The Middle Ages...
dark times...
The war between the Heike and Genji clans has ended with...
the defeated Genji retreating to the East. Meanwhile...
the Heike attempt to bring renewed prosperity to Kyoto.
Yet each night, there's the continuing slaughter of Heike troops...
bringing with it the fear that a demon has been unleashed.
What's this?
Ominous stars approach...
and there are two of them.
No!
Great misfortune shall be brought upon us.
Oh revered spirits of power, come to me and speak...
The demon's growing...
We must act before it's too late!
This is Gojoe Bridge...
No mortal shall pass!
Gojoe Bridge
GOJOE
There he goes!
Get him!
He's going into the ravine, cut him off!
Alright!
Don't let him escape!
Move!
Out of the way!
We've got you now, Musashibo Benkei!
You...
You've betrayed our brethren, and stole the precious Demon Slayer...
You shameless wretch!
Stole? I've only borrowed it...
I'll give it back when I'm done with it.
What do you take us for?
What is this?
Order!
This instant!
Show some respect!
Fools!
Sheath your weapons, now!
Think of where you are!
You've come...
Ajari...
I knew that you would.
It's been so long.
I remember the day you saved me, Ajari.
Or should I call you 'Holy Priest'?
People worship you, calling you the savior of the world.
Call me whatever you'd like.
I'm just a monk who loves nature.
Seven years...
Time goes by so quickly.
Your brute nature seems tempered by these years of devotion.
But you haven't returned to engage me in nostalgia.
With so many mortal enemies in Kyoto...
and that sword you carry...
You must have grave business indeed.
Ajari.
I had a vision while meditating on sacred Mt. Hiko.
Our protector, Acalanatha, rose above me.
He revealed to me my destiny.
I am to seek enlightenment by slaying the demon with two faces.
At first I didn't understand.
When I heard about the Demon of Gojoe Bridge...
who seeks to slay one thousand souls...
I knew this must be the demon of Acalanatha's revelation.
No...
Benkei...
You mustn't seek enlightenment by the sword.
Would you call Acalanatha's revelation a mere delusion?
Witness the mark, which rose on my flesh since that day.
It's the will of Acalanatha!
Ajari.
I came first to you, to share the joy of revelation.
I'm not the butcher of my former days.
Seven years have I spent in devotion.
Now I've finally received my calling.
I'll slay the Demon of Gojoe Bridge...
and Acalanatha will rise to deliver me.
Please await the joyous news.
This is Gojoe Bridge...
No mortal shall pass.
It's me.
You shameless fool.
You won't live long.
Damned demons, they always get all the good stuff.
Oh, a monk.
What are you doing here?
What does it look like?
It looks like you're a damned scavenger.
You wouldn't be here if you weren't damned yourself.
Yet another monk fighting demons for the Heike?
Give it up, holy man...
Your eyes will melt if you look at a real demon.
They come across Gojoe?
Not in the daylight.
Demons only come out at night.
Then I'll wait for nightfall.
Thank you.
Rest in peace, rest in peace...
It's not gonna work.
Hey!
How dare you! Master Ajari gave this to me.
Isn't that Benkei?
Benkei?
There, behind Tetsukichi.
It's, it's Benkei.
Couldn't be...
Where?
You're right, it's Benkei.
And he's coming towards us!
Keep him out!
Is that the infamous Benkei?
That's him alright.
Hey!
Where are you going?
I await nightfall.
I must report to the leader.
What?
Benkei has returned?
Yes.
So he's still alive...
Yes, he still should be near our territory.
Good...
I've been waiting for this day...
Prepare for an attack!
No doubt.
This is the night for a change in fortune.
And for the demon?
For him too, tonight is a turning point.
We can finally accomplish General Kiyomori's secret mission.
The honor of the Heike clan is in your hands.
This is your hour to shine.
This is Gojoe Bridge...
No mortal shall pass.
There he is!
