Original subtitles

Fictional work. Any similarity to real names or events is coincidental.

Underage smoking is prohibited.

Year 57 of the Yamato era. Spring.

Aoteru Misumi presents his agricultural reform plan

and passes the Toryumon.

Two years later,

in the neighboring nation of Seii, anti-government unrest intensifies.

In response to these events, Lord of Home Affairs Denki Taira,

acting unilaterally, sends a letter to Seii

demanding their unconditional surrender.

With each passing day, tensions between Seii and Yamato continue to rise.

The following year, Aoteru Misumi's achievements are recognized,

and he is appointed Auditor of the Borderland General Corps.

Aoteru is only 18 years old.

NIPPON SANGOKU: THE THREE NATIONS OF THE CRIMSON SUN

YAMATO YEAR 60, EARLY SPRING 14:23, -6 DEGREES CELSIUS

Really. I really, really mean it.

I was wrong!

I'll never do it again. I swear it.

EPISODE 4: THE SEII COUP

Please, spare me the death penalty!

Auditor Misumi!

BORDERLAND GENERAL CORPS AUDITOR AOTERU MISUMI

IN CHARGE OF ENFORCING PENALTIES UNDER MILITARY LAW

Deputy Clerk Machiyama,

I understand your position.

Read it aloud. - Yes, sir!

"On the seventh of this month,

Narihisa Machiyama unlawfully recruited five private soldiers

and looted four private residences in Takatsuki prefecture."

"During these events, three civilians were killed,

and one was sexually assaulted."

"Such conduct undermines the peace and order

of the Borderland General Corps and the nation,

and will not be tolerated."

"Therefore, under military law,

Narihisa Machiyama is to be executed by hanging immediately!"

No, no!

No, no, no! That's not true, I'm telling you!

I mean, it's not completely inaccurate, but…

You see, I had my reasons.

Last month, my son-in-law died from illness,

and my daughter was struggling to get by.

EMPTY

It all happened so fast, and I didn't have the means to send her money…

I never meant to kill anyone!

And the sexual assault…

I just lost control. It was as if my survival instincts took over.

I can't believe that I could even get hard at my age!

An auditor's duty is to place facts above circumstance, and impose fair punishment.

GIGGLE - STOMP

I get it. It's admirable.

But you've only been with the corps for three years!

You've been an auditor for just a few days!

The previous auditor would've never sentenced someone to hanging for this!

This is insane!

I get you're passionate about your job, but think about your future!

Show some mercy!

I'm afraid I can't do that.

GULP

Indeed, after reviewing the rulings in recent years,

no one convicted of even the gravest crimes

has been sentenced to death or given any other severe punishment.

Yet, the military law of the Borderland General Corps

was established as a strict code

by the Great Founder of Yamato, Emperor Fuji I.

So why has it been so thoroughly disregarded?

I conducted a thorough investigation and one fact became clear.

THANK YOU AS ALWAYS

Bribery is rampant here.

It was the previous auditor's negligence

that led to the erosion of the authority of military law.

That is why, as the new auditor, I will uphold it here and now.

The authority of strict military law.

Auditor Misumi!

No… Aoterucchi!

Ao…

Aoterucchi?

We used to go out to eat together all the time, didn't we?

We would talk about strategy, and rave about the delicious Hakata ramen.

We would even spend hours talking about manga from the Japan era!

I looked upon you as my own son!

So why are you sentencing me to death?

Do you even have a heart, Aoterucchi?

Deputy Clerk Machiyama…

No. Mr. Nari.

Thank you for everything.

After that, Aoteru showed no hesitation, handing down severe punishment

to anyone who broke military law.

He was deeply resented by corrupt officials,

but when word of his achievements reached Borderland General Mitsuhide Ryumon…

That's exactly how it should be handled.

…he said, praising Aoteru highly.

A FEW DAYS LATER

Still green as ever. Too green for your own good.

DEPUTY MASTER OF ARMS YOSHITSUNE ASAMA

Word of your achievements has reached even the Armory Bureau.

Some of its officials praise you,

but others whisper that you're full of greed

trying to make a name for yourself just to climb the ranks.

Worse still, rumor has it that you bribe your subordinates to sing your praises.

You mean they planted supporters like they did towards the end of the Japan era?

BA DA BUM

Listen to me. I'm being serious.

We've known each other for three years now.

I know for a fact that you're not chasing fame.

But a lot of those officials are.

Doing your duty is admirable.

But you can't just hand down harsh punishment for everything.

So you're saying I should disregard military law

and help lead the nation to ruin?

Are you stupid?

I'm saying you could've shown leniency based on their past achievements.

Mr. Tsune,

only government officials see it that way.

From a commoner's perspective,

after being looted and having their families killed,

they would surely wonder, "Why hasn't that official been properly punished?"

They would end up losing trust in the corps.

If tens or hundreds of such commoners organize themselves,

a large-scale rebellion could erupt.

When that happens, Mr. Tsune, are you prepared to fight the people?

FIGHT THE PEOPLE!?

Of course, if I have twisted military law, then I deserve to be punished.

But baseless accusations are none of my concern.

