The Last Revenge (遺恨あり　明治十三年 最後の仇討)

May, 1868

To avert civil war, the Tokugawa Shogun ordered all lay down their arms.

Akizuki Clan of Kyushu Island

The rule of the Shogunate ended, the emperor was restored to power.

The samurai, warrior class, was abolished.

As the nation underwent drastic change,

an incident occurred within a small sub-clan in far-off Kyushu.

House of Usui

Hello, Naka!

You look well.

Welcome home, Master.

The Master has returned.

Father.

Rokuro!

How tall you are.

Welcome home, husband.

Naka, serve the men.

You've been recruited to work for the Emperor's government?

Watari Usui Akizuki Clan Consul

Mr. Okubo, a pillar of the government

Father Gizaemon Usui

personally offered me the post in Kyoto.

Mr. Okubo of the Satsuma Clan?

He's the power behind the new regime.

"Consul Watari Usui suddenly changed his long-held beliefs,

Brother-in-law Shirobei Ueno

Second brother Sukedayu Watanabe

"to insinuate himself into the Emperor's government."

So say many clan members.

Wife Kiyo

My brother, not now.

Let him speak, Kiyo.

Listen, Shirobei.

In Kyoto, many in the new regime have new ideas.

Japan must open to the world and begin trade with foreign powers.

First son, Rokuro Usui

Maid Naka

This is the only way we can modernize.

With the Emperor on the throne, the entire nation will be united.

Modernization will strengthen our armies and ensure the peace.

United and strong, none can colonize our land.

Modern weapons were our clan's first step on this path.

A central government?

What will become of the clan?

Clans and feudal domains will die out.

That's why our Chief Retainer's faction opposes your stewardship.

He cannot see the big picture.

Japan is changing. It will continue to change.

How will it change?

Even I cannot predict that. But, I tell you...

...it will be a better land for all.

The creation of this new nation is in your generation's hands.

Study hard and prepare.

Chief Retainer, sir. The clan guards are assembled.

When?

Tonight.

Ensure Hagitani receives my official order.

Akizuki Clan Chief Retainer Gosuke Yoshida

He betrayed the clan.

Dennoshin Hagitani

Drink.

Alcohol slows my blade.

It gives me strength! Drink!

Naoshima Ichinose

Usui is a master swordsman. Do not be careless.

For you, Hagitani.

Our orders!

The Chief Retainer has signed the warrant!

Death warrant!

Before dawn My 25, 1868

Seal all exit points.

Who are you?

No!

It's unmanly!

Stop biting me!

If you are samurai, state your name.

Sent by the Gods!

Hagitani.

Take his head.

Tsuyu.

His wife bit my wrist.

Who said to kill the women?

My sword, "Kanesada," has a nick. It is ruined.

Master Rokuro!

The Last Revenge

The attack on the Usui family of the Akizuki clan,

was an attack on all who wished to modernize Japan.

My poor sister.

My brother-in-law...

Even our children are terrorized. No forgiveness.

I shall have revenge!

Calm down!

Elder Usui!

Did they find his head?

No, but this was left in the bedroom.

A headband.

Now we know who has done this.

We'll take it to the Chief Retainer.

Akizuki Clan Headquarters

This was left by the killers.

A headband from our own clan guard.

We will find them and kill them.

You will not.

There's good reason to believe...

...that your brother had this coming to him.

I beg our pardon?

Usui initiated talks with the Satsuma rebels.

He ignored clan protocol and brought in firearms.

He was clan consul, he was doing his duty!

Those who killed him had good reason to do so.

By going too far, too soon, he upset many in the clan.

Sophistry!

Usui's death...

...in my opinion, was well-deserved.

What's that? What did you say?

Be silent!

The fact remains that a clan official was murdered by rogue clansmen.

Our feudal lord must summon an inquiry.

That's not necessary.

I will journey to Edo and speak to our lord in person.

You will not!

As Chief Retainer, I rule the domain while our lord is at court.

Eminence!

Are you not fully aware?

Aware of what?

Of the one who manipulates the clan guards for his own ends?

Ueno.

Do not insult me!

As of now, all clansmen must...

...cease and desist from even discussing this matter.

I will rule on it later.

Eminence!

If you continue to delve into this matter...

...even more deaths will ensue.

I saw the men who did it.

I don't know their names, but I know their faces.

Are you certain?

The man who killed your mother has a bite mark on his wrist.

The one who killed your father called his sword "Kanesada."

My lords!

To the garden!

Show yourselves!

My father...

Dear father...

The Chief Retainer of the Akizuki Clan had handed down his ruling.

The deaths of Watari Usui and his wife were not to be avenged.

No trial, nor punishment, was to be brought against anyone.

The Usui family's annual stipend was slashed.

Reduced from 150 to 100 bushels of rice.

Four months later, the age of samurai formally ended and a new era began.

1872

The new government did away with the feudal domains.

Samurai were dismissed from all posts and the class system was abolished.

Rokuro had yet to attain manhood.

He was too young to head the Usui family.

That post instead, was given to his uncle, Sukedayu.

Rokuro Usui, 16 years old

My uncle.

Rokuro, my boy.

You've grown to be a fine man.

It's been too long.

What? This?

I have business.

Rokuro, don't keep him too long.

Shall we take a walk?

My uncle's a coward.

Now he is a father to you.

He swore over my father's dead body that he would seek revenge.

But he's content to merely be the head of our house.

He sold his soul for 100 bushels of rice.

Now, for 200 yen, he ceases to be a samurai.

Times have changed and people must change, too.

Naka has identified Naohisa Ichinose as the man who killed my father.

Among all the clan guards, only he has a sword dubbed "Kanesada."

The one who killed my mother was Dennoshin Hagitani.

Please, Rokuro.

I will avenge the deaths of both my father and mother.

Ichinose is known as a master swordsman.

You're no match for him.

Then who will avenge my father?

I am going to Tokyo.

I'll be a clerk at the Education Ministry.

Here, there's nothing but bad memories for me.

Won't you join me, Rokuro?

Do you remember what your father said on his return from Kyoto?

"The country is changing, samurai rule will end."

That's exactly what's happened.

The new laws will forbid samurai from settling scores with swords.

The punishment will be death.

That's not right.

Rokuro, leave the homeland.

It's the best way.

1873

Ichinose is headed to Tokyo.

Yes, I heard.

The Grand Council have offered him a position.

Will you let him escape?

The clan ruled against revenge. Now the clan itself is no more.

Samurai rule of the domains has been replaced by Prefectural governments.

Your candle, sir.