabbed him in the stomach.

At another room, the mastermind - a demon named Yousei - was watching them, pleased to see Gojyo died. Unexpectedly, Gojyo (who didn't die because he & Dokugakaji were putting on an act) merged out from the ground (through a secret passage he found in the room) and killed Yousei very easily. Then, he rushed back in time to get Dokugakaji, who was exhausted fighting with the beasts. Half-carrying, Gojyo led Dokugakaji out of the cave. Seeing the patch of red flowers, Gojyo remarked that he disliked red flowers because they brought him bad luck. Dokugakaji disagreed and returned the bandana to Gojyo. The two brothers then parted. On his way to rejoin Sanzo & the others, Gojyo remembered he still had one coin missing.

Like Gojyo, Dokugakaji also rejoined Kougaji, Yaone & Lilin. From his pocket, he held out a coin. top

*****

Episode 37: Taciturnity ( 閉ざされた微笑)

Goku was complaining of the cold weather & wondered when would they reach the next town. Hakkai assured him that there's a town up ahead, a town that has nothing...

When the four arrived, the town was partly in ruins due a recent attack by demons. Anxious, Hakkai left the group and ran off to a white building that turned out to be a nunnery. Relieved that the nunnery was in one piece, he returned. Then, a nun called out to him. Hakkai recognized her as his childhood friend, Shaohei from the nunnery (also an orphanage). While they were catching up the old times, Gojyo amusingly remarked to the puzzled Goku that Shaohei could be Hakkai's ex-girlfriend. Annoyed, Sanzo hit them both with his white fan & ordered to find lodgings for the night. In the middle of their conversation, Shaohei commented on how much Hakkai had changed compared to when he was a child, sullen & unfriendly. Then, she told Hakkai that there was a boy exactly like him in the orphanage, a boy who never smile.

Meanwhile, the townspeople were putting up statues of goddess as a protective shield around the town. Sanzo remained skeptical.

At the orphanage, Hakkai caught up with the Head Nun for a while before proceeding to find the boy, Linchei. As Hakkai expected, Linchei is filled with bitterness, hatred, frustration & the only he desired was to destroy everything, including himself. Linchei (knowing Hakkai was right but too stubborn to admit it) ran off. Shaohei (who was listening to their conservation from the doorway) asked Hakkai's change of attitude towards Life. Thinking of Sanzo, Gojyo & Goku, Hakkai told her that theories or lectures won't work on Linchei. She just had to be frank while dealing with him. Late at night, Linchei dreamt of his cruel past (his parents murdered, abandonment & the adoption by the nuns whom he hated). He awoke, frightened.

After a delicious meal, the four went back to an inn where Shaohei came to him, panting. Linchei was missing and she had no idea where he might be. Hakkai promised her that he would find him and ran off. At the outer rims of the town where the statues of goddess were placed, Hakkai found Linchei holding a metal road in his hand. Hakkai sternly told him if he wished to destroy the town and get himself killed, he should die alone instead of involving others for his own selfishness. Enraged, Linchei smashed the statues. Then out of the darkness, came the demons (who were afraid of the statues' untold 'power'). Seeing Linchei frightened, Hakkai told him that dying wasn't an easy thing to do & crying over reality won't change anything. Nevertheless, Hakkai won't let Linchei die. While he was fighting (one to a hundred), one of the demons managed to sneak past him and charged at Linchei. Just then, Shaohei appeared and shield the boy. Luckily for her, Gojyo showed up and killed the demon. Hakkai was surprised & relieved to see Gojyo, Sanzo & Goku (who all gave silly excuses for showing up). Together, the demons were defeated.

The next day, Shaohei thanked Hakkai for his help. Before leaving, Hakkai told Shaohei that his name was no longer Cho Gono but Gho Hakkai. As for Linchei, he was watching Hakkai leaving from a window sill. From the bottom of his heart, he thanked Hakkai. top

*****

Episode 38: Fleeting Vision (はたせぬ約束)

After a mini exercise (thrashing up demons), the four found red monkey liquor in the hollow of a tree...

Gojyo was completely delighted with their finding because red monkey liquor was known to be the most delicious liquor. Hakkai explained that the red monkeys placed fruits inside a hollow of a tree where the fruits were left to fermented to become liquor. Goku was yearning to taste it but Sanzo refused to let him because he's too young to drink. Goku retorted and believed Sanzo also drank liquor when he's a kid. Sanzo replied he only drank Hannya's water (Gojyo & Hakkai smiled because Hannya's water is actually liquor). Then, Sanzo remembered Kyomo Sanzo's advice about drinking. If the drinker is mentally immature, the alcohol will taste bitter. Also, Kyomo hoped to drink liquor with Sanzo when he's an adult. Seeing Sanzo in deep thoughts, Goku attempted to take a sip but landed up receiving a blow from Sanzo's fan. To prevent Goku from drinking, Sanzo drank up all the liquor (much to Hakkai & Gojyo's protests).

