Original subtitles

As feudal Japan enjoys peace, the samurai era is waning.

But this fragile calm is threatened by the growing power of Lord Naritsugu,

the Shogun's sadistic younger brother.

Sir Doi realizes Naritsugu will ruin the Shogunate

if he gains higher political standing.

As Naritsugu's evil deeds are quickly hushed up, Sir Doi must act.

( squelches )

( muffled grunt )

( splashing )

( muffled grunt )

- ( rips ) - ( panting softly )

( muffled grunt )

( louder splashing )

March 5, 1844 - Akashi CIan House EIder zusho Mamiya commits harakiri.

Mamiya's harakiri to the Shogun was against Lord Naritsugu.

Lord Naritsugu was born with a vicious nature.

His lust for flesh and dishonorable conduct cannot be pardoned.

What should we do?

Man: Shogun Council Elders, Sir Doi has returned.

The Shogun orders us to settle the matter of his half-brother quietly.

SIR DOI Top Shogun official

We blame those that named Naritsugu an adopted Akashi son.

This dilemma drove Mamiya to harakiri.

- His appeal to us for action... - l'm aware of that!

But we must respect the Shogun's rule.

His justice is noble by heaven's will.

Arguing is pointless!

13 ASSASSlNS

( bird chirping )

( groaning softly )

Shinzaemon Shimada, l presume?

ln the flesh.

( gasps )

You're a hard man to find.

Sir Doi.

Sorry for the late hour.

l've been a widower for years, with few family obligations.

SHINZAEMON Shogun Samurai

Perhaps you've heard about the outrage.

l have.

So...

what do you make of Lord Naritsugu?

Forgive my frankness...

he is no worthy heir to the noble Akashi clan.

With the Shogun's consent, l suggest Naritsugu steps down.

A more suitable heir is needed.

The Shogun will not grant it.

Why not?

He has appointed Naritsugu as his senior advisor,

effective on Naritsugu's next visit to Edo.

The Shogun will allow that boy to meddle in political affairs?

lncidentally, l invited someone here.

Speak with him.

l'm Yukie Makino, a subject of the Lord of Owari.

l serve the Agematsu in Kiso.

l'm Shinzaemon Shimada.

Kiso?

l heard about an incident last year between the Akashi and Owari clans.

Rumors of a scandal...

l'll tell you all. l'll keep no secrets.

( jangling )

Makino: In April of last year...

( jangling continues )

Lord Naritsugu of the Akashi cIan...

stayed overnight at Kiso.

He is the son of the former Shogun.

LORD NARlTSUGU Akashi Clan ruler

Nobility must be properly served.

Our wives and daughters were brought in for his full hospitality.

Uneme.

Father.

- ls his feast in order? - Yes.

And the picture scrolls for his entertainment?

l'll fetch them.

Have your wife get them instead.

( Uneme speaks )

Chise.

Makino: My son had married Chise onIy two months prior.

I ordered her to do this petty task.

And I'll regret it to my grave.

Naritsugu: Who might you be?

l belong to the Uneme Makino family.

( gasps )

( whimpers ) My Lord, please release me.

( pants )

( screams )

( panel thumps )

Chise!

Chise?

Chise?!

( Chise crying softly )

- Chise? - ( sobs softly )

Naritsugu: Kiso women are such mountain monkeys.

They defy me by scratching.

( panting )

Are you a monkey too, servant?

Chise.

Uneme: Chise!

( Uneme grunts )

( groans )

( blade slices )

( thumps )

- ( Naritsugu grunts ) - ( faint rumbIe )

Monkey necks can be so tough.

Makino: That same night...

Chise slit her throat in disgrace.

( pants faintly )

Makino: My son and his new bride slain...

before my very eyes.

This is torture.

Rather than living in disgrace l ponder harakiri.

But l can't... l remember the shame my Lord Owari has endured.

( cries ) Mock me for grumbling.

l continue my worthless life

solely to remain a living witness to this tragedy.

Sir Doi: As the Council Elder enacting the Shogun's justice...

some things l can do, others l cannot.

lf l turn my back on the Shogun and find fault with his lineage,

then his rule will spiral into chaos and destroy years of peace.

As the Shogun's senior advisor, l cannot do it.

Are you asking if l can do something?

Since Mamiya's harakiri protest three days ago...

l've searched my soul for a solution.

l have decided it's you.

