Original subtitles

So here you are.

The nurse who was working with your mom when it happened...

said she never dreamt it was a heart attack.

Sometimes, it starts with just a stomach ache.

Is that so?

But still, having a heart attack while at work at her clinic...

and then dying in an ambulance...

that's awful!

Mom always got the short end of the stick.

That's not true.

She took a lot of pride in her work.

She did? When?

Sure she did.

I wanted her to come to Tokyo to work at my hospital.

It would have been easier for her.

And now this...

what a joke.

Have you contacted your father?

I don't see the reason to.

It was always just Mom and me.

- So why bother? - Maybe you're right.

We'd better head back.

Thank you.

I'm all right.

- Thanks. - Thank you.

How long will you be here?

I'll get what I need, then I'll be heading back.

They keep new doctors busy.

Well, best of luck then.

You were her pride and joy, Kohei.

A Lone Scalpel

You, too. Thanks for everything, Teacher.

Another operation went wrong today.

I'm sick to death of nursing.

- Coopers. - Yes.

I've been assigned to surgery duties right after I came back to work.

After six months, I'm still not used to it.

Suction!

- Gauze! - Yes.

Gauze!

Wipe me off! My glasses!

- Here. - Deans.

- Peans! Quick! - Yes.

Gently!

Where is it?

Here?

Gauze! More gauze! Oxycell! The whole bottle!

Aoki? Find the dam bleeding! Ready blood!

- Hurry it up! Suction. Suction! - Yes...

The patient, stuffed with gauze, was sent to Keiyo University Hospital.

The family wasn't told what had happened.

They believed the doctor's words that a small hospital has its limits...

that they should send the patient to a hospital in Tokyo.

Another operation that didn't fix anything.

The doctor said he'll be fine after they re-operate on him.

I handled the scissors and forceps that damaged the blood vessels.

I helped to harm the patient.

I'm an accomplice.

Hello?

Poor Kohei...

he's always the last one left.

I'm sorry.

Let's go.

I'm just a viewer...

but when do we get back to regular programs?

Where are the kids' shows? I want to see the cartoons.

I wanted to be a housewife...

and now I work in a sea of blood.

1989 will be Year 1 of "Heisei," the "Era of Peace Everywhere."

A new emperor, a new era, but my life goes on as before.

This diary is my only confidant.

Sazanami Municipal Hospital

Those instruments are delicate and expensive.

Don't throw them around like that.

This is a staff-only area.

My name's Touma. I'm starting work tomorrow. Nice to meet you.

"What a jerk."

That was my first impression of Dr. Touma.

We were intending to make you Chief Surgeon...

but Dr. Nomoto is from Keiyo University Hospital...

and they want him to remain in that position.

- Just tell them no. - Mayor.

We have twenty doctors who are from Keiyo here.

- We can't offend them. - Nonsense.

- We can't offend them. - Nonsense. All you think about is face!

All you think about is face!

I want this municipal hospital to be the kind of place...

that attracts the best doctors!

That's why we've had Dr. Touma come all the way here!

If that's the case, I don't mind not being Chief Surgeon.

No, we can't have that.

Not after Prof Hajima has introduced you...

Excuse me. Sir, the ambulance says no other hospital will take the patient.

- All right. - What's wrong?

It's the Onizuka Clinic. The son and heir again.

What he thought was an appendix was internal bleeding.

- He sewed him up and sent him here. - So what now?

If Dr. Aoki can't handle it, we'll have to send him to Keiyo.

How long will to get there?

- About ninety minutes. - That's risky.

The trip could make the bleeding worse.

And they won't operate on him right away.

Let's play it safe. Let's send him straight there.

If he dies, well, his time is up.

I'll see him.

We can't let him die just to play safe.

There...

The hepatoma's ruptured.

What's ruptured? It's not his appendix?

It's not appendicitis.

A tumor on your husband's liver has ruptured

A tumor? Ruptured? Honey!

Mrs. Hamano...! Please calm down.

Can you embolize here?

We don't have those catheters here.

Blood pressure?

Eighty over forty. Pulse 120.

It's fallen since he got here.

Is Keiyo the closest place they can do TAE?

