Original subtitles

I am Naomitsu, second son of the Hatakeyama family.

My future has always been...

...to serve our heir, my elder brother.

A second son does not inherit, or become great.

Neither may he do what he likes.

He may wish what he pleases, but the future is obscure.

Naomitsu!

Wait, Nobutsuna!

Wait up!

So who won?

My elder brother, of course.

Right?

Uh, yeah.

Duel here. Let's see who's better.

Ako!

I wouldn't beat my brother!

I want to see you two duel.

Silly! I'm no match for him.

Come on, Naomitsu!

Hey, wait! Come on!

Which one of you likes me best?

Hey!

Naomitsu!

You said you liked her!

Wait, Naomitsu!

Naomitsu!

Hold it, you!

Hey!

Let go!

Settle down!

What's wrong?

He is a thief.

What did he steal?

This potato.

A potato?

One potato?

Yes, Master Nobutsuna.

Why treat him like that? Just give it to him!

Once a thief, always a thief. Next a horse, then a house.

We can't allow it.

Are you hungry?

Here.

Is it good?

Can't you talk?!

Brother! I have an idea.

Master Naomitsu?

Kagetoki, he will be my servant.

Master!

This low-life will be your servant?

We are three.

Now we'll be four.

It'll be fun.

Right?

I guess so...

Well?

He's dirty. I don't like him.

He'll look better in nice clothes.

What's your name?

You don't have one?

Then I'll name you.

"Sakuramaru," for the cherries. Good name, huh?

Come on, Sakuramaru!

Master Naomitsu! You can't do this!

Master Naomitsu!

Of late...

...bandits...

...threaten the people of the capital.

Yes. These days the city is not safe.

Sire!

I, your Deputy Nobutsuna, will maintain order in the capital.

Sakuramaru, come here!

All right, Naomitsu. Now you play the Deputy.

What's a "Deputy"?

The Shogun's right hand.

Our family become Deputies.

So will you be a Deputy, Naomitsu?

No. Nobutsuna will inherit the title.

Not me.

So what will you become?

Me?

I'll just be me. Nothing else.

And you?

Me?

You will be a retainer to the House of Hatakeyama.

Let's start.

This time I'll be...

...the Deputy's wife.

You always pick him.

Oh, well...

The Deputy's cap...

All right.

You play the Deputy.

"Deputy" is our family's role, Naomitsu.

That's all right. He's like a brother to us.

Nobutsuna! Naomitsu! Get changed! The Shogun is here.

The Shogun! Come on!

Um...

I, your Deputy Sakuramaru, will maintain order in the...

In the...

You will be my Deputy, and maintain order?

How charming!

Then come with me.

Producer: Mataichiro Yamamoto

Script: Shinichi Ichikawa & Rikiya Mizushima Inspired by Ryunosuke Akutagawa's "Yabu No Naka"

Co-Producer: Hidemi Satani

Starring: Shun Oguri

Yuki Shibamoto

Kei Tanaka

Hiroki Matsukata

Hiroyuki Ikeuchi

Kyosuke Yabe

Hirotaro Honda

Masaomi Kondo

Kenichi Hagiwara

Directed by Hiroyuki Nakano

Open the gate!

Kagetoki...

What is it?

His Highness is here.

The Shogun?!

Yes.

Blindness is so inconvenient...

Sire! Accept our gratitude for your visit to our humble home.

Enough formalities.

Proceed.

Sire!

The Great Councilor and his wife, dear to His Highness...

...have died of plague.

The Great Councilor?!

Thus, sadly, his body has been thrown...

...into the Pit of Hell.

The Pit of Hell?!

A great man like that, treated like a dead dog or cat?

The plague is highly infectious.

The Great Councilor had a large amount of gold bullion.

One of you will wed his daughter Ako...

...inherit his property and take up the post of Deputy.

Well?

A moment!

We have known the Great Councilor for many years.

His daughter is betrothed to my brother Naomitsu.

Do you intend, then, to make Naomitsu Deputy?

Brother!

Lady Ako should marry the man...

...who will be head of our House!

You are displeased?

