Lone Wolf and Cub (1973) s01e09 Episode Script

Six Roads to Infinity

Lone Wolf and Cub Lord Retsudo.
Itto Ogami is getting more popular amongst the people.
Itto is trying to destroy the Yagyu shadow clan and wanders around as the assassin known as "Lone Wolf and Cub.
" He gets in our way at every opportunity.
If we just leave him out there, then we will not only lose our credibility as government assassins, but also leave an indelible scar wherever we go.
That's right! Lord Bizen of Yagyu already fell to the Suio-ryu of Itto.
Not only that, Lord Retsudo's son Kurando was killed as well.
Then his best students, Shihara and Ozaki were killed.
We're mortified to begin with Lord Retsudo, you're not going to let him do as he wants, are you? Please give us orders to kill Itto! Lord Retsudo! I'm begging you! As leader of the Yagyu shadow clan, please tell us what to do.
If all of us attack him at once, even Itto won't be able to survive! No.
Lord Retsudo.
Lord Retsudo.
No! No Yagyu can fight against Itto and his Suio-ryu.
But But Silence! No matter how many of you go and fight him, none of you are capable of killing him.
No one can kill Itto.
Only myself and Gunbei, who is currently away.
But Lord Gunbei is He will return.
Gunbei is coming back.
Gunbei is the last of my children.
Gunbei will certainly kill Itto.
Call the men of Kurokuwa.
Get Ozumi lwane.
Have him find the whereabouts of Itto, and Gunbei will track him down and finish him.
Gunbei is my son.
He's the last of my children.
Six Realms of Hell This is the highway.
It shows one of the five main highways.
This is the side road.
This is the village and a dwelling.
Pond.
River.
Sea.
Woods.
Castle.
And lastly, this is where you can find your target.
I see.
So Itto uses the Douchyujin from the military strategy of Sun Tzu.
Yes.
These Douchyujin are used to show where he is currently at.
Those that want to hire his services are supposed to follow the Douchyujin, and place this talisman with the drawing of the demons Gozu and Mezu on the temples and shrines by the highway.
When Itto looks at this picture, and for example if he's expecting his client by the pond by the side road, he would pick up some rocks, then place these pictures together and tell the client where he is at.
So that's where he meets his clients last He's very clever for using the Douchyujin.
It's just what I expect from Itto, as the assassin cursing us Yagyu.
But you're just the perfect Kurokuwa man for this type of job, Ozumi lwane.
You did a fine job of finding information about Itto.
But you see, Lord Retsudo I hope you don't mind me saying this, but many of our men were killed by Itto as well.
We have no one in our clan that is capable of killing him.
Well, I think I will be able to kill him, but I don't want to die unless it's for the government.
And more importantly, I don't want to lose any of my men.
Ozumi.
It seems like you and the men of Kurokuwa are really afraid of that man Itto.
I understand.
All you have to do is to find out where Itto is.
Place that picture of the demons at various places.
Itto will then let us know his whereabouts and we will go and kill him.
And the person who is going to kill Itto is That would be me.
Lord Gunbei! Father.
I have finally returned.
Welcome back.
An important assassination in the north.
I heard you accomplished that task very nicely.
Thank you very much.
Sanzaemon Mori, a chief retainer of the Toyama clan and Norimitsu Arima, Lord of the Maruoka clan.
I took care of them discreetly.
Now in the north there is no one left that will get in the way of the Tokugawa shogunate.
You're right.
You were able to assassinate those targets.
I wish I could give you a break for a while No.
If you're talking about Itto Ogami, then I too have a grudge against him.
I was winning that match.
No matter what people say about that match, I had the clear advantage over Itto.
Yagyu Shinkage-ryu.
Lord Gunbei Yagyu! Suio-ryu.
Lord Itto Ogami! Begin! Lord Gunbei has won by a landslide.
I'm sure the position of executioner will now belong to Lord Gunbei.
Wait.
You said that Itto's back was against the shogun.
Yes.
Lord Gunbei simply charged forward and placed the tip of his sword near Itto's throat.
Well, I thought he was going to pierce his throat.
But he was able to stop the sword just in time.
Fool! Gunbei is a fool! What? Why didn't he pierce Itto with his sword? He stopped his sword He tried to show off his superiority and confidence.
What a greenhorn! But Lord Retsudo Do you people not understand? If he had pierced him, then the Yagyu clan wouldn't have lost face.
But now, the position of the executioner has fallen into the hands of the Ogami clan.
Not only that, the government has lost their faith in our Yagyu clan as a result.
Why is that? Get me Gunbei.
It's urgent.
Get Gunbei! I'm sure he'll show up here soon.
Hurry up and dispatch a messenger for him! It's an important matter regarding our clan's distrust! Hurry up and dispatch a messenger! Father! I won! Father! The Yagyu clan will definitely take control of the executioner position! Anyway, I was too busy trying to get him here, so I haven't told him anything yet.
How come you came to get me in such a hurry? You must be very happy with the result of my duel, right? Father! Go away for a while, Gunbei.
