"The year, 1582." "The place, Honno-ji Temple in Kyoto." "On the verge of uniting the entire country, Nobunaga Oda met his death when his chief retainer Mitsuhide Akechi launched a coup against him." "Continuing on with the goal of national unification," "Mitsuhide sent skilled warriors to many regions to slay the vassals and sworn friends of Nobunaga." "One of those he sought to kill was Ieyasu Tokugawa, a vassal of Nobu naga's who was on a journey to Sakai..." "Memoirs of a Lady Ninja" "Memoirs of a Lady Ninja Breach the Enemy Lines, lga Lady Ninja!" "1582, lga Province" "Lord Ieyasu!" "Are you all right?" "Don't worry about it." "Hanzo..." "We've been walking all the way from Sakai." "It's one thing when you and I are from Iga, but this isn't easy for Lord Ieyasu." "Can't we rest for a bit?" "Now that Lord Nobunaga's committed suicide, we can't waste any time returning to our own land of Okazaki." "But it will take ten days to reach Okazaki." "What if we're fou nd by Akechi's forces?" "We can get there in seven days if we cross the Iga mountains." "Please, leave this in the hands of Iga natives." "All right." "We'll put our fate in lga's hands." "Yes, sir." "Chubee." "Go on ahead to the village of Iga, and tell Tanbanokami Momochi what we just discussed." "Yes, sir!" "Omi, lga, Yamato" "There are three routes to get from Sakai to Okazaki, but to take any of them you must pass by an inn town called Tsuge." "Akechi's forces might be lying in wait there to ambush Lord Ieyasu." "Yes, but we would be heavily outnumbered fighting them head-on." "Let's send a ninja into Tsuge, gather intelligence, and then attack Akechi's forces." "Do you know anyone suited for the job?" "I recommend Kaede, the Iga lady ninja, for this task." "Kaede?" "Tsuge is probably already controlled by Akechi's forces." "You want to send a lady ninja into that situation?" "I feel a woman would do a better job deceiving the enemy than a man." "Are you confident of her skills?" "Narutaki Inn" "I need to see an employee." "How can I help you?" "Are any rooms open?" "Yes, we have one." "Okay, good." "We received word that one of Nobunaga's men is hiding in this inn." "We're going to search it until we find him." "Identify yourself!" "Please sir!" "Nobody like that is here!" "Oh, shut up!" "Let's see your face." "Thanks." "Who is he?" "One-eyed Byakurou." "One-eyed Byakurou?" "He commands the Akechi forces in Iga." "If he finds any remnants of Nobu naga's army in this town, he'll kill them!" "Akechi's forces..." "You're Naritoshi Mori, one of Nobunaga's pages." "You have the wrong man, sir." "I am just a peddler." "Die!" "Bastard!" "Get back here!" "Such a cruel act..." "That's what happens when you oppose Byakurou." "Make sure you remember that!" "Hey, bring some sake." "Make it snappy." "Yes, sir." "Right away." "Well, well..." "How long's this pretty girl been here?" "What do you charge per night?" "She's a customer, not a prostitute!" "You need to learn to keep quiet!" "Come spend the night with me, girly." "I'll treat you nicely." "Lord Byakurou!" "How dare you!" "Hey, bitch..." "Just who do you think he is!" "He's Lord Byakurou, commander of the Iga Akechi army!" "Hold on a minute." "This girl's got a lot of spirit." "I like that." "Don't." "I'd rather not tangle with you..." "Oh really?" "That's enough!" "Would you mind not fighting in here?" "Go on, put those dangerous things away." "Come on." "You're inconveniencing the other guests." "Besides, milord." "You shouldn't get so angry at a young girl." "It's because she acted rudely towards me." "So you say..." "But I bet the truth is you wanted to have your way with her." "You already have me, so don't run around being unfaithful." "Whoa, Satsuki..." "Now leave the girl be, and let's drink some more upstairs." "Sure..." "Milord." "Please don't mess with any women besides me." "All right, all right." "That's a little rough..." "Let me have some water..." "I can't go any farther." "You must endure a bit