Original subtitles

[dramatic music playing]

[narrator] In the Meiji period,

there was a legend that the Ainu people hid a large sum of gold

somewhere in Hokkaido.

203 METER HILL

I'm the Immortal Sugimoto!

[narrator] After surviving the deadly Russo-Japanese War,

Saichi Sugimoto heads to Hokkaido.

I have to do right by Toraji.

[narrator] Accompanied by Asirpa, an Ainu girl,

and one of the escaped prisoners, Shiraishi,

he begins collecting the tattoos.

We'll find the gold. I promise you.

Right.

It's about Abashiri Prison.

I know what happened.

Noppera-Bo is

Asirpa's father.

[Asirpa] I need to see Noppera-Bo first.

If Noppera-Bo is Aca, then I need to see for myself.

[narrator] Toshizo Hijikata, leader of the Hijikata group

and former member of the Shinsengumi,

and Tsurumi, leader of the Seventh Division,

are also chasing after the tattoos

in hopes of uncovering the hidden Ainu treasure.

You will make fake human skin.

The counterfeits were probably made using these six bodies.

[Tsurumi] With your excellent counterfeits,

we will plant seeds of chaos.

Whether these skins are real or not, we need to know how to tell them apart.

[Ienaga] I may have someone in mind. A man called Choan Kumagishi.

[narrator] Sugimoto and his companions have six tattoos.

Hijikata's group also has six.

Tsurumi and the Seventh Division now have two.

There are 12 remaining.

This is the tale of a grueling quest

to be the first to find and collect the 24 tattoos

and uncover the secrets of the hidden Ainu gold.

[music intensifies]

GOLDEN KAMUY -THE HUNT OF PRISONERS IN HOKKAIDO-

[music fades out]

[bear snarling]

[insects buzzing]

How long has its cage been too small for it?

[man] This cub grew a bit faster than we were expecting.

We're building it a bigger cage as we speak.

Nothing to worry about.

You can call me Ekurok.

You will need to ask permission to stay here tonight.

I'll take you to the village chief.

[apprehensive music playing]

[music fades out]

[Sugimoto] There's a certain etiquette you must follow

when visiting an Ainu home.

I have some experience with it, so follow my lead.

[clearing throat repetitively]

[quirky percussion music playing]

You begin by coughing outside the house.

You should never say any words of greeting to the people in the house.

[Ushiyama] He went back inside.

The youngest person in the family silently checks out the guest,

then goes in to tell the head of the family what he saw.

If the head of the family says it's all right,

then they have to begin preparing their house.

[bird squawking]

[Sugimoto] This ant is huge!

[music stops]

[Ushiyama] Hey… what's going on?

[Asirpa] Years ago, some ethnic Japanese high officers

were inspecting the inland areas of Hokkaido, led by an Ainu guide.

A downpour of rain came,

and they hoped to wait it out in an Ainu home.

Ainu etiquette meant they had to go through this ritual.

By the time they got inside the house, the rain had already stopped.

[quirky percussion music playing]

[in Ainu] Please come in.

Everyone, hold hands.

-[Ushiyama] We have to hold hands? -[Sugimoto] Yeah.

And stay bent over.

When you're invited into the house in this way,

it's a sign of respect to stay bent over.

[music stops]

[Sugimoto] Do as he does.

[Ushiyama] Like this?

[man in Ainu] Hello.

Musonkami.

[Sugimoto] Huh? What's that?

Why is she… traveling with the rest of you?

[Sugimoto] Ah.

We offered her a small fee to be our guide.

For when we need to stay in Ainu villages.

[Ekurok] I see.

Let me introduce my family.

The lady sitting at the far end is my wife, Monoa.

-This young one is my brother. -I have to go osoma!

-[Ekurok] What? -Hey, Asirpa. Can't you just hold it?

No, the osoma has already reached the exit!

Such gross talk!

Apologies.

She's not usually this vulgar.

Don't know what's gotten into her.

It's okay.

Our toilet may be difficult to find.

Go make sure she doesn't get lost.

[tense music fading in]

[bear growling]

[high-pitched tone fading in]

They can't give him this horrible food.

[Asirpa grunting]

[music intensifies]

[roars]

[unsettling music fades in]

[music fades out]

[Ogata] Asirpa called you "musonkami." What does it mean?

