Black Belt (Kuro-obi) (黒帯)

The Founding of Manchukuo

In 1932, Japan declared Manchuria an independent state named Manchukuo.

The Imperial Army began acting without political restraint.

Prime Minister Inukai Shot by Seven Men

Since the days of the shogun, men in certain villages...

...had inherited and passed on the traditions of karate.

But in a time of change, they found a cruel fate awaited them.

Black Belt

Squad, halt!

Face left!

Captain Kiichi Tanihara, seventh unit, military police.

You will obey our orders immediately.

What is this about?

By order of Hidehisa Goda, commander, seventh unit...

...Shibahara dojo is assigned to the army effective immediately.

Vacate the premises!

But that's not fair!

Silence!

What use is unarmed combat when we face a real enemy?

With all due respect, we practice karate...

...under an agreement signed by the emperor.

Giryu, fetch the document.

Sensei...

No!

This dojo has been requisitioned.

Leave now!

What are you staring at?

This must be a mistake.

Please leave for today and we'll return to the matter.

Get off!

Choei!

Bastard...

Nakajima!

Corporal!

Corporal Nakajima!

You!

Taikan.

Don't!

Fight me in the dojo!

Taikan!

Begin!

Taikan.

Never attack in karate.

Just deflect his thrusts.

Remember, never strike your opponent.

No kicks either...

Those are my teachings.

This is a one on one duel.

Regardless of what happens, bear no grudge!

Sir, allow me.

Mamoru Yoshida, private 1st class.

Fighting...

Yoshida!

Yoshida!

Next!

Bastard!

Takimoto...fighting!

Sergeant!

Sergeant!

Captain, he's dead!

What?

Next!

Bastard!

Taikan!

Enough.

Giryu...

Take his place.

Sensei!

No!

I'll take you both down!

Giryu...

No attacking or kicking...

Are you going to follow sensei's teachings?

Even if you lose, I'll defeat him.

Come.

Kiichi Tanihara, captain of the seventh unit, military police.

Giryu, Shibahara dojo.

Why aren't you attacking me? Finish me off!

You expect me to live in disgrace?

Captain!

Sensei...

My karate has never equalled Taikan's or Giryu's.

I've always known that.

And now that my arm is like this...

...I'm no longer qualified to learn karate from you.

Sensei...

Sensei!

Sensei!

Sensei!

The military police will come back.

Regardless of how wrong they are, we must not fight them.

Under no circumstances...

Understood?

Sensei, please tell me...

You have always forbidden fights.

We are not permitted to turn these thrusts and kicks toward anyone.

Then why do we train if we are not allowed to use our skills?

I don't understand.

Please tell me that reason, sensei!

Taikan...

Quiet!

Your skills should be directed only toward yourself.

It's a moment of supreme bliss you may or may not experience once in life.

Only yourself?

I don't understand.

We must fight in order to improve our strength.

Where is the value of winning against an inferior?

That will certainly not make you stronger.

Choei...

Yes.

Bring me the black belt.

Yes.

I entrust you with it.

Sensei?

This black belt will belong to my successor.

It may not be any of you three.

Choei...

Decide who is worthy of it.

Sensei.

You must tell us now!

Sensei!

The color black is never tainted.

It is the color of strong will.

When the time comes, you will understand.

Sensei...

Sensei!

Sensei...

Sensei!

Sensei!

The Grave of Eiken Shibahara

I don't understand.

The only way to get stronger is to fight.

A serious duel...

Giryu...

Why didn't you finish off that man?

It was a man-to-man duel.

And you humiliated him.

You're a coward!

Hey...

Look!

The Imperial Army will adopt Shibahara's karate in its training.

By order of commander Hidehisa Goda.

You three have been ordered to come with us and serve the military police.

Report to the seventh unit headquarters immediately!

Why didn't you resist?

Make way!

Ichirota Tanihara!

Kaori Tanihara!

Giryu, this is revenge for our father's death!

Giryu?

What?

Wait, Giryu didn't kill Captain Tanihara.

Captain Tanihara committed suicide!

That can't be...

You humiliated him.

He chose to take his own life rather than live in disgrace!

Why aren't you attacking me?

Finish me off!

You expect me to live in disgrace?

Giryu!

Prepare yourself!

Wait!

Choei, leave them alone.

Giryu caused this.

Take care of it on your own.

Fight me!

Kaori, stab him!

Kaori!

Now!

You expect me to live in disgrace?

Giryu!

He fell?

Yes.

Taikan...

Let's go.

Taikan...

Sensei forbid fighting.

First, we'll have them experience the intensity of karate by fighting.

This is how I do it.

I'm sorry. Did it hurt?

No.

Father, welcome home.

How is he?

He's awake.

At last!

You were out cold by the roadside.

I found you!

Your wound isn't so bad.

You'll be up in a few days.

Thank you.

What happened to you?

That's fine. Everyone has something they don't want to say.

Does it hurt?

Giryu, you're so helpful!

I plowed the field all the time.

Stop.

Kenta!

Sit down and eat.

All right.

Tell me...