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.
March 5 1844 - Akashi Clan House Elder 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 go unpunished.
What should we do?
Man: Shogun Council Elders, Sir Doi has returned.
Listen carefully. The Shogun orders us to settle the matter
of his half-brother quietly. We must take this order quite seriously.
SIR DOI - Top Shogun official
Sir Doi, we blame those that named Naritsugu an adopted Akashi son.
This unfortunate dilemma drove Mamiya to harakiri.
Sir Doi, his appeal to us for action is mandatory...
l'm aware of it!
But we must respect the Shogun's rule.
This is the most solemn commitment we must all uphold.
We must end this debate. To keep arguing is pointless!
13 ASSASSlNS
Shinzaemon Shimada, l presume?
ln the flesh.
You're a hard man to find.
Good evening, 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 of the 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, Sir Doi?
Listen to me. He has appointed Naritsugu as his senior advisor,
starting with Naritsugu's next visit to Edo.
He will have the full authority of this position.
You were saying that, the Shogun will allow
that boy to meddle in political affairs?
lncidentally, l invited someone here.
Speak with him. Go on!
l'm Yukie Makino, a subject of the Lord of Owari.
l serve the Agematsu in Kiso.
l'm Shinzaemon Shimada.
Kiso, you said?
l heard about an incident last year between the Akashi and Owari clans.
- There was an unfortunate incident. - Rumors.
l'll tell you all, Shimada san.
l'll keep no secrets.
Makino: In April of last year...
Lord Naritsugu of the Akashi clan...
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 the feast in order? - Yes.
And the picture scrolls for his entertainment?
I'll go and get them now.
Uhh, have your wife get them instead.
Yes!
Chise.
Makino: My son had married Chise only 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.
My Lord, please release me.
Chise!
Chise?
Chise?!
Chise?
Naritsugu: Kiso women are such mountain monkeys.
They defy me by scratching.
Are you a monkey too, servant?
Chise.
Uneme: Chise!
Monkey necks can be so tough.
Makino: That same night...
Chise slit her throat in disgrace.
Nothing was the same again.
Makino: My son and his new bride slain...
before my very eyes.
This is torture for me.
Rather than living in disgrace l... ponder harakiri.
But l can't... l remember the shame my Lord Owari has endured.
Mock me for grumbling.
l continue my worthless life
remaining a living witness to this tragedy.
Sir Doi: As the Council Elder enacting the Shogun's justice...
some things l can do, others things l cannot.
lf l turn my back on the Shogun at this time
and if I should find fault with his lineage,
then his rule will surely spiral into chaos and destroy years of peace.
As the Shogun's senior advisor, l cannot do it, Shinza.
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: You see, Shinza... Akashi land was once most fertile.
But Naritsugu's relentless land taxes
had made starving peasants hunger for revolt.
Shinza, this woman...
is from Akashi. She's the daughter of the peasant leader.
Sir Doi: He did this.
He cut off her limbs and brought her to Edo as his plaything.
Naritsugu commited this unspeakable actrocity and more.
But Naritsugu grew bored with her and simply cast her out.
ls there no mercy?
Shinzaemon, there is no need to mention
my honor, my duties and my position.
lf this continues, chaos will definitely ruin our nation
and the people will surely suffer badly.
Poor woman... what of her family's fate?
He cut out her tongue as well.
Shinzaemon's voice: "Total massacre."
How fate smiles on me.
Sir Doi, as a samurai in this era...
As a samurai, l've been wishing for a noble death.
Now fate has called me here.
See, my hands just won't stop trembling.
Hmm...
lt's a warrior's battle shakes.
l will accomplish your wish...
with magnificence brilliances.
Sir Hanbei, Sir Hanbei... thank you for coming.
HANBEI - Naritsugu's Chief Samurai - Asakawa, where's Lord Naritsugu?
Ah.... in the banquet hall.
The Mamiya?
l clearly told you not to trouble the Mamiya family!
Asakawa: l can't disobey Lord Naritsugu's orders.
Tsk.
My Lord!
Yes, Hanbei?
I'm sorry to interrupt you, sir.
