Original subtitles

I need to know the truth about Hijikata Toshizo.

He had the same look in his eyes as you.

What's the fun in doing the sensible thing?

Doing what no one else can is what makes you a badass.

This guy might be a good fit for us.

It was the final years of the Edo period.

Gathered at the Shieikan dojo

home of the Tennen Rishin-ryu style...

We'll have another match, Toshizo.

...were ten fearsome warriors, including Hijikata Toshizo.

After all, the one thing that really gets a man's blood pumping

is good old-fashioned violence.

Ain't that right?

I swear, I'll never lose to anyone again!

This was a turbulent era.

This is the story of men who lived and died by the sword.

Tennen Rishin-ryu: Sword of No Light!

SONG OF THE SAMURAI

SONG OF THE SAMURAI

FEBRUARY 1863

February 1863.

The men of the Shieikan dojo came to Kyo, seeking to become the strongest.

But they were unable to find a way to make a living

let alone make a name for themselves with their swords.

Meanwhile...

You bastard! You're a manslayer!

DIVINE RETRIBUTION

Aizu clan samurai, shogunate allies

were being attacked one after another, spreading terror across the city of Kyo.

ONE MONTH LATER

This is good.

This isn't enough.

By the way, Eisaburo, what were you up to last night?

Huh? Hmm? Well...

You smelled of face powder when you came back.

Don't tell me you were doing this?

You're more of a player than you look, you sly dog!

No, that's not it! Where would I get the money for that?

Gosh, that's suspicious.

It's not like that.

If we had that kind of money...

Did you want to go with him too, Yamanami?

Of course not!

I'm hungry.

If we don't find a way to make a living today, our savings will run out.

Fine.

Hello? Anyone home?

Hey!

Still stinks like a bunch of sweaty guys in here.

Sasaki Tadasaburo? What are you doing here?

Hey.

Please calm down.

Mr. Sasaki was also a shogunate official involved with the Roshigumi.

He got screwed over by Kiyokawa, same as us.

What gives? An official who is officially useless?

Seriously? Don't talk to me, you monkey.

The only ones here worth talking to...

are you and you.

I presume you've heard the rumors about manslayers targeting shogunate retainers.

Yes. We've heard they're assassins sent by the Imperialists.

Naturally, we can't just let scoundrels like that run wild.

And so, an order has come down from the powers that be

to gather all swordsmen of skill.

Does that mean we have a chance to serve the shogunate?

Precisely.

Giving this job to savages like you...

- Personally, I was against it. - Is that true?

You're not so bad after all!

This is why I hate you savages!

What?

- Sasaki. - Yes?

Is what you just said true? Will the shogunate really take us in?

Yes, but there's a catch.

- The Aizu will test you. - The Aizu?

That's right. To see if you're actually of any use.

And what if we fail to get the Aizu's approval?

Then you had better be prepared to starve.

Bring it on!

They're more than a worthy test! We'll show them what we've got!

KYOTO MILITARY COMMISSIONER AIZU DOMAIN HEADQUARTERS

What the hell are they doing here?

Serizawa Kamo, Niimi Nishiki, and Hirayama Goro.

Word that they defied Kiyokawa Hachiro has reached the ears of the shogunate.

They're considered men of real grit.

Especially Serizawa Kamo. The man is a monster in a fight.

And where the hell is Kamo?

Master Serizawa went out last night and has yet to return.

The nerve of him.

Toshi... Toshi! Don't go in there.

They are really fired up.

The Aizu are called Japan's strongest.

The strongest in Japan?

That's right. The Aizu Domain, ruled by the Matsudaira of Aizu

is a prestigious clan renowned for its unwavering loyalty to the Tokugawa family.

Their lord, Matsudaira Katamori, was named the Military Commissioner of Kyoto

and 1,000 of his hand-picked men are keeping the peace in Kyo.

Line up!

Who is that?

That's Sagawa Kanbei.

Sagawa...

What is a samurai?

That's him.

They call him "Kanbei the Demon."

The greatest in all of Aizu...

No, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the greatest samurai in Japan.

