Lone Wolf and Cub (1973) s01e04 Episode Script

Highway of Assassins

Lone Wolf and Cub Edo The route to Sakura in the province of Shimofusa is by taking the Miro highway from Edo and going right, then pass Arakawa river, Edogawa river and finally via Funabashi, to reach lnba marsh.
This route is still being used today.
It's rude to be doing that in front of our palanquin! Refrain yourself! Aikawa, why are you picking on him? He's only a small child.
But his rudeness But his rudeness Nonsense! He's just a small child who can't even tell right from wrong.
When you have to go, you have to go.
Daddy! I'm really sorry about that.
That's definitely a Dotanuki! Forgive me for my impertinence.
My name is lchirobee Ando, a superintendent officer for the government.
I'm guessing you must be the former executioner for the Shogunate Itto Ogami.
Am I correct? Assassin's Path And what is it that you wish from me? Just recently, the lord of Sakura in Shimofusa named Masanobu Hotta had his estate seized, and is now staying with the lord of lida castle in Shinshu, Lord Wakisaka lida.
Lord Hotta? Lord Hotta? Right.
Government was collaborating with powerful politicians and wealthy merchants to pursue their own interests.
Lord Hotta couldn't take it anymore.
So he issued a written report to the head of the government.
But that written report was immediately torn to pieces.
Plus the heads of the government thought he was insane.
In other words, they declared lord Hotta mentally insane.
But I know that lord Hotta is not insane.
He will continue sending written reports as long as he lives in order to denounce the government politicians.
But the heads of the government won't tolerate this much longer.
So the group of government assassins, the Yagyu clan will receive an order from the top to enter the Sakura territory to kill lord Hotta.
This is inevitable.
Master Ogami.
We're begging you.
We'd appreciate it if you can deeply sympathize with us.
So you're asking to kill members of Yagyu Then are you indeed aware of the feud between the Yagyu clan and myself? It was three years ago The Shogunate at the time tried to control many daimyos by using fear.
In order to carry out their reign of terror, they created three organizations.
First, is the Oniwaban, a group of spies that tries to find corrupt feudal lords.
Second, is the assassin group of Yagyu, that eliminates daimyos and VIPs.
Third, is the executioner, who relieves heads of the daimyos who commit hara-kiri.
Official executioner, Master Itto Ogami! The Ogami clan has held the position of the official executioner.
The Shogunate allowed them to wear robes bearing the emblem of the Tokugawa.
They needed to show their strong position to the world by showing that the Shogunate is the one that ultimately decapitates the daimyos.
My lord! My lord! My ma! Even if it is the decision of the Shogunate, our lord is still too young.
I will certainly follow you my lord.
Certainly.
You people are disgraceful.
Compose yourselves! It is our duty as his vassals to calmly see him off till the very end.
Now, my lord.
My lord! My lord! My lord! My lord! Lord Matsuchiyo.
Please take that folding fan.
And just place it against your stomach.
Are you ready to face death calmly? That's just what I expect from a lord of a castle.
You are a true samurai indeed.
My lord! Ogami Welcome home! Welcome home! I should've gotten up That's all right.
He's sleeping comfortably.
How do you feel? Shouldn't you be in bed? Shouldn't you be in bed? Yes.
It's just that What's the matter? Darling Did something happen? Did something happen? Darling Do you think this baby is okay? What? Do you think he'll be a healthy boy? Lately I've been having nightmares every night.
I'm guessing they're the ones that you beheaded.
Lake of blood, and from the mountain of thorns, I can hear a cursed voice that makes my blood curdle Don't be silly.
You're just exhausted after giving birth to our boy.
Don't worry about such nonsense.
But That's enough.
That's right, tonight is the seventh night after our son was born.
I was trying to come up with a name for our boy.
What do you think? I'm going to name him Daigoro.
Daigoro That's right.
Emotions of human beings.
Whatever he is confronted with, he shall not be selfish nor arrogant.
He will live boldly and just.
He will keep life and death on his mind and live through.
Daigoro will lead to great enlightenment.
I wish for him to live strong as a human being.
Daigoro Daigoro Ogami.
Do not worry.
He will grow up to be a strong boy without being discouraged by adversity.
Right, Daigoro? Daigoro! Daigoro Ogami! Ikoma clan, Soul of Matsuchiyo Those who bear the emblem of the Shogunate.
Even if my body turns to ashes, I shall curse you for eternity! What happened? Anybody around? Anybody? Azami! Azami! Azami! Azami! Azami! Azami! What happened? Azami Azami! Daigoro Daigoro! Daigoro! Daigoro! I'm glad you're safe! I'm glad you're safe, Daigoro! Your mother Your mother hid you here, right? Daigoro! Daigoro! Daigoro! Azami! Azami! Who did this? Who slaughtered the Ogami clan like this? Azami Azami! Azami.
Here's Daigoro.
Azami.
I will never forgive the one who did this.
I will chase them down to the end of the earth and leave no stone unturned until I find them.
