I want this to be the last time. There you go again! 'The last time'.
. . 'The last time,' you always say.
But you love it, don't you. That's why you come, to this boat, isn't it? To meet me like this.
If you'd just be honest with yourself. . .
you'd enjoy life a lot more. A person's strong point, used the wrong way. .
. can be the reason they die. This is the last time.
Sir! We are not the ones who decide on this way of death. We are that death personified.
BAIAN THE ASSASSIN, M. D. Who's there?
Me. Baian! Sorry, Hiko.
Come in. A job? Yeah.
After a job, the road home seems so long. Stay here if you like. There's nothing ready.
I can cook some rice. Get warm. I carve skewers for a living.
And the world knows Baian Fujieda as a doctor. No one knows why, long ago. .
. he became a contractor. We're only friends because neither of us asks questions.
You went to a lot of trouble. Was it someone important? A samurai.
An agent for a prominent house. Sounds big. I did it for 20 ryo.
Is that all? He was involved with a subordinate's wife. They were meeting secretly, and the husband didn't like it?
He probably forced himself on her. Then used that as a threat to keep calling her out. So the husband was the source?
No. It was the woman herself. What?
So it would seem. The 'source'. .
. requests the murder. And then.
. . the 'vine'.
. . plays a hidden role, by hiring us.
. . the 'contractors'.
That has come to be how things are done in our dark world. Women are scary. For sure.
Not people you want to trust with your life, Hiko. Baian. .
. a man will take a woman's life into his care. It's amazing what you can do with just dried bonito, Hiko.
There's nothing you could make that's simpler. . .
but it's addictive. All the best food has nothing extra added. Just passing by.
I'm Baian Fujieda, a doctor. I think we're past any need for a doctor here. Excuse me.
Home at dawn again, Doctor? Why 'again'? You don't fool me.
You've got someone nice. Even I can see that. You have no reason to say that.
I worry about you! That person must be wild. 'Wild'?
When you come home in the morning, you look worn right out. You look three or four years older. Is she sucking the life out of you?
Maybe. See! You admit it!
Worry about your husband, Oseki. He hasn't got the energy for that. Here.
Argh! Kinzo, you're drinking again. No, I'm not!
Liar! Why would this hurt so much? You silly oaf!
The doctor sees right through you. Doctor, can you do something to stop him from drinking? I can't put needles in his brain.
So he's too stupid for acupuncture to work? Fool! I'll give you a carrot infusion.
Feed him bits of it when he has the urge to drink. Doctor, I can't afford expensive medicine like that! Not if you're dead.
In the eyes of the world, I carve skewers. But Baian is an established acupuncturist. Oseki.
Hello, sir! Thank you very much! Is he in?
Yes. Although he's always happy to take days off if he feels like it. Still, he's popular.
He's that good a doctor. All right? I'll wait.
Excuse me. Sorry, sorry. Here you are.
Thanks. Kahei Hanezawa. On the surface, a Ryogoku perfumer.
Behind the scenes, a famous vine. The boat captain has testified that Hikohachiro Ito. .
. had a heart attack and fell in the river. Fine work as usual, Baian.
Here's your final ten ryo. Boss. .
. was the woman I saw on that boat the source? I know it's against the rules to ask.
Well. . .
our underworld is full of unspoken rules. Breaking them can get you killed. I see.
Yes. It was her. And me.
. . I took on the job for a measly 40 ryo.
Do you think now she can go back to a quiet life with her husband? After she came late last night to pay me. .
. she seems to have killed herself. She left her husband a letter confessing her adultery.
Rather than having her husband hack her to death. . .
maybe it was easier to just do it herself. Anyway, I hate to bring up business again. .
. but I want you to do someone else. Boss!
I know you like to let time go by. But I feel that you're the only one who can do this for me. Who is it?
A woman. A woman? The wife of the owner of 'Manshichi', a big restaurant in Yagenbori.
Manshichi? Her name's 'Omino'. The owner's second wife.
His first wife died suddenly three years ago. She dropped dead of a heart attack while she was visiting a shrine. Something wrong?
