Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations
Volume Eleven--Overture to Destruction
Part 87--A Violent Meeting.
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 soldier is hanging from the rafters in the training room, stabbed with a sword and a spear.
Shishio regards him carefully.)
Houji (coming in): Lord Shishio.
(The soldier is slashed in half.)
Houji (thinking): I never saw the sword leave the scabbard--
(The upper half of the soldier bursts into flame.)
Soujirou (coming in behind a shocked Houji): Oh, it’s been a while. The old secret sword
Homura Dama.
Shishio: I caught him trying to steal a sword. Did you want something, Houji?
Houji: Ye-yes. I received word of Soujirou’s return, but . . .
Soujirou: Now, now, don’t be angry. I’m back, Mr. Shishio. And I brought all the Ten Swords
in Eastern Japan.
Shishio: It’s been a while, Anji. Have you completed your training?
Anji: Yes.
Shishio: Henya, I've been waiting for you. Your skills haven’t gotten rusty, have they?
Henya: Hardly.
Shishio: Iwanbou, you look as stupid as ever.
Iwanbou (grinning): Gufu.
Shishio (coming to Aoshi): And you . . . You’re the first outsider ever to enter this fortress.
Welcome.
Aoshi: Let me say this now so we’ll have no misunderstandings. I’m here only for information
about Battousai. I have absolutely no intention of working for you.
Shishio: Well, that should be fine. I have a little theory about you. Everyone has their
own position in life. There are those born to lead, those born to follow, and those,
incompatible with anyone, born to live alone. I don’t need someone like you working for me.
Someone who keeps to themselves is the key to dissolving an organization. But I like you.
So what are we going to do? On the one hand, I could offer you information about Battousai.
Aoshi: Or, I could help you destroy Battousai.
Shishio: Don’t be impatient. You can fight Battousai purely of your own free will. You'll be
doing it for us both.
Aoshi: In other works, not as your underling, but your equal.
(They stare each other down for a moment.)
Aoshi: Do you have news of Battousai?
Houji: After the fight with Chou we haven’t heard a thing . . .
Aoshi (turning for the door): Then I have no need to speak with you.
Soujirou: There is a clue. The old man you met, Mr. Shinomori. Wouldn’t he be in contact
with Mr. Himura? So if we attacked the Aoiya and torture him, I’m sure he’ll have a thing or
two to tell us.
Shishio: Hmm. If that’s true . . . what are you going to do, Okashira?
(Flashback.)
Aoshi: Is Misao asleep?
Hanya: Yes. Are you sure about this? When she wakes up I the morning and finds out we’re . .
. no, that you’re gone, she’s going to be very unhappy.
Aoshi: I’ve entrusted Misao to Okina. I have no worries. But are you sure you want to do
this?
Shikijou: We’ve been through this, Okashira.
Beshimi: The ones we’re leaving here are good merchants.
Hyottoko: We’d just be in the way.
Hanya: After all, we’re the outsiders who only know how to live in the middle of a fight.
Aoshi: . . . I understand. Then there’s nothing more I need to say. From now on, we five
will use our strength as spies of the Oniwabanshuu.
(returning to the present)
Aoshi (thinking): I’ll lay the name of strongest on your graves. (aloud) I don’t care.
Battousai’s death is my all.
Shishio: Then we have an alliance. Soujirou, find a room for our guest.
Soujirou: Yes sir.
Shishio: Houji, choose the soldiers for the attack on the Aoiya. The rest of you are free to
go.
Houji: Is this all right, Lord Shishio? He’s certainly very strong, but it seems as
though he once betrayed a comrade. He looks at people as if he were destroying them.
Shishio: That’s fine. We’ll be doing some destroying of our own.
Houji: I see. Of course. (thinking) It’s true. His spirit cannot live. He is violence
incarnate.
(At the Aoiya)
Omasu (taking in the inn sign): It’s a wild night tonight.
Okon: Omasu, where’s Okina?
Omasu: Oh, he’s already asleep.
Okon: That’s strange. He’s usually up half the night.
Omasu: He’s been acting strange lately.
Okon: Well, it’s not like he started acting strange today.
Omasu (laughing): You’re right. Let’s get to bed too.
The Aoiya is in grave danger.