Fictional work. Any similarity to real names or events is coincidental.
Underage smoking is prohibited.
Year 60 of the Yamato era. Spring.
Seii's Commander-in-Chief, Ohga Wajima, leading an army of 70,000,
launched her invasion into Okuetsu, deep within Yamato territory.
Just prior to this, sensing a growing unease,
Borderland General Mitsuhide Ryumon,
acting on the counsel of his strategist Yasuaki Kaku,
turned his forces back toward Fukui.
Meanwhile, in Kanazawa,
the Yamato commanders continued to be lavishly entertained day and night.
So, it's finally begun.
Indeed.
All of this is credited to your brilliant stratagem, Lord Nagao--
Save the flattery.
What's pivotal now is
drawing Ryumon and the others to Kanazawa as soon as possible.
I also have a letter from the Commander-in-Chief.
Wait, what?
THE SUCCESS OF THIS CAMPAIGN OWES MUCH TO YOUR EFFORTS.
Handwritten!
So precious!
Lord Nagao?
I'm finally getting fired up.
NIPPON SANGOKU: THE THREE NATIONS OF THE CRIMSON SUN
7 HOURS AFTER THE START OF WAR KUZURYU CASTLE
Commander Wajima.
Reporting.
Go on.
The Kura army has completed the capture of Kuzuryu Castle.
SEII STRATEGIST YAYAKICHI HEI
Did they run into more resistance than expected?
The Yamato troops fought fiercely,
and our forces took significant losses as well.
EPISODE 7: THE KANAZAWA NIGHT RAID
Is Aterui all right?
He appears to have suffered some injuries, but nothing life-threatening.
Have him rest, just to be safe.
This is just the opening battle.
Without him, we'll have a hard time in the battles ahead.
Yes, ma'am.
That said, we have also taken Katsuyama Castle and Ono Castle,
and secured Okuetsu in less than half a day.
Yes. Everyone fought admirably.
So precious.
However, there's one more matter.
According to our spies, it seems Ryumon and his forces
have picked up on something and withdrawn to Fukui.
A slightly unexpected turn of events, perhaps?
If it were any easier, the hunt wouldn't be worth it.
Yayakichi, as soon as Aterui's recovered,
we advance along the Kuzuryu River toward Reihoku.
We are going dragon hunting.
FUKUI REIHOKU CASTLE
We have come under attack
from an estimated 70,000 Seii soldiers out of Hakusan.
DISTRICT GOVERNOR OF FUKUI SHOJI TAIRA
All the outlying castles in Okuetsu are reported to have fallen.
BORDERLAND GENERAL MITSUHIDE RYUMON
And how many casualties on our side?
The castellan of each castle, 12 of the Borderland General Corps,
and over 1,000 general personnel and Okuetsu soldiers
lost their lives in the line of duty.
Here are the details.
District Governor Taira,
gather all our Fukui soldiers and civilian provisions in Reihoku immediately.
What? But then everywhere outside Reihoku will be left undefended.
If the Seii army attacks again, Fukui's territory will...
That hesitation to send reinforcements to Okuetsu
led to the last battle.
Didn't you just learn the hard way
that a picket-line defense guarding each outpost in isolation
can't even hold territory?
A rapid and certain concentration of all forces.
Failure to achieve this is tantamount to surrendering our relative advantage
and narrowing our chances of victory.
Lost territory can be reclaimed,
but once lives are lost, they can never be brought back.
There's no time to lose.
See to it that the move to Reihoku begins tonight.
Yes, sir!
CASTELLAN SATO DEPUTY CASTELLAN HIRAIZUMI
Castellan Sato, who lost his life in the line of duty,
was said to be widely respected for his character.
STRATEGIST YASUAKI KAKU
I offer my sincere condolences.
Sato liked his drink.
I think you two would've gotten along.
Given the scale of the Okuetsu invasion,
Seii likely lacks the capacity to strike Kanazawa's main force.
However, as long as the main force remains unaware that the war has begun,
they are effectively hostages.
Given that, how do you think our return to Fukui will be received?
In any case, we have already taken action.
All that remains is to rely on their efforts.
KANAZAWA
What? For real?
For real.
According to the recon unit,
Ryumon and the rear guard have turned back to Fukui.
It appears Ryumon and the others have caught on after all.
Kinda unexpected timing.
But it's too late now.
By the way, has word reached Sugoh's group that Ryumon has pulled back?
Rest assured.
The Yamato messenger has already been taken care of.
Nice.
What's Nagamine's central force up to right now?
It's reported that Shiryo Nagamine hasn't crossed the Tedori River
and has camped for the night at the old Tedori Fish Land site.
Ryumon is in Fukui.
Sugoh and his lot don't know it,
and Nagamine hasn't crossed the Tedori River.
So if we are taking Sugoh out, tonight's our only chance.
- Take out? - What? Take out?
Wait, hold on.
Commander Wajima's orders were to keep the Yamato forces here in Kanazawa.
