Original subtitles

ACUPUNCTURIST BAIAN FUJIEDA

Thank you very much!

I feel so much better now! When should I come back?

Let's see, you've improved considerably, so come back next month.

Do you think we can wait that long?

- You'll be fine. - All right.

These are for you.

- Thanks for always being so thoughtful. - Thank you.

- Thank you very much, Doctor! - Give my regards to your wife.

With all that I have to put up with...

Doctor, are you really going to close the practice until next month?

Yes. I'm only human, after all. I need a break, too.

- So you can't run the practice alone! - I guess not...

That's why I've been nagging you 'til I'm blue in the face to find a wife!

I agree.

What about that girl I told you about? She's 19, and she's a pretty thing.

- She has a sweet personality. - I don't remember hearing about her!

You need to tell me these things right away!

Where are you going?

To unwind.

The other day, you said you wouldn't mind just meeting her, remember?

- Did I say that? - I've already told her that you would.

- Lf you don't, I'll lose face! - You haven't lost any.

What? Really, Doctor! Deceiving me again!

After I went to all this trouble cooking this... what a shame!

And it's so delicious, too! Really, that Doctor...

- Is Baian here? - No, he's not!

- Where did he go? - I have no idea.

Come back next month!

Next month?

The assassin lives in two different worlds.

He has a "daytime face" as well as a "nighttime face".

He leads a quiet life, inconspicuously, in a corner of Edo.

Baian Fujieda has an acupuncture practice in Shinagawa Daimachi.

His good friend Hikojiro makes his living as a toothpick artisan...

... on the outskirts of Asakusa Shioiri Dote.

The assassin relies only on the word of his motojime, who tells him that...

"this man cannot be allowed to live, for the sake of mankind..."

... and pours his soul into his work, at the risk of his own life.

BAIAN THE ASSASSIN

BAIAN SHOOTING STAR

So now you're finally in the mood to work?

You've kept me waiting for 3 days.

Please forgive me.

We're talking about someone's life here, after all.

I don't blame you for being hesitant.

First off...

...here's half of the money, up front.

- I can see he's quite a formidable opponent. - That's precisely why I'm asking you.

So, who's the target?

A swordsman who lives on Kyobashi street in Suzukicho named...

...Mata-Emon Hayashi. He has many subordinates.

Mata-Emon Hayashi of Suzukicho?

That's right.

I know that you of all people would never slip up...

...but I'm advising you to proceed with caution.

Really, it's been a long time since I took on an assignment from you, Tamaya.

Yes, well, your other motojime, Otowa, refuses to relinquish you!

Motojime?

Is that all?

Is there something else?

Since I'm referring this to you, you can be sure this ronin is a scoundrel.

If he's allowed to live in this world, he will bring trouble to mankind.

You don't need to know about the back story on this man.

All you have to do is trust me, and carry out this assassination.

Those were the words I wanted to hear.

When you're dealing with someone's life, you only get one chance to do it right.

I am putting my trust in your words, and I shall carry out this assignment.

Miss, can I have another one?

Hikojiro thought he was imagining things, and rightly so.

Juugoro Kosugi couldn't possibly be in Edo.

Damn that Juugoro Kosugi! How far is he planning to go?

Don't worry, we'll find out soon enough.

It happened the year before last.

Juugoro Kosugi was devoting himself to the practice of swordsmanship...

... at the Ushibori Dojo in Mototorigoe.

He was chosen to succeed his instructor Kumanosuke upon the latter's death.

But this aroused the jealousy of other dojo members and he was attacked.

Unfortunately, he ended up killing the brother of one of the Shogun's Retainers.

It was around that time that by a twist of fate...

... Baian and Hikojiro became acquainted with Juugoro.

Baian, who could not bear to watch Juugoro in constant crisis...

... advised him to head to Osaka and lie low for a while, to avoid further trouble.

Under the pretext of sightseeing, he and Hikojiro set off west on Tokaido Road...

... only to be pursued by those hell-bent on upholding the Retainer's honor.

And they caught up with them at their lodgings in Goyu.

There were several more attacks to follow.

In all, about 10 of the Retainer's men, including his vassals, were killed...

... and they finally gave up the chase.

But at that point, there was no going back to Edo.

Juugoro Kosugi went into hiding in Osaka...

... while Baian and Hikojiro returned to Edo as if nothing had happened.

All of this happened two years ago.

This was why Hikojiro couldn't believe Juugoro Kosugi was in Edo now.

Who's there?

Show yourself right now!

Baian!

I guess if you can sense my presence when I'm hiding, I'm still a layman.

What are you doing here, anyway?

That house belongs to a man named Mata-Emon Hayashi. He's my target.

- What are you doing here? - Well, the thing is...

