Original subtitles

SAMURAI DRAMA SPECIAL BAIAN THE ASSASSIN

All right, then, you're off.

Don't be long, Doctor, all right?

Dr. Baian!

Well, well, Tonkichi. How's the knee doing?

It's never been better, Doctor. And it's all thanks to you.

You'd better keep an eye on it... come in for a treatment now and then.

Oh, Doctor!

Here, please have this.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

Thanks!

BAIAN THE ASSASSIN

SHOWDOWN

The assassin does not make it his business to know anything...

... about the man he has killed...

... nor the reason why he had to be killed.

He relies only on the word of his agent, the motojime, who tells him...

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

... and carries out his assignment, pouring his soul into his work.

For the assassin, Baian Fujieda...

... it is a job where his own life is always at risk.

Here we are.

- Thank you for your work. - Oh, thank you.

Okay, let's go.

The fee for this assassination is 300 ryo.

300 ryo?

300 ryo if you work alone.

What is your answer?

At this time, I'm in no condition to take this job.

And when would you be willing to accept it?

I don't know.

You have no idea?

No.

It's for the sake of all mankind, this assassination.

Well, please take care of the store.

Yes.

Excuse me?

Yes?

Have some sake.

No, thank you. It's time that I...

You're leaving?

Yes.

Dr. Baian...

Yes?

The job I just spoke about... are you sure you can't...

Let's see... what job was that again?

Doctor, you're such a tease.

Excuse me...

All right.

Oh, pardon me, can you summon me a foot-carriage, please?

Very well, sir.

Doctor...

Yes?

Allow me to show you something very interesting...

Who is she?

A woman I abducted.

Why would you do that?

Don't you recognize her at all? This woman?

No.

Kikuemon Shirokoya of Osaka... she's his woman.

Shirokoya?

Kikuemon shirokoya...

This man was known as the chief motojime of the Osaka underworld...

... upon hearing that his mistress in Edo, O-Yae, had vanished...

... he set off at once to Edo, bringing along his right-hand man...

... shigezou Moriyama.

Thank you very much.

ODAWARA-JYUKU

- I hope you had a good journey, sir. - Welcome, sir.

Please, this way.

Baian Fujieda?

That's right. I can't allow Baian to live...

...or I'll lose face.

I'll have to get rid of him.

What happened to O-Yae... I'm sure it was a trap set by Baian.

An elaborate trap designed to lure me to Edo.

That's my take on it.

Motojime!

And I, for one... I'm inclined to jump right into that trap.

Baian is a monstrous man.

Once he becomes your enemy, there's no one more terrifying.

But then again, I'm Kikuemon Shirokoya.

I've always lived my life on my own terms, doing as I pleased.

I've always compelled people to do as I saw fit.

Now that I've reached a ripe old age...

...that man is the only one who dares to defy me!

So you see, if I were to allow that Baian Fujieda to live...

...I'd never be able to make my way to Hell.

Baian Fujieda, too, was waiting for that day.

The showdown with Kikuemon shirokoya...

... it was an unavoidable destiny...

... and it weighed heavily on his mind.

I don't believe you, Doctor!

Leaving those hordes of patients in the lurch!

Are you daydreaming about that girl you went to see last night?

Now, now, let's go!

Doctor, please hurry!

- Now then, who's my first patient? - Doctor, it hurts!

You threw it out again? Is it your back or your knee? Right here, eh?

Could you give this one a moxa treatment first?

Right!

It won't be long now.

There he is...

Good day, Motojime.

Is that you, lhachi?

I apologize for making you come all this way...

Have you found out where O-Yae is?

The thing is, sir...

- You mean she's still missing? - Yes.

We've searched high and low for her, but it's gotten us nowhere.

I don't see how you can possibly serve in my stead if you're so inept!

Yes, sir.

Motojime, that man is still following us.

Lhachi?

Yes, sir?

Do you know where Shinagawa Daimachi is?

Yes, sir.

Damn that Baian!

Surrounding himself with a crowd of patients without a care in the world!

As you can see for yourself, there's no way we can make a move during the day.

How about at night?

Well, this man is extremely wary... he almost never goes out walking alone.

He's like a turtle with his head always drawn inside...

