"ADAIEI CO." "LTD." "PRODUCTION" "Game!" "." "What areyou doing?" "." " You switched the dice!" "." " What?" "." "I can tell by the sound." "You can fool my eyes but not my ears." "It's Zatoichi!" "Darkness is my ally." "Come find me ifyou can." "ON THE ROAD" "Original story by KAN SHI MOZAWA Screenplay by MI NORU I NUZUKA" "Starring:" "SHI NTARO KATSU" "SHI HO FUJIMURA and RYUZO SHIMADA" "Directed by KIMIYOSHI YASUDA" "I know a really good inn." "Meals and sake are on me." "That's very generous ofyou." "Well, shall We" " Hold on a second." "I haven't finished eating." "The inn can Wait." "We've got time." " You are Kisuke, right?" "." " Yes." "Areyou going to pay all expenses on our trip to Doyama?" "." "Yes, but please, just don't changeyour mind about going." "I understand." "I Wasn't headed anywhere in particular." "I'm so glad you're coming." "My boss Will be delighted." "Well, your boss must be an odd fellow ifhe sentyou to fetch a blind man like me." "Give me some tea." "Can We afford to stay at an inn tonight?" "." "We'll Work it out." "You three are pathetic." "Is that all you can say?" "." "Look at that blind man." "He's being put up in style." "Hereyou go." " A friend ofyours?" "." " No." "It's nothing." "Let's get going." "That Was delicious." "Let's go." "This Way." "That bastard!" "He convinced him to go." "Who is that blind man?" "." " Zatoichi, a gambler." " That blind man is a gambler?" "." "Kisuke, areyou sure there are no strings attached to this free trip to Doyama?" "." "None Whatsoever." "My boss just Wants to meetyou." "He keeps talking about having you as a guest." "You should know I Won't fight or put on a show of sword tricks." "I know." "By the Way, I really appreciate the fancy meals." "Where Will the fight take place?" "." "At Shimozuma, 20 miles from here." "We'll fight in four or five days." "I'll payyou three gold coins each." "What doyou think?" "." "Not bad." "We haven't killed anyone in a While." "We'll do it." "I have one more job foryou." "Remember the blind man Who Was here a few minutes ago?" "." "I Wantyou to kill him and the fellow With him." "I'll payyou two bu each for this job." " One ofthem is a gambler, right?" "." " I heard theyWere going to Doyama." "That's Who We're fighting:" "Boss Hikozo in Doyama." "The blind man is Zatoichi." "He's a skilled swordsman." "That blind man is a swordsman?" "." "Kisuke, you can Walk faster ifyou like." "Really?" "." "All right." "Oh, no, I forgot my tobacco pouch." "Should We go back to get it?" "." "No, it Was a cheap one anyway." "You're in a generous mood." "Let's keep Walking." "Hey, you!" "Wait!" " Who is that?" "." " The samurai from the tea house." "Maybe they brought you your tobacco pouch." "I doubt it." "Hey, blind man!" "You're Zatoichi, aren'tyou?" "." "I hearyou're quickWith a sword." "show me how good you are." "You must be joking." "What doyou Want from us?" "." "Come on!" "You Want to try too?" "." "You must be a Woman." "My life's onlyWorth 2 bu." "Areyou really blind?" "." "Wereyou at the tea house?" "." "I asked you a question!" "Ifl could see, I Would have run away a long time ago." "Then how did you know I Was a Woman?" "." "I may be blind, but I have a keen sense of smell." "Why did these samurai Want to kill me?" "." "TheyWere paid." "ByWhom?" "." "I didn't bother to ask his name." "He's long gone." "Wereyou With these men?" "." "One ofthe men you just killed Was my husband." "That makes meyour enemy." "I suppose so." "But don't Worry." "You just killed three grown men, three full-fledged samurai, in an instant." "What threat could a Woman like me pose toyou?" "." "He has no need for money now." "So long." "Bastard!" " Did you find her?" "." " No." "It's just a blind masseur." "I knowyou're blind, but did you hear a girl pass by here?" "." "No, I didn't run into anybody." "Keep looking." "What's that smell?" "." "Blood?" "." "He's still alive." "I Was just passing through, so I'm afraid I don't have any medicine