I've finally found you, Benkei.
Tankai.
What's with your clothing?
You look like a beggar.
You haven't changed.
I haven't forgotten about our unfinished business, either.
Let's settle this once and for all!
I'd like to avoid a fight with you now.
It won't be that easy.
In order to be the leader of the Shirakawa clan...
one must be the fiercest warrior.
But I wouldn't be the fiercest if you were alive, now would I?
I don't care about leading a clan.
My life belongs to Buddha now.
Don't make me laugh!
Why do you carry a sword, then?
Does Buddha teach you to slay, huh?
I told you.
I don't have time for you now.
Draw your sword, Benkei!
Get him!
Let fly!
Get him!
Hold it! Hold your arms!
It's no use.
Damn, you weasel!
Damned demon...
I, Tairano Tadanori, vow to kill you or die trying.
It's the demon!
Who are you?
Out of my way!
Where's the demon?
He's mine!
Get out of my way!
Out of my way!
Go!
I'm the archer Kudokumaru...
and the demon's mine!
What is this...demon of Gojoe?
It even felled the master archer, Kudokumaru...
It's all because you were mistaken about the demon's fate.
His fate has changed indeed.
Have we no longer any means left to fight him with?
There is one...
The monk who joined last night's battle...
The demon remains in the capital for him.
So we still have a chance?
If we want to understand the demon, we need to first find the monk.
Hachiman Daibosatsu
Prince Shanao.
Your mastery of the sword knows no equal.
You've reached manhood and your time here is finished.
We must retire from Kyoto, join our forces in the East, and...
plan our assault on the capital.
It's time to take on your new name...
one befitting the rightful heir of the Genji clan.
I, therefore, humbly present your name in manhood.
Kurou Yoshitsune of the noble Genji.
Kurou Yoshitsune Minamoto
A name fit for a King who regained his family's honor.
Trusted priest of Shoshinbo...
Might not we delay our departure?
But time is of the essence!
Take young Keshimaru here if you like.
It's the duty of a decoy.
What are you saying?
Our primary duty is the restoration of the Genji clan?
The intruder at the bridge was the infamous Musashibo Benkei.
They say that he was born fully formed, with teeth and hair fully grown...
feared even by his own mother as a demon.
Born a demon?
Any relation to the Heike?
He's without ally or affiliation.
Then why should such a being seek to slay me?
I don't know.
In any event, he's not a formally trained warrior...
and is certainly no match for Your Highness.
Goujin...
Sir.
Didn't you sense his primal energy?
Keshimaru, how about you?
The honor of the Genji clan will be restored.
Musashibo Benkei...
First I must engage the power of this natural born demon.
Preparing for a war?
You followed me, bastard!
Tetsukichi...
It is said that you were once a great swordsmith.
Magnificent sword...
How'd a monk like you get a blade like this?
This thing probably could slay a demon.
Here.
My services are expensive.
Where is he?
How the hell should I know?
You knew that the Gojoe Demon was actually a man, didn't you?
Yeah...
You can tell by the incision.
He's quite a swordsman.
And just like me, he's collecting arms.
How do you know?
There's a guy who saw them...
He has nearly a thousand swords.
And did this guy say where they were?
If I knew that, I wouldn't be sitting here chatting with you.
Then I'll have to go look for him myself.
I'll kill him, and take the 1,000 swords for myself.
Hold it! As payment for my services...
you owe me his swords.
We're right around here.
Across the river is Toribeno...
And beyond that is Omaga Forest.
There are many hidden mines deep in the forest.
People don't go that deep in the forest...
so the demons must be hiding somewhere around there.
But it's also called the Devil's forest.
If you aren't careful, you can lose your mind.
The guy who saw the thousand swords...
of the demon, never returned from the forest.
Where are you going?
To Omaga Forest.
But it's dark.
I can see.
Wait a minute, that's not what you promised.
I promised you nothing.
