Original subtitles

Oh. Kotaro. Are you okay?

Here. Water.

-Futaba… -Hm?

Am I… Do you think I'm gonna die?

Don't you worry.

It's fine. My mother is praying to the gods, all right?

One, two, three, four.

One, two, three, four.

One, two, three,

four.

Futaba?

What's the matter?

Do you think…

Will cholera really go away?

Father is gone.

People in town are dying one after another.

And yet,

we're still here, praying to the gods.

Futaba.

In this world, everything that happens is part of the gods' design.

And for that reason,

the best thing we can do in the end is pray.

Whether it's war, or disease,

whatever comes our way, if we keep praying,

the gods will protect us.

We have to believe.

All right then. Shall we go make supper?

Yes.

What's wrong?

Mother! Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

What's wrong, Kokushu?

You're not the ones I want!

Let's go!

Hurry!

Run, Futaba! Go!

Run!

Draw your sword.

That brat is off your hands now.

Do it already.

Are you bullshitting me?

Gone soft, have you, Kokushu the Manslayer?!

How's your life been since then?

Those bastards in power do what they want.

They told us to fight and kill when they needed us.

But once they didn't, they told us to throw our swords away.

That's why I'm grateful to the person who came up with this whole little race.

Because it takes me back to the good old days.

So let us return to the way we were.

Shall we?

Draw it!

That's it.

This is what I expect from Kokushu the Manslayer.

What's wrong, Kokushu?

That's more like it.

What the hell are you doing?!

Mister Shujiro!

Kokushu, we're not done yet!

Hyah!

Saga, what happened? Is everything all right?

Here, get inside. Come on. Quickly.

Well, I hope you can get some rest.

Thanks for everything.

It's nothing. Just let me know if you need anything.

Though it's impossible

to ever repay you for all that you've done.

It was ages ago.

Well, I'll leave you to it.

So it wasn't rusted after all.

You saved me out there.

Thank you.

And you too. Thank you for saving my life, sir.

I'll take you to the edge of the Tokaido Road in the morning.

After that, take off your tag and run.

It's against the rules.

Your life is more important than rules, isn't it?

-I'm not giving up, sir. -I don't think you understand!

A child cannot survive this.

I can't afford to run away either!

If I give up,

countless lives will be lost.

Cholera?

Who is it?

Calm down. It's just me.

You know I've got no intention of fighting you.

What are you doing here?

Hold on now. Why don't we talk face-to-face?

I'll even enter with my hands up. Just don't stab me, all right?

It's good to see you.

What do you want?

Put your sword down first, will ya?

If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't come through the front door.

Go on. You too, little miss.

You're all edge and no ease, Kokushu the Manslayer.

How do you know that name anyway?

That's not what matters right now, is it?

I think what you really want to know is what I'm doing in front of you.

Well, the thing is I've come bearing a fine deal for you today.

What is it?

How would you two like to form an alliance?

What do you mean?

What are you planning?

Well, I just think this Kodoku game is a little too mysterious for my taste.

What do they gain by making trained swordsmen kill each other?

Why would they make us travel to Tokyo?

Are they even serious about paying us the 100,000 yen?

And who's organizing this?

You've been wondering as well, right?

I heard someone mention

that a group of high-ranking officials might be planning a hunt for swords.

If that was the case, they should've killed us at the temple, right?

Why would they bother making us do something like this?

That's true.

Rumor has it some are out for revenge.

Survivors of the old shogunate forces are seeking allies.

Right. I've also heard

that foreigners are trying to spark a civil war to destroy Japan.

Anyway, the truth is still unknown, right?

We have no idea what the organizers are planning,

nor what they may throw at us going forward.

What we do know

is that whoever's behind this is seriously powerful.

It would be wiser to work together.

We have better chances of gathering information as a group.

The sooner we learn who they are,

the closer we become to the 100,000 yen.

Well, then. Is that enough to satisfy your curiosity?

How will everything be taken care of? There won't be any issues, right?

It'll be as it was by morning. No one will suspect it.

So, how many are left then?

The current count of those who have survived now stands at 128.

That's more than I anticipated.

As expected, the samurai are as tenacious as ever.

The stench of blood, though… Quite remarkable, don't you think?

The organizer will be joining you in just a few minutes.

In the meantime, please relax.

Enjoy your stay, and make yourselves at home.

