Hell's Hot Paradise Epilogue

Someone once said that to live is to pile upon more impurity onto yourself. There are plenty of times where you must choose between the needs of the many and the needs of the one. And there are plenty of times where you are forced to choose whether to do something for yourself or to do something for someone else. There are plenty of times where you don't have the time to consider which you'd choose to do, or where the important choices won't make it in time.

When a choice is presented to you, you may feel as though you are unable to choose. You might have chosen one thing or you might have chosen another, but neither gets selected. Every time that happens, you get hurt and worry. You may choose regardless, but you press on holding doubts as to whether your choice was right. Eventually, you may start thinking of those regrets as a part of you. You believe that you have done something unpardonable, so you believe the sin of it is something that can't be separated from you. When that impurity sticks to you, you believe that you must be that way.

However, this also is just another belief you may be caught up in. Maybe living is sinning, but that doesn't mean you have to carry it forever. If you want to, you can take it along. Or you could set it down and leave it behind. Onamuji then takes over narration to welcome you to the hot springs town of hell and asks how your stay was. You do look fatigued to have gotten so far, but he asks if you've managed to get some of the grime off yourself. But it's about time for you to go, isn't it? Time flies when you're having fun, so be careful on your way back. Sarutahiko then throws in a line about how he'll move forward from there.

Title card pops up, and the epilogue is titled The Days Returning to Life

Scene then tunes over at the casino where Xolotl looks at the clock and says it's time for him to go or else he'll be late for his meeting. He then turns to Hakumen saying he's taken the day off and is about to go. Hakumen casually tells him to go and not be late. It's noted that Xolotl looks more cheerful and confident than he has before, and Xolotl asks if Hakumen will be okay with him gone. Hakumen finds this funny, assuring him there's no need to worry since she'll be going to a beauty salon. Just before Xolotl leaves though, Hakumen decides to tell him he's done good. Xolotl is taken aback at this and asks if she remembers what happened in Hell. Hakumen cocks her head to the side and says she doesn't know what he means. She just thought it'd be fine to compliment him once in a while. Xolotl accepts this as he thanks her, saying working hard was worth it. Hakumen thinks he's being weird, but shrugs it off as she heads out herself.

Scene then shifts to the police station where Daikoku is ending training drills for the day and tells everyone they did well. Tajikarao thanks him and decides to invite him to socialize. Daikoku declines saying he has something he can't step away from, though he admits it is just going to a bathhouse with some friends. He does encourage Tajikarao to ask him again another time, saying that maybe he'll join then if he feels like it. Tajikarao accepts this and asks Daikoku be careful on his way over.

Daikoku leaves the station, and it turns out Mineaki is standing outside waiting for him. Daikoku jokes that Mineaki must be excited to come get him, but Mineaki says he's here to make sure he shows up and not disappoint Zhurong. Daikoku comments on Mineaki not trusting him despite all he did to help during the incident, and he brings up he could have just ignored everything and escaped on his own. Mineaki sighs at this, but then suggests they talk as they walk, and the two of them seem to have their own fun as they verbally snipe at each other the whole way.

Scene shifts again over to the Berserkers' arena where Kamui is sparring with Xolotl. Xolotl concedes the fight when Kamui pulls out his NP with a kick at him, noting how strong Kamui is. Kamui however say it was a good training match for himself too, and he says Xolotl can ask him to spar whenever he likes as he refers to him as a close friend. The fight was a lot more hardcore than sparring would imply, so Kamui suggests taking a break for the time being. Xolotl thanks him, then asks if Kamui changed in some way. Kamui says he might have after a moment, saying it's thanks to Xolotl.

Narration talks about how Kamui has always carried the guilt and the past where he had sent the children he raised to their deaths. He thought he'd never be forgiven for it as long as he lived. But if he still couldn't be forgiven after death, then the same thing would've happened to the children he raised again. If there is a next time, then he's thought about how he wants to share his fate with them until his end comes. If that wish were to come true, then that may be the time when he sees what comes next and moves on as well.

Scene then shifts to your end as you reach Asakusa with Zhurong, who nods about how nice the streets there are and how it reminds him of Hourai. You either wave Zhurong over to where you are, say you like Asakusa's streets too, or comment on him being there so quick. Zhurong is looking around at things through his camera, and he greets you and says it's been a while. He notes himself it hasn't actually been that long though, and while he does see you at school every day it just felt like a while after not seeing you for a bit. Zhurong thanks you for coming with him today, and he's heard the rest of the party will be there soon.

You ask Zhurong if it's okay for him to take pictures with his camera, so Zhurong tells you Mineaki told him about the Kamata Crafters. They took a look at his camera and modded it so it won't activate on its own anymore. He looks happy as he holds his camera up, and it's been a few days since the incident has happened. The rumors of Awakage-sama have died down too, like it was never a thing to begin with. At the same time, the only ones who seem to remember what happened at Hell is the party.

You wonder aloud why only you guys remember what had happened. Zhurong says he gets the feeling that there's a commonality between everyone who remembers, which he theorizes is everyone carrying someone within themselves who lent them power. He's not sure if it's actually correct, but that's what he tells you. Narration talks about how the Color Out of Space absorbed the roles and powers that defined their lives from the people of Tokyo. But even among those people were those who had another person living within themselves, and maybe they allowed you guys to remember.

Zhurong figures you must have someone within you who isn't actually you. He himself has Zhurong, and while he can't delineate himself from him now, he hopes that he can thank him one day. You say it'd be nice to talk to them one day, say you don't get the feeling at all, or consider talking to Solomon later on. Zhurong says it's thanks to Zhurong that he can be together with everyone, and narration talks about how Colorong absorbed and fused with Zhurong and gained a life he could live in Tokyo. He can't see where the two of them separate yet, but he hopes that he one day will. It'd be nice if one day the Color Out of Space will get his own body, then say thank you and goodbye to Zhurong. Zhurong then suggests that you guys go inside the bathhouse since that's where you're all meeting. He's also finished up his newspaper article and wants to show Sarutahiko, and so he runs off ahead.

Once you two are at the bathhouse, Zhurong calls out to Sarutahiko. Sarutahiko greets him and notes he's earlier than the agreed upon time. Zhurong laughs and says he wanted to show him his finished article. He's all smiles as he hands it over, but Sarutahiko doesn't pick it up. You ask Sarutahiko if he's alright since you notice he's pale and shaking. Sarutahiko admits he's scared of looking at it and seeing there's stuff written about people trashing the place because of him. Zhurong continues smiling and assures him it's fine as he says he knows how great Sarutahiko is.

Sarutahiko still won't take the newspaper, which prompts the oni running the place to come down from the attendant's booth to nag at him. The oni asks if Sarutahiko has that little faith in his work, but Sarutahiko brings up the boss called him an incompetent doofus before. The oni gets exasperated at this, denying he said that and saying Sarutahiko misheard him. Sarutahiko insists he totally said it as he's not the type to just forget anything said about him.

The argument goes on for a bit before the boss oni visibly seems to remember something. Sarutahiko jumps at this and says he wasn't lying about. The oni says he wasn't calling him a liar, but he asks if Sarutahiko remembers what he said after that. Sarutahiko falters at this question as he admits he didn't because of the slander. The oni teases him about running away and asks if he cried like a little baby, so Sarutahiko blushes like mad as he admits he did and hid out back to do so. He still wanted to repay the boss for taking him in though, so he did his best to get his approval.

Seeing Sarutahiko ball his fists up in frustration makes the boss oni awkwardly scratch underneath his nose, calling him a dope as he says he and all the customers know about his efforts. He points at Zhurong's newspaper, which drives Sarutahiko to finally open up if reluctantly so. There are some comments written in about how the bathhouse has a homey feeling and the bath house attendant there working so hard inspires them to try harder too. Another person says Sarutahiko talked to them a lot there, and they always have fun when he does.

The boss oni says that if he were to hand over the business to someone else, Sarutahiko's the only person he can think of to do so. He just never said so out loud before because he's sure Sarutahiko would have let it go to his head. The oni's voice then drops to a whisper as he tells Sarutahiko to stop looking so sad as he thanks him for everything. He quickly walks off to his post to hide his embarrassment, and it doesn't take too long before Sarutahiko and Zhurong to start sniffling and ugly crying.

You either express exasperation at how much the two cry, try to comfort them, or say Onamuji would be worried if he saw them now. Sarutahiko gets embarrassed and tells you to not look at him, claiming he got something into his eyes. Zhurong on the other hand wails and says he's glad for Sarutahiko, and everyone watches with mild smiles on their faces as they wait for the two to stop.

Zhurong eventually remembers something and asks if Sarutahiko looked at the whole article and found that special message for him. He points to a space in the paper where a brief comment from Onamuji is inserted: "I'm glad you were here. Let's meet again. Your proud friend, Onamuji" Zhurong says he managed to get it from Onamuji just before they came back. He excitedly asks Sarutahiko is surprised, only to be surprised himself when Sarutahiko grabs him in a hug. Zhurong tries getting Sarutahiko to let him go by saying it's starting to hurt, so Sarutahiko promises to take him somewhere with some good food next time. Zhurong cheers at this and thanks him, but Sarutahiko says it should be him that's thanking Zhurong.

As the two awkwardly tell each other how they feel, Mineaki and the others arrive at the bath house. He comments on the three of you being here already and is glad to see you guys are okay. Daikoku compliments the place and notes that Sarutahiko's presence is a sign of how closely the cleaning is done. Kamui greets Zhurong, asking how he is and noting that he probably doesn't need to worry since he seems fine. Xolotl suggests that they take a group picture with Zhurong's camera since they're all there. The party is reunited after the hell incident, and Sarutahiko clears his throat before officially welcoming everyone to the bath house. The End.

Hell's Hot Paradise Episode 5 Part 2

Zhurong starts narrating about himself, describing himself as an otherworldly light that drifted through the space of Old Ones. He would absorb surrounding colors and shine in any hue, so he was called the Color Out of Space. But these colors originally weren't his, but ones he absorbed from someone else. All he did was float around in space in perpetuity, hearing the carols of praise for the king coming off in the distance. All he had was essentially pure instinct to take in colors from around himself, and it wasn't until he crossed the rainbow bridge that he learned that this was loneliness.

When he arrived in Tokyo for whatever reason, the first person he saw shone brilliant in rainbow colors. When they saw him, he thinks they extended their hand to him, but the next thing he knew he was the only one around. Now that he looks back on it, Zhurong figures he must've absorbed Zhurong Original into himself. It was the first time he had a name, so he went on believing that he was Zhurong. Since then, he took in many colors/lives into himself until he turned black as the colors/sins piled up. Zhurong feels he's done something he can never take back, and he apologizes to Zhurong Original and everyone else. It won't be long until he disappears...

Back to the present, Colorong says he wants to disappear but can't, and he asks what he needs to do to give everything back to Zhurong. His despair deepens as he plaintively asks why he can't release Zhurong's life (re: role and power), and you say Zhurong's cries are filling your head. Mineaki talks about having heard of the name Zhurong as belonging to a Transient from Hourai, and he describes him as a shining heavenly aurora reflecting any kind of color onto its surroundings that gained a beastman form. Mineaki then talks about the Transient from Old Ones, the Color Out of Space, something imperceptible to the human eye and said to have the power to draw in the surrounding light into itself. The two are believed to come from different worlds yet share a common identity, and he suggests that's why the two were drawn together and fused.