A turtle, eh?

Soon enough, I'll chop him into little pieces...

...and have him for dinner.

Hey, you! Who are you and where are you from?

Let me see your face!

Damn you!

Break it up.

That man is my bodyguard.

Bodyguard?

Just in case something happened along the way, I hired him to follow me to Edo.

My name is Kazunosuke Tajima. Pleased to meet you.

Kikuemon shirokoya was thoroughly cautious.

And for his part, Baian, too, was extra-cautious.

Back in the day, I drank like a fish!

I used to guzzle all the sake we had in the temple!

Thanks to that, my liver started ailing me...

Ever since then, I can't hold my head up to Baian!

My medical bills, you see... I haven't paid a single mon!

Hey.

So it's you, Baian.

It's like he's taking a birdbath!

- Where's Hiko-san? - He's back there making his toothpicks.

Now then, go on inside.

Is that right? So now he's here...

Apparently, he arrived in Edo today.

Those watchdog henchmen of his were acting strangely today.

Worst case, they could attack me in my sleep tonight.

To tell you the truth, Baian, I've grown weary of waiting.

I don't mind keeping an eye on Kosugi...

...but I can't leave my house in Asakusa standing empty forever.

Let's just get this taken care of as soon as possible.

Sake?

That's right. Chilled sake after a hot bath!

Sounds pretty good, eh?

Baian, I don't want Kosugi to hear this. Shall we step outside?

Hiko...

It seems to me that I'm still in the middle of a bad dream.

For some reason, I just can't shake that feeling.

I never thought that it would come to this with the Shirokoya motojime.

And why...

At what point did things start to go sour?

It all started because of Kosugi.

He got himself embroiled in a dispute over succession rights at his dojo...

...and I gave him refuge.

I sheltered him, then sent him to Osaka.

I sent him to the Shirokoya motojime.

That's right.

Everything was fine until this point... nothing was amiss.

But when Shirokoya tried to draw Kosugi into his ranks of hired assassins...

...I just couldn't bear to let him do that.

I know that being a motojime and being an assassin are two different things...

But the thing is, Hiko...

The last thing I wanted was to drag...

...Kosugi into the blood-soaked hell of the assassin.

I managed to drag Kosugi back to Edo.

And right on my heels, the motojime sent me a letter.

Right. I read that letter, too.

"Send me Kosugi's head pickled in salt brine..."

I was really surprised.

But, Baian...

No matter how you look at it, he's the one who provoked this battle.

Now that he's made his way here, there'll be no avoiding bloodshed.

To tell you the truth, Hiko-san...

What?

It was the Otowa motojime who started all this.

That old raccoon dog, eh?

His plan is to lure Shirokoya to Edo, and take his time assassinating him.

I haven't figured out who ordered the hit, but I have a pretty good idea who it is.

Shirokoya's overstepped his boundaries a bit.

There can only be harsh repercussions if a man...

...like him starts interfering in legitimate affairs.

Listen, Hiko...

How much money do you think is on Shirokoya's head?

300 ryo!

Whoever commissioned this assassination is someone...

...you and I would never see in person as long as we live.

I'm willing to bet that it's that kind of client.

So, Baian, did he offer you this assignment?

Yes, but I turned it down.

But why?

He and I have a long history, Hiko.

Whenever I went to Osaka, Shirokoya never failed to take me in.

He took care of me... helped me out in times of need.

He was a good man back then, you know.

And that's why I felt comfortable entrusting Kosugi to Shirokoya's care.

I can't do it.

Deliver a death blow to Shirokoya with my own hands...

But, Baian, you've got to do something, or...

...I'm sure to come under attack.

That's why I've decided to make the first move...

...and go see Shirokoya myself.

They say an assassin's life expectancy is 5 years.

Yet here I am... shamelessly living on to this age.

I think my time's about up now.

Baian...

Sorry to trouble you, Hiko...

...but if you could somehow get this letter to Shirokoya...

Of course.

Now then, why don't we have some sake with that corrupt old monk?

Persimmons! Persimmons!

YAMASHIRO YA INN Thank you very much.

Persimmons! Persimmons!

- Oh, O-Shima. - Yes?

