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SAMURAI DRAMA SPECIAL
You're with Iguchiya, aren't you?
What about it?
Sorry to trouble you, but I'm going to borrow this boat for a while.
Sir...
You're not cold, are you?
Huh?
Something must've happened tonight that really made you happy.
Oh yes indeed... a lot of good things happened tonight...
Hey, what do you think you're doing? Whose boat is this, anyway?
Scoundrel! Who the hell are you?
Me, sir?
I am an acupuncturist. My name is Baian Fujieda.
Acupuncturist?
The assassin has not made it his business to know about the man...
... he has killed, nor the reason why he had to be killed.
He relies only on the word of his agent, the motojime...
... who tells him that this man cannot live, for the sake of mankind...
... and pours his soul into his work.
For the assassin, Baian Fujieda...
... it is a job in which his own life is always at risk.
BAIAN THE ASSASSIN
I wonder if she's going to be all right?
Hang on a little longer...
It hurts!
It's a breach birth.
Breach birth?
The baby's upside-down in his mother's stomach.
Upside-down? - Babies are supposed to be in that position.
But this child is standing straight up inside his mother's stomach.
That's why it's taking him so long to come out.
Doctor, you can fix that with a needle? - That's right.
Once that's corrected, the rest is up to your skills as a midwife.
All right, then. You're almost there, now.
It hurts!
Hang on!
Wait! Doctor! Dr. Baian!
No need to worry. The baby will come, and he'll be healthy.
I'm leaving the rest to you. - Yes, Doctor.
Oh, thank goodness!
In the assassination world, the client is known as the "okori."
The man who passes on the okori's request to the assassin is the "tsuru"...
... and this "tsuru" serves as the agent, or "motojime."
Normally, the assassin is unaware of the client's identity.
But he will fulfil any complicated assignment...
... solely for the sake of his trusted motojime.
This man, Han-Emon of Otowa, is one of the agents with...
... whom Baian can always have a candid conversation.
That was very impressive, Baian.
What was?
Your skills as an acupuncturist.
I'd heard all about you, of course...
...but I never dreamed you could correct a breach birth with a needle!
This same hand that murdered a man last night, saved a life this morning.
Such a bizarre tale... it really doesn't make any sense.
Yes.
Kill one man, save another.
That's what our job is all about.
That man I asked you to take care of last night...
...just as I thought, he wasn't what he seemed.
A man who caused misery for others each day that he was allowed to live.
That's the kind of man he was.
Here's the rest of your pay.
They found the body on the banks of the river in Miyoshi-cho.
Really, that was impressive, Doctor.
As always, you showed such a sure hand... Indeed!
By the way, Doctor...
I'm assuming you won't be taking on any more assignments for a while?
It'll be a while before I feel up to it.
There's a candle merchant in Honjo Tatekawabori named Choubei Izuya.
He's quite the scoundrel, you see... - Motojime...
I have patients waiting for me.
The assassination doesn't have to take place until after New Year's Day...
I'm sorry, Motojime. You'll have to forget about me for a while.
ACUPUNCTURE BAIAN FUJIEDA
- Does it hurt anywhere else? - No.
All right. I'll get back to you soon.
Daddy! Daddy!
Be quiet, now.
Try not to drink too much sake!
It's hot! It's hot!
Look, you're not a child anymore. Take it like a man!
Doctor!
Grandpa, what's the matter with you?
Doctor! When on earth are you going to stop for lunch?
Well, then get it ready and I'll eat!
I've already put the vegetables in. - All right, all right.
Excuse me! Excuse me!
It's going to get hot, all right?
All right, what's bothering you today? - My legs have been tingling all day...
Baian Fujieda, assassin. By day, he is an acupuncturist with...
... a busy practice in Shinagawa near...
... the Kijinomiya Shrine, where the patients pour in night and day.
Why did Baian, who received extensive training under the famous Dr. Etsudo...
... Tsuyama of Kyoto, become a contract killer?
We shall find out later on.
Ah, Doctor! I want you to eat this now.
Are you serious?
How many times do I have to bring this miso soup to a boil?
Hey, could you wait a minute?
You've got to keep up your strength!
There are still so many patients for you to see.
I'm starving.
Here.
