01x05 - Ketchaku! Inuômono, soshite...

[bunniefuu]

[dogs barking]

[Moritaka]
The difference is four points.

For Lord Tokiyuki
to make a comeback,
he needs five points.

-[horse whinnies]
-[Tokiyuki exclaims]

[grunts]

[growls] What is he doing?

He’s trying to stop him
from scoring.

He only has two arrows left.

He needs to hit a dog
in the head or neck to win.

[chuckles]

[strains]

-[thuds]
-[grunts]

[Sadamune laughs] Give up, kid.

You can’t catch up.

Don’t you see that
it’s impossible to make
a four-point comeback now?

It’s over.

-[shouts]
-[Tokiyuki grunts, groans]

[horse whinnies]

-My lord.
-Young Lord.

-[dogs barking]
-[groans]

Looks like we got a winner. Huh?

-[Tokiyuki breathes heavily]
-[Yorishige] Run, Chojumaru!

Your archery is not enough
to match Sadamune.

You must evade and sh**t
at the same time.

I have to evade while sh**ting?

-Lord Yorishige, do you think
he knows what you are saying?
-[Yorishige] Hmm.

[horse whinnies]

-[horse whinnies]
-[chuckles] Hyah! h*!

[Tokiyuki] Ah.

I understand now.

When I run away, my head clears
and I can see everything.

When I aim for a dog,

Sadamune will take advantage
of my blind spot
and run into me.

It’s impossible for me to hit
a small moving target while
trying to avoid his attacks.

Wait. I know.

There’s one target I can aim
for in the blink of an eye.

[gasps]

[chuckles]

-[growls]
-[grunts]

[Sadamune] Hmm? A reverse shot?
You’re aiming behind you?

You dumb brat. It’s called
a blind spot for a reason.

I’m in a position
where you can’t target me.

It’s impossible to twist
your body any further while
you’re mounted on that horse.

[Tokiyuki] I am the elusive
heir to the Hojo clan.

When I run away,
I can do anything!

[grunts, strains]

Reverse to opponent’s neck.
Two points.

[crowd cheering]

-Yes!
-You did it!

[Moritaka] I get it now.

If our lord aims for a dog,
Sadamune is sure to come out
from his blind spot.

Yes. The angle and distance
are much better

if he aims at Sadamune
who’s a larger target!

[Yorishige]
That split-second judgment.

His innate sense of balance and
flexibility makes his acrobatic
marksmanship possible.

That boy’s impressive potential
emerges when he’s on the run.

[panting, chuckles]

It’s decided. His special move
is the reverse shot.

Huh? [giggles]

In the future, that’ll almost
sound like a funny way
to say something else.

[all] Huh?

[Sadamune panting]
It’s not over yet.

It’s still 5-3.
It’ll be a right-sided shot.

As long as I cover my head
he can’t make a comeback.

[Yorishige] A classic example
of attacking while on the run.

-It’s called...
-[gasps]

[grunting]

[narrator] The Parthian shot.

Parthia was an ancient kingdom
in the Middle East.

Their warriors used
this backward-facing tactic
to defeat Rome,

the most powerful army
in the world at that time.

As the enemy advanced,
the Parthians attacked
while retreating,

and fought with
hit-and-run tactics.

The Roman heavy infantry
had no way to retaliate
and simply broke down.

[horse whinnies]

[judge]
Reverse to opponent’s head.
Three points.

[crowd cheering]

[judge] With a score of 6-5,
Chojumaru wins!

[all cheer]

[Kojiro] Take that, punk!
Go, Chojumaru!

-[horse whinnies]
-[grunts]

That’s for you taking a shot
at the shrine maiden.

-[gasps]
-[both giggle]

It was just a coincidence
I hit his ear though.

-[retro game music plays]
-Congratulations, my lord.

Isn’t it fun
to fight while running away?

We can come up with all kinds
of things to do while running.

-Now, Sadamune...
-[Sadamune, Sukefusa] Hmm?

Time to fulfill your promise.

Leave Suwa immediately,
and don’t come to
cause trouble ever again.

-[growls] Fool!
-[shouts]

Dog-sh**ting competitions
are entertainment, nothing more!

But you sided with traitors.
Your territory should be
forfeited at once!

I will turn over every stone
to find the Hojo survivors!

[chuckling]

[chuckles]

[Sadamune] Yorishige.

Why did you choose
the kid to compete?

He shouldn’t have had
even the slightest chance
at victory against me.