If auditors curry favor, and the Borderland General Corps rots,

then this nation is finished.

So even if I'm shunned, despised, or hated,

I believe I must carry out my duty as an auditor with courage.

Courage…

That word…

suits you better than anyone else in this world, doesn't it?

As far as I know,

there are those far more suited to it than I am.

WELL, THAT'S PROBABLY ME.

MILK

By the way, have you given a thought to your future?

Why do you ask?

SWISH

If Seii surrenders, only Buo will remain.

Should things go as planned, Yamato will unify Japan within ten years.

UNIFY THE THREE NATIONS

Thanks to my talent, of course.

When that happens, our unit will be disbanded.

So what will you do then?

Go back to your specialty and work in agriculture?

A BRIGHTER FUTURE STARTS WITH AGRICULTURE

If things had gone as planned, I'd be working in agriculture right now.

History is made up entirely of exceptions.

Who could've foreseen back in the Japan era, that nuclear war would erupt,

plunging the entire planet into global cooling?

Same goes for the Great Violent Revolution at the end of the Reiwa era.

And for the Three Nations period.

How many people who lived back then

could've predicted the world we live in today?

The path people walk is like water.

The vow I made to my wife…

That vow solidified like ice, but the future is like a liquid…

No. In terms of not knowing the future, isn't gas a better metaphor than liquid?

SLAP

Who cares.

Water, huh?

That's just like you.

But the way I see it, life is like gathering stones.

Isn't that right, Mom?

SEII 21:00, -17 DEGREES CELSIUS

Let's begin.

Now, we begin the coup.

OHGA'S BLADE AND FAMILY CREST

Seii.

A republic that controls the northern regions of the three nations.

On this day, in the capital city of Seiro,

an incident took place that sent shockwaves across Japan.

The Seii government had resolved to accept Yamato's call for unconditional surrender.

In response, an anti-surrender faction was formed…

00:00

…and they carried out a coup.

SEIRO EIGHTH ARMORY

What business do you have at the armory at this hour?

We just got word that the anti-surrender faction has begun an armed uprising.

We need weapons, so can you unlock the door?

An armed uprising by the anti-surrender faction?

Where's the order?

Don't have one. It's an emergency.

Then state your unit and commanding officer--

Bang!

Bang, bang!

Bang, bang!

Bang!

PRO-SURRENDER MASTER OF ARMS RINRIRIN SATO

We're the anti-surrender faction. I'm Nagao Squad Captain, Muuton Nagao.

Nice to meet you.

NAGAO SQUAD CAPTAIN MUUTON NAGAO

You're already dead.

Quick, transport the weapons.

Especially to that bearded guy's unit. Make it quick, got it?

Yes, sir!

12 MINUTES LATER

I'm pleased to report that our Kura Squad

has finished procuring weapons for all units!

Is that so?

Damn, that Nagao is quick. Takes all the fun out of it.

I was hoping he'd be late,

so I could make him pay with that game where I stick a knife between his fingers.

Stick a knife… - …between his fingers?

Oh, what's this? You guys interested?

Wanna give it a go?

KURA SQUAD CAPTAIN ATERUI KURA

Perhaps we should focus first on seeing the coup through!

Right! Good point!

SIGH

Kura Squad, our target is the Seiro Governor's residence!

Our rallying cry is "Honor the noble, punish the traitor!"

Nothing's impossible for us.

We'll take that treacherous bastard down, then drink our fill together!

00:25 - SEIRO GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE

Governor!

Please, you must escape!

Don't panic. Security here is tight.

No need to fear the anti-surrender faction.

The security unit defected to the enemy without a fight!

What?

What… what? What?

All right then, you treacherous bastard. Your life is mine.

Wait, please! Hold on--

SLASH

SEIRO GOVERNOR HIKABI ASAHIMA

All right! Light the signal fire and move on to the next one!

Yes, sir!

The anti-surrender faction attacked the pro-surrender faction, unit by unit.

DEAD: 5 WOUNDED: 14

Casualties were kept to a minimum.

And then…

Are you President Azami?

Indeed, I am.

You're…

We last met at my father's funeral.

I never thought we'd meet again like this.

Oh no, I think I'm going to cry.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OHGA WAJIMA

I see. No wonder…

So the mastermind behind all this was the daughter of Byakko Wajima,

the Western Expedition Commander.

Byakko! Your daughter is every bit the military strategist you were!

Bravo! Bravo, indeed!

So, how will you kill me?

Beheading? Burning at the stake?

Even if I'm torn apart limb by limb, I'll face it gladly.

No.

This is my father's keepsake.

Use this sword to take your own life.

Apologize to your sworn brother, my father,

who served this nation with loyalty…

for intending to sell out this country.

I ask for no mercy.

Beheading will do.

Our views may differ,

but I acted in the best interest of this nation and its people.

Whether or not I was a traitor is for future historians to decide.

Look after the people of Seii.

PRO-SURRENDER FACTION, PRESIDENT OF SEII HARUICHI AZAMI, AGE 62 (DECEASED)

Hip, hip, hooray!

Yayakichi, see that he's given a proper burial.

And provide aid to the families of those executed

in the pro-surrender faction, even if they refuse.

