I'm terribly sorry, Sir.
It's the protesters again.
Are they boycotting Japanese merchandise?
What do they stand to gain from regulating Japanese goods?
The "from Asia to western powers" idea was the concept that Japan should pull out of Asia and westernize.
Another idea was the Pan-Asianism, which sees Asia as one politically and culturally united entity.
The decision on how Japan should interact with Asia and the West...
That was the greatest proposition for post-Meiji Japan.
Hey!
However, the outcomes of the first Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War excessively increased Japan's confidence,
and they declared themselves as the leader of Asia.
Subsequently, they became more oppressive towards Asian countries,
and many conflicts began to arise in various locations.
But I didn't expect you to come to Shanghai on your own.
You could have at least given me a call.
I don't need any useless followers on a secret trip.
I'm supposed to be sick in Japan.
I'm sure some people are delighted that I may possibly be on my deathbed.
Here's the list.
I think we'll get a fairly large amount of attendees.
I'm constantly astounded by your reputation.
When you reach my age, people from many places will inevitably know you.
It's nothing more than old age.
India, French Indochina, Burma, and British Malaya.
There won't be another moment like this, where independence activists from so many countries meet at once.
Come in.
Pardon me.
For you.
Is something the matter?
Your service is quite thoughtful.
I'm not a big fan of sweets.
This is good.
If we need anything, we'll let you know.
Yes, sir.
Please excuse me.
Who was that houseboy?
He's a student working here temporarily.
Our usual houseboy is in the boycott movement.
Did something about him bother you?
Oh, no.
He had a rather heavy presence for a student.
It's as if he's survived many dangerous situations.
I hope nothing bad happens.
I'm sorry I'm late.
Ah, good work.
The thirteenth.
That's in two days.
It's rather early.
Though it looked like the professor was having a tough time when I had just sneaked in.
Miki's very well informed about Asian independence movements, but he's just a philosopher without much wisdom.
It's quite difficult for him to get people from different nations together.
But it looks like things started moving smoothly as soon as that old man did a few things.
He's the leader of the right-wing political party and is even referred to as the ringleader of the political world.
He's old, but his influence is pretty strong.
But why is such a big shot of the right-wing party trying to bring the Asian activists to Shanghai?
His main reason would be Pan-Asianism.
In order to resist the western powers, he insists that Asia must unite.
Then that's just another way to keep foreigners out of Asia.
Even if Japan's proposition changes,
it looks like it's still trying to drive out Europe and America.
But it's also true that the Asian citizens are suffering from being colonized.
Well, yeah, but...
You're welcome to have a lively discussion,
but please do keep in mind why we are discussing this matter inside a private boat.
In any case, the reality is that the rebellions against colonizations are becoming rather aggressive.
The old man has been aiding in concealing the activists who immigrated to Japan.
So would he be trying to discuss a rather large independence movement with the activists he's been in touch with?
That, I do not know.
But we do not see a problem in the meeting itself.
What do you mean?
Our target is a friend of Miki.
He's also been in touch with the old man.
It's very likely that he'll participate in the meeting.
Wait, do you mean...
Yes, Takachiho Isao.
So that's how it was.
It's not easy to cut all ties with your own family.
Though it isn't that I don't trust her.
In any case...
Do we still not know where it will be held?
Based on what I picked up from the wiretap, there was something about a tea house somewhere,
but nothing specific has been mentioned.
A tea house, huh?
There are quite a large number of them here.
I'll see if I can find out any more in the mansion.
Yes, please do.
I've returned.
Sir, are you out?
Sir?
That's unusual.
He usually leaves a note.
Well, makes things easier for me.
Who's there?!
Miyoshi Aoi, correct?
I'm glad to meet you.
Who are you?
What if I told you that I'm the man you're after?
Takachiho Isao?!
You still can't get in touch with Aoi?
The meeting is planned for tomorrow.
Mr. Miki's house is locked down tight.
I sneaked inside, but no one was there.
Perhaps we've been discovered.
The only lead we have is that the meeting will be held at a tea house.
I'll go through them one by one and see if I can find it.
This one?
No.
Then that one?
Yep!
Wake up.
I've had you sleeping for two days.
I wanted to keep Mr. Sakurai from knowing our location.
It's never an easy task to find where a secret meeting is being held.
And keeping this from Natsume and Yukina isn't helping.
If that's how you feel, you should have talked to us.
Yukina! Natsume.
My brother is here, right?
In Shanghai?
You know our powers.
If we wanted to...
You're the worst people to hide things from, huh?
Even if it's my brother, if it's an obstacle to us,
to our country, then I wouldn't hesitate to prevent it.
It's indescribably regrettable that you couldn't trust us as members of the agency.
I'm also...
What's wrong?
Yukina?
Wait!
Yukina!
What's wrong? What happened?
