Hijikata-san, Okita-san!
Draw your swords, men!
They're rebels!
You seem to be under the effects of Ii's pacification.
If you truly believe we killed Kondo-san, come at us.
We came to say good-bye to Kondo-san.
Kondo-san protected my very life.
I will walk the path I believe in and live without regrets.
The will of Shinsengumi captain, Kondo Isami...
...will be carried on by me, Hijikata Toshizo!
Sincerity
Leaving Okita and Hijikata with a powerful message,
Kondo gallantly passed on...
...just as Shoin-sensei had taught us how to walk.
However, the Shinsengumi attacked Shoin-sensei...
It stopped raining.
Hijizo-san, Sochin!
You two are all right!
Rockers! Let's Form a Band!
I wish I could've seen Kondo off, too...
I think you would've angered the soldiers even more.
Because we're rumored to have killed Kondo-san?
Ii must've told them lies.
You're right. His peace is becoming increasingly suspicious.
I think I'm going to get sick again.
How scary.
Sick? Sochin, you're not feeling all right?
I feel fine now.
My coughing has stopped, too.
It must be because I was released from his monstrous power.
I see. That's great.
So, what are you two gonna do now?
We believed we were singing Heaven's Song to make
Kondo-san's dream a reality.
But we were wrong...
What Ii's done as the source of this problem is unforgivable.
We'll find a way to release our men from Ii's pacification and defeat him!
Then you should rock with us!
You want us to sing rock?
With you and your friends?
Yeah! Let's work together to defeat Ii!
You can't be serious!
Not only were they the government's top idols,
but they're also members of the Shinsengumi that attacked Shoin-sensei!
I don't know anything about Shoin.
Don't assume we're part of the Shinsengumi.
Talk is cheap!
Besides, my rock and your music are completely different!
We can't play together!
But we all have Peace Souls!
Just like you, Cindy and I became friends...
...I'm sure it'll work!
Isn't that right, Sensei?
You're right. I don't know why these dwell within the five of us...
...but when you consider we have the same soul, we may actually need them.
Then...
However, it may not be beneficial for us to work together while
we still have concerns of betrayal.
Yeah! Katsura-san's right!
Being glared at all the time would make me feel uncomfortable.
I'll pass.
What?
But...
Sakamoto, that's enough.
We've already resolved to achieve Kondo-san's world of peace our way.
All we can do now is take action.
All right! Let's put on a concert!
What?
Now? Here?
We should take action like Hijizo-san and Sochin!
Why not? Let's rock out.
Katsura-san, what are you saying?
All we know is that Ii is in Nijo Castle.
The only thing we can do is shake him with surprise concerts.
That's right! Let's sing our hearts out and
turn this world into one where anyone can openly sing whatever they want!
Cindy!
You don't think very hard, do you?
We can't perform in broad daylight.
I'm sick of performing underground.
I want to sing under the heavens!
Besides, rock isn't meant to be performed secretly!
I think Shoin-sensei once said something similar.
Rock is the cry of the heart.
I want to openly let my sound ring throughout Japan!
The depths of my mind are directly
Ryoma!
stimulated by passion
Katsura-san, Cindy!
What is this
A truth I've never experienced
We have some uninvited guests.
Let's get out of here!
Later, guys!
Ryo-chan!
See you later!
Hey, stop!
The Shogun has been sleeping since he returned.
I see...
You must be quite tired.
I have already taken care of the next step.
You may rest for a while.
On the house?
Yes! Eat up!
Otose-yan, thank you!
I'm starved!
Are you sure?
It's fine. I'm just glad you're back.
It's my special treat.
We may be back, but we only need you to hide us for a short time.
Don't be that way. You should stay forever.
What?
It's okay. After what happened,
the officials won't expect you to return here.
You're right!
Women are strong creatures who always stay two
steps ahead of their enemies.
You can trust me.
Women?
You idiot! Stay out of the gray zone!
The gray zone?
Ryo-san, there you are.
Yataro! You're back from Hikone?
Yeah. You should be happy, Ryo-san.
I brought you some rocking news.
The shaggy master is putting on a concert.
Concert Watch as amazing guitar techniques shine! The passionate soul of the rocker illuminates the future! This moving performance is coming to you here and now! Near Kamogawa
Wh-What?
Are you talking about Shoin-sensei?
He's alive...
He's alive!
Honestly, I'd imagined that the situation was much worse...
He's the guy who taught me about passion.
That's great news, Cindy, Sensei.
So, when's the concert?
Tomorrow.
Since it was planned so suddenly, tickets are hard to come by,
but a warrior on a journey got them for me.
I thought I'd sell them to you guys.
I see.
A warrior?
You'll sell them to us?
Well, I am a businessman.
Don't worry about the cost! You can pay me back over three years!
It's decided!
This must be a trap.
What? A trap?
It's strange for a warrior to give him tickets.
Don't you think Ii's behind this again?
Katsura-san, you may be right,
but I want to see Shoin-sensei with my own eyes.
Please, Katsura-san!
Let me go to the concert!
I'm begging you!
Cindy...
I can't believe Shinsaku would bow his head to me...
Very well.
However, assuming this is a trap, don't act on your own.
Is that clear?
Yeah.
All right!
Wow! This place is hopping.
