[motorcycle rumbling]
[tires screeching]
[♪ rock music playing]
[OFFICIAL] Shinsenkyo.
You're the only one to return from that island alive.
Tell us exactly what happened out there.
Yamada Asaemon Jikka.
Hmm. All right then, that's fine.
Not sure I see the point, but I'll tell you anyway.
Do you mind if I get more comfortable?
[grunts disapprovingly]
So, no?
Ah, well.
Let's see.
It's hard to know where my story should begin.
In an attempt to get their hands on the Elixir of Life,
which is said to grant immortality,
the shogun ordered condemned criminals
and members of the Yamada Asaemon Clan
to Shinsenkyo two days ago.
I was tasked with monitoring Horubo, the Killing Prayer.
Aza Chobe, the Bandit King, killed him on the boat,
so I decided to come back home.
Obviously, I was quite distraught
that I was unable to fulfill my mission,
which is why I turned back.
But the currents were too strong
and washed me ashore.
[OFFICIAL] Wait, are-- are you saying
- you set foot on the island? - Well, yes.
[OFFICIAL] The very island
where 60 of our good men have gone missing?
[JIKKA] Though I did consider
searching for the Elixir myself,
I thought it more important to inform
the criminal's family of his death.
And then, somehow I made it back--
[OFFICIAL] Wait a minute. "Somehow"?
What does that mean, exactly?
Eh, trying to explain would be a waste of time.
If I were you, I would have nothing more to do
with that place.
Trust me, Shinsenkyo is not of this world.
Only children and fools poke bee hives, you know.
What? Did you--
It sounds as if you mean to imply
that the shogunate are a band of fools!
- Well, I wouldn't say imply-- - [SHUGEN] My deepest apologies.
Even we struggle to keep this man's insolence in check.
The entire Yamada clan, including myself,
take full responsibility.
I hope you can forgive us.
[scoffs] You think an apology...
- Hey. - ...is enough? What is it?
We needn't show deference to these executioners.
But you know who that is.
The one from the incident.
[clears throat] Right.
Well, your journey home must have been quite exhausting.
We shall overlook your disrespectful attitude.
Hmm.
Now, I will read you an urgent message
sent from the shogun himself,
so please listen well.
"By decree, the Yamada Clan
shall sail once more to Shinsenkyo.
You will be tasked with overseeing expedition members.
You've been ordered to choose new monitors.
Yamada Asaemon Shugen."
[♪ opening theme song playing]
[JIKKA] Aw, man.
We samurai are just pawns in their little game.
Our lives are expendable.
An awfully bitter pill to swallow, yeah?
That is enough!
You overstepped with the shogunate, Jikka-dono.
Your behavior is unacceptable.
[chuckles]
With you sitting next to me,
I figured things would work out fine.
And I wasn't wrong, now, was I?
Even I cannot overlook your lapses in judgment.
You are a samurai, you know.
All I'm asking is that you conduct yourself like one.
Is that so?
Sorry about that then.
I now serve as Eizen-dono's proxy.
I cannot afford to sully his position while he's gone.
Well, it seems you've outdone yourself.
So, do they have any condemned criminals
they might be willing to part with
for the shogunate's cause?
[SHUGEN] No. Instead of criminals,
I hear they'll be sending Iwagakure's shinobi.
Oh?
[♪ tense music playing]
[SHUGEN] When they were screening participants
to send to the island,
every last criminal was ruthlessly annihilated
by the Iwagakure.
The shogun was so impressed,
they chose the four shinobi present at the scene.
As Iwagakure chief,
I'm more than happy to lend assistance to the shogun.
As it stands, I've actually forgotten something of mine
on that very island.
Trusting condemned criminals was nonsense in the first place.
Absolute nonsense.
So you will be joining them.
You'll travel to the island in a few days.
[gasps]
What? You kidding me?
No way. I don't want anything to do with that island.
Jikka-dono.
Eizen-dono made a promise to me
that he would report back on the second day,
no matter what.
Today is the third day.
It's not just him, either.
Tenza and Kisho.
And what of Sagiri?
We've no word from any of them.
I find it unbearable to sit here and do nothing.
