Samurai Shifters (引っ越し大名！)

The year is 1682,

in the era of the fifth shogun, Tsunayoshi Tokugawa.

"Himeji"

This story took place nearly 350 years ago.

"Naonori Mastsudaira Lord of the Himeiji Domain"

Naonori Matsudaira Lord of the Himeji Domain

In the early Edo period,

the shogunate ensured political dominance

by forcing many lords to move from domain to domain.

This was carried out under the shogun's sole authority.

Clans could not object under any circumstances.

Not only samurai were forced to move,

but also their families, leaving their beloved homes behind.

Some clans had to relocate as many as 10,000 people,

a great deal more than the entourages

of lords forced to serve in Edo.

To protect strategic domains,

one clan was ordered to move repeatedly:

the Echizen Matsudaira clan.

All stop!

My lord!

My lord!

My lord!

Forgive me!

A dream?

A bad dream, my lord?

A childhood memory.

My father died in transit. It was terrible.

How awful...

My darling...

My lord!

W-What?! How dare you!

Forgive me!

Kohei? What brings you here?

Express palanquin from Edo.

"Kohei Nakata Edo liaison"

Shocking news.

Word has it our clan will soon be ordered to relocate!

Relocate again?!

And...our destination...

is Hita...in Bungo Province.

Bungo is in Kyushu. We must cross the sea?

What's more...

A reduction in land?

Our income... will decrease by half.

Half?!

It is rumored we were nominated by Yoshiyasu Yanagisawa.

Yanagisawa?

Such a sudden relocation can only be accomplished by...an expert.

Find one!

Is there anyone who can save us from...

...this calamity?!

Samurai Shifters

"Samurai Shifters"

"Library"

The hero of this story is a librarian.

The book he's holding is the Takeda clan's battle chronicle,

"Koyo Gunkan Zakki."

Ingenious!

Good old Shingen Takeda.

It's been a favorite of his since he was a child.

Katagiri? Are you here?

Yamazato!

"Harunosuke Katagiri Librarian"

"Ichirota Yamazato Naonori's secretary"

Thank you, once again.

Oh, do we have “Chronicle of Chosokabe Motochika”?

Try this too.

I see. A differing opinion on him?

You are most considerate.

I must go.

Yamazato is a most studious man.

He is well respected, and will surely rise in status.

"Genemon Takamura Sword attendant"

Hey! Snail Boy!

Hey Snail Boy! This is urgent!

I'm not here!

You idiot. Yes you are!

Please don't come in.

This place reeks of mold.

I like it. The selfless scent of paper, ink, and time.

So soothing...

Rejoice! You have a title now.

What...title?

Kyushu would mean moving a greater distance than ever before.

We cannot afford to pay for such a relocation!

Worse still,

not only will we have to move to a new domain,

our land will be reduced.

Himeji's 150,000-koku will become 70,000 in Bungo.

That's less than half!

We must decide on who will take charge of the move...

I pray that role is not forced upon me...

So do I.

One mistake and it's ritual suicide.

Takamura.

Will you do it?

Me, sir?

Young, and strong!

Our lord trusts you.

Martial arts are my only strength.

I lack the attention to detail that relocation requires.

I know...

I know!

The perfect man for the job!

His name?

Snail Boy.

-Harunosuke! -Please let me go!

It's about time you got some sunshine!

I'm blinded! My eyes! My eyes!

I-I'm not good at talking...

You're the only one I can talk to...

-Hey! Harunosuke! -No...

If it goes badly, I'll commit suicide with you.

You use your brains, and I'll use my brawn.

Together, we'll be the perfect team.

Let's go!

-No! No, no! -You have to!

You are now our officer in charge of relocation.

"Officer"?

Officer?

Problem?

W-Well, there's...

...a more qualified candidate.

Our old relocation officer, Itakura?

He was brilliant, but he's dead now.

What about...others...

There are none!

Your father was an accomplished retainer.

I hear you're a bookworm with extensive knowledge.

We'll gamble on you.

You shouldn't...

No mumbling!

We will leave all matters regarding the move to you.

And that's not all. Our income will be reduced.

Reduce personnel too!

"Reduce personnel"?

Your two roles. Fulfill them well.

Where are you going?!

Come back here!

Come back here!

Do it, Harunosuke!

I can't!

Then commit suicide!

A samurai must serve his lord.

If you cannot, commit suicide!

I-I-I'll do it. I accept the role.

Good! Like a true samurai.

Don't worry, Katagiri.

Just get the job done.

Remember, there's a first time for everything.

"Our clan has been ordered to move to another domain,

so all subjects must prepare to move to Hita in Bungo..."

Move?!

"Relocation Officer"?

Katagiri who?

Katagiri!

Is it true you're our relocation officer?

Sort of.

When's the move?

When indeed...

Wait! What does that mean?

Katagiri!

It's tough being a samurai!

There you are! You're late!

I heard from Takamura! You've finally become an officer!

Congratulations!

A party?

My biggest since your weaning ceremony!

W-Weaning?

The first meal you ate when you were a baby.

So, since you were a baby, you've done nothing worth celebrating!

Alright! Time to drink!

Don't look so glum.

You really do take after your late father.

Tama...

How on earth am I going to do this?

You're the only one who'll listen to me.

Takamura.

Writing this took all night?!

"Pack things. Carry them"

How can I move an entire clan?

Let's at least take it easy today.

We can't!

First of all, you should ask Itakura for help.

Itakura's dead.

His daughter isn't.

Daughter?

Does she know how?!

Yeah. Name's Oran. Quite a looker.

I tried to woo her many times, but failed.

I know!

She won't help if I go see her.

Harunosuke, you go on your own!

Hello, Hayate. Nice weather, isn't it?

Hayate, do you like that?

Hey!

Hayate! Calm down!

W-Water...

He wants water.