Ms. Shigure.
You've grown so quickly since I've last seen you.
Mr. Yasubei?
I heard that you were heading toward the Yagyu village...
so I came to meet you.
Me?!
Yes.
It seems that we've made you take a very difficult journey.
But your difficult journey will end here.
Prepare to meet your death!
What is the meaning of this, Yasubei?
Do you know what the crest on your necklace means?
That is the royal crest of the lost ancient kingdom.
Back when you were a child...
the Yagyu Clan did not trust the Tokugawa government...
so we secretly brought you up just in case you may be useful.
But the situation has changed.
Today, the Yagyu Clan is the most trusted clan...
serving under the Shogunate...
thus your existence is now a hindrance to us.
Moreover, I hear that Yamikubo...
the enemy of the Tokugawa government is after you.
So that is why you are going to kill me.
It cannot be helped.
The least I can do is to end your life instantaneously...
so that you will not suffer.
How melodramatic.
What?!
You're so corny, I can't help but laugh.
Hey, boss. If you're speaking of the least you can do...
how about letting the woman go and disemboweling yourself.
Now that's called kindness.
- You! - Stop!
If you don't leave now...
you leave me no choice, but to take your life as well.
You think you can take my life?
Five of you had to come out just to kill one woman.
Silence, you lowlife.
Quit posing and get on with it.
That's it?
So this is the extent of Yagyu's skills.
How disappointing.
What are you doing?!
Go!
Easy, now.
Your swordsmanship is extraordinary.
Which school?
Don't have any.
By the way, are you strong?
I want to fight with an extremely awesome fighter.
That you will know as the swords are crossed.
You're right.
Those guys... where have they gone?
He's quick.
Don't bother.
You'd be safer with me.
There may be more Yagyu guys roaming nearby.
Not too shabby!
Your swordsmanship is just about equal to mine.
I'm so happy, I can't wait.
Don't insult me.
I got you!
Oh, man...
we came so close.
When will I ever be able to lose this thing?
Hey, you know anyone who's really strong?
Well, then, shall we go...
before more of them come chasing after us?
Who are you?
The name is Zofu.
A Hiruko ninja.
Are you going to kill me?
Huh?
Why would a Hiruko want to do that?
I guess you know absolutely nothing.
I shall inform you, then...
nothing better to do but kill time.
First, the Dragon Stone...
which both Hiruko and Kimon are after.
That has the map to the treasures...
of the lost ancient kingdom.
Hiruko's aim is to take the treasure...
and use it to fund the creation of a brand new nation.
- Nation?! - Yeah.
A new nation where we Hiruko people...
who have lived in darkness for a very long time...
can live with dignity and respect.
We need you to be there for us.
Me.
We need your royal lineage.
What?! I don't know what to make of this.
I can't believe it.
I don't blame you...
but you are the person who is destined to be Hiruko's leader.
The Hiruko people have been in the shadows for too long.
We could use some light.
And you are our light.
I refuse!
I am just an ordinary woman.
I am not the kind of person who can be so audacious...
as to lead some group to a rebellion.
I simply want to lead a normal life.
Normal, huh?
If you feel that way, I'll have to oblige.
I love campfires.
You're a pushy fella.
I hear you're a tough swordsman.
I've been looking forward to meeting you...
for a long time...
Mr. Jubei Kibagami.
And what do you want?
Come now, don't rush.
Let's enjoy the beautiful moon.
I am Zofu of the Hiruko Clan.
Mind if I tell you a little story of mine?
You'll talk anyway even if I said no.
There was this princess...
that I adored for a very long time.
And this princess was about to be ambushed...
by the Yagyu Clan.
- Yagyu? - Yeah.
So I slayed them and saved the princess.
Then the moment that I've been waiting for arrived...
meeting the princess.
I was devastated.
That princess...
she had totally turned into an ordinary girl.
She said she wanted the happiness...
of an ordinary life.
I got so mad.
Say, do I smell bloody?
So I shredded the princess into ribbons.
What did you do to Shigure?
I told you.
She's mincemeat.
I had a blast.
You do seem strong.
I'm so looking forward to this.
I'm so delighted, Jubei.
I get goosebumps...
being able to fight someone as strong as you.
So close.
Even I have a hard time handling it.
What do you mean?
We've known each other for a long time...
but this thing and I are totally different entities.
It's an irritating pest.
Is that so?
It is such an irritating pest.
This scar on my belly...
which the parasite creature uses as an opening...
has been there ever since I can remember.
I tried to yank it out myself but it was useless.
Before long, I left home...
to immerse myself in swordsmanship.
So that someday I can take care of the parasite...
with my own hands.
Problem is...
it appears only when I'm fighting with someone...
and I am in danger.
'Cause if the host dies, so will the parasite.
But that near-death moment...
is the opportune moment to kill it.
You can guess why I told you this story.
You want me to take care of that pest.
Right, right.
I really need help to do this.
Help from an especially strong swordsman.
You really are pushy!
How wonderful.
I'm looking forward to this.
Don't be so mad...
here's a present from your master Zofu.
It's dead. We did it!
You're an awesome fighter, just as I thought.
I never felt so cheerful in all my life.
Well, then, shall we finish our business?
Why?!
I see.
It turns out that the parasite was the host...
and I was the parasite.
I was able to live because of the parasite.
That's so cold.
Jubei.
That man died, didn't he?
Yeah.
Then, in the very last few moments of his life...
he was freed from that creature.
Yeah. But as soon as he got his freedom, he died.