Just look at it! It's all discoloured now, after all the time it spent in the pot...
I like it all withered up like this. That's the best...
Just listen to you...
Well? Is it good? - It's good, it's good.
Oh, I won't be needing dinner tonight.
Are you going out to unwind? - That's right.
Quiet down! Hey, no running!
Doctor...
You had such a busy day today, so don't go out tonight. I'll tell you a story!
And we'll have a drink... - That story you told me the other day, right?
No, that was the part where the bride came. This one's about after!
All right, you can tell it to me later. I'll hear it tomorrow.
I'll give you a moxibustion treatment later. Could you put this away now?
All right?
I'll be right there. Just hang on a little longer.
Right. - Okay.
Don't push yourself too hard, Doctor! Eat!
I'm fine. My hands are going to feel a little cold, now.
You dare attack me knowing that I'm Dr. Baian Fujieda?
Baian Fujieda?
I'm an acupuncturist from Shinagawa Daimachi.
Forgive me. I mistook you for another.
You were almost killed?
Yes.
By whom? And why?
I don't know.
You don't know... I don't like this, it's so dreadful!
No...
Well, I don't want to die just yet, either.
Besides, now that I've met a woman like you, O-Mon, I'm even more unwilling...
...to part with my life.
Doctor...
Still... he was after a man who looks like me. Who can it be?
Now that I think of it... It might be the man in the guest-house...
I think his name is Souhaku Yamazaki. He's a doctor.
He's been in that room alone since last night...
Who's he waiting for, a woman? - No, Doctor...
...for a friend of his named Izuya, from Honjo Tatekawabori.
Izuya from Honjo? You mean that candle merchant?
Do you know him?
No, only by name. I don't know who he is.
There's a candle merchant in Honjo Tatekawabori named Choubei Izuya.
And he's quite the scoundrel, you see...
I see...
So that's the man he mistook me for.
Do we really look alike?
This way, please.
Your guest has arrived.
Who's that?
That would be Mr. Izuya of Honjo.
Please make yourselves at home.
It's getting chilly, isn't it?
It might even snow...
O-Mon, could you summon a foot-carriage for me?
Are you leaving now? - Yes.
Oh, before I forget... don't work too hard, all right?
It's causing your stomach to ail a bit...
Who's there?
It's me, Hiko-san.
Baian!
Hikojiro is an artisan from Shioiri Dote in Asakusa.
He is another assassin leading a double life.
Although his career spans longer than Baian's, Hikojiro has...
... nothing but the utmost respect for Baian' skills and personality...
... and how he balances the work of both a doctor and an assassin.
Choubei Izuya?
Yes. I hear he's a candle merchant in Honjo Tatekawabori.
And?
Huh?
I mean... are you going to take that assignment, Baian?
No, I just don't have the heart to do it now. I'm still exhausted from last time.
I'd like to just live my public life for the time being.
Still... why did my motojime from Otowa offer me the Izuya assignment?
Why did that young samurai mistake me for someone else and try to kill me?
It got me wondering...
So, Hiko-san... - All right.
If he's a candle merchant, I have a few sources I can turn to.
I'll try tapping into them.
Baian... eat up, there's plenty.
Right.
It's mostly tofu.
Huh?
Hiko-san, you really love tofu, don't you?
Izuya of Honjo. I've heard of him... if only his name.
I believe he's a major supplier for the daimyo clans...
I've heard he's quite a player, rising to prominence in the last 4 or 5 years.
Do you have any connection with him? - No, I just happened to see him in town.
Here you go.
One more thing, Hikojiro.
Could you send over another 10 packs of the flat toothpicks?
They've been very well-received. - Is that right? Thank you very much!
All throughout the rest of the day, Hikojiro remained in the Honjo area...
... never far from Izuya.
CANDLES CHOBEl IZUYA
I'll be damned, that scoundrel...
What a woman she was.
The way she walked...
You could tell she was the mistress of an inn.
She must be Izuya's woman.
That's the impression I got...
Never mind the woman. What about this man you didn't expect to see?
Well, you're not going to believe this but it was Kahei of Hanezawa.
Hanezawa?
He's got about 100 street peddlers working for him... he's the top brass.
If that notorious villain is involved...
...then Baian, this whole business is a lot more ominous than we thought.