Yeah, you're not wrong.
That is concerning.
I know.
So we will make toward the island,
and bring this mission to a conclusion.
[LABORER] Um, excuse me?
Lord samurai.
What shall we do with this?
Ah. Good question.
My, my.
Surely they'd realize how dangerous the island is
if they saw this on display.
It's a shame they never got to.
Alas,
the chance to bring up monsters didn't arise
during our little fireside chat.
All that effort expended to drag this thing out of the ocean,
- and I never even used it. - [laborer chuckles nervously]
Sorry about that.
Might the red-light district serve as consolation?
I could take you there.
Or you could join me in my bedroom.
- Either way is fine by me. - Sir, I, uh...
[gasps] Don't touch that, lord samurai!
Some of the tentacles might still be alive.
No, they're already dead.
I don't sense the waves of life.
Jikka-dono, let's go.
Huh?
[LABORER] The waves of life?
Sorry for the delay.
We finished our report to the shogunate.
As planned, the four of us will travel to the island.
We've been chosen solely for our strength.
- Jikka-dona will come with us. - That's funny.
I don't seem to remember agreeing to any such thing.
We shall depart right away
for Shinsenkyo.
[RIEN] Tao.
Tao is life itself.
As such, to use it is to consume life itself.
When large quantities of it are used,
it has varying effects on the body and soul.
A harmonious affair.
[DOSHI] Are the body and soul not two different things?
[RIEN] No.
You see, each one is a distinct form of tao.
[Tao Fa huffs] Complicated topics, again?
We agreed not to talk about that stuff here.
[DOSHI] Mm. You have my apologies.
[scoffs]
Ha! Gotcha!
Don't you bow your head.
Do just the opposite.
Hold it up high!
Well, Rien?
It's our new training ground.
Isn't it great?
Yes. Great, indeed.
Splendid.
By exercising under and above water,
studying breathing techniques,
one can train in doin and taisoku.
Music bolsters meditation,
allowing for training of shuitsu and shuten.
And that room, well,
no better place for bochu jutsu.
- I know, right? - How silly.
Bochu jutsu, I mean.
The best way to thrive
is to live right in the middle of yin and yang as I do.
[RIEN] I must disagree.
Properties of tao differ depending on the life.
When we entwine ourselves with others,
we can access new strength which yearns to erupt.
[screaming]
[panting]
In a word, that was sublime, Ju Fa.
Such focus. You two train hard.
- So, tan? - Quickly, if you don't mind.
[TAO FA] Not at all.
Mu Dan made this batch.
Fresh squeezed, too.
- And there you go. - Thank you.
[gasps] I forgot to add the glowy stuff to your drink.
You know, that stuff that makes it glow?
Hey.
Where is it, Zhu Jin?
Um, I don't know.
[SAGIRI] We're holding up inside the Tensen's castle.
But it's dangerous to stay in one place.
I think we should exit through the gates.
Uh, sure.
What's with your outfits?
If found, no one would be able to tell
what kind of group you are.
Who cares? I think they're cute.
Our bloody clothes would be conspicuous.
I hope you're able to overlook it.
And I'm just copying Master.
Anyway,
we need to find Gabimaru and Mei-san.
And lucky for us, we shouldn't have to travel too far at all.
Gabimaru's target is the Elixir of Life,
so he should be trying to reach this castle.
Rather than us hiding in here,
it will be more convenient to meet them outside.
Hold on a moment.
Who says we need to meet up with them?
Should we waste our time with the mission
or that stupid Elixir anymore?
Not only is this hell-hole teeming with monsters,
but those god-like Tensen are lurking everywhere.
The mission is dead in the water,
So I'd say our best option is to leave
as soon as we possibly can.
[SAGIRI] No, we'll meet up with them.
What?
I'm only proposing we leave for your sake, Sagiri.
[SAGIRI] I don't believe that for a second.
[gasps]
Ever since you found out the Elixir didn't exist,
your motivations seemed to change.
When you leave the island empty-handed
like the rest of us,
you want more Asaemons
who will take your side against the shogunate.
This is an act born of self-interest, right?
You got me.
Regardless, I want to leave here together.