A samurai is...

The greatest in Japan, huh?

He is the very embodiment of a samurai.

SAGAWA KANBEI

It has been a while, Sasaki.

You seem to be in very high spirits. I'm glad.

You're from the former Roshigumi?

Yes.

I'm Kondo Isami, the fourth master of the Tennen Rishin-ryu school.

Yes, I was told you were the ones with the backbone to defy Kiyokawa.

Hey, he says we've got a backbone.

When, really, we were just broke.

Whatever. It's a minor detail.

How insolent!

I'm here.

SERIZAWA KAMO

Serizawa.

So you're the greatest in all of Aizu, "Sagawa the Demon," huh?

The one and only.

I like it. He reeks of pure mayhem. The finest vintage.

All I smell on you is face powder.

So cold.

Hey, move.

Then let's not waste any time. Show me what you're made of.

We humbly accept.

I shall be your opponent.

If you are victorious

I will recommend you to our lord, Matsudaira Katamori.

We're going to face the Demon Chief himself...

He's Japan's greatest samurai.

- Bring the gear. - Sir!

Hold on a minute.

What's the problem?

We don't need that junk.

Toshi, stand down!

Anyone who would get cold feet just facing you

isn't someone you would want in your ranks anyway, right?

Judging by your tone

I take it you'll be my opponent?

That's right.

I'm going to beat you senseless.

- Hijikata, what are you doing? - You had better be ready!

You!

Such incredible spirit.

- Hey! - I like this man.

It takes one to know one.

Hey.

- Thank you. - Stop it!

Stop it now! Creepy!

Tell me your name!

What is your name?

Go.

Hijikata Toshizo.

Hijikata.

That's a great name.

My lord!

Kanbei.

Sir!

What is the meaning of this charade?

That's Lord Matsudaira of the Aizu Domain! Hurry up and bow!

You're not

planning to fight them with a stick, are you?

LORD OF THE AIZU DOMAIN, MATSUDAIRA KATAMORI

You think you can tell if they're real samurai, risking their lives

with something like that?

Use this.

A real sword.

Cut the crap. If we use a real sword, the loser is going to die!

Get a hold of yourself.

Then you can die for all I care.

All right, listen up, bastards!

Sooner or later

the shogunate is going to fall.

Kyo is a battlefield now!

It's kill or be killed. That's all there is to it.

In this Kyo, we Aizu were told

to become the sacrificial pawns of a dying shogunate!

My lord.

And yet, why did you accept the post of Protector of Kyoto?

It's obvious.

Because I'm...

Matsudaira Katamori.

But listen.

I don't intend to let these men die for nothing.

Losing without even putting up a fight is not Katamori's way, no...

It's not the Aizu way of the samurai!

If we're going to fight

we'll fight to the bitter end, even if the shogunate itself surrenders.

That is the Aizu way!

My lord!

- My lord! - My lord!

- My lord! - My lord!

- My lord! - My lord!

Understand?

Every last Aizu samurai here

is a damn fool prepared to die alongside me.

That's what it means

to fight with us.

I like it.

If they're told to die, they would gut themselves. Look at their eyes.

Are these guys insane?

Look.

In times like these, you need it to stay true to your convictions.

A little bit of madness.

Now

let's see...

this so-called resolve of yours!

Well...

You are something else.

Interesting.

A duel to the death.

I accept.

Hijikata, there is something I would like to ask you.

What does the way of the samurai mean to you?

What a pointless question to ask.

To bloom brilliantly, then gracefully fall.

That's what it means to be a samurai, no?

I knew I was fond of you.

But

that's precisely why...

I'll fight with everything I have as a samurai.

Bring it on.

As expected of the greatest samurai in all of Japan.

Is Toshi going to be okay?

Your path as a samurai...

I hope this is not the best you can muster.

Now my blood is boiling!

This is where the real fight begins.

Oh?

Hiraseigan.

So he's ready to stake everything on a mere duel. Not bad.

It'll be over quickly.

How can you tell?

Yamanami, you can't even figure that out?

From the start, defense wasn't even on their minds.

