The Yakuza/Like A Dragon games are known for having a massive collection of side quests, referred to as substories, that are often just as engaging and enjoyable as the main story. Like A Dragon: Ishin is no exception, with dozens of substories involving memorable and ridiculous characters. However, one substory is more memorable than most, offering a lot of emotion, and perhaps a bit of confusion on where to go: Hope Blossoms Again.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Hope Blossoms Again substory, and how you can complete it.
Where To Find The Hope Blossoms Again Substory
The Hope Blossoms Again substory can be triggered any time after chapter 4 in the Mibu area of Kyo, which is found by leaving the Shijo Street Checkpoint in the southwestern area of Rakunai. Mibu is also the area where the Shinsengumi barracks are located, so you’ll be visiting this area quite a bit throughout the game.
In order to actually trigger the substory, you’ll need to approach the Shinsengumi barracks from the western side, up the hill next to the shrine. Once there, you’ll trigger a cutscene of a shady ronin harrassing an old couple, with their small dog being the only thing stopping them from getting cut down. Ryoma intervenes, but not before the dog unfortunately is taken out.
How To Complete The Hope Blossoms Again Substory
After driving off the shady ronin, the old man will give you some backstory on the unfortunate dog, named Kazukichi after their late son. That’s 0-2 for this old couple, so now the only thing left is to bury the dog. The old man wishes to bury the dog underneath a cherry blossom tree, and because you’re a nice person, you resolve to help them with their request.
Where the confusion might come for this substory is actually finding the cherry blossom tree. Some players might scour the entirety of Kyo trying to look for this tree, only to come up empty. The reason why is because the tree can’t actually be found in the city. After accepting the substory, head back to your farm and you’ll trigger a cutscene where Ryoma realises that there’s a cherry blossom tree on his property. Granted, it’s a dead tree, but it’s a cherry blossom tree regardless.
Head back to the old couple in Mibu and talk to the old man once again. You’ll tell him about your tree, and the couple will head back to your farm to bury Kazukichi and say their last goodbyes to their very good boy. Fortunately for them, Kazukichi might just have one last pleasant surprise for the couple too.
Like A Dragon: Ishin is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X & S.
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