Hitokiri (1969) - full transcript

SHOCHIKU FILMS, LTD

KATSU PRODUCTIONS
FUJI TELECASTING COMPANY

Tosa Country - 1862
Tanizato Village

Buy my armor.

It's worth this much.

Not interested.

How about this much?

It's worthless.

Sensei...

...please help me.

I'm deeply in debt!



Creditors are hounding me!

I have to sell my land and
my samurai birthright!

My troubles weigh down
on me like a coffin on my head!

And these damn Tosa Loyalists
sitting on their butts!

I want action! Action!

Amano must have missed you.

Master Takechi sent him
to find you.

He sent for me?

But it's finally begun.

Today we rise to
kill Yoshida Toyo.

Yoshida Toyo?

The oppressor who rules
this land, Yoshida Toyo.

Go and watch how they do it.

Sensei, I'm glad we're finally
taking action, but how...?



Your swordsmanship is in
need of discipline.

You fight like a wild animal.

But you've never killed
before tonight.

You just watch.

But you watch closely
and learn how to kill a man.

Watch and learn.

Tenchu!

Tenchu!

Tenchu!

Tenchu?

Tenchu! Say it again... Tenchu!
'Heaven's Punishment'! Tenchu!

Damn, I could do better than that!

I could kill.

I could kill.

Just give me a chance.

I'll kill.

TENCHU

Produced by
GOSHA & KATSU

Screenplay by
HASHIMOTO SHINOBU

Photography by
MORITA FUJIO

Art Direction by
NISHIOKA YOSHINOBU

Music by
SATO MASARU

Starring

KATSU SHINTARO
- Okada Izo -

NAKADAl TATSUYA
- Takechi Hanpei -

MISHIMA YUKIO
- Tanaka Shinbei -

SHINJO TAKUMI

BAISHO MITSUKO

ISHIHARA YUJIRO
- Sakamoto Ryoma -

NAKAYA NOBURO

Directed by
HIDEO GOSHA

Here come the Tosa Samurai.

Takechi Hanpei looks great.
Like a fierce dragon.

It is said that they
assassinated Yoshida Toyo.

He lifts all the Tosa people.

They're making a big splash, though
they came here only recently.

That's Okada Izo.

He looks so proud.

He is said to be as strong
as Tanaka Shinbei.

What a long sword!

Who has Izo killed?

Izo has killed seven or eight.

Tanaka Shinbei may be a
better swordsman,

but Izo gets all the attention.

Izo looks like a wolf.

From Kyoto it's a hard
journey to Ishibe.

So if our best assistants
will leave

the night before.

There are ten rooms in Ishibe.

Four men are in them.

We need to know which ones
they're in.

We'll know that by nightfall

How many are there?

There are three Kyoto Magistrates,
Watanabe Genzaburo, Mori...

...plus their retainers.
There will be 17 or 18 total.

Who will mete out
Heaven's Punishment?

We can send Okada Izo of Tosa.

Right. They will have
a big fight.

What about Tanaka Shinbei?

Don't walk out of the action.

We can count on you.

There's another matter in Kyoto
we must tend to first.

Yes, Honma of Echigo.

He's just a lone wolf.
No problem.

Tosa's Okada Izo will handle it.

I'm Takechi Hanpei of Tosa.

Can I speak to you today...

...regarding Honma of Echigo?

Previously he was one of the
few Loyalists from that province.

He was our friend.
A true pioneer.

But now, we have come
to doubt his intentions

He keeps company with
aristocrats.

He sees the chance for money.

He makes grand speeches, but
wastes money on prostitutes.

He's become a disgrace
to the Loyalist's cause.

Aren't you friends with
Tanaka Shinbei?

Yeah, he's a good guy.

Why do you want him here?

It would be great publicity.

Publicity?

Tanaka Shinbei is the
most famous man in Kyoto...

...The next most famous man.

Hey O-tani!

You say Shinbei is
more famous than me?

What are you talking about?

You and Shinbei are equal.

You're both champions.

