Brave 10 - Episode 04

Episode – 04 characters

Isanami – She is the sole survivor of the Izumo shrine, also it appears that she has some strange power that she doesn't even know that she has. Another thing to point out is that her name is vary similar to the goddess in the Japanese creation myth. It wouldn't surprise me if they have her end of being the reincarnation of Izanami.

Kirigakure Saizou – He is the other real major character in this story. Also from the way he act, it like he has a great many secrets to hide. Like how he says that he is a samurai while in fact he is an Iga ninja. It also appears that he has some sort of connection with Isanami by how he is able to calm her down. There is also his unexplained hatred for feudal lords.

Sarutobi Sasuke – He is a Koga Ninja, and this is what leads to the conflict between him and Saizou because in Japanese his the Koga and Iga ninja's have a long standing rivalery. It also seems that for some reason the koga ninja's under his command are surving Sanada Yukimura.

Sanada Yukimura – His is Lord of Ueda Castle, it also appears that he is renown for his intelligence and integrity. Also it seem that he is seeking to draw ten great warrior to his side to equal his equal great fingers, before he can go to war.

Rokurou – He is a mysterious figure that is helping Yukimura in his ambition. Although it appears that it will be awhile before we learn more about him.

Ana – She is a childhood friend of Saizou, although he dislikes how clingy she is. Further more Isanami doesn't much care for her because she feels that she is going to take Saizou away from her. Also she is now working for Yukimura after trying to kill him and failing.

Hattori Hanzou – Is the one that burned down the Izumo shrine, and is working for Tokogawa Ieyasu. Although we don't know at this point what part he will play, even though he is a renown historical figure. However the one thing we do know is that he will be back for Isanami.

Kakei Juuzou – Is a Samurai in service to Yukimura, and he specialize in juujitsu (fighting with guns). He is also extremely conservative and believes that Isanami's behavior towards Saizou is highly inappropriate. That it would only be acceptable if they were married.

Yuri Kamazuke – Is a bandit that is encountered on their way to Izumo, although he is not really interested in stealing. The thing he wants the most is to find someone the kill, because only on the edge of life and death does he truly feel alive.

Date Masamune – Is the ruler of Oushuu, and is an ally of Tokugawa Ieyasu. He is searching for kushi-mitama which are fragments of a god's soul. That he believes if he gets them all he will became a god and this is the reason he is after Isanami.

Episode – 04 Summary

Things get started when Saizou, Isanami, and Kakei finally arrive at Izumo. Although Isanami tries to hide it at first, it soon become apparent that she is truly disturbed by seeing the state that the temple is in. In seeing that she is trying to distance herself from Saizou this in turn cause Saizou to stay close to her. While Isanami is searching the temple with Saizou following her, Kakei is going to search around the perimeter of the temple. Once Isanami has had a chance to look around, she tells Saizou that she was hoping that there was something that showed that someone else from Izumo survived. Saizou tells her that the only thing that you can do when something like this happens is to try and find the reason behind it. Knowing the why will not change the fact that people died, and it will not lessen the grief you feel. Although if you can understand the why then it will mean that they didn't die in-vain, and he asks Isanami don't you think that is the real reason that they are there now. This brings a great deal of comfort to Isanami.

Then they go to meet up with Kakei to find out that he hasn't discovered anything either. Then as Saizou is talking with Kakei he notice that the pillar that he is next to isn't even burned, which he finds is strange because everything else around is burned but this one thing doesn't seem to be effected at all. Even-though Kakei tries to explain it by saying it is made out of bronze, however Saizou doesn't believe that is the only reason. The when he check above he notices a pattern on the ground that seems similar to the yin-yang but it seems distorted. Although once Isanami see what they are talking about she seem to instinctively knows how the blocks are to be moved. Once Isanami rearrange them into the proper alignment of a yin yang and a hide passageway is revile. Then as they are going down the stairs Kakei jokes about that maybe this is the stairway into hell. Although Saizou doesn't believe that because he doesn't believe in either Heaven or Hell. This upsets Isanami because she would believe that they would be together in the after life.

Although once they reach the bottom of the stairs they find that it leads to a dead-end where there is a message written on the wall, that according to Isanami is write in Izumo script but unfortunately she is unable to read it. However as they are about to turn-around and go back they fine Hattori waiting for them, and it appears that he was listening in on there confereation. That all along the kushi-mitama that he was searching for and the very reason that he burned down Izumo was Isanami's hairpin. Although this creates confilicte because Isanami is unwilling to hand it over also Saizou doesn't believe that Hattori will just let them go even if they do.

This begins Saizou rematch with Hattori, although in the beginning it appears that he is able to hold his own against Hattori it becomes clear that Hattori is better than Saizou. The reason is that at the most all Saizou can do is dodge his strikes by a hairs breath. Although things start to change when Yuri shows up although he announcement that only he is allow to make Saizou bleed, is a bit unnecessary. However once he convince Yuri to help him, are they able to defeat Hattori and force him to retreat. Although at the end of everything everyone is exhausted. This turns out to be the very thing that Date Masumune needs to be able to kidnap Isanami, while everyone is too tired to fight back.