Wayward Oni Raiders
Atsu: Who’s Lord Kato?
Settler A: The new owner of this estate, and a good man. He welcomed refugees into his estate without hesitation.
Atsu: How charitable of him. Where is he?
Settler A: Making arrangements for our safe passage out of Oshima Coast.
Settler B: The Oni Raiders! They’ve been sighted! Where’s Lord Kato?
Settler A: He’s still away.
Settler B: This can’t wait! Stranger! Let me hire your blade.
Atsu: You mentioned Oni Raiders. They don’t usually stray this far from Ishikari Plain.
Settler B: Well I just saw a group of them north of here. Lord Kato’s offering a handsome reward for anyone who deals with them.
Atsu: You said you saw them to the north?
Settler B: Yes, past the fields. Along the road leading out of Oshima Coast. Here’s their bounty poster.
Atsu: Tell Lord Kato to have my payment ready when I get back.
Oni Raider: I know you’re all tired.
Atsu: Oni Raiders…
Oni Raider: It was a long journey from Ishikari Plain.
Atsu: What are they doing here?
Oni Raider: Rest up, but don’t get too comfortable. First thing tomorrow, we’ll visit that thief and make an example of him.
Oni Raider: Stop! Enough!
Atsu: What are the Oni’s attack dogs doing in Oshima Coast?
Oni Raider: A thief robbed us — and we’ve tracked him here. No one steals from the Oni Raiders and lives.
Atsu: Now to collect my payment from Lord Kato.
Eagle Eye Kondo
Kondo: Find them!
Matsumae: Quiet — or he’ll see you!
Atsu: You’re samurai. What are you hiding from?
Matsumae: The birds.
Atsu: The .. what?
Matsumae: They belong to Eagle Eye Kondo. One of Lord Saito’s scouts.
Atsu: I’m after his bounty.
Matsumae: It’s not so simple. He has trained eagles and guards to protect him.
Atsu: They won’t stop me.
Matsumae: You’ll find him under the cherry blossom tree across the water.
Saito Outlaw A: So boring.
Saio Outlaw B: Not so loud. Kondo will hear.
Saito Outlaw A: So?
Saio Outlaw B: He names his eagles after guards who complain too much.
Kondo: Talk to me, Tanbe! What do you see? Begin the search, my friend! Be vigilant, Senta!
Atsu: Your eagles deserved better.
Matsumae: You did it.
Atsu: Kondo’s dead. And his eagles are free.
Matsumae: Can’t say I much care for those birds, but my commander will be pleased. Thank you, wanderer.
Kojiro: Dealt with some nasty eagles, I see.
Atsu: Just took care of their master.
Kojiro: Eagle Eye Kondo is coming off the board!
Iwa the Beautiful
Matsumae: Can I see you again tomorrow night?
Settler: Bring your coin and I’ll be waiting.
Atsu: I’m looking for a woman. Her name’s Iwa. Do you know her?
Settler: She usually conducts her business with men.
Atsu: It’s not like that. I just need to talk to her.
Settler: Knowing Iwa, even talk will cost you.
Atsu: Can you help me or not?
Settler: (Sighs) Fine. Try the gambling den.
Matsumae: Is this enough?
Settler: How cheap do I look? What do you want? I’m negotiating.
Matsumae: Maybe I’ll have a go with her instead. How much do you charge?
Atsu: Fifty horses. A house in Osaka. And some of that lovely perfume you’ve doused yourself with.
Settler: (Stifled laugh)
Matsumae: You’re mad — both of you! I won’t be disrespected like this.
Settler: You scared him off! That would’ve paid for dinner and tomorrow’s breakfast.
Atsu: I’m sorry, but I need to find a woman named Iwa.
Settler: Your blade… leave Iwa alone.
Atsu: There’s a bounty that says I can’t.
Settler: Whatever it says is a lie. Do you know what it’s like trying to survive now? We all do what we have to. Iwa is a good girl.
Atsu: Let me be the judge of that. Because the next blade that comes looking for her won’t care.
Settler: (Reluctant sigh) There’s a man down at the beach. He knows where Iwa’s hiding.
Settler A: You need our protection, old man.
Settler B: But you’re the one causing trouble.
Settler A: Give us half the fish you catch, or you’ll see what real trouble feels like.
