Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (るろうに剣心 最終章 The Beginning)

With Japan now open to foreign trade,

some seek to end the Shogun's rule

and restore the Emperor's authority.

Ambitions swirl together with ideals.

Opposing factions face each other.

Fighting spreads through the land.

Trouble!

There's trouble!

Damn!

There's trouble!

KYOTO TSUSHIMA DOMAIN RESIDENCE

Open the gate! It's Hirata!

Quick!

So you made it, Hirata?

We're having a hard time making this man talk.

Was it him?

The one who attacked our men and cut off your arm?

It was dark.

Where did you find him?

He was wandering around outside last night.

Then it's not him.

That guy had a nasty look. A very dangerous character.

He'd have been harder to take.

I bear you no ill…

but for the new age…

What?

You must all die.

No!

My ear!

Someone!

Help!

Get him!

Anyone! Help!

It hurts.

A demon!

It's a demon!

Damn you!

You bastard! Who are you?

Soji…

The pro-shogun Tsushimas are dead.

Meaning now the Tsushimas are anti-shogun, Mr. Kondo?

Lord Katsui!

Describe the man.

All these men, in a flash.

You don't need to ask, Mr. Saito. It was Battosai the Killer.

Cold-blooded, emotionless. A killing machine.

Can you believe this guy is getting married in these crazy times?

Sorry!

Oh, why not?

He's a happy guy.

I'm jealous.

APRIL 5TH, KYOTO

SHIGEKURA DOMAIN RESIDENCE

Who's there?

Inspector Jubei Shigekura, I assume?

Who's there? State your name!

-Hey! -You're Battosai?

Bastard!

You Choshu rebel!

I don't want to die.

I can't die now. I can't.

There's someone I care for.

I can't die now!

I can't die now!

There's someone I love!

I don't want to die!

I can't die!

I can't…

There's someone I love.

JUSTIFICATION FOR EXECUTION

KOHAGIYA INN

There are still lots of shogunate men, even without the Tsushimas.

It'll be a while before we Choshu men can show our faces again.

But one day we will rule.

With swords in hand…

we'll show them who's loyal!

Yes!

But we have to be careful!

We'll take back what we've lost!

Step back!

-Stop Aizu and Satsuma! -We can't accept this!

-The Emperor will listen! -That's right!

What's all this noise?

Quiet down!

Here he is.

Been a while, Himura.

What's that cut?

A Shigekura man.

I see.

He must have been good to score a hit on you.

Not so much that.

He had a strong will to live.

After all the men you've killed, you're still not used to it?

Why did you call me here, Mr. Katsura?

Hey!

How dare you take that tone!

I've killed a hundred in six months.

I can hide, but one day the shogun's men will find me.

I shouldn't be seen around here.

Then I'll make it short.

The shogunate forces grow stronger by the day.

Especially the "Wolves of Mibu."

The Shinsengumi police?

They're probably the best men the shogunate has.

Be very careful.

For them, Battosai the Killer is their biggest threat.

They'll try anything.

I understand.

This is…

Furutaka of the Masuya. He does a lot for us.

At your service.

Leaving already?

You're probably thinking, this isn't the time for women.

Our movement exists so that a girl like this can be happy.

That samurai looked so sad…

I've known him for a year.

He acts all grown up, but he hasn't changed a bit.

Status means nothing here.

1 YEAR EARLIER AMIDAIJI TEMPLE, CHOSHU

What matters is skill with a sword. Anyone who has that is welcome.

Our strike force depends on the element of surprise.

DON'T FEAR TAKING A DIFFERENT PATH

Strike!

Hey, you.

Why do you want to join?

To overthrow the Shogun.

Are you some peasant's son?

"Skill with a sword," the man said.

Was he lying?

What did you say?

Then fight me.

Let's start by seeing how good you are.

I don't want to hurt someone I'll be fighting together with.

What did you say?

Don't worry.

Once he's drawn, he's ready for that.

Show us what you've got.

As you were.

-Back to work! -Resume!

-Now! -Hurry!

The quick draw.

But in a style I've never seen.

What's it called?

Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.

Have you ever killed someone?

No.

Do you think you could?

If beyond the lives lost…

lay a new age where all lived in peace of mind.

Drink!

Here. Sit here.

Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.

I'd heard of it…

but I didn't believe it.

Shinsaku…

I want that man.

If you want assassins, why not be one yourself?

You're the portable shrine of our anti-shogun movement.

I guess no one will carry it for us if it's covered in blood.

But…

you're going to ruin that kid's life.

Just make sure you keep yourself clean right to the very end.

You don't think I know that?

With all the men he's killed, he's still completely pure at heart.

But…

that's all the more reason that killing is making him feel…

uneasy.

NAGURA TAVERN

-Excuse me. -Yes?

-One more. -Okay!

I can't die!

There's someone I love!

Good evening.

What can I get you?

-A cold sake, please. -Okay.

This looks like fun.

She's gorgeous.

Yeah!

And alone.

I've never seen her before.

Here you go.

-Old man! -Yes?

Another!

Okay.

Woman…

Pour us a drink.

We're Emperor loyalists from the Aizu Domain.

We're out day and night risking our lives for the likes of you.

You owe us, you know. You should be nice to us.

Aizu's pro-shogun, stupid!

What did you say?

That's better. Just keep your mouths shut.

That was close.

It sure was.

What?

I was about to draw on you.

What?

Take my advice.

Things are going to get worse.

Kyoto's no place for fake patriots.