That's right.

Ninety minutes is too risky.

We'll have to open him up.

- You mean... - We have to operate

- Operate? - Get everyone ready.

Honey!

It wasn't my day.

That jerk suddenly wanted to operate.

Why did old man Hamano pick today of all days?

Towel forceps.

Shall we?

Do you have Fogarty forceps?

Sorry?

We're not that specialized.

Well, then get me...

a Nelaton catheter and cotton tape.

Yes, Doctor.

Mrs. Nakamura, a gown...

Oh, sorry-

Vitals?

Blood pressure falling.

Let's hurry.

Pardon.

Help me.

Ready?

Yes.

Here we go...

- Scalpel. - Yes.

That was the first scalpel I gave to Dr. Touma.

Gosh, that's bad!

Coopers.

- Expose the porta hepatis. - Yes.

- Like this? - Wider.

Ligature forceps.

Cotton tape.

Peans.

Tiling off.

Time that, please. And get a vessel loop ready.

Yes, Doctor.

It stopped!

It's temporary.

We'll clamp the right hepatic artery.

Tweezers.

Coopers.

In his hands, the Coopers were like a different instrument...

than in Dr. Nomoto's hands.

Vessel loop.

Clamp a mosquito on it.

Yes, Doctor. I'm sorry.

Here.

Don't rush.

It's for him.

Mosquito.

Bulldog forceps.

Tie-off time?

Seven minutes.

sorry, 6:54.

Okay. Untying-

It's stopped.

It didn't take ten minutes.

It was like magic.

Looks like the pressure is off, huh?

- Let's send him to Keiyo. - No.

How's his pressure?

100 over sixty. Stable.

Let's go for it.

Go for it?

Let's take out the right hepatic lobe.

It will bleed again and spread the cancer.

Let's get it while he's open.

Wait a minute. A liver resection?

We send big operations to Keiyo. That's standard practice.

- Standard practice? - Yes.

You'll let that stop you?

Let's do it.

Dr. Touma studied organ transplants in Pittsburgh.

But Yano and I have never done a liver resection before.

Just tie the sutures tight.

We'll take it slow.

Yes.

Yes.

The large blood vessels in the liver could hemonhage at any time.

We all watched anxiously as Dr. Touma performed the operation.

Sorry-

Three millimeter suture.

Three millimeter suture.

- Grab it. - sorry.

Tie it.

Metzenbaums.

Sorry-

Fifteen minutes.

Restart circulation for five minutes.

Untying.

- Hold gauze on it. - Gauze.

Deeper in.

Aspirate.

Are we all right?

We're fine.

So we can do this.

It's the patient in front of you who matters during surgery.

Not standard practice.

Yes.

Metzenbaums.

- Stitches holding? - Yes.

Removing specimen.

With precise, unwashed motions...

old man Hamano was pulled back from the brink of death.

That's all the tumor out?

Yes.

I'd never thought surgery could be so beautiful.

The feeling I had when I was first capped as a nurse...

rose in me again.

Old man Hamano had his appendix out?

It wasn't his appendix.

The operation took five hours.

But he's fine.

It went well?

- He's a tough old bird. - He'd better be!

The Hamanoya keeps us in business!

That's true.

- What do you want to eat? - Bluefin.

Now that's a lad who knows his fish!

You're a fisherman's grandson for sure!

- Hi. - Oh, hello!

I'll make supper tonight.

Today, we saved a life we wouldn't have saved before.

The excitement of that stayed with me for weeks.

Dr. Touma? Well done!

The Mayor's delighted with your operation on Mr. Hamano

It's a bright new dawn!

Shimada you found a better doctor than we ever dreamt!

Make him Chief Surgeon.

But what about Keiyo?

Make two departments.

Keiyo can't complain if he's head of Surgery Two.

Surge"? Two?

Well?

- Well? - It's a good idea.

Dr. Touma, if you would be kind...

This is a municipal hospital, so City Hall sets the terms of employment.

It's salary plus fees...

You can handle that.

Fine.

- But I have one request. - Yes?

I know we're out in the sticks...

but can we stop saying that someone's "time is up?"

- sorry? - It's not nice.

