Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translation Volume Five--Patterns of Meiji Swordsmanship from the front flap-- Watsuki: I’m done with the ten weeks, but . . . Kaoru: Don’t whine about it, just hurry up and do your job!! I WOKE UP AND THE YEAR WAS OVER. The serialization of Ruroken began, and I finally made it through the one-week year of the magazine. As you can see in the picture above, I’m really surprised to be in a situation I never could have imagined. To have a dream come true is difficult, but I have felt keenly how difficult it is to preserve this dream come true this past year. In my haze of chronic exhaustion and lack of talent, it’s all I can do to just say "hi" or nod to people, but I’ll try hard to keep up. Part 31--Extra Story--Yahiko’s Fight (Beginning) Kaoru (shaking the dojo with her voice): Yahiko! Yahiko!! Yahiko--!!! He’s gone again! It’s time for practice, where the hell could he-- (she notices spiky hair sticking out above the bushes) Got you! (seizing a handful of hair) Thought you could hide from me!! (The hair belongs to Sanosuke, who is innocently grilling fish. They are instantly at each other’s throats.) Kaoru: You and your misleading hairstyle!! Sanosuke: Are you making fun of my hair? Kenshin (with a basket of laundry): What’s all the fuss about? (seated around the well) Yahiko’s gone? Sanosuke: Probably out with some girl. He’s old for his age. Kaoru: I bet he’s out blowing his money on snacks. The kid's a pig. Kenshin: I think he’s out training on his own. The sword should be beginning to make sense to him by now. Kaoru & Sanosuke: NO WAY! in our opinion. Kenshin (weakly): You think so . . . Sanosuke: A girl. It’s definitely a girl. Kaoru: It’s food. No mistake. Kenshin: I really think he’s train-- Kaoru & Sanosuke: No way. Yahiko (strolling in behind them): Food . . . girls . . . what kinda stupid stories of desire are these? Disgraceful. Kaoru & Sanosuke (sending him into orbit with a combined punch) You punk!!! (They march off self-righteously.) Kaoru: God! Sanosuke: Kids these days. Yahiko: Where did that come from!! Kenshin (all smiles): So where were you, Yahiko? Yahiko: Just for a walk. Kenshin: If you’re missing practice, it isn’t "just" a walk. Yahiko (going inside): If you hit four out of six days of practice a week, that’s enough. It’s not something to worry about. Kenshin: Oro . . . (as the door closes) Hmm. And then, a few days later-- (Yahiko peers around the door. No one is outside.) Yahiko: All right, no one on my tail. (thinking) I thought Kenshin was getting suspicious, but no one noticed a thing. (Kenshin, Kaoru and Sanosuke regard him cooly from their vantage point on the roof.) Kaoru: It IS suspicious. Kenshin: He’s hiding something. Sanosuke: Well, I’ve got some time to kill. (They sneak after him, Kenshin hiding behind the well cover.) Sanosuke: It’s a girl, I’m telling you. Kaoru: It’s got to be food. Kenshin: I still think he’s training. (They follow him to . . . .) Kenshin: The Akabeko . . . Sanosuke: My favorite restaurant? (Great place to eat and run.) Kaoru: So it WAS food!! Kenshin: Oro. Sanosuke: Feh. Kaoru: So he’s been sneaking in here . . . (The restaurant is nearly empty, with no sign of Yahiko.) Kaoru: That’s strange. I’m sure he went in here. Tae (catching sight of them): Oh, Kaoru, I haven’t seen you in so long! Kaoru: Tae! (in the back of the restaurant) Chef: Hey, kid! We’re outta charcoal. Bring another bag! Yahiko: Right! Chef: Tell Tsubame to bring one too. It’s getting crowded, so after that come help the customers. Tsubame: O . . . okay. (Tsubame is a girl around Yahiko’s age, with short hair and a nervous face.) (The four peek around the gate.) Kenshin: I see. He’s doing odd jobs here? Tae: Yes. he told us not to say anything, but . . . He came in one day and asked us all to keep it a secret. Kaoru: But why would he do something like this . . . (Tsubame trips and falls, dropping the heavy bag.) Sanosuke: Maybe THAT’S what we're after. Tae: Tsubame? That can't be it, she started after Yahiko did. Yahiko (to Tsubame): What are you doing. Hurry up. Tsubame: I’m sorry, Yahiko-chan. Yahiko: I told you not to call me that!! Tsubame: Sorry! (A pause. Then Yahiko picks up her bag and walks on.) Yahiko: Quit being so nervous and jumpy. I hate that. Tsubame (still on her knees): Yahiko-cha--Yahiko . . . Yahiko: The discipline of your movements is one side of training in swordsmanship. You’re fine, hurry up and serve the customers. (The conspirators are seated around a pot of sukiyaki.) Kaoru: Food, training and a girl. I guess we all tied. Kenshin: But there’s no motive. Tae: He isn’t just working for pocket money? Kaoru: But why keep it a secret? Tae: He couldn’t be helping out with household expenses for the dojo? Sanosuke: Yeah right! He's no saintt. Kaoru: You should talk! (You just come over to mooch food!) Customer: Hey!!! What's taking so long! Tsubame (hurrying up): Here I am, here I am. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, sir-- Customer: Hey there. (She freezes at the sight of him.) Customer: Now what’s that miserable face for. You’re not making faces at your MASTER, are you? (Outside, Yahiko slumps against a stack of boxes.) Yahiko: Phew. This is harder than Kaoru’s training. But it’s all to get it. No complaints. But I wonder how much it’ll cost? (Behind him, Tsubame and the group of men are walking to the yard behind the restaurant. Yahiko glances over his shoulder and catches sight of her.) (The men have Tsubame loosely surrounded, facing her "master," Mikio.) Mikio: So how about it? (She is silent.) Mikio: I asked you a question. Tsubame: The Akabeko doesn’t keep much money. The owner takes the day’s earnings to his own home. Mikio: Huh. Like I thought. All right, come on. We’ll see if you’re right. You’ve got the molds for keys to the owner’s cashbox! Tsubame: You--you can’t, Mr. Mikio! Stealing would injure the family name of Nagaoka!! Mikio: You little . . . (he hits her across the face, knocking her down.) Since when did I become so great!!? For three hundred years you were poor samurai serving my family! Your own father served mine! Then when he became a soldier