Kawama from Higa is famous, too.

But he hasn't killed as many
as you have.

Just by sitting here you
attract customers.

Fine, I'll bring him by
one of these days.

Any news?

Welcome.

Honma's been found.

Drink?

No thanks.

You're too nervous to
kill anybody.

Put this on my tab.

I'll charge it to your clan.

Thank you.

Honma, Tenchu!
Tenchu!

Sakamoto?

We're mistaken!

Honma isn't here!
He's across town!

Sorry, gotta go!

Honma of Echigo?

Okada Izo of Tosa?

Draw your sword.
Go down like a man.

Why me? Did Takechi Hanpei
order this?

Tenchu!

I thought I hit something hard.
Nicked the blade.

Nicked the blade?

You did so well in such
a narrow alley.

Okada-san, teach me
how to kill men like that.

Say 'Heaven's Punishment'.

Tenchu?

Yeah, Tenchu.

There's no other knack to it.
Tenchu.

Thank you very much.

Look.

Nicked the blade, eh?

What's wrong?

I have to send my sword
to the polisher.

I borrowed Master Takechi's.

You have to use another man's
sword, huh?

Listen, Okada.

A couple of suspicious
Tosa samurai just showed up.

Who?

Inspectors Inishe and Iwasaki.

They were asking about Yoshida Toyo...

Their chief won't rest until
he finds out who killed him.

He's got a hunch, but can't
prove anything.

Now those two are sniffing around.

Those two are undesirable
persons for us.

But, your sword is at
the polisher's.

Undesirable persons!

Gimme a break!

Why not just ask me
to kill him?

Idiot!

Without me the Tosa Loyalists
would be nothing!

Matsuda, you're getting your
second chance to do what?

You know what.

We keep going over the
same subject.

Why are you making Izo
kill so many people?

I understand your position.

The Satsuma Clan came to Kyoto
a day earlier than the Tosa.

So you allied with Anjoku, the
maddest of all the aristocrats.

To compete with Tanaka Shinbei
of Satsuma,

Okada Izo kills too many people.

Sakamoto! That's enough!

You think more about yourself
than other people.

You used to be a Loyalist
but now you're here.

Takechi, are you going to have
Okada Izo kill me too?

I wouldn't order that, now.

Anyway, I'd leave Kyoto if
I were you.

From our standpoint,
you're nothing but a traitor.

It's so hot.

They will probably rot fast
in this heat.

The head and body exposed
for public viewing.

The sign said 'Honma of Echigo'.

You said?

Rumor has it that Tanaka Shinbei
of Satsuma or

Okada Izo of Tosa did it.

Shinbei or me?

But I know who it was.

It was you.

Why me?

Because when you come here
at noon,

it means you worked the
night before.

And then you stay the night
or longer.

Again?
We've got plenty of time.

No, we don't.
I'm going away.

Away?

Yeah, tonight.

I'm taking the ferry to Osaka.

Osaka?
What for?

Jerk!

What are you laughing to
yourself about?

It's like a dream.

The order is changing.

Takechi will be a Feudal Lord
with immeasurable wealth.

Then, because I worked for him
the hardest...

Omino, if that comes true,
I'll give you an easy life.

You mean you'll marry me?

No I can't do that.

I'll buy you a house.

You won't have to see
anyone else.

Then I'll just be a mistress.

Are you engaged to someone?

No not really.

Brother is this the killer
Okada Izo?

How rude.

Okada, please forgive my sister.

The Princess has a
strong character like her brother.

Hey!

Are you thinking about
another woman,

you drooling fool?

She's a prize beyond my reach, but

if I kill as many people as I can...

...then when I'm a hero in the
New World Order...

...she may be a prize within
my reach.

What are you mumbling about
you big headed man?

A prize beyond your reach...!

Damn you!

You're such a pig after you've
killed someone!

So what?

I've been waiting for you.
Izo, come here.

I'm busy.

O-kami. We'll be in there.

Let him pick a fight with you.

But, today I've got this...

I told you a poor craftsman...

