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Guns and Consequences
Matchlock Murata: Someone. Please. (Groans) Help me.
Atsu: What happened?
Matchlock Murata: One of my customers shot me. Should’ve seen it coming.
Atsu: We need to burn that wound, then bandage it.
Matchlock Murata: You a healer?
Atsu: I’ve dealt with gunshots before.
Matchlock Murata: (Hisses in pain) Get me some sake. It’s on a shelf nearby.
Atsu: That wound needs more than sake.
Matchlock Murata: It’s for courage. Going to need it. There’s a ramrod over there. Still hot. This is going to hurt, isn’t it?
Atsu: It’s not going to feel good. Ready?
Matchlock Murata: Yes. On the count of three?
Atsu: One. Three.
Matchlock Murata: (Pained scream)
Matchlock Murata: You need to work on your bedside manner, but… Thank you.
Atsu: The man who did this — you said he was a customer.
Matchlock Murata: His name is Unosuke. Works for Lord Saito. I built him a pistol. My best work. When I had second thoughts about selling it —
Atsu: He turned it against you.
Matchlock Murata: Unosuke and his gang do as they please.
Atsu: I could deal with him — for a price.
Matchlock Murata: I may take you up on that. But first, I need some air. Come with me to my workshop. Business has been good. Clan Saito is hungry for firearms.
Atsu: The Matsumae lost a lot of men to those guns. And now, the Dragon’s forces are tearing the coast apart.
Matchlock Murata: I offered to sell to the samurai, but they don’t have gunpowder or ammunition. That monster shot my horse.
Atsu: With the gun you made.
Matchlock Murata: (Sighs) I sell my work to whoever has the money to buy it. But after today, I may have to rethink that. Unosuke must be stopped. Find him and you can take the pistol I made Unosuke as payment.
Atsu: I have a matchlock already.
Matchlock Murata: That rifle’s built for range, but up close? You’ll want my pistol. Shorter barrel. Quicker handling.
Atsu: You know your firearms.
Matchlock Murata: They don’t call me Matchlock Murata because I’m well-versed in swords.
Atsu: The pistol’s fair payment. Where do I find Unosuke?
Matchlock Murata: He and his gang took up at a farmstead northeast of here.
Atsu: I’ll pay them a visit.
Matchlock Murata: Before you go. I can fix up your rifle if you like.
Unosuke: Look how scared they are! I love this thing.
Atsu: Bastard… The homestead… No…
Settler: No! Father! Stop! Please!
Unosuke: You’re her… the onryō.
Atsu: That’s a bad wound. Does it hurt?
Unosuke: Please — show mercy.
Atsu: Not so brave without your pistol.
Unosuke: You want it? It’s yours.
Atsu: Get up.
Unosuke: But… You’ll kill me.
Atsu: I’ll give you the same chance you gave to that family.
Unosuke: I won’t be hunted like an animal!
Atsu: (Spits) You’re worse than an animal.
Matchlock Murata: You are back. Did you find Unosuke?
Atsu: He was using a family as target practice.
Matchlock Murata: No…
Atsu: Still want to sell to clan Saito?
Matchlock Murata: I didn’t know this would happen.
Atsu: You knew what kind of man he was, but you made that pistol for him anyway.
Matchlock Murata: I tried not to sell… But you’re right. There’s blood on my hands.
Atsu: The next time someone like Unosuke comes to call, remember that family.
Matchlock Murata: They will never be far from my mind. At least I know that pistol is in good hands now. If you need any improvements to it, come to my shop.
Matchlock Murata: Mind if I take a look at your pistol? I think I can put a little more power behind that barrel.
Saito Outlaw: Murata! Our order better be ready.
Atsu: More customers?
Matchlock Murata: More trouble. Keep that pistol ready.
Saito Outlaw: We’re here for the next batch of guns.
Matchlock Murata: The deal’s off. I’ve decided to be more… selective about who I sell to.
Saito Outlaw: Are you saying no to Lord Saito?
Atsu: Sounds like it.
Saito Outlaw: Ah, the onryō! Interesting company you keep, Murata. We’ll continue negotiations after I’ve dealt with your new friend.
Matchlock Murata: Your pistol has more kick. Put it to use.
Matchlock Murata: I owe you my life. Again.
Atsu: Is that why you changed your mind about selling to Saito?
