Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eighteen--Do you Still Have the Scar? from the front flap-- Watsuki (studying a doll): But such quality . . . how long have they been making these? Tsubame: . . . . . . . . . That one's already over . . . ACTION DOLLS I finally bought one, a shojo doll. I'd decided to stay away from them, but these Nakoruru and Rimururu--not to mention the poseable joints--Watuski Nobuhiro finally got 'em. (Pokemon-style) Now if two-player Nakorimu would come out! But still, action dolls . . . ha! Could this be a new trend in the author's comments? (I hope not . . . ) Part 149--Kyoto Epilogue 3--An Early Summer Morning (A beautiful morning. The sun shines, birds chirp, people go about their business. The morning peace is suddenly rent by a shriek.) Misao: WHAT?! You're going back to Tokyo tomorrow?? (Misao, Okina and Kaoru are eating breakfast together.) Misao: Why? We just got the Aoiya rebuilt! I thought we could finally relax and have fun now! Kaoru: Why? You've taken care of us long enough. And it's about time I reopened the dojo in Tokyo. Misao: But you can open a rundown dojo with only one student any time! Kaoru (sweetly): Misao, I'll let it go this time, but next time you say that I'll smack you into next week, kay? Okina: Tomorrow is so sudden. Why not take your time and wait a few more days? Kaoru: I've already bought our tickets. And for Kenshin, this is a city full of bitter memories. It's better not to stay too long-- (A slight pause.) Okina: That's true. We forget we only know the Himura of today. He was once utterly the Hitokiri Battousai . . . Misao: But--but that was in the past! He's a good guy now! He's gotta make up his mind and move on! Kaoru: I think so too, but it seems as though Kenshin himself doesn't feel that way . . . Misao: Well it's not going to help if you're as dark as he is! If you don't start being more cheerful he's going to stay like this forever! Kaoru: Maybe so, but . . . Okina: Well then. There's something to what both of you are saying, so it's time I took a hand . . . (he throws an armful of guidebooks in the air.) Okina: Today we'll do it all in Okina's personal guided tour of Kyoto's greatest sights! We'll make the city a happy place even for Himura! Misao: All right! Kaoru: In other words, you're just looking for another excuse to have a good time . . . Okina: Go wake everyone up! We've got a big day ahead of us! Kaoru: Okay, okay . . . (she walks down the hall to Kenshin's room.) Kaoru: Kenshin--guys? Are you awake? I'm coming in . . . (The room is empty except for Yahiko.) Yahiko: If you're looking for Kenshin and Sanosuke, they left already. Kaoru: Together? Yahiko: Nah, separately. When I woke up Kenshin was already gone. (walking past her) I'm going out too. Kaoru: Going--going where? Yahiko: Mount Hiei. Kaoru (thinking) That's where the Shishio faction headquarters was-- Yahiko: Masu gave me some onigiri so I don't need lunch. (leaving) Kaoru: Hey, wait a minute! (but he's gone.) That kid! Megumi (right behind her): Hm. So Ken-san's out today. Kaoru (jumping): Megumi! Megumi: Did I say something wrong? (turning serious) This is perfect. I have something I need to talk to you about. Come with me. (Okina and Misao are pouring over the guidebooks with great glee.) Misao: The Temple of the Golden Pavilion! I wanna go there! Okina: No, no, the Silver Pavilion is much more elegant. (Kenshin paces the city streets, amid signs of Westernization.) Kenshin: Ten years . . . the city has changed, a little. (Yahiko arrives at the site of Shishio's headquarters, now just a cave surrounded by burnt and twisted metal.) Yahiko: So this is it . . . (thinking) This is where Kenshin fought to the death for the destiny of Japan . . . (A figure appears, walking towards him out of the cave.) Yahiko (grabbing his shinai): One of Shishio's men survived? Sanosuke: Hm? Yahiko: Sanosuke?? Sanosuke: What're you doing here? (A little later. They sit in a clearing eating Yahiko's onigiri.) Sanosuke: You came all this way just to see this place? Yahiko: Yeah. Something wrong with that? I was stuck on the sidelines the whole time. Sanosuke: Don't be so hard on yourself. Defeating one of the Ten Swords is a pretty major thing. Yahiko: I never even got to see Shishio's face . . . (Kaoru and Megumi are eating shaved ice at a streetside cafe.) Kaoru: Um . . . before you say anything, I just want to thank you. Megumi: Thank me? Kaoru: For coming all the way to Kyoto to help Kenshin. You were the one who could have helped him best. And I hope you can look after him in the future as well. Megumi: You think you can settle this just by saying thank you? You don't understand anything. Haven't you thought at all about what could happen next time? Kaoru: Next time? Megumi: Everyone thinks Ken-san is this invincible hero, so he'll be fine no matter what. As a doctor, I know that his reflexes and nerves are second to none, but other than that he has an ordinary human body. The effects of the repeated injuries are taking their toll. It's not like this is his first fight. He's all right now, he got through it this time, but next time something like this happens, he could easily die. (Kenshin enters a cemetery, holding a pail of water and some chrysanthemums.) Kenshin: Ten years have passed . . . but here nothing has changed. Hiko (appearing behind him): So that's the grave. (The grave is a small one, with an unmarked stone headstone. Kenshin puts a hand to the scar on his cheek.) Kenshin: Yes . . . Back to Home To Volume Eighteen To the Next Chapter translations by maigo-chan last updated 7/21/99 Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eighteen--Do you Still Have the Scar? Part 150--Kyoto Epilogue 5--An Early Summer Afternoon (Kenshin splashes the marker with water, offers flowers and incense, and prays.) Hiko: Visiting the grave after so long . . . You've neglected her for ten years. What brings you here now? (Sanosuke and Yahiko are walking through the ruins of Shishio's hideout.) Yahiko: When I was fighting that Ten Swords bat guy, it was like I was in a dream. I didn't understand anything. After the fight, I thought about it a lot. (he holds