I want to make you one of Toyotomi's men.
What?
I've heard all about you, Katakura-kun.
Mimicking the tactics of the Tiger of Kai,
stealing a march on the inimitable Takeda,
and with the charm to gather the armies of the East to defeat Oda's forces...
At Honnoji, you put Akechi Mitsuhide out of his misery,
allowing your lord to challenge the Devil King.
Without you, Azuchi Castle would never have fallen.
And this time at Kawanakajima...
It took me so long to set up that plan.
But a single flash of inspiration from you ruined it.
No one's ever wounded me so deeply before.
Why don't you establish your own army?
I'm sure under you it would be nice, strong and rigid.
Yes, a fabulous army just like that of Toyotomi.
Masamune-sama is the only man who can lead the Date Army of Oushu.
I'm here only as his right eye.
Your talents can only truly blossom working under Hideyoshi.
And...
That's quite enough.
You should be ashamed of yourself, flirting with men like that.
It doesn't matter what comparisons you make, I won't betray him.
This is my honest opinion.
I wouldn't want to see a man like you go down with the Date clan.
For I, Katakura Kojuro...
there shall be no other man in my life but Masamune-sama!
I didn't come here for a fight.
But if you really want it that way...
K-Katakura-sama!
You're no better than a mountain bandit.
You're all pretentiousness and no bite, Takenaka Hanbei.
How harsh.
It's just because I want you that badly.
You don't understand how Date rolls.
But I'd like to find out.
Some no-name peon's life,
or your loyalty to your lord, Masamune-kun.
You're a fool to try and protect both.
There's no way for you to win.
Katakura-sama!
Damn you!
Do you think I'm a coward, Katakura-kun?
It's always so ugly when people realize they're out of time and try to rush things.
The Lost Right Eye, The Gashed Dragon's Back!
My lord! My lord!
T-T-Terrible news, my lord!
What's up? Find Toyotomi's spy yet?
T-The enemy's attacking!
A tree-pronged assault from Nambu, Tsugaru, and Soma!
Shit! They're already coming!?
Have you told Kojuro?
Yes. I sent Bunshiro to Katakura-sa--
My lord!
K-Katakura-sama's--
Suzu-chan and Gramps from out back came running to my place!
They took down Katakura-sama!
I found this in the hill field...
That's Katakura-sama's...
That's the Black Dragon.
Note: Sword says "For Brahma and the Soaring One-Eyed Dragon"
It seems he was attacked by a group late at night.
They're dragging Katakura-sama somewhere with their dirty tricks!
We've found the traitor.
All right, who's the ringleader?
Did he give himself up?
It's Toyotomi's...
Takenaka Hanbei, we think.
Send an agent to Osaka.
Once I've got a handle on Oushu again, I'm getting him back.
Yes!
This is no time to slack off.
Let's move out!
Yes, sir!
Good courage! Maybe I'm too hard on you guys.
Looks like this is gonna be one rough party.
Man, Kasuga-chan, you can do anything, can't you.
Of course. One who follows the way of the shinobi must be adept at all.
Especially this miso soup. And these pickles!
They're amazing!
Well, maybe not quite as good as Matsu-neechan's.
I guess.
You're spending more time praising my cooking than eating it.
Really?
Keiji's right.
It's so tasty, I almost don't want to finish it.
Kenshin-sama...
The protection of Bishamon, and your loving breakfasts.
No, not just breakfast. Dinner and afternoon tea, as well.
Truly, I am blessed.
Kenshin-sama... I don't deserve such words...
My beautiful blade. Continue to grant me such bliss.
Yes... Oh, yes...
What's up with that?
Oh, I--
When he's so proper, I just don't have any words...
But why?
P-Please don't press me, Maeda Keiji!
You may be a wanderer, but you should still behave like a warrior...
Why can't everyone live like that?
Even Toshi and Matsu-neechan had finally made it out from under the thumb of the Devil King of Owari, and then...
Even though they say they hate fighting...
A peaceful, harmonious Land of the Rising Sun...
Maeda Keiji...
Kasuga.
Yes.
Bring the sake.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi...
His dreadfulness is of a different sort than that of the sixth Devil King's sinisterness.
And even...
Mori's plan to induce Oda to attack Kyuushuu, beyond Setouchi, must be considered as playing into Toyotomi's hands.
Toyotomi's commander, Takenaka Hanbei, may possess tactical skill surpassing even that of the famed Mori Motonari.
Mori's a clever general.
I think he'll set aside his inner thoughts and side with Toyotomi for now.
Their alliance is of unrivaled significance.
In a single moment, Toyotomi will grasp dominion.
If this occurs, his first aim will be the lands of Shikoku, surrounded by the Seto Sea.
The Demon of the South Seas, huh.
Honestly, I've got a really big favor to ask of you.
All right.
I know what you're after.
You want me to join in that huge buildup encircling Oda of Owari, right?
I'm up for it.
