Last Samurai Standing (イクサガミ)

Specters.

They cling to their decaying privilege…

And their swords.

They are too arrogant…

To accept defeat.

They steal from the powerless.

They mourn their lost dignity.

Raise the cry of victory!

The fools dare to rebel.

Smoke signal confirmed. It's a victory for our allies.

Open fire.

Sir?

Fire.

Our units are still behind enemy lines... fire now!

Commence firing!

Aim!

Fire!

Stop! Stop it!

It's over!

Stop!

Those fools…

Are the least fit for the new age.

Such specters…

Must be eradicated.

Gentlemen, apologies for keeping you waiting.

You've given us such an amazing opportunity.

We're the ones who should be thanking you.

Indeed.

Have you heard of our family motto, organizer?

No, I'm afraid I haven't.

"Never lend money to the shizoku."

No one has suffered more from their lawlessness than we have.

Every time we lend them money, they walk away with it.

I don't know how we've survived.

Number 159, tekkan ikeuchi, fell at kuwana-juku.

Reportedly, he was killed by number 66, bukotsu kanjiya.

Bukotsu the savage slasher again?

- He's a beast, through and through. - Absolutely.

But he only cares about killing, not about making progress.

Hardly worth betting on.

He's nowhere near being the first through chiryu-juku.

Exactly.

- He can't die without entertaining us. - I couldn't agree more.

The real fun of kodoku is just beginning.

We've prepared plenty of entertainment from start to finish.

So let us savor the downfall of those pathetic specters together, gentlemen.

Do you despise guns?

They are what buried us samurai as the dead.

No one is to blame for our fall.

The times have merely changed.

The times…

Lower your guns.

He can't focus.

Move aside!

- What is it? What happened? - I heard a gunshot!

Stop right there.

Stop! Stop!

Wait! Hey!

Head to the front! Don't let him get away!

Time to move!

Wait!

Hey!

Wait! Come on!

Even if you keep pushing forward like this,

there's no happiness waiting for any of you.

What's that supposed to mean?

You don't need to understand what it means!

This is the end of the road for you,

kokushu saga!

Shu-nii!

Come on!

We shall meet again in Tokyo.

Enter.

We have news from superintendent general kawaji.

Apparently, they found nothing at the foot of mount fuji.

It was empty.

Thank you.

Lord Okubo, regarding what maejima mentioned before…

Concerning kawaji?

Yes.

Kawaji is an honorable man.

- But still... - to maintain order in this country,

kawaji traveled as far as Europe on a study tour

and established the police bureau himself.

I do not believe that man would betray us.

Those documents…

May I borrow them?

Can you crack it?

I don't know.

But I can try.

I want to do whatever I can.

Handle them carefully.

We have no idea where the enemy might be hiding.

Thank you, sir.

The one who killed akayama and attacked me wasn't a fake.

He was a real police officer.

Which means whoever's running kodoku

is connected to the police bureau. Or perhaps...

someone inside the police bureau.

That's what I'm thinking.

So the police bureau and mitsui bank.

It might not just be the bank.

What do you mean?

The zaibatsu that runs the bank could be connected too.

When you look at it that way, it all starts to come together.

The police bureau monitors the participants

and disposes of any dead bodies.

The enormous costs needed for that are covered by the zaibatsu.

But one thing doesn't make sense.

Jinbe Ando, who died first at tenryuji temple,

was from Kyoto prefectural police department's fourth division.

That's right. Even the police station kyojin snuck into...

so it's only the central police bureau that is involved.

Wait, but why would the police…

I have no clue. But I can tell you one thing for sure.

Kodoku isn't just a simple game

where the survivor walks away with 100,000 yen.

Even after reaching Tokyo, something is bound to happen.

If one of us wants to be the last one standing,

there's a chance we may end up killing each other.

Even if you're the last one left,

there's no guarantee you'll return alive.

How could they?

But even so,

I'll keep moving forward.

With the little miss in tow?

Maybe this is as far as you can go with her.

I'm going.

Futaba…

Stay quiet.

Are you forgetting the one trump card only you can play,

kokushu saga?

During the war, you were connected to some big names in the government.

How would you know that?

That's our only shot against the zaibatsu and the police.

If you really care about her, you might want to think this through.

I'll be back by noon tomorrow.

Take care of futaba while I'm gone.

Got it.

That kind of swing won't help you.

Even still. I want to become stronger.

I don't want…

To drag everyone down anymore.

Strength isn't just about the sword.

You're weak right now.

You're a girl.

Still a child.

But that's just for now.

You have to discover a strength that is unique to you.

How can I help you?

I'd like to send a telegram.

Yes, of course.

Please write the recipient's name and the message here.

Come in.

- Sorry to interrupt, sir. - What is it?

We've received a suspicious telegram addressed to the home minister.

Kokushu saga…

I'm going to the telegraph room.

I'll do it myself. Everyone out, please.

Yes, sir.

We've received a response.

What does it say?

It says, "details, please."

Who's the sender?

It's from hisoka maejima.

How is that possible?

He's the closest aide to the home minister!

Would you mind stepping out?

It's better you don't know.

Right.

Critical incident at tenryuji temple. Has it been confirmed?

Report of shizoku gathering received. Are you one of them?

I am one of them.

There is a child present among the shizoku.

Requesting assistance.

Still investigating. Requesting full details.

Rule four.

You must not speak of this game to anyone.

Provide protection, and details will follow.

Police involvement is suspected. Any information?

Matter of national importance. Details follow after protection.