Sword of the Beast Page #3

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Idiot! I'm not her husband.

Think those threats will work with me?

Arrogant son of a b*tch!

Come on.

Worthless wretch, is your gold that important?

More important than your wife's life?

This mountain is a dwelling for beasts.

I'll turn into a wolf too before long...

and take my share of that almighty gold.

Taka.

Welcome. Will you be staying the night?

No, we're looking for somebody.

The men carrying the dead officer told us

there was a tall ronin staying here,

traveling with a small-time thug.

Those two left early yesterday morning.

They left?

Where did they go?

From the way they were dressed,

I'd guess up the mountain.

Up the mountain?

People sometimes go to poach gold,

even though they risk execution.

How long will you be staying?

Misa!

The paths are very steep. Why not rest first?

Nonsense! If you're tired, you can rest.

Master Katori, let's go.

Boss, there's a lot of gold in this sand.

What's the point of dredging the river?

Boss...

you really think you're becoming a beast?

When you saved that woman last night,

I knew you could never be a beast.

Women and gold are two different things.

I made it clear to her I'd be back for the gold.

A real beast wouldn't give warning.

Those three prospectors last night -

now they were beasts.

I don't think you could be like them.

Could you?

Well...

I can do anything I set out to do,

but unfortunately I don't have the fangs.

I've been thinking if you're not

going to take that couple's gold,

I'll just stay here and pan.

I'll take that gold, all right.

Forget about this stupid panning.

Taka!

What are you doing?

You're my wife.

When a man risks his life for

his work, his wife must do the same.

Can't you do that?

Am I still your wife

after what happened last night?

Don't talk back to me. Get to work.

Worthless wretch, is your gold that important?

More important than your wife's life?

Are you afraid of me?

No.

Do whatever you want.

Why are you here?

I want to become a beast like you.

I can't stand living for a mission anymore.

It's easier to be a beast, roaming the hills.

Living for a mission?

Are you and your husband here

on somebody's orders?

He's a retainer in a clan.

That means that gold

will belong to the clan.

Yes.

And what will you get for your sacrifice?

My husband will be promoted to

full samurai, with a 200-koku stipend.

What's his rank now?

He's a squire without a stipend.

I see.

It's all becoming clear.

I too had to suffer the lonely frustration

of being a nobody.

I understand only too well how he feels.

I too might have accepted such a task.

Actually, I did.

Indeed, I did something

far more stupid.

It's raining hard. Let's rest here for a while.

Don't go to any trouble.

Seems you need an umbrella even inside.

I hear you've been

studying hard in this leaky room.

Times are changing rapidly.

It's reassuring that we have

progressive samurai like you in the clan.

So you approve of our plans for reform?

Things seem to be leaning in that direction.

Yokoi of the Higo clan

and Yoshida of the Tosa clan

were both promoted to high position

despite humble beginnings,

and their reforms have been very successful.

But Counselor Yamaoka

dislikes our reform plan.

He can't dislike it forever.

We mustn't allow him to.

Idle, high-ranking samurai

can't carry out the reforms.

It must fall to foot soldiers like yourselves.

Look at Sanai Hashimoto of Echizen.

He was barely 20 years old,

making a stipend of only 25 koku,

and yet he skillfully reformed

a clan worth over 320,000 koku.

We took the vice-counselor's hint:

If we toppled Counselor Yamaoka,

our reform plan would be accepted.

And so you killed the counselor?

Yes. We were badly paid minions.

We believed it was the only way to rise.

And then?

The result was a cruel disappointment.

Counselor!

I, Gennosuke Yuuki, have slain Counselor Yamaoka.

I know.

Now is the time for bold reforms!

You fool!

Who will accept your plan

after you killed the counselor?

But...

Did I ever tell you to kill him?

And did I ever say you would

be promoted if you did?

Not in so many words, but it was implied.

Tell that to the tribunal.

Tribunal?

Your coconspirators have been killed.

Only you remain.

So I'm being shut out.

You will become the next counselor...

the clan will be reformed...

and leadership handed over to new people...

but I won't be one of them!

Traitor on the loose!

Find him!

They won't find you here. Now go.

Come. Let me take you back.

I'm a fugitive,

and you're the wife of a samurai

about to complete his mission.

You cannot choose the life of a beast.

You have nothing to fear.

You've done nothing wrong.

I won't force you to go back to him,

but if you want to take the path of the beast,

you must tell him so first.

Taka...

prepare to meet your death.

You're going to...

Kill you.

You would have let me die for gold.

Why kill me now?

Do you have any last words?

Taka!

Boss, to what do I owe

the pleasure of your company?

- I knew you'd come around!

- You object?

No, not at all. You're welcome

to help if you want.

Come up here.

If you won't...

I'll come down.

Are you going?

The forward thrust was your specialty in the dojo,

but this time it cost you your life.

Misa's not here yet.

I'll cut you down but let her finish you off.

Prepare yourself!

That was close!

Why did you save me?

That wasn't my plan. I just came to warn you.

Warn me?

Men from my clan will arrive by sundown.

To retrieve the gold?

Yes, and to wipe out everyone on this mountain.

Wipe them out?

Do they know we're here?

The woman at the inn told them.

That's right.

Once they arrive, I can't help you escape.

Understood.

Besides, my pursuers have

arrived. I can't stay here.

I'm leaving the mountain.

Perhaps one day we'll meet again.

My name is Jurota Yamane.

For obvious reasons I can't tell you my clan.

I am Gennosuke Yuuki, a ronin from Enshu.

- Why don't you rest?

- I don't need your pity.

Don't make special allowances because I'm a woman.

You can't take another step.

I'll wait here.

Please look for Master Katori.

I can't leave you alone.

I'll be all right.

I no longer fear anything.

Go now! Look for him!

Stay right here. Understand?

Boss, just listen to me.

It would be a waste to leave now.

Unfortunately, my pursuers are drawing near.

But the strongest one is dead.

What's there to worry about?

The one who worries me most is still out there.

What about you? Coming with me or not?

I'm not leaving here empty-handed.

If you insist.

But life is worth more than gold.

Gennosuke!

Daizaburo! Master Katori is dead!

Then I'll kill you myself!

Draw!

Why do you insist on throwing your life away?

It's a matter of pride. Now fight!

Gennosuke, why did you save me?

Never mind that. Go help her.

Misa.

I doubt she'll be so eager to kill you now.

No, nothing's changed.

Look at her.

The true daughter of a samurai.

She's been violated, yet she still

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