Mikado.

- Mabuhay! - Cheers!

Aoki.

I heard you've been telling everyone about that "Pittsburgh" operation.

- You'd rather work for him than me? - No.

- Liar! - Well...

I saw Dr. Touma's resume. He moved around a lot.

Maybe it's because he causes problems wherever he goes.

You think so?

I get that impression.

Aoki.

A good dog gets to wear a nice collar.

Yours says "Keiyo University," so take good care of it.

I will.

Good night.

The Keiyo doctors here are all bad-mouthing Dr. Touma.

Why?

Because of him, people think we can cure everything here.

Face matters more to them than their patients.

They want to stay out of trouble.

That's disgusting-

If they have no fatalities, they can move to a bigger hospital.

They like things to be kept cool.

So when someone like Dr. Touma tums up the heat...

they get burnt.

Doctor, we're ready.

Dr. Touma?

Miss Oka, put on the second tape from the right in the top row.

Music? In an operation?

Yes.

Please.

"Duty Surgeon: Tetsuhiko Touma"

People are saying great things about that doctor you found.

Yes.

But he's a bit eccentric, so I don't know what to make of him.

He talks to me like I'm a patient too.

And you love it.

- I do? - Yes.

You like this new doctor.

I guess so.

Here's your dad's medicine.

Thank you.

By the way, does arranged marriage interest you?

Arranged marriage? Why?

Your dad asked me to set something up.

He did?

I'm no rush to get married.

That's what I told him.

That's what I told him. Who'll look after Dad if I get married?

Who'll look after Dad if I get married?

He's hopeless in everything.

That's true.

But he's got someone in mind.

He does?

And who's the poor sucker my father's fallen for?

It had spread from the rectum into the uterus and the bladder.

That involves Gastroenterology, Gynecology, and Urology...

but Dr. Touma did the whole thing then and there.

By himself?

And then with a young breast cancer patient...

he took the breast off, then did reconstructive surgery.

The patient was delighted.

I was amazed.

As a surgeon, he covers all the bases.

That's wonderful!

Dr. Touma is our city's Black Jack!

Well, it's not like in comics or on TV.

The reality is different.

Our work is more like...

knitting a sweater, one stitch at a time.

You hang in and hang tough, proceed surely and steadily.

That's why enka music fits in so well.

Enka?

That's different.

Anyway, Doctor...

it must be hard living here alone.

If you find yourself at loose ends in that way...

feel free to come and talk to me.

Dad...

In that way? What way is that?

Well, you know, "that way." How do I put it?

It's nice to have a woman there...

to make you miso soup for breakfast.

Oh, don't worry about that. I just have toast.

It takes less time.

Too bad, Dad.

All Dr. Touma thinks about is his patients.

Doctor, I guess you didn't know this.

This was meant to be an arranged marriage meeting.

Oh.

Between who and who?

Doctor, could I ask for a favor?

That enka music during operations is a bit too much.

That's strange, Miss Oka.

What's better than Miyako Harumi?

- Classical music? - No, that'd put me to sleep.

Frankly, I hate that music.

I can't concentrate with all that warbling.

You're not wielding the scalpel.

Yes, but we need teamwork.

Let's take a vote then. Majority wins.

Good idea.

Miss Oka, will you accept the opinion of the majority?

- In good grace? - Of course.

Okay, who's in favor of Miyako Harumi?

Yano?

I'm sorry. How about rock?

No way.

I'd be cutting too hard.

I can't believe you guys.

She's a national treasure.

That was brave!

It was funny to see him pout like a child with toys taken away.

But if you could get here earlier...

Mrs. Nakamura?

Yes?

Are you listening?

- sorry. - What's so funny?

Nothing. I'm sorry.

Here he is!

My diary isn't so full of complaints anymore.

Does that show, I wonder?

Kohei laughs a lot more now, instead of crying.

There.

I want to help Dr. Touma more...

and not hold him back.

I want to get better.

I practice the movements of the operation...

so that its rhythm art flow will be a part of me.

Hi, Makoto.

- Good morning. - What are you doing?

Look.

A swallow's nest?

They'll have baby birds like you...

with their mouths open, going "Food!"