Don't let anyone go near the back parlor on the 2nd floor. Understand?

Yes.

I would like you gentlemen to dispose of a samurai named Juugoro Kosugi.

He's quite an intimidating man. Although he's young, he's damned skillful.

It might be too great a task even for the two of you.

Where can we find this man? This Kosugi?

That's something we haven't been able to pinpoint yet. Isn't that right, lhachi?

Uh, yes, we do believe he must be in the Shinagawa area.

But the thing is, he's been on the alert as well, so...

Well, I'm sure these gentlemen will ferret him out soon enough.

And when that time comes, you two should be ready to pounce...

...so I'll have you move to an inn called Kazusaya in Shirogane.

Tsunetaro here will be your contact.

- Listen, Kitayama... - Yes?

You don't really seem very motivated.

You'd better not underestimate this man.

NOVELTY SHOP

Poor thing, with your mother missing... is that why you're so heartbroken?

Don't cry, don't cry...

Look at the size of those tears!

All right, then...

I give you my word that I'll bring O-Yae home safely.

Until then, I'm counting on you.

Yes, sir.

Poor little thing...

Masahichi!

Yes, sir?

You still don't have a single clue?

No, sir... please forgive me.

This is where it happened. We found her comb on the ground here.

Candy! Candy! Do you want some candy?

Where does the mistress live?

Around that corner, sir... two doors down.

So she was snatched in her own backyard?

Yes, sir.

Dammit!

How contemptuous!

You're the Shirokoya motojime, aren't you?

I was sent by Baian Fujieda.

Here.

Tell him that I'll be there... that's my message to him.

Hey, mister, let's go!

Right, I've kept you waiting. Let's go, then!

You really are something else, aren't you?

Aren't you the least bit Ionely? Being locked up in a place like this?

Not really.

What?

Sooner or later, my master Shirokoya will come and save me.

I'm sure that he will.

I hope for your sake that he will.

What do you think, Hiko?

She's quite a headstrong woman.

Yes, even at my age, I've never met a woman like that before.

Those dustcloths...

She said she was bored, and asked to be given some tasks to pass the time.

Thanks to her, we have no shortage of dustcloths.

Would like to take some with you?

Yes, I'd appreciate that.

By the way...

...about Baian...

Hiko, why don't we take a wait-and-see approach for now?

You mean we should leave him alone?

If he does get killed...

...then it'll be up to us to avenge him.

Besides, I don't think that Shirokoya's so petty that he'd try to ambush Baian.

In his own way, he's quite a man.

Back when he first started expanding his turf to Edo... it was so impressive.

He'd travel back and forth between Edo and Osaka 5 or 6 times a year.

Well...

It's a shame we have to assassinate such a man.

Motojime...

Yes?

Would you be willing to pass this assignment to me?

Well, to tell you the truth, it's beyond my abilities...

He's one of the best in the business.

But even so, Motojime, I can't stand by and let Baian get killed.

I'm betting that if I go at him with abandon, then even Shirokoya might fall.

What do you say, Motojime?

I will take it under advisement.

EEL SHOP

I'm sorry I kept you waiting.

Even for an eel shop, don't you think you kept us waiting too long?

- Our customers are yawning up there! - Right, sorry.

- Master, you'll be eating downstairs? - Yes, I'll be right there.

Please, enjoy your food.

Lhachi...

Yes, sir?

You've slept with that woman, haven't you?

What? Yes...

She'd better be on the up-and-up.

But of course!

In the last 3 years she's never given me the least cause for doubt.

It's not that I'm suspicious...

...but you can't be too careful, you know.

Yes, sir.

What's the matter, Kitayama?

I don't understand. I don't understand it at all!

- What don't you understand? - Why haven't we killed Baian yet?

He's digging himself out of his own grave...

...so why are you looking the other way?

I don't get it.

Well, but...

I don't understand it myself.

What?

But you see...

I know that Baian's going to be the one to jump right into my clutches.

And that's what's stopping me from killing him.

But Motojime, what if Baian tries to make an attempt on your life?

Baian Fujieda is not that kind of man!

Nobody knows that better than me.

I'll be going to see him alone tomorrow.

I won't stand for any of you interfering!

It's been a long time, hasn't it, Baian?

