The Stray Dogs

The Stray Dogs was a virtual representation of one of Fujibayashi Naoe's genetic memories, relived through the Animus EGO.

Descriptions

Naoe tracks down the sōhei Yaya after events in Amagasaki Castle.

Dialogue

While tracking down Yaya in Osaka, Naoe heard sounds of fighting.

• Naoe: A fight. Yaya may need me.

South of the Temple of Osaka, Naoe saw a group of rōnin attacking Yaya and her fellow monks. After assisting the monks, Naoe spoke to Yaya.

Yaya questions Naoe's intentions in helping her

• Yaya: What are you doing here, Naoe?
• Naoe: You were outnumbered.
• Yaya: I'm grateful, but I know your blade. It thirst for blood.
• Naoe: For a reason, Yaya. Not without cause.
• Yaya: You think that will bring balance, when only forgiveness will. Haven't you learned that yet?
• Naoe: I want your forgiveness! If you grant me that, we could work together. For the greater good.
• Yaya: Many walk your kind of path. But not me. I don't do revenge.
• Naoe: My path chose me when Oda Nobunaga invaded Iga. I would have preferred to stay in my valley. My father's killers must answer for their crime. Just like Wada Koretake.
• Yaya: While it is true that we rarely choose our destiny, we must take responsibility for it.
• Naoe: I am taking responsibility.
• Yaya: No. You take revenge. It is not the same. I know you mean well. Look. Help me investigate what these monks wanted and why... and I'll think about it. All right?
• Naoe: All right.

Naoe and Yaya left to find the monks. They came across one that was injured.

• Naoe: This one lives.

Yaya angrily berates the monk who raided the shrine

• Yaya: You steal from a sacred place and call yourself a monk? What happened to your faith?
• Shrine Raider: In this world, you steal or get stolen from. I know which side I want to be on. My brothers and I woke up to the truth. I traded faith in invisible things for faith in reality.
• Yaya: Where did you take the valuables?
• Shrine Raider: There are no valuables here! The real loot is at the Christian church.
• Yaya: You're no more honorable than a pack of stray dogs.

Yaya turned to Naoe.

• Yaya: What should we do with this one?
• Naoe: You spoke of forgiveness. Who could be more worthy of it than a stray dog?
• Yaya: You are right. He needs empathy. Or he will never change. You are forgiven for this theft. But pray I don't catch you stealing again.

The shrine raider left after bowing in embarrassment. The shrine leader came shortly after.

• Shrine Leader: Out, nora inu!
• Yaya: Your face. Are you all right?
• Shrine Leader: Nothing I can't handle. One of the thieves left your quarters with your hairpin fastened to his robe.
• Yaya: My husband's kanzashi (hairpin)?
• Shrine Leader: His hood fell and I caught a good look. Young, with a dark brow. He used to follow you around, years back. A grumpy duckling after its mother!

Yaya realizing the identity of one of the raiders

• Yaya: Tetsuo.
• Shrine Leader: Yes! Like someone pissed in his buckwheat!
• Naoe: That kanzashi meant something you?
• Yaya: It belonged to my husband. One of the only things I had left that touched him. That felt like him in my hands. When grief has no home... it will turn to anger. We need to find Tetsuo.
• Naoe: That monk said others went to Takatsuki Church. Tetsuo may be there with the kanzashi.
• Shrine Leader: Give him grace, Yaya. Perhaps he does not know what he did.
• Yaya: He will return her safe. But he has some explaining to do.

Yaya tells Naoe her backstory and relation with Tetsuo

Naoe and Yaya took a walk, with Yaya providing some background on her relation with Tetsuo.

• Yaya: Tetsuo knows what that hairpin means to me.
• Naoe: Who is he?
• Yaya: I was his spiritual guide. He lost his parents before he could stand. But then when my husband died, I needed time. I left Tetsuo and joined Kyonyo at Honganji. I heard the boy never smiled again.
• Naoe: He must have missed you.
• Yaya: I can't be responsible for him. I did my part. I taught him everything he needed to know, and this is how he repays me? Meet me once you have the kanzashi. And Tetsuo.

Naoe left and head to the town of Takatsuki, where the church was at.

• Naoe: That monk said his accomplices went to rob the Christian church. I should look there for Tetsuo.

Naoe arrived at the church and looked around.

• Naoe: Why do we let the nanban build their temples here? Probably for profit.

Naoe finds Tetsuo inside the church

Inside the church building, Naoe found Tetsuo.

• Tetsuo: Don't hurt me!
• Naoe: Quiet, Tetsuo. Yaya sent me. Come on!

Instead of listening to Naoe, Tetsuo ran away, with her giving chase.

• Tetsuo:I didn't take anything! I swear! I've done nothing wrong! I'm just a simple monk!
• Naoe: Did Tetsuo think I was sent to hill him? I better stop him before he gets himself hurt!

Naoe chased Tetsuo to the entrance of the town.

• Naoe: Tetsuo! Wait!

Outside the gate, Tetsuo was stopped by Yaya, who picked and threw him to the ground.

• Yaya: Did you think only men could be rikishi?

Yaya scolds Tetsuo for his act of theft

Tetsuo was finally stopped to have a proper talk with Naoe and Yaya.

• Yaya: I taught you humility. Respect. And you stole from us? From me?
• Tetsuo: You left me! You were my guide. When you left I lost my way!
• Yaya: So you become a thief?
• Naoe: Yaya, Stop.
• Yaya: You have something to say?
• Naoe: You said forgiveness is the only balanced path. Yes, Tetsuo did hurt you. What happened in your past has hurt you both. Forgive him. Forgive yourself.

Yaya pondered over her own advice that she had given Naoe and agreed, knowing she would be a hypocrite if she didn't practice it herself.

• Yaya: How quickly my anger has taken a hold of him.

Yaya turned to Tetsuo.

• Yaya: When I lost my husband, I pushed you away. I was no good for the world. I left you with no choice but to find another family. Even if they were stray dogs.

Yaya gave a bow to Tetsuo as an apology.

Tetsuo forgives Yaya for her mistakes

• Yaya: Will you forgive me, Tetsuo?
• Tetsuo: I forgive you, big sister.
• Yaya: There is something to this path of forgiveness. It has been a long time since I asked for it myself.
• Naoe: Do you consider my offer? Will you join us?
• Yaya: You say you fight for the greater good. I believe you.
• Naoe: Good. We will be glad to have you.

Outcome

Yaya forgave Tetsuo for stealing her husband's kanzashi and joined Naoe's league as an ally.

Gallery

• 
  Naoe assists Yaya and monks in defeating the ronin
• 
  Naoe wishes to redeem herself in Yaya's eye
• 
  Yaya forgives the raider for his deeds
• 
  Tetsuo startled by Naoe's presence
• 
  Naoe chasing after Tetsuo
• 
  Naoe urging Yaya to forgive Tetsuo as she would have
• 
  Yaya agrees to join Naoe's group