Hojo Tokiyuki has to increase his forces to fight off Ashikaga Takauji’s force and reclaim Kamakura from emperor Godaigo, so in The Elusive Samurai episode 5, he continues his pursuit.
Although not much, Tokiyuki’s force seemed to be increasing slowly but steadily, a strategist, and multiple warriors, both joined his Elusive Samurai troop for his future endeavors, but there was space for many more.
But before all that, the continuation of the previous episode of The Elusive Samurai, where he has to reclaim Yorishige’s dignity by winning a risky match of archery takes precedence.
So, let us know what transpired in that match in The Elusive Samurai episode 5.
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Result Of The Competition Between Hojo Tokiyuki And Ogasawara Sadamune In The Elusive Samurai Episode 5
The Elusive Samurai episode 5 started, and the dog shooting competition between Hojo Tokiyuki and Ogasawara Sadamune entered its final phase.
As explained in the previous episode, this dog shooting competition was kind of unique, where points will also be given if one successfully shoots their opponent.
This rule spiced up the entire competition, as a different variable was factored in, which made the end result of the competition more unpredictable.
To be honest, the animation in this phase was no doubt flawless, that couldn’t be more accurate in expressing the vibe.
Sadamune had already scored 5 points while Tokiyuki had only scored 1 point, on top of that Sadamune was obstructing Tokiyuki every time whenever he tried to aim at his target, so each time Tokiyuki failed to hit a dog, he kept on failing short to reach the winning score.
However, Yorishige was there, and he knew about Tokiyuki’s capabilities, more than Tokiyuki knew himself, so he suggested a plan, to shoot while running away.
If we factor in Tokiyuki’s personality, that probably was the most plausible plan ever, since Tokiyuki only shines in escaping from something.
As expected, Tokiyuki’s brain started to function in high gear, once he started to escape, and he rotated his body back while running away on his horse to shoot Sadamune, however, that wasn’t enough to shoot Sadamune yet, since he was in Tokiyuki’s blindspot.
So Sadamune was confident that he was totally safe from Tokiyki, but he underestimated Tokiyuki’s flexibility, Tokiyuki did a total 360-degree turn, on the top of the horse, to shoot Sadamune in the neck, scoring a whopping 2 points.
What’s more, after Sadamune fell from his mount after getting shot in his neck, Tokiyuki jumped across him by jumping over him and shot him in his ear by leaning backward.
This totally cool move has another name, The Parthian Shot.
It was an absolute victory for Suwa, Tokiyuki didn’t forget to show his coolness in front of the previously injured shrine maiden whose ear Sadamune shot, saying that it was payback to Sadamune for his disrespectful act towards the shrine maiden(though that shot was mere fluke).
Yorishige’s Plan
After losing the competition and the bet connected to it, Sadamune had no other choice but to leave Suwa without being able to finish his business.
However, as sharp as Sadamune’s eye was, he quickly noticed the elegance in the Tokiyuki who was disguised as Chojumaru, and suspected him as someone from the Hojo clan.
Then again, Sadamune couldn’t understand why Yorishige would push forward such a vulnerable person in front of him, so using his capability to discern all discrepancies all he gained was confusion.
That was Yorishige’s plan all along.
In the meantime Yorishige, using some of his close aids, spread rumors of Tokiyuki’s sightings in multiple locations of the nation, creating a diversion while buying enough time for Tokiyuki, to build up his force.
What Kind Of Peril Came Forth In The Elusive Samurai Episode 5?
The competition ended in Suwa’s victory Tokiyuki was getting used to life as Chojumaru, and everything was fine and dandy In The Elusive Samurai episode 5 until Sadamune again visited Suwa carrying Imperial Command.
The Command was such, that since Suwa participated in helping the Hojo clan, they were marked as traitors, and as punishment, they had to hand over the north side land of Suwa Lake to Ogasawara.
They were given 10 days to relocate the residents of that land.
Most of the retainers of Suwa were ready to go down fighting but were discouraged by Yorishige since he had another plan.
His plan involved Tokiyuki as usual.
At this point, it seemed like every Yorishige would use every peril to train Tokiyuki’s fortitude and further nourish his capabilities.
So, let’s see what plan Yorishighe has in store for Tokiyuki.
The plan is simple, he urged Tokiyuki to steal the Imperial Edict from Sadamune!!
New Comrade Joins The Team
As Yorishige plotted an impossible plan for Tokiyuki, it’s not like he didn’t leave any support for him.
He found an incredible aid known as Kazama Genba, a thief by profession who is carrying his family’s tradition.
However, his father on his dying bed after being betrayed by the lord he served gave him advice, which is, not to trust anything except money, which somehow twisted his personality.
Genba didn’t believe anyone who couldn’t pay for the job, and whoever crossed him would always face his retribution.
Although each of the characters is unique in this series, this character named Genba who appeared in The Elusive Samurai episode 5 perhaps is the most unique one up till now according to me.
When Tokiyuki and the team went on to find this legendary thief who, never failed until now, the reaction of the villagers was something to see, since all ran upon the mention of his name!!
Most funny scene was probably the chicken running to hide, after the mention of Genba’s name.
The first impression of Genba made him out to be a money leech, who only works for someone in exchange for a set amount of money, and Genba thought this aspect of him would repulse Tokiyuki.
However, the result was different, Tokiyuki seemed thinking of giving him a province after the takeover of Kamakura, so payment in money was a cheap deal for him, and he felt as if Genba was such a generous person, whereas the fact was different.
This in turn made Genba confused, it was kind of a funny turn of events.
That’s how Genba finally joined the Elusive Samurai team.
Trying To Overcome The Peril In The Elusive Samurai Episode 5
Planning is done, new comrade recruitment is done, and all that is left in The Elusive Samurai episode 5 is the execution of the plan.
Unfortunately, Tokiyuki also had to come with Genba as a thief to Sadamune’s residence.
Unexpectedly, Tokiuki was overly excited about this operation changing the image of him to Genba which he had of Tokiyuki.
Leaving that aside, after using some cool moves, Genba infiltrated the residence with Tokiyuki, however, when he asked Tokiyuki to wait at a spot and go somewhere, Tokiyki for a small instance doubted his trustworthiness.
In reality, Genba was in Sadamune’s disguise to infiltrate the designated spot where the Imperial Edict was placed.
Well, trust is a two-way transaction.
Since Genba caught Tokiyuki doubting him, he also had to test Tokiyuki’s trustworthiness, so Genba initiated a test while disguising himself as Tokiyuki.
On the other hand, their infiltration caught the ear of the trusted vassal of Sadamune, and the assistant governor Ichikawa Sakefusa.
So what is the fate of Tokiyuki and Genba, to know that, stay tuned for the next episode...
