The era of the 8th shogun, Yoshimune Tokugawa.
Lords from around Japan were ordered to serve in the capital,
and traveled to and from Edo in large, exhausting processions.
Although done only once biennially, it was incredibly costly.
Wives and children remained in Edo,
although really, they were hostages of a sort.
It enabled the shogunate to cut down on regional rebellion,
and keep the lords under its thumb.
1735
The lord of my Yunagaya clan of Iwaki
ended his long, modestly-financed service in Edo,
and completed the 10-day return journey.
Home at last!
Masaatsu Naito Lord of the Yunagaya clan Home at last!
Masaatsu Naito Lord of the Yunagaya clan
Good work, Soma!
Kanetsugu Soma Chief retainer
No need to scowl!
You're got some nerve asking for dumplings and tea.
Water's all you need!
We've walked all the way from Edo. Seems fair to me.
We're not made of money.
What'll you do when you get back?
Gennachiro Araki Arms and armor magistrate What'll you do when you get back?
Gennachiro Araki Arms and armor magistrate
I want to eat noodles.
Kiyomon Imamura Cook I want to eat noodles.
Kiyomon Imamura Cook
Pheasant and burdock soup too.
I want to catch up on my reading. I'm sure it's piled up.
Yoshinosuke Suzuki Chamberlain I want to catch up on my reading. I'm sure it's piled up.
I'll tend to my horses. Haven't seen them in ages.
Hirotada Masuda Horse guard I'll tend to my horses. Haven't seen them in ages.
Akiyama, what about you?
It's obvious.
Heigo Akiyama Secretary
Play chess!
Heigo Akiyama Secretary
Araki!
What about you?
It's obvious.
Training!
My Lord! Y'all came back?
Hey, Mokichii! Still busting your ass?
I dug y'all up a good'un!
Quality soil! May 1?
My Lord, welcome home!
Make me more of your tasty pickles!
Yunagaya Castle
There's no place like home.
I hear ya.
Our lord's finally come home.
Things'll liven up.
True. The villagers'll flock to the castle.
That's our lord for you.
I wonder if he'll take a concubine?
Oh dear Toki, surely you're not...
Otsuru! Don't tease me!
Even so,
he's a fine fellow, but hardly perfect.
Yeah, the toilet issue.
It's a dang shame.
It's so cramped...
I'm a disgrace.
Oh, you're in there.
Do you have to bother me now?
It's nearly time to train.
I just got back! I'll do it tomorrow.
You said so yesterday.
The more you shirk, the more you have to make up...
Alright! I'll do it now.
After that it's dinner, then clan finances...
Alright! Go and wait!
- You'd better come. - Soma?
Leave it open.
I know.
Soma! You jerk!
It was an accident!
Honestly?!
Yes!
Honestly?!
My Lord!
Well?
You got a long way to go!
Good. Keep it up!
My Lord!
I give up.
I'm off my game today.
Huh?
Just a little more!
My Lord!
It's good to be home.
Even the air puts me at ease.
Not like Edo.
You can relax until we go back next year.
Sea bream tastes even better on the second day.
Times are tougher than the famine 4 years ago.
We must consider raising taxes...
No.
Crops aren't growing well. The soil isn't fertile yet.
We just have to persevere.
But...
Delicious.
This is all we need.
My Lord, you're too lenient.
Even during the famine, you sent rice to neighboring clans...
We help our neighbors first.
Waiting for others to help leads to death.
But our journey from Edo has cleaned us out!
If only we could count on our gold mine in the village.
It used to be such a moneymaker!
My Lord!
It's an emergency!
Segawa? What are you doing here?
Somebody! Bring water!
My Lord!
Yasuemon Segawa Edo-based retainer
Yasuemon Segawa Edo -based retainer You must return to Edo within 5 days!
Yasuemon Segawa Edo-based retainer
Yasuemon Segawa Edo -based retainer By order of the shogun!
What?!
Hold on!
We just got back from Edo yesterday!
Lords only serve in Edo every second year!
I did my best to get to the bottom of it,
and learned that the shogun's retainer, Lord Nobutoki,
is claiming that we lied about our mine's yield!
Ridiculous!
Why would we lie?
Our vault's empty, unless you count the crickets!
But if our lord does not go to Edo,
our clan will be crushed!
Your service in Edo begins 5 days from this day
Samurai Hustle
Edo Castle
Nobutoki.
Is all this true about the Yunagaya clan?
