Tessai-san has been inside for quite a while. I'm starting to get worried...
Kichisei
Don't worry about him. The Old Man at his forge is like you singing on stage, Hoshiguma punching someone, or me at a pachinko machine.
Momoka
Are you really good at pachinko?
Kichisei
Ah—hehe...
Trying to change the subject, Kichisei takes a cookie from the plate in front of her and puts it in her mouth.
Kichisei
Uh oh, I've almost eaten all the cookies.
Momoka
Why are all the cookies here Ninomiya's classic cystymilk flavor? Is it Tessai-san's favorite?
Kichisei
Tetsuya used to like it.
Momoka
If Tetsuya realized what kind of man Kinbee was...
Kichisei
He would have realized it a long time ago if he could.
Kichisei
To be fair, Tetsuya following Kinbee around is really just the effect. The root cause goes back to Old Man Tessai—
???
If only Tessai had half your wisdom, Kichisei-san.
Kichisei
Kinbee?!
Kichisei
Go inside, Momoka! I'll hold him off!
Mifune
Let's not rush to a fight, kiddo.
Tessai
......
Mifune
My, my. How honored I am, to be welcomed by the oyabun himself.
Tessai
Where is Hoshiguma?
Mifune
She is enjoying the hospitality of my people, and is unable to help you.
Kichisei
Despicable scum!
Mifune
Blame yourself. I was trying to bait her with Moriuchi, but she bit the hook before I even had time to set the bait.
Mifune
But I don't like to kill unless I have to. These are more civilized times.
Mifune
I'm here to extend a sincere invitation to Chairman Tessai to attend my accession ceremony.
Momoka
Your what?
Mifune
You heard me.
Mifune
If Chairman Tessai will not hand over Kajimachi whatsoever, then I must take the small liberty of taking over the leadership of the Kinsekikai. After all, the position is already little more than a figurehead.
Mifune
If you are too embarrassed to attend, you can simply hand over Hannya, and the ceremony can take place without you.
Tessai
Hannya is not the symbol of succession, never was!
Mifune
It is if everyone believes it is.
Mifune
You favored Hoshiguma too much. You never even realized it, did you?
Mifune
Or did you choose to give Hannya to Hoshiguma before she went to Lungmen for the sole purpose of snubbing me? What did she have that I didn't, that you would detest me so?
Tessai
You think too highly of yourself.
Mifune
Yes! That's what I wanted to hear!
Mifune
It's not that I think too highly of myself, Old Man. You look down on everyone except for your beloved Hoshiguma!
Standing alone at the door, Mifune laughs.
Momoka and Kichisei slowly move back behind Tessai.
Mifune
Perhaps your son would not have turned against you if I told you this sooner.
Tessai
Why bring up Tetsuya? Did you think I opposed you in order to pass leadership onto that kid? He's not made for it.
Mifune
I know. He's another one you look down on.
Tessai
Enough talk. I may not be able to beat you, but it's not so hard to stall you until Hoshiguma gets back. This is my house, after all.
Tessai
Also, it'll be a good chance to try out the reforged Hannya.
Mifune
Tameshigiri? Wonderful.
Mifune
I have something to show you before that, though.
Mifune reaches into his clothes.
Tessai keeps a careful eye on his movements, but all Mifune does is take out a few photos, casually tossing them to the floor.
Tessai catches a glimpse of one of the photos, which falls face-up in front of him—
Tessai
Tetsuya?!
Mifune
Tetsuya.
Mifune
Such a good boy. He did everything I asked of him to the limits of his ability, whether he could ultimately handle it or not.
Mifune
For example, he really did find the Northern Court spy... himself.
Tessai
Why—you?!
Mifune
I was surprised when I first saw the photos, but then it started to make sense.
Mifune
Tetsuya's mother may have missed her family in the north, but she steadfastly refused any approach to become a spy.
Mifune
Yet the mark of Hoashi was on all the weapons that we, the Kinsekikai, procured in secret.
Mifune
My fault, I suppose. The Kinsekikai's TV station wasn't as powerful as it is now, and those who wanted a piece of the Kinsekikai would have set upon the news like hungry beasts.
