Quick Answer
Open Way of the Sword in the mission log and track the active objective. At Kiyomizu, clear the Thread Genma and continue through the Oni Refuge. The Oni’s Apprentice opens equipment enhancement and training. During What Lurks in the Shadows, follow the Laboratory route through the mask door. Later regions add weapon detours; keep a separate manual save before The Clash at Rendaino.
- Follow in the log
- Way of the Sword
- Early route
- Kiyomizu → Oni Refuge
- Upgrade milestone
- The Oni’s Apprentice
- Final preparation
- Before The Clash at Rendaino
Start with the mission name on your save
The route below covers major progression stops and the obstacles most likely to interrupt them. It is organized by mission names and destinations, so you can find the right section even when chapter numbering differs between guides.
Track the active Way of the Sword objective before setting off. If you are following a Mystery of Kyoto or a Chance Encounter, switch back to the main mission when you want to advance the campaign. Finish the current conversation or interaction when prompted; reaching the right district alone may not advance the objective.
Find the progression stop you need
| Mission or destination | What to do next | Check before leaving |
|---|---|---|
| The Stage is Set at Kiyomizu | Clear the thread barriers, reach Ganryu and continue into the Oni Refuge | The Two Celestials and Oni Bow |
| The Oni’s Apprentice | Follow the training and enhancement introductions | Wind-Whipper and the Equipment Enhancement menu |
| What Lurks in the Shadows | Descend through the Underground Laboratory and open the mask door | Earth-Shakers after the Level 4 fan puzzle |
| Shadows Fall | Finish the rift objective and inspect its location | Firebird Flute south of Gojo Street – East |
| Mount Oe | Follow the story ascent toward Shuten Doji | Flashing Void in the Castle Courtyard cave |
| Swamp of Arashiyama | Follow the active story objective through the region | Still Water in the northeast chest |
| The Clash at Rendaino | Prepare your setup, save separately, then accept the finale | Side-quest rewards and remaining upgrades |
Kiyomizu — clear the threads and reach the refuge
- Use Oni Vision at a thread barrier and follow the connection to its Thread Genma. Defeat the creature, then return to the opened route.
- At the second thread obstruction, collect the suspended chest once it drops. It contains The Two Celestials.
- Continue to the temple stage for the Ganryu encounter. After the duel, follow the route below the stage into the Oni Refuge.
- Collect the Oni Bow from the refuge’s main path. Use its shots on the circular moving-block targets to continue toward Daidara.
The Oni’s Apprentice — use the newly opened features
Follow the introductions to the practice grounds and Boss Rematch, then collect Wind-Whipper from the chest that appears. It gives you another Armament to try alongside the tools from Kiyomizu.
Equipment enhancement also opens during this mission. At a Spirit Mirror, open the enhancement menu and inspect the Equipment Enhancement tab. Check clothing, sword and gauntlet separately: their materials are not interchangeable. Pick an improvement that addresses your current problem, then return to the active objective.
What Lurks in the Shadows — descend through the Laboratory
This mission takes the route into the Underground Laboratory. Activate the Spirit Mirrors as you descend and note the floor number; the door you need can be on a different level from the item that opens it.
Near Underground Level Three, remember the locked mask door. In the puzzle room, face the cage and shoot the hanging masks in the order 3 → 4 → 1 → 2. Take the Unsettling Mask back to the door. On Level 4, check the room after the fan puzzle for Earth-Shakers before moving on.
Later story visits — collect equipment on the way
Keep the current story objective as your main route and add nearby equipment stops when their regions are open. Firebird Flute is at the former rift location from Shadows Fall, south of the Gojo Street – East Spirit Mirror. At Mount Oe, check the slide-through cave in the Castle Courtyard for Flashing Void.
When you reach the Swamp of Arashiyama, the northeast chest holds Still Water. Collect the weapon, check what it does and return to the objective. These are equipment detours inside story destinations; you do not need to treat them as separate main missions.
If the next objective will not advance
| What you see | What to check |
|---|---|
| A thread-sealed path | Trace it with Oni Vision and defeat the Thread Genma sustaining it |
| A Laboratory door with a mask mechanism | Collect the Unsettling Mask from the hanging-mask puzzle |
| A destination missing from travel | Check the current mission and the Spirit Mirrors activated on this save |
| A fight you cannot finish | Review that enemy’s attack pattern and change one part of your approach |
| An optional quest that has not appeared | Compare its unlock requirement with the story missions you have completed |
Before The Clash at Rendaino
The final mission gives a point-of-no-return prompt. Make a separate manual save before accepting it, finish the activities you want on this run and equip the rewards you intend to use. Check your healing and your available enhancements before entering the sequence.
After the credits, Continue returns you before the final mission for cleanup. New Game Plus starts a new campaign instead. Use Ending & Postgame for the final-boss mechanics and the carryover differences before choosing your next step.
Direct answers
Frequently asked questions
Should I follow chapter numbers or mission names?
Use the mission name in the Way of the Sword log. It matches the objective on your save and avoids differences in how guides count tutorials and shorter missions.
When can I enhance equipment?
The feature opens during The Oni’s Apprentice. Use a Spirit Mirror and inspect the Equipment Enhancement tab.
Is the Genma Lab optional?
The Underground Laboratory is a story destination during What Lurks in the Shadows. Its additional chest pickups are separate exploration stops.
When should I finish side quests?
Choose accessible rewards that help your run as they open, then use the save before The Clash at Rendaino for remaining cleanup.