TENPO YEAR 1 (1830)
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
Shut up!
Annoying brat.
You're a goddamn mistake.
C'mere!
No, please!
Help me, Jinta!
Wait, Dad!
I'm sorry!
I'm s-sorry...
Suzune! Suzune!
Suzune!
Suzune?
Jinta...
Suzune!
I'm sorry. I should have done something.
Don't say that, Jinta. You're gonna get in trouble!
Just forget about me and go back home.
Okay?
We're leaving.
Huh?
Are you getting cold, Suzune?
Not with you here. I'll be fine.
No place to go? Then come stay with me.
Jinta? Jinta!
Ah, good morning.
Well, no more riding piggyback for you.
Time to walk on your own.
What a weird place...
This village was built to house blacksmiths who use large bellows to forge katana.
Well, come on in.
Daddy! Welcome home!
Thank you. Have you been a good girl?
Mm-hm!
Who are they?
Kids who need a home.
So they're going to live with us from now on.
You mean, in our house?
Yes. I'm making them part of our family.
Is that okay?
Yeah!
My name is Shirayuki! What's your name?
J-Jinta...
Hello there! Will you tell me your name, too?
I'm Suzune.
Thank you!
Let's be friends, okay?
All right. Shirayuki-chan...
You don't need to call me that.
Because from now on, we're all going to be family!
Can't sleep?
Are you a samurai, Motoharu-san?
No. I'm a sentinel.
I keep important things and people safe.
You always eat too many dango, Shirayuki-chan. We should go vegetable picking instead next time!
I can't help it, Chitose-chan. Your mom just makes the best dango.
I know, right?
Chitose!
My mom's calling me.
Bye for now!
See you later!
Bye to you, too, Jinta-nii!
I'm back, Mommy!
Guess what? My friends and I went to the river today to play in the water and we had so much fun...
So, about your mom...
Her name is Yokaze, right?
I know she was the one who helped us get the permission we needed to live here in Kadono village.
She never leaves that shrine, huh?
Yeah. It's because she's the Itsukihime.
What's that?
Well, it's another name for the Miko of the Fire God.
The only people allowed to see the Itsukihime are the village chieftain and our dad, her sentinel.
The rules say the Itsukihime can't interact with regular people, because it might taint her holy powers.
It's been years since I last saw her myself...
Come on. Let's go home.
TENPO YEAR 3 (1833)
Still not good enough.
Well, only practice makes perfect.
Yeah, yeah!
But y'know, it feels like I haven't made any progress at all...
Listen, Jinta.
Nothing is forever.
Although you may feel like you're still the same,
the reality is that you've been changing little by little.
So buck up. You'll get tougher in time.
I guarantee it.
Okay.
Well, it's time for me to go fulfill my duties.
Motoharu-san!
Thanks for training me.
Sure.
Daddy! Don't forget this!
Why thank you.
Be safe!
Will do.
Too bad that you lost.
Does it still hurt?
Cut it out.
Aw, don't be like that. I'm trying to be a good big sister and cheer you up.
How are you my big sister? You're younger than me.
Because I've got my act together! That makes me the mature one!
Wah! S-Suzune!
Good morning, Jinta...
What's the matter?
Uh, it's nothing!
Okay. It's time for breakfast.
Yay!
Right.
Once again, your demon-slaying skills prove impeccable.
Jinta. You never falter in the face of those flesh-eating monsters.
Your stalwart dedication is to be admired.
Not at all. I am merely fulfilling my duties as the village sentinel.
What sort of demon was it this time?
It used a human disguise to try and sneak into Kadono unnoticed.
Then it must have been after our princess.
Demons naturally have a lifespan that lasts over a thousand years.
But legend has it that eating the fresh liver of a Miko can make them immortal.
Oh please, we don't even know if that folktale is true or not.
Does it matter? The previous Itsukihime, Yokaze, was in fact eaten by a demon.
And we only managed to put an end to the monster after Motoharu gave his life.
It's possible they seek to obtain Yarai.
The sacred sword passed down to the Itsukihime for generations.
I imagine it holds great value to the demons, as well.
Perhaps.
The story goes that Yarai was created by using the best smithing techniques in Kadono.
It is a mystical katana that has remained in pristine shape for well over a century.
Now the demons seek to wield its power. Is that what you suggest?
However...
Yes, I know what you wish to say.
Don't get your loincloth in such a twist, Father.
You realize the Itsukihime now has two sentinels protecting her, don't you?
Kiyomasa.
Although one of them is an oddball with no talent for anything except swinging a sword around.
Right?
You got a problem with me?
You know this sacred shrine is no place for such petty quarrels.
