Episode 05

**Choosing Tomorrow** (明日 (あした) を選 (えら) ぶ, *Ashita o Erabu*) is the fifth episode of the *Orient* anime series.

## Synopsis

Musashi and Kojiro are forced to find a way to escape the Kosameda Castle prison, while Tsumugi is trapped between her desire to protect her friends and the commands of her domineering father.

## Summary

Using his fishing skills, Kojiro uses a chain and a hook to take the cell keys and together with Musashi, they managed to escape the Kosameda Castle prison. They locate their Kitetsuki and still need to find their weapons. Musashi and Kojiro then notices from a distance that a large group of Kodama Oni is heading towards the castle.

Hideo finds Tsugumi and informs her that the oni are attacking and he is calling for total mobilization. Tsugumi is shocked, however, she recalls Musashi's words and decide to stand up again Hideo and states she is against it. Hideo gets angry, but calms down and acts that he is sad as he treated her like real daughter, however, she doesn't understand his love. He then states he no longer have use of her and expels her from the band and the castle, stating she should live alone in the wilderness. HIdeo tells her that if she obeys him, he will act this never happened and Tsugumi not wishing to be abandoned, agrees.

Staying in front of a portrait of Hideo, Tsubame and herself, Tsugumi recalls that her sister went thought the same and now she understands how she felt. However, Tsugumi again makes her mind to protect the townspeople and defy Hideo. But as she looks at his portrait, she gets scared over and over again, unable to make a decision. In that moment, Musashi and Kojiro burst through the wall and destroy the portrait, while they look for their swords. Tsugumi tells them they must stay locked until Hideo says otherwise, but Musashi doesn't care what Hideo has to say. Tsugumi states she is useless and weak without Hideo, however, Musashi doesn't agree, stating she defeated Kojiro and knows much more about oni than them. As they hear the oni coming, Musashi calls her to join them to fight the oni. Tsugumi agrees to lead them to their weapons, but she needs their help for something.

After getting them their weapons, she leads them to the square where Hideo had gathered the townspeople. She asks Musashi and Kojiro to help them escape, and Musashi asks Kojiro to think of a plan. Hideo tells the townspeople they will be joining the fight. As they have never fought before, the townspeople don't agree, but see they can't escape. Tsugumi then throws some smoke bombs, stating that Bushi's duty is to protect the people and sending non-combatants into battle would shame any Bushi. Tsugumi believes that taking on the kodami oni is dangerous, while they are individually weak, they are strong together and they need to take cover until they pass and then request help. Tsugumi reveals to herself that her goal is to buy time, until others escape. Hideo comments that Tsugumi was never such smooth talker and wonders if this is some sort of scheme. However, Musashi and Kojiro already had enough time to knock out all the guards while hiding in the smoke. Tsugumi tells everyone they can escape, but no one is moving. Hideo states that desertion is a crime and their entire families will receive death penalty. Tsugumi realizes that the people are still afraid of him and won't move. In order to give the courage to escape, Tsugumi decides to defeat Hideo herself.

Tsugumi engages Hideo in a fight, but is quickly defeated by him. As he beats her up, he reminds her that he taught her fighting and that everyone is useless without him, so they must listen, otherwise they can't survive on their own. Tsugumi then spits blood to his face, saying she will no longer listen him and had decided to fight. She stands up and both activate their weapons. As she fights him, she realizes she wasn't afraid of him, but feared being alone after leaving him. She yells at the townspeople that they may live today, but if they keep obeying him, it will eventually cost them everything and now its the time to fight. Tsugumi manages to dodge Hideo's attack and then captures him with her weapon and lift and slams him to the ground, defeating him. The townspeople then escape the castle. As Tsugumi remained to keep Hideo, she knows she can't escape in time from the incoming kodama oni. However, Musashi and Kojiro appear with their Kitetsuki and manage to get Tsugumi and Hideo and escape as the kodami oni destroys the castle.

## Characters In Order of Appearance

* Kodama Oni
* Musashi
* Kojiro Kanemaki
* Tsugumi Hattori
* Hideo Kosameda
* Tsubame Hattori (flashback)
* Shiro Inukai

## Differences from the manga

* The Anime adds the last scene of Shiro Inukai admiring his collection of Kitetsu blades.