Kahei of Hanezawa...
For the next few days...
... Hikojiro continued to keep a close watch on Choubei Izuya.
He was to witness something unexpected at the residence of...
... Souhaku Yamazaki, a physician in Shitaya Sakamoto-cho.
Well, well! I am very fond of it, you see... fond of sake!
As long as I have sake, I need nothing else in life, not money, nor a man...
Nothing at all!
Really, you've been so good to me all this time, Master Hanezawa.
Years ago, whenever I played the shamisen in the temple grounds...
...men used to fight to get in to see me!
It's true, isn't it, Master?
But now I've lost my looks.
Drinking too much has made me old before my time...
...now I'm just a faded beauty!
But I have such good customers tonight...
You're all so kind, just like Buddha!
Oh... what a pity. Is that all?
Now then, drink this. No need to be shy!
Well!
I want you to drink as much as you want.
And later on, I'll have you sing the night away for me.
Come, now, drink up, drink up.
How lovely!
I haven't enjoyed myself entertaining like this in ages!
All right, I'm going to take you up on your offer.
Wait...
This sake...
Master, there's something not right about this...
Don't be ridiculous. Something's wrong with your sense of smell.
Come on, drink up! - No! Stop it!
There you go...
Doctor?
Dr. Baian?
Motojime?
About that assignment... do you have an answer for me?
No need to rush but I do have to give an answer to the okori...
...who's making the offer.
How much will it pay?
50 ryo in advance, 50 ryo afterwards... 100 ryo in total.
100 ryo? Then it's no small undertaking.
Right.
This is the best time of year to eat this fish. It's full of roe, and the flesh is fatty.
You always have something good to eat! - Well...
Someone's always leaving food here. Something to be thankful for.
Dr. Baian, their own Buddha...
Whose flip side is a murderer.
Well, there's a fine line between good and evil.
We're not going to see our golden years.
I met with Otowa, my motojime.
And?
I accepted the job. On condition that I would be working with you, Hiko-san.
Is that right?
Do you mind? - Of course not.
The last few days I've been shadowing Izuya myself.
Hiko-san...
This Choubei fellow used to be a samurai.
Samurai?
Yes. I also went down to that inn in Fukagawa.
Disguised as an artist...
He carries himself differently.
He seems so resolute.
It was 5 years ago that Izuya arrived in Tatekawabori.
But nobody knows anything about him before that time.
I'm fairly sure he was once a samurai.
Excuse me.
Did you meet the mistress of the inn?
Yes.
Wasn't she a fine-looking woman?
What's the matter?
Oh, it's just that you're such a beautiful woman...
Well! You're just teasing me.
Please, drink some sake.
In token of our new acquaintanceship...
I'm sure she's Choubei's woman.
Somewhat frightening... and also alluring, that woman...
Well, at last...
It's snowing, Baian.
Hiko-san? - Huh?
A long time ago... it was a day just like this one.
Very close to the end of the year, and it was snowing.
The day my mother eloped with a day-labourer...
Your mother?
Yes.
Mother! Mother!
Stop crying! - Mother!
O-Mino, stop crying!
Mother! Mother!
She abandoned me... just me. That's the last I saw of her.
Big Brother!
I never saw my mother or my sister again.
Big Brother! Big Brother!
O-Mino!
O-Mino!
Big Brother! Big Brother!
What am I doing?
A murderer, actually missing someone?
Come on, we're going to drink to this snowfall.
Come on, don't give up!
Come on, finish him off! - Come on!
Got him!
I'm not done yet!
You win... you win.
Who's next?
Shinmei Munen Style... Tanou Shougen!
Acting Instructor... Juugoro Kosugi!
***, that's a dirty trick!
Get him! Get him! Finish him off!
You're doing good! That's it!
Kotoro, kotoro...
Which child is Kotoro?
That child is Kotoro!
Then catch him if you can!
All right!
I caught you! Who's this? - Tomebou's caught!
Is this Tomebou?
Tomebou's "It" now! Tomebou's "It" now!
So we meet at last.
The other night I met you in front of Izutsu, a restaurant in Asakusa Hashiba.
My name is Baian Fujieda. - Yes, I remember.
I was hoping I'd run into you myself. To meet you so I could apologize.