I don't mind my mouth open and go "Food!"

- You do. - I don't!

- You don't? - I still want to see!

sorry!

Good morning, Namiko.

I'll be late. Ride me to the bus stop.

See you!

"Surgery Schedule"

Here you go.

My husband owes Dr. Touma his life, you know.

They thought it was his appendix, but it was cancer!

They say Dr. Touma was like a magician.

Doctor, this is on the house.

No, nothing for free.

There you go again!

- Please! Just this once. - Nope.

We don't do operations for free either.

You're his friend, right?

Please tell him not to stick to the rules so much.

- Right? - I will. Thank you.

- Have as much as you like. - Come on!

Let's eat. The fish here is excellent.

You're right.

Remember that place in Pittsburgh?

It's the only Japanese restaurant around. They charge ridiculous price for lousy food.

That's right.

Anyway, I'm surprised. When did you start at Keiyo?

April.

They're starting liver transplants, so I'm a professor there.

It will be a while before Japan recognizes brain death.

So rather than waiting for that, we can save more patients...

by encouraging living donors.

Our university's doing that.

But why are you way out here?

I've been thinking for a while.

We need to do better at regional medicine.

Regional medicine?

But the idea of you fixing hemorrhoids out here...

I have mixed feelings about it.

You're my only competitor in Japan.

I'm not ambitious like that.

"Closed Until Further Notice"

The fishmonger died, a year after Dr. Nomoto operated on him.

Thank you for everything.

I'm sorry we didn't save him.

No, Doctor.

My father was happy you were treating him.

He was fond of you.

He won't be there anymore, but please come and buy your fish from us.

Thank you very much.

We'll just put a bypass in.

And leave the cancer alone?

It's okay. We'll cure the jaundice and he can go home.

That's not right!

- We've to send him to Keiyo! - Aoki!

Who do you think you are talking to?

- But he'll die... - Don't give me orders!

Why didn't you come out?

Why? You were there.

This was your fault!

Aoki, give it a rest, will you?

You could have got that cancer it you'd wanted to!

If you'd done the operation right in the first place!

Then you wouldn't have to lie about finding it too late!

Be quiet!

You shortened Mr. Imazumi's life just to save face!

Settle down!

I've envied Yano all along.

I want to assist in your operations too.

We'll work together some day.

Thank you.

But a year ago...

I lacked courage.

Because of that, a patient died.

I'm not worthy to continue as a doctor.

Remaining as a doctor is a lot harder than becoming one in the first place.

Why not try Pittsburgh?

Here's a letter to Dr. Starzl.

Use it if you like.

It's an unpaid fellowship though.

- It's over my head. - No. It's not.

You can handle it.

Makoto's there!

- Teacher! - Hi.

Come on.

Kohei!

Come here.

Let's start.

Let's go.

Again.

Ready, set, go!

Come on! Let's go that way.

Come on!

Wait!

Look out!

Huffy"-

You caught us!

Dr. Touma's been here for six months...

and were all ready to follow him anywhere.

Metzenbaums and Cooper scissors, Peans and mosquito forceps...

I felt his warmth and passion when I gave them to him.

There's no hurry 'm his operations.

Precise and assured, he worlds steadily at it.

"Save the patient."

With that one thing in mind, he never gives up, no matter what.

He devotes himself entirely into each and every operation.

We had good news today.

The newspaper ran an article on Makoto's volunteer activity.

Namiko, look at this.

Yew good, Kohei!

What is it?

How amazing!

Look, Kohei! It's Makoto.

Mom!

Mom, I'm hungry-

Let's eat.

Makoto! This is great!

Mom, what are you doing? That's embarrassing!

- What's so embarrassing? - Why did you show them that?

Show me the swallows!

Oh, the swallows? Show him the swallows.

Ready?

There they are!

- Can you see them? - Yes.

I envy how they get along so well.

Will Kohei and I be happy like that when he's in high school?

As the roots of our welfare system, regional medicine is vital.

The time will soon come...

when even public hospitals will struggle.

Now is the time to build a firm foundation.

Our hospital won't go broke!

Order, please!

Order!

