Original subtitles

9,998.

9,999.

FIVE YEARS AGO, EDO

10,000!

Is practicing sword swings really that unusual?

You come here all the time, don't you?

Didn't expect to see an old guy like you these days.

An old guy?

In these peaceful times

what's the point of doing practice swings in a dump like this?

In this day and age

it's worthless without a master's license from a prestigious school like mine.

A prestigious school?

The Hokushin Itto-ryu.

A master at your age?

That's impressive.

A sword is just a means to an end for landing a good position, isn't it?

You're ridiculous.

Maybe so.

Hiya!

Impossible. Unbelievable.

No. You're strong.

You have efficient footwork and a clean blade line.

Your sword talent is astounding.

Then why?

Why couldn't I land even one blow?

Probably because you and I are just different.

Different how?

The purpose behind our blades.

What?

It's just like you said.

I can't hope for an official post, and as you can see

I'm dirt poor, struggling just to get by.

But I'm fine with that.

I want to be a swordsman who is stronger than anyone else.

That's all I live for.

You're one hell of an idiot.

Well, yeah. I guess I'm not the sharpest tool.

But...

you're pretty damn cool.

Hey

could I ever become as strong as you?

SONG OF THE SAMURAI

Right now, Serizawa is at the Sumiya in Shimabara, with his mistress, Oume.

This...

isn't just some power struggle.

Kamo is testing us.

To see which of us is a true samurai.

- We move out in half an hour. - Okay.

Vice-Commander Yamanami Keisuke will be in command.

May fortune favor you all in battle.

- Sir! - Sir!

Toshi.

Got a minute?

What is it, Boss?

Sorry to ask, but I'm counting on you to look after Soji.

He wants to fight Serizawa, too.

If the fight goes all the way, Soji will end up back on the other side.

The other side?

A bloodthirsty...

demon.

So the "losing your head" thing

was about Soji?

Yes.

And Serizawa is probably hoping for exactly that.

I don't ever want to see Soji like that again.

You're the only one who can stop him, Toshi.

So...

Please!

You're too quick to bow your head, Boss.

Don't you worry.

I won't let him have Kamo to himself, anyway.

Worrying about others as usual?

It's tough at the top, huh?

I talk about crushing this inner conflict head-on, fair and square

yet I'm not even on the front lines.

That's because you're too important to lose.

Even though my orders could get our men killed.

I just don't know anymore.

Do I have the right

to hold everyone's lives in these hands?

Lately, I find myself

missing our time at Shieikan.

We were poor, but...

we ate and laughed together

and all we ever wanted was to get stronger.

When I think about it, we've come a long way.

Boss.

That's not it.

No matter how much the times change

we don't change.

This sky is always

connected to the other side.

This isn't just some power struggle.

Kamo is testing us. To see which of us is a true samurai.

If we can't rise to that challenge

then what's the point of being samurai at all?

Now that's a man.

But he might have just been putting on a show.

Oume, if he were that kind of guy, I never would've picked a fight with him.

A good fight and a good woman... I can smell 'em a mile away.

What is it?

Seeing you look so happy like this, Serizawa...

I've never seen you look so happy.

You think so?

Seeing you smile like a little kid

is what makes me truly happy.

You're one of a kind too, aren't you, Oume?

Now I like you even more.

All right.

The time has come.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

We're moving out to eliminate Serizawa Kamo.

We will proceed to the Sumiya in Shimabara.

We don't know

where the enemy will attack from.

If we're attacked--

The one who survives moves on.

Exactly.

Let's go.

No one is here.

Would you let me go first? I'm just a grunt, after all.

Rank doesn't mean a thing in the vanguard.

But you'll just make yourself a target.

Quit it, Kai. Toshi's philosophy is, "If you're a target, then fight."

So cool.

I'm not so sure about that.

A strategy that puts yourself in unnecessary danger

is hardly befitting of a vice-commander.

Yeah, I know.

Always with the snide remarks.

Still, it's too quiet. Creepy.

You think they're really going to attack?

What is it?

Hey!

Damn it.

Fall back!

Arrows... Arrows!

Damn it.

How many of these guys are there?