on me." "There's little I can do to helpyou." "HeWon't last long." "I don't knoWWhoyou are, but please do me a favor!" "What is it?" "." "Please save Miss Mitsu." "Mitsu?" "." "No matterwhat it takes, please save her!" "I beg you, save her!" "Where is this Mitsu?" "." "He's dead." "Mitsu." "Mitsu, areyou here?" "." "It's you!" "Why did you call her name?" "." "This man Was trying to call her, but his voice Was too faint, so I thought I'd help him." "Hejust died." "Go search overthere." "I'd like to help, but there's nothing I can do if Mitsu isn't here." "I know he asked a favor ofme, but I have to move on." "Mitsu, is thatyou?" "." "Areyou" "You are Mitsu, aren'tyou?" "." "This man lying on the ground asked me to look afteryou." "Old man!" "I could tell he loved you very much." "With his dying breath he begged me-- a common blind man-- to saveyou." "He kept saying "please, please" till he passed away." "Old man, What Will I do Withoutyou?" "." "You always took care of me." "Who can I count on ifyou're gone?" "." "how am I supposed to reach Edo?" "." "Crying Won't do any good." "Besides, What ifthose samurai find you?" "." "Then you'll be in real trouble." "It's too dangerous to stay here." "Come on." "Come on, hurry up." "She couldn't have gotten very far." "Did you look in that shed?" "." "Yes, I did." "Check once more to be sure." "What's Wrong?" "." "Damn it!" "One ofthem got away." "Let's go While We can." "What areyou Waiting for?" "." "Come on!" "Don't go outside." "They're still looking foryou." "You must be hungry." "There's nothing to eat around here." "This is all I could find for now." "Persimmons are in season." "I'm sure these Will taste good." "Persimmon is myfavorite fruit." "What an awful persimmon!" "I've never had such a bitter persimmon before!" "It's really terrible!" "Mitsu." "Because I'm blind," "I don't know Whatyou look like, but I can hardly believe What I heard:" "thatyou stabbed a man in the face With your hairpin." "I guess it's like the proverb ofthe cornered mouse biting the cat." "Anyway, there's no one Worse than a samurai." "You stopped your lord from raping you, so he sent his men to kill you?" "." "What a foolish reason to kill someone!" "I've never heard of such a thing." "In any event, doyou have somewhere to go When you get to Edo?" "." "Yes." "This is the first time you've spoken to me." "Go that Way!" " The men from last night." " Where?" "." "Come on!" " how many are there?" "." " About 20." "IfWe're surrounded, stay close to me." "Damn it, Where did they go?" "." " Haveyou found them yet?" "." " No." "Where could they be?" "." "There they are!" " Over there!" " Don't let them get away!" "Hurry!" "See ifthey're over there." "They're not here." "Then look over there!" "Find them now!" "It's all right noW." "That Was close." "We need to get out ofhere quick." "I'm so sorry." "ForWhat?" "." "For involving you in my problems." "No use looking back now, but it might not be easy getting you to Edo." " You thinkyou can make it?" "." " Yes." "Look!" "It's a blind man!" "Look at the blind man!" "All right, kids, go home now." " Watch your step." " Thankyou." "There's a step here." "Watch your step." "This is your room." "Thankyou." " Zatoichi is here." " Really?" "." "Don't Worry." "He didn't come here afteryou." "It's strange, though." "He's With a young girl." "Ayoung girl?" "." "There's a bit ofa problem." "Excuse me." "Ma'am, I must be honest With you." "I'm a little short on money." "I'm sorry, but I need to earn some money." "Could you ask ifanyone needs a massage?" "." "Of course." "I'll see ifanyone is interested." "Thankyou very much." "I really appreciate it." "We came a long Way, so We should be safe here." "But We still have to be careful." "Don't leave this room." "All right." "Would anyone like a massage?" "." "Would anyone like a massage?" "." "Could she mean Zatoichi?" "." "It certainly could be." " Excuse me." " Yes?" "." "Is the masseur the man Who just checked