(April)
(Farm Village in Shinano)
They all look so happy harvesting their crop.
It's the currently popular two-crops-a-year system.
It's a rule that the province doesn't take tribute for the second batch.
Wheat... Wheat...
Your love for wheat is so heavy...
The wheat-harvesting April.
I wonder if the people all over Shinano are smiling now.
Time to pay your tribute for the second crop!
Wait!
Aren't you not supposed to take tribute now?
Shut up!
You dogs wagged your tails to Hojo!
For such sinners like you lot, you have no rights of property,
not even a single worm!
Not even one!
Everyone, get these piles of wheat fast.
Spring equals heavy taxes...
One's pocket is getting warmer and warmer...
My world is as peaceful as always.
(Shinano's Provincial Official, Kiyohara Shinano-no-kami)
Um, my lord...
It's decided here that the province only takes tribute for the first crop...
But it was made by the renegade Kamakura shogunate, right?
I am the provincial official of this land, appointed directly by the emperor.
That means Shinano falls under my rules!
My own world!
By the way, Sir Sadamune.
I told you to draw your eyebrows neatly...
You have lived in the capital before.
Don't be so poisoned by this crappy countryside that you forget about elegance.
Now you're looking better with the provinicial governor's drawing.
Go on, make a cute smile.
(Smile)
Please spare us!
Please, anything but that wheat!
Seems like we still have barking dogs here.
Tell them to slash two or three for good measure.
Yes, my lord!
The emperor will forgive us for killing any of the Hojo's dogs.
When it comes to it, I'll just summon a large army from the capital with one command.
That evil provincial official Kiyohara...
I've had enough with him!
Kawanakajima?
It was reported that Yasaburo Hoshina, a resident there belonging to Suwa Sect,
had raised an army because he could no longer stand
the oppressive rule of the provincial official.
There are people from Suwa Sect in the provincial official's territory?
Yes.
He is forced to follow the enemy in order to feed his retainers.
Given the difference in troop strength,
Hoshina has absolutely no chance of winning.
Suwa can't provide support either.
If we send a large army deep into enemy territory, it will be all-out war.
That's where you and the Elusive Warriors come in.
Go to Kawanakajima to convince Hoshina and his retainers to stop fighting,
and get them to safety.
Now that's quite a dangerous mission you're giving...
Even though you were so worried when he went to scout the neighboring village...
Oh, back then, he was...
I can see him returning safely, Kojiro.
What I can't see is whether the casualties from Suwa Sect will be big or small.
Even if they are far away and out of reach,
those who believe in Suwa Myojin are still our family.
Not to mention, Hoshina is a righteous and capable man.
We don't want him to die because of some petty squabble.
Also, Lord Tokiyuki.
It's time to take your elusive skills to the next level.
Right now, you can only run away for yourself.
It won't be enough to make you a general capable of leading an army.
Try to move a large army away,
and become the elusive general.
Two days until we're there...
No girl power here? Talk about boring.
According to the future Sir Yorishige saw, those two will be in danger.
We can expect a rampant fight there, so that's only natural.
A future where Young Master doesn't die...
That may be the case if I'm there to protect him.
But while I'm doing that, our allies are getting killed...
My actions may play a role on how many casualties there'll be...
Fubuki.
You're my go-to man when I need a detailed strategy.
Sure, Young Master.
If we're to get a lot of people to escape,
Genba's power will come in handy.
Keep in mind his tools and abilities.
Huh? You're gonna tell him?
Kojiro, you can act freely.
You're expected to be a general, too.
I'm sure it gets boring if all you do is protect me.
Hey, kid. That line is only cool if you're a fighter.
Don't say as if I can't fight!
I've learned an ultimate skill from Fubuki too...
The superb coward sword!
Yeah, that's the one...
Who are you calling a coward?
Our young lord is a coward!
If you keep saying that...
Hoshina is already on standby.
(Kawanakajima) They are poised to defend the territory
(Kawanakajima) behind with the river as a defense.
There's only a few of them. They don't stand a chance.
Okay, let's go talk to Sir Hoshina at the main camp.
A messenger from Suwa Grand Shrine?
Yes, we have come to deliver a request to Sir Hoshina.
Oh, you must be tired, little messenger.
I'll show you the way.
Seems like the boy's got a good impression.
With your dignity, you can soften people's burning spirits of war.
You're the most suitable for such negotiation.
You're flattering me, Fubuki.
Praise me until I succeed.
Reinforcements from Suwa Grand Shrine?
No...
I didn't bring any, but I want to talk...
So no reinforcements, then? Got it.
That's right.
So, if you could withdraw...
Then we shall die as planned!
Everyone, on me!
(Yasaburo Hoshina, Suwa Sect)
Even if we don't stand a chance,
we must show what we're made of even at the cost of our lives!