Who's the woman?

Sir Doi: Akashi land was once most fertiIe.

But Naritsugu's reIentIess Iand taxes

made starving peasants hunger for revolt.

This woman...

is the daughter of the peasant leader.

( gasps )

Sir Doi: He did this.

He cut off her Iimbs.

And brought her to Edo as his plaything.

But he grew bored with her and cast her out.

( thunder rumbles )

ls there no mercy?

( grunts )

Shinzaemon, l need not mention my honor and position.

lf this continues, chaos will ruin our nation and the people will suffer.

Poor woman... what of your family's fate?

( sobs softly )

( moans )

He cut out her tongue as well.

( groans )

Shinzaemon's voice: "TotaI massacre."

( screams )

( chuckles )

How fate smiles on me.

( sighs )

As a samurai in this era of peace...

l've been wishing for a noble death.

Now fate has called me here.

See, my hands won't stop trembling.

Hmm...

lt's a warrior's battle shakes.

( faint sigh )

l will accomplish your wish...

with magnificence.

( footsteps thumping )

Sir Hanbei, thank you for coming.

HANBEI Naritsugu's Chief Samurai

- Asakawa, where's Lord Naritsugu? - ln the banquet hall.

( woman crying )

( dull thump, woman screams )

The Mamiya?

l told you not to trouble the Mamiya family!

Asakawa: l can't disobey Lord Naritsugu's orders.

( sobs )

( bowstring creaks )

( arrow springs )

Tsk.

( Hanbei yells ) My Lord!

Yes, Hanbei?

Sir Doi has humbly requested that you leave the Mamiya family alone.

Governmental orders!

Doi again! That grumbling Shogun advisor.

Lord Naritsugu!

( arrow whistles )

Naritsugu: What makes a samurai warrior?

You men mindlessly chant "loyalty, duty"...

like a Buddhist prayer.

But if servants are spoiled,

then one day, they forget their duty to serve.

Servants like Mamiya make light of their master and revolt.

Punishing one's servants,

who are certified as property by the Shogun...

punishment is a master's duty.

Dying for one's master is the way of the samurai.

Dying for one's husband is the way of women.

( woman groans, bowstring creaks )

( gasps )

( bowstring snaps )

We must protect these ways, right, Hanbei?

Yes.

Hanbei: They won't let him get away with it.

Things worked out too easiIy for our Lord, don't you think?

Asakawa: He was given special treatment.

Though born of a different mother, he is still the Shogun's brother.

Hanbei: So how will Sir Doi save face?

As the man in charge of the nation's justice...

he must deIiver a verdict to save his honor in a scandaI Iike this.

So, Sir Doi is plotting something?

( loudly ) Who goes there?

( man speaks )

Attendant Deguchi at your service.

Hanbei: Gather men and spy on Sir Doi.

( Deguchi speaks )

Bribe the gatekeepers and servants.

Get his list of visitors since Mamiya's harakiri.

( Deguchi speaks )

( softly ) We protect our Lord at all costs.

Such is our duty.

Yukie Makino of the Owari clan?

Owari?

Makino?

Makino was present during our Kiso visit.

Hanbei: So Makino met with Shinzaemon.

Asakawa: Do you know this Shinzaemon?

We attended the same school, even trained in the sword at the same dojo.

We were competitive classmates.

ls he that skilled?

He's not as shrewd, not as strong.

But he never gives up.

Backed into a corner, he won't budge. Won't overplay his hand.

He's a man who beats you in the end.

lf Doi has picked him...

then we've drawn the worst luck.

( blade whistles )

Shinzaemon: lmpressive as always, Hirayama.

l'm sorry for always borrowing your dojo without permission.

You honor me by using it. Your spirit keeps the dojo alive.

A match for old time's sake?

Hirayama: Better to save our energy for bigger tasks, right?

There are no big or small tasks. All are equally important.

You follow me?

Guess you still lack training. ( chuckles )

Since your teaching, l have been on the path of the sword for 10 years.

As the months and seasons changed...

l lived on the money you gave me as a sword for hire...

knowing that, one day, l'd surrender my life to you.

l thought a time would come when l could repay you.

Yet l have no choice but to regret...

l have not been able to repay you yet, master.

Shinzaemon: Your appreciation.

My small contribution means so much?

l thank you.

Man: What a rare samurai in these times!

Shinzaemon: Oh, Kuranaga!

l'm Hirayama.

