01x09 - Kessen zen'ya

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Go capture Sukechika Ito.

If he resists, k*ll him on the spot.

There will be a reward
for the one who succeeds.

Yes, My Lord.

This way, to overtake them.

Let's hurry.

Yae's at the compound.

Yae?

Knowing Father,
he intends to k*ll Yae too.

I promise to save both of them.

Now with a substantial army,
Yoritomo marched into Kamakura.

Ito and Oba, who failed to
put down the rebellion

were now helpless.

The vanquishing army
from the capital was fast approaching.

You two.

We're here as Sir Suke's emissary.

The Oba forces are scattered
and our forces are on the way here.

Sir Sukekiyo was captured.

There will be no reinforcements.

I wasn't counting on them.

Don't throw away your life.

Master! The Yoritomo forces
are approaching.

-Strengthen our defense.
-Yes, sir.

Grandfather.

Wait.

You're done here.
Go protect the front gate.

Yes, sir!

I can't do it.

I can't k*ll you.

Was that father's orders?

Please run.

Father-in-law will see you
if you take the front gate.

Go out the back.

Hurry.

Come.

Zenji.

I'm under Master's strict orders.
Don't think badly of me.

Run.

I can't live in disgrace under Yoritomo.

Let's fight the Heike together.

Grandfather.

-Yae!
-Why did you come here?

Jiro is dead.

I don't want anyone else to die.

For Yae's sake. Please come.

You severed ties with me.

I don't consider you my father.

I want you to live to pray
for Sentsuru’s soul.

You must not die.

Sir Ito. Prepare to die.

I'll handle it.

Please don't.

He can't have her.

Hey.

Heiroku.

Let Sukechika go.

No way.

It's Sir Suke's orders.

Out of the way.

I know what he is, but he is a relation.

I'm sorry.

k*ll me.

I promise to protect Yae.

I won't hand her over to Sir Suke.

I have no intention of going back to him.

Please have mercy.

I can't let Sukechika Ito live.

When I was young,
Grandfather used to play with me.

You stay out of this.

When we went to their house,
we all used to play dice.

Even with the kids, Grandfather
played to win.

Isn't that so?

Yes.

I've never seen an adult
who was that serious riding stilts.

Looking fierce, like this.

So, why are you talking about that?

It's been a while, Father-in-law.

You have great-grandchildren.

I won't take your life.

You will be confined
at the Miura compound.

It's probably only
several months of confinement.

You will also be under supervision
at our compound.

My sister is agreeable to that.

Thank you for everything.

Don't mention it. We're related after all.

I have one request.

What is it?

Could I serve as a maid at the palace?

What?

I want to support Sir Suke.

Let's not do that.

Didn't you say you wouldn't
see Sir Suke anymore?

It's fine if I don't see him.

I want to witness Sir Suke
achieve his cherished wish.

The way she put it was,

she wants to work at the palace
and support Sir Suke.

Where in any universe

is there a wife who will allow
her husband's previous wife

to serve close to her husband?

The nerve!

Eventually…

I intend for her to live
somewhere with Grandfather.

-No.
-Just for the time being.

But, looking at it another way,

wouldn't it be better
if she's where you can see her?

She's right.

Isn't this a good opportunity

to show how magnanimous you are?

I don't have
a magnanimous bone in my body.

You can work in the kitchen.

You will never see Sir Suke.

That's fine.

Sir Suke doesn't know you're here.

I will never tell him.

Are you really fine with that?

Yes, I am.

Yae?

Yes?

I understand how you feel.

Thank you.

We both went through a lot but

let's support Sir Suke from now on,

from our respective positions.

Yes.

Don't fall behind.

October 13, 1180.

Forward!

The vanquishing army
commanded by Koremori Taira,

is advancing on the Tokaido Highway.

Forward!

Excuse me.

The vanquishing army has entered Suruga.

They're estimated at 50,000 to 70,000.