up a fist) I won! I'm the best! (letting it drop) But, were we the ones who were right? I guess I'm still pretty inexperienced. So it's natural that I get left out . . . (Sanosuke kicks him.) Sanosuke: Quit your whining. Yahiko: That hurt!! Sanosuke: Shut up a minute. I didn't come here to listen to you complain. (They come to what's left of the bridge to the main battleground, which has collapsed.) Yahiko: This was the final battleground . . . (thinking) This must be where Saitou died! (Sanosuke stares down for a moment.) Sanosuke: I can't believe that bastard is dead. But there's no way he could have gotten out of here alive . . . So in the end he won and ran out on our fight . . . or, by his logic, I'm the one who's still alive, so I'm the winner. Whatever. It all disappeared in the explosion. Guess the only thing I can do is be better. Yahiko: Be better? You don't mean better than Saitou? Sanosuke (walking out): Not just in strength. In everything. Yahiko (watching him go, thinking) So that's it . . . Sanosuke didn't come here to see if Saitou was really dead. He came to settle the fight he lost with Saitou. This past month he never said a word about Saitou, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been bothering him. He's searching for the answer that will turn winning into growing stronger! (he runs to catch up with Sanosuke) Yahiko (thinking): That's it. I'll grow past this. If I'm still inexperienced, I'll get over this and move forward! Quit looking back and move forward! (aloud) Hey, don't just walk off by yourself! You trying to lose me? (thinking) If I can do that, I'll be a little closer to Kenshin and the others, to great men! (Kaoru and Megumi have finished their ices. Megumi gets up to go.) Megumi: I don't know what will happen next time. Ken-san isn't the kind of man who loves to fight, but if another situation like this one comes up, he'll get involved without thinking of his own condition. And then someday . . . So . . . Kaoru: So . . . ? Megumi (thinking): It's time to tell him about your own feelings. (aloud) So, if Ken-san is going to come back and live a normal life, you have to pull yourself together. No one's death is fixed, but someone who has a strong reason to live will survive better than someone who doesn't. Of course Ken-san is a swordsman born and bred, so it won't be easy for him to give it up. He's a kind man, so he fights for everyone even at the risk of his own life. But . . . if anyone can stop him from dying in battle, it's you. The only person in Tokyo he wanted to say goodbye to. I won't let you dwell in the past, like you did before, even if it's over him. That's all I wanted to say. You understand me? (She starts to walk away.) Kaoru: Thank you, Megumi . . . Megumi: Don't thank me. I didn't do this for you. I'm telling you this for Ken-san's sake. Kaoru: I know . . . (Megumi walks off as Kaoru's eyes fill with tears.) Kaoru (thinking): Thank you, Megumi. And . . . I'm sorry . . . (Kenshin and Hiko stand in the graveyard, watching as the incense burns.) Kenshin: It's the Meiji era now. Almost all of Japan has moved on. But there are a lot of people who know me in this city, so I avoided it, hoping to stay out of unnecessary quarrels. Hiko: Is that the only reason? Kenshin (after a pause): The person who sleeps here, whom I killed with my own hands during my days as Hitokiri Battousai--Kyoto brings back strong memories of her. So I tried to stay away, but . . . (he turns around with a faint smile) Finally . . . I resolved to offer flowers at her grave. (Hiko regards him for a moment, then turns to go.) Hiko: If you're done here, hurry up and go back to Tokyo. If you get into some unnecessary quarrel, I'm not helping you this time. (Kenshin looks again at the grave.) Kenshin: I'll come again next year. (Evening. Sanosuke and Yahiko are walking back to the Aoiya; Yahiko is staggering with exhaustion.) Sanosuke: Quit falling behind. You tired already? (seeing Kaoru and Megumi, also coming back) Hey, not every day you see you and the vixen together. Kenshin: Oro? What are you four doing here? Kaoru: Kenshin! Sanosuke: Not much. Where you been all day? Kenshin: Oro? (holding up the pail) As you can see, I went to visit a grave and-- Kaoru: Kenshin, you said oro just now-- Kenshin: Oro? Kaoru: There it is again! That was definitely an oro! (Everyone regards him with stunned silence.) Kenshin (quietly): Oro? Yahiko: You're right! He hasn't said it in a long time! Sanosuke: I haven't heard it in almost half a year. I was getting worried! Kenshin: Ororo . . . (Sanosuke and Yahiko start kicking him around to make him say "oro" again while Megumi giggles.) Kaoru (thinking): Somehow . . . finally . . . I finally feel like Kenshin's coming back to us. (That night at the Aoiya. Okina and Misao give them cold, hard glares.) Okina: After all we've done . . Misao: You're just going to take off for Tokyo? Kaoru: I'm so, so sorry. (I completely forgot.) Kenshin: Oro? Back to Home To Volume Eighteen To the Next Chapter translations by maigo-chan last updated 7/21/99 Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eighteen--Do you Still Have the Scar? Part 151--Kyoto Epilogue 5--In the Blue Sky (Everyone from the Aoiya is out to see Kenshin and the others off.) Kaoru: Thank you for everything you've done for us. Okina: Not at all. Take care. Misao (her eyes brimming with tears): Come back to Kyoto sometime. I know we'll have lots of fun then. Kaoru: Of course. And you'll have to come see us in Tokyo. Yahiko: Or don't. You're annoying. (Misao clasps Kaoru's hand as Kaoru bonks Yahiko with the other.) Misao: I'll come! I'll definitely come! Kenshin: Mr. Okina, I haven't seen Aoshi. Has he gone to the temple again today? Okina: Not quite. Lately he hasn't even been going to the temple, he just meditates all day. It seems as though he doesn't want anyone near him. Kenshin: I see. (They walk to Aoshi's room. Aoshi is sitting cross-legged in the middle of the floor, facing away from the door.) Kenshin: Aoshi, we're taking our leave now. If we ever get a chance, let's have a drink some time. Aoshi: I don't drink. Kenshin: I see . . . Aoshi (without turning around): But