Saiyuki Gaiden: Under drops of cherry petals

                                                                 
Saiyuki Gaiden deals with the former lives of Genjo Sanzo, Cho Hakkai and Sha Gojyo and the past of Son Goku. The place in which Saiyuki Gaiden is set is Tenkai. The story begins with Goku’s birth by the Earth. Son Goku is an heretical being so he is taken in Tenkai to be controlled by gods. Kanzeon Bosatsu grants custody of him to his nephew Konzen Douji. Konzen is a god who prefers keep himself to himself and usually spends his time signing documents assigned to him by Kanzeon. Goku is a lively boy and often is up to mischief getting out of the Konzen’s control. A day, when Goku was hidden, he meets Nataku. Nataku is the god of war of Tenkai and, like Goku, is just a child. The two children become friends but Nataku is always busy cause his duties and Goku is sad about that.
Soon Goku meets also Tenpou Gensui, a Konzen’s friend, and Kenren Taisho.
Tenpou is a Marshal of Tenkai’s army. His hobbies are collecting items made in Genkai and books of every kind. Specially Tenpou loves reading about the history of Genkai’s wars.
Kenren is a General of Tenkai’s army. He was expelled from the East army and he was transferred to the West one in which he met Tenpou. Kenren has a rebellious character and spends his time drinking sake and idles away his time.
When, for the first time, Goku meets Kenren he finds out about Nataku’s return from expedition in which he has killed Gyumao, a fearsome demon. During this expedition only Nataku had fought although there were many other gods warrior with him. In Tenkai there aren’t any wars and to kill someone is forbidden common gods. Because gods don’t want dirty their hands. For this reason exist the figure of god of war. The god of war is an heretical figure who can kill for the good of Tenkai. Gods haven’t any consideration for heretical people and use them for their purposes. Nataku is an heretical child because he was created in a laboratory by Ritouten. The experiment from which Nataku was born is forbidden because in Nataku’s veins there is as the blood of Oni as the god’s one. Seems that the Emperor of Tenkai (the most important figure among gods) knows about this Ritouten’s experiment but let it pass because at that time needed the figure of the god of war. Tenkai’s army can only seal the enemies that threaten gods. Tenpou thinks that was Ritouten to create circumstances that have request the figure of god of war to use Nataku to increase his position in Tenkai. Ritouten, before he created Nataku, was discriminated for his birth because his family got down in Genkai. Using Nataku Ritouten’s purpose is become the new Tenkai’s Emperor.
When Goku is taken in Tenkai there are two heretical people so Ritouten is afraid to lose his privilege. For this reason he wants kill Goku and hypnotizes Nataku to do that was him to kill Goku. But before to wounds Goku, Nataku comes to his senses, and injures his own arm wounding himself seriously. At this sight Goku tries to kill Ritouten and, when some warriors stop him, his limiter breaks. Without the limiters Goku changes his nature becoming Seiten Taisei and kills every god he sees. So Kanzeon Bosatsu intervenes and wants kill Seiten Taisei that is without control. Konzen stops Kanzeon saving Goku. Konzen, Kenren and Tenpou decide to protect Goku and run away taking Goujun as a hostage. So they take refuge in the Tenpou’s house. Soon they are surrounded by Tenkai’s army commanded by Ritouten. Kenren and Tenpou ask to the army to go into exile in Genkai but their proposal is rejected. Konzen manages to put again the Goku’s limiter and the four boys pledge their self to rejoin together in Genkai. The army attacks Tenpou’s house while Konzen, Goku, Kenren, Tenpou and Goujun escape in an underground passage. There the four fugitives abandon Goujun and since that moment begins their escape of despair to safety.