Original subtitles

Matsubara Bridge

You're next.

I've met you before.

What's your name?

Hajime. Saito Hajime.

I like you.

Especially your spirit, full of fight and ready to kill.

Hajime.

The Risshidan has a place for...

I refuse.

Leave the Miburo...

I refuse.

Blue Miburo

What's this? You didn't kill them?

They're too far below my level.

Not worth killing.

What a letdown. You just want to play at being a samurai.

Say what you like.

You'll join them soon enough.

What's wrong?

Damn. I thought he was just some kid.

Don't move.

Pretend you're out cold.

Niimi.

I don't know what he's thinking, but he'll do his job.

Hijikata's been paying attention.

He picked the perfect partner for me.

You won't attack?

Of course not. You know what you're doing.

Where does he get his weird confidence from? I have a bad feeling about this.

Something felt off then, too.

His expression?

His movements?

His name?

When we listed off their names, one didn't seem to fit.

The Fool. The Agitator. The Samurai. The Hound.

I forgot.

Nio might have picked up on something.

Life's great on our side, Hajime.

Join us, and you'll get to kill people.

You can grow stronger.

A job other than killing, huh?

Dissection?

Cutting up dead bodies to look at the bones and organs.

For medical research.

The shogunate must grant permission to use the corpses of criminals.

A doctor who can't get permission put in the request.

So grave robbing, then.

It's 10 ryo to stand guard and help carry the bodies.

It's risky work.

You'll get jail time if you're caught.

As long as it's not killing, I don't care.

What?! Did you say 10 ryo?!

I knew I smelled blood on you.

Shut up.

You didn't ask me anything. That means you trust me.

I won't kill people.

As long as I outclass my opponent, I'll take them alive.

I'm a Miburo. I'll protect Kyoto.

Those are my orders.

How naïve.

What a disappointment.

I've got it.

He used his right hand to loosen his sword before, too.

He doesn't use his left hand.

He's weirdly cocky.

That settles it. He's got some kind of trump card in his left hand.

Likely a small, hidden weapon.

Taking lives is true strength.

Hajime, you can't stop me without killing me.

Fine by me.

He didn't draw?

He's good.

Your left hand's wide open!

He's got no arm.

Oh? Running away?

I don't believe it. He's only got one arm.

That was close, but I won't make the same mistake again.

No, Hajime, the fight's already over.

What?

You think I'm cowardly?

So, so naïve.

I remember now.

That weird name...

Anything that helps you win is fair game.

Lily. Lily-of-the-valley. A poisonous flower.

Damn it. Poison?

Am I going to lose?

Old man, am I...

Jiro, you're weak.

Me? Weak?

Yes. Weak.

I already know that! That's the reason my mom and dad were murdered by robbers!

Because I'm weak!

That's right.

That's why I said I wanted to get strong like you!

Look! My hair's been snow-white since that day!

Teach me to use a sword.

I want to get strong like you.

No.

Why not?

Jiro, I'll be frank.

The truth is that I'm weak, too.

I really am a poor little orphan.

Murdered parents. No relatives. All alone in this world.

Hint, hint.

What's wrong with teaching me how to fight?!

Stop holding out on me!

I know all about it.

You really are strong.

You cut down those robbers in the blink of an eye.

No, I'm weak. All people are.

What matters is...

I've had it!

What's your problem? Damn it.

Time for a meal.

Now, let's eat.

Pickled daikon radish again?

First, eat. It is the basis of life.

Don't forget to put your hands together.

I want to get strong.

Strong like him.

He really was strong.

No way is he weak.

Teach me to use a sword!

No.

Fine. I'll teach myself.

I'm going for a swim.

I can't draw it. Why not?

Come back! Thief!

Forgive us.

Never do that again.

Yes, sir.

Your hair's grown out.

Time for a cut.

Yikes!

The color's starting to come back at the roots.

Saito, sir.

Sweetfish.

Do you have work?

I do.

Oh?

Assassination?

I killed someone and fled Edo.

I only saved you by chance.

Killing is all I'm good for.

Jiro, you ought to go elsewhere.

Nothing good will come of staying with me.

I don't want to lose anyone again.

I don't.

A starling.

Huh?

The way a starling moves its tail.

The way its tail moves?

No.

Here. With the scabbard.

Move your scabbard with your left hand as your sword leaves it.

