The Tokugawa army, around 200,000 strong, attacked Osaka Castle from every direction
until the war, later known as the Winter Siege of Osaka,
came to an end, with the Toyotomi clan accepting a truce.
The terms of the ceasefire
guaranteed that Hideyori would not be punished for his part in the war,
and that the Toyotomi clan would keep its domain.
But in return, Osaka Castle's second and third lines of defense would be torn down,
and the outer moat filled in.
The work was carried out accordingly,
but merely filling a moat would not be enough to repair the rift
remaining between the two clans.
I can't believe we're destroying the castle, which Lord Hideyoshi built, with our own hands.
Please forgive us...
What's the meaning of this?
The Toyotomi clan's in charge of the second line!
But you do not seem to be making any progress.
We also have to repair damage the main keep sustained in the war.
Yes, and that's why we are offering to take over here.
We can handle it just fine ourselves!
If we leave it in your hands, who knows how many years it will take?
Are you picking a fight?
That was not my intent,
but if it's a fight you want, you'll get one.
Now we're talking...
Hold it right there!
This is no battlefield.
Stand down, both of you.
But...
If you start a fight here, you'll be causing trouble for Hideyori.
I can't say I approve of your tactics, either.
West Enclosure Second Line Main Keep East Enclosure Third Line South Enclosure Sanada Maru
Having finished tearing down the third line of defense and filling in the outer moat,
Second Line Main Keep Second Line
the Tokugawa clan forcefully undertook
Main Keep
demolition of the second line, the Toyotomi clan's responsibility.
Furthermore, they also filled in the inner moat,
despite that not being one of the ceasefire's terms.
What a sad sight...
You must love this castle very much.
I am not the only one who does.
My father did not simply build this castle.
He also did his best to ensure the happiness of those who lived around it.
And in turn, those people loved him and his castle.
That goes for us, as well.
A castle is a pillar of support for the warrior's heart.
Losing it would be more painful than losing one's limbs.
Curse that Ieyasu...
This castle is my lord's will to create a peaceful land made manifest.
No matter what, I shall unite Japan,
and create a world full of smiles!
I hope you continue to support me in this endeavor!
Ieyasu should know that himself.
It's sad to see this castle stripped bare...
Yeah.
They intend to attack this place again.
Was that their plan all along?
Lord Hideyori, we must prepare to face them!
Yukimura...
What do you think?
The Tokugawa clan won't leave the Toyotomi standing.
Next time will be to the death.
I believe another war with the Tokugawa clan is inevitable.
I agree.
Once the second line of defense was demolished and the inner moat filled in,
Takatora Todo visited Osaka Castle, as the Tokugawa clan's messenger.
The demands he passed on were as follows:
all the vagabond samurai that remained in Osaka, including Yukimura, were to be exiled,
and Hideyori was to leave the castle.
Hideyori, however, refused to comply,
thus signaling an end to the ceasefire between the two clans.
There you are.
If you go to war again, the Toyotomi clan doesn't stand a chance.
Knowing that, will you still fight?
This castle reflects the Toyotomi clan's current state.
Without its second and third lines of defense and its moats filled in,
it cuts a pathetic figure, with only its main keep.
But there are still people who shower this clan with their love and support.
I hold dear the people gathered here, as though they're my own family.
Family?
True, the wind blows in the Tokugawa clan's direction.
However, I will not let it decide the fate of the Toyotomi clan.
I shall see to the Toyotomi's future myself.
What are you doing?
Hurry up.
Yes.
Lady Kai...
There's going to be another war, right?
Yeah.
We'll make lots of delicious food
so you can do your best out there!
Family, huh?
Sure.
I'm counting on you.
We're on it.
Let's get to work, girls.
Yes!
That's right.
The people in this castle are my family now.
I have to keep them safe, no matter what!
Once Takatora told Ieyasu about Hideyori's response,
Ieyasu ordered feudal lords across the country to gather troops at Osaka Castle again.
I'll have to pile up even more stones.
Stones?
I've already dug thousands of graves in my heart.
But I cannot stop here.
Though I bear the hatred of thousands...
I have to keep going.
I must protect the country. Otherwise, we'll end up with more graves.
Why tell me this?
Going to war means sacrificing many lives.
But while I may become an object of hatred, that's a cross I'm prepared to bear.
I believe I understand the purpose of this war.
People do not value things obtained without any pain or sacrifice.
Exactly.
To build a long-lasting world of peace,
we must inflict pain upon this era and ourselves.
And to see that world to fruition,
you must shoulder the pain of your brother's death.
Yes, sir.
I shall put an end to the Warring States Era
by killing Yukimura with my own hands.
All for the sake of peace, huh?
Lord Hidetada,
what are you doing here?
O-Oh, it's just you.
Here to see my father again?
