Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance (1972) - full transcript
In this first film of the Lone Wolf and Cub series, adapted from the manga by Kazuo Koike, we are told the story of the Lone Wolf and Cub's origin. Ogami Itto, the official Shogunate executioner, has been framed for disloyalty to the Shogunate by the Yagyu clan, against whom he now is waging a one-man war, along with his infant son, Daigoro.
TOHO CO., LTD.
A KATSU PRODUCTIONS FILM
Our lord!
This is unjust.
My lord, I will follow you.
All of us will avenge you.
Even if it's the Shogun's will...
Not our young lord...
Our lord!
- My lord!
- Our lord!
All of you, do not lose your composure!
How unseemly at this last second!
Now that it's come to this,
the least you can do is...
...remain quiet and witness
the last moment of our lord.
As his loyal vassals,
it is our duty.
I am Itto Ogami, Shogunate Executioner.
Please... Please do it well.
You only need to take this fan
and hold it against your stomach.
Are you ready?
Such is a lord of country and castle,
a fine samurai.
The Tokugawa Shogunate
took an iron-fisted approach
in controlling the daimyo lords
with their han domains within Japan.
Any sign of disagreement could cost a lord
his title and his family land.
In this reign of terror,
three separate agencies were created.
First, a network of ninja spies
called Oniwaban, or Garden Wardens,
was tasked to seek out reasons
to abolish the han domains.
Second, Shikaku, or Assassins,
were charged with killing domain officials
who might obstruct
the Shogunate's political will.
Third, to assist condemned daimyo lords
perform the seppuku self-execution,
the Kaishakunin, the Executioner, was tasked
to be their second - their final decapitator.
The spy network
was operated by the Kurokuwa clan.
The assassinations were performed
by the Yagyu clan.
And...
...Itto Ogami was the Shogunate's
Official Kaishakunin Executioner,
privileged to wear robes bearing
the Hollyhock Crest of the Tokugawa clan.
LONE WOLF AND CUB
SWORD OF VENGEANCE
Produced by SHINTARO KATSU
HISAHARU MATSUBARA
Screenplay by KAZUO KOIKE
Based on the Manga by KAZUO KOIKE
GOSEKI KOJIMA
Cinematography by
CHIKASHI MAKIURA
Sound by
TSUCHITARO HAYASHI
Lighting by
HIROSHI MIMA
Production Design by
AKIRA NAITO
Starring
TOMISABURO WAKAYAMA
FUMIO WATANABE
TOMOKO MAYAMA
SHIGERU TSUYUGUCHI
ASAO UCHIDA
TAKETOSHI NAITO
YOSHI KATO
AKIHIRO TOMIKAWA
YUNOSUKE ITO
Directed by KENJI MISUMI
SON FOR HIRE - SWORD FOR HIRE
SUIO-RYU SWORDSMAN - ITTO OGAMI
What's that?
Let me see.
“Son for Hire. Sword for Hire.
Suio-ryu Swordsman, Itto Ogami."
Itto Okami. “Okami” as in “Wolf”?
No, “Ogami” as in “Pray.”
it must be the name of that ronin.
“Sword for Hire” makes sense,
but “Son for Hire”?
Who knows?
Hello.
He looks down-and-out in these bad times,
with a child to boot.
Can he make it?
Wow, what a cute kid!
So cute he's pitiful.
Come back!
O-Mine!
Come back!
O-Mine!
What are you doing?
Toramatsu!
O-Mine!
Toramatsu!
Stop that!
What are you doing
to someone else's child?
I'm sorry for her rudeness.
Please forgive her.
I'm so sorry.
Excuse me, but it says “Son for Hire.”
Would you really hire out this child?
Toramatsu, you must be hungry.
Here.
Have your mother's milk.
Drink a lot.
Daigoro.
Have some. Go ahead.
Isn't it delicious?
Toramatsu.
I got you. Good boy.
Thank you very much. Easy, easy.
Toramatsu, I'll save up money
and come see you again.
Just a moment.
Would this be enough?
I don't need your money.
It just so happens he was hungry.
Is that so? Thank you very much.
A man deceived her and then left her.
She had put up her baby for adoption,
but he caught a cold and passed away.
Since then, as you can see,
my daughter has gone insane.
She can't tell other people's children
from her own.
Damn, it's started to rain.
Welcome home.
What's wrong?
You don't look well.
What's troubling you?
Tell me.
Of late, I have had awful nightmares.
I think it's the people
you helped commit seppuku -
stuck in horrible places in Hell
like the Needle Mountains and Blood Lakes,
howling at us in blood-curdling voices.
“We curse you and the Ogami clan.”
Over and over.
I'm so worried about our son.
This is not like like you, a strong woman.
You must be tired.
Azami, neither you nor I shall ever forget
why we named him Daigoro.
We wish him to be undaunted
when faced with hardship,
not to be spoiled should he become rich,
to be mindful of the five other Realms -
Hell, Ghouls, Beasts,
Struggles and Heaven -
and to live out his life
as a strong human being.
Yes.
Don't worry.
He'll be a strong boy who won't succumb
to any unreasonable circumstance.
Dear.
Fortunately Daigoro is now one year old.
I'll introduce him to the souls
of the various lords I've been second to.
I'll be in the family temple.
Just a monk at night...
COLD NIGHT PRAYER
Azami!
Azami!
Azami!
Daigoro...
Daigoro...
Azami.
Who could have done such...
Who did this?
Damn.
I'll hunt them to the ends of the earth.
I'll comb through weeds to the roots
to find them.
I will avenge you.
This I promise.
I'm So-Metsuke, Inspector General,
Yagyu Bizen-no-Kami.
I'm here on official business.
Master Yagyu.
I feared such a tragic incident.
You feared?
This morning, three men committed seppuku
in front of the gate of the Yagyu clan.
I hurried over because of their letter
vowing to punish evil.
Vowing to punish evil?
VOW TO PUNISH EVIL
“We vow to avenge our Lord Hirotada
and placate his departed soul
and to eradicate the Ogami clan
of the Shogunate Executioner.
Itto Ogami serves in the high office
of Official Executioner,
but he abuses his authority,
like a parasite in a lion's body.
He is a traitor who aims
to overthrow the Shogunate.
Know that such proof exists
inside the Ogami family temple.
In the name of the Shogunate
and mindful of the grief of our lord
who met his demise by such a traitor,
we hereby punish the evil Ogami clan
and then follow our lord in death.
Sanshu-Ikoma Domain vassals Hyogo Otai,
Shichinosuke Watabe
and Gorozaemon Makijima.”
Signed in blood.
Three samurai killed themselves
to deliver this letter.
It is my duty as Inspector General
to inspect your family temple.
