Song of the Samurai - Chapter: Youthful Days in Edo (ちるらん 新撰組鎮魂歌 江戸青春篇)

What a dummy.

Oh, Master.

At it again, training so early?

My apologies. Did I wake you?

No.

Don't overdo it. Your hands are all torn up.

Master.

I'm sorry to impose, but...

I'd be grateful for your instruction.

What are you talking about?

You're plenty strong already.

There's nothing more I can teach you.

You're the only master I'll ever have, Nagakura Shinpachi.

Cut it out. Spare me the flattery.

It's not flattery.

You accepted your own lack of natural talent

and overcame it with nothing but sheer hard work.

The way you became this strong inspires me, Master.

Lack of talent? You've got some nerve.

I can't tell if you're complimenting me or insulting me.

My apologies.

Whatever. It's the truth, anyway.

You've gotten good at that disarming technique.

All thanks to you, Master.

Bring it.

This "talentless" senior will give you a lesson.

Thank you very much.

"Half past six. I'll be waiting at Shinkenji Temple."

Guess who?

THE CORPS CODE

THE CORPS CODE

Come on, Shimada. What's the matter?

Put more spirit into it.

My apologies, Vice-Commander.

Hijikata doesn't hold back.

Give it your all against every opponent.

It's the only way to show true respect for your opponent.

But they are all intimidated.

He's just too damn strong.

He's making Shimada look like a child.

Out of the way!

Heisuke, we're practicing.

This is no time for that!

Aijiro... Aijiro has been killed!

Back off.

Back off. Come on.

Hey!

SONG OF THE SAMURAI.

Are you sure it was Aijiro?

Yes.

According to the magistrate's office, the body had countless sword wounds.

They said the fatal wound was a stab from the back and out through the stomach.

Does Shinpachi know?

No idea.

I haven't seen Nagakura at the dojo today.

Any idea who did it?

No idea.

The magistrate's office thinks it was probably a thief

since his belongings were taken.

A thief?

There's no way he could've been killed by a common thief.

I'm coming in.

What do you want, Niimi?

I hear one of your men got himself killed.

I see you get news quickly.

Our faction's full of new blood, you see.

Can't have them losing morale over something trivial.

Trivial?

The way he died.

Get it right.

His name is Sasaki Aijiro.

There is no one in this corps named "the guy who got killed."

Killed by a common thief, I hear.

A weakling like that isn't even worth learning the name of.

You bastard. How dare you insult a fallen comrade?

"One.

If you fail to kill and take a wound to your back, it is seppuku."

This Sasaki, whatever his name was, was cut down while turning his back.

He would have had to commit seppuku even if he had survived.

That's the Corps Code, isn't it?

Kondo

one of your men has disgraced the name of the Mibu Roshigumi.

How are you going to answer for this?

Hey, Niimi.

Stop, Toshi.

Shinpachi.

What he's saying is bullshit.

There's no way Aijiro would turn his back on some common thief.

In that case, who do you claim did it?

I don't know, but I'll find whoever it is.

I'll find the bastard,

and finish them.

THE CORPS CODE

ONE. IF YOU FAIL TO KILL AND TAKE A WOUND TO YOUR BACK, IT IS SEPPUKU

What's up? Bye.

Couldn't resist causing some trouble, huh?

You think I overdid it?

There's nothing like picking on the weak, is there?

I just get so into it.

Whatever.

Whoa, damn.

Are you sure I should get this much for that little thing?

But are you sure about this?

The truth is, I was ordered to assassinate Kondo Isami

so I went undercover with them.

That's not for you to worry about.

Right.

So, what's next?

You've done enough.

For real?

You think taking out one grunt is enough to bring down Kondo?

You're a true strategist, Niimi. Just what I'd expect.

Guess I'll use this cash to celebrate.

Surely

you didn't mess up, right?

Of course not.

You were listening, weren't you, Yamazaki?

Money... Money!

Keep an eye on him.

Yes.

Move.

Welcome.

Hey.

Skipping patrol to go drinking? Must be nice.

Crap, I got busted.

And you're not even wearing your damn coat.

Are you not taking this seriously?

No, of course I am!

Nagakura, you came all the way out here, so aren't you slacking off too?

Won't you have a drink with me?

Forget that. Saeki...

It's about Aijiro.

Heard he got killed by some thugs, right?

Here.

Thanks.

I saw his body.

The fatal blow was one strike from the back and out through the stomach.

The style of the sword strike was Shindo Munen-ryu.

That's your style too, isn't it?

What's more, you're from Choshu.

What a waste!

You're the one who killed Aijiro.

Whoa, what is this all of a sudden?

Why would I go and kill one of our own comrades?

Besides, there must be a thousand swordsmen in Kyo who use that style.

Including you, right, Nagakura?

Anyway, I already deserted the Choshu clan.

What happened to your finger?

A girl bit me over in the pleasure district.

You would wear a splint for just a tiny bite on your pinkie?

Aijiro broke it with his disarming technique, didn't he?

Don't move.

You plan to fight with that hand?

Even you can see the huge gap between us, right?

You know

you're going to get crushed, so why aren't you running?

So, like master, like student, huh? Hilarious.

Then let me ask you this.

There's one thing I just don't get.

Why did you have to kill Aijiro in such a brutal way?

A man with your skill

could have finished him off in a single blow.

I guess a hack like you wouldn't get it.

Killing someone in a crushing win

feels better than screwing a woman.

You bastard!

What the hell is this? Are you trying to kill me with laughter?

Don't you mock me!

And there it is. A decisive victory.

Now this feels good.

Way too easy.

I can't hold it in anymore.

Sorry, but here I come!

You know, Saeki

the real thrill comes

when you crush someone far beyond your own skill!

Wait... Nagakura, please!

Do you have any proof that I'm the one who killed Aijiro?

Y-You don't have any, do you?

I'm not sloppy with things like that.

If you finish me off now

the truth about me being the killer will just be swept under the rug.

So... look! I'll cooperate!

I'll go to the magistrate's office. Anywhere you say!

I'll tell you everything I know, I swear.

Please! Just spare my life!

I see.

Fine.

Thank you!

Thank you so much.

I'll be in your debt for the rest of my life!

Oh?

You're such a transparent piece of shit.

So, Nagakura made his move.

Yes.

Just as I predicted.

The winner is...

Nagakura Shinpachi.

I see.

Saeki was a fool.