Someone as logical as you?
That's a reassuring quality to have in a companion.
Everyone is getting off of this island.
You are, and Gabimaru, too.
Still, there's no guarantee
Gabimaru will reach the gate to begin with.
He may already be here, you know.
Remember that destroyed wall
covered in scorch marks near the gate?
He's the only one who can do damage like that.
If we're gonna meet up,
our best bet is there.
[gasps]
Thank you. A wise thought.
Oh, please. Your mind was already made up.
Don't thank me.
So, say we're successful, and we manage to find them,
what will you do about Gabimaru's wife?
I sure as hell hope you were telling the truth
about Tensen's castle being at the top of this mountain.
I ain't seen a trace of it yet.
I ain't lie, uh-uh.
Miss, you don't have to copy the way I talk.
[GABIMARU] Well, what should I do now?
My memory still hasn't returned.
From what they've told me, my mission is insane.
Why would I ever agree to this, anyway?
Just following orders?
Or, did I have some other reason?
It's no use. I can't remember.
[FUCHI] Are you all right?
From back here, you seem unwell.
[GABIMARU] It's nothing.
[gasps]
[♪ tense music playing]
[CHOBE] Humans, huh?
Looks to me like we're all in the same predicament,
wouldn't you say?
[chuckles]
[grunts]
[laughs] He's not half bad.
We should be fighting together.
And yet we won't,
will we?
[grunts]
[grunts, groans]
Allies?
What's the point?
- [GANTETSUSAI] That was lame. - [gasps] Careful!
Tao. His tao big!
[grunts]
[MEI] Really, really big!
[chuckles]
[grunts]
Fight together? I'm not interested.
I thought his neck just broke.
Yes, but it healed.
[GABIMARU] "Immortal monsters who rule the island."
Was last night's discussion about this guy?
I'll tie him up and extract information from him.
- [chuckles] - [gasps]
[grunts]
One down, one more to go.
- [Gabimaru chuckles] - Huh?
Did you just laugh?
Pretty cocky, huh, pipsqueak?
I'm gonna tear you apart.
Same as always. Nice and easy.
I don't have to think about anything else.
Ninpo: Blooming Needle!
I'll target the brain.
[grunting]
[Chobe grunts, groans]
- [GABIMARU] And the eyes. - [Chobe groans]
[GABIMARU] Immortal or not,
you can't do much without your senses.
[spits]
[CHOBE] You bit straight through my tendon.
We're not too civilized, are we?
[GABIMARU] Arteries,
nerves,
shakutaku,
hicchu.
[groans]
[Chobe groaning]
[GABIMARU] Carotid artery.
I can understand why he's going for his weak spots.
Plenty logical, but...
The way he fights is quite vicious.
It's like a battle between two wild beasts.
[GABIMARU] It's the same no matter who I'm fighting.
"Break them until they stop moving"
is the Iwagakure way.
[gurgling]
[coughing]
[chuckles, grunts]
Is that the best you can do?
What a disappointment.
[grunts]
- [GANTETSUSAI] Our footing! - [gasps]
[CHOBE] You seemed real strong on the mainland,
so I took some hits, just to be sure,
but nah.
You're weak, boy.
Real weak.
- [Chobe grunts] - [Gabimaru coughs]
[Gabimaru grunts]
- [Gabimaru gasps] - [Chobe chuckles]
Huh?
[spits]
You fight dirty, but that's about all you can do.
Not that there's anything wrong with getting a little nasty.
He's still got it,
just sloppy.
And he was clearly much stronger before.
Any of this making sense to you?
Do you think getting knocked out made him a lot weaker?
Gabimaru.
Tao, wrong.
[GABIMARU] Even when I focus, it won't go away.
I can't escape the feeling that something's wrong.
Strong and strong, bad.
Strong and weak,
both important.
Weak is seed of strong.
He no, no seed of strong.
Missing something important.
[GABIMARU] That feeling, like I've lost something.
[inhales]
[exhales]
- [grunts] - [chuckles]
[grunting]
- [grunts] - [groans, chuckles]
[CHOBE] Enough, Toma!
Go after the others!