He must like you a lot.
Simply looking at that stoic mug of yours irritates me.
I bet you think I'm a paper shogun, too.
That I'm a good-for-nothing!
Is that how you see yourself?
How could I not?
I'm a mere figurehead!
Father makes all the important decisions himself!
In the Tokugawa clan, where do I even stand?
To begin with, I don't like warfare.
I'm not the least bit interested in spoils of war.
How am I supposed to control this nation as its shogun?!
A pacifist?
There's nothing wrong with that.
What?
As a pacifist, you should become a splendid shogun,
who keeps the world from ever returning to chaos.
As if I could ever play such an important role...
If you do not, all the people who lost their lives to war will be unable to rest in peace.
Hmph!
Lecturing me now?
This is why I can't stand you, Sanada!
At last,
a massive Tokugawa army began its march toward Osaka.
I can tell you've already prepared yourself.
I shall have Lord Ieyasu's head.
There is no other way to win this war.
The traditional samurai fighting style.
Indeed.
Break through a massive army, to barge into the enemy camp?
Sounds amusing.
I shall stake my life on this one spear.
That is what it means to be a warrior.
In the past, the Takeda clan's cavalry was thought to be invincible,
but they fell to Oda's gunners.
And in last winter's war,
the once-impregnable Osaka Castle
was rendered helpless by cannons.
My thinking is that wars fought with swords and spears will soon be a thing of the past.
But that is exactly why I want to fight like a warrior to the bitter end!
In this final battle!
Final, eh?
I wonder what your brother's up to...
He is no longer any concern of mine.
The final battle...
Why don't you just tell him?
Why don't you tell him not to die?
I cannot...
I'm his ninja, after all.
What are you saying?
Lord Yukimura's trying to make his last stand as a warrior, so I cannot stop him.
How could I?
You love him, don't you? Then you'd better make sure to protect him!
And if you're both alive when the war ends, tell him how you feel!
If he's going to take a stand as a warrior, you need only take a stand as a woman!
Right!
The Tokugawa army marching on Osaka, and the Toyotomi army looking to stop them...
This marked the beginning of the massive war later known as
the Summer Siege of Osaka.
Masamune!
Yukimura!
Lord Yukimura!
The Tokugawa clan may have hundreds of thousands of soldiers,
but it appears they have not a single warrior!
Thanks to Yukimura and his troops' valiant efforts,
the Toyotomi army put up a good fight.
But the enemy's overwhelming numerical advantage
gradually pushed them to the brink.
And in the end,
the Tokugawa army made it to within a stone's throw from Osaka Castle.
Lord Mitsunari,
please watch over my final battle.
Lord Yukimura, how are your wounds?
Not a problem. I'll be fine.
Please don't push yourself.
In order to win this war, I must.
Even so, I don't want you to!
What's the matter?
You aren't acting like yourself.
Don't disturb them.
Promise me...
Promise?
Once this war ends, take me...
What's wrong?
Let's go see the cherry blossoms at Ueda Castle!
Those cherry blossoms?
You're right.
We should go see them together.
It's a promise, okay?
So, Lord Yukimura, you have to make it through this alive.
Yes.
In that case,
could you hold on to this for me?
Return it once the war's over.
It's a promise.
Lord Yukimura...
Sure.
I promise.
I will protect you, Lord Yukimura.
I'm your ninja, after all.
A promise, huh?
We've made it this far.
Tomorrow, we must settle things.
Are you going to kill Yukimura?
That is the pain I am meant to shoulder.
Pain?
Are you not the same?
You broke the vow you shared with Mitsunari, in order to protect the Uesugi clan.
That is the pain you chose to shoulder.
I see.
You're right.
For a peaceful world,
in which everyone can lead happy lives,
we samurai must take on a painful burden.
Lady Nene!
It's been a while, Ieyasu.
Is this the last war?
Yes.
It will bring about a world full of smiles, right?
Without a doubt.
Then I'll see for myself, in my lord's stead,
what the future holds for this world.
You have my word.
Episode 11
The Lofty Castle
Sengoku Musou High School
11th Period
Coffee
Convenience Store
What the hell, man?
Transfer to Kyushu?
Mitsunari's gotta be pulling our leg!
Yeah, I couldn't believe it.
I was madder than a bull in a china shop.
Yeah, same here.
If he thinks he can get away with this, he's got another thing coming!
Yeah, let's make him cry uncle.
"Cry uncle," Kiyomasa?
Who says that nowadays?
You guys...
You're like so last century, you know?
To Be Continued
Next Episode
The next massive war is the final battle between the Tokugawa and Toyotomi clans.
Staking his warrior's pride on his spear,
Yukimura charges through the battlefield.
Next time: "The Mightiest Warrior in Japan."
Episode 12 The Mightiest Warrior in Japan