- Please be my wife. - Yes.
Stop!
- You are the same as before. - The Oseki you knew is dead.
Miss Oseki disappeared from Manjiro's sight.
I've never seen Manjiro as heartbroken as he was at this time.
May of Bunkyu 3 (1863)...
Manjiro became the commander of the shogunate army infantry.
He led a squad formed of farmers.
TATSUZO
Who queues up while eating a meal?!
It's not a meal. These are pickles.
It's the same thing.
Right face!
Which way is right?
SEIKICHI
Right...?
It's the side you hold your chopsticks with!
Right shoulder arms!
Forward march!
Hey!
We're not heading out to the fields!
Straighten your backs!
Run!
- How pathetic! - It's impossible...
We farmers would think nothing of working a month straight with a hoe...
...but running is not our thing.
The Tree in the Sunlight
EPISODE 9 Manjiro's First Battle
Dear.
Manjiro became a commander of the infantry.
Please praise him.
It's been six years since your father's death.
- Time flies, doesn't it? - Yes.
Dr. Ryosen and Onaka have passed away too.
It's become quite lonely.
It's my turn next.
What are you saying?
It's only begun for you.
You're right. I can't die without seeing my grandchild's face.
There's a good marriage offer for you.
Sir Hayashi, the accountant has a distant relative who'd be perfect for you.
- Why don't you meet her once? - Mother.
I'm sorry. I don't intend on it now.
The vaccination center in Otamagaike was renamed the medical institute.
Aside from vaccinations, lectures of western medicine and anatomy were being taught.
Next patient.
Dr. Ogata Koan was the head of the institute.
He had come from Osaka due to the shogunate's persistence.
I visited the castle the other day. They say the army needs a doctor.
An army doctor?
Like the western armies, they want a doctor who will treat the sick and wounded soldiers.
In other words, a military physician.
I nominated a few men including you.
Me?
Whether you accept it is up to you. You must choose your own path.
A military physician?
An army doctor.
I can't turn it down bluntly since it's Dr. Ogata's offer...
- Why didn't you accept it right away? - Huh?
It's a wonderful offer. You get to serve the lord and receive a stipend.
Being a town doctor is more profitable. The stipend is only 15 fuchi.
- You can do both. - I'll have to report to a post everyday.
If a war breaks out, I'll have to accompany them to the ends of the earth.
I won't have time for my practice here.
Oh, is that so?
Well, it's for you to decide.
I'll follow your decision.
Are you debating it?
I'd be changing directions completely. It could end in failure.
I'm a doctor because I enjoy being able to touch the bodies of young women.
Medicine is for the people and for the way.
I don't like that I'd be working for people doing war.
We're not doing war by choice. It's to protect this country.
A samurai like you would never understand me.
That's right. I wouldn't.
I'm leading the infantry on my own accord.
It's so that I can breathe new life into the collapsing shogunate.
You're blowing your own horn.
Isn't the squad a bunch of farmers? Is it going to be alright?
Whether they're samurai or farmers doesn't matter. They're trying to protect this country.
I want to build a powerful army that consists of both samurai and farmers.
Only then can we stand on an equal footing with the foreign countries.
We must build a strong nation before we can reform it.
1, 2, 1, 2...
Ouch...!
What are you doing?!
You're all useless...
It's impossible for us farmers after all.
Yeah. It's a samurai's job to fight in war.
Farmer or samurai shouldn't matter.
You are all soldiers of this army before you are farmers.
You are chosen men who will fight to protect this country.
Be proud of yourselves.
- Sir, let's sing a song. - A song?!
I know a great Bon festival song.
It's a song Lord Hideyoshi sang while drinking sake during his Odawara campaign.
Idiot! We can't sing a song like that while marching!
Well, the magistrate of my domain made his men sing the song, and it cheered everyone up.
How does the song go?
There's white snow on Mt. Fuji, Noe.
What does Noe mean?
It's talking about Nohei (conscripted farmers).
Nohei... Nohe... Noe...
I'm not fit to be a military physician...
What's wrong? What was the sigh for?
- I better go home. - Already?
I've been here three days.
I told my wife I was accompanying Dr. Ogata to Suruga.
