Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eight--On the Meiji Toukai Way from the front flap-- Watsuki: I failed the diet I mentioned in volume 3, but this year . . .! Misao: Yeah, yeah. LATELY I’VE BEEN WORRIED Samurai Spirit’s Zankurou Musouken (I want to do it). My favorite coffeehouse (it’ll go bankrupt). A decline in the quality of my pens and manuscript paper (this is urgent). My potbelly (even more urgent.) The appearance of the RuroKen anime (thumping heartbeat). The future of the RuroKen manga (nervousness). The future of the manga artist Watsuki Nobuhiro ( . . . . . . ) Hope the new year will be a good one . . . The results of the first character popularity poll! First--- Himura Kenshin--- 19476 votes Second--- Sagara Sanosuke--- 9991 votes Third--- Myoujin Yahiko--- 3659 votes Fourth--- Shinomori Aoshi--- 3494 votes Fifth--- Kamiya Kaoru--- 2627 votes Sixth--- Sagara Souzou--- 2157 votes Seventh--- Okita Soushi--- 1144 votes Eighth--- Tsukayama Yutarou--- 904 votes Ninth--- Takani Megumi--- 626 votes Tenth--- Udou Jin’eh--- 612 votes Eleventh--- Saitou Hajime--- 598 votes Part 58--To Kyoto . . . (Beginning) Sanosuke (smashing his fist into a table at the Akabeko): That bastard, that fuckin asshole!! So he thinks he can just waltz off without a word to anyone!! Tae: Calm . . . calm down. Please don’t break the store’s things-- Tsubame (shielding herself from the rain of broken dishes, tables, food . . .): I’m scared~~~ Sanosuke: I’m going to Kyoto! I won’t be happy until I’ve given him just one good punch!! (remembering): So don't go off wandering without my permission. Got that, Kenshin? (aloud) Damn him. (He leaves, kicking a tub at some innocent passer-by.) Tsubame: He was awfully rough . . . Tae: Yes, he was. And he left without paying again. But I can’t believe that Kenshin left to wander again . . . I thought he would stay at Kaoru’s for good. Yahiko: Hey! Tae: Oh, Yahiko. Yahiko: Have you seen Sanosuke? Tae: He was just here, kicking up a fuss. How is Kaoru? Yahiko: Not good. She still hasn’t gotten out of bed. Ever since he said good-bye. (Kaoru is curled up in bed.) Thank you, for everything . . . and farewell. I am a vagabond. I will wander once again. (A tear runs down her cheek.) (Yahiko charges in and tears the blankets off.) Yahiko: I know you feel bad, but how long are you going to hide?! This isn’t like you! Are you going to just give up, or are you going to go after him and-- (Ignoring him, she silently retrieves the blanket and creeps back inside.) Yahiko: Hey . . . (His only answer is another sniffle.) Yahiko (to Tae): For two whole days she hasn’t said a word. Well, you two should come by and try to cheer her up. Tae: All right. (Yahiko races off. Saitou, lurking in an alley, has been listening.) (At Tsukioka’s house. Tsukioka passes an envelope to Sanosuke.) Tsukioka: This should be enough to get you to Kyoto. Sanosuke: Sorry about this. When I come home I’ll pay you back. (Don’t know how though.) Tsukioka: I’ll be waiting. (Like he's going to have the money.) Hold out your hand. (He drops four little grenades into Sanosuke’s outstretched hand.) Tsukioka: A goodbye present. Take them. Sanosuke: You’re still making these things?! And this is the latest design too!! Tsukioka: Don’t worry about it. They’re only for self-defense. Be careful, Sanosuke. Kyoto is a more dangerous place these days than you think. Sanosuke: What, you know about Shishio? Tsukioka: Don't underestimate the newspaper's information network. Sanosuke: Don't run any articles. If you do, you won't just get arrested. Tsukioka: I won't. No one would believe it anyway. Sanosuke (on his way out): Yeah, you're right. (Yahiko smacks straight into him.) Sanosuke: Hey, where the hell are you bonking your head!? Yahiko: Shut up! I’ve been looking all over for you, and you’re just hanging around here! Kaoru's not doing good! I've been looking after her all by myself . . . Sanosuke: Yahiko, you were followed. (Saitou is leaning against the wall.) Saitou: Where do you think you’re going? Sanosuke: I’m going to Kyoto. You have a problem with that? Saitou: Yes . . . It would mean trouble if a weakling like you followed us. Sanosuke: What was that? Saitou: Finding your opponent’s weak point is the most basic of tactics. If you’re in Kyoto, Shishio will be sure to target you. But Battousai can’t protect you now. That’s why he left alone. For Battousai, your existence is nothing but a weak point. I had to put on a monkey show like Jin’eh to make him realize this. If you go to Kyoto, you’ll ruin it all. Don’t leave. Be good and stay here! Sanosuke: So . . . I’m Kenshin’s weakness . . . he left alone because he couldn’t protect me . . . Now I really want to give him that punch! Stand aside, Saitou! Back off or I’ll make you, dammit! Saitou (unmoving): Those are my sentiments exactly. (Sanosuke punches him. Saitou moves very slightly to the right, seizes Sanosuke’s sleeve, and drives his fist into Sanosuke’s injured shoulder.) Yahiko: That’s cheap! His shoulder hasn’t healed yet-- (Saitou uses his hold to flip Sanosuke on his back; the heel of his boot slams into the same point on the shoulder.) Saitou: As I said. Finding your opponent’s weak point is the most basic of tactics. There is nothing cowardly about it. This is no fair fight From now on, what's beginning in Kyoto is a fight to kill where the victor is the one who survives. (to Yahiko) A young boy like you shouldn’t go. Stay here. Yahiko (taking up his shinai): No. Saitou: I see . . . (Behind him, Sanosuke climbs to his feet.) Sanosuke: It doesn’t hurt . . . It doesn’t hurt anymore. Being treated as Kenshin’s weak point hurts ten thousand times more!! (He punches Saitou. Saitou blocks, but the impact drives him back into the wall.) Sanosuke: Back off, Saitou! I’m going to Kyoto! I can help him there, and I’ll prove it with this fist! Saitou: You don’t know your own limits. Back to Home Back to Volume Eight