But Sir Doi has humbly requested that
you leave the Mamiya family alone.
Those are governmental orders!
Doi again! That grumbling Shogun advisor.
My Lord! My Lord!
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. That's the way I see it.
Dying for one's master is the way of the samurai.
Dying for one's husband is the way of women.
We must protect these ways, I'm sure you agreed with me, Hanbei?
Yes.
Hanbei: They won't let him get away with it.
Things worked out too easily 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... How will Sir Doi save face?
As the man in charge of justice in the land...
he must deliver a verdict to save his honor in a scandal like this.
So, Sir Doi is plotting something?
Who goes there?
Yes!
My Lord, attendant Deguchi at your service.
Hanbei: Gather the men and keep an eye on Sir Doi.
Yes!
Bribe the gatekeepers and servants.
Once you've done that,
get his visitor's list since Mamiya's harakiri.
Yes!
We protect our Lord at all costs.
Such is our loyal duty.
Yukie of the Owari clan?
Owari?
Makino?
Makino was present there, during our Kiso visit.
That is interesting.
Hanbei: So Makino met with Shinzaemon.
Asakawa: Do you know who's Shinzaemon?
We attended the same school,
even trained in the sword at the same dojo.
We were competitive classmates.
ls he that skilled, Lord Hanbei?
He's not as shrewd, not as strong as you might imagined.
However he never gives up.
When he's backed into a corner, he won't overplay his hand.
He won't budge.
He's a man who beats you in the end.
lf Doi has picked him...
then we've drawn the worst luck, that is for sure.
Shinzaemon: lmpressive as always, Hirayama.
l'm sorry for always borrowing your dojo without permission.
You honor me by using it.
Your spirit... is what keeps the dojo alive.
A match for old time's sake?
Hirayama: Better to save our energy for bigger tasks, right?
All are equally important. There are no big or small tasks.
You follow me?
I guess you still lack training.
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, my master.
And then l thought, a time would come when l could repay you.
Yet I realised, l have no choice but to regret...
I have... l have not been able to repay you, my master.
Shinzaemon: Your appreciation.
My small contribution means so much?
l thank you.
Man: What a rare samurai in these times!
Shinzaemon: Oh, Kuranaga!
Lord 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, I'm at your service, Hirayama.
Kuranaga: l present my subordinates, Otake and Hioki.
Mitsuhashi: These are my men, on the right Higuchi and on the left Horii.
I hand-picked them from hundreds of men.
Kuranaga: We are still few.
It's hard to find skilled samurai in this day and age.
Others are samurai of little worth.
Our lives are in your hands,
Shinzaemon Shimada, we're waiting for your orders.
l see.
Then listen up. By private and strict order of Sir Doi...
we've been secretly 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 while he's en route?
That's the plan. lt's absurd with so little time and only a few men.
I know... but these days,
tell me how many samurai use their swords in actual battle?
Not them, not us. A real challenge.
He who values his life dies,
the death of a dog.
You've entrusted me with your lives.
l'll spend them...
at will.
Shinzaemon's voice: Now, we are nine.
How many other true samurai are left?
Hioki: Sir, l'll take my leave.
Man: Tell me what was that meeting about?
Hioki: Akashi samurai?
Man: Now you know!
How dare you point your sword at us, novice!
Who are you?
State your name.
Ronin. Hirayama... Ronin.
He killed our sword masters in one slice.
Asakawa, l won't permit such a blatant moves again. Do you understand.
Yes! lf Sir Doi decides to, the coals we once cooled...
will ignite into a blaze burning down our clan!
Forgive me for my thoughtless act.
Now it's all clear. lt is Shinzaemon.
Man: Place your bets.
Gambler: Odd or even.
I say even.
- I'm going to win this round. - I say odd.
I'm gonna get it this time.
- I'm gonna win this one, I'm out. - Odd.
Show!
- Odd! - I told you I was going to win.
- Akane won again. - It's a good night for me.
- That's it. I'm out. - Yes!
Lady Luck is with you.
Don't talk to me.
What did you say?
Luck leaves when unlucky men talk.
Place your bets again.
We're just about to start.