if it were for tea, it would be my pleasure. (As they walk out) Yahiko: But he never smiled once. Gloomy jerk. Kaoru (bonking him again): Don't talk like that! Kenshin: That's true. But it won't be me who succeeds in that. That's for Miss Misao to do. Misao: Right! You just leave that to me! Kenshin (as Kaoru and Yahiko duke it out behind them): Miss Misao, you've been of great help. Thank you. Okon: You all take care! Misao: And I'm coming to see you soon! Kaoru: You too! Misao, we'll be expecting you! (They walk off.) Omasu: They're nice people. Okina: Yes . . such warmth. A kind group. (Two figures are watching from an alleyway; one is smoking.) Chou: You sure about this, boss? You said you don't need to talk to them, but I bet they're kinda worried about you. Saitou: I only joined forces with Battousai temporarily to destroy the Shishio faction. Now that duty has been fulfilled. Chou: Zat so. Saitou: But we are both destined to battle. When the time comes, we'll meet again, in the midst of violence. We won't be united against a common enemy. Then, without hesitation, I will finish what I began in the Bakumatsu. Chou: Guess it's too bad for Battousai you survived. (Saitou smiles slightly and flicks away his cigarette before stepping off into the dark alley.) Saitou: Come. My next duty is already begun. (Kenshin and the others stop for a moment to look down upon Kyoto.) Kenshin: This is our last sight of it. Yahiko (pointing at a column of smoke): Look! A fire! Sanosuke: Stupid. That's just smoke from a charcoal burner or something. Kenshin: That way's . . . (It's smoke from Hiko's kiln; Hiko sits beside it, sake cup in hand.) Kaoru (to Kenshin): A lot's happened, but if you look back . . . (Kenshin gazes out into the distance, thinking of the events of the past three months.) Later . . . Yokohama port. Shinbashi station. The neighborhood of Asakusa. (Tae, Tsubame, and the doctor are waiting for them in front of the dojo.) Tae: You're back! Yahiko: Hey! Tae: You must be tired. There's dinner from the Akabeko inside. Sanosuke: Good Tokyo cooking! Kansai's all right, but for good sukiyaki it's gotta be Tokyo. (Everyone heads inside, but Kaoru notices Kenshin hesitating.) Kaoru: What's wrong? Kenshin: It's nothing . . . I didn't want to involve you in the dangers of the Battousai within me, but after three months of being a vagabond, I find myself here. It's a little strange for some reason, to be returning with you as if it were natural. Kaoru: Kenshin. (holding out her hand) Welcome back. (Kenshin looks startled for a moment, then smiles.) Kenshin: I'm home. Back to Home To Volume Eighteen To the Next Chapter translations by maigo-chan last updated 7/21/99 Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eighteen--Do you Still Have the Scar? Part 152--Do you Still Have the Scar? (A large steamship pulls into port.) Passenger: So we’ve finally arrived in Osaka. Passenger 2: Yes . . . It was a long voyage from Shanghai. (Enishi is standing at the railing, looking out. He is dressed in Chinese-style pants and jacket, wearing small sunglasses and carrying a wrapped sword. Overhearing their conversation, he smiles slightly.) Enishi: Long? . . Long indeed. It’s been ten years since I last saw Japan . . . (A hot summer morning. Kenshin and Yahiko are training outside the dojo.) Kenshin (blocking Yahiko’s stroke): Close. Try a little harder. Yahiko: I’m not done yet! (He whacks at Kenshin so furiously that he seems to leave the ground.) Sanosuke (sitting on the porch fanning himself): What do you think you’re doing in this heat. (looking up) First I’ve seen you train with Yahiko. You’re not passing on the school, are you? Kenshin: Oh, I’m not teaching him the Hiten Mitsurugi school. Yahiko: WHAT?? (kicking Kenshin in the head) That’s what I thought we were doing! Kenshin: (Oro!) Wait, wait, you’re growing strong under the Kamiya Kassin school, right? To that end, I thought I should do all that I can to help you. Was I wrong? Sanosuke: You lose, Yahiko. If you don’t like it, you’ll have to beat Kenshin with the Kamiya Kasshin school. Kaoru (coming out into the yard): Yahiko! Time for work, okay? Yahiko: Kay, be right there. Kenshin, we’re training again tomorrow! Kaoru (to Yahiko): I’m coming with you today. Yahiko: What? Why? Kaoru: I’m going to see Tae and Tsubame. So, Kenshin, we’ll be back this evening. Kenshin: All right. See you then. Sanosuke (getting up): Well, it’s time I got going too. Kenshin: Oro? But there’s some youkan cooling in the well. Sanosuke: Oh, sounds good. But today I have to get the hand checked out. The vixen will never shut up if I keep her waiting. (walking off) I’ll come by tomorrow, save some of that youkan for me. (Kenshin watches him go; Sanosuke suddenly turns back and seizes Kenshin by the front of the shirt) Kenshin: Oro? Sanosuke: What do you say? (I take my food seriously!) Kenshin: . . . Roger that. Sanosuke (slapping him on the back): All right then. Remember, I’m counting on you. Kenshin: I think I overestimated you a little. Sanosuke: See ya! Kenshin: I give up. (heading back into the house) Well then . . . Maybe I’ll do some laundry. (At the Oguni clinic; Megumi is changing the bandages on Sanosuke’s right hand.) Megumi: Ken-san’s acting strange? Sanosuke: Yeah, a little. He smiles all the time, but it feels like he’s drawn a line somewhere and he’s not gonna let himself step over it. Megumi: That’s true . . He’s a vagabond, so he could leave at any time. No more than he needs, right . . . Sanosuke: So even though he won’t say straight out that he’ll train Yahiko, he’s been practicing with him every day since we got back from Kyoto. I think the girl’s picking up on it too, but she’s not worrying herself to death about it like before. To be nice about it, they’re perfectly natural together. To be mean, you’d think he’d finally settled down--(catching himself) Sorry. You probably aren’t real happy to hear that. Megumi: It doesn’t matter. If Ken-san’s happy, that’s enough for me. Sanosuke: I don’t know if you’ve had a change of heart or what, but when you try to be all cool and say “Ken-san’s happy,” you just totally screw it up. Megumi: Maybe you’re right . . . (with fox ears) What a nice thing for you to say. Sanosuke: (What’s with those ears?) I’m always nice. Megumi: All right, that’s it for today. Come back in ten days. Sanosuke: What? You mean you’re not done yet?! Megumi: I’m treating you for free, so quit complaining! Your right hand was hurt worse than Ken-san was. (It’s not like this came out of nowhere! It’s the side effect of that Kiwami no whatever!) Sanosuke: Oh yeah, that reminds me. It’s been bothering me lately. That scar of Kenshin’s. If it’s such an old wound, why’s it still so clear? Megumi: Hm . . . I’m not really sure, but this is something Dr. Oguni told me a long time ago. It’s really just a superstition, but they say that if someone attaches strong feelings to a sword wound, as long as he carries those feelings, the scar will not fade. Kyoto-- (Enishi approaches a recently-visited grave.) Enishi (crushing the flowers beneath his feet): So it’s true that Battousai was in Kyoto. Iwanbou (standing to his side, grinning stupidly as always): Yes. He goes by Kenshin now, but it’s him. You just missed him, he’s returned to Tokyo. The other four have gone on separately without waiting for your arrival. They’ve finally caught the trail of the man they’ve searched for since the Bakumatsu. You can’t blame them for being impatient. Enishi: . . . I’ll ask you one thing. Does Battousai still have a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek? Iwanbou: Yes--I didn’t see him myself, but from talk in the Shishio faction, I can say that he does. Enishi: So it’s still there . . . Then my sister has not yet forgiven him. (turning abruptly.) Tokyo, you say. We must hurry, Mr. Gein. Iwanbou: Yes. (Iwanbou’s body tears apart, revealing a man inside dressed as a bunraku puppetmaster, with a skull mask. He laughs.) Back to home To Volume Eighteen To the Next Chapter translations by maigo-chan last update 23 september 1999 Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eighteen--Do you Still Have the Scar? Part 153--The One-Armed Man (Tsubame is walking along a path through a bamboo grove in the early morning. Small birds fly along her path.) Tsubame (to the birds): Good morning. You’re looking well. (One alights on her finger and she smiles.) (She notices Kenshin standing alone in the midst of the bamboo.) Tsubame (thinking): Mr. Kenshin . . . What’s he doing here so early? (Kenshin closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and gives a mighty battle-cry. Around him, bamboo splits with the force of his ki. Tsubame screams and falls.) Kenshin: Miss Tsubame. Tsubame (looking sheepish): Um. Good morning . . . (They set off together down the path.) Kenshin: You’re going to mow the fields? Tsubame: Yes. If you don’t take care of soy beans you won’t have a good harvest. Mr. Kenshin, were you practicing? Kenshin: You couldn’t really call it training. It’s just exercising strict control of my ki so my body doesn’t get rusty. But let’s not tell the others about this. Tsubame: But Mr. Kenshin, of course you train your body and mind. You don’t need to hide it-- Kenshin: No, but I don’t want to deliberately make it known. If I don’t do this from time to time, my heart’s condition worsens and my mood becomes dark. The sword, the fight--a swordsman is bound to these two things by bonds he cannot sever. But since I said “I’m home” when I returned, I haven’t wanted everyone to notice this . . . Tsubame: Oh. I’m not sure I really understand . . . Kenshin (patting her on the head): It’s a little complicated. (Sorry, sorry.) (They come to a fork in the road.) Kenshin: Well, I’m headed this way. Tsubame: Thanks for carrying the basket. Oh, everyone’s coming to the Akabeko at five today. After that we’re going to Asakusa, so don’t forget. It’s to celebrate your safe return . . . Didn’t they tell you? Kenshin: Oh, that. But are they serious? We drank all night the day we got back, and that’s pretty much all we did that last month in Kyoto . . . Tsubame: Mr. Sanosuke said we should. He says you can do fun stuff as much as you want. Kenshin: All Sanosuke wants is a free meal. I wish I could learn to think like that. Tsubame (thinking, as Kenshin walks on): The best swordsman in Japan, that Yahiko looks up to . . When Yahiko grows up, maybe he’ll be a swordsman like that . . . (At the Akabeko) Sanosuke: He’s LATE! It’s four-thirty already! Kaoru: He still has half an hour. Anyway, you’re always late. Sanosuke: Yeah, but no one expects me to be on time. Yahiko: He’s probably just taking it easy cause of the heat. Tsubame: Oh, it’s nothing like that. (Yahiko looks startled; Tsubame giggles.) Tae (to Kaoru): You didn’t come together? Kaoru: No, I came straight from lessons at the other dojo. Tae: You can’t keep doing this! And you said you were getting along so well. Kenjutsu’s important, but it’s just not right for a girl your age. How long are you going to go around covered in sweat? If you think just because you’re living together you can be careless, you’re making a big mistake. Kaoru, if you’d just look after yourself a little, wear a little makeup-- Kaoru: That’s enough! I’m fine! Maybe you should be worrying about yourself! You’re turning 2** this year! (Tae turns to stone.) Tsubame: Kaoru, you can’t say that! (The door opens.) Sanosuke: Hey, you made it. Kaoru: Ken-- (A very large, well-muscled man, Kujiranami, stands at the doorway. Bandages are wound around the stump where his left hand should be.) Tae: Welcome, sir! What can I do for you? Yahiko: What a businesswoman! Kujiranami: The cheapest meal you have . . . Tae: Right away. (She brings out the meal.) Yahiko: Hm? That’s salmon. Isn’t the cheapest meal barley? Tae: It’s okay, I’ll charge him for the barley. Sanosuke: That’s enough. If you’re just feeling sorry for him cause of how he is you can stop that right now. Shallow sympathy like that just looks like scorn or pity. Especially to a rough guy like him-- Tae: That’s not it! He probably fought in the Boshin or the Southwest war. It’s thanks to people like him that we live in peace. The least I can do is show my thanks-- Sanosuke: Sympathy or pity? He’ll let you know. Tae (to Kujiranami): Here you are, sir. Kujiranami: . . . I