To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eight--On the Meiji Toukai Way Part 59--To Kyoto . . . (the End) Saitou: . . . You’ll prove it to me with your fists . . . Is that what you said? Sanosuke: Yeah! Saitou: Well put. Despite the fact that I’ve already beaten you to shreds once. Sanosuke: What!! Yahiko: He's just trying to make you mad! (Saitou removes the sword from his belt; it clatters to the ground.) Saitou: That’s so you won’t have the excuse that you couldn’t win because your opponent had a sword. This time, I'll fight by your rules. It will be a match of fists. Yahiko: Don’t believe him, Sanosuke! He’s a cheater, he’ll kick if you let him! Saitou: Feh . . . so you really do hate me. Yahiko (going for the shinai again): You got that right!! Saitou: Don’t worry. This will truly be only fists. No matter how foolish, I’ll use the rooster-head’s own way of fighting to destroy him. He’ll understand what his own limits are whether he likes it or not. Sanosuke: Interesting. (charging) Let’s go! (He punches.) Saitou (blocking easily): One blow with all of your strength coming out of the charge. I’ve learned one of your idiocies well. Sanosuke: The idiocy you’ve learned is your own. (Catching Saitou off guard, he rains punches down on him.) Yahiko: Damn, when did you learn that technique! Sanosuke: You're always making the second move with your fists, the complete opposite of your kenjutsu fighting style. You're always on the counterattack! So I'm never giving you the chance to return a punch. It’s like gunfire from a badly-made gun. It ain't pretty, but-- Saitou: Feh . . . (Though the forearms of his sleeves are completely shredded, Saitou himself is untouched.) Saitou: My fists make the second move? Sanosuke (thinking): He didn’t take a single punch! Saitou: Don't make me laugh. (He uses the same technique on Sanosuke, causing a lot more damage.) Yahiko: Sanosuke! Sanosuke (thinking): Dammit . . . The speed and strength of the punches aren’t that different, but why is he connecting and I’m not . . . ! Why-- (An uppercut knocks him down.) Tsukioka (thinking): He’s strong . . . Yahiko (thinking): I hate to admit it, but this is the only guy who’s ever fought with Kenshin and ended with a draw . . . Saitou: Do you understand? I and Battousai have strength and experience far beyond yours. Compared to us, you’re just a loudmouth, a green novice. Sanosuke: Shut up. So what? (getting to his feet) I’m going to Kyoto. No matter what anyone says. (He staggers.) Saitou: Your feet must be feeling the blow to the chin. (putting his right arm out and his left pulled back) You . . . cannot go to Kyoto. Yahiko: That’s-- (thinking) That’s the Gatotsu stance without a sword! (aloud) Dodge, Sanosuke! If you take that you’ll be in real trouble! Saitou: Give it up. He can barely keep on his feet. No matter how you struggle (throwing the punch) you're nothing but a novice!! Sanosuke: So what!!! (He blocks by bringing his two fists together, trapping Saitou’s arm.) Sanosuke: This novice could have easily broken your arm Surprised? You’ve been calling me green all this time, but what about you? No matter how strong you or Kenshin is, you didn’t start out that strong. You’ve been fighting since the Bakumatsu in Kyoto, ten years ago. You played your part in building the Meiji era. But just because I’m a novice doesn’t mean I’m weak. (To break the hold, Saitou punches him with the opposite fist.) Sanosuke: You bastard-- Saitou (walking away): It’s over. Sanosuke: What?! Saitou: It’s not worth the time and effort to fight an opponent who’s stupid no matter what you say or do. If you want to go to Kyoto, go. And get yourself killed. A fool who thinks he’s strong and doesn’t know how to defend himself won’t live long anyway. (He walks away.) Tsukioka: You won, Sanosuke. But we’d better do something about that shoulder-- Sanosuke: Yeah . . . (he stops.) Yahiko: What’s wrong, Sanosuke? Sanosuke (thinking): Of all the punches he threw, not one hit my shoulder . . . He really was fighting by my rules . . . (aloud) So that's the Wolf of Mibu. That’s the real strength of the captain of the Shinsengumi third unit. Dammit! What am I standing around here for! I’m leaving! Tsukioka: Whoa, what about your shoulder? Sanosuke: I’ll take care of it on the way. Lemme borrow some medicine! (slinging his pack over his shoulder) Yahiko, after this it’s up to you. Make sure the girl gets to Kenshin! Yahiko: Right! Sanosuke (thinking): I’ll be strong! But why is he connecting and I’m not . . . ! A fool who thinks he’s strong and doesn’t know how to defend himself won’t live long anyway. Sanosuke (thinking): On my way to Kyoto, I’ve got to get strong! Back to Home Back to Volume Eight To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eight--On the Meiji Toukai Way Part 60--Megumi’s Feelings, Kaoru’s Feelings I couldn't follow him. I don’t know why. But when he said one word, "farewell," it was like I was chained from head to foot. I still am. Kenshin . . . ! (Tae is kneeling besides Kaoru, who refuses to look at her.) Tae: I understand your feelings, but Kaoru, brooding forever won’t solve anything. Cheer up. Oh, I know! I’ll give these to you. (holding up two nishiki-e) Mr. Tsunan’s Ibahachi. And the real Nakajina Nobori’s Hijikata Toshizou, my treasure! Kaoru: No thanks. (Tae turns to stone.) Tae (thinking): No thanks. My treasures, no thanks. (Yahiko is running home.) Megumi: Yahiko?! Didn’t you go to Kyoto? Or did they leave you home alone? Yahiko: What are you talking about? Kaoru’s still at the dojo. Megumi: What . . . (Tsubame places a tray of food before Kaoru.) Tsubame: I know it’s not very good, but it’s not good for you not to eat. Kaoru: No thanks. Tae: How can you say that? Tsubame worked hard to make that for you. Kaoru: I said, no thanks. Tae: Kaoru! Kaoru: You don’t have to look after me!! Please, just leave me alone!! Megumi (appearing at the door): I’m disgusted. You’re still here. Kaoru: What do you