Hasn't Takeda from Kai arrived yet?

We can't win this w*r without Takeda.

Sorry I'm late.

I've returned with Sir Takeda.

Good. I'm glad he's here.

Good work, Father.

Let him through right away.

What?

He's not here.

You just said you'd returned with him.

He did leave Kai. However…

He went straight to Suruga.

Should I have brought him here?

That goes without saying.

I, the Genji head summoned him.

I am sorry.

Where is Sir Takeda now?

He said he will make camp
near the Kise River.

He's waiting for you there.

He wants me to come to him?

It should be the other way round.

I'll send a messenger right away
and tell him to come here.

If you weren't my father-in-law, Tokimasa,

I would have thrown you out
a long time ago.

Sir Suke!

Be grateful to Masako!

Yes, My Lord.

Leave me.

Yes, My Lord!

I was too harsh.

Father is good on the b*ttlefield

but he isn't good at negotiations.

I need Tokimasa to be rock solid.

He's the only one who can be
the glue between

the Bando samurai and myself.

I'm back.

Welcome home.

You're all here to greet me.

Father?

Sir Suke gave it to me.

Brother. We're all here.

So we're all
going to live together in peace.

I'm marching to the Kise River tomorrow.

Another battle?

The Heike's main army is drawing near.

Mother. Sister.
This is the crucial moment.

I'm going to fight with all I have.

Take good care of Sir Suke.

Support your father
and make Hojo's name renowned.

Yes, Mother.

Sir Suke was regretting… he was too harsh.

It doesn't bother me.

Sir Suke still hasn't recovered
from the Mt. Ishibashi battle.

That's why he's irritated.

Let him say what he wants.

March!

Yes, My Lord!

October 16th.

To join up with the Takeda forces,

Yoritomo departs with his army
for the Kise River.

Careful. Don't drop it.

Okay.

This way.

Oh, you're here.

We were praying for everyone's safety.

If you place an urn
in the southwest direction,

it's supposed to increase your luck.

Sir Zenjo. What do you think?

I'm sure you'll have a healthy baby.

Isn't it better to do something
to bring luck

rather than to pray that
bad things don't happen?

Why don't you have him look at your room?

You shouldn't have
the Kannon statue there.

Excuse me.

Sir Zenjo.

-Yes?
-Just who I wanted to see.

A Kuro who says
he's Sir Suke's younger brother

is outside.

Kuro Yoshitsune is in Oshu.

He's probably an imposter. Chase him away.

Are you sure?

When you become famous,

relatives come crawling out
of the woodwork.

Poor Brother has his hands full.

Okay?

Let me see my brother, already.

Sir Suke is already
headed for the Kise River.

Alright. To the Kise River.

October 20th.

The vanquishing army led by Koremori Taira

arrived at the west bank
of the Fuji River.

TAIRA KOREMORI

On the other hand,
at the Kise River a little way east…

KISE RIVER

…the two Genji leaders were about to meet.

Sir Hyoenosuke?

Sir Takeda.

Men.

Sir Hyoenosuke has come
to join the Takeda army.

No special consideration necessary.

I just stopped by
on my way to the Fuji River.

If we join forces, victory is assured.

So have you set a date for the battle?

Anytime.

We're ready.

The enemy's huge.
Let's strategize carefully.

How about the day after tomorrow?

The day after tomorrow it is.

Let's show Kiyomori,
the invincible power of the Genji.

I've prepared a banquet.

Please participate.

Let me partake.

Please, come inside.

Please.

Inside.

I didn't prepare a seat for you.

Come get me later.

Please. This way.

Hey!

Koremori Taira knows nothing
about w*r, a kid.

We'll win.

That's so encouraging.
I'll let Sir Suke know.

Who's the commander-in-chief?

About the array, it'll be
a discussion with Sir Takeda.

I'll draw it up.

You?

I don't want it to be like
the Kamakura march again.