I treated you with such discourtesy. Please accept my apology.
No, I'm the one who should be thanking you.
You quickly realized you'd mistaken me for another. That's why I'm still alive.
If it'd been a lesser swordsman, he would surely have lost this head!
Please, have one.
An assassination?
Yes. I accepted the job for 3 ryo.
But it's a lot more difficult than I thought.
My target is a town doctor named Souhaku Yamazaki.
He's always on his guard and he rarely shows his face... like a mole.
So I came up with a plan... using the name Choubei Izuya...
...I lured him to Asakusa and lay in wait for him.
Unfortunately, someone else came that way with the bearing of a doctor.
It was you, Baian.
Have you done many assassinations before? - No, this is my first time.
Do you know what kind of connection Izuya has with this town doctor?
I'd say it's a doctor-patient relationship.
Souhaku has been known to call on Izuya from time to time.
That's why I decided to use his name.
Kosugi-san, I can see you're an honest man. You're as straight as an arrow.
But I'm not that way.
I'm a man who is acquainted with the most hellish of sins.
I have a proposal, Kosugi-san.
This assassination... would you mind giving it to me?
The assassination?
I can't do that.
Why not?
Because I promised a woman...
...and that woman is no longer living.
I could never break a promise with a living woman, let alone a dead one.
She was a *** at an inn in Senju, which I'd never visited before.
She was all skin and bones... and I just couldn't bear to sleep with her.
In the middle of the night, she coughed up blood. A vast amount of blood.
I turned to the innkeeper for help.
But all he did was toss her a single dose of generic medicine.
She was born in Joushu Numata, and her name was O-Naka.
She'd been born into a family of samurai...
The morning after I met her, she drew her last breath, all too quickly.
Just before she died, O-Naka held out...
...some coins she had hidden in her pillow and asked me to do something.
Young samurai...
...if you...
...if you...
...if you have any pity in your heart for me...
...now that I'm about to die...
...then please... avenge my mother and father for me.
Please, avenge my parents.
Even if it's a lie...
...tell me you'll avenge them, please!
And the man you're to get revenge on is...
That town doctor, Souhaku Yamazaki.
But tell me, Baian, why are you asking me to give you this assignment?
Because I can't have you hovering nearby...
...or you'll get in the way of my own *** assignment.
I see, so poor O-Naka really was the daughter of a samurai, was she?
Well, actually foot soldier is more like it...
I've seen him before. O-Naka's father.
Did he come to see her? - Yes.
But he was dressed shabbily and he looked almost like an invalid.
He died, too. That father of hers...
O-Naka told me that she was going to avenge her parents no matter what.
Avenge her parents? What was she talking about?
The man you're talking about, Doctor, was named Isaku Sonoda.
Sonoda?
A man whose wife was seduced by a doctor.
A doctor, you say?
It must've been 5 years or so ago.
The Numata Domain was pressed into service for some governmental...
...construction project. They sent a number of men to help out.
And Isaku was one of them.
And this Isaku's wife, well... I know I shouldn't be saying this, but...
...she was far too ravishing a woman to be a common foot soldier's wife.
We used to tease him about it all the time.
"Are you sure it was safe to leave your wife at home?"
"Did you remember to put her you-know-what under lock and key?"
And?
And wouldn't you know it...
...by some twist of fate she did get involved with the town doctor.
And this doctor was a notorious womaniser.
I hear he forced himself on her, practically *** her the first time.
But let's face it, her husband was away and she was alone with her daughter...
They got to the point where she was pregnant with the doctor's child...
And then she died?
She hanged herself...
I see...
But why would you be interested in all this, Doctor?
It's been a while since I was here...
I want you all to have some sake on me. - Well, thank you...
Thank you very much, Doctor!
I don't care what anyone says... nothing beats soba cooked with yuzu fruit!
As long as you have your New Year's Eve soba with yuzu, you'll be blessed...
...with sound health and your family will be safe all year!
If you strain yourself, you'll throw your back out again!
Oh, listen to you.
You can't pound delicious soba if you skimp on effort!
What do you think of this aroma?
Doesn't that smell divine?
Thanks for all your hard work this year. - What?
For me? - Yes.
Tabi?
Just like they wear in the shrines...
