Tomorrow night, the Shinsengumi is going to the Shirakawaya on a job.
Make sure you're well-prepared.
Yes, sir.
Ichibanboshi.
Yeah?
You're staying here.
What?
You're not going on tomorrow night's job.
I can't allow someone so flippant to wield Kotetsu.
I'm being taken off the job for a dumb reason like that?
Silence! You know it's true.
It feels kinda lame to do a job without our commander.
I want Ichibanboshi to come with us, too.
Yeah. It's kind of a downer without him.
His ideas are interesting.
It is necessary to be flexible when handling situations.
Ichibanboshi did an excellent job at the Yoshidaya.
You mustn't be rash in your assessment of him.
The Shirakawaya is the Demons' lair.
We don't need anyone who would hold us back in a potentially fatal bloodbath.
Sakuya's right.
Is there anyone here who feels comfortable counting on Ichibanboshi
when he's distracted and agitated by his brother?
We're done here.
Shine On!
Bakumatsu Bad Boys
Episode Six Raid! The Crooked Shirakawaya
Tsukito, put out your hand.
My hand?
What is it, brother?
Here.
Wow!
Looks good, right?
Huh? Where's yours?
What? Oh, I already ate mine.
In that case...
Here.
I told you, that's your share.
Food tastes better when you're eating with someone.
Fine, then.
I know it.
Tsukito's a nice guy.
Nicer than anyone! The nicest!
Uh, yeah.
Sir, you've had too much to drink.
How could I abandon him?
What?
We've been together ever since we were born. We're family.
For him, I'd...
Exactly.
Nothing's more important than family.
Huh?
Blood relatives give us peace of mind, love,
and the courage to keep on going.
Here's someone who gets it.
My name is Uchiyama Hikojiro.
I'm Ichibanboshi. Nice to meet you.
Likewise.
I'm like you.
I've done anything and everything for my sister.
Sounds like you've been through a lot, too.
But that's all over now. Okayo's engaged.
That's great news. Let's go for another round.
It's morning already. All the bars are closed.
And besides, I've some minor business to attend to.
I see.
Then let's go drinking again sometime. You and I get along great.
Let us both continue protecting our families, Ichibanboshi.
You bet, Hikojiro.
Shirakawaya
In other words, you wish to cut ties with us?
I no longer need to push myself so hard.
I want this job to be my last.
Naturally, I won't tell anyone about anything I've done until now.
There's no point in trying to stop someone who wants to quit.
We'll search for other partners.
In that case, farewell.
Rashomaru...
Yes, sir. Leave it to me.
Shirakawaya
I'm back.
Brother, welcome back.
You were out all night again.
At least let me drink on my days off.
I met an interesting fellow at the bar.
Well, you're in a good mood. How unusual.
By the way, Okayo,
the Gion Festival is coming up.
Yes, I'm looking forward to it.
You should leave Kyoto for a while.
What? But I've already made plans with my friends.
You have to leave.
All right, boys! Let's do this!
Yeah!
Nagakura-san, I don't see Commander Kondo.
Oh, yeah. He's, uh...
The Commander isn't coming because he doesn't feel well.
Doesn't feel well?
I see.
If they'd told me beforehand,
I could've given him a medicine that would've caused actual symptoms of illness.
Wouldn't that just be poison?
Poison and medicine are two sides of the same coin.
Man, this really is no fun without him.
Yeah.
If you're looking to make friends, go somewhere else.
You're getting real cocky, aren't you?
Are you trying to die before the job begins?
I don't mind either way.
You wanna go?
You may be an expert swordsman,
but you don't stand a chance against projectile weapons.
How long are you going to stand around chatting?
The continued existence of the Shinsengumi depends on this job.
Pull yourselves together.
Understood.
We've received word from Okita Soji and the inspectors that the
Shirakawaya has been making a killing by manipulating the price of kerosene.
They're probably funding the Masked Demons.
Why haven't they been arrested for it?
Because the town magistrate, Uchiyama Hikojiro, who should be keeping them in line
is pulling strings behind the scenes.
So they're free to do whatever they want.
Uchiyama's wrongdoings justify our raid.
Therefore, it is imperative that we not kill Uchiyama.
He must be captured alive and made to confess his crimes.
Got it?
Yes, sir!
Ma!
Tsukito!
Shirakawaya
Low-ranking members, to the annex.
Yes, sir!
Captains, we'll search the main building.
Law enforcement! Open up!
Search the rooms.
We didn't find anyone.
Neither did I.
Why did they flee?
Did they know we were coming?
Could it be?
Todo.
The rest of you, this way.
Look at this.
Is that metal?
It looks like a door.
These barrels are in the way. All you, Bo.
A basement?
Listen to that sound.
Judging by the echo, it's rather spacious down there.
There could still be something down there they weren't able to move elsewhere.
But this lock is blocking our path.
Ta-dah!
I can get this thing open easy-peasy.
Gyataro, you're not a criminal anymore.
Now, now. Don't be so uptight.
It's rather deep.
How far does it go?
All the way down to hell.
I wouldn't recommend taking flames inside a kerosene warehouse.
But if we put them out, we won't be able to see.
