Original subtitles

April the thirteenth.

lt supposedly was the unluckiest day of the year.

And it had to happen on that day, of all days.

Bloodshed!

Bloodshed!

Well...

Kohei Yasuda, an apprentice officer, suddenly went wild...

...and attacked the magistrate, Kenmotsu Nagao.

Nagao had taken fifty in gold...

...from Yasuda under the table in exchange for promoting him to detective.

But he broke the deal.

So, Yasuda got mad and went on the warpath.

l shouldn't say this, but Nagao's the one to blame.

The whole thing was just ridiculous.

And we're the ones who suffered.

lt happened at lunchtime, a food and tea were all over the place.

What a mess!

ln these times, life is even dear to us samurai.

Nobody wants to die for some crumb.

All we could do was run around.

But the worst was Tanaka, the inspector.

Get out of my way, Tanaka!

O-Open the door!

Open, open the door!

l'm in here!

l'm in here, you heard me!

You idiot!

Oh no!

Help!

Run!

You bastard!

No!

Die!

Wait! Die!

No violence!

Open it!

Please!

Open up, it's me!

The magistrate!

M-May l open it, sir?

Stupid, the killer's in there!

Wait a little longer!

We'll help you out!

Hang on until then!

Be patient and wait!

W-Wait, Kohei!

l apologize!

You'll get your money and promotion, l promise!

Too late!

Step aside!

Aside!

You saw?

You saw?

l almost got killed, didn't l?

lt was a great relief to be alive.

But l was wrong.

Something much worse was waiting to happen...

...much worse.

The verdict...

lt's unforgivable, Mondo Nakamura, acting cowardly during the crisis.

You shall suffer a reduction in pay to half for the next six months.

You shall be rebuked.

Sir, that's too much!

What?

Why must only l be punished?

What about the others who locked us up and didn't do anything?

Silence, Nakamura!

Don't talk back!

Being rebuked l could take.

But l can't survive that long on only half-pay...

Enough!

Case closed!

What is with your attitude, you idiot!

l know how you feel, but it's the Shogun's judgment.

You just accept it!

Accept it?

They tricked me.

Damn it!

What's all this?

What day do you think it is, dear?

The new magistrate's coming, it's an important day.

You're being penalized now.

Be the first to welcome him, it's a good chance to win his favor.

lt's not that easy...

Don't argue, dear.

Neighbor Murata left an hour ago.

l guess he's smarter than my son-in-law.

All right.

You want me to leave early with my half-pay, whatever makes you happy.

Ritsu.

Where's my breakfast?

You get no breakfast.

What?

We decided that the day the new magistrate arrives...

...we set our minds, we won't eat breakfast till you draw full pay again.

Please, go, now!

Lord Ukyonosuke Okuda, the new south magistrate, has arrived!

What a young magistrate!

He's a pet of Prime Minister Sakai.

l hear he used to be a page, look at his clothes!

Think he'll make it as a magistrate?

The food and wine are from the new magistrate.

Appreciate it.

Yes sir.

What a luxurious food!

Very expensive.

Young one tries to...

...show off?

What?

What is it?

lt's a gold coin!

A gold coin? lt's a gold coin!

l got one too!

ln the soup!

ls it real?

Real gold coin?

lt's hot!

H-Hot!

Excuse me...

He's young but so thoughtful.

Anyway, let's wait for his toast.

All this fuss over one gold coin?

The magistrate's going to the castle.

You men stay and enjoy yourselves.

Yes sir.

Yes sir. Yes sir.

You, what's your name?

Mondo Nakamura, sir.

So...

You're the one.

l've heard of you.

Huh?

Then l shall ask you now.

lf something happens to me, don't forsake me.

Let's enjoy the dinner.

Oh yeah.

Let's go to that store.

This is a beautiful doll.

Wow, it's got a pretty face.

You guys ready?

The tragedy of poor Okiku.

She got a hairy corncob...

...shoved deep inside her.

So poor Okiku drowned herself.

Ouch!

Hey, Nakamura!

Who are you singing about?

Better not be about Okiku, you should be praying for her soul.

What?

lt wasn't an ordinary corncob, but the Shogun's.

She was humiliated and killed herself.

She had guts.

Try to act like her, okay?

Yes sir.

He's in a bad mood today.

l wonder what happened.

Who cares?

Well...

The hairy corncob sank deep...

