Original subtitles

Toho Co., Ltd.

A Toho Co., Ltd. / Ishihara Productions Production

"Shadow"

"Shadow Hunters"

Shadow Hunters: Echo of Destiny

Government Offices: Sakurada, Edo.

Produced by: Ishihara Yujiro Okuda Kikumaru Kobayashi Masahiko

Original work by Saito Takao Saito Productions (Serialized in Shukan Post) Screenplay: Ikegami Kanao

Cinematography: Kanau Mitsuji Art Direction: Kobayashi Masayoshi Recording: Sato Yasuhiro Lighting: Fujibayashi Ko Editing: Watanabe Shiro

Music: Ishihara Yujiro, Tamaki Hiroki Theme song: Teichiku Records, "Shadow Hunters" Lyrics: Yasutomi Yasushi Composer: Osawa Yasuro Arrangement: Kotani Mitsuru Singer: Ishihara Yujiro

Costume Design: Yagyu Etsuko Assistant Director: Katagiri Yasuo Props: Koyama Teruyoshi Set Decoration: Yamamoto Kenichiro Matsumoto Yoshiharu Production Manager: Otake Katsuhiko

Swordfight Choreography: Kuze Ryu Stunts: Shishido Daizen & Group Still Photos: Nakayama Akira Cooperation: Seishu Shochikubai

Casting: Daimon Minoru, Arai Gan-e Costumes: Dai-ichi Costumes Kyoto Costumes Wigs: Yamadaya Props Supply: Takatsu Eiga Props Film Developing: Tokyo Laboratories.

Starring

Ishihara Yujiro (as Muroto Jubei)

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

Natsu Junko - Kato Yoshi - Aoki Yoshiro

Fukae Shoki - Carousel Maki - Shiraki Mari Takagi Jiro - Sahara Kenji

Kariya Shunsuke - Ito Keiryo - Kasai Kazuhiko Natsuki Hyoe - Matsuyama Shinichi Kahara Bumon - Miyashita Junko

Isayama Hiroko - Seto Yuki - Yagi Junko Yamagishi Emiko - Fukida Reik Fuji Megumi - Maki Keiko

Oomaeda Takeshi - Mori Ryuji - Kimura Shohei Otani Kazuo - Kuwata Tetsuya Ai Koji - Sawa Mitsuru

Hika Kazuko - Saeki Minako - Suzuki Etsuko Takase Michiko - Nishimura Yuitsu Takasugi Ryo

Tanba Tetsuro

Directed by: Masuda Toshio

Seppuku: Ritual suicide. Ishine Tojizai, master of the Iga Ninjas, has committed seppuku.

They are all dead. He failed to execute the task that was assigned to him.

His incompetence resulted in the loss of many men.

He deserved his fate.

He deserved his fate. As you say.

The Shadow Hunters plague us; just three ronin, and yet they have decimated our ranks.

I am the newly appointed master of the Shogunate Secret Service.

My name is Domoto Mukaku of the Iga clan. And at my side is...

Kunoichi: Female ninja. ...Maki, mistress of the Kunoichi.

Acknowledged.

Rojuu: The government minister in charge of the political affairs of the Tokugawa shogunate. The Rojuu has given you a mission...

Yes, they have...

The destruction of the clan of Mori Igamori; I have received my instructions.

As the Shadow Overseer, I depend on you to ensure this does not happen again.

Of course, sir.

And as for that obnoxious trio of stray dogs, the Shadow Hunters...

Yummy.

You're irresistible!

Talk about a man-eater! You're so hot!

You bitch... you're a Kunoichi, aren't you?

That was a Koga technique, the "poison kiss."

You've finally shown your true colors! But alas!

I used this piece of cotton to absorb your poison!

I'm glad we decided to stay in a cheap dive with torn mattresses!

Fuck you, Sunlight!

Here they come.

Whoops. I'm unsheathed!

Five-three, even!

That wasn't good.

That wasn't good. They're on a roll. I can't win for losing.

It's not my night.

It's not my night. I'll give it a whirl.

I'll give it a whirl.

Two-six, even! I'll give it a whirl.

Double-six, even.

