"ADAIEI CO." "LTD." "PRODUCTION" "Damn flies." "All right." "You're asking for it." "So there." "BLIND SWORDSMAN:" "ZATOICHI'S FLASHING SWORD" "Original story by KAN SHIMOZAWA" "Screenplay by MINORU INUZUKA and SHOZABURO ASAI" "Starring:" "SHiNTARO KATSU" "NAOkO kUBO MAYUMi NAGISA" "Directed by KAZUO IkEHIRO" "What could that be?" "." "Probably shot an otter or something." "Seiroku." "i did it." "i shot Zatoichi with this." "i got the man all the bosses in Joshu couldn't kill, all by myself." "Yeah?" "." "Where's the evidence?" "." "i don't seeyou carrying ichi's head." "Areyou calling me a liar?" "." "You cooked up this ruse to get some money." "i didn't do it for money." "i supposeyou did it to earn points with your gangster friends." "in any case, i haven't seen any proof." "Where's your proof?" "." "i'll showyou the proof, damn it." " He's hit in the back." " Hold on, friend." " is he all right?" "." " Don't worry, Miss kuni." "He'll be all right." "You're going to be all right." "Watch out!" "is everybody all right?" "." "You're luckyyourwound wasn't more serious." "And lucky to have such a generous benefactor too." "it's not every day a complete stranger pays foryour doctor and leaves you travel money besides." "That's not something just anyone would do." " it's hot." " Thanks." "He said he was from Edo but was on his way to kajikazawa to make fireworks." "Fireworks?" "." "He wouldn't say his name." "is that right?" "." "i guess the world isn't filled with just demons." "Could i have one ofthose, please?" "." "Hereyou go." "Can we have one too?" "." "We've got kids, do we?" "." "Sure thing, kids." "Give them each one ofthese." " Areyou sure?" "." " Sure." "Hey, kids." "This nice man says he'll buyyou all some candy." "How many ofthem are there?" "." " Must be 1 5 ofthem." " That many?" "." "Thanks, mister!" "Thankyou!" "Hey, mister, there's a big hole on the left up there." "Right, everyone?" "." "kids can be real rascals." "i buy them some candy and they're already playing tricks." "Look, kids." "You shouldn't tell lies like that." "You may think i'm blind, but i can actually see." "You're just trying to make me go to the right, which is where the hole really is, i bet." "You can't fool me." "justwatch." "i guess theyweren't lying after all." " Get lost, you son ofbitch!" " What'reyou trying to do?" "." "You don't know whatyou're talking about." "Zatoichi has already left for kajikazawa." "That's impossible." "i don't believe it." "Well, believe it. it's straight from the ladywho took care ofhim." "Listen up, men." "We're going to get Zatoichi ourselves." "kill the man who cut down the boss, and we'll be the talk ofthe province." "Don't letyour guard down." "Let's get moving." "So he's in kajikazawa, is he?" "." "Perfect." "So what's it going to be?" "." "Areyou mute?" "." "We're challenging you to a match." "With a dojo like this, you must be a man of some skill." "Answer him!" "This is just a small-town dojo." "Townsmen and farmers come here towork out for fun." "Quiet!" "You think the martial arts arejust fun and games?" "." "i'll showyou the true way ofthe sword." "On your feet!" "Please do not ask this of me." "You refuse even a practice round?" "." "Then pay us each a ryo, five ryo altogether." "Five ryo?" "." "Or shall we tear this place to pieces?" "." "No, sir." "Damn it!" "What's with this rabble?" "." "Scram!" "Get out ofhere!" "This isn't a show." "What's so funny, mister?" "." "i said it's not a show." "i'm a blind man, so i couldn't see it even ifit were a show." "Don't get smart with me!" "What?" "." "What doyou want with me?" "." "We're going to teach you a lesson for laughing at us." "You mean to say you want to cross swords with me, a blind man?" "." "That's right." "But what can you prove by" "All right, i'll do it." "i'll acceptyour challenge." "just give me a minute." "Master swordsman Shusaku Chiba used to say," ""Closeyour eyes and wait foryourfoe's sword to move." "Then, ifyou bring your sword down at the same moment, the worst that can happen is you'll both go down."" "in my case, my eyes are closed to