"ZATOICHI'S REVENGE" "Original story by KAN SHIMOZAWA Screenplay by MINORU INUZUKA" "Starring:" "SHINTARO KATSU" "NORIHEI MIKI MIKIKOTSUBOUCHI" "Directed by AKIRA INOUE" "Nice, warm sunshine." "Thank you very much." "O glorious sunshine... as you see, Ichi gratefully partakes of a meal... made possible bythe blessing of your warm rays." "Tastes so good." "Oops." "Now what am I going to do?" "." "This could be tricky." "I guess I should have eaten it sooner." "Are you sure that's Zatoichi?" "." "Looks like any other blind man." "But in Shimodate they say he took on the intendant's men... and the Shoten family too." "He apparentlywent on quite a rampage." "He's not going to be a pushover." "Right." "Why else would Kichibei Shoten put ten ryo on his head... plus give us three ryo each up front?" "." "So what do you want to do?" "." "He's a blind fool on his own." "What chance does he have if two strong swordsmen fall on him?" "." "Right." "Take him by surprise and he's ours." "A fire." "Just what I needed." "Hey, blind man." "What's your name?" "." "Ichi." "I don't know who sent you... but you only get one life." "You should guard it more carefully." "Azabu Bridge." "Brings back memories." "I wonder how Master Hikonoichi is." "It'd be a shame to pass this close and not see him." "Maybe I'll pay him a visit." "There's that palanquin again tonight." "A secret trip to the brothel, no doubt, but I wonderwho it is." "Say, my friend." "Could you get me a couple more pieces of oden?" "Yes, sir." "Thanks." "Could you pass me the mustard?" "." "Sure." "Thanks." "It's so much better with hot mustard." "Take it easy, mister." "That's way too much." "It'll go to your eyes." "Nah, don't give me that." "The best flavor isn't when you have a little mustard with the oden." "It's when you have a little oden with the mustard." "That's the right way to eat oden." "There." "Now it's ready." "Are you all right?" "." "Gave you a bit of a kick, did it?" "." "The mustard was so tasty... it startled my eyeballs right out of their sockets... and now I can't see you anymore!" "That's funny, coming from a blind man." "Hey!" "Aren't you Ichi?" "." "And you are?" "." "I thought you looked familiar... and I was right." "You're Ichi." " It's me." "Yasaku." " Yasaku?" "." "You know." "The one who ran a candy store." " The candy store Yasaku?" "." " That's right." " It's been a long time." " It certainly has." "Let me pour you a drink." "That's right." "It's been nearly ten years since I left here." "Has it really been that long?" "." "Tell me, Yasaku." "I suppose things have changed a bit around here." "They sure have." "There are probably few left who would remember you." "I imagine you're right." "But you know, Ichi... it's really such a shame about Master Hikonoichi." "What do you mean?" "." "What happened?" "." "You mean that's not what you're here for?" "." "No." "Master Hikonoichi is dead." "Dead?" "." "It must have been two weeks ago now." " He was killed." " Killed?" "." "Bywhom?" "." "They still don't know." "It apparently happened very quickly... so the killer must have been a swordsman of considerable skill." "Was Master Hikonoichi alone?" "." "His daughterwas with him." "His daughter?" "." "You mean Miss Sayo?" "." "What happened to her?" "." "She was unharmed." "You'll find her at the Chojiro now." "The Chojiro?" "." "I guess you wouldn't know it." "It's a brothel run byTatsugoro." "He's been the boss around here since sometime after you left." "She's working under the name of Nishikigi." "Miss Sayo's working in a brothel?" "." "We've got the best girls." "Do stop in." "Please come right on in." ""Tatsugoro"" "We've been expecting you." "Please come in." "I've been so busy it was hard to find the time." "But once I've made up my mind, nothing can keep me away." "By the way, what's the story on the girl named Nishikigi?" "." "I'm terribly sorry... but she is still ill." "I've reserved her for you as soon as she's well." "In the meantime, we have a special treat for you tonight." "Avirgin we've been saving especially for you." "Another thing, Tatsugoro:" "You