I just saw Kosugi now.

Kosugi?

There's no way he'd be here in Edo.

I know, but there's no mistake.

What's that? You lost him?

What's the meaning of this, Lord Hayashi?

You brag that if you snap your fingers, 100 subordinates will do your bidding.

We don't need a bunch of damned scarecrows!

It was those scarecrows of mine who discovered this man Kosugi in Osaka...

...and followed him here to Edo.

You swagger because you're the Shogun's Retainer, but you never...

...could have pulled that off.

Since you've enlisted my aid, I give you my word that I will kill Kosugi myself.

Don't waste your time worrying over nothing.

All right, in that case, I'll say no more.

Do you remember that Retainer, Hiko?

How could I ever forget?

He's the one we...

He must've hired that ronin to kill Kosugi.

I see... now it all begins to make sense.

Kosugi's proved to be too much for the great Retainer to handle...

...what a disgrace!

Hiko?

What is it?

- This is going to be pretty daunting. - That's just what I was thinking myself.

If he and Kosugi had a match, who do you think would win?

I'd say Kosugi would be at a slight disadvantage.

I got 50 ryo in advance. No wonder Tamaya was so generous.

- Let's call it a day. - Shouldn't we find out where they're headed?

This road leads to Yanagibashi.

We don't need to see them as they indulge themselves.

Oh, wait.

I just remembered I had something to take care of, but it won't take long.

You go on ahead and get started.

Did you bring it?

Yes.

For now...

What's this?

When you run a business, money is constantly going in and out.

500 ryo is a lot of money. I cannot just hand it over all at once.

What do I care?

Just shut up and pay me 500 ryo.

I'm afraid that's impossible.

Then I'll have to send someone to the Anti-Robbery Committee...

...or to the magistrates' office.

When they find out that the owner of the teahouse, "Yoshinoya" is...

...Kyuuzo Asaba, the bandit who once terrorized the nation...

...l'm sure they'll be pleased. - Now, wait a minute.

If you sell this tea-house, you could raise that amount easily.

After all, you're a former bandit.

It's just a matter of starting over from scratch again.

By the way...

I hear you've been meeting with Shichibei Tamaya from Shinagawajuku.

They say that years ago, he used to be a samurai.

And now he operates in secret as a motojime.

What business would you have with him?

I'm not such a weakling that I can be killed by assassins.

If you underestimate me, you'll regret it!

Think it over carefully.

So she came right out. It's just as the Boss said.

I don't want tea! GUARD HOUSE

GUARD HOUSE

I'll never play shogi with you again!

There's nothing I hate more than losing to him!

Well, the mistress of Yoshinoya! What's the matter?

My husband's being blackmailed over baseless rumors!

- By whom? - A ronin who comes to our shop a lot...

- What's his name? - That I can't say...

Master, I beg of you! Please help my husband!

Well, come inside, and you can tell me all about it.

Hey! Hey! Bring us some tea!

Right!

Baian?

Kosugi, what are you doing here in the dark?

It got dark while I was nodding off. What's this? Hikojiro's here, too?

What do you mean, "What's this?" But you really took us by surprise.

You seem to have grown another 6 inches since last time we saw you.

This place is full of monsters!

Really? You've been back in Edo for two weeks?

You should've come to see us sooner.

You know what my situation is. It would've meant trouble for you.

Don't be such a stranger.

Even so, I ended up coming here after all.

I lived in Osaka for almost 2 years, but I just didn't fit in there.

For the longest time I've been wanting to see you and Hikojiro.

That's when I noticed I was being watched and followed everywhere.

I decided that I might as well come back and settle things once and for all.

Now there's a man talking!

Compared to the Retainer, a man worth several thousand koku...

He's paying some mysterious character to do his killing for him.

How can he still call himself a samurai?

This whole world is going downhill.

Don't you agree, Baian?

Absolutely.

Oh, thanks.

By the way, Baian, I have a favor to ask of you.

I know.

From the moment I realized that ronin was involved in the plot against Kosugi...

...l'd been planning to ask you to help me.

All I need is you on my side... you're worth 100 men!

- I'm causing you a lot of trouble... - No.

This was an assignment I'd already accepted.

Remember, you two are only going after this Hayashi fellow.

I'm asking you not to attack the Retainer's men.

You helped me out last time, but I'll fight alone this time.

There it is!

What can you do about that kind of stubbornness?

Fine.

As luck would have it, they haven't realized yet that you're here.

Feel free to take it easy here.

Nobody will be coming here this month, so we will take this time to kill Hayashi.

- What do you think of that plan? - Fine.

It's just that...

It's just that... what is it?

I'm wondering who would have such a grudge against Hayashi...

...that he would hire an assassin.

That's something that none of us will ever know.