Yes.

You look well, Motojime.

- Let me have some of that. - Yes.

Human beings and pigeons are more or less the same, eh?

Outwardly, they seem so affectionate towards each other...

...but take a good look...

...and you won't find a more quarrelsome bird.

In order to guard their measly territories, they're pecking at each other all day.

Seems ridiculous, don't you think?

We assassins are like sparrows, who feed on the pigeon's leftovers.

I wouldn't know what it's like for a pigeon...

Motojime?

What is it?

I know I don't have the right to ask any favors of you, but...

...I was wondering if you'd humor me just this once.

As far as my own head is concerned...

...I'd be happy to hand it over to you whenever you wish. But in return...

...just spare Kosugi his life. That's all I ask.

You've got it wrong.

It's the other way around.

Other way around?

Yes.

Baian, none of this would've happened if it hadn't been for Juugoro Kosugi.

That young man knew full well what he was getting himself into...

...when he pledged himself to me as an assassin.

And now he thinks he's going to leave all that behind?

Once you set foot in this hell...

...you can never hope to escape. That's the nature of this business.

But, I was the one...

I knew right away that you were the one behind that.

I understand only too well why you wouldn't want to...

...drag that boy into the hellish world of assassination.

But even so, Baian...

The point of a code is that, the moment it's broken, it ceases to be a code.

It's called a code because nobody can ever violate it.

And that's why you have to show everyone that breaking the code...

...puts your life in jeopardy.

If I can't lay down the law, then I'm no longer worthy of the title "motojime".

And I wouldn't be Kikuemon Shirokoya, either.

I'd be nothing but an old man with one foot in the grave.

What good would it do if you offered me your head?

All I'm interested in is Juugoro Kosugi...

...his head is what I'm after.

If I can't make an example of somebody, then...

...l'll probably have to relinquish my claim to all I hold as the Shirokoya motojime.

Baian...

Come, why don't we consider the matter closed?

That I cannot do.

You can't?

That's right.

I see...

There's no way you'll change your mind?

That's right.

You're the one man I didn't want to kill.

Listen, Baian...

Yes?

It would be nice to share a pot of blowfish stew again, wouldn't it?

Yes...

O-Yae is still alive, I hope?

I don't know what you are talking about.

For the next 10 days... you'd better be on your guard.

Kosugi...

How did it go? Did you see Baian?

Yes. I have a message from him.

For me?

He said you're to confine yourself in the temple for the time being.

Is that right?

It's Shirokoya, isn't it?

I had a feeling he'd show up in Edo sooner or later.

Hikojiro...

What?

I'd like to meet with the Otowa motojime.

With Han-Emon?

I should assume all responsibility for this incident.

I'm going to go through the motojime, seek Shirokoya out, and then I'll kill him.

That's never going to happen...

Why not?

He turned me down, too.

What?

He brushed me off, just like that.

Why would he do that?

I don't know.

"If Baian does get killed, that's something we'll just have to accept..."

If that's his position, then there's nothing more for me to say to him.

IZUTSU

What happened? Your shoulders and your back are all swollen and tense!

Well, I've had a whole string of difficult patients lately.

If only I was an acupuncturist, I could heal you.

I'd probably pass on that one.

Well!

That's right...

When I first met you, we stayed up all night, didn't we?

Yes.

I remember that day well.

It was sunny, like today. A mild late-autumn day.

No, it was a hot day in the dead of summer!

Oh, right, you're right. Sorry!

Really!

It's been 5 years already, eh?

5 years and 6 months.

Pardon me...

Is the Otowa motojime in?

- And who might you be? - Yes, sir...

My name is Isazou Unomori.

Motojime, please forgive me...

Are you quite sure you're not available?

Yes. I have a prior contract... an assignment that I can't get out of.

Whose assignment would that be?

I can't say...

Forgive me, that's something I shouldn't ask.

How about this? You could take on this job after finishing the other...

I make a rule of only taking one assassination job a year, sir.

Another thing, I'm just not cut out for teamwork...

Would you reconsider if it were a two-man job?

Uh, no...

Your partner would be an extremely capable assassin...

Please, sir, I must decline...

I see, that's a no, then.

All right, I'll just put this away, then...

