Original subtitles

Lone Wolf and Cub

After them!

Tragedy of Bekunoji

For almost the entire day

they had no time to rest due to the continuous assault.

Their attackers were the Kurokuwa men from the government.

They were at the border between Etchuu and Kaga near Kurikara Pass.

Daddy!

Daddy!

For the last two days, ltto Ogami and his son Daigoro

had no food or a single drop of water to drink.

Daddy!

�To Ogami...

He is dying for a drink of water

but was able to see that the water is poisoned.

Amazing, but you won't get away with this!

Daigoro.

Wait!

Don't go after them.

I've already arranged the next plan.

If they cross the peak, they'll be in Toyama clan territory in Etchuu.

That's where the "Lone Wolf and Cub" will die.

Can we get some of that water?

I'm sorry to ask you this

but can you provide us with some rice porridge?

Sure.

Thank you for the meal.

Go ahead.

Here you go.

Thank you.

He really likes jumping over the hedge, but what good is that for anyway?

It would be better if he knew how to plow using a hoe.

Farmers should live like farmers.

My husband...

He went to the castle town to sell some vegetables.

When he goes there, he usually doesn't come back for two or three days.

Now, little boy.

Go on and eat some more. Come on.

What's this?

Oh, that. My son Takichi found it.

It was by the small shrine near the Jizo statue.

It was posted right here.

Woods filled with cedar...

This talisman with the drawings of the guardians of hell

is prepared by the client who seeks the "Lone Wolf and Cub."

And the picture of the road and woods shaped by the pebbles

represents the place where the client would meet ltto.

ls there a path with cedar woods around here?

Well, maybe not around here

but if you go to the outskirts of Fukaya...

Thank you for everything.

There!

I found him!

After him!

Don't let him get away!

He's on the roof!

Don't let him get away!

You think I'm gonna get caught by a bunch of petty officials?

500 ryo in total...

I finally got it.

Now, what are you gonna do?

This arrow was dipped in poison.

You're as good as they say, "Lone Wolf and Cub."

But you see

this is where it gets exciting.

I'm going to tell you this beforehand. I won't take it easy on you.

If I can't rely on an assassin I'm about to hire

then you're better off dead!

I'll accept your offer for 500 ryo.

Fine...

Lone Wolf and Cub

Here's 500 ryo.

You can count it.

Tell me what you have to say.

Yes.

I'm a thief named Bekunoji.

When writing a letter, "Beku" is used as an auxiliary verb towards the bottom

but it's used at the top of my name.

I know I'm just a pathetic guy who steals from others

but I just want to be honest about how I feel.

That's howl came up with my name.

And there's only one thing I feel right now.

I want to avenge the death of my parents.

That is all.

My parents were farmers near the Kurikara Pass.

Their lives depended on farming, just like their predecessors

and they were leading peaceful lives.

I'll never forget it.

It was fifteen years ago.

It was during the summer, and I was twelve years old.

During the summer, we used to take lunch breaks by the edge of the peak

and enjoyed the cool breeze as we ate.

It was me, my father, and my mother.

It was the most exciting time for the three of us.

Lord Maeda and his patrols

passed by the road with a palanquin near the peak at times.

Surrounding the palanquin

were four bodyguards at all times.

No matter what happens, they can kill anyone who comes close.

So the best swordsmen in the clan were chosen for those positions.

And those four were like demons.

Aone and his son, and the Akemi brothers.

They're notorious men known as the blue and red demons of Toyama clan.

As you can tell by their nicknames, they're very fierce.

I have to say we were very unlucky to have been there.

They mistook us for the attackers' guides.

Dad! Mom!

But luckily, I survived.

They later found out

that we were not associated with the men who attacked the palanquin

so I was not punished.

Who were those attackers?

They were from the Kawa clan, a branch of Lord Maeda's clan.

My parents were killed after they got dragged into their affair.

They killed innocent farmers by mistake.

But sorry just isn't gonna cut it!

No, I will never forgive them.

I will never forgive them!

Even a worm will turn.

I have to avenge my parents no matter what!

I made a promise as a child.

Lord Maeda is going to patrol around the road

by the pass around the end of this month.

His guards are going to be the same ones from fifteen years ago.

Aone and his son, and the Akemi brothers!

So you want me to kill those four?

Yes.

My parents died at the peak, and so will they...

I've waited a long time for this.

Please accept this offer.

I'm begging you!

Nice try, Bekunoji.

