All language subtitles for Shadow.Hunters.1972

Toho Co., Ltd.

Ishihara Production

Shadow

Shadow Hunters

Official Notice The entire area from
here to the headwaters of the Izushi river...

...is strictly off-limits to all
persons. By Order of the County Magistrate

We have nothing more to lose.

All I have in this life is
what is covered by my cape.

I bare my fangs to survive,
but is this life? I bare my fangs...

The smell of blood draws
close the beasts called Shadow Hunters.

Ishihara Yujiro (as Muroto Jubei)

Uchida Ryohei (as Sunlight)
Narita Mikio (as Moonlight)

They're hounds from hell. For me
to live, the bloody wind must blow.

Blood must rain, my heart must freeze.

Swords shoot sparks,
I must bare my fangs, bare my fangs...

Beasts called Shadow Hunters,
over the blood-soaked land...

Directed by: Masuda Toshio

...once again they run.

Chief! We found it!

Open it.

Yes sir.

No doubt about it, it's gold.

As we suspected.

The rumours that the Izushi clan is digging
for gold in the mountains are well-founded.

When the Chief Elder hears
about this, at the very least...

...he'll force them to switch fiefs. And if we
find more problems, the clan will be abolished.

Those bumpkin samurai have
done all this for nothing.

Chief! Izushi samurai
are headed this way!

What?

Those mountain monkeys!

Listen. It's our duty to report our discovery to
the Chief Elder, even at the cost of our lives.

"150-ri =366 miles."
It's 150-ri to Edo. Don't blow it!

Sir!

We'll each carry some of the proof.

Yes sir.

When we leave Izushi territory,
we'll split into three groups.

We'll meet at the Yakuno Inn
in Fukuchi. Be there at dusk.

Let's go!

Hey. You're late.

What do you mean, samurai? We're just
simple pilgrims. What do you want?

You guys are government spies,
the so-called Shadows, aren't you?

How did you know?! Who
are you?! Name yourself!

I make my living hunting
shadows. They call me Moonlight.

What?

Here...

Hey...

You guys were faster than my horse!

That looks good.

What?! Who are you?

Man, I'm starving!

What rock did you crawl out from under?

I'm a Shadow Hunter. They call me Sunlight.

What?!

You can finish your dinner
in Hell. Say your prayers!

Come on in, Sir! Welcome!
Thanks for coming in.

Boss. Some urgent news!

What's the panic?

Koroku's team has been wiped out!

Junai's team as well!

Ridiculous! I'm not known
for my sense of humour!

No, there is no mistake.

We saw the Izushi samurai hauling off their corpses.

Boss... What should we do?

We'll retreat for now. Get ready!

Hurry up!

Move!

You're in our way, get out!

You have to pay your bill!

We'll pay it, just shut up!

Go, go!

Jackass, keep it down!

What a ruckus. Quiet down.

You've been living it up all day, but I let
it slide, as a courtesy to tired travellers.

But now you've become inconsiderately
loud. What's the story? Enough is enough.

What did you say?!

I didn't realize we had
a neighbour. My apologies.

We're in a hurry.
Please excuse the noise.

Wait.

Is that all you've got to say?

What do you mean? Is
my apology not enough?

Bastard. Are you...

Your deduction is correct.
I'm Jubei, the Shadow Hunter.

As the power of the Tokugawa Shogunate waned,
it came under increasing financial pressure.

The Shogunate government stopped at nothing to
maintain its power, and the dirtiest of its tricks...

... was to seize and absorb the properties and wealth of the Daimyo.

The Shogunate recruited a legion of
spies and ninja and used them to find...

...any misdeeds by the Daimyo that could be
used as a pretext for seizing their wealth.

People called these spies and ninja
Shadows, and greatly feared them.

The Daimyo had only one defence against the
oppressive surveillance of these Shadows...

...which was to first identify,
and then annihilate them...

...and thus, silence them before they
could betray the Daimyo's secrets.

And now, into this landscape, ride three ronin.

One was named Muroto Jubei, and the other two
called themselves Sunlight and Moonlight.

Hired by the Daimyo, they were
hunters, sent out to battle the Shadows.

And always, they followed their
noses, drawn by the scent of blood.

Izushi Castle, Tajima province

They're here.

Where is Makino, the
chamberlain of this province?

I'm Makino Zusho, the
castle chamberlain.