No. His second wife, Omino. .
. is something of a bad seed. Leaving her alive is bad for everybody.
Of that I can assure you. If you say so. I trust your judgment.
So you'll take the job? Here's half up front, 35 ryo. Oseki.
. . Pay the potions seller with this.
Give medicine to whoever needs it. Where did you get all this money again? !
A rich patient. I won't need dinner. I'm going out for a bit.
Again? ! What did he do for that patient?
Manshichi Excuse me. The place has changed. A noisier clientele.
My apologies. Will you stay for a bit? What do you say?
Did the Missus say something? The Missus? No.
I haven't seen her. Is something going on? No.
I see. Well, if I suit you. .
. Please. What's your name?
Omon. 'Omon'. .
. Have a drink, Omon. Thank you.
I will. So you've been here before? Once, three years ago.
Back then it wasn't like this. They had an eye for detail. .
. and the food was better. Better customers, too.
Yes, I'm afraid you're right. We had a different Missus then. She changed?
Yes. The old Missus watched everything. She was strict with us, so some didn't like her.
But for all that, she cared for us. The new wife is strict, but that's all. She doesn't care about the food, or about any of us.
If you answer back, she fires you. If I could leave, I would. Oh, dear!
Don't give me so much to drink. I can't handle it. Don't worry.
I'm a doctor. I keep patients' secrets. So Doctor.
. . do you want to treat me?
I do acupuncture. The needles summon the body's natural energies. Will it bring me back to life?
Yes. No matter what ails you. Omon.
. . can you make some time around the 4th hour tomorrow?
Izutsu You still know nothing. . .
of women. You'll need to know the female body to do acupuncture. It's only natural you'd hate your mother for deserting you.
. . but you have to look beyond that hatred.
Only then as an acupuncturist will you know the right thing to do. All right? Yes.
Well? Painless, right? Yes.
But why, when you're sticking needles in me? I'm putting them in the right place. It's important to see the ailment.
. . and use the right pressure points.
If those points are correct, the energy flow improves. . .
and the ailment goes away. So it hurts if it's not done right? Why don't you leave the Manshichi?
My husband is dead. I have a nine year-old son. My parents look after him while I work.
A woman of my age doesn't have much choice. Bring the body back to life, and the spirit will follow. You deserve to be happier, Omon.
He's here, Doctor. Innkeeper. .
. We'll stay the night. Certainly.
Make yourself at home. I'm in your debt, Doctor. Thank you.
I once treated the owner here. It makes things so much easier when you've saved someone's life. Who was here before me, Baian?
Nothing gets by you, Hiko. I was with a maid from Manshichi, a restaurant in Yagenbori. It's been there for years.
What concerns you there? The Missus, the second wife. As it happens, I'm the one who did.
. . the first one.
And now I've been hired to do the second one. That's what I get for killing women. This is new to me.
So what's going on? The new Missus, Omino. .
. was originally a working girl in a tea house in Honjo. She was so pretty she posed for a woodblock print.
The Manshichi owner Zenshiro was a customer there. He was honest and sincere. .
. and Omino wrapped him around her finger. He was the 4th-generation owner.
. . but in the restaurant his wife Oshizu ruled the roost.
After she died. . .
Zenshiro married Omino, against everybody's advice. His daughter, his relatives. .
. even his old employees all left in disgust. She's beautiful.
It's natural the owner would lose his head over her. She's that pretty? Even so.
. . you can't expect some tea-house hussy to take over a fine restaurant.
. . and run it properly.
Of course the place would change. I'm surprised the owner doesn't complain. That's because.
. . it's making more money.
I see. The new Missus is driving out all the old staff. .
. and bringing in pretty young girls. That should be enough.
. . to make things easier for your sick mother and your brothers.
Missus! This is just payment in advance. I'm not buying you, Sato.
Work hard, and pay me back. Thank you! Consider yourself lucky!
You almost ended up in the prostitutes' quarter. Now listen. Our customers are all people of quality.