for the new government, he suddenly couldn't remember who my family was. The Meiji is a world I hate! There’s no loyalty left! By preaching equality of the four classes, they trample over three hundred years of obligation and debt. Tsubame: But . . . you’d be a thief then . . . Mikio (lifting her face by her hair): Oh, I get it. You’re not taking orders anymore from total strangers. But you can do whatever you want. If I don’t have a key, I’ll have to kill everyone in the house. Or the victims would be left to hurt the IMPORTANT family name of Nagaoka. That includes the owner’s daughter Tae. I’d have to kill everyone. (Tsubame, helplessly, reaches inside her kimono for the key.) Mikio: That’s right. Yahiko (unseen): You fool. It’s been ten years since the Meiji era began, and you still can't get over the fact that you're not a "master" anymore. Mikio: Who’s there! Yahiko (from the roof above): I mean you, you sideburned bastard! As the descendant of samurai, I cannot watch this in silence! Tsubame: Yahiko-chan! Yahiko: Don’t call me that!! Mikio (drawing his sword): You . . . you brat!! (Kenshin watches silently around a corner.) Back to Home To Volume five To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translation Volume Five--Patterns of Meiji Swordsmanship Part 32--Extra Story--Yahiko’s Fight (Middle) (Yahiko leaps from the roof with a mighty yell. Unfortunately he lands, on his feet, but rather painfully.) Tsubame: Yahiko-chan! Yahiko: I told you not to call me that!! Tsubame: Sorry! Yahiko: Throw away any stupid thoughts of stealing! Or else Myoujin Yahiko of the Tokyo samurai is your opponent! Fighter: You brat! I’ll make you eat those words!! (Yahiko blocks his stroke, then gives his a blow to the stomach. He follows it up with a strike to the face, knocking him out.) Yahiko (thinking): I can do this! I know enough to use it! Fighter2: You-- Yahiko: Come on! Fighter3 (striking him from behind): Don’t push your luck! Now you’re surrounded! (They beat him. Tsubame looks on, aghast.) Mikio (snapping his sword back in its sheath): Huh. I didn’t have to lift a finger. Kenshin (watching in silence): . . . . . Sanosuke (kicking him): Whadduya mean, ‘. . . . .’. Are you just gonna sit there and watch? Kaoru (seizing him): Exactly! Yahiko’s in danger! Kenshin: Just calm down. Kaoru: I won’t calm down! He may be rude, but he’s my only student! Kenshin (pulling her ponytail): Wait. Yahiko hasn’t noticed that we’re here. Our appearance would be very unnatural. Kaoru: But-- Kenshin: Someone who is always rescued cannot become strong. This is Yahiko’s fight. Unless he asks us for help, there should be no interference from us. Sanosuke (thinking): "A lion pushes its own child into a thousand ravines," huh? But . . . Tsubame: Stop it . . . stop it, Mr. Mikio! He has nothing to do with this. I’ll give you the key! (He snatches it away from her.) Mikio: Hey. The kid's nothing. We've got more important things to do. (They stop and walk off, following Mikio.) Tsubame (rushing to Yahiko): Are--are you all right? Yahiko: Dam . . . dammit. One on one I coulda . . . Mikio: Tsubame! (she freezes) From now on, remember who your master is. Fighters: See ya, Yahiko-chan. (They leave.) Tsubame: I’m sorry. It’s my fault you got mixed up in this. I’m so very sorry . . . Yahiko (standing up without her help): From the molds they can make a real key in less than a day. They’ll carry out their plan tomorrow evening. Tsubame: Yahiko-chan! I mean . . . Yahiko: It doesn’t matter. I couldn’t stop those creeps. I am still "chan." (slowly walking away) You didn’t drag me into this. I stuck my own neck out. So don’t worry about it. (thinking) I can’t tell the police. They’d make her an accomplice. And I’m not asking Kenshin or the others for help. I don’t want to bother them with these guys. This is my fight! (Kenshin and the others watch him go.) The next morning Yahiko: Well . . . that’s about right. (He has taken a wooden clothesline and hung planks from the crosspieces.) Sanosuke: What kinda playground is that? Yahiko: Idiot!!! It’s specially made to practice fighting many enemies at once. An quick-built training machine! Kaoru: Stupid. That’s useless. Think about it. The boards only move in a fixed way, not the way real opponents would. Fighters attack in a number of complicated forms, in coordinated waves inside an enclosure. That thing’ll train your reflexes but it won’t be an easy way out of your problems. (half under her breath) That's all a kid knows . . . Yahiko: Well, if you’re so great, tell me what else I can do! Kaoru: That is . . . that would be . . . a specialty of the Hiten Mitsurugi school! (Isn’t it?) Yahiko: Aren’t YOU taking the easy way out!! Aw, you’re no help. Adjutant master. Kaoru (being restrained by Sanosuke): Come back here, you shrimp! (Kenshin is doing the laundry by the well.) Yahiko: Hey, Kenshin. Kenshin: Oro? Yahiko: Maybe you can help. I need to know a way to fight many people at once. Kenshin: I don’t teach the Hiten Mitsurugi school. The killing sword is wrong. Yahiko: You’re taking the easy way out too!! Kenshin: Is there some reason why you need to fight many people at once? Yahiko: Not really. I just want to know. Kenshin: I see. I happen to know of a way. This is a technique used by the Ishin Shishi in the time of the Bakumatsu. When overwhelmed by superior numbers, you first run away. To be precise, you pretend to run away. Your enemies naturally pursues you. This takes advantage of their individual differences, so that they follow in order of their natural speed. Target one, turn and destroy him, then run again. If you repeat this you can bring down all of your enemies without ever being hurt yourself. Yahiko (exultant): I see! Kenshin: But training to build up the strength of your legs and so on is indispensable, so . . . Yahiko (crestfallen): I see . . . Kenshin: If you have to, think about how you can get your opponent in a situation where you can fight him one on one. Yahiko: One on one . . . a situation . . . Kenshin: And Yahiko. The Kamiya Kasshin school is the school of the sword that protects life. It is the sword wielded for people, to protect. One sword