Episode 2

**The Old Way** (古より続く道, *Inishie yori Tsuzuku Michi*) is the 2nd episode of the Yasuke anime.

## Synopsis

Back in 1581, Yasuke and Natsumaru have become trusted warriors serving Nobunaga. In the present day, the mercenaries catch up to Yasuke and attack.

## Plot

After the blast made by Saki, Yasuke manages to get out of the river while holding Ichika's necklace.

Azuchi Castle, 1581. Nobunaga Oda lectures Yasuke how the Mongols used Power armor mechs to conquer islands of Tsushima and Ikki. However, as they defeated them, they took the Mongol's technology to strengthen themselves. Later Nobunaga observes practice battle between Natsumaru and Mitsuhide. As Mitsuhide wins, Nobunaga tells him that Yasuke and Natsumaru will escort him when he goes to meet Iga Clan. Mitsuhide doesn't share Nobunaga's vision on power is power, and fear that if Nobunaga keeps adding outsiders to their ranks, the enemy not only won't fear them, but won't respect them either. As everyone leaves, Yasuke notices Natsumaru's necklace and she explains its her family crest and its give from mother to daughter.

At present, Abraham, a priest asks Achoja's group if they found the child and they confirm, but had trouble with the woman and the black man. As Saki has powers, the group wants more money and the man agrees. The priest then approaches a kidnapped villager, who while crying explains he told them everything he knows. He asks him about Yasuke, but the villager doesn't know anything outside that Yasuke fishes and drinks at the bar, after which the priest breaks the villager's neck. The priest explains Saki is key to controlling Europe and the Catholic Church, and he needs her alive.

Yasuke awakens and sees Saki came out of the river nearby, but neither knows where Ichika is. While eating at the campfire, Yasuke looks at Ichika's necklace and recalls his past. During 1581, at Iga Province, Mitsuhide tells Iga to surrender before Nobunaga's mighty force descend on them. As a sign of respect, he send his seven samurai. Looking at them, Iga state they see only five, as they believe Nobunaga disrespects Japanese people by making a woman and a slave bear titles reserved for Japanese men, and wishes to fight Yasuke. Yasuke agrees and goes to face the Iga general. He manages to outmatch him and defeat him. More Iga men then come out and surround Yasuke. As they attack, Yasuke cuts all of them, including the Iga general. Yasuke then sees Natsumaru's family crest carried by one of the dead.

Back at present, in the morning, Achoja's group find Yasuke's campfire and realize he is with Saki. Yasuke had taken Saki back at the village and is drinking at the bar. Yasuke explains they went back as neither of them know who the special doctor is and where to find him. Saki wants to go look for her mother, but Yasuke tells her Ichika didn't survive the encounter in the river. Yasuke recalls a celebration party where Nobunaga tells him he consider him a son and is proud of him, which annoys his real son. Mitsuhide tells him that Nobunaga treats him better than his sons, but Yasuke will never be one of them and will always be a servant, as this is the way of things they do. Yasuke tells him that perhaps the old ways should be left in the past.

At the bar, the priest and his mercenaries appear. The priest explains he came on a mission to Japan as he follows a prophecy that a special child will appear that will help him save and bring peace to his people. After many years, he found the child, but as it was sick, he entrusted a woman to look after her, yet the woman took the child and ran. As Yasuke doesn't tell him where the girl is, the priest tells the mercenaries to capture him alive. Achoja attempts to kill Yasuke for breaking his nose, but Haruto stops him. As they fight, Haruto temporary goes out of control as alcohol lands on him and affects his systems. He regains control and they continue fighting Yasuke and eventually defeat and capture him.

## Characters

* Yasuke
* Nobunaga Oda
* Natsumaru
* Ranmaru
* Mitsuhide
* Abraham
* Nikita
* Haruto
* Achoja
* Ishikawa