# 11 - True Strength
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GXJHM3GP8/blue-miburo)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
**[00:02] Hijikata**
Could you be...
**[00:04] Hijikata**
Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi?
**[00:06] Okita; Todo; Nio; Taro; Hajime; Granny**
Th-The Shogun?!
**[00:10] Hijikata**
We'll escort the Shogun to the safety of
Nijo Castle with only the forces we have here.
**[00:16] Nio**
I have an idea.
**[00:26] Assassin C**
Huh? They split up.
**[00:28] Assassin C**
Which way did Iemochi go?
**[00:29] Assassin A**
Don't let anyone escape! After them!
**[00:38] Nio**
There they go.
**[00:39] Kikuchiyo**
I see. Quite the stratagem.
**[00:42] Granny**
The Shogun! The Shogun!
**[00:44] Okita**
I love the courtly laugh.
**[00:47] Nio**
We'll count to 30, then take
the backstreets to Nijo Castle.
**[00:52] Kikuchiyo**
Right.
**[00:55] Naozumi**
So *both* groups were decoys?
**[01:00] Naozumi**
Luck really wasn't on your side.
**[01:03] Nio**
Kikuchiyo-san!
**[01:05] Nio**
Let's go.
**[01:06] Naozumi**
One.
**[01:08] Naozumi**
Two.
**[01:10] Naozumi**
Three.
**[01:18] Naozumi**
Go on. Run.
***SIGN*** Blue Miburo
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***SIGN*** Blue Miburo
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**[02:55] Assassin A**
Halt!
**[03:11] Assassin B**
Hold it!
**[03:12] Assassin A**
Go inside! Circle ahead!
**[03:13] Assassin B**
Don't let 'em escape!
**[03:21] Assassin B**
Perfect. We've got 'em boxed in.
**[03:23] Assassin C**
Say your prayers, Iemochi!
**[03:26] Hajime**
Haven't we bought enough time, Hijikata?
**[03:28] Hijikata**
No.
**[03:30] Hijikata**
I hate to disappoint you,
but we can't surrender the Shogun.
***SIGN*** Conquer
**[03:35] Granny**
The Shogun. That's me.
**[03:36] Hijikata**
Damn it, old woman.
**[03:38] Assassin A**
Damn. He's not here.
**[03:41] Assassin A**
Go after the other group!
**[03:42] Hajime**
Not so fast.
**[03:46] Hajime**
I'll take you on.
**[03:48] Hajime**
This farce was never my style.
**[03:51] Assassin B**
Little shit.
**[03:52] Assassin A**
Have it your way. I'll teach you
how a grown man uses a sword.
**[03:57] Assassin A**
First, you wear it on your *left* side.
**[04:01] Assassin A**
Come on, draw. I ain't got all day.
**[04:15] Assassin C**
You...
**[04:16] Assassin C**
You'll pay for that!
**[04:25] Hajime**
Remind me. Who's teaching whom about what?
**[04:30] Hajime**
When I draw, it's already over. That's iai.
**[04:35] Assassin A**
C-Cocky brat.
**[04:36] Assassin A**
Retreat! Retreat!
**[04:38] Hajime**
What? You're turning tail *already?*
**[04:40] Hajime**
Try with your short swords! Well?
**[04:42] Hijikata**
Wait, Hajime.
**[04:44] Hajime**
What's *your* problem, Hijikata?
**[04:46] Hijikata**
Was that man there?
**[04:50] Hajime**
No. Why?
**[04:51] Hijikata**
Then, as we speak—
**[04:55] Hijikata**
What is it *now*, old woman?
**[04:56] Granny**
I was scared stiff!
**[04:58] Hijikata**
Get off! Enough, you old bat!
**[05:04] Okita**
Hey, he dodged it!
**[05:08] Taro**
O-Okita! Get these guys!
**[05:11] Okita**
We promised to buy all the time we could
so that Nio's group could get to Nijo Castle.
**[05:17] Todo**
That we did.
**[05:18] Taro**
We've already done plenty!
**[05:20] Todo**
I am your Shogun.
**[05:22] Taro**
When are you gonna drop that act?
