What's wrong?
It was you...
You killed them...
It was you!
Laughing Under the Clouds
jidai wo nomihoshita nami ga toguro wo maku
As this era drains away, the waves sweep back.
saidai no kaji de tokoyo no kishi mezasan
The great rudder aims towards
the shores of distant heavens across the ocean.
donten mo tsuranukeru atsuki ishi no yumiya wo hanate
We'll pierce through the clouds with arrows of passion.
arakure no kaze domo wo nagitawosu made wa
Until we cut a path through these violent winds,
kokoro tsunage hagane yori tsuyoku
our hearts must be joined together, stronger than steel.
iza futeki ni warae
Now we laugh without fear.
ukiyo harase omae ga aru koto
Dispelling this gloomy world is the truth of your existence.
sono shinjitsu dake de naraku kara
Only in this truth, can I emerge from the abyss.
Episode 4
Sneaking through the Prison Gate
I don't want to raise a hand against family.
Calm down...
Who are you... calling family...?
Poor thing...
If you're going to hold a grudge, you should curse the fact that you were born a Kumoh.
I wasn't planning on killing your mother...
Good boy.
You're not going to oppose me, are you?
Big Brother... Tenka... Big Brother...
Bastard!
The eldest, huh?
Big Brother!
Who are you?!
Big Brother!
Soramaru!
Idiot. Don't come out so suddenly!
B... Big Brother...
It's all right...
It's all right, Soramaru.
Calm down. Look at me.
Look, I'm smiling, right?
There's nothing to be scared of...
Because I'm here with you.
You don't have to think,
or carry any burdens...
Just forget everything...
'Kay? You just smile for me...
Soramaru...
Looking at it again, it's really big...
I can't lose to him...
I also have people I need to catch up to.
Hello, Yamainu Boy.
You're from the Kumoh...
Why is a Yamainu here?
Just observing Gokumonjo...
Are you awake?
I...
You lost consciousness, so the head warden carried you here.
We don't have an infirmary or anything. Help yourself.
I see... So I passed out over there...
How pitiful...
Up till now, I've been protected by that back.
The back that was injured because of me...
What did you see in that isolation cell?
A normal warden is prohibited from even going near it.
A very dangerous person must be inside.
Will you tell me?
Why don't you just ask your supervisor?
He won't tell me.
Then why ask me?
Is this all right?
No, hey—!
It's so obvious.
If you don't want everyone to find out, tell me who is in the isolation—
Oka... Okay!
It's a man with white hair, wearing a fox mask.
His eyes were purple too, so he's probably...
Fuma, huh?
It was that man after all...
You know him?
Don't tell me you have a grudge against him, too?
You too?
Well...
Was your whole clan also killed?
Huh?
A slip of the tongue. Please forget what I said.
Hey, wait! Do you plan on taking revenge?
That's right.
I would like retribution suitable for what was taken from me.
You'd feel the same in my position.
I...
My parents were killed by that man.
I hate him.
But I can't do anything about it...
If you're going to take revenge, I'll lend you a hand.
I am a warden. I can move about here freely.
We are the same. Let us seek revenge together.
Revenge would be easy...
Mr. Warden, don't you think you should go back soon?
Oh, about me...
I won't tell.
Not interested.
I see. Sorry about that.
Why is someone like you in this kind of place?
Wh-What was that?
Hey!
There was an explosion!
Where? Find it!
Calm down! Don't leave your posts!
It's bad! The prisoners are all trying to escape at the same time!
What?!
Wait! Stop! Your sentences will increase!
It's not like we're gonna leave here in our lifetimes, anyway!
It doesn't matter what else happens!
Outta the way!
Who do you think you're talking to?
Who cares? Take him down!
Stay quietly in your cage!
Wow... Who is that?
He's from the Minister of the Right's squad.
He came to tour Gokumonjo for his studies...
So, that's a Yamainu...?
What are you doing?
Block all the exits!
Station the wardens!
