(Year 1334, Six months after the fall of the Shogunate)
(Tokiyuki Hojo's first New Year during his hiding in Suwa)
Take slow steps now...
We're almost there, Young Master.
And we're here.
Whoa!
What do you think? It's completely frozen, eh?
You can stand anywhere on Suwa Lake in winter!
Amazing...
Young Master!
You okay?
Are you okay, Young Master?
That took me by surprise!
Six months have passed since the fall of the Shogunate.
Tokiyuki celebrated his first New Year's in Suwa.
There was a pause in the country's turmoil,
but skirmishes continued.
Go, go!
Naturally, Suwa would not be peaceful all the time.
It's here...
The period when I can't see the future...
Just like an aromatic history
Just like a dramatic textbook
This is no good, I just can't dance these days
Will you do it or will you be done in? Only destiny can tell
I'll oppose it, I'll sing of it, and I'll run
I don't care about the damage done
I'm just having fun
Fulfillment, ideals, reality
I'll go and take them by the hand Quickly and vigorously
Say Plan A, you got no doubts, it's sunny all about
You had my back, so here's our runway
Say Plan A, you got no doubts, you're alive
They'll laugh, it'll be sad, but you'll be all good
Plan A
Running away is victory
Plan A
Run away to victory
(The Elusive Samurai)
(Shinano governor's residence)
I have acquired another land.
We need a great man like you...
Shokan.
I have heard that you were feared like a demon as a villain.
A villain? Nonsense.
I have mellowed significantly now,
and chosen the path to serve you, who is on the rise.
However...
Your order is to slowly take Suwa's territory.
I alone am the best man for that.
For stealing is what I live for.
Are you sure, Lord Sadamune?
There are not enough strong men in our family.
We will not win in this turbulent world,
if we remain stuck in the common sense of a warrior.
Ogasawara is moving suspiciously again?
Yes.
Enemy soldiers are looking for something on the northern border.
Send someone to scout the area!
Our best scouts are already dispatched.
Enemy troop movements on the western border are also posing a threat...
I'll keep this a secret from everyone.
That there are rare, sudden periods of time when I can't see any future at all...
This is bad...
I wish I didn't have to deal with any problems at a time like this...
Um...
Should we the Elusive Warriors go scout the area?
Huh?
Whaaat?!
Young Master, how reliable of you!
Just what I expect from a figurehead of a warrior family!
We'll leave it to you!
Wait, that'll be dangerous...
If anything happens, the Hojo bloodline will cease to exist...
I'll be okay.
And it's less alarming if it's just kids.
You know best how I can run away.
Well, but...
What a clever idea!
Both Kojiro and Ayako have had some experience with reconnaissance.
And the courteous Lord Tokiyuki would make the local people feel at ease!
Let's go with this, Lord Yorishige!
Lord Yorishige!
If he's killed by bandits midway, his bloodline will cease to exist.
Me and Ayako can handle some bandits.
We can also help him run away with Genba's illusions.
You rang?
Well... If he gets lost on the way, his bloodline...
I have played many times in the past six months, running far and wide in the territory.
I can now return from anywhere in Suwa!
No...
He could die from parasites from eating roadside slugs...
Or he could die from seeing a hot woman and have a massive nosebleed...
Or he could recall an embarrassing past, and want to die from the shock...
Goodbye, world.
What's up with you?!
You've been acting strange.
Don't you always send me out to dangerous places without a care in the world?
This isn't going anywhere...
Can we go already, Lord Moritaka?
Yeah.
As it stands, this is probably for the best.
Be sure to prioritize Young Master's safety.
Got it!
Hey, wait!
Lord Tokiyuki's not actually good at running away!
He's just a pervert who gets off on running away!
How rude!
All right.
What should we prepare for a scouting mission?
It's better to carry light.
Two days' worth of food and some cash should be enough.
I want as much money as I can get, though.
Let's cheat and swindle the Moritaka guy!
You're saying things like that again...
Our family can't waste money or rice...
(For Lord Tokiyuki - Obligatory to Bring)
Yorishige...
...is watching.
With worries...
All eyes on them...
Father!
Well...
If Lord Tokiyuki dies of starvation...
The bloodline will cease to exist...
Just ignore him.
Let's go.
This should do to staying warm.
These cotton-filled sleeves specially made by Shizuku are so warm!
I think I can go with only a layer.
It's easier to run away and not be suspected if you're lightly armed.