Just go ahead.

All right.

Have a drink.

I have something important
to tell you.

Make it quick.
I'm going out.

Where?

None of your business!

Don't interfere!

Izo why do you kill so
many people?

Sakamoto.
Don't you understand anything?

I do it for our nation!

- For our nation?
- That?s right!

Will killing
people help the nation?

I don't want to argue.

Takechi says so.

Is Takechi always right?

Yes he is!

Just compare how I am right now
with how I was in Tosa,

and things are going to get
even better!

Where Takechi of Tosa goes,
I will follow him!

Izo, do you know the story of
the hunter and his dog?

The hunter and his dog chased
animals all day in vain.

My grandfather told me that
story a million times.

The hunter got mad and yelled
at the dog.

The dog ran faster until he
found a rabbit.

He attacked the rabbit furiously

thinking it would please
his master.

But the dog bit into the
rabbit's liver.

It's bitter blood made the
game inedible.

Haste makes waste...
Right?

Heard it a million times!

Izo, there's more to the story.

More?

Yes. The hunter got furious
at the dog, killed him, and

then boiled and ate him.

Killed the dog?

Boiled and ate him?

I don't know that part.

Sakamoto.

Are you saying Takechi
is a hunter and I'm his dog?

Is the man with Izo walking?

That's ridiculous!

Listen you don't know what's
going on here.

The reason the Tosa Clan is so
influential here in Kyoto

is all because of me!

Takechi treats me with respect.

I'd kill for him!

The Tosa Loyalists need me!

You're a traitor.
You're the one in danger.

Worry about yourself first!

Wait!

I'm tired of your stupid talking.
I'm busy!

He's a good guy,
but what a blockhead!

What a blockhead!
All that trusted logic!

Never mind him!

Put this on my tab.

I'll charge it to the Tosa Clan.
What about him?

He's a Tosa man, more or less.
Include.

Thank you.

Going out?

Yeah, so...?

Want a hand?

No. The Tosa Clan will
handle it.

Just the Tosa Clan?
I see.

You know there are some things I,
too must do by myself.

When that happens.

Don't get in my way.

What are you talking about?

There's a traitor named
Sakamoto Ryoma.

He's mine.

O-kami, my bill.

Okada paid.

Wait! What's your name
and clan?

Tosa Clan, Sakamoto Ryoma.

What do you want?

So you're the one.

From Satsuma, I'm Tanaka Shinbei.

Call me 'Hito-Kiri' Shinbei.

Satsuma's 'Killer' Shinbei.
I'll remember that.

Shinbei, Sakamoto is no traitor.

He's a born scatterbrain.

If people say right,
he goes left.

He's just a damn fool.

You shouldn't take him
too seriously.

You Tosa people stick together.
You even cover for traitors.

Sakamoto isn't a traitor.

I've known him since we were kids.

He's a true Loyalist.

He introduced me to Takechi.

He'd never betray us.
I guarantee it.

Shinbei try to be understanding.

Well, I wonder about him.

The wind is picking up.

The men on the Osaka Ferry
will be happy to get inside.

Matsuda.

I'm taking Izo
off the Ishibe squad.

Why?

The four clans will raid Ishibe
without Okada Izo.

Why? He's our best fighter...

Tosa has gone too far!

We originally invited you here
to act as a buffer

between the bickering
Satsuma and Choshu clans.

But instead you've become
the most hard-headed!

Takechi,

The Emperor is very unhappy!

In the name of Heaven's
Punishment, Izo kills too many!

He's become a royal headache!

So the Emperor has issued an
Imperial Edict,

calling your Lord Yamamoto
to Kyoto.

Yoshida was his favorite.

The death infuriated him.

Plus, he hates anything radical.

He can't stand Izo's killing.

Chances are, he might even
send us all back to Tosa.

I see now. I get it.

If Izo kills at Ishibe
Tosa will be blamed again.

So that's why you took him
off the squad.

Izo has done a good job.

After he takes care of Inouye,
let him rest for a while.

