Original subtitles

You mustn’t!

Thou shalt not kill!

Do not defy God’sー

O Lord…

Have mercy… Ota'aー

It’s unforgivable! The Shogunate… and God!

The Kan’ei Era.

Japan would become ravaged by the Great Kan’ei Famine.

Suffering from harsh taxes and plague,

the people blamed the Shogunate.

Many sought refuge for their burdens in faith,

leading to a rise in numerous new religions.

O followers of the White Lotus! It is our destiny to save all mankind.

The White Lotus sect,

notorious for causing havoc in Ming Dynasty China,

rose to prominence.

Let us create a world of benevolence and compassion here and now!

Nobutsuna Matsudaira,

retainer to the third Shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa,

was first to notice the White Lotus sect’s ominous behavior

and call for action.

At the same time, others outside the Shogunate were also seeking the truth behind the White Lotus.

[Chihiro Yamamoto]

[Kanon Miyahara]

[Sakurako Okubo, Nashiko Momotsuki]

[Raiga Terasaka, Fumi Taniguchi]

[Tatsuomi Hamada]

[Cocoa Nanase, Shinta Takaiwa, Yuichi Nakamura]

[Wataru Kuriyama]

[Kane Kosugi]

[Miki Mizuno]

[Yasuaki Kurata]

So the influence of the White Lotus Sect is that widespread?

Yes. Their leader is a man called Unnaki.

They say he uses divine powers to heal injuries and illnesses of their followers.

Divine powers…

Whether it’s true or not,

the fact is he is winning the hearts of desperate citizens.

I see.

The White Lotus Sect and Unnaki…

Should they threaten the people’s way of life, we “Foxes” should investigate.

Very well. We are counting on you, Seventh Head.

That title…

still doesn’t feel right, Grandfather.

Investigate what the White Lotus Sect are up to?

Correct.

They are the largest religious movement gaining more followers every day.

Sinister rumors swirl around them.

Pfft! What’s so scary about a bunch of sutra mumbling monks?

Do not underestimate faith.

Their actions cannot be overlooked any longer.

It has been weighing on my lord Shogun’s heart.

Oran…

What’s with the way you’re talking?

S-stop it, you fool! Not in front of my lord!

Odd-jobs KyoKa is now a retainer of the Shogunate.

Do try to remember that.

Apologies for the interruption.

You…?

A stalwart companion for you.

I’m Hina of the Onoha Itto-ryu style.

Nice to meet’cha!

I can’t believe Oshizu had a twin sister.

Me and big sis were living apart.

I heard how she got killed fighting the Yagyu.

You’d want to know what happened too, right?

I asked the Lord Shogun about it,

and he said odd-job mercenaries cut down the head of the Yagyu.

Of course I had to know more!

Now she’s here to help with your work.

Like that huh...

Just don’t get in my way.

Of course.

You’re all right now. You withstood the pain well.

Thank-you!

A deity has come!

Unnaki’s divine powers seem to be the real thing.

Merisa, what have you learned?

Unnaki was orphaned and adopted at a young age.

Adopted?

By a high-ranking White Lotus Sect leader.

Their security was too strict to find out any more.

But you said his divine power is real?

They say he’s saved countless followers

I see.

Huh?

Rikka? W-What are…!

Unbelievable!

You won’t heal a non-believer?

Not so.

My wish is to save everyone.

Please come.

Your faith is not required.

[CHANTING]

So it’s true.

However,

inflicting injury on yourself is something I can’t condone.

You knew?

I assume you were testing me?

If you knew, why heal me then?

It’s as I said.

My wish is to save everyone.

So, you aren’t lying...

right?

Hey hey hey!

So you’re that twisted cult, huh?

Please excuse us.

Guess you’re the leader, Unnaki.

We need to talk.

Stop that.

She’s at it already.

Not bad.

Who are you?

Who am I?

Listen up and be amazed!

Born as a stray Fuma ninja, by some twist of fate,

-I've become an unrivaled freelancer. -Fuma?

I'd eat the Buddha himself for money.

Okyo of Odd-jobs KyoKa, that’s who I am!

Ah, my apologies, I wasn’t listening. It was long.

Full of yourself, aren’t you? I’ll show you!

Those moves peg you as a Ninja.

No need for me to hold back!