Always be polite to them. . .
and whatever you may see or hear. . .
tell no one. Yes. Thank you!
Excuse me. They won't need sake for a while. Go downstairs.
Listen. . .
whatever you may hear from that room, ignore it. If you want to continue working here, that is. Missus.
. . No!
Please! That's bad. Yes.
But still, after a while, those maids. . .
strut around like they owned the place. You were great! Good!
You're cute! Sir! Don't torment the older girls.
Come on. Even the most innocent young girl changes under the Missus. They've all been ground down by poverty.
Now suddenly. . .
she's made Manshichi her own new place. Baian, women are scary. Excuse me.
What's this? Whalebone soup. Whalebone soup?
You need to try new things sometimes. You might love tofu, but you need other things. This is good!
But boiled tofu still has it beat. Hiko. .
. I told Omon. .
. that acupuncture summons natural energy. But it can also have the opposite effect.
People are like that, too. Doing good things, they do bad. Doing bad things, they do good.
A hair's breadth divides them. Whichever that may be, it should benefit someone. So, Baian.
. . was it this Missus who hired you to do the last one?
I don't know. The vine was Kyubei Tanakaya. Tanakaya?
I haven't seen him since. Kyu As a front, Kyubei Tanakaya organized gangs of workers. His was a face well-known to those officials.
. . who hired middle and low-level workers and laborers.
. . for public works and the estates of great lords.
Coming in. MrTanakaya! It's been a long time, Hikojiro.
Since I got sick and couldn't do the job you'd paid me an advance for. That's all right. I said to consider it a get-well gift.
So don't worry about it. But I want you to do someone else. Again?
Will you? Who? A carpenter named Mankichi who lives in Asakusa.
A carpenter? He says that, but he never does any work. He lives alone, and drinks all day.
Once. . .
he was part of a gang of thieves. Thieves? He still has his eye on different residences.
As a carpenter, he can scout out likely prospects. So. .
. why are you telling me all this? Because I want you to kill him as soon as you can.
It's for the good of all. Here's 30 ryo in advance. This time, show me what you can really do.
Hi! We're waiting! Him!
Excuse me. Doctor, the Missus says she'd like to say hello. Oh?
All right. Don't worry. There's no one who suits me like you do.
You embarrass me, Doctor! Excuse me. I'm Omino, the Missus here.
Is something wrong? No. It's just.
. . you're so beautiful I fell in love.
Well! A man with a silver tongue. You're an acupuncturist, well-known in Shinagawa.
I'm sure you must have many lady patients. That's not so. You don't like ladies?
That's not so. If there's a maid here you like, please tell me. What about you?
If you'd kill my husband for me. Until then, Doctor, I'll be waiting. Don't come here, I said!
Now you can have a drink with me! Let go! I've been waiting for you to get in touch.
When do we get started? You said we would, right? Stupid!
This is my place now. Who'd be stupid enough to help you break into her own place? I'll find somewhere else.
Shall I tell your husband about you? If he divorces you, it's just a rich guy's place. Don't be silly.
How could I get you in here then? I mean it! Maybe.
. . I could kill your husband?
If I do that, will you marry me? What? !
Stop it, will you! Let go! Do it with me!
Doctor! Who the hell are you? !
Just an acupuncturist. How about drinking with better manners? Damn you!
Don't mess with me. No! Ow ow ow ow ow!
I won't forget this! Doctor! Thank you.
That guy? You're after him? Yeah.
Kyubei Tanakaya's the vine. After what you said, I never dreamed he'd come to me. Tanakaya wants him?
Mankichi the carpenter. . .
was once 'Tamekichi Ukiwa', one of a gang of thieves. . .
under Magohachi Gozamatsu down in Numazu, in Suruga. How do you know all that? I was one of them.
What? Before I was a contractor. Gozamatsu was a grab-and-run thief.
Anyone broke could join him. Theft, murder, rape, we'd do anything. I hated it.
I joined up with a masterless samurai. . .
killed Gozamatsu, and took his money. It's been 15 years since I was doing that. How does this Mankichi know the Manshichi Missus?