begin with." "What'reyou muttering about?" "." "Areyou ready?" "." "just a second." "i don't want to get beat up over and over, so perhaps you could all hit me at once." "You've got a real lip on you." "All right." "You asked for it." "The shoulder litter is 90 mon." "You're heavier than you look, mister." "You're covering my eyes." "You're sure that when i get to kajikazawa i'll find this man from Edo?" "." "He must be the fireworks maker that Boss Bunkichi called in from Edo." "i see. i'm glad to hear it." "He's been here four or five days now." "Thanks to Bunkichi, we'll have some great fireworks again this year." "Fireworks likeyou'd normally have to go to Edo to see." "Since lastyear, we've had them right here at home." "is that right?" "." "is the fireworks maker staying at that boss's place, then?" "." "i think he stays in his workshop by the river." "Here we are." "Thankyou very much." "You really are heavy, aren'tyou?" "." "i suppose so." "Hereyou go." "Thanks." "And the change-  keep the change?" "." "Thanks." " No, i'd like to have my change." "Hello." "i'm the blind man you helped in katase." "Sir?" "." "What the blazes?" "." "Something's not right." "is he deaf?" "." "ifhe's deafand i'm blind, we could have a problem." "Excuse me, but i'm the blind man you helped in katase." "The blind man?" "." "Thatwas you?" "." "i wantyou to know how indebted i am toyou." "it wasn't me." "The one who helped you was Miss kuni." "Miss kuni?" "." "Where can i find this Miss kuni?" "." "That way." "That way?" "." "i could really use something to eat." " We're on ourway." " Thanks." "Boss says he's going out and needs an escort." "All right." "He's crossing the river to talk to Yasugoro about the fireworks show we're putting on." " Hereyou go." " Thankyou, sir." "i don't know why Boss thinks he has to talk to Yasugoro." "ifhe wants to open his own purse to give the village folk a show, why should he care what Yasugoro thinks?" "." "That's just the way he is." "Don't scare me like that!" "What doyou want?" "." "Oh, bother." "You made me lose my place." "The boss is leaving." "Take care, Father." "Your sword, Father." "i don't need that." "But, boss-- i'm not going to pick a fight." "Take care, sir." "Excuse me." "You're that man from katase!" "You must be Miss kuni." "i wanted to tell you how grateful i am." "ifyou hadn't come to my rescue, i would have" "Please, you mustn't." "Miss kuni, we're going down to check on things at the ford." "Thankyou." "Mekichi, promise me you'll watch your temper." "i know how disagreeable those folks across the river can be, butyou're not to let them provokeyou." "With their endless insults, anybody's blood would boil." "i know, but we don't want any trouble before the fireworks." "i understand." "We'll seeyou later." "Please get up offyour knees and come with me." "i'm much obliged." "i'm so glad you came." "You must be hungry." "Thanks, but i ate just a little bit ago." "Really?" "." "You needn't be polite." "Mine, could you lend him a hand?" "." "He's blind." "Right this way, sir." "Get him something to eat-- whateverwe have on hand." "Please don't go to any trouble." "We don't have much to offer, but now thatyou're here, i hopeyou can stay a while." "For the summer festival we'll be having beautiful fireworks." "You should at least stay until then and see the-- i'm sorry." "i wasn't thinking." "Think nothing ofit." "i sometimes see fireworks in my dreams." "i hear the sound ofthe fireworks shooting up, and then a huge flower of color bursts open in the sky." "They really are beautiful, aren't they?" "." "Even ifi can't see the fireworks, i love just hearing them go off." "What areyou babbling about?" "." "Miss kuni went on inside." "is that right?" "." "i was actuallywondering." " Miss Mine?" "." " Goodness!" "You've already learned my name?" "." "Yes, i'm very good with names." "Here's your rice." " Your chopsticks." " Thankyou." "Can i askyou something?" "." "i'll bet Miss kuni is a very prettywoman, isn't she?" "." "She certainly is." "She makes even a woman's heart skip a beat." "But a woman can be