asked you for the cheapest meal. Tae: Well, that’s . . . Kujiranami: Thank you, miss. Tsubame: Oh, I’m so glad. (Tae (grinning): Love and peace, yay!) Yahiko: I think she’s just happy he called her miss. Kaoru (knuckling Sanosuke): See, people can tell what you really feel. But I guess after what we’ve been through it’s hard not to doubt people. Sanosuke: Guess so. (Outside) Old Lady: Thank you very much. I know my way from here. Kenshin: The streets downtown are tricky. Be careful. Old Lady: I will. Kenshin: Well then . . . I’m a little late, but I think I’ll make it. Kujiranami (getting up): That was delicious. Tae: Oh, are you leaving? I was just getting you your tea. Kujiranami: The sign outside says you close today at five. I don’t want to get in your way. (As he leaves, Kenshin comes in, so that for a moment they face each other. Kenshin looks startled, but Kujiranami just walks on.) Kenshin (thinking): There’s no mistaking him . . . That’s the man I-- Kaoru: What’s wrong, Kenshin? (flashback to the Bakumatsu. Kenshin and Kujiranami are fighting in the streets. Kenshin takes off Kujiranami’s left hand with a massive upward stroke.) Kenshin (thinking): He didn’t realize I was Hitokiri Battousai . . . (Later that night) Mt. Ueno--A large hill standing on the northeastern side of Tokyo, where the Battle of Ueno in the third stage of the Boshin War was fought. Even in the modern age, the people of downtown Tokyo are very fond of it as one of the famous sights of Tokyo, with Kanei Temple at its peak and Shinobazu Lake at its base. (Kujiranami climbs the hill to find Enishi waiting for him at its peak.) Enishi: How was the Akabeko, Mr. Kujiranami? Back to Home To Volume Eighteen To the Next Chapter translations by maigo-chan last updated 23 september 1999 Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eighteen--Do you Still have the Scar? Part 154--Revenge’s Signal Flare Enishi: I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Kujiranami. Kujiranami: Who are you? Why do you know my name? (Enishi only smiles.) Kujiranami: If you don’t have anything to say, get out of here. I’m waiting for someone. Enishi: If you mean Mr. Gein, he’s looking for a place with rooms for six people. It’s our first meeting, so I wanted a really first-class hotel. Kujiranami: Then you’re the one Gein was hinting about, the sixth, the one coming from Shanghai. Enishi: Not the sixth. Strictly speaking, you’d have to call me the first. I couldn’t leave Shanghai because of my work, so Mr. Gein’s been handling things on my behalf, but I’m the one behind it all. I’ve covered all the expenses. But there won’t be any leaders or underlings among us. We’re all comrades, working for the same goal. (A pause.) Enishi: How was the Akabeko? According to Mr. Gein, Hitokiri Battousai has relations with the shop. Kujiranami: . . . It’s a good place. It’s been a while since I’ve eaten a meal in peace, like a human being. Enishi: . . . So, you wish to bow out? (Flashback. Battousai slices off Kujiranami’s hand. He kneels, clutching his bleeding wrist.) Kujiranami: Give me the final blow. The Ishin Shishi have won at Tobafushimi; it’s all over. The coming age will be like this battle--an age of guns, without skill or soul . . . I have been a warrior all of my life! I have no wish to see this age! At least let me die here, by the hand of the one they call the strongest. Finish me. (Battousai turns away.) Battousai: I’m sorry. I don’t want to kill anymore than I have to. Live, in the new age . . . Kujiranami: Wait, Battousai! It’s not enough that the Ishin Shishi have stolen my honor? You would even steal a warrior’s death? Battousai!! (in the present) Kujiranami: No! (Enishi smiles again.) Enishi: The wind’s picking up. Please be very careful not to miss. Kujiranami: A stupid request. (He pulls the bandages off his right wrist, revealing a cap and peg stitched to the flesh. He picks up a cannon barrel and sets it on his arm.) Kujiranami: The weapon is a part of me--Kujiranami Hyougo will not miss! Enishi: Then I ask this of you, Mr. Kujiranami. With your new right arm, set off the signal flare of our revenge. (Kujiranami bares his teeth in a grin.) (Kenshin and others are walking home.) Kaoru: Look! Fireflies! Tae: How elegant . . . Why don’t we stop here for a while? Sanosuke (who is carrying Yahiko piggyback): Yeah, so I can put this drunkard down. Kaoru: That’s not elegant . . Yahiko: Wha’ the hell you talkin bout. Whose drunk, rooster head? Sanosuke: Oh, okay, okay. In that case you’re getting down. Tae: Kaoru, come over here! (Kaoru joins Tae and Tsubame playing with the fireflies.) Sanosuke (to Kenshin): Kay, so what’s up. I know you’re hiding something. It’s normal for you to suddenly go all dark on me, but today you’ve been unbelievable. Kenshin: That’s a little rude. Yahiko: Yeah, yeah! You get any darker, you’ll turn into Aoshi! Kenshin: That’s rude to Aoshi. (If Miss Misao were here she’d hit you.) Sanosuke: I don’t care what you keep from the girls, but if you’re trying to hide something from me--if you still see me as a weak point--I’m gonna find out what it is even if I have to beat it out of you. Kenshin: You’re right . . . I’m sorry. It’s something I should have told you. (He explains.) Sanosuke: So that whale-mouth’s arm is your work. But he didn’t notice you, right? Then aren’t you letting it get to you too much? I mean, I know this stuff has been weighing on your mind for a long time, but still. Kenshin: But-- Sanosuke: No buts. It’s about time you got used to peace. Look over there. (Kaoru, Tae and Tsubame are laughing among the fireflies.) Sanosuke: You see the shadow of war in any of that? (Kujiranami fires.) Kaoru: What was that? Tae: Fireworks? Kenshin: No . . . I remember that sound. (thinking) That distinctive thunderous peal . . . That’s one of the three great weapons of the Bakumatsu. Kujiranami: A hit. Enishi: Well done. Kenshin (thinking): An Armstrong cannon! Back to Home To Volume Eighteen To the Next Chapter translations by maigo-chan last updated 23 september 1999 Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eighteen--Do you Still have the Scar? Part 155--Human Justice (Kenshin and the