Невловимий самурай

The year is 1333, Kamakura. Tokiyuki Hojo, the rightful heir to the regent who rules the Kamakura shogunate, is a kind boy with a heart of gold who dislikes conflict – even though he’s the son of a warrior.

Takauji Ashikaga, once considered the guardian of the Kamakura shogunate, stages a rebellion that led to its quick destruction. Tokiyuki’s older brother, Kunitoki, successfully evades the eyes of the warriors loyal to Takauji, and he is placed under the care of their uncle, Muneshige Godaiin.

Tokiyuki risks his life and wins a game of tag, defeating the enemy who betrayed his brother. As soon as he arrives in Suwa, Yorishige urges him to begin his lessons and training to take back Kamakura.

Tokiyuki spends his days undergoing strenuous training to perfect his sword techniques – something he’s told to do to take back Kamakura for himself. However, everyone was surprised by how weak his swordsmanship was. It turns out that Tokiyuki was much better with another weapon: the bow.

Tokiyuki faces off against Sadamune in a dog-shooting competition, even though his opponent excels with the bow and possesses an almost prodigy-like eye for detail. With a large lead in points, Tokiyuki faces defeat as he gets hit.

Tokiyuki and Genba sneak into the Ogasawara's residence and successfully infiltrate the warehouse where the Emperor’s Imperial Command is kept. However, Sadamune’s subordinate, Sukefusa Ichikawa, catches on and hears what these two are doing…

Tokiyuki reigns in the new year for the first time in Suwa. As the chaos from the downfall lulls throughout the country, skirmishes still break out here and there, and another crisis knocks on Suwa’s doors.

The Elusive Warriors make their way to Nakayama Manor in the northern extremities of Suwa. There, Tokiyuki meets a young boy named Fubuki. In a village where Ogasawara and his forces killed all the grown-ups, Fubuki took charge and continually looked after all the children who were left in the aftermath. The warriors join forces with Fubuki, who’s familiar with military strategies, and go on a mission to meet the enemy.

The Elusive Warriors engage in a fierce battle with the Seigi Party, a group spearheaded by Shokan himself. Stuck in a small chamber and faced with opponents wearing armor, Tokiyuki uses the “escape” technique he learned from Fubuki to face off against General Shokan.

Yorishige tells Tokiyuki there are times when he cannot see the future; as some people have come to rely on Yorishige's reputation and power as a god, he cannot reveal this shortcoming to anyone.

The imperial court assigns a new provincial official for Shinano: Shinanonokami Kiyohara. Kiyohara did not hesitate to wield his power over people. He was considered a corrupt provincial official who made the people living in his territory suffer.

Hoshina and his army decide to retreat from Kawanakajima after hearing what Tokiyuki and Saemontaro Shinomiya, a Suwa Sect warrior, had to say. But Kiyohara is evil and crafty – he won’t let this slide without a fight.

It is the first year of the Kenmu era (1334), in Suwa, Shinano province. Tokiyuki, now fully accustomed to life in Suwa, is reminded of meals from his days in Kamakura during a casual conversation. He recalls how much he loved eating freshly caught sea bream from Yuigahama, seasoned with wasabi and soy sauce from Izu.

The Ashikaga forces keep a vigilant watch across the country, searching for remnants of the Hojo clan scattered throughout Japan. Sadamune, the governor of Shinano, has grown suspicious of “Chojumaru,” a young warrior who has repeatedly distinguished himself in battle—first during the dog-shooting competition, and later on the battlefield.

Provincial official Kiyohara returns to Shinano after fleeing back to Kyo following the previous battle. Having grown even more ruthless, Kiyohara launches a large-scale invasion against pro-Hojo factions in northern Shinano. To oppose the combined forces of Kiyohara and Sadamune, the three great generals of the Suwa faith—Nezu, Mochizuki, and Unno, retainers directly serving Yorishige.

Tokiyuki and his companions race across the battlefield, sparing even the slightest moments of rest in order to relay information to their allies. However, when they arrive at the northern front where Mochizuki and Tokoiwa are fighting, what they witness is a fortress engulfed in flames, falliing into ruin... Ayako collapses in grief as she thinks of her father, Shigenobu Mochizuki.

Set between the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, during the Kenmu Restoration, the story follows the tale of Hojo Tokiyuki, a boy on the run after his family is overthrown by Ashikaga Takauji. With his only allies being a shady priest and his followers, the young lord must seek revenge and regain his glory, with his only weapon: a superhuman ability to flee and hide.