Even in death our souls may not rest until Kyoto is free of this pestilence.
What's the matter?
As I suspected, this woman is possessed by evil spirits.
The child she bears is a demon!
Kill them! Quickly! Kill them now!
Before it's born. Kill it now, before it's too late!
Kill them!
You must kill them!
Kill them!
Benkei!
Quickly! Kill them!
Kill them!
Don't interrupt!
Foul spirits! Release this woman's soul, and come out of her immediately!
What's wrong?
Boil water!
Huh?
Boil water!
Hurry up and have him already!
Once more. Push!
Keep pushing, again!
No use saving them.
They'll be possessed again, and die anyway.
Hang in there.
You mustn't listen to the voice of demons.
If you hear his voice, chant sutras like this...
Namufudou sama, Namufudou sama...
Namufudou sama...
Namufudou sama, Namufudou sama...
That's right...
Tetsukichi...
You used to make swords for warrior monks, didn't you?
Why do you scavenge others' swords now?
I couldn't stand seeing my work go to 'holy' men...
hypocrites like you...
who are devout in word, yet murderous in deed.
I don't kill men, just demons.
What's that, monk logic?
I heard you were a monstrous villain seven years ago.
Is it true that you killed women and children?
Yes.
You miserable son of a bitch.
Yeah.
You kill demons.
I take their swords.
Don't forget our deal.
Toribeno is a land of the dead...
Nothing to take...
You really are a scavenger.
From here on is the Omaga Forest.
What's the matter?
I feel the presence of evil spirits.
Rub that on your body.
Someone's approaching.
Be still.
I've felt this presence before.
It is powerful.
Spirits of the wood, I banish you!
Follow me.
Hey.
Hey!
Damn it...
Monk, help me.
What do you think you're doing?
Offering your blood to Dahl.
Dahl?
A spirit of the forest.
Spirits of the wood, I banish you!
Uhm, abracadabra...
Mumbo jumbo, abracadabra...
Strange.
We should be protected. What could be stopping us?
Hey!
Is it Dahl?
No.
What's wrong, Benkei?
Has the Devil's Wood revealed your clouded mind?
Slay them, or they'll become demons.
Prince Shanao! I beg of you!
Never match your energy with another's!
Prince Shanao! You must stop!
Must we kill them all?
But General Kiyomori, we must cut the Genji bloodline.
I beg of you, spare these little ones.
Slay them all or they'll become demons...
with a terrible power to rise against the Heike clan.
Hey!
What's wrong?
Hey!
Snap out of it!
Benkei!
Hey...
Hey!
Fight them, Benkei!
Musashibo Benkei!
I'm arresting you for obstructing justice at Gojoe Bridge.
Seize them!
Benkei, do something!
Musashibo Benkei...
So easily taken for one with such a monstrous reputation.
What do you know of Shanao?
That he's the son Yoshitomo, the leader of the vanquished Genji clan?
That he attacks us, though we spared him death as an infant?
Not at all an unstoppable Demon warrior...
just a punk, not even come of age...
making a contest for the souls of 1,000 Heike warriors.
Yet, this 'punk' threatens the very future of the Heike clan.
You're right.
But if word of this gets out, our authority will be broken.
And rogue Genji warriors from the East will descend upon Kyoto...
Then all will be buried in darkness.
What do you want from me?
We need that spiritual power of yours.
Join us, and restore order to Kyoto under our protection.
Together, let us defeat Shanao.
Impossible.
I'm a monk now.
That's all the more reason for you to help us.
Your duty is to put demons in their places.
Use your powers, and put this demon to rest.
I'm no man's servant.
Who do you think you're fooling, Benkei?
You bear the Demon Slayer yet won't kill a demon?
I can read your heart.
I know of your demon blood, and I can sense your destiny.
I'm not a demon...
I'm a man.
A man who claims devotion while feigning ignorance of his own fate.
Enough.
It's settled then.
Let us put your demon calling power to the test.