Get that.

Yes.

He said, ''don't forsake me''?

What a sense of humor!

Then what happened?

Nothing happened.

l felt rotten, so l came here to drink.

Give food to the paupers or something, it's on me.

Don't be ridiculous, giving away your money?

Can you afford it?

l know you're on half-pay.

Don't remind me, you're spoiling my sake.

lt's true.

So...

Keep it for yourself.

Any news from your man?

No.

He went to look for a job two years ago and never came back.

You still call him your man?

Maybe you're right.

Why not flirt with me?

No.

Why not?

l don't want to flirt.

l want you to love me.

l'm serious.

You're lying.

Your face says...

You can't divorce your wife.

She'll kill you.

lt's silly to be a man and a woman.

You think so?

They talk about what's flirting and what's love.

ls that all they can do?

Oh my!

The food's burning!

Hey...

Sugie came home.

Sugie?

You know, that young samurai.

He went for a job interview.

l wonder how it went.

Tinkerer.

Yes?

l haven't seen you before, are you new around here?

Yes, today is my first day here.

May l help you?

Well...

Lend me your anvil and hammer.

l'll do it myself, it won't take a minute.

*

Why did you do that, Sugie?

Well...

l want to forget that l'm a samurai.

That's why.

But what...

What happened to the job you mentioned?

l didn't get it.

This sword was a family treasure.

l tried to sell it to get money for someone who helped me.

Then l found out it's a fake.

But...

That made me decide to work as an umbrella maker.

And this is more useful for carving.

l feel sorry for Sugie.

Did he love that girl?

He'd planned to propose to her after he got the job.

But now he can't.

Get out our way!

Who are they?

Shogun's retainers, reckless samurai!

What is this?

lt's a dead end.

What the hell, who brought us to this slum?

Kyuma!

Hey, what are you thinking bringing us to a dump like this?

l, Kyuma Kagazume...

...will demonstrate my Megaki style leaping technique!

Next!

You, Koyata, do it!

Why not?

Here l go!

l'll go next, watch me!

Hold it!

Though poor, we have the right to live here.

There're old people and children too.

What if you injure someone?

Stop it!

What's that?

Hey, old man!

You, a samurai in some slum, dare criticize us, the Shogun's retainers?

You may be the Shogun's retainers, but you're still foolish!

What's that?

Step aside!

Look what you did!

Watch out!

No!

Father!

Father!

You all right?

Father!

You okay?

You all right?

Father!

What's wrong?

His neck is broken, ribs too.

What?

Murderer!

Murderer!

Murderer, murderer!

Get lost!

Murderer!

Give him back his life!

Give him back his life!

We didn't kill him.

The horse did.

The horse killed him, don't blame us.

Let's go.

W-W-Wait.

Stop!

Listen to me!

l know how you feel...

...but don't make it worse.

Hey...

lt's something you don't understand.

Huh?

Anybody know what happened to the horse?

lt's over there!

This is...

lt made the horse run.

But who did it, and why?

Nakamura.

Yes sir.

Your report states it wasn't just an accident.

You suspect treachery and wish to proceed with an investigation.

Yes.

l object.

Huh?

Your theory is absurd.

lt's unfounded, l have to reject it.

Excuse me, but l have proof.

As l stated in there...

l found the cross-shaped dagger in the horse's leg.

And what dagger are you talking about?

l submitted it with the report, sir.

l never received any such thing.

Huh?

l can't believe it.

l absolutely...

Did either of you receive it?

Huh?

N-No, sir, l didn't.

Neither did l.

What are you talking about?

l handed it to you.

l'm sorry, sir.

l was wrong.

l'm certain it was just an accident.

Good.

That's better.

May l ask you one thing?

What will happen to the Shogun's retainers?

l was informed that they're under household arrest.

No further punishment is required.

Case closed!

ls Kyuzo here?

Yes, sir.

You left it at the scene.

lt's not like you.

l'm sorry, sir.

That Mondo Nakamura is snooping around.

l don't think he's that sharp, but be careful.

Yes sir.

Oyumi, the soil...

Here you go.

l wonder who he was.

Huh?

The other guy who saved the kid.

What are you talking about?

You mean the old samurai wasn't the only one?

No.

l'm sure l saw him.

But did you see him?

l don't think so.

Me either.

Maybe you're mistaken...

You think so?

