The Roots of All Evil is the twelfth chapter of the story in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. It begins at the end of What Lurks in the Shadows, after completing The Light of Vengeance. As usual, throughout this spoiler-free walkthrough we'll help you complete every story chapter 100%, making sure you don't miss anything along the way and providing tips for the more difficult situations.
As soon as the chapter begins, new optional content becomes available. As always, we recommend completing it before moving on:
Remember to enhance your equipment and abilities before continuing. Also keep in mind that some material chests respawn, so watch for any that have become available again while you're exploring Kyoto. Once you're ready, speak with Takamura at Rokudo-chinnoji Temple.
The objective marker will take you to the southern edge of the fields. If you've been following this walkthrough, you'll already have the Gojo Street - East Spirit Mirror activated and can fast travel there immediately.
Once you climb the stairs, you'll unlock a new Oni ability: Oni Agility, which allows you to run along designated walls like the one beside you. Follow the only available route until a cutscene begins.
As you descend, look to the left to spot an elevated platform.
You'll need to cross through the Malice and reach that platform to begin wall running. From the second wall onward, you'll be able to leap from wall to wall. The route eventually takes you to an area full of enemies with a Malice-emitting plant at the far end. Notice the yellow-glowing bone formations embedded in the walls? Use the Gauntlet near them to absorb yellow souls.
Defeat the enemies, climb to the plant's position and destroy it to reduce the Malice in the area. Then climb the stairs on the left to reach the platform containing the first Rift you need to seal.
Go back down the way you came — ignore the new route that opened after sealing the Rift for now — and head north. You'll see the second Malice-emitting plant at the far end of the ravine, with more walls you can run along to reach it. Once you've defeated the enemies and destroyed the plant, look behind the hut to find a Treasure. It contains Tamahagane.
Now climb back to where the Rift was and follow the newly opened path on the southeastern side of the platform, heading east. Several enemies will appear when you reach the trees. Then turn southeast before following the path northeast after the bend. You'll arrive at an area with several huts. Enter the southernmost hut to find a chest containing Iron x2.
Continue uphill and, in the third hut from the bottom, counting from where the previous chest was located, you'll find another chest containing Leather.
There's one final chest in the northwestern corner of the village. It contains Cotton Cloth.
Continue along the path to the east shown on the map. There's only one route forward until you reach an elevated area filled with Malice, where the second Rift will appear. Don't waste any time: climb the ladder leading to the rooftop, destroy another Malice-emitting plant and then seal the Rift.
Once it's sealed, backtrack along the route you came from and wall run across to the northern edge of the area. You'll land beside a building containing another chest with more Leather.
Head down the stairs and ledges until you reach a ladder. Continue along the path and you'll soon see a cart containing another chest. This one holds Cotton Cloth.
Continue a little farther and a cutscene will begin, followed by a fight against Dohatsu-ten, Heaven's Bane.
After the fight, absorb and seal the Rift, then destroy the final Malice-emitting plant. Once the cutscene ends, the mission will be complete and Bloodbath on the Bridge will begin.
