Bro, what's the big hurry?
Dororo.
-What's wrong? -Nothing.
Let's go.
Out of our way!
Those guys are probably Asakura scouts.
They came from the direction of Daigo's land.
-I see. -Wait, bro!
I have a really bad feeling about this.
No matter.
My body is in Daigo's land.
Betrayed this world
And it simmers within
Rupturing my innards
Swelling a reddish black
Until the sun burnt skin ruptures
There is a light in the depths of the seething darkness
Confirming each other's voices in the distance
As if to stroke with wet fingertips
I'd like to touch you one day
There is a light in the depths of the darkness
Confirming each other's voices in the distance
As if to stroke with wet fingertips
I'd like to touch you one day
#21 The story of breaking the cycle of suffering
Reporting, sir!
Two new villages in the territory have been affected by the epidemic.
We have no choice.
Burn down the villages. Make sure it doesn't spread.
Reporting, sir!
The Asakura clan is gathering up their army.
Around 2,000 soldiers.
-Are they about to advance? -No sir, not yet.
How about our army and its provisions?
We're rounding up men from allies and unaffected villages.
But it is not enough.
Hurry it up!
The days of prosperity for this land are over.
No!
Forgive us...
All men who can walk will be drafted as soldiers.
Get going!
Couldn't you pardon just a couple of men?
The women and children can't handle all the work.
This land is in danger. What is more important!
I never imagined you'd come this far to round up horses.
It must be quite a situation.
What a fine horse. We'll take it.
Midoro is my finest horse. She's our breadwinner.
Please return her to us unharmed.
This isn't the time for that. We are fighting for our land.
Come on now.
You will obey me!
You little...
Oh dear...
You, lend a hand!
Yes sir.
They're headed this way.
You're positive it's Hyakkimaru?
Yes, I am quite sure. That child is also with him.
He will reach this territory within a few days.
So he has come.
Asakura will be on the move by then. What shall we do?
I shall go and dispose of Hyakkimaru.
A small troop would be no match for him.
Yet, we cannot afford to send a whole army just now.
I will need no other as long as I have Mutsu and Hyogo.
Father, if we don't dispose of Hyakkimaru now,
we will never be able to govern this land in peace.
Fine. Go, my son.
Are you sure, my lord?
You saw his eyes.
Nobody can stop him.
I have a job for you.
Hey bro?
What?
When we reach Daigo, what if, well...
What will you do if your papa and mama come?
If they get in my way, I will kill.
But if you do that,
you'll never ever be able to be by their side again.
I'll have you.
What are you doing?
Young Master awaits.
Will many die again?
Like how we almost did?
I hate wars.
Yes. We must defeat Hyakkimaru and bring an end to all this.
I know.
I will not let my people suffer any longer.
Let us go exorcise the evil!
I see.
So Tahomaru has gone for Hyakkimaru.
Yes, my lady.
Hyakkimaru is like a baby who has come crying to take his toy back.
No words can reach him now.
And it is the same for Tahomaru.
He is turning himself into an incarnation of Asura for the sake of Daigo.
The wife of a lord, or the mother of children.
Had I have been just one and not both, I wouldn't have cursed my helplessness.
My lady...
Hyakkimaru...
Tahomaru...
Hey, you there.
Are you two from Daigo?
No, why?
Then you better turn back.
There's gonna be a huge war here with Asakura.
I came all this way because they said I'd make a fortune here.
But hey, nothing's more precious than your life.
Hey!
Bro!
Out of my way.
What the heck, bro?
You heard him, there's going to be a war.
I know how you feel, but now isn't the time.
No. I'm getting my body back.
But you heard the old guy.
Nothing's more precious than your life, right?
I'm getting it back.
Fine. But I'm not going with you.
Why? They're the ones that took it.
I just...
I don't want you to become someone else.
I'm scared!
Why would I not be me?
To touch with my hands. To see with my eyes.
I want to feel.
Just like you.
Dang it.
What am I supposed to do?
Gosh dang it...
Are you okay?
Yes, I just seem to be a bit tense.
I've never seen you like that.
Hyogo...
Is just like always.
He sure is.
We've been together for a long time now.
How long has it been since Lord Daigo saved Hyogo and me?
You have done well to survive. Don't worry now.
So you sharpened a corpse's bone.
Rest easy, I am not your enemy.
Tahomaru.
This is Mutsu and Hyogo.
They will stay here from today on.
They will study and train with you.
Mutsu, Hyogo.
I will strive for peace together with my father.
So no more people die senseless deaths or go through such hardships as you have.
And for that, I will make Daigo the strongest domain in the land.
Our aspirations are as one with yours and Lord Daigo's.
I have humbly become your right hand.
Hyogo has become your left. We will protect you with all that we have.
Until the day your ambitions are fulfilled.
The day is near.
Yes, sir.
I will not let this domain fall.
Onward, march!
Advance! Daigo is nothing to be afraid of!
Bro, it's them again.
Tahomaru.
Stand back.
No, you can't! He's your little brother.
No!
He called me a demon.
His rage is unlike before. Be careful, sir.
Hyakkimaru. You will not harm this land any further.
I, Tahomaru, will slay you here.
Mutsu!
Hyogo!
His right arm...!
You demon, bane of our land.
I will kill you if it's the last thing I do!
Bro!
Bro...
You're coming with us.
Let go!
Bro, bro...!
Why are you here?
Lord Daigo ordered me to look after you discreetly.
Tahomaru will succeed me.
Make sure he returns to this castle alive.
Please, you must retreat.
Out of my way!
I must defeat Hyakkimaru or this land will be done for.
-They are the lord's orders. -I don't care.
Forgive me.
Hyakki... maru...
Young Master!
Carry him.
Hey, stop it. Let go!
I said let go of me, you jerk!
Why the child?
Hyakkimaru is still alive.
We need him, just in case.
It is cowardly to use the helpless!
I care not for your sentiments.
Even if it breaks you, even if it turns you into the devil...
It's your job to protect Young Master!
Shame on you for being saved by him!
Let's go.
Bro!
Bro...!
Do... roro...
Born into this world
There is no salvation
The distorted shape of the heart
Yet it beats courageously
There is no turning back
Even from the path of evil
Witnessing the withering seasons
We search for the truth
In our ugliness
We don't even recognize the pain
As we peel back the skin
We are forever tormented by our stupidity
But if the dawn never comes
Through the painful night
You who distrusts nothing
You will be able to love this accursed world
Now that we carry the world on our shoulders
It's time to take it back
"Midoro"