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
Photographic techniques made rapid progress in this era.
Many men rushed to get their portraits taken.
Here we go.
As if trying to confirm their footsteps and engrave proof of their existence...
Tamoto Photo Studio
Develop this right away.
Yes, sir.
Kenzo Tamoto
Would you like another one, Hijikata-sama?
It's enough.
This has left me stiff.
Why don't you have a picture taken of yourself, too, Tetsunosuke?
What?
No, I don't deserve that.
Don't worry, it's not going to take your soul away.
S-sensei...
Come on, Tetsunosuke. Please.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
So what do you think about this place?
I thank you, Hijikata-san, for sheltering me.
Just keep that to yourself.
We're holding you because you attacked Enomoto.
It's obvious what's going to happen if you go out there.
More importantly, I have something vital that I want to talk to you about.
Akizuki, your objective is neither Enomoto nor the Republic...
but rather the Head of the Conqueror inside Enomoto. Correct?
Yes.
I want you to entrust me with the objective.
Hijikata...
I'm not trying to stop you, but right now you're a wanted man.
Either way you're stuck.
It's the same thing...
That Head is my... No, it's the Republic's enemy!
If I could somehow...
9th day of the fourth month, Meiji 2, in Otobe
It is the 9th day of the fourth month, in the second year of the Meiji Era.
The New Government Army reaches Otobe.
Kotetsu (Stonewall)
They split in three groups and begin the attack.
Have no fear! Forward!
Army Commander Ryosuke Kuroda
Otobe
They advance towards Hakodate through Futamataguchi, Kikonai and Matsumae.
Along the way they continue to destroy the Republic Army at those locations with overwhelming forces.
Futamataguchi
Goryokaku
Hakodateyama
Kikonai
Matsumae
All except Futamataguchi.
13th day of the fourth month, Meiji 2, at Futamataguchi
Despite the tactical disadvantage faced by Hijikata's Republic Army,
they manage to evade the New Government Army.
Tetsunosuke.
Yes!
The next time the gunfire calms down we're going to charge.
Yes!
If we make it back safely I'll show you how to drink.
Yes! I'd love that!
All men follow me!
They're charging us!
That's Hijikata!
This is now known as Hijikata's Invincible Charge at Futamataguchi.
Hijikata's victory here inspired many.
Our beautiful nation that we love.
We shall protect it with our own hands and destroy all the tainted enemies!
Destroy them...
Destroy them no matter what!
We must destroy them no matter what!
We shall protect our beautiful nation with our own hands!
Destroy them no matter what!
This is getting strange... Destroy them no matter what!
She's scaring me...
This could mean that there's no boundary between dream and reality,
between the stage play and the truth for her...
This is Tateaki Enomoto, the president of the Republic.
Thank you for coming today.
Don't you think you took too long to bring him this tribute?
We're well aware of that, and apologize...
We all have businesses to run...
Please forgive us.
Businesses, you said?
You could pay us later if you like.
Do you mean to charge us?!
Unbelievable! Those merchants dare to try and make money off of us samurai?
Unforgivable!
We need to cut them down!
Wait!
I understand how you feel, but our poor financial situation is also a reality.
We should just...
No, we should kill them!
But, Otori-dono, the President is...
He hasn't said anything.
That's why we need to be considerate and stand up for him!
We are comrades! For the Republic!
For the Republic, we must kill them!
Kill them!
I'll do anything you want me to do, so please spare my life!
This should set an example to the others. Kill them all!
Money... If you want money...
Hurry up! Take all the money!
Listen! I don't care even if they're women or children, show them no mercy!
Kid, curse the fact that you were born into this family!
Die!
You're...
Die!
He's unbelievably strong!
That's...
Akizuki-sama!
Zagashira!
Akizuki-sama, what are you doing here?
Zagashira, please take this kid.
Who are those guys?
Enomoto's men.
Akizuki-sama!
This is just like... just like what happened 10 years ago.