Kuranaga: We can't waste his spirit.

Have him join us.

Shinzaemon: Hmm.

l chose five of my men. They await you inside.

Kuranaga: Mitsuhashi, get acquainted with Hirayama.

l am Mitsuhashi, at your service.

Kuranaga: l present my subordinates, Otake and Hioki.

Mitsuhashi: And my men, Higuchi and Horii.

Hand-picked from hundreds.

Kuranaga: We are still few.

It's hard to find skiIIed samurai in this day and age.

Others are samurai of IittIe worth.

Our five lives are in your hands, Sir Shinzaemon.

l see.

Then listen up. By private order of Sir Doi...

we've been assigned to take the life of Lord Naritsugu of the Akashi clan.

Next month, Naritsugu will leave Edo for the Akashi domain.

lf he enters Akashi land, we can't touch him.

Hirayama: So we strike en route?

That's the plan. lt's absurd with so little time and few men.

But these days, how many samurai use their swords in actual battle?

Not them, not us. A real challenge.

He who values his life dies a dog's death.

You've entrusted me with your lives.

l'll spend them...

at my discretion.

Shinzaemon's voice: Now, we are nine.

( puffs )

How many other true samurai are Ieft?

Hioki: l'll take my leave.

Man: What was that meeting?

Hioki: Akashi samurai?

Man: Now you know!

( Hioki groans )

How dare you point your sword at us, novice!

Who are you?

State your name.

Hirayama. l'm a ronin.

He killed our sword masters in one slice.

l won't permit such blatant moves again.

lf Sir Doi so wishes, the coals we once cooled...

will ignite into a blaze burning down our clan!

Forgive me for my thoughtless act.

Now it's clear. lt is Shinzaemon.

Man: Place your bets.

Gambler: Odd or even.

( voices overlapping )

Odd.

Lady Luck is with you.

Don't talk to me.

What?

Luck leaves when unlucky men talk.

( women singing, laughing )

( women squealing )

Shogun retainer Shimada's third son.

( man chuckling )

Samurai are always asking to borrow money.

My shop is full of pawned swords.

These days, swords are only good for cutting radishes.

( laughs )

Whoa! ( laughing )

( women laughing )

Man: Well, hello Uncle!

Womanizing at your age is bad form, don't you think?

Bravo Nephew! You young rogue.

Sake bought with gambling money tastes best.

Spare me the irony.

Gambling is the only time l feel alive.

Samurai status doesn't suit me.

l too hated being a samurai, but then l realized...

l could never be a true player by playing around.

A true player doesn't try so hard.

l'm not trying too hard.

l wonder.

How's your girl?

Well...

she hasn't kicked me out yet.

( chuckles )

Be yourself. But don't overdo it!

( chuckles )

Lords are making their annual trips home.

Shouldn't you be busy?

Work is my excuse to gamble too.

l'm on a mission, a long shot.

Will that gamble pay off?

Pay off? lt's like walking through the eye of a needle.

Quit while you're ahead.

( chuckles ) You're clever.

But your uncle is a born fool. l go for broke and bet it all.

And if you win?

lf, by chance, l win...

in time, someone might appreciate me.

Maybe.

( chuckles )

Betting on yourself is true gambling. Who's overdoing it now?

( laughs )

l'll say this, Shinrokuro.

My gamble is more exciting than yours, with the same odds.

Woman: Shinrokuro, are you home?

You tease. lf you're here, say so.

Shinrokuro: I'm neither here nor there.

No teasing. You're right here.

Shinrokuro: I saw my uncle.

Sir Shinzaemon?

Yes.

What's wrong? Did something happen?

Tsuya...

No.

Don't.

Shinrokuro.

l'll be gone for a while.

When will you return?

Soon. But if l'm late...

l'll be at the Festival of the Dead.

Burn the honorary torch and wait.

This is my one and only pupil.

Ogura at your service.

Shinzaemon: Are your parents still alive?

Father died two years ago; Mother passed when l was five.

l come from a lowly family serving a noble's concubine.

Since deciding to live for the sword, l've waited for this day...

to use my skills for society.

Allow me to join you.

Hirayama: l request that you take him too.

But he's too young.

Shinzaemon, you're wrong. Devotion knows no age.

A samurai's life isn't measured in length, is it?

My logic was shallow.

May we ask your help?