Watch.

There. That's the motion.

And the same when you sheath your blade. The starling cries twice.

I guess you're still too young.

Like a starling.

Like a starling. Like a starling.

Only draw it in the yard.

"How can I become a warrior like him?" That was the only thought in my mind.

No, "ah." That's "nu."

I'll get strong.

I'll be a samurai like the old man.

It won't be long now.

I'm going to work.

Take me with you.

I've gotten stronger.

I can help.

Don't follow me.

Why not?

Jiro, you're weak.

Can he even do this job? He looks ready to collapse.

I told you not to follow me.

I'm not leaving. I'll prove I can help...

I'm not telling you to go.

Hold this.

It looks like this job was a trap.

We're already surrounded.

No way. There's way too many of them.

Saito Hajime, you've made too much of a name for yourself. It made you easy to find.

So you survived, huh?

You gave me these scars.

Now I get even.

Jiro, stay close to me.

Do your worst, vermin.

Get him!

Go for the kid first!

The "kid" is tougher than you think.

Die!

Crap.

I won't let you lay a finger on him.

Old man.

You damn freak!

Won't you call this off?

You nearly lost your life before. Why throw it away now?

B-Bro.

A shallow cut.

I k-killed Saito Hajime!

Old man! Old man!

That's enough!

Retreat! Retreat!

Why didn't you draw, dumbass?

Tough it out till I get you to a doctor.

No need.

I wasn't long for this world anyway.

What are you talking about?

Forget me. Go to Mibu.

Mibu? What for?

No questions. Just go.

Saito-san.

What happened?

Kondo-kun. Thank goodness.

Help him! He's gonna die!

Tell me, Kondo-kun.

What did you men come to Kyoto for?

To right wrongs.

Old man!

Stop trying to talk!

Listen.

I won't die.

Not until I place you in his care.

This is my son.

I've learned people grow strong when they value something more than themselves.

I took a long road to get there, though.

I won't die as long as you live.

Jiro, be strong.

I'll look after him.

Beside your parents, then.

Boy, what are you called?

Hajime.

I'm Saito Hajime.

The old man's not weak.

I'll prove it.

I'll carry his sword and continue his legacy.

You could be a wolf.

I'm the second Saito Hajime.

Impossible. That was deadly poison.

He's not weak.

He won't die.

Not while I'm alive.

The old man died.

He went into his last fight racked with illness.

Because he was weak?

No, he said he took the long way round.

He always called himself weak.

But that day, he was different.

Because I was there, I bet.

He didn't want me to see him kill, so he didn't draw his sword.

Maybe he found the meaning of strength in that moment because he had something to protect.

If I let this guy go, people will die.

I've got no reason to help strangers. Or so I thought.

But you can't live somewhere without getting a little attached to it.

So...

I can't afford to lose.

You can't pull off an iai strike.

Look. You'll pass out and die in no time.

You can't muster up the strength.

Iai's not about strength. It's about skill.

Like a starling's tail.

I've done it like he taught me thousands, if not tens of thousands of times.

It's etched into my body.

I've got no reason to start doubting it now.

Like I'd let you try.

What are you waiting for?

Huh?

Get him!

I will beat you.

You can't do it. There's no way!

I'm done for. I can't move.

Get lost.

Good. Found it.

This is the antidote. I hope.

Drink.

Sorry. I spoiled your fight.

No, I owe you one.

I screwed up. I didn't expect poison.

That reaction isn't like you.

Shut up.

It's fine. I still have a ways to go.

I'm weak. I'm lacking in mind and body.

Old man, I see that now.

Will you laugh at me?

All people are weak. What matters is...

What would he have said next?

I feel like I've finally made it to the entrance.

I'm sure you have your own reasons.

Everyone does. That's life.

But don't make it everyone else's problem.

The city's not burning.

You made sure it didn't.

What a joke.

Rest up.

You'd better take it from here...

Kyohachi School

Nio.

I had a feeling you'd come here.

Successor

Next time

Kyohachi School

Chirinu Nio here.

I know Nagi-san is with child, so I rushed to the Kyohachi School to check on her.

But why, Yotaro-san?

You should be at Nagi-san's side.

And Kondo-san, please calm down.

I'm begging both of you: don't draw your swords.

Next time: "Prepared for What Comes."

Prepared for

What Comes