Waterfall & Wings Version 1

Kagetoki's army reaches Yashima as the Heike flees to the west. He picks on Yoshitsune for not waiting for his ships to arrive before leaving for Yashima, if not, they will have captured the Three Treasures. Yoshitsune is sure that the next battle will be a naval battle and suggests that they try and get more naval clans as their allies, in particular the Kumano Naval Clan, one of the strongest around. This sets Benkei thinking. (A couple of episodes ago when Benkei was back in Kamakura and at Chidori's house, Chidori told him her father had saved the lives of some men from the Kumano Naval Clan many years ago. So now Chidori and his father are old time acquaintances with the Kumano Naval Clan people, a relationship that Benkei can use to help Yoshitsune.)

Hearing Jiro say that the Kumano Naval Clan can affect the entire outcome of the battle, Benkei volunteers to go and speak to the head of the naval clan, Tanzo. The rest of the kerai are not so sure, as Benkei is often blunt with his words and may offend Tanzo instead but Benkei is adamant. He manages to convince Yoshitsune to let him go. (Benkei says something to Yoshitsune here which I don't really catch, but seems like there is a likelihood that he may lose his life in this mission.) Night falls and the rest send Benkei off. Just before he leaves, Yoshitsune has a last word for him.

Yoshitsune: "Benkei, I don't want to lose another man."

With that, Benkei takes off into the night.

Meanwhile, the Heike has taken up camp at Hikoshima at Nagato. The men have a strategy meeting. Munemori passes the title of General to Tomomori (This coward... -_-;;; he dons the samurai gear but I have never seen him fight even once.) and lets him direct the battle. Tomomori psyches the men up and inspires them, claiming that they have all the upper hand in next battle, which will definitely be fought at sea.

The womenfolk on the other hand, sits around watching the child emperor Antoku play with Shinno. (Shinno is the child of the late Emperor Takakura and another woman. So he and Antoku are half-brothers, but of course, Antoku is the legitimate heir since his mother Kenreimonin Tokuko is the Empress.) Tokiko comments how the two resembles each other.

Tomoyasu informs Go-Shirakawa of the outcome of the battle at Yashima. Although Yoshitsune fails to retrieve the Three Sacred Treasures this time, Go-Shirakawa has confidence that Yoshitsune will not let him down.

Yoshitsune announces to his kerai that they will set off for Nagato with whatever ships they have now. (Don't really catch this part again, but it is not Yoshitsune's intention to attack the Heike yet, but more to get used to the sea.)

Benkei finally reaches the base of the Kumano Naval Clan. However, Tanzo's men refuse to let Benkei meet him and a fight breaks out. Benkei forces his way in nonetheless and finally meets Tanzo. He requests Tanzo to become Genji's ally and help them with the next naval battle. Tanzo rejects his request as he is indebted to the late Kiyomori. However, he gets more and more curious about Yoshitsune seeing how loyal Benkei is to him and all the effort he puts in to convince himself to join as Genji's ally. Just then, Benkei reminds Tanzo of a past incident.

Benkei: "You talk about your indebtedness to Kiyomori just now. Then you should be indebted to Mokusuke from Kamakura too. He once saved some of your men from drowning during a storm isn't it? This fisherman Mokusuke from Kamakura has a daughter..."

Tanzo: "And her name is?"

Benkei: "Chidori."

Tanzo: "And?"

Benkei: "I am Mokusuke's son-in-law."

Tanzo does not believe Benkei but the latter swears on his life that he is not lying. Just so happens that Chidori is in Kumano for a visit and Tanzo sends for her to verify Benkei's words. (Enters Chidori in her tattered mini-skirt and Benkei's reaction here is soooo funny!! He just went like O_o Huh?? seeing Chidori suudenly appear next to him.)

Tanzo: "Chidori, is Musashibou your husband?"

Chidori: "Un! ^^"

(And Tanzo's expression goes totally anime-ppoi here, you can see the sweat lines like -__- Hahahah, so comical!)

Chidori: "Eh? Speaking of which, what are you doing here? Do you already know each other since before?"

Benkei: "No, I am just here to request something from Tanzo..."

Chidori: "Ahh, I see. Then you are safe. Because Tanzo never rejects people's requests. ^^"

Tanzo is now in a dilemma. He is indebted to both Kiyomori and Mokusuke. And even if he is not indebted to the Heike, becoming Genji's ally is a still a huge decision as it concerns the survival of his entire clan. Benkei chides him for being undecisive and challenges him to a life-and-death match, using Tanzo's favourite game, a cockfight. If Benkei wins, Tanzo will join Yoshitsune. If he loses, his own life will be in the hands of Tanzo. Benkei eventually loses the cockfight. Even so, Tanzo is touched by Benkei's efforts and agrees to become Yoshitsune's ally. Benkei rushes back with Tanzo's letter of coalition.

Meanwhile, Yoshitsune and his kerai are out in sea when Yoshitsune suddenly asks Jiro to steer towards the coast. Apparently, he has this feeling that the seagulls are telling him to go there, as if someone, as if Benkei is waiting there for them. True enough, they find Benkei waiting there. Everyone is glad that Benkei is safe. Once onboard the ship, Benkei hands Yoshitsune the letter of coalition from Tanzo.

Yoshitsune: "Benkei, it has been hard on you."

Benkei: "Not at all!"

Yoshitsune: "Now, we set off for Nagato!"

~End of Episode 33~