Thank you very much!

l will surrender my life to serve you.

And who might you be?

Sahara, a lowly ronin...

with no redeeming merit but my spear.

- Hirayama: l vouch only for his skill. - ( Sahara laughs )

Hirayama told me of your mission.

Fighting a larger enemy is admirable. l very much want to join but...

one small request.

Shinzaemon: Which is?

Pay me 200 ryo up front.

Kuranaga: You're only joining for the money?

Let me be clear. My sympathy with your cause has nothing to do with money.

With no relationship or debts to you, do you expect me to work for free?

How will you use the money?

The first 120 ryo for lifelong debts, plus something nice for my relatives.

Thirty ryo for a tomb for my wife, who died from my hardships.

Twenty for my preparations as well.

And the rest?

To experience the "luxuries" l never had in this life.

( laughs )

My kind of man. His spirit is a bargain at 200.

Now, we're 1 1 .

Our quality outshines our quantity.

Shinrokuro is here.

l'll take the odds on your big gamble.

What do you wager?

lf it's a true gamble, there's only one thing l can bet.

lf you refuse, start by killing me now.

( laughs )

And now, we're 12!

( cracks )

( cracking )

( growls )

No mercy! There's no samurai code or fair play in battle!

No sword? Use a stick. No stick? Use a rock.

No rock? Use your fists and feet!

Lose your life, but make the enemy pay!

Shinzaemon: Horii.

Higuchi.

Train in explosives.

( yelping )

( birds chirping )

Sahara's voice: Rest in peace.

I'll join you shortly.

Shinzaemon: Hurry up with the preparations. We depart soon.

Lord Naritsugu departs tomorrow.

Kuranaga: Finally, he makes a move.

So where's our best point of attack?

How about the Toda boat crossing?

They'll send half their men first.

The others will stand guard as Naritsugu crosses.

Their troops split... better to attack then.

No, they'll be on full alert. Won't make any wrong moves.

Let's keep them anxious and running, never knowing where we'll strike.

Hmm...

That's a good point to consider.

Hanbei: Shinza? You here?

lt's Hanbei Kito of the Akashi clan.

Shinza!

Hanbei. l knew you'd come.

Glad to see you.

Hanbei: I thought you had left already.

( Shinzaemon chuckles )

lf we had time, l'd enjoy a match of go.

l still lead in wins.

Leave our score aside until we meet again.

Again?

For years l envied you: a man from a good family, close to the Shogun...

appointed to his elite guards.

After you moved up, l commanded the same post.

To catch up, l joined Lord Naritsugu.

He earned a fortune when he was adopted by the Akashi.

That led me into this situation.

What an ill twist of fate.

Shinzaemon: Perhaps we both embraced fate.

A samurai leads a helpless life.

Hanbei: Mamiya should've committed harakiri in front of his Lord.

l once had that intention...

but l could not betray his father, the former Shogun.

l lost my chance to move ahead.

l regret not beating you.

l was unable to commit harakiri.

As a samurai, l'll do what must be done for the people.

For the people?

A samurai must do but one thing. Serve his master, correct?

What an ill twist of fate.

lt's a long road to the Akashi domain.

See you there.

Bet on it.

( staffs jangling )

( horses whinnying )

Edo

( jangling )

( jangling continues )

Shinrokuro's voice: Uncle, three days have passed

since Naritsugu left Edo.

Where do we make our stand?

Hanbei's voice: How wiII Shinza make his move?

We kept you waiting.

The verdict is out. Brothers, we take Lord Naritsugu at...

Ochiai in the Mino province.

Ochiai

Naritsugu offended the Owari by killing Makino's son in Kiso.

We can enlist Makino's help at Kiso.

Ask him to sign a non-transit act using Lord Owari's name...

to ban Naritsugu from passing.

He'll join us due to the murder of his son and daughter-in-law.

And then?

Shinzaemon: Only two possible routes.

The Kiso Pass or the Kamizaka Pass.

Either way, he must pass via Ochiai.

We'll fortify Ochiai and strike hard.

What if they forgo appearances and don't pay respect to the Naegi clan?

There's a chance they may not stop.

Shinzaemon: But l wager they will.

Shinzaemon: With 12 men challenging a bigger enemy...

no matter how much we plan, we must have faith in luck.

We pick here and risk it all.

With heaven's will, the dice say Ochiai.

( laughs )

Risk it all!