He'd go into debts if he is going to pay all those girls.
Samurai are always asking to borrow money.
My shop is full of swords that these men pawned.
You know something,
these days, swords are only good for cutting radishes and carrots.
Whoa!
Man: Well, hello Uncle!
Womanizing at your age is bad for you, don't you think?
Bravo Nephew! You young foolish rogue.
Sake bought with gambling money tastes best.
Spare me the irony.
Gambling is the only time l really feel alive.
Samurai status doesn't suit me.
l too hated being a samurai, but then l realized that
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 girlfriend?
Well...
She still allowed me to live with her.
Be yourself then. But don't overdo it!
As you know, Lords are making their annual trips home.
Don't you think you should be busy, Uncle?
Work is my excuse to gamble too.
l'm on a mission, a very, very long shot.
Will that gamble pay off?
Pay off? lt's like walking through the eye of a needle.
Quit, while you're ahead.
You're clever.
But you see, your uncle's 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.
Betting on yourself is true gambling. Now, who's overdoing it?
l'll say this, Shinrokuro.
My gamble is more exciting than yours, of course with the same odds.
It's clear, don't you see.
Woman: Shinrokuro, are you home?
You tease me, dear. lf you're here, say so please.
Shinrokuro: I'm neither here nor there.
No! No, you're teasing. You're right here.
Shinrokuro: I saw my uncle.
Do you mean Shinzaemon?
Yes.
What's wrong? Did something happen?
Tsuya...
No.
Don't.
Shin-san.
l'll be gone for a while.
Shin-san! When will you return?
Soon. But if l'm late...
l'll be at the 'Festival of the Dead.'
Listen to me,
burn the honorary torch and wait.
My master, this one here is mine one and only pupil.
Ogura here at your service.
Shinzaemon: Are your parents still alive?
Father died two years ago; My 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 helping society.
Allow me to join you.
Hirayama: l request that you take him too.
But he's much too young.
Shinzaemon, I think you're wrong. You must know, 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?
Aah. My name is Sahara, a lowly ronin...
with no redeeming merit but my spear in hand.
Hirayama: l vouch only for his skill.
Hirayama told me of your mission.
Fighting a larger enemy is admirable, indeed. l very much want to join
but one small request.
Shinzaemon: Which is?
Pay me up front 200 ryo.
Kuranaga: You're only joining for the money?
Let me be clear. My sympathy with your cause has nothing to do with money.
- Aah! - With no relationship or debt to you,
do you really expect me to work for free?
How will you use the money?
Well, the first 120 ryo for lifelong debts,
plus something nice and useful for my relatives.
Thirty ryo for a tomb for my wife, who died from my hardships.
Twenty for my preparations as well.
What about the rest?
I'm going to use the rest to experience the "luxuries"
l never had in this life.
That's funny! My kind of man. His spirit is a bargain at 200.
Now, we're 11.
I seriously think, our quality outshines our quantity.
Shinrokuro is here.
As you see, l'm here to take your big gamble.
What's your wager?
lf it's a true gamble, there's only one thing l can bet.
lf you refuse, start by killing me right now.
And now, we're 12 samurais!
Have no mercy! There's no samurai code or fair play in battle!
No sword? Then use a stick. No stick? Use a rock.
No rock? Use your fists and feet!
Perhaps you lose your life, but you must make the enemy pay!
Shinzaemon: Horii.
Higuchi.
Train in explosives.
Sahara's voice: Rest in peace.
I'll join you shortly.
Shinzaemon: Hurry up with the preparations. We depart soon.
I was informed that Lord Naritsugu departs tomorrow.
Kuranaga: Finally, he makes a move.
That's good. So where's our best point of attack?
How about the Toda boat crossing?
I think they'll send half their men in first.
The others will stand guard as Naritsugu crosses.
Their troops split... better to attack them 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.
lf we had time, l'd enjoy a match of go.
As we all knows, 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.
In order to surpass you, l joined Lord Naritsugu.
Naritsugu earned a fortune when he was adopted by the Akashi.
I became his right hand.
That led me to 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.
That's why I never did it.
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? What people?