**[05:26] Assassin E**
This guy's a fake!
**[05:27] Assassin F**
He's not Iemochi!
**[05:29] Todo**
They caught on.
**[05:30] Taro**
H-Hurry up and clobber these guys.
**[05:34] Todo**
I am your Shogun. I do not brawl.
**[05:36] Taro**
Give it a rest. You're plenty tough!
**[05:40] Okita**
Guess I've got no choice.
**[05:42] Okita**
I'll make them talk.
**[05:44] Taro**
Hey, at least put down your lantern.
**[05:46] Assassin E**
You think you're hot shit? Die!
**[06:03] Okita**
I cut your tendon,
so you're not going anywhere.
**[06:06] Okita**
You see, a guy I knew in Edo
always went for the lower legs.
**[06:11] Okita**
I put my own spin on his style.
**[06:13] Okita**
Yamanami-san told me
they used to punish criminals this way.
**[06:18] Okita**
I call it Ashigiri: "Leg Cutter."
**[06:22] Taro**
He's a demon.
**[06:25] Okita**
Oh, dear. Your friends ran off without you.
**[06:28] Okita**
Not very nice of them.
**[06:30] Assassin E**
Damn it all.
**[06:31] Okita**
Oh, well. I'll get you to tell me
all about who you guys are.
**[06:39] Taro**
He just bit through his tongue.
**[06:42] Todo**
Staunch it somehow.
**[06:44] Taro**
It's no good. It's too late.
**[06:45] Okita**
Wh-Who in the world are these people?
**[06:50] Taro**
This crap's not normal.
**[06:52] Taro**
They're all crazy. They have to be.
**[06:57] Nio**
We're almost at Nijo Castle.
**[07:00] Kikuchiyo**
Indeed.
**[07:03] Kikuchiyo**
No! No more! I'm exhausted!
**[07:05] Kikuchiyo**
I demand a palanquin!
**[07:06] Nio**
Didn't you just say, "Indeed"?!
**[07:10] Kikuchiyo**
Wh-What is it?
**[07:12] Kikuchiyo**
What's wrong?
**[07:13] Nio**
I hear voices.
**[07:15] Kikuchiyo**
What?
**[07:16] Underling H**
Where's His Lordship?
**[07:18] Underling I**
Leave no stone unturned!
**[07:19] Underling H**
Yes, sir!
**[07:20] Kikuchiyo**
They're from the castle.
**[07:21] Nio**
Thank goodness. They're here to save you.
**[07:24] Nio**
Hey! Over here!
**[07:29] Underling H**
Is that you, My Lord?
**[07:30] Underling I**
Is Your Lordship hurt?
**[07:33] Kikuchiyo**
I am unharmed.
**[07:35] Nio**
He's right as rain!
**[07:55] Nio**
I don't believe it.
**[07:59] Naozumi**
I'm here for your head, Iemochi.
**[08:03] Nio**
Run for it, Kikuchiyo-san.
**[08:08] Kikuchiyo**
I do not understand.
**[08:11] Kikuchiyo**
What do you call yourself?
**[08:16] Naozumi**
Naozumi.
**[08:18] Kikuchiyo**
Naozumi, what drives you to do such things?
**[08:22] Kikuchiyo**
To "expel the barbarians"?
**[08:24] Kikuchiyo**
Taking my head will not
change our land's predicament.
**[08:31] Naozumi**
"Expel the barbarians"?
**[08:33] Naozumi**
"Expel the barbarians," he says.
**[08:37] Kikuchiyo**
Am I wrong?
**[08:40] Naozumi**
I couldn't care less about them.
**[08:43] Nio**
*He doesn't want to expel the foreigners?*
**[08:46] Kikuchiyo**
I do not understand.
**[08:48] Kikuchiyo**
I ask you, then: what is it that you desire?
**[08:58] Naozumi**
To bring back the age of the samurai.
**[09:01] Nio**
Bring it *back?*
**[09:04] Naozumi**
You lot stole it from us.
**[09:08] Naozumi**
You Tokugawa.
