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
The failed attempt to make off with the Stonewall is now known as the Battle of Miyako Bay.
However, the true intent of the operation was to kidnap Toshizo Hijikata using the Stonewall as bait.
Hakodate Port
But that plan was foiled and Hijikata and his injured comrades made it back to Hakodate.
With them now is Yojiro Akizuki.
I must thank you, Akizuki.
But I'm not sure if letting you accompany us until now was the right thing or not.
If I need the answer to the question, I guess this will tell me that someday.
When that time comes, I hope we don't have to cross swords.
If you'll excuse me, Hijikata-san.
There's no god or Shogun here.
That's right. Now that we're enemies of the court, this is the only place we can live.
Then we'd better do something big here!
Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.
I wonder if Yojiro has already arrived.
Ezo, huh?
According to Lady Okoma,
building the Republic has gone surprisingly smoothly because they're isolated by snow.
Is this the power of the Head also?
Are you okay with hot pot?
We just had a really good salmon delivered to us.
My destiny...
What is the true meaning of it?
Tokyo Castle (Formerly known as Edo Castle)
It's cold.
The leaves are starting to bud in Sunbu... The winds of Tokyo are too cold for me.
But I bet you the winds in Ezo are even colder.
You're right. Protected by the Winter Shogun, are they?
We're in the same position as Napoleon's army.
Wait for the spring... I guess that's the only option we have.
But the problem is...
We're not sure if the Head will wait...
Indeed.
I've got a bad feeling about this.
Please take care.
SHIN
Hey! What are you doing?
Benimaru! You're so!
What's the matter?
What? Yes? I was just...
Something happened?
No...
Looks like she's getting better.
Hey, wait!
Welcome! Ladies over there, what would you like?
Anything's fine. As long as it's what you recommend, Sei.
Why don't you join me, Sei?
Hey, I was first.
What did you say? I was here first, too.
There, there, calm down. You two are among the most beautiful girls in this city!
If I see your claws come out I might have to fight you!
I don't mind fighting you, Sei!
Unbelievable.
Kumakichi Yanagawa
This is the busiest it's ever been since we opened for business.
T-Tayu! Welcome! We've got space over here.
Hey, can you scoot a little?
Come on, ladies!
She's Tayu Kotoha, the head of Sekkakuro in Yokohama.
Do you think you can go toe-to-toe with her?
Stop it. I retired from that business long ago.
You ladies, go ahead.
Impressive. No wonder she's so famous. She's said to be as good as Kiyu of Gankiro.
She's still very sexy.
Please, come over here, Miss Kotoha!
I just don't get women.
You've still got a lot to learn, pretty boy.
Welcome. So you're opening today...
Yes, finally. Thank you.
Are you opening a business here?
Yes.
That's great! Ask me anything! I'll help you.
I can't believe you just said that right in front of your employer!
Hey, isn't it almost time for you, too?
Yeah, we've picked the place and...
Hey, have you heard anything from the Master?
Me?
Why would you assume I've heard anything from him?
No, I don't mean to sound like that!
I was just... You know...
Here you go.
KOTOHA
Come see me.
Shogunate Remnants Army Fortress "Kita no Seki"
Just like we thought, it was easy.
At the end of the day, they're outsiders. They don't know this place like we do.
They think they conquered Ezo, but Ezo will destroy them. That's all.
Prepare to attack! We'll head straight for Goryokaku!
Charge!
Really? You mean those people working at Hakodate Hospital?
That's right. They're that famous troupe who performed that popular play in Yokohama.
Sounds exciting!
Kakunojo Yuyama Croupe
Enemy attack!
Who would've thought they'd come from the north?
We're at a disadvantage with them attacking us from behind.
We must destroy them before they start attacking us from the front.
Assemble the entire army!
No, they must be trying to draw all our attention to the north
so our defense will be weak in the front.
It has to be their objective.
Diversionary tactic, huh? There's a high possibility of that.
No.
This is not a diversionary tactic.
But...
Then what is it?
But it's a strategic move... preparation for the all-out attack in the spring.
Therefore...
We must crush them no matter what!
And I, Enomoto, will lead the battle!
You can't! Should anything happen to you, the future of the Republic will be...
I, Otori, will take the lead!
I thought I told you, Otori. I, Otori, will take the lead!
I thought I told you, Otori.
We'll crush them... We'll crush them no matter what. That is MY duty!
If that's the case...
I'll join you, too.
H-Hijikata! You, too?!
To Kita no Seki?
Me, too?
Probably he'll be there, too.
Now is the time to know your destiny, Leader.
Kill them all!
Destroy them!
Don't withdraw! Don't withdraw! Your comrades Enomoto and Hijikata are here!
What?
It's the chance of a lifetime!
We've got two important men right here!
Your heads are mine!
Moontear... Answer me! Tell me!
What is the true meaning of my destiny!
Akizuki!
That is...
Don't chase him! You must reinforce the defense! Don't let them through again!
I've been waiting for you.
My comrade.
Now you know.
Master...
To protect your comrade Enomoto and to dedicate yourself to building the Republic...
That is your destiny.
However, Yojiro Akizuki hasn't figured that out yet.
To lead him...
That, too, is the destiny of Kakunojo Yuyama.
I am to lead Akizuki-sama?
Kakunojo Yuyama Croupe
I won't run! I will fight!
If this is what he desires, I will fight!
My life!
For the Republic!
My life! For the Republic!
Gentlemen!
Do you know the word "world"?
Do you know why the world run by the Tokugawa, which lasted over 200 years,
is coming to an end?
Do you know the real reason?
It's simply because they didn't know the world!
No... They didn't try to get to know the world!
They flattered and pandered to those in power, without even thinking or feeling for themselves.
They entrusted their lives and their future to them!
This is the sin of all who live in the Land of the Rising Sun!
Gentlemen! What brought you all here?
Why are you here?
You wished to separate yourselves from the men who allowed such fools to take power!
Isn't that the reason?
Now! Let us atone for our sins now!
Think for yourselves, feel for yourselves and build for yourselves!
It's not for someone else.
This is our nation!
Let us declare it to the world!
Let us declare that this beautiful and true nation we love from the bottom of our hearts,
one of the finest in the world, exists right here!
For the beautiful nation that we love!
For the Republic!
I won't run away!
I will fight!
Now, come with me!
The many emotions of these men and women will soon collide.
Spring approaches. The north will soon burn.
AN ENCOUNTER IN THE NORTH
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 23 HAKODATE IS RED
The Head has become the power that shapes the new world,
guiding this fledgling nation until she is ready to emerge.
And that very Head is possessing Enomoto right now.
With the power of this Head, I'm sure Goryokaku will become our solid foundation!
HAKODATE IS RED
That's nonsense! No ghost can win a war for you!
We will win! Our Republic will win! From here in Goryokaku!