Mifune
Eventually, I helped you find a place for the weapons, but you had to take care of the aftermath. You were forced to place the blame on Tetsuya's mother, as you once placed it on Hoshiguma.
Mifune
To you, the Kinsekikai is the King on the shogi board.
Mifune
You will preserve it at all costs, never hesitating to cut other pieces loose, be it a Queen like Hoshiguma, or Promoted Rooks like me that you look down on.
Mifune
I'm curious myself... what does Tetsuya mean to you?
Mifune
Is he a Rook? A Bishop? Or is he so incompetent that you see him as a Pawn you wouldn't mind losing?
Mifune
If that was really so, we would have to have a fight here and now. But he isn't, is he?
Mifune
He is incompetent, but he's not a shogi piece. He's your precious son, not to be placed on the board—
Tessai
Shut up!
Clearly on edge, the old man seems ready to charge at Mifune with shield raised at any moment.
But Mifune can see Hannya trembling in his hands.
Mifune
His mother's name will never be cleared. If the same fate befalls your only remaining child...
Tessai
I said, SHUT UP!
Mifune
You're hesitating. You're contemplating whether there's a chance the reforged Hannya will allow you to neutralize me in one blow, and bargain my life for Tetsuya's.
Mifune
Chance. What an obnoxious word.
Tessai
Are you scared?
Mifune
Unfortunately for you, there is more than one person who carries out my will.
Mifune
I'm not claiming strength in numbers, but the moment you swing Hannya at me, a button will be pressed, and these photos will show up on Kinseki Channel.
Mifune
And you'll be free, once and for all, when Tetsuya realizes that he was right, and his father never cared about him, just as his father never cared about his mother.
Tetsuya frantically shakes the shoulders of the ninja who brought him here, but he cannot even tell if the ninja is looking at him.
Mifune's Voice
After so many years, you have finally delivered Hannya into the hands of its true master.
Mifune's Voice
Unfortunately, I still have to complete certain task entrusted to me. Where is the deed to Kajimachi? No rush, the one who gave me the task wanted it done cleanly. For now, you can simply follow me.
Tessai's Voice
Those two...
Mifune's Voice
The girls? I'm certainly willing to do you a favor, since you've been cooperative so far. Come quietly, and I'll spare their lives.
Kichisei's Voice
You can go to hell, Kinbee! I'll cut your tail off and make a belt out of it—
Tessai's Voice
Kichisei!
His father's angry voice comes through the TV's speakers somewhat distorted, giving the scene a sense of surrealness.
Tetsuya
Papa... Papa!
Tetsuya
Where are you taking him? Let him go! You want to get me, come for me! Why him? Why?!
Hidden Ninja
Mio-san. Where is the Ao-Oni?
Mio
Mifune-san's orders were to let her go when the time is right, and allow her to return to Kajimachi.
Mio
What of the boy? When do we let him go? Or are there other plans?
Hidden Ninja
I don't know. The orders from upstairs were to keep him in the room, and don't let him break anything in it. I wasn't told anything else.
Mio
I see.
Hidden Ninja
Mio-san... see, I'm not sure how long I'll have to watch him, and I was up all night last night... I'm very tired, to tell the truth...
Mio
......
Mio
You can go.
Hidden Ninja
Arigatou!
Mio
What's on the TV?
Tetsuya
......
Tetsuya
Let me go.
Mio
I asked a question.
Tetsuya
Let me go!
Mio
Mifune-san's orders are that you are not to leave this room.
Tetsuya
My father's gone with your people! He's yielded! What else do you want?!
Mio
I'm simply following orders.
The young Oni draws his bokutou, but the ethereal hand emerging from behind the Liberi easily brings him to the ground.
Mio
Don't waste your energy.
Mifune's Voice
Won't you say something, Chairman Tessai?
Mifune's Voice
Have you decided to stay silent for now? Suit yourself, as long as you speak when I tell you to.
The camera follows Tessai.