can protect you, or make two destinies. If you fight and lose with such a sword, you have not fulfilled your destiny to protect yourself. The practitioner of the sword that protects life cannot allow failure. Let this only be engraved on your mind. (That evening) Yahiko (thinking): With my sword, I’ll make it my destiny to protect. I will not allow failure. (aloud) Myoujin Yahiko of the Kamiya Kasshin school! Now for a fair fight!!! (he rushes off towards the Akabeko.) Back to Home To Volume Five To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Five--Patterns of Meiji Swordsmanship Part 33--Extra Story--Yahiko’s Fight (the End) At the home of the owner of the Akabeko (Mikio and his men are gathered outside, hooded and masked.) Mikio: All right . . . let’s go! Fighter: Are . . . are we really going to do this, Mr. Mikio? Mikio: What? You’re not getting scared now. I told you already, the merchant’s money was once the money of the samurai families. If it’s not going back in exactly the right direction, who cares. There’s no way we can fail. Since the stupid girl gave us the molds for the keys-- (the keys disappear from his hands. Yahiko lands in front of him, keys in hand) Fighter: It’s him from yesterday!! Yahiko: Guess my pickpocket skills are coming in handy. Dunno if that’s a good thing though . . . Fighter: Give ‘em back, you brat!! Yahiko: If you want ’em, you’ll have to take ‘em by force. You should be good at that! Fighter: Wait, you! (He runs off. They chase him into a narrow blind alley.) Fighters: We’ve got him now! Get ready! Yahiko (thinking): All right! (aloud) Come on!! This time I can’t lose! Fighter: He’s trapped like a rat-- (Two charge together and become stuck in the narrow passage. Yahiko easily dispatches them both.) Fighter2: What are you doing, you idiots! Go one by one! (this approach fails as well, since Yahiko is a match for any of them alone.) Mikio: I see . . . he pretended to be chased. Really it was an invitation to a battle in a narrow place where he could fight one on one. Hmm . . . a brat, but a clever brat. However, it will prove fatal! Here, he has nowhere to run! Throw your bokutous all at once! Fighters: But . . . that brat took them out easily . . . Mikio: I don’t care! What are you scared of, you fools! He may have taken one or two, but we’ll bury him!! (they prepare for the assault when they catch sight of Kenshin and Sanosuke standing on the roof behind Yahiko.) Fighters: Ahhhhh!!! Th-the cross-shaped scar. It must be the one who’s so strong . . .! And the street fighter Zanza. Run for it! Or they’ll kill us all!! (They flee, deserting Mikio.) Sanosuke (sitting back down on the other side of the roof, to Kenshin): Hey, you. (In the background-- Mikio: What are you scared of?! Fighters: Ahhhh!!!!) Sanosuke: So that was our move? Kenshin: I suppose so. However, how did you know I’d be here? I left without telling anyone . . Sanosuke: I knew. You're just too nice a guy to put that lion's cub proverb into action. Kenshin: That could be a compliment or an insult . . . Well, now it’s a true one-on-one fight. Mikio: Who needs those village hoodlums! When it came to the test they were no help at all! How humiliating for this brat to be among those who have fallen to the Kougenittou school. (drawing the sword) You're mine!! (Yahiko dodges blow after blow.) Yahiko (thinking): I get it! I can read the lines of his sword! Practice every day paid off. Hate to say it, but I have Kaoru to thank for that . . . Mikio (slashing at him): You--brat!!! (Tsubame peeks nervously down the alley.) Kaoru (putting a hand on her shoulder): It’s dangerous for girls to walk at night. Tsubame: Who . . . who are you? Kaoru: Kamiya Kaoru. Yahiko’s teacher. I didn’t think you coming here to stop him was a good idea. Tsubame: Up till now I was taught to believe that his family were my masters. But when times got hard they ignored us, like we were strangers. So I thought somehow if I came to stop him, Yahiko-chan would-- Kaoru: It’s too bad, but you really couldn’t have stopped him. You can leave it up to Yahiko if you make me a promise instead. Tsubame: A . . . promise? Kaoru: If Yahiko wins, have a stronger heart! Don’t be dragged down. You’re not trapped like you were in the past. Next time tell him no from the start. The times have changed. The world is one of equality for the four classes. But if your heart doesn’t change too, that won't mean anything. Mikio: You brat! This is the end! Kougenittou school killer technique, Ukiashi Otoshi!! (He makes a low slash at ankle level.) Yahiko (thinking): Oh no, the right foot-- Tsubame: Please win, Yahiko-kun!! Yahiko (thinking): Right! The destiny of my sword is to protect!! (He catches the blade under his foot, crushing it.) Yahiko: I’ve-- (he gives Mikio the final blow) --won!! (Mikio goes down. Yahiko regains his breath for a moment, then turns.) Yahiko: Kaoru, what are you doing here? Kaoru: Huh? Oh! I-- Yahiko: And you two on the roof!! (Kenshin and Sanosuke make chirping noises.) Yahiko: There are no cicadas in spring!! Idiots. This is none of their business . . . (A little later. The cicadas have come down from the roof.) Kaoru: I’ll see Tsubame home. Kenshin: All right. Be careful. Tsubame: Thank you, Yahiko-kun. Yahiko: You don’t have to thank me. I just hate seeing someone all shy and awkward. It just rubs me the wrong way. Tsubame: Yes. So, I’m not going to be so shy and awkward anymore . . . Well, I’ll see you tomorrow. At the Akabeko. Kenshin: Well, another problem solved-- Sanosuke: Not yet. We still don’t know why he was working at all! Up till now he’s been keeping quiet about the whole thing, but-- Yahiko: All right, all right. It was to buy a reverse blade. Someday when I’m as good as Kenshin, I’ll wear it. Now I’m just saving up. (A moment of silence. Then Sanosuke bursts out laughing.) Sanosuke: Ha---ha ha ha ha!! Yahiko with a reverse blade--!!? (Oh, my stomach hurts!) Yahiko: Don’t laugh at me, you rooster-head! That’s why I was keeping it a secret!! Just don’t tell Kaoru. She’ll laugh at me too! Kaoru (snickering): I heard. (We're going to have fun with this.) Yahiko: Just don’t tell her!! the Makings of