too pretty, you know." "Why doyou say that?" "." "When a woman's so pretty, men can find it hard to approach her." "Miss kuni hasn't had any luck finding a husband." "Let me getyou some tea." "Thanks." "You must really be hungry." "Check." "You're sureyou want to do that?" "." "it's time for me to throw up my hands, boss." "What'reyou talking about?" "." "ifyou move here, you can still get away." "Check." "Check." "Nowyou really are finished." "There's a right moment for everything." "Sit around twiddling your thumbs too long, and your king winds up getting knocked offthe board." "That's the truth." "Sorry to keepyou waiting, Bunkichi." "Not at all." "Perhaps i can go head-to-head with you sometime." "When you and i go head-to-head, it may not be across a chess board." "Want to meet me down by the river, make it a real spectacle?" "." "That would be a spectacle." "i understand you're planning some fireworks again this year." "That's what i came to see you about." "Hold it right there." "Look, Bunkichi." "For gamblers likeyou and me, the summer festival and New Year's are our peak seasons." "We don't have to raise a finger, and the money comes rolling in." "Sowhy doyou have to go and distract people with a free fireworks show?" "." "it cuts into our business." "i don't want to hear about it." "By the way, Bunkichi, haveyou reached a decision about what we discussed before-- the concession at the ford on the river?" "." "i'd rather not talk about that." "Does that mean you're turning me down?" "." "i'm offering to payyou 300 ryo for the rights to the ford." " it's not about the money." " What, then?" "." "Let's just talk about the fireworks today." "i don't want to hear about that!" "Look, Bunkichi." "i suggest you keep one thing in mind." "The intendant himself is the one who's saying the concession at the ford should pass from you to me." "Boss Bunkichi's back." "Welcome back, sir." " How did it go?" "." " Huh?" "." "Fine." "Welcome back, sir." "So it's all settled." "Shows you what our boss is made of." "Yasugoro talks big, but he's no match for Boss Bunkichi." "You're damn right." "They didn't settle a thing." "The boss only said that so Miss kuni and the others wouldn't worry." "But we're the ones putting on the fireworks." " Who cares whether they like it or not?" "." " it's not just the fireworks." "Yasugoro has been eyeing the concession at the ford for a long time." "Our boss charges so little at the ford that travelers and locals call him "Buddha Bunkichi."" "That's what bugs Yasugoro." "He wants to take over and charge three and four times more." " He figures it's easy money." " But there's not a chance in hell" "The bastard is trying to bring in the intendant." "His sister is the intendant's mistress, so she must be sweet-talking the intendant for him." "Damn that son ofa bitch." " Master ichi." " Yes?" "." "You needn't do that." "You've been so generous with your hospitality." "i need to at least make myself useful." "There's really no need." "just enjoyyourself." " i really appreciateyour kindness." " Master ichi, this is one ofthe summer kimonos we're giving out forthe festival." "it's foryou towear on the night ofthe fireworks." "You're much too kind." "i can't" "Please take it." "i wantyou to have it." "Well, ifyou insist." "i haven't worn a summer kimono in years." " i hopeyou like it." " Of course i do." "it's not everyday i receive a gift from such a pretty lady." "Oh, my, as ifyou can tell what i look like." "i can tell, all right." "ifi could see, i probably wouldn't even dare come nearyou on account ofbeing too embarrassed." "Let's go inside for some tea." " Excuse me, but" " What?" "." "i heard talk of some boss across the river who's trying to make trouble foryou here." "it's nothing serious, really." "i see." "A gangsterwho joins hands with the intendant is lower than low." "it's because of men like that that people treat gangsters with scorn." "Forgive me." "i've spoken out of place." "Not at all." "it's exactly as you say." "Master ichi." "You're a special person, Master ichi." "i'll takeyou across forjust 30 