19 - Blade of the Sun

Source: Crunchyroll
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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.)
[00:00] ---
    April 1868
    Tsuruga Castle
[00:01] ---
    In place of the injured Hijikata-san,
    Saito-san led the Shinsengumi to Aizu,
[00:08] ---
    where he had an audience with
    Lord Katamori Matsudaira in Tsuruga Castle.
[00:12] ---
    I am pleased that you came
    to Aizu rather than abandoning us.
[00:17] ---
    You have my thanks.
[00:19] ---
    I am unworthy of such praise.
[00:24] ---
    Saito...
[00:25] ---
    Sir!
[00:26] ---
    By no means will I retreat and leave Aizu.
[00:30] ---
    I shall fight with my soldiers against
    the Satsuma-Choshu armies until the end.
[00:35] ---
    We of the Shinsengumi will offer our full support.
[00:41] ---
    Speaking of the Shinsengumi,
    I would like to entrust some men to you.
[00:45] ---
    You wish to entrust them to us?
[01:06] ---
    Hakuoki
    Demon of the Fleeting Blossom
    Record of the Jade Blood
[01:09] ---
    Rather than live thousands of futures
[01:16] ---
    I want to fully live this moment right now
[01:23] ---
    Even if we're by the abyss' edge
[01:28] ---
    So long as I am with you as you race ahead
[01:32] ---
    I will be like the dancing wind
[01:36] ---
    Even if the irresistible blade of time
[01:37] ---
    Tears at you until you collapse
[01:39] ---
    Continue to dream and believe in the light
[01:41] ---
    As you look up from time to time
[01:42] ---
    Ah, I would take, ah, your place
[01:45] ---
    If doing so would protect you
[01:49] ---
    Turn into a strong gale, O my prayer
[01:56] ---
    One strong enough to change fate right now
[02:02] ---
    Turn into the wind of dawn, the wind that
[02:10] ---
    Forces open the door to darkness
[02:18] ---
    Loyal Retainers, Loyal Subjects
[02:19] ---
    I, Hyoe Masaki, and these thirty Aizu soldiers
[02:22] ---
    shall fight alongside the Shinsengumi
    as were Lord Katamori's orders.
[02:27] ---
    A pleasure to meet you.
[02:44] ---
    Episode 19
    Blade of
    the Sun
[02:58] ---
    Masaki-kun, Captain Saito is here!
[03:05] ---
    Masaki-kun!
[03:07] ---
    Guys, that's a wrap.
[03:10] ---
    Attention!
[03:16] ---
    They seem to be quick to follow his orders.
[03:20] ---
    They will not obey orders
    from outsiders such as ourselves.
[03:24] ---
    Or so it would seem.
[03:33] ---
    It would appear you are already
    dissatisfied with me over something.
[03:39] ---
    Masaki-kun, what is it?
[03:42] ---
    I would have you stop referring to
    me as "Masaki-kun," Saito-dono.
[03:47] ---
    You are not treating me like a samurai
    when you refer to me as "kun."
[03:52] ---
    Anything else?
[03:55] ---
    I shall be frank.
[03:57] ---
    It is that outfit!
[03:59] ---
    My outfit?
[04:00] ---
    A samurai warrior should wear armor,
    not some flimsy garb on the battlefield!
[04:06] ---
    Plus...
[04:07] ---
    Plus what?
[04:08] ---
    Why do you wear your swords on the right?
[04:11] ---
    Everyone knows they go on your left!
[04:14] ---
    A katana could be called the soul of a warrior,
    yet what do you take it for?
[04:20] ---
    As per Lord Katamori's orders, we shall fight with you.
[04:23] ---
    But no one in all of Aizu will obey the orders issued
    by a captain who has lost his warrior spirit!
[04:29] ---
    The Aizu Domain's soldiers will protect Aizu!
[04:33] ---
    Masaki-kun!
