01x18 - Cutting off the Country

[bunniefuu]

[Japanese theme music playing]

BAKI-DOU: THE INVINCIBLE SAMURAI

[lyrics in Japanese]

[music fades]

IZO MOTOBE-SAMA

Motobe, forgive me.

[sighs happily]

You said that…

that you wanted to protect all of us.

And in response, all we did…

all I did…

Baki, that's enough.

- I know where you're coming from.
- [Baki] Huh?

Your response was only rational.
I'm an old man, after all.

[Baki gasps]

If I faced any of you barehanded,
well, I wouldn't stand a chance.

If we fought each other ten times,
I wouldn't score a single victory.

So how could you expect
someone like me to protect any of you?

Getting angry was only natural.

[Baki sighs]

[Motobe] In your eyes,
I was out of my league.

It's not…

We were wrong.

We misjudged your abilities
as a martial artist.

But worse than that,
we misjudged Musashi's abilities.

I had no idea.

I'm sorry for underestimating you.

- [Motobe] Look, Baki.
- [Baki gasps]

[Motobe] You're the strongest kid
on Earth.

You're an absolute treasure.
The emblem of this era.

It's up to you to carry it on.

- The concept of strength.
- [Baki gasps softly]

And Ogre…

he's the strongest creature on Earth.

He's a god.
He provides the order of our world.

We can't afford to lose our god.

And Goki Shibukawa-sensei,

whose techniques are even now
regarded as a national treasure.

I couldn't allow
our cultural assets to die.

Doppo Orochi,

the father of modern karate.

Were we to lose this martial deity,

it would be like karate lost its sun.

That simply could not be allowed.

[Baki gasps]

Kaoru Hanayama seems to possess
a uniquely limitless pride.

And Katsumi Orochi, who has grown so much.

Arguably the second sun
in the world of karate.

And there's Pickle, who's…

needless to say,
he's a piece of human history.

But also, one of us too.

We have Gaia's
ecologically-sound fighting techniques.

And Kiyosumi Katou,

known to stray from the path
but never the way of karate.

Kureha Shinogi puts his knowledge
of anatomy to use in battle.

And his younger brother, Kosho,
has his cord-cutting.

We have the embodiment
of Chinese martial arts

in Sea Emperor Kaku's longevity.

There's Jack Hammer,
with his vicious bite,

the pinnacle of self-advancement.

And lastly, Biscuit Oliva has
extraordinary superhuman strength.

Treasures of our era, each and every one.

You're absolutely right.

Think about it, Baki.

We all share a unique connection
to each other.

Whereas, on the other hand, there's him.

[Baki] Huh?

I must say,
I was relieved to hear my name.

[Baki] Kureha!

- [Kureha] Musashi is on TV right now.
- What?!

Uh, okay.

So I have, uh,
an incredible man here with me today.

Throughout my career, I've interviewed
numerous remarkable people,

but today,
I'm not exactly sure how to say it.

Uh… he has an unmistakable presence.

Almost like a beast!

Oh! I didn't mean to be rude.

Perhaps this aura is something
that comes with his career?

I'm, uh, at a loss for words. [chuckles]

Uh…

Well, he's definitely strong.

I imagine the viewers
don't really need an introduction,

but may I present Musashi Miyamoto!

[dramatic music sting]

[Baki] You gotta be shittin' me.

He's doing press?

- [Motobe] Hmm.
- [Kureha] Mm.

- [man 1] Huh?
- [man 2] Wait.

Is he an actor?

Wait a minute. I've seen him.

Wasn't that the guy on the news?

I'll admit, I'm a bit nervous,
what with this being a live broadcast.

But I'm sure
the audience wants to hear more.

Let's get right to it.

So you're Musashi.
Musashi Miyamoto, right?

The famous, uh, Samurai? The real one?

You idiot.

Why would you ask him that?

[crowd] Oh.

Now I'm confused.
Why are you asking for my name?

[host gasps nervously]

I'm here because I'm Musashi, aren't I?

Well, I, uh…

[gulps] Ye… yes, of course.
You're correct.

But I, uh,

I mean, you must understand.

It's hard to believe you're actually
a swordsman from 400 years ago.

- [slicing]
- [pained gasp]

- Oh boy.
- [Kureha gulps]

[host whimpers]

Musashi, did you…

Did you just cut my arm?

You wanted to know
if I'm the real Musashi.

Go on, tell me what you felt.

Uh, sure.

I felt something on my left hand. Uh…

Ah, I'll explain it to the audience now.

My left hand was resting like this,
then an invisible blade…

- [slicing]
- [pained gasp]

Oh…

- And now…
- [Musashi] Hmm.

I had the distinct feeling

that I had just been decapitated
by an invisible sword!

I suspect that
if Musashi had used a real one,

my head would be rolling around
on the floor at my feet!

So, Musashi, cutting something you enjoy?