want. Megumi: Isn’t it obvious? I came to laugh at the tanuki-girl Ken-san rejected. (Kaoru: Why you . . .) Tae: Miss Takani! (Megumi holds up the little jar.) Megumi: This is medicine, a family treasure. Ken-san told me before how well it worked. Now, it’s something he needs, but I guess I can’t ask you to give it to him. I’ll have to ask Yahiko. Kaoru: Shouldn’t you take it yourself, without relying on others? All the way to Kyoto. Tae: Oh-oh . . . cat fight . . . Tsubame: I’m scared . . . Megumi: Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of free time, like you. I have patients to take care of. I can’t go off on a journey. Kaoru: Your patients over Kenshin? In other words, he’s not that important to you. Tae: Kaoru, that’s going a little far-- (Megumi slaps her, but Kaoru puts up a hand to block.) Kaoru: You mock an adjutant master-- (Megumi raises a hand to slap the other cheek. Kaoru winces, but Megumi’s hand stops inches from her face.) Megumi: You’re the one trying to mock me. (lifting Kaoru’s chin with two fingers) I became a doctor so I could save lives and atone for my sins. All right? This is my life’s path. And there is no one who could have shown me how to live that path but Ken-san. So even if he’s not here, I’ll keep on atoning as a doctor. This atonement is how I feel towards him. So I don’t need some cowering girl to tell me he’s not important to me. Oh, so now you’re going to cry? You really are weak. Speechless at Megumi’s power (Tae and Tsubame) (Megumi opens the door to leave.) Kaoru: . . . You don’t understand, Megumi. How it felt for him to say goodbye to me, face to face . . . you don’t understand at all! Megumi: That’s true. But we’re even. You don’t understand how it felt for him not to say goodbye to me at all. Before you start going to extremes, consider your own feelings once more. (She crosses the courtyard.) Kaoru (thinking): Megumi . . . . Yahiko: Are you done? Megumi: Yes. Yahiko: Don’t worry. Kenshin’s coming back. (running towards the dojo) So wait here and don’t cry. Megumi: All right . . . (But a tear is running down her cheek.) You don't understand how it felt for him not to say goodbye to me at all. Kaoru (thinking): Megumi . . . She really wanted to go to Kyoto . . . (aloud) I . . . Yahiko (bursting in, all packed and ready to go): What’re you sitting around for. Get ready! We’re going to Kyoto! Kaoru: But . . . Yahiko: No shit and no buts. You’re the only one Kenshin said goodbye to. Don't you get it? It was hardest for him to part with you! So listen up! No matter what anyone else says, you're the one who's got the best chance of making him come back! Megumi said she’d look after the dojo. In return, you're taking this to Kenshin (holding up the jar.) Answer me, Kaoru! Don’t you want to see him? Kaoru: I . . . Tae: Kaoru! Tsubame: Miss Kaoru! Kaoru (thinking): I want to see him . . . (aloud, choking on tears) I guess I really do want to see Kenshin . . . Yahiko: So it’s settled then! Kaoru (thinking): We’ll go to Kyoto. To Kyoto, where Kenshin is . . . (later that night. Megumi stands in front of the dojo.) Megumi: So in the end I’m the only one left behind. And on top of that, I have to look after the dojo. What am I doing-- (She puts a hand to the door, and is surprised to find it unlocked.) Megumi (thinking): It’s open. Then why did they leave me the key . . . Did they come back to get something? Or maybe . . . Ken-san came back! (She throws open the doors.) Megumi (thinking): The . . . the Oniwabanshuu Okashira . . . Shinomori Aoshi . . . Aoshi: Where has Battousai disappeared to? Back to Home Back to Volume Eight To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eight--On the Meiji Toukai Way Part 61--A Cruel Man Aoshi: Where is Himura Battousai? Megumi: I . . . I . . . Aoshi (kneeling in front of her): Where is Battousai? Answer me. Megumi: (thinking) He wants Ken-san dead . . . (aloud) I . . . I don’t know. (He deliberately places a hand an inch away from her cheek.) Aoshi: If you don’t answer me, I’ll kill you. Saitou (from behind her): Battousai’s gone to Kyoto. Aoshi: Who are you? Saitou: Fujita Gorou. As you can see, just a policeman. Don’t stare. I'll tell you what's happened, since you've been holed up in the mountains up till now. Aoshi: All right. Tell me. (the explanation ensues.) Aoshi: Shishio Makoto . . . Saitou: You can believe me or not, but Battousai has undoubtedly gone to Kyoto. Aoshi (walking away): If so, I’ll come again when Battousai has returned. Saitou: Maybe he won’t come back. Maybe Shishio will kill him. Aoshi: That cannot be. I am the only one who will kill Battousai. Saitou: You have great self-confidence. (as Aoshi passes) But . . . perhaps not over-confident. Megumi: What were you just talking to him for, you worthless cop! He’s a dangerous man! All he thinks about is killing Ken-san! Saitou: If I hadn’t been talking to him, that dangerous man would have killed you. Dangerous, but one who became the Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu at the age of fifteen is certainly talented. I’m just wondering whether or not we can use him. Soujirou (sitting in a tree, putting away his telescope): My sentiments exactly. Shinomori Aoshi . . . certainly a useful man. (The next day. Aoshi returns to the graves of the Oniwabanshuu, to find four men sprawled in the clearing, eating and guzzling sake.) Man1: So I came with this woman. Man2: Next time I get to meet her! Man: He’s here, he’s here. You’re late, we’ve been waiting for you. Shinomori Aoshi. Aoshi: Who are you. Man: We’re from the glorious Lord Shishio. The Abukuma Foursome. Lord Shishio wants to meet with you, face to face. Even we only meet with him once a year; it's a great honor. So come. Lord Shishio is waiting. Aoshi: If you want to see someone, you go see him yourself. Go back and tell him that. If that’s all, go back, and never set foot on this ground again. If you ever profane it again, I’ll kill you and your Shishio. (A