Y-Yes, sir!
Man, I just got here and this is what happens?
You want to come with me?
Yeah, take me with you.
I'm sure they'd let you in since you're a Yamainu.
Don't tell 'em that ninja is involved with this...
What happened?
Shirasu?!
Sorry I'm late. I've come to get you.
Here, change into this.
Big Bro found out, huh?
You know Chutaro's a terrible liar.
I don't know why you did this,
but you had a reason for it, didn't you?
When you get home, you'll have to explain it to Tenka.
Yeah...
Now, let's get out in the confusion.
The confusion? Don't tell me the explosion was...?
No one was injured, so don't worry.
He's scary...
Shirasu.
Hmm?
I have a favor to ask.
What's all the commotion?
Do you remember what happened eleven years ago?
Hmm?
I was only five when you killed my parents...
There are so many possibilities that I don't know which one it could be.
You stole my family...
I will never forgive you!
What, is that revenge?
You came all this way to kill me?
Don't think I'm the same as you.
There are too many things I want to protect.
I can't make everyone sad just to satisfy my own feelings.
I'm not going to lose all that just for revenge!
You'll stay here and bear your sins for as long as you live.
I won't let you say you forgot again.
I'm Kumoh Soramaru.
I'm the man whose parents you killed,
and the man who punched you.
Don't you ever forget it!
Kumoh... Soramaru...
Not bad. That was so like you.
Shirasu, you knew, didn't you?
I was told not to say anything.
Big Bro again, huh?
I'm sure Tenka was worried.
Even so, he's too overprotective.
Don't say that.
He knew that our parents had been murdered...
He knew everything, yet he raised us with laughter.
But I...
Sorry, Shirasu. I forgot something.
Go on ahead!
Oh, there you are!
You...
Hey, have you laughed recently?
Huh?
Unfortunately, that's not an emotion I often have.
I want to be so strong, that I can laugh no matter what happens!
I didn't ask.
I'm not gonna let that guy make my life any worse!
I'm going to laugh and live!
We can start over!
Are you lecturing me?
I'll say it as many times as I have to. I truly believe it.
Here, I forgot to return this!
Thanks a lot!
I want...
to become strong enough to support others...
Hey, Big Bro, Chutaro...
When I get back, will you say "welcome home" to me?
If you do, I'll say "I'm back"
and laugh as hard as I can.
Geez, you completely used me.
I saved him thanks to you.
You too. I can't believe you actually snuck in.
It was your senior that gave me the idea.
Gokumonjo
Well, did you find out anything?
Gokumonjo
Yeah, well.
Gokumonjo
You want the commander to teach you swordsmanship that badly?
There's a strong one at your place, isn't there?
Big Bro only trains me when he feels like it.
And even when he does, it's usually just a one-sided beating...
What kind of man is the Kumoh Tenka, anyway?
Basically, he's selfish...
He doesn't do any housework,
he lies around all day if there's no work,
he doesn't bathe, he's always late, and he takes people's stuff without asking.
He's the worst.
But to us, he's our big brother and our dad.
Oh? So you respect him?
More or less.
Soramaru and I were both raised looking at that back.
If you talk to him, you'd understand.
He won't do anything unbecoming a decent person.
So...ra...ma...ru...
Hey—!
Wai—!
No use making excuses!
Normally, you'd say "welcome home" here.
I'm glad that Soramaru is back safely.
Yeah, I'm really glad, sir!
Master Tenka is happy too, isn't he?
I'm... not so sure about that, sir...
I said, I'm sorry for going into Gokumonjo on my own.
How long are you going to stay mad?
I'm not mad. I'm sad...
And, to ask the Yamainu to teach you swordsmanship...
Are you saying you like that depressing long-haired guy better than your big brother?
That's what's bothering you?
You took a risk thinking, "It's not like I'll get stronger at this rate", didn't you?
That's why Qian-Lang could take advantage of you.
How did you know—?
I figured most of it out.