longer, Lord Ieyasu." "While it's still dark we need to walk as much as we can so nobody sees us." "We won't reach Okazaki within five days unless we clear this ridge tonight." "I've decided what it is I must do." "Lord Ieyasu!" "If I'm going to be caught by Akechi's forces and leave this life in shame," "I'd rather be brave enough to die by harakiri!" "No!" "Whatever else you do, you should return to Okazaki, gather your forces, and repay Lord Nobunaga for his kindness by killing Mitsuhide!" "I will protect you with my life to help that come to pass." "Besides, once we get to Tsuge, there'll be an Iga ninja waiting for us." "I will never forget your loyalty." "If only we can empower this enchanted sword, Zanshuken..." "You don't work for Akechi." "Who the hell are you!" "Damn it..." "Wait!" "What are you after!" "Why'd you attack me!" "Don't get involved with the Zanshuken!" "Zanshuken?" "What's that?" "Don't play innocent!" "Now who are you guys!" "Tell me and I'll spare you!" "W-We're..." "Master Chubee..." "Are you all right, Kaede?" "Yes..." "Are they some of Akechi's Iga troops?" "No..." "They said not to get involved with the Zanshuken..." "Perhaps they're thieves taking advantage of the conflict." "Zanshuken?" "Is there somebody besides Akechi who's after Lord Ieyasu?" "Master Chubee." "Do you know anything about this Zanshuken?" "Lord Ieyasu wasn't simply on a trip to Sakai." "Huh?" "I believe you know that Sakai's called the most prominent commercial city in the Orient." "The truth is..." "Lord Ieyasu received the legendary enchanted sword, Zanshuken, from an Indian envoy." "Enchanted sword..." "Zanshuken?" "It's just a sword when wielded by an ordinary person, but it's said that if you recite an ancient incantation, the spirits will endow the sword with the power to slice through heaven and earth." "There'll be no end to those who would want to gain such power." "So that's where these guys fit in." "The only one who knows the incantation is the chief priest of Ryuumon-ji Temple on the outskirts of town," "Nyuudou Izumo." "Lord Ieyasu must be trying to use that Zanshuken to take down the Akechi forces once and for all." "If the Akechi forces aren't our only enemy, it will be next to impossible for me to defeat all his men and all the thieves before Lord Ieyasu arrives in five days." "That's why I've already asked Tanbanokami for reinforcements." "Don't attract too much attention until help arrives." "Be patient, and focus on gathering intelligence." "Thank you, sir." "Guys, don't hold back." "Eat your fill." "Haven't you figured out yet where Ieyasu is?" "No matter what happens, he'll have to pass through Tsuge." "It's just a matter of time before our forces control the whole country." "What about Nyuudou Izumo?" "Has he told us anything yet?" "That priest doesn't even fear death." "He refuses to talk..." "Do what it takes to get him to talk." "If I can learn the incantation to awaken the Zanshuken, someday I'll be the one who rules this land..." "You're the bellhop... l-I'm sorry!" "I-I just couldn't help myself!" "Were you spying?" "No, I just..." "I won't tell anybody that you're a ninja!" "If you want to see me naked that badly, I'll show you." "But in exchange, I have some questions for you." "S-Sure!" "Ask away!" "Do you know where that Byakuran guy's base is?" "Well, yeah, I do..." "I deliver food there sometimes..." "But if I tell you, it'll put my life in danger." "If you tell me what I want to know, we'll do even nicer things together." "Byakurou and his men are at a temple on the edge of town called Ryuumon-ji..." "Ryuumon-ji?" "Apparently, Lord Ieyasu's bound to stop by there at some point... isn't there a priest named Nyuudou Izumo at Ryuumon-ji?" "Yeah." "They say he has some kind of special power." "Special power?" "Byakurou is officially supposed to subdue Ieyasu, but apparently he's really after some treasure Ieyasu's bringing back from Sakai." "They're after the Zanshuken too..." "Are we done already?" "Don't