Or…

maybe you don't even know.

[man] What's with the girl?

Watch her for us, would you, Mr. Kumagishi?

[tense music fades in]

[grunts] What's going on? Why are you dressed like the Ainu?

I have never heard this word before.

Is she perhaps from an Ainu kotan not near here?

The Ainu language has different dialects.

Of course it does.

There's no need to be suspicious, Ogata.

-It's disrespectful. -[Ogata] These guys…

are you sure they're Ainu?

Musonkami is a word… that mocks fake onkami,

where people move their hands restlessly, like a fly.

Those men in there had no idea what I'd said.

Also, I intentionally went in to greet them wearing my headband,

and no one said a word.

Not to mention how they treat the bear.

How dare they feed it such poor food?

The Ainu people feed bears we raise

food that's the same or better quality than we get ourselves.

It's important that the brown bears

tell the kamuy world that our kotan is a good place.

I'm guessing they don't know the bear-sending ceremony,

and now it's too fierce to deal with.

You're not true Ainu.

-What's going on here? -Shh!

They'll kill you if they hear you saying stuff like that.

Since they brought me to this place,

several travelers have visited this village.

They were all killed.

They invite the travelers in, give them sake,

and when their guard is down, they strike.

But why kill them?

They were all… convicts who escaped together from Kabato Prison.

They took over this village… to hide here.

One man is responsible.

He broke everyone here out of prison.

He was disguised as a high-ranking government officer.

One day, he showed up at the prison and led all of us out.

Since then,

I've been held here against my will and forced to create counterfeit bills.

[Asirpa] Counterfeit bills.

His real name is Kiyohiro Suzukawa.

He's a genius.

The best con artist out there.

And right now, he's disguised as a village chief.

I heard a rumor that he was in Abashiri Prison,

but he escaped there too.

Abashiri Prison?

The women of the village are intimidated so that they will stay with him.

I'll get you out of here if you promise to help us.

The man who escaped from Abashiri Prison,

have you noticed if he has strange tattoos?

[dramatic music playing]

[in Ainu] Unka opiwiki yan!

[whimpering]

What was that woman saying?

[Ekurok] Ah, don't mind her.

Some of the villagers don't like the ethnic Japanese.

But you're welcome in this house.

Tonight, we will have a drink in your honor.

[in Ainu] We need your help!

Get out!

[music fades out]

[Sugimoto] Have we done something to offend her?

I'm sorry if we were rude.

[Ekurok] Oh, no!

[Ogata] Something's not right here, and that proves it.

[Sugimoto] You're worried for nothing, Ogata.

We can use these to prove it.

Only real Ainu will know how to use them.

-[Ekurok] What the hell is that stick for? -[Ekasi] What the hell is that stick for?

How about Ushiyama goes first.

Me?! Why do I have to go?

[playful music playing]

[music stops]

I… I am… a widow.

I lost my husband in the war. Now, I'm all by myself.

[quavering] But I… I-- I can feel the tingling of my body.

And on such occasions, I am satisfied by this.

[sexually] Ahhh. Ahhhh!

-I can also use it to scratch-- -That's all wrong!

Next is

Retanno Ekasi.

[softly] Oh.

After watching that display, I think you'll know just what to do.

[Ekasi softly] Oh!

Oh.

[tense music fading in]

Get to it already, grandpa.

[Ekasi breathing anxiously]

[music fades out]

[humming happily]

[growls]

[humming]

[growls]

[humming]

Hm!

Oh, I get it!

You get dressed in your favorite outfit.

Then you do your hair.

Finally, you go out to start the day…

[Ekasi humming happily]

[grunting]

[growling]

You… perform a ritual.

Ugh! Ugh!

[weakly] Ugh, ugh.

Hm? You got tired… Your back hurts?

[Ekasi sighs]

[dark quirky music playing]

So you can use it in that way too?

[Ekasi] Uh, yes?

[Ogata] Enough!

I'll show you all the proper use for that thing.

Give it here.

-Ogata, you think you've figured it out? -[scoffs]

It hurts! Argh!

Argh!

Geezer, you speak Japanese?

It's not unusual for Ainu to speak Japanese.

-Are you okay? -[Ekasi] This boy's so kind.

How dare you do this, Ogata!

[Ogata] If he were a real Ainu,

do you think Japanese words would slip out when he feels pain?

