Original subtitles

There were 950 years of samurai history,

yet it only took a single battle

for an entire breed of warriors…

…to vanish.

Forward! Come on!

Forward!

It's over!

Victory is ours!

Raise the smoke signal!

Yeah!

What's that?

What's going on?!

Stand down! Stop it!

It's over! Stop!

Stop!

Stand down!

Stand down!

Shino.

-I'll help you. -Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.

Toya, can you get me a hand towel?

'Kay.

Open up.

Father…

Hm?

It hurts.

Rin. You'll be fine.

You'll feel better soon.

I'm sorry. I was the first one who was sick.

Everything is my fault.

It's not your fault.

Thank you.

FUCHU, KANAGAWA

Stand down! Stop it!

It's over! Stand down!

A decade after the Boshin War…

…the new government's modernization policies

reclassified the samurai as "shizoku,"

stripping them of their privileges and employment.

Meanwhile, people's lives were devastated by the widespread cholera outbreak.

Mama! Mama!

Saga-san.

I don't know what to say.

You can't keep bringing me worthless things.

I'm sorry, but… Please…

Don't make this harder than it needs to be.

Swords have been banished for two years now.

You know as well as I do those days are behind us.

Saga-san… Please, don't do this to me.

I'll take anything you can give.

Once cholera passes, I'll repay your kindness.

Please,

I'm begging you.

Shino and your daughter…

Are they doing that badly?

Hey.

Go get some sugar and salt for him.

All right.

I don't need your sword.

Keep it.

Thank you so much.

What a time we're living in.

How did it ever come to this?

When did this get put up?

I don't know. It wasn't there yesterday, right?

It says it's in Kyoto.

"An opportunity to win 100,000 yen."

-A hundred thousand? -It can't be true.

What sort of nonsense is that?

I doubt this is even real. These people must think we're all fools.

But if it were real,

you could feed a whole family for a century!

That seems too good to be true, right?

Here. I'll have one.

PARTICIPANTS WANTED ASSEMBLE AT TENRYUJI TEMPLE IN KYOTO

"Those who excel in martial arts… Tenryuji Temple…"

"Prize…

100,000 yen."

-Whatever this is, it's unusual. -Could we compete?

I don't know.

Hey! What are you doing?

-What's the problem? -Hold it right there!

-Can you tell us what this is? -Give me the pamphlets, all of you!

-We just wanna know. -This has nothing to do with you.

-Hand it over! Step back! -You're just as guilty!

Rin!

Rin!

Rin!

Rin!

-Rin! -Rin! Rin!

Rin!

Rin! Rin!

-Rin! Rin? Rin? -Rin!

Father…

I… I couldn't… I couldn't save Mother and Toya.

I'm really sorry.

Rin!

Rin!

Rin…

Rin…

Forgive me.

ASSEMBLE AT TENRYUJI TEMPLE IN KYOTO AT MIDNIGHT ON MAY 5TH

Shujiro-san?

Shino.

I'm really sorry, but I'll be gone for a little while.

I've found a job that could bring in some money.

If I get the money, we'll be safe,

and so will everyone in the village.

Are you going to draw your sword again?

No, don't worry.

It won't come to that.

Please stay safe.

I'll come back to you.

All right.

KYOTO

Oh, by the way, you saw the papers, right?

I did. They say it's part of a government sword hunt.

Mom, please, can we go? We wanna see.

It's not safe. You're not going anywhere near Tenryuji Temple.

-Why? But I really wanna go! -That is final.

Welcome.

Welcome.

-Saga? It can't be. -Hello, Yahei.

It's been a while.

It's been a while indeed.

Oh, wait. Saga, are you involved as well?

So you've seen others like me?

Yes. I've seen a couple.

I've noticed a few guests carrying swords.

Mm.

And do you know anything about it?

Well, rumor has it that some survivors

of the old shogunate forces are seeking allies for revenge.

But it's nothing more than rumors.

There's no telling what's true.

Is that right?

Saga-sama, may I come in?

Yes.

You're getting ready to go, I see.

Yes.

Be careful.

Kyoto feels different tonight.

It feels just like the old days.

That same iron scent of blood hangs heavy in the air.

Look after yourself, Saga.

TENRYUJI TEMPLE

Are you here to participate?

Doors.

-Whoa! -They opened the gate!

Enter.

Hey, hey, hey!

Shut up!

You shut up!

Ugh. Ah, look at all this. This chaos.

Everyone's blinded by the fortune, right?

Wouldn't surprise me if someone drew a sword before it starts.

Oh, uh, I'm sorry. Uh…

I need the sound of my own voice to keep calm.

Oh, by the way… Tachikawa Kouemon, a former samurai from Kaga.

