Original subtitles

Lone Wolf and Cub

Daddy!

Daddy!

Do you know what they mean?

Do you know what they mean? River!

And the next one?

Castle!

The place where they're headed is

where he once executed a feudal lord as the executioner of the Shogunate.

He has returned to this fateful place

but as an assassin this time around.

This is part of destiny.

Extreme trials may be waiting ahead

but ltto Ogami knows that this hellish path cannot be avoided.

Cloud Dragon, Wind Tiger

�to Ogami...

Four years...

It's been four years since that day.

Your Highness!

Allow me to play this bamboo flute before you die.

Executioner for the Shogunate, Lord ltto Ogami, has arrived.

I am ltto Ogami. Executioner for the Shogunate.

I like the view from this place.

So I asked for my execution to take place here.

Maybe a daimyo would have committed hara-kiri

at a place like this during the time of war.

I don't think anyone would do it in the times we live now.

But I have lived the life of a samurai.

So it is my desire to die in battle.

Therefore, it will be worth dying

by spilling my blood on this grass.

I thank you for granting my wish.

By the way, can you do me one more favor?

And what might that be?

I heard that ltto Ogami, the executioner for the Shogunate

is a master of the Suio-ryu.

Can you show me your wave-slashing technique?

Who is my opponent?

So...you will do it?

Shogen!

Yes?

I want you to have a duel with Lord Ogami.

Yes.

I'm Shogen Makabe, head of the guards.

Lord Ogami.

Makabe is the master of the Taisha-ryu

and is said to be the best in the clan.

He is able to evade the blade by a hairbreadth.

I'm sure he'll fight by using a real sword.

You said a real sword?

Correct.

Lord Makabe, this is the time to get revenge on the government.

This may be your last chance!

You understand how our Highness feels, right?

That despicable robe with that emblem.

Show your hatred towards the Tokugawa. I'm counting on you.

In order to counter the wave-slashing technique

you need to use the side position of Taisha-ryu. Don't hold it over your head.

Never hold your sword over your head!

That's it, the wave-slashing technique!

It's to confuse the distance between his opponent.

Have you gone mad?

Lord Makabe!

You knew very well that our Highness wanted revenge on the government!

Why didn't you go through with it?

He was intensely sad and wanted you to strike

the executioner ltto Ogami and his robe with the emblem.

Don't tell me you didn't know!

Taisha-ryu's side position could have easily beat the wave-slashing technique.

Why did you give up?

If you used the Taisha-ryu's secret technique

you could have killed ltto Ogami!

But why?

Tell me why!

You knew very well that our Highness wanted revenge on the government!

Why didn't you go through with it?

Why did you raise your sword over your head and just give up?

Watch your step.

Do you remember these rapids?

It was four years ago...

Our Highness committed hara-kiri over there

and you helped by decapitating him.

I guess we fought

right around there?

Running water is never the same.

There is no going back for a samurai.

Live or die.

I believe that's what life is.

Excuse me.

Wait!

You're right. The water is never the same.

But my heart is just like these ground cherries.

As time passed by

this single broken branch

may have withered and dried up

but even so, these cherries have reddened.

L, too, wanted to be just like them.

Come visit me if you have the chance.

Excuse me.

Lord Ogami.

Thank you for coming.

Now, what did you want me for?

I want you to kill a ronin.

He lives by the Shinobu River with a small farm

and also fishes in order to feed himself.

Four years ago, his clan in Arima was destroyed.

A former vassal, Shogen Makabe.

He's a master of Taisha-ryu and now calls himself Ground Cherries.

It's been four years since that day.

Why do you want me to kill him now?

I understand you have doubts.

When we first moved to this area

there were rumors going around about Shogen Makabe.

He was living like a farmer

and kept remembering his late master and wouldn't serve anyone else.

For not leaving this land, they praised him greatly

and thought him to be a perfect example of a samurai.

But those high-spirited youths didn't like him at all.

So one day they attacked him on their horses.

Move! Get out of the way!

