5 - Stairway to the Blue Skies

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.)
SIGN    Osaka
[00:04] ---
    As I said, the master is currently away!
[00:08] ---
    Insolent whelp!
[00:10] ---
    We are devoted warriors who have traveled
[00:14] ---
    all the way from the east to
    fight for national loyalism!
[00:18] ---
    I am most sorry!
[00:20] ---
    I beg of you!
[00:22] ---
    Please accept this and
    pardon his insolence!
SIGN    Tempo Koban of 50 Ryou
[00:28] ---
    What’s this?
[00:30] ---
    You were here after all.
[00:33] ---
    Serizawa-san, what were you thinking?!
SIGN    Money Exchange House
[00:36] ---
    We came to Osaka to borrow
    money to fund the Roshigumi!
[00:41] ---
    But you...
[00:42] ---
    Doesn’t this make us no better than the
[00:45] ---
    rogue samurai who forcibly borrow money?!
[00:47] ---
    In this day and age,
    those who save easy money
[00:52] ---
    clearly made a profit by doing
    business with foreigners.
[00:55] ---
    I would think that punishing
    such vile merchants
[00:58] ---
    is part of our duty as nationalists.
[01:01] ---
    You’re using fuzzy logic!
[01:03] ---
    Then do you know of
    another way to procure
[01:07] ---
    funding for the Roshigumi?
[01:10] ---
    Serizawa-sensei is out here doing
[01:13] ---
    the dirty work to gather funds...
[01:16] ---
    What right do you have to criticize him
[01:18] ---
    when you haven’t done a thing?
[01:21] ---
    You can’t even play
    the villain, can you?
[01:25] ---
    What?!
[01:26] ---
    A samurai’s existence must be
[01:28] ---
    awe-inspiring to the ordinary citizens.
[01:31] ---
    Moreover, you must be resolved
[01:32] ---
    to incite fear in the hearts of others
[01:35] ---
    if you intend to fight against the rogue
[01:37] ---
    samurai in the future.
[01:39] ---
    We need... resolve?
[03:19] ---
    Hijikata-san’s taking forever.
[03:22] ---
    This place is filled with nasty vibes.
[03:25] ---
    I think I’m going to take
    a walk around the area.
[03:35] ---
    Nagakura-kun, handle things here.
[03:45] ---
    Is the boat ready yet?
[03:48] ---
    Should I go see how it’s coming along?
[03:50] ---
    Wait! Nagakura-kun, you may stay.
[03:53] ---
    Go on, dog!
[03:54] ---
    What?
[03:57] ---
    F-fine! I’ll go ask!
[04:04] ---
    Why does everyone always leave me behind?
[04:07] ---
    EPISODE 5:
    Stairway to the Blue Skies
[04:22] ---
    Oh, it’s you.
[04:23] ---
    What is it?
[04:24] ---
    Serizawa-san wants to know
    when the boat is departing.
[04:29] ---
    Apparently there was
    some sort of mistake,
[04:31] ---
    so it’s won’t be for a little while.
[04:33] ---
    Got it.
[04:38] ---
    I wonder why...
[04:41] ---
    I can’t stand a thing he says or does,
[04:45] ---
    but for some reason that
[04:47] ---
    man’s words stab deep into my chest.
[04:50] ---
    He makes me realize just
    how naïve we have been.
[04:59] ---
    Say, this has been eating
    at me this whole time...
[05:05] ---
    Have you spoken to Okita
    since that incident?
[05:08] ---
    Haven’t you and Okita been
[05:09] ---
    pals since your dojo days in Edo?
[05:17] ---
    I don’t need to worry about
[05:19] ---
    Souji with Kondou-san dealing with him.
[05:22] ---
    But--!
[05:26] ---
    It’s nothing...
[05:30] ---
    Maybe I should go.
[05:32] ---
    We can’t stay stuck like this forever.
SIGN    Several Days Later, Kyoto
SIGN    Ink Sticks
[05:52] ---
    Excuse me!
[05:53] ---
    I was asked to get an ink stick.
[05:55] ---
    Could you show me what you’ve got?