When the force of ten collides against ten

they'll shatter.

Then the outcome of this match is...

A mutual kill.

They are both going to die?

Hey, Sagawa.

Let us bloom with all our might.

Hold it!

The match is over.

What are you talking about? This fight isn't over yet!

My lord, let us fight till the end...

You bastard.

Are you screwing with me?

Hey, you bastard!

Did you suddenly decide that dying here wouldn't do Aizawa any good?

Don't you dare go on the defensive!

That's how you die.

I have no excuse.

Hijikata.

Your desperate, all-or-nothing style is magnificent.

I welcome you as the fools who are ready to die alongside the Aizu!

You all got that?

From now on, we live and die with them. We share one fate!

There will be no objections.

- Yes! - Yes!

And so, we were officially taken under the wing of the Aizu clan

and the Mibu Roshigumi

which later became the Shinsengumi, was born.

Kamo.

I just remembered.

What?

I can't stand that guy.

He was the same way when he fought me. Utterly reckless.

He has absolutely no fear of death.

Maybe that just means you don't have enough resolve, Tada.

Rise!

Bow.

The time has finally come, has it not, Takechi?

Now that Shogun Iemochi has traveled to the capital

the shogunate has no choice but to promise the emperor they'll expel the foreigners.

But the Aizu are a problem.

I hear a group called the Mibu Roshigumi is hunting the Aizu Hunters.

The most dangerous one

is Serizawa Kamo, a rogue from the Mito Domain.

And Kondo Isami from the Shieikan, too.

And there's one more.

The man who is rumored to have defeated Sagawa Kanbei of Aizu.

Just a rumor, of course.

No matter who it is, if they dare stand in our way...

You understand what must be done, Kusaka.

Rest assured.

I know their every move.

Someone is coming.

It could be that killer.

So, you boys are from Aizu, huh?

This pathetic? You're hardly a challenge.

You bastard! Is it us Aizu that you're after?

I'm an Aizu Hunter.

Aizu Hunter?

I'm here to hunt down every last one of you rotten shogunate dogs.

You had better be ready to die. Blink and you're a dead man.

Enjoy.

Aizu Hunter, my ass. Damn it!

There were six men last night alone.

Who the hell is doing this?

Hey, Toshi. Take it easy.

Our men were killed!

How the hell am I supposed to be calm?

The expulsionists have to be the ones pulling the strings.

Those sons of bitches.

Judging by the sword work, it's all the work of a single man.

Hey. What do you want?

You seem to be enjoying yourself, huh?

No, I would say there are two of them.

On what grounds?

How can you not even get that, huh?

The Aizu men in Kiyamachi were all hit with a single killing blow from the front.

But the ones in Uradera were ambushed from behind.

All right. Now we're talking. You've got good eyes.

Look, it doesn't matter who the killer is.

They're the ones who picked this fight.

They are mocking us!

So enough with the chatter.

We just need to cut them all down. Right?

Do whatever you want.

What's so damn funny?

There are two Aizu Hunters, and both are master swordsmen.

They could show up at any time. Don't let your guard down for a second.

Wipe that grim look off your face.

I'm telling you, I'll take down one or two of these Aizu Hunters myself.

Talking big, aren't we, Hijikata?

That's what's great about him.

I would say he's more likely to get seriously hurt.

Don't you worry. I'm a man who always delivers.

Who says we're counting on you?

I believe in you, Hijikata!

Whoa, where did that come from?

Ever since he saw you beat me, he has been your biggest admirer.

Why don't you ask him about that thing, Hironojo?

I'll see you later.

Hey.

What did you want to ask me?

I... I couldn't possibly ask.

Don't be shy! Need me to take care of someone for you?

Oh, no.

It's just that my son was born the other day

and I was hoping you would name him.

You want me to name him?

I want my son to grow up to be strong, just like you.

- Hiyah! - Boss!

Wait!

The Aizu Hunters, huh?

I carry out...

divine retribution.

Took you long enough.

All right. Bring it on.

So you're Kondo Isami.

To think you dodged my surprise attack. You're just as good as they say.