Never mind all that...

It's been a long time. Tonight let's enjoy ourselves.

Now, then...

Oh, so you're awake. Good morning!

Well, that was the most restful sleep I've had in a long time.

Is that right? I'm glad, then.

Someone threw this into my room.

PLEASE COME WITHOUTDELA Y TAMAYA

- Is it bad news? - Oh, no, just a message.

All right, then, but Hikojiro's gone, too.

He's sticking close to that Mata-Emon Hayashi all day today. Like a lizard!

A lizard, you say?

Yes.

- This is all rusty, see. - Just set it down there, please.

Please.

Thanks.

I summoned you here on short notice. Forgive me for keeping you on the run.

Not at all.

So what is this about?

It's about the current assignment.

Have you already begun your preparations?

- Yes, little by little. - And what's the outlook?

That I can't say yet...

Is there any way that you could forget about this assignment?

What did you just say?

Motojime...

Once we've bared our fangs, we can't retract them.

- I confirmed this with you the other day! - I know you did!

We're dealing with human life. We can't just assign or cancel these things at will.

Such selfishness is unacceptable.

That's why I'm bowing my head down to you.

All this time...

Have you been arranging to kill scores of people in that indecisive manner?

Please, don't be so hard on me.

All right, then, here's what I'll do.

You don't have to return the 50 ryo I gave you the other day.

Actually, I'll sweeten the deal.

In addition to that money...

...l'll give you this.

I assume that's enough to make you happy. Well?

What, you're still not satisfied?

Then, here!

Fine.

From now on, I owe you nothing.

Keep that in mind.

You've thoroughly discredited yourself because of me.

Now that Hayashi's onto us, there was no other option, or else I'd get killed...

Shut up!

Damn you, Baian, who do you think you are?

One of these days I swear I'll...

My boss, Hayashi, would like a word with you.

Please come with me.

Get in there!

What's this? What's the meaning of this?

I still have time before the date we agreed upon.

You're handing over the money tomorrow.

Get all the money by dusk tomorrow.

- What? - You can raise it if you sell your shop.

Don't be unreasonable. I never said I wouldn't pay you.

Please, wait a little longer.

I won't wait.

I can't trust you!

O-Sono!

Your assassination plan didn't work out, so you're running to the magistrates?

- You just never know when to quit, do you? - What are you talking about?

- I never went to the magistrates! - Shut up!

I'm only going to say this once, so listen up.

You're paying me tomorrow.

We're holding onto your wife until then.

Did you get that? Now go home!

Wait a minute...

Isn't Kyuuzo Asaba that notorious bandit who never killed...

...never raped, and never robbed the poor?

That's the one.

I hadn't heard any gossip about him lately...

...and it turns out he's gone straight, and now owns a tea-house.

You've got a healthy appetite.

Oh, well, I guess I do!

So? What about Hayashi?

As usual, he went off to Yanagibashi.

So that means that tomorrow at dusk, he's going over...

...to Yoshinoya to get the money.

- There's no mistake about that, is there? - No.

Not a chance.

Then why don't we assassinate him tomorrow?

I have a feeling he'll be coming after Kosugi soon.

What method do you want to use?

By horse, eh?

It's been a long time since we last used a horse.

I'll get the horse. Will you keep an eye on Hayashi a little longer?

Right.

All right.

If you eat too much, it'll slow you down!

Has Dr. Baian returned yet?

I'm sorry.

Whenever he goes out, he disappears for hours.

No need to apologize. I have a lot of time on my hands, anyway.

I've brought back the things you asked me to get.

One towel and... inner wear...

Wait, it looks like you're going off to get revenge!

But anyway, where in the world is Dr. Baian and what could he be doing?

Really, now!

Hey, is anybody around?

- Wait a minute... Doctor! - I'm tired!

What's going on? Where in the world did you get this horse?

I just bought him at the market.

He's a bit chubby, but he's a looker, don't you think?

I'll leave him here overnight, so if you want to see your man, I'll lend him to you.

Be serious, Doctor. I'd get killed if I did such a thing!

You know you want to ride this horse!

Are you really going to spend the night here?

Doctor?

It's been a long time.

That's something you need to get used to.

You're so mean.

It's been a long time for me, too.

We can't do this now.

Hey, I think you've gotten heavier... see?

Stop it!

So you despise heavy women?

No. I despise women who don't eat well.

Have you been going to see your children lately?

Yes.

Did I get that horse's smell on me?

Baian... are you awake?

Yeah.

Do you think it'll be all right, leaving Kosugi on his own?

We would've drawn attention to ourselves if we'd kept the horse at my place.

Don't worry.

Kosugi's accustomed to being on his own.

I suppose you're right.