Completely understood.

The new administration will now overhaul the personnel.

At noon, we will deliver our declaration of resolve.

Yes. Everything is going according to plan.

However,

with this sudden upheaval and this cold, the people won't be at ease.

Use the rice the government has kept hidden and make warm porridge,

and see to the people.

Seiro rice is sweet, chewy, and delicious.

I'm sure the people will be happy.

You really are your father's daughter.

Indeed, Commander-in-Chief Wajima.

If you win the people's hearts, subduing Yamato shouldn't be difficult.

Yes.

There's no turning back.

For the people and the nation, we press onward.

That same day…

SHIBATA TRAINING CASTLE

…Commander Ohga Wajima issued an official proclamation,

detailing the establishment of the new government.

Inside the castle, porridge was handed out,

drawing large crowds of citizens.

After suffering under misrule,

the citizens were eager to see how the new administration would govern.

Make sure you eat plenty.

Thank you! - My first meal in two weeks!

So good, so good!

Why is she crying?

Your body odor is probably burning her eyes.

You mean yours? - No, yours.

I'm so glad you're enjoying it.

I really am.

So precious!

MILITARY CHIEF ATERUI KURA

Man, I seriously don't get it.

All this rice should be used as provisions for the military.

Don't you think so too?

CHIEF NEGOTIATOR MUUTON NAGAO

So precious…

What?

No way, seriously? You've got a crush on the Commander?

Wait, what? Come on, Aterui, what're you talking about? Seriously.

Me, a crush on the Commander? What even is that?

I mean, it's not like I joined the anti-surrender faction

because I like Commander Wajima or anything.

Nice. I'm seriously rooting for you.

Kura, you don't understand a thing about the porridge, do you?

Strategist Hei.

True, securing military provisions is important.

But in this bitter cold,

do you really think starving people will listen to the Commander's words

if they're not given any food?

Without the people's trust, a ruler cannot stand.

Politics cannot function without the trust of the people.

Confucius taught that

among the three pillars of military strength, food, and people's trust,

it is people's trust that is paramount in governance.

Commander Wajima will surely become a just ruler who will lead the people.

I guess she really is a wise person.

Strategist Hei, please punish me for insulting the Commander.

Come on, Nagao. You too!

Wait, me too?

It's fine.

But, Strategist Hei, there's something I don't get.

Even if we're handing out porridge, it should normally be left to the corps.

So why would the Commander do it herself?

Don't tell me even that was planned.

No. It's always been that way with Tora--

I'd say that's just Commander Wajima's nature.

"Tora"?

NOON

Let me introduce myself. I'm Ohga Wajima, commander of the new administration.

NEW REGIME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OHGA WAJIMA

From earlier? - The porridge lady!

Oh dear! I spoke so casually to her!

So precious!

My dear fellow citizens.

Today, we toppled the old regime

and established a new government here in Seii.

In recent years,

many farmers have lost their livelihoods due to the cold weather.

As a result, human trafficking has become rampant.

Some people have even starved to death.

I'm sure many among you have suffered because of it.

But let me be clear.

The blame lies with the old regime,

which neglected to take measures against the cold and did nothing

but line their own pockets.

That's right, that's right!

That's right!

The new administration will immediately enact a nationwide agricultural policy

to improve farmlands and streamline production and distribution.

And for the next three years,

each district will receive a subsidy of ¥100 per month!

¥100 a month?

That'll attract plenty of workers! - Yeah!

Do not think these hard times will last forever.

With the strong will and actions of each and every citizen,

we can change everything!

And remember this.

Who is our true enemy?

The old Seii government?

No.

Buo in the east?

No.

And what about Yamato in the west?

Seii's history began

when we first rose to resist Yamato's invasion of the Hokuriku region.

Yet Yamato has learned nothing.

Instead, they conspired with traitors

and tried once again to threaten the very existence of our nation!

That's right, that's right!

Since its founding, Yamato has claimed to be the successor to the former Japan,

and has plotted to seize the Japanese archipelago as its own.

In other words, if we allow Yamato to claim legitimacy as a nation,

Seii's blood will one day be spilled again!

Therefore, for the sake of future generations, now is the time

to strike down Yamato and fulfill our long-cherished ambition!

That's right! That's right!

Ohga Wajima drove sweeping reforms.

She increased the population in farms and fishing villages

and boosted productivity.

On the fiscal front, she overhauled the currency.

As for the military, she expanded the farmer-soldier system.

She also built, improved, and repaired roads and waterways.

In just one month, she cut unemployment,

which had reached over 200,000 people, to less than half,

and her public support surged with unstoppable force.

Rule for the people! Honor the noble, punish the traitor!

Long live our nation!

As your commander, I swear it here and now.

We will not fight for money, land, or power.

We will fight for you!

Rule for the people! Honor the noble, punish the traitor!

Long live our nation!

Year 51 of the Seiki era. Spring.

Commander Ohga Wajima's dictatorship is established,

one month before Seii's westward expedition.

THE PATH PEOPLE WALK IS EVER FLOWING, MUCH LIKE WATER

Creative Supervisor : Hideo Kimura