Yoshimune Tokugawa 8th shogun of Japan Is all this true about the Yunagaya clan?
Yoshimune Tokugawa 8th shogun of Japan
I have it on good word they possess hidden gold.
We should make them use it
to travel here for punishment.
But Nobutoki,
Teruasada Matsudaira Chief Councillor to the shogun But Nobutoki,
Teruasada Matsudaira Chief Councillor to the shogun
isn't re-summoning their lord rather cruel?
Isn't re-summoning their lord rather cruel?
In distant domains,
Nobutoki Matsudaira Councillor to the shogun In distant domains,
Nobutoki Matsudaira Councillor to the shogun
traitors who feather their own nests are growing in number.
Traitors who feather their own nests are growing in number.
This is an opportunity to give them a powerful reminder of
where their duty lies.
Excellent idea.
What do we do...
...with Masaatsu?
At any rate,
he will be sorely tested.
This is a joke!
It is! How can we take it seriously?!
Chief retainer,
can we reach Edo in 5 days?
Of course we can't.
Normally it'd take 8 days.
It's 60 ri to Edo, marching in procession.
We'd have to walk 10 ri a day, which is impossible.
Plus, we're broke.
Clan Travel Ledger
For lodgings and equipment
river crossings and mediation,
we'd need at least 382 ryo.
We don't have that kind of money!
Nobutoki has designs on our mine.
He'll crush us and take it to fund his quest for power.
He thinks we'll just roll over.
He's got another thing coming!
Why don't we try slipping him a bribe?
Hold your horses!
Why bribe him when we're in the right?
We should travel to Edo to appeal!
Hear, hear!
Wait!
We can't defy the shogun!
What?
Nobutoki is telling us to back down.
Failing to reach Edo on time would be treason.
We'd lose the clan, and our lives!
So what can we do?
Send all of our money, close the gates,
hole up here, and stand down.
If we do that, we'll at least have our lives.
By surrendering?!
To survive!
Some battles can't be won!
You fool!
Stop it!
Hey!
Forgive me!
All of this is down to my own inadequacy.
If only I'd been able to stop it then...
Edo Castle
I beg you, have mercy on us!
You're still here?
I'm a busy man.
This is an unreasonable demand!
You would defy the shogun?
No sir!
You hicks don't know your place!
I beseech you!
I'll do anything you ask of me!
Really?
If so, eat this.
Then I'll listen to you.
You won't?
Our clan has served faithfully!
That's what they all say.
We'd never reach Edo in time!
Please have mercy!
You really ate it!
What a good boy!
My decision is final.
Begone!
Councillor!
I beg you!
I'm truly sorry!
Soma.
My mind's made.
Pardon?
Make preparations!
To Edo in 5 days!
Edo?!
Alright!
But My Lord!
Our clan has no money!
Soma.
We still have your smarts.
Oh come on!
You'll crush the Yunagaya clan?
Exactly.
That dirt-poor lord who presented pickles to the shogun
will be shattered after being ordered
to return to Edo so soon.
Hilarious!
Sir, you called for me?
Enter!
Well done with the mine.
Thank you.
It was...
...not easy to pull off.
You'll be rewarded.
Thank you!
Clean that up.
As you wish.
Go.
Sea bream is so lacking in flavor.
Toranosuke/ Shotaro
Toranosuke / Shotaro All I need from them is gold.
Those yokels are more use as fertilizer.
As you wish.
Yashamaru
Yunagaya It's impossible!
That's why...
There's no time, and it's too expensive. What can we do?
5 days isn't enough if we take the usual path.
Therefore...
We'll cut through here.
I see.
It'll be tough?
The mountain roads there are byways and game trails.
Most crucially, there are shogunate post stations.
Takahagi They're located here.
Toride
and here. If we hire plenty of stand-ins
just to parade past the stations, the officials will never catch on.
I think around 50 men will do.
No need to parade the whole way!
Segawa has gone ahead to make arrangements.
It's still going to be a tight schedule.
The mountains concern me.
It may look easy on a map,
but staying on course will be tricky.
Forgive me My Lord! I was too bold!
Forgive... What?
Who are you?!
Well played, Lord Naito.
Intruder!
There's your intruder.
This castle is unsafe.
The shogunate's spies are many.
You're not an intruder?
I am a ninja of the Togakushi school.
Danzo Kumogakure.
I overheard the spies at a hot spring.
I thought you could use my help.
Fool! We've no use for ninja!
But you do.