the Characters--Sanjou Tsubame Other than her personality, there was no real model for this character. I did the extra story as an impromptu connection to the Raijuuta story coming up next, and decided to give Yahiko some action. Tsubame was introduced because of my strange idea that "A boy’s action should be for a girl." For her personality, I made her "not for trust or honor, but because of a weakness of spirit, she clung to the wrongful teachings of the old days." This brought her into inevitable conflict with Yahiko. As I said above, it was meant to be a connection to the next story, but it had to fall into three chapters. I also wanted a highlight scene for Kenshin and the others, so I ended up reworking it over and over, trying to get too much out of it, until I wore it out. This probably hurts my reputation among my readers, but at least the story will perfectly express my overall view of Ruroken and I can finish it off. But by that time I'm usually exhausted, and it's a long time before I can get out of the holes I dig for myself . . . For the design, I chose Sailor Saturn of the incredibly popular anime for my model. Although Tsubame is very simple, I spent a lot of time deciding on whether to give her a short cut or three braids. When I named her (in a draft of a draft) I looked at it and decided "All right, it’s the short cut." (Although exactly why I thought that even I don’t know.) Usually, I almost never watch this anime, but in the turbulent times of being Mr. Obata’s assistant, I saw a little and since then I’ve seen bits and pieces. By the way, I liked Mars and Saturn . . . I’m bad at the straight black hair they have . . . . ah, Watsuki Nobuhiro’s falling apart. Back to Home To Volume Five To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Five--Patterns of Meiji Swordsmanship Part 34--Patterns of Meiji Swordsmanship (Kaoru is dressing for practice.) Kaoru: Hmm . . . I wonder if this is a little too loose? Yahiko (bursting in): Hey, what’s taking so long? Hurry up, it’s already getting dark-- (A scream and a thud.) Kenshin (outside doing laundry): (Kaoru marches out, the trussed-up Yahiko hanging from her shinai.) Kenshin: Oh. Kaoru: Jeez! That little peeping-- Kenshin: I’m sure it was an accident as always. Kaoru: What do you mean, "as always"? Kenshin: Are you going out today? Kaoru: Today’s an outside training day. The Makekawa dojo has always taken good care of us--oh yeah! Aren’t you coming too? Maekawa-sensei said he’d like to meet you. You only came once, and you left right away. Kenshin: I’d really better not. Besides the washing there’s some wood to chop and the bath to get started. Kaoru: Oh, in that you can do some shopping too. We need miso, salt, rice, soy sauce, some vinegar . . . Kenshin: I guess I’m coming. Kaoru: Looks like you have to! Come on now. Let’s go! (Outside a temple. A small hooded figure dashes in. His name is Yutarou, and his sensei is Raijuuta) Yutarou: There you are, sensei! (His sensei is a large man sitting against a tree. He wears a large straw hat and feathered shoulder guards.) Yutarou: It took a while but I got almost everything. Let’s see. First, there’s four kenjutsu dojos in town. Of those four the most active is on the southwest side, the Chuuetsu school Maekawa dojo. The master Maekawa Miyauchi has been devoted to kenjutsu since his youth, until he attained a level at which he could open his own school. Probably the best practitioner in the area. There’s rumors of a fantastically strong vagabond who’s been living at the Kamiya Kasshin school dojo, but of course, they’re just rumors. Raijuuta: Hmm. Come then. Yutarou: Yes sir! (At the Maekawa dojo. Students in practice armor spar; others line up to practice their strokes.) Instructor: All right, fifty strokes. Begin! (The door opens; students look up.) Everyone: Hi, Kaoru! Kaoru: Hello! Student: We've been waiting for you. Please come on in. Kaoru: Oh, don’t go to any trouble, please keep going. Maekawa: It must be Kaoru. She always disrupts practice. I see you’ve brought this Kenshin you’ve been telling me about. (Kenshin’s and Maekawa’s eyes meet; there is a moment of tension. A group of students form around them.) Students: That’s that vagabond everyone keeps talking about. He sure is. I’ve seen him before. Himura Kenshin. That’s one guy Sensei should have a match with. I wonder which one’s stronger? Sensei, of course. When he was young he was in the Edo 20th. Yeah, but this guy’s no slouch. He’s good. Kaoru (thinking): Maekawa-sensei didn’t say a word to me about this . . . Students: Well, you can’t tell who’d be stronger. It’d be a great match. They couldn’t settle it without someone getting hurt. (Kenshin and Maekawa exchange small smiles, to the puzzlement of the onlookers.) Maekawa: I’m glad you could come. Certainly you can practice with-- Kenshin: No, no, I just came with Miss Kaoru, so-- Maekawa: Ah, well then have a seat. I’ll get you a cushion and some tea. (The tension is broken, the group disperses.) Kaoru: Sensei . . . Maekawa: It was settled without speaking. The strong don’t need to fight. This is the nature of the old kenjutsu. Don’t think any less of us. Kaoru: But sensei . . . Maekawa: No need to worry. Any desire to fight is gone. (Kenshin brings a cushion over to the little alcove on the side.) Student (carrying a cup of tea): Oh, I’ll get that. Kenshin: No, no . . . Maekawa: No, I lost without properly fighting at all. No matter how I gazed into him, his eyes fended it all off. He clearly didn’t want to fight, and then he smiled . . . Those eyes truly hide deep secrets. There’s something in his past. Let him hide it. Youth can’t have such eyes for long. Yahiko: He’s twenty-eight. Maekawa: WHAT?? (That’s ridiculous . . .) (Kaoru trains one to one with the students.) Kaoru: Don’t be distracted! And don’t pull your hips back. Watch your opponent’s eyes! All right? Okay, next! Maekawa (to Kenshin): So, what do you think of my dojo. Kenshin: It’s good. You have a lot of enthusiastic students. Maekawa: What, this bunch? Usually one out of three won’t show up. There’s a lot here because Kaoru came today. All this small town kenjutsu is known for is giving