At any rate...

while some may want to buy gold, or even lottery tickets...

our 100 million foundation fund should be returned to our citizens.

By improving municipal hospitals...

believe we are making a gift to those who will live...

in the aging society to come!

Mayor!

Mayor Okawa was brought in by an ambulance.

He was bleeding from the veins in his esophagus...

due to cinhosis of the liver.

He's semi-conscious. He needs a transplant.

Mayor Okawa is this hospital's lifeline.

We can't let him die.

Can we get one abroad?

I'm afraid he's in no condition to be moved.

No airline would take him.

I see.

Isn't there any other way?

Doctor, please!

A mother just had part of her liver transplanted into her daughter.

Isn't there some way to do that with my brother?

That's living donor transplantation.

How does that work?

His diseased liver will be removed...

and be replaced with part of a healthy one from a living donor.

That's living donor transplantation.

However, this has never been done from one adult to another.

But that's my father's only hope, right?

I'm afraid so.

Shoko, let's do it.

You'll be all alone if he dies. You've always been Daddy's girl.

- Will you operate here? - That's impossible.

The donor's liver and Mayor Okawa's liver will be removed.

Such an operation requires top surgeons and a lot of staff.

Prof Sanekawa at Keiyo University is an expert in transplantation.

It might be possible over there.

Doctor, please!

Take half my liver and give it to my brother.

Please ask that professor to save his life.

Shoko, you ask him too!

Shoko...!

It's an important decision.

Think carefully before you answer.

Doctor!

If I decide to give my father my liver...

can it be with your scalpel instead of that professor's?

All right.

Then please!

Save my father.

- Ma'am! - Makoto...

Speak to me! Makoto!

Move the stretcher away.

- Cut open his clothes. - Makoto...

Ma'am, please stand. It's dangerous.

Makoto...!

Makoto...!

Makoto has cerebral contusion resulting from a head injury.

When he went out to celebrate getting into a social work course at college...

he was hit by a truck right in front of his mother.

Teacher?

If you need anything, please tell me.

You should get some rest.

Makoto...

gets up from bed...

and calls out to me, "Mom."

I keep dreaming that whenever! sleep.

He's going to wake up today. The miracle will happen today.

I keep telling myself that, but...

They say he's gone.

That he's brain-dead.

That his brain is just like tofu now.

It's not even vegetative state.

His eyes will never open again.

They say there's no hope.

The doctor came right out and told me that today.

Why?

His heart is still beating so strongly.

His hands are still so warm.

Why...?

Makoto was diagnosed as clinically brain-dead.

It was thought that his heart would stop within two weeks.

He could have part of my liver.

Why does Shoko's blood match and mine doesn't?

Doctor...

are you sure my liver can't be used?

Mr. Okawa's liver is quite large. But yours is very small.

I'd have to take most of your right lobe...

which is about two-thirds of the organ.

- That could put your life in danger. - But...

It's all right.

- Dad... - Shoko...

It's okay.

Your mother's waiting for me on the other side.

We'll get reborn...

and then the three of us...

can be together again.

No!

Here we go!

I read about...

a girl in America whose life was saved by a heart transplant.

The donor was a medical student who was brain-dead just like Makoto.

When the transplant succeeded and she got better...

she carried out his ambition and became a doctor.

What he wished for...

and the woman he saved were united and lived as one.

I was moved.

I didn't think I could ever bring myself...

to give an organ of Makoto's to someone else.

But now...

I can't stop thinking about it.

Makoto is a boy who always wanted to help people in need.

As much as I can, I want to honor that part of him.

That's something I can take comfort in.

Would you take...

an organ from Makoto and use it to help someone?

Doctor...

Japanese law doesn't recognize brain death.

If he performs that operation...

But...

that's the very last thing...

my boy can do to help someone else.

Let's do it.

Dr. Touma...

Mr. Okawa and I have always worked together for his hospital.

I'd love to save him too, but...

We can't do this, Sir.

Perhaps if he were still Mayor...

but he's not now.

And you guys have to tell him no.

We have told him no.

The law hasn't changed. It's too much of a risk.

That heart transplant in Sapporo brought about a murder charge.

Murder charge?

