Rurouni Kenshin Chapter 249: "The New Step"
From Shounen Jump 36
Translated by Reiko (wl0423@aol.com)

Notes:
(signifies thoughts)
nee-san = older sister
ougi = secret [technique]

Pg. 1
Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki vs. Kofuku Zettousei

Pg.2
Everyone: ..................

Misao: But, wasn't the Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki defeated 
by the Kofuku-whatever before...?

Aoshi: Maybe so... Last time, it was after the Amakakeru 
Ryuu no Hirameki had been seen once [by Enishi] that they 
faced each other.  I heard the Kofuku Zettousei was seen 
for the first time, but now we already know that they're 
even.

Pg. 3
Saitou: More than the circumstances, the difference in 
their footing is the important point.  On this sandy 
beach, how will going into the Amakakeru Ryuu no 
Hirameki's pivot of the left foot have any sufficient 
merit?

Sanosuke: Alright already, just shut up and watch.  The 
dice are already rolling.  The time for going this and 
that about their moves is long past.

Yahiko: What kind of sight will this turn out?  All we 
can do now is believe in him and watch...

Kaoru closes her eyes and holds a hand to her heart.

Kaoru: (Kenshin----... KENSHIN!!)

Pgs. 4-5
Top text: The remaining technique is the ougi!  
Gambling the past, future, everything, the dragon 
and the tiger clash!!

Enishi and Kenshin stare each other down under the sun.

Pg. 6
Enishi & Kenshin: ----........

Enishi thinks of Tomoe, who is still not smiling.

Pg. 7
Enishi: Battousai.

Kenshin: !

Enishi: A while ago you said my sister smiled at you 
but... How about now?  Is she smiling........?

Kenshin closes his eyes.

Kenshin: No... I can't see whether she's smiling or 
not anymore...

Enishi: What?

Kenshin: That one time was the last... Since then 
I haven't even seen her shadow...... Or heard her 
voice... But that's alright... Even once is enough...

Pg. 8
Kenshin: With only that, to seek the smiles of the 
most important person to me now, my friends, and the 
people reflected within these eyes, I'll go forward 
into a new step that's stronger in force than before.

Pg. 9
Enishi: Your jokes don't matter to me.  If nee-san 
isn't smiling, then her smile doesn't belong to anyone.  
I'll bring down the punishment of death on you and 
take it back once more!!

Kyoukeimyaku Wattoujutsu!

Enishi: LET'S GO!!!

Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu!

Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki!!

Pgs. 10-11
Kenshin's foot strikes the sand with amazing force.  
Everyone is shocked.  Saitou's cigarette falls from 
his mouth.

Everyone: !

Kenshin's initial strike goes over Enishi's head as 
in their first fight, but...

Pg. 12
Enishi: !?

Enishi's left arm is suddenly pulled up by the force 
of the resulting wind and breaks at the shoulder.

Enishi: GUA.. (It's different!  It's completely 
different than before!!)

Pg. 13
Kenshin begins to turn for the second strike.

Kaoru watches with wide eyes.

Kaoru: (Aa... I see...)

Pg. 14
Kaoru: (Last time, Kenshin fought without having 
found the answer and while in a state of being 
lost... So even with the ougi he couldn't win.  
But now it's different.  The answer's been found... 
And he's not lost anymore either... So he has 
strongly, strongly advanced the pivot of the left 
foot's step.  This is different from before---- 
It's Kenshin's new step!)

Enishi is shocked at this turn of events.

Enishi: (NEE-SAN!!  Help me, nee-san!  Lend your 
power, nee-san!  If you're smiling I won't lose 
to anyone!  No matter how much it takes I'll 
become strong!  So smile... Please smile, nee-san!!)

Pg. 15
Tomoe's solemn expression doesn't change.

Tears well in Enishi's eyes and he lets go of 
his sword.

Pgs. 16-17
Kenshin's final slash cuts through Enishi's 
sword.

Pg. 18
It shatters in half.  Everyone watches this with 
varying expressions.  Enishi's glasses, with the 
right lens cracked, drops to the sand.

Side text: With the wind of the dragon, the tiger 
has finally...!!

End Chapter 249

Bottom text: Enishi, defeated?  Or else... 
--> Number 37/38 Combination Issue "Prayer"