Please! I want you to make a detour!

What?

I want you to bypass the area between this point and the river.

Quiet!

I don't have to take orders

from a former Arima clansman who is now living like a farmer!

Move!

No, I won't move!

I'm begging you as a samurai to bypass this area!

What samurai?

By committing hara-kiri, you could die as a true samurai.

But instead of doing that, you live your life in shame! You fool!

Move!

I'm begging you! Please!

Don't worry about it. Go!

Please!

You still won't give up?

Please!

That's enough!

When they heard what happened, other young men went to get revenge

but the total body count rose to eight.

I tried to tell the men to stay away from that ronin

but they just wouldn't listen.

And just a short while ago

five more men went out, but they were all killed by that ronin.

He is a very skilled swordsman.

Now that the situation has gotten worse, we must kill Makabe

even if we have to get the archers or the rifle squad.

But if this becomes public

then the Takagaki clan will become a laughing stock

since we can't even kill one ronin.

That's why I'm asking you for help.

This ronin, Shogen Makabe.

He has killed many of your clansmen, yet

he refuses to leave the area.

You know the reason why, right?

No, I don't know the reason why.

Either he's got some guts or he doesn't know fear.

I even find him strange.

His late master, Lord Ukyonosuke Arima

committed hara-kiri by the shores of Shinobu River.

What? By the shore?

Makabe's behavior...

He doesn't want people to trample the ground where his master died.

How do you know all this?

I was there when his master committed hara-kiri.

You mean as the executioner for the Shogunate?

That's right.

I was the one who decapitated him.

I did not know that.

But this situation has gotten out of hand and there's no backing out now.

Lord Ogami.

I'll have the 500 ryo ready for you immediately

and I'll ask you once again.

I want you to kill Makabe at all costs!

Sir!

Sir.

I understand a ronin killed over ten of our men

but why hire some greedy assassin to take him down?

Mind your own business!

Mind your own business! No!

The ones who died won't be able to rest in peace.

Please let me handle this.

I know how you must feel.

You call yourself ltto Ogami?

This is not your fight!

Hey!

If you want to accept this job

then fight me first, Geki Tomoe, spear instructor.

Fight?

With real swords, right?

What?

How about it?

No!

I will not allow you to fight with real swords!

I will leave everything in your hands.

Wait!

I'll get your 500 ryo right now.

I don't need your money.

You're an assassin known as

the "Lone Wolf and Cub" who always charges 500 ryo for a kill. So why?

I guess you can call it fate.

Sir.

I have been humiliated by ltto Ogami.

Don't worry about it.

Don't worry about it. But...

Enough!

You know very well that our clan

forbids duels for any personal reasons.

But since he refused to accept the money

maybe ltto Ogami has refused to do the job.

I don't think so.

His eyes were filled with a killer's instinct.

Why don't you kill yourself?

Do it! Commit hara-kiri!

Die and apologize to our Highness!

You were greatly cared for by our Highness for many years

but you gave up on your duel and disregarded his will.

How disloyal!

Shame on you! Shame on you!

Lone Wolf and Cub

Well, this is like a wake.

We have some problems, you see.

I've heard you guys complaining about your problems a million times already.

But this time around we really have a problem.

Remember that ronin with the kid?

He was a cute-looking boy.

What are you saying?

He's a cub.

What?

Former executioner for the Shogunate, ltto Ogami.

He is now feared and known as the "Lone Wolf and Cub."

Why is he here?

He has been hired as an assassin.

If he has been hired to kill Shogen...

Then our plan will be wasted.

What do you mean, "plan"?

Shogen is a troublesome figure for the Takagaki clan.

And if you were their boss, Ukyonosuke Arima

you would be happy to have Shogen's head.

We were hoping to get government jobs by killing Shogen first.

You still have some time, right?

If you don't hurry, the "Lone Wolf and Cub" is going to beat you to it.

I want to get married to a man who does a great deed

and be the wife of a wealthy Lord.

You boys are shabby

but you'll make it on your own someday.