Were you going after our boss?

He's still breathing!

Boss, go and help him. This one is mine.

I'm telling you, he's a master swordsman.

Yeah.

I won't forgive him.

Let's go!

There's no point in running away now.

I'll cut you down and then chase them.

Bring it on!

It has been a while since someone has managed to wound me.

But for some reason, I don't like you.

What's with that look?

Those eyes say you've thrown everything away.

That's some boring violence.

Oh well. Before you die, give me your name, Aizu Hunter.

Okada Izo.

At least now, those eyes have some life in them.

Hey, Hirayama.

What are you, a moron?

Stay out of my fight. Interfere and I'll kill you.

My apologies.

You're slow.

You too.

Or might you be the one?

The one they say defeated Sagawa Kanbei?

Your name?

Hijikata Toshizo.

That way!

I'll remember you, Hijikata Toshizo.

I'll kill you myself.

- Hijikata! - Are you okay?

Hey!

It's me.

Boss, how is he?

He's safe.

He said he can't die until you've named his son for him, Toshi.

Good.

So?

Are you sure the ones who attacked you were Aizu Hunters, too?

Yes.

A two-sword style ambush. From his accent, he's from Satsuma.

My guy is from Tosa. His name is Okada Izo.

Okada Izo?

What? Do you know him?

An old sparring partner from Edo.

I see.

It has to be a mistake.

What kind of nonsense is that?

He just tried to kill Master Serizawa.

And your leader's life, too.

The fact that both of our commanders were attacked at the same time...

No matter how you slice it, something isn't right.

What are you getting at?

Someone on the inside leaked our movements to the enemy.

You're saying a traitor is among us?

I am.

For an old friend, perhaps.

- Are you picking a fight? - Toshi would never do that.

Niimi, that theory doesn't hold up.

If Toshi were a traitor, it doesn't make sense that he's wounded.

What if he got wounded just to deceive us?

Why the hell would I do something so stupid?

Can we really trust you?

What gives? Not you too, Yamanami.

In Tosa

I heard of the Tosa Loyalist Party.

They're radical imperial loyalists.

Okada Izo may very well be one of them.

Are you serious?

So, what is it going to be?

What are you going to do if that killer turns out to be your friend Okada Izo?

When he comes to kill you, what are you going to do?

If you hesitate, you die. Right?

That's going too far, Serizawa.

Now that's the look I wanted to see.

Hey, Kondo, do you want a match? I don't mind doing it right now.

I don't fight my own men.

Is that right? Still as cold as ever.

Whatever. All right, let's go for a drink.

A damn shame

letting that man get away.

Do you mean Kondo Isami?

No, the man I crossed swords with.

The one who is rumored to have defeated Sagawa Kanbei.

His name is...

Hijikata.

Right, Hijikata Toshizo.

Toshizo?

Have you met Toshizo?

So you know the guy.

That man is a real piece of work.

The more you cross swords with him, the stronger he gets.

If he fights like that, I want to see just how strong he can get.

That man is my prey.

Next time, I'll be the one to finish him.

If you do

I'll kill you.

What is that supposed to mean?

Because I made a promise.

That he and I would fight one more time.

So you've crossed swords with Hijikata, then.

We fought

and became friends.

Friends?

This is war, you fool!

It's kill or be killed! Becoming friends?

That isn't war. It's nothing but child's play!

He's the enemy!

You're wrong.

Toshizo is the exception!

We cut down our enemies.

That is our way. We are manslayers.

So he's the traitor.

Sasaki

is that really true?

Yes.

He's the one who tracked him down. There's no doubt about it.

My lord, what are your orders?

You're way too jumpy.

Toshi!

Hajime?

Hajime!

It's not like you to lose your composure.

It hurts to suspect one of our own.

Yamanami! Sanosuke! Hurry! Get over here, quick!

Hajime? Yeah, it really is you!

Whoa! Hey, Eisaburo!

How have you been?

Hajime!

Do you have any idea how worried we were?

No, really. Where the hell have you been?

After leaving Edo, I've been getting by.