Sire!

I am the eldest son!

I am to succeed our father.

I cannot agree to this depending on my marrying Lady Ako!

Nobutsuna, are you getting carried away?

Birth is important, but so is money.

That's all I mean.

Sire!

Calm down!

You can be calm!

This way you get the money and the name!

If you don't like it, then refuse the post of Deputy.

The Hosokawas can have it back.

Or your cousin Masanaga could carry it on for you.

No, Sire, that is not my intent.

Sire...

...we will name the successor and arrange the marriage.

We most humbly thank you.

Good.

My arm...

Sire!

Charming!

What was that for?

To tell us he's sweet on Sakuramaru?

At this rate we'll end up as Sakuramaru's servants.

Impossible!

But if that's true...

...we should keep him away from the Shogun.

Be that as it may.

I am the one who should marry Ako, be head of our House, and Deputy.

You should know that. Talk her into it.

That cannot be.

Ako will marry me. That's all I need.

You take the gold.

You can be Deputy, and be head of our family.

The Shogun has ordered me to marry Ako.

He wants you to have legal title to the Councilor's gold...

...to give in tribute to him.

He wants the gold.

I can't get the gold without marrying Ako!

You want it for yourself.

Brother...

...trust me.

You'll have the gold.

Give me some time.

Ako...

Naomitsu!

If only I'd died, too!

It's hard to bear, but this is no time for grief.

Ako...

...if we don't stand firm...

...our relationship is in danger.

What do you mean?

Ako, look at me.

Do you love me?

You have always been my heart's strength.

And now I have nowhere else.

Whatever may happen, I swear I will make you happy.

By the way...

...where's your father's gold?

Could I have it?

If I have it, all will be well.

Where is it?

I have no idea!

Don't hide it from me.

This is important.

Why do you raise that subject at a time like this?

You're right.

I shouldn't have mentioned it. Let's forget it.

Lord Nobutsuna...

Sakuramaru?

What is it?

Lord Naomitsu intends to have the gold for himself.

I knew it!

Thus I suggest you seize Lady Ako for yourself.

I couldn't do that!

Lady Ako has taken refuge...

...at Tenganji Temple.

Miss this chance, and all is lost.

It's me! Don't be afraid!

Lord Nobutsuna!

I've come for you!

You mustn't!

Naomitsu won't have you!

If you go with him...

I'll follow you and kill you both!

No!

Lord Naomitsu!

What is it?

Lord Nobutsuna has taken Lady Ako.

He has? Why?

He wishes to assert by force who is head of the family.

Damn him!

You must not pass, sir! Lord Nobutsuna's orders.

Move or I'll cut you down!

Where is Ako?!

Answer me!

Put up your swords!

We must not fight among ourselves!

Where is Ako?!

In the east chamber.

Stand aside! I'll cut you down!

Move!

I'll kill you!

Move!

Ako!

Naomitsu!

We're going.

No!

What?!

If you take me, Lord Nobutsuna will follow us.

Then we'll die together.

Milord!

--Come quickly! --I will.

Come on!

Rest a while here.

In a place like this, we will not be seen.

Have no fear.

Thank you.

Something's not right.

Why would he harm Ako?

This isn't like my brother.

Is he possessed?

Ako...

You poor thing...

I swear I'll protect you.

But can I make an enemy of my brother...

...and sacrifice my name?

Kagetoki...

A word, please.

Well?

You have done much for me. I will regret killing you.

What?!

But if I can kill you, I can kill anyone...

...without hesitation.

Have you gone mad?

They have treated me as a brother...

...so I share their ambition.

Once a thief...

...always a thief.

Sakuramaru...

Sir!

Join me, or die here!

That's your answer?

With Kagetoki dead, I run things now.

Move with the times, or die for nothing.

Villain!

Kagetoki?

Where's Sakuramaru?

Careful...

Kagetoki!

Kagetoki! Kagetoki!

You're dead?!

Sakuramaru?

Sakuramaru... well?

Weren't you on my side?

Why?

Where are we?

I feel like we're going in circles.

If only...

Nobutsuna hadn't...