That only applies if Ryumon and Kaku entered Kanazawa.
Now that they have pulled back to Fukui,
there's no reason to keep Sugoh's group here.
In fact, if all this gets back to Sugoh, our lives are in serious danger.
There are over 30,000 Yamato soldiers in Kanazawa, after all.
But if we take out Sugoh's group, the rest are as good as a rabble.
Right now, we have put up Tonotsugu, Sugoh, and most of the Yamato commanders
at the inns in Higashiyama.
Over 30,000 Yamato soldiers
are en route to barracks across Kanazawa, led by my men.
Let me say it again,
if we are to take out Sugoh and his lot, tonight's our only chance.
- Well... - But...
So far, all you have done in this war
is whip me and party all night, right?
Even with the Self-injury Stratagem, we let Ryumon and his forces get away.
So I wouldn't call it a success if you asked me.
Keep failing to produce results,
and you know there's no place for you left in the government, right?
Let's... Let's do it!
- That's right! - Let's do it!
Let's do it tonight!
Good.
RIGHT LIEUTENANT GENERAL GOH SUGOH
GRAND ARCHIVIST TONOTSUGU TAIRA
I thought it'd all be countryside, but Kanazawa's actually pretty nice.
It seems they are delayed after all.
What's that? Nagamine's unit still hasn't shown up?
Slow as ever.
Hold on. The messenger still hasn't arrived?
- No, sir, not yet-- - No need to tell the old man.
What is there to convey at this distance anyway?
Don't you realize it's rude
to go sneaking around behind Lord Nagao's back like that?
Grand Archivist Taira!
DEPUTY ARCHIVIST JUNICHI TAMAKI
The large bath is ready.
Thanks for that.
- Well then, Tama, do you want to join too? - Yes, sir!
Excuse me, sir.
I've brought your change of clothes.
I'll take it from here.
- Keep watch outside. - Yes, sir.
"Why on earth is the Deputy Archivist stuck doing menial work like this?"
Isn't that what you were just thinking?
Orders from the Grand Archivist?
Impressive as ever.
You catch on quickly.
Lord Tonotsugu takes after his father, the Lord of Home Affairs.
He's a remarkably sensitive man.
I'm usually the one assigned important matters like this.
My apologies. Please raise your arms.
To be honest, I wonder if all this is really necessary.
But this is also for my own self-preservation.
You can lower your arms now.
In our country, it's incredibly difficult for someone whose skin isn't yellow
to hold such a high position.
I really am sorry,
but I have a family I need to feed.
But that's exactly what that brat took advantage of, wasn't it?
And now look at the situation you are in.
Well, guess I'm no different, seeing as the brat got the best of me.
I've got a family I need to protect as well.
My fourth child was born just last month.
That's wonderful news!
The ordinary is preparation for the extraordinary.
Let's both be careful not to get caught off guard.
For this night raid, guns and fire arrows are strictly prohibited.
This is to ensure the raid is carried out swiftly, without alerting the enemy,
and above all, to avoid involving innocent civilians.
Once the sentries are killed, all strike at once.
Report from patrol.
A suspicious man was spotted near Tsuzumi Gate.
They attempted pursuit but lost him.
Awaiting orders.
Their numbers and appearance?
One individual.
Reportedly had long, unkempt hair.
Wearing a worn-out long undergarment.
That area's crawling with thieves.
Leave anyone who doesn't appear to be from Yamato alone for now.
Yes, sir.
All right. We'll move now to wipe out the Yamato bandits.
- Everyone, prepare yourselves! - Yes, sir!
All I've done so far in this war is get whipped and party.
Even in the last coup, I just attacked a poorly guarded armory.
While Commander Wajima and Strategist Hei craft brilliant plans,
and Aterui crushes everything with raw military force,
I can't be the only one doing lame stuff.
Commander Wajima, please look forward to my report.
Tonight, as a man of Seii, I'll do what I've got to do.
- I think I saw someone just now. - What?
No, I could be wrong.
It might have been nothing.
What the hell?
I'll go take a quick look.
HANDWRITTEN LETTER FROM OHGA WAJIMA
All right!
Might need to tighten it a bit more for you, Mr. Sugoh.
You look like you could snap the rope.
I'm not some kind of superhuman.
Still, I'm glad the Kaga annexation looks like it'll wrap up without trouble.
No. So far, we are the only ones to arrive in Kanazawa.
If this is Seii's scheme...
Honestly, you are quite the distrustful man,
aren't you, Right Lieutenant General Sugoh?
If they meant to kill you, they would have done it at last night's banquet.
Someone's here.
Oh, it's probably that guard from earlier.
Seriously. I told him to ring the bell.
I'll go give him an earful.
Two, three, four.
There's more than just the guard from earlier.
It can't be...
- What? - No!
Right Lieutenant General Sugoh, your life is mine.
I struck an acupoint
that runs along the body's central meridian.
The spot is commonly called the solar plexus.