Fuma Combat System

"Gushing Wind”

Nine-tailed Hurricane.

Tsk! Reversed blade?

You mocking me?

What?

If you hadn’t reversed the blade, I’d be dead.

Am I wrong?

I’m not one to take a person’s life.

My blade is…

a Life-saving Sword.

Life-saving Sword…?

You call that Life-saving?!

Who the hell are you?

Rikka!

Ohina, please help!

You got it!

Run! Get away from here!

Oran!

It’s all right. She’s… not hurt.

Oran! What’s wrong, Oran!

Poison?

What?! Don’t die, Oran! Oran!

Rikka, we have to hurry!

All right… Merisa!

Hey! What are you doing?

We won’t hurt you. Don’t argue and follow.

This way!

Oh, my! Let’s go!

Out of the way!

You! Come with us.

THE WHITE LOTUS

I have business with Dennojo.

THE WHITE LOTUS

Unnaki has been abducted.

Have no fear.

He will be retrieved for our cause.

On my honor as Third Head of the Iga Ninja,

Hanzo Hattori.

[CHANTING]

[CHANTING]

Good. We weren’t too late.

You’re back! You’re alive, Oran!

She wasn’t dead.

This is the guy who saved you!

I am called Unnaki.

The leader… of the White Lotus Sect…

Come with me.

What now?

I’m Rikka.

Rikka Isurugi.

We haven’t been introduced.

U-Uh, yeah. I’m…

Okyo of Odd-jobs KyoKa,

right?

Tsk. So you were listening after all.

You shouldn’t go around touching things.

What a house…

Ooh!

Welcome,

Fuma stray ninja.

Who’s this geezer?

Hyoe Isurugi. Former leader of the Isurugi clan.

Former?

I’m the leader now.

You’re that much of a big shot?

At ease.

It seems

that an extraordinary shadow

looms behind the White Lotus Sect.

You try my patience. Kirimaru and Akeginu.

I told you the boss could take it with no problem!

Amazing for an old man!

I see you’ve come as well,

Koshiro Mizuchi.

The Iga Tsubagakure Crimson Devil Clan?

Yes,

the Iga Ninjas who are known for their demonic, unnatural spells.

This poison is used by the Iga Clan’s Crimson Devils.

Without Unnaki’s divine power,

Oran would have lost her life.

You know who Oran is?

We Foxes…

see through everything.

Ugh.

Grandfather, what would you have us do?

Oh…

The time has come to fulfill our promise to Kotaro of the Fuma.

You knew our leader?

Long ago…

Before the Fuma were wiped out,

Kotaro saved my life.

He did?

I made a promise.

That the Foxes would come to the Fuma’s aid.

You want me to fight alongside Okyo?

If the Foxes and Fuma join forces…

The future of the Ninja will change.

The future of the Ninja…

Forget it!

I’m grateful for the help, but

I’m not interested in getting saddled with this weakling!

What’s that supposed to mean?

I’m not fighting with someone who doesn’t know the first thing about saving lives!

-Yes, here you are. -Thank-you.

-Eat as much as you'd like. -Just a moment…there.

-Are you ok? -Be careful carrying that.

Ohina, what’s going on here?

Apparently, this household helps those in need.

I’m just lending a hand.

Despite being our guest.

I saw you earlier.

I’m Merisa, servant of the Isurugi clan and Rikka’s overseer.

Merisa? Never heard a name like that before.

Isn’t looking after all these people hard?

Not at all. This is the new way for the Foxes that Rikka wants.

Rikka?

For generations, the Isurugi were the kind of Ninja that did any dirty job for money,

including taking lives.

They’ve changed since Rikka became leader.

She says using our strength to help people is the way forward.

To help people…

I don’t take life.

My blade is

a Life-saving Sword.

Tsk. Doesn’t sit right with me.

There, it’s done.

Thank you! Thank you!

You really will help nonbelievers, too.

Yes.

This power is meant to help people.

I hold that belief fast in my heart.

Help…?

Oh, uh...

Are you all right?

Apologies. I seem to have used too much of my power.

Get some rest.

Yes.

There’s someone I owe a debt to in the White Lotus...

the one who showed me my path.

Is it the person who raised you?

You really seem to know everything about me.

I’m…Sorry.

It’s all right.