I was surprised to see her. Omino. .
. your target. .
. is Magohachi Gozamatsu's daughter. She was 16 or 17.
Even then she could drive a man wild. But she was Gozamatsu's, so they left her alone. Rumor had it she was his lover, not his daughter.
Didn't she have a mother? Dead, I think. Was her name Omino?
No. Her real name is Okichi. What do you want?
Did I wake you? Sorry. What?
I just thought you were asleep. Then what? Omino!
You'll get sick. Your heart's bad. The doctor said not to.
I don't care! One last time! I don't have long.
Just one last time, all right? No! Stop it!
This isn't the time! We haven't had sex in a year! Is that all you care about?
You're just like the rest. All you want is my body. I decide who gets that.
So tonight let me sleep alone. Omino. .
. I'm sorry. Okichi.
. . You're back!
What is it? Again you reek of fine white face powder. You have a good nose.
My nose is the only part of me you can't fool. I won't try. Make some breakfast.
All night with a woman who won't make him breakfast! Oh, dear me! It makes me feel young again!
Doctor! Thank you. Thank you!
Tamekichi! You! You bastard!
What did you just do? ! Hold it!
Hold it, you. . .
Hold it. . .
Hold it. . .
Is he dead? Yes. No mistake.
Your man did it! Mankichi came out of an eatery, and collapsed. It looked like he was sick.
Lots of people saw it. Sick? No trace of a fight.
But I'm sure. . .
it was the contractor I hired. He's very good, then. He sure is.
How many people have been killed here in Edo. . .
without anyone knowing? It was the same with the first Missus here. It was?
Whoops. That slipped out. Missus?
Is anything wrong? The leaves have all fallen. They form corpses.
. . and when winter comes they wait for spring.
Just like people. There. Eat up.
Hello! Coming! Are you ill, Monk?
No. This is for the doctor, from the Jozaiji Temple priest. That's way over in Shirokane.
What does it say? There's a patient who can't move. A patient?
Someone who took refuge there. In a temple? So they'll be all set for the funeral?
Her name is Ochie. Why did you leave her this long? We didn't.
We applied ointments, and gave her infusions to drink. . .
but nothing worked. It's more than just wounds. Ochie.
. . does this hurt?
And here? What happened to her? I can't say right now.
All right. I'll do what I can. I thank you.
Oc hie. . .
The needles do not restore life, but they help the life force you have. If you are determined to live, then I'll help you do that. Deep in your heart, you have to really want it.
MrTanakaya, have you taken care of that samurai? Not yet? I've hired every good swordsman I knew.
None of them stood a chance. Why are you taking so long? It's Lord Shimada's request.
Fooling around will not be good for you or me. I know. I'm going now to take care of it.
Boss! Thank you for your help with Mankichi. I have another job.
May I come in? Please. Come in.
I knew it. Now it's you tailing me. The priest said you were a good doctor.
But you're more, aren't you. And who are you? Why were you following me?
Because I saw something I shouldn't have? You're brave. Hiko, I have great respect for your skill.
I have another sudden job. Another one? Tomogoro Ishikawa, a samurai.
He's without position now, but he's very good with a sword. I've hired every good swordsman I know as a contractor. He's turned the tables on them all.
I'm not a swordsman. That's why I'm asking you. Use poison, or whatever you like.
I'm sure you'll think of something we'd never dream of. Right? It's a rush job.
I'll put in a bit myself. 100 ryo when it's done. Here's half, 50 ryo.
100 ryo? The source must be pretty rich. You're sworn not to ask that.
But the target is someone who deserves killing? Of course. A true villain.
We've found out where he's hiding. Kill him by New Year's. New Year's?
Jumokudani, in Shirogane. Once known as 'Hell Valley', it was an execution ground. It made your skin crawl.
That's where he was. He raped. .
. the daughter of an official in whose household he served. Then he kidnapped her and hid her away somewhere.
If nothing is done her life is in danger. So hurry. She's in this temple?
Hiko? What are you doing here? !
That's for me to ask. I'm here for a patient. A patient?