Actually, more recently, I heard the Mibu Roshigumi

was making a name for itself, and that you guys were a part of it.

I knew you missed us.

That's not it!

Then what brings you all the way out here?

I happened to see some tense-looking idiot I knew heading this way.

Don't use me as an excuse, you jerk.

Whoa! Hajime! When did you get here?

Hey, enough already.

Gotcha!

- Go, Heisuke! - Hey, go for it!

Crap.

Hey, Heisuke, hang in there!

- Go on! - Hang on!

- Hang on! - Take him down!

Give it back!

Show him!

Enter.

Hajime.

You... What is the meaning of this?

Saito Hajime is a criminal who has taken a man's life.

We can't just let him run loose.

On my authority, until things cool down

I've decided to place him in the Aizu Domain's custody.

I'm sorry that I didn't say anything, Boss.

Now, back to business.

It's about the Aizu Hunters.

As you know, our moves are being leaked to the enemy.

Yes.

I've identified the traitor.

The one who uncovered him was...

Boss.

Hey, Boss.

What's wrong?

Are you all right? You look pale.

Hey, Shinpachi! Heisuke!

The traitor has been identified.

Who is it?

Spit it out.

I'll beat them to a pulp myself.

Hey, Eisaburo.

Hajime.

I'm so surprised. I can't believe you were in Kyo this whole time.

Hey, have you tried the mitarashi dango from the Shimogamo Shrine yet?

We would sneak out of training to eat them all the time back in Edo, remember?

We could only ever afford one, so we would always have to split it.

They taste just like I remember.

You haven't changed a bit.

What is that supposed to mean?

Why did you betray us?

What are you talking about?

It's no use playing dumb, Eisaburo.

I was under orders from Aizu to investigate the Choshu clan.

Why did you betray us?

You're the one who always said everyone at the Shieikan is family.

I had no choice.

They said they would tell me where he was if I fed them our information.

"Where he was"?

The man who murdered my brother.

Keep at it, Eisaburo.

You have a real gift.

Do you really think so?

Yes.

- Mine! - Brother!

- Come on, catch me! - Hey!

Brother!

I heard a rumor that he was in Kyo.

It was around that time

when we all went to Kyo.

I searched all over for him in my free time.

I heard he was spotted in the Shimabara pleasure district

so I checked every corner.

That's when I met him.

A man from Choshu.

Kusaka Genzui.

You've been looking for someone in the pleasure district, haven't you?

I happened to see you the other day.

As a matter of fact, I may know the person you're looking for.

The man with the Asura tattoo, correct?

So, just to find your brother's killer, you sold out your own comrades?

Why would you go that far?

If it lets me avenge my brother...

I'll do whatever it takes.

Are you going to strike me down?

This should be fun.

Go on, try it.

I kept my promise. Isn't it enough now?

Where is the man who killed my brother?

Tomorrow, at dusk...

The man you want will be at Gokuraku-ji Temple.

Is that really all your conviction amounts to?

If you're so desperate to go, you'll have to go over my dead body.

Not even a single day.

Every night, every single night. Night after night. I dream about it.

About what happened that day.

Running away, I felt so pathetic. So damn pathetic.

I kept thinking I should turn back, cross blades, and die. Over and over.

But my legs... My legs just wouldn't listen to me.

Then I started hearing voices behind me.

"Coward. Why did you run?

Aren't you ashamed you're the only one who lived?

You should've died.

You should die!"

So please, Hajime, let me go!

Honestly, I don't want to let you die.

But...

it's better that you die by my hand than by anyone else's.

Eisaburo!

My brother...

Abiru Seiichiro

was a retainer of the Tsushima-Fuchu Domain

and a master of the Hokushin Itto-ryu school.

Was it you who murdered my brother?

I was.

I'm going to avenge

my brother.

The Asura.

So that cowardly brat has grown a spine, has he?

Niimi?

I knew from the very beginning, Abiru.

That you were the same cowardly brat from Mibu.

Were you working for Kusaka and Choshu this whole time?

You've got it backwards.

I was the one using him.

All so that Serizawa could seize control of the Mibu Roshigumi.