Seems Loyalists have their
own problems.

Let's go drink some more.

I'll tell you all about it.

I've had enough.

No more. Let's go.

I've had enough.

Oh, come on.

I can't drink anymore.
Good night.

Inouye you're about to find
out who killed Yoshida Toyo.

Ask him yourself in the hereafter.

Izo, you're a brilliant killer.

You can do it any time,
any place.

Even in broad daylight.

Yeah, but I slipped up yesterday.

I forgot to say Tenchu.

What a joker!

Master, take a look at my sword.

It's as good as new.

By the way, about the Ishibe raid
on Watanabe and his men...

When is it?

It's been postponed.

We're putting it off for a while.

You've worked hard.
Take a rest.

A rest? Might be a good idea
in this heat.

I love octopus.

Yeah, it's all squishy when
you chew it.

I couldn't afford it a few
years ago.

But I'm rich now, and
everything keeps getting better.

Heaven's reward.

Excuse me.

This is from Sakamoto.

He's waiting for you downstairs.

Thanks.

Thank you. Sorry to bother you.

Come here!

I'm eating.

Eat after I'm done.

We can do it later.

I can't wait until later.

You shouldn't screw before work.

Why not?

You're a killer. You'll sweat
out all of your strength.

What?

Are you sure about this?

If Leader Takechi finds out...

Why would they tell Takechi?

Just tell them you brought me
along on his orders.

That's the only reason they'd
see you.

Just open your eyes and
look at yourself.

Consider Japan's domestic
situation.

'Kedamono'!

Beast, huh?

Yes, you are.

Your body is unusual.

Stop it!

Don't! Stop it!

Bitch!

Your body is mine!

I'll do as I please.

Don't brag!

What?

I was having a nice dream.

So what?

I spend all my money on you!

It's the least you can do!

It's the least I can do, huh?!

Then spare me all the hot air
about Okada Izo of Tosa!

What?

You talk big, but all you can
buy is a cheap whore like me!

Tell your Leader to pay you
enough for a fancy courtesan!

How much I get paid is none
of your business!

I bought your body!

I can do as I please!
Idiot!

With money? Is that so?

That's fine! Do as you like!

Bitch!

They left.

For Ishibe? Last night?

I waited for you all night at the
meeting place, but you didn't come.

When I said I'd find you,
they left me behind.

Damn them!

They left me out!

They left me out!

The raid will start this
evening and Ishibe is too far.

It's too late!

Out of the way!

Move, or Okada Izo of Tosa
will kill you!

Okada Izo is here!

I am Okada Izo!

I am Okada Izo of Tosa!

Watanabe Genzaburo?

Okada Izo?

I'm Okada Izo!

Okada-no-Izo!

Okada Izo is here!

It's Okada Izo!

I am Okada Izo!

Where is Okawara?

Are you Okawara?

I killed Watanabe Genzaburo!

I'm a dedicated Loyalist!

My name is Okada Izo!

Okada Izo has killed them!

Tenchu, that's all.

You yelled out your clan's
name and your own name, too!

You know that you must never
reveal that even under torture.

But, Leader...

Why did you leave me out?

I, Takechi Hanpei so ordered!

You will follow my orders,

or I'll send you back home!

Be more discreet.

What about my pay?

You dare ask for money?
What unbelievable gall!

Idiot!

Welcome. Okada-san.
You're earlier than usual.

Sake.

You look depressed, Izo.
What's wrong?

Listen, I want you to do me
a favor.

That aristocrat?

No, thanks to you.

I can visit him anyway.

The problem is you.

What's that?

At Ishibe, you and Tanaka Shinbei
killed so many.

You made the other clans look
bad, the show you two put on.

Now they are trying
to kill me.

That's not my problem.

Look, I don't care who is
after me.

But there is someone else who
must not be killed.

I have to go to Hyogo tonight,
leaving him alone.

Will you be his bodyguard for me
just for tonight?

Who is he?

It's Katsu.

Give me a break!

He's a Shogunate supporter
with Masamoto.

