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.
So... The soldiers called the Rain surround this giant thing.
And here's the plan.
Shichigen and Rui go around, to the back, to draw them away.
While they do,
Saizou, Utsutsu, and Shikibu take out the Murakumo's cannons.
They'll throw explosives into the cannon ports.
If it works...
The Wind Blows Through the Pines
Hachirou is here?
Yes. I'm sure of it.
I didn't see him, but if you say so...
I think so, too.
Hibiki, do you also want to go?
They've already come after this place once.
It's actually more dangerous for her to stay here.
Yeah.
Hachisu, don't forget Gorouza.
Hey, Gorone...
Hachisu is correct.
We cannot assume it's safe here.
We'll use everything we have.
Once the new Saibougu is tuned up, we leave.
Wait!
Let's go, Shichigen.
We need to get there soon.
Before autumn ends.
Can you see them?
Seven, eight, nine...
I can see at least ten.
Let's go.
Just as planned, we'll draw the Rain away.
If it works, I'll give the signal.
Until then...
I know.
Shikibu...
Your saying about the rhinoceros continues past what you quoted.
"For a sociable person, there is affection;
on the heels of affection comes this pain.
Seeing affection's perils,
wander alone, like a rhinoceros."
Does that mean...
Hibiki, you think the same?
It seems to be referring to the Ouka.
If the two of you created that technique,
you and Hachirou can change it.
If loving and caring for another created a ninja technique,
then will the Ouka truly bring nothing but misery?
Can we reach them at this range?
We're upwind, fortunately.
It'll be fine.
Once you use your technique, fall back immediately.
I'll take over.
Right.
Riflemen?
The Rain has riflemen?
The ones who attacked us were decoys?
We intended to lure them out, but instead, they lured us in...
I didn't smell the gunpowder.
That's why they waited downwind.
We can't count on Saizou's eyeballs, either.
I had no idea the Rain were even there.
You're...
Yeah, they got me in the left thigh.
I know that autumn can be a painful thing,
but I shall never tire
of the sound of the bell crickets.
Now... Help me walk.
Did they leave?
I guess.
Where's the bullet?
It went clean through, I think.
It was just a graze...
I pray to Avalokiteśvara and petition her aid.
What did you pray to Avalokiteśvara for?
That she would watch over this journey.
And...
And?
That autumn... would never end.
Are you cold?
No.
But your arms and legs are so cold.
I'm fine.
I, Shichigen, am the child of a samurai.
I see.
"I know that autumn can be a painful thing,
but I shall never tire of the sound of the bell crickets."
You love that poem, don't you, Mother?
I suppose I do.
An acquaintance of your father's is staying in Kouga until autumn.
He has connections to Kishuu Domain.
And if we can meet him,
perhaps you can be an officer, someday.
Watch this, Mother.
Wow, Shichigen!
No, it didn't work.
I tried to silence them for longer.
It seems like it worked to me!
To be able to do such a thing, even for an instant...
Perhaps it's your bloodline, you and your father's...
Father? My father can control insects, too?
Yes...
It's quiet again.
No one said anything about them having rifles.
Let's hurry, Shikibu.
No need to tell me twice.
Well, can you see anything?
Nothing's moving anywhere.
What were those fires we saw, then?
Are Rui and Shichigen all right?
Calm down, damn it.
Wait for the signal.
Fool.
Shichigen!
Stupid brat...
I won't hold back any more!
You should be more forgiving of children.
Please forgive him.
Who... are you?
Merely a traveling woman.
Very well.
My father was a ninja.
What?
Did you dream of something while you were passed out?
Maybe...
I heard you were from a samurai family, anyway.
That was what my mother said.
Let's go.
Yeah.
And she even had ninja techniques,
which she used to save me.
And all I could do was slow her down.
Rifles!
An ambush?
Seems so.
But that's fine.
It means they're coming after us...
Because they haven't noticed Saizou's group.
We've achieved our objective.
How can you be so calm?
They're upwind, knowing that we'll smell their gunpowder.
They're worried about your technique.
They won't get close.
We can't use your butterflies.
I'll buy you time.
While I do, run.
Shichigen!
I'll never let anyone else pay the price for my failure.
Who's there?
Don't be in such a hurry, Shichigen.
Hachirou...
You came to save us!
You've decided to help us?
I've come to avenge the Five Treasures.
That's all.
You haven't changed...
Well, either way,
we must get through this, first.
Shichigen, help me with your technique.
At this range and in this darkness, I can't use my eye magic.
Unless I can get closer.
So, when you summon the insects, I'll go with them to get close.
Your eye magic is as impressive as ever.
As is Shichigen's technique.
Very few ninjas achieve his level of mastery over insects.
I named the technique "Wind Through the Pines."
The wind that blows through the pines...
I know that autumn can be a painful thing,
but I shall never tire of the sound of the bell crickets.
I know...
that autumn can be a painful thing,
but I shall never tire
of the sound... of the bell crickets.
Can you hear it, Mother?
The bell crickets are still crying.
Let's go...
Let's go together, Mother.
Autumn isn't over yet.
Preview
A father risked his life,
praying that his daughter would master her technique.
But the young girl has no way to know how he felt.
Utsutsu Dreams of Hell
You would name this useless technique "Dreaming Wakefulness"?