Hanbei the Undying

There is a warrior named Hanbei the Undying, or also Hanbei the Infested, who can be found just outside the Dilapidated Temple.

"A warm body that can't die might prove useful to you. I volunteer mine."

If you're looking for someone to train with, he may be an ideal opponent.

Description[]

Hanbei, the Undying (死なず半兵衛) is one of the only inhabitants of the Dilapidated Temple, beside the Sculptor. He's a veteran samurai who became an "Infested" (蟲憑, bug-haunted), a being who cannot perish through normal means. This man of few words will stoically offer to become Wolf's sparring partner to train him.

He'll also suggest Sekiro to check the Offering Box from time to time, as it may hold some interesting treasure.

After acquiring the Mortal Blade, Hanbei will ask Wolf to finally put an end to his life. Should Wolf agree to follow through, Hanbei will later be found kneeled down and ready to embrace death. He'll leave behind a Hidden Tooth.

Sekiro Side Story: Hanbei the Undying[]

In this manga series, it's revealed that Hanbei was one of General Tamura's soldiers and that he became immortal when, after being killed by Isshin Ashina, a monk dropped a centipede on his body.

Now undying, he wanders the land aimlessly, until one day Shoukichi, a young man who thought Hanbei was a bandit on his way to raid his village, attacks him. However the man's sister, Suzu, moved by pity for the disgraced warrior, takes him into their house. Once awaken again, Hanbei repays the favor by repelling a group of Ashina Soldiers, who were about to kill Shoukichi.

Some day later, he asks Hanbei for help again: he and other men are about to head off to patrol the woods, as lately people who ventured into the forest have gone missing. Villagers thought it was the work of bandits, but a trail of corpses leads them to a shocking discovery: a hermit has been driven mad by his red eyes and has been cannibalizing anyone who entered the woods. As the fight with Hanbei drags on, the Guardian Ape is drawn to the deranged man and ultimately ends up devouring him.

It's revealed that this red-eyed man was an experiment of Doujun, who then sent the Ashina Soldiers to keep an eye on him. The father of one of those soldiers wants to take revenge on Hanbei and kidnaps Suzu to lure him into Ashina Castle, where he and his son, who healed his wounds with Doujun's rejuvenating waters, will wait to ambush him. Hanbei comes off victorious from the battle, but, seen as the young woman lost her mind trapped in the Abandoned Dungeon, decides to finish her off. Having now lost everything once again and with a sin to expiate, Hanbei heads for the Dilapidated Temple with the hope that one day his curse will prove of use to someone.

Location[]

Dilapidated Temple: at the end of the path to the right from the Sculptor's Idol, next to the Offering Box.

Progression #1 (Training)[]

Ashina Outskirts (Dilapidated Temple)[]

Talk to Hanbei and face him in battle. After killing him, he'll get back on his feet.

Speak to him again and accept his request to spar with him.

Hanbei's role is to introduce both the basic and advanced of the game and to offer a target to practice them on. Since he is immortal, no Deathblow can kill him. During training, Wolf too won't take any Vitality damage.

Hanbei offers training matches and free combat modes to try out newly learned techniques. A training session can be left at any moment by interacting with the fogwall that seals off the battlefield. "Training: Fundamentals" is always available from the start.

Training: Fundamentals[]

Attacks: attack Hanbei to fill his Posture bar.
Deflect: parry Hanbei's attacks to fill his Posture bar.
Step Dodge: avoid Hanbei's attacks and counter-attack.
- Complete all these trainings to unlock "Free Combat (Fundamentals)".

Mikiri Counter (once the Combat Art is unlocked): dash toward Hanbei's thrust attacks to perform a Mikiri Counter.
Vault Over (once the Combat Art is unlocked): break Hanbei's Posture and jump on him to perform a Vault Over.

Ashina Outskirts (Outskirts Wall - Gate Path)[]

Defeating General Naomori Kawarada just past the Sculptor's Idol is a necessary step to unlock "Training: Applied" at Hanbei.

Ashina Outskirts (Dilapidated Temple)[]

Complete "Free Combat (Fundamentals)" to unlock "Training: Applied".

Training: Applied[]

Consecutive Deflections: parry Hanbei's flurry of attacks.
Vitality and Posture: reduce Hanbei's Vitality to fill up his Posture bar more easily.
Countering Thrust Attacks: deflect and Step Dodge Hanbei's thrust attacks.
Countering Sweep Attacks: jump-kick Hanbei's sweep attacks to damage his Posture.

Complete these trainings to unlock "Free Combat (Applied)".

Progression #2 (Death Wish)[]

Ashina Castle (Upper Tower - Ashina Dojo)[]

Grapple your way atop of Ashina Castle to face Genichiro for the second time.

Ashina Castle (Upper Tower - Kuro's Room)[]

Exhaust Kuro's dialogue, until he reveals Isshin's whereabouts. Traverse the rooftops following the trail of pink smoke signals to reach his room. Question him about the Mortal Blade and its location.

Senpou Temple (Main Hall)[]

The Illusive Hall Bell has now appeared in the Main Hall of Senpou Temple: ringing it will grant access to the Folding Screen Monkeys bossfight.

Senpou Temple (Inner Sanctum)[]

Talk to the Divine Child of Rejuvenation to receive the Mortal Blade.

Ashina Outskirts (Dilapidated Temple)[]

After accepting to train with Hanbei, speak to him again to tell him of the Mortal Blade. He'll ask Wolf to sever his ties with immortality.