Leader Takechi is mad at me.

Why's Takechi mad at you?

Never mind. It's none of
your business.

- Hey! Waitress!
- Yes!

Let's go outside.

Izo, why do you kiss Takechi's
rear end all the time?

Takechi Hanpei this, Takechi
Hanpei that. Okada Izo delivers.

Guarding Katsu will
benefit Takechi Hanpei, too.

Leader Takechi will benefit?

That's right, he will.

Thanks for your trouble.
Am I really in such big danger?

I don't see any monsters
or wolves around.

Let's go.

The Choshu Clan is furious!

They went for Katsu last night
but his bodyguard killed 2 of them!

One fellow that got away said the
Yojimbo looked exactly like Izo!

I told him that he is
surely mistaken.

Izo, was it really you?

Yes, it was.

Why did you do such a thing?

Because Sakamoto asked me.

Sakamoto asked you?

You did it just because
that traitor asked you to?

He said guarding Katsu would
benefit Leader Takechi.

What exactly did Sakamoto say?

Takechi is plotting to
overthrow the Shogunate

and restore the Emperor to power,
in order to become a Daimyo Lord.

- Good, I'll rise with him.
- No, you won't.

Why not?

There will be no Daimy? in
the New Age.

Farmers, merchants and
samurai...

...All will be equal.

Nonsense!
You're dreaming.

It will never happen.

If it does happen, the
Loyalists will only end up

replacing the Shogun with
the Emperor.

What good will that do?

Absurd! And you believed him?

No, I didn't.

For some unknown reason Leader
Takechi is mad at me about Ishibe.

He didn't even pay me.

I thought I was doing good.

I'll do anything to regain
his favor.

And I do like one thing
you said...

What's that?

If the world changes like you said,

then we'll be equal
with aristocrat's daughters.

It's none of your business, though.

I like the idea.

I've killed so many for our
nation.

It might be fun for a change...

not to kill anyone!

Izo, you don't understand a thing!

You fool!

You God-damn idiot!

Idiot?

It's okay if you just do what
I tell you to do,

and don't do what I don't tell
you to do!

Do you have a problem with that?

I guess...

Dissatisfied, are you?
Then go home to Tosa!

At once if you don't want to do
what I order you to!

I'm not your dog!
Don't talk big!

What?

'Do what I tell you, and don't
do what I don't tell you to do!'

Who do you think you are?

I'm a true Loyalist!

Screw you!

I won't go to Tosa! Plenty
of people would love to hire me.

From now on, you're no longer
my Leader!

I'm leaving you!

Bastard!

He can't talk to me like that!

He's nothing without me!

I am Okada Izo. I'm trying
to find work as an assassin.

If you want to hire me,
make an offer.

Speaking for Choshu Clan,
I'd like to hire you right now,

but I have to check with
my supervisor.

Let me get back to you.

We checked with Tosa.

They said they decided to send
you home

because you caused
such a ruckus.

That's absurd!

Whatever.

Bottom line, if we hire you now,
it might cause trouble between

us and Takechi,
and we don't want that.

Tanaka Shinbei, and Okada Izo.
We'd be the strongest clan.

Are you sure you've left Takechi?

Yes. Takechi Hanpei and I had
a clean break.

Tosa Clan is nothing to me.
Nothing.

Takechi was very clear.
He's not letting you go.

He's just blowing smoke.
He doesn't own me.

Look, I want you here, but
we don't want any trouble.

Especially not with the famous
Takechi Hanpei.

Like I told you, the Kumamoto
Clan must avoid

any trouble with Takechi.

Please don't take it personally.

Of course, I can't afford to
hire you, but I'm a noble man.

I don't need your services.

You should put away your sword.

The best thing for you is to go
home and farm.

With Okada Izo gone, Kyoto
will probably quiet down a bit.

But you can never leave Takechi.

I can! I'll never go back to him!
Never!

Sake! Bring more sake!

Okada Izo is here.

Mr. Okada,
you better stop drinking.

What?

