My lord!
Oh, Hanbei.
Let us go that way just for now.
My lord!
We'll detour and take Ina Highway to get to Sanshu Highway, then go by sea from Okazaki.
Missing the visit to just that one Naigi clan is too trivial to worry about.
What do you think? Everyone?
If people hear that our way was blocked by the Owari clan during our journey...
...and we missed all visits to the clans along the way and we missed all visits to the clans...
...along the way and ran back to our home territory, we'd be the laughing stock of the country.
Are you more concerned about not being a laughing stock...
...or about the life of our lord as well as that of the 100,000-koku Akashi clan?
That's what I want to ask you.
We may or may not be laughed at, but that'll last only for a year at most.
When we return to the capital the following year, he will be promoted and become a senior advisor.
With that status, nobody will be able to point their finger at him!
Then, where's the point in risking his life...
...and 100,000-koku for missing just one visit, one single visit?
Do you want to hold on to life so much that you're willing to make your lord a laughing stock?
I've heard it said that a samurai would choose death to avoid becoming a laughing stock of society.
What do you say, Hanbei?
Let me tell you something.
Why do you think the 100,000-koku Akashi clan has paid and fostered samurai for generations?
Please excuse me, but this is a time of emergency. We cannot do without emergency measures.
Is it about the Hatamoto samurai called Shinzaemon Shimada?
Indeed.
Silence!
Akashi has 100,000-koku.
You are a retainer of this 100,000-koku family, and you're still afraid of...
...some scheme by a poor Hatamoto samurai with a mere 750-koku! How embarrassing! Shame on you!
Hanbei.
I thought you were a reliable samurai...
...but I see that I was wrong.
Listen!
No matter what, we will pay a visit...
...to each and every clan along the way including Naigi Toyama's Mino, without missing one!
This is a firm order!
Yes, sir.
We have other measures to take.
It won't do without a measure.
Sir Kuranaga!
Is Sir Shinza here? - Yes, inside here.
Take the horse, please. - Yes.
I've just returned.
Kuranaga! Thank you for your travel.
It's nothing. More importantly, I have good news for you.
Makino put his life at risk and succeeded in stopping the Akashi clan's entourage at Otaki River.
Sir Naritsugu took only his guards and detoured to Ina.
I see!
So we predicted right!
Now we know they're going to Ochiai.
Kuranaga, what happened to Yukie Makino? - Yes.
Well, Sir Shinza...
Well, I saw him at Agematsu Camp the night before the incident...
...and told him the details of our scheme and asked him for help...
...then he cried painfully and kept saying...
...he regretted that his family was to end in one generation...
...although he receives salaries from the Owari.
And he bowed down his head.
The next day, after the incident at Otaki River, he made sure Sir Naritsugu and his entourage left...
...then cut himself on the spot and passed away.
As suspected.
I see.
The Akashi entourage is now divided in tho.
One with Sir Naritsugu himself accompanied by 52 men...
...left for Ina on Kiso Highway and crossing Gonbei Pass.
Uncle!
Shinrokuro, thanks for your trouble.
Everything is going as planned.
This is Sir Tokubei of Sanshuya, the general chief of the station.
I'm Shimada. Thanks for having us.
Sorry for the big trouble.
No please, not to worry.
I'm the only one who knows everything until after it's over. Please leave it to me.
Then, please show them around now. - Yes.
And you, Uncle?
I'll look at the inn. You come with me. - Yes.
And Kuranaga! - Yes.
Hirayama, you stay with me too. - Yes.
That over there is Sanshuya.
This way out to Kiso. That way to Nakatsugawa.
So Nakatsugawa in Naigi's territory is straight down this road, right?
If they come out on this street, our group would lose. There's only one street.
It depends on how we turn this ordinary road station into a place to finish our job.
Hey, is this Sanshuya here?
Yes.
What? Sir Akashi's entourage disappeared from Ina Highway?
I heard they passed through Komagane yesterday afternoon.
After that, no one has seen Sir Akashi's entourage along the highway.
Impossible! There are at least 40 or 50 men.
Could it be they are returning to Edo?
I see!
They might take Kan Highway without passing lida and come out on Sanshu Highway.
After all it's Hanbei Kito we're dealing with here.
How about sending another man to check things out?
I don't know.
If we wander about in an area we're not familiar with, they might find out about us.
I understand your concern, but if we make a desperate move, things would fall apart.
Calm your mind and wait for the next instruction.
Kuranaga. - Yes.
November 13.
Six days have passed already since Sir Matsudaira disappeared from Ina Highway.
Hurry! Hurry!
What are you doing taking a break?
One minute now is worth 1,000 gold coins! Hurry up!
Uncle.
What is it, Shinrokuro?
We have a problem.
It seems an outsider has learned about what we're doing.
What?
Hey, come down.