What do you mean?

If you're really a farmer

then you wouldn't refer to the daimyo as Lord Maeda.

You must be working for the government.

I'm guessing you're a "Grass."

What are you going to do with that money?

My fee for a kill is 500 ryo, and so, I accept.

Wait!

You knew I was a "Grass," and you're still going to accept this offer?

"Grass."

"Grass" refers to

the men of Kurokuwa who have decided to live in a village with the others.

They stay inside the clan's territory

and plow the rice fields in the village.

They'll eventually get married and have a child.

His duties are then passed on to the child.

If the father dies, then his child will take his place

and will continue on to his grandchild as well.

Look. This grass has deep roots.

You need to dig deep with a sickle, all right?

This field was given to your father from his predecessors.

We have to thank them by keeping it nice and neat.

I was born a farmer on this land too.

I'll teach you everything you need to know about farming.

Dad!

Takichi!

Welcome back, Dad!

Welcome back, Honey.

Takichi! Did you help your mom?

Yeah.

He was quite useful.

He just turned five years old today, right?

That's why I came back in a hurry to celebrate.

Yone, you get on too.

But, you must be tired.

Just get on, will you? Here!

Oh, you don't have to.

Now, we're dashing back home!

Here we go!

Very good!

Honey, I think it's time for you to teach Takichi how to farm.

No, he's not old enough.

He's old enough.

When a boy turns five, every household teaches them how to farm.

I have my own philosophy.

You're a strange man.

You let him jump over the hedge of a hemp

or let him chase after birds and rabbits.

It's my job to teach my son.

Just leave it to me.

Well, if you say so...

Grandpa!

Hey.

You're going to celebrate your birthday, right?

We decided to finish work early to join you folks.

Thank you all for coming.

You came just in time.

My husband just brought home lots of delicious food from the castle town.

Your husband grows good vegetables.

He can sell them for a good price anywhere he goes.

I'm glad my daughter married such a good man.

Right, Gosaku?

Hey, stop messing around.

Why don't you and everyone come inside and have some fun?

We have some rice with red beans too.

Come inside, everyone!

Come inside!

Go take a look.

Go take a look. Yes.

Here, grandpa.

Honey, what's wrong?

What the hell? It's just an owl.

I think the owl came to celebrate Takichi's birthday too.

Honey, where are you going?

We're running out of fish. I'll go get some rabbits.

That's all right. We have enough fish.

I want Takichi to eat more.

I set a trap, so they'll get caught.

Who are those two men?

Seemed like they had swords...

I'll follow them.

All right, I'm coming with you.

How did it go with hiring the assassin?

Itto Ogami accepted the offer.

He's going to kill the red demon and blue demon?

Yes, that's right.

Do you think he can kill them?

He is fighting four of the best swordsmen in the Toyama clan.

I believe it's going to be very difficult.

And you were able to make him accept this job.

Beku, you're really something.

You didn't use any of the government funds.

You played the role of a thief

and stole 500 ryo from the Toyama clan.

You succeeded because you were very careful.

Well, not really...

He found out about me.

What!

Itto knew that I was a spy, and he still accepted the offer.

Impossible!

Who would accept a job when they know it's a trap?

But, he did take the 500 ryo.

He doesn't seem like the kind of person who would take the money and run.

I guess he's very confident about his skills.

There's nothing for us to lose.

Let's just let him do it.

You want to let him do the job?

Yes.

Fine, let him do his job.

Thank you very much.

What are you thanking me for?

Well...

I mean, since we made some progress...

That's not all, is it?

You want ltto to kill both the blue demon and red demon

and to avenge your parents at the same time.

Baku'.!

Yes.

Let me ask you one thing.

Do you want �to to avenge your parents

or do you want them to kill ltto?

Why won't you answer?

It is your duty as a government spy to get ltto Ogami killed.

You want to avenge your parents

but those are the feelings of a farmer named Gosaku.

There's no need to hesitate.

This plan was made in order to kill ltto Ogami

by the hands of the blue demon and red demon of Toyama clan.

Our job is to kill ltto no matter what.

Keep that in mind!

Grandpa!

Grandpa!

Wait!

I'm begging you!

I won't let her say a word about this!

Plus, I'll make sure that my son Takichi

will be of good use to you someday.

Please spare her life.

Please!

Honey...

Kid.

Why are you crying?

What's wrong?

My grandpa was killed!

Honey, let's run away!

You, me, and Takichi.