Takechi of Tosa came a few
days ago.

He said that Okada Izo's bill won't
be paid by the Tosa Clan anymore.

You have to pay for your
sake yourself.

What!
Sit down. Shinbei! Drink.

I won't say anything.

Takechi won't pay your
tab anymore?

What a jerk!

We should help each other.

I'll pay for your drinks anytime.

Shinbei, oh, you're a great guy.

I...

I know. I know.

Don't say anything.

Let me talk.

Let me speak.

Let me get it off my chest!

I am such a fool!
Damn.

Takechi told me, 'Kill that one
for the sake of the nation'.

He'd say, 'Spare him'.

Every time, Izo go right,
Izo go left...

What should I do now?
What am I? A damn fool!

What is Okada Izo?
A giant-size fool!

It's your own fault.

My fault, why?

There are some things you
just can't change.

Do you know how much I owe?

Thirty ryo!

Thirty ryo?

No matter how hard I work,
I'll never get out of debt!

Once you're bound by money...

No, you're wrong.

You and I are the same.

I'm tied to money.

You're tied to the Tosa Clan
and Takechi.

We're both tied down,
unable to move.

There's nothing we can
do about it.

But, I owe so much.

Let's go to bed.

No, damn you!

Tomorrow you apologize
to Takechi.

No!

If you apologize...

No way!
I can't do that, unless...

If you really have changed
your mind, that's very good.

For me as well as for all
the Tosa Loyalists.

I'll never oppose you again.

That's enough.
You don't have to beg.

By the way,

there's a very undesirable person
I want you to take care of.

This job is top secret.

I want you to do it alone.

Leader, it's not Sakamoto, is it?

Izo, you impress me.

You have a sixth sense.

Don't worry. It's not Sakamoto.

I'd never ask you to
kill Sakamoto.

Leader. You're mean!
You made me sweat.

Tell me who it is.
I'll kill him at once.

Anenokoji.

What's wrong?

Why so shocked?

But, Anenokoji-sama is
our strongest ally.

Izo, didn't you just swear to do
exactly as I ordered from now on?

Now, listen...

There's a trick to this job.
Don't use your own sword.

Use this.

After you're done,
leave it near the body.

This design,
It's a Satsuma sword.

I've seen this before.

Tanaka Shinbei of Satsuma.

How did we get Shinbei's sword?

No one will ever know.

Hundreds of years from now people
will still wonder what happened?

It will be an unsolvable mystery.

But Leader...

Why must I use Shinbei's sword
to kill Anenokoji-sama?

I won't tell you.

You wouldn't understand anyway.

You swore you'd do exactly
as ordered!

So do it!

It's you...?

Okada-san! Okada-san!

Anenokoji was assassinated!
Okada-san!

Leader Takechi went to see
what happened!

Okada-san, please!

Anenokoji has been assassinated!
That nobleman has been killed!

Okada-san get up!

Who did this?

This is a great setback
for our nation.

Who did it?

Who could have done such a thing?

I'm sorry about the other day.

It was Tosa Clan's orders.
I had no choice.

Forgive me.

Apparently Anenokoji was killed
by Tanaka Shinbei of Satsuma.

Shinbei's been summoned to
the Magistrate.

If I, Tanaka Shinbei did it,
I'd say so.

That Nobleman Anenokoji
was a Loyalist. He was one of us.

Why would I kill him?

So you deny the charges?

Whose sword is that?

It's mine.

It was found next to the body
of Nobleman Anenokoji!

Next to the body?

That's right.

The Emperor wasted no time
in expelling the Satsuma Clan.

We got rid of Anenokoji, that
nobleman was starting to go soft,

and banished the Satsuma Clan
from Kyoto all in one stroke.

What a brilliant plan!

But what happened to Izo?

He fled without finishing
Anenokoji off.

And he hasn't even come
for his pay.

He's only human. I suppose his
work gets to him sometimes.

Pay him double this time.

Izo, wake up!

Izo wake up!
This isn't like you.

You fell asleep the moment
you came in.

