The Samurai (1962)

Lord of Night (8x13)

Ausstrahlung: Sep 27, 1964

Shintarō, Tonbei and Kurome set off for Hakone. On the way, Kurome intercepts a messenger riding back from Hakone who tells him that Rokkaku has been kidnapped. The messenger is killed by a shuriken, Tonbei and Kurome fight the ninja while Shintarō rides off. Kongō's disembodied voice tell him Rokkaku and Tonbei are in the forest at Hakone but he will have to face five Kōga groups and if he defeats them, he will have to face Kongō. Shintarō accepts the challenge. Rokkaku tells Densai that Shintarō had nearly discovered his identity. Densai assures him this time is different as they know Shintarō's every move. His men pin Shintarō with ropes but he cuts free. and goes to find Rokkau tied to a tree. Densai puts his sword to Tonbei's throat and orders Shintarō to drop his sword. Kurome appears and cuts him down Shintarō tells Tonbei to get Rokkaku to safety as Kongō is still around but Densai calls out and talks about how Kongō called them from the Phantom Valley and this is how he repays them from which Shintarō deduces that Kurome is Kongō in disguise. And if that is so, then Rokkaku is the Lord of Night. In the ensuing fight, Tonbei pins down Rokkaku who is killed by a knife thrown by the dying Densai. Shintarō and Kongō duel, ending with them both leaping into a boat where Shintarō succeeds in cutting Kongō across the head and he dives backwards into the lake.