That's what I was hoping for.

But the thing is, there's three of you.

I stuck by and treated you all fairly until now.

But I'm thinking it's time for me to choose one of you.

Okyo, wait for me.

That's it? You're going to let Matazo have all the glory?

I don't think so.

You're not so greedy, Shinsuke.

There's a saying, "While there's life, there's hope."

Make haste slowly.

Hyodo dropped out on his own will.

I guess we're the only ones after the prize.

No, you can have the woman.

What?

But I get Shogen's head.

Shut up!

Look!

He beat us to it.

I knew from the moment I saw you

that you would be hired by them as an assassin to kill me.

I was not hired.

I came here of my own will.

Your own will?

Then, how come I don't see a killer's instinct in your eyes?

When one emits this feeling and it's returned by the other

the killing instinct becomes greater.

You live your life as an assassin and travel a hellish path. Why?

I have cut ties with all living things in this world

and it is my earnest wish to get revenge.

Then...

I was fooled by you since this cowardly behavior

is contrary to the killing instinct you possess.

Lord Ogami.

Fight me!

Wait.

From the way I see it

it must've taken you many years to create that statue of a Buddhist saint.

You're almost complete.

Why not finish it before we go on?

That's very kind of you.

I decided to make this for my late master

six months after his death.

After three and a half years, this is about to be completed.

I know I lost that duel.

But I had hoped to fight you after seeing you again.

And by displaying my Taisha-ryu techniques

I can be freed from the blunder I made back then for my late master.

That's what I kept telling myself.

But now that time has come rather quickly.

It came very quickly.

And I thank you for providing your time and kindness for me to complete this.

I can't thank you enough.

We must get Shogen's head no matter what.

But Ogami is a very tough opponent.

You got any ideas?

Don't worry.

I have this.

As long as we have this, we can defeat ltto Ogami.

Well, I'm going to need a little more time.

Excuse me.

This place is fine.

You can blow that mouth hooter all you want.

We have to kill Ogami first.

I don't care who it is.

Fight me!

Why won't you answer me?

You're a coward, Master!

What?

The reason why many of the clansmen were killed

is because you started this all by attacking Shogen on that very day!

Then you just backed down and you won't even try to kill Shogen!

How can you call yourself a samurai?

I don't want to call you my master anymore!

Hey.

You shouldn't give your master any trouble.

Who are you?

I used to be a vassal for Ukyonosuke Arima.

I'm Shinsuke Hyodo.

You're just a ronin! Mind your own business!

Get out of here!

Leave this place!

Wait a minute!

I just wanted to let you know something.

Well, you see...

It seems like ltto Ogami has become Shogen Makabe's bodyguard.

What?

�To Ogami?

That means, in order to kill Shogen

you must first kill ltto.

But if he's an assassin hired by the chief retainer

we won't be able to lay a hand on him.

On top of that, I heard you're forbidden to get involved with Shogen Makabe.

But he has killed over ten of your clansmen.

I'm sure you want to avenge their deaths.

If you don't do anything about this

you will lose your pride as a samurai.

And so, you should choose substance over appearance.

Why don't you let me choose appearance over substance?

You want us to assist you and you want to get credit for the kill?

Once I'm appointed a position in the Takagaki clan

I'm sure I can be of some help to you.

Our only target is Shogen Makabe.

Therefore, we don't want to fight ltto Ogami!

But that "Lone Wolf and Cub"...

He's guarding Shogen and he won't leave his sight.

What are you going to do? Kidnapping a kid like that...

If we kidnap the cub

I'm sure the adult wolf will come out of that shack.

If we don't separate ltto Ogami from Shogen, we won't be able to kill him.

I'm not interested in this.

Didn't you say you wanted to be the wife of a wealthy Lord?

Both Kobori and Yagi are dead.

I'm the only one you can rely on.

Looks like the worst one stayed alive.

What's wrong? You got cramps again?

That's what you get for badmouthing me like that.

Better?

Now let's pick up where we left off.