Get off your horses! How dare you
speak to my master from the saddle!

Kosaka! Be silent.

But...

Silence!

My apologies for his bad manners.

So you are the Shadow Hunters?

I'm Jubei. They are
Sunlight" and Moonlight.

Be welcome. Only this morning, our
checkpoint in the mountains was attacked.

We have been awaiting your arrival.

We are aware of the attack.

Then why are you arriving so late?

When you heard about the attack,
you should have rushed here!

You're ignorant of the way of the warrior!
You stray dogs aren't fit for this task!

What? What's this?

Chamberlain...
I believe these are yours.

Sunlight, you too.

Do I have to? Oh all right...

Shit, and me hoping I was
getting a perk this time. Here!

These are ours. How did you get them?

We started working as soon as
we heard about the commission.

We were greeted by Shadows before
we got here. It happens all the time.

That's why we were late. Please
forgive us for being tardy.

Kosaka... You accused
them of being insolent.

But when they were addressed, they
had their feet out of the stirrups.

They are very familiar with the way
of the warrior; that's rare, nowadays.

Forget about it. We're stray dogs, and used
to being treated as such. So, lead the way...

Dammit, they're making us wait so long. This
is why it's tough to get along with officials.

Be patient. It's part of the job.

These are the Shadow Hunters. They
have come in response to our appeal.

Wait.

What's the matter?

The presence of uncouth ronin such as
us is an offence to a noble young lord.

A mere glance at us is far more
recognition that we deserve.

You need not concern yourself so.

Are you the one called Jubei?

Yes.

I hear you are called
Sunlight and Moonlight.

I am gladdened by your presence here,
at this time of crisis for our clan.

We're honoured.

Jubei, the chamberlain
thinks you're our only hope.

Please endeavour to save
our six-hundred retainers.

We are at your service.

Lord?

Man, these formalities
always drive me nuts.

What's this?

I will be serving you during your
stay. Your wish will be my command.

Yeah!

Fine...

But we won't be requiring your services.

Hey Moonlight, lighten up. It's rude
to stop people from doing their jobs.

Well, miss. How about we
start with a little massage?

Enough, Sunlight. Control yourself.

Strong...

You're good. Do you do this a lot?

Yes. I give my father
massages all the time.

Really? How outrageous of your dad.

Making you massage his wrinkled
body with those pretty hands!

In contrast, you should see my body.

How about you go to work on it, eh?

Please stop joking. How am I
supposed to give you your massage?

Okay then. How about we switch
roles? Don't be shy, now...

I'll have you know, I'm
especially nice to the ladies.

Without further delay, we will
now pay you the promised sum.

We're a small clan, located
deep in the mountains.

Please accept our apologies for
the poor quality of our hospitality.

You are too kind. We ronin
are unworthy of such formality.

Hey, Chamberlain, she sure was a fine surprise. I
was getting sick of being around guys all the time.

You shouldn't have!

I am glad you are pleased.

Koyuki. Serve them well.

Yes, I shall, father.

Father? You mean to say you're... um...

She's my daughter, Koyuki.
A most rebellious child.

Yes sir.

Let me continue your massage.

Nah, I'm all better now. H... hey.
Jubei... Let me continue your massage.

Chamberlain. You allow
family members in your castle?

My wife died long ago. Since then I have
been a single father to an only child.

I thought it would be better for her to
tend to castle duties, rather than stay home.

Ah, yes. Our young lord has
taken a shine to you, Jubei.

Why, he told me, I know
we can count on him!"

I suspect that you were once
a nobleman of some renown.

Sorry to disappoint you, but
I'm just a wandering ronin.

I choose to forget my
past, if you don't mind.

My apologies for prying.

Now then. What is the next move?

Please advise me.

Shadow-hunting cannot be planned.

It's foolish to hope they won't come.

So all we can do is wait.

Edo Castle

Chief Elder.

Jinba Senjuro, leader of the third
Iga Ninja group, reporting as ordered.

Very good. So tell me.

Regarding the case of the
Izushi clan in Tajima...

How is the investigation going?

Sir.

It is now clear that the
Izushi clan has struck gold.

Here is the proof.

So you've found it?

I would have brought five or six more.

But the Shadow Hunters showed up.

The Shadow Hunters?

Curses!

Actually...

...that sample comes
from a top secret source.

To ensure that our agent's
cover would remain intact...

