Edo, Ten Years Later
Miss. Don't do it.
He's not an ordinary man.
But I'll pick his ordinary pocket.
Miss!
Oh, my!
Forgive me.
Forgive me!
Okuni!
Damn!
You bungled it.
Shall I expose you to public scorn at Ryogoku Bridge?
A monster! A monster!
Nakura Daimyo's Estate
- A message!
chief Retainer!
A monster's crossed Konagi River and is headed for this estate!
And its pace is quickening!
All right! Firearms Squad! Archery Squad!
Guard the front gate!
Attention!
Don't let it set one foot onto our estate!
Sir!
Mistress!
A monster is approaching us.
Please prepare yourself.
Yae! Guard the mistress!
Yes!
Move out!
- chief Retainer! - Yes?
The monster is already at the front!
It's here!
close the front gate!
I won't tolerate any more of your insolence!
Heretic!
Perish!
chief Retainer!
That crest...
It's the Shikama crest! (Note: shikama is a sickle)
Yae! Pull yourself together.
chief Retainer! Forgive me!
The mistress... Mistress Mayu...!
"Tomorrow evening, in exchange for Mistress Mayu...
give me the Silver Dragon Sword."
chief Retainer! The Silver Dragon Sword is the estate treasure!
To hand it over to the enemy without the Lord's approval...!
But the Lord is now on his way back to our prefecture.
There's no time to wait for his sanction.
Then...
The Mistress's life is irreplaceable!
That's why the Lord would undoubtedly agree.
chief Retainer...
If word of this gets out to the shogunate government...
our clan is bound to be demolished.
This matter must be carried out secretly.
Wait a moment.
Sir!
I'm sure our loan to you, Mr. Sakaki, is a mere pittance.
But I implore you to accept it.
I have no need for money.
I understand, but this matter is of grave concern to our clan.
What do your clan's matters have to do with me?
Well, uh... at any rate...
we want to keep this matter from outsiders.
So... uh... in other words...
if our clan were to take open measures...
we wouldn't be able to avoid exasperating the thieves.
Doing so would certainly put Mistress Mayu's life in danger.
Is that all?
Of course it is.
What else would there be?
Who are you?!
You've brought along some troublemakers.
It was shameful of me to have been tailed by spies.
I'll drive away any swarms of flies. That's my nature.
Then...?
I will look after this matter.
I am much obliged.
Representative of the Nakura clan!
Shuranosuke Sakaki.
Return Mistress Mayu.
First, the Silver Dragon Sword.
In that case, the deal is off.
You'll discard the Mistress's life?
You need me more than I need you.
What?!
You even set a monster on the loose, to kidnap her.
Take care of her.
Wait!
What's your true motive?
The Silver Dragon Sword, and nothing more.
These gimmicks are too extravagant for that.
You are the Seki family.
Saw through it, did you?
We'll do this in order.
I'll take Mistress Mayu.
You brought your accomplices with you.
How unfair.
I know nothing of this.
Follow him!
We'll arrive at the Nakura clan estate in roughly half an hour.
Yes.
I am not a man to be suspicious of.
All right, perhaps I am.
I'm obliged for the ride.
You smell repulsive, sir.
It's the smell of hell.
"The smell of hell?"
Mistress Mayu!!
I'm so very glad you're safe and well!
I owe it all to Master Shuranosuke.
Mr. Sakaki. We are obliged!
We are very obliged to you!
In these times, with desperate attacks on the Daimyo clans...
disturbances in the shogunate capital are unforgivable.
Indeed.
And you had me act as the representative of your clan.
Forgive me.
Then you seal my lips.
It cannot be avoided!
So, whether a mere ronin lives or dies is left out of the account?
Exactly!
Daizen!
Mistress!
What's going on?!
This is for the sake of the Nakura clan's survival.
Had you been a bushi warrior...
you should have thanked him for being my benefactor!
Show your shame!
But there is no other way!
In that case, Elder, strike me down first.
Mistress!
Retreat!
Sir!
Master Shuranosuke...
You were defeated, Dogan.
Unless it is stopped, the poison will course through your body.
I have no use for an arm that couldn't stand up...
...to Shuranosuke.
cut it off.
Bastard, Shuranosuke.
I'll pay you back for this!
Nevertheless, you didn't expect that he had his accomplices hide?
If we pressure him, we should find out where the sword is.
And then...
I'll get my fill of revenge!
The Silver Dragon Sword has been returned to our hands.
Half of our long-cherished dream has been realized.
And the other half, the Mythical Bird Sword? Where is that?
I don't know.
