Himura BattousaiChapter 74 Arrival in Kyoto
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Kenshin: Dead? He...
Chou: Yeah. After the last battle, Anji saved his life, and they both turned themselves in. He was waiting for the trial to justify his policy of "the strong live, the weak die" and clear Lord Shishio's name. But he didn't get anywhere. Nothing he said was made public.
Kenshin: I see... whether in the Bakumatsu or the Meji era, Shishio is the dark shadow of the new age. His very existence can never be brought to light.
Chou: That's why Houji refused the government's offer. "Forget Shishio and work for us. We'll gurantee your safety for life." Under the spell of Lord Shishio's charisma, Houji brought together an army and even purchased a battleship from an underground arms merchant. The government wants skill like that bad. They offered him some pretty sweet terms. They didn't care about his arguments or principles. All they wanted was power. Houji lost all hope. They couldn't publicly try him for high treason. A country in an age that had lost all honor, an age so weak they have to ask an enemy to work for them... He slit his throat with a small dagger he had hidden. He used the last of his strength to write his last words in blood and died...
With no regrets for this world, I go to join Lord Shishio in hell. (Everyone is silent. Finally--)
Yahiko: Even though we won, it's hard to say who was right.
Chou: That's the way of the world, kid. You'da thought at least Yumi would have come out on top.
Kaoru: You say she died with Shishio Makoto...
Chou: She told me about herself once when we were out drinking. She was once the best oiran in Shnyoshinara, so popular that even a high-ranking official couldn't get near her.
oiran--the highest rank of prostitute in the entertainment district.
(flashback)
Yumi (toying with the ice in her drink): The red-light district looks glamorous, but it's a world of suffering. I went through a lot to become the best oiran. But life is having to choose, and I made my own choices. At least an oiran had honor. Until the Mary Ruth case.
Kaoru: Mary Ruth?
Misao: What's that?
Okina: In 1872 a Chinese coolie deserted from a Peruvian ship lying at anchor in Yokohama...
When it became clear that the ship, the Mary Ruth, was a slave ship and that the coolie had been cruelly treated, the Meiji government liberated him at his trial, showing the world that it was a nation that respected human rights. Peru retorted that Japan had prostitutes living as slaves in the pleasure quarters. Faced with this contradiction, the government eventually stated that if prositutes were to be human beings whose freedom had been stolen, then one might as well say it was wrong to demand payment for cattle and release them. Issuing an emancipation proclamation in this spirit, so far strayed from the rest of humanity, would be just as logical. Yumi: You have to laugh. Slaves are human beings, but prostitutes are no better that horses or cows. We've fallen into this world of suffering and we're doing our best to live our lives. But the Meiji governments says we're not women. We're bitches.
Misao: WHAT?!!
Yahiko: More and more... you can't tell who was right.
Chou: It's the way of the world. But she was happy that she'd met Lord Shishio. Maybe that was the only thing...
(He sets down his cup.)
Chou: Well, this is getting dull. Time I got going. Oh, almost forgot. There's still two of them out there they didn't catch. They'll never find Soujirou the Prodigy. He's probably drinking tea on some mountaintop about now.
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...
Houji (to the soldiers): Don't panic! They're just hand grenades! Even if they hurt the outer shell they won't touch the interior! (The grenades strike the hull, touching off an explosion that rocks the ship. Everyone is thrown to the floor; and the waves toss Sanosuke into the water.) Sanosuke: Katsu, you son of a bitch. You made me take something that dangerous? (How was I supposed to use those for self-defense?) But, it turned out to be a pretty good present. All right! (swimming for...
Misao: The reverse blade... it's broken... Saitou: And Shishio got away. Misao (scowling at him): Hey!! Kenshin: What? We can make a new sword, and we can follow Shishio again. (he smiles) For now, Shishio has pulled out of Shingetsu, and I'm glad about that. (While they're talking, Eiji moves over beside the fallen Senkaku.) Eiji (thinking): He's breathing. He's not dead. (He grits his teeth and raises the sword.) Misao: Eiji!! Eiji: Die, Senkaku!! Misao: Wait, it's already...