Ako, you must be hungry.

We haven't eaten since last night.

Be patient.

Soon Sakuramaru will come and find us.

O travelers!

Why do you flee?

Where are you bound?

Who are you?

How rude of me! I am a humble merchant.

I sell mostly weapons. Swords, or bows and arrows.

I need none.

You have no need to flee.

I offer you an antique sword.

Forged, they say...

with the Emperor's treasure, "The Sword of the Heavenly Cloud."

Its name is "Namikiri," "the cutting wave."

I'll give you a good price. What do you say?

You're a bandit?

I've got no money.

I don't lack for money.

Do you know who I am, lad?

I know no bandits.

Not "Tajomaru"?

Tajomaru?!

Oh?

It would seem your wife knows more of the world than you.

I like that. Shall I take her as well as your horse?

You will not!

Not bad at all!

But that's as far as you go.

Now, this is a sword on a different level from yours.

But you have to be good...

to make Tajomaru fight for real like this.

Naomitsu!

A beauty under that veil! A jewel like I've never seen!

Naomitsu!

Let's have a look at you!

Not to boast...

...but the name "Tajomaru" is known even in the capital itself.

So...

...be my woman.

I'm, you know...

...in love.

I never saw anything like you.

I'm crazy about you!

The Emperor's treasure, the Shogun's gold...

For you, I won't care how risky it is.

I'll steal them.

Look, will you stop crying!

Tajomaru is saying he'll risk his life...

to see that you're looked after!

Think about it!

You can't go back to your husband after what's happened here!

Yes.

I'll go with you.

What?!

You mean it?!

I could easily carry you off, but I'd like you to want to come.

Wait.

I will be yours.

But first...

That man...

Kill him.

Forget about him! The wolves'll get him.

No.

While he is alive, I cannot be with you.

Until you stop his breath, I cannot be at ease!

Please...

Kill that man!

You mean it?

You poor guy!

Don't you have anything to say?

Ako...

Why?

I see...

You poor thing...

This ruffian has defiled you, and it has unseated your mind.

Please, Ako...

come to your senses!

I am in my senses.

You don't mean that!

You've suffered an outrage, and you're upset!

If you can't bear the shame, let's both die here!

No, thank you!

Me? Die here?

This is great!

Ako!

Didn't we promise...

to live and to die together?

How dare you!

You up and carry me off, drag me into this wilderness...

to be despoiled by a filthy bandit!

This is your fault.

I despise you!

Ako...

Please!

I feel like I'm losing my mind!

A filthy bandit? You mean me?

Yes! You're a merciless fiend, so get on with it!

Hey...

What should we do with her?

"Do"?

Kill her? Let her live?

That woman's evil.

She'll betray any man.

She should die.

Well? Just nod your head.

Do I kill her?

Wait!

Just do it! She means no good to any man.

Hey! What the...?!

The bitch took off!

A woman won't get far.

I'll catch her and sell her into a whorehouse.

Forget her.

Where did she get to?

She'll make a great whore.

So that's how it is, huh? You coward!

Forgive me!

You can't atone for this!

What should I do? Pray for you?

I don't need your prayers.

Instead...

bring me my sword.

I give you my name.

From now on, call yourself Tajomaru.

Why?

Tajomaru must live on.

For centuries, since Heian times...

for generation after generation...

one bandit has killed the one before...

and taken from him the name...

of "Tajomaru."

You shouldn't try to talk...

He who kills Tajomaru...

becomes the next Tajomaru.

That is the fate of the one...

who kills Tajomaru.

The sword Namikiri...

proves who you are.

Your desires...

indulge them to the full!

So lives Tajomaru.

The pleasures of this world...

taste them to the full.

And then...

meet me...

in Hell.

"Kill him"...

...she said.

Hey, you!

What are you doing?

What?!

Forgive me. I'm hungry.

No.

It takes guts to steal from robbers.

Kill him.

Wait!

Are you...

a samurai on the run?

I am...

Tajomaru.

"Tajomaru"?

Like hell you are.

--Bullshit! --Wait!

Look at his sword.