[Sugimoto] Why pretend to be Ainu? It doesn't make any sense.

What would they gain from that? Quit being so rude, Ogata!

[suspenseful music fades in]

[Sugimoto] Hey… where's Asirpa?

She wanted to, uh… um…

learn embroidery… with the other women.

Apparently, she's enjoying it.

It's better suited for someone her age.

[Sugimoto] Asirpa's "enjoying embroidery"?

Tell me…

tell me where she is!

Huh? Look at his legs.

[Ogata] It's a yakuza tattoo.

So they're yakuza in disguise.

[music intensifies]

[roars]

Oh, they're playing monsters.

[Sugimoto] Tell me what you did with Asirpa!

[dramatic music playing]

Every man here spent years in Kabato Prison.

They're violent convicts.

I can't stop them.

I'm sorry, for you and your friends.

No.

I think it's those convicts that you should feel sorry for.

If I give the word, anyone out there

will gladly slash that little girl's throat!

Drop your weapons!

[whimpers]

Is that the… correct answer?

Try to give the word now if you can.

[Ogata] How does one beg for their life in Ainu?

[whimpers]

[Ekurok groans]

[Ogata] Keep a closer eye on your rifle, Private First Class.

[Ekasi whimpering]

[dramatic music playing]

[Ekurok groaning]

[music stops]

-[flesh crunches] -[man groans]

Where is Asirpaaa!

[dark rock music playing]

Sugimoto's looking for me.

Wait right there! There's a guard on--

Hey, Kumagishi. Were you letting her go?

[Kumagishi anxiously] No!

[Monoa groans]

-[man gurgles] -[Monoa groans]

[Monoa in Ainu] Let's get revenge for our husbands' deaths!

[woman in Ainu] Kill him!

[music intensifies]

This doesn't mean that I like you… Sugimoto.

[quietly] Asirpa!

[Ekasi muttering]

-[dull clank] -[groans]

Aaaargh! Die!

[gasps]

[bear growling]

Ah!

It's absolute chaos out there. Now's our chance to get away.

If we go out now, we'll be caught in the chaos.

I can't let that happen. We still need your help.

[men screaming]

You're the counterfeiter, Choan Kumagishi, right?

How do you know who I am?

We've got something we need you to differentiate.

It's a fake tattooed human skin made by a taxidermist.

[dramatic music playing]

[flesh squelches]

Aaaargh!

[gun cocks]

[bear snarling]

[bear growls]

[whimpering]

Argh!

My friends and I were already heading to Kabato to find you.

I didn't counterfeit artwork for the fun of it!

It was just a job! The same for counterfeiting money.

I couldn't make a living painting.

But I… might know something that could give you a clue

to what you and your little friends are looking for.

Asirpa! I'm glad you're safe.

[Kumagishi] Is he your companion?

No, Sugimoto!

This is Choan Kumagishi.

Kumagishi is here?

I didn't hit him!

-[Asirpa] Show me. A poison arrow? -[Kumagishi moans]

-[Sugimoto] A poison arrow. -[tense music playing]

[Asirpa] The arrowhead is still stuck in his stomach.

Usually, removing the poisoned flesh helps slow it down,

but… it's lodged in your stomach.

[breathing fitfully]

-[bear snarls] -[Ekasi shrieks]

Someone help me!

[shrieks]

It would appear the chief escaped from Abashiri Prison.

Help me, please! [groaning]

Hey, you! Bear!

The geezer's spoken for.

Plus, if you mess up that tattoo, we'll be in real trouble.

-[bear roars] -[groans]

[dark electronic music playing]

[Ushiyama groans]

A shoulder throw!

Ippon!

[grumbles]

[bear groans]

Hmm!

Tell your bear friends that you…

got taken out by Ushiyama the undefeated.

[bear grumbles]

[man groaning]

[flesh crunches]

[groaning stops]

[speaking in Ainu]

Stay over there!

[speaking in Ainu]

[Kumagishi] Taxidermy…

Something that would… distinguish their work. [panting]

[Sugimoto] Yeah. Can you think of anything?

[painfully] They… might leave a sort of signature.

I used to… uh, leave something on each of my counterfeits.

[breathes shakily] I was…

[groaning] …obsessed with surpass… ing the real art.

