One of many attention-grabbing byproducts of Matsui Yuusei’s writing fashion is {that a} collection like The Elusive Samurai doesn’t comply with the standard patterns. Usually in these sorts of tales you have got a type of ebb and move between darkish and severe occasions, motion and chapters to catch your breath. This episode appeared just like the latter, however that’s not how Matsui works. Darkness and screwball comedy and delicate ecchi all the time go hand in hand with him. Irrespective of how grotesque issues are, he can go loopy at any second, and irrespective of how light-hearted a scene could appear, the subsequent shot could possibly be a cabin filled with useless mother and father.
In a humorous approach I feel (like his artwork fashion, which can be quirky) it could go well with him higher Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi than Ansatsu Kyoushitsu. In occasions like these, folks lived with tragedy on a regular basis. Toddler mortality was ridiculously excessive, life expectancy was typically quick, epidemics had been a reality of life, and so had been feudal conflicts and civil wars. The poor nonetheless bore the brunt of it—and in each navy battle, they had been pawns in each sense. However even the the Aristocracy weren’t resistant to this (as any clan that was on the dropping finish of a battle would let you know). But humor nonetheless existed—folks nonetheless laughed. They only realized learn how to do it within the face of loss of life and hardship.
Winter on this period was usually a time of hardship and deprivation (in each Japan and Europe), although navy conflicts tended to hibernate. A respite in Suwa is simply that, a respite – Sadamune will not be going to surrender his quest to reclaim Suwa simply due to a stolen imperial decree. Sadly, that is additionally a time when Yorishige loses his powers of precognition (no rationalization for this). In addition to making him irritable and anxious, it means he can’t see what a specific path holds for Tokiyuki. That’s much less of an issue when he’s coaching idyllically with the Elusive Warriors, however when the prospect of an necessary reconnaissance mission arises, that’s a special story.
Sadamune has appointed a brand new commander in his quest to say the state by pressure, when he can now not accomplish that by edict. Shokan (Touchi Hiroki) is a former thief, a scoundrel for whom the fixed taking of what’s not his is a calling. So far as I do know, he’s not (not like most generals and gents in TES) based mostly on an actual historic determine. He’s been lively on the northern border of the province, however Yorishige’s chief scout is already on a mission. Tokiyuki—determined to discover a solution to be of worth to his rescuer—volunteers up with the Kids’s Corps to tackle the mission. And on paper, it is sensible—it’s a perfect job for his or her small group.
To Yorishige’s lieutenant Moritaka, this makes excellent sense. However Yorishige is extraordinarily pressured about it for apparent causes – causes he cannot share, or his secret will likely be revealed. Every little thing is determined by Tokiyuki staying alive – if he is killed, the remainder of that is pointless. He cannot cease the group, so Yorishige falls again on admonishing the others to guard the younger lord in any respect prices. Touring north, they arrive to a small hamlet on the sting of the Suwa territory, the place they plan to spend the evening posing as messengers from the shrine. However they’re attacked by a younger swordsman with two swords who instantly places Ayako and Nezu’s abilities as protectors to the check.
As he watches these two—the one true “warriors” within the Elusive Warriors—combat the stranger, Tokiyuki instantly realizes how simply they’ve made him do it throughout coaching. It’s an additional reminder of how a lot his personal weak spot (although actually comprehensible given his age) places on his vassals. It takes every little thing Nezu and Ayako want to remain alive, however finally the swordsman sees Shizuku and acknowledges her, instantly taking off. He introduces himself as Fubuki (Toya Kikunosuke), a ronin who wandered the area and whom Shizuku encountered throughout a temple competition.
As Fubuki tells his story, a grim image is painted. The village has been raided thrice by an unknown military and all of the adults have been killed. Fubuki has taken it upon himself to defend the survivors and he tells the elusives that the village is in truth a spot of utmost strategic significance – indicating that whoever is in control of Osagawara operations within the space is aware of his stuff. Fubuki is clearly a gifted strategist and swordsman and Tokiyuki instantly sees his potential worth as a vassal (and teacher). However the extra urgent concern is what to do with the village.
Shizuku recommends retreating to the shrine and taking the youngsters along with her. Prioritizing the younger lord’s survival, as her father would have it. However Tokiyuki needs to take a stand—not simply due to the strategic worth of the place, however as a result of the lives of the surviving youngsters have already been torn aside. Fubuki clearly wants no convincing—although feeding him is clearly a logistical nightmare. That is the type of expertise Tokiyuki must develop into the unattainable position earlier than him, but when he dies, every little thing turns into irrelevant. That is the paradox of his existence, and a reminder of how overwhelming the chances are towards him.