How's the baby?
Tetsukichi.
Here.
He's too quiet.
Are you sure he isn't dead?
Idiot!
Don't mind him.
Hey guys!
Are you alive?
Hey!
Did you hear the news?
Benkei's been arrested by the police.
We already know.
That damned monk will be finally beheaded.
Actually, he isn't going to be beheaded.
Why do you look so happy, then?
Because he'll be crucified at the edge of Omaga forest.
What?
Is that true?
That's worse than being beheaded!
Ooh, scary!
And we, the Shirakawa clan, were chosen to carry out the execution.
It's a direct order from Chief Tadanori.
If things go well, we may gain the support of General Kiyomori.
Then we won't have to sleep in this dump!
Hey, are you alive?
Thanks.
Well, everyone, I'm off!
The sun is shining upon us!
Hey!
Huh?
You think Tankai will let him die so easily?
You're right...
He's going to fight Benkei.
I won.
Hey, what are you doing?
Who are you betting on?
Of course...
I bet on Tankai.
I'm going to bet on Benkei.
Benkei.
Tankai. Tankai.
Tankai.
You guys don't know how to gamble.
I'm betting on Benkei.
I'll go see it for myself.
Hey! Where are you going?
Give it back!
Musashibo Benkei!
Die!
Let go!
Hey punk, who sent you?
No one sent me!
What?
Then why are you after my life?
To avenge my mother's death!
You attacked her at Tsugizakura shrine in Kumano.
And you impregnated her with me!
She gave birth to me, so that I could send you to hell.
So are you my...
You're already dead...
Had a nightmare?
We've done our job.
Benkei's been delivered to the Devil's Wood...
Just as Security Chief Tadanori asked.
But...
now I'm going to do whatever I want.
Pick your weapon.
I'm not fighting with anyone.
You coward!
Tankai...
Don't you still understand?
We're all hostages here, completely surrounded...
and a terrible darkness is approaching.
Flee while you still can!
Spare me your cheap ruses, and defend your honor!
What's this? The moon invades the sun?
The sun is eaten by the moon.
An apparition that appears once every 100 years...
No!
Turn not to the darkness!
Nor the demon's will!
Curses upon the Heike
Where are they?
Over there!
Where are they?
Don't panic!
Mind your aim!
Don't panic!
Let fly now!
The fate of the entire Heike clan rests on the fate of two demons?
They've come.
They're here!
They're just punks. Hold your ground!
Damn demon!
Violated...
Torn asunder...
All is for naught...
We're undone.
We've been betrayed.
Attack!
Who in hell are you?
Stop! It's the Gojoe Demon.
Leave him to me.
Gojoe Demon!
Prepare to die!
The demon's killed our leader!
Shanao.
Why? One thousand souls?
Come for me.
Why do you flee?
To quiet your demon spirit.
No.
It's you whose spirit needs rest.
Why should a demon like you be so indecisive?
Reveal to me your true demon self.
It's time you died on the Demon Slayer!
Alas...
Acalanatha's revelation was a delusion.
Begin your training all over again.
What are you doing?
Have you lost your royal mind?
I'll now begin nine days of fasting.
I'll challenge the Holy Priest, Ajari.
What!
I'll challenge the power of Buddha.
Prince Shanao!
Have you forgotten the shame of your father's execution?
You're the symbol of the Genji family...
The physical form of Genji vengeance!
This isn't the time for self-abnegation!
I've passed the stage of killing for revenge.
I sense something new...
But something's lacking...
Still lacking.
Are you running away?
What happened to slaying demons?
Damned monk!
What brought you here?
I came to report something.
I see.
What is it?
I realized that gods are all incompetent.
And I have received enlightenment.
I see.
How will the gods you believe in save this chaotic world?
How?
Don't try to evade my question.
Or do you acknowledge the fact that you're helpless?
Indeed.
I'm just a monk, who loves nature.
Then I'll tell you...