Why don't you ask the kid?

He doesn't live around here.

What?

Maybe he was just playing or just passing through, l'd never seen him before.

So the old samurai had to die trying to save a total stranger?

Boss, we're all here.

Please come out.

Yes.

Thanks for coming at this late hour.

l'll just get to the point.

We have three targets.

First...

Chikara Jinbo, the wild samurai leader.

Second...

Shinpachi Taro, his lieutenant.

Third...

Kyuma Kazazume, one of the gang.

They're the ones who caused the old samurai's death 10 days ago.

And about the fee...

l've received three in gold up front.

l'm supposed to have three more later.

Total of six in gold.

What?

Only six in gold for three targets?

lf it's Shogun's retainers, ten per head is even cheap.

Only six for three targets.

You've got to be kidding me.

Please don't go!

l know it's not enough, l know it's not...

...but it's all l could raise.

Please!

Please!

Please, avenge my father!

My father...

Go inside, don't worry.

l'll take care of this.

She's from a common family.

lmagine...

How she slaved to raise even three.

Not only that...

What she must do to raise rest of the balance.

Will any of you be kind enough to accept?

Let's go, officer.

You guys go.

l'll stay.

You'll stay?

You'll accept so little?

Edo avengers, some people!

You call six in gold ''little''?

What?

Hey, traveler.

What did you just say?

Sorry if l provoked you.

lt's just the howling of a hungry stray dog.

Boss.

Let me take the three targets.

l'll be glad to do it.

Wait a minute.

Boss.

l'll accept too.

Officer!

l have a reason, just let me.

Okay...

Then you two can decide how to handle it.

You'll talk and split the targets...

...or work every man for himself.

You'll be paid...

...as you get the targets.

We're strangers.

So we'll work separately.

Just like ''capture the flag.''

That sounds good.

l'll get moving right now.

Yeah!

Yeah!

lf you're going to fall in love...

...you should do it like this.

Give him a hug and tease him a little.

Give him a kiss and tease him a little more.

But what you really should do is...

...this and...

...that and...

...everything!

Everything!

He's got a tiny one!

Hear that?

Murderer?

What of it?

Bring it on!

l'll kill you all!

Who's next?

Kyuma, you all right?

Shut up!

l'm a murderer!

Are you listening to me?

All right, all right.

Hey, take him to bed.

What's wrong with you?

Let's sing!

...you should is...

...this and that and everything!

Everything!

Coming through.

lt's down the hall.

What do you want?

Well, l brought a gift from our master like we promised.

Let's see.

Thanks.

By the way, about the other day...

Was that what you wanted?

We didn't mean to kill the old samurai.

What did the magistrate say?

Well...

He might ask you to pull another job pretty soon.

Sounds interesting.

Fine.

Tell him we accept.

Another job...

What's going on?

Shh...

Who are you?

Dad!

Somebody help!

What happened?

What's going on?

You idiot, get out of my way!

lt was a Shogun's retainer.

He was decapitated and lying in a pool of blood.

How disgraceful!

lt's dishonor to the Shogun.

They should behave themselves.

What are they thinking?

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!

How long do we have to wait?

Who needs you?

We'll avenge Kyuma.

Let's go.

Yeah!

Out of my way!

You're lucky.

lf it were a bit more serious...

...you'd lose your job as officer and avenger.

Anyway, you failed to kill and got hurt.

What a smart samurai!

Leave me alone.

Don't be like that.

We're all worried about you.

lt's not worth getting hurt with that low fee.

Hey, officer.

They're kids but they're still samurai.

And they're wild and hot-headed too!

You might not be alive next time.

l heard that the new magistrate is in on this.

l don't think you should be doing this alone.

Actually...

l want to ask you guys a favor.

What favor?

About the new magistrate...

There is something fishy about him.

l want you to find out anything about him, will you?

Sure, by the way...

Have you changed your taste in women?

Eh?

Why?

She's been waiting outside.

What?

That brat!

What do you want?

Huh?

You know that l'm an officer, don't you?

Why are you following me?

l-l lost sight of my dad.

Don't lie to me.

What does your dad have to do with me?

Because you're both avengers!

You're after the same targets!

Keep it down!

That's why l thought if l followed you, l could meet him.

ls that so?

l want to talk to him too.

Follow me.

Why are you afraid?

He's your brother, isn't he?