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?...
(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...
Houji: It's time. (Anji, Kamatari, Usui, Iwanbou, Henya and Saitsuchi watch the city.) Saitsuchi: They're late! The fire isn't set yet? Kamatari: Don't be so impatient. It isn't easy to set a huge fire like that. Soldiers (rushing up behind them): Message! Police have been stationed all over the city. The first unit can't move out as planned! Same with the second unit! Message from the third! Kamatari: You guys aren't much good in a crisis, are you. Usui: No use. We'll have to...
(Seikuu throws open the door to the shrine. The sword, in a plain wooden sheath, sits before an altar.) Seikuu (thinking): "I made swords to build a new era"... I never accepted the words my father spoke long ago. Now I finally understand. It's presumptuous to think a sword can build an era. A new era is made by people. And to the one who protects the era he built, who continues to fight from the shadows to protect the peace, I will give my father's sword--! Chou: I'm not going to take...
Okina: One of Shakkuu's killing swords! Misao: Watch out, Himura! He's still got a hidden sword! (The long blade whips around to strike at Kenshin from behind.) Chou: This is my favorite blade of all! The killing sword Hakujin no Tachi!(1) Okina: It's long! Misao: Himura! (Kenshin ducks a little to the side.) Seikuu: That won't work! Just dodging by a hair's breath won't-- (Chou snaps his wrist; the point snakes down and buries itself in Kenshin's thigh.) Chou: Right on...
Chou: That cross-shaped scar... you must be the famous Hitokiri Battousai. Iori: Gojaru!! Chou: You're smaller than I thought. Like a girl. Oh well. You here for the sword too? Kenshin: Unfortunately, I seek a different sword. If you're here for the last work of Shakkuu, go and take it. Only give back the child first. Chou: You want to avoid an unnecessary fight? Could be. Or it could be that with your trusty reverse blade broken, you can't fight like you want to. Well, it wouldn't be...
Kenshin: Master!! Hiko: The Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki is the strongest technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi school. You master it in exchange for the life of your predecessor. As master and student of the sword, all I've taught you ends here. After this, as a vagabond, you'll-- (He falls face forward.) Kenshin: Master... He's joking... there's no way the technique could kill him with just one blow from the reverse blade. (Hiko is motionless.) Kenshin (thinking): Am I going to let him...
KYOTO - DAY ONE Before I get into our visit in Kyoto, I would like to give just a little bit of background information that we were aware of before we arrived: Hiro Matsudoki, the CEO of the Matsudoki Corporation and patriarch of the Matsudoki clan, was known to be a 'colorful' character. Hiro was apparently a mix of a Samurai, a Roman emperor, and a Renaissance man. He required traditional Japanese dress to be worn to work on any day he considered to be 'special', which meant twice a...
Hiko: Well, now that you've had the gall to actually show your face here, what is it you want with me? Kenshin (looking at the shelves around him): It seems that Niitsu Kakunoshin is a rising new name in the world of ceramics. Why pottery again? Hiko: I didn't really care, pottery, whatever. It was just the easiest way to make a living without having to deal with a lot of people. Kenshin: That's easy for you to say. Hiko: Well, you know. My genius shows in whatever I do. Kenshin...
(A little ways outside of the city, a man standing before a kiln also sees the flare.) Hiko: A signal flare... that's unusual these days. (shrugging) Well, it has nothing to do with me. (In the Shirobeko) Kaoru & Misao (simultaneously): Um. (trying again) That is-- Misao: Go ahead. Kaoru: No, you, please. Misao (thinking): Well this is awkward... Yahiko: Hey, what is this! You finally get a clue about Kenshin, and you're acting like you're on your first date! There's tons of...
Kenshin: Miss Misao... (Footsteps pound down the hall.) Sanosuke: Hm? Omasu: Misao!! (She and the rest if the Oniwabanshuu charge in.) Omasu: Oh, Kenshin, you're here too? Great! Everyone, come on! (They carry them off.) Sanosuke (left behind): What the hell... (from outside): I'm with the police. Is anyone home? Misao: What's going on? Omasu: It's Okina! Misao: What's wrong with Gramps!? Omasu: He's regained consciousness! (A little later. Okina sits up and reties the...
