Episode 19

A Matter of Trust (されたもの) is the nineteenth episode of the Orient anime series.

Summary
Kanetatsu recalls that if someday he is gone, Tatsuomi asked him to protect the Uesugi Bushi, however, he ended up losing to Seiroku. Annoyed, Kanetatsu attacks, but Seiroku dodges and prepares to kill him, however, Kanetatsu stops Seiroku's attack by grabbing his sword with his bare hand. He then hits the blade with his other hand and breaks the sword, along with the blade energy blocking cast by Seiroku. With now the seal broken, Kuroko commands the third deployment consisting of 2500 black-clad elite Uesugi soldiers, to attack the island and defeat the oni.

Seiroku admits that he got beaten as tactician, but as he draws another sword, he states he is going to kill all of their elite soldiers. And with Shiro obtaining the goddess, its their victory. Kanetatsu states that won't happen as their backup, Takeda Bushi, should be at Yura Mine. Meanwhile, Takeda Bushi do arrive at the mine. Shiro is surprised to see Naotora, but Naotora states he is the only one who can take him on. Katsumi realizes this was all part of Kuroko plan and Musashi assumes they have been just a bait, but Naotora states his job just starts. While the Uesugi are going after the Kishin, they need to defeat the Obsidian Eight. He and Kanetatsu have one, but that leaves a third for Musashi.

Kanetatsu faces Seiroku, however as he is yellow Bushi, he isn't really impressed by his power. Seiroku agrees, but states that's the reason he uses special tricks. Seiroku then uses Lacerate, getting a string around Kanetatsu's legs, but he just cuts it off. Kanetatsu states that as long as he sees the strings and avoid them, he will be fine, but in that moment, he sees his entire body is covered in strings. Seiroku explains he can make them to thin that they practically look invisible. Pulling the strings, he causes damage to Kanetatsu, and then puts Blackout on his eyes, making him unable to see. Kanetatsu swings around, but as he can't see, he can't hit Seiroku, who then activates Burn on Kanetatsu's leg and then dislocates his knees. Kanetatsu doesn't give up and stand up. Seiroku then activates fracture and breaks Kanetatsu's pinky and thumb. Seiroku then proceeds and breaks all of his fingers. As Uesugi Bushi are getting close to the island, Seiroku restores Kanetatsu's vision, so that he sees how he kills them.

Seiroku reveals he used to be a doctor, but in a band of Bushi, anyone with special powers ends up suffering for it. As there are usually few powerful and many weak Bushi, they push the most dangerous things to the powerful ones. Seiroku believes that Kanetatsu's friends are the same, and are not worth protecting. Using the bandages, Kanetatsu wraps them around the sword, allowing him to lift it and with the other hand to Seiroku's blade, helping himself get up and close to him. Kanetatsu states that it seems Seiroku choked under the pressure of his comrades expectations, but for him those expectations are his pride. Seiroku activates various of effects all over Kanetatsu's body. Kanetatsu points his blade at himself, wanting to see if Seiroku's strings or his blade energy is stronger. Turning his blade energy against him, Kanetatsu is able to cut all of Seiroku's strings. Kanetatsu is able to move and states that while Seiroku looks like he has godlike powers, its just a mere trick and once his energy disappears, so its effects too. Kanetatsu notices the strings again trying to ensnare him and Seiroku explains he couldn't get rid of them all. Kanetatsu then jumps at him, but Seiroku blocks, stating he must believe he isn't much of a fighter, due to his tricks, but with extreme speed, Seiroku starts moving around and cutting Kanetatsu.

Kanetatsu starts to loose too much blood and Seiroku decides to finish him off. In that moment, two Uesugi Bushi arrive and stand to protect Kanetatsu. Kanetatsu recalls his conversation with Tatsuomi, where he states that he isn't strong and invincible heroes doesn't exist. Tatsuomi agrees, but as a leader, he must give hope to his people. Tatsuomi is weak as a bushi and can't fight alone, but since Kanetatsu is strong and with him on his side, Tatsuomi is able to look like a champion for everyone else. Kanetatsu uses his hand, letting Seiroku stab it, stopping his sword and movement and then stabs him with his sword, defeating Seiroku.

Takeda Bushi create a barrier so that Shiro can't escape. Shiro is surprised that Naotora wants to take him alone, as Bushi usually fight in groups. Shiro shows his ring and Naotora feels they had met 10 years ago, but Shiro states if its that long, he won't remember. Shiro wishes to head towards the goddess, but Naotora states for him the goddess is pointless and it only causes fights between Bushi, so it would be better for her to finally die. That upsets Shiro, who ends up breaking the barrier. Using Void, he creates a square around Naotora and other Bushi and fills it with water. Shiro explains that when he fights someone he doesn't even want to touch with his sword, he sends them to the bottom of the sea or in a lava. However, Naotora slashes the square in two, freeing them. Naotora wonders if that's all Shiro can do. He guesses he is the one that hunts for swords and explains that he doesn't hate oni as he seems them as natural disasters, but he dislikes people like Shiro, who take advantage of the state of the world to cause chaos. The two start fighting and as Naotora launches his attack, Shiro opens a small window, redirecting the attack behind Naotora. As his attacks doesn't match any color, Shiro reveals that his color is white.

Differences from the manga

 * The scene of Michiru talking with Tatsuomi was removed.
 * A scene showing a young Seiroku during his days working as a doctor was added.