Hirate is eager to fight Zatoichi , as he is terminally ill with tuberculosis and considers death at the hands of a master swordsman preferable .
Though Hirate and Ichi know they must fight when the war begins , they develop a kind of friendship .
Hirate is eager to fight Zatoichi , as Hirate is terminally ill with tuberculosis and considers death at the hands of a master swordsman preferable .
Though Hirate and Ichi know they must fight when the war begins , they develop a kind of friendship .