leave me hanging!" "Don't be so greedy." "Next time, we'll take our time and do it right." "That's if you don't tell anyone what I am." "Good morning!" "Feel free to have a seat over here." "Hello." "Good morning!" "Those swords you're wearing..." "They don't exactly make a good impression." "Is there a traveling woman staying here?" "So what if there is?" "If you cause any trouble, you'll have to deal with Akechi's Byakurou." "Lord Nobunaga only just died, and you've already switched sides to Akechi?" "That's pretty mercenary of you." "Can I help you?" "You're going to Ryuumon-ji, huh?" "You're Ieyasu's subordinate, aren't you?" "What're you talking about?" "I'm on a journey." "I don't even know Ieyasu." "Like hell!" "With your sword skills, there's no way you're an amateur!" "If you're not with Akechi, you must be ronin after the Zanshuken." "Are you with those guys from last night?" "Hey!" "Stop interfering with my business!" "Go on and get Lord Byakurou!" "Okay!" "I'd rather you didn't." "Such a cruel act..." "How dare you!" "He was innocent!" "You'll pay for that!" "I knew you were no ordinary traveler." "I'm the Iga lady ninja, Kaede!" "Go on, kill her." "Little girl..." "Look out!" "You stay out of this!" "Grown men ganging up on a woman..." "Shame on you!" "This is none of your concern, traveling musician!" "That's enough!" "You mustn't kill needlessly..." "Get lost!" "And never come back!" "Let's go!" "Thank you." "I'm in your debt." "No need to thank me." "Are you my support from Iga by any chance?" "No." "There's no way you just happen to know how to fight like that." "I'm Kaede, an Iga ninja who was ordered to rescue Lord Ieyasu." "I think you're a ninja sent by Master Chubee." "Wrong." "I'm a traveler." "There's no way" "I'd become a tool in the selfish struggles of such powerful people." "Tool?" "You and those ronin are tools that influential people use to further their own selfish desires." "I don't like leading such an empty life." "Empty life?" "Isn't it, though?" "Had I not helped you, those ronin would have cruelly taken your life." "Did you face the danger because you wanted to?" "Huh?" "Didn't somebody order you to?" "Orders are absolute." "Losing your life in vain on somebody's orders is absurd." "Then why did you help me!" "A woman was being confronted by violence." "How could I not help?" "A woman?" "Women shouldn't go looking for danger." "Women, huh?" "Hey." "You're from Iga, right?" "What's the big idea!" "I'm sorry." "Hopefully this helps make up for it." "All these fights around here are bad for business, you know." "What?" "Are you leaving?" "I'm an Iga lady ninja, and I was ordered to protect Lord Ieyasu." "I'm going to Ryuumon-ji to kill Byakurou!" "I'm sorry, sir!" "I failed to capture the ninja." "There was formidable interference..." "He might be an itinerant monk, but he's incredibly skilled." "Perhaps somebody besides us is after the Zanshuken..." "Ryuumon-ji" "You've finally shown up, lady ninja from lga..." "We knew you'd show up here at Ryuumon-ji!" "You must have heard that from that Satsuki innkeeper!" "Capture her, and make her tell us where Ieyasu is!" "Yes, sir!" "Enough of this!" "Die!" "Surprised?" "it's the hidden technique Shibo Dokusasori." "You're finished!" "Lady ninja art, Katon no Jutsu!" "You bitch!" "After her!" "Don't let her escape!" "Yes, sir!" "Where'd she go?" "Why?" "Be quiet." "The enemy's still searching." "Why did you save me?" "I overheard your fight." "There must have been poison on the tip of that dart." "So this is the end..." "I guess my life was empty..." "You're awake?" "Stop it!" "What're you doing!" "This is a safe place." "You'll survive if you rest here a while." "Awhile..." "What time is it!" "How many hours have passed?" "The sun still hasn't risen." "But you're going to need five days of rest." "Then I won't be in time for Lord Ieyasu's arrival!" "You're wounded that badly, yet you're still trying to abide by your law." "Just looking at