Sir samurai.

Sir samurai. What?

I've sold everything, from my late husband's memorial altar, to my shabby house.

I've risked it all, and lost it all.

What a shame.

What a shame. Please, won't you give me one more chance?

I'm a traveler. I can't give you a loan.

I'll trade my body, then. For a night... or two, if you insist.

Very well. One more time, for all my winnings.

Are you ready?

Your decision.

Your decision. I say even.

I say even.

And thus, it's odd for me. I say even.

Are you guys Shadows?

Quite an elaborate show. But the leading lady's eyes were dead from the start.

Even.

I win again.

Excuse me.

The moon is lovely tonight.

I love the chirping of the insects.

This is the "spring of longevity."

They say it's a taste of heaven here on earth.

Yeah. I guess.

Well, if I stay in any longer, I'll pass out.

See you later.

And so, heaven turns into hell.

As the Tokugawa Shogunate entered its final years...

...the government tottered on the brink of bankruptcy.

To prop up the Shogunate, they posted spies, ninja called "Shadows", throughout the land...

...to uncover any Daimyo misdeeds, providing a pretext for the seizure of their estates.

Into this era of chaos and deceit rode three exceptional ronin...

The leader, Muroto Jubei, and his friends, known only as "Sunlight" and "Moonlight."

Hired by the Daimyo, they hunted the hunters, and were the nemesis of the Shadows.

The scent of blood in the air was an irresistible lure to these men.

What the heck. I mean, we've come all the way to Bungo province...

...crossed the border, and nobody was there to greet us.

And now we've gotten lost looking for a shortcut!

Things are looking grim.

Quit yapping. At least we aren't being greeted by Shadows.

Well, if they're as sexy as that kunoichi, I don't mind at all!

When will you ever learn? Your addiction to sex will get you killed one day.

Huh?

Stop right there! Don't move!

Here they come.

They must be the bombers.

Shall we take them on?

No, they might be from the fief. Let's not complicate matters.

Yeah, I agree. Besides, I don't like guns.

Fire!

Stop.

What is it?

It looks like a broken cannonball.

Ridiculous! Cannons have been forbidden since the dawn of the Shogunate.

You don't know anything, do you?

Long ago, this clan showed great valor in battle, destroying a castle keep in Osaka. As a reward...

...they were made the guardians of a cannon called 'Shikainami.' It is their sacred duty.

Bungo: Saeki Castle

There's no mistake; this is a cannon armory.

It was a cinch to sneak in. What if Shadows come sniffing around?

Country samurai are too laid back. All right, let's see this government-licensed cannon.

So where's the cannon?

Over there. Look.

"Cannon Shikainami" Cannon Shikainami.

What did you say? The Shikainami's been destroyed?

Yes sir. The cannon has been melted down.

There is not a trace of it remaining.

How dare you! What have you done? Shikai- nami was the treasure of our clan!

Treasure it may have been, but a cannon is only useful in battle.

150 years have passed since the Shikainami was made.

If we ever had to use it, it would be useless; it would fail us when we needed it the most!

What are you talking about? The civil war days are over.

It will never actually be used. What matters is that we have the cannon in the first place!

This is a matter of life and death for our clan.

Shuri.

My lord.

You notified us earlier of an upcoming official inspection of the cannon.

As you say.

As you say. Chamberlain! Is this so?

It seems clear that the Shogunate has learned of what has happened.

It is the only explanation why, after 150 years, they suddenly need to inspect the cannon.

When will the inspection take place?

When will the inspection take place? Next month... in about twenty days.

We've only got twenty days? What was the iron of Shikainami used for?

There was a shortage of good metal.

Metal? What for?

Are you familiar with Shibatsuji Dosai? He's the descendant of a renowed civil-war gunsmith.

I know nothing of him.

I know nothing of him. This Bessho here has become completely...

...obsessed with the cannon. Thus, he invited this Shibatsuji Dosai...

...to undertake the construction of a new cannon.

A new cannon?

Shogun leyasu's prohibition against the making of firearms is still strictly enforced.

Despite this, we've made a cannon!

If they get proof, our fief will be forfeit, and our clan abolished.