mon." "How about it, lady?" "." "i'm looking for a ride across the river." "Atyour service, sir." "Notyou." "i'll takeyou, then." "No, notyou either." "You're awfully choosy for a man who can't even see." "Not really." "Excuse me." "Could you take me across?" "." "Yeah, all right, i'll takeyou." "Thanks." "i know i'm a heavy load." "just a second." "And as for the change-- i know." "You wantyour change." "keep it." "Please watch your step, sir." "Who areyou?" "." "A masseur." "You're a masseur, butyou can see?" "." "No." "ifyou can't see, what's the point of peeping?" "." "it kind of makes me feel like i can see." "What areyou all looking at?" "." "A bathing woman?" "." "So there." "Who's there?" "." "A masseur." "A masseur?" "." "Great. i'll haveyou massage me later." "Certainly, ma'am." "You must be getting on well with the intendant." "This whole area feels pretty tight." "Don't be silly." "Areyou spending the night here tonight?" "." "Thankyou very much, sir." "itwould be nice ifi could." "idiot!" "i'm not talking toyou." "i beg your pardon." "He asked ifyou'll be spending the night." "just one night." "She says just one night." "Haveyou brought that matter up with the intendant?" "." "You mean about the concession at the ford?" "." "He says ifyou cook up something he can use as a pretext, he'll take the concession away from Bunkichi and give it toyou." "That's exactly what i wanted to hear." "That's why i've been trying so hard to pick a fight with Bunkichi." "But, boss, you can't just pick a fight for no reason." "Why the hell not?" "." "Fights aren't won by reason." "i'll just keep insulting him, and eventually i'll find a pretext for challenging him to a fight." "That damn Bunkichi and his fireworks." "it's nothing but a cheap popularity stunt." "Maybeyou should just dump some water on the powder in the fireworks shack." "Ouch!" "Take it easy, will you?" "." " Did i push too hard?" "." " You have to ask?" "." "Ow, it still hurts." "That'll be enough." "i'm sorry ifi hurtyou." " May i" " You may go." "Thankyou, ma'am, but i was wondering about my pay." "Forget it." "Why should i pay a masseur who can't even give a decent massage?" "." "Get lost, masseur." "There's your pay." "Eat up." "Who are you?" "." "Master Seiroku?" "." "You've got some nerve, Seiroku, coming back here afterwhat you did." "Father-- i don't want to hear it." "i wish you wouldn't say that." "Your firstborn son has come home." "Couldn'tyou be a little happy?" "." "Seiroku." "Haveyou forgotten what madeyou leave kajikazawa?" "." "You used Father's name to borrow money and not pay it back." "You drank up a storm and refused to pay." "You let people flatteryou as heir to this house, then went and smeared mud on all our faces, getting one oftheyoung men hurt, and nearly getting arrested." "Doyou have any idea what Father and kuni went through foryou?" "." "Of courseyou don't." "You're nothing but a brute." "Get out of our house." "i know i wasn't a model son." "i'm not proud ofthe things i did." "That's why i went away, to learn what i needed to know as heir to" "Mekichi, please go heat up the bath." "Yes, Miss kuni." "Shizu, let's celebrate by making some red-bean rice." "Or perhaps some sweet rice cakes." "kuni." "Father." "Hurry and get the bath started." "Yes, sir." "Father." "Master Kyubei." "Hard at work, i see." "We're celebrating today, so i brought you some sake too." "Why the celebration?" "." "My little brother came home after being gone for a year." "Your brother?" "." "That's good news." "This year's fireworks will be that much more special." "just two more days, Kyubei." " Will everything be ready?" "." " Don't worry." "You're the" "Maybe not." "Mekichi, come here a second." "Why is that guy ichi staying here?" "." "The masseur?" "." "He showed up three days ago." "What did he come for?" "." "To thank Miss kuni for saving him when he almost got killed on the road." "kuni saved him?" "." "i see." "So that's why he's still alive." "Did the masseur say anything about me?" "." " No." " You're sure?" "." "Doyou know him from somewhere?" "." "How would