Everyone's out, so there's no welcome party.
A drink first.
Thanks. With your help,
we can do something interesting.
You came just in time.
I saw the notice. Trouble in the clan?
Quite a few men left here. Where did they go?
I'll take you there.
By the way, the notice is all lies.
The Superintendent is the bad one.
-But he's your... -Master. Like attracts like.
I'm bad, too.
The Chamberlain's a fine man. He's hard to fool.
But if he's removed, this clan will be easy prey.
Kikui's shrewd. A small man.
If he gains control of the clan...
-You and I will eat him. -Precisely.
I'll introduce you to him.
Remember. He thinks he's a clever, able man. So...
Pamper him nicely, and he'll purr. Right?
Right. You catch on fast. Good partner!
We're being followed.
Turn right at the corner.
Don't kill him.
-Idiot! Why? -I said ”no,” but if you betray us...
You'll have to get caught. He's coming.
Attack me! Come on!
This young man was rather strong.
A good present. The group leader.
The Chamberlain's nephew.
A good present,
but too heavy to take to Kikui.
Take them away!
No enough guards. They'll come to get them back.
No defense on the road.
Bring more guards.
It's dangerous. Take two men.
Not enough. I'll go.
I'll go with you.
It's me. Open up!
The three guards are already dead.
There.
I'll report it. Where?
They wouldn't listen to you. Take over.
Stop making trouble.
Know what I'm doing? I'm letting them go.
You forced me to kill them.
Tie me up.
Ten men will clean up here. The others, go back.
What's this? Shame on you!
I lost this time.
But they were too many to fight.
I didn't want to die.
I have no reason to die like them.
Too bad.
They beat you. I can't recommend you.
Sorry .
But I know his face.
I'll come back with him.
How smart you are!
You ruined my plan!
And you haven't found where Kikui's men are.
How peaceful!
At this rate,when you find the Chamberlain,
I'll be a 70-year-old.
-How beautiful! -This water comes from the Camellia Mansion.
-You know many things. -I once heard Terada say so to Izaka.
”They say men shouldn't drink stolen water, but
I'm drinking the water of the wicked Kurofuji.”
Iyori's name is on that paper.
-I see Terada's name, too. -What's that red blot?
Signed with blood!
Iyori! Iyori!
No. Kurofuji lives next door.
What's that?
Uncle put the torn letter in his sleeve.
He was wearing the same clothes
when he was caught.
Correct?
Look what I found!
Bits of the torn letter.
It's evident: My uncle is next door!
He tried hard to protect a bunch of fools like us.
He took a chance
and threw them in the stream.
You're being stupid again.
You want to attack them? They're waiting for you.
Can't you see? Kikui's men are next door!
Peek, if you doubt me.
Did he write?
It's not a confession. It's an indictment!
The skunk! How long will he make fools of us?
What now?
They're so many!
-What now? -Their overrating us makes it worse.
That's it! I'll go tell them I know where you are.
They overestimate the number of your group.
If I say an army has gathered,
Kikui's men will go there.
The house will be empty.
Then you'll raid it.
Where shall I say you are?
Not at a shrine again. A temple?
I was upstairs in the gate and saw you pass below.
It's not bad. You know one?
Far enough to rescue the Chamberlain.
-Komyo Temple. -Far enough...
-And secluded. -Good. Komyo Temple?
Even after the men leave, don't come until I signal.
Once you raid it, rescue him quickly,
or they'll kill him.
No other way.
Our last resort.
Understand?
Wait until I'm sure we can get the Chamberlain out.
-Wait until I signal you. -Yes.What signal?
-When the house starts burning. -No. That's too wild.
I have an idea.
Send something down the stream.
If we watch it, we'll find out.
That's a marvelous idea!
-It's the peaceful way. -It's from Camellia Mansion,
so why not send camellias? A signal of red camellias!
It must be beautiful.
I'd prefer white ones.