Mineaki then starts talking about how Transients from Old Ones have the ability to teleport without being restricted by Enclosed Areas. Nyarlathotep for example uses this power to shadow clone himself however many times he likes. Mineaki suggests that maybe the Color Out of Space did the same sort of thing. If they overlapped themselves over a ton of people all over Tokyo and absorbed their lives, it could explain why this incident's overworld shift acts differently from other kinds.

Daikoku adds to that by suggesting the faith directed towards Ne no Kuni or Awakage-sama dragged himself along with it, but his presence is what allowed you guys to have a method for escaping the place. Daikoku needles Mineaki for suspecting him of having a hand in the incident again, but he stops when elemental bursts go off in the area. Kamui leaps forward to defend you with the fire wheels, but he is shocked when the things disappear upon hitting Zhurong. Xolotl sends the burning turquoise snakes after Zhurong next, concerned he'll gather so much energy he'll overload and explode. This fails to work either as you point out and wonder what to do under these circumstances.

Kamui's fire wheels were originally Zhurong's so they just got taken back, but Zhurong gives no reaction to Xolotl's attacks. And while this is going, Sarutahiko presses forward towards Zhurong, tanking calamitous attacks going off as he goes. You look to him in concern, tell him to come back because of the danger, or quietly watch him go. Sarutahiko talks about how nothing can't be made up for as you can do it once everything is done with. It happened with him, when he was saved when he arrived in Hell. He knows that he has no idea what'll be in store for him as long as he's alive. And since Sarutahiko was saved, if he doesn't save Zhurong next then things won't make sense.

The damage done to Sarutahiko piles up as he continues getting hit by storm and fire, but he walks forward undaunted. Sarutahiko scoffs at the idea of Zhurong not being the real Zhurong as dumb, as he is the one Sarutahiko thinks of when it comes to Zhurong. You get the feeling Zhurong reacted slightly to Sarutahiko's emotional yells, and you say that while things were different at first, Colorong is also Zhurong.

Zhurong's eyes start reclaiming their color which everyone can see. Kamui calls out to him saying Zhurong promised to show him his newspaper when it was done and make the Berserkers look cool in it. Xolotl says Zhurong isn't the only one to make a mistake, and he wants him to keep living in spite of that. They smile gently for Zhurong even when powerful attacks strike them.

Mineaki talks to Colorong and says that human eyes probably can't perceive him, but his eye can with the clairvoyant eye he borrowed from someone else that wasn't him. He observes that Colorong and Zhurong look very similar, almost indistinguishable, and he mentions Zhurong is smiling inside him. Just as Colorong thought Zhurong was brilliant and colorful, Zhurong thought the same of him, and Colorong is surprised by this.

Daikoku compares the Color Out of Space and Zhurong to two peas in a pod, saying that if they came from the same world people would probably have considered them one and the same. But once the walls dividing the worlds were put up, they were split into separate beings. Colorong tries to argue that he and Zhurong are distinct beings from each other and asks what he should do. Daikoku starts suggesting that if Colorong no longer needs Zhurong and gets a response to his own wish, he might get a separate body. Daikoku then says that he and Colorong are similar in that they have only their own wishes and a borrowed body. He himself was once syncretized to Okuninushi into one identity and is now wearing the shadow of the Transient Daikoku.

Daikoku admits that he really doesn't want to say what he's about to, but he says that once his true wish is granted, Daikoku is probably going to say goodbye to him. Daikoku is to him the same as Zhurong is to Colorong, so Zhurong exists inside Colorong as a difficult to detach entity until he can say goodbye to him with a smile one day. He swears upon his will and tenacity that it's true.

A rainbow teardrop trickles down from Zhurong's emotionally broken eyes. Onamuji starts talking to Sarutahiko, asking if he's always been in a part of Sarutahiko's heart even into the distant future. He's not going to ask what happens to him later, but he plans on living out his life to the fullest. Whatever future comes, he'll be looking forward to the day he can see him again. Sarutahiko is touched by this, and Daikoku says nothing. Onamuji says that's all a lead up for what he wants to say to Zhurong, which is a thank you for letting him meet everyone.

Sarutahiko wipes away his tears as he yells again at Zhurong, asking if he heard everyone's messages meant just for him. You follow up and ask Zhurong to answer you guys if he did and/or say you love him. The colors return to Zhurong's eyes, and he cries as he asks for everyone to save him. He wants to go back with everyone including Zhurong, wanting to be with everyone until he can be himself. Everyone's artifacts start glowing in response, and you approve of Zhurong's declaration. Mineaki tells you you're the key to this, and he instructs you to use your Rending power at the point he directs you to. You either roll with it, or agree to it for now but ask in shock why he knows what your ability is. The latter gets an extra line of Mineaki laughing and saying he's just well-informed and asks you not to worry about that.

Anyways, Mineaki calls to the rest of the party to cut a path forward for you. Kamui has received Zhurong's fire wheels again and swears to use them to save him. Xolotl tells you to get onto his snake since it prooobably won't bite you. You do as Xolotl says while Kamui swings the wheels around, but dark flame walls block the way as a rampage effect of someone's power inside Zhurong.

Sarutahiko volunteers to deal with them, saying that cleaning up after people is his top specialty. He casts his NP, and in a departure to how everyone else does it normally, he separates the literary term all CSes are paired with and unpuns it to its original form, followed by the original spelling of his NP name. This causes a flood of bubbles to come out and put out the flames. Onamuji is amazed at this and asks if Sarutahiko was being serious when he said he'd be better at cleaning things if he could've used his power. Sarutahiko brags a little and says it's true as he tells Onamuji to keep watching. You either thank Sarutahiko or promise him something nice later. In A, Sarutahiko cheers you on and swears you'll never hear the end of it if you mess up. In B, he gets embarrassed and tells you to do these things in the right order.

You continue advancing while a bunch of magic powers go off at you, but a shining arrow shot from behind dispels them all. Daikoku tells Onamuji to watch how he uses the bow carefully since he may need to know it someday. Onamuji is taken aback at this and says he will, but before he says what he's about to say after that Daikoku says it's so he can go down a different direction Sarutahiko or Okuninushi did.

At this point, you call to Mineaki and ask if you're at the right spot. Mineaki confirms it and tells you to swing your power down hard, and you comply as you do the invocation spiel. Once you cast your NP, the mass of blue fireballs Zhurong absorbed scatter, and residents of hell reappear as they were. Zhurong also releases all the other people he absorbed and returns their original roles to their original owners. He falls out of the air unconscious, and you immediately go to catch him. The rest of the party runs up soon after to come check on Zhurong.

Zhurong awakens after a moment, slowly processing everyone's presence before remembering what happened and starts apologizing in great big tears. Sarutahiko however tells him he has something else he should be saying instead, guiding him towards the path he wants to take. Everyone nods to Zhurong, so Zhurong thanks you all for saving him and says he's come back. He looks ready to cry as he smiles, but everyone else smiles upon seeing that. Xolotl starts crying in relief himself now that Zhurong is okay. Mineaki laughs and says crying would detract from his face, but he's glad about how things ended. Sarutahiko and Xolotl hug Zhurong hard between themselves, and while it does hurt him a little, he looks plenty happy about it.

Some time later, you talk aloud about how this may be the last time you can use the hot springs at the inn, which is kinda sad so you figure you may as well enjoy it now. While you are thinking to yourself, Zhurong runs up to you from behind, asking you for some time to talk about something. You agree unconditionally, or agree and ask him to call you nii-chan, or nee-chan. Zhurong thanks you as he either goes with his default based on your set gender or complies with whichever you went with. You then decide whether to take a foot bath or a dip in the water.

Anyways, you and Zhurong go over to a slightly warmed, shining jacuzzi. Zhurong expresses interest in how bubbly it is and how something like that actually exists. But then he remembers he wanted to talk to you about something else, and he asks if it's true you have someone else inside you like he and Daikoku do. You either express shock and ask who he heard that from, say that seems to be the case but you aren't sure, or start to say Things happen to people who hear about that. C gets an extra line of Zhurong freaking out and asking what's going to happen to him.

Zhurong says it's okay to not talk about it if you don't want to, but he was wondering if you ever felt anxious about that. Like in his case, he loves cameras. He's just starting to doubt whether that love of cameras is really coming from him specifically. You sorta shrug and say it did bother you before because you kept running into strangers who know who you are. Zhurong says that in his case, he's totally taken over Zhurong's memories and lived as him. He wonders what's different between you and him, and he floats the idea that there's something else mixed in too.

Zhurong starts wondering whether Zhurong Original would have walked the same path he did if he hadn't absorbed him. And if he became somebody else, would he have become totally different? You tell Zhurong he's overthinking things as what-ifs don't exist as you/he are the ones around at this point. Zhurong is surprised at this, so you talk about having friends who will call you by your name and how Zhurong has all of you. That should be enough, right?

Your words hit Zhurong hard as he says that may be true, since everyone calls him Zhurong. For now, he laughs about that being good enough. He thinks about something to himself for a bit, then starts telling you he wants to apologize to Zhurong Original one day. And actually talk to him before that. You either express some concern about that or say you'll cheer him on. In A, Zhurong acknowledges that he doesn't know how it'd turn out, but he still wants to do so. And he'll do his best to be able to talk to him and separate from him. In B, Zhurong smiles and thanks you, saying he'll do his best.

Zhurong smiles, looking the same as ever if you ignore how his eyes seem close to tearing up. With that subject off his chest, the two of you start talking about random things. Eventually the topic gets to what he'd want to do once he gets back to Tokyo. Zhurong says he wants to go somewhere with everyone, and it doesn't need to be anywhere far. He asks if you'll go with him when that happens, so you agree, say he should pick somewhere to go to, or say everyone will come.

Zhurong floats the idea of going to Sarutahiko's bath house with the party, and he starts to get to what he'd want to do after that when he gives a big yawn. He seems to have cried himself to drowsiness, and he mumbles about feeling sleepy before leaning on your shoulder and snoring softly. You sigh about this, say it's dangerous to sleep in a hot spring, and/or say you'll let him sleep. You pick Zhurong up and carry him in either your arms or on your back, and Zhurong sleep talks about how he loves everyone. You turn to look and see if he woke up, but all you see his him looking happy.

Time passes, and no one knows what could happen in an unknown space. So with that in mind, there's no way for anyone to linger for long. Time flies when you're having fun, and the time to say goodbye comes crashing down in a flash as the party gathers in front of the inn. Daikoku says that a majority of the Transients in Hell have been sent back to Tokyo with the bow and arrow. But now the place is getting highly unstable, but once you guys leave it or you guys should go back to where it's/you all are supposed to be. That in turn means this would be the last chance for you guys to talk to Onamuji.

Sarutahiko knows that Onamuji isn't someone from Tokyo, but rather someone fallen in from some other world. He'd always have to say goodbye to him, but now that it's come he's looking sad about it. Daikoku says he'll give the bow to Onamuji and asks if he'll use it to send the party back to their present. Onamuji sadly agrees but asks if it's fine since the bow and arrow should be valuable. Daikoku laughs and says it's fine since he doesn't need it now. It's better off in Onamuji's hands instead. Daikoku asks that Onamuji not walk the same path Daikoku did, for his sake. If he still gets to the point where he feels like he'll get crushed, he should remember how deeply determined Daikoku lived.