(Leaves drift over the battlefield as Kenshin stands at the ready.) Houji (thinking): He... he stood up. No... calm down, all he's doing is standing. It's highly doubtful he still has the strength to use the succession technique Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki. The burns of the Homura Dana and the explosion of the Guren Kaina... it's obvious he won't survive. Lord Shishio is too strong for him... And yet... this chill! this unease! this fear! (Kenshin roars, sending out a blast of ki that...
Misao: YOU'RE LEAVING THE AOIYA!?! (Kenshin silently fits a new handle on the reverse blade.) Misao: Why?! Now, when you finally got a new reverse blade? (She charges at him with such ferocity that they butt heads. They both clutch their aching heads.) Okina: Settle down, settle down. Himura, you owe us a reason. (No reply.) Misao: You're not gonna talk?? Okina: You stay back. (Kenshin hammers the new handle on.) Okina: You don't want to tell us? Well, after all, we're perfect...
On the second day in Kyoto Misao: Wake up, Himura! It's morning! Oh, you're already up. I thought I'd get to see what you look like half-asleep. Kenshin: Oro? Miss Misao, your clothes! (Misao is dressed in quieter shirt and shorts.) Misao: Normal clothes for Kyoto. Walking around my home ground in battle dress is a little weird even for me. Okina: If you're ready, let's go, Himura. Kenshin: Oro? Okina: Kyoto has changed a lot in the ten years you've been gone. Today I thought...
Floating in the darkness, fresh red blood... White sleeves... a purple shawl... And deep, black eyes... (Kenshin and Tomoe stare at each other for a moment. Then Tomoe's eyes close, and she slowly begins to pitch forward. Kenshin darts forward to catch her.) Kenshin: She's fainted... It's a natural reaction to seeing all this blood. (thinking) For a moment I wasn't sure if I should silence her or not--No. I forgot even that... (aloud) But what to do about this place? I can't leave...
June 5, 1864. The Gion Festival-- (In Kenshin's room. Tomoe is sewing; Kenshin is leaning against the wall, fast asleep. Iizuka bursts into the room.) Iizuka: Hey, Himura! C'mon, it's the festival, let's get going! After this we're gonna hit the red-light district-- Tomoe: Shh. Himura is finally asleep. (Iizuka gives her a puzzled look, and backs out of the room.) Iizuka (thinking): Himura, fast asleep? In front of someone else? Could it be... maybe the joke is no longer a joke......
(Kaoru is dressing for practice.) Kaoru: Hmm... I wonder if this is a little too loose? Yahiko (bursting in): Hey, what's taking so long? Hurry up, it's already getting dark-- (A scream and a thud.) Kenshin (outside doing laundry): (Kaoru marches out, the trussed-up Yahiko hanging from her shinai.) Kenshin: Oh. Kaoru: Jeez! That little peeping-- Kenshin: I'm sure it was an accident as always. Kaoru: What do you mean, "as always"? Kenshin: Are you going out today? Kaoru:...
Author’s note : apologies to Deep Purple: And yes I know the song is ‘My Woman from Tokyo’ ——————————- I work for an extremely large company that is based in Kyoto, Japan. The office I work out of, however, is in Seattle. On Friday, January 6th, 2006, I succeeded in bringing in a contract that would net the company $100 million. When I arrived at work on Monday morning I was immediately called into my supervisors office. When I went into his office all of the bosses of this branch of the...
A week after the Hiruma brothers have gone and the violence of the false Battousai has been put to an end. Adjutant master of the Kamiya Kasshin School Kamiya Kaoru (17) has rushed about recalling her students to revive her school--but-- Kaoru: Not a single one of them came back. This is unbelievable. Kenshin (who is doing laundry by the well): It's because we live in an age of culture and enlightenment. Once things change it's not easy to go back. Kaoru: Speaking of unbelievable, what...