I'll get In trouble if I don't go back
I'll be lonely.
I wish I could stay here forever too...
Should I turn it down after all...?
What are you talking about?
Just some stuff.
That black ship's been anchored there all this time.
I'm scared.
I'm back.
Dear!
I just received news that...
Dr. Ogata has passed away!
What?!
It happened so quickly.
He threw up blood and collapsed this afternoon.
Doctor...
I apologize for my delay in giving you an answer.
I'll gratefully accept the offer to become a military physician.
I saw the foreign ship with my very own eyes.
I've realized that this country faces a crisis.
When a war breaks out and many soldiers are injured,
I will do my utmost best to be of use.
Dr. Ogata...
Thank you very much.
June 10 of Bunkyu 3 (1863), the father of Japan's modern medicine died.
It was only 10 months after he had come from Osaka to Tokyo.
KAZUSA PROVINCE, KUJUKURI KOSEKI VILLAGE
SHINCHU GUMI
We are loyal retainers who've risen to action to subdue the foreigners.
I'd like you to donate 500-ryo in war funds.
500-ryo?
Don't you see that flag?
It has the floating chrysanthemum crest.
It is the crest of Sir Kusunoki Masashige, known for his matchless loyalty.
I, Kusunoki Otojiro, am his descendant.
I have come personally to ask you this favor.
Don't forget! We are here to bring social reform for the poor!
Take as much as you'd like!
EDO CASTLE
Punish the Shinchu Gumi?
They possess many bows and arrows and rifles.
It's a good opportunity to test the strength of the infantry.
Yes, sir!
The commander is a descendant of Kusunoki Masashige.
Ridiculous!
Kusunoki...?
His name is Kusunoki Otojiro. A ronin.
Interesting.
I'll settle this once and for all.
- I'm counting on you. - Yes, sir!
Father...
BUNKYU 4 (1884) JANUARY
Halt!
Right face!
At ease!
Listen everyone.
You were all farmers in your own provinces, but now you are fine soldiers.
However, you have not fought a war.
Neither have I.
The opportunity has come.
- Who's our enemy? - Are they foreigners...?
No. Like you, they are...
...farmers.
Farmers? They're just like us.
You're going to make us fight fellow farmers?
Our enemy's commander is a villainous ronin.
He manipulated the farmers and the homeless to join together.
Calling themselves the Shinchu Gumi, they are wreaking havoc on the villages of Kazusa.
They may've been farmers, but now they are a gang of villains.
I've received orders to punish them.
If any of you here refuse to kill fellow farmers, come forward.
I'll exclude those from this campaign.
Commander do these people harass poor farmers too?
I've been told that they plunder money from rich farmers and scatter it for the tenant farmers.
Then they're an ally.
You're going to make us kill them chivalrous thieves?
Quiet!
I know it's hard to fight a fellow farmer.
However... that's what war is!
Will you join me in going to Kazusa, or will you stay behind?
Make you decision before tomorrow morning!
Ryosen?
What are you doing here?
I'll be reporting to this post from now on.
Did you accept the offer?
Yeah. I consider it Dr. Ogata's final assignment for me.
I heard... He passed away.
He was not in good health to begin with.
Coming to Edo must've been a strain.
I can have 5-10 patients here.
Let's see, I'll need some medicine and tools...
This place will be filled with patients in a few day's time.
- What's going to happen? - You'll find out soon enough.
Is this all?
Everyone didn't want to kill fellow farmers...
I understand. Get ready. We're setting out in half an hour.
Yes.
How can you go to war with four men?
It can't be helped. Taking those who aren't willing will only drag us down.
It's only my first day, and there's already a war...
- Are you coming with us? - Of course I am.
We're not going on a pleasure trip.
I can't watch after you.
I'll be the one taking care of everyone. I'm an army doctor.
Commander!
Attention!
Everyone...
We can't humiliate you.
Farmer or samurai shouldn't matter when protecting one's country.
We will fight to protect this country as the shogunate army.
What's the enemy count?
- I've been told there's 50-60. - That many?!
They're alls farmers and homeless.
Once you kill their commander they'll be no more than a rabble.
The commander is a skilled swordsman.
Do you know him?
Kusunoki Otojiro.
The name sounds familiar.