asked about opening another brothel in Toka-machi the other day." "I hope you haven't forgotten what I asked of you then." "I was planning to bring it to you tomorrow, sir." "Remember, it's 50 ryo." "Make sure there's no mistake." "Also, you can't collect taxes if you worry about how the farmers feel." "Yes, sir." "I understand, sir." "Right this way, sir." "Now, don't forget." "Please enjoyyourself." "He's so full of himself, the Lord Lecher." " Conceited son of a bitch." " Always acting like a big shot." "At heart he's nothing but a lecher." "Living high off our earnings." "I'd like to take my nails to that horse's ass of a face." "It's all on account of him and the boss... that my mom and dad have to go hungry." "Stop whining." "You know it doesn't do any good." "I told you to stop moping." "The intendant is here." "Come pour him a drink." "Such delicate hands." "Please have a drink." "What are you girls looking so sullen about?" "." "You have to look happy." "Call out to passers-by with a smile." " Good evening." " Come right in." "What do you want?" "." "This is the Chojiro, right?" "." "are you a customer?" "." "Can't a blind man be a customer?" "." "I didn't mean to imply that." "I heard you had a lot of pretty young girls here... so I thought I'd have myself a good time." " Here's a tip for you." " That's very kind of you!" "Did you have a particular girl in mind, sir?" "." "A girl named Nishikigi." "I'd like her forthewhole night." "I'm terribly sorry, sir... but Miss Nishikigi is out with another customer right now." "Butwe have lots of other pretty girls." "Girls with the smoothest skin you ever saw." "If it's a matter of an hour or two, I'll wait." "Unfortunately, sir, she'll be gone for the entire night." " Perhaps another time, then." " Don't say that sir." "Now that you're here... you might as well stay and have a good time." "I guess it just wasn't meant to be." "What?" "." "The money I gave you." "I want it back." "You want your money back?" "." "What do you expect?" "." "No one leaves a tip when they haven't even been entertained." "Take your damn money!" " are you a masseur?" "." " He's a customer." "I'm also a masseur." "Then you're just the person I need." "So you'll do it?" "." "It'll be a little later... so if you could just have a seat for now over here." "This isn't the sort of thing we'd want getting out... but your customer is the intendant." "The intendant, at a brothel?" "." "Please, not so loud." "Wait here until I come to get you." "All right?" "." "All right, honey." "You know what you have to do." "It doesn't do any good to keep moping like this." "How can I get that through your thick skull?" "." "Or do you want to wind up like Nishikigi" "beaten and locked up in the storehouse with no food?" "." "Of course you don't." "So come on." "Good evening." "Who are you?" "." " I'm the masseur." " Masseur?" "." "You'll be needed later." "That's all right, Shika." "I'll have my massage first." "As you wish, sir." "We'll be right back, then." "Go ahead with the massage." "Come with me." "How many times do I have to tell you?" "." "Please, ma'am!" "Please don't hurt me!" "It's a pleasure, sir." "What do I have to do to get through to you?" "." "They're all like that when they're still young buds." "That's why it's such a joy to make them open their petals." "Indeed, sir." "That's about enough." "Don't want to damage our merchandise." "Have you learned your lesson yet, Sayo?" "." "It wouldn't be this way if Hikonoichi had gotten that promotion." "But instead, he's dead, I'm out the 100 ryo I lent him." "That leaves you to work off your father's debt." "But what do you do?" "." "You refuse to sleep with our customers." "Unfortunately, that's not a luxuryyou can afford." "Stop being so prudish and you could have yourself a merry old time." "You should just be thankful I'm the one you're dealing with." "No one elsewould go so easy on you." "I suggest you think about that." " What is it?" "." " Nothing, I guess." "Miss Sayo." "Miss Sayo." "Who are you?" "." "When you were seven or eight, you used to