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.
It was rude of me to do so,
but I tested your skills.
The Dainagon of Suruga wishes to speak to you.
Edo Castle
Tadanaga's Change of Heart
Suruga-sama was sent to Kouzuke?
That's the story...
Forced exile at Kofu wasn't good enough for the shogun.
That's what Iemitsu-sama said?
The story of their animosity is well-known.
Hey...
I'm helping you, so no yawning.
But it's an awful story.
Two brothers, hating each other.
The destiny between them is that powerful.
It's possible that what happened was also...
You see, it's something I've been thinking about.
Joujinshuu
Four years ago, Gei'in's last message
said that the Kurokuwa and Joujinshuu attacked them.
The Kurokuwa are servants of the shogun.
And they attacked Suruga-sama.
Which means...
Impossible.
They did so at the shogun's order.
At least, Suruga-sama might make that assumption.
No, most likely anyone would.
Indeed. The fact that it's so obvious is what worries me.
Perhaps the goal was to make Suruga-sama think that,
to turn his heart to evil.
To evil?
Treason, for example.
If he had even the slightest thoughts of it,
that would give the shogun an excuse to crush him.
So...
No way.
I'd like to think he wouldn't go that far.
But if Joujin was behind this...
It wouldn't be difficult for him to control the Kurokuwa.
Did he and the shogun have a connection?
If we knew that, we could narrow down the possible moves
the Joujinshuu could make.
Then, ask the shogun.
It isn't that easy.
If you want into Edo Castle,
I do have a way.
Intruder. We, the Kurokuwa of Iga, will defeat you.
Did you think to cut the threads we hang from?
My lord... My lord...
The Kurokuwa have returned.
The ninjas?
What of them?
Have you forgotten?
You ordered them to delay Suruga-sama.
Suruga? Tadanaga?
Why would I... delay Tadanaga?
Do you have any message for Joujin-dono?
Who is that?
I don't know that name.
Farewell, then.
Forget all that has happened tonight. And rest.
Intruder!
My lord! Are you all right?
Intruders! Everyone, get them!
My lord, wake up!
It seems you wasted your time...
I believe it's better for both of us if we make no noise.
Was that your doing, as well?
It's a pleasure to meet you,
Namenba-dono, of Iga.
Houren?
Gorone-san said it could be seen as one...
What's a houren?
A carriage the emperor rides in.
But it could also be a castle.
I wonder if it's Portuguese.
I don't know...
But it's good for bringing customers in.
During the three days since it appeared, our sales have gone way up.
But who's in it, really?
The Joujinshuu.
Impossible. Are you saying they made it?
I don't know. But I feel something bad in it.
Something bad?
Just like when they came.
Then, we shouldn't just be staring at it.
Shouldn't we go talk to the men?
No.
They're gone. They have been since yesterday.
Gone?
Gone how?
Don't ask me.
Then, we'll do it ourselves—
Wait.
I may just be imagining it.
Yeah...
And if it's a castle, we should wait for Namenba.
But she isn't here.
Let's wait.
She said she'll be here before the cherry blossoms bloom.
But...
This is an order from me, as leader.
Takasaki Castle
Tadanaga's Residence
Well done.
I am glad you have come.
Yes, my lord.
Relax.
I have no title and no territory now.
Have you heard why you've been called here?
No.
I have come here as part of my duty,
as former leader of the Five Treasures of Kouga.
Former, eh?
I am sorry for what I did to them.
That is a ninja's duty.
Indeed.
You know the one called "Joujin," yes?
The one who slew the Five Treasures of Kouga and the Five Flowers of Iga.
When it happened...
When the Five Treasures were defeated...
I was there.
I am aware.
I see.
They defeated the Five Treasures and the Five Flowers
simply to show me their power.
Indeed.
To demonstrate our power to you.
Joujin captured me, and he pushed me to do a certain thing!
Have you heard the stories?
