Dark Roots Full Walkthrough and Details | Nioh 3

Period: Antiquity - 247 CE

To my astonishment, I discovered a shrine hidden within the core of the Spirit Tree. I never imagined such a magnificent civilization flourished here so long ago.

Yet, it seems even their splendor could not weather being subsumed by the Crucible, and the grand structure is now on the verge of collapse. I must proceed to the innermost parts of the shrine and dispel the Crucible.

[1] Cleanse the Spirit Tree Shrine's Crucible.

Upon reaching the Shrine near the Spirit Tree, this Quest will start.

[2] Search for Collectibles.

AREA 1 - The Spirit Tree Shrine: Approach

Himiko will be a great help, as she joins you for this Mission! Go up the stairs, turn left through the corridor.

AREA 2 - The Spirit Tree Shrine: Inner Hollow

Head down another set of stairs to find the next Shrine.

Continue across the rock formations. Himiko will warn you that the pools of blood are unusual, since they emit a foul aura coming from the Crucinite.

Clear the area and head up to the second floor. Turn left and exit the doorway to progress.

Point of Interest	Image	Details
Samurai's Locks		Follow the path down and drop onto the stone platform. There, you'll find an enemy and a Chest with this Valuable.

Go back up to the platform and head left, where two Sentry enemies will spawn. Once they are defeated, you can safely pick up the Spirit Stone Box.

Use this Power Source to activate pillars and open up paths!

Insert the item into the nearby pillar to finally cross the gap below. At the bottom of the stairs, dodge the projectiles from the two statues. Make your way past them!

Move forward and climb to the upper floor until you see another set of statues. Carry the Spirit Stone Box behind them.

After dropping down, you can use the Power Source on the pillar to open the door.

Point of Interest	Image	Details
Nurikabe		You’ll find a Nurikabe near the statues where you grabbed the Spirit Stone Box.
Secret Skills Text: Single Slash Kata		Return to the main area and head up the stairs to a room with enemies and a Chest.

Proceed through the unlocked door from earlier. On the left, you will find another pillar and a Spirit Stone Box on the floor; that way leads up to a Shrine.

Go down the stairs to find a bridge and an alternate path to the right. While the path allows you to bypass the bridge, you can instead choose to activate the statues using a Spirit Stone Box to eliminate all the enemies.

Step through the doorway toward the corpse. A Sentry ambushes you from above as you loot it, so be ready! When it's defeated, follow the incline to the upper floor.

After killing the spider, leap to the platform for the Spirit Stone Box. Use it to open the door below.

Head down the stairs to collect another Spirit Stone Box, then use it on the pillar to summon a moving platform.

Go all the way up and use the Spirit Stone Box to open the door, creating a shortcut to the Inner Hollow Shrine.

Step onto the platform again to head back, then jump to the rock formation to progress.

Point of Interest	Image	Details
Ninja's Locks		Follow the path down to find a Chest with Ninja's Locks.
Hot Spring		After that, continue further to reach a Hot Spring.

Kill the Gaki Chief and the surrounding mobs to reach the altar. Clear more enemies to the right to get the Spirit Stone Box.

AREA 3 - The Spirit Tree Shrine: Deityte Room

Insert the Power Source into the pillar to activate the lift, which will lead to the final Shrine.

Complete your preparations before stepping through the door, as the boss waits for you there!

[3] Defeat Hiruko

Following a short cutscene, the battle against Hiruko begins.

・Since Himiko was struck by Hiruko's attack, you'll have to face this challenge alone.

・This battle consists of two phases. Gear up for a lengthy boss fight!

・During the first part, Hiruko uses an elemental sword for abilities like ice spikes, water blades, and flaming pillars.

・Once his health hits 50%, Hiruko enters his Yokai Form to begin the second phase. He fully heals and gains enhanced reach, more powerful strikes, and a deadly claw swipe.

・With no elemental weaknesses and high resistances, your best bet for defeating him is to deplete his Ki and strike from behind whenever you find an opening.

Move	Showcase	Details
Elemental Sword		Hiruko’s blade is infused with Fire and Water/Ice elements. Along with his normal strikes, stay alert for the following skills: ・Hiruko charges forward, swinging his sword to create a streak of fire directly toward you. ・He also performs a ground slam that triggers a fiery explosive burst afterward. ・Watch out for the water blades he can launch your way as well. ・For his ice attacks, he can summon a wall of icicles to surround himself.
Grab Attack		When his hand glows Yellow/Gray, step back immediately to avoid his high-damage Grab Attack!
Detonating Ash Orbs		In addition to his lava burst strikes, keep your distance from the orbs Hiruko (Yokai Form) scatters across the arena. He can detonate them after a few moments.
Bloody Rain		The boss will plunge his sword into the ground to call down a bloody rainfall. Escape the range of this attack and try to lure him out.
Veil Blast		Be careful of Hiruko’s signature Move! He summons a Death Veil in the sky that explodes before firing two laser beams. Sprint to the side to avoid the first beam, then head to the center for the second.

[4] Speak with Himiko and Continue to a New Era.

Successfully finishing the fight leads to a cutscene where Himiko seals Hiruko away in the Eternal Rift.

Talk to Himiko, then progress through the dialogue to return to the Edo Period (1622 CE). This will trigger the next mission: "To the Beginning".

Quest Rewards:
・Mitsumono Vest
・Senjuin Tachi
・Samurai's Locks
・ Ninja's Text