Yeah!
We are warriors! Our territory is our lives!
Yeah!
We would die for our lives!
All right, time to die!
Yeah!
We will die a glorious death!
Should I stop them?
Wait, why was the gatekeeper smiling peacefully, anyway?
We'll die!
We'll die with a smile on our faces, and our insides gutted out!
So only his face was straight!
Don't run, Young Master!
- I can't! I can't! I can't! - Take responsibility and convince them!
- Let's die! - I can't just convince them now,
- Let's die! - when they're so prepared to die!
How should I die?
I'll take a hundred arrows and stand still.
Then I'll lose both my hands, then bite the enemy to death!
See, death's already like a banquet to them!
The humiliating treatment they received
from the provincial official must have hurt their pride.
When it comes to that, a warrior will gladly die for the sake of pride.
I will enter through the enemy's bottom with only my head,
devour all of his internal organs,
then leap out of his chest and die with a smile on my face!
That's not pride, it's just some wicked fantasy!
Got a minute?
Are you really a group of messengers from Suwa Grand Shrine?
If you have a note from the shrine, then let me see it.
And you are?
My name's Shinomiya.
(Saemontaro Shinomiya, Suwa Sect)
My territory neighbors Hoshina's.
I'm just helping out for this.
Yeah, this is the real deal.
I guess Suwa Myojin really wants us to not fight.
There's someone who I can talk with!
Sir Shinomiya.
If we were to have Hoshina retreat, then where to?
Hm? Oh...
If we give up the south and have them escape to the north,
they can build a solid defense line in cooperation with us.
Still...
I will kill a hundred men before I die!
That's our lord!
Yasaburo wouldn't listen to me even if I told him to.
Of course, he's just trying to protect his territory...
But he's always been a bit of an unstoppable hothead.
- Let's die! Let's die! - When he's calm, he's a good guy
- Let's die! Let's die! - who gets the job done.
Could you not let him die?
If you need some help, I'll have my men back you up.
Hey, messenger!
Please witness us and tell our lord Myojin!
That Yasaburo Hoshina fought a battle that lived up
to the name of the Suwa Sect, and died honorably!
What's the plan, everyone?
We just have to let them fight.
You bet. Gotta let some blood spilled.
(Hoshina's Army: 159 Men) The difference in strength could wipe
(Hoshina's Army: 159 Men) them out in a single day,
(Provincial Official + Governor Army: 580 Men) but we must make sure
(Provincial Official + Governor Army: 580 Men) they can hold out until sundown.
My lord, you should convince the battle-weary Hoshina and his men...
to spend the night and flee north by morning.
To run away is winning.
Nobody will be more delighted than you with this winning condition.
Okay.
Let's hurry up with the preparations.
Oh, we have a lot more dogs there.
The corpses of the bandits will pile up at the touch of my military might.
It is a sinful pastime that cannot be enjoyed in the Imperial Court.
Tch, the noble could've just sat back and watched, and not commanding...
It's a great honor to escort the provincial official, Sir Ichikawa!
I'm sorry, my eyes are too swollen to be there.
You're just closing your eye like normal!
You definitely ran away, knowing he'd be a hassle, Sir Sadamune!
All right!
It's a blood feast for the renegades who reject my world!
Go, Yonemaru!
Yeah!
Fire!
(Military Commander to the Provincial Official, Yonemaru)
An arrow battle, as is the standard practice to start a war.
After they've reduced our forces, they'll charge at us with a large army!
Just perfect! I'll take as many of them with us!
They're not even retaliating properly...
Are they all cowards?
What? Smoke?
I can't see the other side...
We can't aim like this!
Who's making a bonfire upwind?
Wow, I've got unlimited wheat to burn after harvesting.
Oh!
That fox-mask!
The enemy's sabotaging us! Kill him and put out the fire!
Whoops, looks like they're coming.
You little kid! Where'd you run off to?
Hey, over there!
He's setting fire up there too!
Good luck spending some people and time to put out the fire.
Bye.
Ugh, if we can't shoot them,
then we'll just have to cross the river!
Yonemaru!
Come on, go!
Everyone!
Charge!
The stall strategy worked,
but there are still too many enemies.
Will our warriors last until sundown?
Don't let that chump pin you down, Mister!
More enemies are coming!
Which one of you wants to die next, you government dogs?
Oh, nice going, messenger kid's retainer!
Kojiro, thank you!
If you fight hard, the Hoshina retainers will see us in a new light!
He'll surely listen to our idea of retreating!
This is so moving!
What an admirable spirit!
So that kid...
He's willing to die with us!
I can't afford to lose here!
Show them how a warrior dies!
Isn't this beautiful, messenger?
The face of a warrior who chooses to die with joy, that is!
Who do you think Kojiro's risking his life for?