others are walking home. A man on a ladder is ringing a bell.) Kaoru: The fire bell . . . It must have something to do with that sound. Tae: Kenshin, you said it was an Armstrong cannon? Shouldn’t you . . . Tsubame: I . . . I think so too. Kenshin: I may just be imagining things. We can check it out tomorrow. It’s getting late. Kaoru: You’re right. It won’t do any good to worry about it now. Sanosuke and Yahiko: All right! Then we can go back to the Akabeko for another round. Kaoru: You still want to drink? (I’ve had about of these guys.) Police: Out of the way, out of the way! (A company of police officers charge through the streets.) Kaoru: The police. Chief: Mr. Himura! Sanosuke: Hey, long time no see, mustache-glasses. (Kaoru elbows him.) Kenshin: Chief, what is it? Chief: Didn’t you hear it? That was a cannon shot! Someone fired on the city from Mt. Ueno! A restaurant called the Akabeko took a direct hit! We’re mobilizing the entire force to surround the mountain. There could be more shots, so be careful! (He runs on.) Kenshin: I’m going to Mt. Ueno! Everyone head back to the Akabeko! Sanosuke: Wait, I’m coming too! Yahiko: Me too! Kaoru: Yahiko, you stay here! Hey, Yahiko! (But they’re gone.) Tae: Kaoru. Kaoru: Too late. We’d better hurry back to the Akabeko. (The restaurant is completely destroyed, a heap of broken boards.) Tsubame: This is terrible . . . How could anyone . . . Kaoru: Tae. Tae: My God . . . Tae’s Father: Tae! Tae: Dad! Tae’s Father: Thank God you’re safe. Come here. Tae: What happened? Tae’s Father: I don’t know. Luckily no one was hurt, and nothing caught on fire. Police Officer: Is this your daughter? I’ll ask to be sure. Do you know of anyone that would want to hurt you or your store? Tae: I don’t know . . . I don’t remember anything that would offend anybody. Officer: I thought so. The Akabeko customers are merchants too. It was a popular place. No one would bear you any ill-will. (Yahiko is running, but sweating hard and losing ground.) Yahiko (thinking): They’re too fast . . . Kenshin--well at least Sanosuke was drinking a lot too-- (He stops suddenly and is sick into a canal. Kenshin and Sanosuke disappear into the distance.) (At Mt. Ueno. Police scour the peak around a giant fallen tree.) Sanosuke: The sacred tree’s been knocked over, but you can’t see where they put the cannon pedestal. Kenshin: No, look here. This deep footprint . . . Probably he was carrying the gun when it was fired, and set it against the tree to take the recoil. Sanosuke: You think it was that whale-mouth? He’s bigger than Anji, but he’s only got one arm. And even if that is how he fired it, there’s no way he could accurately target the Akabeko from this distance. Kenshin: Still, it can’t be just a coincidence that this man appeared at the Akabeko the same night it was destroyed. Chief: Mr. Himura! The culprit left a note! (The note contains only two characters, the word “jinchuu.”) Kenshin: Jinchuu . . . Chief: I don’t know what it means. Sanosuke: Didn’t they mean to write tenchuu? Kenshin: No . . . Tenchuu means “the judgment of Heaven.” It was a word frequently used among the Ishin Shishi. It expressed out intention of meting out the justice of Heaven with our own hands. Chief: So, by Jinchuu, he means-- Kenshin: “Even if Heaven spares you, we will bring you to judgment.” An expression of a totally opposite kind of justice . . . Chief: There are still a lot of samurai with grievances against the new government . . . Well, this isn't getting us anywhere. I’ll see you later. (He leaves.) Sanosuke: . . . So it was him. Kenshin: No . . . He wasn’t working alone. A single individual couldn’t get his hands on an Armstrong cannon. I don't have any proof of this. But they are avengers come to bring justice by their own hands to I, who have killed many but received no punishment from Heaven. Sanosuke: Kenshin . . . Kenshin: It’s all right. (thinking) I am prepared to accept my past and my sins. (In a mansion in Yokohama.) Enishi: So you rented a summer house. I had thought we’d be in a hotel. Gein: Something wrong? Enishi: No, this is excellent. I’ve come to like Yokohama. Much better than being in the same city as Battousai . . . Kujiranami: Wherever we are, why don’t you tell me your name. Enishi: No need to rush. We’ll make our introductions when we’re all here. Ah, there they are. The fourth and fifth of our comrades . . . Back to Home To Volume Eighteen To the Next Chapter translations by maigo-chan last update 23 september 1999 Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eighteen--Do you Still have the Scar? Part 156--Comrades Enishi: Inui Banshin. Otowa Hyouko. You’ve made a long journey. Welcome. This makes five of us. There’s one more left. Inui: We can’t trust some guy that can’t even show up on time. Five’s enough. Gein: We only said we would meet tonight, we never agreed on a time. Enishi: Careless, wasn’t it. Kujiranami: This is foolish. We won't get anything done like this. Yatsume: I’m already here. (Everyone looks up--there is no one else in the room.) Enishi: Hiding in the ceiling? Clever trick. Yatsume: Yatsume Mumyouni. I’m pleased to meet you. Inui: Whadduya mean, pleased to meet you. Come on out of there! Gein: That’s right, you could at least show us your face. (Inui gives him a dark look.) Gein: What? Yatsume: I don’t wish to show myself before others. Enishi: Well, that’s fine. In any case, we who all have reason to hate Himura Battousai are gathered here for revenge. We are the Six Comrades. (a dramatic pause.) Otowa: The Six Comrades? It’s not a very striking name. Inui: Okay! Inui and his Followers! Gein: Gein and his Merrie Men. Kujiranami: I’m not merrie. Yatsume: From the ceiling with love. Enishi: Oh, you’re a poet. But it hardly matters what we call ourselves. We six are comrades now. Soon we’ll be united against a single enemy. Battousai is now living in Tokyo under the name of Kenshin. As long as Battousai believes that Kenshin is his true self, no matter how brutally we kill him, our revenge will be meaningless. Revenge begins when your opponent knows you will have retribution. We are gathered here to run him down and make him face the sins of his past. If