Her color's much better. I'm amazed. This morning she ate an entire bowl of gruel.
You're as good a doctor as they say. Squire Ishikawa. .
. what do you propose to do now? Don't worry about me.
If you're with me, they'll try to kill you, too. Miss Ochie. .
. I'm a burden on this temple. She's recovered enough now.
. . to shed tears.
I never dreamed this world could be such a hell. You'll be able to travel in two weeks. Be it hell or not.
. . walk this world on your own two feet.
So Tomogoro Ishikawa is a fine samurai? It's good you didn't kill him. Thanks.
I only met him yesterday. My name is Tomogoro Ishikawa. Until recently.
. . I served Lord Daigaku Shimada, aide to a retainer of the Shogun.
Lord Shimada is a vicious brute. A brute? His lust.
. . knows no bounds.
He'd sneak into town. . .
and have his way with even waitresses. Waitresses? In the end, even the wife of one of his men.
Touemon Misawa. He dragged his wife into the document warehouse. .
. and raped her. Because of that, the woman killed herself.
This is a letter from my mother. It sets out how badly Your Lordship treated her! My father says to let it rest.
That I cannot do! If Your Lordship will not admit to this. .
. I will go over your head! And if I admit this?
Do the honorable thing, and apologize to my parents. I admit this. Your mother found me attractive.
I gave in to her. That is all. That is a vicious lie!
It is no lie. It's the truth. What are you doing?
! Come and find out. Wouldn't you like to feel your mother's regret.
. . at what she cannot tell?
What are you doing? ! When the daughter complained, he dragged her into the warehouse.
The girl fought back. . .
so he became violent. . .
and locked her in there. That's the girl? Yes.
Her name is Ochie. So you rescued this 'Ochie'? That's why they're after you?
So Tanakaya hired. . .
the men who attacked him. Damn him! The source must be Shimada, the Shogun's retainer.
And Shimada hired Tanakaya. Shimada's probably a regular customer at Manshichi. Tanakaya!
How long do I have to wait? Not long now. It will be done within the year.
Damn Ishikawa! He's a fine swordsman. I never dreamed he'd go rogue.
This time I'll make sure! You know what will happen if you fail. Without me behind you.
. . there will be no more call for you to supply labor for public works.
If he lives, it will be. . .
your fault. Yes, sir! If he'd taken the girl and left Edo, that would be one thing.
But by staying he makes me look like a fool! Excuse me. May I come in, Milord?
This is Omiyo, a new maid. If I may recommend her to your good offices. How do you do, sir.
If you'll excuse me. Please. Yes.
Have a nice time. So your name's Omiyo? I'm very sorry!
Do you fear me? So Manshichi's mixed up in this? She and Tanakaya must be working together.
She must have been the source who had Mankichi killed. And maybe the one who hired you to kill the first Missus. .
. About Omino. .
. She's my younger sister. What?
! When I first saw her, I was amazed. She looks just like my mother.
Then when I heard you, I was sure. She's my sister Okichi. Really?
I was born down in Suruga. My father was a cooper. He got sick and died when I was 14.
My sister was five. Okichi, wake up. Okichi, you have to wake up.
Wake up! When my father died, my mother took Okichi. .
. and left me. Ma!
Okichi! Brother! Come on.
You're not needed! Brother! Okichi!
Get lost! Walk! Ma!
Brother! Brother! Ma!
Okichi! Ma! Okichi!
And the man who took them away? Became Magohachi Gozamatsu. Incredible!
The food's done. My acupuncture teacher, Etsudo Tsuyama, loved this dish. Eat it while it's hot.
What happens now? Are you fine with this? It's only blood that we share.
She doesn't remember me. This is good! You eat well, no matter what.
Doesn't it ever occur to you that this might be your last meal? For sure. Stay here tonight.
I will. The next day, we went to work. Missus.
. . Was it you who called me here?
Who are you? It concerns Mankichi? What about it?
It's me. Don't you remember? I was in Gozamatsu's gang.
I'm Hikojiro. 'Hikojiro'? I remember you!