But if we follow Shuranosuke we'll find a lead.
Don't take your eyes off him.
Right.
We've lain low for fifty years.
The Hojo family has suffered, being forced across the country.
We must get the Mythical Bird Sword.
And realize the earnest prayer of our family's reinstatement.
We must strive to make that happen as soon as possible.
Land of the rising sun. Lord of Kamurogi.
Let thy land of sacred music and dance prosper.
Kamurogi, let thy land grow and prosper.
Sendai Daimyo's Estate
I bring news!
Tenkai, the High Priest, has just arrived.
Show him in immediately.
Sir!
How unfortunate, Masamune.
The treasure was within your reach, and you let it elude you.
Restoration of peace to the world has become slightly more distant.
That Mythical Bird Sword.
The fact that you possess it is a real stroke of good luck.
During the Osaka War, I took it from the Toyotomi clan.
If it had fallen into the hands of Tokugawa...
it would have caused misery throughout the world.
How long will the commoners be forced to suffer?
Indeed.
The Sendai clan, with its 620,000 koku...
prays that our dream will soon be realized.
Not for our personal gain...
but for the sake of the people's happiness.
Your words and determination.
They have deeply moved me.
There are many Daimyos in the world...
but not one who claims that he'd rise above himself for the people.
Mr. Masamune.
I am happy that I lived long enough to hear your words.
I am grateful.
Our Father, who art in Heaven.
I pray that thy hallowed name shall be exalted.
Amen.
Dogan.
I will not stand for another failure.
Sir.
Don't take your eyes off Masamune.
Nothingness
You! Do not draw your sword.
If you do...
Lead me to your accomplices.
"Accomplices?"
The spies who stole the Silver Dragon Sword.
They are no accomplices of mine.
A blade in return for a blade.
That is my method.
Mio.
Do not fail me.
Right.
Times are bad in Osaka, but they are just as bad here in Edo.
If things stay slow, we'll have to go home, brother.
Yeah, you're right.
There. I win.
Wait a minute. That's wrong.
That's a "cho," anyway you look at it.
What?! It's a "han!"
check it before you take it!
Noisy flies have swarmed on me.
I'll deal with it.
Mr. Sakaki!
Please! Please wait!
Wait!!
I beg your forgiveness, for my rude behavior the other day.
How did the Silver Dragon Sword become your estate's treasure?
I wish to hear the answer.
Oh!
Well, uh...Iet's see...
That was a very long time ago.
I don't really know the answer to that, myself.
Then would Mistress Mayu know?
Master Sakaki! Please wait!
Actually, the Mistress knows nothing about official matters!
Please stop!
Master Shuranosuke!
According to what l heard from my father...
in the 18th year of Tensho... (Note: The 18th Year of Tensho is 1591)
there was a siege of the Hojo clan by Hideyoshi Toyotomi.
My grandfather took the Hachioji castle by storm.
As booty, the pair of sacred swords...
was presented to Hideyoshi.
The Mythical Bird Sword was kept by Hideyoshi.
For his military achievements...
the Silver Dragon Sword was given to my grandfather...
It has been a family treasure that we can boast of, even to the Shogun.
It has been passed down in our family right up to the present.
If this matter is made public...
and the shogunate government was to hear of it...
in the worst case, the Nakura clan would be crushed.
It would mean severance and misery for our family, Sugawara.
The chief Retainer is troubled by this...
because it was done by his arbitrary decision.
I am to blame.
If the Silver Dragon Sword...
hadn't been let out of our hands on my account...
My family would've been better off if I had died then.
My life is hanging by a thread, at any rate.
Now, more than ever, I wish l could atone for it with my death.
I will not permit you to die.
Why won't you?
Even if it were for the Nakura clan, with its 200,000 koku...
it would be highly ludicrous to become its sacrifice.
It isn't a good enough reason.
Then what on earth shall I do?
How can I find a way out of this?
Daizen.
Mistress!
Master Shuranosuke...
he promised to bring back the Silver Dragon Sword.
What's this?!
We can undo the Nakura clan's blunder.
And the shogunate government won't condemn our dishonor.
Mr. Sakaki...
This is about karmic relations.
But, if you bring attention to yourself...
there is fear the shogunate government will hear about it.
So I implore you...
Fear knows no bounds.
We could carry on as we are, lying idle and feigning sleep.
Sleeping children must be awakened at some time.
-Elder. -Yes.
Leave this in Master Shuranosuke's hands.
Yes.
Mistress Mayu has been tricked by that clandestine man!
I won't stand for it!