That's Namikiri, the sword they say Tajomaru carries.

Crap.

Tajomaru's a nobleman?

You're right.

We'll just have to test him.

It cuts just like they say!

But now...

it draws faster.

Yeah, it's smaller now!

This is good! What luxury!

We're lucky to be bandits!

It's only bandits that do well these days.

We get everything we want!

Steal by day...

Feast by night!

Steal by day, feast by night!

It's fun for you, huh?

Damn right!

The way I see it...

things are going to keep getting more and more out of control.

What these times need is someone so strong you can't tell him no.

A leader whose very name makes everyone quake.

Tajomaru's got that part nailed!

You want me to be your boss?

I'm Doken.

We're counting on you, Boss.

I'm Taka. I soar like an eagle.

I'm Tetsu!

Cause I get hard as iron!

I'm Saru. A long-haired monkey.

He salutes with two hands.

Go for it, Boss.

So what do we do now?

First we dress you right.

Go and change.

Who cares about clothes?

You don't get it. How you look is important.

If you scare them, you don't need your sword.

You don't have to kill.

--What's wrong with killing? --Tetsu!

You're always killing someone!

How am I going to kill with this?!

Great, Tajomaru!

Cool!

Very cool!

Boss... they're all yours.

I'm Tajomaru.

I am Tajomaru!

It's Tajomaru!

Yee-haa!

See, Boss? It's easy.

You're right.

Lower the box!

Wait!

What?

Don't kill over nothing.

All these people fleeing the capital! The times are changing.

We'll die together.

I swear I'll protect you.

Kill him.

Let's both die here!

No, thank you!

Forget her.

This is your fault.

I despise you!

I threw away my name, my position, my life in the capital...

All I wanted was you.

Boss...

A souvenir.

Too bad.

I would've liked you.

It's all right. Relax and go to sleep.

Give me back my rice!

I didn't steal it!

Your wife probably took it!

Tetsu, come on!

What do you think you're doing?!

Break it up!

Cut it out!

Hey!

There.

Thank you!

Here's liquor!

Thank you very much, Boss!

"Boss"?

My name's Doken.

Squire Doken!

Thank you!

Hey...

Here's our boss, Squire Tajomaru.

Squire Tajomaru!

Hurray!

Squire Doken! Hurray!

And I'm Tetsu!

Squire Tetsu! Hurray!

Saru...

"Doken's number two, y'all, blind in love, and not too tall"

♪ Tetsu and Taka and Saru makes three ♪

♪ A bandit's life is the life for me ♪

Hey, Tajomaru!

♪ Tajomaru leads this band His name is known throughout the land ♪

♪ Steal by day, feast by night ♪

♪ Raise your head, raise your head, The Tajomaru gang's all right! ♪

It's good times in the capital now, you know.

Hosokawa's men in the east and Yamana's in the west...

are fighting all over the place. Every day's a festival there.

The Kamo River's red with blood. It's a beautiful sight!

You can't beat the capital!

What about the Emperor and the Shogun?

I don't know about the Emperor...

but the Shogun's Deputy Hatakeyama Nobutsuna died...

and they say his younger brother...

What was his name? Uh...

Na... Na...

"Naomitsu"?

Yeah. Naomitsu is taking over the post of Deputy.

Naomitsu's restored?

With Shogun Yoshimasa's whims...

the whole place is chaos!

These are great days!

Emperor, Shogun, they don't mean a thing!

We're the ones on top!

Times have changed!

My brother... dead?

And I'm restored?

Hatakeyama Naomitsu has returned!

Open the gate!

Unhand me!

Do you realize what you're doing?!

Damn you!

I won't forget this!

Have you forgotten me?!

I am Naomitsu!

Lord Naomitsu...

Sakuramaru!

You're alive!

Nice to see you.

Get me out of here!

That will not do.

What?

You are a bandit, and now I am Lord Naomitsu.

What?

Be serious.

Don't I look serious?

When I returned to the capital...

Lord Nobutsuna suddenly passed away.

I was forced to act as a decoy and pose as you.