And the boy’s mannerisms,
the way he held himself,

the bearing of a nobleman,
which you don’t usually see
in a boy of his age.

Could he be part of
the Hojo family?

Yorishige wouldn’t dare put
forward someone so important,

and shove him right in my face
in front of everyone!

[growls] Yorishige’s intentions
are a mystery to me!

[Yorishige]
Sadamune has good eyes.

He’ll be puzzled by
some of the things he’s seen.

My lord, we’ve arranged
for a certain individual
to spread rumors across Japan.

Rumors that members of
the Hojo clan were spotted.

Gods and people exist
only if you have faith.

The simple act of believing
in them gives them power.

With suspicions raised
all throughout the country,

our enemy’s attention
will be divided.

In the meantime, you and I will
continue to gather strength.

May you grow
stronger and stronger.

You’re moving the battle
forward as you run.

You are on the journey, running
fast to win back the country!

[song playing]

[person]
"A useless and dishonorable
skill for a warrior."

That’s what they said
about the skills that
I mastered for my lord.

The better I became,
the less I was trusted.

The lord to whom
I had devoted myself
accused me of stealing.

And I was banished.

Listen to me.

You are my successor.

And in my final hours, you will
inherit my name and principles.

Trust only one thing. Money.

Neither trust nor devotion
will ever return
once you’ve given them away.

Use your skills to your
advantage and put your trust
in money alone.

-Genba!
-[gasps]

-[Tokiyuki straining]
-[Ayako] You can do it, my lord.

-One, two. One, two.
One, two. One, two.
-[straining continues]

[Ayako] Yes, good work.
Just a little more.

[Tokiyuki] Why is the heir
to the shogunate required

to perform such physical labor?

Right now, your identity
at Suwa Grand Shrine
is that of Chojumaru.

Enemies could visit anytime.

They’d be suspicious
if they didn’t see you working.

The only enemy who would
come here is Sadamune.

But he embarrassed
himself yesterday.

So I doubt he’ll show
his face here anytime soon.

-Hello.
-[Kojiro, Tokiyuki] What?

[Shizuku] He’s smiling.

[Kojiro] He is resilient.

Sorry to keep you waiting,
Suwa folk.

I have with me
an Imperial Command, look.

Imperial Command?

Didn’t you already
bring one last time?

The Imperial Command he carried
the other day was to appoint
Sadamune as governor.

Today’s command is probably...
[sighs]

"You are traitors
who’ve sided with Hojo.

As punishment,
the Suwa and their retainers

must forfeit
the lands north of Lake Suwa
to Ogasawara territory."

[warrior] But you’re lying.

Within ten days,

retainers living in
the corresponding regions
are hereby ordered to relocate.

Now go and deliver the news with
dignity, as befits a good lord.

[laughs]

Hmm.

[gasps]

[warrior 2] What on earth
are we going to do now?

[warrior 3]
We’ve cultivated this land
since the time of our ancestors!

[warrior 4]
We can’t just hand it over
to Sadamune without a fight.

-[clamoring]
-[thud]

[warrior 5] We have no choice.
We must to go to w*r.

Lord Yorishige, give the order.

If we defy the Imperial
Command and revolt,

we’ll be enemies of the court.

Now is not the time to rise up.

[chattering]

[Yorishige]
That’s enough for today.
You’re all free to go.

[chattering continues]

-Chojumaru.
-Yes.

Stay here.
I have a task for you.

Huh?

[Yorishige]
I hear you’ve named yourselves
the Elusive Warriors.

It’s a very good name,
and it suits you.

[Tokiyuki] That doesn’t feel
like a compliment.

-So, what are you going to do?
-Hmm?

Things are getting bad
for the people of Suwa.

You have a sense of
justice and reason.

Both of these are important.

But possessing those
qualities isn’t enough.

Huh?

In fact, there is someone
I would like to recruit
to join the Elusive Warriors.

What?

He is a thief.
His name is Genba Kazama.

A thief?

He uses all sorts of trickery.

He can get in and out of
anywhere, and he’s able
to steal anything.

Whoa!

[stammers] But, uh, do we
want a thief in our company?

There is something
that I want to ask of you.

Have him sneak into
Sadamune’s residence

and steal the Imperial Command
he was given.

[exclaims]

[Yorishige]
According to Kyo’s information,

issuing Imperial Commands
is quite a lengthy process.

If this one happens to
go missing, it will
buy us precious time.

But isn’t that wrong?