That this thing appeared near Kinokawa?
He calls it "Murakumo."
Going to look at it?
Don't make noise...
Is it all right to leave that thing?
What do you think?
Right?
We should definitely go and investigate it.
If we learn it has nothing to do with the Joujinshuu,
that's the end of it, right?
But Hibiki said not to go.
We'll just go for a bit and come right back.
Isn't it better for Hibiki
that we know what that is, so she needn't worry?
Why not offer an imperial carriage to Mount Kouya in my mother's memory?
That is what Joujin suggested, and I gave him much money to do it,
thinking it would help my mother.
This was six years ago.
To be honest, I'd almost forgotten.
But...
Now, you find this?
Does that look like an imperial carriage to you?!
It's a castle!
And they made such a thing during
my father's mourning period!
Why would he make such a thing?
I don't know...
I don't know.
A castle was constructed without the Shogunate's knowledge,
and I paid for it.
If people learn this, what am I to say then?!
Joujin slew the Five Treasures and Five Flowers
just to raise money from you for an imperial carriage?
For that, alone?
What are you trying to say?
That's right...
Considering you to be an enemy would be suicide.
I would not use my techniques on my lord.
I knew it. I can't hide it from you.
Only you and I are here.
Hachirou, tell no one what I am about to say.
Understood?
As you wish.
Only you two?
That lord's a liar.
It's true... It's true that Joujin
encouraged me to rebel against my brother.
He promised that he would keep my mother alive...
The forest.
Yes, unless the forest is moved, failure is impossible.
He deceived me!
True, my mother's health improved then.
But less than six months later...
And... the forest!
The forest?
The forest moved!
Two years ago, I went to inspect my territory
and was resting at Sengen Shrine.
I was tired from my travels, and in a bit of a dreamy haze.
The forest around the shrine...
It moved?
Indeed.
It came right for me!
I-Impossible...
The forest can't move!
My lord!
Monkeys! They're monkeys!
What? Monkeys?
My lord, this way.
Curse you, monkeys...
You monkeys think that you, beasts, can...
can mock me?!
My lord...
Kill them! Fire your arrows!
W-Wait, my lord.
These monkeys are holy beasts, messengers of the gods!
I don't care...
It must not move.
The forest must not move!
M-My lord!
Hachirou, laugh at me, please.
Joujin told me that, unless the forest moved, it wouldn't happen.
And... And it moved!
What else could this be but the punishment of heaven?!
Joujin... He's a demon.
I was a fool...
I can never be such a fool again!
Hachirou, will you destroy that castle, Murakumo?
Destroy the five Joujinshuu and burn it to the ground!
Not just for me!
For the Tokugawa! For the safety of Japan!
I refuse.
Wh-What?
I'm sorry, but don't try to take advantage of us, further.
What? What?
What did you say?!
Have you forgotten?
In the nineteenth year of Keichou,
eighteen of the best Iga and Kouga ninjas
died for nothing more than to determine the Tokugawa clan's next heir.
That isn't all.
The Five Treasures and Five Flowers
died for you, a fool who thought of treason.
And young ninjas were almost killed, as well.
We ninjas refuse to sacrifice ourselves for the likes of the Tokugawa!
"The likes of the Tokugawa"?
Scum, how dare you say that?
I've told you my deepest thoughts!
But you would refuse me?!
You won't return alive!
Connect with my eyes!
Saizou?
Surprised, Hachirou?
My techniques have also improved...
I call this technique "Hundred Eyes."
Fool! He's over there!
Will you still fight?
If so, you will only suffer for nothing.
My lord, if we let him go,
the Shogunate will learn of your feelings.
No...
That cannot happen.
Kill him...
Kill him.
Kill him!
Preview
The evil castle is called Murakumo,
and it stands, tall and dark, in the forest.
Women search out its mysteries,
and men seek their master.
The Advent of Joujin
And now, everything begins to move.