My impersonation appealed to the Shogun's sense of humor...

and this is the result.

Meaning?

Not as Sakuramaru, but as you...

I will secure the place of the House of Hatakeyama.

At the head of its retainers...

I will be Deputy, and maintain order in the capital.

The Shogun knows the difference between you and me!

My retainers won't allow it!

Your retainers have chosen me.

And?

You will die as a bandit.

Nonsense! You're the bandit here!

Playing games while your master's gone!

Whatever anyone says, I'm Naomitsu.

I am the real Naomitsu!

Damn you!

Shall we let his wife judge...

who is the real Naomitsu?

My wife?

No. My wife.

Summon my wife.

Ako?

You came back?

Naomitsu's wife...

of course returned to her husband.

Ako... damn you!

You betrayed me!

Both of you...

What are you?

What farce is this?

You lived with us. How did it come to this...

Sakuramaru?

The bandit has been raving thus for some time now.

Do you know him, Lady Ako?

Well?

I asked if you knew him.

No.

Again I ask.

This bandit, or me... who is your husband?

Lord Naomitsu is.

There you have it, Tajomaru. Has my wife convinced you?

I am already...

...sick at heart.

Nothing...

...will hurt me now.

Tajomaru, the public menace, will be executed tomorrow morning.

Lady Ako, have you nothing to say?

Your attitude could make me reconsider.

What is there for me to say now?

Tell me where the gold is!

I will die first!

Damn you!

Milord! The Kyoto Governor is here!

What?!

Sit!

These men tell us...

the bandit Tajomaru has fled into this residence.

With all respect, I wish to search the buildings here.

You would search the home of the Shogun's future Deputy?

May I ask your name?

Hatakeyama Naomitsu.

He lies!

Governor, please!

Please help!

He is not Naomitsu.

Naomitsu is a prisoner here.

Please, help!

What do you have to say?

The girl is deranged.

Ignore her.

Are you not the Great Councilor's daughter...

Lady Ako?

Yes.

By the powers invested in me, I will search these premises.

We are retainers of the Shogun.

You are a mere Governor. You will regret this!

So be it.

Go!

Behind me stands the Shogun!

Lay hands on me and you'll be sorry!

Yeah, yeah.

Governor...

that guy's a servant of Naomitsu named Sakuramaru.

I, Kuriyama Hidetaka, place you under arrest.

You are also suspected in the murder of Lord Nobutsuna.

I am Kuriyama Hidetaka, Governor of Kyoto.

I shall inquire what has taken place within the Hatakeyama family...

hereditary Deputies...

to the Shogun.

Lady Ako...

Tell us which of these men is Naomitsu.

He who calls himself Tajomaru is Naomitsu.

Sakuramaru...

calls himself Naomitsu so as to make the House of Hatakeyama his.

And are you a bandit...

or are you Hatakeyama Naomitsu?

I am...

...Tajomaru.

A bandit living free.

What are you saying?!

This is my man Doken.

He's lying!

Compared to your lies, my story is so true it hurts.

Naomitsu... please tell them the truth!

So it's "Naomitsu" now, is it? What a joke!

Speak the truth, Lord Naomitsu.

It doesn't matter now.

But perhaps if I speak...

it will lift the burden from my heart.

I will speak.

Betrayed...

by my brother Nobutsuna, I was driven from our home...

traveled to Kawachi, and fled with Ako.

Without retainers...

we were lost, wandering in the mountains.

A bandit appeared.

Tajomaru.

You're a bandit?

Shall I take her?

You will not!

When I awoke...

a nightmare met my eyes.

Be my woman.

Yes.

I'll go with you.

I despise you!

Kill that man!

This is your fault.

Kill that man.

Kill him!

What a joke!

I gave up everything...

and chose her.

And in return...

...she told...

...Tajomaru...

to kill me.

Why?!

Because I'd seen you defiled?

Then you were wrong.

I was knocked out. I saw nothing.

Because I was too weak to defend you?

And he was strong?

Then why...

Why...

did you run from him?

I don't understand.

We've been together all our lives.

Didn't...

...my love...

...mean anything at all?

