We look the same, but men call us monsters. If we shadows, which lurk between eras, are destined to die, then I shall fall with the cherry blossoms. Then, I shall fall with the cherry blossoms.
H-Have my eyes gone mad?
Is that really...
Don't make me repeat myself, Hachirou.
The Cherry Blossoms Run Mad
I can't let you go.
We still don't know what we're up against.
And that's why I need to go.
No, you don't. The Five Flowers will soon be here.
Until they arrive...
Do you think they're even alive?
Isn't the enemy here because they were defeated?
If this foe defeated the Five Treasures, then as leader, it is my duty to go.
Enough!
We aren't just trying to protect you because of your position.
We need to protect the techniques,
the power, that you and Hibiki inherited!
That's what's going on here.
Over there.
Right.
What is that monster?!
Don't ask me.
How do we fight something like that?
Don't be a coward.
That's only an illusion.
Just like your technique?
Don't compare them!
Just close your eyes, and it will disappear.
I don't know about that...
The mind of the beholder
is what determines if something is real or an illusion.
Some cannot survive the real world without clinging to an illusion.
Real or illusion, it makes little difference.
You still look unhappy about this.
The only thing that matters is my blood.
Is that what has you out of sorts?
No. It's just...
Remember what you said?
If the world remains at peace,
there may be no need for ninjas.
Then that blood...
That is why, at times, people need something to cling to,
even if it is only an illusion.
Understand that.
If you understand, and still want to do things your own way,
I won't say another word.
Up ahead is a shaft leading downward.
Enter it. It's a shortcut to the mountain.
Got it.
Don't come back until things calm down.
When will that happen?
Got it?
Saizou!
They already know where we are.
Hey! Are you the one that's controlling that monster?
Monster?
How stupid.
Its form, like the gods of India,
only reminds you of a monster?
Shut up.
So, are Hachirou of Kouga
and Hibiki of Iga among you?
It doesn't matter.
If they are, they'll use their eye magic to fight back.
If none of you can do that, you can die.
God or monster, if we can just defeat that old guy...
Yeah. It'll disappear, for sure.
Shikibu, we'll draw it behind the hill. Got it?
Where did he go?
I see...
That's my...
You show your foes impossible things to confuse them.
That is your technique?
But unfortunately, it doesn't work on those who don't see it.
Shut up! You saw it!
I did not.
It simply showed itself on the film in my eyeballs.
What?
If you don't see it again in your mind,
you don't really "see" it.
Wh-What is he saying?
He's saying his eyes are only tools for seeing things?
You, too?!
Your technique cannot kill anyone.
Give back my scarf!
Tell me if what's about to happen is real or an illusion.
That monster isn't an illusion?
Don't ask me!
Your bullet struck it.
Yeah.
I guess it won't follow us farther.
Yeah, but that's all the brains it has.
Shikibu, run!
We got it...
Yeah.
I guess even the Buddha himself wouldn't have seen that trap coming.
But it was reckless.
You caught Hachisu in it, too.
You saved him, right?
I told you, right?
I made an illusion real.
Your techniques are mere child's play.
Ow...
I must have broken something.
Shut up.
Stop talking for once.
I broke a leg and an arm.
Why... is seeing an illusion enough to make us...
It seems...
It seems my heart... wants me to die of this longing.
All the jet-black night...
He comes to me in dreams,
to keep my hopeless passion burning.
My Ninja Technique...
Dreaming Reality!
Oh, my.
So you knew how to make illusions reality, as well?
What was that?
Tch...
He got away, huh?
We're falling back, Shikibu!
Right.
What a... What a lovely sight!
Children pushing themselves to their limits...
You can't help but cry.
Hey, are we really not going back?
Are we really leaving everyone?
We just decided this.
I'll go up first.
If that's what everyone really wants.
Watch out! Get back, Hibiki!
Hachirou, what are you doing?
If I didn't do this, you'd follow me.
I understand how everyone feels, and I'm doing this, anyway.
I'll catch up fast.
I just need to buy time. I can end it before you do.
You dummy!
Wh-What is this?
Is this filthy technique yours?
How childish...
What is her technique, then?
Oh, my!
Ninja Technique: Butterfly.
Your tears are curious.
They have the power to stir the lusts of men?
But girl, you lack the body required to seduce anyone.
You disgusting old man!
It seems you've run out of techniques.
Now, die.
That's...
Kouga Hachirou.
Enough, Neirichiou. Leave.
Hachirou... I'm sorry.
You heard that voice. Get out of here.
And find Utsutsu and Saizou. Then tell Gorone and Namenba.
Okay.
We'll do what you say.
Pathetic.
I see.
Then it's you?
You are... Joujin.
I have beheld the power you gained from Kouga Gennosuke.
Why did you kill the Five Flowers and the Five Treasures?
A good question...
To show our power.
What?
And the last step is to take your heads.
Taking such young lives is a shame.
But when you were born a leader,
that became your destiny.
Why isn't your technique working?
That's what your face seems to say.
No normal man, or even a thunder god,
could kill without the desire to slaughter or harm.
However, perhaps due to my spiritual training,
I can hurt people while my heart remains as calm as a still sea.
Your technique won't work on me.
Ridiculous.
Your swordplay is nothing without your eye magic.
Now, die,
reflecting on the fact that your eye magic failed you.
So you both are here, now.
I leave this in your hands, Yasha Itaru.
Send those two to the underworld at once.
It's the least we can do.
As you wish.
Behold my mirror.
This mirror shows your destiny.
Such old memories, such happy memories.
Can you see the happiness you had when you were younger?
But no one possesses
a destiny full of naught but happiness.
At the end of all you've endured comes
separation, sorrow, and pain.
Eventually, life becomes little but a series of tragedies.
No...
What are you seeing in my mirror?
This is...
Run!
Namenba!
Joujin-sama,
it seems you've taken a liking to them.
It will take several years.
Wait and look forward to that moment.
Thank you, Gorone.
You saved me.
Are you hurt?
You owe me for this one, Namenba.
Tadanaga-sama!
The lord is here!
I'm so glad you're safe.
It was only six months after this
that the former shogun's wife, Oeyo, passed away.
Preview
Time passes,
and those who lurk in shadow continue training their techniques.
How should one rid oneself of earthly desire?
Perhaps it is best done now,
Evil Clouds Begin to Stir
right here.