pause. Then one of them spits on a gravestone.) Man: Don't get too cocky just because you've got some skills, boy! It's bad enough to hear you say you'd kill us. But to say you’d kill Lord Shishio . . . This crime deserves death!! (They charge, brandishing axes.) Man: Those who mock Lord Shishio shall not be permitted to live! (Aoshi raises his sword.) Man (thinking): A long sword . . . He’s changed his weapon since he lost to Battousai. But no matter what he carries . . . one sword can’t defeat our foursome technique! (Aoshi draws, not only the visible sword, but a second one whose handle was concealed as the bottom of the sheath.) Man (thinking): Two kodachis in one sheath! It can’t be . . . Kodachi Nitouryuu (Two kodachi-style) (Aoshi makes short work of all four.) Soujirou (coming out from behind a tree): I’m impressed. They didn’t even have a chance to use their instant four-in-one technique. Aoshi: Are you one of Shishio’s pawns too? Soujirou: Yes. Seta Soujirou. I am one of his advisors. But that really was impressive. If you’ll just come with me and listen to what we have to say-- Aoshi: Get lost. I don’t intend to work for anybody. Especially for a cruel man who would sacrifice his own men to test the strength of an opponent. Soujirou: So you noticed that? But you must be fairly cruel as well, if you knew they were sacrifices and still didn't think twice about slaughtering them. Well, all right. If you feel like it, come to Kyoto. We’ll be waiting for you there. If you see the era change a second time and miss being in the center of it again, you'll bring shame to the name of Oniwabanshuu Okashira. (Soujirou walks up into another clearing.) Soujirou: What do you think of him? (Shishio Makoto is sitting beneath a large umbrella, being fed lunch by a beautiful woman in an off-the-shoulders kimono (Yumi.) Shishio: I like him. Especially the way he cut them down as though they were trash. Soujirou: But he doesn’t seem to be easily tempted. Well . . . what do we do next? Shishio: Hmm. It’s still a little early to greet my Hitokiri predecessor. Soujirou: Mr. Shishio. This is fun--don’t you think? Shishio: In a way. (Aoshi stands in his clearing.) Aoshi: Kyoto . . . If I am to lay this flower at your graves, it would be better to do it soon. Back to Home Back to Volume Eight To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eight--On the Meiji Toukai Way Part 62--On the Meiji Toukai Way Sanosuke. Kaoru and Yahiko. And now Shinomori Aoshi make their separate ways to Kyoto, with their own thoughts in their hearts. Passer-by: What’s this? Another: Looks like a swordsman, but doesn’t he know there’s an edict against carrying swords? Best not to get too close to him. (Kenshin walks down the road, ignoring all the attention his sword attracts.) Boy: Wow, a sword! Mother: Shh! Passer-by: A sword, now. That’s risky. Better let sleeping dogs lie. (Flashback to two days ago--) Saitou: So you’ve finally made up your mind to go to Kyoto. Said your goodbyes to the Kamiya girl? Sorry, a slip of the tongue. From now on we’ll be fighting together against the Shishio faction, so we’ll have to get along. Kenshin: Fighting together? Saitou: Yes. In the aftermath of Okubo’s assassination, Kawaji took on many more responsibilities, and he put me in command of the force in Kyoto. What’s the long face for? Kenshin: Nothing. Saitou: Well, come on. If we leave for Yokohama now, we’ll be in time to catch the first ship to Osaka. Kenshin: No. I’m going by the Toukai Way. Saitou: What, no money? The navy will-- Kenshin: That’s not it. As you saw in the assassination of Governor Okubo, Shishio’s men could appear when they are least expected. I’ve been thinking about what would happen if they attacked suddenly on a ship. There’s nowhere to run on a ship, and bystanders who know nothing of this could become involved. Saitou: You still think like a vagabond. It would be better for you if you returned to the Hitokiri instead of this peace-loving fool. (putting a hand to his sword.) Maybe I should fight you again here. Kenshin: I’ll fight you whenever you like, but I have no desire to become Battousai ever again. I don’t want to involve anyone in this. That’s why I chose to go alone. Saitou: Well, fine. Whatever road you take, you won’t have any problem getting to Kyoto. It would take an ordinary person ten days by that route, but for you, five should be enough. But this is no pleasure trip. Shishio has a net of informants all over the country like a spider’s web. He should know of your every movement. Don’t forget. The battle with Shishio has already begun. Kenshin (thinking, back to the present): Carrying a sword while I walk, no one will come near me. No one will get involved-- (A police whistle sounds behind him.) Kenshin: Oro ro. Policeman: Hey, hey! You’ve got some nerve carrying a sword right in broad daylight! (Kenshin runs for it.) Connecting Nihon Bridge to Kyoto Sanjouoo Bridge (a distance of 492 kilometers) the Toukai Way was an important road from ancient times. However, in Meiji 5 (1872) railroads were being laid from Shinbashi to Yokohama, so the number of people who still traveled the country on foot was decreasing. Odowara is the first big city on the way from Tokyo. It lies just before the most dangerous pass, the Hakone-Goe, so it’s usual for travelers to spend the night there before going on. Girls in front of an inn: The Odaya! Stay at the Odaya! The Odaya! It’s cheap, the Odaya! Hey, where are you going, swordsman? Stay a night here! Kenshin: No, I’m in a hurry tonight. Girl: In a hurry? It’s already getting dark! You'll be in the deep in the Hakone mountains when night falls! Kenshin (thinking): It would only bring trouble to stay in an inn. Away from Tokyo, it isn’t as unusual to carry a sword. I’ll have to avoid contact with people as much as possible-- Girl: What, flat broke? (Face fault) (In the mountains. Kenshin lights a fire and settles against a tree.) Kenshin: It’s been