Answer me, Ako!

That's enough, Lord Naomitsu.

Shut up! I'm asking her!

You have said that you are of the House of Hatakeyama.

Yes.

That's right. I am Hatakeyama Naomitsu.

By all rights I should succeed my late brother...

as Shogun's Deputy.

Lady Ako...

Does Tajomaru--

Does "Naomitsu" speak the truth?

This all began with the Great Councilor's gold.

All Sakuramaru wanted from the start was that gold bullion.

But it was never there.

My father threw it away, so it would not bring evil upon us.

Liar!

It's in his house somewhere!

We have also had the Councilor's house searched.

My reports say nothing was found.

What?!

Sakuramaru! It is clear you took Naomitsu's name...

scheming to take as your own...

the Hatakeyama property and title.

I find you...

guilty.

Governor! The Shogun is here!

What?!

Why would His Highness suddenly be here?

His Highness attends!

Sire!

Your august presence here is a true surprise indeed.

My eccentricities are well-known.

If I wish to go somewhere, then I do.

Sakuramaru! Where are you?

I am here, Sire.

Why do you not come to me?

The Governor has bound me with rope...

and questions me on something I know nothing of.

Bound you with rope?

If it is your wish, Sire, I will remove it immediately.

Untie him.

Do it!

Is Naomitsu here?

It has been a long time, Sire.

And Lady Ako?

Yes, Sire.

Sakuramaru...

Yamada has told me the story. An interesting situation...

Yes, Sire.

Governor!

Sakuramaru has committed no crime.

He acts in the Hatakeyama name with my approval.

Yes, Sire!

With respect!

I cannot comprehend this.

Justice is not served.

Naomitsu...

Justice varies with expediency.

It is a dream. A phantom of self-delusion.

Sire!

There is no order in the capital.

No Deputy is here to preserve it.

You disobeyed my orders.

You took Lady Ako and fled.

What care have you shown for order in the capital?

You are the last person who should talk of justice!

Naomitsu...

Yes?

You are a fine young man.

In your heart still burns that dream, that phantom you pursue.

Sire...

In my heart...

are more regrets than I have words.

In me is...

love for Ako...

concern for my family...

loyalty to you...

and affection for Sakuramaru.

Never have I forgotten!

But...

in my heart...

nothing remains.

A sad story.

It breaks my heart.

But the sympathy it summons in me...

will not affect my justice.

Ako...

do you remember where the gold is?

No.

I see.

Sakuramaru... speak with the Governor on what is to be done.

Sire!

In my position, one hears many things.

One feels they are right, and one feels they are wrong.

But that doesn't even matter.

The good does not always come from what is right.

For love of the Gods!

How...

How can you do this?!

Sire!

Now you see!

Now I will conduct this trial.

Bind Lady Ako!

Tomorrow put her in the Pit of Hell with her parents.

Take her away.

Sakuramaru...

throw me in there, too.

I want to face death knowing why.

That will not do.

As Tajomaru, you will be executed.

Governor, continue the trial and sentence those two.

Tomorrow...

I'll kill them after Lady Ako.

Boss...

you've had a bad time.

So I guess it's about time I told the truth, huh?

You see...

I was after the Councilor's gold.

I was there...

your whole time with Tajomaru.

Don't be angry.

I'm a thief, too.

But...

after a while I stopped caring about the gold.

It was so much fun with you as Boss. The guys thought so, too.

Know what I mean?

So...

I want to tell...

Lady Ako's story.

Something happened after Tajomaru knocked you out.

Naomitsu!

While you were unconscious...

Lady Ako went at him like a madwoman.

"Naomitsu"?

Hatakeyama...

Hey!

Don't!

I will die here rather than suffer this!

Wait!

Hold it!

Don't die over it!

If bad luck meant dying, I'd be dead ten times over!

I love Naomitsu...

from the bottom of my heart!

But fate works against us.

Calm down!

Calm down.

Relax.

Aw, to hell with it! Okay, I won't rape you!

I have already been defiled...

by Nobutsuna, his elder brother.

I love Naomitsu...

but I can never be with him.

