Once Upon a Time in Hopeland

Once Upon a Time in Hopeland (ワンス・アポン・ア・タイム・イン・ホープランド, Wansu apon a taimu in hōpurando) is the sixth episode of the Trigun Stampede anime.

Synopsis
Vash and Wolfwood board the Sand Steamer, a ship that crosses the Sea of Sand, aiming for the third city of July. Just as they think they have safely set sail, a new assassin, Livio, appears in front of Vash and his crew. As a fierce gun battle ensues, Wolfwood remembers his past.

Summary
On the news, Vash's group hear that there is a Plant thief who is even taking the red plants who where scheduled for disposal. Roberto tells Vash that he can take the Sand Steamer from the port up ahead to get to July. Meryl wonders if they are leaving the car behind, but Roberto tells her that they will be parting ways with Vash, as they need to return to the headquarters and write up their article. After leaving Vash and Wolfwood at the port, Meryl tells Roberto she is against leaving them, but Roberto wonders what kind of monster must Vash be to not age for 20 years and that as they are journalists, its not worth risking their lives. Meryl then wonders if its fine if they are not risking their lives.

On the Sand Steamer, Vash wonders why Wolfwood keeps following him. Wolfwood states that he is his babysitter as he can't even kill a bad guy. As they argue, Wolfwood notices a man approaching and warns Vash. The man then starts shooting at them, but they manage to avoid the bullets. Vash engages the man and manages to knock him down. Wolfwood recognizes the man as Livio and wonders why is he here.

Wolfwood recalls his past when he was a young boy living in an orphanage. One day, a boy named Livio is brought to live there. Initially Livio is mostly crying about his lost parents. Wolfwood starts to interact with him and eventually they become good friends, and start spending their time together.

Livio stands up and proceeds to shoot at Vash. Wolfwood tells him to stop and not kill him, but Livio ignores him and goes after Vash. Meanwhile, Meryl had convinced Roberto and they are speeding after the Sand Steamer to do an undercover report.

One day at the orphanage, some men appear and tell Wolfwood that he had passed the selection test, calling him Child of Blessing. They take Wolfwood and bring him to William, who does experiments with him. William tells Wolfwood that he has been adapted to a drug that can heals any wound by rebuilding and strengthening his cells. However, accelerated growth comes at a price. In just a few months, Wolfwood had grown into an adult man. One day, he manages to escape his cell and attempts to escape the lab, but just before he is able to, he is stopped and all of his bones get broken. After Wolfwood is recaptured and healed, he is visited by Legato who wonders how Wolfwood maintained his own will. Legato then decides that Wolfwood will join the Eye of Michael. He will be punishing and eliminating all abnormalities in Knives's noble plan. Wolfwood refuses to join them, but Legato shows him that they have Livio, who volunteered to follow after Wolfwood. If Wolfwood refuses to join them, then Livio will. Wolfwood insults Legato and his blue hair, which angers Legato who tells Wolfwood to not talk about his hair. Legato continue to use his power harming Wolfwood until William comes and asks him to be gentle with him as he has S+ drug compatibility.

On the Sand Steamer, Wolfwood looks for Livio and sees that he is being shot by the guards, but is unaffected, realizing he is healing without even the drug. Wolfwood tells Vash to hide, but Vash refuses as otherwise Livio will hurt other people. Vash wants to help him, but Wolfwood feels its too late. Vash engages Livio and again manages to take him down. Wolfwood then chases the guards, but that distracts Vash, giving Livio a chance to free himself. He then shoots at Vash, but Wolfwood uses his cross to block the bullets. Legato and Zazie are observing and Legato notes that Wolfwood has a tough choice to make. If Livio dies, then other children from the orphanage will be next until they find good drug compatibility. He notes that Wolfwood is trying to protect too many things. Legato then breaks part of the ship, causing it to go off course and head towards Hopeland Orphanage. At the same time Bad Lads Gang also boards the ship. Legato then wonders who is Wolfwood going to save.

Appearances

 * Nicholas D. Wolfwood
 * Meryl Stryfe
 * Roberto De Niro
 * Vash the Stampede
 * Livio the Double Fang
 * William Conrad
 * Legato Bluesummers
 * Zazie the Beast