Human trafficking...
Mostly women and children.
But slavery is illegal in this country.
That isn't their only goal.
With the forces they've gathered,
they must intend to crush us, the pirates who have opposed them for years.
Let's hit them first!
Don't be hasty.
If we brawl at Awa Port, the residents will be caught in the crossfire.
So we'll attack Kumji's ships here,
in the ocean between Awa and their likely trading partner, the Kai Empire.
The question is when, and how, they'll act,
and which of the ships the women will be on.
Yes.
Kumji will likely use the people he's selling as hostages,
so we mustn't attack recklessly.
Is there any way to secure the women's safety?
But if it's an important deal, isn't Kumji likely to be there himself?
Wouldn't it be faster to find their leader and secure him?
Yeah, after all, we have powerful allies this time!
Either way, we need more information.
This is an excellent opportunity for us.
We'll beat up Yan Kumji and his officials,
who have corrupted Awa and terrorized its people for over ten years.
We'll return freedom to this town.
This time, I'll fight with you.
Stick with me until the end, boys!
I thought Captain Gigan didn't want to make anyone fight.
But they all understand their captain and live with courage.
I want to do something for these people.
I'd like to see the real Awa, once it's better.
Episode 20: Chain of Courage
Hey, hurry up!
Face forward!
Yona, it's okay.
That's right. Allow me to handle this.
Huh?
Man, you're strong...
This is nothing.
H-Hak...
Master, teach me how to fight!
Me, too!
Lessons cost ten thousand rin.
Huh?!
Seriously? You're so mean!
Yun...
Hey, you! The one who shouldn't even be alive! Why won't you sit still?
I'll kill you myself.
Yona...
I'm going to scout out the town.
Care to come with me?
Amazing!
So the Green Dragon can fly?
It isn't so much flying as jumping.
You don't mind heights?
No.
Even though you were so terrified at the Mist-Shrouded Cape?
It's strange. I feel much closer to you now.
Being near you eases my mind.
Curse this infernal dragon's blood...
Hide.
What is it?
It's Yan Kumji.
That's him?
From up here, it's clear how twisted the city is.
Huh?
When Kumji comes,
women and children hide in their homes so that he won't find them.
What's wrong?
Do you not feel well?
I-I'm fine...
You...
L-Let go!
You dropped this, miss.
H-How could you tell?
If I have to give a reason, your scent.
You pervert!
Ah. So this is a pervert.
You disguised yourself as a man to escape the officials?
Y-Yes...
But you seemed extraordinarily frightened.
Did something happen?
Did the officials... No, did Kumji do something to you?
I don't know! I don't know!
A few days ago, my friend and I heard there was a decent job...
So we went into a certain shop.
My friend was very beautiful.
We were allowed inside,
but ultimately, only my friend was called to the back room.
They told me I could leave, but...
I was curious, so I looked inside the small room she'd gone into.
It happened in a flash.
She hasn't come back since.
Later, I learned the shop belonged to Yan Kumji.
Since then, I've been afraid of the officials.
That must be the entrance to the human trafficking detention facility.
One of many, that is.
Huh? Human...
Y-You don't mean...
Don't worry. Your friend is fine.
I'm sure she'll come back.
There, there. Poor girl.
It must have been quite scary.
Wipe your tears. I'll do something about it.
Until then, disguise yourself and hide in your home.
Normally, dressing like a man would be a waste for you,
but it's the only way to fool those idiots.
And once I save her, will you introduce me to your friend?
If you like, maybe someday...
Yum! This is great!
Of course it is.
It's my special pirate soup, full of seafood.
I went all-out with the ingredients, so there's no way it isn't good.
This is delicious!
Wh-What sort of insect is this?
Tremble Tremble
That's a crab!
Follow Sinha's example and learn to eat anything!
From a place where he had to eat anything to survive.
This really is good, kid.
Be my bride.
No way. I'm not marrying an unemployed bum.
Thunder Beast, food's ready.
Why are you glaring at the sky?
By the way, have you seen my honey?
Man, this pirate soup really warms you up.
Yun, you're a genius.
Maybe the squirrel took it.
Yona...
Captain, they'll probably act the night of the day after tomorrow.
The day after tomorrow?
What makes you say so?
I found a store gathering people to sell.
Outwardly, they offer decent jobs to women.
But they're actually sending women who will fetch a high price somewhere.
According to hearsay, the workers at the shop have said
they're recruiting people until the afternoon of the day after tomorrow.
Kumji is greedy.
If there are quality goods, he'll wait until the very last minute.
In other words, he'll make the deal on this day.
He'll send his ships after dark.
But we don't know which ship the women will be on.
From inside...
If we launch something like fireworks from inside the ship the women are on,
would it be possible to rescue them faster?
Yes, but who's going to launch it?
I will.
I'll infiltrate the ship and set off fireworks.
Yona...
Isn't our priority saving the women over defeating Kumji?
We must find the ship they're on quickly, and take them to a safe place.
