Aragoto Episode 9

The Sound of a Thread Snapping (のれる, Ito no Kireru Oto) is the ninth episode of Noragami Aragoto. It first aired on November 27, 2015.

Synopsis
Yato heads for the underworld with Nora, who transforms into a water blade and puts a defensive barrier around him.

Later, Yama announces she has invited her crush to Capyper Land on a triple date. She invites Hiyori and Ami, causing Hiyori to remember Yato but her memory begins to fade. Mayu tries to call out to her but Tenjin stops her, saying Hiyori should live her normal life.

Meanwhile, all the Gods are summoned to the Heavens for an important meeting - a Colloquy. Kofuku asks Bishamonten if she knows where Yato is since she thought Yato would be at the meeting - as this would be his first as an "official" god - but can't find him.

During this time, Yato ventures into the Underworld. Nora instructs him to rub putrid water on himself to disguise his smell and warns him not to look into the eyes of the ayakashi, as that will attract them to him. Nora then talks to him about the past, but Yato only thinks about returning to the surface. They are attacked by ayakashi but manage to find the Sorcerer, who turns out to be Ebisu.

Meanwhile, at the Colloquy, the Gods have determined that Ebisu of the Seven Gods of Fortune is a Sorcerer trying to control phantoms and order his execution, much to Bishamoten's and Ōkuninushi's protests.

Yato and Ebisu introduce themselves, and Ebisu is protected by Yato as he continues to look at the ayakashi. He tries to convince Ebisu to leave, but he says he has come to see Izanami for the Word in order to better control ayakashi; he explains that while the idea of controlling ayakashi with phantoms has merits, it continues to blight him because his invocations are imperfect. Then, both Ebisu and Yato are dragged to Izanami's dwelling place, where she takes on the appearance of Hiyori for Yato. Ebisu explains that in order to lower people's guards she takes the form of the woman closest to the viewwer. Izanami tries to get them to eat food in order to trap the two of them in the Underworld but neither fall for it, since Ebisu has warned Yato to not eat the food there. She then tries to seduce Yato but Nora snaps him back to his senses.

Meanwhile, Hiyori, Yama and Ami are at their triple date with Fujisaki, Abe, and Seki. At first, Yama tries flirting with her crush, Fujisaki, but instead turns her attention to Abe upon learning they are both fans of the visual kei band Archfiends.

Meanwhile, back in the Underworld, Ebisu tries to negotiate for the Word. Izanami states states she created to have friends who wouldn't run away. She becomes angered when she asks for one of the two to stay with her in exchange for the Word, which they both decline. She then puts forward an ultimatum: Yato and Ebisu will fight, and the loser stays with her.

At Capyper Land, the six have fun, but Hiyori begins to realize she is forgetting something important.

Kazuma continues practicing with Yukine and is surprised at how Yukine has matured, restraining his concern for Yato to not blight him.

As Yato and Ebisu fight, Yato asks why Ebisu reincarnates so much and Ebisu explains controlling ayakashi has killed his previous incarnations. Ebisu, in turn, asks why Yato exists since he is a nameless god of calamity, causing Yato to strike back saying he doesn't want to be forgotten and just "wanted to make them happy." Ebisu envies his ability to care for his life and tells Yato can become a God that makes others happy. He manages to gain the upper hand, with Nora siding with him and becoming a gun. Just as it seems Yato lost, Ebisu uses a bat ayakashi to steal the Word, revealing he was only fighting Yato as a distraction. Ebisu says goodbye to Izanami - addressing her as "Mother" - before he and Yato run away. Angered by the fact she will once again be alone, she summons her Yomotsu Hisame to bring them back.

As Hiyori shops for souvenirs, she sees Capyper keychains and decides to buy three but begins to forget for whom she wanted to buy them. She begins to cry as she realizes she has forgotten something incredibly important. The six go to view the Capyper Land parade, and the episode ends with Fujisaki kissing Hiyori.

Adaptation Notes
This episode is based on four chapters, in contrast to the usual two. It is based on chapters 29-32 but takes out certain events such as the investigation of Ebisu's home by the heavens and Kazuma asking Tsuyu what happened to Ebisu.