- Still, Isazou... - Yes, sir?

Since fate brought us together this way perhaps...

...next year, if you're in the market for work, you'll be hearing from me.

Thank you very much.

Tonight we'll just spend some time getting acquainted...

Somebody!

Breast milk?

That's right.

My breasts swell up during the night, and the milk drips through my robe.

If it's possible, I need an inner robe, whatever you can spare.

I see, it never occurred to me.

I've never given birth myself, you see.

You wait right here. I'll go get you one now.

Oh! What do you think you're doing?

Help!

Help!

Somebody help me!

Come back here!

Somebody, send word to Yamashiroya near Myoujin!

Hush your mouth!

Isazou...

I know I don't have to remind you, but...

What happened tonight stays right here... I'm sure you understand.

Yes, sir. I understand perfectly.

Baian was very busy.

Rising to the challenge of dealing with a relentless stream of patients...

... he had no time whatsoever to take a break from his medical duties and...

... neither did he appear to be making an effort to elude shirokoya's spies.

Hello, Doctor!

Dr. Baian... hello...

Sorry, I got held up...

Baian's stance was truly that of a sitting duck.

And the way he seemed to be nonchalantly laying his life on the line...

... had the effect of throwing shirokoya's men into confusion.

Ouch!

SAKE AND FOODS

How long is he going to string us along? Huh?

- When are we gonna end it? - You must be patient.

If you cause a commotion now, it will throw a wrench into our entire game plan.

Here, take this. Go have yourself a good time with Tajima.

- He's of no use to me. - What?

That boy's just a liability, as far as I'm concerned.

You'd better not count on him too much.

Excuse me, what's the problem?

Sharp pains... all of a sudden...

Where are you staying tonight?

An inn called Kazusaya in Shirogane...

All right. Now then, climb onto my back.

Come on.

Sorry to trouble you.

All right. Ready?

KAZUsAYA INN

How about here?

No.

- How about here? - No.

Here?

Ouch!

- What are you doing? - Sir...

It's a talisman to ward off evil spirits.

They say the long-nosed goblin will chase away any evil spirit.

This is no evil spirit. It's probably just a case of food poisoning.

He's chilled to the bone. Would you bring some more wood?

Yes, sir.

I'm going to massage you now.

Well? Are you starting to feel a little better?

Yes.

You can go ahead and sleep.

If you think you can fall asleep, that is.

Yes...

Doctor, thank you so much. What would we have done without you?

- Just give him that medicine tomorrow. - Yes, Doctor.

And if he says he's hungry... let him have some sweetened sticky rice.

- It'll be all right? - Yes.

By tomorrow, he should be fine. No need to worry.

- It's still raining outside? - Yes.

Then take one of our umbrellas.

Thanks, but that's all right. I've got to return this one to somebody anyway.

Thank you very much!

Who's there?

What do you want from Baian Fujieda?

Hiko!

You move a lot slower than you used to. I didn't recognize you!

Oh? You think so?

Maybe you're right.

Perhaps you're eating a bit too well?

When I drink at night, I can't stop myself from snacking.

By the way, what brought you out here on a rainy night like this?

Baian, this is no time for jokes.

You shouldn't be out walking alone at this hour.

There's too much danger. I can't just stand by and do nothing.

Oh, don't worry, I'm just doing this because I want to.

So don't give it another thought.

I'm sorry, Hiko.

A little too big, maybe? Those clothes?

Well, yes, just a bit.

- Sorry, but this is all I have. - Oh, but that's plenty.

All right, then.

- Baian, that's so diligent of you. - What?

It's not as though I'm the one who pickled it.

Oh, that's right.

Who's there?

It's me. Koh-nen of Saikouji Temple.

I'll be right there... coming!

What do you say? How about some monkfish stew?

Oh... perhaps it's not to your taste?

No, no, of course it is!

Really, for a monk, you're too much.

Now then, please come in.

Nanmai dabu... nanmai dabu... nanmai dabu... nanmai dabu...

Will the monkfish be appeased if we pray over it?

Huh! How should I know?

Man feeds on monkfish... the monkfish feeds on smaller fish...

...and the smaller fish feed on even smaller fish.