My lord Shogun…Can Unnaki truly be such a villain?

THE WHITE LOTUS

The Iga Tsubagakure Crimson Demon Clan are assembled.

If aid is being asked of the Iga outcast Crimson Devil Clan…

The situation must be dire.

Whatever it is, I just want to live happily with Akeginu! Ha-haaa!

Don’t be creepy, big brother!

Oh, come on!

Ninja just like you

were mercilessly slain.

Mother!

Shonosuke!

Why…

How could this…

Doted upon during wartimes,

yet cast aside in times of peace…

What the Shogunate has done to strip Iga’s pride is unforgivable.

We’ll reclaim the era of the Ninja.

Ew!

How sinful. This is what makes the world of man amusing.

-Thank-you very much. -Is this all right?

Thank-you.

What?

Why are you looking after them?

Helping the weak is the way of the Fox that I seek.

Then why go around wielding this so-called “Unkilling Sword”?

There are times when you have to cut down the bad guys to save others!

And that’s your “Life-saving Sword”?

Damn straight!

Cutting down evil for the sake of everyone. That’s my Life-saving sword!

So that’s why you got so upset.

You can’t protect what’s important with just words.

Maybe not.

But this was my late father’s will.

My father was an automata puppet maker.

A kind man who lived to make people smile, until the very end.

I’m carrying on his will. That’s why…

Master Rikka! We’re under attack!

The Crimson Devils?!

Precisely.

We’ll be taking back Unnaki.

Taking back?

Unnaki is the leader of the White Lotus Sect.

Why are the Iga partnering with White Lotus?

Why should you care? Gossip for the souls of the dead?

Rikka!

I can kill them, right? Right?!

Absolutely. Kill them all and we can find Unnaki afterward.

Sounds good! Let’s go, Akeginu!

Hurry! Run!

This way, everyone! Hurry!

Can you stand? Hurry!

Hanzo Hattori…

Of course it would be you.

It’s been a long time, Hyoe Isurugi.

If Kotaro of the Fuma had not interfered back then

you would already be dead.

Hand over Unnaki.

Unfortunately, I’m not in charge anymore.

In that case

you die here.

Reversed blade?

You’ve gotta be kidding me!

That idiot!

Still swinging that Unkilling Sword of yours at a time like this?

What are you looking at? You’re gonna die y’know!

That all you got?

I don’t feel a thing!

You can’t feel pain?!

Stay with them.

Rikka! Get to Master Hyoe!

You’re worried about the geezer? Get going!

Thank-you.

Ittoryu style… Such beautiful swordsmanship.

How about it? Want to switch bodies with me?

Oh my, my! What are you saying? What a creep!

I’ll reclaim the status of Ninja.

The Shogunate must fall!

The status of Ninja?

Foolish!

A clan that abandoned its Ninja pride dare not mock us!

We Foxes once did anything for a price.

But now is a new era!

Grandfather!

The Foxes now walk a new path.

Mere sophistry.

Let me!

No! Rikka!

Did you think a Bloodless Sword

could reach Hanzo Hattori?

If I cut her down, will the Foxes return to the old ways?

Rikka!

Grandfather!

See your resolve through, Rikka.

By your hand,

the future of the Ninja…

Rikka!

Move!

Take him.

Yes, Master!

Crimson Devil Curse… [CHANTING]

M-My body…!

Ohina!

[CHANTING]

It’s over.

[CHANTING]

Please don't lay hands on these people.

I thought you’d never show up.

You took so long we almost killed them all already.

THE WHITE LOTUS

Master Dennojo!

Why let such a massacre happen?

To create your perfect world.

T-Those actions were below even beasts! My ideal world-

Do not worry.

Leave it all to me.

Drink this.

It will calm your nerves.

All those people…

The Fox village…

What do we do now?

It’s all right.

We still have one more move left.

Tomorrow, you’ll be executed for abducting the White Lotus leader.

We’ll make it as gruesome as possible in front of a huge crowd.

What?

Your blood will strengthen the resolve of their followers.

To the point they revolt against the Shogunate.

That was your plan?

Enjoy your last night alive! Byeeee!

What a pair of motormouths.

A disgrace to the Ninja code.

We’ve gotta figure a way out of here.

Hey.

You listening, Rikka?

You… might have been right.

Huh?