in?" "." "Yes." "Shall I call him?" "." " Yes." "I'd like a massage." " I'll get him." "I didn't know Zatoichi Was a masseur." "He's blind, so it's no surprise he makes his living thatWay." "Ifl could just thinkofa Way to keep him from going to Doyama." "Why don'tyou stab him While he's massaging you?" "." "ThatWould neverWork." "Don't leave this room, understand?" "." "If dinner is here before I return, eat Without me." "Thanks forWaiting." "I'm ready now." "He's coming." "In here, please." "I'm coming in." "The masseur is here." "Thankyou for everything." "Good evening." "Cool WeatherWe're having, isn't it?" "." "I suppose it is." "Is the massage foryou, sir, or foryourWife?" "." "For me." "All right, then." "Thankyou foryour business." "I'll get started." "You're very tense." "It must bevery nice traveling together, justyou and yourWife." "She's not myWife." "I didn't mean to startleyou." "The man you're With-- is that Zatoichi?" "." "Yes." "So I Was right." "What about him?" "." "Don'tyou know?" "." "What doyou mean?" "." "Where did you meet him?" "." "There's another masseuryou might know, sinceyou're in the same business." "Doyou know Zatoichi?" "." "He is also a skilled swordsman." "Yes, I've heard ofhim." "He has quite a reputation." "I Wouldn't know about that." " I just feel sorry for him." " Why?" "." "The fool Went and learned how to fight With a sword." "now he's constantly pursued by strangers." "I'm sure he doesn't have a moment's peace." "I suppose it serves him right." "Is that right?" "." "Sir, areyou afterZatoichi too?" "." "Me?" "." "I could sense it." "Don't be ridiculous." "You're the daughter of Narumiya in Nihonbashi?" "." "Yes." "I see." "And Zatoichi promised to takeyou home to Edo?" "." "Yes." "And you believe What he says?" "." "What?" "." "You really don't know Who Zatoichi is, doyou?" "." " Areyou cold, sir?" "." " No." "Why doyou ask?" "." "You're trembling." "Maybe I'm getting sick." "There We go." "I'm sureyou'll be fine now." "Ouch!" "That hurts!" "That's enough!" "Stop it!" "Please, stop!" "Thankyou very much." "I hopeyou enjoyed it." "how much is that?" "." "One gold coin." "One gold coin?" "." " You must be joking!" " I said one gold coin." "Thankyou very much." "That bastard!" "now I'm in pain." "I'm leaving now." "Wait till you see the dumb look on Zatoichi's face!" "What's she up to?" "." "Mitsu, haveyou eaten dinneryet?" "." "Where did she go?" "." "I told her not to leave the room." "Areyou done With your massage?" "." "Doyou know Where the girl Who Was With me Went?" "." "What?" "." "I thoughtyou knew." "The lady in the room down the hall told me you asked her to take the girl." " The room down the hall?" "." " Yes." "She Was With the man you gave the massage to." " Where areyou going?" "." " down the hall." "The man left too." "He said an emergency came up." " He left?" "." " Yes." "I made it clear she shouldn't leave the room!" "Doyou know Where the nearest travel service is?" "." "A travel service?" "." "They probablyWouldn't Want to Walk at night." "Kagotome runs a service like that around here." "Kagotome?" "." " Please, can you give us a ride?" "." " No." "It's impossible to takeyou to Edo at this time of night." "I'll payyou much more than your usual rate." "Come back in the morning and We'll Work it out." " TomorroWWill be too late!" " Then go somewhere else." "What's the matter?" "." "This Woman Wants us to take her and the other girl to Edo." "To Edo?" "." "Areyou the boss?" "." "Please, could you do it?" "." "I'm afraid not." "Why areyou in such a hurry?" "." " We're being followed." " You are?" "." "May I askWhy, ifyou don't mind?" "." "Maybe I can help." "That bitch!" "Where did you find that girl?" "." "That's none ofyour business." "Narumiya of Nihonbashi is a Wealthy merchant" "Who manages Kaga's large rice granary." "It's like stumbling across a box ofshiny gold coins." "I think this job is too big foryou to handle." "What doyou have in mind?" "." "i Will