i know a guy like that?" "." "Go back to work." "So that's what happened." "i don't think he's on to meyet." "justyou wait." "it won't be long before i take control ofthis ford, and all of kajikazawa." "Boss." "i hear Bunkichi's son has come home." "That good-for-nothing Seiroku's back?" "." "Why should i care?" "." "Who are those guys?" "." "i haven't seen them around here before." "You think they might be on theirway to Bunkichi's place?" "." "Let's see what we can find out." "ifwe can get them on our side, they could come in handy." "Takematsu, go talk to them." "Hello there." "Where mightyou swordsmen be going?" "." "ifyou're looking for a place to stay, we'd be happy to oblige." "ifyou're good with a sword, you might even get something extra." "My good sir." "Perhaps you could consider that enough of a lesson." "Who mightyou be?" "." "This is Boss Yasugoro ofTakeya." " What's that?" "." " it's to repair my man's offense." "i wonder ifi could interest you swordsmen in a small moneymaking proposition." "Nothing more than child's play, really." "i'll payyou well foryourtrouble." "Give me some sake, will you?" "." "Hereyou are, sir." "Thanks." "What's going on, fellas?" "." "Some guys came to us from Yasugoro across the river" "From Yasugoro?" "." "They said the ford's soon going to be underYasugoro's control, so we shouldn't go to work tomorrow." "What?" "." "They said we should all go to Yasugoro's place instead." "We told them Boss Bunkichi has been good to us, so we can't turn our back on him, and suddenly they start" "Damn bastards!" "Are they still around?" "." " Probably, at the ford." " They're asking for it!" "i supposeyou're all aware that this ford is part of Boss Bunkichi's territory." "So?" "." "ifyou cross the river looking for trouble, be ready for the consequences." "You sound like a live one." "Who the hell areyou?" "." "Me?" "." "i'm Boss Bunkichi's son." "Soyou're him?" "." "Catching you was easier than i expected." "What doyou mean by that?" "." "Damn it!" "What doyou thinkyou're doing?" "." "Let me go, damn it!" "Let me go!" "You say Seiroku never came home last night?" "." "No." "He probably got caught up in some all-night dice game again." "We should just forget about him." "You didn't really expect him to turn over a new leaf, did you?" "." "Boss, Matsuji is here from Yasugoro's place." "What?" "." "Seiroku drew his sword on Yasugoro?" "." "That's right." "As the boss was getting out ofthe bath," "Seiroku came charging at him from the garden." "Fortunately, the boss escaped with barely a scratch, but whywould your son want to kill our boss?" "." "He must have had a reason." "Forgive me for being blunt, Boss Bunkichi, but we figure you must have sent him." "Don't be ridiculous." "Why should i want to harm Yasugoro?" "." "That's complete nonsense." "What reason could Seiroku have" " for trying to kill our boss?" "." " i have no idea." "Sorry, butyou're not getting offthat easy." "You're his father." "You can't distance yourselffrom what he's done." "Where's Seiroku now?" "." "He's tied up in our backyard." "Under our code ofhonor, we have every right to truss him and throw him in the river, or to slowly torture him to death." "But since he's the heir to the Tsumugi house, we've come to see whatyou have to say about it." "What exactly does Yasugoro want?" "." "Speak plainly." "All right." "He offers you three options." "Come out and fight him man-to-man, according to our code ofhonor." "Or ifyou'd rather settle the matter quietly, turn the concession at the ford over to him." "ifyou don't agree to either ofthese options, then we'll torture your son to death." "Those areyour choices, and he wants a clear answer." "All right." "i'm not going to fight, and i refuse to turn over my rights at the ford." "So that leaves the third option-- your son's life." "Areyou saying we can do with him as we please?" "." " Father." " Stay out ofthis." "Boss Bunkichi, we'll giveyou until nightfall to reconsider." "ifwe don't hear from you by then, you know what to expect." "That son of a bitch!" "Prepare for battle, men!" "Hold