No mistakes can be made while the Lord's away.
cut off the evil at its source!
I understand.
But even so, there is no one in our clan...
to stand up to that man.
If you aren't as skilled as he, use your head.
I understand.
Well, we have nothing fancy to serve you.
Please help yourself to our humble offering.
What is it?
I will consent to that.
Now, then. I will check for poison.
Please, help yourself. Please.
I will beg off.
Mr. Sakaki!
Yamagata! Yamagata!
chief Retainer!
W-What will happen?
I'm tingling!
It's terrible!
chief Retainer!
Those who take the sword will be destroyed by it. It is fate.
If you have a lingering attachment to this life...
do not draw your swords.
So, you're with the Nakura clan.
Retreat!
Sir.
I repaid you for the other day.
A man with integrity.
It suits you.
That solitary appearance which doesn't draw others near.
I had parents and young siblings, too.
"Had?"
That's all.
No, that's not all.
That reminds me.
You said before that I smelled of hell.
I want to hear your story, first.
What for?
If circumstances require...
I'll try my best to stay out of your way.
Your divine punishment!
Father!
Mother!
Miyo!
Sakuma!
How dare you dupe me!
No, you're wrong!
You plotted this insurrection!
And my father detected it!
It was a last measure, to impose silence upon him!
Spare me!
Die!!
I killed my father with my own hands.
Since then...
I relinquished my name. My parents gave me 2 great things.
That was one.
And the other thing?
Life.
A green hill fit for one's burial place is to be found anywhere.
At some point...
we are bound to clash.
It's you!
Let go!
You've blundered a second time.
Damn it!
I'll steal from you, for sure!
I look forward to it.
I have my pride, you know!
Stay with me.
Darling?
Darling Shuranosuke.
My father's revenge!
"Revenge?"
I won't let you say that you've forgotten!
You've no intention of hearing excuses.
You can't outwit me!
I saw it, for certain.
The same Shikama crest abhorred by the Samurai.
I couldn't forget that!
You've mistaken me for another.
Your height, your age. They're exactly the same.
Draw!
"A blade in return for a blade." Your method, is it not?
I cannot strike you.
Return to your life as a woman.
(chanting)
I have discovered where the Silver Dragon Sword is!
Okuni is performing!
Welcome, welcome!
Remember the wild monster?
Well, they must have made a play out of it!
She's dead!
So it was you Ninja girls of the Himiko clan all along.
Look what I lost, thanks to you.
It's you again.
Kill him!
- Mio! Follow him! - Right.
We're back where we started, therefore...
You have saved us, Master Shuranosuke.
I am so relieved.
You may now focus on getting well as soon as possible.
If I do get well, I have one wish to ask.
Will you grant it?
Anything.
In that case... well... I...
Mistress Mayu, it's important that you get some rest now.
Wait a moment, Mr. Sakaki.
Where did you get that sword?
I don't understand something about the sword.
Mistress Mayu asked me to keep it till I understand the mystery.
That won't do!
Taking the sword out, now that we have it back in our hands...
is a more grave matter than this mystery of yours.
You know the Seki family and the Himiko clan?
Never heard of them.
The Silver Dragon Sword's other half, the Mythical Bird Sword?
Never heard of it.
Initially held by Mr. Hojo.
At any rate, this is none of our clan's concern. Please return it!
I have told you, I brush away flies that swarm onto me.
I will have no more troubles that risk my life.
I have no choice.
What do you want of me?
It's all there. Please! I ask for your help.
Pardon me.
And you are?
I am Kazue Asahina.
I implore you!
I want to get the true killer. Let me be your apprentice.
Please! I beg you to consider it!
Not a chance.
Master Shuranosuke.
You don't know the resentment of having your father murdered.
Therefore, you have no idea how I feel.
And do you know how I feel?
Feelings aren't something anyone can pick up on that easily.
Darling.
Darling Shuranosuke.
Oh, it's you again.
That's a cold way to greet me, after sleeping together and all.
Darling.
Mind your manners!
You must be Shuranosuke Sakaki.
This way, please.
Things were going so perfectly, too.
Master Shuranosuke.
I've been waiting for a man like you to come.
Please, come in.
I would like you to lend me your skills.
Master Shuranosuke...
If they're not for the lending, then please let me hire you.
That can be arranged...
So? What do you need me for?
Know the Silver Dragon Sword? Steal it from the Nakura clan.
I can't do it.
Why not?
I have it here.
I could see right through your tricks from the beginning.
You're the Okuni party of lzumo.
Why fight the Seki family?
Because they're a nuisance.
Is it related to the Hojo clan?