Let's give it a shot, Keiji.
Motochika...
As you and Shikoku's leader Chosokabe Motochika joined against Oda, your friendship deepened, didn't it.
Yeah...
I don't know a nicer guy.
It must be tough to watch old and new friends fight.
My underlings just brought me some information.
I see.
Keiji, where are you going?
To meet with Hideyoshi.
I'll stop his battle with Motochika.
Please don't.
I can't let them go ahead with it.
I'm afraid Toyotomi Hideyoshi won't even meet with you.
Why?
How do you know?
Because I understand how you are now.
But you must leave Echigo as soon as possible.
What do you mean!?
Kenshin!?
The Maeda Army is approaching Echigo.
We must fight your kinsmen.
What!?
There's no way to avoid it. Toshiie-dono's will is unshakable.
Only the will of the heavens shall decide the victor.
Date's holdings in Oushu are assaulted on three fronts by Toyotomi's subterfuge.
Against the armies of Nambu, Tsugaru, and Soba, Date Masamune splits his forces evenly and gives battle.
Date holds the advantage, but a force which could turn the tides of battle advances from Aizu.
My lord!
Our scouts report Ashina's forces advancing from Aizu!
They're approaching Suriagehara!
What else do we know?
I know we're under pressure on all sides, but if we don't dispatch troops...
Takenaka Hanbei. This saves me chasing you down.
You made a big mistake splitting Date's armies, Masamune-kun.
What!?
If Katakura-kun were here...
He'd use the fewest possible troops to resist Nambu, Tsugaru, and Soba,
and refine his plans until they were at his gates.
To guard against their being a diversion to ease another force's path.
Be right there!
Katakura-kun usually has your back, doesn't he.
It's so easy to carve up now.
You bastard!
I promise I'll be nice to him.
So don't worry, I'll snip you off here at Suriagehara.
Good enough!
I'll pay you back, right here!
War Dance!
Did I underestimate him!?
Damn it!
They broke through our line...
Hmph, this ain't cool at all.
Just when my right eye's gone, too...
Things like that make me sick.
Come on! It's not over yet!
Oyakata-sama! I, Sanada Yukimura, shall now depart!
Careful around water.
Yes, sir!
Information from my ninja squads.
An uproar in Oushu.
The neighboring fiefs, previously dominated by Date, seem to have opened hostilities.
The Dragon's Right Eye, Katakura Kojuro, has gone missing.
What!? Katakura-dono is--!?
The One-Eyed Dragon, Date Masamune,
is engaged in battle with Ashina at Suriagehara.
As of last night, Date was at a disadvantage.
What!?
Toyotomi springs his trap.
The loss of his general places Date at even more of a disadvantage.
Yukimura.
Now is no time to feel sympathy for the enemy.
If he's defeated by Ashina, that's all for him.
If he grasps victory, you may face him again.
Yes, sir!
My men! Young as I am,
I shall exert myself to the utmost as your commander!
I beg your fierce exertion!
Yeah!!
I, Sanada Genji Yukimura,
shall strive my hardest alongside the elite Knights of Takeda
to aid the Braves of Satsuma!
Masamune-dono... Though defeated by you once before, I hold no regrets.
One day, we shall meet again, as warriors.
For now, I must devote my body and soul to Oyakata-sama's orders.
If I may ask.
Did you just do that to Master Sanada now , of all times?
I did it because of that.
Our time of greatest peril is the best time to send him forth.
What expression will he wear on his return?
I can't wait to see.
Yukimura. Even separated, our lives are inextricably bound.
If this be our parting in this world, so be it.
No matter when, no matter where, remember you're a man!
What happened to your hand, Hanbei?
Just a scratch.
I see you've returned with the Dragon's Right Eye, Katakura Kojuro.
Why?
He's valuable human capital, so I headhunted him.
For the future of the Toyotomi.
You're enough for me.
Our army will expand further.
We'll need an array of talented generals.
Do you think he'll turn?
Not as long as the One-Eyed Dragon lives.
His strength is being sapped by the attacks of his neighboring fiefs, though.
We've got the Tiger of Kai bottled up for now, too.
The Maeda Army is advancing on Echigo.
As Maeda attacks from the front, Ashina and the other three armies will mop up Date and then plunge the knife into his back.
I'll travel to Aki.
The alliance with Mori needs a few finishing touches.
Our next target is Chosokabe of Shikoku.
That's the next time you need to bother to get involved.
Hanbei.
What, Hideyoshi?
There's no need to rush. Rest yourself.
Thank you. I'll do so as soon as Shikoku falls.
As soon as Shikoku falls, you'll want to move on to Satsuma.
Yeah.
I want to see it soon.
This nation under your rule...
I'll protect what I hold dear, even if it costs me my life.
The man who taught me to do this is...
Keiji vs. Toshiie! Choked, unyielding emotions at Tetorigawa!
I know it's hard to watch, but you have to see next episode for yourself.