Kuro, The Divine Heir

Descendant of an ancient bloodline, and the one who the Wolf must protect. He was adopted and raised by the Hirata Clan, a branching house of the Ashina Clan.

## Personality

Unlike children of his age, he's quiet and generous, has a strong heart, and naturally gives off an impression of dignity.

## Encounters

The Divine Heir, otherwise known as Kuro is encountered firstly in the game’s tutorial area.

He gifts the wolf his sword Kusabimaru and the Healing Gourd. He orders the Wolf to find an escape route from the Ashina grounds. However, Genichiro Ashina is able to take Kuro away from Wolf in the Silvergrass Field, regardless of the battle outcome between the two.

Kuro then later be found atop the Ashina Castle, being persuaded to take Genichiro into his immortal oath. After defeating Genichiro, he can be found in Upper Tower - Kuro's Room, proposing immortality severance to Wolf.

Returning to Kuro after collecting the Divine Dragon's Tears, Wolf realizes that he has been taken away by Genichiro to the Silvergrass Field once again. Defeating him and the fate of Kuro will be decided, depends on the items Wolf choose to give him afterwards.

## Interactions

Gives directions to obtain the necessary items for reaching the Fountainhead Palace.

Gives Sweet Rice Balls after being gifted Rice for Kuro given by the Divine Child of Rejuvenation, once cured of her sickness with a Persimmon or Taro Persimmon. Alternatively, he gives one if the Divine Dragon has yet been confronted and Wolf returns from the Fountainhead Palace.

* Prologue
* Gathering Incense Ingredients
* Eavesdropping
* After Owl Reappears

**Wolf**: I've come to free you, my lord.
**Kuro**: Well then-- Raise your head. Kusabimaru -- your sword. My shinobi. In accordance with the bond of lord and retainer you will pledge your life in my service.
 **Talking** | **Kuro**: Loyal Wolf... I see you are wounded. ... I have something that may help. It is a special gourd medicinal waters. Use it to heal your wounds.
**Wolf**: My Lord...
**Kuro**: Now then... Were you gravely injured... afterward?
**Wolf**: After what?
**Kuro**: ... Do you not remember that night?
**Wolf**: I do not.
**Kuro**: Hmm... No, we'll talk about it later. Right now, we must escape Ashina Castle.
**Wolf**: As you say.
**Kuro**: There's a secret passage beneath the moat bridge that will take us out of the castle. Lord Isshin told me about it once. I ask you to find that secret passage.
 **Talking** | **Kuro**: Loyal Wolf. I have one more thing to give you. It's a gourd of medicinal waters. Should you be injured, it will restore you. *(Gives Healing Gourd)*
**Wolf**: My Lord.
**Kuro**: Now then... Were you gravely injured... afterward?
**Wolf**: After what?
**Kuro**: ... Do you not remember that night?
**Wolf**: I do not.
**Kuro**: Hmm... No, we'll talk about it later. Right now, we must escape Ashina Castle.
**Wolf**: As you say.
**Kuro**: There's a secret passage beneath the moat bridge that will take us out of the castle. Lord Isshin told me about it once. I ask you to find that secret passage.
Once you find it, hmm... Signal me with a reed whistle. You know, like you used to, long ago. I will join you as soon as I hear it.

* Talking Again

 **Talking at the Secret Passage** | **Kuro**: Where shall we go once we're away from the castle? I suppose the first thing we should do is cross the Ashina border... Or perhaps we should hide somewhere... What do you think?
**Wolf**: Whatever you desire.
**Kuro**: Whatever I desire? That's the Wolf I know...
**Wolf**: My Lord?
**Kuro**: ... Oh, nothing. I was just reminiscing... Onward, then.

* Talking again

 **Genichiro Cutscene** | **Genichiro Ashina**: The Divine Heir... Last we stood together was your uncle's funeral.
**Kuro**: Lord Genichiro... I- Thank you.
**Wolf**: Leave this to me..
**Genichiro Ashina**: So the noble shinobi stands in our way...