Kuranaga, you're best suited to get Makino's assistance.

Leave it to me. l'll get that road blocked.

- Take lshizuka with you. - l'm grateful.

- Let's get moving. - ( lshizuka speaks softly )

Excuse us.

Shinzaemon: Mitsuhashi, ready the horses.

Ready and waiting, sir.

Shinzaemon: Go on ahead and negotiate with the Mayor of Ochiai.

Give him these orders from Sir Doi.

Understood. How should l proceed?

Buy them all out.

Yes, sir.

- ( rainfall patters ) - Shinzaemon: Let's ride!

Fast and hard to pass the enemy!

( rain patters )

( hoofbeats rumbling )

( yells )

( whinnies )

You Shinzaemon Shimada?

ln the flesh.

Are you Akashi henchmen?

( shouting )

( groaning )

Don't follow them!

Anyone hurt?

( men shout )

That Hanbei, he drew first blood.

Probably put coins in the hands of these broke ronin.

Not a real attack. His aim was to break our strength.

First time you killed as well?

l've fenced with real blades many times but...

killing a man is a first.

There's only one road, but we don't know where they'll strike.

lf they attack harder next time, we could get hurt.

Let's accept Hanbei's welcome.

And we'll vanish as well.

Huh?

- ( Higuchi laughing ) - ( Hioki yelps )

Hioki's got some new friends!

- Hioki: Disgusting! - ( yelps )

( monks' staffs jangling )

( bird chirping )

( faint jangling )

Sahara: We'll travel northwest along the ridge and cut through the valley,

over the mountain to Owari territory.

l had strict monastic training when l was young in the mountains.

The mountain brings blessings but its true nature is fear itself.

l see.

( distant howling )

We are nobodies.

Huh?

He's right. No titles, no affiliations. Nobodies.

( bird chirping )

( splashing )

A buyout?

Mitsuhashi: That is our wish.

l won't go against Sir Doi's orders.

But convincing the town will be hard.

( chuckles )

( dull thud )

What?

Our deposit. Not enough?

( shouts, gasps )

Sahara: The forest grows thicker.

Shinzaemon: Hirayama, we're lost.

Sahara: Perhaps we should have detoured at that cliff?

- Hirayama: That can't be. - Sahara: But...

( branch creaking )

Who are you?

A bandit? Or a raccoon goblin?

Do l look like a raccoon?

( man yells )

Ouch!

( man grumbling )

Couldn't lower me down, idiot!?

At least thank me.

You from these parts?

- Do l look so? - Hirayama: lnsolent!

Ah-hh!

l ain't no ghost or bandit.

l hunt beasts from mountain to mountain.

Any men with you?

Gone. 'Cause l laid my hands on Upashi.

Upashi?

The boss's woman.

( laughs )

So he punished you. Fools are the same wherever you go.

Hold your tongue!

- Got a name, son? - ( man huffs )

Koyata Kiga.

My ancestors were defeated warriors, legitimate samurai stock.

( laughter )

What's so funny?

The name's Shinzaemon. And these are my men.

What are samurai doing out here?

A shortcut made us lose our way.

l'll be your guide, if you got food.

Deal?

( shouting )

- What's that? - ( groaning )

Don't like bugs? Watch.

Don't be a little girl!

What?

( slurps )

Let's go.

What now?

Hmm?

( sling whirrs )

- ( animal squeals ) - ( Koyata laughs )

( grunts )

Leave the rabbit.

We have important work to do.

More important than roast rabbit?

( yelling ) Sir Hanbei!

What is it?

Emergency.

Lord Naritsugu's passage is banned.

Hanbei: His passage is banned?

What's the matter?

You fools, will you stand idly by at this humiliation?

( men gasping )

Lord Owari is from the top three clans.

But l am the son of the former Shogun

and brother to the current Shogun.

Cross over!

Hanbei: Watch and learn.

We must go through Owari land. Can our Lord swallow his pride?

Let's see if he gets his way as he usuaIIy does.

Naritsugu: Who are you?

ldentify yourself.

Out of my way...

or l'll kill you without mercy.

Last April...

in Kiso, you killed my son...

Uneme Makino and his wife. l am Yukie Makino.

Does daddy monkey have hard bones too?

My Lord!

Hanbei?

Leave this. Let's go back.

Hanbei: Owari only banned Lord Naritsugu.

