The Lightning Tree

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Shigeji...

Shigeji.

There are goblins ahead.

Let's go back.

That is why I'm going there.

No one has ever picked brackens and

angelica sprouts in Seta Mountain before.

Let's go!

There are people with no clear

whereabouts living in here.

Some were in dispute with the nearby

Iwamoto domain over water rights,

that's why they spread rumors

and avoided meeting people.

If you are scared, go back!

But...

Ah!

Ah-

I'm going first!

Wait for me!

Hey!

Hey!

Shigeji. Shigeji!

What is it?

I can hear something.

What?

I don't hear anything.

Okay let's go!

Awesome~

Hey, we can go back now

can't we?

No, let's pick some more.

A goblin?

A goblin!

"Raiou - The Lightning Tree"

Father.

What happened, Rai?

You went tough on villagers again?

Yeah. I chased them away.

I don't want them

to disturb the mountain.

Sakakibara.

Sakakibara.

Sakakibara!

Dono...

You were dozing off

during your guard duty?

I am terribly sorry.

I am terribly sorry.

Someone!

Dono! Dono!

Dono!

Dono... Dono...

Dono!

Dono! I beg for your forgiveness.

Too late!

Please hang on, Dono!

Dono, with all due respect...

Killing people...

...is a serious thing, Dono.

Step aside!

Insolent fellow.

You...

Dono!

Dono!

Dono!

Dono!

This is...

Leave the door open.

Yes.

The wind feels good...

Dono's disease is one rooted from childhood.

He has suffered a lot

ever since he was young.

Perhaps it is a disease of the heart?

Why do you think so?

Ever since I started working here,

I have never once heard

Dono smile before.

Sorry for speaking unnecessarily.

Your father is a village headman,

is he not?

He is merely the chief of a small village

and is also a petty peasant.

You are not a peasant any longer.

You are a samurai.

From now, you are officially...

...promoted to a vassal

of the Shimizu family.

Yes.

We need retainers like you...

...to stay by Dono's side.

For tonight's guard duty,

Seta Sukejirou will be taking over.

Enokido.

If you had beheaded Sakakibara

at that moment,

your status will be gravely affected.

Seta had shield him with his own body.

He had come to your rescue, Dono.

From now onwards, he will be

working by your side.

Young Master!

Mother is here.

Come, smile.

Come, smile.

Smile! Smile!

Smile!

Smile! Why are you...

Please stop.

You hateful child.

Dono.

Did something happen?

I cannot sleep.

Tell me a story.

Even if you ask me to tell you a story...

since I'm just a country bumpkin,

I can talk about nothing but my hometown.

Talk.

Seta Village is...

a small village surrounded by mountains.

There are vast meadows on the outskirts.

They have become

a splendid hunting ground.

And then?

The thawing snow that

flows into the river...

Boring.

You don't have

anything else to talk?

There is a mountain called Seta Mountain.

Can one hunt there as well?

No.

One can't?

Boring.

But...

There are goblins in Seta Mountain.

Do not talk nonsense.

It is the truth.

Who asked you to tell me

children's fairy tales?

There are indeed goblins.

If there are not,

I would be in deep trouble.

You like it that much?

What a strange tree.

Gingko and sakura...

...were both living.

But the ginko tree collapsed

due to thunder.

After that, sakura bud sprouted out.

It is a sturdy tree.

You were born

on that day the thunder struck.

Even in the midst of cracking thunder,

you still smiled happily.

You are saying that again.

Everything is thanks to this tree.

Your devotion hitherto...

...is fully acknowledged

by Kubou-sama.

From now on too, you shall

remain in service for Sir Narimichi.

Is it fine with you?

Yes.

Enokido.

The rumor has even reached this place.

Sir Narimichi's mental derangement...

is getting increasingly serious, is it not?

There are people who say laughable things

like the third Master...

...of the Shimizu family is a blockhead.

Even if he is the son of Kubou-sama,

marring the family's reputation

is an unforgivable thing.

When Sir Narimichi

has an uncontrollable rage,

you may, with your own hands,...

Understand?

However,

Dono is the son of Kubou-sama.

This is also Kubou-sama's intention.

What did the elderly council say?

They wish for your illness to be cured.

They are worried?

Could my illness be cured?

Or would I end up going mad like Mother?

What are you speaking?

There is not such a thing...

You do not have to conceal it.

Am I not dreadful?

Ever since I was young,

I have been having incessant nightmares.

This is because of blood?

Because of the blood I got

from Mother?

Dono...

What would you say about...

using a good rest

and leaving Edo for a while?

I am Seta.

Is there anything I could be of help?

Yeah.

This time, we have chosen

your hometown...

to be the place where Dono

would be taking his rest.

I beg your pardon?

He would be going to Seta Village.

I am terribly sorry.

For some reason,

the hawk does not follow our whistle.

- Perhaps it gets restless along the way...

- Do not make excuses!

Step aside.

You may not go.

Among those who entered Seta Mountain,

there are people who have lost their lives.

Goblins?

What cowards.

Follow him.

Yes.

Dono!

Dono!

Please wait for us!

Dono!

Dono!

Dono!

Dono!

Dono!

Dono!

Seta. We leave the rest to you.

Dono!

Dono!

Dono!

Dono!

Dono!

That slant-eyed peasant.

He has only guts.

Ah-!

Ah-

Ah-

Hmm.

Insolent fellow.

Hm?

A woman?

Hey.

Hey.

The wind feels good.

Just stay like this.

Do not ever enter the forest again.

No prey today?

What is wrong?

The cord is broken only.

You were seen by villagers again?

There was not anyone in the forest.

I am a retainer

from the Shimanaka domain.

My name is

Shikauchi Rokurouta.

The one who will be taking over here...

...is Seta Suketarou,

the head of Seta Village.

You are Seta's brother?

Yes.

I am very thankful to you...

...for having taken great care of

my younger brother Sukejirou.

On the occasion of your hunting,

please do make sure to drop by our house.

Dono.

Did you obtain an injury?

No...

Do not stand there, Riemon.

You are as wary as ever.

What business do you have?

I want to have a deal.

Is the life of a traitor...

...worth pleading for even now?

There is nothing precious about lives.

Interesting.

Try telling me.

I shall assassinate

the Master of Shimizu family.

Then that will be the end of the domain

of Shimanaka, right?

What is your wish?

Do not meddle with my daughter.

That is all.

Reveal yourself, goblin.

Do not fear.

I shall not draw out my sword.

Who are you?

Pardon me!

Father!

Step aside, Rai.

Step aside!

No!

I told you not to enter the forest again.

Leave! Quickly!

Why did you obstruct me?

Why did you cover for that man?

You too, Father.

Why was you about to kill him?

Dono has returned.

Dono has returned home.

Welcome back, Dono.

Dono has come back.

Welcome back, Dono.

Where did you go, Dono?

Dono.

Do you...

...really believe there are goblins

on that mountain?

That is for sure.

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