Outsiders who cross unknown mountains are dead meat.
It'd be a bloodbath.
Can you guide us swiftly?
I know that terrain like my backyard.
If the mood takes me, I'll even hunt some live meat for you.
What?
If we do, our joumey'll cost...
Wow! We'd make it to Edo on only 140 ryo!
Super, Soma!
Not so fast.
Add another 10 ryo to pay me.
Plus...
...all I can drink.
What? That much?!
You hungry?
Hey, who's he?
Our guide, Danzo.
Is he good?
Gentlemen!
Take any sword you like!
This is oddly light.
What the?!
It's bamboo!
You got it.
Real swords are too heavy to run with.
My spearhead too!
I get it, but swords are our livelihood!
If we're late to Edo, no more clan.
Your families'll be homeless!
What's this?!
That palanquin, that luggage, that spear...
Forget 'em! Leave 'em here!
However...
This journey to Edo will be a grueling one,
but the future of our clan depends on it.
Men, give your all,
and run!
Day 2
Takahagi Post Station lies ahead! Men,
take it up a notch!
The stand-ins!
Segawa!
Forgive me, My Lord!
I gathered as many as I could,
but this was the best I could do.
Cut that out!
I told you to gather 50 men!
You try doing that in a couple of days.
It was hard enough finding 25.
What?!
That's half!
Well...
I've got to sort out Toride Station, so I'd better go.
Sony!
Segawa!
Soma.
Time to show your acumen.
Do your best.
But My Lord...
Hey.
Hey you.
No snoozing.
Bow down before...
our lord!
Takahagi Post Station
Hey look! A lord's procession!
What a sight!
Indeed!
A Yunagaya clan procession?
Post Station officials
Didn't they pass through 2 or 3 clays ago?
Post Station officials
They did.
Are we clear? Do exactly as I told you.
This is nuts.
I better get paid for this.
Good luck!
Ready?
Bow down...
Go!
How's that?
Looks like a big procession now!
I never heard of this trick before.
A great samurai once used scarecrows to boost his numbers.
Bow down...
Wow! They're still coming!
I love these endless processions!
Me too!
I counted 100.
Sounds right for a clan that size.
Look. We even fooled the officials.
We made it.
Lord Naito.
Why no palanquin?
Retainers ride horses.
I hate palanquins.
Then who's...?
Halt!
That's the lord of Mito!
Halt!
I'm Munemoto Tokugawa.
Masaatsu Naito of Yunagaya?
I love your radishes!
What's wrong? Show your face!
Mr. Soma, what now?
We're fine. Watch.
I don't feel well.
Showing my infected eyes would be rude.
Lord of Mito, good health to you.
Ventriloquism!
Really?
These amulets are from Hachiman Shrine.
I'll give you one!
Don't be shy!
I am greatly honored.
Alright safe travels to you.
Get up!
Halt!
My mistake.
That was close.
Excuse me.
A monkey?!
He's a pet, but he's strong. Beware.
Kikuchiyo
Comrades, now we enter the mountains.
Think you're ready?
Don't insult us!
We're highly-trained warriors!
Fine!
That Way!
Sony. This way!
That Way!
This Way!
That Way!
Watch your step here!
Danzo!
You're too fast!
This is as slow as I get.
But we need a rest!
That'd only make it harder! Move move move! Hurry!
Ow!
Move! Move!
You too Kikuchiyo! Move!
Alright! Who caught some food?
Pathetic. Here!
Pheasants? So many?
When?
I had spare time while I waited for you.
Spare time?
We won't starve thanks to this.
Great! Leave the cooking to me.
Imamura, make mine salty.
I prefer pepper,
You got it. I'll knock your socks off!
Lord Naito, I brought this too.
Wow, you know what I like!
No My Lord!
This isn't the time for sake.
Men, I'll get everything we need from the village nearby.
You stay here.
And don't you dare drink this sake!
You hear me?
I mean it.
Here, Ranmaru.
A treat for you.
They're coming to Edo?!
Yes sir.
A small group has left Yunagaya.
You can stop them.
Unfortunately...
...they are being guided by a formidable ninja.
Kill 'em! Kill 'em!
You're a clever bird!
Clever!
Stop them by any means!
- As you wish. - As you wish!
But My Lord,
sake's tastiest when you're told not to drink it!
Hey, Imamura.
Kill them now?
Yes.
Who might you be?
I could ask you the same.
This knife...
Hattori sent you?
Take it easy.
You want... what I want.