I've gone beyond the standard Takeuchi Criteria for brain death.

I've tested auditory brain-stem response...

an EEG, and a CT scan of cranial blood flow.

All that?

Mr. Makoto is completely braid dead.

If any part of his brain was alive I wouldn't touch him.

Sapporo's case was different.

But most importantly...

his mother wants to have his organ donated.

A doctor might agree with that.

But the police and public won't.

If Mr. Okawa dies in the operation, they'll say we killed two people.

Who will be responsible for that?

You can say an overly ambitious surgeon...

threatened the Director with physical violence.

Blame it on me.

- We can't do that. - Sir.

What are the chances of success?

Think fifty-fifty.

Fifty-fifty...

If we do nothing, it's for sure that Mr. Okawa dies.

If we operate, there's a greater than fifty percent chance of saving him.

All right. Do your best to save Mr. Okawa.

- Sir? - Keep it top secret.

That won't last.

There'll be criticism from the public and the media.

Then I'll take responsibility and resign.

Wait a minute!

It won't end there!

Who'll be responsible from the city? Me!

This will infuriate Keiyo University Hospital.

What if they pull out all their doctors?

I'll take full responsibility.

You have to look after the hospital and its patients.

You have to look after the hospital and its patients. - But... - This is the only way for us to save a life.

- But... - This is the only way for us to save a life.

It's a doctor's duty to save lives.

Let's do it.

I agree with you.

Let me assist in the operation.

I want to assist, too.

Please let me assist you.

You guys are crazy!

I'm not responsible for what happens.

I have nothing to do with this!

I argued, but they won't listen!

Please!

Do something to stop it!

You Keiyo doctors keep this place going. You're my only hope.

Mr. Murakami...

don't worry.

Leave this to us.

We can't allow any criminal activity in this public institution.

We'll stop him for you.

Thank you very much!

As Office Manager, maybe it's best if you take leave on that day.

Thank you... I'll do that.

Oh, and please don't tell anyone you heard this from me.

Deceased donor transplant, huh?

How are you going to stop it?

We'll let him do it.

If he fails, he fails.

If he succeeds, we'll chase him out for breaking medical rules.

Is this the Chiba Police?

Sazanami Hospital is planning to do a deceased-donor transplant.

Brain death.

The law hasn't been changed to allow that.

It's patently illegal.

This is an outrage!

It's a great scoop for a newspaper.

They're committing murder to get credit for a Japan's first.

- What? - It's murder, I'm telling you!

I can't excuse such moral turpitude in a fellow doctor.

That's right.

Get to the bottom of it. Play it up big.

It will sell.

May I know your name?

What is it?

Sazanami Hospital planning to do Japan's first brain death liver transplant.

Brain death liver?

What's that?

Maybe it was a secret...

but the press has it.

They're even calling me up.

The Committee on Brain Death doesn't even call it "death" yet.

What happens if you get charged?

Don't rush things. You'll get hurt.

I don't have that privilege.

I have to do this.

Succeed or fail, you will still lose.

You'll lose your career and your whole future.

This transplant is the only way I can save the man's life.

Your ambition is not in transplants. You said that, right?

Yes. This isn't about ambition.

Then why are you risking everything for this operation?

My mother died when I was a kid...

from a misdiagnosis at the only hospital around here.

They called it mild enteritis, when it was her appendix.

She wasn't the type to complain.

But it just kept getting worse.

By the time she went back to the hospital two days later...

the appendix had burst.

She was full of pus and hurting too much to breathe.

This is bad.

Get her to the university hospital.

Doctor why can't you take her appendix out now?

Get ready an ambulance.

Please save her!

I can't do anything for her.

Doctor!

Please operate!

Please save my mother now!

It was too late by the time the university hospital operated on her.

Sepsis had brought on kidney failure...

and she died five days later.

I've never forgotten that day.

So that's why you decided to be a doctor.

Thank you for coming here.

I've got to go get ready.

What if they charge you with murder...

and lift your scalpel for helping this man?

What would your mother say?

What I see in front of me now is a patient who needs help...

and the mother of a brain-dead boy who wants the patient to live

That, and the pain they feel.

If I ignore that and don't operate...