a while since I slept under the stars. (thinking) I suppose everyone’s angry with me now . . . But even if they carry a grudge, I had no choice . . . (A sound behind him. He leaps to his feet, drawing his sword.) Kenshin (thinking): A women’s voice, and the voices of several men . . . (aloud) It couldn’t be Shishio’s men . . . Probably bandits or highwaymen. I can’t say I have to avoid human contact now. (Four men form a semi-circle around the cloaked and hooded woman.) Man1: What’re you so scared of. You’re the one who invited us here. Woman: I know. But do you have the money? Man?: Right here. We just finished a "job" in Odawara. Woman: Good. Then the performance ends here! (she whips off the cloak, revealing herself to be a girl in shorts, with metal handguards and a long braid.) Hand over the money! Men: What the-- It’s just a brat. Damn, her voice was sexy too-- Got no use for a child. Let’s go back and get some sleep. Misao: Wait, you freaks!! Who’s a child?? (kicking one in the back of the head) Numbskulls!! Men: That bitch!! (Misao blocks a punch and drives her elbow into his stomach.) Misao: I’m sixteen!! Man (trapping her arms from behind): Don’t get carried away, brat! Man2 (drawing his sword): I’m still on edge from the robbery. Why not kill her. Prepare yourself! Misao (vaulting out): You can’t capture me by force alone. (A few more kicks, and all four are taken out.) Misao: Well, that’s that. Just trick ‘em with a sexy voice and reel ‘em in. (picking up the money sack) Nothing to it. Kenshin: I’m surprised. (Misao jumps out of her skin) I thought you were being robbed, but it’s quite the reverse. A woman bandit! Misao: Who are you? Can’t women be bandits? Kenshin: No, that’s not what I meant. Being a bandit in itself is wrong. Misao: Hmm . . . I see. You’re trying to give me advice. That’s interesting, coming from you. You look poor--flat broke, right? Kenshin: . . . . (Everywhere I go, everyone I meet . . . ) Misao: Well, I guess you can't help it. You’re wearing a Japanese sword. I’ll take it instead of money! Kenshin: Oro ro? Back to Home Back to Volume Eight To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eight--On the Meiji Toukai Way Part 63--Makimachi Misao Kenshin: My sword . . .? Misao: Yeah. You’re wearing it even though there’s an edict against them, so it must be pretty valuable. Right? (She punches; Kenshin dodges, but she lands the next one.) Misao: How bout that! Kenshin (holding up the sack of money): How indeed. (It did kind of hurt though . . .) You’re small, so even a blow to a vital point doesn’t have much power. Stop that. Now about the money-- Misao: Now I’m mad! (holding up a handful of kunai daggers) Give it back! It’s mine! Take this, Kansatsu Tobikunai!! (Kenshin whips her cloak in front of him, glancing the kunais aside.) Misao: My--my cloak!! Kenshin (holding up the cloak, now full of holes): Oh, sorry about that. Misao: Give it back! My cloak and my money!! Kenshin: The money is sort of different from the cloak, isn’t it? Misao: If it’s in my hands, it’s mine!! (Kenshin is rather shocked) All right, first pay me back for the cloak. I’ll take the sword instead! Kenshin (sighing): All right, here you go. Misao (drawing it): Let’s see what we got--huh? (The blade’s backwards!) Kenshin: As you can see, it’s not an ordinary sword. You won’t get much for it at a swordsmith’s. Misao: Well, even not much is something. I’ll take it. Kenshin: ORO?!? Wait a minute! That’s my beloved blade!! Misao: So what? I liked that cloak too! Kenshin: Okay, okay, I’ll give you all the money I have! Misao (counting it): This is just small change. You really are broke. Kenshin (slinking off): All right. I’m going to return the money to its original owner. From now on, stop stealing from people. Misao: (We’re right back where we started!) Wait a minute! That’s mine! (Kenshin: I can’t deal with her.) Misao: Just you wait . . . (One of the defeated men watches them go.) (In town) Kenshin (finding the shop whose name was on the bag): This is the place, Tamura Money Exchange, Odawara Inn. They still don’t know they’ve been robbed. We’ll give it back and all will be well. (He leaps to the rooftop.) Misao: Not bad. Oh, I get it. You’re really a robber too? But this is nothing. (she leaps up beside him.) How was that? Kenshin (thinking): She's good with kempo and with her tobikunai . . . this is no ordinary girl. Of course, her clothes are already out of the ordinary . . . (She's of no age to bare her thighs.) Misao: Huh? (What?) (They enter. Kenshin replaces the bag.) Kenshin: Well . . . this is good. Misao (bandanna tied under her nose, a bag in each hand): This is good! Kenshin (marching her out): What are you thinking. We did what we came to do, and we’re leaving. Misao: But without money I can’t get back to Kyoto! Kenshin: You live in Kyoto? Misao: I ran out of money on the way back from Tokyo. That’s why I was robbing them. At least until you got in the way! Kenshin: But why would a girl travel alone, all the way to Tokyo-- Misao: I was sort of looking for someone. (They walk along a bridge.) I’ve been alone in the world soon after I was born. Way back in the time of the Bakumatsu, he and his friends took me in and raised me. When the Meiji era began, they went out to wander the country, and left me with this old guy he knew in Kyoto. But I wanted to see him. I’ve been hearing rumors about him, so I ran away to look for him. (strangling Kenshin) And I struck out everywhere!! Kenshin: Well, I understand the situation, but, um-- Misao: Oh, my name? It’s Misao. Makimachi Misao. Kenshin: But no matter how much you need the money, it’s wrong to steal. Misao: Then how am I supposed to get to Kyoto! Kenshin: Use the money I gave you to send a letter your guardian and ask him to come get you. Misao: I see! Kenshin: Another thing, since those men were probably from the yakuza around here, we should leave Odawara-- Yakuza: There they are!! (Yakuza have blocked