Lead the way, Master Ogami.
The family temple is where I pray
for the peaceful rest of the souls
of the various lords I was second to
in the name of the Shogunate.
A most admirable intent.
I am impressed, Master Ogami.
What is this?
What's the meaning of this?
A memorial tablet
with the Hollyhock Crest?
Why do you have a memorial tablet
for the Shogunate?
Answer me!
What do you pray for
in this family temple?
I don't understand.
I've never seen this tablet before.
Who could have...
So it was true what the letter said.
I don't get this. This can't be...
Disgraceful of you to make excuses!
Come with us. As Inspector General,
I must interrogate you.
Come out and arrest Itto Ogami.
This is strange.
Master Yagyu,
why are they prepared like this?
Have they been prepared to take me
by force from the beginning?
It's an emergency.
Naturally we came prepared.
Then you would come armed and prepared.
There shouldn't be any need
to conceal the arms under robes.
And what about this chain mail?
Did you have time to put this on
before you rushed over?
No need to talk! I will listen to you
when I interrogate you.
You set me up, Yagyu.
All this makes sense
only if you and the Yagyu clan
have plotted this whole incident.
I said you're wrong, Itto Ogami.
Because I am not guilty
of anything at all,
the Ikoma samurai had no reason
to commit hara-kiri.
But it all fits together
if you schemed to bring me down.
Everything is arranged all too well.
I know about Ura-Yagyu.
They hunger to obtain the post
of Shogunate Executioner.
You fixed this for that purpose.
Ura-Yagyu?
What do you mean by “Yagyu shadow clan”?
Are you accusing our Yagyu clan of having
two faces - one public and one secret?
Sure.
Munenori's sons, “Jubei” Mitsuyoshi,
Tomonari and Munefuyu,
they are the public faces.
His other son, Gisen,
also known as Retsudo, is the Ura-Yagyu.
Retsudo is your grandfather.
He holds the real power
and controls Yagyu from the shadows.
I'm well aware what Ura-Yagyu is.
He secretly plots
with the Shogunate officials.
He has the Kurokuwa ninja network
under his control.
Now he intends to destroy me and seize
the high post of Executioner.
Your Double Hat Crest.
It's for Omote-Yagyu to deceive the public
as Shogunate Sword Master.
But the Ura-Yagyu
carries the crest passed down from
its founder Mimasaka-no-Kami Ieyoshi -
Two Swallows and Great Burnet,
which is proof enough.
What say you?
Impressive, Itto Ogami,
how well you know us.
Now you leave us no choice
but to have you killed.
“Itto Ogami fought
with the Ikoma Domain samurai
and fell under their murderous blades.”
it's all arranged perfectly.
I see.
You forced the Ikoma samurai
to write that confession letter
and forced them to commit hara-kiri.
There's nothing you and the Yagyu clan
wouldn't do to satisfy your greed.
Unforgivable.
You'll pay.
Kill him.
Attack him!
Damn it.
Once in the water,
Ogami can take full advantage
of his Suio-ryu swordsmanship.
Bizen is such a fool.
This is bad.
The Suio-ryu Wave-Slicer.
Retsudo of the Ura-Yagyu?
You damn little brat!
You and Ura-Yagyu use every treachery
to advance your clan's glory.
I will never forgive you!
I will crush the Ura-Yagyu
with the wrath of the Ogami clan.
The Yagyu exists because of the Shogunate,
and the Shogunate exists
because of the Yagyu.
Do not forget that.
Struggle as you may, you are nothing.
This destiny has been set in stone.
Fight me, Retsudo!
I won't fight you.
Now that Bizen has been defeated,
I'll make sure
the Shogun settles the matter.
Wash your neck and wait for the blade.
Wait, Retsudo!
I will never forgive you
and your Yagyu clan.
The river of greed, the Omote-Yagyu.
The river of fury, the Ura-Yagyu.
Though you may attack me on two sides
with plots and treachery,
I'll walk on the white path
of righteousness.
Though I may become a corpse
or reduced to bones,
I shall have my vengeance.
What is happening, sir?
He's here.
He's the Shogunate Executioner
who disappeared
after a conflict with the Yagyu clan
two years ago.
The Shogunate Executioner?
The Itto Ogami, then.
Even an army of Yagyu swordsmen
failed to kill him.
Is that him?
There's a rumor about an assassin
called Lone Wolf and Cub.
You must have heard about him.
How do you know, sir,
this assassin is Itto Ogami?
It says “Sword for Hire.”
If it is Master Itto Ogami,
what will you do, Chamberlain, sir?
When we left our home,
you two promised to protect the Oyamada
Domain and its tribute of 30,000 koku,
and you pledged your lives to me.
- Yes.
- Yes, sir.
You two are the best swordsmen
in our domain.
If that man is not Itto Ogami,
you two will kill him.
I understand.
We two might kill him,
but it'd be better if we get killed.
Chamberlain, sir.
We'd be glad to give up our lives.
I am Gyobu Ichige, the Oyamada Domain
Edo Mansion Chamberlain.
I wonder if you happen to be
Master Itto Ogami,
who used to be Shogunate Executioner.
I asked you to stop by
as I have a sincere request to make.
Please forgive my rudeness
if I'm mistaken.
Let me hear your business.
I would like to request an assassination.
There are four to kill.
500 ryo for an assassination,
regardless of how many I must deal with.
One more thing.
You must tell me
all the secrets and reasons.
I ask you to count it.
Tell me the story.
Our Domain House Elder, Kenmotsu Sugito,
intends to treacherously kill
the legitimate but sickly heir Noriyuki
and have Takemaru from a branch family
succeed our lord
and thus grab absolute power
of Oyamada Domain.
Lord Noriyuki will be visiting his domain
for the first time.
He'll leave Edo in two days.
No way Kenmotsu would pass up
this opportunity.
Our covert investigation reveals
he has gathered
ronin vagabonds and scoundrels
and intends to ambush Lord Noriyuki
and his men.
On the Nikko Highway,
eight miles before Imaichi,
there is a mountain road called
Otawara Road.
GO-NO-MORI
Down this road,
on the border with our domain,
there is a hot springs resort
called Go-no-Mori
where Kenmotsu has his ronin standing by.
We had a report that Kenmotsu
would visit Go-no-Mori
today or tomorrow to discuss his plans.
Thus the three of us steeled ourselves,
determined to kill Kenmotsu
at the cost of our own lives.
Kenmotsu Sugito has under his command
three skilled Nen-ryu swordsmen
called the Oyamada Three.
Especially Junai Matsuki,
who also serves as Inspector.
He is a skilled gunman on a horse.
We don't have a chance against him.