it!" "We're not going to fall into their trap." "it's obvious what Yasugoro is up to." "He wants to draw us into a fight in order to take over at the ford." "He's got the intendant behind him." "What doyou intend to do, Father?" "." "Unless we do something, Seiroku will be killed." "i'm not especially fond ofSeiroku, but he's the only brother i have, and he's your only son." "How can you stand idly by and let them kill him?" "." "Don't worry, Shizu." "Your brother's not going to die that easily." "They need him as bait." "But" "One misstep now and we'll play right into their hands." "Don't anybody try to be a hero!" "i see." "He says we can do what we want with Seiroku?" "." "That's right. i said we'd give him until nightfall to reconsider." "Son of a bitch." "He refuses to fall into our trap." "He must have something up his sleeve." "What's the matter?" "." "They're not taking the bait?" "." "That's right." "Then how about this?" "." "kill the bastard and deliver him to Bunkichi with a letter of challenge." "it may come to that, as a last resort." "Matsuji, send someone to get my sister." "Look!" "it's Zatoichi." "He's ours now, that son of a bitch." "Come on." "Who'd like to be first?" "." "Sorry to askyou to rush home like this." "We have a problem." " So i heard." " What did the intendant say?" "." "He recommends that you kill your prisoner and start a war." "You do that, and" "He'll take care ofthe rest?" "." "You can count on it." "As they say, no one can say no to a weeping child or the lord ofthe land." "Whatever the merits may be, it's the intendant who gets the final word." "That's what i wanted to hear." "Of course, he expects to be paid handsomely." "i know that." "Who's there?" "." " Good evening." " What're you doing here?" "." "You're that masseur from the other day." "it was a pleasure to be of service." "How did you get in here?" "." "i'm blind, boss, so i couldn't really tell." "How d-d-dare" "You needn't workyourself into a stutter like that." "Let's just have us a leisurely chat, shall we?" "." "You blind son ofa bitch." "Shutyour" "You want me to shut my trap?" "." "That's right." "i believe that should be my line." "i could shutyourtrap for good, ifyou like." "Be careful, boss." "ifyou harbor hopes of dying a natural death," "i'd urgeyou not to get any stupid ideas." "Yasugoro, i don't thinkyou know what it means to be a gangster." "it's not the place of a gangster to go strutting around in broad daylight like he owns the world." "A proper gangster bows his head and politelyyields the way to the common folk." "But i understand you make a habit of swaggering grandly through the intendant's gate." "it's scum likeyou who give gangsters a bad name." "You needn't strain so to talk." "just listen carefully to what i tell you." "You got that, boss?" "." "ichi?" "." "Boss!" "We should be safe now," "Master Seiroku." "Don't expect me to thankyou for this." "i was going to escape on my own tonight." "So don't think you did me a favor." "Fool!" "Get out of my house!" "You don't have to fly offthe handle like that." "Theywere the ones who laid the dirty trap." "Look, Dad, how aboutyou lend me halfyour men?" "." " What for?" "." " i want to get back at them." "They can't get away with this, damn it!" "is there no end toyour stupidity?" "." "How did you escape, Seiroku?" "." "it was easy." "Chop chop chop." " Come on, Dad." "Let me do it." " Never!" "Forget it, then." "i won't ask foryour help." "i'll go by myself and cut that Yasugoro bastard down." "Fool!" "You're nothing but a fool!" "You have no idea how worried we all were." "There's no cure for a fool likeyou, so go ahead and let them kill you." "Did you get him?" "." " He's nowhere to be found!" " idiots!" " He's got to be out there somewhere!" " Yes, sir." "That's no answer, you idiots!" "A blind man with tricks like these-- it has to be Zatoichi." "Zatoichi?" "." "You don't know about him?" "." "The man has made himself notorious all overJoshu Province." "He cut down Sukegoro iioka, felled Miki Hirate, and even attacked the intendant's residence." "i've heard people speak