Yeah. Way to go, Shoin-sensei.
His concert is as lively as a Shinsengumi one.
You're here.
You...
You're Sho's apprentices, right?
Sho? You mean the shaggy master?
Shaggy? Yeah.
Who are you?
I guess you could say I'm someone who used to rock with Sho.
Though I went by Kai back then.
Kai...
I came to see how Sho's rock is doing.
Shoin-sensei!
It's the shaggy master!
Great! I'm glad he looks well!
Yeah! That's really him!
Isn't that right, Katsura-san?
It certainly does seem to be Shoin-sensei...
Thanks for waiting, everyone!
I hope you'll enjoy my concert today until the very end!
What is this?
Shinsaku, are you all right?
The sound of the guitar is ringing through my head.
I feel like I'll lose consciousness if I let my guard down.
Shoin-sensei's rock...
Could it be?
Could that be an impersonator?
What?
That's not an impersonator.
That's definitely Sho, Yoshida Shoin. However...
I'm gonna check it out!
Shinsaku!
Shinsaku.
It's been a while.
Shoin-sensei...
These eyes, this hair, this voice.
It's the real Shoin-sensei...
If it's really you, then why?
Why is your music different from before?
Different?
My blood is the blood of a rocker I learned from you!
That's why I know...
You may be Shoin-sensei, but you're not really Shoin-sensei!
You think you understand, boy?
Very well. Listen!
This is my rock!
Cindy!
Get them.
Wh-Who are these guys?
They're all deeply pacified.
Pacified?
Then the shaggy master's rock...
Hijizo-san...
That's Heaven's Song.
What?
Why, Sensei?
I still have some resistance to Heaven's Song,
but he's using that song to control everyone.
Wake up, men!
Does that mean Sensei's working for Ii now?
I don't know.
But he's definitely behind this.
It hurts!
Hang in there!
Surprise!
If the rain inside you won't stop
I'll cut away the clouds for you
Feel the faint echo reaching far and wide
With your entire body
Soji, you're late!
Sorry, Hijikata-san.
It took me a while since it's been so long.
So-sama!
He's wonderful!
Shoin-sensei!
Sensei, isn't rock the cry of the heart?
Your sound is ringing openly throughout Japan right now...
Does that make you happy, Sensei?
Shinsaku...
Release me.
Sensei...
Katsura-san, did you hear that?
Yes.
Shoin-sensei is being forced to sing Heaven's Song...
Damn it! That Ii uses some underhanded tactics!
Sho isn't of our world, anymore!
If you release his soul, his body will disappear.
However, that's what he wants.
Please, guys.
Please grant Sho's wish.
Very well.
Let's sing.
Let's deliver the cry of our souls to Shoin-sensei!
Shinsaku!
You're right.
We'll release Shoin-sensei's soul with our rock!
What is this?
Rock?
What?
Huh? They're back to normal?
Now that I am awake, what is this world?!
Monochrome and vague
This is rock, Shoin-sensei!
Don't be ridiculous, Shinsaku!
Let's go, Soji.
What?
In order to release them from the effects of Heaven's Song,
we have to rock with them!
Am I wrong?
Why not?
Even Kondo-san acknowledged Tosaka-kun.
Hijizo-san, Sochin!
I never expected to sing rock, but it seems pretty fun!
Now that I am awake, what is this world?!
We'll sing as well!
Monochrome and vague
With you!
All right!
Yeah!
There's nothing I can do, so what should I do now
Monochrome coloring
I have no intention of turning back or stopping (Oh)
Now that I have become this one, no one can stand against me (Oh, yeah)
Wh-What?
The soul I learned from Shoin-sensei is throbbing inside me.
The soul you left resides within me!
What's this? A passion broken free
What's this? Give your all and transcend
My scream is nearly a war song
What's this? Accept the challenge
What's this? Prepare to engage
Go wild and feel the explosive sound as you jump up and down (Oh, yeah)
What's this? Go crazy
What's this? Reach your normal condition
The feeling of ultimate power overflowing from your soul
What's this? Accept the challenge
Black or white.
It's black or white. Sink or swim!
What's this? Prepare to engage
Shoin-sensei, stay with us until the end!
Go wild and feel the explosive sound as you jump up and down (Oh, yeah)
So passionate...
Your rock is so passionate.
Shinsaku, Katsura, and Ryoma.
You're proper rockers now.
Good bye, my beloved apprentices...
Sensei!
Sho...
You raised some good apprentices.
The shaggy master disappeared while smiling.
But he lives on in our hearts.
Yeah. Besides, he left us some powerful allies.
You're right!
Let's rock out together! Right, Sensei?
If Hijikata-san and Soji-kun don't mind, I have no objections.
Yeah.
Why not?
All right! It's decided!
We'll call our band Sakamocchis!
Absolutely not.
Shoin-sensei, with your rock in our hearts,
we will restore our world to one where people can sing freely.
You just watch!
Expect big things from Ryoma and his friends in the next episode!
Dark Cherries! Death to Rock
Clashing swords! Unthinkable fantasies!
Let my feelings reach the moon!
Simply put, you'll be crying your eyes out when
an unsuccessful idol pays his respects to Sochin!
Wait, what am I talking about?
Dark Cherries! Death to Rock
In any case, you can cry on my shoulder during the next episode!