You look like a crying child.

You're making me sad, too.

We're coming in!

Who's here?

Okada is.

Which clan?

State your name!

Wake up!

He's drunk and asleep.
Please leave him alone.

Shut up and let me do my job!
Wake up!

What's going on?

Ronin Patrol. State your
name and clan!

Ronin Patrol?

Leave me alone, dogs!

What's that?

Go away!

Why must I tell you my
name and clan?

Get up!

What are you in for?

What are you in for?

Hey, can't you hear me?
What are you in for?

Tell us! Tell us!

You look like a samurai.

Ronin Patrol get you?

I'm no ronin!

You are aware you can't be
arrogant in here.

Are you an arrogant samurai?

This damn splinter.

We don't like samurai in here!

They are too arrogant!

Tell us now, arson? Robbery?
What?

He looks stupid!
Maybe he's a petty thief?

Pay your respects to the Boss
or we'll beat you up!

Sounds good!

Try and get me, all of you!

I'm Okada Izo of Tosa!

Warden!

My clan will get me out of here!

It's dark and it's stinky!
Hey!

Let me wait in
the Magistrate's room!

Warden!

I explained everything to
the Aizu Inspectors.

I'm a Tosa man, Okada Izo!

If you mess with me, my Tosa
brothers will come

and chop off your heads!

They say they'll release Okada
Izo, if it's really him.

That's what the Aizu Clan
messenger said.

Damn fool!

Shall we send someone for him?

No, wait. I'll go myself.

Aizu Clan is up to something fishy.

I'll bring Okada Izo back.

I'm impressed!

This is my turn now.

You pour me some.

Huh, thanks.

Now I can brag that I shared
a cup with a big Tosa samurai!

Anything you need, just ask.

Stay as long as you like!

It won't be too much longer!

Ah, here they come.

Here I am!

Okada Izo is over here!

Is this man Okada Izo?

Hey! What's the matter
with you guys?

It's me! Okada Izo!

Well, is he Okada Izo or isn't he?

Hey, Amano...

Hey! It's me! It's Okada Izo!
Hey! Hey!

Leader Takechi!

Oh...

He even knows my face and name.

He's a good actor.

Takechi Hanpei, I'll ask again.

Is this man Izo?

No, that is not Okada Izo.

Leader!

This man is not Okada Izo.

He is not from Tosa Clan.

Okada Izo is a famous swordsman.

He would not get drunk,

or go to brothels,

or fight officials
and get thrown in jail!

He's not like that!

I've never seen this man
before now.

He's only pretending to
be Okada Izo. An imposter!

Leader! Get me out of here!

Takechi certainly lives up
to his reputation.

He thought we'd picked up Okada
Izo on a routine Ronin Patrol.

I wondered if we should
torture him to make him talk.

But, there's no need for that.

He's not Okada Izo from Tosa

He's just nobody from nowhere.

But, he at least needs a name.
How about...

'Torazo'?

It sounds stronger.

From now on, you're just a
vagrant called Torazo!

Tosa Country - 1865

Did 8 months in jail teach
you a lesson?

You're free.

You were granted a special
pardon on the condition that

you stay out of Kyoto forever.

Hey, Okada. Izo!

I tried to get you out sooner,

but there were problems.

The world has changed a lot since
you were put away.

Takechi and the other Loyalists
were recalled to Tosa.

And that's not all.

The Lord still wants
to know who killed Yoshida Toyo.

Takechi and Matsuda are being
interrogated at the castle.

There's no point in going
home now.

Seems stupid to struggle
amongst ourselves when we're

surrounded by English and
Dutch warships.

I'm determined to unite
Satsuma and Choshu.

Hey, Izo...

Why don't you come with me
to Kyushu?

Come and see me when you
get out.

I'm in Sanjo.

All right?

Okada! Hey, Okada!

Have you decided?

This is the third time.
I want an answer today.

Tosa chiefs have nothing to punish
Takechi for. He'll get out soon,

and the Loyalists
will come back to power.