Onamuji turns to Sarutahiko, who has been staying quiet. Onamuji says goodbye and is glad he could see him like this. He promises to meet him again and jokes that it might be in his own future at Tokyo as he sideglances at Daikoku and smiles. Onamuji then thanks Mineaki for all he's taught him and wishes the best for the rest of the party. His voice quivers a little, and it seems he's doing his best to smile for you guys.

Sarutahiko tells Onamuji he'll do his best in Tokyo and one day run his own great bathhouse. If Onamuji ever comes by, Sarutahiko invites him to come see it. Onamuji agrees, saying Sarutahiko should be able to do it. Everyone else says their own goodbyes to Sarutahiko (sic) until it gets to Zhurong's turn. Zhurong says he wants to take a picture of everyone and give it to Onamuji. Mineaki nods at this and asks to Borrow the thing since the thing is Zhurong's. They proceed to ask some rando oni to take the picture for you guys, who agrees and prompts the party to get together. Zhurong is the one to prompt when the picture is taken, and the oni snaps it on cue.

Scene then shifts to the police station where Daikoku is snapped out of his thoughts as Tajikarao runs up yelling for him. A faded sepia photograph is in his hands, and he looks at it with distant eyes and a sardonic smile. Tajikaro expresses surprise at Daikoku smiling and looking at a photo, so Daikoku apologizes and says he was just thinking about some stupid things in the past. He opens up his desk and puts it face down inside. Tajikarao expresses interest in hearing more about it, though he realizes Daikoku may hate talking about his past. Daikoku however says he'll tell him about it someday, sometime later on when today becomes the past. To be continued in the epilogue!

Hell's Hot Paradise Episode 5 Part 1

Someone once said that life begins with nothing and ends with nothing. In Tokyo, there are many kinds of people there. You have angels, demons, oni, mermaids, and cyborgs. You have people with wings, scales, or mechanical body parts, and you have people given all sorts of roles and powers. But no matter who you refer to, everyone was pure, untinted light before they were born. That light gets poured into a vessel known as a body, then begins living a life. Then those people meet various kinds of people who were given different things than they were in life. For example, someone who can't fly may admire wings. The inelegant may admire those with grace. 

The things you may not like about yourself is something other people envy. The things people wish for and are sought for leads them to know affection, sadness, longing, and jealousy. They gain various shaded emotions until they become something else completely. A pure innocence that held nothing to begin with becomes painted with many other colors. If you refer to this as becoming sullied, then you could say living is about becoming impure. But say that something unsullied was given a certain something. Say that pure thing like light was given a role by the world. What would they start wanting? What would they look for? That thing would start wanting the things it wasn't given. It would admire the varied colors that it wasn't, mindlessly gathering the things and never once thinking that this would be tantamount to taking life.

Title card pops up, and this episode is called Zhurong's Secret.

Back to your side of things, you talk about how you guys never managed to find Krampus and the others anywhere, but for a lack of any better idea you suggest heading back to the inn. Zhurong excitedly says he wants to take some pictures before you guys head back. Daikoku comments that Zhurong always has such clear, bright eyes for looking at photo subjects, which Zhurong is confused by. Daikoku says that Hell/Ne no Kuni is a place that's pretty much a deposit of filth and impurity, so he'd rather not look at it more than he has to. And yet Zhurong seems happy to look at anything around with the same innocent look in his eyes he always has, which Daikoku notes was also the case when he came to the police station for an interview.

Zhurong doesn't have a comment to that, so Daikoku continues by saying that Zhurong is without a doubt too much of an innocent child and asks how he sees the world. Zhurong says he's not sure what Daikoku means, but he answers that everything looks bright and shiny to him. It's enough to make him cry in envy and to snap a picture of the moment without a second thought. Daikoku laughs after a moment and asks if Zhurong is including him in that statement. It's more something a world-weary person like himself (re: people from older times) would say when they're jealous of how full of potential the young are.

Zhurong denies the idea, saying he could never Be Like Daikoku. Daikoku doesn't give a response to that, and Zhurong says he's not clear about it himself, but it's because of that feeling that he's jealous of him. He wants to be like Daikoku, yet he also knows that he can't, so he at least wants to save a picture to keep the idea in his head. Zhurong then pulls his camera up and is about to ask Daikoku for a picture when he stops himself for some reason in confusion. Daikoku declines and asks Zhurong if he knows that people used to believe that having your picture taken takes your soul away. Zhurong is surprised by this, and Daikoku talks about how everyone in Ne no Kuni is just a soul, so if Zhurong took his picture he might disappear. Zhurong gets concerned at this and asks if it'd be the same as what happened with Krampus, so Daikoku solemnly confirms as much.

You notice that Zhurong looks upset and ask him what's wrong, or you scold Daikoku over what he said. Daikoku laughs and says he was just doing an old person joke as he apologizes to Zhurong. Zhurong doesn't look any better, but he claims to be okay and suggests that the party goes back to the hot springs town, still perturbed.

When the party gets back there's a crowd of mobs at the inn, leading Xolotl to wonder if you guys are at the right place and Kamui to ask what happened while you guys were gone. The crowd parts ways a bit to let Sarutahiko and Onamuji through, and Sarutahiko welcomes you guys back and figures things must've gone well. Onamuji is glad everyone is okay and invites you all in, and you either express your shock at this sudden boom in business, ask what the hell happened, or compliment the other team for their good work.

Onamuji modestly says that it's all thanks to Mineaki and Sarutahiko, but Mineaki says it's actually due to Onamuji's straightforward determination. There's also how quick Onamuji is to learn things, and while Mineaki was only planning on teaching him some first aid for common hot springs area accidents he ended up teaching him a whole bunch of medical stuff he'd never need.

Off to the side, Zhurong is hanging his head while Sarutahiko starts talking to him. He talks about how hard Zhurong must've worked and how brave he is despite his age. It's not something he can say to anyone else, and he points out it'd be natural to start crying if you find yourself in the world of the dead. Zhurong awkwardly thanks him and says he didn't really do much. Sarutahiko can tell something is wrong and asks if he's depressed about not contributing much, then adds if he went himself he'd have totally dragged the team down. He couldn't even be there since he couldn't use a power to fight.

Sarutahiko sadly laughs as he says he's always been like that. Something important was going on, and he wasn't there. He's a half-asser worrying from the back about whether he could have done something, and in the end he does jack shit and gets talked about behind his back. Just remembering that incident that happened before he went to Tokyo embarrasses him, and the regrets he has always feel like they're sticking onto him like slimy crap. Daikoku can hear this but doesn't join the conversation.

Zhurong is surprised at the mention of things that happened before coming to Tokyo. Sarutahiko doesn't give his reaction much thought, but he does notice Zhurong going quiet and preoccupied so he tries to ask what's wrong. Since Zhurong doesn't answer Sarutahiko asks you if he said something wrong, and you tell him you don't know since he's been like that for a while. Daikoku however says he has some things to talk about related to that and asks Mineaki to join you guys and give his opinion.

Time passes as you, Daikoku, Mineaki, and Sarutahiko move to a nearby hallway to discuss things. Daikoku can't help but point out that this is the same hallway from back then and asks Mineaki if he's done suspecting him yet. Mineaki is dismayed at him bringing it up and apologizes for that particular instance. Daikoku laughs and claims it was a joke to lighten the mood before getting into darker topics.

Mineaki glares at Daikoku before the conversation starts up. Daikoku goes over what happened with Krampus and the others at Enma's office, along with Xolotl being able to use an artifact and power that he borrowed from someone else. Mineaki picks up that Daikoku is suggesting there's something suspicious about Zhurong being able to use His Own flame power. Sarutahiko looks back and forth at the two of them before turning to you, hoping that you don't get it either. You either bug the two to spell out their thoughts, exclaim that you see it too, or look shocked and stay quiet.

Mineaki talks about how here in Hell, everyone has their own role and power sealed off, citing you and himself as examples. He then brings up that you guys discovered a loophole around that by using somebody else's power instead. Daikoku supports that by citing how Kamui was able to use fire magic from Zhurong, and you think about how Harlot was also using a power that wasn't originally hers. Mineaki however brings up that it's not as simple as him just picking up your sword and swinging its power around. He suspects that the conditions for this loophole is to either Be Entrusted with Everything in a Dying Wish or Being Detached as if Resigned Over Something That was Never Yours. Mineaki then stops thinking on this saying it's not that important, but what is important is that this would mean Zhurong's fire power belonged to someone else. Daikoku says he sees what Mineaki is getting at, but Sarutahiko says he doesn't and asks what's up with Zhurong.

Mineaki says nothing as he stares back at Sarutahiko. Sarutahiko is slightly taken aback at this and complains Mineaki may as well not have said anything to begin with if he won't speak now. Mineaki steels himself for what he's about to say, opening up with a request that Sarutahiko stay calm and listen. He admits it's all theoretical, but he's feeling confident enough to say that it isn't just some random possibility. Sarutahiko gulps down as he braces himself, and Mineaki jumps straight to suggesting Zhurong is the cause of this incident. Sarutahiko is shocked at this, and he can see that Mineaki clearly isn't joking about it. Mineaki has some hard to describe expression on his face at how upset Sarutahiko is, then mentions that everyone who fought against you guys used a power borrowed from someone else. He reasons that whoever gave them that power is the culprit of the incident and asks if he agrees with that logic.

You say Mineaki is correct regarding Tadatomo and the others, and Mineaki explains that class roles and power concepts are a package deal. If given away, nobody would be able to live since they pretty much define living, especially for people contracted with the app. This would mean that the culprit's role and power was something Taken From Someone Else. And based on that, the power of the one who caused this incident is the ability to take the role and power from others and transfer them. Daikoku brings up it's also possible it's less transferring and more giving a near-perfect copy, but in this case it's not that important a distinction. You guys have already seen this happen in front of you, and Sarutahiko angrily asks if he's talking about how Zhurong gave Kamui the fire wheels.

You ask how he intends to explain away what happened at Enma's office. Daikoku admits that he doesn't have a definite answer, but he says it did look like Zhurong's camera had sucked in everyone there when it went off. Daikoku reasons that the camera must be Zhurong's artifact, which probably has the power to control the roles and powers of people it has absorbed. When it took away their powers and roles, they disappeared. Sarutahiko is noted to look upset as Daikoku's reasoning is laid out.

Mineaki speaks up to tell you guys he had investigated his students after Awakage-sama had attacked them. They seem to be literally empty shells now, totally scooped out. Normal dead people don't turn out like that as they always leave some sort of trace behind. Sarutahiko meanwhile starts covering his ears and begs you guys to stop talking. Daikoku meanwhile brings up that people used to believe cameras could steal souls, and the idea still stuck around in part in superstitions and ghost stories.

You are dismayed and try to suggest that maybe they got something wrong. Sarutahiko doesn't try to deny Daikoku and Mineaki's suspicions about Zhurong's power for now and argues that it doesn't actually implicate Zhurong as the cause. He brings up how young Zhurong is and threatens to fight if they treat him like a criminal. He then attempts to support his argument further by mentioning that Zhurong himself has no idea what his actual power is, but he trails off in despair when he realizes what that'd mean.

Mineaki clarifies that he isn't saying Zhurong intentionally caused this incident, and setting aside how large scale this is, there's plenty of cases where Transients have unconsciously used their powers or rampaged. You suggest turning off the app to reset things if Zhurong's power is causing all of this, but Daikoku tells you there are cases of powers not reverting even when the app's Enclosed Areas are taken down like the teleportation abilities of people from a certain world or artificially made Enclosed Areas. Since you guys don't know how to make it stop, there's no guarantee it'll work.

