That was a tough job.
Of course, there's nothing that Ishikawa Gojuemon-sama can't steal.
Now, how about my reward?
Lady Okuni, celebrated as the best in Shimabara...
I'm going to have a good, long taste of you.
What's so funny?
I will show you paradise.
Off you go, now.
Hey! I found him!
Found him!
The self-titled Ishikawa Gojuemon...
Real name: Echigo no Tagosaku!
You're under arrest for theft and suspected arson
at the Kyoto residence of the Kishu Domain!
Just come quietly!
Quietly!
What are you trying to pull, Tagosaku?!
Don't be hasty, Tagosaku!
What... am I doing?
With the arrival of the Black Ships,
the 200-year stability of the shogunate was shaken,
plunging Japan into the swirls of upheaval.
The age was reduced to chaos in the name of justice.
The powerless masses at the mercy of the times
were oppressed, and all they had was stolen.
This is the story of a man who works in secret
to recover the things stolen from the weak,
the second generation Nezumi Kozo, Roman, and the Helpers.
Helpers
So, we've got something...
Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman
A Lavish Banquet For Guys In Trouble!
"I was told that, were anything stolen from me in the capital,
I should turn to the Helpers.
The item I would like you to reclaim
is the most highly guarded secret of the shogunate:
the Coastal Atlas of Japan.
If this map falls into another country's possession,
Japan's defenses will be at risk.
Please help us recover it.
Enclosed is a reserve fund of ten ryo,
with the promise of another hundred ryo upon successful recovery."
A hundred ryo?!
"I humbly request your assistance.
Chief retainer of the Kishu Domain, Asahi Natamon."
In other words,
they want us to get back some map that was stolen, right?
Why would someone steal a map?
No idea.
You really don't get it!
In the event of war, the first thing the enemy wants
is a map of the opposing country.
That's common sense in worldly matters!
That is the value an elaborate map carries.
The Coastal Atlas of Japan is the most accurate map in our world.
It is a national treasure.
Above all, my good friend, Tadataka-chin,
devoted his entire life to completing it.
Tadataka-chin?
Using that map,
the enemy would instantly know all of Japan's terrain
and strategical weaknesses.
So it's that important, is it?
Then we'd better get it back, whatever it takes!
Well, when they promise us a reward that huge,
we've got no reason to say "no."
Helpers, we're accepting this job!
Oh, good! We'll be able to pay the rent!
I can make a new zombie!
A hundred ryo!
Kishu Domain Kyoto Residence
This is pretty bad.
Setting the place on fire just to steal something?
That's the one thing you should never do.
Who could have done something like this?
"Takes a thief to catch a thief," is that it?
Place your bets, boys!
I haven't seen Yakko-san around since then.
He's probably just enjoying the high life.
He'll blow it all in Shimabara again, anyway.
He really is an idiot.
No matter how well the job pays,
who would break into the Kishu Domain Kyoto residence?
Let that "spider web" Katagiri chase him for the rest of his life.
Hey there, fellas!
Sounds like quite an interesting conversation you're having.
Who're you?
I'm just a cheapskate burglar.
Been down on my luck lately, you know.
So, about this guy you say is living the high life...
I don't suppose you could tell me who he is?
Oh, of course, I don't expect you to tell me for free.
One quick round!
If I win, you have to tell me his name.
Sound okay to you?
He really...
...sucks at this.
All the funds they entrusted to me, gone!
The thief's name is Ishikawa Gojuemon.
Huh?
After you lost like that, I figured I should tell you.
You made us pretty rich, after all.
Thank you!
Where is he now?
That guy lived for his trips to Shimabara.
There's no doubt he'll be there after a big win.
Shimabara
Now, where should I start questioning?
Hey, little gi—
Pervert! Kidnapper! Old creep!
I never thought an old creep like him would come here...
Old?
Though I look young, I just can't rein in all this elegance and sensuality.
It is my sin...
But even for a hundred, no, a thousand ryo,
I wouldn't sell myself to a bearded geezer like you!
I wouldn't want a shrimp like you for all the money in the world.
What'd you say?!
What's all the yelling?
Orin, have you finished that errand for me?
Oh, Okuni-neesan.
Yes, here it is.
Thank you. Here's your tip.
Yay! I love this store's tortoiseshell candy!
Indeed.
O-Okuni-san?
Who is this?
I-I'm just a cheapskate Helper from Nagare town!
My name is Manjiro!
Helper? Oh!
You're the man who helped that swallow.
You remember me?
Thank you.
Ever since then, I've...
That chick was able to grow up and leave the nest.
Glad to hear it.
What brings you here today?
Huh? Oh, I'm just looking for someone.
Oh? For whom?
Oh, he's not the kind of guy a fine lady like you would know.
Sorry for the trouble! Bye!
I never thought I'd see Okuni-san again...
We must be bound by a powerful fate!
This is no time to have my head in the clouds.
Where is that Gojuemon guy hiding?
Oh! Helper-san!