Shuri! Knowing this, you nevertheless permitted him to proceed?!

No. By the time I heard about it, Shikainami had already been melted down.

I figured our best option was to complete the new cannon, and pass it off as the original.

Thus have I kept the matter under wraps, until now.

But now that the government is watching us, do you think we can pull it off?

That'll depend on how big your balls are!

How dare you violate our privacy! Who's there?!

My apologies for the rude interruption.

Which one of you is Sir Hoshino?

I am senior chamberlain Hoshino Shuri. Are you the Shadow Hunters?

We have accepted your invitation; I am Jubei. They are "Sunlight" and "Moonlight."

We've already begun our work. Our inspection here has found no trace of Shadow activity.

We were able to do this without being detected. You guys are some seriously sloppy samurai!

Insolence! Chamberlain! Who are they?

As they said, they are the infamous Shadow Hunters. They are here at my invitation.

If I may be so bold, I implore you to leave this matter in my hands.

As ordered, I have dispatched ten Ninja into the castle.

We're a half-day late.

Huh?!

The Shadow Hunters are already at the castle.

We have no excuse, sir. This bastard here was watching the road, but they still got past him.

Step forward.

Further forward.

You do it! We're half a day late. How many lives will that cost us?

Retreat!

Hold it!

How sad for you. I pray you don't catch a cold in the next life.

"Musashi the bee, alas he died..."

I am honored to accept the money you promised us.

That was a close call. A half-day later and we would have been lost.

No. It's far too soon to let down your guard.

The main problem is transporting the cannon back here.

And the Shadows. When you go to Mt. Kata- muki to fetch it, they will surely attack.

That's the fastest and easiest way for them to crush our clan.

Look at that. I'm starting to think we didn't ask for enough money!

Yeah. Just look at this road. Hey, Jubei. Think we can do this?

Can we do it? We'll never know unless we try.

Yeah, sure!

Maybe we should just bugger off.

Guess we can't do that to them...

Welcome. Come this way. Welcome.

Welcome. Come this way. Welcome. Well be here for a while.

Well be here for a while.

I'll show you the way to the well. Well be here for a while.

I'll show you the way to the well.

I'll show you the way to the well. Oh, you have a well, great!

Oh, you have a well, great!

The well is right over here. Oh, you have a well, great!

Please bring your horses this way.

First things first. Let's have a look at this cannon.

So this is it.

So this is it. It's bigger than mine!

It's bigger than mine!

So what do you think of my cannon? It's bigger than mine!

I am Shibatsuji Dosai.

Thank you for coming all this way.

This is an ordinary cannonball. It destroys what it hits.

And this canister round is shaped like a tube.

It is filled with fifty or sixty small iron pellets.

It's also called "scatter-shot;" the hailstorm of pellets will kill men and horses.

But I have succeeded in combining both kinds of ammunition.

We tested it the other day; its power was awesome.

Oh yeah. So that's what those explosions were.

To make a thick, long, and straight cannon has been a long-cherished ambition of mine.

The caliber is large, and the barrel is extra-Iong.

It shoots straight and far; I flatter myself that it is the finest cannon ever made in Japan.

It's thick, it's long, fine, whatever. How are we supposed to take that monster back with us?

Building the cannon was my problem. Delivering it is yours.

You got that right.

I hope you are enjoying our home-made wine. Please have as much as you like.

Much obliged.

Much obliged. I've been waiting for you.

Every time you come and go, my heart goes pitter-pat.

I get so excited I can't eat or drink at all! Come sit with me. Please.

How can you be so pretty and still be single? What's the story?

I've been far too busy, helping my father with his work.

That delicate body, doing the grueling work of a gun-smith?

Ah, just hearing that makes my sensitive heart ache!

Listen. Since you work so hard, why not work hard on a man like me?

My weapon isn't as big as that cannon, but it's still quite impressive.

What are you doing Keisuke?

Aren't you going to bed? I've been waiting.

I told you, you have to sleep by yourself tonight. You're such a handful!

You're still up? It's all right, come here. Let grandpa give you a hug.

No way, grandpa. You don't feel soft and fluffy like auntie, and you don't smell nice like her!