...we staged a diversion to conceal
the true source of the sample.

Those Shadow Hunters...

Those obnoxious bastards who dare to
oppose the authority of the Shogunate...!

Have you determined their identities?

We have made some inquiries.

Their leader is Muroto Jubei.

The one named Sunlight is Inui Tadanoshi,
and Moonlight is Kusaba Denosuke.

Shadow operations destroyed their clans.
Thus, we believe they are motivated by revenge.

Investigate their
backgrounds more deeply.

Perhaps we'll uncover their weaknesses.

As for the Izushi clan...

...their efforts have been wasted.

For a small fief of 58,000 koku to dig for gold...

...must have meant many
sacrifices and much hardship.

The fief is located
deep in the mountains.

For the past several years...

...everyone, even the leaders, have had
to subsist on a diet of millet and beans.

Gold like this is wasted
on those mountain monkeys...

...especially when the Shogunate
is in such dire straits.

So, shall we move against
the Izushi clan without delay?

We shall force them to switch fiefs.

Ideally, I would want them
crushed, but there's a problem.

This just came to my attention.

Many years ago, at a battle
in Osaka, an ancestor of...

...the current chamberlain, Makino Yukie,
was recognised for outstanding valour.

The Izushi clan received a special
dispensation, for multiple generations...

...and their fief was granted to them in
perpetuity under the seal of Shogun Ieyasu himself.

I had not heard of this.

Of course, if the existence of
the grant were public knowledge...

...we would have found an opportunity, some
- time in the last 150 years, to destroy it.

But the chamberlains of the Izushi
clan have been wise, and cautious.

Having managed to safeguard the document,
they will use it as a last resort.

That does present a problem.
The Shogun's seal is sacrosanct.

If they were to produce that document,
we would be utterly powerless.

However, I must have that gold.

We must use extreme tactics.

The document must never
see the light of day.

Understand?

Izushi fief, Edo residence.

Were counting on you.

A few days later, couriers from the Edo
residence of the Izushi fief raced towards home.

Good grief. We watch the fief by day...

...and the castle by
night. I'm getting worn out.

Express couriers.

Something must've happened in Edo.

We'd better get back.

Stop.

What is it?

You don't look familiar. What
brings you to town? What is it?

I...

Shoji.

She might be mixed up with the Shadow Hunters.
She was paying close attention to them.

Don't bring her to the administrative
office. Bring her to the usual place.

After I'm done hearing what the couriers have
to say, I'll question her myself. Understood?

Yes sir.

Five days ago, Nitta, the chief retainer
of our Edo residence, was summoned...

...by the Chief Elder
and given this command.

Change fiefs? How unjust!

I suspect that the Chief Elder...

...got hold of some of the gold.

But that's impossible.

Our gold is for emergencies only.
Not one bar should be missing.

Then why would they want to take
control of this impoverished land?

Lord Makino, what shall we do?

We've worked hard for our gold mines.
And now we must leave them behind.

If we were to refuse a change of fief,
we would need a convincing reason.

We have such a reason.

What kind of reason do you speak of?

We can refuse. We have
reason for refusal.

This is Shogun Leyasu's seal on a guarantee,
in perpetuity, of our right to this fief.

I see.

With that, they could neither crush
the fief, nor make the clan leave it.

Why didn't you just whip that out sooner?
There'd be no need for Shadow-hunting.

You're a happy simpleton.

Say what?!

This kind of thing is a
double-edged sword.

At first, the Shogunate will fear you will use
it. Then they will decide it needs to be destroyed.

My thoughts exactly.

And the problem is, that
document must be presented in Edo.

Will you guard the
carrier of the document?

It's 150-ri to Edo. That's
a heck of a long haul.

Inspector-General Kosaka
Kurando is to carry the document.

The Inspector-General...?

That guy?

Hey Jubei, I'm outta here.
That smug bastard pisses me off.

Though you do not get along with him...

...he's the finest
swordsman in our clan.

I acknowledge the gravity of the
situation. But our lives are also at stake.

Please give us this one night to decide.

I am old and frail. Our lord is but a boy. You
are the only ones who can help. I beseech you.

I remember. When I was young...

...about to become a chamberlain,
like my father before me...

But... after what happened...
my father committed suicide...

...and I, with my own hands...

What a travesty. The government laid its hungry
eyes on the abundant prosperity of our fief.