So we were ready to surprise them
and kill them and then be killed.
But now that we have you,
please use your skills
on the traitor Kenmotsu Sugito.
Please, I beseech you.
Atop a tall mountain
Here
If you drop a hard turd
Here you go
Covered in sand
Roll and roll, down and down
That one goes bouncing
This one goes bouncing
That one goes bouncing
Daigoro.
The Shogunate's men
will be arriving shortly.
But your father is resolved
to defy the Shogun's will
and escape this place alive.
To avenge the Ogami clan
and to clear our name,
to clear the dishonor,
I'll abandon the way of the warrior
and live on the Demon Way in Hell.
Listen, Daigoro.
Your father will walk
the path of blood and death,
the way of the assassin
filled with slaughter and cruelty.
Only by taking this way of the assassin
can I avenge the Ogami clan
and crush the Yagyu clan.
Daigoro, you may choose your own way.
Choose this Dotanuki sword
and you'll join me
in the way of the assassin.
Choose this ball and I'll send you
to your mother in the nether world.
Daigoro, of course
you don't understand anything -
not your father's words
nor what is about to happen.
However,
the blood of the Ogami clan in your body
shall determine your destiny.
Now... choose.
Choose!
Daigoro!
You would've been happier
if you'd joined your late mother.
My poor child.
An assassin with a child.
Remember, Daigoro, this is our destiny.
ORDER
Sword bearer Itto Ogami.
Despite serving in the high post
of Shogunate Executioner,
you have placed a memorial tablet
with the Hollyhock Crest
inside your family temple,
which can only mean
you wish to curse the Shogunate to death.
This act is unforgivable.
Thus your employment is terminated,
your family name is abolished,
and you are hereby sentenced to death
by seppuku along with your son, Daigoro.
It is most admirable that you greeted us
dressed in white robes of death
and befitting Itto Ogami, the Executioner
renowned for his swordsmanship.
Your resolve is magnificent.
We didn't put on these white robes
to cut open our stomachs.
From this moment on,
my son and I shall live
on the Demon Way in Hell.
These robes mark our departure.
Do you intend to defy the Shogun's will?
Have you gone insane?
We're on the Demon Way
and are no longer ordinary humans.
To us, the Shogun's will is...
...laughable!
Fight him!
Fight him!
Can you kill me?
Can you kill the Executioner
with your skinny arms?
You're insane to dare to defy
the Shogun's will.
Kill him!
What are you waiting for? Kill him!
Itto Ogami.
Accept the Shogun's will
and commit hara-kiri with dignity here.
I'll be your second and executioner.
You and the Ogami clan have been relieved
and we, the Ura-Yagyu, have been ordered
to the post of Shogunate Executioner.
Thus,
we'll behead you as your second
in accord with etiquette.
I refuse.
Your plots and treachery killed my wife
and framed me for a crime
I did not commit.
Wherever I go to live,
I won't rest until I have my revenge.
You're singing a condemned man's song.
Your resistance must be seen as futile.
You may be a master Suio-ryu swordsman.
But against the Yagyu clan's
Wall of Swords,
it's impossible for you to break through.
Is it?
Damn you, Itto!
I've faithfully served
the Hollyhock Crest for 27 years.
You, for 60-odd years.
In all the more than 60 states of Japan,
every person lives under this crest.
Its usefulness is beyond measure.
Behold.
Even the Yagyu swordsmen
can't dare to touch me.
You can't kill me
without damaging this crest.
What say you!
Isn't it impertinent to hold your blades
aimed at the Hollyhock Crest?
Out of my way!
Wait.
Take off your robe with the crest
and hand it over.
Then the Yagyu clan will challenge you
to a formal duel.
If you win,
you may go wherever you want
and you may earn your living
wherever you want.
So long as you stay out of Edo,
we'll see to it that you'll be left alone.
What say you?
Very well.
Kurando has the setting sun on his back.
Itto Ogami has his son on his back.
They both have something on their backs.
I can already see
how this contest will end.
When they are evenly matched
in their skills,
the one who takes advantage of the lay
of the land and the forces of nature
will be victorious.
Atop a tall mountain
Here
If you drop a hard turd
Here you go
Covered in sand
Roll and roll, down and down
Atop a tall mountain
If you drop a hard turd
LEFT - TO IMAICHI
RIGHT - OTAWARA ROAD
Covered in sand
Roll and roll, down and down
HOT SPRINGS SPA
GO-NO-MORI
Bastards!
Damn bastards.
Why didn't you give up already?
Hey, you with the brat.
Should I chop off the rope
and drop you both?
If you lose the bridge
to the Otawara Road,
you'll find it difficult to leave.
What a wise guy.
Fine. Come on over.
A Dotanuki sword.
It cuts through bones
without damaging the blade.
One can wield it at will on horseback.
A sword for the battlefield.
You got a nice piece.
I'll hold on to it.
Why are you here?
Do you need a reason to visit
a hot springs spa?
Are you really here for the water?
I'm with my son.
What other purpose could I have?
So true.
You two are an unfortunate family, though.
You've come to a hot springs in hell.
Fine. Come with us.
Let me warn you.
If you do anything funny,
we'll stab both you and your kid.
Help! Somebody!
Help!
No!
Dad!
No! Help me!
No! Stop it!
No!
A good daddy can't show this
to his kid, huh?
No!
No!
Please stop!
O-Kayo!
Bastards! Devils!
I'll kill you!
Looks like she's dead.
You choked her with your strong arms
and fed her your big fat thing.
Hey.
I thought she was just a kid,
but she had a body to die for.
How dare you enjoy her all by yourself?
You fool.
Who is that?
A hot spring guest with a kid.
He had a Dotanuki.
Turns out he's a docile pussycat.
No wonder he's quiet.
He can barely stay upright.
Have we met before somewhere?
No.
Your name?
I could tell you,
but I no longer use my name.
Answer me anyway.
I'm Tahei Onishi,
a ronin from a western province.
You're right.
I've never heard of that name.
He was carrying a Dotanuki,
so I thought he might have some skills.
But he fell for the old
cup-throwing trick.
He's nothing.
Listen, if you disobey us even a little,
you and your kid will get
my throwing knives in your throats.
Take them to the bath house.
Come.
What a skilled swordsman.
What?
Are you saying I missed him?
He may be skilled, but he's with his kid
so he can't do anything.
It seems he's not stupid enough
to take on so many of us.
Fine.I'll test him
to see how skilled he is.
Forget it, Monnosuke.
No!
If he's as good as Shigarami says,
it means he was ridiculing me
and my flying knives.
I gotta find out for sure.
You'll come with me, Shigarami, won't you?
That man...
I'm sure I've met him somewhere...