[04:37] ---
    On the battlefield, our foes will
    also be in similar light garb.
[04:40] ---
    If you follow the old ways and wear armor,
    you will be unable to keep up with the enemy.
[04:48] ---
    That is not true! You may think them old, but-
[04:52] ---
    As for wearing swords on my right.
[04:55] ---
    I do not believe that wearing swords on
    my right means I lack a warrior spirit.
[05:07] ---
    The Imperial Army was headed for Oshu,
    their troops marching steadily along.
[05:10] ---
    Miharu Domain
    Edo
[05:11] ---
    Shirakawa
[05:13] ---
    Entrance to Shirakawa, Aizu
[05:36] ---
    Follow me!
[05:42] ---
    Enemy raid!
[05:49] ---
    Are you okay?
[05:51] ---
    It just scratched me.
[05:52] ---
    Please keep going!
[06:16] ---
    Saito-san!
[06:17] ---
    What?
[06:18] ---
    The enemy right flank troops are marching this way!
[06:21] ---
    At this rate, they will be on both sides of us!
[06:26] ---
    Reinforcements are here!
[06:27] ---
    Force them back! Force them back!
[06:29] ---
    Retreat! Retreat!
[06:32] ---
    Don't retreat! We must not retreat!
[06:37] ---
    Masaki-sama!
[06:40] ---
    Kashikura!
[06:43] ---
    Die!
[06:47] ---
    Why didn't you obey my orders? We're retreating!
[06:49] ---
    Have the number of our foes turned you coward?
[06:52] ---
    If we let them take the Shirakawa Pass
    to save our own hides-
[06:55] ---
    You can always throw your life away!
[06:57] ---
    But if you do so at the wrong time and place,
    you are dying in vain!
[07:00] ---
    What?!
[07:03] ---
    Surviving so you can defend Aizu and
    protect Lord Katamori shows true loyalty!
[07:08] ---
    Is that not the way of the warrior?
[07:12] ---
    We're retreating!
[07:14] ---
    They will listen if you give the order.
[07:18] ---
    Retreat!
[07:26] ---
    Misawa!
[07:30] ---
    Go!
[07:34] ---
    Retreat!
[07:35] ---
    Retreat! Retreat!
[07:46] ---
    Hijikata-san, are you sure you're okay now?
[07:49] ---
    Yeah, it no longer hurts.
[07:52] ---
    But...
[07:53] ---
    Even now, the Imperial Army is moving toward Oshu.
[08:00] ---
    Before long, even Aizu will become a battlefield.
[08:03] ---
    The Shinsengumi owe the Aizu Domain a debt of honor.
[08:08] ---
    I can't be the only one to lie and rest forever.
[08:16] ---
    Shirakawa
[08:16] ---
    After losing at Shirakawa Pass,
    Saito and his division retreated to Fukura.
[08:19] ---
    Wakamatsu Shiro Lake Nakayama Pass
    Fukura
    Sandai
[08:23] ---
    But honestly, the people in Aizu are, how to say...?
[08:27] ---
    They are rather inflexible.
[08:29] ---
    When I rushed to see Lord Katamori over an urgent
    matter, the soldier guarding the castle gate said,
[08:34] ---
    "I never heard about this. Even if you are the governor
    general, I cannot let you pass without authorization."
[08:42] ---
    The Aizu Domain's soldiers are
    famous for taking their duty seriously.
[08:45] ---
    The phrase "honest to a fault"
    comes to mind rather than "serious."
[08:50] ---
    I struggle to understand them.
[08:52] ---
    It is that honesty that proves they are dependable.
[09:00] ---
    Warriors are meant to be honest.
[09:02] ---
    Isn't that precisely why they were left
    in charge of defending the capital?
[09:18] ---
    Attention!
[09:25] ---
    Saito-dono, as you said, our armor merely
    served to slow us down on the battlefield.
[09:31] ---
    You risked life and limb to protect us even
    though we had defied your every order.