And in the end, man himself is destined to become food for worms.

And that's the way it should be.

That's what connects this world to the next... the circle of rebirth.

How does one escape this circle?

Hmm?

To escape... one must devour the worms, I suppose.

Well, why don't we just start with the monkfish for now?

Sounds like a good idea.

Drink this.

- It's the strangest thing... - What?

I never knew my own father nor my mother...

But when that doctor was massaging my stomach...

...it felt as though I'd somehow met my true father.

It was the strangest feeling.

I wonder if all doctors are like that?

Oh, but you see, he's such a great doctor!

What is his name?

He's Dr. Baian of Shinagawa Daimachi.

- You mean Baian Fujieda? - So you know him?

O- den... o-den... o-den... o- den... o-den... o-den...

Atariya's hot pot!

KITAMACHI MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE

No, that won't do.

This is no place for such matters!

You're not the only one I'm asking, Lord Inazawa.

Lord Shima and Lord Tanimura of the north...

...Lord Yoshida and Lord Murai of the south...

...I have sought aid from each and every one of you.

A woman abducted in the streets, in broad daylight...

...her whereabouts still unknown...

...surely that doesn't make the Edo Magistrate's Office look very good.

Your help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Fine. I'll make sure my men understand that clearly.

Right, then.

Lord Inazawa?

Hmm?

You've forgotten something.

Oh? Oh, that's right.

Right, then.

O- den... o-den... o-den... o- den... o-den... o-den...

Atariya's hot pot!

O- den... o-den... o-den... o- den... o-den... o-den...

Listen, Shigezou. Why don't you go on home?

Yes, sir.

Thanks for your patience!

So how did you do?

Sir, I finished scouting my target.

What did you find?

He seems to be a formidable man.

It looks like he's leaving himself wide open to attack...

...but every time I get near him, he's suddenly impregnable, like a porcupine.

It will be quite a daunting task to assassinate such a man.

Baian Fujieda... have you ever heard of this man?

I don't know.

He's in the same line of business as you.

An assassin, is he?

I see...

He and I have a history, you see...

I must see to it that he's disposed of...

...or I'll never be able to hold up my head as Shirokoya.

- Would you mind taking on this task? - Yes, sir, of course.

And your strategy?

Yes, sir, I'm going to go undercover for 3 days or so.

After 3 days, I'm sure I can find the cracks in anybody's armor.

- Listen, Isazou... - Yes, sir?

I'm embarrassed to tell you this, but about this assassination...

...there's already been several failed attempts.

That's how formidable this target is.

And you see, I've racked my brain every which way...

What do you think about this method?

Well, of course!

If it weren't for Dr. Baian, I don't know where we'd all be today!

For one thing, he doesn't press us for payment. We pay him when we can.

There's no better doctor anywhere in this day and age!

Sir? Are you ailing in some way, maybe?

- I was having some stomach problems. - Oh...

If that's the case, then Dr. Baian's moxa treatments can work wonders!

I've had it done myself, see... right here!

Just listen to me. Have Dr. Baian take a look and you'll really...

Wait...

Wait, sir!

- Are you done for the day? - Yes, all finished.

What's in the pot today?

Your favorites, Doctor. Chicken and scallions!

Looks great!

I'm going to have this with a bowl of rice. Rice, rice, rice!

All right.

Good, I'm all set!

- Don't say that, a patient will show up. - Excuse me?

What did I tell you?

Well, I'm not going out there!

Let's not complain. Without patients, we wouldn't eat.

Just hang on... hang on...

Are you Dr. Baian?

Yes. What's wrong?

I'm honored to make your acquaintance.

I run a novelty shop in Takanawa Minami-cho. My name is lhei.

It started last night...

...this pain in my left hip and left leg and I just can't bear it anymore!

Is that right?

- Well, then, come on in. - Oh, thank you!

- Can you make it by yourself? - Yes...

- What about here? - Yes...

There doesn't seem to be any swelling.

It started hurting in the middle of the night...

- What about this? - Ouch!

Yes, yes, that's it! Oh, that's it exactly!

Ouch...

You're a heavy drinker, aren't you? Am I right?

Yes.

You've got to stop drinking. It's for your own sake.