(For Lord Tokiyuki - Obligatory to Bring)
Yorishige has come to watch.
Like a bored curry store owner.
He's come to watch them closely.
You really are strange today, Sir Yorishige!
Well, if you freeze to death,
or if there are a million enemy soldiers in the area...
Your bloodline...
Bloodline...
What is this, bloodline addiction?
Good grief.
What's up with him?
He sometimes becomes like that.
Like that?
Becoming anxious or angry...
Who ate my mochi?!
Who?!
Gaining weight just by drinking water,
or eating sour food all the time.
Is he having a baby or something?
What could he be thinking?
Who knows?
He's always pushing me around...
- Lord Tokiyuki! Be careful! He's always pushing me around...
- Lord Tokiyuki! Be careful! - But...
It's kind of nice to see him send me off with a concerned look.
(Nakayama Domain Northern Suwa territory)
We made it just in time for nightfall.
It looks peaceful at a glance.
Let's review the steps.
Although this area is in Suwa territory,
it's on the very edge, so not much information about it.
So first, we'll ask around as messengers of Suwa Grand Shrine,
and tomorrow, we'll look around the village.
Are the enemies likely to come? And if so, when and how big?
How many soldiers do we need to defend the village?
We'll compile the information and report...
This is...
We're trapped.
Look at this village.
It's already under enemy control.
A dual sword user...
In his teens...
The enemies around may barge in anytime...
So quick!
He's a tremendous swordsman at such a young age.
Hey, fighting is beyond me.
Let's run away while we still can, boy.
The two of them can only hold that dual sword user down.
No, they both are getting stronger.
Far better than half a year ago...
Moreover, their speed and power...
...are so different from when they practice with me!
So...
That's...
Well done, Young Master!
You took a score out of five tries from me!
If you keep on underestimating me, you're going to be in for a world of pain.
Huh...
You'll surpass me if you keep training like this.
Can't hold my breath like this.
Then...
That too?
You're amazing, Young Master.
I'm being pushed in this sword-locking duel...
You've been training me, Ayako.
Maybe by the time you're an adult,
you'll be the one I have to protect...
Yeah.
I'd love to see the strong you soon.
Come on, just one more push. You can do it.
Go for it.
Was I being spoiled by them?!
Take a hint there already.
Kojiro, Ayako.
Lord Tokiyuki's elusive abilities aren't absolute.
Because of his peaceful nature, he can be careless,
and there are still many attacks that he cannot dodge.
An experienced warrior with a long history of warfare.
An anomalous warrior with unusual abilities.
A warrior trying to go beyond the realm of man.
In the face of such monsters,
there is no guarantee that even he will be able to escape.
Hence, you two...
Become samurai who continue to grow without letting your guard down.
You must be able to protect your lord's life from any enemy.
What brave and loyal vassals...
One day, I hope to be able to cross blades like that...
Could you be...
Shizuku?
Huh?
Have you forgotten?
You gave me some rice in the East Shinano area before...
Fubuki?
Forgive my rudeness.
I sensed a beastly aura from those two.
I thought you were enemy scouts in disguise.
Huh?!
My name is Fubuki.
I am wandering around the country, looking for a master to serve.
Huh? So you're not a villager here?
No.
I stopped by about three days ago to beg for food,
but they were being attacked by some of the Ogasawara standards,
and I assisted them.
Three platoons of the same size came three times.
We managed to eradicate them,
but we ran out of stockpiles,
and had no horse to contact the outside world, it was tough.
Three platoons...
And yet the villagers are only watching with torches?
What a bunch of cowards, letting a young man fight on his own.
Oh, don't be offended.
By the time I got here, all the adults had been killed.
They're all children?!
You alone wiped out the enemy soldiers three times?
No.
They also prove to contribute well.
- There they are! - Just as now,
they distract the enemies with torches...
Or create a pitfall...
Aiming at the enemy using a strawman as a decoy...
There's a lot of young children can do if you teach them.
I'm looking for a strong lord who can accumulate knowledge,
hone his skills, and put them to use,
but maybe I'm better suited to recognize and nurture the talents of others.
If only there were a ruler somewhere in this world
who wanted to learn, it would make things easier...
That's wonderful!
(Hand coming out of throat)
This village is vital to Suwa?!
I've never heard of this.
People just don't realize it.
This village has a small population but difficult terrain to attack.
With a hundred defenders, it could be turned into an impregnable fortress.