Wait, you're from Kaga? So the papers made it that far?

Yes, in fact, uh, I've been speaking with folks all day.

From Hokkaido all the way to Ryukyu. There's someone from every region.

And you know what?

I'd say if the hosts are willing to go that far,

then that means it's feasible

that the 100,000 isn't a lie after all.

Huh?

Who's that?

The time has come at last.

Let us begin. I will proceed with the opening.

First off, I'd like to thank each and every one of you

for being here tonight.

I'll introduce myself.

Enju is my name.

It's an honor to meet you.

Tonight, you will enter into a game

that will truly test your spirit and your skill

and your physical limits.

Get on with it. Come on.

-We didn't come for a game. -We're not here all day.

Yes, yes. I don't blame you.

You just play a game and walk away with a fortune?

A fortune that you aren't even sure exists?

I imagine you're quite anxious.

What do you think that's for?

There's enough gold in this pot for ten years of luxury and ease.

And yet, compared to what you could earn if you choose to stay,

this is nothing.

So the question is how you earn it.

Ah…

Well…

The thing is

you cannot back out once you've been told the rules,

no matter what.

I will now begin counting down from thirty.

If you have no desire to join us tonight,

feel free to step out now.

-Thirty. Twenty-nine. -Oh, now he's counting.

-Twenty-eight. -Tell us the rules!

Twenty-seven.

-I'm not backing out! -Twenty-six.

-Twenty-five. -Tell us the rules!

That's enough!

Huh?

Stay where you are.

I'm Ando, Fourth Division, Kyoto PD.

Hey, that's An-Jin, the Swift Wind!

He's right. It's An-Jin, the Swift Wind!

Wow.

Kyoto PD, huh?

Anyway, as long as you're here,

you're considered a participant as well.

You don't know who you're dealing with.

Of course I do. An-Jin, the Swift Wind.

So good with a sword

that even the Shinsengumi wouldn't have stood a chance.

Or at least that's what

you like to tell everyone, right?

Because that's the truth.

You're all under arrest for breaking the sword ban.

There's no need to be a spoilsport. We're just having some fun.

Who's the mastermind? Where is he?

No idea.

Show me your hands, or I'll cut them off.

Is that right?

I guess that means that you won't participate?

Oh…

Pity, isn't it?

Hm. You're crazy.

Pardon me for the brief interruption, folks.

Anyway… Let the countdown recommence.

Twenty-four.

-Wait. What the hell? Wait. -Twenty-three.

Twenty-two.

-What do I do? -Twenty-one. Twenty.

-He killed that guy. -Nineteen.

-Are you leaving? -Eighteen…

-I'm out of here! -Hey, wait, don't give up!

Sixteen.

-I'm not backing out! -Fifteen…

I'm doing this!

Even if I quit now, I don't think I'd be any better off.

Twelve.

Eleven.

Ten.

-Not gonna end up like that guy! -Nine. Eight.

Seven.

Six. Five.

Four.

Three, two, one.

That's amazing.

The bravery you're showing impresses me deeply.

MAP OF TOKAIDO ROAD TENRYUJI TEMPLE

All right. This game you are agreeing to take part in is called…

"Kodoku."

Naturally, every game comes with its rules.

Take one of these.

Write down your name.

I will now explain them in detail.

-Wear this around your neck. -Are we not supposed to take it off?

Rule one.

From this moment on, Tokyo will be your final stop.

Rule two.

The main gates of Tenryuji Temple,

Ise Province's Seki,

Mikawa Province's Chiryu,

Totoumi Province's Hamamatsu,

Suruga Province's Shimada,

Sagami Province's Hakone,

Musashi Province's Shinagawa.

You have to go through all seven of these locations.

107 KOUEMON TACHIKAWA - 108 SHUJIRO SAGA

Put this on.

Rule three.

You are going to need a certain amount of points

in order to pass through each province.

-Wear this around your neck. -Rule four.

Under no circumstances are you to tell anyone else about this.

Sign here.

Rule five.

You are required to be in Tokyo no later

than June 5th, one month from today.

Rule six.

You cannot abandon the game at any point.

That said, should your wooden tag

be removed from your body, and ten counts pass,

it will count as a withdrawal.

Wear this at all times.

Rule seven.

Anyone who dares break the rules…

Ten. Nine.

-No! I don't wanna do it! -Eight.

-Seven. -Let me out!

Six.

Five.

Four.

-Open the gate! -Three.Two.

One.

Rule seven.

Anyone who dares break the rules

is going to earn their punishment.

This is insane.

You didn't say anything about getting killed!

You liar!

No! You little liar!

That's not what we signed up for! Hey!

-I want out of here! -We're gonna die here!

Now be quiet!