[09:36] ---
    I only did what anyone would do.
[09:39] ---
    Unlike us, who could do nothing but flee,
    you displayed incredible swordsmanship.
[09:44] ---
    I am ashamed of myself for how I slighted you
    over wearing your swords on your right.
[09:49] ---
    I offer you my heartfelt apology.
[09:52] ---
    You have made me realize...
[09:54] ---
    ...a warrior's spirit is not in how he looks.
[10:01] ---
    Fukura, Aizu
    Shinsengumi
    Camp
[10:06] ---
    Considering the Imperial Army's forces,
[10:09] ---
    Fukura / Sandai / Nihonmatsu Castle / Noyama
[10:09] ---
    there is a possibility that they will
    take Nihonmatsu as well.
[10:09] ---
    Fukura / Nakayama Pass / Sandai / Nihonmatsu Castle / Noyama
[10:13] ---
    The problem is what comes after that.
[10:17] ---
    Will they come to Aizu or go to Sendai?
[10:20] ---
    It's Aizu!
[10:22] ---
    After all, Choshu hates Aizu.
[10:25] ---
    Hijikata-san!
[10:28] ---
    Chizuru!
[10:29] ---
    Heisuke-kun!
[10:32] ---
    Have your wounds healed?
[10:34] ---
    Yeah. Sorry to have worried you.
[10:37] ---
    Man! And here I got to take it easy with you gone.
[10:44] ---
    You sure you weren't whining the whole time?
[10:47] ---
    At any rate, this is a relief.
[10:49] ---
    Since you are our central pillar,
    your return will boost morale.
[10:58] ---
    Saito.
[11:00] ---
    Sorry I dumped such a heavy duty on you.
[11:03] ---
    It was nothing.
[11:07] ---
    Several days later,
    we received word that Nihonmatsu fell.
[11:12] ---
    If the enemy takes Aizu, they will go through
    Bonari Pass here and aim for Tsuruga Castle.
[11:14] ---
    Nihonmatsu Castle / Mt. Bandai / Bonari Pass
[11:15] ---
    Mt. Bandai / Bonari Pass
[11:16] ---
    Bonari Pass
[11:19] ---
    Yeah.
[11:20] ---
    Otori-san has set formations in Bonari Pass
    and will intercept them there.
[11:24] ---
    So will we offer reinforcements?
[11:27] ---
    Naturally!
[11:29] ---
    If we let them take Aizu, it will set
    a bad example for the Oshu Alliance.
[11:34] ---
    We must stop them at Bonari Pass no matter what!
[11:36] ---
    August
    1868
[11:37] ---
    August 1868. The fires of war broke out at Bonari Pass.
[11:44] ---
    With the Tosa Domain providing the main forces for
    the Imperial Army, they were roughly 3,000 men strong.
[11:49] ---
    In comparison, Aizu had the former
    Bakufu army led by Keisuke Otori.
[11:53] ---
    They used the 400 men from the Denshu Company as
    their primary force, combined with
[11:57] ---
    the Nihonmatsu soldiers, the Sendai soldiers, and the 70
    members of the Shinsengumi - a total of 800.
[12:03] ---
    The difference in strength was obvious.
[12:26] ---
    Saito-dono!
[12:30] ---
    Masaki-sama! At this rate...
[12:37] ---
    Masaki!
[12:41] ---
    Saito-san, I received orders from Otori-san to retreat.
[12:46] ---
    Saito-dono, please pull back.
[12:49] ---
    We will handle things here.
[12:53] ---
    Don't be foolish. You're up against a massive army!
[12:56] ---
    At least we could buy you and
    the Shinsengumi enough time to retreat.
[13:01] ---
    Please go!
[13:03] ---
    You went out of your way to come here
    and help the Aizu Domain.
[13:07] ---
    We cannot let you die here!
[13:11] ---
    Are you rushing to your death again?