Yes. Please accept my apologies.
That applies to you as well, Kiyomasa.
Seriously?
Of course. You are a sentinel, are you not?
I mean, sure. But the only thing I really do is hang around as your bodyguard.
Kiyomasa.
Yeah, yeah. I hear you.
Very well. This brings our meeting to a close.
Are you the only one who has stayed behind?
Yes.
Then we can drop the formalities.
Princess!
C'mon, Jinta. How many times do I gotta tell you? Quit all the fancy talk.
But you're in a role that's due respect.
I get it may be difficult for you, but I really wish you'd just use my name when we're alone.
Since at this point, you're the only one left who can call me that.
Yes, but...
Shirayuki.
Sorry to be so self-centered.
I gotta shape up!
I can't just rely on you forever.
Why is that a problem?
The whole reason the Itsukihime is assigned a sentinel is for her to depend on them.
Thank you.
By the way, Suzu-chan is here today.
Huh?
Shirayuki?
If she ever gets caught sneaking in here,
she better not come crying to me when they put her to death for blasphemy against the Itsukihime.
Don't be like that.
Suzu-chan only came here to see you.
Me?
You haven't been home in days because you were out hunting demons.
I think she couldn't wait any longer.
But that's no reason to break the rules.
Suzune! Wake up!
Good morning, Jinta.
Welcome home!
Thanks. Good to be back.
Suzune. I've told you over and over again that this shrine is off-limits.
You're not allowed to come here.
Boo! Why do you get to come but I don't?
Those are the rules and you need to follow them.
Okay!
Ah, the struggles of being an older brother.
Someone's coming. Keep quiet, Suzune.
It's okay, I know a secret way out!
Wait!
Bye-bye!
You handled that well.
Suzune-chan is such a sweet girl.
Although she can be a real handful sometimes...
May I have a moment of your time, Princess?
I was hoping to get your answer to my proposal from the other day.
Ah, I see...
Pardon me.
Jinta. Would you mind stepping outside for a few minutes?
But, sir, it's my duty to stay by her sid-
Jinta.
You are excused.
As you wish.
Jinta.
The safety of Kadono is in your hands. Please remain its staunch defender.
Listen, Jinta...
I'm going to become the Itsukihime.
I love this village that my mother gave her life for.
And I want to help keep it strong, because that feels like the right thing to do.
But it means...
I won't be able to see you again.
Then I'll just work my way up to you.
I don't have what it takes yet.
But I'll get tougher!
I'm going to follow in Motoharu-san's footsteps and train hard until I can defeat any demon.
Then I can become the village sentinel and see you again.
How goes it?
Swimmingly.
Even though it's my own ability, the idea seemed far too absurd for me to believe.
But now I've made sure of it with my own eyes.
There is no doubt. She looks exactly like the one I saw.
Getting a slow start today, huh, Jinta?
I was told I'm not needed at the shrine until this afternoon.
Oh really?!
Do I have something on my face?
Your bandage is coming undone.
Is it okay now?
Yeah.
We've really found happiness, haven't we?
All I ever need to be happy is you, Jinta.
Good morning!
Princess?
What are you doing here?!
I slipped away!
So come spend the day with me, Jinta!
You slipped away? But the Itsukihime can't-
It's okay.
I already got approval from the chieftain just for today!
C'mon, Jinta! Let's all have breakfast together like the old days!
Okay...
Hurry up, now!
We can't make the princess serve herself!
Hey, slow down! This isn't a party!
You should've prepared something more fancy.
No whining.
Are you just a bad cook or what?
Don't make me smack you.
Now that's rich. We all know you're too big of a softie to ever lay a hand on Suzu-chan.
I can be a strict brother when the need arises.
Even if that means getting rough.
It'll never happen in a million years.
You think so, too, huh?
Yep! I mean, you know how Jinta is.
You two are seriously asking for it.
Okay, then go right ahead.
Smack me if you can.
Yeah, well, I guess I'll let you off the hook.
There you have it!
Someone's in a good mood.
Well, duh! You get to spend a whole day with the princess!
That makes me super happy!
How does that work?
Because I love you, Jinta!
So your happiness is my happiness!
Watch after the house.
'Kay! Have fun!
Alright! Let's go eat some dango!
Suzune-chan's such a sweetie.
Yeah.
Did I just see Jinta-sama with a beautiful girl in tow...?
Look at that pretty girl hanging around Jinta-sama.
Does Byakuya-sama know about this?!
Talk about scandalous!
DANGO
Hey, Chitose. Pardon the sudden visit.
Oh, Jinta-sama!
Welcome... in?
Um, may I ask who this is?
