Beyond the limitations of time...
...there exists a fantastic bird that burns with eternal life.
It shines in paradise...
...and blazes in hell.
Its beautiful flames entrance all those that behold it...
...bringing forth the illusions that they wish to see.
All things living and dead fall under the protection of its wings.
This legendary bird...
...is known to us as the Phoenix.
Phoenix: Karma Chapter
He's a killer!
Stop!
Murderer!
I am Akanemaru of Yamato, a woodcarver.
Have you heard of the Phoenix that is said to live in the country of Tou?
This bird that lives in the Hourai islands...
...it feeds on senboku seeds, and has lived for tens of thousands of years.
It is said that those who drink its blood become immortal.
It's truly a fantastic bird.
After I heard about this bird...
...it was all I could think of, night and day.
I wanted to find out more about this bird.
I researched in many places. But I couldn't find anything about it.
But as it turns out, I eventually found a temple that had a 400 year old manuscript.
An old priest from Kumato named Kawakami Takeru had written it.
It described the Phoenix as a bird of fire...
...and told how it could be found in the country of Tsukushi.
I want to find that bird...
...and then, with these hands, I'll carve a statue of the Phoenix.
Take them off.
W-what?
Hurry up and take them off!
I can't stand seeing someone with two good arms.
What...
What do you have against me?
I don't have anything against you.
It's your fault for drawing me to this clearing.
If you need to blame something, blame the fire.
My name is Gaou.
Gaou?
It's the name of a demon that lives in the country of Tou.
Demon?
That's right. I'm a demon.
Women, children, old people...
I've killed more of them than I can count.
Why have you killed so many people?
Don't you think it's wrong to kill people?
Why should I think it's wrong?
If I don't kill them...
...then I'm the one that gets killed!
It's either kill or be killed -- That's the way this world works!
That's all there is to it!
Well, come on.
What's your name?
I'm Hayame.
How did it go?
Yeah, we got plenty.
Great!
Hide it in the usual place.
Sure.
Well then, tomorrow night, same place.
Jeez, he's in a good mood.
I'm back, Hayame.
You're always look beautiful, no matter how much I look at you.
Him... and him... then her...
Hey, I killed thirteen today.
I love seeing that look on your face.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot.
I got this for you.
This mirror is from Miyako -- The rich girls of Mibun use them.
Gimme that.
Hey, why doesn't your face show up on this?
I shouldn't be suprised, since you don't know a whole lot about Miyako.
The nobles have separate mirrors for men and women.
That mirror is probably one that's just for men to use.
Why would I want to look at my face?
What's wrong?
I-It's nothing. But...
But...?
Stay away! I'm fine.
My nose - It hurts...
Your nose hurts?
Yeah.
Don't worry about it.
Don't move.
It hurts even more now!
It wouldn't work if it didn't hurt.
It hurts!
I can't take it anymore!
Boss!
Sh-- Shit!
This nose is really annoying me!
I'd like to carve it up like I would a person!
Hey.
Yeah?
Put this medicine on for me.
Hayame always puts it on for me.
What's wrong?
Boss!
Have you been using this stuff?
Yeah.
I think it's poison.
Wh- What?
That woman's been trying to kill you.
She's pretending to take care of you, and putting that poison on instead.
Gaou!
Why?
Shut up!
You were trying to kill me, weren't you?
Look at my nose!
This happened because you've put that medicine on everyday.
That poisonous medicine...
That medicine was made from pollen that I ground from flowers.
I did it all for you.
You lie!
You must have had some connection with someone I've killed.
And you wanted to get revenge against me.
So who was it?
Just who are you, and where are you from?
I am someone whose life you saved, some time ago.
Saved your life?
Don't be ridiculous!
I am the murderous Gaou!
Leader of bandits!
I wanted to live happily with you forever...
Hayame!
Hayame disappeared.
Wait!
Murderer!
Stay where you are!
Dammit, where did he go?
I'm gonna break his neck if I find him.
He might have gone into the woods.
Alright, check it out.
Got it.
Hayame.
Hayame!
Hey, cut it out already!
What the hell are you trying to do?
Well, you seem like a nice guy.
And unlike the other guys around here, you look pretty good, too.
Go away!
I don't have time to be messing around with you right now.
I have to find the Phoenix as soon as I can.
Phoe-nix? What's that?
The Phoenix is...
My name's Sachibuchi.
What's yours?
Hey, your name!
Akanemaru.
Where are you going?
Hey!
The country of Tsukushi.
Hey!
Hayame...
You're Akanemaru of Yamato, right?
That's true.
We have been searching for you by order of Lord Makibi Udaiji Ikibi.
You are to return to Miyako at once.
For what reason?
It has been decided that a grand ceremonial statue is to be built at Eijyoukyou.
You have been assigned this duty.
I refuse.
What?
There are many other things that I still wish to do.
I would appreciate it if you didn't say you found me.
That won't do!
Let's run away!
You fools.
Did you think that you would be able to escape us?
No!
Get out of the way!
What do you think you're doing?
Silence!
Now, come with us.
No!
Why you...
Buchi!
We're going now.
No, don't take him away!
You little -- Dammit, ouch!
That really hurts!
You're in the way!
Buchi!
Move it!
Akanemaru...
Buchi!
BUCHI!
Akanemaru...