Unless you give it up, my guess is you'll be dead in 2 years.

At that moment, Baian was a doctor and nothing else.

All worldly thoughts had completely left his mind.

He had even forgotten the fact that he was in danger.

This strategy proposed by Kikuemon shirokoya had...

... truly exposed his greatest vulnerability.

Right, now I'm going to have you roll over.

Hey! What... what are you? Thief!

Come back here!

Are you all right?

All right...

Doctor... Doctor!

It hurts!

It all happened in an instant.

As for the man who had saved his life, Baian had no way of knowing...

... who he was.

And as for Kazunosuke Tajima, why had he saved Baian...

... in his moment of peril?

Most likely, he would never understand it himself.

Baian had already made up his mind.

Hikojiro had been told where to find the money Baian had saved.

He was sure that Hikojiro would take care of his affairs after he was gone.

Baian made sure he had a supply of medicine for his current patients...

... left prescriptions for them...

... and then left his home in Shinagawa Daimachi.

YAMASHIRO YA INN

Pardon me...

Yes, sir?

My name is Isazou Unomori.

Please, if you could give this to the Shirokoya motojime?

Um, would you please come inside?

No, I'm in a hurry, you see... so if you please.

Damn that Baian! How can he be so devilishly lucky?

Did he botch?

Not even Isazou could do it?

No matter what excuse I might have, my failure truly shames me...

I am returning to my homeland to bid farewell to my wife and children and...

... upon my return to Edo I am prepared to accept your utmost chastisement.

On another note, O-Yae, for whom you have been searching...

... is being held captive by Han-Emon Yoshidaya, at Otowa 9-chome.

... by Han-Emon Yoshidaya, at Otowa 9-chome...

... by Han-Emon...

Doctor?

Would you keep your eyes closed for me?

Why?

Because you're going to say I gained weight again.

All right, fine.

Like this?

Yes.

I think you've gotten a little thinner.

I hope you're not working too hard.

No, I'm not.

Well, you don't seem to be ailing, so no worries there.

Even if there was something wrong with me...

...what happened today completely cured me.

Listen, O-Mon, why don't you open your own shop?

- A shop? - Yes.

A shop of my own?

That's right.

That's never going to happen.

Why?

Because...

If you need money... money has a way of unexpectedly falling into your lap.

And when that happens, don't think twice about opening up a shop.

A shop of your own.

O-Mon...

You're the type of woman who always wants to hide in someone else's shadow.

But, unless you start living life on your own terms...

...then there's no point in having been born at all.

For your children's sake, too... you've got to learn to be strong.

I don't want to!

No, I don't want to. I want things to stay the way they are.

I've never been happier than I am now.

You're not yourself today, Doctor.

You have other things on your mind. I know that's happening.

And that's not what I want.

KITAMACHI MAGISTRATE's OFFICE

Lord Inazawa.

We have discovered the whereabouts of the woman! Please rescue her!

Don't look at me. I want no part of this.

Don't look at you?

I have no idea what you're talking about! Get out of here!

Shirokoya, I'm in a bind...

My hands are completely tied!

I'm under direct orders from my superiors...

- The magistrates? - Right...

Well, there's an extremely powerful man in the middle.

A man who's actually a cut above you.

Han-Emon of Otowa!

I don't know. I really don't know about that!

Listen, Shirokoya, we don't do things in Edo like you would in Osaka.

Try to understand.

Not a chance in the world.

I'm begging you! Forgive me!

What are you doing?

Shirokoya! Stop that!

- You spineless fool! - Hey! Shirokoya!

Baian's gone?

His house is locked up, and I haven't seen him all morning.

The thing is, Motojime...

Ever since last night I've had a strange feeling that I can't shake off...

That Baian might be preparing to die.

He always used to laugh and say, "This time for sure, my number is up!"

He would say that, but he'd always manage to survive and come home alive.

But I don't know about this time...

Because as you know, his opponent is Shirokoya...

So how about it, Motojime?

Will you let me take on that assignment?

Motojime, I can't stand by and let Baian die, either. Please!

Actually, I was planning to ask you to take this job, Hiko.

...to take on this assignment with a capable assassin to work with.

That was my intent.

And I've put off setting it all in motion until today.

