It was an era when a man lived as a warrior...
He fought, staking his life on his faith in the sword...
The final era... the Bakumatsu.
Intrigue in the Bakumatsu
On the land with the frozen moonlight
It's rolling and drawing the line
The era of destruction and rebirth now begins
Heavily holding the freedom
Choosing the invisible path
Passing the sunset that's brighter than the daylight
The vessel of time moves on as if telling the dream
There's a new dawn beyond the dark path
We may have been born from the arm of darkness
Just like being in an impossible love
We wander into the light
The path stretches indefinitely
And there's no way to go back
11th Day of the 4th month, Keio 4
Kanei Shrine in Ueno
On this day, the final Tokugawa Shogun left for Mito, and a long era came to an end.
However, the beginning of a new era was still far away.
SHO
The era was still very much in chaos.
The Shogitai
On that day, the famous tactician Masujiro Omura,
Masujiro Omura
also known as "Fire-Breathing Daruma" for his unique facial appearance,
was meeting with Saigo.
There was only one agenda of this meeting:
The attack on Ueno.
Then send Satsuma Province's forces to the front line of the attack at the Kuro Gate.
I don't care if it gets us all killed.
Will that do, Masujiro-dono?
Yes.
Then the Choshu forces can all reroute towards Hongo.
Indeed.
Yokohama
Would you like a ride to Edo?
Thank you very much.
Oryo
But it seems that the address of the person that I'm looking for is in this town.
The Head of the Conqueror has not been sealed yet due to those events.
Now that it's come to this, I have no choice but to follow through with my mission.
Therefore until I complete my mission, I won't be able to return to the village.
But before that, there's one thing I absolutely must know.
It's truly over now.
Yes, it is.
I wonder what that was...
The Head of the Conqueror...
Both the master and Akizuki-sama were after it from the beginning,
so I guess it was the cause of it all, but now both of them are gone.
He helped us get our revenge and he saved us many times, too.
We're in no place to complain.
Why don't I make some tea?
I'll do it.
Where's everyone?
Kakashi is working at the port.
Here you go.
It's hot!
Here you go.
Welcome!
Thank you for your business as always.
I'm here again, Tayu, I mean, "Mama".
What?
Hurry up and take my order!
Okay. What would you like?
Mistress!
You're supposed to call her "Mama" here.
Oh, Mama!
Yes, right away!
It's too bad...
This place!
Shinsengumi Team 1 Leader Soji Okita
The enemy of the Imperial Palace, Soji Okita!
How many comrades of mine have you killed with your filthy sword?
Okita!
Even if you get us now, sooner or later my comrades will get you!
Just like they did with Kondo!
What did you just say? Commander...
You traitor!
Sensei...
He is...
No way...
I won't let you commit seppuku! I'll treat you like a traitor!
You are...
Akizuki!
It has been a long time, Mr. Okita.
Sato Dojo in Tama
Fast!
It's too fast!
Soji Okita's Three Strikes.
He's a master of Tennen Rishin style.
Next!
Who's next?
No one?
I'll be the next!
Oryo-san?!
Y-Yes...
"Oryo"...you're Ryoma Sakamoto's woman? The real one?!
Miss Leader, I've heard that you played as me.
30th day of the 4th month, Keio 4
Edo
Hurry up! Don't you slow down!
Katsu-sensei!
So you're back?
How are things in Mito?
You look better than I thought.
They're worried about Ueno, and told me to tell you to take care of yourself.
So I figured I should do anything what I could, like stopping some bullets if possible.
I understand where you're coming from, Tatsu, but you need to understand my position, too.
What was the point of my negotiations with Saigo?
But either way a war will begin. You're sure of it, right?
We both served the previous Shogun. What would you do if you were me?
Surely, at the beginning the majority of the people in Edo were supportive of the Shogitai.
However, it was also true that opposition grew as they began to requisition money, food and labor.