But...

lf Dad is here too...

...he'll scold me.

Why would he do that?

l don't know.

Weird family.

Thanks.

But you were careless.

Sis!

Dad, please let me stay with you.

l'll go crazy without you and Choji.

l can't live away from you.

Dad, l'm begging you!

l know l'm not that smart but you can tell me what to do.

l'll change as you like.

l'll do whatever you say!

So, please Dad!

What brings you here?

l...

Not you.

l'm asking the officer.

l'll wait until you guys finish your family stuff.

l'm finished now.

Dad!

Don't ''Dad'' me.

l'm not your father.

Dad!

Leave!

What do you want?

l heard about an odd avenger using his kids.

So you're the one, Bunshichi.

Just answer the question.

You may be an oddball...

...but last night you went too far.

Go away if you're meaning your wound.

Just listen.

We're both avengers.

We kill for money.

No point in killing other avengers.

Let's make up...

...and share the targets.

Everybody is happy and peaceful.

What are you talking about?

You were the one who wanted to work separately.

l know, but...

No, l'm not interested. l know but...

No, l'm not interested.

Listen.

l'll kill anything gets in my way.

That's how l work.

Get lost!

Hey!

Jerk!

l told you to leave!

Go, go, go!

No! Go, go, go!

Leave!

Dad, please, Dad!

Leave!

Dad!

Get lost!

You bastard!

Stupid Dad!

Stupid...

Damn you!

Oh well, that's why l don't want kids.

Hey, you, come inside.

Drop in.

Hey, you there with the bandana!

How about you?

Come on.

No thanks. Come on.

Hey handsome.

Why not come inside?

Jerk!

Please.

Please, come in.

Please.

Oh, l beg you.

Please drop in...

What a gloomy voice!

Hey, you, come here!

l haven't seen you in a while! Hey, you, come here!

Let's go.

Let's go. Let's go.

Let's go!

You, come here!

l told you!

You have to look more cheerful to get men, you idiot!

l'm sorry.

Sorry isn't going to do!

l don't care if your father was a samurai.

But you have to follow my rules now!

Work hard or else, got it?

Yes, ma'am.

Then go get a sucker, hurry!

Hey, won't you please come in?

Eh? Hey, won't you please come in?

Hey, won't you please come in?

Nah... Hey, won't you please come in?

Please sir, please!

No thanks! Please sir, please!

Please sir, please!

Hey you! Please sir, please!

This is my spot.

Scram!

l'm sorry.

Thank you.

Hey.

What's the matter?

Hey...

Please come in.

You drunk?

l sure am.

l'm drinking the best stuff l have.

That's great.

By the way...

Any messages for me?

No...

Okay.

Thanks.

Well then...

...let me drink your best stuff, too.

No.

Why be difficult?

Why did you try to court me?

Huh?

You were flirting with me.

Sometimes...

...women want men to be serious...

...even if they know the men are just flirting.

That's how we are.

You're mean, Nakamura.

What's wrong?

What happened?

Tell me.

Will you?

You'll feel better.

A friend of mine...

...was going to Osaka so l asked him to take my letter.

To your man?

Yes.

But he was gone.

Gone?

He quit his job six months ago.

No one knows where he is now.

Would you believe it?

l couldn't help it...

l needed a drink.

Maybe...

...this is how it should be.

l feel a little better.

As if a burden were removed.

Take me somewhere.

Anywhere...

For a few days...

The mountains, the sea, anywhere.

Will you take me?

Please.

Sure, Ofuku.

l have to take care of something first.

But l'll take you somewhere.

The shining sea might be good for you.

How about some island?

Well, l've got to go now.

l'm serious.

l promise.

Don't do anything stupid.

Sorry to keep you.

Anything new?

That young magistrate was promoted by Prime Minister Sakai.

Sakai brought him to the castle as a page.

Since then he's moved up amazingly fast.

And finally he became a magistrate.

But no one knows his history.

Was he a temple page?

Yeah, but l don't know which temple.

Some say he's a nobleman's son from Kyoto.

But others say he once was a prostitute.

A male prostitute?

Officer.

What sort of business are you into?

lf that fishy guy is in on this, l don't want any part of it.

lf something happens to you...

...they're going find out about us, too.

l know.

A prostitute, huh?

Sounds likely.

Hey.

Officer.

Judging from what you told me, he must be Kyonosuke.