**[09:12] Kikuchiyo**
What are you talking about?
**[09:14] Kikuchiyo**
You claim the Tokugawa robbed you?
**[09:17] Naozumi**
That's right.
**[09:19] Kikuchiyo**
And what did we steal?
**[09:22] Naozumi**
A place to do battle.
**[09:27] Naozumi**
The founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate,
Ieyasu, ended the Age of Warring States.
**[09:32] Naozumi**
He robbed us samurai of a place to fight.
**[09:36] Kikuchiyo**
You mean peace displeases you?
**[09:51] Naozumi**
Stay still.
**[09:56] Naozumi**
It does displease me.
**[10:00] Kikuchiyo**
Why shed blood if it can be avoided?
**[10:09] Naozumi**
Why keep samurai around, then?
**[10:13] Naozumi**
I'm strong as hell.
**[10:15] Naozumi**
I was born strong.
**[10:17] Naozumi**
Daily training made me stronger.
**[10:19] Naozumi**
I toured the provinces, honing my skills.
**[10:24] Naozumi**
What did we work ourselves to the bone
strengthening body and spirit for?
**[10:30] Kikuchiyo**
To defend the people in times of crisis.
**[10:36] Naozumi**
And when will that be?
**[10:38] Naozumi**
I come from a long line of samurai.
**[10:40] Naozumi**
My granddad and his granddad
before him died
**[10:43] Naozumi**
between threadbare sheets without
ever getting to show what samurai are for.
**[10:49] Naozumi**
For 260 years, you Tokugawa have lorded
over the samurai and kept us useless.
**[10:58] Naozumi**
Tell me, boy...
**[11:00] Naozumi**
What's the way of the sword?
**[11:04] Nio**
I... I don't know.
**[11:09] Naozumi**
Tell me, Iemochi. What's the sword to you?
**[11:15] Kikuchiyo**
The sword...
**[11:19] Kikuchiyo**
is mere decoration.
**[11:22] Nio**
*He won't like that answer.*
**[11:25] Kikuchiyo**
The sword is insurance
lest the worst should happen.
**[11:34] Naozumi**
The way of the sword is blood.
**[11:36] Naozumi**
An unbroken lineage,
passed down since Genji fought Heike.
**[11:42] Naozumi**
Why don't you try to fight?
**[11:44] Naozumi**
Why don't you try to show off your strength?
**[11:50] Kikuchiyo**
Fighting is synonymous with dying.
**[11:54] Kikuchiyo**
I suggest you mistrust any who urge battle,
**[11:57] Kikuchiyo**
no matter what pretty phrases
they dress it up in.
**[12:04] Naozumi**
*This* is the lord of all samurai? What a joke.
**[12:08] Naozumi**
When the great rot, the lesser go hungry.
**[12:13] Naozumi**
There's a big war coming.
**[12:15] Naozumi**
We, the Blood Risshidan,
are going to start it.
**[12:19] Nio**
*"The Blood Risshidan"?*
**[12:22] Naozumi**
Iemochi, your head will do nicely.
**[12:26] Naozumi**
It will make the perfect centerpiece
for the coming festival.
**[12:30] Naozumi**
Your death will throw the city into chaos
and the country into violence.
**[12:34] Naozumi**
The Warring States will come again.
**[12:37] Naozumi**
That's when we'll find the
place where we belong.
**[12:41] Nio**
* Damn it. It's hopeless.*
* He really means it.*
**[12:45] Kikuchiyo**
Listen, Naozumi.
**[12:48] Kikuchiyo**
Even so, I will not allow you to make war.
**[12:51] Kikuchiyo**
That is my verdict as
leader of the samurai clans.
**[12:56] Kikuchiyo**
I will not die.
**[12:58] Kikuchiyo**
I cannot die now.
**[13:01] Naozumi**
No.
**[13:03] Naozumi**
You're gonna die.
**[13:06] Naozumi**
Right here. Right now.
**[13:12] Kikuchiyo**
Nio?
**[13:17] Nio**
We need to escape, Kikuchiyo-san.
**[13:18] Nio**
Please run!
**[13:24] Naozumi**
How feeble.