Yes. But in this volatile
world we’re entering,

you’ll need more than
just righteousness
to achieve justice.

[chuckles] You must learn to
also use wicked retainers.

So as a general,
you’ll have a full arsenal.

Lord Yorishige,

do you think it’s wise to let
Lord Tokiyuki and the children
go by themselves?

He’s a child, yes,
but he’s a ruler’s son.

You’ll realize he has
what it takes to be a lord.

Huh.

[Tokiyuki] He should be
somewhere in this village.

[Shizuku]
Um, sorry to disturb you.

[farmers] Huh?

Do you mind if
I ask you a question?

[farmer 1] How can we help you,
pretty young ladies?

Well, we’re looking for someone.

[farmer 2] Oh, I see.
Do you know the person’s name?

I do. Genba Kazama...

[echoing] Genba Kazama...

[echoing] Genba Kazama...

[distorting] Genba Kazama...

[normal] ...is his name.

Uh--

[crows]

[doors slamming shut]

They hate him this much?

It seems like these people
want nothing to do with him?

[Genba]
No one dares get on my bad side.

-[gasps]
-Whoever’s foolish enough
to make an enemy of me

pays a steep price.

[screams]

[Kojiro, Ayako panting]

-[Kojiro] In the tree!
-[Ayako] Huh?

-[Kojiro] Our lord’s
in the tree too?
-[whimpers]

My name is Genba Kazama.

I heard my name
from about ten kilometers away,

so here I am.

[chuckles]

State your business.

I... I’m Chojumaru
of Suwa Grand Shrine.

I’m here to personally ask you
to join me as my retainer.

[chuckles]
What do you mean, "Chojumaru"?

-You’re Hojo’s brat.
Am I right?
-[gasps]

How much would I get
if I sold you to Sadamune?

[grunts]

Young Lord, move away!

Damn it. I knew
we couldn’t trust a thief!

[Genba] Don’t panic, you morons.

We have yet to negotiate.

[all grunt, gasp]

[both shout]
You took my wallet!

What skill!

[Genba] That skill ain’t cheap.

I want a hundred kanmon for
not ratting you out to Sadamune.

And a hundred
for each job I perform!

[both] How much?

M-Money?

No discounts. Not a single mon.

You want me to help you,
Hojo brat?

Money is the only thing
that’ll tie us together.

M-Money. [chuckles]

[Genba] Oh boy, if this is
a shock, we’re getting nowhere.

No one will do anything
for you without money.

I don’t care how royal the
house is you descended from.

Now, you’re just a brat
who has no means
to accomplish anything.

You’re not fit to be a lord.

Welcome to reality, brat!

[Tokiyuki] So I just
have to pay you. That’s it?

[Genba] Yep.

[cackles] If you can.

Are you gonna take out a loan,
or what? [laughs]

Are you sure that’s enough?
You don’t want a province?

Wha--

-Province?
-I was surprised, to be honest.

If you become my retainer and
help me recapture the country
with your incredible talent,

your status would be that of
a distinguished vassal
from the very beginning.

There’s no question that
you’d be given a province.
Like Kai or Musashi.

-I’m so impressed
by your selflessness!
-[stammers]

No provinces.

-All you’re asking for is money!
-[grunts]

[Genba] Kai? Musashi?

I’m in shock.

There we go. Slowly.

That would have confused me too.

The Suwa Grand Shrine
will certainly guarantee

that all your expenses
are paid for.

-But are you sure that
what you really want is money?
-Huh?

Once my big brother
takes back the country
and gives you a province,

you’ll receive tens of
thousands of kanmon.

Each and every year.

-[shudders]
-I get it, I really do.
It’s a gamble.

Take a little money now or bet
on a much larger future payout
by serving my lord.

Listen...

-[whimpers]
-Isn’t this the kind of gamble
that a boy like you dreams of?

A young royal helplessly
throwing himself at your feet,
begging for a favor.

Once in a lifetime.

-[shouts] Stop whispering
into both of my ears...
-[both cackling]

...and let me decide for myself.

Damn it. I tried to fool them
in hopes of swindling
a nice amount of cash, but...

Fine.

[Ayako]
I think it’s gonna stain.

-[Genba] Hey, brat.
-[both] Huh?

So you want me to steal
the official Imperial Command?

One condition.

[Sadamune laughs] The Imperial
Command worked like a charm.

Now I’ll continue to chip away
at Suwa’s territories

until every last parcel
belongs to me!

