Song of the Samurai - Chapter: Youthful Days in Edo

1912 OTARU

Thank you for coming!

SAKE

Hey! What the...

Watch where you're going!

The hell's your problem?

Hold on. Ain't you a fine woman?

Get out of my way.

A feisty one. My kind of woman.

What the hell do you think you're...

What's it to you, old man? You stay out of this!

Huh?

Hey, what the hell's your problem, old man?

Forget it. Let's get out of here!

Hey! Let's go!

Impressive. You haven't lost your touch.

Nagakura Shinpachi...

captain of the Shinsengumi's second unit.

And who are you?

My name is Ichikawa Makoto.

I've come from Tokyo.

There's something I must ask you.

It's about the Shinsengumi.

Leave!

Please, wait.

I have nothing to say.

I'm not leaving until you talk to me.

It can't be anyone else. It has to be you.

You...

You purposely let those drunks harass you, didn't you?

Please. I want to know about the Shinsengumi...

No...

I need to know the truth about Hijikata Toshizo.

Hijikata Toshizo...

He...

had the same look in his eyes as you.

Prickly and aggressive, like a briar patch.

Or maybe reckless...

EDO

...like someone who'd charge

right into one.

You get hurt, I sell medicine.

We called guys like that baragaki, thorny brats.

That was Hijikata Toshizo to a T.

Brace yourselves!

Come on.

I'll be sure to get you some medicine.

Master! Master!

You! A low blow? You coward!

Huh?

The art of the sword is for battles, isn't it?

In battle, who gives a damn about fighting fair?

The gall of a mere merchant!

Come on, bring it!

Let me know if you need more medicine!

Hey, here.

Oh, thanks.

Are you always pulling stunts like this?

Yep. It's quicker to create the injured

than to track them down.

Right? There!

Thanks for your business!

Don't ever come back!

What a face. All right, my bad.

Just get out already!

Yeah, yeah, I'm going.

The Shieikan dojo.

What a dump...

Hey. This is a dojo, right?

Hyah!

Hyah!

Come on! Knock it off! You little bastards!

You're supposed to fall.

Huh?

Because they cut you.

Okita Soji.

Though normally gentle

once he draws his sword, he's a demon

a true sword-fighting prodigy.

Hyah!

Hyah!

A surprise attack... Well done.

That means I win.

I'm the one who cut down our master. I won.

Now. I believe I said no fighting, didn't I?

You two are friends, right?

Abiru Eisaburo.

He's a bit timid,

but that kindness is the conscience of Shieikan Dojo.

Okay, good boy.

Soji! Eisaburo! Food's ready.

NAGAKURA SHINPACHI

Don't mind me.

Let's go. Okay?

I'm starving!

Sanosuke! Hajime! Heisuke! Hurry up and eat.

What's this?

Harada Sanosuke.

HARADA SANOSUKE

He loves his food more than anything,

and can't stand pointless talk.

Man, this is good.

Greens again? We're pinching pennies, huh?

If you don't want it, can we give yours to the kids?

They're still growing.

Fine. They can have it.

I've never known anyone

who could wield a sword as masterfully as him.

That's Saito Hajime.

Then you can have some of mine too.

Really? Thanks.

Todo Heisuke.

TODO HEISUKE

He's the kindest person you'll ever meet,

but he's also quick to pick a fight.

Are you kidding me?

Yamanami Keisuke

is the most logical of all at Shieikan.

Don't go wild at mealtime!

Gen, wake up. It's time to eat.

The eldest of us, Inoue Genzaburo...

Wake up! Hey!

INOUE GENZABURO

...is always asleep. Yep.

This'll be an easy win.

And who might you be?

Sorry to interrupt your meal.

I'm a traveling medicine salesman.

You folks need anything?

We don't need any! Get outta here!

They say "Better safe than sorry."

Or have you never heard that one?

What's your problem?

I'm here to challenge your dojo!

Master of the dojo!

Come out!

And the man who'd become the fourth master

of the Tennen Rishin-ryu style

if you think of Shieikan as one big family,

he would be its father.

Boss.

A man worthy of the title, Kondo Isami.

Boss. We've got a strange visitor.

Hmm?

KONDO ISAMI

Can't it wait?

Hurry.

What's all the fuss?

This guy's got some nerve.

He's got some nerve?

That's him. Right there.

You wouldn't happen to be...

the medicine peddler I've heard about,

who's been crushing dojos all over Kanto?

What if I am?

Word is you're a real handful.

Ehh?

Your name?

From Ishida Village in Tama.

Hijikata Toshizo.

Hmm?

What's the matter?

In a real fight, you'd be dead.

Too much wasted movement.

Don't you dare talk down to me!

That won't get you very far in a real battle.

This is how you kick.

Ouch. Boss doesn't hold back.

You think that guy's okay?

You're good!

Finally, after all this time...

Someone who can make me stronger.

If we go on, this could turn deadly.