Himura BattousaiChapter 25 A Showdown of Strength
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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 fight.
Kiheh: The--a different fight?
Zanza: No, stupid. The fight doesn't start with the kicks and punches. But a fake god of wealth and a muscle-bound freak wouldn't understand.
(he picks up his bundle and leaves.)
Kiheh: The street fighter Zanza... He's well known in the underworld of East Tokyo as a fighter-for-hire. He decides how much to charge for a fight by how much he enjoyed it. He's rude, a lone wolf. But he's strong! They say that after he's done with someone they see the character on his back for months in their dreams. If we use him we'll be rid of that annoying pest for sure. (thinking) That Himura Battousai!
(the Kamiya dojo. Yahiko is eating rice balls, Kaoru is reading.)
Kenshin (standing up): There's a visitor outside.
(he walks down the hall, Kaoru hurrying after him.)
Kaoru: Wait, Kenshin, what's wrong?
Kenshin: I felt his ki. (He opens the door to see Zanza standing in the yard.) It couldn't be hidden. This foolishly straightforward fighting spirit.
Zanza: I'm here for a fight.
Kaoru: It's him!
Kenshin: I thought it might be you. I told you that you'd have to excuse me.
Zanza: That's no good now. I'm here as a hired fighter, I can't back out. Especially since my target is the patriot Himura Battousai.
(General shock.)
Zanza: The Choushuu patriot Himura Battousai. Practitioner of the old style of kenjutsu Hiten Mitsurugi, who wielded his sword as the Hitokiri. He worked for five years, from the age of 14 to 19. For the first half, he literally were a killer, a cold-hearted assassin who killed in darkness. For the second half, he defended the revolutionaries from the Shogun's swordsmen units like the Shinsengumi, acting as a bodyguard. Originally he were meant to remain obscure, but today he's gained great fame for his work. Then, the decisive war of Boshin. After the first battle of Tobafushimi, he disappeared. To live as the vagabond Himura Kenshin. The real fight begins when you know your enemy and decide how to fight him. I had to go to Kyoto, the center of the Bakumatsu bloodshed, to find out about you. Was I more or less right?
Kenshin: Have you decided how to fight?
Zanza: There's the problem! All I could find out was a rough account of your career. What kind of kenjutsu is the Hiten Mitsurugi school? And changing from a cold-hearted assassin to a gentle vagabond is an important point I don't understand at all. I haven't figured you out yet, so I'm just going to meet you head on. A fair fight.
(the Hiruma brothers are watching from behind a fence.)
Goheh: Hey, brother, do you really think this Zanza guy can win?
Kiheh: His opponent is Battousai. The outcome is already decided.
Goheh: But--
Kiheh: Don't fuss. My plans have included Zanza's failure from the beginning! Zanza will lose, but I've heard he's a very strong fighter. Even if he's killed, he won't go without giving a good fight, probably wounding Battousai. Immediately after the battle, I'll bring him down the instant he lets down his guard. (he draws a pistol out of his kimono.) I brought it from the foreigner's quarters in Yokohama. This should do the trick!
Kenshin: I also do not understand.
Zanza: Huh?
Kenshin: I've seen that you hate bullying the weak. Why then make your living ignobly as a street fighter? Why do you wear the character for evil on your back? Your nature seems upright, yet now you are terribly warped. What could have done this to you?
Zanza (echoing him): What could... (then he smiles) Stop. That'd make a sad story before a fight. If you really want to know, fight me and beat me! Let me just say this. I hate the Ishin Shishi--you're all hypocrites. You did whatever you wanted all in the name of justice. Those who disagreed with you were destroyed, even if you had to distort the truth to do it. All those pretty words about equality of the four classes were just one big lie. So I want to destroy you, the legendary Hitokiri, the strongest of the Ishin Shishi, with all my heart!
(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...
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...
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...
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...
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......