[gasping shakily]

For example…

[inhaling shakily]

…I even used better materials than the real ones.

Even though poverty had driven me to be a counterfeiter,

I kept trying to be a real artist.

It's pride in… the work.

[gasps shakily]

[groans]

All I wanted was to make the real thing.

[groans]

If only I could have created the real thing,

I wouldn't have to make counterfeits.

[crying in pain]

Real artwork can

t-- t-- transform the life of the person who…

who… who sees it… for good.

[poignant music playing]

[music fades out]

[Ogata] Sugimoto did this.

He killed almost all of the false Ainu by himself.

That man is a beast.

[poignant music playing]

Asirpa… are you okay?

They didn't hurt you, did they?

[echoes] You'll have to give me your word…

that you will not kill anyone.

[music ends]

TSUKIGATA

[Kiroranke] I asked at the other inns,

but it seems Sugimoto and the others haven't made it to town yet.

-[Hijikata] How was Kabato Prison? -Kumagishi escaped from the prison.

[Ienaga] We heard that there was a prison break recently.

None of the convicts have been recaptured.

Well… learning about the fake tattoos gives us an advantage we wouldn't have

if we didn't go to Yubari.

That's good.

It ought to throw a wrench in the first lieutenant's plan.

Actually, if we can't tell the real from the fake,

only our plans will be ruined.

[ambient music playing]

Even if we succeed and manage to obtain all of the skins,

we can't break the code unless we can differentiate between them.

We have to find a way.

And if we aren't able to find a way, then…

Then we have one last resort.

Shiraishi will have to break in and talk to Noppera-Bo.

Meee?

[Ienaga] Would it really come to relying on this imbecile to save the day?

[Shiraishi] Haaaa!

[Ushiyama] Here.

[Sugimoto] Who'd have guessed we'd find Kumagishi

hiding out in an Ainu kotan.

Hijikata probably knows by now that he made his escape from Kabato Prison.

[Ushiyama] I don't think they expected us to be burying Kumagishi's body.

[Sugimoto] On the bright side, we ended up with another tattoo.

I'd call that a lucky break for sure.

-[Asirpa] Keep your arms up! -Huh?!

Oh, come on! That bear really did a number on my--

-It's not that bad. Hold still. -[grumbles]

[poignant music fades in]

[in Ainu] We should forget about…

what we did today.

If someone hears about this… something horrible will happen.

[woman in Ainu] Sonno, sonno.

[narrator] Although there has never been any evidence,

there are rumors of an Ainu kotan near Lake Akan

where escaped convicts once took control.

They disguised themselves as Ainu people to hide from their captors.

[in Ainu] You all can come out now!

[woman gasps joyfully]

[in Ainu] Everything's fine now!

[women speaking indistinctly]

[child in Ainu] Totto!

[Monoa in Ainu] Iyayraykere…

nepka esiko yayattasa asi ka

eaykap korka esi ipere aspo ka ki rusuy kus

ewa unkore yan.

She says they would like to return the favor.

They are going to treat us to some dishes that they've made of seasonal turep.

[Sugimoto] Turep?

[Asirpa] It's a giant heartleaf lily.

The Ainu people call this time of year "the best month to dig heartleaf lilies"

Or "the month of many heartleaf lilies."

Heartleaf lily is a backbone ingredient in all our dishes.

We call it haruikkew.

[boy playing jaw harp]

Ugh! Shove off! Jeez! Eh!

Get outta here!

[in Ainu] Help yourself.

These are giant heartleaf lily dumplings.

The starch juice from the lily bulbs is poured into stems and steamed.

Then it's pressed out to make these.

-Thank you for the meal. -It looks like kuzukiri.

-[Sugimoto groans with pleasure] -[Ushiyama] Mmm!

[Ogata sniffing]

[Asirpa] The scent of yobusumasou herb makes it sweet and yummy.

Hinna, hinna.

[Sugimoto] What's this red thing on top?

[Asirpa] It's cherry salmon cipor, which means crushed salmon roe.

We mix it with brown bear fat in other dishes as well.

Mmm! Mmm.

[Sugimoto] The sweetness of the dumpling

complements the saltiness of the roe sauce.

It's so hinna.

[Ushiyama] That's delicious.

Or should I say hinna? [chuckling]

Asirpa… it's good with the roe on top,

but I bet it would go good with the miso, right?