I will wear these tomorrow, Doctor.
No, let me try them on now!
Ouch!
Ouch! Doctor! - What's wrong?
My back... it's my back...
Here?
Here?
Stretch it out. Are you all right?
Doctor...
Try stretching it out... How's that?
Where do you think it's tolling?
Touzenji in Takanawa, or maybe Zenkyouji?
What's the matter?
That girl O-Naka...
...the *** in Senju... she sold herself into the trade at 14.
That was when she got her first taste of tempura soba, I hear.
She was amazed that there was anything so delicious in the world...
That's what she told everyone at the inn.
Her father had a heart condition as well.
He came to Edo with his daughter...
...and found menial work kneading clay for a plasterer.
But by the time he finally got the chance to get revenge...
...he no longer had the strength to live.
What do you say, Baian...
Huh?
Shall we bring Juugoro Kosugi into the fold?
That would be wrong.
That would be completely wrong, Hiko-san.
How's that?
Once you've fallen in with assassins, you never break away. That's our code.
We can't just drag that single-minded fellow in with our lot.
Then we're going to forget about O-Naka?
We'll end up at the same destination anyway.
I just hope we can do something to help him out.
For now, let's just turn a blind eye.
Another thing, we're not going to get away with just Choubei Izuya.
There's someone else?
Who is it?
The woman.
The woman?
FUKUl-DOMAIN RESIDENCE
Echizen Fukui Matsudaira Han.
A cataclysmic event has occurred in the home of this eminent clan.
Domain lord Tadayuki Matsudaira was known far and wide for his ***...
But on this first night of the New Year apparently even he decided to be...
... on his best behaviour, abstaining from illicit affairs.
Or so it seemed...
My lord...
The gift you've been waiting for...
Ah, so it arrived at last?
Yes.
Is that right? So it's here!
And what kind of gift is it this year?
My lord, just wait until you see it.
What can this be?
Is this what you're talking about?
Yes, my lord. It is a gift from all of the merchants we deal with.
A gift to wish the Matsudaira clan every success in the coming year.
Just one thing...
As always, you must keep this a secret from your wife.
I see... so my wife must never know.
Open it!
Yes, my lord.
A woman?
A European woman, is she?
Woman... you may rest now, too.
My lord.
I'm sleepy...
Happy New Year.
Uh, but it's New Year's Day today.
Uh, Happy New Year.
Is this where it hurts? - Yes, that hurts.
How about this? - That doesn't hurt.
You're fine right there? All right, I'll cauterise it...
Doctor, please help us! - What's the problem?
Does it hurt? Does it hurt?
What happened? It's all swollen. It might be broken.
Does that hurt? How about this? Does that hurt?
Be careful, now.
Doctor! Happy New Year.
What's going on here? - Doctors don't take the New Year off!
Hurry up and help me, will you?
What's this little snot-nose doing here? - Excuse him for being a snot-nose!
Hey, you dried-out sardine!
Would a sardine wear a kimono? - Shut your mouth about my boy!
Would you stop that bickering right now, both of you!
Excuse me.
Yes?
Happy New Year. - Happy New Year.
Here, it's the usual...
How gracious of you...
Doctor? Dr. Baian?
Happy New Year.
I look forward to your continued support throughout the coming year.
Do you think you can do it before January 7?
I thought there wasn't any rush.
The situation has changed.
Last night, I received some additional prodding from the okori.
The 7th, you say?
Yes.
Motojime?
Yes?
Normally, an assassin would never ask about the okori or the target...
...but there's just one thing that I'd like to know.
I'm not asking you to answer my question.
All you have to do is shake your head if what I say is wrong.
Choubei Izuya is a former samurai.
His real name is Choubei Yamazaki.
I thank you. Now it'll be a little easier for me to do my job.
In that case, allow me to do some thinking out loud myself.
Whether or not you want to listen... that's up to you.
Last night, at a certain restaurant near the castle...
...some young lord was poisoned by an unknown assailant and died.
Of course...
...fearing a family rift, the official cause of death will be announced as illness.
At any rate, the evil will always find a way to slip in among us...
...and fulfil their goals no matter what it takes.
And unless we deal with them early, there's no telling what they might do.
Of course, it has absolutely nothing to do with us, whether...
