Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix- (火喰鳥 羽州ぼろ鳶組)

It's out! It's out!

This year's firefighters' rankings.

And get this.

On his return, Matsunaga Gengo, also known as the Fire-Slayer,

is already ranked Komusubi of the West.

Come buy 'em while you can.

The Fire-Slayer's only been back for about four months, right?

Yeah. They say you'll find him wherever there's a fire.

They say he was just as good as the Kaga Kites at that Yotsuya fire the other day.

Wow, that's amazing.

OEDO FIRE SLAYER THE LEGEND OF THE PHOENIX

Sorry to ask you to do this.

It's all good. We just want some more yummy soba soon.

Yeah. Without Komoroya, it just doesn't feel right.

No kidding. We want you back in business.

Right. We'll be bringing it back, I promise.

Hello, everyone.

Take a break and eat this.

It's hard to believe Gengo just came back and he's already Komusubi of the West.

He's got his old achievements, too, after all.

It doesn't feel right that I don't even rank, though.

Well, you never had a chance.

It doesn't make sense that I'm not on the list, though.

Don't be stupid.

Getting on that list isn't so easy that a bunch of newcomers can do it.

Oops. I shouldn't be talking about the list in front of you, old man.

After all, Renji-san outranks you now.

Well, I bet reckless guys like you die before making it onto the ranking list.

Sorry, but I'm going to outlive you.

I'm gonna be a better flag bearer than Renji-san, after all.

You could easily be top of the blowhards' rankings.

The blowhards' rankings?

What's so funny?

Oh, it's you.

How can you smile when all you do is tear down people's shops?

Who's this asshole?

A merchant who had a shop in this area.

I hear you're being called a "Komusubi" in the firefighters' rankings.

It's not fair that I lose my shop and you get to benefit.

You just used the word "benefit."

Do you know what business benefits the most from fires?

What's this about?

Sellers of lumber and tatami. I believe you sell both. Isn't that right?

You didn't come here because you'd heard about all the fires Edo has, did you?

Of course not.

But bad rumors do tend to spread.

And I do love to gossip.

And I must say I don't like your attitude, so...

You're threatening me?

No. I'm offering a peaceful resolution to this conflict.

Fine. Just forget the shop.

Sugino-sama, many people would suffer without your business.

I hope you'll continue to help us all.

Miyuki-sama's so cool!

Such wonderful oratory skills.

Your wisdom and cooking skills are critical for the Shabby Kites.

Thanks, Miyuki. You saved us.

Not at all.

You're the best!

Okay, everyone. Let's get back to work.

I thought I'd never have comrades again.

I never thought you'd be leading a team of firefighters again.

I made things hard for you.

No. Those seven years of poverty are a good memory, looking back.

Yeah. It's been seven years since then, huh?

SEVEN YEARS PRIOR

Put your back into it!

Too slow!

Shousuke, if you don't speed up, it'll be faster to do it myself.

Sorry.

Hey, the boss has been acting weird lately, hasn't he?

Yeah. He's been pushing himself too hard since Magoichi-san left.

Hey, you two.

If you aren't going to also push yourselves, you can quit.

I can do both your jobs myself.

S-Sorry.

MATSUDAIRA HAYATO'S ACCOUNTANT TSUKIMOTO UZEN

Sorry to barge in like this.

This is my daughter, Miyuki.

She said she wanted to come see you.

F-Father!

Have we met?

No.

She's had an interest in you for quite some time.

Hey!

M-Matsunaga-sama, may I take a look around the firefighters' house?

Of course.

Shall I show you around?

No. I'd prefer to look alone.

She's just being shy.

She's 17 years old now.

I'm hoping she can find a nice man.

I'm sure any number of men would want Miyuki-sama.

There have been offers, but she's refused them all.

She has a crush on you.

Why don't you marry her?

I appreciate the offer, but this is an important time for the firefighters.

I don't have time to get married.

Is this about Magoichi-dono?

He left without really telling me why.

I'm sure he had his reasons.

Maybe he couldn't bear the sight of me anymore.

You're doing a fine job leading the firefighters.

If your father were alive, I'm sure he'd be pleased.

It's too late.

I only understood him in his dying moments.

Up until then, I was a fool who brought shame on myself.

So I want to atone by putting out the fires he couldn't.

It's okay to relax a bit more, you know.

If I relax, it feels like everything I'm carrying will slip through my fingers.

You're a difficult man, firefighter.

I heard you were sick.

Thanks for coming.

Are you okay?

Lung disease.

I have a year at most.

You're joking.

No...

Most men live for 50 years, they say. I've lived long enough.

My one regret is you and Miyuki.

I still can't...

That's fine. But let me say this.

Juunai-sama did so much for me.

I was hardheaded and only knew how to count money. He made me human.

And so I was blessed with a daughter.

So, Gengo, I want you to find happiness, too.

Ever since he died, I've thought of you as my own son.

Uzen-dono.

I hope that you'll call me Father someday.

Matsunaga-sama, there's a fire.

At the house of Tsukimoto Uzen-sama, a retainer of the Matsudaira clan.

What did you just say?

There's a fire at Tsukimoto Uzen-sama's house.

Father!

Miyuki-sama!

Matsunaga-sama!

My father's still inside!

Why?

He said he was staying behind to make sure the servants got out.

I haven't seen him since.

He breathed in the smoke?

He has lung disease. What do I do?

Shousuke! We're going into the Tsukimoto mansion!

It's dangerous.

The fire hasn't spread inside the house yet. There's time!

We can't. And if we don't tear down the other houses, the fire will spread!