My sword was too weak.

Because of me,

Grandfather…

So you were all talk.

I don’t know anymore.

I still don’t like what you think a Life-saving Sword should be!

But you’ve resolved to never kill!

Don’t waver, even if you have to eat mud!

Okyo…

That’s what having resolve is all about, right?

Pardon me.

Ah, Mizuchi. The hour is quite late.

Well, I don’t like drinking alone.

She sleeps well ahead of such a major event.

Akeginu’s mind is held together by drugs.

Since she was little.

Without them,

a kind girl like her could never have survived as a Ninja.

Now, the drugs keep her from even feeling pain.

Poor girl.

Akeginu doesn’t know any other way to live.

That’s why we have to make a world for the Ninja to breathe free.

So that’s why you accepted Hanzo’s offer.

What about you?

Me?

A Crimson Devil Curse.

I prolong my life by swapping my head onto a younger body.

I don’t even remember how old I am.

A curse can do that?

When death no longer exists, the reason to live wanes with it .

I simply wish for my eternal life to be entertained by momentary worldly amusements

NOTICE: WHITE LOTUS TRAITORS CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING LORD UNNAKI

-What’s going on? -An execution?

Bear witness! The culprits behind Master Unnaki’s abduction are to be executed!

Oh, no! We can’t let them…

-Maybe if I... -Wait!

Please… let this work!

Do it.

Die, die!!

Who the devil are you?

Jubei Yagyu.

Y-Yagyu…?

Now!

Rikka!

Merisa! How…?!

We’ll talk later! Let’s go!

By the order of Lord Iemitsu. Now go!

This way!

Wait!

Go on ahead.

Tsk! Idiot!

Unnaki! Is this really what you want to do?

Unnaki!

Unnaki is the Shepherd of the faithful.

You cannot have him

You're using Unnaki's power…

What are you doing?! Let’s go!

This will not stand!

What can you do about it?

There is no value in killing such an insect.

Come on!

The Yagyu clan…

Murderers of the Iga!

Hanzo Hattori.

We’ll settle this another time…

Oh Unnaki…

It's time to create your ideal world…

Faithful of the White Lotus!

We are listening.

You saw with your own eyes the atrocities of the Shogunate!

Can we let the cause of our suffering stay in power over this land?

-No! -He’s right!

If you share my belief, follow me!

We will create a world of benevolence and compassion!

We should bury them.

You called him here, Oran?

I only had a messenger run to warn my lord Shogun.

I…

never thought he would send the eldest of the Yagyu clan.

It’s because of you Yagyu that the Onoha…

My sister…

Ohina

I’m sorry.

You are all victims of my father Munenori’s ambition.

If you cannot forgive, kill me now.

I understand.

Why save us?

The Yagyu should want revenge on us.

It’s true. My family died at your hands.

For our Leader!

A swordsman always bets their life on their blade.

What matters is whether you have the resolve to stake life and death on that blade.

I have seen your resolve.

My loyalty is pledged to the Shogun.

If anything, I am grateful that you corrected the course the family was on.

See your resolve through, Rikka.

What are you up to?

I feel bitterness.

You have an unfaltering resolve,

but I’m still conflicted.

Is wielding this “Unkilling Sword”

the correct path for Head of the Isurugi?

If I had killed the enemy,

would Grandfather not have been killed?

I keep going over it in my mind

You tried to tell me

I was wrong.

Now I know.

Oh, come on! I’m the one who’s bitter!

What?

I’ve been frustrated ever since I met you!

Even with all your cowardly talk about that dumb “Unkilling Sword,”

I found out just how much you’re shouldering on your own!

You keep the Foxes fed and even help people in need!

I might do odd jobs for the Shogunate,

but my finances are an absolute trash fire! I’m so far behind on paying my rent!

W-What are you-

So, what I mean is…! Um…

What was I saying?

Hey…

Thank you.

Sure.

You’re quite awkward, aren’t you?

Bite me!

I get it. Everyone lives with some kind of struggle.

Yeah! That’s what I was gonna say!

Let yourself worry and be conflicted.

True resolve is what you find through all that.

You’re right. That helps.

Sure.

Your Life-saving Sword or mine.

Which will be proven true first?

It’s on!

Yay...

My lord!

My lord. The people are revolting; they're on their way here!

