Original subtitles

Hey! Where'd this sword cut come from?

It wasn't here yesterday. Someone owes me an explanation.

Yes, sir.

Hey, Kingo.

Nakamura, do you know about this?

Yes, sir.

Last night, I bumped into a comrade named Ueda, we quarreled,

and he swung at me without warning.

We put a stop to it, but not soon enough.

He's on your side, boss, and Kondo-sensei's.

Ueda backs Serizawa-sensei, you see.

He's the one to blame.

I'm sorry.

No. What's done is done.

There, there.

Okiku-chan.

She sure can wail. What's wrong?

She's throwing a tantrum because she can't take her usual midday nap.

The place is bustling due to your new recruits.

My apologies.

Oh, don't worry about us.

There, there. It's time to sleep.

Really, don't mind us.

Blue Miburo

Why aren't you on patrol?

Serizawa-sensei called for us!

That's Kondo-sensei's meal!

Serizawa-sensei's drink comes first!

Serizawa is fracturing our forces.

Forget defending Kyoto. We'll have bloodshed in the ranks if this keeps up.

Damn it. How do I fix this?

What can I do?

Whoa! Gen-san!

Toshi.

How about a game for old times' sake?

Right now? You know we have bigger problems.

So how about a game?

Checkmate.

Th-That was fast.

You lost, Hijikata?

Quiet, kid. Go play hide-and-seek.

One more game!

The Miburo are split in two, and I've got to make us whole.

But I've got no idea how.

I could throw a party to encourage friendships,

but would Serizawa agree to it?

Checkmate.

One more game, damn it!

How conceited.

What?

Weren't you 12 or 13 when you first came to the Shieikan?

That was over a decade ago.

That hooligan stuck it out and became an adult.

After a loss, you'd get creative and try again and again.

You got better with a sword and at selling medicine like your forefathers.

You always appraise the situation, identify the cause, and devise a solution.

That's the essence of Hijikata Toshizo.

At least, that's how I see it. What about you?

Start by appraising the situation...

Thank you, Gen-san.

Don't mention it.

Hijikata-kun.

Aizu wants a list of new Miburo members and a chart of our organization.

Perhaps this is the opportunity you're looking for.

That's it.

Gen-san, Yamanami, lend me a hand.

You want us to write who we think ought to lead the Miburo?

What's this about?

You want us to choose between Serizawa-san and Kondo-san?

The answer's obvious!

Well, I'll do it out of duty, but only out of duty.

The great Serizawa-sensei!

Old Man Kondo

Who but Serizawa-san?

Kondo

Serizawa

It seems to be five votes for Serizawa-san for every four for Kondo-san.

A surprisingly close race.

Hijikata-kun, what are you looking for?

I knew it.

You cast this vote, didn't you, Nio?

Yes, I did.

Why didn't you write anyone's name?

I thought it over as hard as I could,

but I couldn't narrow it down to one person.

Maybe choosing a leader isn't the most pressing issue for the Miburo right now.

Then what is?

Well... Introducing rules, I suppose.

Oh, I think I might have just the job for you.

Why don't you just ask him?

Nio, I'd like your help.

I want you to judge the Miburo with your eyes.

Serizawa-san. Kondo-san. We need to talk.

We have counted the votes.

Remember that we did this fair and square, and listen up.

Commander...

Kondo Isami!

Kondo-sensei did it!

Hell yeah!

There's no way!

That can't be right!

Next, supreme commander...

Serizawa Kamo.

S-Supreme?

That means he's on top. That's our Serizawa-sensei.

And our other commander...

Huh?

A third one?

Niimi Nishiki.

Niimi-dono?

We have three commanders?

Quiet down! If I call your name, respond.

Yamazaki Susumu.

Here.

Asano Totaro.

Here!

Hayashi Shintaro.

Chirinu Nio.

Here!

These five cast blank ballots.

In other words, they didn't pick a side.

I hereby create a neutral third party.

They will root out wrongdoing and bring order among us.

As inspectors, their job is to investigate.

We look forward to serving you all!

Commissioner of Kyoto Lord Matsudaira Higo-no-Kami of Aizu Konkai-Komyoji Head Temple

Oh?

