* Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translation * * Volume 12: Kyoto inferno * * Chapter ninety-seven: Juppongatana's final congregate * Kenshin: MASTER! Hiko: The Ama Kakeru Ryuu No Hirameki is the strongest stroke in our Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu... I too sacrificed the Master above me to grasp the Ougi. What your master can teach you is all, from now on you go on as a 'rurouni'. (he falls) Kenshin: Master... (Hiko doesn't move) Kenshin: It can't be... how can Master be felled with just a stroke of mine... (the truth hits him) Kenshin: *You can't die!* (he throws his sakabatou on the floor) Kenshin: (as he lifts Hiko) *I will never allow that to happen - !!* (in the hut) Kenshin: Found it... *This was what Master gave me when I had an eating spree with some wrong stuff, and almost laughed to death...* (pours some into Hiko's mouth) Kenshin: There's no time to call a physician from the village below now.* (pours some water) Kenshin: *I can only hope for the medicine... and Master's well-trained physical condition to be of help.* (he stares) Kenshin: *Master - !! ...* (wind) Soujirou: I'm back. Yumi: You! Soujirou: What's with that look on your face? Yumi: Where in the world did you go? Soujirou: Where, you asked? (waves the boxes in his hands) After cooping in this cave for so long, everyone must be feeling bored, so I got some Kyoto local products back for everyone. Yumi: Does that take 3 days? Soujirou: there was quite a variety! What's wrong? Yumi: ... I've got to hand it to you! While you were gone that Usui he barged in and created so much troubles! Usui: That Usui he what? (Yumi leaps behind Soujirou) Soujirou: Usui, long time no see. Wanna have one? Usui: Kyoto local products... Everytime you're not around Shishio you're definitely up to something big. you couldn't have just been gone for those desserts... (he removes his blindfold) Usui: My 'heart eye' sees through what the naked eye cannot. Even an emotionless freak like you cannot be excluded. Soujirou: Huh? Usui: Humph... It's really none of my business whatever business you dabble in. Oh yeh, I came to tell you that the Juppongatana are gathering at the hall now. I think the last 3 has already arrived. Someone: ! Soujirou: Ah! Kamatari! Yumi: Oh! Kamatari: Ah! It's been long, Sou-chan! How have you been Yumi sister? Yumi: Good... Kamatari: This time I'm not going to lose Shishio-sama to you! Heheheh... Yumi: Humph! However useless I am I won't lose my man to a man! You hybird! Big brains: Hohohoho, young chaps nowadays are always flowing with vitality! Soujirou: Old mister! You still look strong and healthy! Big brains: Ho ho ho, you're still the only fillial one around here. All the rest neither greeted nor looked at me. A group of self-assuming youngsters. I just know that they're jealous of our strengths! Soujirou: Eh? Your companion he - Big brains: Fuji non? Outside. I don't think it'll be advisable for his entrance here! Hoji: Good! So we're all here? Soujirou: Shishio-sama, forgive my abscence without permission lately. Shishio: It doesn't matter. Soujirou: I brought you something back, Hoji: Soujirou, do not disturb our serious business here. Soujirou: and they're very delicious! (he opens the box. There are words written under it) "The ship is ready to leave anytime. Note: Usui has detected something, but he's of no big threat." (Hoji, Shishio and Soujirou stares) Shishio: Thank you, it's been hard on you. I will take my time to flavor them. Usui: Heh! Shishio: The journey's been tiring on you all, and it's been a long wait too. (pic of Chou) Shishio: (voice over) Chou's abscence came as a surprise, but at least all the rest are safely congregated here. Tenken Soujirou Shishio: Those who admire me. Big axe Kamatari Shishio: those who can't wait to kill me. Blind swordsman Usui Night companion Yumi Shishio: Those utterly disappinted in the Meiji government. King of light Anji All-known Hoji Shishio: And those with full confidence in themselves. Pill obsessed (?!?!) Iwanbou Soaring Hennya Shishio: everyone a different purpose, Army destroyer (I) Big brains (I know, I just like to call him big brains, so what...) Shishio: Yet the time to join hands has arrived! Army destroyer (II) Fuji SHisiho: (with a thumps down) 11.59pm tomorrow, Kyoto inferno shall be sparked off! And then... the day of fates finally drops it's curtains. (Kenshin sleps in the morning light. A shadow hangs) Hiko: (kicks Kenshin) Get up! How long are you going to sleep till! (Kenshin wakes up) Hiko: Aren't there like a truckload of people waiting to see you safe and sound? Then what help will that be when you're here? Get down the mountain this very instance! (Kenshin and Hiko stares) Kenshin: Ma... Master! (Hiko side steps and Kenshin crashes into a shelve of pots) Hiko: I'm not in the habit of being hugged by sweaty guys. Don't you try that on me! Kenshin: ... This is great... never expected the medicine to be this effective. Hiko: Medicine? (throws the pack at Kenshin) Hiko: That's just one of my mixing experiments gone wrong, if it's effective then there's a problem! Kenshin: What! Then... then how did... Hiko: ... if a reason must be provided, then it lies with this sword! Kenshin: *Sakabatou . real fight!* Hiko: Take a good look here. The nail securing the hilt is slightly loose, and there's a dropping sensation to it when being wielded. Eventually this sapped away a minimal amount of the Ama Kakeru Ryuu No Hirameki, greatly lowering the orginal strike force. (pic of sakabatou) Hiko: Truly a sword which conforms to it's wielder's will... an extinct rarity! Kenshin: Shakku... Hiko: (strikes the genius pose) But only through my utmost effort of no lack from a genius' brains were you forced into a genius' style of training, or how you may disocver the sword's true powers shall forever be a mystery... Kenshin: ... Hiko: (throws the sword) Whatever the process, the imparting is complete. (Kenshin catches it) Hiko: The Ama Kakeru Ryuu No Hirameki is no chicken feed, for even a sakabatou can break the non-fatal record. From now on, you go on as a rurouni to perfect this skill until you wield it strong, weak, according to your wishes. Kenshin: ... yes. Hiko: ... Good. (sky) Hiko: Don't stand there sun-tanning! Get lost right now! Isn't there like a million people awaiting your arrival down there? END TRANSLATION (c) Noburhiro Watsuki Translation: ruroken@geocities.com Please press your browser's back button to go back.