take herto Edo first thing in the morning." "Miss!" "Not so loud." "What areyou doing?" "." "Bastards!" "Let me go." "We'll see she gets home to Edo!" "Damn it!" "I didn't know this placeWas full of crooks!" "Bitch!" "Ifyou breathe a Word about this, you'll be in trouble!" "Go home!" "You'll be sorry!" "Damn!" "The situation seems a bit more complicated now." "Zatoichi." "It Was you, Wasn't it?" "." "Just as I thought." "You tried to fool a blind man?" "." "I can't believeyou Would do this." "Areyou going to kill me?" "." "I don't kill Women." "Damn it." "Don'tWorry." "I said I don't kill Women." "I justWant to askyou a question." "Who is that man you WereWith?" "." "He's the oneWho hired my husband to kill you." "Who is he?" "." "Jingoro from Shimozuma." "HeWorks for Boss Tobei, the moneylender." "He's from Shimozuma?" "." "He tried to kill you because you decided to help the Doyama gang." "Me?" "." "Help Doyama?" "." "now it all makes sense." "So that Was their real motive." "Areyou going to get the girl back?" "." "I Was asked to take her home no matterwhat happens." "Those men are scoundrels." "They'll stop at nothing." "Good evening." "Who called for a masseur?" "." "Your boss did." "Our boss?" "." "Over there." "Looks likeyou're all having a good time." "Excuse me." "Where is the boss's room?" "." " To the right." " Thankyou." "A new masseur?" "." "how is the girl doing?" "." "She started crying." "Keep a close eye on her." "IfWe get her home safely, there Will be a thousand gold coins in it for us for sure." "And ifher family is really desperate," "We may be able to milk them for 5,000." "By the Way, that Woman Was a knockout." "Maybe I shouldn't have thrown her out." "Boss, you're getting too greedy." "You Want both the money and the Woman!" "You're right." "Boss." " Did you call a masseur?" "." " No." "What doyou Want?" "." " I'm here to give a massage." " I don't Want any massage." "how did you get in?" "." "Through the front door, of course." "Damn blind man!" "how dareyou hobble in here With your cane!" "Get out ofhere now!" "No need to be hostile." "Let me earn some money." "You give me the creeps." " You Want us to hurtyou?" "." " Wait a minute." "I just came here to thankyou." "ForWhat?" "." "I really appreciate Whatyou all have done for me." "I understand you're taking care ofa girl from Edo." "A girl?" "." "What girl?" "." "Playing dumb, huh?" "." "You Were just talking about her." "The daughter of Narumiya." "You thoughtyou could get 5,000 for her." "Who doyou thinkyou are, talking to me like that?" "." "Why should you thank me for taking care ofthe girl?" "." "Well, originally I Was the one WhoWas asked to take herto Edo." "Then somebody took her away When I got distracted for a moment." "NoWyou got her back." "You saved her." "That's Why I Want to thankyou." "I don't believe you, fool." "Who in the World Would ask a blind man to take the girl home?" "." "Stop talking nonsense oryou'll pay for it!" "throw him out!" "What areyou?" "." "Like I said, I'm a masseur." "I brought something to show my appreciation." "This is foryou." "It's easier to eat that Way, don'tyou think?" "." " Don'tyou like my gift?" "." " Yes, I like it." "Why don'tyou eat it, then?" "." "Zatoichi?" "." "You are Zatoichi!" "You're a sly one." "Why didn'tyou say so earlier?" "." "Would you have given the girl back?" "." "Yes." "That's not a very convincing "yes."" "Of course!" "I Would gladly return the girl toyou!" "I'm sureyou Would." "Then Will you bring her here to this room?" "." "Right away." "Ifyou try to trick me, your boss Will be split in half, understand?" "." "Go get the girl now!" "Aren'tyou going to offeryour guest some tea?" "." "I'll leaveyour tea right here." "This is good tea." "Ichi!" "Boss, as you can see, I am blind." "Will you show us to the door?" "." "You came in byyourself!" "." "You refuse?" "." "All right, I'll shoWyou out!" "Areyou satisfied?" "." "Don't dare try anything!" "Oh, it's you." "That