(Misao and Kenshin arrive in Kyoto; Kenshin has covered his scar with a square bandage.) Misao: We finally made it. It's such a relief to be back Kyoto, the city at the center of Japan, is a center of art as well as that of Japanese Buddhism. It has been the capital ever since the Tento dynasty in 794 and so was called the Thousand Year Capital. Kenshin (thinking): Kyoto... Ten years have passed for Japan since the coming of the new era. I didn't think this place would be touched...
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,...
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...
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...
(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...
(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...
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...
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...
(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...
(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...
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...
(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...
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...
(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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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):...
(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,...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
The ninth day. One more day until the day of the battle. In these past eight days Enishi has shown no sign of making a surprise attack. Amid tension and unease, daily life goes on-- (Yahiko, soaked in sweat, is doing the exercise in the dojo.) Yahiko: Fifty thousand! Kaoru (hardly paying attention): Good. Now do five thousand more. Yahiko: That's enough!! How long are you going to make me wave my arms around?! The fight is tomorrow! Kaoru: Quit complaining. Trying to learn a succession...
One hundred and forty years ago, in the whirlpool of Kyoto violence that began with Perry's landing in Japan, there was a warrior called Hitokiri Battousai. This man, who paved the way for the new Meiji era with these bloody battles, disappeared at the conclusion of the bloodshed. With the passage of time he became a legend, known simply as "the strongest." And so our story begins, in Tokyo, in the year 1878-- (A man is walking through the streets of a small town at night. He is short,...
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...
(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...
Heishin: Boss! A message from the guards. Two police ships are headed towards the island. Permission to prepare to fire? Enishi: No need. Battousai's probably on one of the ships. Let them into the bay. Heishin: But that's ridiculous. According to the Kokou Touzai Book of Naval Warfare, the wisest plan is to attack from the water to prevent the enemy from landing-- Enishi: Heishin. Do you want to fight me now? Heishin: I see. In that case, I'll call off the cannons. (as he leaves) But...
Suzaku: Of the Sushin brothers, I, the Suzaku, am best at patterning myself after the enemy's techniques. In other words, I'll turn your own moves against you to send you to your death! (They spring back.) Oniwaban-shiki Kodachi Nitou-ryuu Onmyou Hasshi! (Aoshi lines up his two swords, thrusting one forward to propel the other through the air; the Suzaku does precisely the same thing, and the swords strike tip to tip in midair. They go spinning off into the air, and they each catch their...
Sanosuke: First you won't shut up and then those fussy little moves! If you wanna take me out, bring it on with just one good punch! (Megumi's medicine chest hits him in the head.) Megumi: You idiot! I told you not to use your right hand! How many times do I have to say it? Sanosuke: Medicine chest as deadly weapon? This must really be getting to you. (Whose side are you on?) But I'll cut you a break--I'll only ask you to look at it one more time. Megumi: Once more? Sanosuke: Yeah....
(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...
Kanryuu: You're... you're joking... how could we have made an enemy of the legendary Hitokiri? Aoshi: Don't say that. We want this fight. (As they walk towards the house, Kenshin stops.) Yahiko: What's wrong, Kenshin? Kenshin (looking up): Kanryuu!! Your time has come, Takeda Kanryuu. Come down with Miss Megumi. (They stare at each other. Kanryuu begins to laugh wildly.) Sanosuke: Has he gone crazy? Kanryuu (clapping his hands): Wonderful! To have destroyed all fifty of my soldiers...
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...
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...
From the capital there is a demon gate under the northeastern sky. On the slopes of Mt. Hiei, famous from olden times as a mountain of ghosts that protected the emperor's castle-- Soujirou: Here it is. Well, please come in. (Houji knocks on Shishio's door.) Yumi (stumbling out): If you're looking for Lord Shishio, he isn't here. (God you're loud.) Houji: Then where is he? Yumi: I don't know. But he said he was all worked up about something, so maybe he's in the training room. (A...