What's the plan, Yamanami?

The only ones who can take down Serizawa

are Hijikata and Okita.

Yes.

Toshi, go on ahead. We'll handle things here.

There's a shrine beneath the grove straight ahead.

Passing through it will lead you to Shimabara.

- Okay, I'll take the lead! - Kai!

What are you doing, getting ahead of us?

- Let's go! - Yeah!

Whoa! Grab those!

Toshi! Okita!

Let's go.

Kai, go! Dammit!

Okay! Those bastards!

Hey!

You'll be dealing with us.

See? I told you they would come here.

Impressive! That's my big bro.

Hey, are you guys Kamo's dogs?

Well, if it isn't Hijikata.

And next to him... Is that Okita? This must be our lucky day.

Who the hell are you guys?

You look weak as hell.

And even dumber than Niji.

Are you talking to me?

Who the hell else would I be talking to?

Hey, let's cut them down and go.

Kai, are you prepared to die with me?

What are you talking about, Heisuke?

I hate to say it

but we're no match for Serizawa.

Please, go on ahead.

You two.

I'll take the lead!

Todo, that's not fair!

Hijikata, let's go.

Ichiji, they're getting away!

Don't you dare look away!

Whatever, the main prize is Kondo.

Let's make quick work of these guys and get to Kondo.

Damn you, bastard!

Kai!

Hey, where are you looking?

Todo!

Looks like they're having fun.

Don't you dare look away!

What's the matter? Scared?

We're in trouble. These guys are tough.

Thinking of running? Go ahead, run. I'll just hunt you down.

Hey, Kai?

You know who my real enemy is?

What?

These guys are a joke compared to my real enemy.

Right, Boss?

Could I ever become as strong as you?

If you want to be stronger than anyone else...

don't give in to the weakness in your heart.

Your true enemy is within yourself.

Your true enemy is within yourself.

Come on!

Listen, Kai!

Don't you give up!

The moment you give up, it's all over!

Todo!

Your attacks are stronger, but still too soft!

Gotcha!

You're the one who is still too soft!

You're dead!

You bastard!

Damn it!

You were strong.

This is the end for you.

I've been

looking for you guys.

Who the hell is that guy?

Is he a new enemy?

No, he's our business.

I told you, didn't I?

I, Nakamura Hanjiro, will be the one to cut you two down.

So you really showed up. You're a man of your word.

So he's Hanjiro the Manslayer.

This body

is not my own.

It belongs to Saigo of Satsuma.

You two have disgraced Satsuma and Saigo himself.

For that

there is no forgiveness.

Ichiji, it's coming again.

If we're in his range, he'll cut us in two.

Niji, we have to use that move.

- Okay. - Guess we just have to bite the bullet.

All right, Ichiji!

Now! Go!

Okay!

Niji!

Run!

Now...

Ichiji!

You shall die as well.

I won't forgive you!

It was the moment he was consumed by his own fear.

Heisuke would carry

that despair with him for the rest of his life.

I see it now.

Enemies might be waiting. Should we circle around from the back?

Don't be an idiot. We're charging straight through.

Damn it.

And I thought they would try to be sneaky.

Hirayama.

A frontal assault? Now that's got some balls.

Right, Vice-Commander?

Hey, Hirayama.

Did you really come all this way just to die?

No, that's you two. Bring it on.

You really are one unlucky bastard.

Of all the people to run into, it had to be Soji and me.

If anything, I'd say I'm lucky.

Trying to act tough?

But don't worry.

I'll take you one-on-one.

Is that okay with you, Soji?

Yes.

Hey, Soji!

Barehanded?

You thought you could beat me with one thrust, didn't you, Okita?

Underestimating me, you bastard?

Honestly? I was.

You're...

actually not half bad.

I'm leaving this guy to you, Hijikata.

Hey, Soji! Don't go alone!

Are you stupid? Like I'd let you go. Have you lost your damn mind?

You son of a bitch.

Hirayama should be fighting them by now.

I'm looking forward to seeing if they can even make it this far.

Got one!

As expected from the vice-commander. You don't hesitate when it's time to kill.