(Houji pounds his fist against the table.) Shishio: What is it, Houji. Houji (shaking with rage): A telegram... from intelligence in Kyoto... The attack on the Aoiya has failed. Iwanbou has fled, and Henya, Kamatari, Fuji and Saitsuchi have been arrested... ! Shishio: In other words, the Ten Swords are all but destroyed. Houji: Why! They even had Fuji with them, there was no way they could have failed! How did-- Shishio: They were stronger than we were. That's all there is to...
(At the Kamiya Kasshin dojo) Sanosuke: Isurugi Raijuuta... Huh. Can't remember the last time I met a guy that interesting. Kaoru (whacking him with a shinai): It wasn't "interesting"! Because of him the Maekawa dojo will have to close for a while! Sanosuke (dodging): But there's nothing you can do. (catching the tip) Maekawa and Raijuuta fought fairly, right? And one side lost. Kaoru: But-- Sanosuke: If he's the master of that school and that style, saying his opponent was too...
Misao: Himura! (Kenshin strikes Chou in the side; he goes down.) Okina (thinking): He's done it... (A long pause. Kenshin stares down at his work.) Misao (taking a step forward): Himura... Kenshin (bowing his head): I... Misao: What? Seikuu: That sword... Misao: It's a reverse blade! Okina: Shakkuu's last work was a reverse blade like the one he gave Himura! Kenshin: No, this... feels better to the hand than the old reverse blade... Misao: But if it's a reverse blade,...
Shishio: Unconditional victory? Houji: Yes. Unconditional victory. In this battle against Himura, Saitou and Sagara, we have ten men, counting Lord Shishio, against three. So, we have a clear advantage in both numbers and skill. Yumi: That's great. So what's the problem? Houji: But when the enemy is the best of the best... If we fight them now, even among the Ten Swords, any one of lesser strength than Chou will be destroyed. Thus, we should chose only our best fighters. These three will...
(After taking a massive slash to the back, Kenshin is breathing hard but still keeps his feet.) Sanosuke (thinking): Kenshin's... it's the first time someone's gotten him on the back. Not good--this is definitely not good! Yumi (thinking): He can do it! The boy--no, Soujirou the Prodigy--he really is better than Himura Battousai! Just one more attack! The next one will bring him down for sure! Soujirou (still looking puzzled): It really is strange. Sanosuke & Yumi: Huh? Soujirou:...
Shishio: Now what would a whipped dog be doing here all by himself? Houji:... A whipped dog. Yes, as Lord Shishio says. Shinomori Aoshi! You've already lost to Himura! Your time to fight is over! How dare you show your face here! Get out! Aoshi: It is as you say, Houji. If you call me a whipped dog, I cannot deny it. But Battousai accepted a challenge from this whipped dog without trying to get out of it, and lost strength by taking unnecessary wounds. This, too, is truth I cannot...
If I had been carrying a sword that night, would you have-- (Kenshin is sitting alone in his room, staring out the window.) Kenshin (thinking): That was two weeks ago. (Tomoe opens the door, broom in hand.) Tomoe: I'm going to clean this room. Please leave for a while. Kenshin: I don't remember asking you to clean it. Tomoe: Okami asked me to. In the midst of all this confusion, Yukishiro Tomoe has settled in with us. Kenshin (as he's getting down from the windowsill): What's this...
Goheh (wearing a Sanosuke wig): "The legendary Hitokiri Battousai! The street fighter Zanza has been searching for a match like you!" It's been two weeks! Where is that rooster head? Kiheh: I can't believe he would get scared and run off. Goheh: "I'm just looking forward to the fight!" Heh, what a joke!-- Zanza (boxing his ears): You're the one joking! You keep up that weird copycat stuff and I'll hang you upside down. Kiheh: O-oh, Mr. Zanza. Where have you been? Zanza: The...