You should've figured out by now
we're all wanted men.
Don't be stupid and disobey us.
Come outside.
I wanna see how good you are.
Come out so we can fight one-on-one.
Don't you hear me?
Damn you.
Don't you care what happens to your kid?
Give it a break.
What kind of fool do you think
would fight a wanted man?
That'd be like throwing away his life.
What?
He is a ronin, but still a samurai.
He can't admit he's afraid
and beg for his life in front of us.
So he keeps his eyes closed
and just takes it.
Enough already. Let him be.
I see. You do make sense.
Pretty smart for a whore
and a pillow thief.
Right, O-Sen?
And you're just talking beasts.
What did you say?
Fine.
I'll let him be.
In exchange, let's have
the two of you do the deed.
Right now. Right here.
We'll sit back and enjoy the show.
That'll be fun.
Do it.
No way. Who'd ever...
Ridiculous.
I can pay admission.
Your trade is selling your body.
You're also a pillow thief
who steals from the men afterwards.
Why don't you give us an eyeful
of your special bed technique.
Bastard.
If you don't want to...
I'd rather die.
Is that so?
Then you'd better die.
Wait.
You...
You wouldn't...
No way...
Would you...
If you'd accept a woman like me...
Do whatever you want.
She's acting like a virgin.
Must be feeling like the Goddess of Mercy,
trying to save a life.
A wet goddess, that's her.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Cut it out, you damn monk.
Hearing you pray,
I feel like we're already dead.
We're in a living hell.
When they leave, they'll kill us all.
That's not decided yet.
There are dozens of villagers here.
They are just hiding in their houses.
Even those bastards
won't kill them all for nothing.
But think about it.
Unlike the villagers, we're travelers.
If they let us leave alive,
news of them might spread.
Which means...
You're right. They'll surely kill us.
Damn.
Are you telling me to be quiet
and wait to get killed?
Bastards!
We can fight, but it won't do us any good.
They're beasts.
Do something please, master samurai.
I don't want to die.
I don't want to get killed. Help me.
Yoshi, what do you think
such a sick man can do?
You saw what that ronin did earlier.
He has no shame
when it comes to saving his skin.
He's a shameless animal,
just like those bastards,
except he's had his fangs pulled
and he's helpless.
Shut up!
What are you, then?
A gambler and a pickpocket, aren't you?
Earlier, I was going to bite off my tongue
and kill myself.
But he saw through me
and he swallowed his pride
and made love to me.
How happy I was.
I'm not worth even a glance from him,
but he gave up his samurai pride
to save my life.
Keep talking nonsense.
Hundreds of samurai pay for cheap whores.
Don't kid yourself.
Would those samurai give up themselves
to save the life of a cheap whore?
He slept with you
to save his own skin, didn't he?
Don't you get it?
Ask your little boy
hanging below your belly button.
What do you mean?
When you're afraid for your life
and trembling,
can you satisfy a woman?
Where are you going?
Aren't you afraid of them?
I'm ready to die at any time.
A woman like me
only grows more miserable
as she gets older.
This hot springs spa is called Go-no-Mori.
Everybody calls it Bats' Hot Springs.
Do you know why?
Bats are not birds, but they have wings.
They're not beasts, but they have fangs.
Bats don't belong,
just like the visitors here.
Outsiders like us gather here
for a moment of rest.
Hence Bats' Hot Springs.
But those thugs are different.
They are beasts with fangs.
And you...
You're a bird with wings.
What are you saying?
You're not afraid of the beasts' fangs.
You've got wings to get you out of here
whenever you wish.
I can tell.
I've gone from man to man all my life.
I know about the wings you've got.
This past summer,
I stayed in the castle town of Takato,
where four samurai from the castle
were killed.
They were killed by a ronin
accompanied by a child.
I remember the four slain samurai
were skilled swordsmen too,
because the investigation
was very thorough.
They said, “Lone Wolf and Cub.
He gets paid to kill people.
An assassin.”
That's what they said.
The heir and his party
are on the Nikko Highway.
The day after tomorrow, soon after noon,
they'll be entering Jizo-ga-Hara.
This is Shogunate land.
It's perfect for an ambush.
Once in Oyamada Territory,
it would be difficult.
You must do it here. Get it?
Got it.
Where's the money?
500 ryo now.
You'll get the remaining 500 ryo
when everything is done.
I'm counting on you, Kanbei.
Failure isn't an option.
Leave it to me.
Can I take a look at that?
A rider's handgun, right?
You can't.
If you've got a toy like that,
why don't you do it yourselves?
We can't leave evidence.
Also,
when you are attacking them,
we must be at the castle.
I see.
If you are all gathered in the castle,
nobody will suspect you.
Exactly.
Lord Noriyuki and his party
will be assumed to have been attacked
and tragically killed by ronin ruffians,
leaving us in the clear,
without suspicion.
If we are the ruffians,
you are disloyal and traitorous bastards.
Watch your language.
Easy.
Anyway, no slipups.
Everything is understood.
Come on out, all of you!
We'll kill you if you don't hurry.
Come out!
Come out!
Come on out!
Move. Hurry.
Listen, all of you.
You've been good to us.
It's time for us to leave.
However,
there's one thing
I want you all to remember.
If you say one word -
or even half a word -
about us to the officials,
you'll all be dead.
Get it?
- Yes.
- Yes, sir.
You guys, however, must die now.
There are two reasons.
If we let you leave, you'll talk about us.
You've seen our faces.
There's another reason.
We must make examples of you
for the villagers.
Consider yourselves unlucky
and give up your lives.
Spare me. Please. Don't kill me.
I'll never say anything about you.
So, please...
Please spare me.
- Please.
- Save me.
Help me.
First, samurai, you'll have to die.
Pick it up.
And then come attack me.
We'll let you die like a warrior.
My lord.
I'm prepared to die.
However, I'm too sick to fight you.
I'll commit hara-kiri.
I'd like to ask you
to be my second and executioner.
Executioner?
Executioner...
Merciful Buddha.
He's praying.
Another word for “pray” is...
“Ogami.”
The Executioner.
Itto Ogami.
Where's that ronin with the kid?
I knew it.
What's wrong?
Let's kill that guy with the kid.
No. Don't even touch that man.
Let him go.
What are you saying?
What's wrong?
Don't even lay a finger on that man.
What are you scared of?
What about such a wimp?
Idiot, don't.
What's with such a coward?
Monnosuke.
This can't be...
Suio-ryu Horse-Slayer.
Damn you!
I'm not part of this.
Spare me. I won't tell anyone.
I won't tell them you're Itto Ogami,
the former Executioner.
Spare me.
You! Unforgivable.
- Who are you?
- Identify yourself.
