Nokosaregumo the forsaken cloud
A dark cloud arrives over a village pouring “ashe rain,” a villager suggest they prepare a bride for sacrifice. It’s called Nokosaregumo, a massive flying centipede demon that has tormenting the village. It would kill the entire village. At some point the villagers decided to sacrifice a “bride.” Once it consumed her it would leave the village alone. Saru is the an orphan that was once saved by the bride that’s to be sacrificed. He teams up with Dororo to save her.
Not a sacrifice, a volunteer
When Saru arrives to save his “sister,” he informs him that she decided to sacrifice herself for the sake of the village and Saru. The demon arrives, spreading a black mist that blinds Hyakkimaru. Unable to see, he’s rendered useless in this battle. The demon tries to eat Saru, but his sister pushes him out of the way and ends up swallowed whole. Nokosaregumo escapes unscathed.
Dororo and Hyakkimaru vs Nokosaregumo
Dororo and Saru plan to defeat the demon by luring it into the sunlight. Dororo pretends to be a bride and is attacked. Saru shoots a fire arrow causing a big explosion. The demon recovers. Hyakkimaru uses the sound of arrows hitting the demon to pinpoint it’s location. Dororo attaches himself to Nokosaregumo, using his voice to help Hyakkimaru find the demon. Dororo gets knocked out. Hyakkimaru begins calling for Dororo, who awakens. Hyakkimaru and Dororo end up defeating the demon as they realize that Saru’s sister is still alive.
This episode is a departure from the usual Dororo episodes. While the story of the demon wasn’t that interesting, and Saru’s sad childhood is typical for this series, Hyakkimaru being almost useless was new. This is the first episode that Dororo took the lead in battle. Hyakkimaru ended up doing the slaying in the end, but he needed Dororo to accomplish it. Another difference, this episode ended on a happy note. Saru and sister reunited and are going to live together ending both their loneliness. Hyakkimaru gains the ability to smell and finally says his first word, Dororo.