ofZatoichi." "So this is the guy." "ifhe's on Bunkichi's side in this fight, it could make things difficult." "Get rid ofhim for us, MasterTengen." "i could do that." "But there might be a way to separate him from Bunkichi without bloodying our hands." "What does Yasugoro say, Father?" "." "He says the intendant is going to mediate between us." "Doyou think it's true, Father?" "." "Senzo, help me get ready." " Don't you think it's strange, Father?" "." " What is?" "." "it says foryou to come to Yasugoro's place." "What's strange about that?" "." "Why didn't the intendant summon both ofyou to his own residence?" "." "He probablywants to settle things without a big public display." "You're being too suspicious." " You really intend to go, Father?" "." " Absolutely." "Boss, Bunkichi has arrived." "Thankyou foryour letter." "Where's the intendant?" "." "i didn't invite the intendant." "Think ofit as a professional favor." "What doyou mean by that?" "." "i understand you've got a blind fellow staying with you." "What's that got to do with anything?" "." "What doyou have in mind by harboring that man?" "." "i've got nothing in mind at all." "He and my daughter happened to meet while traveling, and" "Don't play dumbwith me!" "Why areyou trying to stand up to the intendant?" "." "i can't make head nortail of whatyou're talking about, Yasugoro." "Why don'tyou stop talking in riddles and come straight to the point?" "." "i presumeyou're aware thatZatoichi is a wanted man." "Harboring a fugitive is a serious crime, you know." "Soyou're saying that that man is" "You can't tell me you didn't know." "You're really saying that man is the notorious Zatoichi?" "." "What'reyou going to do, Bunkichi?" "." "ifi were to tell the intendant about this, that blind dog would be arrested in no time." "As a favor toyou, i've chosen not to do that." "it's a professional courtesy, as i said." "You shouldn't feel indebted to me or anything." "So what'reyou going to do?" "." "is something the matter, Bunkichi?" "." "There, it's done." "No, no!" "Don't do that!" "What ifyou dropped it?" "." "Sorry about that." "Master Kyubei, haveyou finished making all the fireworks for tonight?" "." "That's not anything foryou to worry about." "i suppose that's true." "There are going to be a hundred altogether." "And every tenth one will be a special new kind i created just for here." "No one has ever seen anything like them, even in Edo." "You say every tenth one will be a new kind never before seen, even in Edo?" "." "They must really be beautiful." "Listen to you." "You can't even see and you're trying to tell me how beautiful they are." "Actually, even though i made them myself, i have no idea what they're going to be like until they go off." "Master ichi is Zatoichi?" "." "This really puts me on the spot." "it's hard to believe such a nice man could be a fugitive." "i don't think Master ichi is a bad man either." "No matter how good he is with a sword, he's still a blind man." "i'm sure there must be some explanation." "But ifwe let him stay on, there's no telling whatYasugorowill do." "i wish he could stayforever, kuni, but i thinkwe'll have to ask him to move on." "it's such a shame." "Hewas so looking forward to tonight's fireworks." " Everyone hard at work?" "." " Welcome back." "Miss Mine. it's finally time for the fireworks." "You need to hurry up with your bath and shave." "Yes, thankyou." "i finally get to wear the summer kimono Miss kuni gave me." " That's right." " Thankyou." "Master ichi, the boss wants to seeyou." "All right." "Thanks." "Did you wish to see me?" "." "Come on in." "Everyone in the village is getting really excited about tonight's fireworks." "i'm as excited as a kid myself." "Miss kuni, i can hardlywait to put on that summer kimonoyou gave me." "Master ichi." "i'm afraid i have to askyou to leave us immediately." "i wantyou to get out of kajikazawa." "Here's a little travel money foryou." "What's this about?" "." "Have i done something to offend you?" "." "i asked you to leave." "Now just go quietly." "But why?" "." " Master ichi" " You stay