So you've appointed three commanders, and inspectors as well?

Yes, sir.

We wish to do more for this city of Kyoto than ever before.

Good. I expect much of you.

Oh, it's only... Rumor has it you've forced merchants to lend you money.

We can't have that when the Miburo should be protecting the city.

Oh?

Our military expenses are all in service to the Shogunate.

The Miburo answer to the Lord of Aizu.

Should he not have funded us in the first place?

Naturally, we understand maintaining 3,000 soldiers strains his purse.

So we Miburo will fend for ourselves.

The least you could do is leave us to it.

Out of curiosity, where'd you hear these rumors?

I'll visit the source of the rumors, Lord Minakuchi's residence.

Serizawa-san, allow me to accompany you.

Oh, I'll be gentle. And I won't need your help.

Do you think he's gotten over that bruise we saw?

Nagakura, Harada, and Gen-san, would you go with him?

Be there just in case.

Certainly.

I'm your man.

Niimi-san, Yamazaki-san, please let me go as the inspectors' representative.

I want to observe how Serizawa-san acts now as best I can.

It's an important first mission. Watch him well.

Thank you very much.

Who goes there?

Serizawa Kamo, supreme commander of the Mibu Roshigumi.

I serve the Lord of Aizu.

The Lord of Aizu?

We expected no messenger.

Move!

Are you hurt?

Our apologies.

We're the Mibu Roshigumi under the patronage of Aizu.

We've heard that a member of your household has been slandering us.

We insist you produce him.

You'd better come out.

N-No! They'll kill me!

I didn't know they were as big as bears.

So you're the one? You've got quite a mouth on you.

Don't you run from me. Hold it!

Uh-oh. This ain't good.

No warning or anything?

Stop, Serizawa.

Cut it out!

Keep it up.

Huh? What?

Insult the Miburo.

Call us us terrifying, cruel, evil, tough, boorish.

Keep it up.

I-Is this some kind of metaphor?

No. It's just what it sounds like.

Do it.

A-All right.

And don't forget to write an apology, just to keep up appearances.

You might hold a party to make it up to us, too.

That's all. Excuse me.

Um, Serizawa-san, why didn't you tell him to stop?

I don't see why you'd want him to spread even worse rumors.

Serizawa-san's answer to my question was:

"Better infamous than unknown."

"Better infamous than unknown"?

Yes. And he also told me...

we can't avoid a war in Kyoto, so we need to prepare for one.

He wants to make the Miburo a force to be feared before it happens.

He doesn't see things the way Kondo-san and Hijikata-san do.

Kondo's group hopes to make peace with the Osaka sumos,

and earn money by having them come wrestle in Mibu.

While Serizawa-san forces shops to loan him money.

How can they be so different?

It's the difference between samurai and farmers.

What do you mean?

Kondo's group have peasant origins.

They sow seeds, tend rice stalks, and harvest their crop.

But Serizawa is a samurai to the bone.

He takes what he finds in exchange for protection.

Fundamentally, they can't understand each other.

The gulf is deep and near impossible to bridge.

Serizawa's forceful approach is a problem,

but understand that he's acting on logic and principles of his own.

I see.

But as an individual rather than an inspector,

I can't bring myself to hate Serizawa-san with my whole heart.

One more thing.

I've learned what motivates Serizawa-san.

And what's that?

Impatience.

Serizawa-san looked as though something was driving him on.

Could it be that he—

I see. Good work.

I'll take it from here. This is my job.

Niimi-san.

Saito-kun.

I've heard rumors of an odd samurai in Fushimi.

He could be an extremist ronin.

Would you be willing to investigate?

What the hell does Yamanami mean by an "odd samurai"?

How am I supposed to find him just from that?

A horse, huh? Horses sure are nice.

I'd love to ride one.

Maybe the Miburo will have a stable someday.

What?

I was so famished that I fell into the river.

Another weirdo.

Anegakoji was bad enough. Why am I a freak magnet?

Who the hell are you?

Sorry.

He's huge!

I mistook your leg for a post.

You wouldn't happen to have some chicken stew on you?

Why the hell would I?

Anyone can see you're a suspicious character.

Tell me your name and domain—

Sorry.

Could you spare me something to eat? I'm not picky.