bastard-- he got her back!" "When I said, "Don't leave this room," I meant it!" "I thoughtyou trusted me even though I Was blind!" "That's Why I Wanted to helpyou!" "But this-- damn it!" "I'm sure in your eyes" "I'm nothing but Zatoichi, the Worthless masseur." "But because I thought you counted on me," "I Was motivated all the more to helpyou." "I cannot believe how easily that Woman deceived you." "now I realizeyou didn't trust me like I thoughtyou did." "It really upset me!" "This is pathetic." "Pathetic!" "I'm not that kind of man!" "I'm sorry." "This is all myfault." "I've been so foolish." "You risked your life to save me, and I betrayed you!" "I'm so sorry." "Don't cry." "It Was my fault too." "Please, stop." "Normally I Wouldn't have let it bother me." "I'm sorry I pushed you." "Did I hurtyou?" "." "In any case, We need to get out ofhere as soon as possible." "Will you be all right Walking at night?" "." "Yes." " They passed this Way." " Areyou sure?" "." "A blind man Was seen around here With a girl." "Who else could it be?" "." "What areyou doing?" "." "I don'tWant to hunt down the girl to kill her." "Areyou afraid ofthat man?" "." "Why?" "." "He's just a blind man." "But he killed Kudo and Okazaki single-handedly!" "It's not that." "I just don't understand WhyWe have to kill the girl." "It's an order from our lord." "I know it's an order." "A stupid order!" "Stop it." "It's too late to argue about that now." "Let's go." "All right." ""Because it's an order," huh?" "." "You must be exhausted." "You're not used to Walking at night." "Not at all." "I'm really sorry about last night." "I shouldn't have acted theWay I did." "I understand." "ItWas myfault." "Here, eat." "I taught Hisa a lesson." "I made sure sheWon't bother us again." "You did?" "." "ItWas nothing compared toWhatyou Went through last night." "My intuition usuallytells me When people are trying to trick me, but, being blind, I still get fooled sometimes." "When people take advantage of me, I get furious." "Doyou understand how I feel?" "." "Yes." "After all, other people have madeyour life difficult too." "There Were some moments When I Was very afraid, but I Would never have metyou otherwise." "Doyou mean it?" "." "Yes." "You are right." "Ifit Weren't for this," "I Wouldn't have met someone likeyou either." "how strange life is." "two strangers Who otherwise Would never meet end up sharing rice balls in an open field." "It is strange." "It's a nice day, isn't it?" "." "I can tell." "Yes, it's beautiful Weather." "A dragonfly!" "Don't move." "Mitsu, I've arranged transportation to Edo foryou." " Foryourselftoo?" "." " I've decided not to go." "Why?" "." "It's not good for us to stay together any longer." "We attract too much attention." "I heard Kagotome's boss and his men came into town this morning." "They're a greedy bunch." "I don't Want to getyou in any more trouble." "I think it's better ifyou go on Without me." "What's Wrong?" "." " Ichi." " What?" "." "I Wantyou to come to Edo and meet my parents." "I appreciate the thought, butyou need to get home safely as quickly as possible, Mitsu." " Can you understand that?" "." " Yes." "Will you come visit me sometime?" "." "Yes, I Will." "You're lying." "I knowyou're just saying that." "This is the last time I'll ever seeyou, isn't it?" "." "Isn't that true?" "." "Mitsu, I" "Ifl stayWith you any longer" "What ifl said I couldn't letyou go?" "." "Really?" "." "No, I Was just kidding." "Everything's ready." " Is thatyou, madam?" "." " Is this theyoung lady?" "." "Luckily there is an old couple on theirWay to Edo." "You can travel With them." "Come over as soon as you're ready." "We'll be right there." "Thankyou very much." "They're gone." "Get in now." "Please make sure she gets home safely." "Ichi, please come to Edo." "farewell." "She forgot this." "Thankyou." "I heard Shimozuma and Doyama are really going to fight this time." "Just as long as they don't drag me into it." "Who doyou thinkWill