We just left Tenryuji Temple,

and now we're going through Seki, Chiryu, Hamamatsu, Shimada,

Hakone and Shinagawa.

I tallied the number of participants

against the number of tags required to proceed.

So currently, there are 292 participants.

And in order to pass through the final checkpoint in Shinagawa,

you must have 30 tags.

So, what does that say?

It's possible that several people can make it to Tokyo.

That is correct.

The figures show that no more than nine could reach Tokyo.

However, we don't know

if those nine people will be splitting the reward,

or if the organizers might have something else in store.

It all depends on their goal here.

In any case, if the limit is nine,

then the three of us heading to Tokyo together should be fine, right?

How's that? Not the worst idea ever.

Why form an alliance with us?

You are not cut from the same cloth as the others,

wouldn't you agree?

Also,

I know for a fact that you won't turn on me as long as she's with you.

What do you mean by that? Do you mean you'll kill her if I do?

You know that I would.

Think of her as a hostage, if you will.

Well, we'll see if you end up drawing your sword

against our very own little miss after all.

You don't have to decide right now.

There's an inn over in Yokkaichi called Uzuya.

Three nights from now,

meet me there if you do decide you'll join forces.

Oh.

I have one more thing I'd like to say.

It's not that you're unable to kill.

You're just choosing not to.

Once a manslayer, always a manslayer.

You're nothing but a killer,

Saga Kokushu.

I look forward to your answer.

Wait.

Just tell me one thing.

What was your reason for joining this Kodoku?

Well,

I don't know, really.

Maybe I just wanted to witness it, see how it unfolds.

The final days of the samurai, that is.

Well,

I'll be waiting for the good news.

Try to get some sleep.

Mother.

Have some water.

Futaba,

I'm so sorry.

It's all right. Let me handle things here.

Please, ma'am.

Please, sir.

Please. Even a little will do.

It's for the children. Save the children.

No one has money to spare in this town.

Please. Who in their right mind would believe this nonsense?

Smells like a lie.

What? Is it money you're after?

Yes.

Here.

HOKOKU NEWSPAPER PARTICIPANTS WANTED

Hey! No beggars allowed.

Hey!

Futaba,

I feel sick.

Don't worry.

You're being protected by the gods, all right?

Keep fighting.

Kotaro?

Kotaro?

Kotaro!

The ritual dance?

Yes.

What were you praying for?

That everyone might fulfill their lives

and find solace beyond in heaven.

I learned the dance from my mother.

She

took care of children who had lost their parents.

But now

she's bedridden with cholera.

Some people still remain in our village, but

they endure both disease and dire poverty.

Shujiro-san.

Don't you see how desperate I am to win?

But I know that I'm weak.

I can't survive this by myself.

So I'm begging you, sir.

Will you please take me with you to the end?

I'll do whatever I can.

Even if, eventually…

you find yourself forced to draw your blade against me.

Until then, I have to keep trying.

Shujiro.

It's all I ask, please!

I have a family I want to save too.

We'll get through this, Futaba.

Thank you.

I appreciate your help.

Now here. Take these with you.

It's all thanks to that sword of yours.

It carved the path to a new era,

one where people like us finally have the chance to be safe.

Nothing I have to offer you

will ever be enough.

Yahei, the times have changed.

Take it.

Thank you for everything.

I wish you both the best of luck.

HOME MINISTRY, TOKYO

Come in.

If you'll excuse me. Apologies for the wait.

Kawaji. Take a seat.

Home Minister. What is your concern?

Here you are, sir.

HOKOKU NEWSPAPER PARTICIPANTS WANTED

We seized a few of these in Tokyo City the other day.

Yes, I've been informed of this.

I wanted to investigate further before reporting it to you, sir.

In any case, 100,000 is quite an extraordinary amount.

Indeed.

Last night at Kyoto's Tenryuji Temple,

a considerable number of shizoku were observed assembling.

We have not heard any news from Ando Jinbe,

who was sent to infiltrate their meeting.

Do you think the shizoku are trying to start a rebellion?

We still do not know what their goal is.

However, they are remnants of the samurai,

so they're definitely stirring up some scheme in Kyoto.

And behind them,

there's someone with enough financial power

to circulate forged newspapers across the entire country.

As of now, those are the facts.

Should money fall into the hands

of shizoku resentful of the new government,

the consequences could be dire.