Listen to me!

I got a pickled daikon.

Want some?

No!

Go ahead. Take a bite.

I'm telling you, I don't want it.

Come on. It's no big deal.

Whoops. Almost dropped it.

A samurai's sword is his soul.

Don't use it like that.

Soul?

This thing's just a tool. Ain't no way it could be my soul.

I'm Saito Hajime of the Mibu Roshigumi.

What's your name? What domain do you serve?

I'm Sakamoto Ryoma, and I'm not with any domain.

I'm just a person.

Sakamoto?

Did you say Sakamoto Ryoma?

If so, men like that fellow, who strive to push us forward,

may one day become your greatest foes.

The ronin Sakamoto Ryoma, formerly of Tosa.

This guy is Sakamoto Ryoma?

Oh, darn.

My wallet's gone. I must've dropped it in the river.

That's a problem.

Hajime.

Why are you helping me?

Shut up. You need that wallet, right?

So let's find it already.

Hey!

What are you doing there?

I dropped my wallet.

Would you help us look for it if you've got time?

I'll split the money inside with you if you find it.

Oh, I like the sound of that.

I guess I'll pitch in.

Sakamoto, you said you haven't eaten in a few days.

What have you been doing for a living?

Making a navy.

A navy?

I borrowed 5,000 ryo to set up a naval training ground in Kanda.

I'm on my way back from thanking Lord Matsudaira Shungaku of Echizen.

5,000 ryo? A lord lent you that much?

That's right.

Don't tell me this guy's just good at blowing smoke?

You know, this sounds like fun.

Hey!

Want to join in to get out of the heat, samurai?

Ridiculous.

Most samurai don't want to help.

Their swords will get rusty.

They should set their swords aside. That's what we're doing.

Samurai let their blood go to their heads fighting with foreign lands.

First Choshu and now Satsuma are going at it with England.

Satsuma, too?

The Namamugi Incident set them off.

Some Englishmen on horses cut in front of the Satsuma daimyo's procession,

and the samurai cut them down on the spot.

Those foreigners had the bad luck to cross samurai.

Like I was saying, samurai are a bunch of blockheads.

What?

Samurai are crap. Just clods of dirt.

We're all the same lumps of meat under our skins.

I bet you've got guys like that in your life, too.

Guys too set in their ways, hiding under the imaginary umbrella of samurai custom.

You're a samurai, too, aren't you?

You bet. I'm a lump of meat like the rest.

But I've got no ego and no emotion.

I'm just a transparent body out to accomplish a goal.

What's with this guy?

So what's this goal you're out to accomplish?

Isn't that obvious?

I'm gonna wash this whole rotten Japan clean.

Old man.

A millennium has passed since samurai entered this world.

At the end of those thousand years,

we've got this guy and his weird, creepy way of thinking.

Who threw this thing away?

I've never heard anyone dismiss samurai like he does.

He's dangerous.

He might wreck our whole way of life someday.

So right here, right now, I'd better—

I found it!

Is this it?

Yeah, that's the one. Thanks.

I appreciate all your help.

Glad that worked out!

Here's a four-leaf clover. They say it brings good luck.

I got my sister in Tosa to send it to me.

It means more to me than life itself.

What a heartwarming story.

This ferry's bound for Osaka!

Oh! Let me on!

I'll take a turn poling, so give me a discount.

Since when was that a thing?

By the by...

I notice you wear your swords on the right.

That goes against samurai etiquette.

Maybe you know some more people who don't let custom hold them back.

I call that a rare find.

You ought to treasure those connections.

Don't lose your wallet again, Sakamoto.

So long!

Sir! Don't stand in the boat!

Take care, Hajime!

Will a time come when...

...may one day become your greatest foes.

...I look back on today with regret?

Will a new age come and bring an end to the samurai?

What will I do if it does?

Infamy

Next time

It's me, Tanaka Taro.

Serizawa-sensei's always so grand and manly.

Sure, he can be rowdy, but he's nice to kids.

Even the Yagis' girl, Okiku, likes him.

So I look up to him, the same as ever.

Do you think there's anything I can do for Serizawa-sensei, though?

Next time: "Firefly Glow."

Firefly Glow