A samurai must do but one single thing. Serve his master, am I correct?
What an ill twist of fate.
lt's a long road to the Akashi domain as you know.
See you there.
Until then!
Edo
Shinrokuro's voice: Uncle, three days have passed
since Naritsugu left Edo.
Where do we make our stand?
Hanbei's voice: How will Shinza make his move?
Everybody sit.
The verdict is out. Brothers, we take Lord Naritsugu
at the Mino province, in Ochiai!
Ochiai
Naritsugu offended the Owari by killing Makino's son in Kiso.
So... We can enlist Makino's and asked for his help at Kiso.
All agreed?
Ask him to sign a non-transit act using Owari's name...
to ban Naritsugu from passing.
He'll join us due to the murder of his son and daughter-in-law.
I'm very sure of that.
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 even stop at all.
Shinzaemon: But l wager they will.
Shinzaemon: With 12 men challenging a bigger enemy...
no matter how much or how long we plan, we must have faith in luck.
We pick here and risk it all.
With heaven's will, the dice say Ochiai.
Risk it all!
Kuranaga, you're best suited to get Makino's assistance.
Will you do this?
Leave it to me. l'll get that road blocked completely.
- Take lshizuka with you. - l'm grateful.
Let's get moving.
Excuse us.
Shinzaemon: Mitsuhashi, ready the horses.
Yes! Ready and waiting, sir.
Shinzaemon: Go on ahead and negotiate with the Mayor of Ochiai.
Give him these orders from Sir Doi.
Make sure he received them personally. Take it.
Understood. Sir, how should l proceed?
Buy them all out. That's it!
Yes!
Shinzaemon: Let's ride!
Fast and hard, to pass the enemy!
Shimada Shinzaemon?
I am him.
Are you Akashi henchmen?
Don't follow them!
Anyone hurt?
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?
Looks like Hioki's got some new friends!
Hioki: Disgusting!
Sahara: We'll travel northwest along the ridge and cut through the valley,
over the mountain to the Owari territory.
l had strict monastic training when l was young in the mountains.
The mountain brings blessings but it's true nature is fear itself.
l see.
We are nobodies.
Huh?
He's right. We've no titles, we've no affiliations. Nobodies.
A buyout?
Mitsuhashi: That is our wish.
I see... l won't go against Sir Doi's orders.
But convincing the town will be a very hard task.
What?
Our deposit. Not enough?
Sahara: The forest grows thicker and thicker.
Shinzaemon: Hirayama, we're lost.
Sahara: Perhaps we should have detoured at that cliff?
- Hirayama: That can't be. - Sahara: What's that?
Hey! Who are you?
A bandit? Or a raccoon goblin?
Do l look like a raccoon?
Ouch!
Couldn't lower me down, idiot!?
Don't you think you should thank me?
Are you from these parts?
- Do l look so? - Hirayama: lnsolent!
Ah-hh!
l'm not ghost or bandit as you say.
l hunt beasts from mountain to mountain.
Any men with you?
They're gone because l laid my hands on Upashi.
Upashi?
The boss's woman.
So he punished you. Fools are the same no matter where you go.
Ha! Ha Ha! Hold your tongue!
Son, you got a name?
Uh-huh!
Koyata Kiga.
Descended from warriors, legitimate samurai stock.
What's so funny?
My name's Shinzaemon. And these are my men.
What are samurai doing out here?
A shortcut made us lose our way. We're trying to find the route again.
l'll be your guide, if you got food.
Deal?
- Calm down! - What's that?
What's the matter? Don't like bugs?
Don't be a little girl!
What... why?
Let's go.
What now?
Hmm?
Leave the rabbit there.
We have important work to do.
More important than rabbit?
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?
Lord Owari is from the top three clans.
But l just happen to be the son of the former Shogun
and I'm the brother of the current Shogun.
Cross over!
Hanbei: Wait! Don't move!
It's necessary to go through Owari land. Our Lord will find a way.
Let's see if he gets his way as he usually does.
Naritsugu: Who are you?
ldentify yourself.
Out of my way...
or l'll kill you without mercy.
Last April...
in Kiso, you brutally murdered my son...