Sarutahiko starts crying as he thinks about Zhurong. He pleads and asks if it's possible for everyone to feign ignorance and go back to Tokyo on a happy note. He worries that Zhurong's heart would break if he found out about this. Mineaki looks sympathetic as he passes a handkerchief to him. He says he'd like to do that if possible, and that it'd be a good idea to break it to Zhurong gently so that Zhurong won't get overwhelmed by the shock.

Before he can say any more, you guys hear something getting dropped, and the party turns to see a wooden bucket and bath products spilled on the floor as a small familiar figure runs away. You are alarmed about Zhurong overhearing you guys and think he was crying. Mineaki is horrified and worried at how Zhurong found out about the situation, so he says everyone should run after him.

It doesn't take long for the party to catch up to Zhurong after he runs out of the inn. No one, not even Sarutahiko, is able to bring themselves to say anything, so you all just look at Zhurong as his shoulders quiver. Zhurong starts asking whether if everyone would be better off if he just died, and big tears of grief fall from his eyes. Sarutahiko tries to comfort him saying he'd be sad if Zhurong were gone, and he pleads for him to stop saying stuff like that.

You attempt to talk Zhurong into coming back with you guys to the inn since everyone else is waiting for him. He snaps and yells for you to stay away, causing bursts of fire, ice, and lightning to explode around him. Zhurong says he can't go back because he's not actually Zhurong, he just took his name from the original Zhurong. Everyone is stunned silent at this, and Zhurong goes on by saying he remembered everything when he unconsciously used his power back at Enma's office. When he first came to Tokyo, he didn't have a will of his own as he was just a Color. When he saw Zhurong soon after that point, he ended up absorbing and becoming Zhurong. The spikes in Zhurong's emotional state causes more magical bursts, and you attempt to tell him to calm down and/or say you can't get close.

Oni start walking over hearing a kid crying on the road but somehow not elemental explosions, and they obliviously ask if anyone brought candy to calm the crying. The ones that get close to Zhurong disappear as if sucked away, and only then do the remaining randos realizes something is wrong, calling Zhurong a monster and saying to stay away from him. Zhurong cries loudly, and what look like blue fireballs from the people approaching him fly out from them and get absorbed by him. His sanity takes a hit every time this happens. Mineaki says this is terrible, and if Zhurong keeps absorbing power like this his body won't be able to take it. You call out to Mineaki and ask if he's okay, ask what you guys should do, or say you guys need to save Zhurong quickly, and the party looks serious in the face of the situation.

Back at the inn, Kamui and Xolotl are washing each other's backs in the springs. Xolotl apologizes for asking Kamui to do this, saying he hasn't done stuff like this much so his heart is pounding. Kamui says it's fine and calls him the MVP this time around. Xolotl smiles at this and says it's actually because of everyone's help. Him being really determined to protect everyone helped him overcome his trauma. If he were alone he'd probably shaking and crying somewhere and got nothing done. Kamui laughs and says it reminds him of a child who left and said the same thing.

Kamui focuses on washing up a tougher piece of fur, rinsing off with a shower head and checking the temp with his hand before using it on Xolotl. Xolotl says he should be the one thanking everyone. He also mentions that he respected Kamui a bit more when he saw how hard he was fighting so hard for others. Kamui is taken aback by this since he doesn't feel he deserves anything like that, having raised many children to heroes and sent them off to their deaths. The mention of that causes Xolotl to remember his own journey to the netherworld with his brother.

Kamui says it'd have been better if even one of them ran away, and he feels responsible for their deaths. He feels the sin will stick with him for as long as he lives, but Xolotl points out they're technically dead and asks if he still feels that way. Kamui is taken aback, unable to respond to that point, and Xolotl starts talking about having a shameful past himself. He ran away during an important point in time so he feels he may not be the most appropriate person to be saying what he's saying, but if Kamui feels he can't be forgiven even after death, then the children he loves in his memories might never smile. Kamui is surprised at this, and Xolotl apologizes for sounding self-important despite feeling the same as he does. Before he can say anymore though, the two of them start hearing the explosions from outside and run to investigate.

Kamui and Xolotl don't really bother to get dressed on their way over. They meet up with Onamuji along the way who has also noticed that something is happening, and the three of them soon regroup with the rest of the party.  You take note of them showing up and ask for their help with Zhurong, who is currently floating in midair and sucking power in like a black hole. The absorption is steadily getting stronger, and Zhurong himself is now eerily quiet as opposed to weeping hard like before. His eyes stare blankly in the party's direction like his emotions have disappeared. Onamuji asks what's going on in concern and says the guests at the inn are disappearing. Xolotl attempts to ask Zhurong what happened to him, but Mineaki tells him the explanation will have to wait until after saving him. The pressure coming off him increases with every blue fireball he absorbs, and it's to the point it feels crushing. Sarutahiko begs the party for help in saving Zhurong, and Daikoku sighs about things coming to this point as he agrees to assist. You express surprise that Daikoku is volunteering to help without asking for payment of some kind, and you can suggest he's not doing this out of kindness. C gets an extra line of Daikoku complimenting you for understanding him so well.

Daikoku starts talking about how he once threw away something he had only one of. He worked in a bathhouse washing the hair of his ancestors and undergone many trials in Ne no Kuni. In the end he gained the name, role, and power of Master of the Land from Susanoo, but then he went and abandoned all that. Onamuji expresses surprise at hearing that, and Daikoku says the only thing of his he kept was his memories of disgraceful and humiliating defeat. Nothing else mattered to him anymore, and he laughs about them not belonging to him. But then Zhurong told him he actually envied his impure past because of how dirty it was. He saw it as proof of Daikoku's identity, so Daikoku says he'll lose his pride as himself if he doesn't lift a finger to help Zhurong now. You either express sympathy for Daikoku, ask what he meant by abandoning things besides his humiliation, or accuse him of being in it for himself. C has an extra line of Daikoku cheerfully admitting his main driving motivation is doing things for his own sake.

Daikoku turns to Sarutahiko, first calling him by name before deciding to formally call on him as servant of the leader of the Kunitsukami Okuninushi, Sarutahiko no Mikoto. Sarutahiko is shocked at being referred to this way, and Daikoku brings up that he showed himself after the Transfer of the Land had happened. Sarutahiko looks guilty, and Daikoku says everyone doubted him and called him a traitor. He then says that Okuninushi knew that Sarutahiko did a great job of cleansing away the end of the Kunitsukamis' defeat, to Sarutahiko's surprise. If he hadn't done that, it would have just prolonged the indignity, and he did well guiding the celestial deities to settle things after the incident. Daikoku says Sarutahiko knew full well who Okuninushi really hated, and he commends him for bringing the Transfer of the Land to a clean stop.

Sarutahiko starts calling Daikoku Okuninushi, but Daikoku refuses the term of address and says he's just a man who threw away his past name. But now, he intends on borrowing the old shining power of Okuninushi and use it to help Okuninushi's pride and prompts you to come with him. You agree and lead the party forward, and everyone says they'll help Zhurong as the episode battle begins.

Hell's Hot Paradise Episode 4 Part 2

Narration starts talking about a place in Hyuga Province, Awakihara, the divergence point between Takamagahara, the surface land beneath it, and the netherworld below them both. When people come back to life and return to the surface, this is the place where they wash off the dregs of death and purify themselves. And after the Transfer of the Land, it became the place where the deities from Takamagahara who would be governing the land would descend. In the past Amaterasu, the one on top of the world, and the deities governed Takamagahara above the clouds, and down below the ones who governed the land were the Kunitsukami.

The leader of the Kunitsukami was named Okuninushi. He died once, and after being given that name by the ancestral Susanoo from Ne no Kuni and returning to life, he reigned over the land. But as a result of the Transfer of the Land to the heavenly deities, it is said he was pushed back to the underworld. This was a disgraceful memory for the Kunitsukami after Okuninushi was made top of the earthly gods, and the heavenly gods became a focus of their hatred. They told themselves it was just a temporary leasing of the land's authority, and many of them thought that they would once day reclaim that authority.

But among the Kunitsukami ruled by Okuninushi, there was one of them who volunteered to guide the new governing rulers. That was Sarutahiko, and while he looked up to Okuninushi he also helped the heavenly deities. Nobody knew why Sarutahiko did this, so everybody was surprised by it. The other Kunitsukami started spreading rumors that he betrayed Okuninushi and despaired. The infamy spread wildly, but Sarutahiko never said a word against it. Surprisingly, Okuninushi never directed any of his hate towards Sarutahiko either. They say that before Okuninushi fell to Ne no Kuni, he was called by a different name. That would be Onamuji no Mikoto, the Nobleman of the Pit. That was who he was, long before he fell to Ne no Kuni and felt hatred for Amaterasu and the heavenly deities for taking his place as top of the world.

Back to the present, Sarutahiko is wondering how the party is doing and hopes Zhurong isn't crying or anything. Mineaki laughs and says you guys should be fine. If anyone, it's likely Xolotl who'd be crying like a baby. The two of them are working at the inn as they talk about this, and Onamuji runs in apologizing for interrupting them and asking if they can help him. Sarutahiko agrees to take care of it, and it turns out a bunch of mobs are visiting the inn.

Onamuji is pleasantly surprised at how busy the inn is, saying he really has to thank the two of them. Mineaki waves it off saying he didn't do that much, and he says it's more thanks to Sarutahiko and his experience helping with running a bathhouse in Tokyo. Sarutahiko awkwardly smiles at this, saying this is all a random gangster like him can manage. The mention of gangsters makes Mineaki remember that Sarutahiko told him he's a student at the gangster school of Umamichi at some point. Sarutahiko says he did something in his past that he's guilty about, which he got all bitter about since then. Mineaki comments that it's hard to believe that given how hardworking and straightforward he is. Sarutahiko says that stuff happened, and that he needs to at least do this much for Onamuji.

Onamuji asks Sarutahiko if he's doing this as payback for taking him in while in Hell, but Sarutahiko gets vague and evasive aside from saying he feels a doofus like him would just be a hindrance by sticking around. He declares that he's a famed punk, and he's always worrying that his reputation will cause problems. Onamuji doesn't say anything in response, so Sarutahiko continues on by saying the customers at the bathhouse he worked in before all said he was useless. If it turns out you guys find a way back to Tokyo, Sarutahiko worries he'd just drag down his bathhouse boss again. He hangs his head a bit, and he laughs about feeling like he's no help with helping everyone get back to Tokyo. He doesn't have anywhere he belongs to, so he hopes Onamuji is willing to keep him on if he chooses not to go back. He can kick him out later if the customers start hating him.

Onamuji and Mineaki are both shocked at the suggestion that Sarutahiko might not go back as they look at one another. Onamuji says he'd be happy to have him, but he asks if that's actually what Sarutahiko wants. Sarutahiko is surprised by this, so Onamuji asks him if he ever actually talked to his old boss and was told he was causing problems. Sarutahiko can't actually answer, so Onamuji says he doesn't know that boss he's talking about or how Sarutahiko worked before. Despite that, he declares that no one's opinion will convince him to start hating himself. No matter how rough life may get, he will be the one to decide where his life will go.

