Things pick up with you and Marduk in the middle of cleaning the front entrance of the inn as Marduk starts talking about how clean, fresh, and just like brand new gates and entrances should be. It turns out that's the very first thing Marduk started doing as soon as he got here, and once the two of you are done the area is sparkling clean. You either comment on how clean it is now and thank Marduk for his efforts, or you say you're tired. Marduk says a clean gate really is great and says his mount Mushussu is happy too as Mushussu starts ambling closer. Mushussu then cuts Marduk off midsentence as it starts putting its mouth around Marduk's head, who protests in alarm that he doesn't need to be made brand new too and starts freaking out about it being dark and cramped.
Shennong walks by and casually comments on how having a dragon in a clean entryway is a combination for good fortune. You either ask about dragons being in the entry area being good luck or you react with more alarm and say you guys should help Marduk. Shennong just continues with his explanation and says dragons are Things That Flow as well as a symbol of natural upheaval and tyranny. According to feng shui from his home world, having a dragon at the entrance stimulates the leyline flows inside a house. The paths of chi that run through the earth are also known as dragon veins, though Shennong catches himself at this point here and says this isn't really time to leisurely exposit about things. Next to you guys, Marduk is flailing and kicking around his legs, like half swallowed by Mushussu.
Time passes as you and Shennong pull Marduk out of Mushussu, and he pants and thanks you guys for saving him since he was almost factory rebooted. Shennong comments on how clean the place is and says it feels like the place is finally ready to welcome guests again. He then apologizes to Marduk for making him work as soon as he got there, but Marduk waves it off, saying there's plenty for a first year student like him to learn by working together with his senpai and teachers. You either express surprise that Marduk is a kouhai or you remark that he's a good person.
Marduk asks you what you're surprised about as he calls himself just a bright and sparkling first year student. Shennong comments that the other guys should be done with setting up the New Year's soba by now, so invites you, Marduk, and Mushussu to have some. He then notices that you seem distracted and asks you what's up before telling you you ought to go before the noodles get soggy. The ghost kid slips by, and Marduk asks you what's wrong too. You tell them you saw a kid you didn't recognize for a second, but you're unsure about it so you decide not to press the subject.
Time skips to the point where everyone has gathered into the banquet hall where Ebisu says he's got his New Year's special soba with lots of tempura course ready to go. There's also a whole bunch of choices as to what people want as their tempura aside from shrimp, like chicken, onions, burdock roots, mixed veg and fish, chikuwa, and corn. And of course there's also a lot more noodles prepped, so if people want seconds they're free to ask for more. Marduk is impressed as he comments on how the tasty sensation of the noodles going down is and how it's filled with love. The texture and skills that made them is simply amazing. Ebisu thanks him for enjoying it and says there's still plenty available, so he can keep eating if he'd like. Marduk says he will have some more, then turns to Mushussu and asks what he/it/whatever thinks of the noodles, only to try getting the dragon to stop again with dog commands like before as Mushussu attempts to eat him again. Ebisu freaks out at seeing this.
Meanwhile, Tetsugyuu is talking with Wakan Tanka and ask if he's sure he saw a kid around. He also thinks it's weird of him to bring up that there might be some dead kid around when everyone's gathered together to eat, then says he wouldn't want to come back as a ghost if he dies. Wakan says it's not really a child he's talking about, more an earth spirit that's taken root in this land for a long time. He also gets the feeling that it's something that 'is supposed to be here on New Year's' more than anything and that that is where the correct path is. You ask him about this, say you don't understand what he means, or have an idea as to what he's talking about.
Shennong is also following along this conversation and asks if Wakan Tanka is saying that the kid ghost is actually Toshigami. Asterios asks if Toshigami is that prankster spirit that can come into the place despite the shimenawa ropes around the inn, so Shennong answers that there is some regional differences in faith, but that it is something like that. He then reasons that all the issues that have been happening around the place make sense if you think of it as Toshigami manipulating them all. He's siccing the slimes on you guys for...some reason.
Tetsugyuu asks why Toshigami would have a problem with you guys since you guys just came to clean the place up, not kill or steal anything. You either tell Tetsugyuu he's being too loud, agree that the motive is a mystery, or just go hmm. Shennong suggests asking someone who knows more about what's going on then, which in this case would be Gyumao. When he turns to look for him, he realizes he's not there, which he finds weird since he thought he was with the banquet hall team. Tetsugyuu attempts to ask Gyumao's assistant if he's seen where Gyumao went, only to be taken aback when the pirate is preoccupied with slurping noodles.
You either attempt to get the pirate's attention yourself, note that he seems to be enjoying the food, or be shocked that he's stacking three seafood and veggie tempura patties together. The pirate tunes back in at any rate, apologizing for spacing out while eating as he comments on how nice the noodles and tempura are. But anyways, he tells you guys that Gyumao went to check on a paulownia wood box they found in the banquet hall earlier.