The age and the looks match too.

l've been in this business for a long time, but...

l don't think l've ever seen a guy as beautiful as him.

He had such soft and fair skin, damn it!

Officer.

To be honest, l'm still in love with him.

How long did he work here?

Well...

For a few years.

He was a fortunate boy.

With that face...

He became a Kabuki actor...

...after Haginosuke ended up like that.

Hey hey, hold on. ...after Haginosuke ended up like that.

Hey hey, hold on.

Who is Haginosuke?

His rival.

One of them was supposed to be an actor...

...but he committed a double suicide with a customer.

Oh?

Just before his big break?

Exactly sir.

lt wasn't even somebody he was seeing...

He and his guest poisoned themselves the first night they met.

lt was very strange.

Poisoned themselves?

Well, anyway...

...because he died, Kyonosuke could leave this place.

l remember Kyonosuke.

He was a ham, but he looked beautiful on the stage.

Unlike this shack, it was a real theater downtown.

A real fancy one.

l still remember.

When Kyonosuke posed like this, the audience went wild!

lt was certainly amazing.

Then, Enkoin Temple offered him a job as page.

Enkoin, the temple?

Yup.

A high-class temple where ladies-in-waiting go.

We were surprised when we heard that they'd invited him in there.

How did it happen?

l don't know well.

But l heard it was arranged by Lord Sakai, the temple magistrate then.

You mean the Prime Minister Sakai?

Yes.

But there was one problem.

The troupe leader refused to release Kyonosuke.

That's understandable.

He liked him very much.

But he gave in after all?

No choice, he died.

Died?

Was he poisoned?

l heard he was killed by a robber.

But no one was prosecuted so l don't know who did it.

Anyway...

Kyonosuke moved into the temple.

Rumor has it he became the Shogun's page later on.

The troupe leader's death was timely.

Over there.

Yes sir.

Thanks.

Here's a tip for you.

Thank you very much.

Big party tonight, eh?

For whom?

For Lady Matsuo, from the Shogunate.

ls that so?

Then, whose palanquin is that?

lt belongs to Prime Minister Sakai, and his servants are here too.

ls he here, too?

Yes.

They came to pray for the Shogun's recovery.

Oh?

Thank you.

The Shogun's recovery?

ls he ill?

l hadn't heard about it...

Sorry l'm late.

Hurry!

Let me take his pulse.

Okiku...

Okiku...

Be brave, Shogun!

Okiku...

Pour for him.

Yes.

Come to think of it, it was a while ago...

The Shogun was well when he had this made.

He'd come here almost every day...

...to entertain himself.

l heard that...

...he enjoyed it...

...especially with Okiku.

Yes.

Take a gook look!

ln no way am l inferior to young pages!

That's what he used to say.

He would go into that room.

There he laid his hands on Okiku, the maidservant.

Hey, hey, hey.

No, please!

Please stop!

Please stop!

Please...

Please don't do this!

Please don't...

Come on.

Anyway...

...l'm surprised you knew about it.

The Shogun had recurring nightmares...

...saying ''Okiku, Okiku forgive me!''...

...in his sleep.

No one really figured out that it was about that maidservant, but...

How could you know?

We'll talk about it...

...some other day.

Meanwhile...

Let's enjoy the climax.

Women's pleasure...

...lasts till they turn into ashes.

How fortunate they are!

Prayers won't work.

To save the Shogun from his nightmares...

...to remove the thorn, Okiku, from his mind...

...your plan will be the best.

But he's very old.

We must hurry.

Yes.

l understand, sir.

Okiku rests in peace at the age of 19.

The tragedy of poor Okiku...

So, it wasn't just a song.

But what's the connection to the tenement houses in the village?

Him, why is he here?

Who's there?

Come out!

Or shall l come to you?

Mondo Nakamura.

l heard you were a lazy officer.

But l guess you're a hard worker.

Remember this...

Whatever you do, my position will not be affected.

Let me know when you change your mind and decide to work for me.

Since you're working hard, l can even have you promoted.

He's onto us now.

What'll we do?

We'll do it.

Have we a choice?

Shinpachi, what's keeping you?

Come on!

Hey, don't leave me alone.

Wait!

A top's spinning...

Ouch...

A top's spinning...

Dad!

Shinpachi!

Hey, what happened?

Who's there?

Wait!