They used Shadows to plant evidence
to be uncovered. My clan was abolished.

As for our lord and his heir...

Farewell, Chitose.

Chitose. She was the daughter of a
chief retainer; he was my father's peer.

She and I vowed to each other
that someday we'd get married.

Jubei.

Yes?

Jubei. It is farewell
forever. Let me see your face.

Jubei. You have taken good care of me,
for a long time. I shall never forget it.

Hurry up! Hurry up!

Damn the accursed
government and its officials.

Jubei. If you are the one acting as
my second, then I will not be afraid.

I will not be afraid.

Young Lord. There is
nothing to fear. I, Jubei...

...will guide you.

Like this, Jubei? Is this how?

What's up, Jubei? Not feeling well?

You look pale.

No. It's nothing.

Good. Anyway, what are we
going to tell him tomorrow?

What will you guys do?

Count me out. I want nothing to
do with that Inspector bastard.

But I've got a soft
spot for the Chamberlain.

If only my clan had had
a Chamberlain like him...

...Maybe we wouldn't have wound up like
this. Jubei, what was your clan like?

What's the matter, Jubei?

I'm taking on the job. I can't speak
for you guys; it's your decision.

Hey, Shadow Hunter! Why didn't
you kill them?! Scared, were you?

Don't bother. Can't you see
they've burned off their faces?

It's too bad.

What?

You should've let Jubei handle it.
It's stupid to kill Shadow scouts.

Scouts? What do you mean, scouts?"

Don't you know anything?

Shadows always send in scouts to
retrieve grass and intelligence.

Grass?

Don't you know
about grass either?

Government Ninja spies have been embedded
at strategic locations for generations.

They live among you, as
loyal samurai, get married...

...and pass their spy
heritage on to their children.

Are you saying that there is a
government spy in the Izushi clan?

Of course. Somebody in this
castle, someone here tonight.

That's enough. The scouts
are dead; it's too late now.

They're coming. Here they are!

Dismount. We must discuss
our route before we depart.

Did you hear me?

We have nothing to discuss.

What?

It's 150-ri to Edo. You get going, and
we'll see how fast you can get there.

We'll be watching. If anybody acts suspicious,
or steps out of line, we'll kill him.

That's all we have to say. We'll
head out first. Good luck...

Sir Jubei.

I have followed you everywhere.
I just had to see you.

And now, finally, here you are.
Please dismount. Please dismount!

Please, wait!

Miss. What is your connection to
Jubei? Are you his woman? Or are you...

What a revolting suggestion.
Jubei is my enemy.

Jubei is your enemy? How interesting.

I beseech you.

What is it?

I see that you are about
to depart with Muroto Jubei.

Please take me with you.

I cannot do that.

Time is of the essence; we
can't take a woman along.

I won't be a burden to you.

No. It's too treacherous
for a woman. However...

This is our route. It's not
exact, but we'll stay close to it.

What about them?

If you can catch up with us, we'll
listen to what you've got to say.

Man, she was a looker!
She had class, and taste.

And yet, you rejected her.

Jubei, you're an idiot. In the dictionary,
next to moron," there's a woodcut of you.

It's a sin to spurn such a beauty!

Shut up.

Jubei.

Father!

Muroto Naizen and I failed to thwart the
Shadows; we will atone by taking our own lives.

You too, along with your betrothed, Muroto
Jubei, must valiantly join us in the void. "

Do you understand? Die valiantly!

Jubei. Why didn't you die with me?

Jubei...

Day one, day two, day three...
leaving no trace of passing...

...the party took a
meandering route towards Edo.

What a hot day. Boss, we've found them.

Really?

After sleeping rough the last three
days, tonight they're staying at an inn.

It is as I expected. Prepare our men.

They will be ready by this evening.

We can stay only until around midnight.

Get ready quickly.

I just want to stretch out.

Get me some hot sake.

Hey, you guys made it!
Have you just arrived?

You're all here. Good.

How did you bastards
know we were coming here?

Never mind. The Shadows
will be here soon.

Man I'm stuffed. I'm in heaven.

Jubei. Think they're coming?

Should be. Anytime now.

Their route is stupid. Too many roundabouts,
it's wasting time, and people are noticing.

They think it'll throw their pursuers
off the scent. What a bunch of clowns.

That's why we're baby
- sitting them.

They're good for business.