I am no doctor.

I'll lay down my scalpel.

"Resignation"

I'm more and more afraid that after tomorrow’s operation...

Dr. Touma will resign and leave this hospital...

taking all the responsibility by himself.

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have put that on.

I was checking the procedure.

It's okay.

You're studying hard, aren't you?

Just let me see that.

We're going to do this "piggyback" style.

We'll cut the recipient's liver at the hepatic vein...

not the inferior vena cava.

At this margin...

after we trim it...

we connect it to the donor's inferior vena cava margin.

Like that.

I see.

Blood is going to flow through the transplanted liver soon.

It was empty of blood. Now it starts to tum red.

There, it's changing.

The life forces of the donor and the recipient are united now.

What is it?

Nothing.

Doctor, promise me something.

After the operation, no matter what happens...

you won't leave.

I promise.

I'll put everything I have into that operation.

Please do.

Dr. Touma is a poor liar.

Welcome back.

You're looking well.

You can show us what you've learnt in Pittsburgh.

You're joking.

I was only there for six months.

To be able to participate in Dr. Touma's operation...

it's like a dream.

A detective showed up at the bustling hospital.

I don't have time to debate this with you, Detective.

If you insist on doing this...

you risk being charged with murder, you know that?

Are you prepared for that?

Are you?

I am merely performing my duty as a physician.

Excuse me.

Mrs. Takei...

If you'd like to say goodbye...

Makoto...

thank you.

Thank you for being my son.

The operation began with the removal of Makoto's liver.

All I had to do was to stay calm...

but my knees were knocking.

Let's get started.

- Let's do it. - Okay.

Can you confirm if a liver transplant is taking place from brain-dead donor?

I can't answer that now!

Step back please! You're disturbing our patients!

- Start Ringer's. - Starting.

Remove cannula clamp.

Extracting.

After two hours, Makoto's liver was removed.

It's done.

It's a beautiful, clean liver.

We will do everything we can to put it to good use.

Thank you.

Thank you.

- Let's do it. - Yes...

Doctor...

Which one?

- You don't mind? - Play all you want.

Then...

this one please.

Help me, please.

- Are you ready? - Yes.

- Do your best. - We will.

Scalpel.

He's acting completely alone.

We're out of the loop.

So you were not informed of this operation?

Not at all.

It is most disturbing.

How would you describe Dr. Touma as a doctor?

Concerned only with his reputation...

a grandstander who disturbs hospital routine...

that kind of doctor.

Is it possible the Mayor paid Dr. Touma to do this?

I'm sure he did.

Dr. Touma has deceived the organ donor and his family.

My heart aches for them.

Well...

Let's go.

Doctor! A picture, please.

I have spoken out only because of my conscience as a doctor.

I ask for no pictures, and that I remain anonymous.

Three millimeter suture.

Three millimeter suture.

The hardest work was the back of the liver...

and no one could help.

One false move would cause massive bleeding...

yet he soldiered on alone.

The cutting of each single vessel so tiny as to make one dizzy...

went on for three hours.

Extracting.

Metzenbaums.

Tweezers.

The press is here.

It might be best to leave where no one can see you.

Thank you...

but I will leave together with Makoto.

I will never forget your son.

- It's a body! - A comment, please!

As a mother, could you give us a comment?

Please go ahead.

Makoto's liver would be joined to Mr. Okawa.

And with it, our hearts, too, were united.

Gasping for breath, Keiko explained.

"I wrapped the blanket around the fox..."

"and it ran away dragging the blanket."

"I grabbed it and pulled..."

"but it slipped out of my hand."

Eight hours into the operation...

the hepatic and portal veins were connected.

Mr. Okawa's blood flowed into Makoto's liver.

This was the most anxious moment.

Blood pressure?

120 over eighty-one. Pulse stabilizing.

Removing portal vein clamp.

As the blood started flowing, the liver took on a vivid color.

Mr. Okawa's and Makoto's life forces had joined.

Removing forceps.

Reflowing.

The biliary tract was now connected, and the worst was over.

Twelve hours after we had begun, the goal was in sight.

Now there was only one item left.

The last Coopers, from my hand to his.

Coopers.