...His Lordship lives or dies.
I have won! I have defeated my elder brother!
Because of this, I can now take over as domain lord!
I was blessed with better fortune than my brother.
Until now, I have lived only in the shadows.
Those of you who have steadfastly pledged your loyalty to me...
...I am deeply grateful.
But don't think that you'll have the world at your feet just because...
...I am now head of our domain.
I am no longer the same man I was yesterday!
I shall do only as I please from now on!
Is that understood?
My lord!
Kotoro, Kotoro... which child is Kotoro?
That child is Kotoro!
Then catch him if you can!
What's the matter, Doctor?
Never mind, just don't say a word...
Come over here, O-Mon...
Yes, Doctor.
Forgive me.
No, it made me happy.
I'm not myself today.
When I heard those children playing outside, all of a sudden...
All of sudden...
I had a feeling that I didn't have much longer to live.
That's what I was thinking when you walked into the room.
That's why...
That's why...
Take this... Buy something for the children, will you?
I'll be gone for a while.
Izuya... well done!
This is your finest hour. Now, then... drink up!
I humbly accept.
Now at last, the security of the clan is assured.
The authorities have tried to destroy our domain, using Lord Tadayuki's...
...immoral behaviour as an excuse.
I can imagine how disappointed those old raccoon-dogs in the palace...
...the so-called elders, must be right now.
At any rate, you are commended for serving so well as my right-hand man.
What would you like as your reward?
What will it be, Izuya?
My lord, I wish to renounce the name Izuya.
Izuya?
Yes, my lord.
And for what reason?
It has been 5 years since I was banished for a crime I did not commit.
Against my will, I have taken on the appearance of a merchant...
...but I have never lost my samurai spirit.
I wish to renounce the identity of Choubei Izuya, the candle merchant...
...and return to service as a samurai.
Please speak with Lord Tadanori on my behalf.
So you wish to return to your domain?
Yes.
You wish to return to samurai status?
It is for that reason I have walked on dangerous ground at the risk of my life.
Very well.
I can take care of a trivial matter like that at my own discretion.
Just leave it to me.
Then I shall be reinstated as a samurai?
I promise you.
Thank you very much indeed.
Now then, everyone, let us turn this into a more festive occasion.
Yes, my lord...
Good evening.
- Good evening! - Good evening!
- Thank you for your patronage... - Please, have some sake.
A fine time!
What a fine time I had tonight!
Chief Retainer!
What is it?
Is it true about Yamazaki's reinstatement?
He is a corrupt man. He is not to be trusted at any cost.
I beg of you, please reconsider the matter of his reinstatement.
That man will be dead soon.
The day of his death is not far off.
You country bumpkins wouldn't know this, but here in Edo...
...we have assassins who commit *** without being seen, and...
...then vanish like phantom killers.
Choubei Izuya will be dead soon.
Before the 7th of January, even!
There's nothing to worry about. Don't worry about it!
On the 3rd day of the new year, Baian and Hikojiro were...
... inside an empty storefront, diagonally across from...
... Izuya' shop in Honjo Tatekawabori.
Baian, how did you find this place?
I put down 7 ryo at the end of the year to rent the place.
I see... good thinking.
We can observe Choubei's movements distinctly from here.
Now when, and where shall we assassinate him?
It's going to be more difficult than we thought. He's a wary man...
...always surrounding himself with those henchmen of Kahei's.
We must make our move with care.
Well, since we have such an ideal hideout, we can just take our time...
Actually, that's not the case...
Huh?
- The motojime gave me a deadline. - When?
By January 7th.
That's going to be difficult.
A difficult assassination...
It's about taking a man's life, after all.
How could any assassination be easy?
Beware of fires!
Everyone beware!
Beware of fires!
Baian and Hikojiro' stakeout began that night.
The next morning, January 4th.
Kahei of Hanezawa and O-Kichi, the mistress of the inn were seen...
... entering Izuya' shop.
But there was no sign of Choubei himself.
Any luck?
It's no good.
He's like a carp in winter. Staying underwater, never showing his face.
- Perhaps he's away on a trip. - No, he has guests.
Kahei of Hanezawa just arrived. The mistress of that inn, too.
I'm sure he's hiding somewhere inside.