To do that, I'll sneak onto the ship and tell you where they are.
Wait.
I wouldn't recommend that.
He's right. It's too dangerous.
You can't enter Kumji and his officials' stronghold.
I'm against it, too.
Yun...
Launching fireworks would involve
carrying gunpowder past the guards to sneak onto the ship's deck!
If they find you, they'll kill you!
There's no way!
Besides, it will be difficult to signal us with fireworks
small enough for you to carry on board.
We'll probably be fighting, too.
But Sinha should be able to notice my signal from far away.
Yeah, but...
We don't have time to search every ship.
If the women reach the Kai Empire while we fight, it will be too late.
I'm the only one who can sneak on with the women to secure their safety, right?
Captain Gigan,
let me fight with you.
This girl...
She was raised far from this world's conflicts,
but sometimes, she has a seasoned warrior's eyes.
I can't believe she's overpowering me.
If you succeed, we will indeed be able to rescue the women.
Captain...
But you can't go alone.
We must send at least one other if we are to succeed.
I'll go.
I will go.
Just so you know, it has to be someone who can pass for a woman.
What?
These are Kumji's prized goods.
If you aren't at least as beautiful as the other women, you'll be chased off.
I'll go.
I will go.
I'll go.
I can't tell if you're not listening, or are just really confident.
I have another brawny volunteer now, too.
Amidst all these filthy men, the only possible candidate is...
Huh?
You're sharp, and you know how to handle gunpowder.
W-Wait a minute!
It's true that I'm beautiful when I'm disguised as a woman.
After all, I'm a handsome young man.
But we're dealing with an evil lord.
I'm still opposed to Yona's going.
There's no telling whether we'll succeed if I join her.
Well, if we're using gunpowder, I guess I have to go.
Yun...
What a pain in the butt.
I'll have to prepare before tomorrow.
Yona, don't worry.
I don't fight losing battles.
The deal is the day after tomorrow.
We'll infiltrate them tomorrow.
Let's come up with a plan.
Yeah!
Thank you.
For what?
For listening to my request.
I merely thought it was necessary for our plan.
The captured women must be feeling terrified and hopeless.
You have to protect them.
I will.
This battle will cost us, as well.
I always ask them for too much.
Beating your enemies without killing them isn't easy.
It'll be fine. You have Hak and the others.
You mustn't waste your own life, either.
Once I let you on the ship, you became as a daughter to me.
I won't allow you to just go off and die.
What's wrong?
I don't really remember my mother.
But seeing and listening to you...
Your strictness and kindness bring tears to my eyes.
I wonder if this is what a mother is like.
It feels so nostalgic, my chest hurts...
How can I convince you not to do this?
Hak...
Do you have any idea how dangerous going to Kumji will be?
Why are you always so reckless, Princess?
Sometimes, I wish I could tie you up...
M-Move, Hak!
Hak, I thought Kouka Kingdom was a peaceful and prosperous place.
A kingdom without conflict where everyone smiled, just like my father wanted...
But the Fire Tribe lands and the Port of Awa haven't changed since my father's rule.
I'm still not sure if my father was wrong or not.
But I'm just as responsible for allowing the Fire Tribe lands
and this town to end up this way.
You don't know.
You lived in the castle, but you don't know?
I never tried to learn what my responsibilities were, or even wanted to.
That's why I must fight.
Let me go, Hak.
Something's wrong with me.
I know I don't want to let her go, but...
Am I shaking?
I don't know this Princess Yona.
I want to know more.
More...
I want to see the princess succeed.
Yona, you're so cute.
You'll nail it.
I'll do my best.
Go become Kumji's lover!
You know it. I'll best his actual wife, even.
Yun, do you have the gunpowder?
It's inside my sash.
I rubbed gunpowder on the end of a wire.
It may be small, but it'll fly high.
From here, just stick to the plan.
Okay. We're off—
Don't you have anything with longer sleeves?
It's impossible to hide that hand, mister.
No, Gija. It is funny, though.
If only this arm were smaller...
That isn't the problem.
Yun...
Thunder Beast, once we give the signal, come rescue us.
Are you okay?
What do you mean?
You think I'm pathetic because Yona's so brave, but I'm shaking?
That's what makes me the best choice.
I've lived more carefully and wretchedly than anyone else.
I'm proud of it.
Thunder Beast, it's okay.
Since I'm going, I can guarantee Yona won't die.
I'm counting on you.
You want to work here?
Yes. We heard the pay is really good.
Very well. We'd be delighted to have you.
I'm so happy.
I look forward to working here.
Come inside.
These girls are beautiful!
Wait here.
I'll get the manager.
We're here.
Once we open this door...
Wait here a moment.
My legs are shaking?
Now?
Yona...
One day until the battle.
It was the beginning of a long, dark night.
Next Time
I may not be strong, but please let me fight.
As any other human being.
Next time, Yona of the Dawn episode 21:
Episode 21: Spark
"Spark."