A friend of mine. Let's just leave it at that.
Gimme 10 orders of dango!
Just two, actually.
And some tea, please.
Boo...
Chitose-chan doesn't recognize me, does she?
She hasn't seen you in person for years now.
What do you expect?
Yeah, I figured as much...
Thank you.
Your order is ready.
I see more than dango...
That's isobe mochi. You loved it as a kid, right?
You remember that?
Yeah. We had some on hand.
So help yourself, Jinta-nii...
Oh, I'm sorry! How rude of me!
I don't mind.
It's great!
Please enjoy yourselves.
She's a real bundle of nerves, huh?
I don't blame her.
Things have changed between us.
I'm no longer a big brother figure. I'm the village sentinel.
That makes sense.
"Nothing is forever."
One of dad's favorite catchphrases.
Yeah.
He was always trying to teach me important life lessons like that.
Even now, it feels like he's guiding me to follow in his footsteps.
That's good.
I hope we can live up to mom and dad.
By keeping the majesty of Kadono village safe just like they did.
Yeah.
Thanks for coming.
Same. I had a good time today.
I see. I'm glad to hear that.
I felt bad making you go along with another of my selfish whims...
So, are you satisfied?
Mm-hm.
Actually, I just wanted a chance for us to talk here.
This is where it all started for me.
Which is why I thought it was the best place to share my news.
So, will you hear me out?
Sure.
I'm going... to marry Kiyomasa.
I got lectured by the chieftain yesterday.
He said that if demons are coming for me,
then I should bear a successor before I end up like mom did.
Kiyomasa is a sentinel. Plus, he was born in Kadono.
And eventually, he'll become the village chieftain.
The idea is that our marriage would be to the benefit of everyone.
And I'm inclined to agree.
But speaking as Shirayuki, I want you to know...
...I love you, Jinta.
But I must live as Byakuya now.
I can't go back to being Shirayuki.
To be perfectly honest, I was ready to leave and start a life with you somewhere else.
But I knew that was a choice you would never make.
You're right.
Because you're not in love with me?
I swore an oath to protect Byakuya. Not Shirayuki.
I worked myself to the bone learning how to wield the blade when I was young,
because you courageously took up the mantle of Itsukihime and I respected you for it.
So if I make the choice to run away with you now,
it would be a waste of all my training,
and an affront to what you stand for.
I... could never live with that.
You and I are truly birds of a feather.
When all's said and done, we can't help but prioritize how we live our lives over who we live them with.
I made the choice to become the Itsukihime.
And I could never look you in the face again if I cast that identity aside now.
Because if following this path was just a mistake, then the same would be true of my feelings for you.
That's why...
I will continue to live as the Itsukihime.
So that my heart remains true, and my love for you thrives until the very end.
Okay.
Then I'll do the same, and keep living as your sentinel to protect you always.
Okay.
There have been two demons sighted prowling the Tabu Forest.
Kiyomasa shall stay here to guard Kadono.
Meanwhile, you shall enter the forest and fulfill your duties as sentinel.
Understood. I shall slay these demons with all haste.
May fortune be with you.
Hey.
Stop!
What's with the silent act?
You've heard the news about me and Byakuya, right?
Yeah.
And you're okay with it?!
What the hell is going through your head?!
Nothing. Only the happiness of our princess and the peace of our village.
Don't pretend you're not in love with her, too!
How can you be all right with this?
You're out of your mind, man.
Yes, I'm well aware.
Why hello there, little missy.
Damn, that attack was supposed to blindside you.
You're alone? I heard there were two of you.
My companion had business in Kadono.
I see.
I knew this would be fun.
We demons can easily live for more than a century, while you humans only last for a fraction of that.
And yet, humans can outlive themselves by passing down their dreams and techniques to others.
It's truly fascinating.
I simply must know.
Why do you wield that blade, human?
You've defied nature to amass power, but for what end?
For my people.
I will cut down whoever threatens those I must protect!
So, do you know what I am?
A demon...
Yep. The same as you.
We're both demons.
No! I'm not!
I'm human...
Sibling love. Isn't that just sweet?
Huh?
I mean, your love for your brother is what compels you to be human, right?
He must have been a very loyal defender to make you feel that way.
I honestly find it impressive.
Mm-hm!
You think the world of him, huh?
Of course!
Because he's my everything!
A young woman at heart, I see.
You might care to know that someone is out to hurt your brother.
Will you use your power to help me?
My power?
Yes. All you need to do is come with me.
Don't worry. We demons never lie.
I promise that I'm not going to hurt you.
No way!
Even if I know you won't hurt me, you still might hurt my brother!
That's fair.
But will you feel the same after seeing this?