Uneme and his wife. l am Yukie Makino.
Does daddy monkey have hard bones too?
My Lord!
Wait... my Lord!
Hanbei?
I think my Lord, we should go back immmediately.
Hanbei: Owari only banned Lord Naritsugu.
His entourage can enter. They are Akashi members.
l see.
The rest will guard our Lord.
We must act quickly. lf people find out Owari blocked us...
If they found out he did this,
if we don't visit the Naegi, then our Lord will be ridiculed.
Let them laugh now then.
Within a year, our Lord will be second-in-command.
You risk his life and the Akashi clan by visiting the Naegi.
Listen Hanbei. I think 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 Shinzaemon fears our clan and ran away?
He musn't get away with this. They'll spilled our blood if we do.
Don't you see? It's obvious that Shinzaemon
is 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.
A samurai would choose death over making his Lord a laughing stock.
You must choose the foolish path, Hanbei.
lt's more fun that way.
Naritsugu: Let's go, Hanbei.
Hanbei: Move out!
Aah! We've had enough.
Koyata: Hmm?
Huh?
Oh, the road.
The road!
Kuranaga: Welcome. We've been expecting you.
Shinzaemon: You've prepared well.
- Progress couldn't be better. - Aah!
Shinzaemon: Did it work?
As you predicted, 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.
He's a mighty samurai.
We must achieve our mission for him.
Hey!
I've got dinner!
Who is he?
He dropped in when we entered the forest.
What? 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. - Yes!
- Send lshizuka to keep watch. - Yes!
Koyata: Upashi.
Miss home, Kiga?
l miss Upashi, that' all.
ls she that fine?
Like no woman you've ever seen. She's a beauty.
Soon, this quiet town will become a bloodbath.
Go home alive while you can.
l have no home.
This is our fight. You're not a samurai.
Don't gamble with your life. Got it?
Damn samurai!
You and your honor and your causes!
l'll show you!
Vanished?
Lord Naritsugu passed through the city of Komagane
along the inner road.
Then he vanished.
Maybe he went 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 find out our next move.
We wait here. Prepare for battle.
Board down that side.
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.
Shimada, it's time to decide!
- Too soon. - But sir...
Do you know the real secret to fishing?
Wait until the fish swallows the hook. Completely.
Reel it, when it swallows.
But if you reel in too soon, the fish will escape with the bait.
So you're suggesting the Akashi are close?
With Hanbei at Naritsugu's side, there is a strong possibility...
they might skip the Naegi altogether.
Their numbers are not like 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 without knowing.
And if this is so?
They'll come if they think it's safe.
Shinzaemon: We will wait until the fish swallows the hook.
They're here!
They're coming!
The Akashi men are coming!
From where?
Along the Ohira road. But there are not 70.
What?
Many more. Over 200 men!
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. - Huh!
The time has come, to die for a greater cause.
Are you ready?
Ready to die?
All: Yes!
Shinzaemon: Take your posts!
Hanbei: Halt!
- Asakawa, wait here. - Yes!
Let me through. Go!
Move out!
Naritsugu: Nakatsugawa, how much longer?
Tell me how far it is, now!
Naritsugu: What's the matter?
Hanbei: Oh no!
My Lord!
My Lord! Turn back!
What fun. Hanbei, l'm going in!
My Lord! Follow him!
lshizuka: Hey!
You can't get past that way.
Come this way, this way.
Shinza.
I see... 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!
Get up!
Leave the horses. Protect our Lord.
My Lord.
Come this way.
Please wait.
Secure the interior.
- Huh? - See if the interior is safe.
Hey, secure the interior.
Enough petty tricks.
130 left! They will die!
What you paid for my life...
was a real bargain.
Soldier's of the enemy is not large! Don't panic now.
Show them the spirit of Akashi samurai!
Listen! Trade your lives to protect our Lord and master.
My Lord!
Lord!
TOTAL MASSACRE
Kill them! Kill them all!
Ogura!
Samurai: No, no! Fire!
My Lord! l found a way out!
No! My Lord, it's a trap.
My Lord.
Come!