sing:" "The monkeys at sanno shrine" "Love theirlittle redsuits" "I'm Ichi from Kasama." "I often sang that song with you as we climbed Mount Taro together." "Master Ichi?" "." "So you remember me?" "." "It's really been much too long." "I came here hoping to see your father." "But my father" "Yes, I heard." "Whywould anyone wish to strike down such a good man?" "." "And you, Miss Sayo." "Why are you locked up in a place like this?" "." "It's all my fault." "Please take this 100 ryo, Master Hikonoichi." "It's the least I can do for you." "That's very kind of you, Boss." "I truly appreciate the thought." "But I want to earn this rank myself... without outside help." "So, although I appreciate the thought, I must decline the loan." "But why?" "." "Add this 100 ryo to the 200 you've saved, and it makes 300." "With 300 ryo, you can go to Kyoto and receive the rank now." "Father, it's a shame to turn down such kindness." "Why don't you accept the loan and go to Kyoto?" "." "It will make everyone in Azabu proud... to hear that one of our own masseurs has gained the top rank." "So whywait until year after next?" "." "Go and get it now." "Father!" "Please don't die, Father!" "Father!" "Miss Sayo, you said when your fatherwas killed... you found the toggle from a medicine caddy in his hand." "do you still have it?" "." "Yes, I do." "Maybe it was a premonition... or maybe it was because Master Hikonoichi was calling me... that I happened to come across Azabu Bridge today." "Miss Sayo, don't despair." "I promise I'll get you out of" "Here's your dinner." "are you a masseur?" "." "That's perfect." "Could you give my dad a massage?" "." "Where do you live?" "." "Right upstairs." "Dad, I brought you a masseur." "Thanks." "Please come right in." " This way." " Thank you." "I'm much obliged." "Can I offer you a drink?" "." "Pour yourselfa couple." "I'll be just a second." "Thank you." "There's a cup right there." "Here, Tsuru." "Put this on a minute." " This is for me?" "." " That's right." "I bought it for you." "What do you think?" "." "It's the prettiest kimono I've ever had." "It looks great on you." "What do you think, mister?" "." "Isn't it a great pattern?" "." "Oh, yes." "You really can't beat a flower pattern." "What are you talking about?" "." "There's not a flower in sight." "Such nice colors, too." "Red, yellow, lavender." "Nice try, fella." "There's not even a hint of yellow or lavender." "Go downstairs and show it off to the ladies." "Dad." "Thanks." "She reminds me more of her mother every day." "Her mother's no longerwith you?" "." "No, she left us when Tsuru was three... which would be exactly eightyears ago now." "But let's not talk about sad things like that." "Pour me a drink, will you?" "." "I'm sorry." "I've been hogging the bottle." "What's the matter?" "." "It seems to be empty." "Empty?" "." "You mean you drank it all?" "." " I guess I got carried away." " I'll say." "Let me give you that massage." "That's a fine girl you have there, mister." "It can't have been easy... for a man to raise a daughter single-handedly." "Single-handedly is right." "I raised her literally with this one arm." "This one arm?" "." "Then I'll have to give this arm special attention." "Yes, indeed, it's an invaluable arm." "I think I can guess how you make your living." "Go ahead." "Guess." "These fingers feel..." "like they've had some experience with sleight of hand." "I would wager, sir... that the things you do with this arm and hand... don't let you swagger around too much in broad daylight." "You don't happen to do acupuncture, too, do you?" "." "Why do you ask that?" "." "That was a real sharp jab." "Very clever, sir." "Do enough massages and you get a feel for such things." "Have you been in town long?" "." "I've been away... but I came back to visit my former teacher." "You don't mean the late Master Hikonoichi by any chance?" "." "You knew him?" "." "Hardly." "I don't generally associate with masseurs." "May I ask, sir... have you been working for the boss here for long?" "." "Not all that long, really." "From what I gather... the boss seems