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.
Twentieth Year of the Keichou Era, Osaka The Summer Campaign
Otoshi! Where is Otoshi?!
Answer... Answer me!
A woman!
There's another woman up here!
Impudent fools!
Don't you know who I am?
Otoshi?
Senhime-sama, are you all right?
I'm fine. What of you, Otoshi?
Otoshi...
What are those clothes?
Who are you?
I am Namenba of Otoshi, an Iga ninja.
Edo Castle
Lord Tadanaga is nowhere to be found in his mansion.
As we speak, my men are searching the Takasaki Castle region thoroughly.
It's useless!
Most likely, Suruga-sama is in there.
Tell Hadaebou immediately.
The Heavenly Robe Sees Carnage
Those guys from Kishuu even brought cannons.
Even Joujin won't last a second against that army.
Perhaps nothing will be left for us to do.
I don't know about that...
Please put your weapons away.
Who's there?!
Namenba-dono, could you please ask them?
Sheesh... You again?
Someone you know?
We are actually quite close.
Right, Namenba-dono?
You could say that... Maybe.
So? What do you want?
I have come to ask you to capture the Murakumo.
The Murakumo?
That castle on the other side of the Kinokawa River.
You seem to know everything that's going on.
But who are you?
If you've come to ask us a favor,
why not tell us who you are, and then ask politely?
I'm sorry, Gorone-dono.
My name is...
This is Hadaebou.
One of Tenkai's dogs.
Tenkai?
You've come to use us again, right?
Use you? Not at all.
You also wish to defeat the Joujinshuu, yes?
And if Joujin isn't stopped,
a terrifying demon king will revive.
And the civil wars will return.
You mean Nobunaga?
So it seems.
They plan to use a revived Lord Nobunaga
to turn this world into a living hell.
This plan must be stopped.
If you want to stop it so much, why not do it yourself?
We work behind the scenes and have no power of our own.
We are far better suited to spying.
We are willing to share
all of the information we've learned with the Iga and Kouga.
You're willing to let others shed blood,
but wish to shed none of yours.
Isn't that what you're really thinking?
Agreed.
Hadaebou, no matter what you say,
we will never be your pawns again.
Do you feel the same, Namenba-dono?
I see.
It seems giving you some time to think would be best.
I shall return.
And when I do, I expect a favorable answer.
As for today...
I shall be going.
Looks like he's gone.
I don't like that guy.
Namenba, could you help me with repairs to the Ashura?
"Ashura" is one heck of a fancy name.
That's the god who fought Taishakuten.
What that guy...
What Hadaebou said...
That the civil wars would return?
I wouldn't mind.
The ninjas would be needed again.
Are you serious?
It's what you wanted, too.
Besides,
those of us who died must be avenged.
Yes, but...
Nobunaga's going to come back, huh?
Is that true?
He died a long time ago. Why would he come back?
Don't ask me...
Anyway, there's no sense in staring at each other here.
Wait. Where are you going?
The battle between Kishuu and the Murakumo will soon begin.
I want to see who wins.
I'll come, too.
And me.
You stay here with Hibiki, Rui.
That Hadaebou guy might come back.
Okay.
My thoughts haven't changed.
If they intend to drag you into some kind of insane battle,
I'll drive them off.
Can I eat this?
Hmm? Sure, I guess.
Hey...
If you hang around the shop in that armor, customers will stay away!
Everyone's too busy watching the war.
They won't come here, anyway.
Hey, samurai! Want to place a bet on the winner?
I'm betting one shu on Kishuu.
Same, but I'll bet two shu.
I'll put one bun on Kishuu, too.
Huh?
Samurai?
Th-They've brought barbarians' cannons!
Don't worry, Suruga-sama.
The Kishuu's cannons are mere toys.
What?
Indeed...
Compared to the Murakumo's cannons.
Cannons...
This mechanical castle has cannons?
Isn't... that enough?
That's enough...
Seventeen Years Ago
For generations, my family
has been tasked with saving nobility from castles as they fell.
I have been waiting to save you, if you required it, Senhime-sama.
I married into the Toyotomis.
I am Hideyori-sama's wife.
I cannot escape and abandon my husband!
Hideyori-sama and Ochacha no Kata-sama have already committed seppuku.
Look below.
The battle is over.
Anything beyond will be simple slaughter.
And only you can end it,
granddaughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
No one but you can.
Come.
Let us go.
Senhime-sama, don't let go!
Is that...
A girl!
There's a girl here!
Sakazaki Naomori
Is that...
Senhime-sama!
There's no mistake! It's Senhime-sama!
Someone, bring a litter!
Senhime-sama is here!
Is anyone here alive?
A celestial maiden...
She was so beautiful...
That white robe... was so bright.
I hope... she takes me, too.
Beyond that blue sky...
Yeah, I'll take you there...
Beyond that blue sky.
What do you think, Suruga-sama?
Absolutely astonishing...
With these cannons, Japan can be mine.
What are you doing?
Can't you tell?
They're keeping everyone waiting, while they play Go!
Both of you, why aren't you preparing for war?
I was waiting for you, Namenba.
I made this, based on Utsutsu's drawings.
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.
Why am I naked?
You know, it's pretty well-made.
While they do,
Saizou, Utsutsu, and Shikibu take out the Murakumo's cannons.
They'll throw explosives into the cannon ports.
The Murakumo's structure
suggests that gunpowder is stored directly behind.
If it works...
Ka-boom.
And me?
Stay in the village and protect Hibiki with me.
Namenba, you supervise the mission.
If there's a problem,
give the signal to retreat.
Got it.
Then it's settled.
Even if we do succeed in drawing the Rain away,
if the Joujinshuu are inside, won't they try to attack?
We don't know what kinds of techniques they'll use.
True.
Last time, you all almost died.
The man outside can answer this for us, I'm sure.
Oh, dear... You saw me?
Who's there?
It's all right, Hachisu.
Put the gun down.
I am so very happy that you have decided to help us.
I shall tell you all that I know about the Joujinshuu.
Let's hear what you have to say about their techniques.
This looks absolutely nothing like me.
Edo Castle
We've received a report that the Kishuu armies were wiped out.
Their army was supposed to be huge!
They say that the enemy used powerful cannons.
All the western daimyos loyal to the Toyotomis are preparing to rise up.
And if the rumors are true,
the Sakai merchants are gathering huge amounts of money to lend them.
Wh-What?
Calm down!
Tenkai!
You must not be deceived by rumors.
That is what the enemy desires.
Tenkai, do you have a plan?
I have sent a group of peerless ninjas.
Ninjas?
I am certain they will succeed.
Simply await good news.
Why did you change your mind?
I never want to go through that again.
Hadaebou-dono, how goes it?
Inform His Holiness Tenkai.
The Kouga and Iga have agreed to help.
The operation begins tomorrow, at 6:00 PM.
And one more thing...
I know. I completely agree.
Yes, sir.
If Tadanaga-sama cannot be saved...
His life is to be taken.
That old man is a harsh master.
You, hated by the Kurokuwa leader and driven out...
The time has come for you to be useful.
Who's there?
Fulfill the task I give you,
and you will be free.
Preview
Renouncing violence against all living beings, harming not a single one,
you would not wish for offspring.
So how, then, for a companion?
Wander alone, like a rhinoceros.
Like a Rhinoceros