Tetsuya sees his father leave the manor and enter a car stopped in front of its gate.
After a short while, the door of the car opens. Through an unremarkable door is a splendorous meeting hall.
Tetsuya
What's this place?
Mio
Auction hall.
Tetsuya
Auctioning what? Kajimachi? You don't mean my father's...?
The next item for auction is not listed in the catalog. It was added at the last minute.
Auctioneer's Voice
I present... the very first ever TV set manufactured by the Kinseki Group!
Auctioneer's Voice
Starting at... s-seven million!
Auctioneer's Voice
A TV set that looks so unremarkable, yet starting at the remarkable price of two thousand ryou... there must be something extraordinary about it!
Mifune's Voice
Seven million, five hundred thousand.
Auctioneer's Voice
Kouhei Mifune san? Are you serious?
Mifune's Voice
Of course.
Mifune's Voice
I doubt I'm the only one who recognizes its value.
Auctioneer's Voice
A-Are you sure?
Auctioneer's Voice
Regardless... we have a bid for seven million, five hundred thousand from Kouhei Mifune-san!
Auctioneer's Voice
Seven million five hundred thousand going once... seven million five hundred thousand going twice...
Tessai's Voice
...Ten million.
In the middle of the screen, the aging Oni slowly raises the paddle in his hand.
His old, feeble voice comes through the TV speakers.
Auctioneer's Voice
That's... Chairman Tessai of the Kinsekikai?!
Tetsuya
What did Mifune say... fifteen million? He's still raising the bid? What is he trying to do, kill my father by putting him into debt?
The Liberi says nothing, but the young man sees a hint of pity in her eyes that goes a little further than what the number 'fifteen million' should elicit.
Auctioneer's Voice
Two hundred million?! You are bidding two hundred million, Tessai-san?!
Tetsuya
Two...
Mio
Two hundred million?!
Auctioneer's Voice
Two hundred million going once... two hundred million going twice... Last chance at two hundred million... sold.
Tetsuya watches as Tessai rises from his seat and walks past rows of well-dressed buyers, towards the TV set that should have belonged to him to begin with.
Auctioneer's Voice
Tessai-san, there is still paperwork to be done...
Tessai ignores the auctioneer and gently lifts the TV set, the way he did when he marketed it to potential buyers, one-at-a-time, many years ago.
Tetsuya raises his bokutou again.
He charges at Mio in desperation, but is once again thrown easily to the floor.
Again, and again...
The TV set continues to mercilessly send distorted sounds into the room.
The sound of camera shutters, of people giving a show of applauding, of footsteps, of the rustling of pen on paper, of car doors shutting, of car engines rumbling.
The now-unfamiliar sound of the door to his father's manor.
Tetsuya has lost count of how many times he has gotten back up after being thrown to the ground by Mio. He charges futilely again, when he hears the voices behind him.
One, like a ghost; the other, like a man-eating Akki.
Voices that hardly even seem human anymore.
Mifune's Voice
Now, give me the deed.
Mifune's Voice
Sign here, stamp your handprint, and all will be done.
......
Mifune's Voice
You still can't do it, can you?
Mifune's Voice
But you understand that none of it is over, until you've put your palm to the page.
Tessai's Voice
And what happens when I do?
Mifune's Voice
The deed to Kajimachi will become the collateral on a loan in the amount of two hundred million. The TV set is yours, once you give the payment to the auction house—
Tessai's Voice
It's Tetsuya that I'm talking about!
Mifune's Voice
Him? Same as always. Those photos of him will be sealed away forever.
Mifune's Voice
You'll never be able to pay back the debt. We can keep this secret together, and he'll be none the wiser.
The two people in the room with the TV both freeze.
Even the Liberi, who should have seen plenty of such things, takes an involuntary step backward.
Tetsuya
You liar!
Tetsuya
He's a liar! Mifune is a liar! Don't do it! No!
Mifune's Voice
I know. It's not easy, choosing between abandoning your son and a crushing debt.
Tessai's Voice
Money? I don't care about money...
Tessai's Voice
Money. Business. Titles. Land. None of that matters anymore.