I do apologize for that.

Hey. If looks are that important,

I clean up good.

I'm counting on you.

-Okay.
-Just here, please.

-Where's it going?
-What's inside?

Sir Suke is drinking with Takeda.

What?

He only drank with us once.

But he sent us some sake. Here.

It's been watered down, I'm sure.

What's he discussing with Takeda?

This battle will be a joint effort

with Sir Takeda's forces.

That's what they're discussing.

Why doesn't he consult us?

We're the ones who are doing the fighting.

That's how battles are.

If the battle array was up for discussion,
nothing would be decided.

What did you say?

Let's get along.

Having said that,

I don't like that
we Bando samurai are slighted.

You're up.

Okay. I'll handle this.

-No, no, no.
-I've had enough.

It's important, it's important.

Oh?

Father-in-law.

Sorry to interrupt.

May I…?

Sure. Why don't you join us?
The sake's good.

Sir Hojo. Dutch courage? Come this way.

I wonder!

Sir Shiro's drinking with Sir Suke.

Go, go, go, go.

Drink up, drink up.

What?

He is so wishy-washy.

There's no point in just the Hojo
having it good.

Koshiro.

Hold this.

-All he did was brag.
-Let's go back.

Him too.

Father.

That was really good sake.

What were you doing?

-We're going.
-I'm coming.

Late that night…

FUJIKAWA HEIKE'S ARMY

Retreat.

We have a problem.

The entire Takeda army
is headed for the Fuji River.

I thought we said the day after tomorrow.

He stole a march on us.

Let's march at once.

-Hurry.
-Yes, My lord!

Wait.

Yes, My Lord?

Takeda's eager for glory.

It'll just cause confusion
if we're lured into action.

We're going to wait until daybreak.

Yes, My Lord.

What's the meaning of this?

About what?

Do you intend to steal a march?

Please wait until our army arrives.

I can't do that.

I'm about to go on a night raid.

You mustn't.

I'm going to strike first
before the enemy crosses the river.

The Takeda army alone will
chase away the vanquishing army.

My name will become renowned in Kyoto.

A night raid will not lead to victory.

Oh, but I can win.

Since the arrival of your army,
the enemy is unsettled.

Furthermore… Take a look.

Even before your army left Kamakura,

I…

k*lled Tomochi Tachibana.

He's the Taira representative in Suruga.

The vanquishing army is counting
on Tomochi's support.

But since they won't get it,
their fighting spirit is waning.

See? Everything is going
according to my plan.

I stole a march on Yoritomo.

Look closely. That's the vanquishing army.

It's the Heike's main army.

They're very different
from the armies we've battled so far.

Unless we, and Sir Suke act as one,

we will not win.

This brings back memories.

When we were little,
we often played in the Kamo River.

Shiro.

I beg you. Get your act together.

Cut it out.

Don't push me.

Everything's different now.

We're responsible for the lives
of many Bando samurai.

Think carefully about what you should do.

Pull yourself together…

Shiro Tokimasa.

Father.

Uncle.

Koshiro.

Let's get back. The enemy will see you.

Takeda is going on a night raid.

As an ally we can't get in his way.

Yeah…

Let's go.

Do you know what
the ugliest thing in this world is?

A despondent old geezer.

Jiro.

Slap me across the face. Hard.

What?

Father…

Do it.

Don't you blame me later.

How dare you!

Jerk!

Just then, the sleeping fowl
near the river

took flight all at once.

Wingbeats of tens of thousands
of birds echoed in the night sky.

What's happening?

The enemy is attacking.
Please flee, General.

What?

The enemy? Or Ally?

Is it Yoritomo?

The Heike mistook the sound
of beating wings as our attack

and collapsed.

What's Takeda doing?

He's preparing his army
to administer the final blow.

Alright.

We'll march as well.

Now is the time to attack.

Don't let Takeda get the first blow in.