These would taste great with mustard.
Now, Hiko-san, that would be a luxury!
Hiko-san?
Yes?
I hear footsteps.
Open up! Dr. Souhaku of Shitaya has arrived.
Hiko-san?
Yes?
That Souhaku Yamazaki is Choubei's younger brother.
Younger brother?
I knew it meant breaking the code, but I confirmed it by asking the motojime.
Just as we suspected, Choubei is a former samurai.
If that's the case, Baian, do you think he was behind that poisoning?
They used that poison at a certain daimyo's home, actually...
...they'll put it to use again.
At any rate, we can't allow either of them to live.
Damn!
- Please, have some sake. - Thank you.
Well! If it isn't Baian!
Nagasaki?
That's right.
Leave Edo for a while. It would be in your best interests.
At the moment, I am trying to gauge the Chief Retainer's next move.
I do not trust that man in the least.
Yes, he gave me a verbal promise to reinstate me...
...but who knows what he's really thinking.
He'd have no scruples about eliminating the two of us...
...the only ones who know that Lord Tadayuki was poisoned.
Then do you suppose that samurai who's been following me everywhere...
He might be an assassin sent by the Chief Retainer.
Elder Brother!
That's why I'm telling you to go to Nagasaki.
That poison was very effective...
It worked like a charm to claim Lord Tadayuki's life, however...
In Nagasaki, I hear there's an even more powerful poison...
...imported from Holland and it leaves no traces of evidence.
Go down there and get your hands on this poison.
There's yet another we have to?
That's right.
Who is it this time?
Need you even ask? It's the Chief Retainer, Minenosuke Kobori!
The Chief Retainer? But you owe him everything, Elder Brother...
Owe him?
Is that what you think? Are you saying that even you think that?
5 years ago...
To assume responsibility for cutting corners in the flood control works...
...I gave up my sword.
Or rather, I was driven out of our domain.
True, when I was ordered to commit seppuku by my superiors...
...it was Kobori who saved me.
It was also Kobori who unexpectedly bestowed some consolation money.
But just who did I cut those corners for?
On whose orders?
That man did everything. He forced me into doing it to look...
...the other way for the sake of my domain, for Lord Tadayuki.
That man has used me ever since.
I thought nothing of serving him to the best of my abilities.
But not anymore.
I am no longer the man I was 5 years ago.
Both Kobori and I are accomplices in the plot to *** Lord Tadayuki.
Kobori and I are equals now.
I've been waiting...
I've been waiting for this day to come for the last 5 years.
What I desire now is power.
The power that will enable me to throw out those...
...who banished me, and hold sway over that domain.
In order to achieve all that...
...I will kill the Chief Retainer ...I will kill Lord Tadanori.
That's the kind of man I am.
Dr. Souhaku, why are you so pale?
Now that it's come to this, we're just like scorpions...
Sting, or be stung, it's one or the other.
Am I right?
Oh, thank you.
Still, only a merchant could've done all this.
I had no idea you'd prepared so thoroughly. I'm impressed.
Don't be ridiculous. Our line of work is assassination.
There's nothing impressive about it.
Still, as a job, assassination is harder than I thought.
At this point, I almost wish I could give O-Naka back her 3 ryo.
Oh, but I'm going to do it tonight. I'll get him for sure tonight!
Where?
Just down the road, near Ho-onji Bridge.
Right, it's dark enough there.
But I won't hide in the shadows. I'm going to attack him openly!
Openly?
My job is to commit a revenge killing.
Souhaku Yamazaki pretty much murdered a family of 3. I'm going to...
...bring Souhaku to justice in their place.
I have a clear conscience, I have nothing to feel guilty about!
Who's there?
Who the hell are you?
I am Juugoro Kosugi.
I presume this is Souhaku Yamazaki of Shitaya Sakamoto-cho. Am I right?
What business do you have with the doctor?
- I've come to claim his life! - What the hell?
Souhaku! You remember... the woman you *** in Joushu Numata!
The woman is dead.
Her husband is also dead.
Their daughter is dead as well!
I bought their vengeance for 3 ryo.
Souhaku... It's time for you to die!
The Master is leaving now.
Learning of Souhaku' death, Choubei Izuya arranged...