Win?" "." " It doesn't matter." " That's right." "People are fed upWith all the bosses, no matterWhich side they're on." "Ifthe bosses Were to kill each other offing a fight, everyone Would celebrate." "That's a great idea!" ""Boss Hikozo's Residence"" "Out ofthe Way!" "We're here!" "Welcome, sir." "Long time no see." "how haveyou been?" "." " Is Hikozo home?" "." " Yes, he's inside." "I've broughtyou men Who love to fight even more than they love to eat!" " I place them atyour disposal." " I appreciate it." "I didn't expect to seeyou here in person." "how many men did Shimozuma hire for the fight?" "." "About 1 5." "A bunch ofsmall-fry." "I'm not Worried, in any case." "Doyou Want to know Why?" "." "Because We have Zatoichi on our side." "Zatoichi?" "." "What?" "." "Has something happened?" "." "Is he here?" "." "Notyet." "I sent Kisuke to bring him in." "Kisuke?" "." "That's strange." "Kisuke Wasn't With Ichi." "how doyou know?" "." "I know, all right." "I had a terrible experience With him." "I'll get that bastard next time I see him." "Tomegoro, I invited Zatoichi here so he Would fight for us." "I don't Want any trouble before he even gets here." "Hikozo," "I came in person partly to helpyou, but I really came after Ichi." "Why areyou after him?" "." "He had a girl With him." "I Want to get her back." "Who is this girl?" "." "She's Worth a lot of money." " The girl?" "." " That's right." "That blind bastard!" "Where can he be?" "." "You there, stop!" "Stop orWe'll have to kill you!" "It's you!" "I'm sorry, butyou must come With us." "We're not after these others." "Go on." "Get going!" "Hisa, she's not all yours this time." "I know." "That blind rat Will be surprised." " I can't Wait to see that." " Come With us." "Excuse me." "Boss, Zatoichi is here." "What?" "." "Ichi is here?" "." " Is he With a girl?" "." " No, he's alone." " What about Kisuke?" "." " No sign ofhim." "That's strange." "Where did Ichi leave her?" "." "Tomegoro." "Leave this to me." "I'll find out What's going on." "All right." "It's strange he's come alone." "He Wouldn't bring her here." "He must be hiding her somewhere." "I'll just set this here." "Thankyou." "I'm glad you've come." "You must be the boss of Doyama." "Yes, I'm Hikozo." "By the Way, I thoughtyou Were traveling With one of my men." "I'm sorry to tell you this, but" "What happened?" "." "Kisuke Was killed." "Killed?" "." "They killed Kisuke?" "." "Yes, I'm sure Shimozuma did it." "They meant to kill me, but Kisuke got caught in the middle." "Is that so?" "." "Caught in the middle, eh?" "." " Boss." " What?" "." "I heard you're going to fight the Shimozuma gang." "Is that true?" "." "To tell you the truth, Ichi, I Wanted to talk toyou" "You Want my help, right?" "." "Kisuke already told you, then?" "." "He didn't say anything about it." "I told Kisuke" "I Wouldn't put on a show or take sides in any fight." "Butyou just said Shimozuma killed Kisuke, didn'tyou?" "." "He took a blow on your account." "Boss, the truth is, I've taken blows on your account." "And i'm telling the truth!" "Ifyou put it that Way, you've got me." "But since you're involved now, like it or not, could you please help us out?" "." "You've put me on the spot." "I had a feeling things might turn out this Way." "Then you'll help?" "." "I just came here to tell you about Kisuke, not to helpyou." "But it depends on the details." "Areyou talking about the pay?" "." "You're a sly one!" "You must be kidding." "When it comes to being sly, you're Way in the lead." "You enticed me here With fancy meals." "how about ten gold coins?" "." "Ten gold coins?" "." "That must be the going rate around here." "Don't be so sarcastic!" "You're not happy With ten gold coins?" "." "We usually pay one, or three at the most!" "I'm offering ten only becauseyou are Zatoichi." "I'm not complaining." "Far from it." "I Was just commenting that that must be the going rate in these parts." "What ifl make it 1 2?" "." "two more gold coins?" "." "NotWorth