Abandoned Longhouses (Sanosuke sits alone, beside a couple of empty sake bottles and an untouched meal.) No more. I'm tired. (He finishes his cup and tosses it aside.) (Misao stares in disbelief at Kaoru's memorial tablet.) Misao:... No. Yahiko: It's true. That's Kaoru. It's all too late. Kaoru was killed, and Kenshin was broken. And I couldn't do a thing about it... (Out of nowhere, Misao whacks him on the head with her traveling bag.) Misao: I don't want to hear you cry!...
(At the Kamiya dojo, everyone is in the yard while Kaoru and Kenshin are doing laundry. They all look up at Aoshi in surprise.) Aoshi: We're going back to Kyoto. It's a good time. Kenshin: A good time? Misao: What? What? What? But we haven't even gone to Akakusa or the Ginza! Yahiko: You didn't come here to sightsee. Go home! Aoshi: We'll leave tomorrow with Takani Megumi. That way you'll only have to say goodbye once. Kaoru (thinking): Always the man of few words... I never...
Pendants of Aeternitas: An Epilogue by BobH (c) 2012 Note: My thanks to Zapper for allowing me to write this coda to his tale. For anyone reading this who hasn't read his story - and though I don't know why you wouldn't, I'm sure there'll be a few of you who haven't- what you need to know is that Mark Thompson believes he has stopped a body thief from stealing his wife Susan's body. He is wrong. What Mark doesn't know is that the thief not only stole his wife's body but also...
What is a person's worth? How many people weep when they die. By that, you'll know. Many people came to the funeral of Kamiya Kaoru (deceased aged 17). Many tears were shed. But at that funeral, Himura Kenshin could not be found. (Yahiko, Sanosuke, Megumi and Tsubame are sitting outside the dojo on a hot summer's day.) Tsubame (in tears): Why... how could he... Yahiko (thinking): When I woke up, it was all over. I was in a bed at the Oguni Clinic. So I never saw how Kaoru died. What I...
Raijuuta: Are you of this dojo? Kenshin: No... I'm staying at the Kamiya Kasshin dojo just now. Raijuuta: Really... such a skilled swordsman is a vagabond? No matter. I ask for a match. With true swords. (Kenshin unsheathes his sword.) Raijuuta (thinking): A reverse blade... Kenshin: I will not draw merely to compare swords or show off. Nor to display them. The killer's sword is forbidden to me. Raijuuta: So that's the way it is. Yutarou. Yutarou: Yes sir. Raijuuta: Remove this...
Kenshin: Take up your sword, Shishio Makoto. Misao (thinking): I'm not sure what's going on, but this is amazing. It's... we can't show ourselves now. Saitou: Don't bother hiding, you can come on out. (he opens the door; Misao and Eiji tumble out.) Just stay close. Kenshin: Miss Misao! Shishio: That technique you called the Ryuushousen. You struck Senkaku's chin with the flat of the blade, but if you had used the edge, it would have killed him? Kenshin:... Yes. Shishio: I'm...
Seta Soujirou, born the first year of Bunkyuu in the prefecture of Kanagawa. When he was eight, he slaughtered his abusive adoptive parents and their children. Since then, as the right hand of former Ishin Shishi Shishio Makoto, many have fallen to him, beginning with the Minister Okubo Toshimichi. (Soujirou pulls his sword from the floor and walks to the center of the room.) Soujirou: You're interfering. (He whips his sword around him in a blinding half-circle, then sheathes it, assuming...
Misao (thinking): This cop... he knows Himura? (they hear screams from the village) Misao: Oh yeah--Himura! (Kenshin breaks a spear with his sword and knocks down the last of the soldiers.) (Misao: He's not even out of breath... Wow... ) Saitou (to Kenshin): Hey. What are you wasting your time here for? Kenshin: What are you doing here? Saitou: My job. One of my men informed me that Shishio was here. Since I still had some time before the subjugation forces reached Kyoto, I decided to...
