Sword of the Stranger (ストレンヂア -無皇刃譚-)

Master Shoan!

Don't worry, we've come this far,

so we should be safe for the time being.

Listen, Kotaro.

From this point, you must go alone.

What?

Should something happen along the way,

sell this for the money.

What about you, Master?

I'm going back.

I need to check if everyone at the temple's all right.

In Akaike, go to the Mangaku Temple in Shirato.

Monk Zekkai will help you there.

But--

There's no time! Quickly!

Our country's not far ahead,

just beyond the mountain.

The footing's poor, so we'll have to walk from here.

Come on!

Got it!

Count me in, too!

Finally, my fortune's changing!

Better hope you don't get yourself killed after this.

What's your problem?!

Hey, I said count me in, too!

After this game.

What makes you the boss all of a sudden?

Found us a real good haul, boss.

What's the matter--

Fire!

Keep firing!

Agh, the pain!

You bastard!

Hey!

Give that back, mutt!

I'll beat the hide off ya!

Stop, ya stupid dog!

Damn you!

Hey, Tobimaru! We'll have a feast tonight!

Hang on! I'll be right back.

Soon as we're finished eating,

we'll leave the village.

Okay?

Huh?!

Who are you?!

Don't worry, you're in no danger.

Get out!

So you're telling me,

you've claimed this place?

It's your home?

That's right! This place is ours now!

We got here a long time before you decided to show up!

Then meet your new tenant.

Come on, Tobimaru, let's go.

Smells like we're having fish for dinner.

Tobimaru!

I'm frozen right to the bone!

The wind should die down in an hour or so.

It's one thing putting up with the cold,

but having to run around the countryside,

escorting the Chinese on top of that?!

Only so much a man can take...

What could the Lord be thinking,

letting strangers like that into the castle?

I'm sure the Lord has his own good reason.

Which reminds me,

they're building something over the Shishine Fortress.

Hm?

Oh, you mean that huge monstrosity

that's supposed to be a holy altar.

I hear they surveyed the land,

measured the coordinates,

and finally decided to build it on the Shishine grounds.

They're given very strict instructions,

like the wood has to be cedar

and joined using bark instead of nails.

I wonder what the Chinese are doing

in that old fortress.

We'll never understand how they think.

Huh?

That smells good!

Yeah, well you're not getting any.

Just so you know, I don't have a single fish to spare.

I take it you haven't been living here that long,

despite what you said.

Billowing smoke is a sign that the wood hasn't cured.

You haven't had the time to dry it yet.

Who asked you?

It's still hot, so be careful, boy.

Huh?

Thanks! I'll take that.

Do what you want.

I wasn't talking to you.

I was thanking the dog.

Yes, I did see a young boy

I didn't recognize run by.

Was he alone?

Seems to me there was a dog with him.

When exactly did you see him?

It might have been in the morning...

Where was he?!

Um... Uh...

My memory's been... failing me lately.

Think harder, old man! It's important!

I understand, but yelling's not gonna help matters.

Oh...

Did you remember something?!

Huh?!

Strange...

I don't recall anyone living in that temple.

Tobimaru! Run!

Hmph.

We are soldiers of our master, Lord Akaike.

Hm?!

Do not interfere!

He's only a kid.

Don't you think you're being a bit rough on him?

Move away!

Damn... vagabond...!

Don't you understand what I'm saying?!

Don't do it.

Enough of you!

Sorry to disappoint,

but I've already gotten more involved than I would've liked.

Tobimaru!

-- Tobimaru! Tobimaru... --

He's been poisoned.

It's not something a layman can cure.

Get him to a medicine man.

Where is one?

Ask around the village.

If I go back there, I'll be captured.

Then I would suggest you ride

and get to another village.

I don't know how to ride a horse!

Then I guess you're stuck here,

forced to heal him yourself.

He won't be needing this where he's going...

Are you gonna leave us here?!

You can't expect me to hang around

a dangerous place like this.

This is all your fault!

My dog saved your life. He's dying because of you.

And now you're gonna turn your back on him and walk out?!

You ingrate!

I saved you, remember?

Which makes us even.

Huh?

If you wanna make a go of it alone,

then you've got to stop depending on others for help.

Wait!

Here, how 'bout a deal?

If you promise to help save my dog

and get us to safety at the Mangaku Temple in Shirato,

I'll give you this as payment.

It's worth 10 gold ryo!

Ten ryo?

Yeah, sure! At least that much! Just look at it!

Hm...

Hm...

Hmm...

Well, it doesn't look cheap.