Yeah. If you're that eager to die, I'll be happy to help.

How nice.

With you as my opponent, I can finally get serious.

What's with your eye? Hey, can you even see?

Try me.

It doesn't matter either way.

Sorry, but I don't have time to mess around with you.

Kamo is waiting for me.

Don't get so full of yourself.

What's with that look?

You've got that "how did he read my move?" look on your face.

So what do you think?

Can I see, or can't I? It's a riddle.

How the hell should I know?

Who cares?

SEVERAL YEARS AGO

How many is that now, Goro?

Sorry, sir. I've lost count.

Still, you're really something else.

Your swordsmanship is both savage and graceful

truly in a class of its own.

Goro! Teach me!

- Wait, I'm next. - No, me!

Whoa, hold on! I said wait!

Hey, Goro, man, I envy you

What?

Born to a rich merchant, you have no cares

and you even bought your way into the samurai class, didn't you?

It's only because he has the sword skills to back it up.

Well, yeah.

I heard your big brother is even building you a dojo.

All right, another round for Goro!

- You've had way too much to drink. - One more place?

Hey, you!

You're just going to bump into me and say nothing?

Who are you?

How about I teach you how to watch your mouth, ronin?

Hey, wait.

- Oda! - Oda!

- Are you okay? - Oda!

Are you okay?

Oda!

Are you kidding me? He's dead.

You bastard!

You, Oda's killer, prepare yourself!

Stop.

I like that spirit. Come at me.

What now? What are you going to do?

Do you want to die with your friends?

Run if you want. I've had my fill already.

Hey, what's so funny? Have you lost your mind?

Because this is a first for me.

To finally meet someone stronger than me.

Bring it on.

I like that look in your eyes.

I like that.

I'll be taking one of those.

After that day, he dropped everything to follow me.

Sounds like he is completely devoted to you.

Nah, that's not it at all.

He's just biding his time, waiting for the perfect chance to kill me.

Hirayama is quite an interesting man as well, isn't he?

Right?

But...

it has to be tough fighting with just one eye.

Oume...

there's no one trickier to fight than Hirayama.

His left eye is blind. That's why he can see.

You seem to be racking that tiny brain of yours.

But have you figured out the riddle?

Incredible.

You've read my every damn move.

But I don't get how you're doing it.

Figures.

Well, no use thinking about it.

And I'm sick of playing along with your little riddle

so I'm just going to fight you straight up.

Is that so? Suit yourself.

Hiraseigan, huh?

It's useless, Hijikata.

Again?

That day, my eye lost its sight.

But in exchange, I gained a new kind of sight.

There's always a tell that can be sensed right before someone moves.

Which limb they'll move next, how they'll attack...

I can see it all as clear as day.

Struggle all you want. There's no way you can win.

You're dead.

Hey, don't you dare dodge!

That stance meant you were ready to take me down with you!

Later. It's been fun.

Hijikata, you bastard.

How did you move without me reading it?

I'm not dead?

How am I still alive?

Don't you remember?

Now that's a man worth killing.

Come at me with everything you've got, Hijikata.

Yeah.

Right now, I'm having the time of my life.

Yeah.

Honestly...

Even though I'm completely outmatched

for some reason

this is insanely fun.

That's...

Serizawa's...

How the hell do you

know that technique?

I see.

Of course.

What an insane number of guys.

What did you do to get this many people to come after you?

Beats me. Could be any number of things.

What, Hirayama?

Are you scared?

You have got to be kidding me.

Compared to you, they're nothing but flies.

Good answer.

Stop, please stop!

Nice.

I meant to kill the man...

but along the way, I found myself wanting his approval.

Just like a little kid.

A guy like me...

never stood a chance against you, huh?

A guy who wants to cut down Serizawa Kamo.

I'm no different from you.

The man I swore I was going to crush

is now my commander.

Hey, Hijikata.

If...

No.

Never mind.

Let's go at it again

in hell.

Don't overdo it in training.

Because I don't think I can win next time.

No...

chance.

I need to stop Soji.

Hey, come on. Don't go falling like that on me, Okita.

I've been waiting forever, you know.

Soji.

Soji.