What was that...?
I have the power of foresight.
And I can share my visions of the future with others, although they only get a brief glimpse at it.
That's NOT what I want to know! Was it real?!
Did she really...?
Oh, it's all very real.
You're lying.
Don't believe me?
Then come along and see for yourself.
Huh?
Do it for your brother.
For Jinta...?
My turn to ask a question.
Tell me, demon. Why do you bring harm to humans?
Because of what I am.
You mean to say demons kill humans by nature?
Not really.
But we exist to fulfill an intended purpose and mine is here.
Therefore, I work towards that end. And I'm helpless to do anything else.
Demons cannot defy their nature as demons.
You can't exercise any restraint?
We wouldn't be called demons otherwise.
All right.
Then I will show you no mercy.
A wise choice.
For I have the power of assimilation.
I feast upon other demons to gain their power,
which gives me such monstrous strength that it alters my very anatomy!
I have now fulfilled my purpose.
The other demon I was working with has the power of foresight.
And she has seen far into the future.
170 years, to be exact.
When the advent of an evil deity who rules over demonkind takes place here in Kadono.
That's how we learned the demon of all demons actually lives right in this village.
It's the whole reason we came.
A demon that lives in Kadono...?
Take this, human.
Consider it a parting gift.
You said you wield that sword for those you must protect.
Now let me ask you a new question.
What happens when those you've sworn to protect are no longer worthy of that protection?
Who will you cut down then?!
Tell me, human. Why do you wield that blade?
Kiyomasa?
Stop! Now is not the time.
At least wait until we know that Jinta is safe!
Now is the best time.
If we're lucky, this one night will be all it takes.
Or do you want me to wait? So that he can be around to hear you moaning?
It's up to you.
Well, I...
But I'll get tougher!
I'm going to follow in Motoharu-san's footsteps and train hard until I can defeat any demon.
I chose this path for the sake of Kadono.
And this is what the Itsukihime must do.
Y-you're both crazy...
See? It wasn't an illusion.
Suzu-chan...?
Why, princess? Why?
I'm not dead...
Suzune!
I thought you were in love with Jinta, princess.
But it looks like you're willing to settle for any guy, huh?
N-no!
Then explain this!
What are you doing?!
What did I suffer for?
No matter how much it tore my heart apart,
I still pushed for you and Jinta to be together with everything I had.
Because I knew it would make him happy.
That was the only reason.
Seeing him get close to anyone would have been unbearable otherwise!
But after all that... you do this?!
Suzu-chan, I see now...
You did it for Jinta.
You truly love him.
That's why you kept your body and mind from ever growing, to stay as his little sister, right?
I believed in you. I was ready to grin and bear it.
But after this?!
I'm sorry.
But there is only one person who I can be now.
I must live as the Itsukihime to preserve Kadono's legacy.
Because that's the only way I can think of to properly repay his feelings.
Are you serious?
You took everything that I ever wanted,
and now you're going to throw it away for a bunch of nobodies?
How dare you? How dare you?
Do you just enjoy making me look like a fool or what?!
Listen, I...
Shut that rotten mouth of yours right now.
See? Everything I told you was true.
The princess here is a no-good bitch.
She's not worth saving.
Your darling brother is out there risking his life for her, yet she's here stabbing him in the back.
She thinks it's hilarious to watch him fight so hard without knowing the truth.
Suzu-chan! Don't listen to that monster!
Suzu-chan! Look at me! Please, Suzu-chan! Suzu-chan!
Doesn't it just make you angry that your brother has to get hurt on behalf of this despicable whore?
So, let's think. What can you do to help your brother out?
That demon is lying to you! Don't believe her!
Here's an idea: Maybe it's better if she's dead.
Suzu-chan! Please no!
Suzu-chan?
Whatever, princess.
Just die.
Not so fast, playboy.
This is a fight between women only!
You should have the power to draw that sword now.
And I bet the princess will die happy knowing that she was killed by the very blade her people worshipped.
I still have my uses for this guy, though.
Enjoy yourselves!
This is gonna be fun.
Suzu-chan...?
Shirayuki! Suzune!
Shirayuki...?
Welcome back! I hope you're not hurt!
I'm going to become the Itsukihime.
Let's be friends, okay?
I'm trying to be a good big sister and cheer you up.
I slipped away!
We're all going to be family.
I love you, Jinta.
That was close! What's the big idea?
Are you okay, Jinta?
Did something happen?
Is that you, Suzune...?
Yeah!
Really?
Yeah, obviously!
Then why?
Why did you do that to Shirayuki?
What's with the long face?
I killed the princess for you.
You should be smiling!