to be doing very well for himself." "That's for sure." "Not only has he been given a constable's hook and rope... but he owns the Chojiro brothel." "On top of that, he runs a dice game as well." "He's a real big man around these parts." "So the dice game is where this arm of yours comes in?" "." "That's about the size of it." "do you ever play dice your self?" "." "You could say that." "I'd rather play dice than eat." "Is that right?" "." "Come around noon tomorrow." "I'll help you make a nice pile with this arm of mine." "I'll be much obliged." "Where'd you find her?" "." "Kashima Beach." "She'd almost reached the border of Shimosa Province." "I don't appreciate the trouble you put us through, Takenoo." "I promise you, you'll never get away." "Take that, bitch." "Bring her over here." "Please, ma'am." "This is too cruel." "Too cruel?" "." "Why should I have to put myself to shame in this filthy brothel?" "." "I don't deserve this." "Don't deserve this?" "." "You've got some nerve." "Your family owed back taxes and could have gone to prison... so Boss Tatsugoro made arrangements with the intendant to save you." "My family never asked the boss to do that." "He just" "Shut up!" "I did it because I felt sorry for you." "You ungrateful bitch!" "That ought to teach you." "You never paid our taxes." "You never loaned us money." "It's all lies!" "It was nothing but a trap." "How can you be so cruel?" "." "Dokichi, throw her in the storehouse." "Mister!" "Mister." " are you Tsuru from last night?" "." " Uh-huh." "Where are you going?" "." "Back to town." "I'll go with you, then." "That's kind of you." "What brings you out here?" "." "I went on an errand for my father." "I really love my father." "I love him more than anything else in the whole wide world." "I bet you do." "Fathers don't come any nicer." "What do you love most?" "." "Well, let me think." "The sunshine, I suppose." "The sunshine?" "." "Sunshine is always so nice and warm." "I love my father most, and after that I love songs." "Songs?" "." "Yep, songs are great, too." "Why don't you sing me one?" "." "Let's see." "What shall I sing?" "." "do you know this one?" "." "The monkeys at sanno shrine" "Love theirlittle redsuits" "I was asked last night to the Ebisu Feast" "To the Ebisu Feast" "I forgot the words." "sea bream in the soup and sea bream on myplate" "Wasn't that it?" "." "You know it?" "." "I used to sing it often when I was your age." "One bowl, slurpy-slurp" "A second bowl, slurpy-slurp" "What's wrong?" "." "May I ask a favor of you, Tsuru?" "." "What?" "." "You know that young lady who's locked up behind the brothel?" "." "I want you to buy her something good to eat." "Is she someone you know?" "." "Sort of." "And if anything happens to her, I want you to come tell me." "I'm staying at the Umada Inn." "The Umada Inn?" "." "I know where that is." " Here's a little tip for you." " I don't need that." "You can buy something for your father." "Thank you." "Now, could you sing that song for me again from the beginning?" "." "The monkeys at sanno shrine" "Love theirlittle redsuits" "I was asked last night to the Ebisu Feast" "sea bream in the soup" "Don't look back." "Keep going." "And sea bream on myplate" "One bowl, slurpy-slurp" "A second bowl, slurpy-slurp" "A third bowl, I wanted more But all the fiish was gone" "Here we go." "Al I right, place your bets." "Even." "Odd." " The bets are in." " What do we have?" "." "Five and two, odd." "Damn!" "I seem to be having all the good luck." "Here we go." "Place your bets." "Even." "I'll go with odd again." " The bets are in." " What do we have?" "." "Four and three, odd." "The dice keep coming up odd today." " You're having quite a run." " Yes, I am, Thank you." "Hey there, mister." "Looks like you're doing pretty darn well." "The gentleman from last night?" "." "You're right." "I'vewon quite a pile." "I think you've done enough damage." "I suggest you cash in and go home." "Luck seems to be on your side." "Shall we raise the stakes?" "." "Will this gentleman be handling the cup?" "." "Yes." "Blind man." "How about betting