Everything was for Serizawa?

Oh, please!

That violent meathead is just a figurehead.

He's nothing without me pulling the strings.

What do you mean?

Do you still not get it, you stupid hick?

Fools dance in the palm of my hand, and history moves at my command.

I can't get enough of this!

You, your brother, and those idiots at the Shieikan

exist just to be used by me.

Hiraseigan stance?

You think you can take me down with you with a pathetic stance like that?

Niimi

you bastard!

Let's be careful now.

You'll ruin the priceless sword I stole.

No, it can't be my brother's.

Secret Sword: Poison Scorpion.

It's coated with aconite poison.

Works like a charm on hot-headed idiots like you!

And you call yourself a samurai?

Samurai? Please!

These days, the ones who are weak up here are called samurai.

So long, you fool.

What a thrill!

Dusk, huh?

You are in a good mood. Did something good happen?

I wonder.

All right! I'm going to sing too!

Eisaburo!

Eisaburo!

Toshi! Any luck over there?

No. How about you guys?

He's nowhere to be found.

Nothing over here, either.

Where the hell did Eisaburo go?

Hey! Something terrible has happened!

This was in Eisaburo's belongings.

A NOTE

Eisaburo.

Hey, Eisaburo! Hey!

To my fellow members of the Shieikan.

Crap.

- Nine years ago - Eisaburo.

my brother was murdered by thugs.

Let's go back.

Not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about it.

I have lived for nothing else

- Let's go. Eisaburo, wake up. - but to avenge my brother.

- Hold on! - In my long search for his killer in Kyo

- I met Kusaka Genzui of the Choshu clan. - Don't die! Hey! Don't die!

And so, I betrayed the Aizu...

"...and all of you by leaking your movements to Kusaka.

All so he would reveal my brother's killer.

I know my betrayal is unforgivable.

But it was something I had to do, no matter the cost.

Whether I succeed in my vengeance or not

by now, I am no longer of this world.

Kondo.

Yamanami.

Gen.

Sanosuke.

Nagakura.

Heisuke.

Soji.

Hijikata.

Hajime.

The Shieikan was my home...

and my family.

Thank you

for everything."

Look.

Eisaburo.

Hajime.

Hajime!

Eisaburo!

The Choshu?

So the Choshu clan killed Eisaburo!

Let it go, Toshi. Not now.

The hell I will!

Toshi...

I'm begging you.

For now, can't we just let him rest in peace?

Eisaburo...

finally managed to surpass himself.

Listen. Did any of you know? This guy...

Abiru Eisaburo.

Abiru Eisaburo...

was one hell of a fighter.

Well done.

On April 6, 1863, Abiru Eisaburo fell.

He was 21 years old.

His murder was covered up. His death was officially ruled an illness.

Good for you, Eisaburo.

He would be known as the first member of the Mibu Roshigumi

and the first to fall in Kyo.

Sorry, Eisaburo. I'm borrowing this for a while.

What's with that getup?

These are for you guys.

Light blue-green?

Apparently, Serizawa had them made.

It was the color of the 47 Ronin's coats when they committed seppuku.

He's telling us to be ready to die at any moment.

His death will not go unanswered.

I will see to that.

Hajime...

I'm not letting anyone else die on my watch again.

If we fall, we fall together.

Because of Eisaburo's betrayal

our boss was knocked out of the running for the leadership of the Mibu Roshigumi.

And so, Serizawa Kamo was made Chief Commander.

Hey, Niimi.

Looks like you like drawing things out.

Well, dancing on them isn't so bad either.

Right?

Was this really the right decision?

I couldn't save Eisaburo.

I'm not cut out to be a leader.

But...

I will get revenge for Eisaburo, no matter what.

Even now, it is seared into the back of my mind.

That hateful American merchant ship, squatting in the Kanmon Strait.

And our Choshu cannons firing upon it!

Boom... Boom! Kaboom!

It was a truly exhilarating sight!

Our preparations against the Aizu are proceeding splendidly.

However, it is not yet enough.

Do you have a plan in mind?