Why do you think those guys are investigating Gokumonjo anyway?
Dunno...
Anyway, don't get involved with them.
I really am sorry that I acted on my own.
One wrong move and you wouldn't have been able to come back.
You could've even died, you know.
I was prepared for that.
There's no use for that kind of selfish attitude.
Chutaro was worried.
Shirasu went through a lot of trouble.
I thought I'd have to barge in there.
What do you think of a full mobilization just for you?
Why won't you rely on me? We're family, aren't we?
I know that you're always protecting me like that...
Like eleven years ago, when you shielded me and got that scar on your back.
You remembered?!
I'm glad I remembered.
I was letting you bear the burden by yourself.
I'll repeat your words back at you.
We're family, aren't we?
Why won't you rely on me?
I'm sure Chutaro also feels this way.
He gets a lot wrong, but he's still studying.
And I'm swinging my sword every day to proudly call myself a Kumoh.
I'm going to make that promise come true.
Why are you crying?
Soramaru said... he doesn't... need me anymore...
I did not!
Soramaru's leaving the nest!
Gerokichi...
Chutaro.
Will you come here a sec?
Tenka and Soramaru are...
Shut up, Stupid Big Bro!
Soramaru called me stupid!
No fair! Don't leave me out, sir!
It looks like you know a lot about the Orochi, but don't get in Tenka's way.
I'm sure he knows what he's doing.
That was a little unexpected.
I thought the Fuma were ninjas who didn't care about anyone outside of their clan.
I thought I told you that was in the past...
The Fuma died out a long time ago.
No, actually they were killed off.
By a single child.
They were already on the decline, but even so, they were a ninja clan.
And that clan was destroyed in one night...
The Fuma were completely erased from this age.
Even then, because of this hair and these eyes,
I was haunted by the Fuma.
I couldn't even take my revenge and disappear.
I lost everything.
It was at that time
that those guys appeared in my life...
I don't know of another place I can call home, except here.
Woman.
Don't call me a Fuma.
Right now, I'm a Kumoh ninja.
All right! Let's sleep!
Even though it's morning!
Huh?
No one's slept yet, so you're all tired, right?
Come on now, hurry up and get under your blankets.
Aye, sir!
Okay, good night.
No, no, no, no.
What is it, Soramaru?
Once in a while, the three of us should sleep together like we used to.
We're too old for that.
It's fine! I want to!
Me, too!
It's too cramped!
Chutaro already tosses and turns too much.
It's fine, just sleep!
I'm gonna do it too, sir!
Hey! Get off me, Chutaro!
Sumo's so fun, sir!
Damn it... If you're gonna sleep, hurry up and get into bed.
Have you finally given up?
Up?
Geez, you always want to act like a grown-up, Soramaru.
I'm not acting.
I'm with Tenny, sir!
Hurry up and go to sleep.
Ah, this is just what I wanted.
By the way, I haven't said it yet, Soramaru.
Welcome home.
Welcome home, sir!
Thanks.
I'm home.
dokomademo hirogaru haiiro no sora no shita
Below a gray sky extending to the farthest reaches,
unmei wo seotte kono mi wo sasageteyuku
I offer you this body burdened by fate.
wakitatsu womoi wo kono sora ni sarakedasu no sa
I'll expose these emotions welling up in me to the sky.
mamorinuku mono wa sou sa
For the things we protect till the end, it's true that
asu ni tsunaideyukou
we shall form a link to tomorrow.
tatoe ima tsuyu to kietemo
Even now, if you disappear with the morning dew,
kimi yo kesshite akiramenaide
never lose your faith.
owaranai kanashimi nado nai koto wo kimi wa shitteiru
You're well aware there's no such thing as eternal sadness.
Gerokichi, it's time to eat.
How long will it take for you to like me?
Who's there? Come out.
Fuma, huh?
It has been a long time.
I have been searching for you, Chief—
Master Fuma Kotaro the Tenth.
Illustration: Karakara Kemuri