[Baki gasps]

Why wouldn't I? What's wrong with cutting?

Uh… Well, I…

- [Musashi moving]
- [gasps]

[uneasy music playing]

- [nervous whimpering]
- [all gasp]

- Do you see it? Look at his waist.
- [man] There's something in his belt.

Run away.

Too late for that.

[narrator] In that moment,

viewers all across Japan
could apparently see it.

There, affixed to Musashi's hip,
was some kind of transparent object.

I cut my way to the top!
That is my singular trade.

Uh, yeah. Of course it is.

I don't know how much more I can take
of this insufferable disrespect.

[host] Wait, is that a sword?

Was it your intention
to try and make me angry?

If so, you've already succeeded.

[host] Musashi,
is that a sword on your hip?

- [Musashi grunts]
- [gasps]

[narrator] The so-called invisible
slaying incident was broadcast real-time,

and would later be distributed worldwide.

It was this moment that would ultimately
determine Musashi's fate.

Tokugawa, I'm going home!

[host] First, it was here

and then here.

Then his next slash was here.

Huh? Well, it really felt
like I was being cut.

I could feel that sword
as it passed through my head,

then my body.

I could feel it pass all the way
through me in a single stroke.

Then I passed out.

I don't remember anything else.

When I came to, I was in a hospital bed.

Uh, I don't know how to explain it.
I just knew it.

That I had been k*lled, a goner.

MEETING IN PROGRESS

[beep]

[man] Then he stands up,
says something to the host before…

Right there!

- And then he walked out.
- [beep]

[man 2] I don't see
the sword everyone's talking about.

And he didn't even so much as touch him,
makes it hard to prove a crime.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
KENICHI TAKU

But he knocked him unconscious.
That's an undeniable fact.

VIOLENT CRIME DIVISION CHIEF
EIICHIRO HIKIGI

Well, sir? What advice do you have?

PROSECUTOR MANABU UOHORI

If the aim is to manufacture a crime,
facts don't matter.

If you want to arrest him,
you don't need facts or proof to do it.

- [Taku] Uh…
- [Hikigi] Hmm.

We could find a way to put
every single person in Tokyo behind bars

if we really wanted to.

It makes little difference
if they're bad or not.

[both] Huh?

History paints him as a vicious criminal.

[sirens wailing]

[Uohori] I think we can just go with that.

And he's a person of interest? Come on!

Yes. We simply cannot ignore this.

After all, it took place
in the middle of a nationwide broadcast.

You moron!

I was at the studio.
I saw everything with my own eyes!

He didn't lay a finger on him.

[Utsumi] And that's why
we're not exactly arresting him, per se.

Superintendent-General Utsumi…

[Utsumi gasps]

…you know I'm not the one to decide.

And I don't think
you'll be able to get him to go quietly,

if he doesn't wanna go with you.

- [officers gasp]
- Tokugawa.

[ominous music playing]

Musashi.

[Utsumi] He's got his swords.

[Musashi] I may run, and I may hide,

but you can bet that when I appear, I cut.

[all gasping, whimpering nervously]

[Musashi] And now it begins Tokugawa.

This is w*r.

[Tokugawa] Musashi!

[Musashi] Hmm?

You cannot leave this estate.

I'm able to protect you
within these walls.

But outside?

My power and influence
don't reach beyond that gate.

Pass through it
and your fate is out of my hands.

Get yourself into trouble,
and I'll have no way to help.

Tokugawa, you're a kind man.

Musashi. If you leave now,
I fear you won't survive.

[Musashi] Hmm.

[Tokugawa] Huh? [sighs]

Huh?

[Musashi] Tokugawa.

[Tokugawa grunts]

[confused murmur]

Thank you for everything.

[Tokugawa] Oh, uh…

[footsteps padding]

Musashi.

Musashi!

[tense music playing]

FIRST INVESTIGATION DIVISION
ASSISTANT INSPECTOR HEIBEE OTSUKA

- [Musashi] Hmm.
- [footsteps approaching]

Wow.

No doubt you're incredible.

You know, I've been working the beat
for a long time,

and I've never seen
a talent like that one before.

What happened to Utsumi?

[chuckling]

He's not a field agent, you see,

so I asked him to leave.

So here's how it's gonna go.

I know you've got your swords,

but we're way past the point
of voluntary surrender.

You're coming whether you like it or not.

[Musashi] I expect you
to hold nothing back.

[chuckles] I'll go if you can take me.

[Otsuka] Trusting only your sword
and skills is admirable and on brand,

but your obstinance today
will make you an enemy of the state.

[ominous music sting]

[chuckles]

Is that a risk you're willing to take?

[dramatic music playing]

Your precious state might lose its head.

You live up to your reputation,

which means negotiations
are off the table.

You're in the sights of every g*n here.

If you draw, we'll sh**t.

Provided that you see it.

[slicing]

[epic music playing]

Well, then.
Looks like I made the first move.