Atsu: You sound like the one I’m looking for.
Settler A: Who are you?
Atsu: I need to find Iwa.
Settler A: Yeah? And I need that blade of yours. It’ll fetch a nice price. Get her!
Atsu: I’m looking for Iwa. Tell me where she is.
Settler A: That prostitute who murdered the samurai? She’s somewhere safe.
Atsu: Not good enough.
Settler A: She needed a place to hide. So I provided her one.
Atsu: For a small fortune I’m sure. Your ‘protection’ isn’t free.
Settler A: Look around. It’s war. We all have to eat.
Atsu: And sometimes in war people die. Tell me where she is, or…
Settler A: Fine. Look for the tree with orange leaves, at the edge of town. She’s hiding in the attic of a nearby house. The roof’s covered in those orange leaves.
Atsu: That wasn’t so hard, was it?
Iwa: Who are you? Get out!
Atsu: Iwa? I have a bounty that you’re worth too much to leave.
Iwa: It’s not what you think.
Atsu: I think you killed a samurai.
Iwa: That bounty’s from the man who ‘owned’ me. He sold me to a samurai who did terrible things to me. So yes, I killed him. To save myself.
Atsu: You could be lying.
Iwa: You’ve never been desperate? Done something terrible to survive?
Atsu: (Deep breath) Of course I have. You’ll need to disappear. Do you know anyone who can help?
Iwa: No one cares about women like me. We’re just property.
Atsu: Here, take this coin. Use it to reach safety — and start a new life.
Iwa: I … I can’t thank you enough.
Atsu: I’m claiming you as dead. Leave tonight — and try not to kill any more samurai.
Iwa: Thank you.
Atsu: I took care of Iwa the Beautiful.
Kojiro: Who knew such a lovely flower could be a murderess too.
Atsu: You can tell the samurai they can sleep at ease.
Kojiro: I don’t care how they sleep, so long as they pay. And pay they did.
A Brokered Trust
Atsu: Is that a bounty poster for… Kojiro? That’s Kojiro, all right. Someone put a bounty on the bounty broker. I wonder if he’s seen this.
Atsu: Looks like someone’s after your head for once, Kojiro.
Kojiro: Yes. Laugh it up now.
Atsu: You’re worth quite a bit of money these days.
Kojiro: Amusing, I know. But you. You could help me shake these… unfortunate circumstances.
Atsu: I could be persuaded.
Kojiro: I’ll pay double what this so-called bounty is offering.
Atsu: What’s the plan?
Kojiro: I pretend to skip town by the docks. You take me in. You make it loud, make it public. After that, we ride to the drop off point and see who shows up.
Atsu: Then you kill them instead.
Kojiro: Not a ban plan, eh? Now don’t keep me waiting too long. You won’t be the only hunter after me.
Kojiro: You have a sword, we have troublemakers.
Atsu: I’m surprised no one’s come for your bounty, Kojiro.
Kojiro: I’ve been careful enough, staying on the move. But I’ll be at the docks by Matsuame Castle in the coming days.
Atsu: Now, to wait for Kojiro…
Kojiro: You’re here — good. It’s show time.
Ronin: Skipping town, bounty broker?
Atsu: Shit…
Kojiro: After all the bounties I’ve sent your way, Taichi, this is how you repay me.
Ronin: It’s nothing personal, Kojiro.
Atsu: I’m afraid this bounty’s mine.
Ronin: (Scoffs) Kill her.
Kojiro: Now that was impressive. I mean — please, don’t take me in! Let’s make a deal.
Atsu: Try to run and I’ll cut you to pieces.
Kojiro: I won’t! I won’t! No need to be rude. You’re really selling this, aren’t you?
Atsu: Move. I am calling my horse. Don’t do anything stupid.
Kojiro: Now that was a splendid performance. I almost believed you wanted to kill me.
Atsu: Maybe I do.
Kojiro: Such a sense of humour. Now come. We should make our way to the drop off point.
Oni Raider: There he is! Kojiro is ours!
Atsu: More competition!
Kojiro: Ando! I gave you the best paying bounties when your wife was ill!
Oni Raider: Because you were sleeping with her, you bastard!
Kojiro: That’s besides the point!
Kojiro: get your horse, the drop off isn’t far away.
Atsu: You’re calm for a man riding to his would be killer.
