The magistrates arrived in a human village but found the residents quite wary, fleeing indoors as soon as they became aware of outsiders. Proceeding to the center of town they were left alone until a samurai, introducing himself as Yashima Mikoto of the Tanuki Clan, came out to speak with them and ascertain their intentions. He appeared satisfied that they were not a threat or illusion and invited them to come with him where they were given a chance to rest and medical attention.
After some time he returned and led them to a larger home where they were brought before Yashima Takeru, the Clan Champion, and his court. He asked them a number of questions about why they were seeking out the Tanuki Clan before, overwhelmed with emotions in front of the assembled samurai, rushing over to Ichiro Bando and embracing him. Declaring him to be his long-lost son.
The people of the clan are unaware that they have been gone for over a hundred years, trapped in Chikushudo, the celestial realm of animals. From their perspective it has only been eight. Likewise Nobu, who claims to have been searching for Ichiro for thirty years, only left two years earlier after Takeru fell seriously ill and the future of the clan was in jeopardy. This strange passage of time seems to date back to the origins of the clan when their founder became lost in the Shinomen for several days and came out to discover an entire year had passed.
Ichiro and Takeru spent more time together and Ichiro was able to learn more about the history of the clan, in particular how he came to be separated:
Meiya, Takeru’s wife, was pregnant when the village vanished and a son was born soon afterwards in Chikushudo. Shortly after, a tanuki approached the village and grew in size until it was as large as a man.
“You have been a friend to our kind in your world, and as such we shall allow you to continue living here unmolested, but this is not the world of man. Unlike Ningen-do, you cannot be allowed to fill this land with your kind until there are no more spaces left for us.
“In recognition of this pact, your cub will be sent back to the realm of men. Conceived in your world, born in ours. A child of both and neither. Perhaps one day he will find his place in the world, but it is not here.”
The tanuki took the infant Bando and vanished into the forest. Ever since that day the women of the village have remained infertile.
Suspicions about Ichiro's authenticity are raised by Yashima Mikoto as he attempts to get more information from Shiba Tetsuo. There is only the word of a man whose mind is in question and a legend of a long-lost son.
Ichiro heads into the forest to contact Miyako, the kitsune who brought them to the village. She tells them how the village came to be trapped in Chikushudo after a tree containing a kodama, a type of tree spirit, was cut down. She tells them that she can take them back home, but only them and they will need to leave the next day.
Ichiro informs his new-found family that he needs to return to Ningendo. He will attempt to restore the village to the human realm, but may never be able to return. There is a tearful reunion as Takeru expresses his happiness at getting to spend even this short time with his son along with his pride that he is willing to sacrifice his personal happiness on behalf of the clan.
Miyako leads the party back to Ningendo, soon after stumbling on a village of the Fox Clan.