So it was unavoidable…

Our soldiers will make quick work of these dissidents!

You must not kill them!

The people are a nation’s treasure.

What kind of Shogun can’t protect them?!

THOSE WHO ADVANCE GO TO PARADISE THOSE WHO RETREAT GO TO HELL

Stop! You can’t go any further!

Do not fear! We are righteous!

There should be less guards in the castle now.

Whoever reaches Iemitsu first shall strike him down.

And we reclaim the world of the Ninja.

That’s cool armor.

The Blackfox ninja armor my father left me.

It lets me honor my own Life-saving Sword style.

We need to get Unnaki back.

If he’s able to come to his senses, he can stop this revolt.

Sure.

The White Lotus Sect are after Lord Iemitsu.

Take me with you.

Working for the Shogunate means protecting Iemitsu.

I haven’t forgiven you, but…

We can at least put your skills to work.

That is also a soldier’s path.

I’ll wait for you with a big meal prepared.

Yes.

We’ll come back hungry.

Yes,

good luck!

Onoha Ittoryu style, Ohina…

stands before you!

We meet again,

little girl with the clean bladework.

…W-What?!

What was that?

Bring it on.

I’ll make sure to pay you back for the torture with interest!

Yay, yay! I can cut her down, right?

Yeah. For a world where we Ninja can breathe free!

Rikka! There!

Get out of the way!

F…Father…?

Spinny, spinny, spinny, the pinwheel spins,

Last night's breeze is the wind of today,

coming and going forever…

Spinny, spinny, spinny…

Father…

Sister…

What sorrow you carry,

Ohina.

Father…!

Father!

Oh my, my.

Your curse

won’t work on me anymore.

I like you even more!

Your body will be mine.

The spirit of Ittoryu is the endless cycle.

It spins infinitely, like a pinwheel.

Father…

You got it!

I’ll continue the cycle…

No more looking back!

The world of man truly is amusing...

Die, die, die, die!

Come on! What’s the matter?

Aw, really? You’re finished already?

That’s fighting dirty!

That’s the Ninja way!

Big brother!

B-Blood…?

My tummy feels weird.

It’s all slushy,

brother….

N-No! Akeginu!

You’re a disgrace

to Ninja.

You’re just too damn honest.

I’m sorry…

I couldn’t make a world…

where you could breathe free…

It hurts, doesn’t it…?

Brother.

You… can feel it…?

We’ll be together…

always…

Akeginu…

Big brother…

Wake up, Unnaki!

Silence.

I must save the people oppressed by the Shogunate.

That is my destiny!

Rikka!

Is this really what you want to do?

You

said you want to use your power to help people.

It made me happy.

Our paths are different,

but our goals were the same!

Master Dennojo…

What should I…?

No!

The path you walk shouldn’t be decided by Dennojo!

Decide for yourself!

That’s it! Fight it!

Use your own strength!

You have the power, Unnaki!

Unnaki…!

Thank you. For saving my heart.

No,

it was your own strength.

Upon my life, I will stop this revolt.

Please go.

I beg of you

to save Master Dennojo.

Save Dennojo?

The one who tried to use you!?

My master attracts misfortune…

but is an even more

unfortunate person.

You want to save everyone.

That’s your resolve.

I am counting on you.

I understand.

[CHANTING]

Nobutsuna!

Lord Iemitsu.

Jubei! You have returned!

Pardon the brazen intrusion.

Inflicting injury on your Lordship, even in training,

was an unforgivable affront!

No, it has been forgiven.

You… Hanzo Hattori!

In order to secure his status,

Munenori Yagyu disgraced the Ninja and trampled our pride.

That cursed bloodline

must end.

You are another victim of my father’s ambition…

I shall accept your hate as his son!

Good. The Yagyu style has the edge in technique!

It’s over.

No!

Lord Iemitsu!

Jubei!

Behold the karma of my clan,

the ninjas who swore fealty to the Tokugawa,

only to be destroyed. I shall carve it into your flesh.

Your hatred is so strong… I am sorry…

It’s too late!

My lord!

Oran!

Glad to see you safe!

Now get out of here!

We’ll hold him off.

Understood. My lord, this way!

I entrust him to you!

Leader of the Foxes.

You lack the skill to cut me down.

