Basilisk (バジリスク甲賀忍法帖)

Two tribes sworn to hate...

Their bloodstained bodies left out in the open to rot.

Their souls longing for a peace that they failed to find.

As they sought to break the shackles of darkness

and heal the wounds of the past,

Fate denied their quest and thrust them into war.

The bridges of hope some dared to

build between them were torn asunder.

Their dreams were ripped from their hearts with a sword...

with their destiny revealed at last.

Don't you worry...

Just relax. This'll only hurt for a second.

It's stronger than Katana! And sharper!

Ogen, what is this? What is your Ninja using?

Wielding his Kokujo Technique,

Yashamaru controls his opponent's fate.

Coated in animal oil, the shiny, black strands from

young women will slice you in half!

But there is one drawback.

Kokujo is only lethal if he hits his target,

otherwise it's useless.

You're a pitiful sight old man! Now, prepare to die.

I think it may be too early to claim the victory, young one.

Danjo, something spewed from your ninja's mouth!

That was Kazamachi's phlegm.

What kind of creature is he?!

Don't be fooled by appearances that

pest can't overcome Yashamaru's Kokujo.

You think I'd appoint an insect to represent the Kouga?

Kazamachi's phlegm is a hundred times stickier than any glue.

I'd like to see your Ninja cut through

his impenetrable web of death.

Come on cry like the bitch you are! I'll go easier on you!

You know, make sure it's quick and painless.

Damn you!

Adding insult to injury... Your head is mine!

Not if I rip your intestines out first!

Danjo, leader of the Kouga clan. And Ogen of the Iga,

filled with such bitter hatred.

Both sinister and their fighters just as vicious.

It's obvious why the first Hanzo forced them

into a no-hostilities pact.

Peace cannot bring back what anger has driven away.

Why would Lord Ieyasu summon them to Sunpu to

reopen old wounds? Is there another reason for

this demonstration of technique?

Ninja?

A good sword is one left in the scabbard.

You suggest to whittle away the Ninja to

determine the next Tokugawa Shogun?

Wretched within the Edo Castle,

loyalties have been severed into two factions.

The rooted partisan siding with Hidetada's heir and first-born,

Takechiyo, fear the untried insurgence backed by those

devoted to his younger son, Kunichiyo.

Even high-ranking ministers are turning against their own kin.

If this rupture goes unresolved,

the Tokugawa kingdom will be torn apart.

That is why I have come.

Your wisdom goes well beyond your years Tenkai.

I have meditated on this matter for countless hours, my lord...

A fallen blossom doesn't return to its branch.

What is done is done.

Hidetada's sons are not interested in sentimental plans.

It is clear both desire to inherit the next seat of power.

You must offer a solution that is befitting a samurai family.

Settle this treachery with the clashing of swords.

But the Tokugawa Samurai must not perish

if others are expendable.

So... you suggest the Ninja?

I do my lord. Give them a reason to fight

and they will eagerly accept the challenge

and slay each other in a sea of blood. Heh, heh, heh...

A victor will be decided and it won't hurt us in the least.

I've seen enough. Call them off.

Stop! Enough!

Kouga and Iga Clans. That was truly extraordinary.

Who could have guessed that lethal Ninjas

lurked so close to Yagyu lands.

I am both amazed and wary of this.

I had heard stories of these extraordinary techniques from

my predecessor, but the skills displayed by these two today,

are beyond anything I've ever seen.

Mmm! A fine demonstration indeed.

Ogen of the Iga... Kouga Danjo, I commend you both.

Know that I am well pleased today.

Thank you, Lord Ieyasu.

Now then... An adverse rift has ruptured the Tokugawa faction.

A battle between your clans will determine the next Shogun.

Do you accept?

May I be so bold, my Lord?

Speak, Danjo.

We Kouga have been enemies of the Iga for 400 years.

Even if the Tokugawa weren't in penitent disarray

we'd fight to the death.

But our clans are bound by the no-hostilities pact that

was forced upon us by the former Hattori Hanzo.

Now if this pact was abolished...

As you wish, my Lord.

Mmm. Wise choice, Hanzo. It is settled.

Let us proceed. The Kouga and the Iga shall hereby

inscribe the names of ten Ninja on these two scrolls.

The Kouga will fight for Lord Kunichiyo, Hidetada's second son

and the Iga will fight on behalf of

the long-standing heir, Lord Takechiyo.

This fight will last to the bitter end,

and the clan whose proponents avoid the clutches of death,

shall inherit the spoils.

The victor will bear favored status, for a thousand years.

Kazamachi. Go now to the Kouga.

Take this to the Iga, Yashamaru.

It seems we find ourselves right where we began.

Indeed. Our Grandchildren are so in love...

Just when I thought there might be peace between us.

What a shame. Knowing them, they're probably meeting

at this very moment.

It's a tragedy. I guess they were

born under the wrong star, Danjo.