off both sides of the bridge.) Yakuza: This way!! Cut them off!! Misao: Persistent little . . . About thirty men. You’re a swordsman, think you can take half of them? Kenshin: I give up . . . even though I didn’t want any contact with people . . . Yakuza: What, you puffed-up little shrimp! We’ll kill you too! (Kenshin deals two great blows to the bridge.) Kenshin (sheathing the sword): You were wrong to work as robbers, but Miss Misao, a bandit, was in the wrong too. I was involved as well, so forgive me for this mutual punishment. (The bridge collapses. After the dust settles, yakuza pick themselves up, clambering out of the river.) Misao (eyes spinning): I’ve never seen anything like that. That was amazing. Kenshin (helping her up): I had to get used to fighting on bridges and riverbanks in the old days. On this type of bridge, as the enemy came to attack, their weight would approach the center and it could easily be destroyed. Misao: Hmm . . . but the people I’m looking for would have done it better. Kenshin (smiling): Is that so . . . Misao: During the Bakumatsu they defended Edo Castle from the shadows. (she is oblivious to the shock she has caused Kenshin) I wonder what they’re doing now . . . Lord Aoshi and everyone in the Oniwabanshuu . . . Back to Home Back to Volume Eight To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eight--On the Meiji Toukai Way Part 64--Playing Tag Kenshin: Shinomori . . . Aoshi . . . Misao: You know them? Tell me where they are!! Are they okay? (Kenshin walks along the road; Misao marches determinedly after him.) Misao: Hey, wait a minute! You can't just shut up and walk away! Tell me where Lord Aoshi is! How is Hanya? And Beshimi and Hyottoko and Shikijou? Hey, shrimp! Redhead! X-scar! Girly-man! Edict breaker! I mean you, the weirdo in the red kimono! Kenshin: My name is Himura Kenshin, so I'd prefer it if you called me that. Misao (hopefully): So if I call you that, will you tell me about them? Kenshin: No. They're completely different matters. Misao (kicking him): Don't make fun of me, you jerk!! Kenshin: Oro! Misao: Answer me! Where the hell are Lord Aoshi and-- (Kenshin walks away, ignoring her.) Misao (thinking): I'm not giving up! This is my first real clue since I started looking for Lord Aoshi and the others! Kenshin (thinking): She's very stubborn . . . Should I tell her how the Oniwabanshuu met their deaths? Even if I keep silent, she'll continue searching and find out someday. Maybe it would be better to tell Miss Misao the bitter truth, rather than let her continue this reckless search. However, Until I kill you, no one will. Kenshin (thinking): Since I'm her only clue, she'll stick close to me. There's no way of knowing when Shishio's faction will attack on this journey. There's no reason for her to walk with me any further. (aloud) Can I lose you? Misao: Huh? (Kenshin jumps into the bushes.) Misao: Hey--! (grinning evilly) Heh heh, so the fool thinks he can run. I'm a woman who would be very helpful to Lord Aoshi as one of the Oniwabanshuu in better times. I'm especially proud of my speed . . . huh? He's already just a speck! (chasing him) Dammit, what are you! Kenshin (thinking): She's not giving up . . . I'm running pretty fast, but she's keeping up, she wants to see Aoshi and the others so much . . . yet . . . Misao (thinking): Damn . . . He's so fast. I'm keeping up now, but in the end . . . He's no ordinary man. Could he have fought Aoshi and the others . . . (She trips and falls.) Misao: Oh no! You-- Kenshin (stopping): This game of tag is over. Misao: What are you saying, I'm not done yet. I'll chase you until death to find them-- (She finds herself standing on the edge of a deep gorge. Kenshin, from the other side, turns and walks away.) Misao (thinking): What . . . on earth . . . How did he get across? What do I do now . . . I can't jump over this. But I have to stop him. Attacking from behind, with no cloak, if I aim for his feet at least one should hit him. Kansatsu Tobikunai!! (Kenshin whips his sword out of its sheath. The kunai clatter away down the gorge.) Misao (thinking): Just the wind from drawing his sword kept off my tobi kunai . . . Kenshin: Give up. Go back to Kyoto. I don't know the circumstances of how Aoshi took you in and raised you, but living with the Oniwabanshuu, continuing to fight on the path of violence, you would have been in danger. Aoshi knew that too; that is why he left you with your guardian in Kyoto. It's better that you stop thinking about him. For your own happiness. (Misao bows her head and walks away.) Kenshin: I'm sorry. Misao (whipping around): You can say whatever you want! Forget what? I can't forget, that's why I'm still searching! Kenshin (thinking): She's running for the jump. (aloud) That's crazy, stop! Misao: Forget the most important person in my life? Where's the happiness in that? (She leaps--and falls short. Kenshin dives after her.) Misao (thinking, as Kenshin catches her): He really is amazing. He must have fought with Lord Aoshi. But it's all right. No matter who he's up against, Lord Aoshi could never lose. Wherever he is now, he's doing fine. Together with the Oniwabanshuu . . . (A little later. Misao comes to her senses, lying on the ground with a compress on her forehead.) Kenshin: So you're finally awake. Misao: Did I really faint? Kenshin: Yes. Misao: . . . But why did you wait here until I woke up? Kenshin (continuing down the path): For certain reasons, I wouldn't be surprised if I'm attacked somewhere along my journey. Because of this danger I cannot let anyone travel with me. Stay back a little and pretend we're strangers. Trying to get rid of you would mean going through all this foolishness again, and I can't take it. And if I say no, you'll follow me anyway, right? Misao (starting after him): You got that right! I'm definitely going to see Lord Aoshi again! The Makings of the Characters--Makimachi Misao In developing the story, I made Misao to be the