[Genba]
I’m not gonna risk my life
for a cowardly employer.

I’ll take the job,
but only if you come with me.

The Imperial Command’s
in that storehouse.

[Genba] Just like
the shrine maiden said.

I thought you’d be
too scared to come.

[Tokiyuki]
Of course I came with you.

I was the one that was told
that we had to steal
the Imperial Command.

[scoffs] So admirable.

-You should be careful.
-[gasps]

[Genba]
If we mess up, that’ll be us.

[gulps]

[Kojiro]
Think we can we trust him?

What if he lures our lord
into a trap, sells him out?

[Ayako] It’ll be okay.

After all, it was Lord Yorishige
who recommended him.

The exact same thing
happened to us.

One day, we simply became
the Young Lord’s retainers.

And it’s been fun, hasn’t it?

Yeah, you’re right.

This lord of ours,
I really like him.

[Genba]
Three tightly secured locks.

[Tokiyuki] Can you open them?

-The locks are child’s play.
-[chuckles]

The real problem is
the two guards posted
in front of the warehouse.

At the end of the day,
armed men are the best locks.

But getting through those locks
is my specialty.

-[gasps, chuckles]
-Hmm?

[grunts]

[gasps, grunts]

Follow me if you got
the guts. Huh?

[panting]

He seems way too excited.

Do you always do
what people tell you to do?

You’re the child of
a high-ranking warrior.
Don’t you have any pride?

[Tokiyuki] Warrior’s pride?

I left most of that behind
when I ran from Kamakura.

Also, I’m not just doing this
because I was told to.

I want to repay my debt
to the people of Suwa.

If I can repay the people
who embraced me with open arms
and took care of me,

then I don’t see
it as a disgrace.

Tsk. Stupid.

Listen up, birdbrain.

Any agreements based on
obligation or honor

will lead to loss eventually.

If you can’t see it or touch it,
it doesn’t exist.

But if you offer people money
or instill fear in them,
they’ll do anything.

Money? Instill fear?

For example, there was a woman
who refused to pay me

after I investigated
her husband’s affair.

She cheated me!

So I went and
snuck into her house

and put some roaches and urine
in the rice she had stored.

And I cooked it all up
nice and fluffy for her.

That was the last time
anyone ever dared to stiff me.

[Tokiyuki] Oh, now I see
why they all avoid him.

People only believe in
what they can see and touch.

Genba?

[Genba chuckles]
Stay right here.

[Tokiyuki gasps, whimpers]

[breathing shakily]

-Oy.
-[gasps] Sadamune?

I can’t be seen.

Where can I possibly go?

Genba told me to stay here.

Genba?

What if he planned
to lure me here all along?

-[guard] Sir!
-[gasps]

I saw that there are some
loose nails on the north side
of the storehouse.

Fix it immediately.

But we were ordered to
stay at our post no matter what.

-Imbeciles!
-[guards gasp]

What if the enemy were to mount
an attack on us tonight?

Do you know you’ll lose
your heads if anything happens?

[guard]
I wasn’t thinking straight.
I-I’ll fix it right away!

[stammers] By the way, sir,
what’s the reason for
those ears you’re wearing?

I wanted to look cute!
Is it working?

[whimpers] I-I didn’t realize
how much I liked them at first,

but it’s definitely
right up my alley!

-[chuckles]
-[gasps]

[Genba] The mask is made of
secret ancestral clay.

I can morph into
almost anyone with it.

Now I wonder if he knew who
I was because he had morphed
into someone close to me...

and snuck into
Suwa Grand Shrine in disguise.

You’re worried.
You thought I was gonna
sell you out just now.

[gasps]

Oh, hey! Is this what
the Imperial Command looks like?

[gasps] Genba?

[Genba] Someone who can steal
anything, morph into anyone...

It’s natural to distrust
a subordinate like that.

[gasps]

So, my Young Lord, you think you
can trust me enough to hire me?

You experienced such betrayal
when a million soldiers
turned against you.

[Sukefusa] I hear something
in the warehouse.

Two boys whispering.
What happened to the guards?

Where are they?

They’re at the northern wall.
What are they doing there?

[grunts]

-Goro.
-[Goro] Sir!

Go right now and wake Sadamune.

Hikohachiro, wake the retainers.

Setaro, talk to
the men at the gate.

[Hikohachiro, Setaro] Sir!

They put me in here
on this moonless night.

Guess it’s on me to cut these
misguided rascals’ throats.

[song playing]

Let’s go!