The assassination of Lord Anegakoji Kintomo.

You want to kill one of the emperor's own aides?

Lord Anegakoji, once a passionate advocate for expelling the foreigners

has now switched his allegiance to the pro-opening faction.

If we let this stand...

But if we're the ones to carry out his "divine retribution"

we would make an enemy of the Imperial Court.

Precisely.

I have a plan for that.

JUNE 17, 1863

Lord Anegakoji Kintomo, face divine retribution!

Hear ye, hear ye!

At Sarugatsuji Crossroads, in the Flower Capital, Kyoto

Anegakoji Kintomo was cut down!

The culprit? Shocking!

A ruthless, bloodthirsty villain slays shogunate retainers night after night!

Want to know who it is? Come and buy your copy!

I want to know!

Tanaka Shinbei! Get him! Hold it!

Where did he go?

Tanaka Shinbei! This time, I will kill you!

How did you fellas figure out it was me?

Because you left your sword behind.

My sword?

You didn't notice?

So that's it, huh?

Even if you kill me, Hijikata will hunt you down without fail.

Hijikata?

You mean Hijikata Toshizo?

Damn. Failed again.

You've gotten better, Hijikata.

Hey, Soji. Don't give me that crap.

You got distracted and lost your footing, didn't you?

No, really. You have gotten better, Hijikata.

You never would have noticed that before.

If you've got something on your mind, spit it out.

It's about Serizawa Kamo.

Right.

He has been taking the new recruits out, and they drink nearly every night.

Welcome.

- Welcome. - Hey.

- Welcome. This way, please. - With that guy as our commander-in-chief

while Kondo gets treated like dirt...

I just won't stand for it.

Soji, I appreciate the sentiment.

But what's important isn't who is in charge.

It's protecting Kyo from the extremist imperialists.

Tanaka Shinbei has killed another one!

This way!

Brutal.

Hironojo!

Hironojo!

- Hironojo! - Are you all right?

- Yes. I... - It's all right.

I'm glad you're alive.

- No, that's not it. - Don't speak!

No, you don't understand!

He let me live.

Hijikata, it was so I could deliver a message to you.

What do you mean?

Tanaka Shinbei is waiting.

He's...

waiting for you

Hijikata.

Where?

Sanbonmatsu.

Hold it, HIjikata.

- We're going with you. - We're coming too.

No, I'm going alone.

You can't take him on alone.

If we go together, he'll just run.

Besides, I won't stoop to such cowardly tactics.

I'll go with him.

- Boss! - Sagawa.

Please let me go.

If anything happens to Hijikata, I swear I'll take him down.

Boss, stay out of this.

I know.

Tanaka Shinbei!

So you only brought Kondo Isami with you?

I figured you would bring more men.

Hijikata, I have to admire your guts.

So they threw you away, just as I thought.

What do you mean?

Something about it never sat right with me.

Why would a master swordsman like you leave his blade behind?

But seeing your two-sword style, now I'm sure of it.

The sword you "forgot" at Sarugatsuji was a fake.

The imperialists framed you to avoid being branded enemies of the court.

So what?

I still did it.

That doesn't change a thing.

Draw your sword, Hijikata.

Why the fixation on me?

I decided that you, and you alone, would be the one I cut down.

Now, let's settle this.

Bring it on.

You kill people just because you're told to

then get tossed aside when you're no longer useful.

That makes you nothing more than a puppet!

I don't understand a thing about politics.

But I have killed in the name of my own justice.

Shogunate or Court, if something is rotten, I'll set it right.

That is the cause I fight for.

What kind of justice is that?

I don't care what you call it.

You're still just a murderer!

Isn't a fight

supposed to be honor against honor

something more passionate than this?

I was born poor, the son of a boatman.

All I ever wanted was to be a samurai!

To be called a killer

is an honor not everyone can claim, isn't it?

So a boatman's son can't become a samurai?

Just watch me.

I'll cut them down, again and again and again.

And if that changes the course of history

our names will be remembered forever

as the true samurai who set this rotten world right.

I get it.

But it's all so pointless.

I'm the son of a farmer!