I don't know.
Then the Silver Dragon and Mythical Bird Swords...
What is the relation between the two swords?
They are...
I'm prepared to kill you.
When you have both of them...
Don't waste your life.
It's all... for the good... of our Lord.
Thank you, sir!
It wasn't supposed to be this way...
Are we destined to fight?
You see, hell's the only place I can ever find work.
Then there's no choice.
There's no place for man's compassion or pride in hell.
You either kill or be killed; it's one or the other.
I accept your challenge.
Thanks for returning it.
He is more than a match for me.
The Silver Dragon Sword is again...
in Shuranosuke's hands.
That's perfect.
See that he and Okuni make it to hell.
Yes, sir!
(chanting)
Rando.
A good opportunity has arrived.
Where is he?
He is out.
Out where?
I do not know.
It's hell if you live... And it's hell if you die.
Then submerge yourself in this hell you're living in!
Mistress Mayu, how are you feeling?
I'm all right. Yae, I'd like to look outside.
Right away.
Master Shuranosuke!
I've got the girl. come to Hatsune Forest. Okuni.
Okuni, Shuranosuke has arrived.
Master Shuranosuke!
Shuranosuke.
Return the Silver Dragon Sword to me.
"Return?"
You heard me.
It was ours to begin with.
Why shouldn't we get it back?
I see.
Shuranosuke!
Give me the Silver Dragon Sword!
Master Shuranosuke. You must protect the sword.
Shut up!
Be strong!
Master Shuranosuke...
Yes, this is the Silver Dragon Sword of the Hojo family.
Rando.
You have done well.
You will be rewarded accordingly.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
You didn't have to kill him. We still could have used him.
I'm sure you would've done the same if you were in my position.
Now, get rid of those that you are done with.
Evil must be cut off at its source.
Sir.
That woman was a virgin.
You bastard!
Sir...
Don't get yourself killed.
This was my lifelong dream.
Dreams are not to see, but to fulfill.
This is all thanks to you, Master Tenkai.
Don't thank me, thank my old age.
My sharp ears remembered an old conversation of the Hojos.
"By unraveling the secrets of the two swords...
immense treasures can be found."
It was then that I also heard rumors of your insurrection.
Self-interest doesn't prompt me to take over Tokugawa's reign.
I know!
I know.
It's my compatriots, suffering from anti-christianity policies.
In turn, it is for the good of the whole nation.
Darling.
I'm sorry to have troubled you.
Darling, where do you think you're going?
Just out for a bit.
Not in the state you're in!
Still no sign of anything.
Therein lies the pleasure.
When easily fulfilled, dreams are of little value.
Stop! Stop!
Insolent man! Stop, I say!
Stop! Stop! Stop!
I am Shuranosuke Sakaki.
I've come to tie up some loose ends.
So you're Shuranosuke Sakaki.
I'm here to see the Seki family.
Don't know of them.
Your trained Ninja spies.
Ninjas are illusions from an age of civil strife.
They no longer exist.
You've silenced them all?
You'll never know!
In that case...
Stay calm!
Move it!
This is it.
Darling!
It's me.
So it is.
You're just like the Ninja.
I used to be one, but I quit.
I'm grateful.
I made a pretty good earning out of this, as well.
Oh, and I also picked this up.
"Hachioji castle, Basement"
I have no idea what it means.
The Hachioji castle belonged to the Hojo clan before the siege.
So in other words, it's...
beneath the Hachioji castle.
Then...
Now is the time for the revival of the Hojo Family.
Mr. Tenkai!
Oh, Masamune.
Good work on a job well done.
What are you doing?
I, too, have developed an urge to conquer the land.
Are you out of your mind?!
Rando!
If he takes over, it'll be worse than the Tokugawa era.
Kill him!
Yes sir!
Thanks for guiding me here.
Now continue guiding me, as you would any elderly man.
Thank you for the help, Shuranosuke.
And now...
the world belongs to me.
I can't let you do that.
Those treasures will be used for the Hojo family's reinstatement.
How dare you.
If my wish isn't granted...
we all say our farewells here.
I am immortal.
I've lost count past my one-hundredth birthday.
Bastard!
"Bastard?" That suits me well.
Perish!
I have no need to be any younger than I already am.
You are finished, Tenkai.
How shrewd of Masamune, but not good enough.
Mushinryu-hirin. (Note: spiritual detachment)
Illusion.
I am invincible!!
Not a cloud visible...
Led by the clear moon of my heart...
...I proceed, shedding light on the world.
Darling!
Oren!
Thank you for everything.
Darling...