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.
Eighteen Years Earlier
Edo Castle
Ninjas?
Priest, you would use ninjas
to decide the third Tokugawa shogun?
Indeed...
The struggle between the factions of the eldest, Takechiyo,
and those of the younger, Kunichiyo, has grown enough to be a threat.
Normally, as befits a samurai family,
Tenkai
it would be possible to settle things with ten rounds of dueling.
But it would be a shame to lose Tokugawa samurai over a matter like this.
And thus, ninjas?
If we use ninjas,
even if all were to die in a sea of blood...
We're on the ship now.
Just accept it.
I know.
Advent of Joujin
My lord, please calm yourself.
I, Bunnoshin,
have set a second and third layer of traps for him.
A second and third layer?
Yes, my lord.
The next trap is "the ears."
The ears?
I have picked someone with excellent ears to be our archery commander.
With his ears, he can locate a foe,
using only footsteps and other sounds.
I see.
Then, they will be unaffected by Hachirou's eye magic.
How many bowmen are there?
Twenty, in all.
Twenty arrows over the wall
are too much for even a monstrous ninja to survive.
I know that autumn can be a painful thing, but I shall never tire of the sound
of the bell crickets.
Shichigen...
The archers were wiped out?
Yes, my lord.
They failed to strike the wicked Hachirou with even a single arrow.
Bunnoshin!
B-But we still have the third layer.
The rifleman.
However...
Have you forgotten?
Gorouza the Hawk accompanies the rifleman.
Oh, he does?
Indeed, my lord.
Gorouza the Hawk was the best student of Otowanokido,
who shot Oda Nobunaga in the forest of Aekunimyoujin.
I am told he surpasses even his master.
I had the opportunity to see his skill, only once.
He downed a rainbird, flying faster than the eye could see,
with a single shot.
I have heard those rumors.
Then, Gorouza is with us?
It would be impossible for him to miss.
Stay here and await good news.
I shall!
I'm thirsty. Bring tea.
No, sake! Prepare sake!
Yes, my lord. Please wait a moment.
He's far away.
Aim carefully.
Stop.
I don't want to kill you.
Are you with him?
Fire!
I told you I didn't want to kill you...
Hachirou...
Shikibu?
Wind...
Southeast to northwest 3.
Adjustment 1.5,
mixed, to the west...
The murderous intent is gone.
We're fine.
His eyes were too good, and cost him his life?
Wait! Where are you going?
Hachirou, why do you ignore us?
Why do you sneak around, all by yourself?
That's right. We were worried about you...
Say something!
Shichigen. Shikibu.
I will avenge the Five Treasures and our friends in the village.
That is my job.
Hachirou, you're our leader.
Our job is to protect you and your bloodline!
It's fine...
Let him go.
Saizou...
Just doing what the boss tells us to do is also our job.
Utsutsu and Rui are gone?
Yeah. I can't find them anywhere.
It's time to open the shop soon.
They must've gone to check out that big thing.
Even Rui?
I told her to stay here until Namenba returned...
Until I what?
Namenba!
What are you doing?
Making a drawing.
Gorone might be able to learn something about its structure or weaknesses.
Someone's coming!
Just farmers.
Wait.
I'll take a bowl.
Coming up!
The soba here is quite good.
Is that you, Gobo?
Thanks to you,
I went through quite the mess.
Nonsense...
Suruga-sama's forces can't be that dangerous.
I didn't have the slightest concern
that you would easily defeat them.
I failed to mention that
I am High Priest Tenkai's ninja monk.
I was simply getting close to Suruga-sama by his order.
Tenkai?
Here, you—
Um...
It looks like the rain didn't last.
Thanks. It was good.
You're welcome.
Saizou.
Why did you let Hachirou go?
I can't accept it!
Hey, Saizou!
Are you listening?
What was that for?
Answer me!
Didn't you help Hachirou because you wanted him to come back?!
You and I play the game differently.
You never make any damn sense!
Don't fight!
I think he wants no blood to be shed but his own.
He's always cared about us, ever since he was a kid.
Normally, a ninja leader tells his men to go and die for him.
So two weirdos were drawn to each other, huh?
Don't you think it's interesting?
Weird ninjas protecting their weird ninja leader.
You can't use an established playbook with that...
The game won't go the way it should.
You're so stubborn.
Anyway, back to the tea stand.
Something is bothering me.
You didn't get to eat your soba noodles.
Since you mentioned the name Tenkai, I won't talk with you.
He was the one who created the battle between Iga and Kouga.
Your mortal enemy, then?
That's very narrow-minded.
Narrow-minded?
Who is the enemy you now face?
Please think carefully.
If you want to defeat that foe,
you have no need for long-forgotten grudges.
It's all just an old story for you.
So you want me to forget everything and help you?
The Joujinshuu are our common enemy.
If you can promise us your aid,
we can start repaying you
by giving you some of Joujin's secrets.
Joujin's secrets?
Indeed.
I'm not interested.
You're intending to lie and use us again, aren't you?
We aren't your pawns!
How awful...
This is just terrible.
Yes, it is brutal.
But that is the destiny of the ninja.
Hachirou, you will be the leader of these ninjas.
You will need to be ready to sacrifice them,
if the situation demands.
I don't want to.
Hachirou...
I refuse!
If you will not leave me alone...
I thought your eye magic would be useless
against one who didn't consider you an enemy.
Hundreds of years ago,
a monk traveled to Sòng, where he performed a prayer for rain.
His name was Joujin.
They say his power caused the rain to fall...
No, it was probably a coincidence.
But isn't that somewhat eerie?
It is said that Joujin
has many other soldiers beyond the Five.
They are called the Rain.
Utsutsu, this is bad.
There are more.
Let's go back.
Rui, I'll charge in.
Follow me.
Got it, Utsutsu!
Utsutsu, wait!
This way!
How far are you going?
Where else?
To the pier with the boat.
Wait, Utsutsu...
Utsutsu, wait!
Don't leave me.
Utsutsu, where are you?
Over here, Rui!
Over here, Rui.
The Rain has arrived.
You say all the riflemen are dead?
Yes, my lord!
And Gorouza the Hawk?
Yes, my lord!
Oh, dear...
Who's there?!
Perhaps, now, your treason will be revealed.
Damn you—
Hello again, Suruga-sama.
Wh-Who are you?
Oh, my. Have you forgotten me?
Suruga-sama, it is I.
Joujin...
Preview
A failed young man, who once wanted to be king, finds his heart in distress.
The Kouga and Iga gather once more,
and head for Murakumo Castle.
The Butterfly Dances
And dance...