Rurouni Kenshin Chapter 254 "Years" From Shounen Jump 42 Translated by Reiko (wl0423@aol.com) Notes -san, -kun = respectful suffixes shochou = chief shirahadori = stopping another's sword with your hands ( ) = extra text Narrations are by Yahiko. Pg. 1 Narration: The unexpected search for Sanosuke and his abrupt escape. We heard the suspect's detailed report during that day from Uramura. This time I knew about Saitou's change for the first time, but now's not the time to think about that. Side text: Search for a named suspect for the deed that helped a family and a village! The whereabouts unknown Sanosuke is facing... Pg. 2 Narration: From there we didn't even get a bit of news. A week went by. Yahiko, Kaoru, and Kenshin are gathered in the doujou's backyard. Yahiko: Anyway, if Sanosuke doesn't get out here, no matter how we move it can't start!! Kaoru: He hasn't been captured by the police yet. And there's no indication that he's returned to his place. He's probably really disappeared somewhere... Yahiko: The main point is, what's with their search! Would Sanosuke fight others without meaning?! They should properly investigate who was really wrong!! Kaoru: Yeah... Shochou-san also thinks that way and is moving in various ways to help us, but it looks bad... He said that those ruffians don't really matter, but for making an opponent of the Ishin Shishi and causing serious injuries, there's no way his own authority can cover for Sanosuke........... Why didn't Sanosuke tell us, I wonder... Pg. 3 Kenshin: The situation this time was a personal matter of Sano's... If he told us despite that, we'd naturally also do something. He probably hated that. Kaoru: But... Kenshin: Especially since if I used the name of "Hitokiri Battousai," it would surely finish everything just like that... But that'd become the same thing as the Lord Shibumi that Sano unforgivingly struck would say----... Kaoru: I see... That's something Sanosuke wouldn't like... Kenshin: A conspiracy is what Sano hates the most. He'd strike without mercy whether it was me or anyone else if he thought we were wrong. His own settlements will be established himself without fail. He's that sort of guy. Pg. 4 Yahiko: Kenshin also. You don't have any mercy towards Sanosuke either, huh. Kenshin: That's true... Because he's a full-grown man and my sole "friend." I've never liked fights, and Sanosuke truly hates the Ishin Shishi. But in spite of that he's let us share pleasant times... Is this the idea? So far, there've been any number of "kindred souls" who would die together. However, not a single person like that has even existed... Yahiko: I see... Narration: Sagara Sanosuke---------... Really, where the hell did he go... Pg. 5 Voice: Um... Everyone: ! Someone is standing at the gate. Kenshin: You're Sano's friend if I remember correctly-----... Friend: Please quietly come with me in secret. Sano-san is waiting. Everyone: !! A policeman evesdrops behind a nearby tree. Policeman: ...... Pg. 6 Sanosuke is at the docks, standing in a little boat (like the one that was used to land on Enishi's island). Sanosuke: Yo. Long time no see. Everyone: SANOSUKE?! Yahiko: What the hell are you planning to do at a port this late at night? Sanosuke: 'What the hell' should be obvious. Preperation to leave by boat. Yahiko: Leave by boat?! Pg. 7 Sanosuke: Aa. I think it's a good opportunity to say goodbye to this cramped Japan. I've thought I should go see the world. Everyone: WHA-!! Yahiko: You're planning to cross the outside ocean in that tiny boat?! Kaoru: Even idiots have limits! You'll die! Don't do it! Sanosuke [annoyed]: You're the idiots. There's a ship waiting in the open sea that I've made arrangements with to smuggle me. Police whistles are suddenly heard. Everyone: ! Friend A: They've found you, Sano-san!! Freind B: The police've come! Police: Search! He's somewhere at this harbour!! Yahiko: All right! I'll take one! Kenshin: No, wait. Here is---- Pg. 8 Uramura [pointing the other way]: Found him, over there!! Everyone, full speed-!! Police [running off]: (Where! Where?) Yahiko: ---- Hey. Kenshin: Oro? Uramura glances toward the confused group and puts a finger to his lips in a signal to be quiet. Kaoru [happily]: Shochou-san... Sanosuke: Hey, what's wrong? They still haven't come? I can't see from here. Kenshin: No, it's all right. You were saved by the chief's "misunderstanding." Pg. 9 Sanosuke: It's not a misunderstanding... Well, if he took a wrong guess for me, then I guess it can't be helped. So then I'll be leaving now. Kaoru: Hey... You really are going...? Sanosuke: Aa. Seems like it won't become a lifetime parting because I'll be as careful as