His entourage can enter. They are Akashi members.

l see.

The rest will guard our Lord.

lf people hear Owari blocked us...

if we don't visit the Naegi, our Lord will be ridiculed.

Let them laugh.

Within a year, our Lord will be second-in-command.

You risk his life and the Akashi clan by visiting the Naegi.

You seem most afraid of Shinzaemon.

What can that weak Shogun servant do?

Since paying off the ronin, there's no sign of him.

Perhaps he fears our clan and ran?

Don't you see? He's the one who blocked our passage.

Naritsugu: Do you cling to your life so as to make me a laughing stock?

Hanbei: Desperate times call for desperate measures.

l hear any samurai would choose death over making his Lord a laughing stock.

( softly ) Choose the foolish path.

lt's more fun that way.

Naritsugu: Let's go, Hanbei.

- Hanbei: Move out! - ( horses whinnying )

( commanders shout )

( grunts )

( panting )

We've had enough.

Koyata: Hmm?

- Huh? - ( Koyata speaks )

Oh, the road.

The road!

- Kuranaga: Welcome. Been expecting you. - Shinzaemon: You've prepared well.

Progress couldn't be better.

Shinzaemon: Did it work?

Makino stopped them perfectly. Naritsugu diverted his troops.

Shinzaemon: Well, well.

Our long shot paid off.

Shinzaemon: How many men with Naritsugu?

Kuranaga: Seventy men.

Shinzaemon: And Makino?

Kuranaga: He left nothing to chance. He chose the path of harakiri.

He took full blame, left no evidence behind.

( sighs )

He's a mighty samurai.

We must achieve our mission for him.

( Koyata yells ) Hey!

Got dinner!

Who is he?

He dropped in when we entered the forest.

Dropped in?

Set a trap here using this rock wall.

This alley is a hard nut to crack.

Shinrokuro, what do you see?

Shinrokuro: Looks like an ordinary boarding town.

Kuranaga: lt is.

So we'll transform it into a town of death.

Mitsuhashi, get busy with the preparations.

( Mitsuhashi speaks )

Send lshizuka to keep watch.

( Kuranaga speaks )

- Koyata: Upashi. - ( faint plop )

( distant owl hoots )

( hisses, groans )

Miss home?

l miss Upashi.

ls she that fine?

Like no woman you've ever seen.

Soon, this quiet town will become a bloodbath.

Go home alive while you can.

( chuckles )

l got no home.

This is our fight. You're not a samurai.

Don't trifle with your life. Got it?

( yells ) Damn samurai!

You and your honor and causes!

( shouts ) l'll show you!

Vanished?

Lord Naritsugu passed through Komagane along the lna road.

Then he vanished.

Back to Edo?

Not possible with Naritsugu in control.

l'm concerned he'll cut through to the Sanshu road and skip lida.

Without visiting the Naegi clan?

Shinzaemon: Stand down.

Now, the playing field is level.

Hanbei is trying to ascertain our next move.

We wait here. Prepare for battle.

( grunts )

Batten down that side.

( grunting )

Yes! Put it there.

Shinzaemon: If they don't show today, they must have gone to Okazaki.

Kuranaga: Another route?

Mitsuhashi: Waiting is killing our chances.

Let's abandon Ochiai tonight.

We can cross the pass to the Sanshu Road.

Shinzaemon, it's time to decide!

- Too soon. - But...

Do you know the secret to fishing?

Wait until the fish swallows the hook.

Reel it in when it swallows. lt's simple.

But if you reel in too soon, the fish will escape with the bait.

( Shinzaemon chuckles )

So you say the Akashi are close?

With Hanbei at Naritsugu's side, there is a chance...

they might skip the Naegi.

Their numbers are not Iike ours.

Even if they went off the road...

70 men cannot travel without being noticed.

They must be in one place, awaiting our next move.

And if this is so?

They'll come if they think it's safe.

Shinzaemon: We wait untiI the fish swaIIows the hook.

( distant hoofbeats rumbIing )

( yelling ) They're here!

They're here!

( pants ) They're coming!

The Akashi men are coming!

From where?

Along the Ohira road. But there are not 70.

What?

Many more. Over 200!

Two hundred?

Hanbei! He bought time and summoned troops from other areas!

Twelve men can never defeat 200.

So what! As for the fish that takes the hook, the bigger, the better.

Heaven's will brought us all together.

