Aren't you going to shoot?
Don't talk, Sute. It's distracting.
Sorry.
He's bait.
Looks defenseless, but his guard's up.
His buddies are likely nearby.
If I give us away with a careless shot,
we're done for.
Episode 11
Taishin
What progress has been made on the matter with Usui Yuen's group?
I don't know why you're being so indirect.
If you can't wait for Shishido's revengers to deal with them,
why not just send some of your own?
They are a group of talented individuals. Their loss would be sorely missed.
Some of them may have their quirks...
But that actually only makes them more useful in the right circumstances.
Especially given the times ahead.
Once the opium is flowing in Nagasaki,
the entire country will, in time, be brought low by it.
The greedy English will be unable to resist the temptation,
and the world will fall into disorder.
And so, the dream of Shimabara will finally come to pass.
And by that, you mean the creation of God's kingdom in Kyushu, which you would rule over?
Of course not! My only wish is the revival of my faith.
You all may choose the ruler at your discretion.
More influence for the English heretics... What more could you ask for?
"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's,
and unto God the things that are God's."
I've dug up about as much as I'm gonna be able to, man.
How's your "fishing" going?
They're being very cautious.
With the Satsuma sweet potato as bait, I bet they are!
Maybe I'd be better off following Sakata's lead and sucking up to Shishido.
That's the thing.
Smuggling opium is a capital crime.
Even as the general overseer of the Nagasaki Trade Union,
if he were exposed, he wouldn't escape being executed.
Even Sakata considered busting Shishido and swiping the opium out from under him.
But Shishido approached Sakata with a deal because he was confident he wouldn't.
And if the Imperial court is just gonna stand by...
If they can recover the opium that was lost in Qing,
the English won't care if it's Satsuma's chief financial officer
or the general overseer of the trade union doing the deal.
Still, moving the junk to and from their turf would be way too obvious.
Which would mean...
This fog isn't doing us any favors.
Things haven't gone much better on my end.
Did you need something?
Well, actually...
Sorry, boss, but I'm the guy who needs to talk to you.
There's something I've been meaning to check with you.
The whole reason we went to Satsuma is because Hirata Genshin,
that old dude Raizo killed, bit some gold before he croaked, right?
This seems sudden. What brought it on?
Big brain stuff ain't exactly my bag, boss man.
So I'm gonna do a full rundown, if you don't mind.
Well? Is that right?
Yes. It certainly is.
But after Raizo killed Matsumine, you had Nio ring the bell.
Who was that for?
It couldn't have been for the Hirata guy. He was long dead by then.
So... who else was there?
And there's another thing.
The fiancée Raizo's so torn up about had a hairpin...
You made it, didn't you? I've seen you handling it before.
That's right. It was something I made at Hirata-sama's request.
It was going to be his gift to Yui-san, Kurima-san's fiancée.
That's the part I don't get.
From what Raizo's told me, she was wearing it.
That'd mean someone went all the way to Satsuma to deliver it.
Isn't that right?
Maybe Hirata-dono had a courier deliver it before he died?
Yeah? Is that right?
You really gonna go with that?
I'm sure Yui will love this.
Though it might be a bit fancy for a country girl from Satsuma.
I've heard that your mission is a very dangerous one.
If you want to ensure that gift is received, please make sure you return home safely.
It seems my return becomes ever more imperative...
These "revengers" you've spoken of...
Would they accept a conditional offer if it came to that?
That's a rather dour joke to make.
There is an assassin coming for me.
Most likely, a very fierce one.
But my killer is of little concern.
The grudge I want to engrave is against those responsible for smuggling opium into Japan.
Now, could a koban carry my vendetta all the way to distant Satsuma?
It would reach the ends of the earth.
I gave it to her.
I spoke to her in person, and delivered her father's memento.
That sounds like you, all right.
So how was she? Was she a weepy mess after her old man got cut down?
So these "revenger" people... will avenge my father?
Gold engraved with Hirata-dono's vendetta in his final moments is in their hands.
It won't be long before Matsumine Jonoshin, the chief financial officer of Satsuma,
is punished for what he has done, so that the bell may toll for your father.
Father...
But Matsumine-sama...
Matsumine wouldn't have been able to leave Satsuma.
So who was it that actually killed my father?
Right now, all I know for certain is that his name is Kurima Raizo.
It can't be...
You know him?
He... He's my...
He was going to marry me! Why?!
Then Hirata-sama was slain by his son-in-law?
Damn you...
Damn you, Kurima Raizo.
Was this what you wanted all along?
He said he'd give up the Kurima name to inherit the Hirata house...
He said he would give his life to protect me!
Underneath it all, was he laughing at me and my father this entire time?!
Damn him! Damn him, damn him, damn him!
If he does serve Matsumine,
I'm sure the blade of revenge will fall on him, as well.
Please kill him.
That man... Kurima Raizo...