that cane of yours instead of money?" "." "I'll put down ten ryo against that cane." "You must be kidding, sir." "A blind man's cane is his lifeline." "You want me to bet my lifeline forten ryo?" "Make it 100 ryo, then." "One hundred ryo?" "." "One hundred ryo for an old beat-up cane like this?" "." "You're on." "are you sure?" "." "How will you walk without that cane?" "." "If the cup's in your hands..." "I'd even bewilling to stake my life." "All right." "Even." "My bet's on odd." "What do we have?" "." "I believe they've come up odd." "What do we have?" "." "Four and six, even." "Sorry, mister." "You're luck's run out." "The dice in the sake bottle... are they even too?" "." "Four and three, odd." "So that's what it means to handle a dice cup for a living." "You play dice with sake bottles, too." "A very interesting twist." "Blind man." "We're not through... you and me." "What about my 100 ryo, sir?" "." "That man I was betting against just now" "He's employed by your boss, is he not?" "." "So?" "." "A man betting on behalf of the house... engages in sleight of hand... then refuses to hand over the money he lost." "Would someone care to tell me what happens next?" "." "Get lost." "All right, then." "I suppose I'll have to help myself." "Son of a bitch." "That's 100 ryo." "Thank you very much." "Give that money back, you son of a bitch!" "It must be Zatoichi!" "Hey, mister." "I'm sorry about what happened back there." "I was only doing what I was told." "Forgive me." "I may be blind, sir... but I've drifted through this world long enough to know how things work." "I don't hold anything against you." "It's a reliefto hear you say that." "You'll forgive me, then?" "." "Thank you." "There was one thing I wanted to ask you." "That samurai who told me to bet my cane" "What can you tell me about him?" "." "That's Koheita Kadokura, Boss Tatsugoro's chief enforcer." "I figured as much." "Now, you take good care of that little girl of yours." "Thank you." "Idiots!" "One blind man against all of you?" "." "You should be ashamed!" "Sorry, Boss, but he's" "Enough excuses!" "Go find the bastard right now!" "Hurry up!" "Get out of here!" "A bunch of good-for-nothing blockheads!" "I wonderwhere that Denroku has disappeared to." "He was supposed to be the best dice handler in the country, damn it!" "Master Kadokura." "You've got some explaining to do." "I think this bastard must be the man known as Zatoichi." "Zatoichi?" "." "He's a real wild one." "He even broke into a guard station once." "You think he might have something on us?" "." "We can be pretty sure of that." "Then do something about him, Master Kadokura." "I'm way ahead of you." "I lost the toggle to that medicine caddy when I killed Hikonoichi." " The blind man has it." " So that's why he's here?" "." "You have a visitor upstairs?" "." "It's Intendant Isoda." "What?" "." "He's even dragging old tax ledgers out of the storehouse?" "." "Yes, sir." "Please return immediately." "You damn idiots!" "Why didn't you do something to hold him off?" "." "There wasn't anything we could do, sir." "Good-for-nothing fools!" "What did this inspector say his name was?" "." "Jingo Odate." " Odate?" "." "It's him!" "Damn it!" "Help me get ready!" " Hello, sir." " Tatsugoro..." " I need 100 ryo right away." " 100 ryo?" "An inspector from the fief is turning my office upside down." "So you figure you'll slip him a bribe?" "." "Hurry up." "If he finds out we've been dipping into the taxes... it'll be as bad for you as for me." "I'm well aware of that." "Hurry up!" " What do you think you're doing?" "." " Who's the inspector?" "." "Jingo Odate." " Odate?" "." "You can't buy him off for 100 ryo." "Not even for 1000 ryo." "How can you be so sure?" "." "For this 100 ryo, I'll take care of the problem for you." "If you want to keep your dirty little scheme from the fief... there's only one thing to do." "You're going to kill Odate?" "." "You have any other ideas?" "." "I once dreamed of becoming inspector myself." "You toadied to the higher-ups and became intendant... while Odate took the straight and narrow