Move it.
Is it this man?
Yes.
He says he's a country samurai.
His name is Koyata Kiga. He lives alone and has no parents or siblings.
Since he learned it from the host of the house...
...we could make the host keep his daughter inside this house.
What to do about him?
He not only spies on our business but also wants to join us.
I am appalled.
I beg you!
I'm confident of my sword skills. My father taught me well. I beg you!
Do you want a promotion?
Not at all.
Then what?
What he wants is that daughter.
They're passionately in love, but her father, the station chief doesn't give him credit at all.
So he thinks he'd get his wish if he joined this big job and showed his bravery.
Is that how he feels or what you think it is?
I don't know.
Probably both.
Unless you've loved with all your heart, you'll never understand how a man in love feels.
It's pretty amazing how such a man would risk his life. It's true.
Sir Shinrokuro!
They're fools... both the woman and this man.
Fools, but if we had to kill them just to keep them from talking...
Uncle?
No choice, I suppose.
Plus, we need more labor with the bridge. How about placing him there?
So we have 13 men now.
November 14.
And the following day, November 15. No news all day.
That large entourage and no rumor about them at all!
Since they haven't appeared until today...
...it makes me think they must have taken Sanshu Highway heading straight to Okazaki.
I agree.
That seems like the only possibility.
That's right.
From Komagane where they disappeared at to this station, it takes a day and a half if they hurry...
...tho days at most.
They should have showed up a couple of days ago or so.
If we give up now, we might lose this valuable opportunity.
What do you say if we abandon Ochiai Station tonight, not even tomorrow...
...and cross over Kamizaka Pass to reach Sanshu Highway?
That's right. It's the time to make a decision!
It's too soon.
But Hirayama... - I said too soon!
You saw how sharp he is at the Toda ferry landing.
With Hanbei Kito with the group, there's a possibility they wouldn't visit the Naigi clan's territory.
But then they went off the highway and disappeared.
No matter how smart Hanbei is, there's no way a group of 40 to 50 men can...
...travel without being noticed!
They must be staying in one place, waiting to see our move.
They'll come out when they decide it's the day of opportunity.
But what if they don't? - They will!
But Hirayama! - Silence!
We've put our lives in Sir Shinzaemon's hands to begin with.
It's tacky to dispute at this point.
Hirayama.
About the watch we planted at the tea house, I can't really trust a construction laborer for the job.
Can we send somebody else there?
I shall go then.
You again?
Yes. Well, you gave me too much travel expenses the other day.
This is an extra job for too little money. But I don't want to be paid too much, either.
So I want you to use me again.
Then I'll ask you. Is that all right?
Hmm. - Then excuse me.
He's strange.
But he's able.
Uncle.
What?
Do you really think Akashi's entourage will come?
I don't know.
What to do then?
The same as Kuranaga and Hirayama.
I feel like praying to God.
November 16.
The first frost of the year.
I've heard training is endless work...
...but I can't even handle this one sword.
Have you been able to come up with a technique?
No.
But, with the sword, there's a vulnerable moment when one pulls it out of the sheath, and...
...with the staff, the opponent sees an opportunity when one pulls it out rather than when he attacks.
There are techniques to be used for those moments.
I was pondering on this and trying to figure these things out.
Hirayama.
Yes?
They say a man's life is unpredictable, but not a warrior's life.
When he fights aiming to die, he lives.
When he fights aiming to live, he dies.
I'm telling myself right now how truthful I've been to the way of the warrior.
Excuse me!
They're here! They're here!
Sir Shimada!
Sir Akashi's entourage is here!
What? They're here? - Yes.
It seems they traveled along Odaira Highway by night.
They should be coming down from Tomagari Pass in a minute.
Everyone's on horseback. There are 53 of them.
They're finally here.
November 17, the first year of Koka. The early hour of the Tiger (4 am).
It was said to be especially foggy from early dawn that day.
In position.
Yes, sir!
How much longer to Nakatsugawa?
Yes.
I said how much longer!
What's going on? Get out! Out of the way!
What's this?
Hell! Turn around! Turn around!
Hell!
Near the houses! Hide from the arrows! Near the houses!
I presume this is the entourage of...
...the Head of Akashi Castle in Banshu, Sir Matsudaira Sahyoe-no-kami!
This is done by the will of Hatamoto Shinzaemon Shimada.
Excuse us but we'll stop your transit with bows and arrows!
Hide from the arrows under the houses!
Go under the houses!
Take my horse!
My lord! Over here...
Don't abandon your horse! Don't abandon your horse! Idiots! Get back on!
Kill them!
- You, go back to the bridge and keep watch! - The bridge?
Since there are some of the enemy's men on the other side, there must be a way to get back over.
Go and look!
Otake! Isolate Sir Akashi from the rest!
Got it!