Don't be silly!

If you love each other...

The nicer Naomitsu is to me...

the more I hate myself for being unclean.

And as long as I am with him...

Nobutsuna will pursue us.

It is because I love Naomitsu that I must leave him.

I must break with him...

so he will never think of me with love again.

Don't worry.

Leave this to me.

Just do as I say...

The more she loved you, the more she had to leave you.

So the two of them staged a little play for you.

She wanted to kill herself, but she went back to Nobutsuna...

so he'd leave you alone.

But Sakuramaru was waiting, and she ended up a prisoner.

So she must have seen this trial...

as her very last chance.

This was all for you.

She wanted to give you back your happiness.

But who'd have thought...

the Shogun himself would show up here?

It was all so close...

It is because I love Naomitsu that I must leave him.

Do you love me?

You have always been my heart's strength.

I swear I will make you happy.

Governor!

We bear you no malice. Let us go!

Tetsu! Saru! Taka! Showtime!

Out of the way!

What the...?!

Don't kill them!

Over here!

Tetsu! Bring his sword!

Move!

We're not after you!

Untie her.

I killed Kagetoki.

Nobutsuna, too.

Wealth and status...

I was the only one who would never have them.

Unless I stole them.

Then be a man and push me over.

Die, then!

Ako!

Bastard!

You never learn, do you.

Stop this!

We fight only because of the gold!

No, Ako!

I was wrong.

I didn't know how you felt...

It doesn't matter. I want it all to be over.

Where is the gold?!

Ako!

If I survive...

I swear I'll kill you.

Ako!

What do you think you're doing?!

Move!

Ako...

Kill me.

Please.

I am defiled.

With your hands...

end this.

End this pain.

Please!

Please...

Let me die...

I said we'd die together.

I love you.

Ako...

you're not defiled at all.

And now...

we're together at last.

The peasants call this valley "The Pit of Hell."

Even the Boss wouldn't go there...

For Lady Ako, he'd go into any hell there was.

Why are you sticking your nose in where it's not needed?

Sakuramaru!

Kill them!

Sakuramaru!

Boss!

Damn you!

I'll give the Boss your head as a souvenir!

Like hell!

Boss!

My father's carriage...

And the gold...

Here it is.

And because of it...

Watch your step.

Ako...

Hang on tight.

Here we go.

Saru!

Taka!

Tetsu!

Doken!

He's breathing!

Doken!

Yo.

Was that a dream?

You gave me Namikiri...

I was going wild...

Doken!

Boss...

I'm glad I met you.

Boss...

Lord Naomitsu!

Tetsu...

Taka...

Saru...

Doken...

You're with me now.

So you've come back alive...

Now...

our quarrel...

gains us nothing.

But my rage...

will not die down while you have your head.

Sakuramaru, we treated you as a brother.

Can you imagine how bitter your betrayal feels?

A brother? Don't make me laugh.

I got nothing!

What do you think it's like having to be the Shogun's plaything?!

I should have taken over my House, and become Shogun's Deputy.

Forgive me.

This is my life now.

As my retainers, you may find it hard to understand.

But...

...the times have changed.

Kill him!

He's just a bandit.

A public menace!

Hear me!

You who have served our House so long...

Do not listen to this demon.

I don't want to kill you.

Yamada...

This way.

You are the fiend who killed my brother.

And Kagetoki...

Doken and my dearest friends.

Sakuramaru, you are one...

I can never forgive!

Fall into Hell!

Me...

I only wanted to be with Ako.

I needed nothing.

Everything...

could have been...

yours and my brother's.

"Sakuramaru," for the cherries. Good name, huh?

Is it good?

The potato...

was delicious.

I thought...

you'd forgotten.

Yamada!

As of now...

you are Naomitsu.

Don't worry.

The name "Hatakeyama" means nothing any more.

If it doesn't please you, change it to one you like.

The times are changing.

Give Sakuramaru a proper funeral.

Be well.

Ako...

Living as you wish, doing what you wish.

That is the way of Tajomaru.

I have found freedom, that most precious thing.

And I will live with Ako.