What? I need to send an assassin to the northern region.
It's official business.
I want you to get that job done and disappear for a while.
Father! What is the meaning of this? I have defeated Itto in a duel, and they're going to appoint me as the new executioner! I understand this is official business, but why do I have to leave Edo at this moment? You still don't get it, do you? They're going to appoint Itto Ogami as the new executioner.
Why is that? Gunbei.
Try to remember what happened during the duel.
You two were in a dead heat.
I know it was inevitable, but you changed your direction and faced the shogun.
Nevertheless, you pointed your sword at Itto and moved forward.
You fool! Your mind was occupied by the enemy in front and you failed to see that the tip of the sword was being directed towards the shogun.
But Itto quickly realized what was going on.
He risked his life to protect the shogun from your sword.
Plus the Yagyu clan is known for being the government assassins.
Even though you didn't do it intentionally, it's a serious matter when our sword is pointed at the shogun.
Suwa Matsudaira and his men are our bitter enemies.
Who knows what they will say to the shogun about us.
Can't you see that? We already have the men of Kurokuwa serving under us.
We are the government assassins If we get the position of the government executioner in our hands, we can gain all three positions working in the shadows of the government.
Suwa Matsudaira and his men learned our plans and have been trying to stop us, and now you gave them something they can charge us with.
But You're still complaining? You let Itto guard the shogun, and you didn't notice that because of your inexperience! I want you to head to the northern region immediately and fulfill as many duties as you can as an assassin.
Go and learn what it takes to be a true assassin! Get me Gorouza.
Get me Gorouza Toda immediately.
Gorouza.
The time has come for you to serve your purpose.
This is all for the Yagyu clan.
Die for us without questioning our decision.
Yes.
I'll take care of your family as the leader of the Yagyu shadow clan.
Will you die for us, Gorouza? With pleasure.
I have lived an idle life until this moment.
But I will be glad to die for you now.
I shall begin.
Pardon me.
My lord, please relieve my head.
It is true that we lost the position of executioner to Itto Ogami.
As a result, the Ogami clan will wear the sacred robes bearing the emblem of the shogunate and serve as the official executioner.
They will strike fear in the hearts of the daimyos.
But we as the Yagyu must achieve a fervent wish.
Itto Ogami.
The council has deliberated on the position of the official executioner.
You have what it takes to be in this important position.
Therefore, we appoint you as the official executioner for the shogunate.
We wish you luck with your position.
This important duty is more than I could hope for.
I shall do my best.
I shouldn't have to say this to you now But the job of the official executioner is to relieve the heads of the daimyos that have been ordered to commit hara-kiri.
The reason the official executioner is allowed to wear the sacred robes bearing the shogunate emblem is to show that you relieve the heads of daimyos by orders of the government.
In other words, you're going to take the place of the government, and relieve the heads of the daimyos.
Ever since the start of the shogunate, there have been many vassals of the Tokugawas.
I can understand if it's their relatives or kinsmen, but you are the very first person to take the position of the executioner as a vassal.
Be careful not to ruin the reputation of the shogunate.
Excuse me.
What is it? Lord Retsudo Yagyu has come to the castle, sir.
He said he needs to discuss an urgent matter.
Lord Retsudo? Where is he? At the garden in the western corridor.
At the garden? Lord Yagyu.
What is this matter of great urgency? Yes.
I have come here personally to apologize, and I also have something that I want to show you.
I canceled all my plans and came here in a hurry.
During the duel to decide the official executioner for the shogunate, my unworthy son Gunbei directed his sword at the shogun.
Please take a look.
My son Gunbei has committed hara-kiri.
I just wanted to come by and report this to the shogun.
I give my regards to you, my lord.
Understood.
Lord Retsudo.
Just what I expected from the Yagyu clan.
I shall put in a good word for Gunbei to the shogun.
Thank you, my lord.
But Lord Retsudo, I know that your son has committed hara-kiri, but why didn't you just apologize to the shogun? No! Even if he accepts my apology, and makes it seem like nothing has happened, the Yagyu clan still believes in the code of the samurai.
Gunbei would still have died this way.
I am still the head of the clan.
Aside from offering an apology for Gunbei's blunder, I have one small favor to ask of you, my lords.
I see.
What is it? The previous duel was not just for the position of official executioner.
It was also a duel between Yagyu Shinkage-ryu and Suio-ryu.
The duel was supposed to decide which is better.
But because of Gunbei's blunder, Lord Ogami has forfeited.
A winner has not yet been declared in this duel.
And so I would like to continue that duel in front of the shogun.
I understand how you feel But we have decided that the winner has been declared.
Are you questioning our judgment? Lord Suwa.
I know that Gunbei directed his sword at the shogun.
But what if Lord Ogami tempted him to do so? What? They were both equally matched with their swords and skills.
When they were at close range, Lord Ogami turned his back against the shogun, and made it look as if he was cornered.
It's a possibility.
Lord Yagyu.
Is that the kind of excuse a clan leader should say? That kind of remark is rude and shameful! You call that rude and shameful? To have a winner declared when it was clearly no contest is truly shameful! My lord.
