* Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translation *
* Volume 13: The perfect night *
* Chapter hundred and six: Parallel of snakes and scorpions *

Shishio: What? 'Complete victory'?

Hoji: That is right.

(he stands tall)

Hoji: Complete victory.

(picture of Saitou, Sano and Kenshin walking in the jungles)

Hoji: (voice over) Inclusive of Shishio-sama you, this match with Himura,
Saitou and Sagara is three against ten. So whether in number or in
abilities, we have the upper hand.

Yumi: So it's a sure win then! What are you so dissatisfied about?

Hoji: So to say, however, the enemies are the best of the best. If we're to
have a head-on bump in with them... even if it's the Juppongatana, it's a
definite loss of personnels with abilities less than or equal to Chou. So
why don't we pick the best of our best to meet them instead? Take Soujirou,
Usui and Anji to meet the three, while the rest of the Juppongatana shall
proceed on to Aoiya to clean up the slate there!

Yumi: !

Soujirou: (beating a fist on his palm) I see!

Hoji: Previously, the Kyoto Inferno plan only failed because of interference
from the Kyoto Oniwabanshuu...

(Shishio stares)

(picture of the Kyoto Oniwabanshuu)

Hoji: (voice over) And that's not the only time. Ever since Himura appeared
in Kyoto, he's been using the strings of the Oniwabanshuu as a backing and
the source of his information. They too formed an important supporting team
in his background.

(back to the room)

Hoji: If it weren't for them, we would have smoothly proceeded with our
plans... and we wouldn't be able to swallow down the defeat of previous
without killing them all first. Himura Battousai is a man of high
intelligence... our plans to ambush the Aoiya should have been seen by him
quite clearly. But he's nothing more than a 'kenkaku', since knowing that
both sides are to battle, and knowing no more than that, that the ones to
head towards Aoiya would be the Juppongatana themselves!

(Shishio stares again)

Hoji: Shishio-sama, you who think similarly as he does, must only have the
complete victory of three against ten - but we mustn't forget the ultimate
motive is the entire country, Shishio-sama! This would then be the 'complete
victory' of Shishio-sama. Therefore when we are battling with Himura
Battousai, so must we with those dogs in that inn, which would indefinitely
win us the upper hand.

Shishio: Hoji, since when have you gotten that courage to actually dare
suggest ideas to me?

(Hoji snaps)

Shishio: Whatever it is, sudden attack or surprise attacks... I don't really
care. But once I've decided to fight with Himura Battousai, I will not alter
the original plan or risk losing my swordsman's honour.

Shishio: (shouts) This duel will have no changes! Don't you sprout anymore
nonsense here, and just get the Juppongatana here right now!

Hoji: ... Ever since Shishio-sama enlightened me with the soul of a devil,
I've made a decision.

(removes his gloves)

Hoji: Just as how the the winner triumphs and the loser goes, the creation
of a country and of history were all done by triumphant winners. All my
strength, abilities and all, shall be wholly devoted to helping Shishio-sama
on the road of success.

(throws his gloves onto the floor)

Hoji: Therefore, no matter what I must do, I shall not raise an eyebrow even
in defiance..

(shouts)

Hoji: No matter how despicable, cheap and low-down my tricks may seem, I
must assist Shishio-sama all the way till the end of your success! So
whether anyone, them, he, she or even Shishio-sama yourself! If they see me
in the light of a poisonous snake, then so be it!

(grasps his fist)

Hoji: Since the moment the Rengoku was lost, our only hopes were all laid on
the Juppongatana. So whatever Shishio-sama says, I will not allow the
strategies that would lead to the elimination of all our Juppongatana to
exist!

Shishio: Humph. With lackeys like these who needs enemies? Forget it!
Soujirou!

Soujirou: Here.

Shishio: You go call the Juppongatana.

(the Juppongatana comes)

Hennya: Shishio-sama, this time you call... could it be that the next battle
alignment is ready for receiving?

Shishio: Before that, I have something to say to you all about the previous
battle.

Iwanbou: Right right right! I must know the truth behind what was going on!

Usui: Heard that the Kyoto Inferno was merely a screen for something
better... then wouldn't that make us all some worthless pawns in your hands?

Big brains: Hohoho! Tell us, Shishio-sama, just what is going on then!

Shishio: Right. Of course, I too feel that I've let you all down, and to
tell you the truth, the previous attack should have had all of you on the
Rengoku with me on our way to Tokyo.

(Hoji starts)

Shishio: But our dear Mr. Hoji said, that if the screen had to be put up
then it had to be as realistic as possible, so with his own judgement
altered the original plans.

(Hoji sweats)

Shishio: Isn't that so... Hoji?

Hoji: Yes. (he kneels down) It was all my fault. I kneel down in plead of
forgiveness now.

Kamatari: Oh wow! And I thought Shishio-sama had forgotten about me...
depressed me for nothing...

Usui: So I see! So this is it... then by the looks of it, Hoji needs to
suffer the rightful judgement...

(he kneels down with Hoji)

Usui: Out with the truth, Hoji. Nothing can escape what my heart eye can
see, so if you speak the truth now, your physical tortures shall be entirely
pardoned.

Hoji: I... I don't know... what you're talking about.

(Usui snaps Hoji's left hand thumbnail out)

Hoji: Waa hahaaaaaAAAAAAAAA!

Kamatari: Ouch! That must hurt!

Iwanbou: Mother!

Yumi: Shishio-sama...

Usui: So? Come out with it now?

Hoji: There's nothing to say. I've said all I should, the truth is what I've
said. The betrayal of the seven Juppongatanas is mine alone...

(he bites on seven of his fingernails)

Hoji: (and promptly pulls them out) I offer these seven fingernails as a
price for my sinful act! And thereby now all of you please dispel all the
lack of trust or suspicion you have on Shishio-sama!

Shishio: All right! Listen to my words now! Soujirou, Usui, Anji and I shall
remain to attack Himura Battousai. The rest of the Juppongatana head towards
Aoiya and do not come back if the heads of the people there are not cut down
for me!

(Hoji starts)

Shishio: But you stay, Hoji. You can't possibly do battle in that state of
yours now.

Hoji: Shishio-sama...

Shishio: I have seen how great your repentance is... so you shall be in
charge of all the despicable affairs from now on. But you will not be devoid
totally of the beauty of victory and triumphant, of course. Stay by my side,
and enjoy all the traits of winning...

Hoji: Yes!

(a door closes)

Aoshi: Battousai... is coming...

Shishio: The first to go is Anji! The target is the person guilty of
destroying the Rengoku, Sagara Sanosuke! His head is not a pretty price
enough. Bring his sculpted skull to me!

Kenshin: This is it.

Sanosuke: Right! (slams his fist into each other) Then let's go!

END TRANSLATION

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