# 19 - Blade of the Sun
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GDKHZE2Q7/hakuoki-demon-of-the-fleeting-blossom)
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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] ---**