I gave you a choice, didn't I?

And you've made your decision.

No turning back.

When you heard about the 100,000 yen, your mind was already set.

You are part of this game now.

Let's get back to it.

A total of 292 participants are gathered here tonight.

Each of you has a wooden tag which counts as one point.

Which means you already hold one point.

In order to get through Tenryuji and head to the next post,

you'll need at least two points.

And you'll need 30 points to enter Tokyo, the final destination.

SHINAGAWA, MUSASHI PROVINCE - 30 POINTS NIHONBASHI

Figured out how to earn points yet?

Looks like some of you already have.

No way. He… can't be serious.

Nothing is off limits.

Tear the tags from each other's necks!

I see many here who endured the chaos of a bygone age.

True survivors among the samurai.

And they are the ones most worthy of receiving such a generous prize.

Now, show us the courage that defines the samurai legacy.

Excuse me. Should we team up?

Some people came all the way here with their friends.

It's better than going solo, right?

If you want, I could help you with my sword fighting skills.

All right. I'm going to start a ten-count,

and the game will begin.

Why is there a child here?

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

Then I will be waiting, in Tokyo. Or rather…

in Edo, the city lost since that day.

Hopefully, our paths cross once more.

And begin!

That's one point.

She's mine!

Let's do this!

Sakura.

Does this bring back any… memories?

No.

Congratulations on making it through.

Your wooden tags, please.

Kikuomi Ukyo.

First one to make it through.

You're truly a Guardian of the Nobility.

-What foul plan are you weaving right now? -I'm planning to be in Tokyo, waiting.

Confirmation complete.

Well…

Safe travels.

Father!

Oh. Uh, thank you so much.

Do you want to survive?

I do, yes.

I wanna live to save my mother, sir.

Don't leave my side until we get out of here.

I'll keep you safe.

All right.

I found him, the one with the girl!

-They're under the building! -Let's go.

I got one!

Go!

-Got it! Oh yeah! -Give it back!

-Give it back! -Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Give it back!

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

120

Hang on!

Who took my tag? Hand it over!

Hang on!

Come on, give it to me!

I'll kill you, samurai!

Let's go.

So you're not who I'm after either, are you?

-Hmm. -Oh.

Ah.

Oh!

If I may…

Our first participant has made it through.

Number 19, Kikuomi Ukyo.

Ah.

He's truly living up to the name, "Guardian of the Nobility."

Former Guardian, right? A lot has happened since.

Well, in any case, he's clearly still skillful with a sword.

-Hm. -He's putting on quite the show for us.

Well, this is only the beginning.

The real fun is yet to come.

This way!

What's your name?

Katsuki Futaba.

And you, sir?

Saga Shujiro.

Huh?

We just need to make it to the gate now.

Wait, but your tag--

Hey, calm down. You can relax, okay?

I've got no intention of fighting you.

I'll get his tag.

Just don't go slashing at me all of a sudden.

Here you go. You take it.

What're you trying to pull here?

Listen, why aren't you going all out,

"Kokushu the Manslayer?"

Losing grip on your mind, are ya?

Insomnia. Hands shake, heart races…

The Boshin War sure got a lot of people outright losing their minds.

But

if you and that little miss intend to survive,

then you gotta start killing.

Well, it's your call, though.

Hold on!

Thank you so much.

I'm rooting for ya. So hang in there, all right?

254

We better get out of here now.

All right.

Here we go!

You go ahead. Hurry!

Go!

Congratulations on making it through. Your wooden tags, please.

Uh, thank you so much, sir.

We're going to a friend's inn.

Stay alert.

Confirmation complete.

Safe travels.

-Ah, it's started to rain. -Oh!

Quite the downfall we're getting.

Number 108, Saga Shujiro,

and number 120, Katsuki Futaba, just made it through.

-Oh. -Saga Shujiro.

Kokushu the Manslayer, right?

With a child in tow, huh?

Wow. It's getting interesting!

Gentlemen. One more moment of your time.

-What is it? It was just getting good. -Mm.

I have just received a letter from the mastermind.

Allow me to read it for you.

"To all who have agreed to this game, this Kodoku,

I extend my deepest gratitude."

"The samurai,

they are capable of nothing more than swinging swords."

"They boast their authority,

and they mistake it for true power."

"They haven't even noticed how the world has left them behind."

"They drag out their days, blind to their own pointlessness."

"So take pleasure."

"Indulge in this cruel dance that will finally lay them to rest,

these ghosts who call themselves samurai."

It's been a while, hasn't it?

Kokushu.

Kanjiya Bukotsu…

What's it been, ten years?

I've been waiting for this moment.

I figured I'd find you here.

Let's do this…

Kokushu the Manslayer!

128 REMAINING