Wait!

Run! Wait!

Wait!

Hey, you, stop!

Hey, wait!

Shinpachi!

Shinpachi!

Stop there!

Wait!

Which way did he go?

Right or left?

Let's split!

Okay, l'll go this way.

We have to avenge Shinpachi, don't miss him!

Okay, put him down.

Shinpachi, Shinpachi, Shinpachi!

Damn!

Look!

What is it?

Are you blind?

This thickness and this radiance...

lt's not a normal knife.

lt's made from a sword.

A sword?

A sword that belonged to a samurai.

Find out who did it.

Shinpachi, don't worry.

l'll avenge your death.

Me too.

l promise, Shinpachi!

Shinpachi!

Shinpachi! Shinpachi!

lt's soaking.

We must take it apart and wash it.

But it's a brand new kimono.

A kimono's life depends on who wears it.

Poor kimono!

What were you doing to get so wet?

Working.

l know you were working, l'm asking what kind of work it was.

Watching a dangerous criminal.

With whom?

Nobody.

What happened to the criminal?

He died.

He died?

He was murdered.

Oh, you actually did such manly work?

Mother, Mother!

My husband was alone and...

l heard.

Use an umbrella next time you watch out murders.

What's that?

Maybe it's the dead man's friend here to get you.

Son-in-Law!

Take it easy.

Who is it?

Be careful, my dear.

You're...

My dad...

What?

Please help my dad.

Hey!

Who's the kid?

He's sick.

Sick?

Yes.

He has a fever, bring him in!

Yes.

No. Yes.

Mother!

l want to make sure one thing first.

Son-in-Law, don't tell me he's your son.

Oh please, he has a father.

Are you sure? Oh please, he has a father.

Are you sure?

Are you sure? l'm serious!

l'm serious!

Fine, Ritsu, boil water.

Take him inside, son-in-law.

Don't hold him that way.

Keep his head higher.

How clumsy, hurry!

Dad, be brave!

Don't die, Dad!

Your brother asked me to come.

What happened?

l don't know.

When l got here, he'd been already injured.

l found this in his shoulder.

lt's poisoned.

Dirty trick!

He came to.

You all right, Dad, be brave!

Dad!

lt's me, Dad.

Why are you here?

Dad...

Leave...

But...

Get out!

Choji.

Choji...

Who are you?

Relax, will you?

lt's me.

lt's you.

l'm keeping your kid.

Why do l have to take care of your kid?

Poor kid, he was drenched.

Why do you have to use your kids for killing?

l don't understand.

He's your own son, for god's sake.

No, he isn't.

l bought these two kids.

Bought them?

Yeah, so what?

lf l hadn't, neither of them would have lived.

Their poor parents would've killed them.

Even so, they are still kids...

l'm just teaching them how to live.

l was also bought the moment l was born.

My foster father was...

...an avenger, that's how it was.

l learned how to crush a man's face with my top.

The smell of blood, rolling human heads...

Yeah, l got used to such things.

lt's like a merchant's son who learns accounting.

What?

Why so quiet, well, that's what happened.

lf you're a real avenger...

...don't look so glum.

Thanks for Choji.

You can leave now.

What now?

Meaning?

l guess she didn't mind the poison.

What do you mean?

She sucked it out.

You'll recover soon.

Maybe you bought her, but you should be nice to her.

She's no longer a kid.

She's a woman.

lt happened about a month ago.

Dad.

What?

We did it a good job, didn't we?

Yeah.

You said l couldn't do it, but l did it, didn't l?

Sure.

You surprised me.

l'm glad to hear.

Saucy!

Shut up!

What's wrong?

We have to get up early tomorrow.

Omitsu.

What's the matter?

l've stayed away from her since.

l can use kids, but not a woman.

Women are too soft for this life-or-death racket.

l didn't know...

Sorry l made you talk.

Lousy work we have, huh?

Don't worry about your kid.

Oh, you're awake?

Your fever's down.

Good.

Your dad will be fine in a few days.

But...

...don't tell anyone about our secret work.

Especially not my wife and mother-in-law.

Understand?

Good.

lt's time for breakfast.

Ritsu.

That child looks that he's good enough to be a samurai's son.

Exactly, Mother.

l don't want to say this but he looks better than my son-in-law.

l wish we could adopt him as our successor.

Mother?

You get a divorce from your husband right away.