I'll go as far as Ushiku.
That's where I'll be paid.
Then I'm gone.
Really.
Their lack of caution sickens me.
Bunch of amateurs.
I'm Danzo Kumogakure.
I bet you've heard of me.
Kumogakure, the Togakushi school outcast?
Once the greatest ninja in the east.
No need to fight.
Just follow and do nothing until I leave.
Akiyama.
Don't get up.
You won't drink?
We're walking a tightrope.
I doubt we'll succeed.
You'd let an arrogant tyrant
toy with our little country clan?
My Lord...
why bring me along?
There are better men.
Insurance.
Sony?
Strength isn't enough.
We're in more need of a cool head like you.
Anyway,
sometimes you've gotta let your hair down.
Dammit!
I told you not to drink! Get up! Get up!
- I d-didn't drink. - You idiots!
My Lord, please travel by horse from now on.
He'll guide us through the mountains.
We'll rendezvous at Tsuruya in Ushiku.
Here.
Only me?
My Lord, you can't run to Edo
on an injured leg.
You knew?
You can't fool me that easily.
Forgive me.
Riding to Edo won't be easy either.
I acquired this ointment for your leg...
Hey, Danzo.
Where were you?
Checking the perimeter.
Thank you.
Danzo.
Please take good care of my men.
This is an heirloom of mine.
Take it as a gift.
I'd give you money, but I've none now.
But... If it's your heirloom...
My people are of more importance to me.
Our fate depends on you.
Remember that
You know, it's scary to think
how easily the shogunate can endanger our clan.
Things are looking dark.
I wonder how Princess Koto is doing?
Being in Edo, she'll be very worried.
Have you heard?
They say the Princess loves Suzuki.
But she's our lord's little sister!
Hey! Get a move on.
Fool! The Princess doesn't love you. She loves me.
Not as much as you love yourself.
M-maybe she loves me!
Imamura, cutback on the booze.
Toride's next.
Tsuruya Inn
How long are you gonna sleep for?
You work mornings too!
Here!
You better tell the boss if you see that symbol.
What is it?
The clan symbol of wanted men.
Got it?
If you see it, speak up!
Wanted men huh...
Damn you, Osaki.
You stole my regular customer.
He chose me. That ain't my problem!
You tramp!
Harlot!
Stop it! Now!
You'll hurt each other!
Knock it off!
Osaki! Knock it off!
No knives!
Kasumigaura's over that ridge.
Imamura, keep up!
Shut up!
I gotta take a leak.
Don't go there!
Kikuchiyo!
Kikuchiyo! Kikuchiyo!
Wolf!
Wolf! Wolf!
Help me! Danzo!
- Move yer ass! - It's behind you
Help me! Help me!
Danzo! Danzo!
Danzo...
Hey!
I hate wolves and sugar.
Chief.
Chief! Run!
Look out!
It's a w-wolf!
Simmer down.
What a cutie!
Your fur must be worth a fortune.
You OK?
I wet myself.
- Idiot! - You stink!
But... But...
Get down!
This is it.
I'm sorry, sir.
Welcome back, sir.
Hey.
Who's that tied up in the garden?
Oh, you mean Osaki?
Is she being punished?
That girl's got a bad attitude.
She's as volatile as a wildcat.
Could you...
...bring her to me?
Osaki?!
I get it.
So that's your type.
Well well mister ronin, still waters do run deep.
Wait right there.
Those suckers.
Paying half up front
and the rest at the end is common practice,
but paying me in full this early in the game?
Well,
now I have this, no need to stick around.
Huh?
Want some money?
Farewell.
Excuse me.
Oh no, you're that broke ronin.
You came!
Back off, randypants.
Servicing you's gonna be tough.
You're a feisty one. I bet you're strong too!
Massage me!
Mostly my lower back.
So you're quiet at first, then you get fired up?
What a sleazebag
You're good.
You're all tensed up. What've you been doing?
I've been running all day from up in Iwaki.
Don't give me that crap. Iwaki's way up north.
I've finally got a chance to move up in the world.
I've got 2 days left to make it to Edo.
What the hell for?
My poor family's on the verge of being tom apart.
Then why spend your money on a prostitute?
Good question.
I felt like it!
Surely you didn't...
...do it to help me?
Huh?
Of course you didn't.
Why do that?!
You know why! Don't go all coy on me.
Oh, that!
Not today.
What?!
Are you some kinda loon?
Your fingers do magic.
Keep going!
