* Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translation * * Volume 11: The final curtain * * Chapter ninety-two: Rooster tail head and broom head * Sano: I thought the chance of you coming to Kyoto was fifty-fifty, (they stare at each other) Sano: but later I thought, hey, even Kenshin was lured to Kyoto by you, so there's no reason why you shouldn't be here. (he stands up) Sano: Won't you smile and welcome me? I had walked through a mountain of dangers just to train and meet up with you! Saitou: ? Sano: Heck I not only got lost, I got into a pathetic fight with some locals as well! (points to audience) Sano: You who have not experienced similar turmoils, before you laugh at me, check yourself for the qualification first. (turns back) Sano: It all boils down to one thing ultimately! I shall let you admire the fruits of my training! Police: Saitou, do you know him? Saitou: No, never met him before. Sano: Darn it you idiot, stand there! Saitou: (walks away) He's either got the wrong guy or the wrong sanity. Our plans'll be ruined if he's allowd to roam, so just accomodate him here for the time being. Police: Um. Sano: Coward! If you're not opening this door, I'll just have to help myself! (Sano punches through the wooden bars) Sano: Scared aren't you? Idiot! If you still think I'm the Sanosuke of the past, then you're wrong. Police: You... Saitou: Chief. Take a breather upstairs and let me handle this! (walks towards Sano) Sano: ... There are lots of things I want to ask you straight, but first let's finish what's left unsettled in Tokyo. - Come on! (Saitou bends down to pick up the wooden splinters on the floor) Saitou: ... ummm, the basic pattern and clasping of the palms are more or less similar, but the power is vastly different... then, any further developments about the defence I mentioned? (Sano shakes his head) Saitou: (grabs him) ... Sano: Who do you think you are! Why must I listen to you! I'd rather die first than defend! I only like to fight the way I like! Saitou: Humph! I was just cracking my head over the lack of attendants here, and here you are as stubborn as ever. (he walks off) Sano: What're you, escaping? Saitou: I am very busy, no time to play with you now. Sano: ... Really? Then I've wob without a match isn't it? Saitou: As you wish. Sano: Darn it! I'm still not satisfied! I must have a proper match with you! - Hey... How come this room's design is so differrent from the others'? Saitou: ... Because the occupant is an important eyewitness in this latest case. Somebody Battousai brought in not long after his arrival in Kyoto. (opens the door) Saitou: Shishio's special strike force, one of the 'Juppongatana', nicknamed 'the cold-blooded swords collector'. Chou: ... What're you both bantering about outside? I can't even take a nap in peace. Won't you guys shut up? Saitou: What an attitude! (he takes a step) I have a few questions for you. Chou: Go ahead and shoot. Saitou: Something happened a few days ago at Kobe. I chose 50 experts in the trade to stop Shishio's men, but they all perished within the night in the hands on one darn guy. And all my expandable troops were all destroyed this way. Tell me who under Shishio has such a flexible ability. Chou: I can tell you the answer to such a simple question immediately. And you're looking at him. Saitou: I have no time to joke with you. Chou: Joke? So I look like I'm joking? Saitou: If you're willing to cooperate, I can pull you out of jail in no time with my pulling lines, you interested? Chou: Thanks for your concern, but I'm getting comfy here, I have no intention of checking out. Sano: That's just 'coz you're scared of Shishio, right? After all you're just a pawn who's been captured by the enemy before, so even if you're released, your comrades would never let you off. So it's even safer to remain in jail. Chou: Who's this rooster tail head? I can't stand the sight of him! Sano: Well baby neither can I. There's nothing wrong in being a gutless freak but problem is when one doesn't admit it, so there goes the glory in the word of it all, broom head! Saitou: ... Chou: I fear neither death nor Shishio-sama! Only provoking people like you! If I'm going to do what you tell me to there'll be no more glory in the world! Sano: Eaarrggh!... this guy deserves a bashing... (spits out his fish) Sano: Count yourself unlucky. I just arrived here with a stomach of fire waiting to vent on something! If you've got guts to say it out then don't you dare run away! It's you or me now Broom Head! Chou: I'm not afraid of you Rooster Tail Head! Rooster tail head! Sano: Broom head! Chou: Rooster tail head! Sano: Broom head! Chou: If you win me I'll reply to every question you ask! If you lose then you lose your life! (turns around) Chou: Crab head! Don't stand there looking like molten plasticine! Give a signal! Saitou: ... You two really don't know what's life and death! (he flicks his cigarette up. The butt touches the floor) Chou and Sano: DIE! Sano: (snaps) *His feet's... metal ball -* Chou: I've told you this! (whams Sano with the metal ball) Chou: If you lose then you lose your life - (Sano appears unscathed) Chou: *WHAT?* Sano: Woooo aaaaah! Chou: ! (Sano smashes the wooden cuffs on Chou's wrists) Sano: How do we know the victory or defeats with so much stuff on your hands? From now onwards it's the REAL battle! Chou: ... You... you aimed for my wooden cuffs in the very first attack... Sano: Why, you want me to smash that metal ball as well? Chou: Humph! I'm not fighting anymore. Sano: WHAT! Chou: So I just can't stand you! Ask what you want to and get lost quick! Sano: ... Humph. Saitou: Then I'll help myself! Sano and Chou: ! *... This old stinking fisherman...* Saitou: Two questions. First one's been asked just now. Second one is, what is 'Shishio's plan to destroy Kyoto' all about? END TRANSLATION (c) Nobuhiro Watsuki Translation: ruroken@geocities.com Please press your browser's back button to go back.