Good evening. Shall
I take the trays now?

Yeah... you can take them.

Yes.

Hey, I'll give you a hand.

Thank you.

So... do you live here?

Yes. I'm a distant relative.

Yes. I'm a distant relative. I
see. So, where's your husband?

Don't tell me you're not married.

He died in the epidemic,
almost a year ago.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Life's been tough, huh? You can't take
all these by yourself. I'll help you.

But you shouldn't...

Come on, leave it to me.
Jubei, be right back.

Are you all right?

He's about to pop a vein.

I'll take a look around the house.

I'll keep watch from outside.

So, please tell me. Who was this
girl that looked just like me?

She wasn't particularly
impressive, but she sure was cute.

I was in charge of food; she was the kitchen
- maid. I was so innocent in those days.

We were in love, but we
didn't even hold hands.

And?

And? What a waste.

I proposed and got
her parent's blessing.

But three days before our
wedding, an incident occurred.

What happened?

Our Daimyo got food poisoning. My
fiancé was accused of being the poisoner.

How terrible.

It's ridiculous. Why would a lowly
kitchen maid do something like that?

It was government spies.
We call them Shadows.

Thanks to them, the Daimyo died, his clan was
crushed, and we were all reduced to beggary.

What happened to the girl?

Who knows? Some say she died in prison.
Others that she got sold into prostitution.

Poor girl.

That's why when I meet a girl who
reminds me of her, I just can't stand it.

You really look like her. Your lips...

...those eyes... what a dead ringer!

Can you understand how I feel?

You understand, right?

I understand. I too am a woman.

I'm just happy you view me that way.

Yeah. I understand.

Don't... don't...

Alert! Alert!

What's going on?

I can't find my sword!

Get up. Get up now!

Me either!

Where's my sword?

You guys are useless. Get out of here!

This guy... was a Shadow of great skill.

They're sending their best against us.

Open the door.

Open the door!

It doesn't open,
Jubei! What should I do?

Open up!

Hand over the document. Now!

No! You mustn't!

It's you!

Looks like we've fooled the Ninjas.

These uppercrust mansions are
like castles, chock full of tricks.

Of course, they never
tell you about them.

You guys are pretty good.

Inspector General, hurry! Hurry!

What's going on around here?

He was the government spy!

All right. Gotcha. Hurry, hurry!

Wait. There's a woman down there. She's
my girl, so don't you lay a finger on her!

Not bad!

Who's next?

Where's the Inspector General?

Down there. Wait a second. He'd
better not be trying to seduce her!

Good work last night. We're leaving now.

Go ahead.

We could accompany you.

Don't bother.

I understand.
We'll go by ourselves.

Oh, Sunlight...

What, me?

As a token of gratitude, I left a rare gift
in the room; something I found this morning.

A gift? Wow, I never get gifts.

It's not for you. It's for Jubei.

What the heck was that all about?

Chitose.

Please die.

Please die with me!

Enough. Stop!

Jubei. Is your life so precious that
you'll do anything to preserve it?

Life? My life...

I've never given it any thought.

Hey...

It's the woman, that woman! That's
what he meant by the rare gift. "

I hope not. When it comes to women,
Jubei's sword" isn't up to the task.

Yeah. You have a point. But I wonder,
is his sword really that blunt?

That's what I hear. A man's
body eventually fails him.

Being let down by your own sword... It
gives me the willies just thinking about it.

Your sword's already letting you
down; you pull it out too often.

Sometimes your body just won't do what
you tell it to. Life is so hard sometimes.

We live in an age of broken swords.

I see. So that was your
father's last request...

For you to die with me.

I left his body, and went
straight to your house.

You weren't there.

After I seconded our young
lord, I didn't return to my home.

I heard about my father's
death only later, from others.

I have been looking for
you. All these years!

I've endured much hardship,
as a woman travelling alone.

I have become a travelling minstrel...

...and my body has been desecrated.

Only one thing sustained me... the
hope that we could die together.

...that I could die together with Jubei.

But what will our deaths accomplish?

Our mutual death is all we have left.

My father and your father were
mere pawns in the game of power.

They lost their fief, and then their
lives. I won't say that they were foolish.

But... I don't have much
respect for them, either.

That's because... they let everything
fall into the hands of the enemy.

But they died valiantly, as warriors
should. That's the samurai way.

But not mine.