we can do this, we six will separate, and the task of revenge will fall to the swiftest. For do we not all wish to deliver the final blow with our own hands? Kujiranami: I see . . . Inui: So the strongest gets to give him the final blow! Otowa: I have no objections, but . . What is our plan? Enishi: I’ve given that some thought. I don’t mean to stand in front while you do all the work. We will all fulfill our responsibilities, Mr. Otowa. Otowa: I said I had no objections. Enishi: I am sorry. Let me explain. First-- (Later. Everyone but Enishi and Gein have left.) Gein: Perfect. You call them comrades, but you can do anything you want with these four. Telling them they could give the final blow themselves worked like a charm. The thought of killing Battousai is irresistible bait. Enishi: I want to thank you for your cooperation. Gein: It’s nothing. I’m like you . . . I don’t want to take revenge by killing Battousai. Enishi: Yes. In the end death is only an instant of pain. That will not fulfill my sister’s last wish or dispel my hatred. I will plunge Himura Battousai into the living hell that we went through. This will be Yukishiro Enishi’s true revenge! (At the Kamiya dojo. Kenshin and Sanosuke are drinking tea and looking at a map of the town.) Kenshin: Finally, the police concluded that the attack wasn’t aimed at the Akabeko, but was a test or misfiring of an illicitly manufactured gun by dissatisfied samurai. Sanosuke: That’s so weak! You can’t count on those guys for anything. Kenshin: It’s not their fault. They don’t know the circumstances. Sanosuke: What about those circumstances? You gonna tell the girl? Kenshin: No . . . I don’t think so. I caused everyone a lot of worry with the problem in Kyoto. I don’t want to cause any more unnecessarily. My opponents have turned their hearts to revenge. On this point they will probably command more force than the Ten Swords. We should avoid another dangerous situation like the defense of the Aoiya. It’s best to keep Miss Kaoru and the others out of any fighting . . . Sanosuke: Yeah . . . Well then there’s not much else to say. In this town the only places you hang out much are here, the Oguni clinic, and the Akabeko. If we each take one place, we’re covered. Finally your being antisocial comes in handy. Kenshin (giving him a dirty look): I can’t deny it, but you don’t have to say it like that. Sanosuke: The one thing I’m worried about is Tae and the little girl. They might still be targets. Kenshin: It’s all right. The Sekihara family wants to keep this quiet, so they’re not relying solely on the police. They’ve hired a private group to guard them. As for Miss Tsubame--sh! Hide the map! Kaoru: Kenshin, I’m coming in. (Kenshin and Sanosuke are innocently drinking tea.) Kaoru: Well? Hide what map? Kenshin: Oh, what were we doing? Nothing. Maps? It’s fun to look at maps, isn’t it? (Kaoru gives him a skeptical look.) Sanosuke: He’s kidding. We were just trying to figure out which spots to hit in the red light district tonight. Kenshin: Oro! (Kaoru gives him the same skeptical look, but she’s blushing.) Kaoru: Well, whatever. Just don’t talk like that in front of Yahiko and Tsubame. I’m trying to raise those kids right. Kenshin (under his breath): Sano . . . Sanosuke: What? If you want a woman to stop asking questions, this always works. (We aren’t all good boys like you!) Kaoru: Oh, that’s right, about Tsubame. She works all day, and you thought we should let her get some rest. So she’s going to be staying here for a while. She’s coming over this evening. Kenshin: That sets my mind at ease a little. Kaoru (suspicious again): Sets your mind at ease? (Sanosuke whacks him.) Kenshin: Oro! Sanosuke: Well, I’m going to Megumi’s, to, you know, get my hand checked out Kenshin: Well, be careful. (Kaoru is changing for practice.) Kaoru (thinking): Something’s wrong. He’s definitely hiding something. He probably doesn’t want me to worry, but . . . (aloud) Ah, I’ve had enough of this! I’m gonna go work Yahiko till he drops. (entering the dojo) Yahiko! Time for practice! You ready? (Yahiko is kneeling solemnly before her.) Kaoru: Huh? What’s up with you today? Waiting for me kneeling, this is new. (You even put on a headband.) Yahiko: Kaoru--I mean, Master! Begin handing down the succession techniques of the Kamiya Kasshin school to me today! Back to Home To Volume Eighteen To the Next Chapter translations by maigo-chan last updated 23 september 1999 Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eighteen--Do You Still Have the Scar? Part 157--Yahiko's Impatience Kaoru: The Kamiya Kasshin school . . . succession techniques? Yahiko: Please! I ask you as a man! (Kaoru punches him.) Kaoru: Who's a man? Honestly! Yahiko: It's a figure of speech! Don't pick at details like that! Just hurry up and tell me! The techniques, the techniques! C'mon! Kaoru: Is that any way to ask? Yahiko (turning into a puppet): Please teach me the techniques, o great adjutant master. Kaoru: . . . Well, that's a little better. Yahiko: So you'll teach me! Kaoru: No way. Those are two totally different things. (Yahiko goes into full pissed-off battle mode.) Yahiko: What is this! I act all humble and bow my head to you--what else does it take?! Kaoru (responding in kind): It takes a lot more than that! There are still a lot of things you have to learn before I can teach you the techniques! (Outside) Kenshin: It sounds like something's going on inside the dojo. Kaoru: Like courtesy and restraint! Not to mention self-control! Yahiko (after thinking about this for a minute.): You hag. Kaoru (bashing at him with her shinai): You can't just shout stuff out of nowhere! Yahiko (bashing back): You're such a hypocrite! Where's your self-control, you third-rate adjutant master! Kenshin (opening the door): Is something wrong? I heard the noise . . . Kaoru & Yahiko: Kenshin, you stay out of this! (The door slams shut as Kenshin goes sailing out backwards.) Kenshin (upside down): Oro? (The sun is starting to go down. Tsubame stands at the gate.) Tsubame: Excuse me. (Kenshin peeks out, then lets her in.) Kenshin: Oh, Miss Tsubame. Tsubame: Good evening. Kenshin: Miss Kaoru said you'd be coming. Come