Don't wait for him to draw.
If he moves, sh**t him!

- Do it!
- [agent] Uh…

His legs, take them out now,
and you'll survive.

[agent gasps nervously, breathes shakily]

[pained grunt]

- [pained yelling]
- [Otsuka grunts angrily, gasps]

[pained groaning]

[agents yelling]

[pained yelling, whimpering]

[grunting painfully]

[gasping]

He crushed my eye!

[gasping]

[music fades]

All six of the officers said
the exact same thing.

They said he took their heads.

What's that?

No, he hadn't drawn them yet.

He didn't draw his swords
until much later.

What happened then?

We had no choice, of course.

We were tasked with bringing him in
no matter the situation.

We are the police, after all.

But you already know how that turned out.

[flicks lighter]

[lights cigarette]

[inhales deeply]

Some of my best men.

And yet, he was able to take out
six of my strongest officers.

Six men simultaneously jumping one man.

You think it'd be easy.

The funny thing is, five of 'em
said they all had the same encounter.

They were sure they had him surrounded.

At once, they all moved in to take him.

But the other men
were suddenly in their way.

What started as coordination became chaos.

By the time each of them reached him,

they found themselves facing
the master swordsman alone.

In modern terms, it would likely be
chalked up to footwork.

But if you ask me, I'd say
it's closer to military tactics.

That man is the real Musashi.

And not a single member
of the force doubts that now.

He's being monitored. We're on him.

On to our next story.

An incident with this swordsman
is developing.

Apparently, last night in Shinjuku Ward,

the police attempted to apprehend a man
who claims to be Musashi Miyamoto.

However, the man resisted.

Reports indicate
that there was a scuffle with police

before the man managed to escape.

The police are
taking matters very seriously

and are tracking his whereabouts
as we speak.

They intend to expand the operation
in preparations for a standoff.

This is the man who claims
to be Musashi, revived in present day.

But what is he trying to accomplish?
And where?

But most importantly, who is he really?

- And in other news…
- [TV beeps]

[Baki] Motobe.

Think about it, Baki.

We all share a unique connection
to each other.

[Baki] You were right all along.

You understood that all of us,

we're all connected to each other.

Then there's him,
and the way that he lives.

[Baki] I only realized it when he said it,
but then it all seemed so obvious.

Musashi's enduring solitude.

I never noticed it.

That ability to pin me in place
with just his eyes.

That terrifying stare that says,
without a word, "stay away."

His commitment to Bushido
that burns so bright, it's blinding.

I never saw it because my eyes were
only ever drawn to his incredible power,

awestruck by his overbearing presence.

And so I never even tried to see it.

Not just solitude, loneliness.

That was ignorant.

We're born into this modern world,

and we're raised in it too.

Even for folks who grew up here,
we still get lonely.

But we have family,
relatives, partners, friends.

He was thrust into this world,
and there's no one he can trust.

Jumping from the Warring States period
over 400 years to now.

- [fire crackling]
- [water trickling nearby]

[Baki] He must be so alone.

[footsteps approaching]

[Musashi] Hmm?

You're back, I see.

You've been surrounded.

There are over a hundred men in this unit,

all armed with the latest equipment.

Not even the illustrious Musashi Miyamoto
would stand a chance against that.

You're a man of martial strategy.

I suggest you act wisely.

[suspenseful music playing]

[Otsuka] Submit to the arrest.

I thought we'd been over this. [chuckles]

Take me if you can.

You're the strongest swordsman in history.

Musashi Miyamoto himself.

I know what you're capable of,
and I'm not underestimating your skill,

but this is a warning.

Surrender now.

You have no other choice.

So? Let's do this.

[Musashi] Hmm.

I'll admit, I'm not that good with a g*n,

even though
I've been a detective for years.

But at this range, I won't miss.
[chuckles smugly]

Now put your weapons on the ground.

[flames roaring]

[Musashi] Hmm.

Would you tell me your name? I didn't ask.

The suspect calls himself Musashi.

His current distance is
approximately 30 meters.

As the suspect is close by,
I will whisper my instructions,

so listen very carefully.

[dramatic music sting]

All right. Now, above all else,
he cannot get away.

On Otsuka's signal…

- [distant g*nsh*t]
- Hmm? [gasps]

Move in!

Huh?

- [gasps]
- [footsteps padding closer]

[leader gasps]

[grunting]

Is… is this…?

It's Otsuka's short-barreled g*n.

You b*stard!

The fight was a fair one.

He might have drawn his weapon first,
but I suppose I'll let that slide.

[officers gasp, murmur]

[dramatic music sting]

[Musashi] In the end,
it was a good battle.

[leader] You…

You'll never get away!

He challenged me, so I cut him down.

Nothing more and nothing less.

Now then,

I have no intention
of surrendering or complying.

[leader gasps]

A swordsman that won't give up.
Go on, what will you do?

[Japanese theme music playing]

[music fades]