(Kaoru is lost in thought at the Aoiya.) Misao: It's dangerous to sit staring out the window like that. You don't know when or where an enemy will strike. Kaoru: Misao. Misao: Uh-uh-uh! Not Misao, Okashira! (Kaoru sighs) Himura should learn the secrets and hurry back, huh. Kaoru: Yes, but... (they look out the window, at Yahiko practicing outside) Stronger, stronger... it's only natural for a swordsman. If he gains the great strength of the succession techniques, he'll have an...
(Early the next morning, Kaoru is sitting alone at the table.) Tsubame (entering the room): Good morning, Kaoru. Kaoru (turning): Oh, good morning, Tsubame-- (She freezes.) Tsubame (her hair sticking up every which way): Isn't Mr. Himura back yet? Kaoru: Tsubame, you really slept on your hair funny. Tsubame: I did? Ack! (Kaoru sits her down in front of a mirror and begins to comb it straight.) Tsubame: I'm sorry, this always happens when I change pillows. Kaoru: Hm, then morning...
Saitou: So this is how it turned out... Aoshi: But he won't use that sword again. Sanosuke: That's it. Yahiko: Kenshin won! Megumi: Ken-san! Misao: Himura! Kaoru: Kenshin... (Behind her, Heishin is regaining consciousness.) (Kenshin suddenly staggers.) Megumi: Oh no! Misao: Himura, are you-- (He pulls himself together.) Kenshin: Not yet... (Enishi, too, is on his feet.) Kaoru (thinking): I see... Just winning or losing a fight isn't enough to pay for his crime. He has to...
(As Kenshin and Saitou approach the inn, Soujirou is waiting for them at the front gate.) Soujirou: Mr. Himura Battousai, and Mr. Saitou Hajime. Kenshin (thinking): That voice... (aloud) Be careful, Saitou. This is the man who killed Governor Okubo. Soujirou: Oh no no no, today I'm just your guide. Look, I'm not even armed. Mr. Shishio is waiting for you inside. Please come in. Saitou: We can't start out being this cautious. Let's go. (Shishio sits on a cushion, smoking a...
Yahiko: A contest of height, against Kenshin? Against the Hiten Mitsurugi School? Enishi: Well? Do you accept, or not? Kenshin: I've already accepted this fight. Whatever your challenge, I'm here to meet it. Enishi: Excellent. (He takes off his earring and holds it up.) Enishi: The signal. Let's go! (He throws the earring in the air; as it hits the ground, they both leap.) Misao: I knew it! Himura's higher! Hiten Mitsurugi-ryuu-- (Enishi seems to rise even higher in the...
It was a big event. After 150 years being crated, thus hidden from view, the sleeping Buddha of Kyoto was due to be uncrated and shown to the public for a month. When that time was up the Buddha was to be crated again for another 150 years. It was fifteen feet wide and sixteen feet tall. Very impressive.My friends told me I needed to be on the train to Kyoto early because the pilgrims would be packing it for that first day. Fortunately the journey started from the station three miles from...
The next day. Excerpt of the report submitted by Shin'ichi Saburou. At that time, I didn't understand the truth of what had happened. A flash of light, a sudden gust of wind and a roaring sound--I thought lightning had struck before my eyes, but I was wrong. An instant later I realized that the great man had fallen face-up, and a swordsman had appeared in my field of vision. He was truly--awe-inspiring! Aoshi:... Looks like he found his answer. Saitou: I wonder. Misao: Awright! Let's do...
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...
(Tsubame, rushing back to town, trips and falls.) Tsubame (through her tears): Yahiko... Kenshin... (The wind picks up, carrying leaves through the air. She looks behind her, and a look of joy spreads across her face.) (Kuma brings a jug of sake and two cups over to Oibore.) Kuma: Here. Brought you this. Don't spill it. Oibore: Ah, thank you, thank you. (They drink.) Oibore: That reminds me, Kuma, there's something else I want to thank you for. Kuma: Yeah? Oibore: Letting that...
Battousai: Once of the Satsuma Ishin Shishi, now Director of Internal Affairs under the Meiji government, Okubo Toshimichi. Yahiko: And so what?! Who is this bearded guy that just showed up out of nowhere!? Sanosuke: You don't read the papers. Obviously a mere child wouldn't know. Megumi: The last of the Ishin Sanketsu*, the triumvirate of the new era, the highest achievers of the new age. He has complete control of the country in all but name with the position of Director of Internal...
