Magami sees a dream of bright white light pouring out from a rock door, and within it is a little shadow that seems to be guiding him. That was himself from another time, back before he was named Oguchi Magami. That shadow then shows him a vision that resonates with him. One foggy day, a little wolf cub runs into a group of soldiers. The fog was so thick that the group was lost and at their wit's end, so one of the soldiers tried talking to the wolf cub and asked if it could show them the 'right' way back. The wolf cub then used its sense of smell to guide them, but who can say whether this was due to kindness or curiosity? It was still an innocent soul, ignorant of the concepts of gains and losses, and the wolf cub was excited as it guided the men. It found joy in the act of guiding them.
Eventually the cub guides the men out of the fog and onto the path to home, so the apparent lead of the group steps up and stands in front of the cub. A voice comes suddenly from somewhere, further above than the leader. It proclaimed the cub the one who finds the right path for people, naming him Oguchi Magami and commanding him to protect the area. The soldier was a highly respected deity in Takamagahara, and Magami thought of this time as the time he was given a noble mission. It was the role of the Guardian who would devour misfortune and guide the people to the right path for the sake of Takamagahara. But what triggered all that wasn't really a sense of justice or kindness; it was just Magami thinking "I did it because I could."
Things then tune in over at the campground further up the mountain where Shirou is on the phone with you. He acknowledges whatever it is you're telling him and thanks you for calling, then tells you everyone is looking forward to your return. He then tells you to be careful and hopes you have a good adventure before hanging up. Shirou sighs afterwards about how you're always getting caught up in trouble of some kind, at which point Kengo and Ryouta walk up having looked for him. Kengo says they were wondering why he suddenly got up and left, then asks how things are with you. Ryouta notes that you didn't come back yesterday and was really looking forward to you having some of the curry they made.
Shirou answers that you spent the night at a campground further downstream. Everyone is fine and nobody has been hurt. You've also told him you guys caught what seems to be the relic thieves, which surprises Ryouta with how quickly that happened. Even with the police accompanying you, he wasn't expecting it to happen so fast. Kengo casually shrugs and says he figured things would go that way with you there, then asks if you ran into anyone surprising on the way.
Maria walks up to the three at this point, greeting them good morning. She says she heard a bit of the conversation and asks if it's true. Ryouta greets her back and comments on how surprising the story is. You're there though, so it's probably legit. Maria says that's good, and she hopes that the news will also reach the people who came by yesterday. A flash indicates that she means the weirdo alchemists, and Kengo picks up that she's talking about the freaks who kept blabbering about wanting the wolf skull donated to them. Maria says from what she's heard, the alchemists are really passionate about excavating relics, especially ones connected to overworld shifts. They'll talk your ears off about them if you let them.
Ryouta then brings up that dragon Marduk brought with him he can't remember the name of, Messy Fish or something. Shirou corrects it to Mushussu and thinks about how he flew off all of a sudden. Maria says Marduk was so depressed by this that he *only* ate three plates of the handmade curry everyone put together. Kengo expresses his amazement at Marduk's appetite and compares it to Ryouta's, and Maria says the Missionaries is organizing a search for Mushussu, asking the gang to tell her if they see him. Ryouta comments on how busy things are and expresses concern for your side of things. Kengo says that you should be back soon with the whatever thieves caught, which Ryouta concedes the point of, and Shirou hopes that you guys will come back safely.
Scene shifts to your end where you express concern about causing the gang some worries, so once you're done with things here you need to get back. You also express some disappointment at missing out on the curry. Magami walks up barking and asking if you're done calling your friends, then informs you the police support sent out have arrived a little while ago. It's about time to go meet them, so he came to get you. You thank him and say you guys should go together, or you can ask if he's okay. In A and B, Magami agrees after a moment and asks for your hand so that you guys can go together. In C, Magami seems confused by your question and says that he's fine today. Either way he coughs and says it's time to go, but as you guys walk along his tail is noted to be drooping, a sign of the doubts he hasn't noticed yet.
The party is waiting by the back gate of the membership nature camp where the criminal handoff is being done to keep anxieties down since less people are there. The mobsters aren't saying much of anything, which Jugo notes in surprise. Arachne also thinks it's remarkable how docile they are now that it's been brought up, then asks if they got their memories back. Thunderbird says they seemed uncomfortable last night, and Shiva asks if people wanted the mobsters to be making negative remarks or something.