What's the difference? Camellias.
-But some fall naturally. -I'll dump in a pile.
Open up! I want Muroto.
It's bad! Komyo Temple has no second story!
They'll know it's a lie.
How did you know I was here?
The Superintendent's men are here.
Why not you?
What is it?
Some information.
I was asleep upstairs...
-What'll we do? -It's too late.
We failed to notice.
Maybe they will, too.
I'll go and see.
Wait here.
Komyo Temple? 130 men?
But who's the masterless samurai?
-Nevermind. -Kikui, don't fail this time.
Of course. I'll go myself.
We're going. You, too.
Well... I haven't eaten since yesterday.
I can't fight on an empty stomach.
Feed me first.
I'll catch up with you later.
It worked! The men left! Kikui, too.
He was excited.
Leave me alone. Or I'll be uncomfortable.
What are you doing?
I like camellias.
No jokes!
Oh, no! It's a lie about Komyo Temple!
Its gate...
Somebody!
Tricked! It has no second story !
Bring your men back!
There's fresh blood on this sword.
-You fooled me last night. -Question him later! Hurry!
You're finished.
You mean you are.
Poor men! You don't know anything.
-They'll attack you soon. -What?
The conspirators, of course.
They're next door waiting for my signal.
If I don't stop them now, they'll come to kill you.
Peek, if you doubt me.
-No signal? -He's late!
If something's happened to him...
-What shall we do? -We can't wait.
Let's attack!
-Can't wait! -We always fail when we don't wait.
Let's wait!
He's right! We must do something!
See? I'll make an offer.
Buy the signal for fifty pieces of gold.
Were they watching the stream?
-Yes. -Send something down on the stream.
He had many red camellias
when he was caught!
What signal arethey?
-Give me fifty. -Tell us, or we'll kill you!
-Thirty, then. -All right, I'll tell you.
Red camellias mean attack;
white ones, stop.
No signal means I'm in trouble and they'll attack.
Be calm. White ones.
Hurry!
Don't be stingy. More!
Coming!
Just in time!
You're trapped! The color doesn't matter.
130 men are coming! You're finished!
Don't kill them!
Open up! It's Muroto! Open the gate!
It's all over.
-He's late. What's his name? -It's Tsubaki.
Don't forget the name of the man who saved you.
-That's too bad. -No, no.
Bring him. Say every one is waiting for him.
This is an unpleasant subject to talk about.
The traitors were punished.
The Superintendent already punished himself with death.
I regretit very much.
Like the other two,
who were banished,
I could have saved his life, at least.
I'd hoped to handle the matter in a quieter way.
After gaining proof,
I could have made them retire peacefully.
-Forgive us. -Nothing to forgive.
I should have gained your trust.
I find this long horseface of mine a great drawback.
Long ago, someone saw me
on horseback and said...
”The horse's face is shorter than the rider's.”
He's gone.
-I found only these in his room. -Gone in rags?
Go and look for him. Hurry!
Fortunately he won't return.
-”Fortunately?” -He's a great man.
But extraordinary men like him are too much for me.
Listen. He wouldn't like to stay here
for the rest of his life.
He'll never wear these
and work for the clan.
-He's gone. -The guard said west.
Only this road then.
Go back! I won't return!
-Must we fight? -Yes!
You're treacherous. You made a fool of me.
Don't get so mad. I couldn't help it.
I respected you. So I...
Too late now! Draw!
I'd rather not. If I do,
one of us must die. It's not worth it.
It is to me.
Otherwise I'll never feel a tease.
Very well.
But even if you kill me,
don't kill them.
Keep away!
Splendid!
Idiot! You don't know anything!
Be careful.
I'm in a bad mood.
He was exactly like me.
A naked sword. He didn't stay in his sheath.
The lady's right.
Good swords are kept in their sheaths.
You'd better stay in yours.
Don't follow me, or I'll kill you!
'Bye!