you..." "It pains me." "I owe you for bailing me out twice." "But I don't even spare a thought to running away from ninja law." "As long as I'm alive, the only thing on my mind is facing my enemies." "That's my fate." "War is to blame." "If there was no war, we wouldn't need ninja." "I'd like to see an age without war." "Are you sure Iga didn't send you to help me?" "Then why do you help me?" "I'll pay you for it with my body." "Stop!" "Women shouldn't offer their bodies at the drop of a hat." "Is that another part of your sad fate as a ninja?" "My body means little next to the fate of the country." "And what is this "country" of which you speak?" "To what does it refer?" "Well..." "There's no such thing as countries." "All that exists are people's hearts." "Just groups of people." "A country is nothing more than an idea decided on by people." "Your beautiful body exists for the sake of the one you love." "I do understand how you feel." "I once lived by devoting myself to a set of laws." "Huh?" "I'm the son of a warrior priest." "I spent all my time training in martial arts." "No wonder you're so strong..." "If there was a war, I'd go into battle..." "And I've killed many people..." "You have?" "That's hard to believe." "Ten thousand suffer because of one man's evil." "However, ten thousand can live if one evil man is killed." "Thus can a sword that gives death also give life." "A sword that gives life..." "That's exactly what your life's about, Kagetomo." "You only use your sword skills to save people." "What made you question the life of a warrior priest?" "Nyuudou Izumo is my father." "I learned the sword from him." "But wielding a sword for righteousness is a contradiction." "It can't possibly be truth." "It's been exactly ten years since I was disowned, so I've come back to see how my father's doing." "That's why you were at Ryuumon-ji..." "But you reap what you sow." "He's fallen into Byakurou's hands." "They must be after the Zanshuken after all." "They probably intend to get my father to tell them how to awaken it." "Then all the more reason to rescue him!" "It's a double-edged sword." "The Zanshuken is supposed to be a sword for righteousness, but its very existence gives rise to more conflict." "It all depends on how you wield such a sword." "Kagetomo, let's defeat Byakurou together and restore peace!" "Kaede." "I'll teach you my sword style." "You can't beat Byakuryou and his men with your current skills." "Kagetomo..." "That's looking much better." "You idiot!" "You can't find her?" "She's been poisoned for some time now!" "She should be easy to find!" "S-Sorry, sir!" "We'll get back out there and look some more!" "That ninja bitch..." "According to the lady innkeeper some guy who looks like a traveling entertainer helped out the ninja." "Traveling entertainer?" "Go find out who he really is!" "Yes, sir!" "You Iga ninja certainly do make quick progress." "Lord Ieyasu will arrive soon." "Reinforcements from Iga still aren't here." "But I'm setting out tomorrow morning." "I'm ready as well." "Kaede..." "Let's live to meet again." "Love is forbidden for ninja." "Laws were made by people, in the end." "You should never devote yourself to them blindly." "Decide for yourself what is right." "Kagetomo..." "Kaede..." "Does it hurt?" "I'm all right..." "Father!" "Father..." "Look out!" "Father!" "You bastards!" "You must be Kagetomo..." "We found out you were Nyuudou lzumo's son." "Why did you kill him!" "Your father was a tight-lipped man." "I believe that incantation is only passed down to a sole heir." "So I figured it'd be faster to get it out of you." "I'll die before I tell you!" "Do you know the incantation?" "Yeah." "He's right. it's only passed down to one person." "I was waiting for Lord Ieyasu to bring the Zanshuken here too." "I was going to deal with these villains before they could get it." "Capture him!" "Look out!" "Kagetomo!" "Kagetomo!" "Kagetomo!" "Surrender!" "Open your eyes, Kagetomo!" "Well that's just