How does that make sense...?
Oh, let me explain. The princess was going to get married to some other guy.
She was just a no-good cheating bitch who totally lied about being in love with you.
So there's no reason for you to feel sad!
Please, just stop...
Oh no, don't tell me you still love her?
Even though she stabbed you in the back? You're really going to mourn her?
Oh! But wait!
Now that she's dead, you don't have to go through the stress of watching her marry that other guy!
Isn't that great?
Hey, can we go home now? I'm exhausted!
"Exhausted"?
Yep! There were a lot of annoyances to get rid of.
You betrayed the good people of Kadono who raised us like their own,
and even killed Shirayuki.
Everything is in ruins and you have nothing to say for yourself except you're "exhausted'?!
Uh, is that a problem?
Ah, I get it...
The Suzune who I knew is already long gone, isn't she?
Jinta?
I'm so pathetic.
Literally everything has slipped through my fingers.
No, wait.
I guess I do have one thing left.
I don't understand. Why are you looking at me like that?
My pure hatred for anything and everything.
I only did this to make you happy!
That's why I killed that slut!
Enough! Shut up!
Oh, I see.
You're going to abandon me just like everyone else, huh?
You know, I thought you were different.
That you of all people would always be on my side.
Fine then.
I don't need you. I'm done having faith!
You were my everything, but if you can't appreciate me for who I am, then to hell with it!
Screw this world!
AND SCREW YOU!
Why don't you just give up?!
There's no point in wasting your life! Not anymore!
I told you to shut up!
Fine.
Then die!
Okay, then go right ahead.
Smack me if you can.
That wasn't enough?
All right, then.
You damn demons!
Run along, dear.
Wait, Suzune!
I hate everything now.
So I'm just going to rip it to shreds.
People, nations, and every last thing that exists in this world. I will destroy it all.
Remember me.
Because no matter how much time passes, I'll be coming to pay you one last visit before the end.
Oh yes! Sweet victory!
I have now fulfilled my purpose!
This is what you monsters consider your purpose?
Mindless bloodshed?!
That's right.
I've seen the future.
We demons can't hope to keep up with how quickly the times will change.
The darkness will get illuminated by manmade light, robbing us of our homes.
And eventually, "demons" will be nothing more than myths from the days of old.
But now...
I can die happy.
The future of my brethren is secure.
Some sentinel that I am. After all my tough talk...
I couldn't do a single damn thing.
I protected nothing!
Shirayuki... I loved you so much.
DANGO
I'm leaving Kadono.
I must retrain myself from scratch.
And prepare to fend off the demon god that will unleash their wrath upon this land.
Are you sure?
Because if that story is true, I can only assume the demon god is...
I must end this, one way or another.
So, you'll surrender to rage and kill your own sister?
Come now, Jinta. Surely that isn't what your heart desires.
Suzune is my darling sister.
But I loved Shirayuki, too.
And I can't help but hate her murderer.
I am consumed by malice that speaks to me even now.
Urging me to kill Suzune.
However... if it's possible, I do wish to find a peaceful solution.
Now that you've turned into a demon, I thought slaughter was all you would care for.
But it seems you still have some decency left in you.
Please take this.
Try to unsheathe it.
This now makes you the owner of Yarai.
Which means we should follow tradition and add the "night" kanji to your name.
From here on out, you will be "Jinya."
But, sir, it's not right for me to have this...
The Itsukihime lineage has ended, so that blade will only gather dust in the shrine.
It's better off in your hands now.
Besides, I'm sure the princess can rest happier that way.
Please forgive me!
I knew all about the love that you and the princess shared with each other!
But at the same time, I knew that Kiyomasa had feelings for her.
Although I claimed it was for the sake of Kadono,
I really only pushed for their marriage because I wanted my son to be happy!
This tragedy falls on my shoulders.
If you intend to revisit Kadono many moons in the future,
then the least I can do is atone by erecting a shrine in your honor.
It shall be called... the Jinta Shrine.
Although people and towns never last as long as demons do,
there are some things we can make in our short lives that withstand the test the time.
Jinta-nii!
You're really leaving?
In my eyes, you're still the same person that you've always been!
I'll be back again. Save some isobe mochi for me, will you?
Do you promise?
Because I'm holding you to that!
I understand now.
I know why that demon seemed so content as it claimed it had "fulfilled its purpose."
170 years, huh?
I always thought the events of the distant past had nothing to do with me.
But, as it turns out, the reason behind his tears..
Pardon me.
...was directly connected to the reason that I'm here right now.
Are you the Miko of this shrine?
I would soon come to learn...
...all about the long journey that he had taken...
...for the past 170 years.