Hioki!
Guide: Go, go!
This way, my Lord.
Look.
Ogura, kill all the men that get past me.
Don't leave one alive.
Yes!
Kill!
Hirayama: Retreat.
Ogura!
Koyata: Your samurai brawls are crazy fun.
lshizuka: lt's not brawl!
Why are you samurai so arrogant?
So arrogant...
Now, take this! Take this!
Higuchi, are you okay?
Yeah! Thanks.
Hioki!
Hioki...
You fought well. A true samurai.
Shinzaemon.
Higuchi!
- Let's get out of here! - Otake!
- My Lord! - Otake: lshizuka!
lshizuka!
Otake.
Our mission...
finish it! Do it... do it!
Shinzaemon!
Mitsuhashi!
Damn!
Mitsuhashi!
You fool!
Hanbei.
Do you think that the age of war was like this?
Perhaps.
That's magnificent.
And I see 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.
What?
Once l'm appointed on the Shogun's council,
let's bring back the age of war to our country.
Listen carefully. l'm Kuranaga Saheita.
Lord Naritsugu...
Today... l've come for your life.
Hanbei...
protect our Lord. Protect...
Comrade: Kuranaga!
My Lord!
Master...
Who are you?
You're no samurai!
I don't care.
Do only samurai matter?
l thought samurai would be fun...
but you bore me.
Your warriors are completely useless, even more useless in great numbers.
This dying man speaks the truth.
His reward is my short sword.
Good! lf we can get past that...
Remain focused. Victory is ours!
- Keep him safe. We'll prevail! - Yes!
My Lord!
Let's run.
- What? - Hanbei, victory is not yet ours.
Shinza.
Hanbei, l have no qualms with you.
You will not pass.
l'll trade my life to protect my Lord if it's needed. Do you hear?
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 and stupidity.
lf he joins the Shogun's council...
you know disaster will befall the people!
- Am l wrong, I said? - So what then?
Both you and l were born samurai.
Ours is not to wonder why.
Ours is...
Ours is to obey our fate and die.
Shinzaemon: If you were my ally...
if you were not an Akashi retainer...
wouldn't our task be easier?
Answer me!
Don't lecture!
No matter how low l go, Hanbei Kito is a samurai!
l won't hand over my Lord's head so easily, you hear.
Shinza...
to pass, you'll have to kill me first.
That l shall do.
Fight!
Such elegance in fighting one-on-one.
How l missed crossing swords with you!
Hanbei...
in the dojo, you and I, we were an even match.
Hanbei...
see you in hell!
Some call it elegance.
Some other people even call it cruel and unfair.
l like it.
How can you kick his head like that? As if it were nothing.
He gave his life for you!
Well, you can always 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 his family...
and for all my men scattering all over Ochiai.
And for that...
innocent, nameless young girl...
with severed arms and legs...
l shall take your miserable life!
Ruling is convenient...
but only if it's for rulers like me.
These people must live to serve.
Even so, a time comes when servants all 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 all for show!
Decoration is for show.
Be silent like the decorative man that you are.
You servant!
How is this for show?
Uncle!
Pain.
That's unexpected.
Can you feel pain?
Am l dying?
Dying?
l'm scared. Scared.
Scared.
l don't want...
to die.
Scared!
My Lord... prepare yourself!
So death comes for us all.
Shinzaemon, allow me to thank you.
Of all the days of my life,
today has been the most exciting.
You're welcome!
Shinzaemon: It's over.
The big gamble paid off.
Shinrokuro...
being a samurai...
It is truly a burden.
Do... Do what you want...
with your life.
Shinrokuro: Are you immortal?
What is this? You got the Lord's head without me?
Our fight is over.
That is not fun.
- Are you hurt? - Hmm? Oh...
Compared to fighting a wild bear, these wounds are nothing.
I'm fine!
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! Yes.
Live your life.
Till the next life!
What are you going to do?
Whatever l want. Been a samurai long enough.
I'll become a bandit.
The greatest bandit in Japan.
Jump ship to America, make love to women.
Huh! Great idea.
Say "hi" to Upashi for me.
Sure.
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.
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