[05:58] ---
    I do not have any.
[05:59] ---
    Huh? You don’t?
[06:01] ---
    But doesn’t this shop
    specialize in selling ink?
[06:04] ---
    That is correct,
[06:05] ---
    but I have already
    sold out of today’s stock.
[06:08] ---
    Please take your leave.
[06:11] ---
    What?!
[06:12] ---
    There’s no way in the world
[06:14] ---
    
    you could have totally run out!
[06:16] ---
    Say what you will, but...
[06:19] ---
    My apologies, Sir.
[06:21] ---
    This man is an acquaintance of mine.
[06:23] ---
    Huh?
[06:24] ---
    Could you sell him a stick?
[06:27] ---
    Is that right?
[06:29] ---
    Come to think of it, I
    just might have one left.
SIGN    Dried Blue Ink Stick
[06:46] ---
    I owe you one!
[06:48] ---
    Thanks a lot!
[06:49] ---
    It’s nothing.
[06:51] ---
    There are some in Kyoto who feel uneasy
[06:53] ---
    when they hear your eastern dialect.
[06:56] ---
    Please don’t hold it against him.
[06:57] ---
    Ah, so that’s what the deal was.
[07:01] ---
    By the way, have I met
    you somewhere before?
[07:08] ---
    I see elite samurai do
    not remember everything
[07:11] ---
    that happens in a banquet room.
[07:13] ---
    Huh?
[07:18] ---
    Thank you for your help back then.
[07:25] ---
    Oh, it’s you!
[07:28] ---
    I totally didn’t recognize
    you without your MAIKO attire!
[07:32] ---
    How was your injury?
[07:36] ---
    The doctor say that it
    merely gave me a bump,
[07:37] ---
    so I may return to work once
    it isn’t so noticeable.
[07:43] ---
    I see...
[07:45] ---
    It must have been a nightmare.
[07:48] ---
    I have heard that the
    man named Serizawa-han
[07:51] ---
    came to Kyoto with the
    Roshigumi to protect Kyoto.
[07:55] ---
    Uh, r-right...
[07:58] ---
    Then why does he treat the weak
[08:01] ---
    
    such as myself so cruelly?
[08:04] ---
    N-no, it isn’t limited to the weak!
[08:07] ---
    He’s always mean to me and the
[08:10] ---
    
    members of the Roshigumi.
[08:14] ---
    Uh-huh!
[08:21] ---
    Yeah, but seriously, why
    did you talk back to him?
[08:24] ---
    Huh?
[08:25] ---
    I mean, considering
    where you work and all,
[08:28] ---
    shouldn’t you act a
    bit more businesslike?
[08:33] ---
    What do you mean by “considering
    where I work”?
[08:36] ---
    Huh? Well, don’t you
    get paid for serving SAKE
[08:40] ---
    and casually pleasing your customers?
[08:49] ---
    You don’t know anything about me,
[08:52] ---
    so don’t make that stuff up!
[08:54] ---
    H-hey, wait!
[09:12] ---
    Yo! If it isn’t Ryunosuke!
[09:14] ---
    What’s up?
[09:19] ---
    You moron!
[09:22] ---
    What was that for?!
[09:23] ---
    You actually said that crap
    to that nice little MAIKO?
[09:27] ---
    No wonder she gave you that handprint.
[09:33] ---
    Unbelievable... We’re going.
[09:35] ---
    Go? Go where?
[09:37] ---
    You’re gonna go apologize
    to that little lady, duh!
[09:41] ---
    Ow, ow! Why should I?!
[09:42] ---
    Just apologize!
[09:43] ---
    Wait, wait! That hurts!
[09:45] ---
    Come on, moron!
SIGN    Shimabara
[09:46] ---
    Hey, mind if I ask you something?
[09:49] ---
    We’re searching for a MAIKO.
[09:51] ---
    Okay. What is the girl’s name?
[09:54] ---
    Ryunosuke?
[09:57] ---
    Like I said, I’m not apolo--Ow!
[09:59] ---
    Be good and answer the question!
[10:02] ---
    What’s her name?