Onamuji starts talking about how he likes Sarutahiko for how hard he's worked for the inn, and if there's anything bothering him he can be there to help with that. And in any case, he wants Sarutahiko to remember he's glad he met him. Onamuji says he will probably remember this feeling no matter what happens as well. Sarutahiko is so touched by this that he initially calls Onamuji Okuninushi instead. Onamuji is confused by this, so Sarutahiko quickly backtracks and claims it's nothing.

Mineaki tells Sarutahiko that he should come back to the surface with them, as once this is all over he'll be helpful in guiding everyone out. Sarutahiko is taken aback at this and says he's talking like he's seen how everything will go down. Mineaki agrees after a moment, saying he's finally figured out how this Hell works and its true nature.

Mineaki briefly mentions how his eye originally belongs to some other Transient named Koumokuten. But at some point, Mineaki started thinking and treating the eye as something that belonged to himself. He comments that there probably aren't that many app users who gained an artifact out of it, especially among the people of Tokyo. People tend to think of things they didn't work for and just fell out of the sky as something that's a part of them. When they can't use it anymore, they panic and wonder why 'their own' stuff won't work. Mineaki says that's actually wrong though, as here in Hell artifacts can't be used unless you think of them as something borrowed.

Mineaki then says it's not limited to artifacts since human bodies should be like that. The Hell you guys are in is filled with the faith that Everything You Are Born With is Something Lent to You, from things you were given at birth to things you get that didn't come from your own intentions. Sarutahiko is unable to keep up with Mineaki's exposition and asks him to dumb it down, but a ghost walks up to interrupt the conversation because there's so many hot springs around that he asks for a recommendation because he's paralyzed by his anxiety. Sarutahiko goes to help the ghost, and Mineaki wonders aloud if you guys are getting through things okay. In a way, you guys are enacting a Transfer of the Lands from Hell's ruler, and he talks about what will happen afterwards before scene transition cuts him off. 

Over on your end, the party reaches Enma's office with little difficulty. Daikoku comments that there wasn't anything like that in Ne no Kuni in the past. Enma also wasn't the one on top in Ne no Kuni, so Daikoku takes it as proof that other things have been mixed in here. If the mastermind of the incident is Awakage-sama, then Daikoku reasons the situation came about from absorbing different kinds of faith. He decides to stop thinking about it and suggests moving on.

You comment on making it to Enma's office, suggest being careful, or yell for Enma to show himself. Harlot and Tetsugyuu walk up and comment on you guys finally showing up, saying Enma is sick of waiting too. Tetsugyuu yells to Enma, asking him to kick your asses now that you're here. The one they call Enma walks out along with hell's guard dog on a chain. This turns out to be Krampus and Garm.

You are shocked to see Krampus and Garm, and Krampus is surprised to see you too. He initially flaps his mouth open and closed like some goldfish before secretly communicating with you so that no one else can hear. Krampus turns out not to be under some delusion as he begs you for help, saying he just woke up there and everyone started treating him as Enma.

Harlot prompts Enma to go take your guys' powers, and Testugyuu is excited to kick Kamui's ass in particular. Garm excitedly says he'll defeat you guys and get his master to pat him on the head. Daikoku tells them that he's pissed too at the injustice at how he's been treated here. He's not that attached to that seat over there he doesn't recognize, but he's gonna vent his spleen all the same. You attempt to stop things from escalating, but Kamui steps up apologizing and saying he needs the others to take a nap so you guys can return. Xolotl also apologizes as he gears up to fight, saying you guys need to search the place for a clue to get home, and Krampus pleads to you for help as the episode battle begins. More story afterwards.

After the battle the story picks back up midway where you and Krampus are pretending to fight each other. Krampus asks you how you guys will get out of this since everyone else is actually fighting, and even he could die if he gets caught up in that. You either tell him you guys will have to keep the charade up until Harlot and the others go down, or you get into character and pretend Enma is super powerful. C gets an extra line of Krampus being shocked, asking if you're enjoying all this and saying this isn't like some hero show.

In any case, Zhurong worries about needing to help you before Krampus defeats you. It turns out he's fighting Garm, who howls excitedly and tells him he'll bite him if he looks away. Zhurong freaks out at this and tries fending him off with some attacks. It's surprising that everyone is falling for the fake fight you and Krampus are performing, and if you guys can keep it up for a few more minutes your party should win.

Nothing ever goes to plan as Krampus accidentally slips on his feet, and his claws veer towards your heart. Krampus drops character to tell you to get out of the way in desperation, but you are unable to react in time. Zhurong sees all this and reacts in distress, and his camera reacts to that by glowing in rainbow light. The shutter goes off on its own at the moment Krampus is about to accidentally stab you, and the flash blinds everyone. When you can see again, Krampus and the others have all disappeared without a trace.

You ask about what just happened, ask if Krampus and the others have run away, or say your eyes hurt from the flash. Xolotl also asks what just happened since the other side is gone all of a sudden. Kamui looks around, but he doesn't seem to have any more of an idea as to what's happened. Daikoku says after a moment that them being gone is convenient, then suggests searching the place. Zhurong seems disturbed himself as he says he'll go look for the bow and arrow. It's noted that he's gone off on his own out of curiosity before, but now everyone can tell something is wrong.

Kamui attempts to stop Zhurong and says it's dangerous to go alone since they haven't checked to make sure it's safe. Zhurong doesn't seem to hear him as he walks further in, so Kamui asks Xolotl and Daikoku to watch you while he goes after Zhurong. Daikoku says it should be fine to leave them to search the other side and suggests you guys start looking through this side. Xolotl asks that you guys look together, worried that monsters might pop out. Daikoku is baffled at this and points out that you guys are like monsters too. He opens a door, which prompts a scream out of Xolotl. You go with them, and you quickly find the bow and arrow in the treasure storehouse in no time.

The three of you wait at the entrance, and Kamui soon comes back with Zhurong. Zhurong still seems out of it and doesn't react to hearing you guys have found the bow and arrow. Daikoku talks about how the artifact is proof of the holder being the ruler of Hell, saying somebody called Okuninushi was given its power to return to the surface world. He sighs about how familiar it feels as he denies calling himself Okuninushi. Still, he can use it since he's borrowing the artifact. You either express shock that Daikoku has changed clothes or ask if you guys can return to Tokyo now. A gets an extra bit where Daikoku says the clothes were what Okuninushi wore when going around with the bow in hand. It was a time when he had nothing and lost nothing, he sadly notes as he looks off into the distance.

Anyways, Daikoku says he thought he couldn't use the bow, but after hearing about Xolotl's case it looks like he can use it since he Isn't the Original Owner. He turns towards a wall and pulls on the bowstring, and when he lets go a shining arrow shoots forward. Daikoku says all that's left to do is to use the bow to return everyone trapped in Hell back to life. Only the dead can stay in Ne no Kuni, and after returning everyone the world should collapse on itself.

You think aloud and ask if you guys really can go home now, ask if this will really solve the incident, then express worry about Krampus and the others. Daikoku thinks to himself that you guys have secured an escape route, but the incident itself has not been dealt with at all. He wonders who really is behind the 'dark' Awakage-sama in the original incident leading up to this, and he wonders why you guys came to this Knockoff Ne no Kuni Enclosed Space due to losing your lives. What was the motive behind Awakage-sama taking lives? And why can't anyone use their own artifacts?

Daikoku continues thinking about how the culprit's identity, motive, and the specific trait of the created Enclosed Space all have one thing in common. This would be impurity, as the culprit is seeking and gathering it here, having picked Ne no Kuni as the place to do so. Criminals who steal money have no money themselves, so someone gathering impurity would be someone without impurity. 

Daikoku speaks aloud suggesting you guys go back to the hot springs town where impurity is purified to move things along towards its end. He also says that the detective who reveals who the true culprit of the case should be someone else, someone more fitting. The party is relieved that things are almost over, giving no thought as to what will happen once the truth is revealed about everything happening here. End of episode.

Hell's Hot Paradise Episode 4 Part 1

Xolotl starts narrating about his home world El Dorado. Beneath it is its burning underworld Mictlan, which is a place he and his brother Quetzalcoatl once journeyed to. The world and humanity had been destroyed, so the two of them went there to bring it all back and to bring Mictlan's fire up to the surface world. It was a ritual that imitated the cycle of returning the sun back to the sky after it set into the land. There were many times where they were close to falling into bottomless pits, but eventually they managed to get what they came for. The ruler of the underworld Mictlantecuhtli however sent an army to retake the fire, but Xolotl says he and his brother couldn't afford to lose.

Xolotl handled defense, and Quetzalcoatl handled offense. The two of them synchronized to the point they breathed in synch, and Xolotl is proud of that time even now. He actually wonders and laughs to himself if another of their brothers Tezcatlipoca would have been jealous had he seen it. But anyways, Xolotl says he may have chosen to become a bodyguard when he came to Tokyo because of how he felt about that time.

The bigger thing that left an impression on Xolotl was the artifact Quetzalcoatl wielded, a flaming serpent dragon made out of turquoise that held the power of sun dragon that burns down things on the land and rends them. Xolotl explains that it's the manifestation of the faith that the sun burns down the land upon returning to the sky from underground. He admired and trusted in it, calling it the strength to return that no one could stop. Once everything preventing the sun's return was burned away, the journey to bring fire to the surface land succeeded. The sun was resurrected once more, humans gained a netherworld, and the world was filled with fire once more. But when Xolotl eventually found out that Quetzalcoatl left the world of El Dorado, he wondered where his artifact went off to.

Back to the present, the party gathers at the entrance of Onamuji's inn to get ready to head out. Xolotl asks in surprise if Mineaki and Sarutahiko really aren't coming along. Mineaki answers that he does want to do his best for his students, he's unfortunately not really a fighter. If he came along and dragged the party down because of it, he figured it'd be better for him to stay back and do what he can there. He can't use his artifact now, but maybe he can help out with something else. And in that case, he'd like Sarutahiko to act as a guide and help him. Sarutahiko says that's how it goes, so he'll be counting on you guys.

The party is now splitting up into two teams, one of which will be going to Enma's office. Xolotl says he understands and will do his best. You either are impressed at how motivated he is or point out that he can't use his artifact right now. Xolotl starts stammering about how he can't use His Own artifact, but it's possible for him to borrow someone else's. He then cuts himself off and claims it's nothing, apologizing for speaking nonsense.

Mineaki says it's fine and suggests that Xolotl have more confidence in himself, so Xolotl stands up straighter and repeats that he'll do his best. Sarutahiko wishes Zhurong good luck, saying he feels bad about leaving things to him but his power is needed. Zhurong nods and says he'll work hard enough to fill in for Sarutahiko. Sarutahiko gives him some head pats before encouraging him with a slap to the back. Kamui then asks you if you're ready, telling you to not push yourself too hard. Daikoku says it'd be okay for you to stay behind at the inn if you want to, saying the away team will manage without you in that case. You either say it's time to go, tell Kamui he shouldn't push himself too hard either, or ask Daikoku if he's worried about you. B has an extra line of Kamui agreeing, saying he won't be able to keep you safe if he acts recklessly. C has a different extra where Daikoku laughs and says he is because you getting hurt would bother him. When you suggest he's just concerned about your monetary value as a product, he laughs it off and denies the idea.