training and raising a sweat. In this, she’s a charming amusement for the young. It’s pathetic, but in the old days of the Edo age I said I wanted to make a great dojo, in both name and reality. While I think this is the most pathetic of all, I’m still using my old comrade Kamiya Koshijirou’s legacy to drum up business. Kenshin: Don’t speak that way of yourself, Mr. Maekawa. The Kamiya dojo has very few students. Giving these lessons is saving her dojo. It’s advantageous to you both. Maekawa: However, I wonder what will happen to kenjutsu. The Meiji era and the age of culture and enlightenment did away with it in one stroke. The Southwest war breathed a little life back into it . . . but it’s on the way to dying out. It seems like every day another dojo disappears-- (the figure in straw hat and feathered shoulder guards appears at the door. He steps inside the dojo.) Student: You can’t enter the sacred dojo with shoes on! Take off your sandals! (he ignores him and marches across the dojo floor to stand before Maekawa.) Raijuuta: Maekawa Miyauchi, founder of the Chuuetsu school. I want a match with you. I am Isurugi Raijuuta! The future of kenjutsu in Japan! Back to Home To Volume Five To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Five--Patterns of Meiji Swordsmanship Part 35--This Man, Raijuuta Raijuuta: Isuruji Raijuuta . . . I want a match! Maekawa (watching him calmly and thinking): His eyes are too muddied to reveal their secrets . . . but he’s strong! Student: Get . . . get out of here! This dojo won’t accept challenges from other schools-- Maekawa (standing up): Wait! As you say, Raijuuta. We will have a match. As in a normal training match, two out of three hits win. Good luck. Kenshin: Mr. Maekawa. Maekawa: I know. He’s no ordinary man. But I’m becoming arrogant. So it’s time to test my strength once again. I may be old, but I am still Maekawa Miyauchi of the Edo 20th. (picking up a shinai) I won’t lose easily. Raijuuta: A shinai? I said nothing of this. Maekawa: What? (The hooded figure appears at the door. He is a boy, about Yahiko’s age, with blond hair and large eyes.) Raijuuta: Yutarou, you’re late. Yutarou: I couldn’t help it. Your legs are longer than mine. I ran as fast as I could. Well, never mind that, you have a match to fight. Which will it be, the real sword or the bokutou? Raijuuta: A shinai. Yutarou: A shinai. A SHINAI? You’re fighting with those toys? And you call this a dojo! Yahiko (kicking him): Shut up. Who do you think you are, anyway? Yutarou: What was that for, you brat? Yahiko: You’re the brat! Kaoru: You too, though. Yahiko: I’m the best student of the Kamiya Kasshin school, Myoujin Yahiko! Remember that! Yutarou: Well, I’m Raijuuta-sensei’s best pupil, Tsukayama Yutarou! And that kick is going to cost you! Raijuuta: Shut up and stay quiet. Yutarou (silenced): Grr . . . Yahiko: Ha! Raijuuta: Unfortunately I don’t have a shinai. I’ll borrow one. It doesn’t matter--choose whichever you want, but afterwards the shinai will be worse for wear. Kenshin (thinking): . . . Now a win will be difficult for Mr. Maekawa. They'll each score a point, but who will take the final blow . . . Kaoru (between the combatants): Well, for the sake of fairness, the judge will be from another school, the unworthy Kamiya Kaoru. First round! (Maekawa gives his battle cry.) Students: Wow, what a kiah! Maekawa: Come. I’ll teach you what you thought was beneath your notice! Raijuuta: I already know it all. When you made it a three-stroke match with shinai, it became beneath my notice! Kenshin: No! Run, Mr. Mae-- (Raijuuta smashes Maekawa across the shoulder. As he is immobilized, Raijuuta strikes him again to the head.) Kaoru (thinking): I didn’t see the jump at all. That terrible speed . . . Raijuuta: Was that an illegal stroke? Kaoru: Str . . . stroke to the head. First point! Yahiko: Wow . . . it missed, but the first blow had incredible power behind it. Yutarou: That was no miss. The stroke to the crown of the head is a round bone, so there’s a possibility that the sword can slip. So for a downward stroke, always aim for the shoulder. A standard tactic of old-style kenjutsu. Look at the old man. He’s pretty much on his way to the next world. Kaoru: You can’t do this. The bone is cracked! We’ll have to get a doctor-- Maekawa (getting to his feet): Wait! The match is still on. As a swordsman, I have no reason to pull out. Second round! (glancing back at Kenshin) Himura . . . stay out of this. The match is still on. Second round!! Raijuuta: Ridiculous! That first blow didn't kill you?! (Another lightning-fast blow to the head.) Kaoru: Second point! The match is over! (Raijuuta picks up Maekawa by the front of the shirt.) Kaoru: Wait! What are you-- Raijuuta: You can’t even see that you've failed! You fool!! (He draws back the shinai, ready to jam the handle into his throat. In an instant, the point of Kenshin’s sword is at his own.) Kenshin: You’ve won two strokes of the match. Do you mean to kill him? Raijuuta: Certainly. A person’s life counts as one. (releasing Maekawa) This is a three stroke match. It needs one more stroke to finish it. If it kills him, it kills him. After Edo times, kenjutsu has flourished with the introduction of the shinai. But we have lost the great strength of the old style. Kenjutsu has become weak. And so it continues to weaken. In these deplorable times, those fools who play with shinais have no capacity with the sword. This will be mean one less . . . ! Back to Home To Volume Five To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Five--Patterns of Meiji Swordsmanship Part 36--Secret Sword Raijuuta: Are you of this dojo? Kenshin: No . . . I’m staying at the Kamiya Kasshin dojo just now. Raijuuta: Really . . . such a skilled swordsman is a vagabond? No matter. I ask for a match. With true swords. (Kenshin unsheathes his sword.) Raijuuta (thinking): A reverse blade . . . Kenshin: I will not draw merely to compare swords or show off. Nor to display them. The killer's sword is forbidden to me. Raijuuta: So that’s the way it is. Yutarou. Yutarou: Yes sir. Raijuuta: Remove this dojo’s sign and burn it. I have defeated the master of this dojo. The