47 Ronin

Ancient feudal Japan,

a land shrouded in mystery,

forbidden to foreigners.

A group of magical islands

home to witches and demons.

A nation of rival provinces

whose lords were ruled by

a shogun whose will is absolute.

Peace in the realm is kept by the samurai,

master swordsmen

tasked with protecting their lord

and their province at all costs.

Should a samurai ever

lose or fail his master,

he suffers the greatest shame

in all Japanese society.

He becomes a ronin.

And yet, to know the story of the 47 Ronin,

is to know the story of all Japan.

It began with a boy.

No one knew where he came from

or how he found his way to Ako.

Some said he was a changeling,

no better than a beast.

Many believed he'd been

raised by the Tengu,

the demons of the forest

who had taught him their dark powers

and trained him in their

lethal arts of killing.

The evil he had fled

had left its mark upon him.

Oishi!

My Lord, it is a demon.

He's a child, just like you.

Help me pick him up, Oishi.

Lord Asano, of the province Ako,

saved him that day,

seeing something in the boy

that Oishi did not.

Lord Asano's daughter, Mika, saw it too.

Mika's father allowed the boy

to live amongst them,

against the advice of his samurai.

Look.

What do you see?

A branch?

No.

It's a deer.

- Oh.

- It took this path.

You keep it, Kai.

The samurai

believed his presence

would bring misfortune to their land.

Mika only saw a gentle boy.

Although he lived as an outcast,

Kai was determined to repay the love

he received from Mika and her father,

whatever the cost.

Kai.

Well?

There is something wrong with the creature.

It's up there on the rise,

but it will come down again to hunt.

It would be safer

to set a trap and wait for it here.

It's up on the rise, Lord Asano.

My Lord.

Kill it!

I would rather have been killed by

that beast than saved by a half-breed.

Yasuno!

Ako owes you a great debt, Yasuno.

We can finally

welcome the Shogun without fear.

For Ako!

For Ako!

Well done.

Get out.

Get out!

Does Lord Asano live?

Yes.

Mmm.

Hosting the Shogun's tournament

is a great honor for my father.

Everything must be perfect.

My Lady, Mika.

Lord Asano and the hunting party

have returned.

They killed the beast.

Father!

I was worried.

The hunt took longer than we hoped.

Yasuno showed great courage.

Is anyone badly hurt?

Who are you looking for?

Is everything prepared

for the Shogun's arrival?

Yes, Father.

I want all of Ako

to share in this honor

of hosting our great commander.

I have made special arrangements

for the visiting lords, as well.

I've ordered stands put

up all along the route.

Your mother would have been proud.

I was worried.

You always worry.

He so wants your approval.

Chikara has been training

every chance he gets.

My Lady, Kai has returned.

They told me you were hurt.

It's nothing, My Lady.

Your back.

Sit down.

Someone should have seen to this before.

Thank you.

I saw the shame in Yasuno's eyes

when they were praising him.

Even when you try to help them,

they hate you.

Your father's samurai have always

treated me as well as can be expected.

And is that all you expect?

It's all I know.

It doesn't have to be, Kai.

This is no place for you, My Lady.

Are you sending me away?

Look at me and tell me you don't love me.

I will always love you.

But you have your place

and I have mine.

Asano Takumi no Kami, ruler of Ako.

His Highness, Shogun Tokugawa,

lord of provinces and master of all Japan

thanks you for your welcome.

Lord Asano,

my friend.

Ako is magnificent,

as always.

We anticipate with pleasure

tomorrow's tournament.

Great Shogun

Tokugawa Tsunayoshi...

...and hope the entertainment

we have prepared

meets your august approval.

Father.

What are you doing in my home?

Last week at the hunt I saw a fox.

I didn't realize at the

time that it was a witch.

A witch?

I believe I saw

the same creature again tonight.

She was in human form

among the nobles' concubines.

My Lord.

They say only demons have the power

to see past a witch's disguise.

Are you a demon?

No.

Then I suggest you are simply bewitched

by a beautiful girl.

Lord Asano,

may we present Lord Kira Yoshinaka,

master of Nagato,

from the northern provinces.

Ako is as beautiful

as I remember, Lord Asano.

We are honored by your visit, Lord Kira.

I look forward to the tournament.

I had no idea your concubine

was so lovely, Lord Asano.

She's my daughter.

Oh.

Forgive me, My Lady.

May I ask that your daughter sit with us?

I should like to make up for my rudeness.

Father, who is that?

My fighter.

I'm sure your father's champion

will be an even contest.

Yasuno.

Yasuno. Yasuno!

Yasuno!

What's wrong with him?

Witchcraft.

Get your father.

There is no time.

If we have no fighter,

Ako will be disgraced.

Only a samurai can fight.

Enough.

Your fighter?

Champions, prepare for combat!

Bring them steel!

Stop!

You are not a samurai.

Kill it.

No!

No!

Forgive me, My Lord.

The fault is mine.

Strip him of his armor.

Beat him.

Stop!

I'm sorry.

My Lord!

Not now!

Father, please!

Lord Asano's mind is unsettled.

It is time to take Ako.

It is what you hoped for,

it is what we have planned for.

What are you afraid of, My Lord?

Show me your courage.

Give me your heart.

After this, there is no turning back.

You are bound to me, and I to you.

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