[13:14] ---
    In the last battle you told me to carefully
    choose when and where I die.
[13:20] ---
    Now is the time for us to sacrifice ourselves!
[13:23] ---
    Please go back and protect Lord Katamori.
[13:27] ---
    For that, we would be your shields!
[13:31] ---
    This is the Aizu warrior spirit!
[13:34] ---
    Take care of Aizu and Lord Katamori for us!
[13:39] ---
    Masaki-dono...
[13:41] ---
    Masaki-sama!
[13:43] ---
    We will fight with you until the end!
[13:46] ---
    You are to retreat!
[13:47] ---
    Masaki-sama!
[13:48] ---
    Live on for us and protect Aizu!
[13:52] ---
    Fight alongside the Shinsengumi.
[13:59] ---
    Saito-dono, farewell!
[14:05] ---
    Masaki-sama!
[14:07] ---
    Retreat. Do not... put their valiant resolve to waste!
[14:12] ---
    Let's go!
[14:18] ---
    After that, we were unable to rally.
[14:22] ---
    The Aizu lost and retreated one skirmish after the next.
[14:26] ---
    Shiokawa
    Former Bakufu
    Army Camp
[14:30] ---
    Pull back to Sendai?!
[14:33] ---
    Even if we continue to fight,
    it is only a matter of time before Aizu falls.
[14:38] ---
    From what I have heard, the former Bakufu navy,
    which centers around Enomoto-san,
[14:43] ---
    has fled Edo and is sailing northbound.
[14:47] ---
    I believe we have no choice but to leave for Sendai,
    request reinforcements, and bide our time.
[14:54] ---
    You mean to abandon the Aizu Domain?
[14:58] ---
    Did Lord Katamori approve of this?!
[15:01] ---
    Those are... Lord Katamori's wishes.
[15:06] ---
    What?!
[15:07] ---
    However, Lord Katamori plans to stay
    in Aizu and fight down to the last man.
[15:16] ---
    Then shouldn't we follow the example
    of his warrior spirit and fight alongside him?
[15:22] ---
    With the pride of a samurai, Lord Katamori is determined
    to share in the fate of the Aizu Domain.
[15:27] ---
    We will inherit his warrior pride and
    spirit and strive to return!
[15:31] ---
    But-!
[15:32] ---
    This is an order as the governor general!
[15:36] ---
    We will move our camp to Sendai.
[15:40] ---
    Prepare to pull back with all due haste.
[15:42] ---
    Please.
[15:47] ---
    Incredible!
[15:49] ---
    This is... a repeat of what happened with Kondou-san!
[15:59] ---
    I will stay behind.
[16:05] ---
    Saito...?
[16:07] ---
    Just as Otori-san said...
[16:08] ---
    ...it may be merely a matter
    of time before the Aizu Domain falls.
[16:13] ---
    But it is the Aizu Domain that has protected us until now.
[16:18] ---
    The warriors of this domain
    are fighting to be true to the end.
[16:22] ---
    I wish to accompany them and
    to be true to myself as a warrior.
[16:27] ---
    Hijikata-san, please go to Sendai.
[16:33] ---
    Is it true we're retreating to Sendai?
[16:36] ---
    So it would seem.
[16:38] ---
    Then I shall go on ahead.
[16:41] ---
    I am from Sendai, so I have some connections there.
[16:45] ---
    I would be ideal for learning the inside story.
[16:48] ---
    But Sannan-san, didn't we claim you're dead?
[16:52] ---
    I can come up with something.
[16:54] ---
    Furies aren't suited for reconnaissance!
[16:57] ---
    If we push ourselves a little, we can move.
[17:00] ---
    I would prefer that over staying on the defensive.
[17:03] ---
    True, Sannan-san may be
    the best man to send if he can go.
[17:09] ---
    Fine!
[17:10] ---
    I will go now since time is of the essence.
[17:16] ---
    I'll go with Sannan-san.