out ofthis." "As you wish, sir." "i'm afraid i've imposed on your generosity too long." "i'll be on myway as soon as tonight's fireworks are over." "i said you're to leave immediately." "What could i have done to offend you so?" "." "i don't oweyou an explanation." "i don't supposeyou do." "i came here to repay a kindness, and instead i've increased my debt." "As a blind man, there's so little i can do, but my onlywish was to repay some small part of my debt to Miss kuni." "i'm aware ofthat." "i'm not blind." "Father." "i'm sorryto have been an eyesore toyou for so long." "Master ichi!" "i'm still going to put on that summer kimono before i go." "i guess a blind man shouldn't stay in one place too long." "Let this be a lesson to me." "i'd like to thankyou all foryour kindness." "i'll be going on myway now." "You're not staying for the fireworks?" "." "Take care ofyourself." " Good-bye." " Thanks." "Master Seiroku." "You really shouldn't go around shooting people with guns." "The boss is ready to go." "Hurry up, Father." "The fireworks are going to start." " Don't be in such a rush." " i'm going on ahead." "Enjoy the fireworks, sir." "i hearyou let Zatoichi go." "That's just what i expected you to do." "From now on, the concession at the river is mine." " Any objections?" "." " You son of a bitch!" "ifyou care to object, i'll have to askyou to die." "The fireworks have started." "Master Kyubei was boasting that every tenth one would be special." "Wish i could see them." "There's the fifth one." "Hey, he's back." "Yasugoro's having himself some fun at Bunkichi's." "This is for taking care ofichi." " What doyou want to do?" "." " About what?" "." "ichi." "You guys are no match for him." "You gotyour money." "No sense in getting hurt." "That's true." "That Yasugoro is a scheming son ofa bitch." "And what a fool Bunkichi was!" "First he harbors a fugitive, then he helps him escape." "Sooner or later the intendant was going to string him up." "He was a dead man no matterwhat he did." "That's whatyou get for being so nice." "You mean like us." "Let's get going." "is it true, whatyou said just now?" "." "Whywouldn't it be?" "." "i imagine it's all over by now." "So that's why he told me to leave." "What doyou intend to do?" "." "Go back?" "." "Areyou going back?" "." "it's all mine now." "Boss, you're sure ichi's taken care of?" "." "Don't worry about him." "He's got five samurai on his tail." "You posted those guards, didn'tyou?" "." "Yes, sir." "All the way from here to the river." "Miss kuni." "Please open up!" "i have a message from Master ichi." "He says to go on with the fireworks, in memory ofthe boss and Seiroku." "Where's Master ichi now?" "." "He said it's the least he can do and went across the river to payYasugoro a visit." "Master ichi." "Damn these mosquitoes." "What a raw deal." "The others are drinking it up, and we're stuck standing guard." "it's a raw deal, all right." "Even Bunkichi's dead." "Who's left to retaliate?" "." "That's right." "Maybe we should just go home." "Let's go home." "Lay off, will you?" "." " it's just a horse." " Don't scare us." " it's the fireworks!" " Son of a bitch!" "Who do they think they are?" "." "Boss!" "Where are you going in such a hurry?" "." "ifyou're looking for me, i've saved you the trouble." "i've been sitting right here waiting foryou." "You blind son ofa bitch." "Yasugoro." "i never draw first, but i've had about all i can take from you." "Yeah?" "." "What can a blind swordsman do?" "." "Drive him into a corner and strike him down." "in the dark, i have the advantage." "it turns you all into blind men." "ifyou want to throw awayyour life, come right on in." "What's the matter?" "." "What'reyou waiting for?" "." "Go get him!" "Damn it!" "Can't any ofyou kill one lousy blind man?" "." "Go get him!" "They saywhen you stutter like that, you're ready to be killed." "What's the matter?" "." "Aren'tyou going to draw?" "." "Your boss is trapped in a corner, and none ofyou has the guts to save him?" "." "Yasugoro, you sure know how to pick 'em, don'tyou?" "." "THE END @ 1 964 DAi Ei CO." "LTD."