Mmm! Mm-mmm!

I bet Sugimoto's osoma goes good with everything.

Mm!

-Osoma?! -[quirky music playing]

[Monoa] Osoma--

[woman 1] Osoma?

[woman 2] Osoma?

[woman 3] Osoma?

[Sugimoto] Check it out.

Everyone thinks we're eating poop.

[in Ainu] This is an edible osoma.

[music stops]

[apprehensive music fades in]

[music stops]

Oh, it's tasty.

Really?!

[uplifting music playing]

[Monoa] It's delicious!

[woman 1 in Ainu] Keraan humi!

Keraan humi!

[Ushiyama] Mm.

Oh… Osoma, osoma!

-[Monoa] Osoma! -[all chuckling]

[Ushiyama] It's keraan fumi.

[Asirpa] Hinna!

[all chuckle]

[man grunts] Let go of the bottle! Give it to me!

No, Nikaido! Hands off!

Never! No, no, no!

What's all this fuss, Sergeant Tsukishima?

[Tsukishima grunts]

Nikaido stole a bottle of morphine and injected himself with a huge dose.

I'm not to blame if you OD and die!

-Give it back! [grunting] -Nikaido, it's not good for you.

You should only take it as prescribed by the doctor.

Give it!

Stop it! Nikaido!

Stop it!

[quirky music playing]

Yohei's right leg burnt to ash.

Edogai's house did that to him.

I can't chase Sugimoto without a leg.

Sugimoto needs to die, riiiight?

Desperation isn't a good look on you, Nikaido.

[grunts]

Stop it!

Nikaido!

Stop it! Stop it!

Mnaaar!

[chuckling happily]

Ooooh.

Ooh!

[whistling happily]

[Sugimoto] Shiraishi.

[chuckling] Whoa, Sugimoto!

You're finally here.

I just realized something, Shiraishi.

Huh? What's that?

After Henmi died, we were at that lodge.

We met an old man there. You remember?

[chaotic music playing]

I'm sure that man was Hijikata.

Shiraishi…

you were acting as a spy for Hijikata.

You were giving him information about our plans.

[music intensifies]

[shakily] No.

I wasn't.

Still trying to deceive me.

I'd have forgiven you if you'd just told me.

[gasps]

[screaming]

-[screams] -[music stops]

Huh?

[sighing]

[Kiroranke] Sofia…

[mischievous music playing]

[exhales with relief]

[scoffs]

Damn it. What do I do?

[sucks air through teeth]

Things are getting too scary.

-[Sugimoto] Shiraishi. -[music stops]

[music reprises]

[music stops]

Land!

Hoo!

[dark country music playing]

If I get killed, there goes my cut of the gold.

Bye! I'm out of here.

[music intensifies]

For I am Shiraishi, the Escape King. Ha!

[music stops]

[man 1] Wait, you're…

Shiraishi, right?

-[man 2] Shiraishi? -[man 1] Get 'im!

-[man 2] Yes, sir! -[man 3] Shiraishi!

-[man 4] About time! -[man 5] Take him in!

Well, hello, Mr. Arisaka.

Oh, Tsurumi!

How are things at Asahikawa?

-[louder] How are things at Asahikawa? -Ah, yes!

I heard that they created a flying-balloon unit

in order to transport weapons to the front line.

But the damn thing's filled with hydrogen!

One good shot will blow the whole thing up.

It's of no use in actual battle.

By the way, what did you think of the latest Type 38 rifle you tested?

I developed it, you know.

[Tsurumi] A design that is beautiful and functional.

You're going to sell millions.

[Arisaka] Yes, but the better it sells, the more people will die. [tuts, inhales]

It's the curse of my profession.

Beauty and power are inseparable.

Functional beauty has one result, a superior and powerful weapon.

One of my men was attacked by a brown bear and said the same of that creature.

That it was a beautiful death machine.

Ohhh! He sounds interesting indeed!

Mr. Arisaka, this young man's name is Nikaido,

and he's feeling down lately.

I know I'm asking a lot, but would you be willing to help him out?

Mm!

[Sugimoto] Now the question is,

what do we do with this con artist who posed as a village chief?

He's more trouble than he's worth. I say kill him.

So you're gonna kill someone who's defenseless?

I-- I-- I-- I have information on all of the Abashiri convicts.