Tessai's Voice
But only this... bowing my head to rotten scum like you...
Mifune's Voice
And yet bow you will.
Mifune's Voice
Bow you will, for the Tetsuya you failed to save from the rampaging Akki, and for the other Tetsuya you almost made a traitor out of.
Tessai's Voice
......
Tessai's Voice
Promise me. You won't kill Tetsuya, or Hoshiguma, or those two girls.
Mifune's Voice
I won't.
Tetsuya
He tricked me! He tricked me! Don't let him trick you!
Tetsuya
You're the oyabun of the Kinsekikai! You're Tessai the Kingpin! You're my father! Papa! Papa!
Tetsuya
This isn't supposed to happen! This isn't who you are!
Tetsuya
You're the villain who can turn Mitsukue's yakuza upside-down with a wave of your hand! You're the steel-hearted murderer who killed my mother! This isn't who you are!
Tetsuya
Papa—
As the old man places his hand on the inkpad, then leaves his red handprint on the paper, it seems like all life has been sucked out of him.
Mifune's Voice
Good. Very good.
Mifune's Voice
By the way, your son just saw everything that happened, from beginning to end. I'm sure he'll be grateful to you. No need to thank me.
Tessai's Voice
You—how dare you?!
Mifune's Voice
Your son thought he was the same as me. He thought you always looked down on him as you looked down on me, thinking of him as a worthless substitute.
Mifune's Voice
I hope he learned his lesson, and stops thinking of himself as the most pitiable man under Heaven.
Mifune's Voice
How lucky he is, to have someone willing to trample the last vestige of his own dignity for him.
A wave of the fan, and the hand-printed sheet is cut in half, but Mifune continues to sneer.
The image on the TV starts shaking. Something seems to have moved the camera.
Mifune's Voice
Here's the camera.
Tessai's Voice
You... you deceived me? You let Tetsuya know about all this... you never meant to spare him?
Tessai's Voice
Why? Why would you deceive Hoshiguma, deceive me, deceive Tetsuya?!
Mifune's Voice
'Deceive' is such a strong word.
Mifune's Voice
Hoshiguma learned that her choice was only ever wishful thinking.
Mifune's Voice
Tetsuya learned that you did love him, after all.
Mifune's Voice
And you—you understand now, don't you?
Mifune's Voice
Mitsukue no longer needs you or the hypocrisy of the Kinsekikai. Everything you've done was to fool yourself—
A loud noise comes through the speakers as the camera is smashed. The screen goes dark, but the speakers continue to mercilessly communicate the sound.
The sound of Tessai's fan clashing with Mifune's sword.
The old man stands back up feebly as he hears the familiar voice, perhaps out of guilt, perhaps out of lingering sentiment, perhaps because he does not want Hoshiguma to see the true extent of his weakness.
Tessai
...Hoshiguma?
Hoshiguma
Who did this? Kinbee?!
Tessai
Hoshiguma... I couldn't protect Kajimachi... or Hannya...
Hoshiguma
Where's Momoka? Kichisei?
Tessai
......
Tessai
Kinbee was right about one thing... sitting in my chair... I started thinking of everything as shogi pieces...
Yes. They're getting ready. You hear the commotion, don't you?
Tessai
Yes... Kajimachi hasn't been so lively... in a long time...
A smile appears on the old man's face.
An engineering vehicle rams through the manor's walls, causing the beams to shake violently.
Not too far away, the pachinko parlor's machines are crushed to pieces, sending tiny balls flying everywhere.
Hoshiguma
Do you hear... the fireworks...?
Tessai
Yes...
The sound of fireworks going off, taiko drums rumbling, the noise of the crowd.
He feels the trembling of the ground again, its joyful dance.
He hears the faint sound of car horns, from vehicles caught in the traffic jam outside.
He senses his own heartbeat growing slower by the second.
Tessai
No...
Tessai
No... I can't...
In his final moments, his heart races once more, and hot blood flows swift through his veins, as the dying man gazes at the sunset, thinking that it is the rising sun—