Once accepted to end Hanbei's undeath, reload the area and talk to him one last time. Perform a Deathblow to remove the centipede from his body. Hanbei will drop a Hidden Tooth.

Quest Item[]
	Hidden Tooth (Dropped after he's killed with the Mortal Blade)

Attacking him before talking	Hanbei: Come now... Trying to cut me down... is a waste of energy.
First encounter	Hanbei: Hmm? ...Never seen you before. Your name? Wolf: ........... Hanbei: Hmph. Won't tell me? ... but you do have the look of a skilled shinobi. A shinobi... Or perhaps... Sir. Please, heed my humble request... Face me in battle.
Defeating him	Hanbei: Hmm... Damn, still alive.
Speaking after defeating him	Hanbei: That swordsmanship... it was a thing to behold. Few have managed to kill me in such a thorough manner. Wolf: What are you? Hanbei: Some call it "undying"... Others "infested". I can't die, so I just... am. How about you? What brings you to a run-down temple like this? Wolf: ....... Hanbei: ....... Hmph. Seems you have a lot on your mind. Say... Why don't you use me for some sword practice? ... might come in handy for whatever your mission is. A warm body that can't die might prove useful to you. I volunteer mine. Well?
Answering "Refuse"	Wolf: No. Hanbei: Is that so? Well, I can't force you. I thought it might help to pass the time. Let me know if you have a change of heart.
Speaking after refusing	Hanbei: Oh, it's you. Had a change of heart? Care to use me for some sword practice?
Answering "Accept"	Wolf: Very well. Hanbei: Right then, let's go. They say swinging one's sword is a cure for boredom.
"Talk"	Hanbei: Have you noticed... This temple attracts those with nowhere else to go. I certainly fit that description. And I suppose that's why... Interesting things make their way into the offering box from time to time. Hanbei: This temple attracts those with nowhere else to go. I certainly fit that description. And I suppose that's why... Interesting things make their way into the offering box from time to time.
Leaving (generic)	Hanbei: Come back whenever you like. If you have techniques to try out, I'm at your disposal.
Greeting (generic)	Hanbei: Oh, it's you. You may use me to hone your swordsmanship, if you like.
Selecting "Training" option	Hanbei: In that case, I stand as your opponent.
During fight	Hanbei: What's wrong? Something wrong? Attack me.
During fight after Deathblow	Hanbei: Again. Face me again. One more time.
Finishing "Training"	Hanbei: A satisfying match. Excellent... I expected no less of you. Yes, splendidly done.
Selecting "Free Combat" option	Hanbei: Now, let's begin. Wolf: Yes.
Finishing "Trainig: Fundamentals"	Hanbei: About our training... I think it's about time we tried something closer to a real fight, don't you? Come at me with the intent to kill. No better way to prepare for the real thing. What's wrong? Wolf: Why do you go to such lengths...? Hanbei: Half to pass the time... And the other half... well... I want to loosen that furrowed brow of yours. All right, enough talk. Let's begin.
Finishing "Training: Applied"	Hanbei: Once again, a satisfying match. Being killed for a worthy purpose was a bit... refreshing. One little thing, mind going a little easier on me? This actually hurts quite a bit.
Answering "Apologize"	Wolf: I'm sorry. Hanbei:Hahaha, I'm kidding! Don't hold back for a minute. Slice and stab away! Wolf: All right. Hanbei: Hehe... Wolf: What? Hanbei: I'm just glad my curse is of use to someone. Feels as if there could be a purpose to it after all.
Answering "Give thanks"	Wolf: You have my gratitude. Hanbei: Huh? What do you mean? Wolf: I'm truly grateful to you for enduring such pain for me. Hanbei: Haha, no need to thank me. I know what I said before, but actually I'm used to the pain. Wolf: I see. Hanbei: Hehe... Wolf: What? Hanbei: I'm just glad my curse is of use to someone. Feels as if there could be a purpose to it after all.

After obtaining the Mortal Blade	Hanbei: That sword on your back... What is it?
Answering "Don't tell him"	Wolf: This...? It's a... just a sword. Hanbei: (Hmm...) Truly? Wolf: There's nothing special about it. Hanbei: .........if you say so. Should you ever discover that it's more than that... you can tell me.
Talking again afterward	Hanbei: Feel like talking about that sword on your back now? The truth of it.
Answering "Tell him of the Mortal Blade"	Wolf: The Mortal Blade. Hanbei: What...?! It's real...?! ...You don't suppose... You could use it to end this curse of mine?
Answering "I do not wish to kill you"	Wolf: .........No. Hanbei: But... Wolf: No. Hanbei: ...I...see. I can't force you to do it. But please, I beg of you... Think it over, will you? I'll be here if you change your mind.
Talking again after refusing	Hanbei: So... Have you decided to end my curse?
Answering "Accept"	Wolf: I will... of course. Hanbei: ...Thank you. A man with your skill could grant a merciful death. Couldn't you? Wolf: ...Leave it to me. Hanbei: Splendid. I must give my thanks to Sekijo. I will prepare for the beyond. The next time you see me, I'll be ready.
Talking again afterward	Hanbei: I will prepare for the beyond. The next time you see me, I'll be ready.
Talking as he's kneeled down	Hanbei: I can finally die. My shame for not following my master into death... can finally... Wolf: You're certain of this? Hanbei: Yes... I want you to kill me. Wolf: ...As you wish. Hanbei: Go on, do it!
After Deathblow	Wolf: .........Farewell.