He's my father's killer.
- Miss, you're pretty. - Want to talk with us?
- Please stop. - Don't be so cold.
Hey!
What are you doing? You should be ashamed of yourselves!
We're sorry!
Please forgive my subordinates rudeness.
Where are you heading?
- To Katakai. - Is that so?
We are heading in the same direction.
It isn't safe for a woman to travel alone.
- We'll accompany you to Tougane. - No, I'm taking a shortcut.
I see... please be careful.
Thank you.
You're terrible at making advance. Do you think a woman will fall for it?
Idiot! It's nothing like that!
Aya.
Brother.
How many in the infantry?
- About fifty. - Where were they heading?
Tougane.
What weapons did they have?
Rifles.
A rifle unit of fifty...
I want you to go to Tougane and spy on them.
I want to know when the shogunate will strike.
Brother, please. Stop this and return home with me.
Mother is becoming weak. She's waiting for your return.
I can't return now. I'm carrying out a social reform.
We should make the first move.
SHOGUNATE ARMY HEADQUARTERS
My men are not weary. We'll attack while they're sleeping.
Ibuya, isn't this your first battle?
I'll say this on behalf of the Itakura house.
Hotta's troop of 500 soldiers will arrive tomorrow. You should wait for their arrival.
Our enemy will catch on if we do not hurry.
If they escape, everything will be for nothing.
Woman! What are you doing there?!
What's going on?
This suspicious woman was listening in.
No! I came in not knowing this I is a military headquarters!
Lock her up! We'll look into it later.
Get up!
Come!
Confess!
That's enough!
Stop it.
She is the younger sister of Kusunoki Otojiro.
Young sister?
He must've sent her to spy.
Woman!
How many men are there?
- Speak or you'll be sorry! - Stop!
But... We've been told find out their number.
I have a rough idea. That's good enough.
There's a doctor in my unit named Tezuka Ryosen.
- Call him here. - Yes, sir.
Are you alright?
I'll have you treated right away.
Will you kill my brother?
He's rough, but he's not evil at heart.
Please... Please...
Spare his life!
My sick mother will be saddened.
What is your name?
My name is Aya.
I'm Ibuya Manjiro, the commander of the infantry.
Miss Aya, your brother has committed an illegal act.
It was to help the poor!
Even so, it is no excuse for robbery and extortion.
Please lie with me.
In exchange, please save my brother!
What are you saying?
Cherish yourself!
Hey.
- How is she doing? - She fell asleep exhausted.
They beat her badly.
I did what I could.
It's finally time.
We'll attack before dawn.
You're trembling.
It's from excitement.
Peculiar fate, isn't it? I'm going into battle with you.
How many will be wounded and killed...
I won't let a single one of my men die! You're a doctor! What are you saying?
This is war! You and I could both die.
I'm going to my men.
JANUARY 17, BEFORE DAWN
Let's go!
They're here!
Those of you with bows, go upstairs. Those of you with rifles, lay low.
Fire!
Charge!
Aim above!
Fire!
Bring hot water!
Doctor, don't get this table all bloody. We're an eatery...
I know. That was the only space I had. Just bring hot water!
Yes!
Kusunoki Otojiro...
You're...
Have you forgotten?
I'm Manjiro, the son of Ibuya Senzaburo whom you killed.
Today is the day I get revenge for my father!
I'll kill you before you get your revenge.
You've sharpened your skills.
Please spare his life!
What's wrong? Kill me!
- Doctor! - Lay him down there!
Bring water!
Tatsuzo!
He won't make it.
- Save him! You're a doctor! - It's impossible!
There are others who are dying.
I have to treat the ones who have a chance of surviving first!
Tatsuzo!
I've become good at shooting the rifle.
Yes, you have. You did well.
Tatsuzo!
Open your eyes!
Hey!
Damn it...!
Commander!
We've captured headman Miura Takewaki and eleven others.
It's a great victory! Congratulations!
What's so great?
With all the dead and injured...
Is it something to celebrate?
This is war...
Then be happier.
You won, didn't you?
Dr. Ogata...
Have I chosen the wrong path?
This is war...
This is war.
Please spare his life!
With all the dead and injured... Is it something to celebrate?