Before the away team is about to go, Onamuji stops you guys for a brief talk. He asks that you guys be careful and says they'll be waiting for you all to come back. The away party promises to come back, then heads off for that big building in the distance. Onamuji sadly comments on the party going after you all leave, and he hopes it doesn't turn into a big thing. Mineaki says all they can do is trust and wait, but he's sure you guys will be fine. In the meantime, Sarutahiko says he'll make Yubune (which I guess is the name of the inn) the best inn in the hot springs town. Onamuji and Mineaki nod at this, and Mineaki suggests putting more information upfront on the various springs there. He also offers to teach a little bit about medicine just in case it helps, so Onamuji agrees and says they should do their best.

Title card pops up, and this episode is called King Enma Arrives

Suzuku shows up and tells you all to stop, saying you're all pretty brave to come back. Takemaru is growling like a dog and says he won't let you guys escape, and Zhurong freaks out at the two acting scarier than the first time you all saw them. Suzuka is happy about this, saying she had some hellish training since you guys ran off on her. The oni mobs around watching the spirits pile up rocks start gathering, and it's clear there's a huge number disparity in their favor even if Kamui can use fire powers now. Suzuka brags about having called for reinforcements against you guys to make sure she gets you all this time. You say it'll be bad if they get any more reinforcements, try to excuse the party out, or sigh in disappointment saying you wanted to be alone with Suzuka. C gets an extra bit of Suzuka getting mad and accusing you of trying to trick her. It still works since she agrees to send you her phone number.

Anyways, Suzuka starts dramatically like an introductory host and calls for the two guards of hell to show up. The party is taken aback as Hakumen and Tadatomo arrive, with Hakumen announcing her presence and commenting on seeing you guys again. Tadatomo is mad as he says that thanks to you guys escaping, the two of them got spanked 100 times as punishment. He swears to catch you this time so you guys can taste that humiliation in the basement.

The party is surrounded by the mob onis along with the others, and Daikoku expresses concern about the situation. If you guys can't get out of it it'll be time for everyone to meet their maker, though Daikoku then remembers that you're already in Hell. Kamui offers to stall them out so that everyone else can get across the river, and he says he'll cross afterwards. Kamui is about to step forward and fight, but Daikoku stops him saying it was different from earlier when Daikoku offered to be the decoy. Not only is there a bigger numbers difference, there's four strong servants of hell here. Daikoku also points out that if Kamui goes down, the party would have almost no ability to fight left. Both sides have a point, but there's no time to come up with a solution as Suzuka and the others start moving.

Suzuka declares that no amount of planning will save you guys from getting stepped on, and Hakumen cheerfully says it's time to go. The mobs start rushing the party, but Kamui takes point declaring himself the sword and shield of heroes to hold the line. He swings his fire wheels around, surprising Tadatomo as he says it's the flame of punishment Datsue-babalon told them about earlier. Takemaru says it doesn't matter if they can just gang up on him.

Daikoku says the rest of the party needs to fight too because leaving Kamui behind is a bad move all around, and Zhurong yells for people to stop bullying Kamui as he attacks too. Everyone does as best they can, but the numbers difference means the situation gradually turns against you guys. Xolotl thinks to himself that everyone will get beaten down at this rate, and he feels the power of the artifact his brother wielded inside himself. He thinks about how he's not sure why he has the artifact since it isn't his, but the possibility of losing everyone else pushes him to try using it.

Xolotl holds his right arm up towards the sky and yells, calling for the burning turquoise snake to give him power. Both sides are shocked as a bunch of snakes appear from Xolotl's arm and start flying towards the sky. Xolotl himself magically changes clothes and summons the sun in the sky. He laughs a little and says he's still scared because it still feels like he'll be offered up to that sun. Daikoku is shocked about the sun appearing since the Hell you guys are in is supposed to be in a state of constant night. You are surprised but are glad to have things turn around in your favor, cheer Xolotl on, or dance around in pain because the ground is burning. Meanwhile the turquoise snakes continue pushing the sun higher and higher. The higher the sun gets, the more power they and Xolotl give off until they finally push it into a good position. Xolotl says the sun has reached the highest point, then tells the enemies to get ready as he starts the episode battle. More story happens afterwards.

After the battle, Xolotl asks the other side to surrender since his artifact is dangerous. He explains that the snakes burn down the land, which makes it the natural enemy of everyone in the underground netherworld. His bravado starts to falter a little as he threatens to burn them all down, and you either say Xolotl is amazing, wonder if he ever had an artifact like that, or curse the fact that your own sword isn't working.

Hakumen tells Xolotl to get it over with, saying that a hell guard that can't render judgment on sinners is worthless. One of the snakes charges at her like it's about to eat her, and Hakumen just closes her eyes to let it happen. Nothing does though, and she opens her eyes up in confusion to see Xolotl having cancelled the artifact activation and back in his yukata. He tearfully apologizes and promises to help her, so he asks her to wait a little longer.

Takemaru is surprised that Xolotl backed down and readies himself to attack, but Suzuka stops him and says they've lost. If he keeps going, then they really will get burned to ash. Takemaru deflates and trembles at that, and Tadatomo clicks his tongue in frustration before telling you guys there's a healing spring up ahead you guys can use before going to Enma's office. It's his way of repaying Xolotl for sparing them, and he helps Hakumen up before leaving. Suzuka prompts you guys to get going before they change their minds, and she points to an old beat up looking boat that should still carry the party across the water. You thank Suzuka, say you'll save her for sure, or tell Takemaru to wait a little longer. In A, Suzuka blusters about you being a weirdo to thank an oni, but she still wishes you good luck. In B, Suzuka is confused since normally she makes others call for help, but she warns you that Enma is on another level from them in power. In C, Takemaru is confused but prompts you to go on, saying oni there are more temperamental than he thought.

In any case the party climbs into the boat and crosses over the river. You guys decide to stop by the healing spring Tadatomo mentioned, and no one says anything on the way, not even Zhurong. No one can broach the subject of Xolotl suddenly pulling another artifact out of his sleeves, so the awkward mood persists for some time. Xolotl is the one to eventually break the ice as he apologizes for keeping quiet about being able to use an artifact. Zhurong immediately gushes over how cool he was and how he changed his whole outfit when using it. Kamui says it's a fact that Xolotl saved them, and he figures Xolotl not mentioning the artifact earlier must have been because of reasons of some kind.

Daikoku follows up saying he doesn't intend on questioning why Xolotl kept quiet, but he does ask if Xolotl will explain why he can use this other artifact. Xolotl agrees and answers that the artifact isn't originally his. He looks to you, and it's clear it belonged to his brother before. Xolotl says that when everyone talked about how the world you guys are in is Hell and no one could use their artifacts, he did notice that he couldn't use his own. He was still able to feel something from the one he borrowed though, telling him he could use it in this particular area. Daikoku puts his hand to his chin at this and looks to Kamui and Zhurong, saying it lines up with Zhurong lending Kamui fire magic. He then reasons this means that people have little hope of using their own artifacts after all.

Xolotl apologizes repeatedly as the party eventually finds the hot spring. When you get in, you compare it to heaven, an oasis in hell, and/or say you'll have to praise Tadatomo when you get back. Kamui agrees that it's surprising to have something like that spring around, but he cautions you to keep your guard up since this is deep in enemy territory. He suggests dividing the party in two between a lookout group and a bathing group. Xolotl asks if he can go in with you first then, which you either find surprising, tease him about for being so forward, or casually roll with it. The rest of the party agrees, and you decide whether you'll be having a foot bath or an actual bath.

Xolotl apologizes to you again for forcing the situation, but he says he wanted to talk to you about that power he used. So you probably have noticed already, but he tells you it's the power of Quetzalcoatl within you. He noticed that he had the power of your artifact a few days after coming to Tokyo, though he's not sure when he actually got it. But for whatever reason, Quetzalcoatl's power was entrusted to him.

Xolotl raises his right arm to show you a turquoise snake wrapped around it. He tries to ask you about why the power was given to him, and he's worried that it's because the power was lent to him that your artifact became unusable. He starts working himself into a panic, but you stop him and say you aren't Quetzalcoatl. But even so, you're sure he cared about Xolotl, even if it meant he'd disappear himself. Xolotl argues that Quetzalcoatl put him up as a sacrifice once, but he ran out on it and was unable to do anything for the world. You inform Xolotl that Tezcatlipoca once told you that Quetzalcoatl stopped doing sacrifices after Xolotl left. Xolotl is surprised to hear this, and you suggest that he might have done this to let Xolotl come back.

Xolotl brings up that the faith that seeks sacrifices is the pillar that supports El Dorado. Denying it means having to leave the world, and Xolotl gets distressed at the idea it's his fault Quetzalcoatl is gone. Tears well up as he says he became a sacrifice after all, and you either choose to wipe away Xolotl's tears, look away to spare his feelings, or hug and pat him down. Whichever way you go, you wait for Xolotl to eventually cry it out.

In any case, Xolotl apologizes for looking like a mess, still trembling a little as he wipes his eyes. He talks about not knowing how Quetzalcoatl truly felt in passing his artifact on to him, but he promises to use it and bring everyone back to life. If he doesn't, he wouldn't be able to bring himself to look Quetzalcoatl in the eye again, and he swears to do his best to defend everyone. Xolotl looks like he's feeling better now that he's gotten that off his chest, and the two of you sit in the water for a moment longer before returning to the rest of the party to switch off.

Daikoku wastes no time teasing Xolotl for gaining his determination, freaking Xolotl out as he asks if they all heard him. Zhurong says they weren't that far away and Xolotl was crying loudly, so yeah they heard him. Xolotl hides his face out of embarrassment, saying he still meant it about protecting everyone as a bodyguard, leading the rest of the party to smile.

Scene shifts over to Enma's office, and Harlot reports that the party will be arriving soon. Tetsugyuu declares that Enma's power is undoubtedly the best of the Ten Kings, and the guy they call Enma leaves without a word. Harlot comments on him being cool as ever, then orders Tetsugyuu to be ready for the party to show up. Testugyuu obeys, getting excited to crush the party this time as they leave themselves, and so the episode ends.

Hell's Hot Paradise Episode 3 Part 2

Over the course of the battle it turns out Harlot, Tetsugyuu, and their flunkies/extras have managed to strip off Sarutahiko, Mineaki, and Daikoku. Harlot says you guys are the only ones left to go through, and Daikoku sighs about how he'll be liable to be arrested for public indecency if he's left like this. Mineaki is taken aback and tells Daikoku this isn't the time to be joking, and he says there's no telling when they'll go after you guys directly instead of your clothes.

Daikoku laughs and suggests that since Sarutahiko is also a lower end earthly deity, he should stand up proudly. Sarutahiko protests in shock that he's too embarrassed to do so. Daikoku comments on how Sarutahiko can speak like that to him now, though he figures there's not much he can say about that since Sarutahiko has always been the type who constantly loses to people who look open and courageous. Sarutahiko gets pissy at the condescension and doesn't know what he's talking about. He also starts getting the feeling he's seen Daikoku somewhere before, and when he starts looking closer he pales and freaks out. Sarutahiko is about to blab what's on his mind which Daikoku figures he would, but Daikoku asks him to keep quiet about that for now since it's not his name anymore. Sarutahiko doesn't get why, but he quickly obeys.

You comment that Sarutahiko and the others are getting loud for whatever reason, but you turn to look at Zhurong and see how he's doing. He's freaking out at the ghosts getting near him, so Kamui calls to you and him and tells you both to hide behind him. The three of you are doing your best to fight the mobs off and Kamui is trying to protect you two, but pressure turns against you guys because of sheer numbers.