Then we can have another chance in life.

But that's going too far.

Ritsu, you can't stay young forever.

You must remarry while you can.

Now is the time to make up your mind.

Mother.

Actually l've been thinking about the same thing.

lsn't it too much, you two?

My dear.

Oh, son-in-Law. My dear.

Don't forget, l'm a man, too.

There are women who'll love me.

Who would want to stay here?

Thanks a lot, good-bye!

Where are you going?

Don't worry. Where are you going?

He'll come back.

Think so?

Of course, he always does. Think so?

Of course, he always does.

l really wish he were dead!

Nakamura!

Oh, what happened?

l want to talk to you about my man, he's coming back!

What?

He wrote to me!

He opened a shop somewhere and he's coming to pick me up.

Would you believe it?

After making me worry so much, he's so selfish.

Don't you think so?

What'll l do?

What do you mean?

l'm scared.

Scared?

ls it all right that only l'll be happy?

l'm scared.

The gods may punish me.

Nonsense!

No gods will punish you.

Pray with me!

We can't go on a trip now.

Sorry.

Thank you.

l'll never forget you.

lt's him...

...that time.

Mr. Tinker!

You're the one who saved that child.

When the horse went wild, you and Hirano saved the kid.

l don't think so.

You're mistaken.

You don't need to hide it.

Unfortunately, Hirano broke his neck and died.

l've been wondering who the other man was.

l'm glad to find out.

l'll tell everyone about you, they'll give you more work.

You deserve it.

You're a hero.

Stay here.

Shogun's retainers!

They're here again!

Run for it! They're here again!

What?

What do you want?

Get lost, murderer!

Get lost!

Whose dagger is this?

Mine.

lt's been missing.

So, it's you!

lf it's yours, you're the one who killed Shinpachi!

What?

Killed him?

You killed the old samurai, Hirano!

Yeah!

What, are you challenging us?

Sounds like fun.

We came to fight.

Let's do it.

Charge!

Dear!

What are you doing?

No one here?

l wonder what's going on.

Mr. Nakamura, what are you doing here?

Why do you care?

Can' t l sip tea?

lt's no time for tea!

The Shogun's retainers again.

There're a lot of people injured and dead, all the officers went to the village.

Really?

Nakamura!

You're late.

Mr. Nakamura!

Ofuku!

Ofuku!

lt's me, Nakamura, do you recognize me?

Your luck is returning.

Don't die.

l told you, the gods will punish me.

Ofuku!

Let me go!

Let go of me!

Give it up!

Listen, we only avenged our friends' deaths.

Why must we die?

Stop!

Fools!

Let me speak.

Magistrate Okuda started all this!

Kill them!

Out of my way!

What are you doing?

Damn it!

Why do we have to be evicted?

What did we do wrong?

Kick them out!

Hey, get moving!

Hurry!

Shut up!

Snap it up!

Walk!

Hurry, keep moving!

Move!

l said hurry!

Keep walking.

Officer, can we talk?

She ruined the quilts and bedding.

What a shame!

lt's a mess!

Stupid tramp!

Scatter purifying salt!

Yes.

lt was this morning.

She stabbed her heart with a kitchen knife.

No last words.

But l hear the balance, three in gold, went to the boss.

When she sold herself to raise the money, she'd already made up her mind.

lt must've been hard for her every night.

She put up with it to avenge her father.

She didn't intend to live.

Excuse us.

Excuse us.

Who are you?

You want to bury her by yourselves?

Yeah.

She was our acquaintance.

We don't mind, less work for us.

Sounds good.

Okay.

Revenge is avenger's work.

lf the targets are killed by the Shogunate, it's not revenge.

Oyumi's soul will never rest in peace.

You shouldn't have accepted it if you can't do the job.

The three in gold she gave her life for.

What'll we do about it?

Will you keep it until l finish?

What do you mean?

Like you said, her soul can't rest in peace.

But it's not for the same reason as yours.

But because the real killer is still alive.

What?

You're not lying, are you?

l saw what happened.

lt looked like the horse kicked the old samurai.

lt was a trick.

A guy who pretended to save the kid jumped in...

...and broke the old samurai's neck.

Why didn't you say sooner?

My job was to get rid of the targets for the clients.

But it's different now.

l wouldn't care if she were alive but l can't lie to somebody who's dead.

l'll kill the real murderer and come for the balance.