He's not like you, unable to sleep the night before an assassination.

We have a formidable opponent to deal with tomorrow.

You and I might be the ones who fall.

No, if that's the case, then so be it. Deep down inside somewhere...

...I always seem to be waiting for that time to come.

So you feel that way, too?

I couldn't sleep the other night, either.

I wondered how many people I'd killed over the years, and I started counting...

...but there were just too many to count.

Lately, the sheer weight of all that blood has been making me go...

...all stiff in the shoulders.

I'll give you a treatment sometime.

No, I'm not worthy of receiving your needle, Baian.

I mean the big one.

You've got to be joking!

I know I don't have to tell you this, but...

During tomorrow's assassination...

...if there's the slightest slip in timing between us, we could both lose our lives.

Right.

Chives, potatoes and radishes are for sale

Chives, potatoes and radishes are for sale

SHINTO MUNEN RYU KUMANOSUKE USHIBORI DOJO

Acting Instructor! Please come at once!

What is it?

Acting Instructor...

Kosugi!

The Retainer's men haven't forgotten their grudge against you.

They're still searching madly for you!

I know. That's why I've come to resolve this once and for all.

I don't want to live my entire life as a fugitive.

I understand how you feel, but I won't allow you to sully this dojo with bloodshed.

I have no intention of letting that happen.

I'm sure they'll want to be discreet as well.

They'll attack me after I've left here.

Then what did you come here for?

Before I die, I'd like to train here with all my might.

Just like I used to.

Let me stay here until dusk.

All right.

My lord! My lord!

Juugoro Kosugi is here!

He is training at the dojo now.

What?

To think that he would actually show himself... what does this mean?

It means that he's realized that he can't escape.

All right. Today's the day that I'm going to avenge my younger brother!

Calm down. It's still the middle of the day. We can't have a commotion.

Besides, he's got no way out now.

Have Mata-Emon Hayashi do it. That's what we're paying him for!

- Bring Hayashi here. - Yes, sir.

Hurry!

Baian? O-Mon was looking at you with a strange expression on her face.

A woman's intuition is an extraordinary thing.

She's realized what it is we do, hasn't she?

If she has, then I'm fine with it.

What better way to die than to be crucified by your own woman?

You look lovesick, Baian.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

As long as your husband comes up with the money, nothing will happen to you.

Well?

He says he has the money.

I see.

You still can't find Hayashi?

Where the hell is he?

It's no use waiting for him any longer. He's escaped.

The coward has run out on us.

No, he's not that kind of man.

Let's wait a little longer.

- He's finished his training session. - What is he doing now?

He's talking with the Acting Instructor about something.

- He'll be leaving the dojo any moment now. - All right.

Don't take your eyes off him!

What are you doing? Go find that Hayashi!

- Find him! - Yes, My lord.

- You still can't find Hayashi? - He's nowhere to be found.

Kosugi has left the dojo!

All right, then!

Katagiri...

...and Matsudaira. Both clans are here, I see.

I, Juugoro Kosugi, shall neither run nor hide.

In the name of a fair fight, identify yourselves!

I, Sounosuke Matsudaira, shall avenge my brother's death!

This time you're not going to get away. Get ready to die!

Here I come!

So what happened?

Both the Katagiri's and the Matsudaira's places look deserted.

I hear that they both lost their leaders.

What do you think? Will Kosugi ever come back here?

Maybe a year from now, or maybe in two years...

I'm sure he'll show up again.

For some reason we always seem to miss him, don't we?

That's right. It's not much, but this is your share, Hiko.

- Oh, thanks. Are you in pain? - No, it's just a scratch.

But anyway, he was pretty overwhelming, wasn't he?

Until I reached out from under the horse with my assassin's cane, I felt uneasy.

I was so jittery. Then when I happened to look up, I saw a shooting star go by.

What?

No, how exquisite it must've been, seeing a shooting star at a time like that!

- So, did you make a wish on it? - You shouldn't tease me about it.

But once I saw it, for some reason I was able to relax.

Sorry, but I have an errand to run, so...

Oh, is that right? All right, then.

Give my regards to O-Mon.

"If he's allowed to live in this world, he will bring trouble to mankind."

The assassin puts his trust in the words of...

... his motojime, and carries out his assignment.

But Baian could not forgive Tamaya for using assassins...

... as a tool for his own personal gain.

For Tamaya had broken the assassin's code.

Oh, so sweet! What's his name?

- Momotaro. - Let me hold him a minute!

- Do you like cats? - I love them!

Hiko...

I saw a shooting star tonight, too.

BAIAN THE ASSASSIN Preview

A woman saw you do it?

And what did you do with her?

She got away.

Baian, don't tell me that you've been set up?

Baian the Assassin... don't miss the next episode!