Thirteen.

The time has come to lay down your lives for the greater cause.

Are you ready?

Ready to die?

All: Yes!

Shinzaemon: Take your posts!

Hanbei: Halt!

Asakawa, wait here.

Let me through.

( trickling )

( chuckles )

Move out!

Naritsugu: How much longer to Nakatsugawa?

( aide speaks )

Tell me how far!

( Hanbei stammers )

Naritsugu: What's the matter?

Hanbei: Oh no!

- ( neighing ) - My Lord!

( troops shouting )

Turn back! My Lord!

( fizzing )

( men screaming )

What fun. l'm going in, Hanbei!

My Lord! Follow him!

lshizuka: Hey!

You can get past this way.

This way, this way.

( all shouting )

( groans )

( yelling )

( grunts )

( shouts )

( grunting )

( mooing )

Shinzaemon.

l presume you are the Akashi entourage of Lord Naritsugu.

By the order of His Shogun's subject, Shinzaemon...

we commemorate your passage with arrows!

Hanbei: My Lord!

My Lord!

Leave the horses. Protect our Lord.

- ( gasps ) - ( arrow whips )

( snaps )

( all shouting )

( shouting continues )

My Lord.

Come this way.

Please wait.

Secure the interior.

- Huh? - Secure the interior.

Hey, secure the interior.

( gasps )

( all screaming )

( screaming )

( coughing )

( men coughing )

Enough petty tricks.

Only 130 left!

What you paid for my life...

was a real bargain.

The enemy is not large! Don't panic.

Show them the spirit of Akashi samurai!

Trade your lives to protect our Lord.

( all shouting )

My Lord!

Lord!

TOTAL MASSACRE

Kill! Kill them all!

( men yelling )

( grunting )

( howls )

( grunting )

Ogura!

Samurai: Fire? No, no!

( screaming )

( screams )

( panting softly )

My Lord! l found a way out!

No! lt's a trap.

My Lord.

Come!

( groaning )

( men shouting )

Hioki!

Guide: Go, go!

This way, my Lord.

( flames crackling )

Look.

Ogura, kill the men that get past me.

Don't leave one alive.

Yes, master.

Kill!

( men shouting )

( whimpers )

( shouting )

( screaming )

( gasps )

( men shouting )

Hirayama: Retreat.

Ogura!

Koyata: Your samurai brawls are crazy fun.

lshizuka: lt's no brawl!

Why are you samurai so arrogant?

Why are you samurai...

so arrogant?

Higuchi, you okay?

Thanks.

Hioki!

( groans )

( men shout )

Hioki...

you fought well. A true samurai.

( men shouting )

Shinzaemon.

Higuchi!

- Go! - Finish the job.

- ( groans ) - Otake: lshizuka!

lshizuka!

( lshizuka groans ) Otake.

Our mission...

finish it!

Shinzaemon!

( yells )

( man screams )

Mitsuhashi!

( gasps )

Damn!

Mitsuhashi!

( groans )

( whimpering )

( growls )

( explodes )

( splashing )

( yells )

( hysterical laughter )

( laughing continues )

You fool!

- Hanbei. - ( Hanbei speaks )

You think the age of war was like this?

Perhaps.

lt's magnificent.

With death comes gratitude for life.

lf a man has lived in vain, then how trivial his life is.

Oh, Hanbei.

Something wonderful has come to my mind.

( Hanbei speaks )

Once l'm on the Shogun's council,

let's bring back the age of war.

( shouting )

( snarls )

( yells )

l'm Saheita Kuranaga.

Lord Naritsugu...

l've come for your life.

Sir Hanbei...

protect our Lord.

( men murmur )

( men yelling )

Comrade: Kuranaga!

My Lord!

( gagging, groaning )

( groaning )

( gasping )

( grunting )

( groans )

( laughing )

( laughter continues )

( laughter stops )

( faintly ) Master...

( men shouting )

Who are you?

You're no samurai!

So what?

Do only samurai matter in this world?

l thought samurai would be fun...

( grunts )

but you bore me.

You're useless, even more useless in great numbers.

( thumps )

( groaning )

This man speaks the truth.

His reward is my short sword.

lf we can get past that...

Remain focused. Victory is ours!

Keep our Lord safe. We'll win!

( men cheering )

( wood cracking, crashing )

( flames crackling )

( birds chirping )

My Lord!

Let's run.