Kamui think it's too much to handle without powers and looks for some way to turn things around, at which point Zhurong grabs at his yukata asking him to do his best. Kamui smiles at Zhurong and lightly pats his head trying to calm him down, but his expression quickly switches to surprise a second later. The flames of authority flow from Zhurong's hand to Kamui's body, and Kamui is covered in fire soon after. Zhurong is surprised by this too along with the rest of the party, and once the flames disperse Kamui is accompanied by fire wheels.

Kamui asks if this power is Zhurong's, and you ask if it's Zhurong's flames and/or if he lent his power to him in shock. Kamui quickly puts his surprise aside as he focuses back on the fight. Harlot is shocked as she recognizes the flames of hell from the kasha, and she asks why Kamui has that power. Kamui says he doesn't know, but he starts fighting back harder as he swings the fire wheels around and mows the ghosts and onis down.

Harlot gets frustrated as she steps up to cast a dark whirlwind, which you take note of as not actually Harlot's power and/or say you recognize the flames from somewhere. Kamui's flames clash with Harlot's tornado, but the fire turns out to be stronger and burn the mobs. Tetsugyuu tells Harlot they'll lose if this keeps up, and she admits he's right as she calls for a retreat. Harlot summons another tornado, but rather than use it to attack she uses to wall themselves off to make their escape. When the tornado dies off, Kamui notes you guys managed to ward them off and asks if you and Zhurong are okay. You say you guys are thanks to him, say he was really cool, or ask what's going on with that power. B gets an extra bit with Zhurong agreeing and comparing Kamui to a superhero. Kamui is surprised but says he's glad he was able to protect you guys.

The rest of the party picks up their things and puts their clothes back on, looking no worse for the wear. Mineaki asks Zhurong if he has the power to share fire with others, but Zhurong says he doesn't know what he did beyond hoping really hard that Kamui wouldn't lose. Mineaki is surprised and a little disappointed, but he stops himself from voicing much of it. Zhurong apologizes for not being more of a help, so Mineaki tells him that smiling like he usually does helps everyone else do their best as he gently pats him on the head. Xolotl speaks up to suggest that everyone head back to Onamuji's inn soon as he's worried someone else might come to attack the party if they stick around. Sarutahiko agrees, saying he wants to make sure Onamuji is okay for different reasons.

When the party gets back to the inn, you guys are greeted by Onamuji who has been going out of his mind with worrying. Sarutahiko is glad to see him, having worried he had disappeared or something. Onamuji cuts him off asking where you guys went since he was concerned about you all. Sarutahiko awkwardly apologizes, saying he heard about a possibility of getting back to Tokyo that he didn't want Onamuji dragged into. Onamuji looks hurt at this and asks if Sarutahiko was going to leave without saying anything if he did find a way back. The very least he wants to do is say goodbye and send you guys off.

Onamuji asks that if you guys are going out again, you should at least leave him a note. Sarutahiko quickly agrees, pleading for him to stop with the kicked puppy look. While this is happening, Mineaki is comparing Daikoku and Onamuji's appearances and laughs to himself like he's gotten something. Daikoku asks if he wants to be stepped on or something, in which case he can oblige. Mineaki says he was wondering where that innocence went and thought it was kinda funny. Daikoku fires back by clearing his throat and directly quotes Mineaki pleading for help for his students' sake earlier in the hot springs. This shocks Mineaki saying he should have shown himself if he was around, and Daikoku laughs about this making them even.

Mineaki changes the subject to ask Daikoku if he recognizes Onamuji from anywhere because he seems kinda familiar. Daikoku actually looks down and claims he doesn't know anyone that easy to sucker in. Mineaki decides to not press the matter any further, and the party soon splits up to either go back to their room or bathe in the springs. Before you go anywhere, Kamui talks to you and invites you to the hot springs with him. He has to repeat this question because he initially uses the Ainu word for them and has to clarify, but he says he was thinking about what people were talking about earlier. You go with him, though you can choose whether it's a foot bath or an actual soak in the water.

Out in the springs area, Kamui comments on how great the hot springs are around here and how he never knew there was this many of them. The two of you walk around when Kamui expresses interest in one that looks like boiling magma. He compares the water to looking like blood and wonders if it'd dye his fur if he got in. You say it should be fine, say he'd get burned if he goes in, or say it might be possible.

Kamui dips his toes in, then slowly goes to sit in the spring. He says it's not as hot as it looks, and it's actually at a pleasant temperature. He prompts you to join him, saying it's great for recovering from battle fatigue. You ask Kamui why he invited you and if he had something he wanted to talk about, so he says he felt like he needed to apologize to you. He turns to face you and bows deeply, and he apologizes for failing to save you.

You tell Kamui that there was nothing that could've been done, that you're happy he's that concerned about you, or shrug and say taking a trip to hell hasn't been too bad. Kamui is surprised you aren't more upset with him, saying he'll take whatever punishment you want him to take. You point out he saved you earlier and that he'll keep doing it, and you apologize that you couldn't help him either.

Kamui says he was just trying to make up for letting you die earlier, but if you're given him another chance he'll make a new vow. He loudly swears to fight with everything he has to return you back to Tokyo. No matter how strong Enma may be, he swears he'll find the exit for you. Kamui then gets a little bashful and asks if you believe him, so you either say you do, say it'll be fine since everyone else is here too, or ask him to keep protecting you. In A, Kamui's tense expression lightens up in relief. In B, Kamui agrees that everyone's presence is comforting and everyone is strong, starting with Daikoku. In C, Kamui pulls you over with his arm around your shoulder, looks you in the eye, then gently hugs you.

Anyways, Kamui says he needs to thank Zhurong too since he gave him the power to fight. He manifests his fire wheels which gently float around, and he shows a slightly more innocent face he usually shows apparently from finding using this power fun. His brain catches up after a moment as he apologizes, saying he got lost in the new sensation, and he changes the subject by offering you a drink.

Kamui asks if you're thirsty, saying you should take the bottle if you want to stay in the hot spring for a while. It's a sports drink he hands you, frozen earlier and now half-melted from the hot springs' heat. Kamui talks about how it's dangerous to be dehydrated, and he says he chilled the drink earlier in case you didn't like warm drinks. He's checked with Onamuji earlier if it was okay to drink in the springs, so you don't have to worry about doing so. You decide you may as well stick around a bit more since Kamui gave you a drink, then thank him. The two of you spend some time trying out the other springs, and you eventually leave before you get tired of it all.

On your way back to the room, you sigh about how nice the water was and figure now's a good time to relax, but then you start hearing something. When you get inside, you find Zhurong imitating Kamui's big declaration in the hot springs earlier and asking how his impression was. Kamui is dismayed and asks him to stop. Zhurong asks him to be the bad guy again so that he can pretend to be Kamui and defeat him, and you ask what's going on or comment that Sentai Hero Season 2 must be starting.

Daikoku points out that Kamui yelled out his declaration earlier, so of course they all heard it. Xolotl says Zhurong was impressed when he heard it and started mimicking it, saying he'll be like Kamui too. Mineaki points out that Kamui did impressively in that battle earlier. Kamui looks embarrassed since he's not used to being treated as a hero himself, and he tries to suggest it be Zhurong (I think?) who should be given the hero treatment. He falters when Zhurong looks at him with shining, excited eyes saying he wants to be like him.

Kamui tries to argue that Zhurong is already everyone's hero, saying without him he wouldn't have been able to fight as well as he did. Zhurong laughs bashfully at this, and the mood lightens for everyone. Zhurong is about to talk about something else when he starts yawning and feeling sleepy. Mineaki suggests it's about time to go to bed, but Zhurong protests about going to bed before everyone else saying it'd be saddening. The rest of the party looks to one another and smiles, so Mineaki says everyone else is tired too, so turning in early might be a good idea. Xolotl agrees, saying it's been a long time since he could relax in a futon. Everyone goes to lie down, and you say good night. Mineaki turns the light off too, then bids everyone goodnight.

Time passes for a bit to when Zhurong wakes up, asking if anyone else is up too. Mineaki tells him he'll get less sleepy if he starts talking, so he suggests he close his eyes and go back to sleep. Zhurong says it feels like a waste to sleep again when they have such a large room, which you agree with and compare this to a club or sports team trip. Daikoku says there's no concept of day and night in Hell, so you can wake up whenever you want. Mineaki sighs that everyone is a bad influence for encouraging a kid to stay up late, but he decides not to sweat it for the day. Kamui suggests lighting candles and telling ghost stories, so he starts to bring up a story from Kamui Kotan. Xolotl mildly freaks out and asks him to stop because it'd keep him up.

Zhurong suggests that they turn on the lights and play the King's Game. Daikoku finds that an interesting idea and says people shouldn't expect to get out of this okay. Mineaki asks him to not act as less than an upstanding adult towards Zhurong. The door to the room slams open as Sarutahiko barges in asking to be invited to the party, and Onamuji apologizes for being unable to stop him. The episode then ends as things start getting lively.

Hell's Hot Paradise Episode 3 Part 1

We pick up where things left off last time as Daikoku asks if you aren't going to get in the water with him, saying it's nice. You either ask him what he's been doing all this time since you've been worried about him, ask him about what he knows, or accuse him of being up to something. C gets an extra line of him laughing about how little trust you have in him but wondering if that actually is trust in another point of view.

But to answer any questions, Daikoku says he should do things in order starting with what's up with the world. He's told Kamui already, but he informs you that this is a place people generally call a world of the dead. More precisely, it'd be Ne no Kuni, a place he used to set up base in which he doesn't really like. You ask for elaboration since you've never heard of the place, or you do recognize the name and ask if he's talking about Ne no Katasukuni. C gets an extra line of Daikoku being surprised as he starts commenting that it wouldn't be odd for you to know, but he backtracks and compliments you for being so studious.

Either way, Daikoku says the place is accurately called Ne no Katasukuni, which he describes as a dumping ground of sin and impurity. There's also a story where a certain someone from somewhere in days past referred to the place as Haha no Kuni. But never mind that, he's found proof that this place highly resembles the place he knows. That's what he's been doing this whole time. You ask if Daikoku is denying being responsible for what's happening given how he phrased that, so Daikoku confirms and asks why anyone would willingly come here. He describes the place further as a prison isolated from the surface world and would never see sunlight. His voice rises as it becomes apparent he has opinions of this world most other people don't.

Daikoku moves the subject along to why he actually started talking to you. He asks if you'd help him if he said there was a way to escape the world alive and go back to Tokyo. You either readily agree or hesitate and say it'd depend on what you'd have to do. Daikoku assures you it isn't anything difficult, then says a certain Bow and Arrow should be somewhere in hell. He says it has a strong life force in it, strong enough to revive the dead. It should help if you guys find it, and Daikoku asks if you alone will go with him to search for the thing.

You bring up the idea that it'd be better for the whole party to go search for the bow and arrow and can optionally say you'd like to go with just him. Daikoku suggests against the idea given that nobody can use their powers right now. Moving too openly and in large groups is too dangerous, and he says it'd be better to cut down the number of people going around to the minimum amount necessary. It's why he secretly came to talk to you, and he asks if you understand his position.

You ask Daikoku why he wants only you to help and/or ask if it's fine that you can't use your power either. Daikoku says it's a simple story after a moment and explains that he needs someone with a connection to the bow and arrow. If a connection has ever been made, the power and hierarchy it has can cross even worlds. You have that connection as the person meant to possess that bow and arrow.

