Night, in the hills outside the Hirata Estate.
A light rain pattered down amid flashes of lightning and peals of thunder.
"This is... three years ago?"
Zhong Yi surveyed his surroundings, half believing, half doubting.
Not far away stood a Ghost Buddha, commonly known as a "save point."
Zhong Yi walked over and activated the save point. The words [Dragonspring Riverbank · Hirata Estate] appeared on it.
"I'm not even in Ashina Castle anymore..."
Zhong Yi muttered to himself.
He was currently on a hill outside the estate. Using his grappling hook to zip through the woods, he soon reached the foot of the hill.
Faint firelight flickered nearby, and the distant clamor of voices reached his ears.
"Firelight... bandits!"
Zhong Yi's heart jolted, and he immediately recalled the information the bald man had given him.
One day three years ago, with the Hirata Household's defenses stretched thin, bandits had invaded, committing every atrocity from murder and arson to looting.
Zhong Yi hurried on. Just before he reached the wooden bridge, he spotted a strange man lying on the ground, wearing a demon mask and a feathered rain cape.
Hearing footsteps, the man struggled to raise his head and looked at Zhong Yi with his dying breath.
"...You are... Owl's Son?"
"Owl? An owl?"
Zhong Yi quickly connected the name to someone who had only appeared in a cutscene.
It was Owl, the man who had picked Sekiro up from the battlefield, brought him back to Ashina, taught him swordsmanship, and bestowed upon him the title of "Wolf."
Owl meant precisely that: an owl.
Seeing Zhong Yi standing there with a thoughtful frown, the man struggled to prop himself halfway up again.
"Bandits... broke into the Hirata Estate... the young lord... hurry, save..."
Before he could finish, he collapsed to