Who are you?
Assassin Lone Wolf and Cub,
at your service.
What?
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
I knew it.
Lone Wolf and Cub.
Wait.
Wait for me.
THE END
A KATSU PRODUCTIONS FILM
Our lord!
This is unjust.
My lord, I will follow you.
All of us will avenge you.
Even if it's the Shogun's will...
Not our young lord...
Our lord!
- My lord!
- Our lord!
All of you, do not lose your composure!
How unseemly at this last second!
Now that it's come to this,
the least you can do is...
...remain quiet and witness
the last moment of our lord.
As his loyal vassals,
it is our duty.
I am Itto Ogami, Shogunate Executioner.
Please... Please do it well.
You only need to take this fan
and hold it against your stomach.
Are you ready?
Such is a lord of country and castle,
a fine samurai.
The Tokugawa Shogunate
took an iron-fisted approach
in controlling the daimyo lords
with their han domains within Japan.
Any sign of disagreement could cost a lord
his title and his family land.
In this reign of terror,
three separate agencies were created.
First, a network of ninja spies
called Oniwaban, or Garden Wardens,
was tasked to seek out reasons
to abolish the han domains.
Second, Shikaku, or Assassins,
were charged with killing domain officials
who might obstruct
the Shogunate's political will.
Third, to assist condemned daimyo lords
perform the seppuku self-execution,
the Kaishakunin, the Executioner, was tasked
to be their second - their final decapitator.
The spy network
was operated by the Kurokuwa clan.
The assassinations were performed
by the Yagyu clan.
And...
...Itto Ogami was the Shogunate's
Official Kaishakunin Executioner,
privileged to wear robes bearing
the Hollyhock Crest of the Tokugawa clan.
LONE WOLF AND CUB
SWORD OF VENGEANCE
Produced by SHINTARO KATSU
HISAHARU MATSUBARA
Screenplay by KAZUO KOIKE
Based on the Manga by KAZUO KOIKE
GOSEKI KOJIMA
Cinematography by
CHIKASHI MAKIURA
Sound by
TSUCHITARO HAYASHI
Lighting by
HIROSHI MIMA
Production Design by
AKIRA NAITO
Starring
TOMISABURO WAKAYAMA
FUMIO WATANABE
TOMOKO MAYAMA
SHIGERU TSUYUGUCHI
ASAO UCHIDA
TAKETOSHI NAITO
YOSHI KATO
AKIHIRO TOMIKAWA
YUNOSUKE ITO
Directed by KENJI MISUMI
SON FOR HIRE - SWORD FOR HIRE
SUIO-RYU SWORDSMAN - ITTO OGAMI
What's that?
Let me see.
“Son for Hire. Sword for Hire.
Suio-ryu Swordsman, Itto Ogami."
Itto Okami. “Okami” as in “Wolf”?
No, “Ogami” as in “Pray.”
it must be the name of that ronin.
“Sword for Hire” makes sense,
but “Son for Hire”?
Who knows?
Hello.
He looks down-and-out in these bad times,
with a child to boot.
Can he make it?
Wow, what a cute kid!
So cute he's pitiful.
Come back!
O-Mine!
Come back!
O-Mine!
What are you doing?
Toramatsu!
O-Mine!
Toramatsu!
Stop that!
What are you doing
to someone else's child?
I'm sorry for her rudeness.
Please forgive her.
I'm so sorry.
Excuse me, but it says “Son for Hire.”
Would you really hire out this child?
Toramatsu, you must be hungry.
Here.
Have your mother's milk.
Drink a lot.
Daigoro.
Have some. Go ahead.
Isn't it delicious?
Toramatsu.
I got you. Good boy.
Thank you very much. Easy, easy.
Toramatsu, I'll save up money
and come see you again.
Just a moment.
Would this be enough?
I don't need your money.
It just so happens he was hungry.
Is that so? Thank you very much.
A man deceived her and then left her.
She had put up her baby for adoption,
but he caught a cold and passed away.
Since then, as you can see,
my daughter has gone insane.
She can't tell other people's children
from her own.
Damn, it's started to rain.
Welcome home.
What's wrong?
You don't look well.
What's troubling you?
Tell me.
Of late, I have had awful nightmares.
I think it's the people
you helped commit seppuku -
stuck in horrible places in Hell
like the Needle Mountains and Blood Lakes,
howling at us in blood-curdling voices.
“We curse you and the Ogami clan.”
Over and over.
I'm so worried about our son.
This is not like like you, a strong woman.
You must be tired.
Azami, neither you nor I shall ever forget
why we named him Daigoro.
We wish him to be undaunted
when faced with hardship,
not to be spoiled should he become rich,
to be mindful of the five other Realms -
Hell, Ghouls, Beasts,
Struggles and Heaven -
and to live out his life
as a strong human being.
Yes.
Don't worry.
He'll be a strong boy who won't succumb
to any unreasonable circumstance.
Dear.
Fortunately Daigoro is now one year old.
I'll introduce him to the souls
of the various lords I've been second to.
I'll be in the family temple.
Just a monk at night...
COLD NIGHT PRAYER
Azami!
Azami!
Azami!
Daigoro...
Daigoro...
Azami.
Who could have done such...
Who did this?
Damn.
I'll hunt them to the ends of the earth.
I'll comb through weeds to the roots
to find them.
I will avenge you.
This I promise.
I'm So-Metsuke, Inspector General,
Yagyu Bizen-no-Kami.
I'm here on official business.
Master Yagyu.
I feared such a tragic incident.
You feared?
This morning, three men committed seppuku
in front of the gate of the Yagyu clan.
I hurried over because of their letter
vowing to punish evil.
Vowing to punish evil?
VOW TO PUNISH EVIL
“We vow to avenge our Lord Hirotada
and placate his departed soul
and to eradicate the Ogami clan
of the Shogunate Executioner.
Itto Ogami serves in the high office
of Official Executioner,
but he abuses his authority,
like a parasite in a lion's body.
He is a traitor who aims
to overthrow the Shogunate.
Know that such proof exists
inside the Ogami family temple.
In the name of the Shogunate
and mindful of the grief of our lord
who met his demise by such a traitor,
we hereby punish the evil Ogami clan
and then follow our lord in death.
Sanshu-Ikoma Domain vassals Hyogo Otai,
Shichinosuke Watabe
and Gorozaemon Makijima.”
Signed in blood.
Three samurai killed themselves
to deliver this letter.
It is my duty as Inspector General
to inspect your family temple.
Lead the way, Master Ogami.
The family temple is where I pray
for the peaceful rest of the souls
of the various lords I was second to
in the name of the Shogunate.
A most admirable intent.
I am impressed, Master Ogami.