This kid really speaks his mind, doesn't he?

Leave me alone! I'm not even drunk yet!

I'll take charge of making the cart. I'm sure there's a carpenter somewhere nearby.

I guess that means I'm in charge of finding the ox to pull it.

I'll explore the mountain passes from here to the castle. We need to settle on a route.

Yeah, but who's going to guard the house?

That's right. If none of us are here, it will be a problem.

I have an idea that will deal with that.

Who are you?

Be quiet. I am Domoto Mukaku, the Shadow that you seek, and Shogunate spymaster.

Shadows never disclose their names, or permit themselves to be seen.

Since I have done so, you can be sure I have a very good reason.

Get out!

No one is allowed to enter!

Sir Bessho, what's happening?

Even I do not know. Our chamberlain...

...has ordered us to obey the Shadow Hunters without question.

What are you doing with my cannon? What's the meaning of this?

Master Dosai, it's wrapped and ready to go. Don't touch it.

This is my cannon!

Master Dosai, please.

Master Dosai, please. You can't just do what you want with it!

Making the cannon was your problem. Guarding it is ours.

What?!

From now on, you must do as we say.

What do you want?

Sir. I wish I didn't have to do this...

...but I have yet more to ask of you.

What now?

You must burn every diagram, every note... everything you have about the cannon.

And one more thing...

After you destroy all the evidence...

...you, Miya and Dotaro must go away somewhere until the cannon is gone.

You mean we have to leave our home?

That's correct.

Hold it. There's something I want to say.

We agreed to let you protect us from the Shadows.

But I never consented to the removal of the cannon to the castle.

What do you mean?

I made that cannon. It's mine! If it becomes the Shikainami, no one will know I created it!

But sir...

Those diagrams and files are the history of my family for the last 150 years!

The secrets of cannon-making, handed down from generation to generation!

I have spent sixty years of my life building upon my family legacy!

Flouting the law, I have practiced my art in secrecy, enduring failure after failure!

All my effort is in this paper.

This paper represents everything about the cannon, as well as my entire life.

I understand that it will be hard for you to do this.

But the art of cannon making will be lost if you don't. Is that what you want?

What?

If the Shadows get hold of the cannon or the documents, the clan will be abolished.

The government will be able to impose any punishment that they desire.

If this house is attacked, your daughter and grandchild will be in grave danger.

They will kill everyone without mercy, even women and children.

That is the way of the Shadows. But if the cannon is safely moved to the castle...

...then it shall always remain there, in service to the people.

And even if the documents are gone, you will still possess the secrets of cannon-making.

If your daughter and grandchild are safe, then you can instruct them in your art.

You must consider this very carefully.

Please prepare yourself.

Why haven't you gotten the cows?

Well... I've had other things on my mind.

Oh, its soft, smooth and smells good!

Hey kid, I'll help you ride on the horse.

"Uncle."

That will be fun! Your "uncle" is the master of horseback riding.

Great... are you going to take care of him?

I'll look after them.

That's a great help. I'll go check the mountain passes.

Listen to what he says. Be a good boy.

Wasn't what you bargained for, eh babysitter?

Miss Miya, are you in there?

Yes. What is it?

What is it?

Miss Miya, have you had a change of heart?

About what?

You have been acting strange ever since those Shadow Hunters arrived.

I have taken on this great task because of our promise.

What I did was right, I am still sure of that. But if I were to get caught making a new cannon...

It would mean seppuku. But that did not stop me.

I risked my life for this!

I know that.

"I know?" Is that all you can say?

I don't care what happens to me, as long as we can be together.

That's why I risked my life. It's you that I want!

Let go. What about our promise?

Never mind the promise! I must have you!

Miss Miya!

Do not violate the promise. When the cannon arrives safely at the castle...

...then, and only then, will I be yours.

But if it is you who has a change of heart...

I will kill you.

Sir Jubei, here you are.

What can I do for you?

You are surveying the terrain, aren't you? I am very familiar with the area.

I came after you in the hope that I could be of service.

I could use your help. Please be my guide.

We'll need two or three more trees by tonight.

We can't wait 'till tomorrow.