You ask about them finding a paulownia wood box earlier, so Tetsugyuu remembers you guys ended up passing by each other earlier. He also tells you they found a hidden compartment earlier, at which point Gyumao comes back apologizing about leaving for a second before noting that you guys are talking about the box he brought with him. The box itself looks to be high class. Gyumao mentions that a whole bunch of boxes like it were hidden in that compartment, and that he just had the owner confirm the one he's brought over. He got their permission to open it up, and then he tells everyone to take a look at the contents.
When Gyumao opens up the box, you guys find an old complete set of crest-emblazoned Japanese formal clothing. Gyumao mentions that it apparently belongs to Toshigami and that the hostess decorates it every year for good luck. Wakan Tanka repeats Toshigami's name as everybody else present looks at Gyumao in surprise, which prompts him to ask why you're all doing that. You then start explaining what's up to Gyumao what's going on as you call him either CEO or Boss.
After an offscreened explanation, Gyumao nods and says it's possible, but then asks why Toshigami would try to attack you guys. Ebisu suggests the possibility that you guys surprised him, which Benten agrees with as she reasons out that he could have come here on New Year's like usual, only to find a bunch of strangers instead of the people he knows. Asterios sympathizes with how that would feel, saying he'd be scared if that happened to him. Shennong says that's even more reason to try to talk to Toshigami the next time something happens, and Wakan Tanka says he wants to talk to them too.
Ebisu puts down some soba noodles at an elevated location, which Ahab asks about. Ebisu tells him they can't eat that portion of it since it's an offering. If Toshigami really is around, Ebisu says they should share some of it with them. He does hope Toshigami will have some and think it's good though. Benten nods and says it doesn't feel bad to be given something, then says the Lucky Gods used to get a lot of food offerings too. She waxes nostalgic about how she, Daikoku, and the others would go on tour to different worlds, and you comment how nice that is to Ebisu and say a lot's happened with Benten too.
Shennong nods and says that's good to you and Ebisu, then says that mutual understanding starts with respecting the other party. Marduk speaks up to you and Shennong and says it's almost time. Shennong checks and realizes what time it is, so he prompts everyone to do what they should be doing since greetings are important, so everyone says Happy New Year's to each other.
Once that's done, Gyumao says there's some time until sunrise, so he suggests people get some rest in the bedding that's been set up. Watching the sunrise is another good luck tradition around here after all. Tetsugyuu is excited about everyone sleeping in a large room together because that doesn't happen often, then suggests to you to have a pillow fight. Taurus Mask supports the idea and suggests showing off the graceful teamwork between the two of you. Asterios is against this however and says he wants to sleep in peace, and Marduk thinks about sunrise to himself.
Somewhere outside, the slimes are jiggling around while Toshigami is having the soba noodles and says they're good as he starts to consider you guys may be good people. He then takes this idea back and says that if the owner and hostess aren't here, you guys must have chased them off. Something like this has happened before, which was called a takeover. Back then he did manage to drive off the scary people though. Toshigami talks about how people shouldn't make the owner and hostess cry, then says it'll be enough if he makes you all go away. That said, he comments on feeling some sort of strange bond with you and wonders why that is. The cook slimes are with him too chugging away, so Toshigami asks if they'll open up soon and asks where they came from for that matter.
Some time later, Tetsugyuu asks what's up since it's still dark out and invites you to sleep next to or with him. Wakan Tanka is also awake, saying he understands wanting to get more sleep but says it's time to get ready for the sunrise. Tetsugyuu asks about that. Later over in the hot springs, Asterios wonders why you guys are going in there. Shennong explains that it's a purification of the mind and body and that you're supposed to start things off fresh. He's not actually in the water though, which you ask him about.
Shennong says it's because the poison in his body would leach out if he got in, so he makes sure not to get in with people when he goes to places like this. He asks you not to pay any mind to that, and Gyumao comments that That Thing his company is in the middle of developing might come in handy, so he considers having it sent over later. Shennong is curious about this but doesn't ask into it, and Taurus Mask comments on how the cold air and warm water are melting away his early morning workout fatigue. Wakan Tanka meanwhile says the sense of unity in being in the hot spring with everyone is so nice. Gyumao laughs and says it reminds him of Flaming Mountains when he did this with his underlings then. Tetsugyuu excitedly tells you they've got a bunch of milk available and asks if you'd like fruit milk, strawberry milk, regular, or something else.
Time passes again as almost everyone gets dressed in New Year's formal wear. After the camera pans over the people wearing them, Gyumao laughs and says they look great, then asks if everyone's fine with them since there are larger sizes available. Wakan Tanka says they're comfortable and that they tense up the mind when he stretches straight up. Shennong notes how these are New Year's clothes and asks how he looks, so you say he looks great, wonder how yours looks, and say it's hard to move in it since you aren't used to it.