What is this?
What's the meaning of this?
A memorial tablet
with the Hollyhock Crest?
Why do you have a memorial tablet
for the Shogunate?
Answer me!
What do you pray for
in this family temple?
I don't understand.
I've never seen this tablet before.
Who could have...
So it was true what the letter said.
I don't get this. This can't be...
Disgraceful of you to make excuses!
Come with us. As Inspector General,
I must interrogate you.
Come out and arrest Itto Ogami.
This is strange.
Master Yagyu,
why are they prepared like this?
Have they been prepared to take me
by force from the beginning?
It's an emergency.
Naturally we came prepared.
Then you would come armed and prepared.
There shouldn't be any need
to conceal the arms under robes.
And what about this chain mail?
Did you have time to put this on
before you rushed over?
No need to talk! I will listen to you
when I interrogate you.
You set me up, Yagyu.
All this makes sense
only if you and the Yagyu clan
have plotted this whole incident.
I said you're wrong, Itto Ogami.
Because I am not guilty
of anything at all,
the Ikoma samurai had no reason
to commit hara-kiri.
But it all fits together
if you schemed to bring me down.
Everything is arranged all too well.
I know about Ura-Yagyu.
They hunger to obtain the post
of Shogunate Executioner.
You fixed this for that purpose.
Ura-Yagyu?
What do you mean by “Yagyu shadow clan”?
Are you accusing our Yagyu clan of having
two faces - one public and one secret?
Sure.
Munenori's sons, “Jubei” Mitsuyoshi,
Tomonari and Munefuyu,
they are the public faces.
His other son, Gisen,
also known as Retsudo, is the Ura-Yagyu.
Retsudo is your grandfather.
He holds the real power
and controls Yagyu from the shadows.
I'm well aware what Ura-Yagyu is.
He secretly plots
with the Shogunate officials.
He has the Kurokuwa ninja network
under his control.
Now he intends to destroy me and seize
the high post of Executioner.
Your Double Hat Crest.
It's for Omote-Yagyu to deceive the public
as Shogunate Sword Master.
But the Ura-Yagyu
carries the crest passed down from
its founder Mimasaka-no-Kami Ieyoshi -
Two Swallows and Great Burnet,
which is proof enough.
What say you?
Impressive, Itto Ogami,
how well you know us.
Now you leave us no choice
but to have you killed.
“Itto Ogami fought
with the Ikoma Domain samurai
and fell under their murderous blades.”
it's all arranged perfectly.
I see.
You forced the Ikoma samurai
to write that confession letter
and forced them to commit hara-kiri.
There's nothing you and the Yagyu clan
wouldn't do to satisfy your greed.
Unforgivable.
You'll pay.
Kill him.
Attack him!
Damn it.
Once in the water,
Ogami can take full advantage
of his Suio-ryu swordsmanship.
Bizen is such a fool.
This is bad.
The Suio-ryu Wave-Slicer.
Retsudo of the Ura-Yagyu?
You damn little brat!
You and Ura-Yagyu use every treachery
to advance your clan's glory.
I will never forgive you!
I will crush the Ura-Yagyu
with the wrath of the Ogami clan.
The Yagyu exists because of the Shogunate,
and the Shogunate exists
because of the Yagyu.
Do not forget that.
Struggle as you may, you are nothing.
This destiny has been set in stone.
Fight me, Retsudo!
I won't fight you.
Now that Bizen has been defeated,
I'll make sure
the Shogun settles the matter.
Wash your neck and wait for the blade.
Wait, Retsudo!
I will never forgive you
and your Yagyu clan.
The river of greed, the Omote-Yagyu.
The river of fury, the Ura-Yagyu.
Though you may attack me on two sides
with plots and treachery,
I'll walk on the white path
of righteousness.
Though I may become a corpse
or reduced to bones,
I shall have my vengeance.
What is happening, sir?
He's here.
He's the Shogunate Executioner
who disappeared
after a conflict with the Yagyu clan
two years ago.
The Shogunate Executioner?
The Itto Ogami, then.
Even an army of Yagyu swordsmen
failed to kill him.
Is that him?
There's a rumor about an assassin
called Lone Wolf and Cub.
You must have heard about him.
How do you know, sir,
this assassin is Itto Ogami?
It says “Sword for Hire.”
If it is Master Itto Ogami,
what will you do, Chamberlain, sir?
When we left our home,
you two promised to protect the Oyamada
Domain and its tribute of 30,000 koku,
and you pledged your lives to me.
- Yes.
- Yes, sir.
You two are the best swordsmen
in our domain.
If that man is not Itto Ogami,
you two will kill him.
I understand.
We two might kill him,
but it'd be better if we get killed.
Chamberlain, sir.
We'd be glad to give up our lives.
I am Gyobu Ichige, the Oyamada Domain
Edo Mansion Chamberlain.
I wonder if you happen to be
Master Itto Ogami,
who used to be Shogunate Executioner.
I asked you to stop by
as I have a sincere request to make.
Please forgive my rudeness
if I'm mistaken.
Let me hear your business.
I would like to request an assassination.
There are four to kill.
500 ryo for an assassination,
regardless of how many I must deal with.
One more thing.
You must tell me
all the secrets and reasons.
I ask you to count it.
Tell me the story.
Our Domain House Elder, Kenmotsu Sugito,
intends to treacherously kill
the legitimate but sickly heir Noriyuki
and have Takemaru from a branch family
succeed our lord
and thus grab absolute power
of Oyamada Domain.
Lord Noriyuki will be visiting his domain
for the first time.
He'll leave Edo in two days.
No way Kenmotsu would pass up
this opportunity.
Our covert investigation reveals
he has gathered
ronin vagabonds and scoundrels
and intends to ambush Lord Noriyuki
and his men.
On the Nikko Highway,
eight miles before Imaichi,
there is a mountain road called
Otawara Road.
GO-NO-MORI
Down this road,
on the border with our domain,
there is a hot springs resort
called Go-no-Mori
where Kenmotsu has his ronin standing by.
We had a report that Kenmotsu
would visit Go-no-Mori
today or tomorrow to discuss his plans.
Thus the three of us steeled ourselves,
determined to kill Kenmotsu
at the cost of our own lives.
Kenmotsu Sugito has under his command
three skilled Nen-ryu swordsmen
called the Oyamada Three.
Especially Junai Matsuki,
who also serves as Inspector.
He is a skilled gunman on a horse.
We don't have a chance against him.
So we were ready to surprise them
and kill them and then be killed.
But now that we have you,
please use your skills
on the traitor Kenmotsu Sugito.
Please, I beseech you.