But the chiefs are sure to send
people after you,

They're still looking for
evidence against Takechi.

If you're caught, they'll
keep you.

Matsuda and Takechi are in jail
during the investigation.

The longer it takes, the more
our plans unravel.

It's not just for Matsuda, Takechi,
and the Loyalists.

It's for your sake, too.

We'll pay your expenses.

Just stay out of Tosa for six,
no, three months.

Please, please. I beg you!

I'm not Okada Izo.

I'm Torazo the Vagrant.

That fool!

He still bears a grudge
against us!

He's left us no choice.

I'll take care of him.

We could have used him again
after our release.

You no longer need a dog like him.

From this point on, the real
killing begins.

...War...

...Rising Flames...

...Swirling Smoke...

...Rivers of Blood...

One dog like Okada Izo
isn't enough!

We'll need thousands of mad dogs!

From small destruction to the
final complete destruction!

It's been some time.

Tomorrow is the Spring Festival.

It's good to see you.

My family runs a brewery.
They make good sake.

Here.

Have some.

You drink it.

What?

You drink it first.

I don't trust Takechi.

See, it's not poison.

Now do you trust me?

No. One more cup.

It seems all right.

You're paranoid.
You suspect even me.

Anybody would be paranoid
after what I've been through.

What will you do now?

After what happened in Kyoto,
I've severed my ties there.

Nothing to do with you.

Anyway, I'm leaving Tosa
after the festival.

Leaving?

Sakamoto is coming here.

I'm going to Kyushu with him.

You never know what could happen.

I'm going to be his bodyguard.

But I won't be his dog.

I'm no longer Okada Izo.

I'm Torazo the Vagrant,
and I'll stay that way.

Minakawa, that's because in
Kyushu everybody is free!

From now on, I'll live as I wish.

What's wrong?

Okada-san...

Do you feel okay?

That's odd...

What's wrong?

The sake is poisoned.

Takechi told me.

Wait a minute!

It's a lie!

It's not poison.

He told me I had to convince you,
no matter what.

It's a trick.

He said it just to encourage me.

No, Takechi is inhumane.

No he's not! He will save Tosa,
and renew Japan.

Yoshida Toyo's assassination!

Are you saying that you know
who planned and carried it out?

Who was it?

I won't tell you for free.

Give me a reward.

Reward? What are you
talking about?

Money. Thirty ryo.

Done. Now tell me who did it.

I won't breathe a word until
I get paid.

Thirty ryo to be sent to Omino
at the Yamashiro Inn. Right?

Yes, at the Yamashiro House.
Make sure it gets there.

We'll send it off at once.

Okay. Write a letter, too.
A short one.

Yes.

"Omino, use this money to
free yourself.

"I, too, will free myself...

"...from the one who tied me down."

Sir Yoshida Toyo was assassinated
on the orders of Takechi Hanpei?

Izo, these are the names of the
assassins, is that correct?

Exactly.

And the one who strangled
Inspector Inouye Seiichiro...

...was me.

What?

Those were Takechi's orders, too.

There were more, many, many more.

Detectives Bunkishi,
Muru, and Tada.

Classical scholar Kuyo...

Honma of Echigo...

Watanabe Genzaburo and
Okawara...

and don't be surprised...

Anenokoji the Nobleman,

Tanaka Shinbei of Satsuma.

I killed them all on Takechi's
orders with this sword!

Okada Izo, you've killed

so many people for no reason.

For that you shall be crucified!

Today's the Spring Festival.
I have plans to see someone.

Execute me after I say
good-bye to him.

No!

Izo! Okada!

Izo! Okada!

Any last words?

One question...
Will Takechi and I...

...be executed...

...for the same charge?

His are political crimes.

Yours are a ruffian's crimes.

Different deaths to differentiate them.

He'll be allowed to commit seppuku.

You are to be crucified like this.

I see. It went better than
I thought.

I'm free at last!

Free?

I cut my ties with Takechi in
this world.

So he will be nothing to me
in the next world.

Do it!

THE END