and became inspector." "And me?" "." "I sank to being a two-bit bodyguard for the boss here." "Three samurai belonging to the same fief... and now our paths cross in this curious way." "That's life, I guess." " Look, Kadokura." " Don't worry." "I'll make sure suspicion doesn't fall on you." "Besides, there's nothing left for me in this backwater town anyway." "You're the best, Master Kadokura." "We know we're safe in your hands." " Right, Intendant?" "." " Forget the flattery." "Even if it's for 100 ryo..." "I don't particularly relish cutting down a man I know." "At any rate, I'll take care of Odate." "But you've got another thorn in your side... someone who could be a lot pricklier than Odate." "Who do you mean?" "." "Zatoichi." "I'll kill him, too, before I leave town." "But I suggest you watch your step until then." "What is this crap?" "." "These ledgers are a complete fraud." " But the intendant himself approved" " That's no excuse." "This one, and this one... and these too-- all the same bunk." "This is totally unacceptable." "I've never seen such carelessness and fraud." "Isoda may be in charge, but that doesn't absolve the rest of you." "Where's Isoda now?" "." "I'll go to him." "Bring me my horse." " Well, sir" " What're you waiting for?" "." "Get moving!" "A bowl of noodles, please." "Masseur, we meet again." "You're the samurai from earlier?" "." "Have a drink." "Much obliged." "Sake sure is tasty, no matter where you are or who you're with." "Would it be so tasty if you knew it was to be your last drink?" "." "When will it be?" "." "When will what be?" "." "The settling of scores between you and me." "If you mean the 100 ryo from the bet, I've already received it." "Stop playing games." "When will it be?" "." "I'd really rather not, but" "You say when." "At dusk today." "Where?" "." "Utsune Bridge, on the highway." "Utsune Bridge it is." "I suppose I'm actually the one... who should be requesting this match." "Utsune Bridge... at dusk." "Be there." "Tsuru." "The blind man asked me to give you this." "If you're still hungry, just let me know." "He gave me lots of money for you." "Thank you so much, Tsuru." "He's a really nice man." "He sings good too." "You know that song you taught me about the monkeys at Sanno Shrine?" "." "He knows that song too." "Is that right?" "." "Well, I'll bring you something else later." "The monkeys at sanno shrine" "Love theirlittle redsuits" "You said you knew how to handle the cup!" "I'm terribly sorry, Boss." ""Denroku the Weasel," my foot!" "But it's true!" "That's how I'm known among those who handle the cup." "When the stakes are high and the chips are down... this arm of mine can make the dice do whatever I want." "That's why they call me Denroku the Weasel." "Idiot!" "You're not a weasel, you're a fart." "Instead of us getting his cane, he took us for 100 ryo... and on top of that he cut down five of our good men." " He really is amazing." " This is no time to be impressed!" "I can't verywell continue to feed you for nothing." " Excuse me?" "." " I'm telling you you're fired." "Boss, that's cruel." "I have a daughter to support." "You can leave Tsuru with me." "I can make good use of her in a couple of years." "That's even worse, Boss." "I wanted Tsuru to have a normal life." "Please, Boss." "That's too bad." "I lost 100 ryo to that bastard because you screwed up." "Orwould you like to go swipe that cane of his yourself?" "." "His cane?" "." "That's right, his cane." "At any rate, I want you out of here." "Just leave Tsuru behind." "Understand?" "." "Tatsugoro." "Kadokura said he'd kill Zatoichi, but we can never be too sure." " Get someone to my office right away." " And?" "." "Call in all your men and start combing the town." "We're going to charge Zatoichi... with the murder of Inspector Odate." "Excellent idea." "No sense in taking any chances." "We have to assume that blind bastard knows too much." "Get to it." "Yes, sir." "Look, Boss, about what you were saying" "I said you're finished." "I want you out of here tonight." " But what about Tsuru?" "." " She's security for