You're up here now? I was born here in Edo. Now I make skewers in Asakusa.
You don't bear me a grudge? A grudge? We killed your old man, took his money and ran.
I bear you no grudge. He was nothing to me. For me.
. . he was the devil personified.
No, I'm grateful. You made it possible for me to live my own life in my own way. You came to Edo, and went from being a tea-house girl.
. . to the Missus of the Manshichi.
You killed the first Missus. What are you talking about? You had Kyubei Tanakaya arrange the killing of Oshizu.
. . the first Missus.
And Mankichi the carpenter, or 'Tamekichi Ukiwa'. What would make you say that? Leave the Manshichi.
If you leave the Manshichi, and Edo. . .
I'll keep quiet. I don't know what you're planning. .
. but I won't do that. What you're saying is a pack of lies, but if you like.
. . go spread them around.
I won't hide from you. Do what you like. Hiko.
. . Sorry.
I stuck my oar in. Leaving Edo changes nothing. A contractor follows you.
There's no turning back for me, either. What's the big hurry? There's another man I want done.
He knew about you, too, MrTanakaya. And about Mankichi. Who is he?
He said he was a skewer-maker from Asakusa. 'Hikojiro'. Hikojiro?
! What? Of course he knows about Mankichi.
He was the contractor! Howdy! Where the hell have you been?
The boss has been looking for you! Sorry about that. I've found a way.
I wanted to tell the boss. He's out. Do you mind if I wait?
Of course not. Why is Hikojiro threatening me? I don't know.
But the problem is. . .
he's doing Shimada's job for me. What? !
If he's doubled-crossed me. . .
He could talk to Lord Shimada and we wouldn't know. Anyway, I'll warn Lord Shimada. Hey!
I won't make it your fault. In return. .
. send me another girl who'll make a good maid here. Leave that to me.
Damn that Hikojiro! I'll fix him! Who the hell are you?
! Boss. .
. it's been a while. Baian Fujieda.
. . what are you doing here?
I have something I'd like to ask. Of me? Let me speak into your ear.
What? You had me kill an innocent person. Coming in.
Hey, Tanaka. . .
MrTanakaya! MrTanakaya? MrTanakaya?
Boss! Boss! Boss!
That Missus probably thinks I did it. When he was killed you were at his place. .
. in Mikawacho. They won't doubt you.
And the samurai Ishikawa? Keep an eye on him, just in case. All right.
But Baian. . .
we've both taken half in deposit and broken the code. I let Ishikawa off, and look at you now! If it leaves a bad taste, why do it?
You have a good heart. How did you end up a killer? I could say the same about you.
She's here, Doctor. I'll be going. Are we interrupting?
Innkeeper. . .
this is Omon. She's worked at Manshichi. In Yagenbori?
Could you take her on here? She's a good maid. I'd like her to find a better place.
If you say that, it's fine with me. Then we'll talk later. Fine.
Excuse me. Doctor. .
. You don't have to stay there. I don't want you to.
Doctor. . .
weren't you in love with the Missus there? I'm sorry. She's had something terrible happen to her today.
What? One of her best customers died suddenly. In a guest room.
Murdered? No. The officials came, and a doctor.
The blood stopped flowing in his brain, they said. So he died. I see.
Doctor, if I start working here, will I still see you? That's the reason I asked. I'm glad.
Thank you. I'll put more needles in you. Will you stop it!
Don't touch me! Witch! What did you say?
What? ! 'Witch', I said!
You've ruined both me and the Manshichi! I have? Is it my fault you're sick, and no help around here?
Who saved this place from ruin? ! Leave, will you?
You want to drive me away? That's funny. Then do it, if you can.
Come on! Make me disappear! What's so funny?
Listen. . .
we serve public officials here. Our best customers are on my side. I've done all I can to make this place grow.
And what have you done? Nothing but have sex with me. You old lecher!
Do what I say! I know what you did. .
. to make me yours! Were you doing it with Tanakaya, too?
Did you just seduce me to take over the Manshichi? If you did, I'll. .