No matter where he goes,
hunt him to the ends of the earth and make sure that he pays.
If my father's vendetta will punish Matsumine, let mine punish Kurima Raizo!
How could I ever let that man live?!
Please! I'm begging you!
Consider it done.
Well, she hated Raizo real bad, that's for sure.
When I learned the truth, I thought to return the coin.
But...
She was already dead, meaning you can't give it back, and you can't kill Raizo, either.
But the truth is, you took pity on that poor bastard.
And look where it got us.
All he cares about is squaring up this opium business.
He starts all this crap with Chinatown, the Nagasaki Trade Union, the Chapel...
And now, because of his beef,
it's gotten so bad, we can't even walk around outside anymore.
Y'know, I'm wondering if we're better off doing this one over.
After the Shishido business is taken care of, you mean?
That makes no difference.
We're revengers, and we've got bitten gold right here.
Who cares when the job gets done?
Could you really do it, though?
You've seen firsthand how much he regrets what happened.
Are you suggesting we've never killed anyone over a misunderstanding
or for something they didn't deserve?
Maybe there was some dirtbag who had a sick mom.
Maybe they felt bad about what they did!
Hell, maybe one of them turned over a new leaf and became an artist!
But once we accept a piece of bitten gold, we can't act like it never happened.
I am surprised.
I had thought you were not interested in this matter.
The boss told me to keep an eye on you in case you go nuts.
As if I'd actually want to be stuck with you on a nice day like this.
I am a poor fit for any sort of subterfuge.
But if I walk around in broad daylight like this, they have to pay attention.
Which allows Nio more freedom.
You saw Liu get shot, didn't you?
That bullet came outta nowhere, made no sound, and didn't leave so much as a clue.
So don't come crying to me if you get gunned down in the street.
If that happens, I leave it in your hands.
No way in hell am I avenging you.
I do not matter.
But Liu bit a coin.
And to revengers, bitten gold is a sworn oath, is it not?
Yeah.
It is.
Bitten gold is a guarantee.
Bastard—
We must be careful. They are here.
Wait, did they hit you?
It is only a flesh wound.
Are you all right?
Damn it. You're always like this.
Well? Any movement?
No, none that I noticed.
I figured.
If they'd made a move, you'd be dead by now.
But now I'm wondering where the others are and what they're up to...
A ship has been seen acting suspiciously.
It sets out at night and returns before dawn.
Which means it can't go too far.
It's been so long, they might have forgotten,
but when the English first took root in Nagasaki,
they slapped together this ridiculous lighthouse off the coast.
And if the trade union trespassed on their territory, it'd be a serious transgression.
You say that, but if push comes to shove, they can just play dumb.
Which makes it the ideal hiding place.
Though maybe one that's a bit too obvious.
What are the odds it's a trap?
I've sent someone to take a look.
You never miss a beat, huh?
Man...
Having such a generous client sure is sweet.
Maybe I should take the boat for myself and give piracy a shot?
What's got you so curious?
We've been back and forth to this island plenty, haven't we?
Sorry, I'm actually new...
Guess that explains how soft your hands are for a sailor.
Whoa, there!
Aw, come on! Let's have some more fun!
Where'd that come from?
Do we give chase?
Too much trouble.
Their whole gang will be back soon enough.
We might as well prepare the party.
And this is what they take photographs with?
Very impressive.
Isn't it just? Depicting the rage, frustration, and sorrow inside someone...
It used to take heaven-sent talent to capture such things,
but not with one of these devices.
In time, I'd love to have a number of them.
Consider this girl's parents and siblings.
How would they react to seeing her like this?
You really do have refined tastes.
So how can I help you today?
I'm sorry to inform you that the rats have managed to sniff out the island.
Oh, finally. I was actually hoping they'd find it sooner.
Then...
Yes, I'm sure it'll make a fine location for a hunt.
Can you wipe out all the rats at once for me?
Oh, dear.
Consider it done.
Teppa didn't know what to make of it.
He seemed shocked that you made such good use of these in such a short time.
I appreciate you bringing them.
Tonight's revenge will be be a rather laborious one.
We should all be as prepared as we can be.
Forgive me.
What's wrong?
I dragged all of you into this matter.
It is only natural that Soji would think to get rid of me.
I see you've kept working on your art.
It happens before I even think.
It appears my behavior is the same, whether with a sword or a brush.
But there's a big difference.
There is something other than a sword that you can grab hold of.
I thought, after losing your status, you'd still only be able to live by wielding a sword...
That was why I invited you to become a revenger.
But you've found a new way of life.
Living... Am I truly allowed to do that?
God will forgive you.
The only question that remains is whether you can forgive yourself.
Murakami Clinic
Odd Jobs Consultation
Closed
Today
Should you have an unpaid vendetta smoldering within,
engrave those feelings into a single gold coin.
We will take up the act of judgment in Heaven's stead.
For we are...
Revengers.
Episode 11
Next time, Episode 12