I'm really not sure what to say.
Does it not suffice?
No, the exact opposite.
A publisher recently ordered an illustration for a hanging scroll,
and I'd like you to use these to paint one.
I am grateful for the chance,
but I feel as though my art would not suit that.
Yeah, man. His stuff looks like it's about to jump off the paper. It's downright creepy.
Don't be ridiculous.
Your works are so remarkable, they make me wonder if I ended up in this business
for the purpose of showing them to the world.
These hands are a gift from the Buddha.
Please take great care of them.
This is truly splendid work.
Come to think of it, the artist everyone has been talking about...
Episode 6
You were the one who introduced him to the art dealer at Kariki-ya, no?
I've heard he's got a rather otherworldly art style.
I wouldn't dare take credit for that. It was simply a series of coincidences.
Humble as always, Usui-sama.
What's with the serious look?
I'm actually about to head over to the pleasure quarter.
He called you in again?
Hasn't that been happening a lot?
You look displeased.
I was kinda hoping he'd whack that snooty nose of yours down to size and kick you out.
I thought you would be happy.
Why the hell should I be happy for you?
Well, if I manage to secure a livelihood,
I will no longer need to impose on you.
Idiot!
The thing about gamblers is we don't count our money until it's in our hands.
Don't kill them.
Damn.
I'm just saying, you'd better not go counting your chickens before...
they've hatched!
Well, hell.
You get a little praise for your art, and you've already gone soft?
Well, if isn't Han-Cho Kumo and Dice-Slinger Yasu.
What the hell made you pull this stunt?
We weren't trying to kill you!
Some guys said they had business with your ronin buddy.
What're you saying?
Did the guys who hired you wanna make shochu out of the Satsuma sweet potato samurai?
W-We don't know, man! We just did what they paid us for!
Here, look! Take all of it if you want!
Don't give me that shit!
Like hell I'm gonna buy a pair of gamblers folding that easy!
They are not lying.
Go.
W-We're real sorry!
Anything come to mind?
Probably one of those "too many grudges to narrow it down" deals.
Damn it all.
Don't go forgetting your meal ticket, man.
You really must be a killer to the core.
On the matter of Sakata-sama,
I don't know how to express my condolences, Isarizawa-sama.
Tell me about it.
The owner of Azumi-ya, who was meant to handle his funeral, went and died, too.
Thanks to that, I've been busy as hell.
Makes me wonder if there's a nasty disease going around.
The owner of Azumi-ya?
I hadn't heard about that.
I'd honestly rather be out drinking to honor Sakata's memory,
but business calls, y'know?
What do you mean?
This Benkei wannabe from Satsuma I asked you about...
Find out anything about him?
Nothing yet, I'm afraid.
I'm begging you, man.
'Cause it turns out the folks in Chinatown are trying to track him down now.
Chinatown?
Yep. Seriously, the headaches never end.
If I let 'em snatch Hirata Genshin's killer out from under my nose,
I don't know what I'm gonna tell my bosses at the magistrate.
They'll want me to do this!
And if that does happen,
I imagine whoever's been sheltering Mr. Satsuma will go down with me.
That sounds like a dreadful situation.
But what would the residents of Chinatown want with this man?
Couldn't say.
Maybe they got a craving for fried Satsuma sweet potatoes.
But there is the question of the missing product Hirata Genshin was investigating.
I could see that being of interest, especially if they were involved.
You think they're connected to the opium circulating in Nagasaki?
I'm just saying it's a possibility.
If I could actually go take a look for myself, it'd be easy to figure out,
but considering where we're talking about...
If a magistrate waltzes into Chinatown, the union's gonna raise a stink about it.
The Nagasaki Trade Union?
You got it.
Imagine the magistrate and the union feuding 'cause of some sweet potato samurai...
Even for a joke, it's too bizarre.
So I'd be real grateful if someone with sharp ears could maybe go have a listen.
Know anyone who fits the bill?
That's a tall order...
But I'll see what I can do.
Well, try and be quick about it, yeah?
Though I hate that all I can do
while I wait is hope our Satsuma sweet potato stays hidden.
Wish I could take my mind off it somehow.
Oh, I know.
I heard you found some artist whose work is out of this world.
Next time you drop by, why not bring me one of his paintings, too?
Of course.
Chinatown Nagasaki
I'll send someone to deliver your order later. Why don't you join me for tea?
It's medicinal.
I really appreciate it.
Nagasaki businesses have real trouble getting their hands on Dutch goods.
The English have apparently forced the Dutch out of both Ceylon and Jakarta.
It might be even harder to get your next order.
I'm curious.
I've heard the folks around here have been looking for a samurai from Satsuma.
What's that about?
If there's anything I can do to help—
Teppa-san. If you wish to keep discussing that,
I'm afraid I can't do business with you ever again.
Sure. Forget I said anything.
I ought to be moving along, anyway.
Well, that was a hair-raising experience.
But the folks in Chinatown are definitely serious about it.
And you think they may have been conspiring with Matsumine?
That's just Isarizawa's theory.
But if it's right, it would explain why they're so panicked.
Considering their business partner suddenly disappeared...
And you're their only lead.
Hey! Where are you going?
If Matsumine's people are looking for me, I will save them the trouble.
Haven't you learned anything? We don't even know if that's the case yet!
You can't just kill them all and go, "Whoops, my bad," if you're wrong!
Regardless of the outcome, meeting with them is the fastest way to learn the truth.