This is uncalled-for... So uncalled-for...
The Republic Army has gone that far already...
Actually I'm very concerned. Everyone seems to be caught up in this fever.
I agree...
It looks more like they want to start a war rather than protect this country.
And the one instigating this is none other than...
What happened to you, Leader?!
Take a look at this!
At a time when the Republic must stand together, these fools are too busy counting money!
They are the very enemies of my beloved Republic!
They are traitors!
That's right! They're the enemies!
Traitors!
Who goes there?
Hijikata-dono!
What... What have you done?!
This is what the President wants!
In other words, it's the Republic's will!
We didn't found the Republic to do stuff like this!
Then what for?
You just wanted a place to die, Hijikata!
You can't found a country on platitudes!
Someone has to do the unpleasant work!
Time is running out...
I must do something about it!
Come forth!
Show yourself!
Head of the Conqueror, inside my comrade Enomoto!
I, Hijikata, will destroy you!
Why you...
My Izumi no Kami Kanesada and I aren't enough to kill you?!
Head of the Conqueror!
Enomoto-san!
It's me, Hijikata!
Enomoto-san!
That's quite enough.
What are you doing? Get out of here!
No, you need to leave this room.
What?
Stop it.
You're dismissed, Hijikata.
What? You want me to leave the squad?
That's right. I want you to pick up the photograph and the letter Tamoto is keeping for me
and take them to my brother-in-law in Hino.
What?
And take this, too.
TO KAISHU KATSU
I want you to try to deliver this to Katsu-sensei, who's been placed in confinement in Sunpu.
B-but I!
Listen. Make sure to give this directly to him.
At this time Hijikata has already realized the fate of the Republic
and his made up his mind to use Katsu to tell Saigo the truth about the Republic.
"Enough blood had been shed", he wrote.
"My intention is to die here, but please be merciful to the young people, who carry the future of Japan."
Sensei, I'll come with you, too!
I want you to live.
Tetsunosuke...
I can't tell you the reason, but I'll leave Hakodate. That's all I can tell you.
Please take care!
Come on. Let's go. Enomoto is expecting you.
That's the picture Hijikata-sama left with me.
Pull yourself together!
If you understand what Hijikata-sama is prepared to do,
you should follow through with your duty for him!
Isn't that how you should repay him?
11th day of the fifth month, Meiji 2, at Benten Misaki Daiba
It is the 11th day of the fifth month... the fateful day...
All cannons, fire!
Don't panic! Return fire!
Fire!
The third and fifth cannon platforms exploded!
What happened?
We did it!
We, the Yuguntai, have carried out our mission!
All right! Let's go in there!
Koban Hachiman Taishin YUGUNTAI
Ibaragi, what are you doing?
The enemy's assault has started!
Where's the president?
Please be quiet.
The President is about to raise the curtain...
The final curtain.
Once located near the sea and constructed with an unfortified design without walls,
Goryokaku was hardly a secure fortress.
It has now been reborn as an iron-walled stronghold.
Hijikata-sama, what was that noise?
Just worry about getting to our men at the Benten artillery battery right now! Stay focused!
Ippongi Gate
Now! Charge!
Is this the work of Sotetsu Ibaragi?
This is my destiny.
Hijikata!
The Head... Destroy the Head of the Conqueror, Akizuki...
Soji...
Commander... Kondo...
Now I can join y-
Hijikata-sensei...
I will carry out my mission no matter what!
Even if it's in exchange for my own life!
Let's settle the score.
I've been waiting for this.
IROHANIHOHETO
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 25 GORYOKAKU EMERGES
Now it's clear who my enemy is.
It is time for me to carry out my mission as the Eternal Assassin.
My comrades, show them the power of the Republic!
I'm free, embraced by her tenderness!
I can die in order to protect her!
GORYOKAKU EMERGES
Don't stop moving forward! Victory! Victory for the Republic!
If I ever see her again, I promise I'll kill her with one stroke with my sword.