Kosugi, I cannot hire you for this job.

Why not?

Because if I did, I'd be forever cursed by Baian.

That's the one thing I cannot do.

Motojime? Pardon me. I need to see you for a moment.

Excuse me.

Rikichi...

Something unusual's going on at Yamashiroya.

Is that so?

In that case...

Ajourney?

Yes.

Where?

It might turn out to be a very long journey.

I've asked Hikojiro to take care of things while I'm gone.

If you ever need help, you should go to Hiko.

For whatever reason.

Beware of fire!

Beware of fire!

Heed my words!

Beware of fire!

Heed my words!

That's Yamashiroya over there.

Do you see that lit window in the back?

That's Kikuemon's room.

- Motojime? - Yes?

How long have you had this place?

It's been 3 years now.

- 3 years, did you say? - Yes.

I knew something like this would happen if Shirokoya ever showed up in Edo...

...so I had Rikichi set up an eel shop here.

Shirokoya... is he here?

Yes, sir.

He's here.

When he's at home, you'll see a white towel hanging on the rail.

Motojime, does that mean you have a mole?

Yes. I have someone on the inside, secretly working for me.

A woman...

Hey! O-Shima?

Yes?

I need you to come with me.

These are the blueprints for Yamashiroya.

It took Rikichi and O-Shima 3 years to put this together.

I see.

And where's Shirokoya?

In this room, on the 2nd floor.

This wall here connects to the 6-mat room next door.

Normally, there's a bodyguard living here.

It's built so that you can escape to the roof, in times of trouble.

- To the roof? - Yes.

- There's a window? - No.

You can move the entire roof-tile.

The entire roof-tile?

The 3rd one from the inside has been loosened.

In other words...

...someone here was planning to signal to someone on the outside.

Lhachi... it had better not be you!

But that's ridiculous, sir! I would never...

Then who the hell is it?

Who were the ones who knew about this secret passage?

Huh?

O-Shima... was it you?

No, sir, this is the first I've heard about it.

I never knew it was set up this way.

Is that right?

Fine, then let's just have these gentlemen look into this thoroughly.

Very thoroughly... with a fine-tooth comb.

Hey, woman... come with me!

O-Shima!

Take that!

Please, sir! Spare her, I beg of you!

I'm sure this is some kind of mistake! O-Shima's not that kind of person!

It makes no difference to me!

I just love doing this!

I love it so much I can hardly stand it!

No good will come of killing the woman.

Let's give it a rest for now.

Baian!

Bring more sake!

Excuse me...

Damn!

Dr. Baian...

Where's Shirokoya?

Who's there?

Baian!

Baian! Baian!

Bastard!

Baian!

Bastard!

Tajima!

Baian...

I'm sorry.

I'll be leaving now.

What's going to happen to that woman?

Oh, let's have her killed.

What?

It's not as though she's worth anything to us alive.

And if we let her live, she could make an attempt on Baian's life.

It's a vicious circle, you see...

She can languish a bit longer underground.

Now then, Baian, have some sake.

Motojime...

Yes?

Could you possibly let her go?

The woman, you mean?

But why?

One murder may summon another... that's the fate of an assassin.

If there's no way to escape such a fate, then it makes...

...no difference whether we kill her or let her live.

Will you release that woman?

You're starting to sound just like him, you know...

The monk at Saikouji Temple.

Have some sake.

It won't be long before my master Shirokoya...

...runs this place into the ground.

Until then, I wish you good health.

I never thought I'd get another chance to...

...enjoy your tofu-only tofu hot pot, Hiko.

- Is that a compliment? - Of course.

Well, I'm not like you, Baian, my personality's a lot more bland.

Still...

I guess I owe you an apology about Kosugi joining me in the fight.

He wouldn't take no for an answer, so I took him along to see the motojime.

No, if both of you hadn't been there...

...I don't know what would've happened to me.

I should thank you for that.

Well, if you put it that way...

What?

After all, tofu can use a little flavoring too.

I suppose you're right.

Now, then...

Thanks.

- It's started snowing. - Yes, looks like it.

I wonder where Kosugi's watching this snow fall.

I hope this snow can wash away...

...all the blood on Kosugi's hands.