We can't run away!

If I betray them, then they'll never stop chasing us.

Then, you're going to stay here forever?

We'll just keep on farming.

We'll keep farming so that no one will find out who we are.

That's the only way for the three of us to live.

You're going to let Takichi succeed you?

A son of a "Grass" is also a "Grass."

That is Takichi's destiny.

No!

Takichi is my son!

I won't let him become such a monster!

You agree with me, right?

Right?

Honey!

Have you finished burying the dead?

What's with the depressed look on your face?

You still don't have the guts to be a "Grass."

What are you talking about!

This task that was passed to me...

I took every one of my jobs seriously.

I see...

Then I'll give you a job right now.

You're to meet with the blue demon and red demon

and tell them that ltto Ogami is going to attack them.

What?

This is so that we can get rid of ltto for good.

The reason why I'm making you do this

is because you have your personal feelings mixed up with your duties.

I have to see that you have some guts to do your duty!

Go!

Boss, what should we do about his wife?

Now that she knows what her husband does, we can't just let her live.

I agree.

Men like him might betray us after his wife cries into his arms.

Give it up...

You're going to hang yourself after crying over your father's death.

No!

Stay still!

Let me go!

I don't want to die!

Stay still!

I'll take good care of your son Takichi.

You can rest in peace.

Let me go!

No!

You think you can kill me?

You know you can't kill me.

That's why you set me up to fight the blue and red demons of Toyama clan.

You're actually going to do it?

After I get the money, I always get the job done.

Fine...

I'll see how your skills as an assassin are!

Takichi!

Takichi, you shouldn't jump over those things!

Don't jump over them, you hear?

Takichi!

Lone Wolf and Cub

So, you're the one who has an urgent message for us?

You said someone is going to attack the palanquin?

You better not be lying to us.

It's true. I heard someone talking to an assassin.

An assassin?

And who is this assassin?

I believe his name was the "Lone Wolf and Cub."

Former executioner for the shogunate...

�to Ogami?

Who hired him?

He looked like a Buddhist monk.

But I didn't get his face or his name...

You're saying you don't know?

Yes.

But, I definitely know where the palanquin is going to be attacked.

Kurikara Pass, I believe...

Thank you for letting us know.

Keep it.

Boss!

Lord Maeda's palanquin will be passing by here soon.

Have you told them about ltto Ogami's attack?

Yes.

They called the rifle squad from the castle and tightened their guards.

A rifle squad...

Rio has very �We chance of winning now.

What's that?

That causes a landslide.

If I cut this rope

boulders and logs will fall down and crush anyone that's down there.

You have the blue demon, red demon, the rifle squad

and now, this mechanism as well?

We have to use any kind of method necessary.

Kill ltto Ogami by any means necessary.

That's the order from Lord Retsudo Yagyu.

Boss! They're here!

We're here at Kurikara Pass.

Don't let down your guard!

Don't let down your guard! Yes.

"Lone Wolf and Cub"!

Guard the palanquin!

Yes!

Rifle squad to the front!

Aim!

Fire!

Beku! You didn't tell them about the automatic rifle on that baby cart?

I'm the assassin known as the "Lone Wolf and Cub."

I have no wish to kill Lord Maeda.

I only wish to fight those four swordsmen of yours.

All right!

You threw your sword?

Damn it!

Boss!

Let's cause the landslide!

Itto is right below us!

All right. Do it!

Yes!

Damn you...

You didn't fulfill your duties and...

�to Ogami

fulfilled my wish

and avenged my parents.

I can't possibly kill a man like that...

You traitor!

I'll show you what a real man of Kurokuwa is all about!

Forgive me.

"Grass" that was planted at Kurikara Pass

or namely, the lineage of Kurokuwa men in this village has ended.

The path that was left behind for Takichi

leads to a peaceful future as a farmer.

However, there is no peace for ltto Ogami and his son Daigoro.

The only path waiting for them in the future

is a never-ending path of an assassin.

That path is stretched out very far ahead of them.

Next Time

A woman's beloved husband was killed by the "Lone Wolf and Cub."

The person who hired ltto was in fact the woman's real father.

She weaves every day and anxiously waits for her husband's killer, ltto Ogami.

On the day of the festival

she finally sees ltto coming to pay a visit to her husband's grave.

The day has come to realize her wish and she finishes weaving her cloth.

She then challenges ltto to a duel.

Please look forward to our next episode, "Thread of Tears."