If that's all you want, it's easier for me...
It's your choice! No going back.
I won't say a peep.
Fine.
Our lord...
...told us to wait here and do nothing, but..
You homy?
What's going on?!
Assassins!
W-what the?!
What do you want?!
No more games.
Did Nobutoki send you?
You'll die soon. No need to know.
Hey you...
What's funny?
Don't insult us.
We're martial arts masters.
Not crummy thugs like you!
Right! Each of us is more than a match for you!
And you're only 3? Now that's funny!
Like bugs to a flame.
That's you guys!
Oops.
We're screwed!
You're slinging kids toys?!
Attack!
Nice!
Our master chef!
Idiot! Run!
Dammit!
Quickly!
Where's Danzo? Hiding?
Shut up and run!
Get 'em!
Chase 'em!
What the?!
Move! Move!
I've been spirited away?!
Inspection! Open up!
Good evening sir.
- We're coming in! - Yes sir.
You left the toilet door open. Is something wrong?
It's complicated.
Complicated how?
Once, my family had no heir.
When I was born, a monk read my fortune,
and said I should be raised by another to ensure my survival.
So I was raised by a nursemaid,
but she was sick in the head.
I was punished everyday.
Let me out!
From then on, I couldn't stand closed spaces.
Palanquins too.
What a stupid mother.
But you know,
day by day, as I realized it would pass,
I got over it.
A fine day's a good day.
If I see the sea at Onahama, that's a good clay too.
Simple joys added up.
And eventually, I made friends too.
You're bleeding!
That's hideous, torturing a little lady.
That tickles!
Stay still!
Does it hurt?
Your other hand.
That'll do.
Little lady?
Hey, people are looking for you.
The post officials too.
Shouldn't you leave?
Why tell me?
I don't care if you're a murderer or an evildoer.
You're the best man I've had.
But I'm...
...waiting for my friends.
That doesn't matter!
Inspection!
Move!
Move it!
Move!
Find him!
Sir, please...
Honey, do something!
Upstairs!
Please, sir... He went up.
Come on! You're useless.
Find him!
Thank you.
But won't this endanger your life?
I died a long time ago.
How's that?
My parents...
...got rid of me too.
Alright, let's rest here.
Mind yourself.
Sit here. Sit, sit. That's it.
You must be tired.
How are your legs?
I'll rub 'em for you.
Alright?
It's alright.
Don't! Don't!
Lucky she didn't kill you, your whore mother.
I was a virgin, but he had his way with me.
He said I was lucky to be alive.
I'd have been better off dead.
But if I'd died,
my little sister would be next.
So that's it.
Lords, famous merchants,
they're all human.
They all poop and screw.
But they act snooty and look down on the poor.
Thanks to them I'm just a plaything, barely breathing.
You've suffered.
Don't small spaces scare you?
Come on sir, haven't you looked enough?
It's deeper than a misty sea.
An Ushiku geisha's love for thee.
Sake! Sake! Don't be stingy!
Bring it on!
You're living large!
Are you a big shot?
I'm a lifelong loner.
I don't trust anybody in this world!
Oh dear. You're lonely.
I'll cheer you up.
Excuse me sir,
you've had a lot to drink.
If you don't mind, please pay your bill...
Don't sweat it.
Check this out.
There's 10 ryo in here!
10 ryo!
Oh no. You're going to pay with all this small change?
What the hell? This is old currency!
Money's money!
That may be so, but...
You're filthy!
Were you working on a farm or something?
Hey, give it!
You moron...
Day 4
MED!
Wake up!
Where are we?
No idea.
We must've drifted far.
You alright?
The chiefs gone.
Was he spirited away?!
No, the river must've separated us.
Danzo's gone too.
Never mind him, the chief can't swim!
Curses! We came so far...
He died a hero's death.
No time for tears.
We'll honor him by making it to Edo!
Huh? This is Fujishiro Station?
It surely is...
It is huh.
Thank you.
So? Where are we?
We may have escaped, but we've gone past Ushiku.
We're utterly lost without Danzo.
Shall we return for our lord?
Do something!
We're just wasting time here!
Why don't you have an idea?
What?
Stop that! Stop!
Calm down!
Send word to our lord.
There's no time to go back.
We'll wait for him at Toride.
Good idea.
Suzuki, gather the stand-ins.
Imamura, get food. Araki, Masuda, ask the way.
I'll find us a map.
Hey!
Got a problem?
No, I'm impressed.