**[13:27] Naozumi**
Playtime is over.
**[13:31] Kikuchiyo**
What's your plan?
**[13:32] Nio**
I have an idea.
**[13:55] Naozumi**
So you've dropped your sword in surrender?
**[14:12] Nio**
Naozumi-san...
**[14:16] Nio**
You're weak.
**[14:19] Naozumi**
Where's Iemochi?
**[14:21] Nio**
I won't...
**[14:23] Nio**
give him up!
**[14:32] Hijikata**
The man in white wasn't with
the group that chased you, either?
**[14:36] Taro**
Not a chance.
**[14:38] Taro**
I was so relieved we didn't have
to deal with that nightmare.
**[14:42] Taro**
But nobody scares me more than Okita.
**[14:47] Okita**
In that case, I'm worried about
Nio-kun and the Shogun.
**[14:51] Todo**
What now?
**[14:53] Todo**
Do we head back to the dango shop?
**[14:54] Taro**
C-Can I leave now?
**[14:57] Granny**
Taro! You should be ashamed of yourself!
**[15:00] Taro**
But you said I was
more cut out for business!
**[15:03] Granny**
Even shopkeepers have to
stand their ground sometimes.
**[15:13] Hijikata**
We'll go to Nijo Castle.
**[15:16] Hijikata**
The man in white may have rallied
the men who fled to beat us there.
**[15:22] Okita**
That seems likely.
**[15:24] Okita**
I mean, the Shogun has
to go there eventually.
**[15:29] Hijikata**
We'll check every likely spot
for an ambush near the castle.
**[15:34] Todo**
That's more like it!
**[15:35] Granny**
I'll lend you a hand!
**[15:38] Granny**
Come along, Taro. Shape up, will you?
**[15:41] Taro**
Seriously?
**[15:43] Hijikata**
Hurry.
**[15:43] Todo**
You got it.
**[15:51] Taro**
Sure, I'm worried about Nio,
but what can *I* do?
**[15:55] Taro**
Can't I just go home?
**[15:58] Taro**
What do you say, Hijikata?
**[16:00] Taro**
Huh? What?
**[16:03] Taro**
Hey! Hijikata's gone!
**[16:05] Todo**
Well, yeah. He ran on ahead.
We'd better catch up.
**[16:10] Taro**
Huh?
**[16:11] Taro**
Ah, of all the...
**[16:16] Okita**
No fair, Hijikata-san.
**[16:25] Naozumi**
So Iemochi's through here?
**[16:31] Naozumi**
By the way, unless my ears are playing tricks,
I think you just called me weak.
**[16:37] Nio**
I did.
**[16:38] Nio**
Kikuchiyo-san is stronger than you.
**[16:43] Naozumi**
A mighty man like me?
**[16:47] Nio**
*Calm down.*
**[16:48] Nio**
*Don't let him see you feeling hopeless.*
**[16:51] Naozumi**
Did I scare you out of your wits?
**[16:54] Nio**
*I've watched the Miburo enough to tell...*
**[16:59] Nio**
* just how terribly strong*
* and dangerous he is.*
**[17:03] Nio**
*I came into this with only one goal:*
**[17:06] Nio**
*to fight with the weapons I have!*
**[17:10] Nio**
You say you want to fight a war.
**[17:13] Nio**
You say that's what samurai do.
**[17:15] Naozumi**
That's right. Samurai fight
and die on the battlefield.
**[17:20] Nio**
That's why you're weak.
**[17:22] Naozumi**
I don't follow.
**[17:25] Nio**
Don't you think it's selfish? What about
the people who get dragged into your war?
**[17:30] Nio**
The women? The elderly? The invalids?
**[17:36] Nio**
The children?
**[17:40] Nio**
Kikuchiyo-san is putting himself
in all of their shoes,
**[17:43] Nio**
and wondering what he can do
to make things better.
**[17:47] Nio**
He's looking at the bigger picture.
**[17:50] Nio**
Clinging to your samurai status
makes you weaker than he is.
**[17:55] Nio**
You can't beat him!
