* Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translation *
* Chapter hundred and forty-five: Decision - the man chose by the times *

(Shishio and Kenshin in pools of blood)

(Shishio's head gives out smoke)

Aoshi: Efferverscents of red!?

Hoji: *Blood... blood efferverscents hath appeared!! Shishio-sama's
temperature had been on the sharp rise, to have surpassed the normal
person's blood cogulations, Shishio-sama has surpassed the restricted
boundaries.*

Saitou: *The kenqi of both now... truly so... the victory or defeats in the
match... Shishio Makoto wins by a score!!!*

(Shishio stands up. Kenshin struggles desperately)

Sano: Kenshin!!

(Kenshin falls again)

Kenshin: *A whole body of failure... blood flowing out without remorse in
continuing... the final feeling of death's creature... the initial taste...
of the true time death...*

*Shishio mayst lose his powress after this match... however not long should
past shall he once again regain't, to flip over and come again, then this
leader of a wholly dark era shall never be stopped at...*

*To stick on mine ideals to the bitter end... 'tis requiring...*
*Protecting Japan*
*Protecting Kyoto*

*Therefore---*

(Kenshin's face towards the sky)

A crying Kaoru on the streets of Tokyo.

Master Hiko Seijuurou.

(Shishio prepares a downward stab with his sword)

*Kaoru: Kenshin... let us return to Tokyo together...*

*Come back please...*

(Kenshin wrenches his eyes open and stands up despite the blood still
gushing out)

Kenshin: Die not! Die not for whatever that couldst happen!! This unworthy
one must not expire here, now, for there be still anticipation for mine
undeserving prescence!! A thirst for life from there this useless one goes
by... 'tis stronger than whatever the stuff may come!!

Shishio: No, indeed with whatever the stuff I myself claims the strongest
title!! A world of weak flesh strong foods, the mighty survives, the
lessers perish!! To survive shall be me!!!

(he brings his sword down)

Hoji: Ah... Shishio-sama hath finally... finally stepped over the
boundary!!

(Shishio suddenly catches fire, his hand loosening the grasp on his blade)

Hoji: (kneeling) Shi... shio.... sama!?

Aoshi: Bodily... combustion... over the restricted boundary... the unusual
temperature alights the blaze within one's fats... a fireball of a wrecked
Bakumatsu... returns to bring his Sheol...

(Shishio's past on how he was burnt by the Ishin government)

(Shishio smiles. He is engulfed by flames and leaves nothing but a heap of
ash. Kenshin notes the wrist watch)

Hoji: No admittance!! I shall never admit it!! The ultimate winner, shall
always be Shishio-sama in this match!!

Saitou: That would not be, for the survivor of the match triumphs. The
mighty survives, the lessers perish, he hath marked by his own standards...

(Hoji weeps)

Saitou: Of past to present, to pierce through the tunnels of time...
Shishio Makoto shall never be triumphant, whilst Battousai our... era's...
chosen survivor be...

(the wrist watch in Kenshin's hand reads five thirty-two)

END TRANSLATION

(c) Nobuhiro Watsuki		Translation: ruroken@geocities.com