Change your mind?
My doubts don't matter now.
We've got to find the best way.
What's more...
I'm still...
...a Yunagaya samurai.
Good, let's go!
Gotta rush to Toride
and get back on track!
To Masaatsu
Let's go!
It's him?
Osaki's client?!
I just passed him a letter!
Move it!
Oh no! Osaki!
Where's that shrew?!
Osaki!
Where's Osaki?
I don't know!
Osaki!
Where'd this ronin go?
He's long gone.
You knew, didn't ya?
You'll pay for this!
C'mon, it's jail for you.
Halt!
What are YOU doing?! Get away!
I'll find your sister!
Hey Araki!
Why'd you lead us here?
I heard it's the fastest way to Edo.
Come on!
What are ya doin'?
I can't!
Just gird your loins!
You can do it!
Come on!
Damn, we'll be late!
Help me!
What's that?!
It's Soma's ghost!
Go away!
Wait!
Go away!
Exorcism time!
Ow!
It's in pain.
It's bleeding.
Is it possible he's alive?
Of course it is!
Day 5
You alright?
Who are you?
You know I'm Masaatsu Naito?
We're shogunate spies.
With orders to hunt you.
If we die, our corpses rot where they lie.
Yes, spies can be killed on the spot.
I admire your guts.
A sword-draw strike!
Hey. Drop your sword.
You villain!
To ninja, victory is supreme. Villainy is irrelevant.
Mister ronin, forget about me!
You were foolish to fall for a whore.
A foolish lord.
Lord?
Status be damned.
I've fallen for her!
What's this?
How selfless of you.
Naito.
Drop that, she lives.
I promise.
Who'd believe that?!
Shut up!
Slop!
So.
Your clan, or the wench. Which will it be?
Don't do it!
Kill him.
Such is the way of man.
Corpses rot where they lie.
Hold it right there!
Lord Nobutoki orders you to bring Naito to Edo.
What?
He changed his mind. He wants to kill him himself.
Tie him up.
Tie him tighter!
Wench.
Say your prayers.
Kotaro? Kotaro!
You bastard!
You're...
We meet again.
Danzo Kumogakure! You were to go at Ushiku!
I'm like a cloud.
I drift freely.
You villain!
To ninja, victory is supreme.
Villainy is irrelevant
You got that? Better watch your back.
Great timing, Danzo!
You... You survived!
We were attacked by spies, and I lost the others.
I got a letter! They're heading to Toride!
Anyway,
I'm mighty glad y'all came!
So am I.
You're a truly honorable feller!
I wouldn'ta blamed y'all for leavin', but y'all came back!
Lord,
we've no time.
You're right.
We must hurry!
Soma, you dimwit!
You better get ready 'cause I'm on my way!
Nearly there!
Where's our lord?
He'll have the letter.
Maybe we weren't in time.
Well, we'll have to make do.
Chief!
The stand-ins are here.
They don't look happy.
We got no time to deal with this crap!
You want more money?
You're the ones who're late.
You owe us for waiting.
Please. We're flat broke!
That's your problem!
You won't pay us? Have a nice life.
Hey! We're leaving!
You boneheads!
Get back here!
Wait!
I'll sort this out!
Alright.
Wait!
This ain't the samurai way!
You're a samurai!
Sometimes samurai become peasants.
You gotta roll with the times.
We'll take this stuff as payment.
What? But it's all borrowed!
Don't like it? Tell the magistrate.
He'll just say you had it coming.
It's over.
Chief...
Not now...
This is where...
...it ends.
I can't even slit my stomach!
Hey! Who's that?
Bow down before... our lord!
A lord's procession!
Chief! It's a procession. Over there.
Halt!
Open up.
Hey, is that you Soma?
Why, it's our lord's kin...
Lord Naito of the Iwakitaira clan!
Yeah.
Soma! What on earth are you doing in a place like this?
And why are you a mess?
Well, actually...
What?!
Travel to Edo in only 5 days?
If we don't make it, our clan will be crushed.
So that's why you've been sleeping rough.
All that's left for me to do now
is cut open my wrinkled gut and pray for forgiveness!
I beg you!
Do me the honor of lending me your sword!
Soma. Lift your head.
Are you blind?
If you need a procession, there's one right here!
Sony?
But...are you sure, sir?
Masaatsu's been good to me.
During the famine,
he sent us rice, remember?
He saved our lives.
My Lord!
I was so short sighted...
Don't cry.
Take this procession, and use it freely.