possible. When you have a kid or two with Kenshin, let me see them the next chance we meet. Kaoru [turning red]: WHA-WHA-WHA-WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, GEEZE!! Sanosuke: Don't be shy, don't be shy. Pg. 10 Sanosuke: And Yahiko. You're a pain in the ass for these two, so get out of the doujou. My place is just lying there, so I'll leave it all to you. Yahiko: ... How am I going to do that. Sanosuke: Aa? Yahiko [angrily]: If you turn tail like this, what about your feelings of authority and violence? That guy Shibumi hasn't even been punished and could go bad again! Is the character of evil on your back going to consent with that! Sanosuke: If you think that, am I going to see you also shoulder the character of evil a bit? Yahiko: Huh? Sanosuke [slamming a hand on Yahiko's head]: Don't you get it? In other words! Those expecting of you aren't just Kenshin and the others. Pg. 11 Kenshin [stepping forward]: Sano---- Yahiko: ! Sanosuke and Kenshin grin at each other and slap hands. Pg. 12 Sanosuke: I'm going! Kenshin: Aa! Narration: Everything ended with just that... To be honest I definetely thought, "These two are amazing!!"-----... Sagara Sanosuke rushed from the confined Japan to face the world. It's a little different from Kenshin---- But that character of evil on his back that made me think I would surely follow him someday waved magnificently... Pg. 13 Kaoru: ... It's become like you said at some point... Kenshin: Hn? Kaoru: Megumi-san and Sanosuke and everyone. "Eventually each will walk their own path. Each will live their own lives." However, that's "not a farewell, but a setting off... Not the end but the beginning..." So it's a little lonely, but we'll have to endure it....... Kenshin glances at Yahiko, who's still staring out over the water. Kenshin: Aa... It's a little lonely, but we'll endure it... And so ------Time passed----- Meiji 15th Year Pg. 14 -----The day the last person set off----- Three thugs surround a girl against the wall. On a closer view, we see that it's Tsubame, around 14 years old. She is wearing a black and white Western style dress, which looks like a maid's uniform, with the words "Akabeko" printed on the apron. Tsubame: Please let me pass. I'm on an errand....... Thug A: If you're talking about such a lonely thing, we'll just keep you company a bit. Thug B: It's all right if we just have a nice little talk. Right? Akabeko's showgirl. Tsubame: But... A shadow appears behind them. Yahiko: Tsubame isn't good at having nice little talks with hoodlums. If you want to chat, I'll listen. Thug B: Aa? What the hell's with you!! Pg. 15 The thug swings his sword down at him. But Yahiko easily stops the blade by catching it between the first two fingers of his right hand. A small character for "evil" can be seen on his back. Thugs: WHAAT-! Tsubame: Yahiko-kun! Thug B [eyes widening in fear]: "Yahiko?!" Pg. 16 Thug B: It can't be, the master of that Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu doujou... [Full view of teenage Yahiko. Naturally, he's taller and more mature looking. His clothes are different, with a more solid design instead of with stripes, and the shinai on his back has been replaced with a sword.] Thug B: Master of the thousand shirahadori MYOUJIN YAHIKO?!! Yahiko: Looks like I don't need to introduce myself. ----- Well, what is it you're going to talk about? He glares coldly at them and they frantically run away, scared witless. Tsubame: ... It's amazing. Even your name and aiming a glare easily [got rid of them]... The talk at East Japan about the skill of your fingers was really true. Yahiko: Haa? What's that? Who said such a thing? Tsubame: Who---? Anyone and everyone has been gossiping like that. Pg. 17 Yahiko: It's mistaken. My skill is Japan's second now. (Japan's first is Kenshin, naturally.) Tsubame: ..... Well, it's nice that you have self-confidence... Yahiko: More importantly, you also, you! What's with those clothes!! Such a conspicuous outfit looks like it's saying 'Please ridicule me!!' Tsubame: What, this is the Akabeko's new uniform... It's the sight of the summer... Yahiko: Isn't that store going towards a more and more dangerous direction? (Is it a hobby of Watsuki's?) Tsubame: I think so too... (Yeah, maybe.) Tsubame [smiling]: But really, thank you for saving me. How about having lunch together at the Akabeko as an expression of gratitude? Yahiko: Sure------ that's what I want to say, but sorry. I have to go to the doujou. Is after that all right? Tsubame: Yeah, it's fine, but why? Is it for the usual training? Yahiko [grinning]: No, I'm not really sure but I got a call from Kenshin today. End chapter 254