Hanbei, victory is not yet ours.

( yelling )

Shinza.

Hanbei, l have no qualms with you.

You will not pass.

l'll trade my life to protect my Lord.

l must do what must be done.

Are you so hungry for my Lord's life?

Yes!

l gambled my life in this senseless war of power and politics.

lf he joins the Shogun's council...

you know disaster will befall the people!

- Am l wrong? - So what then?

Both you and l were born samurai.

Ours is not to wonder why.

Ours is...

to obey our fate and die.

Shinzaemon: If you were my ally...

if you were not an Akashi retainer...

wouIdn't our task be easier?

Don't lecture me!

No matter how low l go, Hanbei Kito is a samurai!

l won't hand over my Lord's head so easily.

Shinza...

to pass, you'll have to kill me.

That l shall do.

( wipes )

Fight!

Such elegance in fighting one-on-one.

( sloshing )

( grunting )

How l missed crossing swords with you!

( panting ) Hanbei...

in the dojo, we were an even match.

( yells )

Hanbei...

see you in hell!

( rumbling )

( shouting )

Some call it elegance.

Some call it cruel and unfair.

l like it.

( panting softly )

How can you kick his head?

He gave his life for you!

Kick my head if you want.

For the Shogun, for the people, for the many who died untimely deaths...

for Uneme Makino and his wife...

for his father, Yukie Makino...

and for my men scattering Ochiai.

For that...

innocent, nameless young girl...

with severed arms and legs...

l shall take your life!

Ruling is convenient...

but only for rulers.

The people must live to serve.

Even so, a time comes when servants rise up against their Lords.

You're on top thanks to support from the bottom.

Shinzaemon: Don't you see?

Shinzaemon: Your mistake is believing

that your decorative blade is not just for show.

Nonsense. lt's not for show!

Decoration is for show.

Be silent like the decorative man you are.

( screams ) Servant!

( muffled grunting )

How is this for show?

( Shinzaemon growls )

( gasps )

( growls )

Uncle!

( groans )

( whimpers ) Pain.

( laughs )

( sobs ) lt hurts!

That's unexpected.

Can you feel pain?

Am l dying?

Dying?

( sobs ) l'm scared. So scared.

Scared.

( crying ) Scared.

l don't want...

( laughs )

to die.

( bangs )

( gasps )

( screams ) l'm scared! l'm scared!

( Naritsugu retching )

My Lord... prepare yourself!

( gags )

( chokes ) So death comes for us all.

Allow me to thank you, Shinzaemon.

Of all the days of my life,

today has been the most exciting.

You're welcome!

( rumbles )

( groaning softly )

Shinzaemon: It's over.

The big gamble paid off.

( chuckles )

Shinrokuro...

being a samurai...

is truly a burden.

Do what you want...

with your life.

( buzzing )

( shouting )

Shinrokuro: Are you immortal?

You got the Lord's head without me?

Our fight is over.

That ain't no fun.

- You hurt? - Hmm? Oh...

Compared to fighting a wild bear, these wounds are nothing.

All in all...

l want my Upashi.

l don't like towns swarming with samurai.

l'll go home, sweep Upashi off her feet...

and live far away!

Live your life.

Till the next life!

What are you going to do?

Whatever l want. Been a samurai long enough.

Become a bandit.

The greatest bandit in Japan.

Jump ship to America, make love to women.

Now you're talking.

Say "hi" to Upashi for me.

Sure.

( faint splattering )

( blade scrapes )

( wood cracks, horse whinnies )

ln May 1844,

it was reported to the Central Government...

that Lord Naritsugu fell ill and died.

Some 23 years later, the Shogunate system was abolished.

The modern Meiji era began.

( instrumental music playing )

Koji Yakusho

Takayuki Yamada

Yusuke lseya

lkki Sawamura

Arata Furuta

Sousuke Takaoka

Seiji Rokkaku

lkki Namioka

Koen Kondo

Yuma lshigaki

Masataka Kubota

Tsuyoshi lhara

Hiroki Matsukata

Kazue Fukiishi - Mitsuki Tanimura

Takumi Saito - Shinnosuke Abe

Masaaki Uchino

Ken Mitsuishi

lttoku Kishibe

Mikijiro Hira

Koshiro Matsumoto

Goro lnagaki

Masachika lchimura

Directed by Takashi Miike

Subtitles by Christian Storms