Ruroni Kenshin Chapter #184 "Confession (Conclusion)" Author: Nobuhiro Watsuki Publisher: Shueisha Pg 2. Kenshin: I see. So Tsubame told you where I was. Sorry for causing you useless worry. Pg 3. Kaoru: I should be the one apologizing. It looks like I interrupted you. Kenshin: There's nothing to be sorry about. I was just thinking about going home anyway. Kaoru: Say, Ken- Pg 4. Kenshin: I wonder where the students over there come from. Kaoru: Huh? (turns her head) Oh. (On the other side of the river, three kids sit eating soba) Kaoru: Oh, judging by their dogi, they're from Shibata Ryu training hall. I teach lessons there four to five times a year. Kenshin: They sure look cheerful. Kaoru: (upset) But they're eating between meals. Pg 5. Kaoru: (yells at the kids) Hey, no eating between meals while returning from the dojo-!! Kids: Huh, it's Kaoru san. (call out) He-y Kaoru sa-n, when are you gonna come for the next kendo lesson-? All the senpai are dying to see you~ Kaoru: Oh gawd! Kenshin: You're popular aren't you. Kids: Hey, it's that neighborhood swordsman! That sword! Red hair with a cross scar- It's gotta be him! Kenshin Himura of Kamiya dojo!! Wow, it's my first time seeing him!! He's so small! Kenshin: oro? Kaoru: (smiles) Now who's popular? You didn't know? You're a pretty popular person. Kenshin: Me? Kaoru: It's common for kids to admire a strong person right? Pg 6. Kenshin: Really...? Kaoru: Yep! In the past you said, "The sword is a lethal weapon. Kenjutsu is the art of killing. However, I prefer the belief of protecting people with the sword than such reality." right? Lately when I see Yahiko and those kids, I think since they will be taught the "art" of kenjutsu while their future changes by defining the "way", won't this era last? Now there'll be more peace... the belief will become a reality... Pg 7. Kaoru: And we'll all eventually be together... Kenshin: Right, but that's not possible. Kaoru: Huh... Kenshin: The times have changed. So has kenjutsu. Only people do not change. It does not happen. Pg 8. Kenshin: Having learned kenjutsu for about half a year, Yahiko is in a tremendous rush to grow up. One day he'll become a famous swordsman and move out of the dojo to make his own living in the Meiji era. Sanosuke may be casually living with us now but Tokyo cannot contain him. Before long, he'll be out in a much larger world for sure. Same thing with Megumi dono. One day she'll go back to Aizu in search of her family. And with her advanced medical abilities, she'll serve many of those who are wounded and sick. The same thing goes with everyone else... they each have their own road to follow. Each of us have our own lives to live. Pg 9. Kenshin: It's a journey, not seperation... It's a beginning, not an end... It'll be a little lonely but that's the way things are... Kaoru: But-... Pg 10. Kaoru: (blushes deeply) I want to be with you forever. (Kenshin freezes in his tracks astonished at her words. He turns around to face her) Pg 11. (Kaoru's heart beats heavily as they stare at each other silently) Kenshin: ... I Pg 12. Kaoru: (laughs to break tension) S- sorry! It's nothing! Forget it!! (starts to walk past him blabbering) We gotta get pumped up full strength for the fight tomorrow right? Come on. Let's hurry home. Everybody must be worried by now... (Kenshin puts his arm around Kaoru's shoulder) Kenshin: ... do you remember? When we came back to the dojo from the Kyoto fight I said, "I'm home" ... Pg 13. Kenshin: That was the first time I said those words as a wanderer... Kaoru: ... really... Kenshin: Yes... that's right... Pg 14. (At a soba stand in Tokyo, Hajime Saito eats) Cho: Found ya! Pg 15. Cho: It's such a hassle when you don't decide on exactly which soba stand we gonna meet at for contact! This past week I bustled about from soba stand to soba stand here in Tokyo. To make matters worse, the stands disapprove of it, seriously! Hajime: Who the hell are you? Cho: (pissed) I'm Cho of the Juppon Gatana!! I volunteered to be a spy myself and what do I get!? Hajime: If you say so, then I know you. Pg 16. Cho: Sheesh, it's really irritating. Let's get going soon! Hajime: Sir, I'm leaving my payment on the table. Owner: Okay, thank you. Cho: If we find criminals, don't kill them. Hajime: Of course, killing is my whole job. Give me the dirt first before you start blabbering. We got to find the underground weapon organization that sold Shishio the ironclad ship "Rengoku" which is the most important fact left behind from the Shishio incident! Cho: After much trouble, I managed to find them. (shows Hajime photos of the Yokohama villa) This is their hideout base in Japan. For some reason, Oyadama is acting out on a personal matter. Boy, is he overdoing it or what. Hajime: Personal matter? Pg 17. Cho: I don't have the full details but it seems like that guy's messin' around with Battosai. Hajime: ... so it looks like I must hurry and meet Battosai once more. Cho: So which one are you gonna go after? Oyadama? or Battosai? Hajime: (smirks) Oh yeah... Narrator: The short time comes to an end- Pg 18-19. Narrator: The day of the fight will finally come!!! -End of Ruroni Kenshin Chapter #184- translation: Jenny