Upon walking out of the ruins, Amaterasu was greeted by Kokari who was still rather infuriated that Amaterasu stole the key to the ruins, but when he sees her carrying Ume, Kokari seems rather happy to see his dog, until Ume starts growling at him that is.
"Yeah um, about your dog, kid, he was deep within the ruins, he really didn't wanna leave, so we had to force him out."
"So, your mad at me then for running away without you?"
Kokari seemed rather saddened, he didn't want to leave his dog behind, but just from hearing a big and loud roar from some kind of beast scared him out as he accidentally left Ume behind.
He couldn't help but blame himself, just wishing he could've stayed strong back there and helped Ume get out of there with him.
"You got it all wrong kid, you only think your left dog behind, truth is, he actually decided to stay in the ruins himself."
"Huh, he did, but why?"
Kokari seemed to be wiping away his tears, listening to Issun's words about why his dog Ume decided to stay in the ruins.
"Maybe he was just trying to set an example by showing how anyone, even a dog, could have fun and have an adventure, now look at it this way, there's not much separating a boy from a man, they grow all grow up before you know it and accomplish some great things."
Kokari still seemed rather sad, leaving his dog behind only to find out that his dog decided to stay behind, Ume possibly getting hurt from being all or alone or even scared, none of it was making sense, but as he thought long and hard to himself, it slowly started to make sense.
"I see, so, you knew everything then, Ume, like how my dad was telling me to go and fix that bridge that was destroyed by the storm, and how I was trying to get out of it because I was scared of failing, but your dealing g adventure that you had Ume, it really changed me, you've given me the courage to stop denying responsibility and to look it straight in the face."
Ume seemed to get something that he was holding on him and presented it to Kokari.
"H-Huh, it's my dad's fishing pole, I lost that in this forest some time ago, did you sniff it out for me in those ruins all by yourself, Ume, well, enough talk now, it's time I'm gonna go and fix that bridge all by myself, dad is really gonna be surprised when he sees the finished bridge."
Well, with there being nothing left to do in the Agata forest for now, Amaterasu decided to go check on Kokari to make sure he was alright.
Upon making it, Amaterasu seemed rather confused as to why the bridge that Kokari made was just made from a fishing pole and rope.
However though, something unexpected happened, Susano was riding on a log at fast speeds coming for the makeshift bridge, from the looks of things, this wouldn't end well.
The tree trunk continued to come at the makeshift bridge, faster and faster as well, Amaterasu helps Kokari hold on tightly, but Issun soon realizes his mistake and with that, the log came at them.
Kokari was able to grab a hold of Susano's wooden sword to hang on tightly, Amaterasu was still biting into Kokari's clothing, holding on tight as Issun held onto Amaterasu's tail.
Amaterasu knew what she had to do, she couldn't let Susano, Kokari, and Issun get hurt and the hooks on the log gave her an idea.
All she needed was 6 Konohana blossoms, if she could attach 6 vines, she could save Susano, Kokari, and Issun, but this wouldn't be easy, Amaterasu couldn't afford to make any mistakes, she knew better than anyone that one mistake could cost them their lives.
Amaterasu only had 2 minutes until the log fell down the waterfall, leading to their demise, she also knew that she only had 15 ink pots to spare.
She would need 6 vines to save them from death.
The stakes were high, Amaterasu couldn't afford to make a mistake.
With a minute and 22 seconds to spare, Amaterasu was able to save them all, the best part was, a new bridge got put in a place as well, the giant tree trunk that they were hanging onto for dear life.
"D-Did I do that?"
Kokari asked, rather confused.
"Yup kid, that was all you, I don't know what was eating at you though, but let me at least tell you this, your never gonna get anywhere in life if you continue to run away from adventure, besides, you should thank your dog for teaching you that."
"Aw, thanks Ume, I couldn't have done it with out!"
Kokari was rather happy as he hugged Ume, even Ume hugged Kokari as well while standing on his two back legs and hugging Kokari with his two legs in front.
"Wait a second, where did pops go, I know it'd take more than just what happened to kill that guy, oh well, he's bound to pop up again somewhere, he always does!"
Next stop was Taka pass, however, upon making it to Taka pass, it seems that it was cursed as well.
Since it's cursed, that'd also mean there's a withered Guardian Sapling around that Amaterasu has to bloom.
With there not being much to explore, it didn't take long until Amaterasu was on the right track to the Guardian Sapling, but before she could get there, she heard a familiar sounding tune on a flute.
"Bark the call of the heavens, the earth, the sea, they summon me forth to defeat evil once again!"
As Waka floats down to the ground, he turns to Amaterasu, continuing what he was saying.
"Waka, the gift from the God's to man is here, Bonjour!"
Issun wasn't too happy to see Waka and Amaterasu seemed to be ready to fight, just in case if he tried to challenge her.
"Long time no see, did you perhaps enjoy that little log adventure that I had prophesized?"
"So you were the one behind that near disaster, weren't you?"
"Moi, of course not, I simply had a glimpse of your future, for you see, I have the power to see what is yet to come, even if it were something you'd rather not know."
"So, the half baked prophet is at it again, look, if your really so great, then answer me this, how come you didn't predict Orochi's return?"
There was no response, Waka only looked at them in complete silence.
"What's wrong pretty boy, cat got your tongue?"
"Excuse-Moi, did you perhaps say something my little bouncing friend?"
"Ok, I have had it at this point, pretty boy!"
"By the way, now that I think about it, I saw the battle you had with the spider lady, it was a rather a clumsy attempt I must say, how could a washed up old wolf such as yourself possibly expect to save the world, it's ridiculous!"
"What, you were spying on the whole battle, yet it never crossed your mind that you, Oh I don't know, probably have helped us out?!"
"Enough talk, there's only one way to truly settle this, just got for it!"
As Waka drew his sword, both Amaterasu and Waka engaged in battle.
While Waka may have been able though to land a few hits on Amaterasu, he wasn't able to tire her out, yet she was slightly injured.
It was rather clear though that Amaterasu had won this fight, especially with Waka being all out of breath as well.