heroine while Kenshin and Kaoru are separated. The story was becoming a little dark, so when I wanted to draw it as cheerful as I could, I ended up making the character half Kaoru and half Yahiko. It was fun, and I really got to like her. In my outline, she was going to be someone with a relationship with the Oniwabanshuu, but the idea came from a letter about the Oniwanbanshuu, touching a little on something in book four. When I was thinking about using the idea, I suddenly needed a stand-in heroine. I thought to keep things simple, a girl who didn't fall in love with Kenshin would be best, and Misao was born. There's an soont-to-come sad ordeal of Misao's reunion with Aoshi, but I want her to try hard and not be discouraged. For her design, I've gotten a lot of complaints. Samurai Spirits' Nakoruru . . . But speaking for myself, I think she's closer to Mai and Yuri in the SK fighting game . . . (Oh, I give up. At the bottom of my grave I'm digging myself another one . . .) Maybe the bad joke with the cloak was too strong. I'm trying to stop drawing as I said in book seven. Misao's design was actually impromtu. At first I meant her to be wearing a bad imitation of the Oniwabanshuu's spying clothes. Then the people at the magazine suggested I change a few details and erase the similarities to SK. Her face and body type were meant to look more like a young boy's than a woman's. She's tentatively sixteen, but I wanted her to look like no more than thirteen at a glance . . . I kept worrying about whether to keep her long hair in a braid or not, but it's a good way to show movement, so I think it's good that I kept it. Back to Home Back to Volume Eight To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eight--On the Meiji Toukai Way Part 65--Each on Their Way Today is the third day since Kenshin left the Kamiya dojo. He should already be on the second half of his journey, but-- Misao: Himura. Hey, Himura. It's lunchtime already. It's time to eat. Hey! Hey, I'm talking to you. Hey! (losing her temper and throwing a kunai at him) Quit ignoring me! Kenshin (bleeding profusely): Ohhhhh (that hurt!) Misao: What! You're deliberately walking through the forest. You're still trying to lose me, aren't you! Kenshin: It's not deliberate. It's just that cutting through the forest is quicker than returning to the road. By evening we'll be back on the highway, but I hadn't intended to stop until then. You can eat while you walk, so if you have food, please go ahead. Misao (pulling out a packet of food): I see. Let's go, then. (little arrow--Hardtack. At the time, it was round.) Misao: What about you? (Aren't you eating?) Kenshin: Unfortunately, I didn't bring a lunch. Misao: Oh. But these are mine, so I'm not giving you any. Kenshin: Yes, yes. Misao: But, if you tell me about Lord Aoshi, I'd be more than happy to share. Kenshin: That's all right. Misao (taking a bite): I wonder what they're doing right now . . . (Elsewhere, Sanosuke fells a tree with a punch and another with a kick.) Sanosuke: No. Just destroying nature isn't training. (he plunks himself down.) Think about it. I never did any training besides fighting all the time, so I don't know what to do. On top of that, I definitely should be on the Nakasen Way, but I was in the woods before I knew it. Well, let's figure out where Kyoto is. (digging a magnet on a string out of his pack) That's north . . . Kyoto is west, so it must be . . . that way. All right! On to Kyoto! While Sanosuke is lost-- (At the clinic, a patient sits nervously with a pile of powder on his head. Megumi absent-mindedly applies a match to it.) *At the time, acupuncture and moxibustion were part of the doctor's arts. Doctor: Megumi!! What are you doing?? Megumi (thinking): I wonder if Ken-san's all right . . . Just Shishio's faction would be bad enough, but Shinomori Aoshi's after him too. (aloud) I'm worried. (The patient runs around screaming; the doctor rushes in with a bucket of water.) As Megumi's worries become worse-- (A ship at sea. Yahiko is sick in a bucket.) Kaoru: Are you all right, Yahiko? Yahiko: I'm not all right. I didn't know a ship would shake like this. You look fine. Kaoru: I'm a little seasick, but it's not going to bother me. Those two days when I was cowering worried everyone, so I decided I'm not going to whine anymore. (Yahiko smiles; and is sick again.) Kaoru is back to her old self again, and Yahiko is almost dead of seasickness. Kaoru (thinking): That's right. I'm not going to whine anymore. I have to be stronger too! And then I'll see Kenshin again . . . (back on the road) Misao: Then there's Hanya. He's a really great kempoist. I learned from him. Kenshin (looking all over, and finally finding a snake): It's a pit viper. (Careful, careful.) Misao: I'm telling you about everyone, so listen up! Jeez, I'm getting to the good stuff about Lord Aoshi too. Kenshin: Aoshi . . . Misao: Exactly. He became the Okashira at a really young age. He was a genius among geniuses as a spy. A master of kempo and the kodachi. He's serious, he takes his responsibility seriously, and he's kind and always thinks of the group. But on the surface, as the leader that unifies the Oniwabanshuu, he appears completely emotionless. To encourage them before battle he has a forced smile of self-confidence, but he never really smiles. He's probably this way now. But someday I'll find Lord Aoshi's hidden smile and--Hey!!! (Kenshin is already pushing on.) Misao: What, you'd rather walk on than listen to me talk? You'd rather push through the grass and--huh? (thinking) Come to think of it, yesterday he was walking through this kind of forest with no trouble. Why today-- (aloud) Hey. Why're you deliberately wasting time by beating a path through the grass? Kenshin: It's easier for you to walk this way. Misao (thinking): If he was trying to lose me, he could do it whenever he wanted. His personality is completely different, but he's a little like Lord Aoshi the way his