My lord!
Sir Shirakawa!
What?
We can escape from the passage here!
Good!
Everybody! Retreat! Retreat! We'll escape from the back street!
My lord!
Hell! Break down that wall! - Yes, sir!
My lord!
That's a trap! My lord! Turn back please!
Turn back, will you?
Get out of the way!
Out of the way!
Out of the way! If you don't get out of the way, I won't have mercy even if you're on my side!
Naritsugu is under here!
My lord!
Out of the way! Out of the way!
My lord!
Turn back! Turn back!
Oh Hanbei! We won't make it this way! Do something!
It was a mistake to have brought you in here. Please be patient for a little longer.
My lord!
What's the matter, Hanbei?
This is the last trap that Shinza prepared!
We're cornered in. If we're attacked here, there's no way to escape!
Sir Naritsugu is in the valley trap!
Is Hanbei with him? - Yes, seems he finally caught up.
All right! Tell everyone to get down to the alley and fight!
If we don't block their way, the fish will escape from the net!
I'm curious to see what moves Hanbei will make.
I wonder how he'll put up a fight?
My lord!
You, go towards those tho over there.
Take down the stack of sacks. I have a hunch there's a way out hidden behind them. Hurry!
Take down the sacks!
The rest of us will form a human barrier for our lord!
Step in front! Move it now!
If you don't do as I tell you, I won't show mercy even if you're our men!
Sir Hirayama!
Come at me!
Why don't you show me the true spirit of the Akashi samurai!
Come on, hurry up! Hurry!
Shojiro! - Yes!
Stay on guard! - Yes!
Retreat!
Kill him!
Shojiro! Let's go!
All right!
Offense is the best defense.
Seize the opportunity, push forward!
Sawara! We'll go through!
Okay! Go through!
Sir Kito!
Sir Kito!!
Niwa!
We can cross over the river on Kiso Highway we took by boat.
I see! So we can cross over by boat!
Listen! Those of you who remained here will turn back on the same road we came!
We're at the crucial point where we can make Akashi of 100,000-koku either alive or dead!
Push forward with all your might!
Yes, sir!
Hatazawa, look after our lord! Follow me!
What are you doing!?
Take our lord! Go!
What?
- They pushed their way back into the same alley? - Yes.
Sir Mitsuhashi saw that Sir Naritsugu went at them.
But it was few against many.
Blocking this alleyway seems the best he can do.
Sir Shinza!
That Hanbei intends to send his master back on Kiso Highway.
Is he willing to fight?
No.
Hanbei was indeed smart enough to grasp the situation.
Ishizuka!
Tell Higuchi and Horii, the 2 men who returned from the valley trap, to attack Kito in the main street.
Follow me!
Don't be distracted!
Is our lord here yet?
Our lord here yet!?
My lord!
Help me! If we break down this door, we can get out!
Yes!
I'll get you!
You're one of them!
I'll kill you!
Mitsuhashi! Let's go!
Sir Mitsuhashi!
Sir Mitsuhashi!!
Damn!
Higuchi!
Low life!
Out of the way!
Sir Kito!
Our lord went back that way again!
Damn! That idiot Hatazawa!
Turn back!
Out of the way!
Oh, Sir Shinrokuro! Quick!
Hanbei!
My lord!
My lord, go over there for now!
Hanbei!
I waited for you.
Are you Shinzaemon Shimada?
I presume you are the Head of Akashi Castle, Sir Naritsugu Matsudaira.
Due to reasons beyond my power, I shall take your life.
Get back, low life!
Attacking me is like rebelling against the Shogun's family!
Are you fighting against me knowing that?
Let go and prepare yourself.
Get back, low life! Get back, low life!
Don't you know I'm the brother of the Shogun?
I can't say everything is your fault...
...and it isn't easy taking your life...
...but this is for the sake of all people of the country...
...therefore I can't let you go.
Hanbei!
Asakura!
Hanpei!
Asakura!
My lord!
Shinza, you bastard! Prepare yourself!
Wait.
Hanbei...
...you and me, one on one.
Shinza!
Why didn't you defend yourself?
Why did you let my sword...?
Hanbei...
This is the right way.
Shinza!
Hanbei.
Shinza!
Hanbei, this is the right way.
If I didn't kill your lord, I'd lose my pride as a samurai.
If you didn't kill me, you'd lose your pride, too.
I see.
It's just like you, Shinza.
I lose.
I'll get you back on the other side.
Hiraki!
Yes, sir!
End the meaningless fight.
Signal them.
Sir!
We've done it!
Shojiro, don't chase them!
Shojiro!
Sir Naritsugu Matsudaira Sahyoe-no-kami got ill on his journey...
...and passed upon arrival in his home territory...
...thus it was reported to the Central Government.
It was the end of November in the first year of Koka (1844).