great..." "Now there's nobody left who knows the incantation." "Maybe she knows something." "We're taking her prisoner!" "We'll use her as a hostage for Ieyasu." "Yes, sir!" "Stand up!" "Come on." "Do as we say." "Take this!" "Tell us!" "Tell us!" "Come on, tell us!" "Bitch!" "You bitch!" "Why you!" "You're gonna talk!" "You better play along!" "Say it!" "Come on!" "Bitch!" "Ready to talk?" "Well okay then!" "Bitch!" "When's Ieyasu getting here!" "Who's giving you your orders!" "Hey..." "Did that guy ever tell you the incantation?" "You've got a nice body." "It'd be a shame to kill you." "How're you doing down here?" "Feels plenty wet to me." "I think it's time I had some fun with you." "Lord Byakurou!" "Are you all right, Lord Byakurou?" "Lord Byakurou!" "Looks like you've still got spirit in you, bitch." "Do it!" "Yes, sir!" "You're going to get it for what you did to Lord Byakurou." "How about this!" "Serves you right." "I'll have plenty of fun with you later." "I'm here with sake and food." "Ah, Satsuki." "We've been waiting." "Does she still refuse to talk?" "Yeah, she's stubborn." "Well, let's go relax in the main temple." "Good idea." "Akatora, keep an eye on her." "Yes, sir." "This is good stuff." "Here, have some more." "Thanks." "Here, you too." "Thanks a lot." "I think I'd like a little bit of you now." "Oh, Byakurou..." "You never do get enough." "Lord Byakurou!" "It looks like Ieyasu's group will reach Tsuge at dawn!" "He's finally here." "Get ready to attack Ieyasu!" "Yeah!" "Where's the boss and the others?" "Byakurou got me in the mood and then got drunk and passed out." "But you'll do." "Let's have some fun." "But ma'am..." "Why not?" "Take this off..." "Don't be in such a rush." "I had to hold back when Byakurou was around, but I've wanted you this whole time." "This is awesome..." "That's it..." "I'm almost done..." "Yes, you're done all right!" "I'm here to rescue you." "What's going on here?" "I was scouting out Tsuge on Tanbanokami's orders." "In other words, I'm your pioneer." "You're a ninja too?" "I doubt you knew." "The only one who knew about me was Tanbanokami." "Where's Byakurou?" "He got word that Lord Ieyasu will be here soon." "We have to hurry and save him." "Isn't there anyone here?" "That's strange..." "Why aren't any Iga reinforcements around?" "Who're you people!" "I'm Byakurou, of Akechi's Iga forces." "I'm going to take Lord Ieyasu's life along with the Zanshuken." "Lord Ieyasu!" "We're here to help!" "Satsuki?" "You fool." "You didn't realize who I really was?" "You were deceiving me the entire time!" "Take this!" "Die!" "Master Chubee!" "Chubee, you're late!" "What have you been doing!" "You're another Iga ninja?" "Yes, I am an Iga ninja!" "Satsuki!" "What're you doing, Chubee!" "We'll be the ones taking the Zanshuken!" "You traitor!" "No wonder no reinforcements showed up!" "Kaede, your role was to be a victim before Ieyasu arrived." "But you struggled a bit too much!" "You backstabber!" "You're the one who tried to have me killed?" "Who do you think taught you the sword in the first place!" "Screw all of you!" "Kaede!" "Satsuki!" "Satsuki!" "Satsuki!" "Die!" "Look out!" "Ten thousand suffer because of one man's evil." "However, ten thousand can live if one evil man is killed." "Thus can a sword that gives death also give life." "The Zanshuken has finally awakened!" "Villains wallowing in greed!" "In the name of heaven, I punish you!" "She's just like Buddha!" "Stay away!" "I was wrong!" "Spare me!" "Sword, destroy this evildoerl" "So, a lady ninja's life is an empty thing..." "Rest in peace, Satsuki..." "RIP Kagetomo RIP Satsuki" "Kaede, are you sure you don't want a reward?" "As I keep saying, you needn't give me one." "No reward could ever bring back Kagetomo or Satsuki." "Conflict and sorrow stem from the greed of those with power." "Please, make this a world where all people can live in freedom." "I hear your request, and I accept it." "I swear I'll bring about a peaceful world."