We're not so different, you and I.

The thrill is in doing what others can't. I feel the same way.

But I couldn't care less about leaving a mark on history.

I just want to fight strong opponents!

As long as I can fight someone strong

that's all that matters.

It's the only time I feel truly alive.

Like right now, fighting you.

My blood is pounding in my veins.

We're a couple of fools, aren't we?

Both of us.

This is my defeat.

I see now

why Izo saw something in you.

Izo?

Do you know him?

Yeah. He said you two were friends.

I've never had a friend in my life.

That's why I wanted to kill you.

Maybe I was even jealous of Izo.

I'm glad my final opponent was you.

Shinbei!

That could have been me.

If I hadn't met all of you guys.

Tanaka Shinbei.

I have etched your name upon my soul.

I can't believe Hijikata was the one to take down Tanaka Shinbei.

I like it. He just keeps getting more interesting.

This is going to be fun.

Satsuma clansman Tanaka Shinbei's body was given to the magistrate's office

and his death was officially ruled a suicide during questioning.

This was to appease the Satsuma Domain

which had friendly ties to the shogunate.

998!

999!

1,000!

You're still at it, I see.

It helps clear my head.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

Back in Edo

I didn't need to do practice swings

to keep my mind clear.

Will our family

end up disappearing one by one someday?

Like Eisaburo.

I wonder what Izo is up to.

Once they decide he's no longer useful...

will they just cast him aside?

Like they did with Tanaka Shinbei.

Damn it!

At first, all I wanted was to be stronger than you, Kondo.

Toshi

the times are changing.

In this chaotic era...

what can I really accomplish with my sword?

I want to find out, together with everyone from the Shieikan.

We've finally made a name for ourselves.

This is just the beginning, Toshi.

For our family

this is just the beginning.

But...

if it's too much, you can always walk away.

Like hell I will.

I'm not quitting until I've beaten you.

Damn!

Impressive.

You always push me to get stronger.

But you won't be smiling for long.

Look who's talking! You're smiling too.

All right!

Hiya!

- Hiya! - Hiya!

- Hiya! - Hiya!

Hiya!

- Hiya! - Hiya!

- One! - Hiya!

- Two! - Hiya!

- One! - Hiya!

- Two! - Hiya!

One!

- Hiya! - Hiya!

Two!

- Hiya! - Hiya!

Pardon the intrusion.

Yeah! Awesome!

Kondo Isami.

For your patriotic service and sincere loyalty

as a member of the Mibu Roushigumi

you are hereby appointed its commander.

We expect you to continue to serve with the utmost diligence.

Hold it! Found him!

Excuse me. Where exactly are we going?

1912, HAKODATE

How much longer is this going to take?

What? For someone so young, you're pathetic.

What's with that old geezer?

It has been a while, Toshi.

I've brought a guest today.

She wants to hear about the Shinsengumi. Your story, actually.

She came because she wants to hear Hijikata Toshizo's stories.

It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Ichikawa Makoto.

Who gets nervous in front of a grave?

Sorry.

Honestly, I'm surprised.

What Nagakura told me

is so different from my idea of the Shinsengumi.

The story changes depending on who is telling it.

True.

Why aren't you asking me any questions?

You don't know anything about me, other than that I came from Tokyo.

So why did you decide to tell me?

You are Toshi's granddaughter, aren't you?

How?

When?

That snowy day when we first met.

You have the same eyes as Toshi.

No one in my family would ever tell me about my grandfather.

Of course they wouldn't.

We, the Shinsengumi, were called rebels, enemies of the Imperial Court.

Hijikata Toshizo was the vice commander.

If anyone knew you were related to him, who knows what you would've faced?

Even so, I have to know about my grandfather.

His blood, the blood of Hijikata Toshizo, flows through my veins.

So that makes you

a "thorny brat", just like him, huh?

Now then, please go on.

To bloom in battle

and to fall in battle.

Samurai are flowers that bloom in full splendor, unafraid to fall.

The Shinsengumi were the last flowers to bloom

in the dying twilight of the Bakumatsu era.

Charge!