You ask Daikoku if this has anything to do with Susanoo, the guy people have often said you resemble. Daikoku is quiet for a second before deciding to go the no comment route on answering that question. You then ask about whether Daikoku himself has a connection to the bow and arrow, so he admits after a pause that he Does Not, at least Not As Daikoku. It's why he needs you and is putting his shame aside for a second to ask for your help. Also, if he and Mineaki meet each other it's going to be a fight. You awkwardly laugh at that and/or say it should be okay now, maybe.

Daikoku asks if you have any other questions, so you ask what the point in getting the bow and arrow would be if powers are unusable at the moment. Daikoku thinks on that and says that he still hasn't confirmed why no one can use their powers. He has ideas, sure, but he admits that it's highly possible that the power of the bow and arrow will be unusable too. He suggests you guys may as well go get the thing first and leave checking its usability a bridge to cross when you get to that point. If you happen to find any clues towards solving that problem, he asks that you let him know. And if you do agree to work with him, he tells you he'll be waiting outside town before excusing himself.

Title card pops up, and this episode is called A Ray of Bright Light

Time moves on to the point where you return to your room, where Zhurong and the others are having that pillow fight Zhurong got permission for. Kamui is pretending to be an overlord and laughs evilly and Xolotl is his minion, who seems kinda intimidated by his act. Sarutahiko and Zhurong are on the other side playing at being sentai rangers as they fling pillows, and you either think to yourself that you have to tell the party because it's important even though Daikoku wanted it to be a secret, or you think to yourself that you should keep quiet because Daikoku said so. In A and B, you stop the pillow fighters and call Mineaki together to talk about what you heard. They're confused at first, but then look serious when you explain things. In C, Kamui stops as he notices you looking like you're keeping something to yourself. Sarutahiko and Zhurong continue playing as they demand you to spill the beans, jumping at you to tickle the information out of you.

Either way time skips over as you explain the party what's up offscreen. Sarutahiko gets what's happening but asks if it's okay to believe it since Mineaki suspects Daikoku of causing all this. Kamui is shocked to hear about this and says he can't imagine Daikoku being responsible. Everyone turns to look at Mineaki, who awkwardly laughs and says he did suspect him before, but now he's not sure. Sarutahiko jokes that Mineaki is losing his confidence, and Mineaki laughs a little about it being a sore spot.

Sarutahiko puts his serious face back on as the conversation continues where it left off, and he asks that the party not inform Onamuji about any of this since he's a resident of hell. He has his 'work' here and apparently he's terrible at fighting, so Sarutahiko would rather not get him involved if possible. He'd also like for Zhurong to stay behind if possible. Zhurong objects to being the only one left behind, so Sarutahiko shrugs in resignation and says Zhurong wasn't the type to sit quietly.

The party ends up deciding to agree as Sarutahiko says and not talk to Onamuji, but Zhurong will be coming along as everyone goes to see Daikoku. Sarutahiko then brings up that Daikoku is going to object when they all show up since he only wanted you to come. Mineaki rechecks with you about whether Daikoku said going as a group should be avoided due to dangers given that no one can use their powers, which is his justification for asking you to come alone. You confirm and ask where he's going with that, so Mineaki says he understands and suggests it might work out if you try talking to Daikoku. Sarutahiko is shocked at how little of a plan there is to address that, but he suggests going now to talk to Daikoku while Onamuji is still out.

Time skips to the party meeting with Daikoku, who is predictably unhappy as he asks why you went against his wishes. You apologize but say you think it'd be better for everyone to work together and ask him to believe in the you who believes in everyone else. Daikoku rejects this as an explanation and repeats he had asked for only you, and he sighs about having believed in you.

Daikoku turns to leave, but Mineaki calls out to ask him to stop and help you guys. Daikoku is amused at this change in attitude and taunts Mineaki about having no pride to bow to him like this. Mineaki says it doesn't matter now, saying that saving the children takes priority over keeping face. The rest of the party starts pleading with Daikoku as well, though only Xolotl's is shown as he says he heard Daikoku helped when they were unconscious. He asks to be allowed to help him now. Daikoku looks sad and says he didn't want to expose them to danger, but if people are insisting so much he'll just have to go along with it.

Zhurong cheers about Daikoku agreeing to help after all, and Daikoku laughs. You cheer about this and say it's just as Mineaki said, though you note that Daikoku folded rather quickly. Mineaki asks Daikoku in a low voice if he had planned for this, and Daikoku plays dumb. Mineaki says it's hard to believe Daikoku would think you'd actually leave everyone else behind, so if they were coming anyways it'd be easier to manipulate everyone by framing the situation as being the one to give in first.

Daikoku comments that Mineaki is talking like he knows, then brings up that his eye shouldn't be working right. Mineaki says that's true, so his ability to discern things has gotten rusty. Right now he's just basing all this on 'the Daikoku he'd known from a long time ago,' which he says is shoving the work to someone else in a sense. Daikoku sighs about how he can't say it's all a misunderstanding to him, but he comments to being merciful, especially to people who have no ability to fight...like the little kid among you.

Daikoku turns to look at Zhurong, then says he likes who proudly believe they have the strength to bring others to heel. He asks if you're really going to bring a child like Zhurong along, and you are surprised at the question but consider leaving him behind. Zhurong however insists that he can fight and is going to accompany the party. Daikoku tells him that hell is a lot more dangerous than he thinks it is, and since no one can use their powers and artifacts it's likely no one can protect him.

Zhurong is mad at Daikoku's statement at first, but then looks confused as he says he can use his own power. Everyone else is shocked by this, and Mineaki asks him to show them. Zhurong is taken aback and says it's nothing special, and he makes various colors shake to create a fireball in his hands. Daikoku is shocked speechless at this, and Mineaki remembers they never got around to telling Zhurong about the power sealing or whatever when he woke up. Whatever happened had happened while he was asleep, and the party never thought to have him try using his ability. Mineaki then asks Sarutahiko if he can use his artifact then.

Sarutahiko shakes his head as everyone turns to him, saying he tried it out when he was going to clean the hot springs at the inn. He also mentions that Onamuji doesn't seem to have any powers either, which Daikoku is noted to be quiet about. Sarutahiko says he talked to Onamuji about it, and Onamuji said 'he was always borrowing someone else's power.' He didn't have any power to fight on his own until he came to Ne no Kuni, saying he was never any roles that involved it. Sarutahiko guesses he won't fight at all, so he doesn't want to drag him into any. Daikoku suggests after a moment that using strength as a reason to keep Onamuji away from danger could be disgraceful. Sarutahiko is offended at Daikoku speaking like he knows and demands to know what he'd know of Onamuji. Daikoku is quiet before agreeing, smiling as he declines to say any more on the subject.

Mineaki changes the subject to ask Zhurong if he has any idea as to why only he can use his ability. Zhurong is taken aback and says he has no idea, bringing up that he didn't know until now that nobody else could use theirs. Daikoku says if they could figure out why Zhurong kept his ability, maybe you guys can figure out how to get yours back. Zhurong thinks on it, but all he can think of is how powers are borrowed.

Mineaki asks Zhurong to go on, so Zhurong says he got his power from someone else, except he can't remember who. It just wasn't originally his, so he figures it must have been someone else's. You nod and say you understand, noting that it's not the same as training and making it your own skill and noting it's been like that from the start now that you think about it. Zhurong is happy you get it, then says he's just using something he borrowed. He just can't explain why he can use it. Mineaki thinks aloud on this, feeling there's something on the statement 'using something borrowed' is bothering him. Daikoku looks sad as he keeps quiet.

Nobody is able to come up with any theories explaining why only Zhurong can use his power, and Xolotl is off to the side looking unhappy. He thinks to himself that the idea that using something despite it being borrowed is mistaken, as it's actually Something is Usable Because It's Borrowed. He has an idea about that already, though he's not sure it's the same thing as what Zhurong was talking about. But he does think it's the same reason he was able to use His Brother's Artifact since coming to hell. He feels that he has to bring it up, but he's afraid of how people would react to him admitting he had something that he didn't use earlier. If it comes to it, he might be forced to use it despite his fear of it. Kamui notices that Xolotl is looking pale and asks if something is wrong. Xolotl is surprised but claims he was just thinking about something and is okay. Xolotl thinks about his memories of his time just before coming to Tokyo, and the flashbacks keep him from saying anything. In the end he is unable to bring himself to speak.

Anyways, Kamui asks Daikoku for more specific information on what they should be doing. Sarutahiko agrees, saying you never gave them any details. But if the place is somewhere in hell he knows about, he offers to lead you guys there. Daikoku is taken aback at this and looks to you, asking about you not telling the party anything. He sighs about how they were willing to go along with this between not having access to their powers along with not knowing what the plan is. But on further thought he realizes you can't use your powers either.

Narration skims past Daikoku explaining to the party about what he knows of the world based on his own memories and about the bow and arrow that can revive the dead. Mineaki brings up that Daikoku isn't someone who overlooks details and figures he must have an idea where the bow and arrow is. Daikoku says he's about 50% sure, and it's only a guess as to where it's likely to be. He brings up that you guys must have seen a large, gorgeous building in the distance on your way over, saying it's Enma's office. Nothing like that was around in his memories though when he was here. He's been gathering information up to this point, and he's learned there's someone called Enma ruling the hell and staying somewhere. If the bow and arrow actually exists, he isn't likely to leave it alone since it goes against the rules of the world. Daikoku then suggests that Enma is responsible for everything in this incident.

The party worries about whether they'd win in a fight with what they have now, and they are sure it's going to be a harsh one. The ones willing to go for it look determined, and the party decides to go back to Onamuji's inn to discuss the course of action. The moment you all turn back towards town, Kamui senses someone around, blocks an attack, and demands they reveal themselves. Two people walk out from the shadows accompanied by oni and spirits.

You are shocked to see Harlot and Tetsugyuu as you get a bad feeling about how things are going to go. Harlot calls you guys the people who escape their lower ranking guards, then says she'll ask Enma to punish Hakumen and Tadatomo. Tetsugyuu says they'll weigh your sins, which he does by ordering the mobs to get you guys starting with Xolotl. They all rush him, who freaks out as he asks what they're doing and begs them to not take his clothes off. You either quickly pass Xolotl a towel, pretend not to see, or wrap Xolotl in a towel yourself. A gets an extra line of Xolotl thanking you and just about ready to cry asking why this is happening. C gets a different extra line where Xolotl thanks you and says he would've caught a cold at that rate.

The mobs hand over the clothes to Harlot, who proceeds to hang it off a nearby wilted tree branch. This causes the branch to get bigger. Harlot and Tetsugyuu make game show noises and declare Xolotl guilty, which the mobs follow up with hopping around and chanting guilty. You react in shock and ask what's going on, ask Harlot to explain who she's supposed to be, or dance along (I think).

Tetsugyuu explains that the branch changes according to the weight of a person's sins, so if it's that big you have that many sins on your hands. Harlot says that running away from hell's guards is a huge crime against hell itself. Xolotl moans that if the realm of Mictlan in his homeworld made the same argument to him, he wouldn't be able to argue against it. You argue that anyone would run away when suddenly attacked, say you'll protect Xolotl, or argue that he's innocent because he's cute. B gets an extra line of Xolotl being moved to tears by your declaration. C gets a different extra line of Xolotl asking that you not shout about that. In any case, Harlot says it's everyone else's turn and tells you guys to sit there so she can measure your sins as she starts the episode battle.