Dr. Hansuke! What are you doing here?
A body! A body was found in the river!
You're sure it's Gojuemon?
Yes. There's no mistake.
It's Ishikawa Gojuemon.
What? You've gotta be kidding!
The burglar who stole the map is dead?
Oh, no!
Don't it beat all?
Now we've got no leads.
Robbery, arson, and a body in the river?
The Kyoto Mimawarigumi certainly is busy.
Your mission.
The Kurogane Fortress. That's where they're gathering.
That's one of their leaders. He is to be eliminated.
Yes, sir.
Orin.
You go to sleep first.
I have a man coming to spend the night.
No, I'll stay awake, too.
Girls who stay up all night will never become good women.
Okay, I'll sleep!
It's up to you, Sakura.
Koharu-san, what's that?
Burned rubble from the Kishu Domain Kyoto Residence.
Onii-chan brought it to me in secret.
Gojuemon-san probably had the same smell on him.
If we track the scent, I figured we might find the missing map.
It'll take all night to track him from the beginning.
I know, but I didn't want the clue Onii-chan found to go to waste.
Koharu-san...
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Your frequent cooperation is greatly appreciated.
You're as beautiful as always.
Listen, Bikuni... Would you...
Saigo-sensei. The cage is ready.
All right.
It's not working...
It's too soon to give up.
Let's search the area a bit more.
Sakura?
Sakura!
What's with this dog?!
Insolence!
What was with that stray?
Is that...
You really overdid it!
But she did a fine job. That was undoubtedly the map.
Koharu-san?!
I'm going after the map!
Help
What will the Helpers do now?
Good question...
"We've found a lead.
Koharu-san and I are currently following it upstream along the Katsura River.
Join us as soon as possible."
What time is it now?
What is this place?
The outfits, the stances...
Those were definitely foreigners.
What are foreigners doing here?
I knew I could trust a woman with a 100% success rate.
Where is the article I requested?
Koharu. Priestess.
Onii-chan!
You just had to go off on your own.
Sorry.
But...
Hell, you did good.
Onii-chan...
The Kurogane Fortress?
You've heard of it?
It was built during the civil war era and abandoned.
Not many people know about it now.
It's full of foreigners.
Foreigners?
And quite heavily armed.
Something smells very fishy here.
Gojuemon was being used by the foreigners.
After he stole the map, they killed him to keep him quiet.
So it was all a setup
to bring the map to this fortress?
This looks like a really dangerous job.
Onii-chan...
No matter what kind of job it is, now that we've taken it, we're finishing it.
That's what the Helpers do.
So let's get pumped up and move in!
So this is the Kurogane Fortress...
What's going on?
Number one.
Using another person.
Number two.
Sinister conspiracies.
Number three.
The thing you stole.
I'll take it back by force, if I have to!
Who are you?
The second generation Nezumi Kozo...
Roman the Get-backer is here!
I'll take that map back now!
Fire!
Don't butt in before I'm done talking.
Could that armor be...
If you don't wanna get hurt, then stay back!
Until I get to the stolen goods!
I'm comin' through!
I told you to stay back!
So, it repels even the latest autocannon shells?
I never cease to be amazed by that armor.
A snot-nosed kid like Roman is still too young to use it, though.
It was made for Roman's father, the first Nezumi Kozo, Jirokichi.
It increases the strength of the wearer,
withstands blades, and repels bullets.
I don't know who made it or how,
but it is remarkable mechanical armor.
Over here, Onii-chan!
Got it!
I never knew such arms existed.
This is certainly an interesting country.
A shame, though.
I'll leave the rest to you.
I need to get this map to the admiral as quickly as possible.
Yes, sir!
Hurry it up, Helper!
Time's running out!
Finish up while the armor is still working!
I'll be taking this back!
After him!
Yes, sir!
I didn't expect to see someone other than me breaking in here.
What on earth was that armor?
Who are—
Oh, well. I'll get to the armor later.
Carrying out my duty takes top priority now.
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Just barely made it.
We did it!
Yeah. All that's left is to get out of—
What?
Wh-When did you...
Just what are you?!
Onii-chan!
Your sister...
Are you okay, Onii-chan?
What is...
Goodness, what a frightening woman.
But, fantastic.
I will take your life.
It looks like he's been poisoned.
And quite a peculiar poison it is.
What sort of creature was that, to use such a poison?
D-Damn... that woman...
Next time... I see her...
She'll pay for this!
Good morning!
Good morning.
Was your client good?
Huh?
'Cause you look really happy, Okuni-neesan!
Perhaps.
I'll go prepare breakfast.
I hope I'll see it soon...
The sight of this country burning to the ground.
Next Time
My lord, I hear there are many delicious foods in the capital.
My lord, I hear the women in the capital are great beauties.
Next time on Roman shall be:
A Lavish Banquet in Skintight Swimsuits!
A Lavish Banquet In Skintight Swimsuits!
My lord, you are breaking my heart.