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

9,998.

9,999.

FIVE YEARS AGO, EDO

10,000!

Is practicing sword swings really that unusual?

You come here all the time, don't you?

Didn't expect to see an old guy like you these days.

An old guy?

In these peaceful times

what's the point of doing practice swings in a dump like this?

In this day and age

it's worthless without a master's license from a prestigious school like mine.

A prestigious school?

The Hokushin Itto-ryu.

A master at your age?

That's impressive.

A sword is just a means to an end for landing a good position, isn't it?

You're ridiculous.

Maybe so.

Hiya!

Impossible. Unbelievable.

No. You're strong.

You have efficient footwork and a clean blade line.

Your sword talent is astounding.

Then why?

Why couldn't I land even one blow?

Probably because you and I are just different.

Different how?

The purpose behind our blades.

What?

It's just like you said.

I can't hope for an official post, and as you can see.

I'm dirt poor, struggling just to get by.

But I'm fine with that.

I want to be a swordsman who is stronger than anyone else.

That's all I live for.

You're one hell of an idiot.

Well, yeah. I guess I'm not the sharpest tool.

But

you're pretty damn cool.

Hey

could I ever become as strong as you?

SONG OF THE SAMURAI.

Right now, Serizawa is at the Sumiya in Shimabara, with his mistress, Oume.

This

isn't just some power struggle.

Kamo is testing us.

To see which of us is a true samurai.

- We move out in half an hour. - Okay.

Vice-Commander Yamanami Keisuke will be in command.

May fortune favor you all in battle.

- Sir! - Sir!

Toshi.

Got a minute?

What is it, Boss?

Sorry to ask, but I'm counting on you to look after Soji.

He wants to fight Serizawa, too.

If the fight goes all the way, Soji will end up back on the other side.

The other side?

A bloodthirsty

demon.

So the "losing your head" thing

was about Soji?

Yes.

And Serizawa is probably hoping for exactly that.

I don't ever want to see Soji like that again.

You're the only one who can stop him, Toshi.

So...

Please!

You're too quick to bow your head, Boss.

Don't you worry.

I won't let him have Kamo to himself, anyway.

Worrying about others as usual?

It's tough at the top, huh?

I talk about crushing this inner conflict head-on, fair and square

yet I'm not even on the front lines.

That's because you're too important to lose.

Even though my orders could get our men killed.

I just don't know anymore.

Do I have the right

to hold everyone's lives in these hands?

Lately, I find myself

missing our time at Shieikan.

We were poor, but

we ate and laughed together

and all we ever wanted was to get stronger.

When I think about it, we've come a long way.

Boss.

That's not it.

No matter how much the times change

we don't change.

This sky is always

connected to the other side.

This isn't just some power struggle.

Kamo is testing us. To see which of us is a true samurai.

If we can't rise to that challenge

then what's the point of being samurai at all?

Now that's a man.

But he might have just been putting on a show.

Oume, if he were that kind of guy, I never would've picked a fight with him.

A good fight and a good woman... I can smell 'em a mile away.

What is it?

Seeing you look so happy like this, Serizawa...

I've never seen you look so happy.

You think so?

Seeing you smile like a little kid

is what makes me truly happy.

You're one of a kind too, aren't you, Oume?

Now I like you even more.

All right.

The time has come.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

We're moving out to eliminate Serizawa Kamo.

We will proceed to the Sumiya in Shimabara.

We don't know

where the enemy will attack from.

If we're attacked...

The one who survives moves on.

Exactly.

Let's go.

No one is here.

Would you let me go first? I'm just a grunt, after all.

Rank doesn't mean a thing in the vanguard.

But you'll just make yourself a target.

Quit it, Kai. Toshi's philosophy is, "If you're a target, then fight."

So cool.

I'm not so sure about that.

A strategy that puts yourself in unnecessary danger

is hardly befitting of a vice-commander.

Yeah, I know.

Always with the snide remarks.

Still, it's too quiet. Creepy.

You think they're really going to attack?

What is it?

Hey!

Damn it.

Fall back!

Arrows... Arrows!

Damn it.

How many of these guys are there?

What's the plan, Yamanami?

The only ones who can take down Serizawa

are Hijikata and Okita.

Yes.

Toshi, go on ahead. We'll handle things here.

There's a shrine beneath the grove straight ahead.

Passing through it will lead you to Shimabara.

- Okay, I'll take the lead! - Kai!

What are you doing, getting ahead of us?

- Let's go! - Yeah!

Whoa! Grab those!

Toshi! Okita!

Let's go.

Kai, go! Dammit!

Okay! Those bastards!

Hey!

You'll be dealing with us.

See? I told you they would come here.

Impressive! That's my big bro.

Hey, are you guys Kamo's dogs?

Well, if it isn't Hijikata.

And next to him... Is that Okita? This must be our lucky day.

Who the hell are you guys?

You look weak as hell.

And even dumber than Niji.

Are you talking to me?

Who the hell else would I be talking to?

Hey, let's cut them down and go.

Kai, are you prepared to die with me?

What are you talking about, Heisuke?

I hate to say it

but we're no match for Serizawa.

Please, go on ahead.

You two.

I'll take the lead!

Todo, that's not fair!

Hijikata, let's go.

Ichiji, they're getting away!

Don't you dare look away!

Whatever, the main prize is Kondo.

Let's make quick work of these guys and get to Kondo.

Damn you, bastard!

Kai!

Hey, where are you looking?

Todo!

Looks like they're having fun.

Don't you dare look away!

What's the matter? Scared?

We're in trouble. These guys are tough.

Thinking of running? Go ahead, run. I'll just hunt you down.

Hey, Kai?

You know who my real enemy is?

What?

These guys are a joke compared to my real enemy.

Right, Boss?

Could I ever become as strong as you?

If you want to be stronger than anyone else