Bang! Bang!

Bang!

Bang! Bang!

Hey! Hey!

Am I good? That good?

All right then. Ready or not, here I come!

Uncle!

W... wait! I'm almost done!

Uncle, I have to go pee.

You ingrate!

I can't hold it.

Come on, go, hurry.

At least someone's getting some relief.

I've never had anyone like you before.

You ain't seen nothing yet!

Why are you looking at me like that?

Women are a mystery. A simple change in their hair, and they are transformed.

Sir Jubei, have you ever been married?

A roving stray dog can have no wife.

A man like you must have had many amazing experiences.

We Shadow Hunters have forsaken our past.

Why did you become a Shadow Hunter?

Let's drop it. Miss Miya, why have you never married?

I... I have forgotten about being a woman.

My womanhood was overwhelmed... by my father's destiny... no...

...by the resentful ghosts of our Shibatsuji ancestors.

You mean the cannon-smithing.

Your father is your father... you are you... you should be free to be a woman.

Easy for you to say. You have no idea what our life is like!

I've overstepped my bounds.

No... I didn't mean it like that.

But I will just say this.

You are beautiful, just the way you are, at this very moment.

Hey! Any news?

Hey! Answer me. You asleep or something?

Intruders! Alert!

You can keep quiet... or you can die.

Sir Bessho! We have trouble! The Shadows are...

Are you done?

Yessir! All who resisted were killed. The others are locked up under the floor.

Good.

Get the explosives ready. We'll blow up the cannon now.

Understood.

You bastard... Are you the elder of the Shadows?

Get out of here old man!

You animal! You murdering beasts wouldn't understand!

This cannon is my life's work!

Do you want to get blown up along with it?

You mustn't! I don't care about myself. I don't care if I'm blown to bits.

But, please! Spare the cannon. I beg of you. Spare the cannon!

Do it.

Boss!

Damnit! Start looking. It's got to be around here somewhere!

Under the floorboards, in the ceilings... tear this place apart!

Yes sir.

What's the matter sir?

Find it! It can't be that hard to find!

Nothing!

Not here!

Nothing here.

Nowhere to be found!

It's not here either!

Can't find it anywhere!

It has to be here. Keep looking!

Master. The Shadow Hunters are back.

Father!

Father!

Sorry we're late, Jubei!

Auntie!

Keisuke. Close your eyes. You mustn't look.

This is hell!

How could they be so cruel?

This is all your fault!

You got my father killed!

No way, it's not our fault.

We're here to kill Shadows... only that.

This... This happened because you came here.

You "Shadow Hunters..." all you do is spread misery!

You're bloody and cruel!

You killed my father!

That's right. Wherever we go, it's hell.

Keep pushing!

Be careful.

Be careful. Almost there...

It's close.

It's close. Keep pulling.

What's this?

What's this? Hey there, handsome!

Hey, here she is!

Not again.

Again what? You want to starve during the trip? They'll feed us well!

Who's feeding who?

Potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, eggs, snake meat... we're loaded!

Good job!

He never gives up. All right! Let's get going!

Ready? Let's go!

Righto!

Go.

Will you come with us?

I'm coming.

Come here, kid.

Giddyap, giddyap!

Take the kid. I'll scout ahead.

Take the kid. I'll scout ahead. I'll go with you.

Miss Miya. I'm at a loss for words.

My condolences.

Hey, the tea and potatoes are ready!

I couldn't save him. I won't make excuses. Forgive me.

It's over now.

But we still have the cannon.

I know.

Everyone! Lend a hand!

Push! Push!

Push!

Push! I'll kill anyone who doesn't push!

Push!

Run!

Don't run! Stop it!

Don't let go!

Watch out!

Are you all right?

Bessho!

Lift! Lift!

Lift it up!

Bessho!

This is for you.

What are you doing? Get going!

Jubei. Are you that heartless?

We don't have the time to be sentimental.

All right, let's go. Come on.

Yeah.

Let's go.

Give me another helping.

Eat all you want. Dig in!

Don't be shy! Eat a lot.

Good job!

Give me some too.

Here you go. This'll load your cannon.