Heigoro Uekiya's Resident in Sendagaya
Akizuki.
Yes.
He's here again.
What?
"He"?
That's right.
Okita?
That's him...
I won't let you get away!
Okita!
I'm sorry...
I'm okay now.
Okita...
I see...
Just like I thought, Commander Kondo was...
I read it in the newspaper on the way here... It happened at the end of the last month.
Toshi... The Vice Chief has headed north with Otori.
I heard that Harada has joined with the Shogitai.
And look at me... the only one who... I'm so pathetic...
At least I want to be the one who decides where I die!
This must be how Sakamoto felt when he died, working towards realizing his ambition.
I see.
Yo isn't here, huh?
And you don't even know where he went?
No.
If I remember correctly, Akizuki-sama was Sakamoto-sama's...
Bodyguard.
That's right. But I guess no one could predict what would happen.
I didn't know what to expect at the very beginning, but...
Oh? So you came here to kill me?
You've got the same eyes!
The eyes I had when I went to kill Katsu-sensei!
Come on. Have a seat!
Have a drink!
If you just stand there, looking nervous, you won't be able to kill even a chicken!
What do you think?
Why don't you be my bodyguard, Akizuki?
And, what do you want to know?
I already know. Did you want to ask me if it was the Shinsengumi who killed Sakamoto?
Well, that's...
No! That's definitely not true, Akizuki!
I wouldn't be surprised if that was done by Fushimi Magistrates' Office or the Town Watch.
They were chasing Sakamoto, but failed to arrest him.
But we, the Shinsengumi, had no grudge against Sakamoto.
I'm aware of that.
That's not what I want to ask you...
Okita-san, do you know of the Head of the Conqueror?
The Head of the Conqueror?
The Head is in Kyoto.
It was the last fall when I heard the news from Yojiro.
However, the Head wasn't there.
He continually felt its presence, but it wasn't there.
I remember that.
That's why he became that man's bodyguard against his will.
"Against his will", huh? That sounds like Yojiro.
And two months later, on that night...
15th day of the 11th month, Keio 3
Oumiya Inn
Suddenly, the presence that had surrounded that man disappeared,
and his Moontear Sword indicated a different response.
I'm from Totsugawa. Is Sakamoto-sensei home?
Sakamoto-sensei, you've got a visitor from Totsugawa!
OUMIYA INN
It's gotten to my brain... This isn't good...
I believed him.
There was no way Yo would kill him... That's just impossible.
I believed him no matter what.
After a long and harsh interrogation, he was released.
But he just disappeared without saying anything to anyone.
He must've blamed himself for not being able to protect him.
But I waited for him for a long time
because I wanted to tell him what Ryo said...
What he said?
Where the Head went then...
Wasn't it to the Shinsengumi itself?
Faithfulness
Then it still has to be there... That's what I thought.
I see... But unfortunately it is not.
I've never seen or heard about it among the team. Not even once.
Dawn of the 15th day of the 5th month, K eio 4
Okita!
I heard that Harada has joined with the Shogitai.
And look at me... the only one who... I'm so pathetic...
Impossible!
Don't die! Don't die, Okita-san!
The Battle of Ueno begins
THE BLACK CAT CRIES
The hand is the sword of love
It proves the beginning of all
Beyond the sparkling sky
The dream is still an illusion
Running on the path
Just like chasing the shadow of the moonlight
The torn sword of love
At the end of it thousands of teardrops become one
And brighten tomorrow
This hand is the sword of love
It proves the beginning of all
EPISODE 10 UENO FALLS
The master sent us a new script?!
Actually what's inside is unbelievable.
He's still alive!
Supposedly both the master and Akizuki-sama are in Edo.
Looks like we need to put that on stage whether we like it or not.
UENO FALLS
Leader!
Everyone, get ready right away!
Here comes another revenge drama of the Kakunojo Yuyama Troupe.
Our next performance is going to be in Edo!