(Aoshi stands on a hill overlooking the city.) Aoshi (thinking): A natural high ground from which you can see all of Kyoto. The Kyoto Oniwabanshuu's lookout. (Behind him is a small one-room house. He enters; Okina is waiting for him.) (Misao pounds up the path to the house. Flashback--) Misao: You're lying!! Hanya and the others can't be dead. It's a lie! Kaoru: It's not a lie. The four of the Oniwabanshuu died protecting Shinomori Aoshi. Misao: Beshimi and Hyottoko maybe, but...
(Okina, heavily bandaged, is sleeping; Misao kneels beside him. Everyone else is clustered outside the door.) Shiro: He took stitches all over his body, 138 in all. The doctor said it's a miracle he's alive... Kaoru: In other words, it's mysterious that he didn't die. Shiro: He didn't let up on him at all... (Flashback. Misao opens the door on the scene.) Aoshi: It's over. (He walks past her into the forest.) Misao: Lord Aoshi!!! Aoshi (without turning around): Get out of...
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...
Sanosuke: Here's pretty much what Saitou has to say. He won't be done with making arrangements for the four thousand arrested soldiers and pursuing the survivors till half the day. So we'll set out for the final battle break of dawn tomorrow. If it were up to me we'd be outta here by now, but hey. Okina: Himura, all this happened while I was laid up? Kenshin: Yes, but nine of the Ten Swords are still at large. Okina: And one more thing. Misao (pointing to Sanosuke): Since you're in...
Yumi: Lord Shishio, this might not be for me to say, but aren't you a little worried about Brother Anji fighting Sagara Sanosuke? The only one who could have taught that man the Futae no Kiwami is the priest himself... Since he's gone so far already, could he hold back during the fight out of compassion... ? Shishio: You don't have to say it. The possibility is there. Anji may be a fallen monk but he lives in accordance with Buddhism. (In his chamber, Anji stares at a small statue of a...
Acala-- Acala embodies divine wrath, the god who protects faith. Because of his great strength, demons surrender to him, and he punishes the foolish masses who cannot be saved. Anji: What I taught you was just one of the basics. This is mastery. Sanosuke (thinking): That was the Futae no Kiwami with both hands and both feet. And his left hand wasn't even a fist, he used his elbow... Kenshin: Sano! (Sanosuke drops down to avoid Anji's next punch.) Sanosuke: Damn... Saitou: Want me to...
(Sanosuke throws his jacket over his shoulder and walks back towards the others--and falls over.) Kenshin (applying Megumi's salve to his hand): Are you all right? Sanosuke: Ow ow ow. Saitou: It's your own fault. You're the one that ignored my advice and neglected your defense. Well, there's seven of the Ten Swords left. And there's only two of us. Sanosuke: WHAT?? Saitou: You think you can still fight? Especially with that right hand. The Sanjuu no Kiwami on top of repeated Futae...
Kenshin: Aoshi... (They stare each other down.) You've changed... You've changed so much I would hardly have thought you were Shinomori Aoshi. Aoshi: So I've changed. (unsheathing his swords) To defeat you and win the title of the strongest, I'd change anything. Sanosuke (thinking): Two kodachis! Aoshi: Draw, Battousai. (Kenshin pulls his sword out of its sheath a little, then clicks it loudly back into place.) Sanosuke: Kenshin... Aoshi: What was that. Do you intend to break your...
Yahiko: Oh, so now you're all "I'm gonna make you regret this"? Saying it and doing it are two different things! Henya: Fool. I said anyone could kill you with one shot. With this-- (He drops a stick of dynamite; Yahiko loses him in the smoke.) Henya: I can do this! (He reappears in the air directly above Yahiko, wings spread.) Henya: This is the fighting style of Soaring Henya of the Ten Swords--Hikuu Happa! I've taken the use of weapons to the limits--humans have a natural blind...