the 100 ryo." "Hey, you!" "Get all the men together and start combing the town forZatoichi." "Get to your feet, Zatoichi." "I believe this belongs to you." "I'm going to kill you to get that back." "Who told you to kill Master Hikonoichi?" "." "Tatsugoro." "He was acting on orders from the intendant." "Now that you know that... die!" "Looks ready." "Nice and hot." "Ouch!" "Here." "Eat." "What's the matter?" "." "I don't want to be separated from you, Dad." "Were you listening earlier?" "." "Just let me worry about that." "Here." "Eat." "I'm not going to let it happen." "The question is how to get my hands on that cane." "Tsuru?" "." "Where'd that rascal disappear to?" "." "Damn it." "Doesn't she have any idea what I'm going through?" "." "Why does she suddenly have to be so difficult?" "." "It's not easy for me as it is." ""Umada Inn"" "Who's there?" "." "It's me." "Tsuru." "Oh, Tsuru." "Come on in." "Is something wrong?" "." "I just wondered if I should get anything else for Miss Sayo." "I see." "That's very nice of you." "Let me think." "What did Miss Sayo like?" "." "Maybe you can get her some inari." "I remember she liked inari." "You can buy her some inari... and some sweet rice milk." "Take this and buy enough for both of you, all right?" "." "Tsuru?" "." "Dad, look." " What's that?" "." " The blind man's cane." "Ichi's cane?" "." "It's the real thing." "If you have this, we don't have to be separated, right?" "." "We can stay together now, right, Dad?" "." "That's right." "If I take this to them, theywon't throw me out." "How in the world did you get it?" "." "I tricked him and ran off with it." "Tricked him?" "." "That sounds more like something I" "Thanks, Tsuru." "So Ichi killed Kadokura, did he?" "." "That's perfect." "Dead men don't talk." "Hikonoichi's killer is dead... the pesky inspector is out of our hair... and Zatoichi is wanted for murder, just as we planned." "I assume your men are out in force around town?" "." "They're going house to house with your officers... so I'm sure they'll bring Zatoichi to us before morning." "Out of the way!" "If anybody sees this blind man, we want to know right away." "You'll be sorry if you try to hide him." "Understand?" "." " Any luck?" "." " No." "What's this all about?" "." "What's going on?" "." "They're looking for the guy who cut down that officer outside town." "They say the killer's a blind man called Zatoichi." "Tora, you made sure the back gate is locked, didn't you?" "." "What's all this fuss about, anyway?" "." "Haven't you been paying attention?" "." "There's a massive search on tonight for a blind man named Zatoichi." "He murdered a fief official, and he killed Master Kadokura too." "Be careful." "Hey, watch out." "Is that you, Tome?" "." " You didn't see the boss, did you?" "." " He's on the hunt with the intendant." "I suggest you get off the street and stay out of trouble." "Go jump in a lake." "Yo, give me a bottle of cold sake, will you?" "." "No, none of this small stuff." "I want a big cup." "You know, my friend... children really are something special, aren't they?" "." "So special they bring tears to your eyes." "Damn it!" "What I want to know is, where's Boss Tatsugoro?" "." "Where the hell is he hiding himself?" "." "I'm gonna throw this cane in his face and tell him a thing ortwo." "Look here." "Denroku the Weasel is known for coming through when the chips are down." "With Denroku the Weasel, you have to stick around to the very end." "That's what I'm gonna tell him." "You know... a blind man may be in a bad way without his cane... but the fact is..." "I'd be in a bad way without myTsuru, too." "She's my only child." "She's my cane." "Yo, give me another." "You're a lucky man to have a daughter who loves you so much." "When Tsuru, in her desperation, came and took my cane..." "I couldn't help envying you." "The father of a girl like that... shouldn't be making his living by cheating at dice." "Master Denroku... isn't it time you made a clean break from all that?" "." "Huh?" "." "Forgive me, Master Ichi." "Please forgive me." "If I'd only had a little