The gods people believe in are mere illusions.
The one who can save the world from devastation is the true god.
The true god has the true power.
I've gained the true power.
I've gained the power to rule.
I pray to no god.
I see...
The only god I'll trust is my power.
The Devil of Kurama, Vaisravana, Sahasrabhuja...
I've received their powers.
And tonight, I'll take yours.
I can't help you.
It's no use killing me.
Are you begging for your life?
Don't you understand?
I'll not stop you from killing me...
However, I'll not be able to help you.
Shanao!
I can tell that you're a man of great spiritual dimension.
I'm but an undeserving soul, who has come to this place of deliverance...
out of the desire to follow in the footsteps of the godhead.
Yet, my devotion has weakened.
I can't, and yet I must die in pious immolation.
You're a blessing, sent to set me ablaze.
I'm prepared, anointed with oils...
Please help deliver me.
I'm ready to receive the flames.
I can't.
Please find another way.
No, this is the only solution.
It's my last request.
Release me from my hesitation!
Offer me your strength!
Let go...
I have no such power, I can't free another from their misery.
Help me!
Deliver me!
I beg of you!
Benkei, why do you flee?
I'm not an illusion.
However, the path that you pretend to is one.
Your enlightenment will not come that way.
Shanao!
Return to me, Benkei.
Return to Kyoto and challenge me.
No one will cloud your decision anymore.
Come and challenge me.
Ajari!
It's the end! It's the end! It's the end! Yeah? Why not? Why not!
Hey.
Huh?
Whatever happened to Benkei?
Damned monk's long gone.
And that talk about slaying the demon...
Benkei just stirred him up and dropped him in our laps.
That's about the size of it.
I guess I'll have to steal those 1,000 swords myself after all.
It's the end and who cares?
The world has come to an end when a holy monk like him gets slain...
I told you, this is useless.
Let's burn it...
We're outta here! So long, Kyoto!
Burn, burn, let it all burn!
Who cares!
Burn! Yeah! Burn!
Burn!
Burn, let it all burn!
Burn!
Well if it ain't the police!
Something the matter?
It's the end of the world and we don't care!
You got a problem with that?
What are you doing?
Fire!
What are you doing here?
Everyone's dead...
and you're the last person I want to see.
Ideal place for a 'damned scavenger', huh?
Hope you like it.
Because this hell is all your doing.
Amazing, huh?
You monks and your magic powers.
Give it up.
I said, it's hopeless.
What's so special about being alive anyway?
Hey...
I don't care whether you're after monks or demons...
but cut this in-between crap.
This is the end.
What?
This will be my last deed as a monk.
Tough little brat.
Tetsukichi.
Where's the Demon Slayer?
Prince Shanao.
Benkei has begun to move.
I could feel it.
He has finally realized what he really is.
Tonight, your escorts come to take you to our stronghold.
I would gladly lay down my life to save yours.
Shoshinbo.
Don't fret so.
After my duel, we'll join our forces in the East.
And I'll assume my appointed name, 'Yoshitsune Genji'.
You honor me with your acceptance.
And the duel, where will it be?
Where else...
but Gojoe.
Just stay down and watch the kid.
That's my sword!
You still don't understand?
The wrath of the heavens are upon him!
Now I'll show you the fury of a real demon.
Prince Shanao!
Old man...
Old man!
Where are you?
Old man?
Come on!
Hey!
You tough little brat!
Comrade Shoshinbo! What is the meaning of this?
What's happening on Gojoe?
There was an incident with the Heike...
but now everything has been made clear.
Gentlemen.
The lost son of Yoshitomo, Prince Shanao!
Your Highness.
Yes.
Hereafter, I shall rule as Yoshitsune Genji.
And here with His Highness...
the most famous warrior monk in Kyoto, now aligned to the Genji clan...
Musashibo Benkei.
Benkei!
Where are you?
Benkei!
Where are you?
Benkei!
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