I will have my revenge! Inspector Yagyu Bizen-no-Kami! He has arrived to perform his duties! Lord Yagyu, I don't know who informed you of this incident.
It's horrible.
But now, it is my duty to speak to you formally.
A short while ago, three men committed hara-kiri in front of the Yagyu residence.
I came here because they left a written statement stating their reasons to die.
Written statement? I'm afraid your wife and clan members were slaughtered by the lkoma clansmen mentioned in this statement.
Ikoma clansmen? Correct.
"We, the lkoma clansmen, are prepared to die "in order to get revenge for our late lord Matsuchiyo.
"And so, we are going to slaughter the Ogami clan "who holds the position of executioner.
"The reason for this is that Itto Ogami, with his "important position as an executioner, has been abusing his power.
"To make matters worse, "he is a traitor who wishes to overthrow the Shogunate clan.
"Therefore, this traitor should not be forgiven.
What? "The proof to his statement lies in the altar room of the Ogami clan.
"We shall satisfy the resentment of our lord Matsuchiyo "by wiping out the Ogami clan, who spits in the name of the Shogunate.
"Therefore, in order to let the world know of the wrongdoings by Ogami "we shall sacrifice our lives in good faith and follow our lord into the afterlife.
" As you can see, these three men of the lkoma gave their lives to report this.
Therefore, it is my duty to find out the truth behind all this.
First, I need you to take me to the altar room.
What? Honorable Bizen of Yagyu.
You will believe that nonsense from those who slaughtered my clan and wish to examine the altar room of the Ogami clan? Correct.
If you have nothing to hide, then there's no need for you to hesitate.
Lord Yagyu! That altar room was created in order to pay respect and offer my prayers for the ones that I beheaded as the executioner for the Shogunate.
Do you have any proof to support that I wish ill for the Shogunate? This is absurd! That is why I need to inspect the altar room! If their statement proves to be groundless then it will tarnish the authority of the Shogunate as well as the Ogami clan.
That is why we want to examine the altar room.
Now, lead the way.
I see.
There's so many of them.
So all these feudal lords have been executed.
How could this Why do you have the mortuary tablet bearing the emblem of the Shogunate? I don't know! I don't know! I don't even know how it got there! Be quiet! What have you been praying for in front of this memorial tablet? So what was written in that statement was in fact true! Lord Yagyu, wait! Please wait! I think someone has set a trap for me.
You are behaving dishonorably! We shall conduct a cross-examination before the court.
Come with us! Lord Yagyu! Lord Yagyu! All of you! Seize him! All of you! Seize him! Seize him.
Lord Bizen.
How come they are all dressed like that? I knew something was fishy a short while ago.
It reeks of blood from your bodies.
No more discussion! Seize him! You planned this Yagyu! I see! You must be from the Yagyu shadow clan! Yagyu shadow clan? Yagyu shadow clan? You can't fool me! Munenori Yagyu had three sons: Jyubei Mitsuyoshi, Tomonori, and Munefuyu.
They are the sword instructors for the Shogunate, and are known as the light Yagyu.
But there's more to Yagyu.
Bastard child named Gisen! Also known as Retsudo! He's the one in charge of the Yagyu, and is the lord of Yagyu shadow clan! You have revealed your fangs, Yagyu! You used any method necessary in order to achieve your desires.
Then you killed my wife and clan members and even our students and servants as well! I'm never going to forgive you for this! Kill him! Come back here! When he's in the water, his Suiou Style has an advantage over others.
Bizen! You fool! No! That's the wave-slashing technique of Suiou Style.
Bizen! You must be Retsudo the Yagyu shadow clan! Because of your evil schemes and tricks so many innocent people were entrapped! Just to gain prosperity for your clan! Itto Ogami! Yagyu exists because of the Shogunate.
Shogunate also exists because of the Yagyu.
Don't you forget that! No matter what you do, your fate is already sealed! That's enough, Retsudo! Fight me! You fool! I do not fear your Suiou Style, but I'll let the light Yagyu deal with you.
The Shogunate will take care of you.
Retsudo'.
! Make sure you're ready to die.
Start by washing that neck of yours.
Retsudo'.
! I will have my revenge some day! I will never forgive you Yagyu for what you've done! Why you! Yagyu! Soon after, Ogami was sentenced to house arrest.
He pleaded his case many times, but was given no consideration.
That's how much power the Yagyu, or the Yagyu shadow clan had on the Shogunate.
And then, half a year passed Daigoro.
Shogunate's men will arrive here shortly.
But your father Your father will You probably won't understand anything at all.
You won't understand what your father is saying or what is about to happen.
But the blood of Ogami clan flows in your body.
That blood will decide which path you must take.
Look.
This is a ball.
This is the Dotanuki, which has been passed down in the Ogami clan for generations.
Do you understand, Daigoro? Ball or Dotanuki.
You must choose either one.
If you choose the Dotanuki, you will walk the path of an assassin with your father.
We shall get our revenge on the Yagyu and make them go through the same humiliation we went through.
We must become demons that travel the road to hell.