Wait.

You talking about the guy who uses cross-shaped daggers?

Yes.

Then, there's someone who's behind him, right?

lf you know why ask me?

Mother.

Ritsu, did you find him?

He's nowhere around.

l wonder where he is. He's nowhere around.

l wonder where he is.

l wonder where he is. Where could he have gone?

What's wrong?

Dear!

Son-in-law! Dear!

That boy is gone.

While Ritsu and l were in the kitchen...

He disappeared?

Yes, like the wind.

Did you see a man around?

A man with a black hat and a cape?

l don't think so.

Are you sure?

Yes, l'm sure.

l heard a noise and looked into the garden.

A noise?

Not a noise, more like...

Maybe a whistle.

l heard the whistle and...

...l left the room for a second then...

Where are you going? ...l left the room for a second then...

Where are you going?

Where are you going? Son-in-law!

Sis!

Stay here.

Dad never loses.

Dad!

Dad!

Choji, stay here, don't move.

Okay?

Sis!

Dad!

Cry!

Yell!

Call for help!

Cry...

...or l'll kill you.

Dad, don't come!

Dad!

Run!

Dad!

Dad!

Dad!

Dad!

Don't die, please!

Dad... Don't die, please!

l won't die.

l'm all right, help me up.

We made it again, right?

Maybe because Omitsu came back...

...we three could make it.

Dad.

What's wrong, be brave!

l still have one target left.

After l talked so big to the boss...

Do it for me.

l will, don't worry.

Omitsu...

Choji...

l'm going to take a nap for a while.

l'll wake up soon.

Then we'll go on another trip, the three of us.

Does it hurt, Dad?

Not really.

Like this, l feel so warm and nice.

l really feel great.

lt's too good for an avenger like me.

Dad!

Dad!

Dad!

Dad!

Officer...

lt's against the rules to do it for free.

Not free.

l'll do it too.

We shouldn't work without pay.

But doing nothing is worse.

We'll do it for his kids.

Let's go.

We don't know how numerous the enemy is, don't use the one-shot weapon.

We haven't got anything else.

Don't worry, l sell weapons in my store too.

What are these?

Grenades from Holland, don't pull the pins before tossing them.

l'll use these, let's go.

Magistrate, you're a fearful man.

You agitated those retainers and the paupers...

...and you cleared that slum in only ten days.

lt's hard to believe.

The Shogun is delighted.

He plans to build a temple there and dedicate it to Okiku.

l'm still amazed how pleased he is.

lt seems like you can read his mind.

A man so thoughtful will be a perfect majordomo for the Shogun.

l greatly appreciate your recommendation, sir.

lt was a short time, but the post of magistrate didn't suit me.

Maybe the job was too rough for a delicate man like you.

Anyway, let's have a drink.

Come closer.

Actually...

...l'd rather explain why l wanted to know about the Shogun and Okiku.

Oh, l'd like to hear.

Speak.

l'm the younger brother of Okiku...

...who was violated by the Shogun and killed herself.

What?

ls that true?

Yes, sir.

Then, why did you do all this?

The Shogun is the man who killed your sister.

Why be so loyal to him?

Guess why.

Don't tease me!

l don't know...

...what you're really thinking.

My sister's death taught me one thing...

Death is defeat.

So...

So?

You...

Why?

Now you know.

You've lost to me.

Just like the Shogun destroyed my sister.

What?

Then, do you intend to kill the Shogun for revenge?

You still don't get it?

l just use him to get us promoted.

Why would l want to bother him?

l've made it, so l don't need you anymore...

...or should l say you're in the way.

Thank you for everything though.

Why you...

Give up already.

We'll tell people that you had a stroke.

Your family won't be disgraced.

Die like a man.

Die, die, die, die, die, die...

At last.

What took you so long?

How many corpses do you have to leave behind?

Aren't you so cool?

These guys told me that you're one of the avengers, right?

Good, do your job!

Try for my head!

lntruders, come, everyone!

Hurry!

Hey you!

Damn it!

What's going on here?

Nothing serious.

Calm down.

B-But...

l said, calm down!

He's gone mad!

Hey you, come back here!

Come and get me!

Come on!

l still have my head.

Not bad.

You think that stump can reach my neck?

That's not fair...

Listen to the tragedy of poor Okiku...

Here.

Spend it in hell.