I don't know.
I sensed a really strong power.
A strong power?
A map?
They said they would grant us autonomy if we entered the world war on the British side.
So we believed in them!
We sent them more than a million soldiers, and then they betrayed us.
We've had enough.
If they think India will remain as a colony forever, they're wrong.
I agree. Just as we are the descendants of the people who built the great Khmer civilization.
Each of the Asian countries has its own history and culture.
We must do whatever it takes to free ourselves from the imposed western values.
But if the activist of each country continue to operate individually, they will be crushed for sure.
In Burma, farmers who attempted to put up a resistance against Britain were suppressed by force, not so long ago.
We must be aggressive and consider co-operating with the activist in other countries.
I don't have a problem with the activist co-operating with each other, but I have a problem with that man!
Why do we have a Japanese soldier here?
I allowed him to be here.
I gave him the permission to be here.
His political position doesn't matter.
There's no point to that, because the trust is there.
I trust him as a person.
I chose to wear this uniform today to show you, that I have no intention to hide my identity or to deceive you.
Indeed, I serve the-
I used to serve the Imperial Japanese army, but not anymore.
In fact, I don't belong to anywhere on the Earth's anymore.
I would like to speak to you as a man.
It's over there.
Can we really trust that map?
The one and only thing this map leads to is a tea house.
I don't think it's a coincidence.
It's him.
You...
Please do not worry, Ma'am.
I no longer have orders to take you back with me.
If you leave right now, that's it.
However, if you choose to go beyond here...
Unite Asian countries!
I bestly support your version of Pan-Asianism.
And this idea is to begin with drawing up on the assumption, that Japan will play a central role and lead Asian countries.
Wait a minute! If this was twenty-five years ago I would've agreed with you.
We were cheering from the heart when Japan defeated Russia.
That's right. Asians defeating the whites was indeed a shocking incident.
However, we are somewhat worried about Japan's moves in the last twenty years as well.
I just said that I support his version of Pan-Asianism, but that doesn't mean that I completely sympathize with the concept.
With all due respect, the concept that is centered under Japan is small-minded at all.
He doesn't hold back.
Sir!
What I have in mind is a national polity, that involves everything more equally.
In order to realize that I would gladly rebel against my country, if I had to.
Don't move.
Natsume, go ahead.
I said don't...
Damn it.
I did warn you.
Stay back, Yukina.
Behind you!
Natsume!
Out of ammo?
I can only use my power once.
Can he use it indefinitely?
That can't be true.
If he's like us, he should have a limit.
Stop, don't talk to me.
He can also read your mind.
Unfortunately for you, my powers aren't limited.
Why did he...
He shouldn't need to fly that far just to dodge a pebble.
Could it be...
Your idea of constructing a new order for the entire Asian region through a different approach is all fine and good as an ideal.
However, we are dealing with a real urgent problem, and fighting everyday to win independence.
There is no place for idealism.
Exactly. Do you have any plan in the first place, to go against the great powers that reign over us?
Do you have enough armories? How about soldiers?
No, I don't at the moment.
At the moment? Does that mean you will in the future?
I don't know.
This is ridiculous!
I knew it.
Your limit is in the location in which you're fighting.
You're limited to a confined space.
And to specific points in that space as well.
What about it?
Even if that were true, nothing's changed.
I don't need power.
What do you think you're doing?
The meeting's over.
You heard everything, I hope?
Looks like you missed the mark.
They didn't like your idea.
That's not true.
I only came here to sow the seeds.
That was more than enough.
The seeds?
What are your true intentions?
Do you truly plan to fight against your homeland?
It's simply a possibility.
Japan will face several important turning points.
If Japan doesn't make the right decisions,
it's very well possible that its citizens will be engulfed in tragedy, and a large war.
I will choose the best option.
No, I intend to lose my life trying to make that option possible.
How about it?
Want to work with me?
I need people with powers.
Please consider it.
Also, relay something to my sister.
I won't try to force her onto my side.
I'd like her to decide on her own after clearly seeing what I intend to do.
You again.
It would be an honor if you could give me another opportunity to see you again.
You can come see me whenever you come to Japan.
I'm a senior Japanese man.
I can only see things with Japan at the center.
What goes on in your mind... is most likely something I will never understand.
However...
Even if some people find an act ridiculous,
they will gradually lend you their ears if you keep trying.
Once they do, they won't be able to tell that it's ridiculous.
Be persistent in being unreasonable.
If what you're doing is right, the heavens will never abandon you.
Episode 06
Ominous Night
At that time, when the world was still ruled by an era of hatred.
At that time, when Japan was still struggling.
At that time, when Japan still had a gigantic army.
At that time, when the Japanese still believed that they could obtain victory from the vermin.
And at that time, when they carried out their plot.
Next time: Incident.
Next Episode
"Incident"