The Elusive Samurai (逃げ上手の若君)

(Year 1334, Six months after the fall of the Shogunate)

(Tokiyuki Hojo's first New Year during his hiding in Suwa)

Take slow steps now...

We're almost there, Young Master.

And we're here.

Whoa!

What do you think? It's completely frozen, eh?

You can stand anywhere on Suwa Lake in winter!

Amazing...

Young Master!

You okay?

Are you okay, Young Master?

That took me by surprise!

Six months have passed since the fall of the Shogunate.

Tokiyuki celebrated his first New Year's in Suwa.

There was a pause in the country's turmoil,

but skirmishes continued.

Go, go!

Naturally, Suwa would not be peaceful all the time.

It's here...

The period when I can't see the future...

Just like an aromatic history

Just like a dramatic textbook

This is no good, I just can't dance these days

Will you do it or will you be done in? Only destiny can tell

I'll oppose it, I'll sing of it, and I'll run

I don't care about the damage done

I'm just having fun

Fulfillment, ideals, reality

I'll go and take them by the hand Quickly and vigorously

Say Plan A, you got no doubts, it's sunny all about

You had my back, so here's our runway

Say Plan A, you got no doubts, you're alive

They'll laugh, it'll be sad, but you'll be all good

Plan A

Plan A

Running away is victory

Plan A

Plan A

Run away to victory

I have acquired another land.

We need a great man like you...

Shokan.

I have heard that you were feared like a demon as a villain.

A villain? Nonsense.

I have mellowed significantly now,

and chosen the path to serve you, who is on the rise.

However...

Your order is to slowly take Suwa's territory.

I alone am the best man for that.

For stealing is what I live for.

Are you sure, Lord Sadamune?

There are not enough strong men in our family.

We will not win in this turbulent world,

if we remain stuck in the common sense of a warrior.

Ogasawara is moving suspiciously again?

Yes.

Enemy soldiers are looking for something on the northern border.

Send someone to scout the area!

Our best scouts are already dispatched.

Enemy troop movements on the western border are also posing a threat...

I'll keep this a secret from everyone.

That there are rare, sudden periods of time when I can't see any future at all...

This is bad...

I wish I didn't have to deal with any problems at a time like this...

Um...

Should we the Elusive Warriors go scout the area?

Huh?

Whaaat?!

Young Master, how reliable of you!

Just what I expect from a figurehead of a warrior family!

We'll leave it to you!

Wait, that'll be dangerous...

If anything happens, the Hojo bloodline will cease to exist...

I'll be okay.

And it's less alarming if it's just kids.

You know best how I can run away.

Well, but...

What a clever idea!

Both Kojiro and Ayako have had some experience with reconnaissance.

And the courteous Lord Tokiyuki would make the local people feel at ease!

Let's go with this, Lord Yorishige!

Lord Yorishige!

Lord Yorishige!

Lord Yorishige!

If he's killed by bandits midway, his bloodline will cease to exist.

Me and Ayako can handle some bandits.

We can also help him run away with Genba's illusions.

You rang?

Well... If he gets lost on the way, his bloodline...

I have played many times in the past six months, running far and wide in the territory.

I can now return from anywhere in Suwa!

No...

He could die from parasites from eating roadside slugs...

Or he could die from seeing a hot woman and have a massive nosebleed...

Or he could recall an embarrassing past, and want to die from the shock...

Goodbye, world.

What's up with you?!

You've been acting strange.

Don't you always send me out to dangerous places without a care in the world?

This isn't going anywhere...

Can we go already, Lord Moritaka?

Yeah.

As it stands, this is probably for the best.

Be sure to prioritize Young Master's safety.

Got it!

Hey, wait!

Lord Tokiyuki's not actually good at running away!

He's just a pervert who gets off on running away!

How rude!

All right.

What should we prepare for a scouting mission?

It's better to carry light.

Two days' worth of food and some cash should be enough.

I want as much money as I can get, though.

Let's cheat and swindle the Moritaka guy!

You're saying things like that again...

Our family can't waste money or rice...

Yorishige...

...is watching.

With worries...

All eyes on them...

Father!

Well...

If Lord Tokiyuki dies of starvation...

The bloodline will cease to exist...

Just ignore him.

Let's go.

This should do to staying warm.

These cotton-filled sleeves specially made by Shizuku are so warm!

I think I can go with only a layer.

It's easier to run away and not be suspected if you're lightly armed.

Yorishige has come to watch.

Like a bored curry store owner.

He's come to watch them closely.

You really are strange today, Sir Yorishige!

Well, if you freeze to death,

or if there are a million enemy soldiers in the area...

Your bloodline...

Bloodline...

What is this, bloodline addiction?

Good grief.

What's up with him?

He sometimes becomes like that.

Like that?

Becoming anxious or angry...

Who ate my mochi?!

Who?!

Gaining weight just by drinking water,

or eating sour food all the time.

Is he having a baby or something?

What could he be thinking?

Who knows?

He's always pushing me around...

- Lord Tokiyuki! Be careful! He's always pushing me around...

- Lord Tokiyuki! Be careful! - But...

It's kind of nice to see him send me off with a concerned look.

(Nakayama Domain Northern Suwa territory)

We made it just in time for nightfall.

It looks peaceful at a glance.

Let's review the steps.

Although this area is in Suwa territory,

it's on the very edge, so not much information about it.

So first, we'll ask around as messengers of Suwa Grand Shrine,

and tomorrow, we'll look around the village.

Are the enemies likely to come? And if so, when and how big?

How many soldiers do we need to defend the village?

We'll compile the information and report...

This is...

We're trapped.

Look at this village.

It's already under enemy control.

A dual sword user...

In his teens...

The enemies around may barge in anytime...

So quick!

He's a tremendous swordsman at such a young age.

Hey, fighting is beyond me.

Let's run away while we still can, boy.

The two of them can only hold that dual sword user down.

No, they both are getting stronger.

Far better than half a year ago...

Moreover, their speed and power...

...are so different from when they practice with me!

So...

That's...

Well done, Young Master!

You took a score out of five tries from me!

If you keep on underestimating me, you're going to be in for a world of pain.

Huh...

You'll surpass me if you keep training like this.

Can't hold my breath like this.

Then...

That too?

You're amazing, Young Master.