Yes, My Lord.

What do you mean?

I know this is
he opportune time to attack. I do, but…

What does Sir Suke
intend to do after that?

He'll go after the vanquishing army
and march into Kyoto.

That's the problem.

We thought it was the end
when we chased away the Heike army.

You're withdrawing your troops?

We'll return to our fiefs for the moment.

No, you can't.

It's the provisions.

Provisions?

Everyone is worried about that.

We only have enough for ten more days.

We've already gone through ours,
and asked Kazusa to lend us some.

The droughts have had an effect.

In addition, we've been battling
continuously since Mt. Ishibashi.

It's as you say
but w*r is fought with momentum.

Please understand.

We rose to protect our fiefs.

Overthrowing the Heike
is not our priority.

Convey that to Sir Suke.

w*r is so complex…

Just like women.

You can't predict what they'll do.

But that's what's interesting.

What if the Heike regains its momentum
after next year's harvest?

Shouldn't we destroy them now?

Whose side are you on?
The Bando or Yoritomo's?

That goes without saying.
I'm a Bando samurai.

Then come up with a plan.

You're always like this.

You want to please everyone
and are too ready to promise.

So, how about this?

We'll gather the remaining rice into one,

and calculate how many days it will last.

And if for instance there's only
seven days' worth left,

we march to Kyoto in seven days.

Please lead the others
as commander-in-chief.

There's nothing more interesting.

I can't do it.

I'll be commander-in-chief
at another opportunity.

Sir Kazusa.

The wind has changed.

Hey.

The situation in the north has
become precarious

while I was gone.

The north?

I'm talking about Satake in Hitachi.

We've never been on good terms.

Taking advantage of my absence,
he's on the march again.

So, I want to return to Kazusa
as soon as possible.

Since the vanquishing army has fled,
why don't we call it quits?

Without the support of the Bando samurai,

we can't advance any further.

After you control the east and

after we have enough provisions…

I want Kiyomori's head
as soon as possible.

I understand how you feel but--

The Heike's turned tail.

You expect me to miss this opportunity?

You don't understand
because you don't have a fief.

The most important things to
a Bando samurai are

his fief and family.

They'll fight to the death
to protect them.

It's not because they hate Kiyomori.

They only fight
because their fief depends upon it.

Please keep that in mind.

It's our lives that are at stake
in battle.

Tokimasa certainly made his case.

Please forgive his insolence.

It seems Takeda decided not
to go after them after all.

It can't be helped.

Let's return to Kamakura.

Thank you.

Koshiro.

Yes?

If it was between me and Bando,
which would you choose?

Never mind…

It means after all's said and done,
I am all alone…

when I was an exile and even now.

Sir Suke.

There's him, of course.

What is it?

There's a young samurai
who wants to see you.

Who?

He says he is Kuro Yoshitsune.

Kuro?

I heard Kuro was staying
with Oshu's Hidehira Fujiwara.

He said he came from Oshu.

Will you see him?

Not today.

Brother!

Brother.

It's me, Kuro.

I heard you had raised an army
and came from Oshu.

I have been waiting for this day.

Brother.

I see my brother.

My brother. Brother.

I'm sorry to intrude but

do you have any proof you are brothers?

My face.

We look alike.

Do you think so?

Er…

I know.

A letter from Master to you.

Master?

Who is Master?

I think he means Hidehira Fujiwara.

I have never forgotten
my hatred for Kiyomori

who k*lled my father and took my mother.

I promise that with you, Brother,

I will avenge our father.

Kuro.

Kuro.

I will give my life for you, Brother.

Brother…

I'm so glad you came.

Brother!

Welcome.

You're alive!

TO BE CONTINUED

I won't lose in battle.

What does he think he's doing?

Amazing…

NEXT TIME

There are more and more strangers here.

Then you wouldn't object if I married her.

I'll be the matchmaker.

I want Yae to find happiness.