Atop a tall mountain
Here
If you drop a hard turd
Here you go
Covered in sand
Roll and roll, down and down
That one goes bouncing
This one goes bouncing
That one goes bouncing
Daigoro.
The Shogunate's men
will be arriving shortly.
But your father is resolved
to defy the Shogun's will
and escape this place alive.
To avenge the Ogami clan
and to clear our name,
to clear the dishonor,
I'll abandon the way of the warrior
and live on the Demon Way in Hell.
Listen, Daigoro.
Your father will walk
the path of blood and death,
the way of the assassin
filled with slaughter and cruelty.
Only by taking this way of the assassin
can I avenge the Ogami clan
and crush the Yagyu clan.
Daigoro, you may choose your own way.
Choose this Dotanuki sword
and you'll join me
in the way of the assassin.
Choose this ball and I'll send you
to your mother in the nether world.
Daigoro, of course
you don't understand anything -
not your father's words
nor what is about to happen.
However,
the blood of the Ogami clan in your body
shall determine your destiny.
Now... choose.
Choose!
Daigoro!
You would've been happier
if you'd joined your late mother.
My poor child.
An assassin with a child.
Remember, Daigoro, this is our destiny.
ORDER
Sword bearer Itto Ogami.
Despite serving in the high post
of Shogunate Executioner,
you have placed a memorial tablet
with the Hollyhock Crest
inside your family temple,
which can only mean
you wish to curse the Shogunate to death.
This act is unforgivable.
Thus your employment is terminated,
your family name is abolished,
and you are hereby sentenced to death
by seppuku along with your son, Daigoro.
It is most admirable that you greeted us
dressed in white robes of death
and befitting Itto Ogami, the Executioner
renowned for his swordsmanship.
Your resolve is magnificent.
We didn't put on these white robes
to cut open our stomachs.
From this moment on,
my son and I shall live
on the Demon Way in Hell.
These robes mark our departure.
Do you intend to defy the Shogun's will?
Have you gone insane?
We're on the Demon Way
and are no longer ordinary humans.
To us, the Shogun's will is...
...laughable!
Fight him!
Fight him!
Can you kill me?
Can you kill the Executioner
with your skinny arms?
You're insane to dare to defy
the Shogun's will.
Kill him!
What are you waiting for? Kill him!
Itto Ogami.
Accept the Shogun's will
and commit hara-kiri with dignity here.
I'll be your second and executioner.
You and the Ogami clan have been relieved
and we, the Ura-Yagyu, have been ordered
to the post of Shogunate Executioner.
Thus,
we'll behead you as your second
in accord with etiquette.
I refuse.
Your plots and treachery killed my wife
and framed me for a crime
I did not commit.
Wherever I go to live,
I won't rest until I have my revenge.
You're singing a condemned man's song.
Your resistance must be seen as futile.
You may be a master Suio-ryu swordsman.
But against the Yagyu clan's
Wall of Swords,
it's impossible for you to break through.
Is it?
Damn you, Itto!
I've faithfully served
the Hollyhock Crest for 27 years.
You, for 60-odd years.
In all the more than 60 states of Japan,
every person lives under this crest.
Its usefulness is beyond measure.
Behold.
Even the Yagyu swordsmen
can't dare to touch me.
You can't kill me
without damaging this crest.
What say you!
Isn't it impertinent to hold your blades
aimed at the Hollyhock Crest?
Out of my way!
Wait.
Take off your robe with the crest
and hand it over.
Then the Yagyu clan will challenge you
to a formal duel.
If you win,
you may go wherever you want
and you may earn your living
wherever you want.
So long as you stay out of Edo,
we'll see to it that you'll be left alone.
What say you?
Very well.
Kurando has the setting sun on his back.
Itto Ogami has his son on his back.
They both have something on their backs.
I can already see
how this contest will end.
When they are evenly matched
in their skills,
the one who takes advantage of the lay
of the land and the forces of nature
will be victorious.
Atop a tall mountain
Here
If you drop a hard turd
Here you go
Covered in sand
Roll and roll, down and down
Atop a tall mountain
If you drop a hard turd
LEFT - TO IMAICHI
RIGHT - OTAWARA ROAD
Covered in sand
Roll and roll, down and down
HOT SPRINGS SPA
GO-NO-MORI
Bastards!
Damn bastards.
Why didn't you give up already?
Hey, you with the brat.
Should I chop off the rope
and drop you both?
If you lose the bridge
to the Otawara Road,
you'll find it difficult to leave.
What a wise guy.
Fine. Come on over.
A Dotanuki sword.
It cuts through bones
without damaging the blade.
One can wield it at will on horseback.
A sword for the battlefield.
You got a nice piece.
I'll hold on to it.
Why are you here?
Do you need a reason to visit
a hot springs spa?
Are you really here for the water?
I'm with my son.
What other purpose could I have?
So true.
You two are an unfortunate family, though.
You've come to a hot springs in hell.
Fine. Come with us.
Let me warn you.
If you do anything funny,
we'll stab both you and your kid.
Help! Somebody!
Help!
No!
Dad!
No! Help me!
No! Stop it!
No!
A good daddy can't show this
to his kid, huh?
No!
No!
Please stop!
O-Kayo!
Bastards! Devils!
I'll kill you!
Looks like she's dead.
You choked her with your strong arms
and fed her your big fat thing.
Hey.
I thought she was just a kid,
but she had a body to die for.
How dare you enjoy her all by yourself?
You fool.
Who is that?
A hot spring guest with a kid.
He had a Dotanuki.
Turns out he's a docile pussycat.
No wonder he's quiet.
He can barely stay upright.
Have we met before somewhere?
No.
Your name?
I could tell you,
but I no longer use my name.
Answer me anyway.
I'm Tahei Onishi,
a ronin from a western province.
You're right.
I've never heard of that name.
He was carrying a Dotanuki,
so I thought he might have some skills.
But he fell for the old
cup-throwing trick.
He's nothing.
Listen, if you disobey us even a little,
you and your kid will get
my throwing knives in your throats.
Take them to the bath house.
Come.
What a skilled swordsman.
What?
Are you saying I missed him?
He may be skilled, but he's with his kid
so he can't do anything.
It seems he's not stupid enough
to take on so many of us.
Fine.I'll test him
to see how skilled he is.
Forget it, Monnosuke.
No!
If he's as good as Shigarami says,
it means he was ridiculing me
and my flying knives.
I gotta find out for sure.
You'll come with me, Shigarami, won't you?
That man...
I'm sure I've met him somewhere...
You should've figured out by now
we're all wanted men.
Don't be stupid and disobey us.
Come outside.
I wanna see how good you are.
Come out so we can fight one-on-one.
Don't you hear me?
Damn you.
Don't you care what happens to your kid?