Huh? Hold on.
What is this?
Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys
That's one creepy painting.
Scary.
Suzuran-dono, this section almost looks like bonji.
If I had to choose, I'd say it looks like āk.
Does that mean anything?
Well, there's the Nyorai's on abokya shitsudei aku mantra.
And in the Five Buddhas of the Womb Realm mandala, it represents north.
You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?
But it does kind of look like it was drawn at random.
Huh?
Let's keep going.
Is this the source of the sound?
Now, this is an interesting device.
Sogen-chan, can you tell what it's used for?
No, I haven't the slightest idea.
But that's what makes it so interesting.
You wanna know what this is?
You were fools to come to this place, Shinsengumi.
What? Why isn't Kondo Isami with you?
Did he lose his nerve?
Ichibanboshi is no coward!
Oh? So you admire him, do you?
Tsukito.
This is how you use this device.
Bastard! What are you doing?
You'll find out once you've died and become souls.
So I'll do you the favor of killing you.
We're playing hide and seek now?
Watch out!
Asshole!
Don't shoot in here. You'll ignite the kerosene.
Damn it. Fine.
You can see me?
You smell like blood.
Oh, yeah?
That's it, Hijikata-kun.
You're a strong one.
You should quit the Shinsengumi and join us instead.
I could never wear one of your lame-ass masks.
To me, everyone! If we separate, we'll be playing into his hands!
You can turn criminals into substitutes,
but unless they're strong, it's all over for you!
What?
Shirakawaya
Tsukito! Where are you?
Tsukito!
I told you, I no longer go by that name.
Why'd you join the Masked Demons?
Are they threatening you?
You're too nice. You'd never do anything like that.
The person I am now is the real me.
No. You're wrong.
I used this blade that slew our father to kill our mother.
And that's not all...
Killing a great many people causes me no anguish.
If anything, I believe it is my true purpose.
Your companions are down there.
If you don't hurry up and rescue them, they'll be burnt to a crisp.
What did you say?
Damn it. It's locked.
We'll find another way out.
If there is one.
What? But the flames are right behind us.
Tsukito!
I hear Ichibanboshi.
What? But he's not allowed to leave headquarters.
He's here? Hey, Ichibanboshi!
Open this door!
Your friends are calling you.
Now draw your sword and fight me.
I can't kill you.
So you'll abandon them? How cruel.
Your companions spoke so highly of you, Kondo Isami.
Why are you doing this? I want to rescue my allies.
But I don't want to kill you.
I want to help you, too.
You've lived a soft life.
The world isn't so convenient.
Well, I figured this might happen.
Come on out.
Ichibanboshi?
Hikojiro?
What are you doing here?
This is the late Shinsengumi commander Kondo Isami's substitute.
Substitute?
And this is the town magistrate, Uchiyama Hikojiro,
who's been making dirty money with the Shirakawaya to help his dear little sister.
You? You can't be serious.
I told you, I'd do anything for Okayo.
Uchiyama.
Kill him. Don't give him the key.
Then we'll allow you to withdraw from our deal.
Try to run, and we'll kill your sister.
Kondo Isami's substitute, kill Uchiyama and take the key.
Don't you want to save your friends?
No, Hikojiro. Don't do this!
I can't fight a friend.
Don't be such a wimp.
I'm sure you can handle killing a friend.
I had to kill our mother!
Back then, I...
Boy, step forward.
Step forward.
Ma...
Use that sword to kill your mother.
Do it, and you'll be spared.
Kill your mother so that you can live.
With my own two hands, I killed her.
You...
Kondo Isami, hurry up and kill Uchiyama so you can rescue your friends.
Watching you is a truly aggravating experience.
I'll kill you for Okayo's sake!
Hikojiro, don't do this.
Stop! Don't!
It's no use.
Is that really Ichibanboshi?
I told him not to come.
Dumboshi doesn't matter right now.
We need to come up with a way to get out of here.
I have an idea.
It's getting hard to breathe.
The flames are consuming the oxygen in the basement.
Soon, all the oxygen will be gone and we won't be able to breathe.
Then we must hurry.
Before I light this, I must warn you.
Once the door above us explodes,
the oxygen outside will rush into the basement all at once.
And then?
The flames will increase in intensity.
Even more than now?
Death by explosion or death by fire.
Then we'll have to brace ourselves...
...to run into the explosion.
Fire in the hole.
Run!
Keep going!
Outside, quickly!
Ichibanboshi!
He really did come!
This is a breach of discipline! You'll be punished accordingly!
Okayo...
I wish I could've seen you dressed all in white...
Uchiyama Hikojiro?
Ichibanboshi, why?
We drank together. We laughed together.
I thought we were getting along. I thought we'd become friends.
Kerosene
So our raid was for nothing.
On top of that, the Shirakawaya will burn to the ground, destroying the evidence.
And the man we were supposed to capture alive is dead.
Can we even come back from this failure?
The Shinsengumi
will be disbanded.
Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys
Shine On!
Bakumatsu Bad Boys
You're a great artist.
Todo,
me,
Sakuya,
Sogen,
Suzuran,
Gyataro, and...
What? Who's that?
Can I keep this?!
Fin