Please understand how I feel and do this one small favor for me.
Well, I guess there is some truth in what you say.
My lord.
I would like to ask a follow-up question to Lord Yagyu.
Lord Yagyu, why are you being persistent about the position of the official executioner? What is your reason? Lord Suwa.
Your words are pretty harsh.
L, Retsudo Yagyu, am not being persistent about the position of the official executioner.
I just want a duel between the clans.
That is what I am trying to ask you.
Therefore, we will bear no grudge even if we lose.
Only by defeating us Yagyu in a duel can Lord Ogami be named the true executioner for the shogunate.
My lord.
Please make my wish come true.
Well, if you insist, I'll ask the shogun about it.
But Lord Retsudo.
After the death of Gunbei, who is going to fight Lord Ogami? I know I'm still inexperienced, but I will face him.
What? L, Retsudo Yagyu, will fight Lord Ogami on behalf of my clan.
Lord Matsudaira.
It seems that the shogun has been moved by Gunbei's death.
The Yagyu clan has respect, just like its founding clan, the Tokugawas.
He uttered those unexpected comments.
And what about the duel? Of course.
He agreed to that as well.
And it will be held tomorrow! Ogami.
You have no choice but to fight Retsudo now.
L, Itto Ogami, am ready to fight.
I see.
But that no-good Retsudo.
He used some clever talk and not only did he fool Lord Abe, but he also fooled the shogun.
I wonder what kind of plan he's devising.
Anyway, I looked at Gunbei's head before, but it seemed he died calmly from the expression on his face.
After losing the position of official executioner to you I can't see how that is the head of Gunbei, who died in regret.
Why does Lord Yagyu hate me so? Ogami.
This is kind of complicated.
Even I can't tell you about this secret.
But I have been doing some investigation.
After I'm finished with this investigation, Yagyu's scheme will be exposed to the public.
Yagyu's scheme? But in order to get their scheme moving along, they need the position of the official executioner.
That's why they will do anything to push you aside.
Be careful, Ogami.
Even if you win tomorrow's duel, you must never trust the Yagyu.
Is that clear? You're impertinent, Suwa Matsudaira.
As long as you're a senior statesman, you will always be in our way.
I will make sure that the position of official executioner will end up in the hands of the Yagyu.
I have a plan Yagyu Shinkage-ryu.
Lord Retsudo Yagyu! Suio-ryu.
Lord Itto Ogami! Begin! Lord Suwa! Forgive me! You're a disgrace, Suwa.
You couldn't even avoid getting hit by that cane! Itto Ogami.
You did well.
You disappoint me, Yagyu.
Ogami, I'm mortified.
It is my fault for not being able to avoid that cane.
But it is clear that Retsudo feared that I might expose his plans, and he came after me.
Lord Suwanokami.
What is the secret? What is it all about? The official message boxes.
The official message boxes containing messages from the lords to the government.
Official message boxes? Listen, Ogami.
Yagyu's secrets are contained in all of the official message boxes.
But I failed to reveal their secret plot.
However, I know for sure that they're using those official message boxes for their own private affairs.
But since I found out what they were up to, Retsudo attacked me at the duel.
Lord Suwanokami! What is this secret? Please tell me.
Just tell me! Inside those official message boxes Ogami, inside those official message boxes Lord Suwanokami! Look! Look at this! Douchyujin.
That means I believe there was a shack and a reservoir on the other side of that forest.
You're right.
Then this was left behind by Itto Ogami.
I'm positive! Okay, let's go notify Lord Gunbei! Okay, let's go notify Lord Gunbei! Yeah.
Long time no see, Itto Ogami.
Gunbei.
So you are alive after all.
I'm not going to die that easily.
I won't die until I kill you.
This Douchyujin is intended to bring clients to you, but instead these rocks invited the god of death to your door.
Itto.
We're going to decide whether Suio-ryu or Yagyu Shinkage-ryu is better.
You may have gotten away by having my sword pointed at the shogun.
But that kind of excuse will not work here.
When we dueled last time, I won that match decisively.
But they decided that I lost that match.
I remember.
That was a long time ago.
Itto.
I hear that you're an assassin now and that you charge 500 ryo per kill.
But I have been killing as an assassin for the Tokugawa clan.
I kill for the good of mankind.
You only kill for money.
You kill only for your personal enmity against us.
Personal enmity? That's right, Gunbei.
However, my personal enmity is much stronger and scarier than this thing you call justice.
I will show it to the Yagyu clan.
Be quiet, Itto! The position of the official executioner is now in the hands of the Yagyu.
If I kill you now, everything will be over.
Yagyu will be invincible.
Come on, Itto! Itto You threw your sword? Your sword Itto, you don't have any swords now! Damn you, Itto! I promise you that one day I will kill you myself! Mo Ogami killed Gunbei and his stealthy blade with one blow of his sword.
"Lone Wolf and Cub" dished out their grudge against the Yagyu clan.
But the Yagyu can be represented by these cold raindrops, and they will be waiting to attack them wherever they go.

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