Matchlock Murata: No… What Unosuke did to that family… From now on, I will only sell my work to customers I can trust.
Atsu: You won’t make as much coin.
Matchlock Murata: There’s no price worth the guilt I’d bear. Come back anytime you want upgrades to your pistol or rifle. I’ll be here.
Pride Before Tea
Matsumae: Be careful who you hire to work on your equipment. I paid someone a lot of coin to improve my armour, but now he’s acting strangely.
Atsu: Did you hire someone named Ginji?
Matsumae: Didn’t ask his name. He was at Benten Port. Seemed worried about something.
Ginji: I was wondering what you were up to. War has taken a toll on this place, Atsu. It’s dangerous for you to be here.
Atsu: I could say the same about you.
Ginji: I am the best armourer to ever serve the southern clans. I may be a man without a master now, but that does not mean I walk away when help is needed. Which includes you. What did you put that poor armour through? This war does not bode well for either of us. Nor for Ezo.
Atsu: You seem nervous, Ginji.
Ginji: (Sigh) Not here. I’ll mark it on your mark.
Atsu: I’m here, old man. But you better hope we don’t run into the Dragon’s men.
Ginji: I won’t stand by while Saito starts another needless war. I’m trying to safeguard lives but… I made a mistake. Please. I need your help.
Atsu: What happened?
Ginji: I made a new kind of armour. One that can aid its wearer when facing clan Saito’s guns. Unfortunately, I boasted too loudly to the wrong person. These days, you can’t trust anyone over tea.
Atsu: Now the Dragon’s men are after the armour, and you.
Ginji: The armour is hidden at a teahouse. The owner managed to appease the Dragon’s men with gifts of food and drink. But there’s not much time. I can get you inside if you hide in those barrels.
Atsu: What’s wrong with the front door?
Ginji: Too many bystanders. I’ve already endangered innocent people because of my pride. I have to fix this.
Atsu: (Sigh) When we’re done, I want this new armour.
Atsu: So how exactly are you getting us past the Dragon’s men?
Ginji: Saito’s been trying to capture armourers like me all over Ezo. I’m going to surrender and offer to join their side.
Atsu: That is a terrible plan.
Ginji: Too late.
Saito Outlaw: Ginji. Glad you can join us.
Ginji: I’m here to cooperate.
Saito Outlaw: We shall see. Put him in the attic. We will question him when our commander arrives.
Atsu: It doesn’t look like they found the armour yet. I need to take these soldiers out before they hurt Ginji.
Saito Outlaw: If clan Matsumae get this armour, it’ll be harder to shoot them down. We won’t let that happen. You say you’re here to cooperate, so give us the armour.
Ginji: There’s still more out there.
Atsu: I’ll deal with them — then we’ll find your armour. That’s all of them. I need to help Ginji.
Atsu: Where did you hide the armour?
Ginji: I told the owners to put it with the good stuff.
Atsu: Sake?
Ginji: Tea. (Sniff) And by the smell of it, we’re in the right place. The armour must be here somewhere. It’ll look similar to the enemy’s armour, but five times lighter.
Atsu: Nothing here. There’s something in here. I found the armour.
Saito Outlaw: Ginji!
Ginji: Good. Because their commander just arrived. Put that on. It won’t stop a bullet. But I laboured day and night to make that armour as light as clothing. It should free up your movement so you can deflect their shots with your katana.
Atsu: Guess we’ll have to test it in battle.
Saito Outlaw: The onryō. I came for the armourer… But you are a bigger prize. Shoot her down!
Ginji: Atsu! Are you all right?
Atsu: The armour works. it will save lives. You should be proud.
Ginji: My pride is what got us into this mess. But it is all I had left after so much war.
Atsu: You have more than pride — you have kindness. Not everyone can say the same.
Ginji: Keep the armour. An onryō shouldn’t fear the sting of a bullet. I will make more for clan Matsumae. It won’t win them the war…
Atsu: But it might help them survive it.
Atsu: This tea’s not bad.
Ginji: And it keeps you awake. I need my eyes open and my mind crisp to work on clan Matsumae’s armour. Stay safe, Atsu.
Atsu: You too, Ginji.
Settler: A word, friend? I just wanted to thank you. For saving us from the Dragon’s men.
Atsu: You were brave to help Ginji fight back. But if I were you, I’d lay low for a while.
Settler: Of course.