(Nakayama Domain) If Ogasawara occupy and place an army here,
(Nakayama Domain) they will have an unparalleled advantage
(Nakayama Domain) when attacking from the border.
(Asada Domain - Ogasawara Territory) Because they can pincer Asada Domain,
(Suwa Territory - Nakayama Domain) a rich large village in the Suwa territory.
In the military arts, it's called "two-pronged attack".
If this is accomplished, Suwa will lose a large amount of territory.
Perhaps the one commanding the Ogasawara forces this time around...
...is familiar with such military tactics.
As for me, I thought that if I could protect this village,
and convey its strategic value,
the reward would be huge.
Never mind that, you eat way too much!
Huh?
Also, don't talk about tactics with rice grains on your face.
He ate up the village's reserves in three days...
What?!
Yes, I guess I'm about done protecting this village...
We have the cause of the crisis in the village.
His eye for strategy is awesome,
but he can't calculate how much he eats?
Must be because it's cold.
No matter how much I eat, I can't stay warm.
By the way, when I first met Fubuki...
He was creeping around and devouring all the tributes he got...
I covered it up by pretending it was stolen by a bear,
but our god started crying out of hunger.
I wanted to eat abalone...
I'm really sorry about that!
After all, I was hungry, and I couldn't resist a request from young children...
I really regret it.
Brother?
Well...
You'd think he was a calm and collected strategist,
but he's surprisingly clumsy.
- This should do. - A strategist would only choose to win.
- Yes! Thank you! - A strategist would only choose to win.
- Check mine as well! - He wouldn't bother to protect
- Check mine as well! - a village of only young children.
The man who inspired orphans,
and turned them into a force capable of defending their village...
They just lost their parents,
but their eyes reflect their fighting spirit.
I want him...
As an aid to retaking the nation!
I also want him to teach me swordsmanship in secret,
and have those two look up to me!
- So strong! and have those two look up to me!
By the way, Brother.
Hm?
I find it curious
- The future... - that Father was strangely concerned.
- The future!
- Maybe he can't see a safe future for you. - The future!
No matter how important this village is, your life is more important.
I advise abandoning the village for the moment,
and fleeing with the children to Suwa territory.
No.
I want to protect the village if possible.
Seems like the children's parents have yet to have a burial or a memorial service.
It is a tad pitiful to lose one's hometown and one's parents at once.
I want to let them stay here at least long enough to sort out their feelings.
Brother...
Sir Fubuki.
Could you let us help you in your battle?
Gladly.
If you want to fight alongside me,
then please.
Chief!
We've killed so many people in the village.
Won't we get scolded by the Sadamune guy?
Not a problem.
It's his mistake to expect morality from an ex-villain.
Namu Amida Butsu...
When I say this, Buddha will forgive me for all my sins.
Convenient, isn't it?
Hm?
Buddha is the best!
Our Seigi Party...
...is strong enough that merely five of us could destroy a whole village.
And those strong men haven't returned three times...
Help me!
In the way of bandits,
it looks like we won't be able to enjoy the beauty of their plunder.
Let's return to being warriors, and have us a war.
Let's go and do the Kamakura DANCE Until the sun comes up in the morning
Times will change again and again But they're all loveable and great
Step, tap, dance to the rhythm
Kamakura style!
Jomon, Yayoi, Kofun, Asuka, Nara, Heian
This is KA-MA-KU-RA
From Nanbokucho to Reiwa
Kamakura style!
Let's make an iihako (1185)
Let's make an iikuni (1192)
You know all the theories? What a genius!
Kamakura was full of emotions
Keep on going, like a wild horse, until you reach Nanbokucho
Doing our best, Kamakura, represent
Playing some dog-shooting competition in the field
Robes, garments, we'll wear them on a date
Kamakura style!
Japanese poems, essays, I enjoy them all
In praise of shrines and Buddhist temples
It doesn't matter what period of history we're in
We just can't stop having fun!
Well now!
Let's go and do the Kamakura DANCE Until the sun comes up in the morning
Times will change again and again But they're all loveable and great
Go the way, while you're bored and listless
Play those Japanese instruments and fly away
Link this culture to the far future
Go do the Kamakura DANCE Let's raise some hell!
When you hear that humming
Step, tap, dance to the rhythm
Step up, and grow up
Kamakura style!
(Episode 8 (1334) - Hide and Seek War) Coming forth.