I cannot just die, and
let them have their way.

Until my last breath, I will kill them.

I don’t know how much
longer I will endure.

I don't know whether
I will have any effect.

But... I will live for that purpose.

What do you think that will accomplish?

Will it do anything to cleanse
the stain on your honour?

The stain on my honour...

I didn't follow my master's
death and now I hunt Shadows.

I have to admit that makes
for quite a stain. But...

Every shadow I kill, the more I
feel there's a meaning to my life.

So you will not grant me my wish?

Is it because I have been defiled?

I care not for mere appearances.

We are both defiled; you in
body, and I as a Shadow Hunter.

I won't tell you that you should keep on
living. One day, seize your chance, and kill me.

Kill me... then die.

From Ise to Mikawa, they raced
eastwards on the great Tokaido highway.

Meanwhile, the Shadows, who had
suffered an agonizing defeat...

...were conspicuously absent... for now.

Do you think the Izushi
party will come this way?

Do you doubt me?

If they go to Suruga on the Tokaido,
their next stop should be Hakone.

So why would they go the
long way on the Koshu route?

Don't worry, they'll come.

I don't care how good those Shadow Hunters are,
they're no match for ol' Ikkaku's scythe and chain.

They're coming!

Hurry! Hold out until the next
station. I'll hire horses for you there.

Lord Kosaka.

What?

Don't you think it's odd that all the
stations off the Tokaido were out of horses?

It's a Shadow ploy. That's why
we're taking the Koshu route instead.

It's just as the boss said.

Shadow Hunters!

This is too lame for words!
Why must they take the long way?

They're like stubborn children.

We know their route.
We have to outride them.

Leaving the Tokaido, the party
followed the Fuji river into Koshu.

From there they took the Koshu
route, and headed towards Edo.

Musashi province: Kobotoke Pass

Looks like we went the wrong way.

But we followed the guide posts.

What if the posts were tricks? Doesn't
matter. Sunlight, take a look around.

All right, will do.

Easy, boy.

Okay...

Anybody around?

Anyone here?

Let's go.

Whoa there!

What did you find?

It's bad. Where's Moonlight?

He went to check on the
party. He'll be right back.

That farm house up there...
the whole family's been killed!

You said the place was
deserted. So who are they?

That's impossible. There was
no one there a minute ago.

Were you dreaming or something?

Welcome. I am the elder.
Have you lost your way?

If our humble house will do, you
are welcome to spend the night.

We would appreciate it. We
lost our way in the mountains.

I am glad we found you.

Maybe you've lost your marbles.

Maybe so. I'm not so
sure of myself anymore.

We've never been sure of you...

Please be welcome in our humble abode.

Yeah, it's not all that bad...

Let me wash those for you...

Wow, you're pretty.

Meet me later tonight, after you've
done all your work... Okay? Huh? Huh?

Murasaki.

Tend the fire tonight. Make sure
the hot water does not run out.

Yes sir.

So how do you like the
house of the living dead?

They told me that their ancestors
were members of the tragic Heike clan.

So it's no surprise that you saw ghosts.

You're getting on my nerves. So what?

Well, thanks to your hallucinations,
we don't have to camp outdoors.

Aw, shut up. This is
bullshit. Jubei, I'm going out.

Be careful. Mountain
women can be fearsome.

All right.

It's getting cold. I'm
going to sit by the fire.

Very well.

I put some water in here,
because their food was very salty.

Better safe than sorry.

It's been a while since we
last slept in a proper bed.

I can't wait to drink sake in Edo.

I will leave the hot water here.
Please let me know when it runs out.

Thanks. You've been
thoroughly accommodating.

For those not used to our mountain
climate, it must be chilly.

Indeed, but I'm feeling depressed
tonight. The fire gives me comfort.

Is that so?

You must think of me as a weak samurai.

Oh not at all. But why are you sad?

Three years ago today, my
wife and child were murdered.

How cruel.

Indeed. I saw their agonized bodies. I
can still see them, as if it just happened.

But... why...?

It was my fault. I sheltered
a comrade who was a fugitive.

I believed him when he said
he had gotten in a fight.

But he was a spy for the government.

He was a secret Ninja;
what we call a Grass. '

After I left to get him money for the road,
they surrounded the house and set it ablaze.

That spy betrayed my wife, who was
sick in bed, and my small child.

He got away.