[10:04] ---
    Pretty sure it’s Kosuzu.
[10:06] ---
    Oh, if you’re looking
    for Kosuzu-chan...
[10:13] ---
    No, no! Stop, stop!
[10:15] ---
    Kosuzu, how many times must I tell you?
[10:18] ---
    Did I not tell you to slowly
    turn to the right at that part?
[10:21] ---
    You did. I apologize.
[10:23] ---
    Mother, please let me try again.
[10:28] ---
    Okay. Turn there and bow.
[10:32] ---
    Right. Be sure to bow low.
[10:34] ---
    She is currently in the
    middle of practice...
[10:36] ---
    Do it again!
    Okay. Then we’ll wait here for a bit.
[10:38] ---
    Okay!
    Okay. Then we’ll wait here for a bit.
[10:40] ---
    Okay, now turn and bow.
[10:44] ---
    Right.
[10:46] ---
    Thank you kindly.
[10:50] ---
    Ma’am, there is a customer
    here to see Kosuzu-han.
[10:55] ---
    Sorry for the wait.
[10:58] ---
    Sorry to disturb ya.
[11:00] ---
    Apparently he said some
    pretty rude stuff to you,
[11:03] ---
    so he came to apologize.
[11:04] ---
    Do it, Ryunosuke!
[11:07] ---
    Fine!
[11:09] ---
    Bowing in apology means nothing if
[11:11] ---
    he does not regret what he said.
[11:13] ---
    You’ve got a point.
[11:15] ---
    Sorry, but could you explain to
[11:18] ---
    this idiot why you got so mad?
[11:22] ---
    He’s truly an ignorant idiot!
[11:25] ---
    Quit calling me an idiot.
[11:28] ---
    Ibuki-han, you said
    that we should casually
[11:31] ---
    try to please our banquet guests,
[11:35] ---
    but since arriving in Kyoto,
[11:37] ---
    I have not missed a single day of dance,
[11:40] ---
    SHAMISEN or music lessons.
[11:45] ---
    And not just me.
[11:47] ---
    The same is true of the other women.
[11:50] ---
    This place has been soaked
    with our sweat and tears.
[11:56] ---
    All of us live by selling the arts
[11:58] ---
    we have worked so hard to master!
[12:07] ---
    I...
[12:09] ---
    Now do you get it?
[12:11] ---
    Everyone has something that
    they will stand up for.
[12:17] ---
    I’m really sorry!
[12:21] ---
    I said something horrible
[12:23] ---
    when I didn’t know a thing about you!
[12:26] ---
    I’m sorry!
[12:30] ---
    That is enough.
[12:32] ---
    Please raise your head, Ibuki-han.
[12:36] ---
    I am sorry I slapped you.
[12:39] ---
    Are you all right?
[12:41] ---
    Uh, yeah, I guess...
[12:43] ---
    Although I was surprised
    when it came out of nowhere.
[12:50] ---
    If you do not mind, could you ask for me
[12:52] ---
    the next time you visit a banquet room?
[12:55] ---
    Huh? But...
[12:58] ---
    There’s no way I’ll
    get to visit one again.
[13:02] ---
    Please watch me perform my arts.
[13:05] ---
    No, like I said--
[13:07] ---
    Sheesh! Just say, “Okay!” already!
[13:09] ---
    What gives?! Let go of me!
[13:11] ---
    Be a man!
[13:15] ---
    Everyone, listen to this!
[13:17] ---
    We have been granted an audience
[13:19] ---
    with the lieutenant
    general of Aizu tomorrow.
[13:22] ---
    All of the Roshigumi will visit
[13:24] ---
    the Kyoto Military
    Commissioner’s headquarters.
[13:26] ---
    Awesome!
[13:28] ---
    That means they’ve finally
    acknowledged how cool we are!
[13:31] ---
    What should I do?
[13:32] ---
    Y’know, I don’t have a thing to wear!
[13:35] ---
    Men, calm down!
[13:37] ---
    He’s not done talking!
[13:39] ---
    So here’s the deal:
[13:40] ---
    Since we will be in the presence of the
[13:43] ---
    Aizu Domain’s lieutenant general,
[13:45] ---
    I would like to hold some
    matches for him to watch!