... for transport by foot-carriage the next day, January 6...
... hoping to avoid further trouble by leaving Edo immediately. However...
Let's go, Hiko-san.
There's no mistake. It's a pilgrimage to Ooyama.
Damn, they picked the perfect spot to get lost in.
There's no chance of assassinating him now. Let's wait and see.
What's up ahead?
The hot springs at Nanasawa. Most likely they'll lodge there tonight.
So we should do it tonight?
Please, stay here tonight! Here at the Masuya Inn!
Please, stop by the Masuya Inn!
Please, stay at the Masuya!
Party of 7... please show them in.
Welcome!
Oh, pardon me, please. Pardon me.
Sorry, you can't go in there. It's reserved.
- Go to one of the other baths. - You call that fair?
I don't think that's very nice!
- Can't I just go in for a little while? - Please, just go, will you?
You must kill him. The Chief Retainer, Minenosuke Kobori.
You know it had to be Kobori who murdered Dr. Souhaku.
You and I are next...
All he has to do is silence the 3 of us. Then he'll be free to do as he wants.
All samurais are like that... they're all good-for-nothings!
They're ranked above others, so they use others for their own selfish ends.
They use people and just dispose of them when they are no longer needed.
I despise samurais with all my heart.
Even if you return to your former residence, I won't be a samurai's wife.
It's quite enough for me to be your concubine.
You have no idea how much easier life will be for me.
Kill him, do you hear me? Kill Minenosuke Kobori...
Just talk to Kahei. He'll refer you to a competent assassin right away.
You and I had the exact same thought.
I gave Kahei of Hanezawa some money before we left.
To get rid of Kobori within the next 10 days, you see.
Baian...
Hmm?
I'll take care of the woman.
And I'll leave Choubei to you.
No, I'm the one who accepted this assignment.
I'll take care of both of them.
Are you sure?
I don't like killing women.
I can't stand to see the look in their eyes when they're dying.
But this time, for once, it will be different.
Baian...
Hikojiro...
I will kill that woman.
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O-Mino...
O-Mino... that was your name, wasn't it?
How could you possibly know the name I went by as a child?
Who in the world are you?
Just look at this crowd of people, Doctor!
Thank you, Doctor!
This is what happens when you run off to have fun during the holidays!
Where in the world did you wander off to? Leaving this place for 5 whole days!
I made my New Year's visit to the Aburi Shrine in Ooyama.
New Year's visit? Leaving me behind without even telling me?
Who'd you go with?
Oh, sorry. Sorry about that!
- So, who did you go with, Doctor? - My younger sister.
Younger sister? Oh, don't make me laugh! What a liar!
You're always telling me you've been all alone since you were born!
All right, breathe in, now.
Breathe out. One more time.
- The swelling's gone down a lot. - Of course it has!
Because I haven't smoked all this time!
He's lying, Doctor. Just last night he went to our landlord's and smoked!
You can't fool me, you know!
- Why don't you shut up, you idiot woman! - What did you say?
It was only because the landlord asked me to try some tobacco from Mito.
Kinzo...
Serves you right, you idiot! Hit him again!
Doctor?
Well, well, at this rate I'll have to wait for about...
It'll take until dusk.
Not only did you deliver by the 7th as promised, but you did the job...
...in an even more spectacular fashion than usual.
As always, I was struck with admiration for your work.
Still, the other scoundrel got off scot-free.
Do you really think so?
Evil deeds will surface, no matter how deeply they are buried.
I believe the other will soon be apprehended himself.
The world we live in is in better balance than you'd expect...
I for one am most impressed.
By the way, there's just one thing I can't figure out...
If I remember correctly, you never kill women.
That's right. I never want to do it again as long as I live.
So why did you kill that woman, Doctor?
Blood.
Blood?
That woman was my younger sister. We were separated 30 years ago.
So she was your younger sister...
The blood that runs in my veins...
...just couldn't allow that woman to go on living.
That woman had the same blood running in her veins that I do.
There are no historical records regarding Baian Fujieda, assassin.
But throughout the 300-year Tokugawa reign, even in times of peace...
... there were many assassins who took on the task of wreaking other people'...
... vengeance and remained concealed in the shadows of history.
The novelist Shotaro Ikenami depicted them brilliantly.