Wait a moment.
If they were open to discussing this reasonably,
I doubt they would've tried to kidnap you.
And?
"And?" Man...
There's no guarantee you'll even make it back in one piece, asshole!
And I am asking why that matters.
You see...
I killed my future father-in-law, and drove my fiancée to kill herself.
What sense does it make for someone like that to consider his own life precious?
You're certain you want to do this?
It is what it is.
My foolishness caused this situation.
It is best that I put an end to it.
What are we gonna do about that idiot?
Nothing, maybe?
It's not like it's any of our business.
Who cares if he dies?
That ain't gonna cut it here, and you know it.
What's this?
Is Soji, of all people, gonna talk about brotherhood and friendship?
Don't be stupid. That bastard...
His death is gonna be a bad one, regardless of whether it comes sooner or later.
But didn't the Pajama Police basically say we're on the hook for him?
Indeed we are. And if this blows up,
there's a good chance we'll be blamed for the whole thing, with nowhere left to turn.
So why'd you let him go?
We could have jumped him and tied him up or something!
Why is Chinatown after Kurima-san?
If nothing else, Isarizawa needs us to find out why.
You can follow him, can't you, Nio?
What a pain!
Ugh, we never should've saved that guy in the first place.
We absolutely needed his help in order to carry out the revenge on Matsumine.
Enough opium for Chinatown to get involved...
I really don't want to imagine what'd happen if that made its way into Nagasaki.
Well, there you have it. If one of us goes down, we all do,
and since he's already in trouble, we might as well do something crazy.
So if you don't wanna get nailed by the Pajama Police,
you run along, li'l Nio.
What are you making that smug face for, Soji?
Don't blame me if I can't catch up in time.
You'd better come up with a plan for what happens if I can't.
Good point.
We'll need to do just that.
Chinatown Nagasaki
Hey, isn't that the guy?
That guy?
Yeah, that's the one.
He seriously came here alone?
Don't worry about it. Leave him for Master Liu.
What does he think he's doing?
Get the women and kids to clear out.
He's actually pretty good.
I didn't think you'd actually come here on your own.
I heard you were looking for me.
I would like to know why.
Take him away.
What is this about?
Why were you looking for me?
So you killed your comrades out of greed,
and with nowhere to turn, you were brazen enough to come to us for help.
If I believed that, it would've made this so much simpler.
But your eyes aren't the eyes of a greedy self-serving pig,
nor of a frenzied tiger that tears apart everything it sees.
They're eyes that believe in something. So who gave you the order?
Out of respect for those eyes, I'll let you choose.
The right?
Or the left?
Master Liu.
Shishido-sama from the Nagasaki Trade Union is calling for you.
At a time like this?
Hurt him however you please.
Yes, sir!
All right. That's bait for the minnows.
Over in that direction! By the prow!
We're taking on water!
Plug it now!
Who exactly are you people?
I need to teach you some manners before the master returns.
Cool your head.
Damn it. How are we gonna explain this to Master Liu?
Don't get so worked up, pal.
Care to drink under the moon with me?
Who are you?!
Yeah, I don't understand. Any clue what he said, boss?
You're a lucky guy.
We don't kill without a coin, see?
Can't let our faces be seen.
Can't leave any evidence.
And we're not even getting paid.
This samurai is a huge pain in the ass.
I was surprised you agreed to come along in spite of all that.
He hasn't actually grown on you, has he?
I'd rather work for free than get nailed by the cops. That's all.
I'll have to satisfy myself with seeing how badly they worked the samurai bastard over.
You are friends of the samurai?
How many times do I gotta say no to that?
Go on ahead.
Ready to talk now?
I am the one who killed Matsumine.
We know that!
Where are the goods?!
Where did you hide them? Who'd you give them to?
There was too much there for one man to manage alone!
The goods? You mean what Matsumine was dealing?
Still playing dumb, huh?!
You must be cold. Let me warm you up.
Bastard!
Who are you?!
I don't have time for this!
Hey, you alive?
Come on, samurai! Say something!
Raizo?!
What are you doing here?
Well, y'know...
Figured I'd finally get to see your snooty nose whacked down to size.
My nose appears to be unharmed.
Shut up!
H-Hey!
I'll examine the cup.
What do you suppose that is?
We drink tea here leisurely while things fall apart.
My people's welfare is supposed to be guaranteed
by your people in the Nagasaki Trade Union.
A question: since when does a boat out at sea count as part of your neighborhood?
If you had spoken to us beforehand, this would've been dealt with.
"Nagasaki is a town of businessmen."
"And the Nagasaki Trade Union, who oversee the businesses, are the true power."
"The magistrate is nothing to fear." You were the one who told me this.
And yet, my boat has been raided, and the man we spoke of has been taken.
The way this was executed...
It was far too fast to be that hedonist's outfit, the Pajama Police.
Then who?
While we are businessmen,
we do not deal in the lives of men.
However, here in Nagasaki,
there is a group of outlaws who will undertake any dirty task for a price.
They cause us quite a bit of trouble.
They're known as the ribenji-ya.
Revenger...
So did you figure anything out?
They were not working with Matsumine.
Isarizawa's theory was wrong?
Then why did they kidnap you?
Matsumine had already collected his cargo.
Then where is it?
But they seemed to think that I knew.
It is an obscene amount of opium, purchased by the chief financial officer of Satsuma.
And...
It is hidden somewhere in Nagasaki.
Episode 6
Next time, Episode 7