Our loveable, "The Saw" Manzou has came to this port town to investigate the foreign ships that have been docking here. He surveys the ocean with a telescope. One of his officers runs up to him and gives him some shocking news.

The trio is sitting in a restaurant covering their travels on a map. Fuu draws their recent path, and Jin notes that they are almost to Saga, a northwestern prefecture on the island of Kyushu. And, it's just a little farther to Ikitsuki Island. The waiter returns with a large amount of food. Mugen says that he ordered it, but Fuu knows they dont have enough money. He tells her to relax as they pig out.

They finish their meal. Fuu has become her stuffed alter ego. Jin is concerned about the bill, but Mugen assures him that it's all ok. He stands up and gets in a racing crouch. In a flash, he dashes out the door making an eat-and-run. A couple of the workers chase after him and the others surround Fuu and Jin.

Meanwhile, an easing going man is sitting in a tree juggling a baseball. Mugen sprints below him, and the workers follow. He takes notice of this event and jumps out of the tree. He takes a long wind of his arm and pitches the baseball. It sails through the air and clocks Mugen in the noggen. He gathers himself and demands, "Who did that!" The man freely calls back. With an equally long wind, Mugen fires the baseball right back. It narrowly misses his head as it blares into the distance. The man asks "how about it? Want to play baseball?" Mugen replies, "base-ball."

The man pulls Mugen back to the restaurant. He offers to bay their bill, if they play in a baseball game, tomorrow. The other option is to work for a month. Fuu tells Mugen to take responsibility for this. He says they should have bolted too. Jin says that they have no choice, and will play.

The man describes baseball as a sport from across the sea. You just have to throw the ball and hit it with a bat. "A stick game," Mugen asks? The man says it's a game with the fate of the country on the line. The story all began one week ago.

*****
Cannons fire from a Naval battleship docked in the port. The officer, and translator, asks who's in charge. A rickity old man steps forward. The translator introduces the officer as Admiral Joy Cartwright, the chief commander of the fleet of the American East India Company. The translator introduces himself as Doubleday. They've come seeking trade with Japan.

The old man says that there is a proclamation to turn away all foreign ships. The translator gives the news to Admiral Cartwright. He responds with a flip of "the bird," and says Fuck them. Cannons fire, and Doubleday reports that they aren't asking. They are ordering. The alternative is war.

In the background, Admiral Cartwright spots a man with a baseball. He says, "Baseball on a little island in the Far East? Incredible. The sport of gentlemen comes to the country of savages." Then, they laugh it up. The man says there is no need to have a war. They'll fight with baseball!
*****

This is why they're having the game with the Americans. Fuu wonders why the Americans would do that. Jin asks if they have any other players? But, during the recruiting process, they all chickened out over the severity of the match. The man says that the Americans are really good, and that's a good enough incentive for Mugen. Fuu tells him to do his best and turns away. However, the man needs her's and Jin's help as well.

The American ship is docked, and Manzou is investigating. His officers tells him they should report back to Edo, but Manzou says he will sneak on the ship. All he needs is a clever disguise.

The trio roll up their pants and sleeves and get to practicing. The baseball man finally introduces himself as Kagemaru. He and Fuu are playing catch, and Fuu asks him how he learned about baseball? He says he was part on an elite guard of ninjas. Keeping in touch with other countries was commonplace in Kyushu. So, they studied other countries. But, then they became isolated and the group was shutdown. Jin, Mugen, and Fuu stay up all night learning the rules and training.

During the night, Manzou is attempting to sneak aboard the vessel. He's dressed in a sailor suit and tip-toes through the night. The American guards stop him and demand some identification. He speaks some broken engrish, but they chase him away.

At last the game is about to take place, and the players line-up. Mugen looks down the line and notices they are short handed. Kagemaru tells him not to worry, but the Americans point at the end of the line. Representing Japan is Mugen, Kagemaru, Fuu, Jin, the rickity old man, a dog, and ...Momo-san. The Americans stab at the "mystical Orient" for having a diverse line-up. A player checks the rules on animals and they're is nothing there, so it's ok.

Japan is up to bat first, and Kagemaru takes the plate. Doubleday pitches the first ball, and he bunts. Running to first, Kagemaru uses his ninja smoke to cover his tracks and get on first. Next, up is Jin. He uses a defensive stance and hits the ball to centerfield. Mugen holds two bats with a "nitouryuu" stance. Doubleday adjusts to throw a ball, but Mugen stretches for the pitch and clocks it out of the park. Mugen tears around the bases, and passes Jin. Automatic out. Fuu gets to bat and strikes out. The old man gets up to bat, but dies before he can make it.

The dog is next, and Fuu discusses their strategy. Apparently the dog has a low stike zone and gets all balls. Doubleday wisens up and throws a beam ball, which hits the dog. It runs off. Terrified, Momo-san flies into the forest. However, Manzou is carefully watching the game. Kagemaru sneaks up and convinces Manzou to play in there secret game. He get up to bat and pulls the "Babe Ruth homerun pose." Kagemaru signals a bunt. But, Manzou swings at every chance and gets a hit.

The Americans re-evalulate their strategy for underestimating the Japanese. They decide to play the best way they know, dirty. They throw beam balls and use unnessessary roughness. Kagemaru and Manzou die. =[ Jin is back to bat and hits a gound ball. Running the bases, the Americans pull out hand weapons. Jin evades them. He slides into home, but the base is yanked from him. He gets pounced and dies, too. =[

The Americans are now at bat. However, Kagemaru still has some life left in him. He get up and walks to the mound. The American gets a centerfield hit, but Mugen chases it down and catches it in his shoe. Admiral Cartwright gets up to the plate, and he cracks his bat on the ground. He hits the pitch straight at Kagemaru and the bat splinters. It gouges Kagemaru. With his dying breath, he says he has no regrets, but makes the out. Fuu warms the bench. Therefore, Mugen is Japan's last hope.

Mugen takes the mound. He shows off his skills (break dancing skills) and pitches some wild balls. The runner makes it to first, so he decides to throw normally. He winds up and throws a rocket, which sails into the forest. The announcer is flabbergasted, because no one will hit it. Then, Mugen decides to throw some beam balls of his own. The pitches crack ribs and take out the entire team. Finally, one batter is left. He says the Americans cant afford to lose.

Mugen throws a final beam ball, but the batter throws the bat at Mugen. They both are hit and go down. With a jacked up facade, Mugen gets up. "Damn Americans. Go back to your own country!" The Americans are out of players and forfeit the game.

So, in one eventful inning, the Japanese win 2 to nothing. The Americans go home with a fear of the Japanese. The didn't come back until Commodore Perry arrived in 1853.

Mugen, himself, was unaware he'd involuntarily saved the country. His thoughts went back to the land where the black ships returned. Mugen turns to the camera and denies his thoughts and tells the announcer to shut up. =]

Notes:
Everyone who dies in the episode is wrapped up and gets incense burned for them.

With few players the Japanese use a scarecrow for a catcher.

This episode also features a different ending song with images of the trio and baseball.

For more information on the Americans check out these links.
Admiral Joy C. Cartwright
Double Day
Comodore Perry