. I'll. .
. Kill me. If you can, with those hands.
Kill me! Go on! You can't, can you.
A man who never once got his hands dirty. You and I were born into different worlds! Okichi, you're pretty.
Thank you! Excuse me. Sir.
. . I'm very sorry!
Tanakaya's dead. We can't help that. The contractor he hired is no good, either.
That doesn't matter. I've taken care of that. I see.
Damn you! Damn you! You bastard!
Squire Ishikawa! Miss Ochie. .
. Doctor? What is it?
I thought I heard a noise from the cottage room. As a doctor I was worried, but it was nothing. You're being silly.
You're welcome to use that room. I said I'd send any maid you like. I asked if that included you.
You'd really be happy with me? Yes, I would. In that case.
. . 'if you'd kill my husband,' I said.
Should I? You don't want that. You don't like men, do you.
Hm? I used to hate women. However.
. . you don't hate something unless somehow you want it.
That's all very well for you to say. Once you've tasted hell, the feeling of wanting more of it. .
. doesn't occur at all. Men and women are both just like things.
It all comes down to how they're used. Is there more pleasure in using than in being used? Indeed!
If you really intend to woo me. . .
kill my husband. . .
and be master of the Manshichi. Did you not join with him because you loved him once? He fell for me.
Hard enough. . .
that he killed his first wife. So if this time he gets killed he's in no position to complain. Do you know.
. . what a 'contractor' is?
Yes. Could you hire a contractor. .
. to kill my husband for me? I'm not joking.
If I were with you. . .
just maybe. . .
I might love a man for the first time in my life. Enough. Now, now, Doctor.
We mustn't get ahead of ourselves. But there's a fate that links us. Shall we go over the way?
It's strange. . .
Your smell is somehow familiar. Okichi. .
. I'll take your life into my care. Okichi!
Thank you! You're pretty. Did a patient leave that?
Yes. Do you miss your mother? No.
I've forgotten her. But my sister. .
. I worry about Okichi. I want to see her.
Here is the last 35 ryo. Again, you've done a fine job. You don't need to say that.
I wasted a lot of effort. 'Wasted'? That I doubt.
You just got rid of a few villains. I'm sorry I can't pay you more. I'll be going.
If I may be so bold as to ask. . .
who was the source? Baian! You don't have to answer.
Just nod. Are the well-meaning weak not the greatest cowards of all? I'll leave this here.
That was probably his sole act of memorial. . .
for his sister. Don't you just love that citrus smell! I'll make a lot.
Share it with your husband. Well. .
. if I eat New Year's soba with that fool. .
. I feel I'll be cursing myself. You're lucky, aren't you.
That fool's the lucky one! This is good! I got the makings from the priest.
I hope those two are eating soba. . .
at Jozaiji Temple right now. What's going to happen to them? I don't know.
Lord Shimada's gone, but Ishikawa killed a lot of men. He should probably leave Edo. For Kyoto?
Kyoto? I used to live there. That's where I became a doctor.
I should visit my teacher's grave. Kyoto, huh? I'd like to go there.
Shall we go in the new year? Let's do that. Hiko.
. . Another year, and we're still alive.
And next year? Who knows? Is this fire warm enough?
It's perfect, Baian. Fall asleep if you want. Hiko.
. . it's starting to snow.
The ground will be covered tomorrow. You're a better man than I am, Baian. Stay here till the 3rd.
I'll take you up on that. In the new year, Baian Fujieda and I set off on our travels. We went down the Tokaido Highway toward the Kuwano Post in Ise.
So, Hiko. . .
shall we visit Ise Shrine? Great idea. I've always wanted to visit there.
But why would we be doing that? To wash the blood from our hands with holy Ise Shrine water. That probably won't work.
From Ise we went through Iga, and on into Yamato. Leaving our inn at Koriyama, we went over Utahime Hill towards Kyoto. What's wrong?
Hiko? That bastard! That samurai?
This is proof the Ise Shrine has granted my wish. I owe him for a wife and child. Hiko?
You bastard. Now you die.