Later, they arrived at a town that just so happened to have a drinking competition. Initially, Sanzo wasn't interested because he knew that they would be using cheap liquor. 3 brothers (Fei brothers) overheard him and insulted him as a sissy. Feeling the challenge, Sanzo signed up (together with Gojyo & Hakkai) on the condition that they used the most expensive liquor. Soon, the competition started off and Goku (eating tons of food) cheered for his companions. Gradually, the contesters became drunk, leaving Sanzo, Hakkai & Gojyo against the Fei brothers. Then, one of the Fei brothers remarked that Sanzo should be a bar attendant instead. Angered, Sanzo almost used his Evil Sutra. Thankfully, Hakkai was there to stop him. Finally, Sanzo became drunk and dozed off, followed by Gojyo. Hakkai was about to continue drinking when the last Fei brother dozed off. The host immediately announced the winner - Hakkai from Sanzo's team. Hakkai stared bluntly.

At night, the host of the competition gave Hakkai free drinks, allowing the completely knocked off Gojyo, Sanzo & Goku (who stuffed himself with food like a pig) to rest at the bar. When the four was fast asleep, the host finally revealed himself to be a demon. Unknowingly to him, the four was still conscious enough to sense his presence. In fact, they knew he was a demon because the wine he provided at the competition was actually the red monkey liquor. The demon quickly sent monkeys (that were mind-controlled by the demon) to attack them, forcing them to go out in the open. He thought the monkeys could finish them off but somehow, the four managed to put the monkeys to sleep. Instantly, the demon was killed and all of them went back to sleep. Hakkai commented on Sanzo' slyness in pretending to be drunk. Sanzo replied he was actually drunk and quoted another of Kyomo's teachings - always keep control of your drinking.

While sleeping, Sanzo dreamt of drinking with Kyomo Sanzo. All for the first time in the whole Saiyuki series, Genjo Sanzo smiled. top

*****

Episode 39: Misty Rain (雨)　

For the past few days, it had been raining heavily and Sanzo was in very foul mood. The reason for this was because the rain always reminded him of the day the demons killed Kyomo Sanzo. Goku tried to cheer him up but Sanzo scold him harshly. Feeling hurt, Goku ran off.

At a waterfall, Goku staring at the waters when Homura showed up and captured him. Morning came and Gojyo decided to look for Goku. At the waterfall, Zeon passed a message to him - Goku will never return. Meanwhile, Goku was kept locked up somewhere. Bounded by his chains, Goku recalled the days of his imprisonment at Mt. Gogyo and wished he was prison in an underground so that he could never learn the meaning of freedom and sunshine. Homura appeared and taunted him of his loyalty towards Sanzo. Goku had not recovered his full power or memory and thus, cling on to Sanzo for support. However, did Sanzo truly need him? Was Goku a servant for him? Then, he released Goku and told him to be his follower.

During that time, Hakkai & Gojyo had gone to rescue Goku after knocking some sense into Sanzo. However, they were overpowered by Zeon & Shien. Thing didn't seem good for them until Sanzo shown up. Goku was there too and he questioned Sanzo's intentions for freeing him at Mt. Gogyo. Seeing Goku's troubled look, Sanzo glared at Homura for messing up Goku's thoughts. Strangely, Homura felt that Sanzo was the light in Goku's eyes and decided to leave, saying he would take Goku by force the next time. After the gods left, Sanzo told Goku that he wasn't his servant. The reason for his foul mood was due to the rain.

The next day, the sun was shining brightly. Before they left, Sanzo ordered Goku to do buy some grocery. Goku protested, saying he wasn't a servant. Sanzo fired bullets at him. Goku immediately obeyed. Gojyo & Hakkai teased him. Sanzo fired at them as well. top

*****

Episode 40: Twightlight（不機嫌な太陽）

500 years ago, a heretic was brought to Heaven, with shackles on his wrists and ankles. Seeing Konzen Douji (the former life of Genjo Sanzo) 's bright blond hair, the heretic touched and accidentally pulled some strands out. Angered, Konzen thrashed him up. Amused, Kanzeonbosatsu decided to make her nephew, Konzen to be his caretaker. Konzen protested, cursing her as an old woman.

At the courtyard, Kenren Taisho (the former life of Sha Gojyo) was isolating himself from the other military men. His assistant, Tenpo Gensui (former life of Cho Hakkai) approached him and commented that he should improve his socializing skills. Kenren replied he couldn't be bothered to bootlick the higher-ranked gods. Meanwhile, the heretic was hiding from the frustrated Konzen because he had paper planes out of some very important documents. Creeping inside a room, he bumped into Nataku and the two quickly made fast friends. Unknown to Goku, Nataku was being used by the High god as a killing puppet. Later, the heretic asked Konzen to give him a name. Konzen reluctantly agreed and named him as 'Goku'.

Some days later, Tenpo informed Konzen of the sudden movements of the military, including Kenren Taisho who had made many enemies because of his attitude. At a field, Homura was looking at the flowers when Goku appeared. Seeing Goku's shackles, Homura was taken back and left. Goku returned with a bunch of flowers, interrupting Konzen & Tenpo's mini discussion of politics (Spoiler: Tenpo actually has a higher rank than Kenren but he chose to be his assistant). After making friends with Goku (in fact, he wants Goku to address him as 'Ten-chan'), Tenpo left.

Things began to heat up in Heaven - Nataku was sent down to Earth to subdue Gyumao while his father, Li Houten ordered his men to follow Nataku only to witness him defeating Gyumao; Kanzeonbosatsu sensing a change in Konzen and no sooner than later, the cogwheels of fate was beginning to turn for the four of them...

*****

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