[Sugimoto] Oh?

[Ogata] I doubt it.

He's a con artist.

He's lying to buy time.

[Suzukawa grunts]

If you're lying, I'll pull out your tongue.

We need to get moving. Let's take him.

We can discuss his fate when we meet up with the others.

[dramatic music playing]

-[girl 1] Professor Penis! -Professor Penis!

-Professor Penis! -[girl 1] Professor Penis!

-[woman 1] Professor Penis! -[girl 1] Professor Penis!

-[woman 2] Professor Penis! -[girl 2] Professor Penis!

All the men in this kotan were killed.

They're asking if we could stay here forever.

Professor Penis is well-liked here.

You defeated the bear, so they say they can expect strong children.

-Professor Penis! -Professor Penis!

-Professor Penis! -Professor Penis!

-[woman 1] Professor Penis! -Sorry, but we have places to be.

I could just leave some of my sperm behind.

You'd be taking advantage of their weakness, Ushiyama.

They're not weak.

Ainu women are tough and shrewd.

That's how I know they will recover.

-Come! We should get going. -[music intensifies]

[Asirpa] I bet Shiraishi is missing Sugimoto by now.

[all speaking Ainu]

[Ushiyama] Women!

[Ainus] Professor Penis!

W… womeeen!

[Ainus] Professor Penis!

Womeeeeeeeeen!

[music slowly fades out]

[man 1 chuckles] Have you seen her?

You've already met

the one you're meant to spend your life with.

What?! Who? Who is it?

-[man 2] Eh? -I can tell you he's very handsome.

[man 3] You're looking for three men traveling with an Ainu girl?

Yeah. Have you seen them?

Oh-- I met them!

A bunch of ruffians who bullied me into buying a bear's gallbladder.

But the one in the military cap,

he was a villain, I have no doubt about that.

Yeah, I have a nose for that, ya know? [scoffs]

I was right. They did come this way.

[dark rock music playing]

[Tanigaki] The shortest route to Abashiri from Otaru takes you to Asahikawa.

Asahikawa is a military capital.

It's a nest of Seventh Division soldiers.

I figured they'd take a detour to avoid that place.

But if they came through Yubari,

they must have passed between Mount Taisetsu

and the Hidaka Mountains and made their way to Tokachi.

We're heading to Tokachi!

[Inkarmat] Tanigaki nispa, we need to earn some money before we leave.

There are no large cities after this for a while.

[Tanigaki] Fine.

Who's next?

Is your companion a fortune-teller?

That's nice! What I wouldn't give to have a girl like that working for me.

I'm sorry?

-She isn't working for me! -[scoffs]

-[child] Please! -[woman] Are you serious?

-[child] Please, Mommy! -[woman] D'you know who the man is?

You stole morphine again?!

-Nikaido, let go of it! -Ha!

-I'm gonna tell the first lieutenant! -Argh!

[Tsurumi] Nikaido!

Someone special has come to pay you a visit.

Huh? A visitor?

-Who is it? -Please, sir, come in and join us.

[footsteps approaching]

Who is… that guy?

[unsettling music playing]

Hey!

Who is that?

Hey!

Who is he?!

He's scary!

[music fades out]

Who the hell are you?

Get lost!

-Hi! You must be Nikaido, am I right? -[quirky music playing]

[Nikaido] Wait, who are you?

Hm? Oh, are you asking me who I am?

I'll tell you.

I'm the one who made that rifle over there.

Army Lieutenant General Narizo Arisaka, a genius firearms developer.

-Knock it off now, Nikaido! Stop it! -[growling]

Mr. Arisaka, were you able to make the gift I requested?

Nikaido, I made a gift just for you.

Huh? A gift for me? What is it?

I really hope you enjoy using this thing.

This, my friend, is your new leg.

Ah, it's just a fake leg.

No! Not just any fake leg.

Get outta here!

It may have been made in haste but it still holds two shots.

It's like a cane gun for close combat situations

and surprise attacks.

Of course, the best way to stop your opponent

while battling at close range

is always going to be a shotgun.

[shakily] Whoa! Thanks so much, strange old man.

Are you shooting guns in a hospital?!

[laugh raucously]

Are you happy with your shiny new leg, Nikaido?

[emotionally] Yeah!