Kojiro: You get used to people stabbing you in the back.
Atsu: Maybe you choose the wrong people to hang around.
Kojiro: I am an excellent judge of character. I trust you, don’t I?
Atsu: It’s a lonely way to live.
Kojiro: But we get to live. This is the place.
Atsu: Looks empty…
Kojiro: Maybe we are in the clear?
Ronin: No one is handing in your bounty but me, Kojiro!
Atsu: Another friend of yours?
Kojiro: Ah! Short Stick Dojima! Trust me, the name matches the —
Ronin: I will make you regret giving me that stupiode title!
Kojiro: (Laughs) Well done… But more hunters approach.
Atsu: And I thought I had enemies.
Kojiro: Taking a break from being Saito’s lapdog, Masaaki?
Atsu: Kojiro. This isn’t helping.
Kojiro: I think that’s good enough. You’ve more than earned your payment.
Atsu: What about the person who put a bounty on you?
Kojiro: You are looking at him.
Atsu: (Sigh) Kojiro, why? We are in the middle of a war.
Kojiro: Like I said, I’m used to people stabbing me in the back. And my business cannot survive if they do. I had to see who’s show their true colours.
Atsu: This was all a test. For me, too.
Kojiro: One you passed with flying colours. Now we can carry on with our lucrative partnership.
Atsu: You know, Kojiro… When you play all sides, no one’s on yours.
Kojiro: Ha! There are no sides but your own. An onryō would do well to remember that.
Tadaaki The Terrible
Atsu: This looks like the place. Tadaaki the Terrible must be around here somewhere.
Atsu: Tadaaki the Terrible could have done this. And they don’t like samurai. I must be getting close.
Tadaaki: I yield, I yield! You must not know who you’re dealing with?
Atsu: Tadaaki the Terrible, killer of samurai.
Tadaaki: You won’t make it out of here alive.
Atsu: Well, one of us won’t.
Tadaaki: Guards! Help me, you idiots!
Atsu: Are you sure you want to die for this rat?
Settler: Tadaaki the Terrible. He’s brought nothing but war and death to Oshima Coast. Another one of Lord Saito’s dogs.
Atsu: Well, he’s lucky someone wants him alive. My blade still’s sharp.
Settler: Here’s your payment. I’ll take him now.
The Last Brother
Atsu: A tree with white leaves… That’s where the Last Brother was seen.
Ronin: (Pained grunt) Easy. I am no threat to you.
Atsu: That leg looks broken.
Ronin: (Pained scoff) My partners and I were after a bounty — the Last Brother. Bastard pushed me off this cliff.
Atsu: He still up there?
Ronin: I think so. But it you go after him, be warned — my partners aren’t as friendly as I am. They left me for dead.
Atsu: I’ll keep that in mind. Hold pressure on that wound. And make a splint.
Ronin: (Chuckles) I will — once I’m sure I won’t pass out.
Atsu: The last of four brothers. Wonder what happened to the rest…
Ronin: Can’t believe these worthless idiots all died to one man.
Ronin: My plan’s working. I’ll let the Last Brother kill everyone else. Then I’ll take him down and take the entire bounty for myself.
Atsu: The Last Brother put up a fight.
Ronin A: Half of us are already dead. You sure we can take him?
Ronin B: Relax, we’ve got more men coming. The Last Brother dies today.
Ronin A: They better get here soon.
Ronin: Wait, please!
Atsu: Tell me what you know about the Last Brother.
Ronin: He is the last of four brothers — mercenaries hired by the Dragon during the invasion. But they backed out when they saw what the war was doing to the people here.
Atsu: Bet he didn’t like that.
Ronin: He was furious. Told everyone the brothers were murderous lunatics and put a bounty on their heads.
Atsu: Now, there’s only one left… Go on. Get out of here. Need to find the Last Brother before more bounty hunters arrive.
Atsu: That campfire’s still warm. He must be close. Grave markers. Three graves… The fallen brothers. Shigeyoshi. Mitsumasa. Tadasuke.
Ronin: Step away! Now!
Atsu: I mean no harm.
Ronin: (Spits) Don’t play your games with me, bounty hunter.
Atsu: I know you’re not the murderer the Dragon made you out to be.
Ronin: You don’t fool me. My brothers sacrificed themselves so I could live!