My Grandfather’s technique and my father’s will

shall strike you down.

Don’t forget the lives of the Fuma clan!

Come!

Let’s do this!

This won’t turn out like before.

Now!

Fuma Combat System

"Gushing Mountain Wind”… Fanged Barrage!

Nine-tailed Hurricane…

One!

Two!

Three!

Four!

Five!

Six!

Seven!

Eight!

Nine!!

Incredible…!

Whoops.

I almost carried out my own Life-saving Sword.

I’ll let you have this one.

Okyo…

Live in this new era,

for the Iga clan.

Hyoe Isurugi

raised a spectacular leader.

Get to Iemitsu.

Our hatred pales in comparison to Dennojo,

one who was betrayed not by man,

but by God.

By God…?

I beg of you to save Master Dennojo.

Save Dennojo…

Get going.

I’m a mess after using “Gushing Mountain Wind” too many times.

Is this what you want?

What?

She can do it.

Dennojo…

Why have you done all this?

Because hatred cannot be wiped away,

no matter how hard you try.

You’re…

Ota’a…

Juria Ota’a!

Ota’a?

She was a concubine of Lord Ieyasu.

Why don’t you tell them the whole story?

I was born in Korea.

Hideyoshi Toyotomi brought me to Japan after a military excursion.

A strange land where I did not speak the language. My only salvation was in the teachings of Christ.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come …

You mean…

So you understand.

Ieyasu ordered me into service and a new religion.

However, I could not abandon my faith.

Then…

Then came the massacre

The faithful were exterminated as if they were insects.

I came to a realization.

God’s mercy is a fantasy.

Only the strong can master this world!

Then you called the Iga to overthrow the government.

I was banished, but still alive

when I met Hanzo Hattori.

The plan to overthrow the Shogun is already in place.

The rest lies on the Iga clan.

Our answer is clear.

Hattori… had the same eyes as me.

Eyes blinded by hatred of the world.

That’s why I used Hattori.

That’s how you manipulated them.

Unnaki’s pure heart, too.

I will kill the Tokugawa and God.

To that end,

even the most inhuman sacrilege is mine to use!

My resolve,

Unnaki’s resolve.

I’m going to beat them into you!

Nothing comes of revenge or conflict!

Joining hands, speaking from the heart,

finding new ways to live is what people do!

Ludicrous!

I was tortured by man and forsaken by God!

Nobody reached out to save me!

I have lived this life alone!

You’re not alone!

Unnaki has always been by your side.

Here.

Thank goodness.

You’re all right.

Ow! Ouch…

W-What?

Unnaki, how…?

Maybe my wish to protect you was granted, Ota’a.

Unnaki absolutely adores you!

Shut up!

That boy’s kindness tore at my soul for so long!

I was afraid

that a peaceful life with Unnaki would melt away my rage!

That is why I donned the veil of Dennojo.

I turned my back on Unnaki’s heart for my revenge.

This sorrow.

This pain!

The likes of which you will never know!

Let yourself worry and be conflicted.

True resolve is what you find through it.

My wish is to save everyone.

See your resolve through, Rikka.

Dennojo!

Stay away! I will take nobody's hand!

Unnaki!

Let go! Let go, Unnaki!

I could always see into your heart.

Even so, I could not stop you.

What’s left of my power, I will use for you.

Thank you,

Unnaki…

Unnaki…

Unnaki…!

The streets of Edo later reclaimed their peace.

The turmoil became the catalyst for its people to face their own hearts.

THE WHITE LOTUS

Iemitsu did not punish the farmers who rose in revolt.

Was this a wish for peace from the 3rd generation Shogun?

Each of us carries the burden of pain.

Yet we move forward.

Striving to live a good life.

As for the future of the Ninja…

It’s all over, Grandfather.

He helped me out, too.

I think Unnaki accepted his fate at the end.

Yes.

You’re probably right.

I’m the 7th Head of the Isurugi clan.

I have to keep moving only forward.

Yeah?

It wouldn’t be any fun otherwise.

Your Life-saving Sword that doesn’t kill.

My Life-saving Sword that cuts down evil for the sake of all.

We still haven’t found out which is better.

What!?

But didn’t leave everything to me back there?

That was a one-time deal. Pay more attention!

Whatever.

See ya.

Yeah.

Another time.