[whimsical music playing]

[music stops]

[breathing shakily]

[Sugimoto] We'll be able to see Kabato Prison soon.

[Ushiyama] We agreed to meet up at the inn closest to the prison.

[Ogata] This has been such a letdown.

I didn't expect there to be such a small fry

among the Abashiri convicts.

[Suzukawa] Well, I'm a con artist.

I rely on my brain.

Don't lump me in with those barbarians.

They only know how to use violence to get what they need.

[Sugimoto] Didn't you commit marriage fraud?

I can't see how any woman could be deceived by someone like you.

I wear many disguises.

This isn't my true appearance.

There is no "real" me anymore, hm?

Shiraishi was caught by the Seventh Division?

[Ogata] Was it First Lieutenant Tsurumi?

[Hijikata] No. Tsurumi wasn't with them.

It was a different platoon.

[Nagakura] From what we've heard around town,

they had been working in Asahikawa

at the headquarters of the Seventh Division.

They were just passing through town on their way back.

It's likely that Shiraishi

is on his way to Asahikawa as we speak.

[Ienaga] They're probably peeling his skin off right now.

[Ushiyama] Ogata can check it out. He's Seventh Division.

[Ogata] In their eyes, I'm a deserter.

[softly] Shiraishi.

[poignant music playing]

[Shiraishi laughing]

[music becomes whimsical]

[laughter continues]

[music winds down]

[all] Oh well.

[Ushiyama] At least we got a copy of his tattoo.

[Sugimoto] No.

I'm going to save him.

Sugimoto.

How are you going to do that? You're asking to be killed.

We'll use this con artist.

What is it that you want me to do?

[dark country music playing]

The same thing you did to break Kumagishi out.

I know you helped him escape Kabato Prison.

You're going to do the same for Shiraishi.

[sighs, tuts] How reckless!

It's the Seventh Division.

It's not a prison.

Suzukawa… if you don't do it,

I'm going to peel off your skin.

And if you mess up on purpose,

the Seventh Division will skin you as well.

The best option for you to keep all your skin

is to successfully save our friend.

First, we need to know

exactly where they're holding Shiraishi in the Seventh Division headquarters.

Or we can't save him.

Do we dress him up like a general?

[Nagakura] They're not going to tell classified information

to just anyone who walks in.

What about a senior officer from the division in Tokyo?

Well, the higher they're promoted, the more military connections they have.

They'll notice a made-up senior officer.

What about Shirosuke Inudo, then?

ABASHIRI PRISON

[music intensifies]

[somber tone plays]

[Ushiyama] Inudo?

The Abashiri Prison warden?

-[Sugimoto] Does he look like him? -[Hijikata] Not at all.

If you want to impersonate a real person,

first you must reduce the things about yourself that are different.

Start by thinning out the eyebrows.

Next, you must cut the hair.

If I recall, he wears his hair pulled forward.

[Ushiyama] Oh?

He's starting to resemble him.

-[Sugimoto] Do you think this'll work? -[Nagakura] Hmm…

[Ienaga] He's not quite there yet.

[Hijikata] Inudo…

is called the demon of discipline.

He's known to be strict and virtuous.

But he imprisoned me based on a personal grudge,

proving he's inconsistent.

His distorted mind shows on his face.

[Suzukawa] Hmm.

All right, then.

What do you think of this?

[music fades out]

[Hijikata] Ohh!

Incredible.

[Suzukawa] It's easy.

All you need to do

is put on a scarf, and you're a different person.

[Sugimoto] Huh?

[apprehensive music plays]

I just realized.

You were the old man at the herring lodge.

Have I…

[tense music playing]

…seen you somewhere?

I doubt you've ever met him!

This is… Toshizo Hijikata!

So, then,

this whole time, Shiraishi's been spying for you?

That's all… behind us now, isn't it?

[music intensifies]

Someone who betrays once will do it again.

[music fades out]

We'll make them bring Shiraishi to us.

[Shiraishi] Sugimoto took a bullet for me!

[Ogata] They'll catch up if we stay here.

You're going to join my prisoner hunt, all right?

[Sugimoto] Shiraishi, you were working for Hijikata.

[Hijikata] In war, you must never lose.

[Asirpa] Once everything is over, take me to your hometown, Sugimoto.

I'm Immortal Sugimoto!

[high-energy pop music playing]

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION