Where To Go After Defeating Genichiro In Sekiro
Defeating Genichiro Ashina at the peak of Ashina Castle is a major turning point in Sekiro Shadows Die Twice. This grueling confrontation serves as a mechanical gatekeeper, testing every combat skill you have learned up to this point. Once the dust settles and the dust of battle clears, the world map opens up dramatically, offering multiple branching pathways for players to explore. Navigating this sudden freedom can feel overwhelming if you do not know which objectives to prioritize next.
Speaking with Lord Kuro and Lord Isshin
Your immediate next step after the battle is to interact with Lord Kuro in his room situated right below the castle lookout. Speaking with the young divine heir triggers vital lore dialogue and advances the overarching narrative toward severing the ties of immortality. Kuro will ask you to assist him in his research, which requires you to seek out his grandfather for additional historical context.
Following Kuro's directions, you must travel across the rooftops to locate Lord Isshin Ashina in a nearby watchtower. Isshin provides crucial details regarding the Mortal Blade and the specific ingredients required for the upcoming purification ritual. If you find yourself lost, you can look for purple smoke signals on the roofs to guide your path directly to his chamber.
Venturing Into the Sunken Valley
Once the primary conversations in the castle are complete, you can begin tracking down the ritual components, starting with the Lotus of the Palace. This rare flower is hidden deep within the treacherous depths of the Sunken Valley. To access this region, you need to travel behind the castle grounds and descend into a snowy canyon guarded by dangerous riflemen.
The Sunken Valley challenges players with intense environmental verticality and aggressive long-range snipers known as the Sunken Valley Clan. Navigating through the toxic swamps and rocky cliffs requires precise use of your shinobi prosthetic grappling hook to avoid taking lethal damage. Overcoming the challenges in this zone eventually leads to a confrontation with the Guardian Ape boss.
Exploring Senpou Temple and Mt Kongo
Another major destination available after your victory over Genichiro is the beautiful yet sinister Senpou Temple region. To reach this area, you must navigate through the Abandoned Dungeon located near the entrance of Ashina Castle. Following the dark underground water paths will eventually lead you to an elevator that goes up to the mountain slopes.
Senpou Temple is filled with corrupted monks and unique enemy types that test your stealth capabilities. This path is essential because it allows you to obtain the Mortal Blade from the Inner Sanctum after completing the Folding Screen Monkeys puzzle. Unlocking this iconic weapon is a mandatory requirement for progressing the later stages of the campaign.
Descending Into the Mibu Village
The final major branch available to players involves diving into the depths of the Ashina Depths to locate the Shelter Stone. This eerie cavernous region can be accessed by dropping down a massive bottomless hole near the reservoir area. The path leading down is filled with spectral enemies and requires perfect timing to land safely on hidden platforms.
Once inside the depths, you will travel through the Hidden Forest and eventually arrive at Mibu Village, a settlement overwhelmed by a strange water curse. The villagers here behave aggressively and will continuously swarm your position if you stay in one spot for too long. Defeating the corrupted monk illusion at the end of this village grants access to the sacred wedding cave door.