[13:48] ---
    Some matches for him?
[13:50] ---
    You mean we get to fight
    in front of a lord?
[13:53] ---
    Yeah! It’d be a waste if we just
[13:55] ---
    went to meet him and ended at that.
[13:59] ---
    Why should we go through
    all of that trouble?
[14:02] ---
    Indeed!
[14:03] ---
    The Aizu Domain hardly even
    cough up money to fund our work.
[14:07] ---
    Leave all of that sweaty work to us.
[14:11] ---
    This job isn’t big enough
    to concern two chiefs over it.
[14:16] ---
    We’ve already decided
    who will face who.
[14:19] ---
    The first match will be
    between Heisuke and I.
[14:23] ---
    I-I’m fighting Hijikata-san...?
[14:25] ---
    And the second match will be
    between Shinpachi and Saito.
[14:28] ---
    Saito, eh?
[14:30] ---
    This should make for
    a pretty interestin’ match!
[14:32] ---
    The final match will be
    between Sannan-san and...
[14:35] ---
    ...Souji, you.
[14:40] ---
    The Aizu Domain’s
    assessment of us depends
[14:44] ---
    on the skills displayed in the matches,
[14:46] ---
    so please put your heart your practice!
[14:49] ---
    Yessir!
[14:55] ---
    Everyone’s all excited, huh?
[14:57] ---
    That’s because we finally
    get our chance to shine.
[15:01] ---
    Oh, right! Ikubi-kun, why don’t you
[15:04] ---
    take advantage of this opportunity
[15:05] ---
    to start training with the sword?
[15:07] ---
    Me?!
[15:08] ---
    Yeah! I’d be willing to
    personally instruct you.
[15:11] ---
    I-I’ll pass.
[15:13] ---
    I mean, with those important
    matches coming up
[15:16] ---
    shouldn’t you overlook
    everyone’s training instead?
[15:19] ---
    You think?
[15:20] ---
    In that case, I might do just that.
[15:24] ---
    What’s this?
[15:26] ---
    And here I thought you were going
[15:27] ---
    to refuse ’cause
    “it’d be a hassle.”
[15:29] ---
    You’ve matured a bit, haven’t ya?
[15:31] ---
    Hey, knock it off!
SIGN    Headquarters of the Kyoto Military Commissioner Konkaikoumyouji Main Temple
[15:39] ---
    Kondou-kun, I take it the men from your
[15:42] ---
    dojo will put on a show worth watching.
[15:46] ---
    I am confident that they will.
[15:51] ---
    You may now begin!
[16:00] ---
    What’s he doing?
[16:02] ---
    It’s called the “Wagtail Sword.”
[16:04] ---
    He keeps the sword constantly moving
[16:06] ---
    so that his opponent cannot
    read when he will strike.
[16:50] ---
    Dang it! And here I was so close.
[16:53] ---
    Oh, Heisuke...
[16:55] ---
    Huh?
[16:56] ---
    Forget it. That was a good match.
[17:02] ---
    Begin!
[17:05] ---
    Isn’t that man’s stance backwards?
[17:08] ---
    Right, he is left-handed.
[17:11] ---
    Aren’t you going to make
    him learn the right way?
[17:13] ---
    There are essentially no
    left-handed warriors out there.
[17:17] ---
    In other words, there are no sword
[17:20] ---
    techniques to counter
    a left-handed opponent.
[17:24] ---
    Nothing could be more
    advantageous in actual combat.
[17:27] ---
    That makes sense.
[17:39] ---
    Most impressive, Saito!
[17:41] ---
    Have you improved some more?
[17:43] ---
    You have as well.
[17:47] ---
    But I’m going to win with my next move.
[17:50] ---
    I do not intend to lose!
[18:14] ---
    Stop there!
[18:17] ---
    His movement was amazing!
[18:20] ---
    Dammit! I lost.
[18:23] ---
    Good job!
[18:26] ---
    Is that the Wagtail Sword again?
[18:27] ---
    Yeah.