After all, we were in no rush anyway.
Soma.
Show Nobutoki and his cronies how we do things in Iwaki!
You guys reek.
Toride Station
Look!
That's a monkey!
It seems right at home!
The drooping Wisteria symbol... Yunagaya.
Indeed. They look like they're full of purpose.
They do.
Superb!
Indeed!
Lord! Thank you so much!
We'll never forget this day!
In times of need, samurai help each other.
When you see Masaatsu, give him my best.
Yes sir!
Thank you so much!
Have a safe journey!
Fare thee well!
Chief.
What do we do about our lord?
We got no time! We'll just have to wait for him in Edo!
Segawa! It's Segawa!
Chief! There's a procession coming this way!
What? Another procession?!
You're walking right into it!
So, whose procession is it?
It's Lord Yoshimura Date of the Sendai clan!
What?! They're huge compared to us!
If we can't get past, we'll be stuck till sundown!
Walking past a procession is forbidden,
so small clans must make way.
Wait! It's not our place to come up with a plan.
Come on Chief, do what you always do!
Chief! Give us your wisdom!
Now! Now!
N ow!
S-sure, lemme think!
Chief, quickly!
They're coming!
I see it!
Quit jerkin' around!
A plan! I see it now!
Huh?
We did it!
Just barely...
Messengers and midwives can pass processions!
Brilliant! You've done it again, Chief!
Full speed to Edo!
What? They've already passed?
Yes, a splendid procession!
I see. Alright! We must hurry!
Koto will be worried!
Yunagaya clan Edo residence
Emergency! Emergency!
Lady Koto!
Princess!
Princess Koto!
Emergency!
What's going on?!
Lady Koto! Lady Koto!
You made it to Edo!
Kikuchiyo too.
Why are you dressed like that?
It's a long story.
And Lord Naito?
Where's my brother?!
We lost each other on the way.
I'm sure he'll arrive here sometime soon...
Fools!
Why aren't you with him?
Spies attacked us and held us up...
We have until 6.
Without him, we won't make it in time!
Soma.
Think hard.
Again?!
Aren't you the highest-paid retainer?
A plan, or a pay cut.
Please!
You're my only hope!
All we can do is get everyone to form a procession,
and stall for time without our lord until he arrives!
Gentlemen, haul ass!
A gale!
Shut your doors!
Fire safety!
Get indoors!
Don't go out!
Haven't you found them yet?!
Retainers, junior elders...
Money's all that moves them!
I'll never have enough.
Yashamaru!
I'm almost chief councillor!
I won't let those hicks ruin it.
Very well.
Deploy all our ninja clans.
Iga, Koga, and Negoroshu.
Show no mercy.
Kill 'em all!
As you wish.
It's almost 6.
We must run!
Quick! This way!
You shall not pass.
Nobutoki's minions?
Die!
Get down!
Bow down before...
...our lord!
Soma!
My Lord!
Our lord's in danger!
Charge!
My Lord!
MED!
Good to see you're alive!
Hide here!
Who's that?
Our lord's woman!
Woman?!
Protect her!
Dammit!
You bastards! We'll cut you to shreds!
We're martial arts masters.
Not crummy thugs like you!
Right!
Each of us is more than a match for you!
You think we'd lose to bozos in pajamas?
Like bugs to a flame. That's you guys!
You pissed us off.
Money's made you Edo chumps soft.
Now you'll realize the strength
of our little clan!
Soma!
My Lord?!
Over there!
Over here!
No, over there!
Here! Here!
You're the Koga's top dog?
Prepare yourself.
Poisoned shuriken...
You're paralyzed.
A deception!
I'm immune to poison.
Except for sake.
My Lord! Danger!
You can't hide.
Bulls eye!
Slop!
Don't let them pass! Chop those farmhands down!
Akiyama!
Akiyama! Don't be reckless!
Sometimes,
I've gotta let my hair down!
Akiyama!
My Lord!
I'll carve a trail of blood!
Advance!
Akiyama!
Forget about me,
and keep going!
My Lord!
Danzo!
Move yer asses!
Thank you!
Don't die.
Die and I'll kill you!
Chief Councillor.
There was no need for you to come here.
The shogun ordered me to.
If the procession is late, we can't just transfer Naito.
We crush his clan,
he forfeits his life.
Not so fast!
The Yunagaya clan
has returned to Edo at this moment!
You imbeciles!
The bell rings no more.
Your tardiness is outrageous!