Auntie, eat. It's really good.

Thank you.

Uncle.

Darling.

This is really good.

Lots of garlic in there.

Where are your friends?

Who knows. On the lookout somewhere.

How 'bout a quickie before they return?

All right.

Hey kiddo, it's bedtime. I gotta go play hide and seek.

You're irresistible... you smell so good... you smell like Edo.

Like the flowing Sumida river... the lamps of the Yoshiwara... the Kanda festival.

I can't take it... you're like an Edo sweetmeat!

Did you hide yet? Did you hide yet?

Not yet!

I'm going to find you!

I said, not yet!

I'll find you, because I have the rope!

Dammit. Can't let the kid see this. Let's do it later.

All right, I'm ready now!

Do you think he knows?

I was so close... I almost had him.

We are going to have a good day today!

A good day!

Out of the way.

We made it!

What's going on?

Oh, sir samurai! Can you direct us to Saeki castle?

You're going to the castle?

We've come from Takeda, but we've lost our way!

No problem, leave it to me.

You heard her. Let's be cordial, shall we?

Shouldn't we attack them now?

No, we'll just watch. This should be interesting.

What's that?

You're at it again! What's the meaning of this?

I attract women like a Iodestone attracts iron! And they've put some fire into the men.

This is how you motivate people!

This is how you motivate people! Good job, I'm impressed.

Good job, I'm impressed.

Nah, it's nothing. Good job, I'm impressed.

Anyway, it's your turn. Come with me.

Anyway, it's your turn. Come with me. What? Do I have to?

What? Do I have to?

What's the matter? What? Do I have to?

What's the matter?

What's the matter? But tonight is...

But tonight is...

Tonight... Tonight is a full moon. But tonight is...

Huh? All right. Come on, Jubei.

Hey kid!

Uncle!

Hey, this way...

Dew is bad for him. Kids his age catch colds easily.

Thank you.

You know a lot about children.

You know a lot about children. I lost a boy his age.

What happened to him?

What happened to him? He was killed by Shadows.

As was my wife.

As was my wife. How terrible.

My lord was forced to commit seppuku.

His retainers got separated from their families.

The Shadows caused all of it to happen.

As illegal gun-smiths, we have also been chased by Shadows.

This boy's father and mother were brutally murdered by them.

I see.

It's the same for Jubei and Sunlight too.

Oh... Sir Jubei as well?

His story is the worst of all. He...

...had to kill his fiance and his young lord, with his own hands.

I've talked too much. I thought that I had let go of the past.

Please forget what I said.

And now it all becomes clear...

I should have known.

No time for regrets. Let's go.

All right.

All right. Come on, move it.

One more time!

Hurry up!

We've crippled them.

Well done, Maki. All right, let's do it. Go!

We're almost there! Keep going!

They've trapped us.

Hide under the cart.

Uncle.

Don't move! Stay still!

Keisuke?

Keisuke!

Uncle!

Kid! Get down!

I'm scared!

Keisuke!

Keisuke!

Kid!

Keisuke!

Kid!

Keisuke! Keisuke! Keisuke!

Damn them.

Fucking Shadows!

Die!

Die!

Die!

Jubei! The cannon!

Damn those Shadow Hunters! We fell for their ruse!

Boss.

The cannon is obviously elsewhere. Gather our remaining men!

Jubei.

Let's go.

Boss!

Sanshichi. The only way across the valley is the suspension bridge. Hurry!

Boss! There's the cannon!

Shit!

After it!

Good job, Sunlight!

Well done, Sunlight!

Aw, it was nothing.

Push!

I will state neither my office nor my name.

Just know that I am the Shogunate Master of Shadows.

Understood. What is your interest in our small country fief?

I will cut to the chase. It concerns a cannon that you have constructed.

A cannon? What cannon?

Stop pretending. Negishi Genhan, the assistant chamberlain, has told us everything.

I see. That explains why Negishi Genhan suddenly left the castle.

We originally intended to acquire evidence of the cannon, and abolish your clan.

However, now that we know about its power, we would prefer to quietly confiscate it.

Better to use it than to destroy it.

Such a cannon could, by itself, destroy a Daimyo.