Go get me the cub!

Feeling lonely all by yourself...

Let's go together, just the two of us...

As long as we look at each other...

Starworts and dandelions...

Purple lavenders

that my younger sister likes...

Rape blossoms have bloomed...

Kind butterfly...

Fudo

Fudo You don't have to do all that.

No, he's not just any ordinary kid.

I can't believe I did such a bad thing.

Don't think of him as a human child!

He's a cub!

Listen.

Keep an eye on him at all times!

He's such a blockhead.

He called you a cub. What a terrible thing to say.

Oh, so you like my shamisen that much?

Yeah.

It hurts...

It hurts...

Lone Wolf and Cub

It's very easy to lure the wolf out.

If we strike while he's away, we can easily kill Shogen and take his head.

You're a pretty smart fellow.

If I can get Shogen's head, I will be guaranteed a job for the government.

Where is the kid?

I tied him up and put him in the shrine with the Jizo statue.

Come back here!

Come back!

Thanks.

You got some medicine for me.

Yeah.

What? Medicine?

This boy went and got some medicine for me.

I see. I thought this kid got loose and fled from this place.

What are you doing?

You know what I'm doing.

I'm using the cub as bait to lure the wolf.

Don't do that.

Repaying kindness with evil.

That's beside the point.

If you lay a hand on him, you'll be sorry!

You bitch! You're going to betray me?

Go on, boy! Hurry up and get out of here!

Hurry to your father!

Okvo!

Hurry up and go!

Hurry up and go! How dare you betray me!

Kid.

Thank you...

Thank you...

�to!

We want Shogen!

This is not your fight, you lowly assassin!

Go!

Daddy!

Daddy!

�To Ogami'.!

Prepare to die!

Your Highness.

For the last four years

I have lived a life of mischief and disloyalty and have wasted my life.

But now it seems like my wait is over.

Having met ltto Ogami is certainly a grace from heaven.

His Suio-ryu and my Taisha-ryu.

Now is the time to decide who is best in real combat.

Your Highness!

Please watch over me!

Keitokuin Shinmatsu

I want you to listen for a while before we fight.

Even if I had tried to inflict damage to your robe and its emblem

it wouldn't have changed anything.

If we wanted to get revenge against the government

then we would've gotten a bunch of troops on horses to fight

before our clan was destroyed and our Highness committed hara-kiri.

To die in battle like that would be the way of the samurai.

If I had hurt you with my sword

our Highness would have felt a moment of pleasure

but he would have committed hara-kiri anyway.

On the contrary, I would've left a negative image of our clan to the public.

I wanted our Highness to die with composure

like an honorable samurai.

Even if they accuse me of being disloyal

I just wanted them to see your great sword techniques as the executioner.

Do you believe the words that I just spoke?

I do believe.

And that is why we must fight.

I guess this is what they call fate.

It is said that the cloud will make the dragon rise

and the wind will make the tiger run.

You truly feel you're like those ground cherries.

Even when the branch has been broken, it doesn't lose its colors.

Your late master must be proud of the wind and cloud inside you.

Lord Ogami.

I no longer wear the robe with the emblem. I'm just an assassin now.

We both have a grudge against the government.

But this is a fight for two men living the way of the sword.

Indeed.

Taisha-ryu, Shogen Makabe.

Ready!

Suio-ryu, Rio Ogami.

After all the bloodshed, one is able to find mercy.

Perhaps that is the essence of being an assassin.

By the shores of the Shinobu River, ltto Ogami has ended the fateful duel.

He continued on the cruel, hellish path with his son, Daigoro

and was never to be seen again.

Next Episode

ltto Ogami fears only one samurai.

Who is this man they call the "Headhunter Asaemon"?

Asaemon receives a secret order from his superiors to kill ltto

but what is he feeling inside?

A mysterious woman named Mayumi approaches Asaemon.

ltto and Asaemon must each face their harsh fate

and their encounter at Kuyogahara.

Please look forward to our next episode, "Headhunter Asaemon."