Tied to a pole, Hajime demands to know the secret to the incredible power of the lovely eye-patch. Shiro is finally strong enough to get out of bed and approaches the old man, who he learns is Jubei's teacher. He tells Shiro Jubei is just fine but has been captured by Hajime. He runs off to save her Mikage apologizes to Sai for her behavior while under the Ryujoji curse. He babbles a bit and tries to tell her he has feelings for her. He admits he knows she is not his wife, but even so, he wanted to talk to her once more. Jubei thinks about her conversation with Mikage and realizes that saving the lives of the Ryujoji from the curse is the true power. As Hajime is about to strike Jubei, Shiro races in and blocks it. Hajime feigns innocence about the attack on Shiro but he is not fooled. He frees Jubei and challenges Hajime to a duel. Long ago, Ryujoji Amon, Shiro and Hajime's father wants to break away from the clan. The price for this is if he ever has twin sons, one will be taken and trained to lead the clan. He does have twins and the older one, Hajime, is taken. However, Hajime does not want to lead the clan, and Shiro, the one that remained is bitter about being the younger twin. The brothers trade places and the true Hajime becomes Shiro, and Shiro becomes Hajime to each lead the life they want. Hajime and Shiro begin to fight, but Jubei grabs both their swords and says brothers should never fight. As Yagyu Jubei, she challenges Hajime herself, in order to save him. At long last, Jubei has accepted her role as Yagyu Jubei II. She defeats Hattori, all the ninjas, and Hajime. They wake up to realize what the others have, and abandon the grudge. Hajime joins the Ruffians. The old man reveals himself to be Daigo Ryujoji himself, the origin of the curse, and possesses Shiro. Koinosuke tells Jubei that she will always be "his Yagyu Jubei" |