You would have its owners just hand it over?

Correct. However, it must not be done openly.

Now, as far as I know, the cannon is still on its way to the castle, is it not?

You would like the holders of this cannon to withdraw, so that your Shadows can steal it.

They would lose a treasure, but avoid punishment.

Their fief and their people would be safe.

What do you say? I think it is a reasonable offer.

Sir Jubei.

You have endured much sadness because of us.

I am filled with remorse.

No. This is my destiny as a Shibatsuji.

During the civil war, we were gunsmiths in the service of the Tokugawa clan.

But since they turned around and banned gunsmithing, we've been on the run.

150 years of anger and resentment is what killed my father, my brother and his wife.

And now it's killed Keisuke, who was but a child.

What a cruel world. The Shogunate is forced to rely on oppression to survive...

...and so, must depend upon the Shadows.

In my naivete, I thought that you Shadow Hunters were cruel.

But now I understand. I understand how you feel, Sir Jubei.

So many generations of resentment and suffering...

...cannot easily be forgotten. And yet...

You are a woman. Forget your past, and find what happiness you can.

I have often thought as much.

I sought to spend my days in peace, though it might be in poverty.

I wanted Keisuke to be happy. But now...

What do I have left?

I have left but one desire. The desire for the Shibatsuji bloodline to continue.

Sir Jubei. I... I want you to give me a child.

Sir Jubei.

Forgive me.

I... with these hands... killed my young lord.

Since that day, I have ceased to be human. I have ceased to be a man.

Get up. Hey, get up!

Something wrong?

What's up, Jubei?

Look around.

Huh? Everyone's gone. What's going on?

Shadows!

Probably not. There's not a corpse in sight.

What do we do, Jubei?

We'll have carry on by ourselves.

There might be traps ahead.

It's likely. We'll deal with them as we come to them.

All right, I'll guide the ox.

Hey Jubei, how are we gonna cross the river?

There's a ford; I've checked already.

All right. Here goes!

Shit...

And there they are.

We're surrounded.

We have an message for the Shadow Hunters!

Yes?

A job well done! However, after much discussion with the government...

...our clan has decided that they should have the cannon.

Hence you are under no further obligation.

I don't get it. What's he talking about?

They made a deal... with the government?

You would do well to leave the cannon there...

...and immediately depart. You're free to go.

What are they going to do with it?

I know what's going on. You're giving up the cannon to the government...

...in the hopes of ensuring the survival of your clan.

I regret to tell you that we Shadow Hunters won't go along with such a shady deal!

You've got a big mouth, ronin! That cannon is government property!

Oniwaban: Government ninja. Our pride as oniwaban demands that we take it from you!

Get them!

Charge!

You're hot.

What a waste.

Miya! Are you all right?

Jubei. Let me shoot the cannon.

You know how?

Of course.

All right.

Is this a good spot?

Give me the torch.

Ready?

Let's do it.

Right... There... Push Push Push!

Is this good?

Let's give 'em another.

Don't run away! I'll kill all who flee! Don't retreat!

Hang in there! Don't run away! Come back!

Don't retreat!

Retreat!

Come back!

We got 'em!

Hang in there.

What do we do with this cannon?

If we leave it here, the government will get it.

We'll have to blow it up.

Please wait.

I know how you feel.

But if it falls into government hands, your father's life work will be defiled.

I will not stop you from destroying it.

But I want to be destroyed with it.

Never!

Sir Jubei. I beg you for one last act of kindness.

Don't you have anything left to live for?

Please... the torch.

Please. Hurry...

Jubei. Is this right?

Should we do this?

Farewell.

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...

We are the stray dogs from hell.

We have to live through the wind of death...

...And through the reign of death...

...Which froze our hearts.

The beasts named Shadow Hunters...

...Run through the field of blood again today.

The End ...Run through the field of blood again today.

The End

The End Running again today.

DVD Produced by Producers AnimEigo Bobby Engelmann Sara Rouse Executive Producers Robert J. Woodhead Assistant Producer Ueki Natsumi Brian Godwin Janice Hindle Production Assistant Operations Manager Branson Moore Scott Carlson