Well done!
This must be some mistake!
It's ridiculous!
I like that sound.
- Bulls eye! - Perfect!
Chief Councillor.
What?
There's no sign of Naito.
Without your lord you've failed!
Sony to keep you waiting.
The Yunagaya clan
has returned to Edo!
Answer me this.
About your disputed mine.
Is it true
you failed to declare its yield?
What our mine produced...
...is this.
There it is!
But this,
it is not gold.
The color may be similar,
but its name is "fool's gold."
It's no more than iron.
What?
Is that so.
Therefore,
we did not fail to declare gold.
Some greedy knave swallowed a story
told in haste by a callow spy.
You backwoods samurai!
Indeed I am
a backwoods samurai.
That being so,
explain to me in simple terms
a backwoods samurai can understand about how you intend
to settle this matter.
Nobutoki.
It was you who ordered them to return to Edo.
The Yunagaya clan has done nothing wrong,
so you are to blame!
Blame, you say?
I was merely
acting in the interests of the shogun.
Is that not clear?
Yes, it is clear.
That until now
you have dispatched spies to grasp the weaknesses of clans
for your personal gain!
This time, you have been exposed.
I hereby suspend you until further instruction.
Begone!
I will not!
I will never back down!
Don't presume
you have defeated me!
Stand down!
Good breeding is paramount.
This yokel knows nothing of governance.
You wait and see!
Naito.
You have done well.
What? Who's this?
All that swaying made me queasy!
Mr. Naito?
Who's he?
You nitwit!
So you're a lord.
Nothing surprises me anymore.
This geezer's full of himself.
Lords, famous merchants,
they're all human.
They all poop and screw,
but they act snooty
and look down on the poor!
Well screw you too!
Is that so.
Please accept my apology.
Huh?
Osaki...
This gentleman...
...is the shogun's advisor.
I'm gonna puke.
Summoning me to Edo
was your idea, My Shogun?
Yes.
I called you back to ascertain Nobutoki's wrongdoing.
You came under heavy attack.
You're saying you let it happen on purpose?
You're displeased?
I have no need of weak vassals!
No, I do not care about myself.
However,
when I think of my people,
you frighten me.
Explain yourself.
If... My Shogun...
...is truly that foolish,
my people will suffer for it.
You are indeed correct!
But My Shogun!
Why did you believe we did not lie about our mine?
Didn't you take Nobutoki's word?
Thank...
...your radish pickles.
When last in Edo,
you presented them to me, did you not?
They are excellent.
They taste of well-tilled soil.
He who brings such a gift
is worthy of my trust.
I'm very fond of these pickles too!
It would be negligence
to destroy the soil of Iwaki.
From this day,
and for eternity!
I shall guard it with my entire being!
I have witnessed your service in Edo.
Your wealth of spirit
is beyond riches!
One last thing.
Thanks to their journey to Edo,
no war broke out for many years to follow.
Perhaps it was all
part of a plan to ensure peace.
I'm deeply grateful.
Akiyama...
Recuperate in Edo.
No sir. I don't like it.
To think that Princess Koto
was sweet on Akiyama!
What's so funny?
Nothing.
Hey!
MED!
Gentlemen,
you have served magnificently!
It was such an exhausting journey.
Spies ambushing us,
lippy stand-ins who wouldn't do what they were told...
Alright alright alright!
If I hear any more, my ears are gonna fall off!
By the way My Lord
what's the deal with you and that lady?
You see...
Excuse me.
Now, introduce yourself.
Please call me Saki.
She's beautiful!
Actually...
I'm gonna...
...make her my concubine!
But My Lord, a peasant can't be a concubine!
Act like she's a noble.
Sometimes peasants become samurai.
You gotta...
...roll with the times!
My Lord?
You were here?
Yes.
My Lord?
I'm fine, with you.
This is...
...from Danzo.
What is it?
"To buy my freedom."
Danzo...
HE'S gone?
Bow down before...
...our lord!
Halt.
Halt!
My Lord, there's a problem.
What's that?
Actually,
I only budgeted enough for a one-way journey.
What?
Our Edo fund's low too...
Wait!
Please don't say it...
Looks like we'll have to run home too.
Alright, let's run back to Yanagaya!
Last one home gets a half-year pay cut!
Huh?!
Wait!
Chief!
Osaki!
Why's this gotta happen to me?!
You're a lord, but you'll run?
My clan's kinda poor.
Being poor, it's...
...damn tough!
Run!