talking about." "Anyway, I've done myjob." "I told you about Kisuke." "I better be going." "twenty, then!" "What doyou say to that?" "." " I've never offered so much" " Boss." "Let me tell you something." "My regular fee is 30." "Boss," "I'm putting my life on the line to helpyou out." "Since it's Shimozuma We're talking about fighting," "I guess I could do it for 20." "now thatWe've closed the deal, I'm going to take it easy." "You can bring on the fancy food now." "Sanzo, What areyou Waiting for?" "." "Bring him something to eat." "Right away." "Wait, Sanzo!" "I just Want to say I love all kinds offish." "Thankyou." "Ichi, I heard you Were With a young girl." "Who told you that?" "." "That's not important." "I should have known you'd be Well-informed, boss." "I sent her on herWay to Edo." "To Edo?" "." "I see." "All right, then." "Enjoyyour meal." "Hereyou are." " It seems you have another guest." " Kagotome's boss from Sayama." "Kagotome in Sayama?" "." "The one With the travel service?" "." "That's the one." "Really?" "." "What is Doyama doing?" "." "What did Ichi say?" "." "He's a tough one to deal With." "I had to pay him more." "He's taking you for a ride." "Where did he say he left the Woman?" "." "He sent her back home to Edo." "That can't be." "He must be hiding her somewhere." "Tomegoro," "I just need him for the fight." "He's of no use to us after that." "He is blind, after all." "You can easily lay a trap for him and kill him." "I can helpyou." "Amazing!" "Just a little amusement for a blind man." "Thankyou." "It's really delicious." "how old areyou?" "." " Eighteen years old." " Eighteen?" "." "You'reyoung." "There must be a girl you're fond of." " Yes." " What's her name?" "." "Mitsu." "Mitsu?" "." "So her name is Mitsu." "how pretty." "If only I Weren't blind." "She must have been very pretty." "Hurry up!" ""Boss Shimozuma's Residence"" "I'm sorry to involveyou in this, but I intend to get back at Zatoichi." "But I'll send you back home to Edo When I'm finished." "Where is Ichi?" "." "He may be staying With Hikozo in Doyama." "Please,just send me home." "I don'tWant to cause Ichi any more trouble." "Why don'tyou begJingoro to send you home?" "." "You think itWill be so easy?" "." "Don'tWorry." "He confronted Kagotome single-handedly to get her back." "That blind rat has nerves of steel!" "But ifWe use her as bait, he'll do anything We say." "You may be right." " Let's do it." " All right." " Are the boats ready?" "." " Yes." "Let's go." "Matsu." "Is Kagotome's boss coming too?" "." "Yes." "Ichi, you had some trouble With Kagotome, didn'tyou?" "." "It Was nothing serious." "He seems to have a grudge againstyou." "Is that so?" "." "Be careful." "Thankyou." "Here they come!" "Go tell the others." "They're here!" "They're here!" " Are they here?" "." " They're about to disembark." "Get ready." "Let's go." " What are you doing?" "." " Taking herWith me to the fight." "What?" "." "What if she gets hurt?" "." "It Was your idea to use her as bait to get Ichi." "It's cruel to take a young Woman into a fight!" "Shut up!" "I don't care as long as We can get Ichi." "Hisa!" "Help me!" "There's nothing to be afraid of." " Let me go." " Stop it!" "Don't interfere." "Bastard!" "Hisa, help me!" "There they are." "how is it going?" "." "No one's shown upyet." "You mustn't go to the front once it starts." "You don't Want to get hurt in a stupid fight like this." "Ichi." "They're finally here." "Doyama!" "I Want to talk to Zatoichi before We start." "Tobei, areyou asking for mercy now that We have Zatoichi?" "." "What areyou talking about?" "." "Zatoichi, come forward." "I have something to shoWyou." "This sounds like trouble." "It's going to be a While before the real fight starts." "Where areyou going?" "." "He has something to show this blind man, he said." "I'd like to see that." "Fool!" "Shimozuma!" "What doyou have to show this blind man?" "." "I'll shoWyou right noW." "Come on!" "Where areyou