sign is mine to do with as I please. (General consternation.) Raijuuta: I’ll hear your objections. Settle this by coming forward. (The students, embarrassed, avert their gazes.) Yutarou: Then let’s go burn it on the main street. Where everybody can see-- (Yahiko snatches him by the front of his shirt.) Yahiko: That’s enough, you piece of goldfish shit. Yutarou: Let me go. Or maybe you wanna die? Raijuuta (to the silent students): What’s wrong? You don’t need a sign? Feh. You're not worth my time. Kaoru: Fine. I’ll be your opponent. Students: Kaoru? Kaoru: I’m from another school, but I can’t sit by and watch this happen to the dojo that’s taken care of me. I can’t stand it. So I’m answering your challenge. Raijuuta: All right? I won’t show a girl any mercy. (Kenshin steps in front of her.) Kenshin: I know . . . I’ll be your opponent. But as this is for the dojo, our weapon is the shinai. Raijuuta: Fine. But it will be a one stroke match. Kaoru (taking the reverse blade): Are you sure about this? Kenshin (checking the tip of the shinai): Yes. I haven’t used a shinai much, but . . . Kaoru: Be careful. He’s no ordinary swordsman. (Kenshin smiles.) Raijuuta: Begin! Kenshin: The judge? Raijuuta: We won’t need one. Match! (Kenshin slowly raises the shinai.) Student: Good, good. You can see the vagabond’s strength. Student: Yes, but is he really that strong . . . (Raijuuta strikes. Kenshin steps out of the way, and he hits the floor with amazing force. He tries again, and Kenshin once again steps out of the way.) Student: Did . . . did you see that? Student: Not really . . . but whatever it is, it’s amazing. Kaoru (thinking): It’s not amazing at all . . . Kenshin is always faster, and he won’t overlook the great opening created by those big strokes again. First of all he’s not using the "aiming at the eye" stance. It’s an ever-changing formless stance* with no indications to the right or left . . . No, he couldn’t be . . . *formless stance--standing without a stance but letting the sword fall naturally Raijuuta: Why won’t you fight back? Are you trying to mock me? Kenshin: No. As I said, I have no desire to draw swords merely to compare skill or show off. Raijuuta: I see. You intend to force a draw and keep me from taking the sign? Then try this. (He brings the sword straight down.) Kenshin (putting up his shinai to block, thinking): He’s fast! (The point of the shinai seems to waver and disappear.) Kenshin (thinking): What? (Kenshin’s shinai is chopped cleanly in half as Raijuuta buries his in the dojo floor. A pause. Then Raijuuta tosses his shinai aside and turns to go.) Raijuuta: We’re leaving. Yutarou: Huh? Oh--yes sir! (to Yahiko) I don’t really know what happened, but from beginning to end Sensei was the best. Yahiko: Yeah right! Kenshin didn’t show half of his real strength. Yutarou: I’ll settle with you sooner or later. You just wash your neck and wait! **sorry, I had to leave this in. The idiom means that when they meet again, Yutarou will cut off Yahiko’s head, so all Yahiko can do is wash his neck and wait for it. --maigo (later, outside) Yutarou: That big-mouthed idiot. He’s just mad cause Kenshin lost. Raijuuta: Really, his name is Kenshin . . . Yutarou: Sensei? (he notices a bead of sweat on Raijuuta’s face.) Yutarou (thinking): Sensei’s sweating . . . Raijuuta (thinking): The secret sword Izuna was blocked. Maybe he too uses old style kenjutsu. Himura Kenshin’s strength is impeccable! An amazing talent for my Shinko school! (Back at the dojo, they examine the split in the floor.) Student: Wow . . . what is this? Student: It looks like it’s been hit with a real sword . . . how could you do with a shinai? Kenshin (thinking): Far from a real sword . . . This was cut with something much sharper. With today’s techniques it would have to be cut with a diamond. That’s not the petty skills of a dojo destroyer. Who is this Isurugi Raijuuta . . . ? Back to Home To Volume Five To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Five--Patterns of Meiji Swordsmanship Part 37--Conversation at the Tsukayama Estate (At the Kamiya Kasshin dojo) Sanosuke: Isurugi Raijuuta . . . Huh. Can't remember the last time I met a guy that interesting. Kaoru (whacking him with a shinai): It wasn’t "interesting"! Because of him the Maekawa dojo will have to close for a while! Sanosuke (dodging): But there’s nothing you can do. (catching the tip) Maekawa and Raijuuta fought fairly, right? And one side lost. Kaoru: But-- Sanosuke: If he's the master of that school and that style, saying his opponent was too strong is no excuse. Right, Kenshin? Kenshin: That’s certainly true. (thinking) Even so, he was too strong. He had passed the point of needing to hone his skills or showing off for the fun of it. Why would someone who treats the shinai with contempt, a trueborn killer, have to gain by destroying dojos . . . Messenger (entering the gate): Excuse me. Is this the residence of Mr. Himura Kenshin? Kenshin: I’m Himura. Messenger: Oh? Then this is for you. (he hands him a letter with "invitation" written on the front.) Kenshin: An invitation? Messenger: Yes. (He turns it over. Raijuuta’s name is written on the back.) Kaoru: What on earth . . . Sanosuke: It’s gotta be a challenge. Messenger: Well, I’m merely a servant, so I couldn’t say. But there’s a carriage waiting for you outside. Please. (They are taken to a mansion with a spacious Japanese garden outside.) Sanosuke: Hey, this Raijuuta is some rich guy? Kaoru: No way! He’s such a thug. . . Tsukayama (coming out of the house): Are you Mr. Himura? Good to meet you. I am Tsukayama Yuzaemon, the master of this house. Yahiko: Tsukayama . . . not that brat’s dad? Yutarou (coming out of nowhere to kick Yahiko from behind): You’re the brat!! Kenshin: Oro. Yutaro: Raijuuta-sensei only called Himura! What are you doing here! Tsukayama: Stop it, Yutarou! I won’t permit such behavior towards the sensei’s guest. (to Kenshin) I apologize. My son is very rude. Kenshin: Oh no, not at all. Yahiko & Yutarou (thinking): I’ll get you someday! Tsukayama: The sensei is waiting near the pond. Yutarou, take care of our other guests. (He and Kenshin walk off.) Yutarou: Guess I'm