(Lightning crashes. Inside a mansion, a well-dressed man cowers before a man shrouded in a cloak, wearing a wide black hat. He carries a bloody sword and bodies litter the floor between them.) Rich Man: P... please. If it's money I can get you as much as you want. Just spare my life. Black Hat: The honored patriots of the new age bathe in money like water. Has it made you weak? (He laughs, quietly. The man screams. Black Hat fixes his eyes upon him.) Rich Man (thinking): I... I can't...
Soujirou: Which do you think will win? Shishio: Hard to say... They're perfectly matched. Houji: Logically, they should destroy each other. That would save us some trouble. Soujirou: I want Mr. Himura to win. Then, we could settle what we started on the Rengoku. But, if Mr. Shinomori wins, what are you going to do, Mr. Shishio? Shishio (smiling): Then, if I killed Shinomori Aoshi, I'd be the strongest. (In the library, Aoshi and Kenshin square off for the attack.) Sanosuke (thinking):...
(Shishio takes the full force of the explosion.) Yumi: Lord Shishio!! (Kenshin leaps into the air.) Hiten Mitsurugi-- Houji (thinking): I have faith! No matter what Battousai tries, it can't finish Lord Shishio! It can't destroy him! (aloud) Lord Shishio! Ryuutsui! Shousen! (Kenshin strikes downwards and upwards in quick succession.) Sanosuke: A double attack! Saitou: Fool. He won't let this chance slip by. Aoshi: He's still going. Ryuukansen Kogarashi! Tsumuji! Arashi! (He...
Okina: Are you all right, Himura? Kenshin: I think so. Okina (pushing Misao's head down in a bow): See what happens when you fool around like that. Kenshin: Oh no, I was being careless. Okina: In any case, you're going to give up on having Seikuu make the sword for him! Kenshin: Exactly. Misao: But-- Okina: That's enough out of you! (Meanwhile) Seikuu: My father's... last work? Chou: That's what they tell me. The last work of the swordsmith Arai Shakkuu. Mind if I have a...
(All eyes are on the giant in armor, standing amidst the ruins of the building across from the Aoiya.) Okina: They'd go so far... (The Oniwabanshuu looks stunned, staring.) Saitsuchi: Yes, yes. Resignation is the crucial human attribute. They come to meet their doom courageously. Misao (clutching her side): Dammit... (thinking) Everyone's hurt from fighting it out this far. And just when Lord Aoshi was coming back... they bring out this freak of nature. (glancing at her) Kaoru......
(Everyone stares in amazement as Hiko holds off the giant's sword. Hiko grins, and with an extra burst of effort, turns Fuji's sword aside, cracking it. Hiko and Fuji stare each other down.) Shiro: He didn't just block that monster's sword, he turned it aside... who is he? Misao: It's Hiko! Hiko Seijuurou! Himura's master and current heir of the Hiten Mitsurugi school! When Himura was talking about a backup plan last night, he must have meant him! (Yahiko is still lying on his back,...
Omasu: The lookout! Okina is fighting Aoshi there! Misao (thinking as she takes off running): I have to stop them! If Gramps and Aoshi are fighting for real it won't end without someone really getting hurt. I've got to stop them somehow! Kuro: I wonder if that was the right thing to do. Omasu: I know. If we left now, we wouldn't make it in time. But even so, she has to do all she can. The person she's closest to and the person she most loves... she's about to lose one of them. (Okina...
(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...
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...
(Otowa stands at the door, left hand raised.) Otowa: Well? What's wrong? Draw, Battousai! Uramura: No, Himura! There's something strange about his left hand! He fires a gun without even moving! Kenshin: Let me ask one thing. For who's sake do you seek revenge against me? Otowa:... That's right. It would be a shame to send you to the next world without knowing that. It was a friend. A good man. Those nights when we'd compete to see who could kill more in a single night, I truly...