going?" "." "Ichi!" "Mitsu!" "That's the girl!" "Damn it!" "That girl is Worth 5,000 gold coins!" "NoWyou understand What I had to shoWyou?" "." "how did you get her?" "." "Why did you bring her to a place like this?" "." "I Wanted to see hoWyou Would react." "Soyou Want me to stay out ofit?" "." "I didn't say that." "What doyou Want then?" "." "I don't know how much Doyama paid you, but I'll double it." "What's there to think about?" "." "Tobei, you filthy bastard!" "We'll never letyou have Zatoichi." "Shut up!" "I'm not talking toyou." "Ichi, What areyou going to do?" "." "Ichi!" "Don'tWorry!" "It's notyourfault." "Those men Who surround you are all Wicked." "What did you say?" "." "Don't be upset!" "I'm just speaking the truth." "Tobei, sinceyou've planned all this so carefully," "I'll helpyou out." "Zatoichi!" "I Won't ask for any pay." "Just return the girl to me." "Boss." "All right, I promise." "Damn it!" "What a cunning bastard!" " I told you to kill him last night." " Shut up!" "Ichi, areyou breaking our code of conduct?" "." "Code of conduct?" "." "You must be kidding." "Dragging an innocent girl into a gang fight!" "Take backyour money." "Blind bastard!" "I'll kill you." "Can't We get her back?" "." "I don't care about her!" "Filthy blind bastard!" "Ichi!" "Per our agreement, I'll take her now." "Wait a minute!" "Not until the fight is over." "She stays With us until then." "Ichi, be careful!" "Don't Worry." "No need to be frightened." "Come on!" "Boss." "The two men We're going after are Hikozo and Tomegoro, right?" "." "Right." "Stay close to me." "Me?" "." "This is a very important job for me since the Woman is at stake." "I Wantyou to see it close-up, With your own eyes." "Pay close attention to my sword stroke." "verywell." " Where is Jingoro?" "." " Right here." "It's been a While." "I've missed yourvoice." "Can you manage to separate Hikozo and Tomegoro from their men?" "." "I can do that." "You stay here." "I'll get the fight started." "What's he got up his sleeve?" "." "Men of Doyama!" "As you can see, the situation has changed." "From now on, I am on Shimozuma's side." "Anyone Who Wishes to challenge me, step forward!" "Don't underestimate us!" "What about it?" "." "Anybody?" "." "You, you and you!" "What aboutyou?" "." "No?" "." "how about you?" "." "Shame on you!" "You're Worthless, all ofyou!" "Somebody!" "Looks like nobody Wants to fight me." "Shall We call it Shimozuma's Win, then?" "." "Wait, you bastard!" "Charge!" "What areyou doing, men?" "." "Push them back!" "You bastard!" "Give me that!" "Ichi!" "All right, We'll leave her toyou." "Come With me, quickly!" "Can't I have a drink ofWater in peace?" "." "Kill them both!" "Ichi, this isn'tyourfight!" "Damn it!" "You blind bastard!" "I run an honest business!" "Then Why did you try to kidnap the girl?" "." "No, itWasn't like that." "ItWas" "Nobody has a Worse reputation around here than you guys." "You too." "What?" "." "Using an innocent Woman as bait" "Unscrupulous coward!" "None ofyou deserves to live." "What areyou talking about?" "." "Get them!" "No need to hurry." "It only makes your time come sooner." "You dare turn on me?" "." "Is thatyou, Matsu?" "." "Yes." "The fight is over." "Go now." "Where did she go?" "." "Mitsu!" "This feels like trouble." "Where could she be?" "." "Ichi!" "Mitsu!" "They didn't hurtyou, did they?" "." "I'm so glad you got away from them." " Hisa." " Hisa?" "." "We've got to getyou out ofhere right away." "You betrayed us!" "Is thatyou,Jingoro?" "." "I can't letyou live either." " Ichi!" " Matsu." "Take her to the ferry at Matsudo." "This Will cover her fare." "A Woman shouldn't Witness an ugly scene like this." "Wait a second!" "Never mind." "Go on now, hurry!" "Get him!" "What's taking him so long?" "." " Doyou think he is all right?" "." " Don'tWorry." "Soyou're the one heWas talking about." "What did he say?" "." "Say, Why did he give us money for the ferry?" "." "I hopeyou make someone a good Wife." "THE END"