Tajikarao announces it's time to hand over the mobsters, and the deity cops who have come to pick them up formally acknowledge custody being handed to them. One of them still takes the time to quip that Tajikarao doesn't look very professional or intimidating in his life jacket, which Tajikarao gets offended about before reminding them to keep watch on the mobs. The other cop brings up that the mobs want to talk to him before they go, which Magami is surprised about.
The mobsters speak in clips as they try to remember, saying they say a dream. It was a dream of when they were younger, doing the things they loved and having fun running around in the summer. The sky was blue and the clouds were white, and they ran around the beauty of nature not knowing what concerns of adult life was like. They saved money from odd jobs to go on a trip to look for undiscovered fossils. They just wanted to tell you guys that, one of the mobsters say as they put their hand on Magami's head.
Magami is confused by this, and Tajikarao asks why they wanted to say all that. The mobsters answer that you guys showed up in their dreams, dancing around in some sort of summer festival. Tajikarao says he saw the same dream too after a bit, saying it was a lot of fun. The mobsters say they want to go to a real one, so they ask if they can visit their festival one day. Tajikarao answers they can after they pay for their crimes, at which point they'll welcome them. They can have all the fun in the world there since festivals are there to make people happy. Magami says they'll be waiting to hear from them so they can all go together. You wonder if their memories resonated and suggest bringing them along next time, and Tajikarao agrees saying it'd be nice to have them join as he watches the mobsters leave with the others until they disappear from view.
Once the handover is done, the party leaves the campground to head to Magami's goal, which Tajikarao cheerfully urges the party to do. Shiva is put out by how peppy he is and starts to ask if he knows how much work they've put in for him last night, but Jugo points out that the two of them didn't actually do anything. They got kicked out early and had to wait for everyone to wake up. Shiva seems surprised to be contradicted.
Thunderbird apologizes to Tajikarao for entering his deeper consciousness, even if it was to get his memories back. Memories are one of the important things that make a person who they are, so it's not really a good thing for other people to see them whenever they want. Arachne also apologizes for looking into his memories, but Tajikarao waves it off and says it happened because of his carelessness. He thinks it's good that you guys saw his memories, though he says a different problem has come up now, briefly looking at you before turning away.
You try to talk to Tajikarao and/or stay quiet, and he quietly goes through some complicated emotions. You are concerned and ask him what's wrong, prompting him to speak up if he wants to say something. Tajikarao quickly claims that nothing is wrong and that there's no way you could be That One Brother. Otherwise this is going to be super awkward with that one thing you did at Amaterasu's house and that other time and all that other stuff.
You ask Tajikarao about what he's talking about or stay quiet, and Tajikarao freaks out begging that you not make him say it out loud since even that would be embarrassing. He'd never be able to get over the shock of that. Tajikarao then tries to compose himself, saying he has something he wants to talk to you alone about later and telling you to be ready for that.
Once that bit is done Tajikarao bows towards the rest of the party, then says that what's been happening has been a good opportunity for him to reflect upon himself again. Pretty much everything about the Ama-no-Iwato incident back at Takamagahara has been blown to you guys, and he feels it was the just and right thing to do then. He does question now whether it was something to be proud of and whether it really was the correct course of action. Food for thought for himself. Tajikarao takes a step forward before turning back around to salute the party. He formally apologizes for his failure causing everyone trouble, then thanks everyone. If anyone has any advice or words of encouragement for him, he'll gladly take it.
The party continues along following Magami's lead, which eventually takes you guys to an elevated spacious area overlooking a thick forest. Magami sniffs around, then says the scent points to the forest up ahead. Tajikarao is surprised at how big the forest is and compares it to a jungle. Jugo and Shiva think to themselves that the forest would make a great place to train. You express concern that it'll be a tough place to get through since it's so thickly grown there's no path, or you ask Jugo and Shiva about seeming excited. The latter surprises the both of them into attempting to deny it.
Arachne takes a breath and suggests having a break before you guys head in. Thunderbird agrees to the idea since it's best to rest whenever possible. There's no telling what effects the overworld shift will have later either. Everyone does their own thing to relax, whether it's opening their lunch, having a drink, or meditating. Thunderbird pours some coffee and offers it to you, asking if you want any milk or sugar. You either say it smells good and thank him, or you say it's a little bitter. In the former Thunderbird asks if you like it, saying it's his original blend and prompting you to get a good taste. He's been looking forward to having you have some, then asks if you want a refill. In the latter Thunderbird laughs and says you don't need to hold back. You can have your drink however you like it. Coffee's one of his favored drinks, so he's happy to have some with you like this.