 **After Defeating Genichiro** | **Kuro**: When did you... lose your path... Lord Genichiro...

**Owl**: Plotting? I would do no such thing. Now, my lord. I must ask that you accompany me. This old bird has but one desire. To protect the Divine Heir from those who might take his esteemed blood.
**Kuro**: So, the Dragon's Heritage has seduced you, too? Then there is nothing to discuss. Take your leave.
 **After Defeating Owl** | **Kuro**: Wolf... I am relieved to see that you are safe. And Owl...?
**Wolf**: I killed him.
**Kuro**: *(Gasp)* ......... I am sorry.
**Wolf**: Lord Kuro.
**Kuro**: I am sorry...
**Wolf**: I did what had to be done.
**Kuro**: Wolf... Thank you...
**Wolf**: My father... This was in his possession.
**Kuro**: This branch... it's from the Everblossom tree...?! I see... So Owl had it...
**Wolf**: Yes...
 **Obtaining the Mortal Blade** | **Kuro**: Wolf, that sword on your back, is it...
**Wolf**: It is the Mortal Blade.
**Kuro**: The sword that can kill those who cannot die...
**Wolf**: Yes. It was given to me by the Divine Child of the Rejuvenating Waters at Senpou Temple.
**Kuro**: The Divine Child of the Rejuvenating Waters?
**Wolf**: The monks at Senpou Temple abandoned the ways of their faith in pursuit of immortality. The result is those who have false Dragon's Heritage... Known as the Divine Children of the Rejuvenating Waters.
**Kuro**: A false Dragon's Heritage... I never would have thought... Wait-- Divine... Children?
**Wolf**: Yes. Many were created, but only one survived.
**Kuro**: Further proof of the corruption this power brings to man... The ties of immortality must be severed.
**Wolf**: Yes, my lord.
**Kuro**: With the Mortal Blade in hand, I can now be made to bleed. We are one step closer to creating the Fountainhead Incense. The ties of immortality must be severed.
**Wolf**: Yes, my lord.

* Talking Again

**Kuro**: Wolf... We've finally done it. Once we make the Fountainhead Incense, you can infuse your clothes with the aroma. Now, place all of the ingredients in the incense burner.
 **After Burning the Incense** | **Wolf**: My Lord...
**Kuro**: Wolf, the Mortal Blade...
**Wolf**: .........
**Kuro**: ... Fear not. I will only make a shallow cut. Would you draw the Mortal Blade from its sheath?
**Wolf**: ... Yes, my lord.
**Kuro**: ... Forgive me, but... Close your eyes.
**Wolf**: ...... Yes, my lord...
**Kuro**: *(gasp)* ... It's over now, Wolf.
**Wolf**: ...how is the wound?
**Kuro**: I'm fine. I just made a small cut on my chest.
**Wolf**: .........
**Kuro**: So this... is the Fountainhead Incense. It's so... extraordinarily nostalgic...
**Wolf**: I see...
**Kuro**: Well? Do you notice anything different...?
**Wolf**: The aroma... and... Fountainhead Palace... Those words have been burned into my mind.
**Kuro**: Fountainhead Palace... It is just as Lord Takeru wrote... That place must lead to the divine realm. But how can the Fountainhead Palace be reached...
**Wolf**: "A sweetly scented bridal offering." That was written on the altar where the fragrant stone was placed.
**Kuro**: Yes. You now carry the aroma of the Fountainhead Incense. I believe the path leading to the Fountainhead Palace will open before you if you go to the shrine within the cave. Immortality shall soon be severed... I'm counting on you, Wolf...
**Wolf**: ... As you wish.

* Talking Again

**Kuro**: Wolf, I need you to bring Dragon Tears from the divine realm...
**Wolf**: Yes...
**Kuro**: You must first go to the depths of the cave where you found the fragrant stone. You now carry the scent of the Fountainhead Incense. I believe the path leading to the Fountainhead Palace will open before you if you enter the shrine within the cave.
 **Leaving (Generic)** | **Kuro**: You're leaving. Wolf, I'm counting on you.
 **Giving Rice for Kuro** | **Kuro**: Wolf, you're back.
**Wolf**: I am. I have something for you, Lord Kuro.
**Kuro**: Something for me?
**Wolf**: Here.
**Kuro**: This... It's rice...?
**Wolf**: Yes, the Divine Child of Senpou Temple told me to give this to you.
**Kuro**: She did? Then I am grateful. This looks like good rice... each grain glistens. It is sweet when you bite into it.
**Wolf**: Bite...?
**Kuro**: Wolf... Rice tastes a lot better when cooked.
**Wolf**: My Lord.
**Kuro**: Hmm... So do you like sweet things?
**Wolf**: I will eat anything.
**Kuro**: Which means you don't dislike sweets, then. Right, I'll make something nice for you.
**Wolf**: Something... nice?
 **Receiving Sweet Rice Balls** | **Kuro**: Sorry to keep you waiting, Wolf. Come now, hold out your hand!
**Wolf**: My Lord. What is...? *(Gives Sweet Rice Balls)*
**Kuro**: Sweet sticky-rice balls. I made them with the rice from the Divine Child. Eat it, don't be shy.

**Kuro**: How was the rice ball?
**Wolf**: It was delicious.
 **Talking After Reaching Fountainhead Palace** | **Wolf**: My Lord...
**Kuro**: You've done well to return to me, Wolf... Did you reach the Fountainhead Palace?
**Wolf**: I did.
**Kuro**: Good. I was worried.
**Wolf**: Dragon Tears... I will obtain them and return.
**Kuro**: Yes, I'm counting on you... Wolf.

Gallery
Sekiro and the Divine HeirThe Divine Heir Kuro close upThe Heir Saves SekiroWolf and KuroKuro in white dressKuro ReadingKuro's BookFountainhead Incense

Videos
Sekiro™ Shadows Die Twice Official Reveal Trailer