Leave him like this, and he will die from respiratory failure.
Go get a doctor now.
Or else, say goodbye to this world with him.
Your choice.
Looks like you haven't grasped the situation.
You are the one who's about to die.
Report!
First Squad's mission completed.
Nice work.
Knew my men would make quick work of it.
All right, next, send one-third to do the cleanup.
The rest of you move to support Second and Third Squads.
Yes, sir!
Gunfire?
Grand Archivist Taira!
This isn't what you promised me,
Father.
You told me nothing would happen
here in Kanazawa.
BANG BANG
I know painfully well how you feel.
But don't waste your bullets right now.
The guards at my inn fought and died to let me escape.
Tama's dead too.
They were among the few people I trusted.
With all those comrades of yours, what would you know?
I'll kill you.
Kill me and then what?
You think you can escape this inn district wounded like that, by yourself
with Seii soldiers everywhere?
Even if you make it out,
over 30,000 Yamato soldiers have been split up across the barracks.
Do you really have it in you to rally them all,
take command, and lead them back home?
If you can picture a future where you pull that off,
then go ahead, kill me.
I owe you an apology for all my disrespect.
The responsibility for this incident
lies entirely with me, Right Lieutenant General Sugoh.
I ignored your counsel and advanced our forces into Kanazawa.
I too wish to avoid any further missteps, or leave a stain on my name for posterity.
And when we return to Yamato,
there are things I must ask my father as well.
Please.
I beg you,
lend me your strength.
I'm repaying you for earlier.
Before Seii's reinforcements arrive, we are getting out of here.
Please.
The two who escaped should be nearby!
Find them at all costs!
I thought it would be better for us to have more allies,
but it seems we are the only ones left.
Let's keep moving.
Right Lieutenant General Sugoh, you've been wounded in the abdomen too.
You should rest a little.
A wound like this is nothing in battle.
My wife's slap hurts more.
BANG BANG
I'll admit, I never would have guessed you two would team up.
So, did that hurt more than your wife's slap?
Muuton Nagao...
Do not take it personally.
I have my own reasons too.
Well, well. In a rush for glory, weren't you?
Muuton Nagao.
What?
Damn, that hurts.
Did he hit my heart?
This is brutal.
Commander Wajima,
I think... I screwed up.
Now she's going to
hate me.
Fancy meeting you here, Goh.
LEFT LIEUTENANT GENERAL SHIRYO NAGAMINE
Shiryo, what are you doing here?
Following Strategist Kaku's orders.
We will save the talk for later.
- Let's get you to the Sai River now. - The Sai River?
I've got soldiers concealed along the riverbank.
The field medic is there too.
Leave the Yamato soldiers in Kanazawa to me.
We'll make it back to Yamato alive.
Hang in there, both of you!
ROAR
Left Lieutenant General Shiryo Nagamine
led his concealed forces and wiped out the Seii forces.
He regrouped the Yamato forces stationed in Kanazawa, and together with
Right Lieutenant General Goh Sugoh and Grand Archivist Tonotsugu Taira,
turned back toward Fukui to aid Ryumon and his troops.
In Kanazawa, a total of 194 soldiers were killed in action,
The Seii army also suffered heavy losses among their main forces.
And so, the Kanazawa night raid devised by Muuton Nagao
came to its end.
FIVE DAYS LATER
OSAKA
Those barbarians started a war without so much as a declaration!
The barbarian country that invaded our land
must be crushed at all costs!
Exterminate the barbarians! Annex the barbarian nation!
EXPEL THE BARBARIANS! WIPE THEM OUT!
This is getting out of hand.
The whole capital's already in a war frenzy.
DEPUTY MASTER OF ARMS YOSHITSUNE ASAMA
Still, if I had gone to the front,
don't you think they would be chanting "Mr. Tsune" by now?
Right, Misumi?
AUDITOR AOTERU MISUMI
But it's only been five days since the Seii army's invasion.
Side-parted hair completely ignored me.
Why has news of the war spread so quickly?
And why are protests flaring up everywhere?
It just doesn't add up.
In other words, you are saying someone's behind the protests?
This is likely a plot by those looking to profit off the war.
In theory, if someone were to mobilize
the large force stationed in the capital region,
Seii's capital could fall.
Misumi,
there's only one person in the government who could mobilize an army that large.
It's certainly possible.
The annexation of Seii, achieved through the use of force by Lord Taira, you say?
Still, I doubt Borderland General Ryumon or Strategist Kaku
would see that as "peace across the land."
I suppose not.
YAMATO
FROG MEAT CURRY
Though there are many tadpoles under the sun,
only a rare few become frogs.
Lie on firewood and persuade the heavens.
Therein lies the key that determines victory.
- I just remembered something urgent. - What?
Mr. Tsune, I'm so sorry.
I know you invited me to dinner, but I can't make it after all. Next time!
Hey, where are you going, Misumi? Misumi!
DESTROY AND ANNEX THE ENEMY STATE