Huh?
Stop the fighting, Sir Hoshina.
I have no interest in watching you die.
Huh?
Phew, that was tough!
They cut me all over!
Good work. I have medicine from Shizuku.
The enemy retreated to the other side of the river at sundown.
It's a miracle they didn't get wiped out.
No, a normal army would've got wiped out.
They're really good at standing their ground in a hand-to-hand combat.
The Hoshina retainers are strong.
Bringing them back alive will surely make them a great asset to our young master.
Here, food.
Eat properly and prepare for tomorrow's battle.
Oh, I'm good.
I ate my fill of raw meat on the battlefield.
He's more of a scary guy than a strong one!
A fight!
Lord Hoshina is drawing his sword against the messenger!
Huh?
You said you're not interested in watching us die?
What kind of audacity is that, messenger?
I was so angry that I missed my chance to die in today's battle.
Good for you to come back alive.
It is a living shame not to die when you should!
What's happening here?
I have my pride and honor!
There are times when a man must die for what he protects!
A child like you will never understand.
The warrior who chooses the best place to die...
will be celebrated by people for generations to come.
(Burp)
So here I am, choosing pride in exchange for my life!
For the honor of my family for generations to come!
Most of the Hojo clan members either died or committed suicide without escaping,
and they can be said to be the family that died the most gracefully,
having voluntarily stepped off the throne.
However, in later generations, Hojo's virtue was never praised.
Most people don't care if someone died a graceful death.
I'm sure our lord Myojin will see our deaths in tears!
Have you sobered up?
You're just drunk with the idea of dying a glorious death.
If you survive, you could continue to resist the evil official.
You could be the hope of the oppressed subjects!
If you die gracefully, there will be nothing left!
At best, you will be left with helpless children!
Being prepared to die sounds graceful and all,
but you're ignoring your subjects,
and even getting my retainer involved!
There is nothing beautiful about the face of a warrior who dies selfishly!
Also, you all have noisy faces, to be honest!
Noisy?
What is he talking about?
Don't just come back to your senses!
Hey...
The boy's moving strange...
Don't tell me...
Are you drunk from the liquor you've spilled?
I should punish...
the blockhead!
I never thought of that!
With his natural running-away muscles,
he's running away toward his enemy with his butt!
This is a new finisher technique only he can do!
He's like a shrimp...
So lame!
I got it! Cut it out!
I'm already sober now!
Yasaburo, Lord Myojin sent that kid to tell you to stop the battle.
Before that, stop his butt from hitting me!
Thanks to the help of the messenger group, we could barely survive the battle today.
But there won't be a second time.
If we fight again tomorrow, we will surely be wiped out.
What's your plan?
Okay, Shinomiya.
As you recommended, we'll flee to the north and try to regroup.
Hey, how old is he?
Nine.
A nine-year-old boy who doesn't even know how to drink...
He sounded like he's experienced the battlefield more than I have...
What a strange kid.
Now that we've made up our minds, we'll retreat as fast as we can.
Those with wives and children in the territory, bring them here at once.
Don't light the torch so as not to be spotted!
Yes!
How shameful of you!
What do you mean you couldn't kill them all in one day with that gap in strength?
- Why? Why? - I'm terribly sorry!
We have new information, my lord.
With my sharp ears,
I can hear they're gathering their wives and children.
They must be retreating.
This is wonderful! If they run away, the territory can be yours without much fight.
Are you stupid, Ichikawa?
If they run away, we should chase and exterminate them!
If we let them go now, they will turn on us again!
My territory has to remain peaceful forever!
Please wait! The Suwa have mysterious children, like they're secret agents!
With them around, it'll mostly turn ugly...
We should not take unnecessary risks...
All the more reason, then!
If we don't kill Hoshina and the children, it'll be a disaster!
If we let them escape, we'll lose this battle!
For some reason, my head and butt hurt...
You got hungover just from smelling a few drops of alcohol?
Are you sure you have Fubuki's escape plan in mind?
I got the plan right...
But I don't remember how I convinced Sir Hoshina.
You were blackmailing him so harshly.
That Hoshina really got under your thumb...
Is that so? Pretty good job of me, I guess.
Kojiro.
Yes?
I think I know who I am now,
after I got annoyed by Sir Hoshina's hastiness to die.
I don't want to die at all costs.
If I had time to kill myself, I would like to live desperately.
That is not the path my family followed,
maybe not even the way of the warrior.
Even if my path is such a state of disarray...
will you go with me?
Of course.
I'm going to see to it that you don't die.
I knew it.
Seems like they're not intent on letting us go.
Running away is a winning retreat.
Now, let's run away!
(Episode 12 (1334) - Go For It, Tokiyuki!) Coming forth!
(Until the Day You Reclaim Kamakura)