Cut them to pieces!
Yes, Brother.
Brother?
[TOMA] First, the one-armed man.
His thick muscles will be difficult to slice through.
So I'll stab.
- [gasps] - Hey, kid.
Why did you come after me first? Huh?
Is it because I only have one arm?
Saw I was short a hand
and thought I was the easiest target of the bunch. That it?
Don't underestimate me, you hear?
[grunts]
[gasps]
- Here. - [sword clatters]
I can take you on without so much as drawing my blade.
[pants]
Wait, Blade Dragon.
Something is odd here,
but he's still one of the Yamadas.
Shut your mouth!
I need to teach this brat
that anyone who underestimates me
pays with a limb.
[TOMA] His eyes, his instincts. They're better than they seem.
And he's clearly experienced.
His reflexes are honed, so I'll use them against him.
[gasps]
[GANTETSUSAI] Excellent reflexes.
Quick with a blade.
You've got potential.
Just potential.
You need more work.
Your movements and form aren't there yet.
Your technique is superficial and sloppy.
Neglect your kata, and you fail.
Kata is your core.
Shave away the excess, and your kata remains!
You got complacent, didn't you?
I see.
You let Big Brother fight all the big battles.
I can tell just by looking at your pretty face.
[scoffs] Imagine if you swallowed your pride
and teamed up.
You wouldn't have a bloody lip right now.
If my brother doesn't wanna team up,
then I'll obey his wish.
Besides...
[sword slashes]
Teams, I hate nothing more.
They are just an illusion.
Even the bandit groups we led were mere pawns.
I never once saw them as allies.
The truth is, the two of us only need each other.
Don't pretend to be so damn independent, boy.
The two of you are working as a group.
You're not any different.
I am but an extension of my brother.
[GANTETSUSAI] Hmm.
Different grip.
His center of gravity shifted.
I gave him some crap,
and he's already improved in a matter of minutes.
Well, that's a real dumb way of looking at it, half-a-man.
Well, my brother's the arbiter of what's dumb and what isn't,
you one-armed old fart.
Time to earn your keep, Doshi.
Kill the shrimp and the girl!
[DOSHI] Yes, sir.
[grunting]
Please stand back about two ken.
To be safe.
[grunting]
[CHOBE] He's a tough little mongrel,
but I can kill him.
Thanks to tao, I can read this ninja's moves
before he makes them.
And if I'm injured, I can regenerate.
[DOSHI] You are blessed with particularly powerful tao.
Ordinarily, you would be consumed by this immense power.
Why?
Because the power did not come to you
through training of your own.
[chuckles]
[GABIMARU] He's strong.
I can't win unless I hone my focus.
I'll forget about this unexplainable feeling for now.
And become hollow.
Death is no excuse to give up.
If you're certain of death,
deal as much damage as possible to your opponent
as your final breath is drawn.
[panting]
[chuckles] That's your final move, I'm guessing.
Man, even I must admit,
that looks mighty uncomfortable for ya.
That's rough.
You sacrificing yourself?
Why don't I kill you first?
[inhales]
[GABIMARU] Ninpo: Pyro Bridge!
[Chobe groaning]
[GABIMARU] Ninpo: Stone Storm!
[CHOBE] I can't regenerate fast enough.
This is bad. Real bad.
Are you... willing to die
just to take me out?
[GABIMARU] I don't care.
I still cannot remember any of the details of this mission.
But if I die, someone else from the village will take over.
Shinobi are a team.
A single member's life has no value.
I have nothing to lose.
But you do, don't you?
[Chobe gasps]
Those who cling to life can never defeat the dead.
[Chobe gasping]
[CHOBE] Yeah, you're right.
Thanks a lot, pal.
[DOSHI] You'd be consumed by this immense power.
I've just made a decision.
I'm going to release
all of it!
You're right.
I do have something to lose,
but I don't mind losing everything else.
He's all I need.
I don't need anything in this forsaken world except him!
It's done.
Mm?
What is that?
[gasps]
No. Brother!
[CHOBE] Breaking. [breathing raggedly]
I'm breaking.
It's... over.
[groaning]
[♪ closing theme song playing]