**[17:58] Naozumi**
That's enough chitchat.
**[18:01] Naozumi**
* A counterweight? Don't tell me*
* he has a chain and sickle.*
**[18:05] Naozumi**
* He's bluffing.*
* No kid could handle one of those.*
**[18:10] Naozumi**
*Still, he did throw away his sword.*
**[18:12] Naozumi**
* It makes sense to assume*
* he has a better weapon.*
**[18:18] Naozumi**
*He* has *been hiding his left side
ever since I caught up to him.*
**[18:24] Naozumi**
*And it's too dark to get a good look.*
**[18:29] Naozumi**
Of course, none of that matters.
**[18:32] Naozumi**
My sword can reach him.
**[18:36] Naozumi**
And kill him.
**[18:37] Nio**
*Now!*
**[18:40] Naozumi**
A rock?
**[18:45] Naozumi**
A rock? A rock, huh?
**[18:48] Naozumi**
Bluffing to buy time, are you?
**[18:50] Naozumi**
I admire your guts.
**[18:53] Naozumi**
And you know, it's not so easy to swing
my long sword in this narrow alley.
**[18:59] Naozumi**
You've really thought this through.
**[19:04] Naozumi**
But I don't have to *swing* it.
**[19:09] Naozumi**
How do you like this?
**[19:19] Nio**
I've been waiting for this!
**[19:21] Nio**
I've got you!
**[19:23] Nio**
Now you can't use your sword!
**[19:28] Naozumi**
What's your game?
**[19:30] Nio**
Kikuchiyo-san is stronger than you!
**[19:34] Naozumi**
What'd you say?
**[19:38] Nio**
I barely felt that.
**[19:43] Nio**
It... It won't work.
**[19:45] Naozumi**
Looks like it's working to me.
**[19:56] Naozumi**
Will you die by my fist?
Or let go and die by my sword?
**[20:01] Nio**
I'll never let go. Never.
**[20:09] Naozumi**
I'll knock you out for good.
**[20:18] Nio**
I'll never let go.
**[20:21] Nio**
I'll never let go!
**[20:23] Nio**
You'll never beat me!
**[20:26] Naozumi**
You're still saying that?
**[20:29] Nio**
*You really...*
**[20:33] Nio**
*are strong.*
**[20:37] Nio**
*I could never beat you.*
**[20:42] Nio**
*But...*
**[20:45] Nio**
*If I let go now,*
**[20:49] Nio**
*I won't be able to prove...*
**[20:52] (Flashback) Hajime**
She's tough.
**[20:54] (Flashback) Hajime**
I guess the sword isn't
the only way to be strong.
**[21:00] Nio**
*I know, right?*
**[21:02] Nio**
*Hajime-kun, I feel the same way.*
**[21:07] (Flashback) Kikuchiyo**
But I believe there are steps only a
powerless, incompetent Shogun can take.
**[21:17] Nio**
*Something tells me...*
**[21:19] Nio**
* that deep down, Kikuchiyo-san's*
* strength is a lot like Granny's.*
**[21:25] (Flashback) Kikuchiyo**
Even so, I will not allow you to make war.
**[21:27] (Flashback) Kikuchiyo**
That is my verdict as
leader of the samurai clans.
**[21:32] Nio**
*I have to prove that.*
**[21:37] Nio**
*Prove the truly strong one...*
**[21:42] Nio**
*is Kikuchiyo-san!*
***SIGN*** True Strength
***SIGN*** Next time
**[23:21] Hijikata**
Hijikata Toshizo here.
**[23:23] Hijikata**
We managed to drive off
the assassins on our tails,
**[23:27] Hijikata**
but that man in white wasn't with them.
**[23:31] Hijikata**
I don't like leaving
Lord Iemochi in Nio's charge.
**[23:34] Hijikata**
Making for Nijo Castle is our best move now.
**[23:38] Hijikata**
That said...
**[23:40] Hijikata**
Sorry, Soji. My mind's made up.
**[23:44] Hijikata**
Next time: "Eight Heads."
**[23:46] Hijikata**
Watch. That's all.
***SIGN*** Eight Heads