The path will be covered in blood and will soon turn into an assassin's path, full of slaughter and cruelty.
But by traveling on that assassin's path, we'll be able to direct our grudge back to the Yagyu! But you may choose the ball if you want to.
Well That might be better for you.
If you choose the ball, then I'll send you to a place where your mother is.
And you shall sleep in peace by your mother's side.
Do you understand, Daigoro? Ball.
Dotanuki.
Which shall it be? You must choose your own path.
Daigoro! You chose the Dotanuki? Daigoro.
You're going to choose the Dotanuki, right? You would've been happier if you chose to join your mother.
But you chose the path of the assassin, Daigoro.
An assassin with a son.
An assassin with a son.
This is the path we must travel.
"Itto Ogami, who wields the swords of Shogunate.
"Even though you are the official executioner "what you have done this time around is outrageous.
"You are hereby dismissed from your position, and your clan will be abolished.
"You and your son Daigoro, are hereby ordered to commit hara-kiri.
" But I must praise you for welcoming us with your proper death attire.
It's just what I expect from an executioner, Itto Ogami.
Your attitude is admirable.
What? I didn't wear this attire to commit hara-kiri.
But rather to celebrate our departure from this life and to begin traveling the road to hell! What? Are you disobeying the order of the Shogunate? We have chosen to take the path in hell.
Therefore, we are no longer human.
Laws of the Shogunate do not apply to us anymore! Insolent fool! Have you gone mad? Come out, everyone! Everyone, come out! Itto Ogami has gone mad! Come out! This madman disregards the order of the Shogunate! Kill him! Kill him now! Do you think you can kill me with your weak skills? Do you think you can kill Itto Ogami? Kill him! Kill him now! What are you waiting for? Kill him! There's no need to die in a hurry.
Or do you want to go to hell that badly? Itto Ogami! Stop resisting and commit hara-kiri! Or else we will have to fight you! Even if you are the master of Suiou Style, you are no match for the Yagyu.
You! What do you say, Retsudo? I have served this emblem for 27 years and you have served for more than 60 years.
We lived by the emblem, and served under the emblem.
How about it, Retsudo? Do you wish to cut the emblem of the Shogunate? If you do, then it's the same as opposing the Shogunate! Try to cut the emblem if you can! Wait just a minute.
Itto Ogami! Take off your robes! If you do, then we Yagyu, the clan of assassins will formally challenge you, the former executioner, to a duel! This is what you wish for, isn't it? If you win, then you shall be allowed to do anything you wish as long as it is outside the government territories.
You and your son will be free to go.
Lord Yagyu, we cannot disregard the order of Shogunate! You shouldn't make such promises! You shouldn't make such promises! It doesn't matter! I'll explain this to our lord myself.
If a disturbance is caused after the attire with the emblem is misused, then it would be a grave situation for the authorities.
What do you say, Itto? Will you accept this challenge? Who is my opponent? You are the enemy of my cousin Bizen, whom you killed! I, Kurando, will avenge his death on behalf of the Yagyu clan! Fine.
Kurando is one of the finest swordsmen in Yagyu clan along with his younger brother Gunbei, who's away right now.
He will eventually be the sword instructor for the Shogunate clan.
What do you say, Itto? Next sword instructor for the Shogunate clan challenges you with honor.
Are you willing to accept our formal challenge? I accept! Itto Ogami has accepted your challenge! Kurando Yagyu has the sun against his back and Itto Ogami has his son against his back.
We both have something against our backs, but the outcome of this duel is already clear.
Itto! Perhaps you should beg for mercy! Even if our skills are equally matched, it is obvious that the one who has advantage of ground and nature, shall be the victor of this duel! So you still want to fight? Have you lost your mind? What a pity.
Do you both want to go to hell? Let's go, Daigoro.
We are entering the path to hell.
Kurando! Kill him! Even if it costs your lives, kill him! Retsudo! This formal challenge of yours was informal after all! Now I know what the Yagyu clan really is! You're a group of assassins who use dirty tricks! Kill him! Retsudo'.
! Itto! No matter where you go, Yagyu clan will chase you, even to the end of the earth! That is the way of Yagyu.
That is the Yagyu's vindictiveness! Retsudo'.
! Then, I leave this matter in your hands.
Certainly.
Please tell lord Hotta, that I accepted the job.
I've heard of him.
A baby carriage, with a child around three years old Could it be He is definitely Itto Ogami! Wait! Is he dead? Or is he Don't let your guard down! See if he's really dead! You coward! Coward? I thought cowardice was the principle of Yagyu swordsmanship.
What? insolent fool! Do you know why I have been waiting for you here? I'll tell you since you're about to die.
I accepted a request of lord Hotta, whose life you are after.
How do you know that? Then I'll tell you something before you die.
I was the one who killed your wife! Itto Ogami! Assassination technique of Yagyu.
We'll show you the essence of our skills! Now! Die! Daddy! "Lone Wolf and Cub" continues on traveling to get their vengeance, but what lies ahead is the never-ending path of an assassin.

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