more spine, Tsuru wouldn't have had to do that." "Master Ichi, please forgive me." "Yo, bring us more sake!" "More sake!" "Lay off, damn it!" "You're drunk out of your gourd." "I want you and you on guard at Azabu Bridge." "The rest of you spread out up and down the river." "Go take another look on the outskirts of town." "With the net we've spread, not even Zatoichi can get away." "He's like a cornered rat." "We'll just relax here while we wait." "Your cornered rat is right here." "Who is it?" "." "How'd you get in here?" "." "That's quite a greeting." "You could at least thank me... for saving you the trouble of finding me." "Over here we seem to have Intendant Isoda." "And you're Tatsugoro." "The dirty schemes you two have been up to" "No, that can wait." "If you know what's good for you..." "I suggest you not get any stupid ideas." "You don't want to end up like this cushion." "There you go." "Have a seat." "are you deaf?" "." "What are you trying to do?" "." "Now, now, no need to be so tense." "I'll give you a nice massage." "Boss... pour me a cup of tea, will you?" "." " Who do you think" " Tatsugoro!" "Tea." "Tea!" "Intendant Isoda!" "We've combed the entire town, but we can't find Ichi anywhere." "Look nearby." "Look nearby." "How can I make it any clearer?" "." "Look nearby!" "Look near" "Yes, sir." "We'll go search nearby." "Very clever. "Look nearby."" "Boss... is my tea readyyet?" "." " What do you think you're doing?" "." " I'm terribly sorry, sir." "Here she is, Ichi." "Miss Sayo." "What about the rest of the girls?" "." "They're all taken care of." " You bastard!" " Hold it right there, Boss." "Denroku the Weasel lives by turning the tables at the last moment." "Perhaps you'd like a whiff of the fart you called me." " Too bad." "Nothing at the moment." " You son of a bitch!" "Sit down!" "Now, Boss... you claim Miss Sayo belongs to you as settlement for your 100 ryo... but actually you had already stolen 200 ryo from her father." "It's time to peacefully hand over her bond." "You refuse?" "." "All right, if that's how you want it" "He'll hand it over." "You will, right?" "." "I'll get it for you." "Here you go, Miss Sayo." "This one's yours." "Congratulations." "Next..." "I want the bonds for the other girls, too." "They're all right here." "To think that such flimsy little pieces of paper... could be the source of so much suffering and tears." "One more thing, Denroku." "I want you to get all the money the boss has on hand." "That should cover the 200 ryo he stole from Master Hikonoichi... and whatever's left you can split up among those poor young ladies." "You can't do that!" "We can do this anotherway, if you prefer." "No?" "." "You want me to get it?" "." "Very good." "I'll get the money." "Out of my way." "Here's the money." "Denroku, I'm putting you in charge of this money." "Sure." "I'll take care of it." "Open your mouths." "Chew it well before you swallow, gentlemen." "Denroku..." "I'll take these two out the front way." "You take Miss Sayo out the back." "On your feet." "Master Ichi." "Miss Sayo..." "I'll be visiting your father's grave in the morning." "What's going on, Boss?" "." "It's Zatoichi!" "Don't try anything, or they'll both be dead." "Move it." "Get him!" "Hurry!" " What's going on here?" "." " are you trying to let the girls go?" "." "Wait a second." "There!" "Take this, you sons of bitches!" "Hurry!" "What are you waiting for?" "." "Capture him!" "Master Ichi... forgive us, we beg you." "Please spare us." "I want both of you to come with me out in front of the Chojiro." "There are some people waiting for you there." "Master Ichi." "The monkeys at sanno shrine" "Love theirlittle redsuits" "I was asked last night to the Ebisu Feast" "sea bream in the soup" "And sea bream on myplate" "I can't seem to get it right." "I wonder what's keeping Ichi." "Miss Sayo." " Have you seen Master Ichi?" "." " No." "He did indeed visit the grave." "I found this." "I wonderwhere he went." "Master Ichi." "Master Ichi." "Master Ichi." "O glorious sunshine..." "I pray you fill their lives with happiness." "THE END"