[18:29] ---
    But Sannan-san...
[18:30] ---
    Is that going to work on Souji?
[18:39] ---
    I can read your moves, Sannan-san.
[18:42] ---
    I see you’ve grown strong, Okita-kun.
[18:46] ---
    Souji’s stance has
    changed a bit after all.
[18:53] ---
    I’m going to wrap this up, Sannan-san!
[19:01] ---
    Thanks to all of you, the
    Aizu lieutenant general
[19:04] ---
    gave us wonderful words of praise.
[19:07] ---
    We’re partying today!
[19:09] ---
    Drink as much as you like!
[19:20] ---
    Hey, you guzzlin’ the booze, Ryunosuke?
[19:23] ---
    Not a sip.
[19:24] ---
    What, you can’t drink?
[19:27] ---
    Isn’t that bad for a warrior
    who speaks of politics?
[19:32] ---
    Dude, that’s Niimi-san!
[19:33] ---
    You sounded just like him.
[19:39] ---
    When they get like this,
     they won’t stop until morning,
[19:41] ---
    so you should turn in for
    the day before too long.
[19:44] ---
    Yeah...
[19:46] ---
    Everyone’s psyched that the lord from
[19:48] ---
    Aizu complemented them, aren’t they?
[19:50] ---
    Yes.
[19:52] ---
    After all, it just increased the chances
[19:54] ---
    of Aizu becoming our patron.
[19:57] ---
    But the real trials are yet to come...
[20:05] ---
    Awesome! Too cool!
[20:10] ---
    So that’s our new uniform, eh?
[20:12] ---
    Yeah!
[20:15] ---
    In order to spread the Roshigumi’s
    name throughout Kyoto,
[20:17] ---
    Serizawa-sensei had these made
[20:19] ---
    with the money he collected in Osaka.
[20:21] ---
    Hey, let’s go ahead and try ’em on!
[20:25] ---
    Would that be okay, Serizawa-san?
[20:27] ---
    Sure, go ahead!
[20:28] ---
    Try them on.
[20:29] ---
    Sweet!
[20:32] ---
    Gen-san, get the scissors! The scissors!
[20:33] ---
    We gotta cut off the tacking thread!
[20:34] ---
    Just give me a moment.
[20:35] ---
    Hurry! Hurry!
[20:37] ---
    I’ll cut it for you, so
    sit still for a moment!
[20:39] ---
    Mine, too!
[20:40] ---
    Sano-san, what do you
    think of these coats?
[20:42] ---
    I think they’re a bit flashy...
[20:45] ---
    Right, Saito?
[20:46] ---
    You have a point.
[20:47] ---
    This is one way to spread word about the
[20:50] ---
    Roshigumi throughout Kyoto.
[20:54] ---
    Besides, if we’re all in the same
    uniform when we go on patrol,
[20:58] ---
    no one will confuse us
    with those rogue samurai
[21:00] ---
    and it prevents us from accidentally
    cutting down one of our own.
[21:03] ---
    Makes sense.
[21:06] ---
    Serizawa-san, do you have a moment?
[21:09] ---
    Henceforth, we may receive
[21:12] ---
    numerous opportunities
    to guard Aizu’s elite.
[21:15] ---
    In which case, recruiting more men
    will be a matter of great urgency.
[21:19] ---
    We already thought of that
    and came up with a plan to--
[21:24] ---
    As long as we sell the
    Roshigumi’s name,
[21:26] ---
    soldiers will come flocking to us.
[21:28] ---
    That’s what these uniforms are for.
[21:30] ---
    Hijikata!
[21:40] ---
    Okay, guys,
[21:43] ---
    let’s go!
[21:44] ---
    Yeah!
[23:26] ---
    The Shogunate ordered us to do this!
[23:28] ---
    Run for it, Ryunosuke!
[23:29] ---
    The way he looked...
    He was definitely a Fury.
[23:32] ---
    If you lack any real resolve,
[23:34] ---
    don’t waltz out onto a battlefield.
[23:37] ---
    NEXT EPISODE:
    Howling from the Darkness
[23:42] ---