in. (The dojo is being rocked from the inside; shouts resound.) Tsubame: They must be working hard. Is it some kind of training? Kenshin: No, Miss Kaoru and Yahiko have been at it for half the day. Tsubame: Half the . . . shouldn't you stop them? Kenshin: It's better that they be too energetic than otherwise. Let them vent some steam. Tsubame: But what if they get hurt? Kenshin: They'll be all right. They'll get hungry soon, and it'll end on its own. (Kaoru slumps down, covered in sweat.) Kaoru: I'm tired! I've had enough. This is stupid and I'm hungry. Let's quit. Yahiko: No! I'm not giving up till you teach me the techniques! Kaoru: WHAT? I can't believe you . . . Why'd you suddenly get this into your head anyway? Did something happen? (Yahiko remembers feeling useless on the night of the cannon blast.) Yahiko: I just want to be stronger. I'll do whatever it takes to make that day come sooner. Kaoru: . . . To tell the truth, Yahiko, you're a lot stronger than you think. Your fights with Nagaoka Mikio and Henya were clear victories. You held your ground before that giant Fuji without flinching. Hardly the accomplishments of a ten-year-old. When Kenshin was ten, he had just started training. Sanosuke had started fighting after the breakup of the Sekihoutai. Neither of them had probably fought a serious battle. You could very well be the strongest ten-year-old in Japan. But you're still only ten, and to become any stronger would be dangerous. As long as you'd do anything, blindly pursuing strength, I couldn't teach you the Kamiya Kasshin school and you couldn't learn it. (She turns to go.) Kaoru: Well, I'm done talking. I'm so hungry! (After she's gone, Yahiko grits his teeth and punches the floor in frustration.) Tsubame (watching from the opposite door and thinking): Yahiko . . . (Outside, it's getting darker.) Kenshin (one hand on his sword): The sun is setting . . . (thinking) This is the most dangerous time. Tokyo, Shinbashi Station. (Otowa and Inui are standing in front of the station, attracting the stares of passersby.) Inui: Yokohama to Tokyo in 54 minutes! Yeah civilization and enlightenment! Otowa: What seems far-off is in truth close by. This Gein is a shrewd man. Inui: All right, let's go make some noise! Otowa: Do you know where you're going? Inui (smacking his forehead): Oh yeah. Stupid me. Otowa: I'll try to remember you're all strong arms and weak head. (looking at a map) You go here. I'm over here. We'll split up here. A simultaneous two-pronged attack! Back to Home To Volume Eighteen To the Next Chapter translations by maigo-chan last updated 27 dec 1999 Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations Volume Eighteen--Do you Still Have the Scar? Part 158--The Twin Storms Rage! Eleven o'clock that night-- (All is quiet in the Kamiya household except for the tick of a clock. Kaoru and Yahiko sleep; Kenshin seems to doze sitting up in the dojo.) (A figure appears at the gate; Kenshin is instantly alert.) Kenshin (thinking): They're here! (Kaoru and Yahiko join Kenshin rushing out to the gate.) Yahiko: Kenshin! Kaoru: What was that noise? Kenshin: Sh. (to the man on the other side of the gate.) Stop right there. Back away slowly. Voice: Please . . . open the gate . . . If you don't, the Maekawa dojo will be . . . (It's a man from the dojo. Beaten and bloody, he slumps against the fence.) Yahiko: What happened? Someone challenged the dojo? Man: No . . . this man . . . meant to kill from the start. I ran . . . the police can't help . . . If this goes on, he'll kill them all . . . Kaoru: Kenshin-- Yahiko: I'm coming too-- Kenshin: Stay here! (He says it so fiercely that Yahiko is shocked into silence.) Kenshin: I'll be back by morning! Bar the door and keep watch! Kaoru: All right. (thinking) First the Akabeko, now the Maekawa dojo . . . This is no coincidence. Someone is going after us! (Fists clenched, Yahiko watches Kenshin disappear into the night.) Kenshin (thinking): The Maekawa dojo! I was only there once, that time with Raijuuta when Miss Kaoru and Yahiko were training. If they struck there, they've been checking up on me more thoroughly than I thought . . . Sanosuke: Hey, Kenshin! (He sees Sanosuke rounding a corner with some policemen.) Kenshin: You were keeping watch on the Oguni clinic! Sanosuke: There's no time for that. Injured started coming in from the Maekawa dojo. Officer: Are you Mr. Himura? We've heard about you from Chief Uramura. Officer 2: Thank God you're here. Without the chief we're on our own here. We need your help! Kenshin: He isn't here? Why? Officer: There was an emergency at his own home. (At Chief Uramura's house, his wife and daughter are crouched next to a beaten-up police officer.) Wife: Dear! Daughter: Father! (His saber abandoned, Uramura has his gun trained on Otowa.) Uramura: Stay back! Don't move! Put down your weapon! If you don't I will shoot you here and now! Otowa (raising a hand): You fool. Do you think I kill with a weapon you can see? OM! (He opens his hand, revealing an om tattoo. Uramura hestitates.) Kenshin: I'm going to the chief's house! Sano, take care of the dojo! (thinking, as he runs) I underestimated them . . . This is no mere grudge. This is revenge so crazed, they'll strike at any place with the remotest of connections to me. If this keeps up all of Tokyo will be consumed by the storm. Chief . . . let me be in time! (The chief's gun explodes; pieces of shrapnel strike him.) Uramura (thinking): That's crazy . . how on earth . . . Otowa: Just as I thought . . . This feeling is-- Inui: --Ecstasy! (Inui stands in the middle of the dojo, surrounded by felled students. His wristguards are dripping blood. A ring of policemen stand around him, keeping their distance.) (Maekawa is on his back, gasping for breath. Inui stomps on his chest.) Inui (to the police); What's the matter, can't you fight? I can still take you on! You aren't gonna catch me just by standing there! Ha--ha! Sanosuke (pulling the door open): Sounds great! Inui: What? Sanosuke: You're fighting me now, you speckled bastard! Do you Still Have the Scar?--End Back to Home To Volume Eighteen To Volume Nineteen translations by maigo-chan last updated 27 dec 1999