Together, we have completed the operation

Thank you, everyone.

Thank you...

Well done!

Okay.

There.

How I'd hated operations...

and now I was part of an operation like this.

It was like being in a dream.

Take over. I'll go talk to the family.

Mrs. Nakamura? Are you all right?

I'm fine.

Thanks.

You did a great job.

More life!

Naoto! Sing louder! Put some life into it!

One, two, three...

Two, two, three...

Open your mouths wide.

From the stomach.

Brighter! Louder!

Go.

The charges against Dr. Touma were dropped.

The diagnosis of brain death was legitimate...

and both sides had agreed to the operation.

But what decided more than anything else...

was Teacher's letter of thanks to Dr. Touma.

As you're on drugs to suppress your immune system...

you're susceptible to germ's, so stay away from crowds.

And no sushi or anything raw for the next year.

And absolutely no alcohol, of course.

That'll kill you for sure this time.

Oh, I won't be dying anytime soon.

I'd leave too many women crying.

Dad! Stop it...

At least be serious when the doctor's here.

He may talk like that...

but ever since the operation, he's a different person.

He would look out of the window and get tears in his eyes.

Well...

the town shines in the morning sun...

and you can hear the paper carriers' bikes.

These ordinary things just look so new to me.

I really do feel like I've been reborn.

So you're really leaving?

Yes.

I heard that the donor was a seventeen year-old boy.

It's a small town. You can find out these things easily.

I'm going to do all I can for the town to pay him back.

His resignation's been accepted. It's only natural.

You can't go breaking the rules just because you're ambitious.

What's this?

Mr. Okawa's charts.

Why do you have them?

I promised Dr. Touma...

I'd follow up on Mr. Okawa after he left.

Why?

Why are you cleaning up his mess?

Dr. Nomoto, there are rumors about you.

That you ignored a cancer case...

- and lied to his family... - Aoki...

You left an unmetastasized cancer to spread.

That is medical misconduct.

- Nonsense. - A Board of Inquiry will decide that.

Touma did not act out of ambition.

If anyone was trying to do that, it was probably me.

His scalpel shines like no other.

"Was A Liver Transplanted To Make A Doctor's Name?"

The time to part drew near.

I felt like I was going to cry like a little girl.

Mrs. Nakamura...

Thank you.

I don't know who'll replace me, but things will be fine with you around.

Do you best to help the new doctor, all right?

Well?

Are you angry?

Yes.

Why?

You lied to me.

You promised you wouldn't leave.

You're right.

I'm sorry.

Mrs. Nakamura...

in that operating room, you were like my right hand.

I hope we can work together again one day.

No, thank you.

You're too rough on people.

Sorry-

Dr. Touma, we're ready.

You too, Mrs. Nakamura.

Shall we?

Everyone, you can cry on the inside, but smile on the outside.

That's right!

- Come here! - Quick...

- Are you still mad? - I'm smiling.

Thanks.

Doctor, thank you.

Take care.

Thank you.

See you.

Just then, I suddenly realized...

I hadn't said a word of thanks to the doctor.

Doctor...

thank you for everything!

You, too.

I worked you hard through all those operations.

I couldn't wait to do all those operations!

I wanted to get near and feel I was the closest to you!

I haven't said this before, but I really love Miyako Harumi!

I really like her songs!

Thank you.

You are a fantastic nurse.

I'll never forget those words.

"You are a fantastic nurse."

You'll be back for her Forty-Ninth Day?

You'll get the ashes from the temple?

Don't worry.

Here. You probably eat out all the time.

- You need, your veggies. - Okay.

- And don't be a picky eater. - Okay.

- Your health is very important. - Okay.

For me, too.

I'm working out at the Community Centre Mr. Okawa started.

- What is it? - Nothing.

I was just thinking how everything's connected.

Well, it sure is. You're connected too.

Take care.

I'll be fine. Mom gave me something important.

Hey! What are you all doing?

Back to work! You want to see him?

There you go! Now, back to work!

I'm sorry. This is a country hospital.

When a new young doctor comes, they all get excited.

Anyway, the Director will be back soon.

Scalpel.

Tweezers.

Clamp.