[17:18] ---
    I'm a bit nervous about letting him out of my sight.
[17:22] ---
    I appreciate it!
[17:24] ---
    Be careful, Heisuke-kun.
[17:26] ---
    You can count on me!
[17:29] ---
    I had best prepare to retreat.
[17:35] ---
    Are you bent on staying?
[17:40] ---
    I am.
[17:45] ---
    The men of the Aizu Domain possess true warrior spirits.
[17:50] ---
    For that, we would be your shields!
[17:53] ---
    Take care of Aizu and Lord Katamori for us!
[17:57] ---
    As a warrior, I must not abandon Aizu.
[18:03] ---
    As a warrior, huh?
[18:06] ---
    That stings.
[18:09] ---
    Hijikata-san, please see this through until the end.
[18:12] ---
    Our banner with the symbol "Truth" has
    become an anchor of strength for warriors.
[18:17] ---
    The Shinsengumi guide warriors...
[18:20] ---
    it is their banner.
[18:22] ---
    Truth
[18:22] ---
    Hijikata-san, I believe it is your duty to bear that banner.
[18:30] ---
    Jeez, that's easy for you to say!
[18:34] ---
    First Kondou-san and now you.
    Everyone dumps their baggage on me.
[18:42] ---
    I have a favor to ask of you.
[18:45] ---
    As I am remaining in Aizu,
    please give me permission to raise our banner.
[18:51] ---
    You want our banner?
[18:53] ---
    It is an anchor for warrior spirits...
[18:56] ---
    I want to raise it in this land which
    is ingrained with the warrior spirit.
[19:00] ---
    I can't grant or deny permission!
    Our banner of truth belongs to you as well.
[19:06] ---
    It will for as long as you are
    a member of the Shinsengumi.
[19:09] ---
    Hijikata-san...
[19:11] ---
    Even if we are far apart,
    our hearts are one under the flag of truth!
[19:18] ---
    Never forget that.
[19:23] ---
    Don't rush to the grave.
[19:26] ---
    I appreciate your concern.
[19:29] ---
    You have entrusted the Shinsengumi to me.
[19:31] ---
    I swear I will stay with them until the end.
[19:35] ---
    Sir!
[19:48] ---
    Saito-san, thank you so much for everything!
[19:54] ---
    Look after Hijikata-san.
[19:58] ---
    Don't worry. I mean, Hijikata-san
    wouldn't die if you killed him.
[20:09] ---
    So, Saito-san, don't you die either!
[20:13] ---
    Of course.
[20:15] ---
    I swear I won't on the name of the Shinsengumi.
[20:36] ---
    The Imperial Army invaded Aizu.
[20:39] ---
    While giving birth to countless tragedies,
    the war in Aizu drew to a close a month later.
[20:47] ---
    September 1868
    Takaku Village, Aizu
[20:53] ---
    Truth
[21:02] ---
    Truth
[21:04] ---
    I am Hajime Saito of the Shinsengumi!
[21:07] ---
    I swear by our flag of truth, I will not let you pass!
[21:11] ---
    Truth
[21:35] ---
    I stare into your face
[21:41] ---
    Illuminated by the dark red setting sun
[21:47] ---
    I softly wish upon the burning sky to stop time
[22:00] ---
    You earnestly try to move forward as you bear your sadness
[22:11] ---
    If possible, I want to follow you down this rugged path
[22:24] ---
    The clouds flow by in the far, far distance
[22:31] ---
    Even if this moment lasts but a moment
[22:36] ---
    I want to be with you
[22:39] ---
    The sun that dyes my heart will last forever
[22:50] ---
    So just believe in our bonds
[23:01] ---
    We were a fruitless creation of the times.
[23:04] ---
    We never should have made the furies to begin with.
[23:07] ---
    In the end, was I of any... help?
[23:12] ---
    Next time
    Scattering
    Cherry Blossoms
[23:14] ---
    
[23:16] ---