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.
Suruga-sama is still Suruga-sama.
That will never change, no matter what.
I see.
The perfect puppet.
And your job is to save him before that happens, Hadaebou.
If he cannot be saved, his life is to be taken.
That is what Tenkai told you to do, yes?
Murakumo Must Be Destroyed
You bastard...
I already told you that your eye magic will not work on me.
Your plan was to attack me, suddenly,
provoking an instant desire to harm you.
Something a child would dream up.
Feel free to try it again.
See whether your eye magic works
as I push this blade through your chest.
Then, I don't need my eye magic!
I'll kill you with my sword!
You think you can kill me?
What's wrong?
Out of breath already?
Are you hurt?
Worry about Hachirou, not me.
Hachirou is here.
We thought he might be here...
Did he go to Murakumo on his own?
Where did you see him?
Near the eastern forest.
We were being chased by Rain riflemen.
Hachisu...
Yes, leave it to me.
Shikibu, you take care of this.
Right. Let's go, Hibiki.
I hope your plan is working...
I don't know.
The enemy probably knew that we'd attempt a diversion.
Then, why?
Sometimes, even in a damezumari, a new move will reveal itself.
A damezumari?
A term from Go.
When you and the enemy are in the midst of a chaotic battle,
unexpected moves can appear.
While the enemy focuses on the battle right in front of them...
Namenba, that's your cue.
But everyone won't...
They should send the signal soon.
Saizou, isn't there anything we can do?
Shut up. I'm thinking.
I guess we'll try it.
Suruga-sama...
Rui, take Shichigen and ready the boat.
We're retreating?
It's an important job. Do it, please.
Shichigen...
Okay.
There's something I want to see.
Utsutsu, fire the cannon for me.
What's the point of doing the same thing over again?
Now, hurry... Please get out of here.
I'm not going back.
Why?
Joujin is only using you.
Once he's done with you,
you'll just be killed!
I'm not going back.
If you insist on not returning,
His Excellency Tenkai has told me to take your life on the spot.
Are you certain?
I'm not going back.
This is another fake...
Again?
Did you hear that?
As suspected, the inhabitants of Chiyoda Castle intend to slay you.
I have seen your true intentions!
Return and tell Tenkai that I will rule Japan with Joujin!
Suruga-sama...
Even if it was an illusion, he still slew it without hesitation.
Suruga-sama, ruling is a cruel thing, is it not?
Return and tell them about how terrifying we Joujinshuu are.
Join me.
What?
What are you planning?
We no longer have cause to defeat the leader of the Five Treasures.
Our goal has been achieved.
Then why try to convince me to join?
Betrayal is the way of the world.
Normally, ninjas act for their own benefit.
Stop letting hatred and the desire for vengeance blind you.
Tell me what you want.
I do not act for myself.
You— no, the two of you, your bloodline.
We want the blood flowing through the veins of Kouga Hachirou and Iga Hibiki.
Even you would use me... use us?!
Your other choice is to die by my blade.
Don't underestimate me, monster!
Monster, am I?
Doesn't the same word apply to you two?
You have the power of monsters and demons,
the power to set the world alight!
Enough talk.
I will give you another chance.
Join me.
Enough!
Fool!
Hachirou!
Hibiki!
Kujaku. Can you hear me, Kujaku?
Joujin-sama?
Fire the Shiroku cannon in the direction of the eastern hill,
where Hachirou and his ninjas are.
The Shiroku cannon?
Won't that kill them?
If it does, they were of no value to us, anyway.
As you wish.
The cannon's changing direction!
It's moving toward...
Toward us!
Run along the river!
Or else you'll be caught in landslides!
Shikibu!
That light... It can't be...
Ouka?
So they used it?
Gorone?
Is that it?
Shichigen, is that...
Ouka...
Splendid!
I will say it, once more.
Entrust me with your power.
Come and join me.
Stop it.
In your condition, if you use it again,
you could die.
You would sacrifice your own lives, then?
Magoroku!
Joujin-sama!
Splendid!
I can understand Joujin-sama's obsession!
Hachirou! Hibiki!
I'm counting on you, Utsutsu!
Right!
Sheesh. They finally gave up, huh?
Joujin-sama!
I'm fine.
No need to worry.
Joujin-sama, this is the second time they've used Ouka.
But they appear not to have mastered it yet.
They will need time.
When the time is right, we can simply acquire them.
As you ordered,
we sent Tenkai's servant, Hadaebou, home alive.
Very well.
Tenkai will be quite flustered.
Joujin!
If you left Hadaebou alive, that may as well be a declaration of war!
I say we cross the river now and begin our assault.
There's no need for such a hurry.
Strategy is an important part of war.
First, we need to cause them to panic.
Th-That's true, but...
Where is Kujaku?
He's playing on top of the cannon.
All these years, and he still has the heart of a child.
If this fails, it's over.
We only have one cannonball.
Right.
Let's go!
They keep doing the same thing!
Gorone!
Go, Namenba!
Stupid!
I knew it!
There's a gap when he can't use his time reversal!
Namenba!
4-12! Black Kite!
The stars have disappeared!
This is...
Let's get out of here!
Preview
Once more, the demon begins to grow.
Higurashi Shichigen sees a memory of his mother, deep within the tunnel.
He sees the truth.
The Shielding Eye is Deceived
And Hibiki...
You...