Himura BattousaiChapter 79 The Thin Bladed Sword
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(Raijuuta brings the sword down. They scatter out of the way.)
Yutarou (thinking) No... Sensei!! The secret sword Izuna with a real sword! You were going to kill him and you didn't even care!
Sanosuke: A sudden attack from behind, at night. Now we see what you're really like.
Yutarou: No, that was just a greeting! That wasn't serious! Was it, sensei!
(Raijuuta, ignoring him, looks to Kenshin.)
Yutarou: Sensei...
Kenshin: Stand back, Miss Kaoru.
(The fight begins. As Raijuuta strikes with the Izuna, trees are cut to stumps, stones are sheared in two. But at the end Kenshin stands untouched behind him.)
Sanosuke: It's just like my zanbatou. No matter how strong you are, it doesn't mean a thing if you can't connect.
(Raijuuta kicks up some dirt with his heel.)
Yutarou (thinking): Throwing sand in his eyes! (aloud) Sensei!
(Kenshin evades the next blow, leaps above Raijuuta performs the Ryuutsuisen, slicing off one of the shoulder guards.)
Raijuuta: So, my Matoi Izuna can't destroy you? But you won't be able to stop the secret technique of the Izuna... Secret Sword Tobi Izuna!
(He whips his sword through the air. Kenshin stares. Though he tries to put up his sword to block, something grazes his shoulder and goes past him to cut Yutarou's arm to the bone.)
Kenshin: Yutarou!
(He runs back to him. Yutarou's arm gushes blood.)
Kaoru: We've got to stop the bleeding. Get him to a doctor--
Raijuuta: Leave him. It's not a vital spot--he won't die.
Yahiko: You bastard! You know you've just deliberately hurt your own student?
Raijuuta: I know more than you. You really thought that child was my student?
Kaoru: What...
Raijuuta: Kenjutsu brings no money in the world of today, but I needed a lot to spread the Shinko school. The quickest ways to acquire funds is a patron. So I played the patient teacher for my patron's brat. It's too bad I have to lose him after I went so far as to stage a robbery on him, but, I can always get another.
Yutarou: Sen... sei...
Raijuuta: Now, I'll settle the matter of destroying you.
(Kenshin, Kaoru and Yahiko, carrying Yutarou, walk away.)
Raijuuta: What? You turn away from the fight?
Kenshin (over his shoulder): Wait there. You'll taste living hell soon enough.
(Raijuuta seethes.)
Raijuuta: For the third time, I am left ready to attack...
Sanosuke: You haven't even noticed how badly you've screwed up, feather-man. You got the most terrible man on earth pissed at you.
(At the doctors. Megumi and the doctor come into the room where Kenshin and the others are waiting.)
Kaoru: Megumi! How is he?
Megumi: I don't know what cut him. Considering how wide the cut seemed it's strange how little blood he lost. I really don't know. But Yutarou... since you brought him in so quickly, his life is in no danger. But--
Doctor: The muscle and nerves were severed. They can't heal. The poor boy will never practice kenjutsu again.
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: 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...
(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...
(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...
(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:...
On a cold, cold snowy day, two emotions were frozen. Sorrow--and hatred. Now that fifteen years have passed, those two emotions, still frozen, lie beneath one smiling face-- (Kenshin and Enishi cross swords.) Enishi (sinking into a low stance): Let's do this, Battousai! Sanosuke: Low stance-- Megumi: He's going into the Kofuku? Watoujutsu Senran Tousei! (Kenshin dodges and parries a storm of blows.) Kaoru: Kenshin! (Enishi drives Kenshin back towards the treeline.) Enishi: Die,...
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,...
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:...
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...
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...
(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...
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...
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,...
(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...
Yahiko: Hey, Kenshin. Is Sanosuke gonna be okay by himself? That patchwork guy looked pretty strong... Kenshin: Sano will be fine. He won't need any help. (they approach the ballroom) We're breaking in. Hold on! (back at the stairway) Shikijou: Feh. So you call the one entrusted as Keeper of the Castle Gate "third-rate"? It looks like all we've got to be proud of is our arms. A literal test of strength. Sanosuke: Great. Let's do it!! (They grapple. Shikijou drives Sanosuke up...
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...
(Kaoru lies awake in bed) Kaoru (thinking): I can't sleep... what's wrong with me? I'm really worried for some reason. (She gets up to pace the house. Yahiko is out like a light in his room.) Kaoru: Well, it is Kenshin. I'm sure he'll be okay. And Sanosuke's with him too, just in case... Kenshin will be fine... (the Black Hat stands framed in the window.) Black Hat: One, two, three... fourteen, fifteen of you? Not as many as I thought. Sanosuke (to Kenshin): That's the Black...
Kaoru: Somebody stop them--!! (They exchange blows. The tip of Saitou's sword is shorn off.) Battousai: Next time it will be your head that flies. Yahiko: Wow... Kenshin's much sharper today. Kaoru: No! That's not Kenshin! That's Hitokiri Battousai! It's Battousai! Stop them! Somebody stop them-- Sanosuke (walking in, leaning on Megumi): It's no good, girl. They're not in Meiji Tokyo any more. They're fighting in Kyoto of the Bakumatsu. No matter how much you call, your voice...
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...