We have to investigate immediately.

Mr. Maejima,

I don't think we need to be so afraid of them, sir.

-The shizoku are toothless tigers now. -Shouldn't underestimate their strength.

Have you forgotten how badly we suffered during last year's uprising?

Our nation has only just risen from the ashes.

If civil war breaks out once more,

our nation will surely be shaken,

leaving us at the mercy of the West.

Kawaji.

Let us launch an investigation.

As for the person who's behind this, the mastermind and their intentions?

-The Police Bureau will find them. -Sir.

Did you not hear me?

Did you see a samurai passing through here with a kid or not?

It's no use, huh?

Please have mercy! I beg you!

Have mercy!

You beast.

Stop attacking non-participants.

Never seen you before. Who are you?

Kikuomi Ukyo.

Oh.

I see. You're the famous Guardian of the Nobility.

Seek shelter while you can.

I've heard rumors. What a shame!

To be tossed aside like that

after all those years of loyal service to your master.

So it seems we're in the same boat at the end of the day, are we not?

Shut your mouth.

You and I are nothing alike, you vile scum.

Let's have some fun.

Prancing around like a damn snake in the grass.

Enough of that!

What's wrong? Can't keep up with it?

Shall we end this?

Because frankly,

my time is far too valuable to waste on battling you.

Mr. Ukyo! You cannot see Lord Kazanin!

Mr. Ukyo!

Lord Kazanin.

Are you truly abandoning the Kikuomi household?

I'm eating now.

Our house, the Kikuomi, have repeatedly

risked life and limb to protect your noble lives.

And this is how you repay us?

Without their swords,

the samurai are not worth much to the world anymore.

The government took your wealth too, I suppose.

So if you bow your head and beg,

I just might consider hiring you as my servant.

Miserable cur!

Don't move!

Take your hand off your sword!

Get him out of here!

Hands off!

I'll walk out on my own.

Lowborn fool with highborn airs.

My Lord,

we can go no further.

We sold everything we could.

The only thing left

is this.

They've taken our purpose from us.

Now we're being driven into selling our pride to survive.

That is too much to bear.

Committing seppuku and ending our lives

is the only path to protect our pride.

I have heard your thoughts.

I understand your feelings.

The Kikuomi family

will have its glory restored, I give you my word.

We're with you, Lord Ukyo.

Oh.

You survived too, huh?

-I have a favor to ask you. -Don't come any closer.

What?

No, wait, wait, wait! No, no, don't! We don't want to fight. We've had enough!

Uh, we're going to quit this game!

Stand with us, please. Join our cause!

What are you saying?

We were tricked into this thing! Right?

-Yeah! -That's right!

-This game is absurd! -They tricked us into this!

We don't stand a chance. Everyone else is too strong.

And then they took all our tags we won, the tags we risked our necks for!

-I'm sure the prize money is a lie too! -He's right.

So please. Join us.

I'm begging you.

We need more people in our cause.

You can't leave now. It's too late.

They'll kill you if you break the rules, you know that.

No.

They won't. Look!

Even they wouldn't dare. Not with all these people.

Right?

It's nonsense. Why should we be killing each other?

Over something as trivial as this?

I…

only wanted the chance to earn some money, that's all!

I only wanted my kids to eat what they want

-and have their fill for once, that's all! -Don't.

Don't do it. Stop it!

They're watching.

I wanna go home.

Don't. Don't take it off!

Don't! Stop it! Stop it!

It's over.

Shall we end this already?

-Stop! Don't take it off. -Please.

-I just want to go home. -Stop.

Don't take it off. No, wait!

Stop!

Don't do it! Wait!

I'm fine.

Everything's all right! It's fine. Take it off!

We're okay!

-Hey! Wait! Hey! -The two of you can end this.

Just take them off!

Why?

How cruel.

Those who remove their wooden tags will be duly punished.

Do you understand the penalty?

Sick cowards.

You act like you're some kind of gods, right?

You think you can treat samurai like trash

just because you no longer have use for us?

What was that?

Sakura, sir,

how shall we proceed?

Let the organizer know.

As you command.

Kokushu the Manslayer.

He has reawakened.

This is…

who I once was.

What?

All I knew was how to kill and nothing else.

Ugh.

Ugh.

That's it?

No fun.

There you go.

117 REMAINING