Give it a break.
What kind of fool do you think
would fight a wanted man?
That'd be like throwing away his life.
What?
He is a ronin, but still a samurai.
He can't admit he's afraid
and beg for his life in front of us.
So he keeps his eyes closed
and just takes it.
Enough already. Let him be.
I see. You do make sense.
Pretty smart for a whore
and a pillow thief.
Right, O-Sen?
And you're just talking beasts.
What did you say?
Fine.
I'll let him be.
In exchange, let's have
the two of you do the deed.
Right now. Right here.
We'll sit back and enjoy the show.
That'll be fun.
Do it.
No way. Who'd ever...
Ridiculous.
I can pay admission.
Your trade is selling your body.
You're also a pillow thief
who steals from the men afterwards.
Why don't you give us an eyeful
of your special bed technique.
Bastard.
If you don't want to...
I'd rather die.
Is that so?
Then you'd better die.
Wait.
You...
You wouldn't...
No way...
Would you...
If you'd accept a woman like me...
Do whatever you want.
She's acting like a virgin.
Must be feeling like the Goddess of Mercy,
trying to save a life.
A wet goddess, that's her.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
Cut it out, you damn monk.
Hearing you pray,
I feel like we're already dead.
We're in a living hell.
When they leave, they'll kill us all.
That's not decided yet.
There are dozens of villagers here.
They are just hiding in their houses.
Even those bastards
won't kill them all for nothing.
But think about it.
Unlike the villagers, we're travelers.
If they let us leave alive,
news of them might spread.
Which means...
You're right. They'll surely kill us.
Damn.
Are you telling me to be quiet
and wait to get killed?
Bastards!
We can fight, but it won't do us any good.
They're beasts.
Do something please, master samurai.
I don't want to die.
I don't want to get killed. Help me.
Yoshi, what do you think
such a sick man can do?
You saw what that ronin did earlier.
He has no shame
when it comes to saving his skin.
He's a shameless animal,
just like those bastards,
except he's had his fangs pulled
and he's helpless.
Shut up!
What are you, then?
A gambler and a pickpocket, aren't you?
Earlier, I was going to bite off my tongue
and kill myself.
But he saw through me
and he swallowed his pride
and made love to me.
How happy I was.
I'm not worth even a glance from him,
but he gave up his samurai pride
to save my life.
Keep talking nonsense.
Hundreds of samurai pay for cheap whores.
Don't kid yourself.
Would those samurai give up themselves
to save the life of a cheap whore?
He slept with you
to save his own skin, didn't he?
Don't you get it?
Ask your little boy
hanging below your belly button.
What do you mean?
When you're afraid for your life
and trembling,
can you satisfy a woman?
Where are you going?
Aren't you afraid of them?
I'm ready to die at any time.
A woman like me
only grows more miserable
as she gets older.
This hot springs spa is called Go-no-Mori.
Everybody calls it Bats' Hot Springs.
Do you know why?
Bats are not birds, but they have wings.
They're not beasts, but they have fangs.
Bats don't belong,
just like the visitors here.
Outsiders like us gather here
for a moment of rest.
Hence Bats' Hot Springs.
But those thugs are different.
They are beasts with fangs.
And you...
You're a bird with wings.
What are you saying?
You're not afraid of the beasts' fangs.
You've got wings to get you out of here
whenever you wish.
I can tell.
I've gone from man to man all my life.
I know about the wings you've got.
This past summer,
I stayed in the castle town of Takato,
where four samurai from the castle
were killed.
They were killed by a ronin
accompanied by a child.
I remember the four slain samurai
were skilled swordsmen too,
because the investigation
was very thorough.
They said, “Lone Wolf and Cub.
He gets paid to kill people.
An assassin.”
That's what they said.
The heir and his party
are on the Nikko Highway.
The day after tomorrow, soon after noon,
they'll be entering Jizo-ga-Hara.
This is Shogunate land.
It's perfect for an ambush.
Once in Oyamada Territory,
it would be difficult.
You must do it here. Get it?
Got it.
Where's the money?
500 ryo now.
You'll get the remaining 500 ryo
when everything is done.
I'm counting on you, Kanbei.
Failure isn't an option.
Leave it to me.
Can I take a look at that?
A rider's handgun, right?
You can't.
If you've got a toy like that,
why don't you do it yourselves?
We can't leave evidence.
Also,
when you are attacking them,
we must be at the castle.
I see.
If you are all gathered in the castle,
nobody will suspect you.
Exactly.
Lord Noriyuki and his party
will be assumed to have been attacked
and tragically killed by ronin ruffians,
leaving us in the clear,
without suspicion.
If we are the ruffians,
you are disloyal and traitorous bastards.
Watch your language.
Easy.
Anyway, no slipups.
Everything is understood.
Come on out, all of you!
We'll kill you if you don't hurry.
Come out!
Come out!
Come on out!
Move. Hurry.
Listen, all of you.
You've been good to us.
It's time for us to leave.
However,
there's one thing
I want you all to remember.
If you say one word -
or even half a word -
about us to the officials,
you'll all be dead.
Get it?
- Yes.
- Yes, sir.
You guys, however, must die now.
There are two reasons.
If we let you leave, you'll talk about us.
You've seen our faces.
There's another reason.
We must make examples of you
for the villagers.
Consider yourselves unlucky
and give up your lives.
Spare me. Please. Don't kill me.
I'll never say anything about you.
So, please...
Please spare me.
- Please.
- Save me.
Help me.
First, samurai, you'll have to die.
Pick it up.
And then come attack me.
We'll let you die like a warrior.
My lord.
I'm prepared to die.
However, I'm too sick to fight you.
I'll commit hara-kiri.
I'd like to ask you
to be my second and executioner.
Executioner?
Executioner...
Merciful Buddha.
He's praying.
Another word for “pray” is...
“Ogami.”
The Executioner.
Itto Ogami.
Where's that ronin with the kid?
I knew it.
What's wrong?
Let's kill that guy with the kid.
No. Don't even touch that man.
Let him go.
What are you saying?
What's wrong?
Don't even lay a finger on that man.
What are you scared of?
What about such a wimp?
Idiot, don't.
What's with such a coward?
Monnosuke.
This can't be...
Suio-ryu Horse-Slayer.
Damn you!
I'm not part of this.
Spare me. I won't tell anyone.
I won't tell them you're Itto Ogami,
the former Executioner.
Spare me.
You! Unforgivable.
- Who are you?
- Identify yourself.
Who are you?
Assassin Lone Wolf and Cub,
at your service.
What?
Merciful Buddha.
Merciful Buddha.
I knew it.
Lone Wolf and Cub.
Wait.
Wait for me.
THE END