So your wife and child...

They were found embracing each other.

I had to run. I couldn't even
give them a decent burial.

Within six months, our
fief had been crushed.

Sir samurai. Perhaps I can satisfy you.

Let me comfort you.

Do with me as you please.

I guess I babbled too
much. Forget what I said.

Something's wrong with me tonight.
You reminded me of my dead wife.

Sir... How about some tea?

No, thanks. I've got
some clean spring water.

Your skin's so pretty. It draws me in.

Such beautiful large breasts,
too. Oh! You're irresistible!

All right. Here I go!

Man, that's good. Water
tastes sweeter after sex!

Hey. Hey, come and
drink some water with me.

Don't be shy, come on down.

Ku-re-nai!

Did I go the right way? Hey,
Kurenai! Kurenai, sweetie!

Kurenai. What a name! It
means, You can't have my heart.

Jubei. Are you awake?

Yeah. You too?

I can't sleep. There's something
fishy about all of this.

I agree.

The dinner wasn't poisoned.
I examined it carefully.

What do you make of the
corpses Sunlight supposedly saw?

Do you believe him?

Something about what he said... that
there were kids and elderly among the dead.

But among those living here...

...there are no kids and no
elderly folk. Why is that?

Kids...?

Without children, family lineages cease.

Oh. You're up.

Woman. You tricked me.

What do you want from me?

Speak! You're a Shadow, aren't you?

So what if I am? Can you kill a woman?

I can. I can kill
women, and even children.

Don't!

How cruel...

I make a virtue of cruelty.

Come.

Strong tea...

I wonder where the Inspector
General has gotten to...

Hey. What happened here?

Have you seen the Inspector General?

I saw him.

...I saw him going up the mountain
all by himself when I got lost.

Damn. Why did he do that?

What are you talking
about? He was headed up...

...but I had to go the other way.
I was lost all night, you know.

This place is a death-trap!

Hey, what are we going to do about them?

H... hey!

There's a ton of corpses under those bushes.
They're the ones I saw. I'm sure of it.

Shut up. Keep your trap shut.

I'm sure they are.
But you teased me like...

He saw Heike ghosts. He's
an airhead. Yeah, right.

You guys didn't believe me!

Which way do we go?

I don't have a clue.

This is bad. He's got the document.

This area looks suspicious.
Be extra careful.

Yeah, sure. I'm not an idiot, you know!

Woops! The ground feels strange; it might
be a trap. All right, I'm gonna move.

Lets get out of the woods.

Shadow Hunter! I've been waiting
for you. Prepare yourself!

Regrettable. Our trap has failed.

Recall the rest of our men.

Yes Sir!

Here you are, Jubei.

Inspector General Kosaka Kurando.
So you are the true grass.

I suspected as much.

And now that you know,
you must definitely die.

Get him!

Sir!

You're good with the
sword, Shadow Hunter.

And yet... I'll bet you
can't dodge a bullet.

Interesting. But you only have
one shot. One of us will get shot.

And then the rest of
us will kill all of you.

Oh? And where are the rest of you?"

My, such camaraderie. I guess
you don't want to die alone.

If you don't want to die, flee. Will it
be you? Or is it you who wants to die?

Take your pick.

You can shoot me. How about that?

Jubei. Please die.

If you die, I will gladly join you.

All right. As you wish.

Damn you!

You've defeated us... but know
this... soon it will be your turn!

Is that all you've got to say?

Heed my words.

Sooner or later, the government will...

...leave your corpses lying where
they fell, just as you have done to us.

That's right. Your path
can only lead to hell!

Jubei.

Have you no other path in life?

Jubei. I am the daughter of a samurai.

And I wanted to be a samurai's wife.

I am content.

I want you to live.

Shadow Hunters... Shadow Hunters are...

...ruthless beasts.

We Shadow Hunters are
nothing but ruthless beasts.

Hey. Bury her.

Why do I have to do it?

Girls are your specialty.
Do it, then follow.

Guess so. All right, I'll do it.

Merciful Buddha... Merciful Buddha...

Easy boy.

I prayed for her, and gave
her a respectful burial.

I'm obliged. Maybe it'll be me
tomorrow. Do the same for me.

Okay... no problem.

And what happens if it's you?

To get your reward in Heaven, you
need to do good deeds in this life.

That's why I try to make women happy...
by letting them play with my sword!

The End