Atsu: We don’t have to be enemies.
Ronin: No more talking.
Atsu: I don’t want to fight you.
Ronin: Enough lies.
Ronin: (Pained grunt)
Atsu: More bounty hunters. Get behind me.
Ronin: You’re… really not here to kill me.
Atsu: I tried to tell you.
Bounty Hunter: Cut them both down! Bring Lord Saito their heads!
Ronin: Impressive.
Ronin: And I thought my brothers were fierce… Who are you?
Atsu: Someone who knows what it’s like to bury their family.
Ronin: Does the pain ever stop?
Atsu: No. But it’s not always so sharp.
Ronin: If you’re not going to turn me in… What happens now?
Atsu: Now, I dig a grave and tell Kojiro you’re dead. But you’ll have to leave Ezo.
Ronin: Then I guess this is goodbye.
Atsu: What’s your name? For the grave.
Yoshitada: Yoshitada.
Atsu: Good luck, Yoshitada.
Atsu: Four brothers. Together again.
Atsu: The Last Brother is dead.
Kojiro: Is that so? I heard he was seen sailing off the southern coast.
Atsu: His grave will say otherwise.
Kojiro: I see. Then I guess this coin goes to you.
The Tooth Breaker
Ronin: What — (Mumbling) Want?
Atsu: Saw your bounty for the Tooth Breaker.
Ronin: That dog — (Mumbling) Die!
Atsu: I can’t understand you.
Ronin: I said — (Mumbling) Hakodate Shore. (Mumbling)
Atsu: Hakodate Shore? Is that where the Tooth Breaker is?
Ronin: (Mumbling) Yes!
Atsu: (Sighs) I’d know that smile anywhere… What are you up to now, Mad Goro?
Settler: (Screams)
Atsu: Someone’s in trouble.
Mad Goro: Hold still, we are almost done.
Atsu: Goro! Come out. I know it’s you.
Settler: Thank you so much! That tooth was killing me.
Mad Goro: It was my pleasure. Ah, my old friend!
Atsu: Don’t ‘old friend’ me. What are you doing to that man?
Mad Goro: Helping! You’ve never known true relief until you’ve had a rotten tooth yanked from your jaw.
Atsu: Not everyone appreciates your work. One of your ‘customers’ put a bounty on you.
Mad Goro: You can’t perfect a technique without a little trial and error…
Atsu: Goro!
Mad Goro: I only practised on ronin…
Ronin: (Mumbling) Found you, Tooth Breaker! (Mumbling) Dead man! (Mumbling) Get down here! (Mumbling) Surrounded!
Mad Goro: I may be in need of some assistance… See those boxes? They’ll give us a little extra fire.
Atsu: Where did — never mind. Why should I help you?
Mad Goro: Friendship?
Atsu: Try again.
Mad Goro: Money!
Atsu: Don’t shoot me this time.
Ronin: (Mumbling) Kill! (Mumbling) Tooth Breaker!
Mad Goro: Just like old times, eh? You must really like me.
Atsu: Just hand over the money, Goro.
Mad Goro: (Laughs) Come back if you need a tooth removed. Bring your handsome brother, too. Who’s next? (Humming) Hold still.
Settler: (Sharp yelp of pain)
Mad Goro: Oh, did that hurt? So sorry.
Settler: (Short groan of pain)
Mad Goro: (Humming) This’ll only hurt a little bit.
Settler: I’m trying.
Shinpachi the Armor Thief
Saito Outlaw: Enough! You win.
Atsu: Who’s responsible for the dead samurai outside?
Saito Outlaw: Shi-Shinpachi. He’s in charge here. We’ve been ordered to tear down his bounty posters where we see them.
Atsu: Shinpachi… the armour thief. Where can I find him?
Saito Outlaw: The courtyard, behind a gate. He’ll kill you and take your armour as a trophy, just like those Matsumae.
Atsu: I’ve heard enough.
Shinpachi: You cut through my men. Your reputation is well-deserved, onryō.
Atsu: So is yours — armour thief.
Shinpachi: Such fine armour you have. I look forward to adding it to my collection. I will string you up — just like the others!
Atsu: A better death than you deserved. But I’ll take the reward for you head.
Atsu: Shinpachi the Armour Thief is dead.
Kojiro: I wonder what will become of his armour collection.