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.
We will begin after sunset,
Like a Rhinoceros
but we'll head there now and wait.
That's fine, right?
Yeah, seems fine.
Then, I'll get things ready at the tea shop.
I'll be back before nightfall.
Okay, I'll go, too.
There, it goes...
What, is it broken?
The fastener flew off.
It's gotten too small again.
Saizou, can you do this without Shikibu?
Yeah... I suppose.
It's just the knee piece, right?
Can't he do without it?
No.
Come to the shed with me.
Should I help?
No, you should follow the plan.
Hibiki... Hachisu. Help me.
So you've gotten more muscular again.
Sorry.
There's no reason to apologize.
That's just your body. You can't help it.
Yeah.
Take everything off.
I see.
Could you two leave for a minute?
But you can stay, if you really want to see Shikibu naked.
Looks like the whole thing needs adjusting.
There's a barn out back...
The old Saibougu is on one of the shelves.
It's tighter than what you have,
but if you don't move, it'll be fine.
Just wear it and stay put.
Okay.
First...
Go take a bath.
You kind of stink.
But...
Thirty minutes or so will do.
Your body won't explode.
What was that about?
His body exploding without this.
Oh...
This armor's purpose isn't merely to protect him from attacks.
It's more important than that.
It's a lifeline, you could say.
A lifeline?
If he doesn't use this to compress his body,
his body will explode and kill him.
The muscle inside his body is too powerful for his skin, perhaps.
It seems he was born this way.
There's an old saying about wandering alone, like a rhinoceros.
A rhinoceros?
A rhinoceros is a huge, one-horned beast that lives in India.
They don't form packs, and never look any direction but forward.
And they only move straight ahead.
The Buddha compared them to monks trying to achieve enlightenment.
And that's...
Yes, wander alone, like a rhinoceros.
That's the origin of the name "Saibougu," or "Rhino Armor."
Saibougu — Rhino Armor
It's the armor to protect him, as he goes through life alone.
Someone's here.
We're surrounded.
Seems so.
One in the shadow of the far-right tree.
One in the forest behind.
And one more. A big one!
If there are only three, leave it to Hachisu.
We need to repair the Saibougu, as quickly as possible, and give it to Shikibu.
Right.
One more.
What is it?
The sounds are retreating.
Then Hachisu drove them off.
Let's hurry.
Yeah.
Where is he?
Nope.
You think you did well to get me away from that shed, right?
It's the other way around.
My target wasn't that girl named Hibiki.
But her follower. You.
What's wrong?
You aren't going to shoot?
Wait, Hibiki!
Shikibu?
Killing me isn't easy.
The bullets from my Lotus Root Gun didn't hurt him...
Strikes probably won't, either.
You're also a monster, aren't you?
What's wrong, monster?
You okay, Hachisu?!
Let's retreat... for now.
Don't stop working.
We're trapped!
Hey!
It's crazy, Shikibu!
There's a gap, so let's just wait.
I see.
Your body...
You heard?
You should've said something.
I thought it would creep everyone out.
I didn't want you guys to leave me.
Fool.
But... that's what had to happen.
This is my punishment... for wanting to be with everyone.
Wh-What are you talking about?
I've killed many people... So many...
So this is my punishment.
Renouncing violence against all living beings, harming not a single one.
What's wrong?
Hurry!
A wrap! Get him a new wrap!
It seems he was working with it loose again.
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...
You can't kill living things. I understand that.
I'm careful not to step even on ants.
Good to hear!
Priest...
But why can't I have friends?
Why do I have to live alone?
Wander alone, like a rhinoceros.
Those were the Buddha's words to those who would follow his path.
Those who would live as his priests
must want neither children nor friends, and live alone.
I can't play with anyone?
You must not want to.
I can't be friends with anyone?
You must not wish for them.
Wander alone.
Wander alone, like a rhinoceros.
Endlessly repeat those words in your heart.
Stupid...
"Wander alone"? What?
What's the point of letting those words rule your life?
You want to be with everyone, right?
You want to protect our leader, right?
If someone wants to kill our leader, you have to kill them, right?
So...
Whether you're punished or not, no sense in worrying about it.
It's our job.
I'm ashamed to say it, but I must leave it to you.
Don't forget that I have my own magic.
I don't sense them anymore.
This is bad...
It's hitting me.
It sure hurts...
It hurts!
Where?
Where does it hurt most?
Here?
What?
It hurts, right?
My body's disgusting, isn't it?
I'm like a... monster, right?
Just tell me.
Where does it hurt most?
So you're Hibiki?
Don't worry.
I was told not to kill you.
But...
I see...
So you're...
The Kouga...
Hachirou...
Hachirou!
We were apart for so long,
but it was like we were always together!
So I thought I didn't need to see you anymore...
But...
You came to fight the Joujinshuu, didn't you?
Let's fight together!
Hachisu said that if we could control our power,
we might be able to do something incredible!
You know, I was told to be a great kunoichi,
to strengthen my skills for our leader's sake.
Ever since I was a kid.
But it didn't work at all.
I couldn't use any techniques well.
So this was all I could rely on.
But if I can do my job,
it's nobody's business how I do it, is it?
Because it's all I can do.
So, I don't know how to say it, but...
There's no need to let another's words rule your life, is there?
Shikibu, are you okay?
I guess...
Hurry!
He thought...
he pierced my true heart, but...
My skin's thickness turned the blade aside.
I told you, killing me isn't easy.
It isn't easy...
It isn't easy to kill anyone!
But...
Do you think... I'm gonna get punished... again?
If you do, that's fine.
We'll suffer it together.
Preview
A child journeys with its mother.
But the journey has an end that no one wishes for.
I know that autumn can be a painful thing,
The Wind Blows Through the Pines
but I shall never tire of the sound of the bell crickets.