Taurus Mask says you look great in the clothes and tells you to look at him so he can take a picture. Ebisu talks about how they probably should have brought their own formal wear too if this was how things would be. He also needs to dry his old New Year's work clothes out in the sun from time to time too. Benten says she might have left the cleaning to someone else. Gyumao says it's about time to head to the viewpoint spot if everyone is ready, and his assistant warns him to be careful because his old demeanor is showing through more and more.
Ebisu tells you guys that he and Benten will be prepping for the party for when you guys get back, so there'll be a lot of good good waiting for you guys. Benten adds that they'll be busy with other stuff too, so they need to conserve their energy. Ebisu then remembers that Gyumao asked him to make something, so he hands it over and asks you to hang onto it. You look and see that it's a package of kagami mochi, so Gyumao thanks Ebisu and says it's a shrine offering. Gyumao says they'll be going now and leaves the two of them to hold down the fort. If anything happens, they've got the emergency hotline they can use to contact him.
Ebisu nods, then starts thinking about Toshigami and comments on mysterious connections to the year of the ox. Benten asks him why he's talking about Toshigami now, which surprises Ebisu as he asks if she's forgotten about how back in Wa no Kuni, every Toshigami from every region served a certain person. He then asks if she remembers ever going around and greeting the Toshigami as a messenger of the Seven Lucky Gods. None of this rings a bell for Benten, and Ebisu remembers all of that work got dumped onto him. But anyways he starts describing this person as the wife of Gozu Tennoh, the man with a bull's head and a human's body. He also starts linking Gozu Tennoh to That Person's home land when transition cuts him off.
Scene shifts to your end where the party is heading to the vantage point for the new year's sunrise. You comment on all the bulls around and how that feels like such a good omen that this year ought to be a good one. Gyumao laughs and asks you what's up, so you tell him you were thinking about how there's so many bulls around and started wondering if it was okay for you to be with them. He laughs some more asking if you were worried about that, then assures you that you have the talents of an ox. You ask in surprise what that even means or sigh and ask him to take this seriously.
Gyumao starts talking about how you can be here among them all and not give off the feeling like you're out of place with them, but Shennong cuts in partway through to say it's fine to talk, although he warns you guys to watch your steps. He talks about how you guys are taking this mountain path up to the vantage point, and while it is spacious enough it's not paved. Taurus Mask notes that it's a pretty rugged or steep path, though it does make for good leg training. Gyumao asks you all to get excited about the vantage point and says it's a special spot his company found. Tetsugyuu comments on how dark it is and remembers aloud how it's just like that one path he escaped to with his old boss. Ahab is taken aback at that topic and tells him to stop talking about it since it'll jinx you guys.
Camera shifts over to Toshigami, who comments on you guys showing up and resolves to scare you guys away this time. He decides to do this by tapping into the leylines and borrow some power to make himself bigger, which seems to go well at first until he sees some light that freaks him out, and he compares it to the light besides the true form of a buddha. A huge surge of energy flows into Toshigami's spiritual body, which narration compares to a rampaging dragon.
Back to the party, Ahab warns Gyumao to be careful because his scars are aching, which means a storm is coming. Gyumao is surprised and asks what he means by that, so Ahab says it's the instinct of a sailor. He's aware of how dumb that sounds while on land though. But he explains that it's a sign of something bad happening, something he shouldn't talk about. Before he says much more, he's surprised speechless when he sees Giant Toshigami. Nobody else has any words to say when they look at him either.
Ahab points to Toshigami, who at this point is even bigger than a mountain. Toshigami for his part loudly crying and asking why this is happening, and Wakan Tanka recognizes him as the ghost kid he saw flying around the inn. Tetsugyuu is also shocked at a little kid suddenly turning into a giant, though he stops for a second as he mentions feeling like he's seen him somewhere before. Shennong asks if that's Toshigami who Wakan saw earlier, and Wakan nods to him with a serious expression on his face. Toshigami cries and begs for someone to help him, so you tell everyone to get ready to go and help and that you want to talk to him.
Tetsugyuu playfully complains about there being too many fights at the beginning of the year, but he says that suits you. Asterios says he'll handle it and agrees that you shouldn't leave a kid who's crying alone. Taurus Mask agrees to help out, saying a hero who doesn't save kids is no hero at all. Marduk joins in for pretty much the same reasoning. Ahab points out that there's a difference between bravery and recklessness, then says his crew would have a plan for fighting against something stupidly huge. You say the plan is to get to the kid's location at which point you'll do something about things as you hold your sword out to everyone.
Ahab comments on you working out a plan and approves, calling this a rehearsal for a big hunt. Ahab then commands the rest of the party to pin down Toshigami's movements to cut a path forward for you, which they acknowledge. Gyumao slips further back into his old gangster mannerisms as he refers to the party as a group of hoodlums, asking if they're ready and offering to give New Year's money to anyone who does well. The pirate assistant is here too as he tells Gyumao he's backsliding, but then again he likes that side of him and proclaims his admiration of him. The episode battle then begins as Wakan Tanka activates his NP, asking for the buffalo to lead the way to the other side of the mountain.
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