Episode 15

Equals (間者) is the fifteenth episode of the Orient anime series.

Summary
Tatsuomi meets with Naotora. Tatsuomi explains that Kanetatsu managed to get a second and third deployments onto the island. Tatsuomi states that the Obsidian Goddess has been found and if they get their hands on her, it will be the end of oni hunts. However, the enemy had found her as well. Tatsuomi believes that there is an infiltrator and when Yamata no Orochi appears, either the black dogs or one of their minions will try to take out the Uesugi. Kuroko is looking for the infiltrators and once she finds them, they will strike. Naotora states he will be leaving as they will need more help.

The units are celebrating, but Natsuki is annoyed that Akihiro always takes the glory and goes to blow off some steam with Tokisame and Tadayuki. Fuyuie asks Haruhisa if they should let them go, and Haruhisa states they just need to de-stress. Kijinosuke and two of the girls are looking for Musashi, and Haruhisa guesses he may have run away. Meanwhile, Musashi feels down as he thinks they will make fun of him for all of his talk, yet he doesn't known about Blade Energy and that no one will want to fight with him for how stupid he is. As he starts to believe he will be a nuisance, he considers running away. Katsumi finds Musashi and guesses he plans to run away. He reminds him its a crime and that he knows how he feels. He talked big, couldn't back it up and is now feeling embarrassed. Katsumi was similarly humiliated, yet Musashi continued to speak up for them. While Musashi isn't knowledgable about Kitetsu Blades, Katsumi knows he is strong as he was able to block his iai strikes. Musashi is thankful for Katsumi's words. Katsumi states that as heir to a house, he needs to know how to look after people, however he failed to become a commander of the unit. Musashi wonders why its important for him to be a commander and Katsumi reveals that Awaji is his homeland. They were a small bushi band that lived on the island, but lost it when the oni took over. That is why he wanted to lead the people into retaking the island. Before leaving, Katsumi guesses that Musashi must also has a reason as to why he is fighting oni. Musashi starts to wonder why is he fighting oni and should he leave after being humiliated.

While measuring the collected kitetsu from each deployment, they see that one member is missing from the first deployment. The Shimazu reveal its Musashi, who likely ran away as his stuff is missing. However, Musashi then comes, thinking that no matter how pathetic or lame he looks, he needs to get stronger. The next day, Musashi starts training with Katsumi.

Yataro notes that he needs to get the Obsidian Goddess before Orochi finish his meal in five days. He wonders why the Goddess chose such a fragile boy as Musashi. Michiru then reports to her father, Yataro, who asks her if she remembers her true duty to find the Obsidian Goddess host and kill him. Michiru confirms, but states she still haven't found him. Yataro tells her she will know who he is once she meets him, as their stones will reach to each other. Yataro expects great things from Michiru, since she is his most capable daughter. Michiru recalls how Yataro was annoyed he was only creating "garbage", and how she was considered as such and cast aside, with no name or worth. However, she managed to wield a Kitetsu Blade and Yataro praised her for being special and named her Michiru, which characters "three" and "thousand" since she is his 3000th daughter. As she gained value and not wanting to become worthless again, Michiru wish to accomplish her mission. Michiru's caretaker tell her she needs to kill Musashi soon, before Uesugi realizes the Goddess is here. Michiru knows that and states she will kill him before that happens. Michiru observes Musashi training with Katsumi and notes that no one had discovered the Goddess inside of him, so they can still be together. The moment they met, she knew he is the one she must kill, but as she started to fall in love with him, she doesn't want to.

Musashi asks Michiru to send her Blade Energy and connect to him. Wondering how it will feel, she agrees. Moments after their energy connects, black crystals start to come out from both of their bodies. Michiru realizes this is what Yataro meant when he said their stones will reach out. However, Yataro will now know where they are and Michiru feels they need to run. As Michiru and Musashi had turned into a flying black crystal, Kuroko Usami uses her Kitetsu Blade to cast a prison and stop them. Michiru and Musashi return to normal and Michiru stands over Musashi, wanting to protect him. Kuroko tells Tatsuomi that Michiru is someone she marked as possible spy for the black dogs and there are doubts that she is the Saruwatari princess. Michiru realizes that if they look at Musashi, they will discover the Goddess. Kuroko has an idea and shares it with Tatsuomi. Tatsuomi then announces they found an enemy spy and points to arrest Musashi.

Musashi is put on a cross for being a spy. Michiru promises to save him and uses her stone to contact Yataro. Kuroko was expecting that and manages to see Michiru's stone contacting someone on the south side of Awaji, the summit of Mount Yuzuruha. Kanetatsu congratulates Kuroko about her plan on letting Michiru go, as she will lead them to the enemy base.

The Bushi prepare to attack Awaji. Tatsuomi explains that their enemy is Yamata no Orochi and it has a special defense barrier able to reflect all manner of attacks. But once the horns of all eight of its heads are broken, Orochi will perish. Tatsuomi will reward anyone who shatters a horn with a fortress of their own. Shimazu are excited, but Kanetatsu tells them they will be staying behind at the castle. Two of their troops are under certain suspicions, Musashi and Michiru, and they can head into battle once that's cleared up. Shimazu won't be able to get any glory. Haruhisa states they need to prove that Musashi and Michiru has nothing to do with the Shimazu.

Differences from the manga

 * The scene where Natsuki, Tokisame and Tadayuki go to blow off some steam because they're pissed at Akihiro taking all the glory, with Fuyuie asking Haruhisa if they should let them go is not part of the manga, but mirrors the scene that happened some years ago in Vol. 11 Omake.

Trivia

 * The chibi extra at the end of the episode reveals the names of the Amako Bushi and Tanegashima cousins.
 * While the name of the two Tangashima Bushis are later revealed in the manga, the 5 Amako Bushi's names are only revealed on Vol. 11 Bonus Page.
 * Although the official localization translated the episode title (間者) with "Equals", the correct translation would be "Spy".