stuck with you. We’ve probably got some leftover tea and scraps around someplace. Sanosuke (undoing one of the bandages at his wrists): Oh, don’t put yourself out. Sorry, but you’ll just have to keep out of our way. Yutarou: Huh? Tsukayama: I’m a merchant exporting swords overseas. As you’re probably aware, Japanese swords fetch high prices in Europe as works of art. However, there are those who resent this. Three months ago my carriage was attacked by bandits. I was saved by the sensei. Since then, he’s stayed here as a kenjutsu instructor for Yutarou. A man must grow up to be strong. Don’t you think? Sensei. (Raijuuta, standing on a bridge, looks back to meet Kenshin’s gaze.) Tsukayama (leaving): Well, take your time. Sanosuke (hidden in the bushes with Kaoru and Yahiko): So that’s Raijuuta. Kaoru: Do you think the kid’s okay? Yahiko: Who cares? Jerk. (Yutarou is tied to a tree with the cords from Yahiko’s shinai, gagged with Sanosuke’s bandage.) Kenshin: What do you want with me, Raijuuta? Raijuuta: Himura, what do you think about the state of Japanese kenjutsu? Don’t you think it's soul is dying? That it’s fragile and weak? It has become weak in all respects. The weak should be weeded out. This is nature’s way. Himura, I want you to join my Shinko school, and from now on, help me in the great revival of Japanese kenjutsu. Kenshin: I would be your student? Raijuuta: Not at all. The Shinko school has no forms or techniques. Merely strength. This is the only qualification for a member of my school. Kenshin: Then rather than a school, you’re forming a kind of swordsman’s unit . . . Raijuuta: You might think of it that way. I have traveled throughout Japan destroying dojos for many years. There have been swordsmen who could match the power of the Shinko school, but you are the first to block the secret sword Izuna. With you and others like you, we can upset and eradicate more than five hundred of today's kenjutsu schools. Kenshin: Eradicate . . . Raijuuta: There will be a revival, but not before we remove what is useless. First we will destroy the root of this weakness, shinai kenjutsu. After that we will begin the revival with my Shinko school as the only true form of Japanese kenjutsu! There will be no second descent! There will be a time of kenjutsu so terrible that swordsmen using the Izuna will be called sorcerers, as in the olden days of war! We will bring the old style of kenjutsu of the Shinko school into the Meiji world! Only the talented, the greatest few. With such a goal we cannot lose even to Western firearms. With matchless kenjutsu. Kaoru: No . . . Sanosuke (thinking): There’s some truth to that. If only the best pass down kenjutsu, like in noh and kabuki, then maybe its strength and purity could be preserved . . . Raijuuta: Lend me your strength, Himura. Kenshin: Old style kenjutsu is the killing art from times of war. Do I understand you correctly? Raijuuta: Of course. But kenjutsu is the art of war. Shinai kenjutsu is a mere imitation. Kenshin: Then I cannot join you. (turning away) You already heard my answer. I have sworn never to use the killer’s sword. Raijuuta: Himura. Do you not think kenjutsu will be destroyed if this continues? (A pause. Kenshin turns again.) Kenshin: That’s not the point. As a swordsman, I have regret for the future of kenjutsu. But a future where the killer’s sword runs rampant is a future I would rather not see. That kenjutsu’s true nature is killing is undeniable. The Shinko school or any other, if you want to raise it up, raise it, Raijuuta. But to persecute others or destroy those who practice the sword that protects life--that I will oppose with all my power. Raijuuta: I see. Well, they say a stubborn swordsman leads a hard life. (loosening his katana from its sheath) As I expected, you’ll only understand me sword to sword. Back to Home To Volume Five To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Five--Patterns of Meiji Swordsmanship Part 38--Yutarou’s Skill (Raijuuta and Kenshin stare each other down on the bridge, Raijuuta with his sword drawn) Sanosuke: They’re not moving . . . Kaoru: It looks as though they’re watching each other. Sanosuke: A careless move means you won’t be a victor. Either Kenshin or this Raijuuta guy. (Raijuuta strikes. In an instant, Kenshin has drawn his own blade and turns Raijuuta’s stroke aside. They separate.) Tsukayama (coming up with a tray): Oh, a match between master swordsmen! You can really see the skill, can't you! Well, don’t mind me, please continue. I’ll just leave the tea here. (He leaves.) Raijuuta: People will interfere. We’ll leave our match for now, but don't forget. Join me, or be killed by me. You have two choices. Kenshin: I’ll have to refuse both. Raijuuta: Feh . . . (They part.) Sanosuke: Well, I guess we’re done here. Kaoru: But I feel like we’re forgetting something . . . Yahiko: Yeah, something . . . (The lightbulb goes on, and Yutarou bursts upon them.) Yutarou: You bastards! I won’t stand for this!! Sanosuke (patting him on the head): Oh, right, right. That angry kid. (Arrow: Not sorry at all.) Yutarou: Don’t you pat me! I’ll get you I swear--- Kenshin: You tied him to a tree? Kaoru: Sanosuke did it. Yahiko: Shut up! Yutarou: What! Yahiko: If you’re strong enough to scream that loud, then come to the dojo alone! We’ll have a fight where you can’t hide or run away! (as they leave) But with shinais!! Yutarou (thinking): That . . . that bastard! Early next morning (Yutarou stands in front of the dojo at the crack of dawn.) Yutarou: All right, I’m here, you shrimp!! (Everyone comes out in their pajamas.) Yahiko (squinting): You know what time it is? Yutarou: You never said what time! So let’s fight! (facing off in the dojo) Yutarou: We’re going to settle this. Get ready! Yahiko: Hey, Kaoru, judge for us. Kaoru (clearly not a morning person): Nnn . . . first point . . . Yahiko (smacking her with the shinai): You call that a yell! What kind of a fight is this-- Kaoru (smacking back): What do you think you're doing!! Yahiko: Wake up you hag!! Yutarou: Hey, fight me!! Kaoru: First point! (And I’ll deal with you later!) Yutarou: Let’s go! Yahiko: ! Kaoru: Huh? Kenshin: Oro? Yahiko: You’re holding the shinai wrong. Kaoru: Usually you grip it with the two hands separated, with the left at the bottom and the right just below the hilt. Yutarou: I . . . I only trained with real swords! So I don’t know any shinai grips-- Kenshin: Actually, your grip on a real sword should be the same as on a shinai . . . (A dark pause.) Yahiko: So that was all talk. You don't really know how to fight? Don’t tell me you tried to get up so early that you’d win before we figured it out. Kenshin: Raijuuta hasn’t been training you? Yutarou: It's not his fault. Sensei’s busy now spreading the Shinko school. He said it’s really important for the sake of Japanese kenjutsu. And that it would be selfish of me to interfere. Kaoru: Well, all right. You’re already here, so I might as well give you a lesson. Okay? Yutarou: Really? Kaoru (adjusting his hold): First the grip. The little finger of the left hand goes here, catching halfway-- Yahiko: What’re you blushing for, you little perv. Yutarou: Shut up!! Kaoru: Yahiko, leave him alone. (Later. Yutarou practices the face stroke.) Kaoru: That’s it! Very good, Yutarou. Yutarou: Really? Kaoru: You really have talent. Yutarou: Wow. Kenshin: Time for a break--we haven’t eaten all morning, so I made us some rice balls. Here, Yahiko. Yahiko (munching sullenly): Kaoru's such an idiot. Whose side does she think she's on?! Kenshin: Miss Kaoru? Kaoru: Thanks. Kenshin (whispering): I think Yahiko’s sulking. Kaoru (storming after him): He’s such a kid. Yahiko! Yahiko: What, hag? Kaoru: What was that! Kenshin: Here, Yutarou. Yutarou: No thanks. You're the enemy of my sensei. I wouldn't accept anything from you. Kenshin: Don’t be so harsh. Even the great general Uesugi Kenshin sent a gift of salt to his enemy. (Words in background: Kenshin tells of Kenshin.) Kenshin: And these taste much better than if Miss Kaoru made them. Oof! (sitting down with several lumps on his head.) Yutarou: Hey, don’t just sit down next to me! Kenshin (ignoring him cheerfully): So, is shinai kenjutsu fun? Yutarou: It’s just playing. Of course it’s fun. But I’m not doing it any more. Playing won’t make me any stronger. Kenshin: Oro? Yutarou: I’m going to be a matchless swordsman like sensei and show my father. Kenshin: Show your father? Yutarou: He threw away our family honor to become a merchant. He’s always smiling and bowing to people. He sells the swords of warrior’s spirits to foreign countries. He sold his own soul. Kenshin: Is that so . . . (thinking) His nature is like Yahiko’s in that he wants to be strong, but they've taken it in completely different directions . . . Kaoru: But if you don’t practice, you’ll never be strong. Yutarou, would you like to be a student here? Yahiko: What!! Kaoru: You can forget about wanting to show anyone or beat anyone and just think "I want to learn kenjutsu." You should try training. You can compete with Yahiko. You could be really good. (Outside the dojo, four figures with large straw hats like Raijuuta’s are waiting.) Figure: Kamiya Kasshin Dojo. This is the place. Our opponent is a swordsman as good as the sensei. We must not let down our guard!! Back to Home To Volume Five To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Five--Patterns of Meiji Swordsmanship Part 39--Collision Yutarou: I . . . could be a student here? Kaoru: How about it? It’s up to you, but . . . Kenshin: Hmm. . . that is a good idea. Yahiko: I object! That rude little punk, your second pupil!! What are you thinking?! He’s Raijuuta’s student!! Yutarou: Hey, you. Yahiko: What? Yutarou (grinning): You’re afraid I’ll be better than you, aren’t you. Yahiko: Idiot! You’ll never be good! Yutarou: What! You shrimp! (As they bicker, Kenshin hears footsteps outside the room.) Kenshin: Everyone get away from the wall! (A spear thrusts through, pushing a panel of the wall into the dojo. Kenshin shears the panel in half, revealing the four figures. They leap clear to surround him. Removing their hats, we see their faces. They have no names, so we will refer to them as Mustache, Earrings, Eyebrows and Headband.) Headband: Please excuse us, we’re . . . Kenshin: I know you by your matched hats. You’re members of Raijuuta’s Shinko school. Headband: Then let’s come straight to the point. Will you join us or not? Please consider your situation and give us your answer. Kenshin: Whether you're trying to persuade me or threaten me, I will not change my mind. Eyebrows and Earring (striking from opposite sides): Then taste death!! Kaoru: Kenshin!! Kenshin (leaping above them): So it’s to be threats? Mustache (charging with a spear): I’ll have your head! (Kenshin puts up his sword to block and lets it slide down the length of the spear, hitting the wielder’s face and taking him out. The onlookers, including Yutarou, are speechless.) Headband (finally): I expected nothing less from one of the sensei's recruits. However, can you destroy the three of us remaining? Kenshin: The two of you. (Behind him, Earring slowly collapses.) Eyebrows (thinking): No way . . . when we gave the first blow . . . he took him down and blocked at the same time, in midair . . .!! Headband: I’ll take him. (They lock swords.) Kaoru (thinking): He’s returning blows faster than Kenshin . . . there’s no opening! Yahiko (thinking): That bastard might do it! (Headband gives a battle cry. Kenshin roars back, and gives him one great blow.) Headband (as he goes down): I see . . . you’re too strong. If you won’t join us Sensei wanted to eliminate you. I agreed . . . (Eyebrows starts running for the door, but is stopped by Sanosuke’s hand, level to his face.) Sanosuke: Running away and abandoning your comrades? That’s not very nice. Kenshin: Let him go, Sano. I don’t want to strike someone who’s lost his will to fight. Go back and tell Raijuuta to come meet me alone, without using any cheap tricks. And not to prolong this fight any further . . . (Eyebrows runs off.) Sanosuke: You always do the fun stuff without me. Kenshin: It wasn’t that fun. Yutarou (remembering Yahiko’s words: "Kenshin didn’t show half of his real strength.") He really is strong . . . ! Patterns of Meiji Swordsmanship Back to Home To Volume Five To Volume Six