real feelings don't come to the surface. (aloud) I changed my mind. You're probably hungry, Himura. I'll show some mercy. (holding out a donut) Just one, though (the rest are mine.) Kenshin: Thank you. (There isn't something in this to make me confess, is there?) (Misao: Don't take it then!!) (A noise behind them) Misao: Himura, what was that-- Kenshin: Shh. Be as quiet as you can and separate yourself from me. Misao: Someone really is after you? Kenshin: It's all right, hurry. (thinking) This is bad. If I'm attacked now Miss Misao will get involved. I can't stop it. (running towards it) Better get a head start! Misao: Wait! I'm one of the Oniwabanshuu! I can help-- (She enters a clearing. Kenshin is standing before a man slumped against a tree, holding a sword and bleeding from a dozen places.) Misao: Is he dead? Kenshin: No, but . . . (to the man) Do you have something left to say? Since we were brought together like this, I'll do all I can. Man: Please . . . (he is holding a boy cradled in his arm) My brother . . . and the village. Save them from Shishio's men . . . Back to Home Back to Volume Eight To the Next Chapter Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eight--On the Meiji Toukai Way Part 66--A Village Abandoned Man: Please . . . my brother . . . and the village. Save them from Shishio's men . . . This man's village was a short distance away from Numazujuku on the Toukai Way. With a population of no more than twenty, it was a small village in a mountain valley, half wooded, half farmland. Called Shingetsu, it was an ordinary place until two years ago. (A little later. The little boy, Eiji, is propped up against a tree; Misao and Kenshin lean over him.) Misao: Wake up. Hey, wake up! (The boy's eyes slide open.) Misao: He's awake. Eiji: Who are . . . (remembering) My brother! (At the other side of the clearing is a grave mound, with the notched sword sticking out of the ground as a marker.) Misao: By the time we found him he was already . . . Eiji (breaking into tears): Dammit. Dammit! Kenshin: What happened? Can you tell us? Eiji: What's the use telling a stranger? Kenshin: I am going to Kyoto to meet Shishio. (Both Eiji and Misao look shocked. Kenshin returns their gaze.) Eiji: Shishio's followers came on us suddenly two years ago. First of all, they killed the police stationed here and took over the village. When more police were sent, they killed them too. After two years, the police stopped coming and Shishio's men came in continuously. The government abandoned the village of Shingetsu. Misao: You've got to be exaggerating. They're probably planning a war right now. Eiji (holding out a folded square of paper): Then look at this! It's a brand new map my brother brought from Tokyo. Look! The name of Shingetsu's been taken off! When my brother found this he knew the village was in trouble. He tried to save our family first . . . and got killed by one of Shishio's followers, that bastard Senkaku, the one that controls Shingetsu! (standing up) I have to go back . . . My mom and dad are still there! Now that my brother is dead I have to save them! (putting a hand on the sword on his brother's grave) Brother . . . lend me your strength. Kenshin (pushing the sword down): In your brother's stead, I will lend you mine. Miss Misao, take care of the boy. Misao: What? I'm going too-- Kenshin: No. I'm going into the village alone. Wait here. (Kenshin walks into the village's empty streets.) Kenshin (thinking): Nothing's been repaired or taken care of . . . It's like a ghost town. (remembering Eiji saying: "Shishio always stays in the village for a week, twice a year. I don't know what he wanted, but the village is under Senkaku's control just for that. Shishio just got here now. Senkaku went to an inn to meet him, so now's the time to save my parents!") (Misao and Eiji are sneaking through the trees, following him.) Misao (thinking): Whatever Himura does he tries to do all himself. I'm one of the Oniwabanshuu, I'm as strong as he is. Eiji: Hey, woman, get closer or we'll lose sight of him. Misao (bonking him): Dummy, Himura's good. if we get any closer he'll see us. (Kenshin finds the bodies of a man and a woman, hanged and bloody.) Misao (covering her mouth): An execution . . . Kenshin (thinking): Like the boy's brother, their entire bodies have been slashed. Probably the work of this Senkaku . . . Eiji: MOM!! DAD!!! (He screams. An army of spear-carrying men in black clothes and masks rushes out, forming a semi-circle around Kenshin.) Leader: You're an outsider. Outsiders shall not leave alive. Kenshin (without turning to look at them): Why did you kill these people? Leader: Their sons planned to escape the village. They bore the responsibility. Senkaku executed them and we hanged them. Kenshin: As a warning. Leader: This is a place the great Lord Shishio won from the government pigs! Lord Senkaku controls this village, where the privilege of life is granted by Lord Shishio! By order of Lord Senkaku, outsiders must die! Prepare yourself! Kenshin: It is you who should prepare yourselves. (One blow from the reverse blade knocks the leader back into the ranks.) Kenshin: Ordinarily I would say now that those who do not want to fight should stand aside, but now, I'll fight until not one of you remains. Misao (to Eiji): Hey, pull yourself together! Hey! I know it's hard, but this is no place to collapse! Crying for the dead won't bring them back. Now you've got to stand up!! (A soldier appears behind her, raising his spear.) Soldier: Outsiders must die! (Misao pulls Eiji out of the way.) Misao (whipping out a handful of kunai): Why you-- Soldier: Outsiders must die-- (He is struck across the mouth by something heavy, wielded by a tall thin figure in police uniform.) Misao: Who--who are you . . . Saitou: That bastard. I thought he was going straight to Kyoto . . . What's he hanging around here for! On the Meiji Toukai Way--End Back to Home To Volume Eight To Volume Nine