Arachne talks about how overworld shifts can seem not that bad when she's sitting around having some coffee and looking at the view. She can see the waterfall where you guys got attacked by wyverns, and the river bank where your boats got stolen. This last bit triggers a memory in her, and you either turn to her in concern or note that she didn't forget about that. Arachne starts freaking out asking where your boats went while Magami is quiet. Tajikarao asks Magami if something is wrong, then jokes that the coffee didn't go down well for him. He quickly denies that anything is wrong, so you ask if something is on his mind, offer to listen to him, and suggest talking things out can help.
Magami starts to say that he has something he wants to ask everyone as he lays his ears flat. He asks why people think the thieves were trying so hard to take the Ancient Wolf skull. Jugo is surprised by the question and suggests normally the criminals must think it's valuable. Thunderbird says that's how it would be for most people. Everything has value for someone out there, and some of those things are worth even more to collectors. If people don't care about how their money gets used, then they can buy stuff in any number of ways. Thunderbird then thinks to himself about how he hasn't found proof yet of any deals being made, not even in the sales lists of black market auctions. He wonders if it's being sold even further down the line or something else.
Anyways Thunderbird says that nothing can be said for sure right now since the thieves have been taken away already. There might be things to learn if you guys do some investigating and find evidence though. Magami is quiet, so Tajikarao asks him if something is bothering him. He offers to hear him out, no matter what is going through his mind since he's his senpai and handler, and Magami seems touched by this.
You say that everyone has things they worry about, say you're both members of the same investigation team, or say you can't leave Magami by himself when he seems sad. Magami is taken aback before thanking everyone with watery eyes, shaking away tears. He then tells himself that he can't be fretting like this while people are going along with his personal stuff, but he can do that after he puts the skull back. Tajikarao says that's fine, and Magami says he doesn't want to worry you guys. He'll be thinking about this incident more on his own, and he asks if he can get your guys' thoughts if he still doesn't understand.
You tell Magami he can talk to you whenever he wants and that he shouldn't fret over stuff too much. He happily barks in response, then says the scent should lead past the forest and back to the source there. Once you get there then this whole extra trip will be completed! Jugo is kind of surprised to hear that things will be over soon. Lots of stuff happened, but thinking about how it'll end is sad. Arachne declares that things aren't over until you actually get home, so by that point of view there's still a lot left to enjoy. Shiva scoffs at this but says it's not a bad thought for such a weak-hearted perspective. Arachne then adds that you guys really need to find those boats too because she's afraid of how the old guys at Kamata will react if she doesn't bring it back. This causes Tajikarao to wonder what happened with those wyverns and dragon thing.
Time passes as Magami navigates and leads the party by following the scent trail. Tajikarao is concerned that Magami isn't 100% sure of his tracking, but he decides to believe in him. While everyone follows along, Hugo notices that Shiva is staring off into the distance and asks him why, so Shiva says he can sense the river reversing again up ahead to his surprise. Arachne warns everyone to be careful since the grass is getting thick enough to make it hard to see ahead, and Jugo picks up on something himself then. Shiva is mildly impressed Jugo can tell now, then says that there's an unnatural change in the area. Thunderbird notices the atmospheric pressure changing, so he warns everyone that the overworld shift effects might be getting stronger. Arachne wonders if you guys really are going the right way since there's trees everyone you look.
Magami continues sniffing around, but eventually he reacts in shocked confusion as he realizes he's lost. The rest of the party is shocked in turn, and Arachne asks if they strayed off the scent trail at some point. Magami says that the scent still continued on, but then it suddenly disappeared. Thunderbird senses something and immediately tells everyone to turn back because a different overworld shift has already kicked in.
Just as everyone tries to turn back, the scenery transforms and puts you guys in the skies of Tokyo to the party's collective shock. When Magami starts freaking out, Tajikarao tells him to stop dog paddling as he should be dancing instead. Arachne decides that it's been a good life and she guesses she'll just die now. Jugo is taken aback at how Arachne has looped past panic and back into calm craziness and tells her to get her head back on.
Shiva makes a loud Zen yell that surprises everyone into stopping still. Once he has everyone's attention he tells the party to take a deep breath and look at what they're stepping on. When you do as prompted you realize you're standing on ground and not actually falling, and Thunderbird says he was surprised as well. He wasn't expecting an otherworld river to lead to what looks like midair. Clouds soon cover everything in view, including the path you guys took to get to this point. The episode then ends with narration stating that you guys are now on some hanging gardens and pulling up the episode title: A Mysterious Hanging Garden Exists in Tokyo!
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