Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations
Volume Twelve--The Great Kyoto Fire
Part 98--One More Target
Kenshin: Well, Master . . . thank you for everything.
Hiko: Wait. (He removes the cloak and holds it out.) The white cloak is passed down from
generation to generation. It's proof you're the successor of the Hiten Mitsurugi school.
Take it. You've earned it.
(They both contemplate Kenshin wearing the cloak.)
Kenshin: I'll have to decline. (It just wouldn't look good on me.)
Hiko: Hey, you--
Kenshin: Master, I've learned the secret techniques, but I have no wish to succeed as the
fourteenth Hiko Seijuurou and continue the school. I only want to pass on the ideals of the
school.
Hiko: You're pretty selfish. Well, it's not like this is the first time.
Kenshin: You might call this selfish as well, but there's one more thing. While I'm fighting
the Shishio faction, will you protect the Aoiya for me?
Hiko: Hm.
Kenshin: Master.
Hiko (with a big thumbs-down): I've had about enough of you talking me into things. (putting
the cloak back on and turning back to the house) When you said you wouldn't carry on the
Hiten Mitsurugi school, I was no longer your master, you were no longer my student. Forget
I was ever your master.
Kenshin: Master!
Hiko: But remember this. Just that I didn't teach you the Hiten Mitsurugi school to bring
you misery. Don't worry about it too much. Go beat Shishio.
(Kenshin bows, and walks back towards Kyoto.)
(In Kyoto, police patrols line the streets.)
People: Something's going on.
It's really noisy.
Lot of police out today.
(At police headquarters)
Chief: Fujita, the patrols have been sent around Kyoto as you ordered. The reinforcements
are coming in from neighboring prefectures; by evening we'll have about 5,000 men. No matter
how many the Shishio faction, they won't be able to act freely.
Saitou: I wonder how this will go.
Chief: It's okay. It'll go all right. Heaven is on our side. The legendary man we were
searching for appeared at the station at the base of Amaketake. They put him in a carriage
immediately, he should be here soon.
(The sound of wheels outside.)
Chief: Just like the rumors said.
(Kenshin steps out of the carriage.)
Chief: That's the Hitokiri . . . Himura Battousai.
Saitou (calling out the window): Hey. Look at you, visiting in a carriage on a weekday afternoon, like
you were some rich guy.
Chief (nervously): Fujita.
Saitou: So what is it? You've resolved to become the Hitokiri once again?
Kenshin (smiling): Well, I'm not sure.
(a pause)
Saitou: Well, we have a lot to talk about. Come inside. That noisy guy just went to get
something to eat, so this is perfect.
(A little later, in a library)
Kenshin: A fire in Kyoto?!
Saitou: Yes. We heard it from one of the Ten Swords we captured, Chou. Also, early this
morning one of the patrols arrested and questioned a suspect. He confessed to making
preparations for the Great Kyoto Fire. It's set to begin at 11:59 tonight. That much is
certain.
Kenshin: That seems strange.
Saitou: You think so too. No matter how strong the Shishio faction, we still have an
overwhelming advantage of numbers. So their tactics will have to emphasis surprise attacks
and assassinations. The Great Fire of Kyoto is also a plan with these important points.
Houji (speaking to the assembled soldiers): Gentlemen! Our time is finally come! There will
be need to hide or lurk in this cellar!
Saitou: But if their information is leaked so easily, they can't possibly pull off anything
like that
Houji: These fools who live in idleness will fall to our strength!
Saitou: Security should be so tight that leaking information is a matter of life and death.
I thought someone would be sent to eliminate Chou down in the cells, so I set up a close
watch. But there was no sign of anyone. And it turns out you can get anything you
want out of Chou. However you look at it, it's strange.
Kenshin: The other side of the Kyoto Fire must be a secret even to the Ten Swords. There must
be some other target . . .
(They open a map on the table.)
Saitou (thinking): Where . . . His target, where . . .
(Osaka leaps out at them.)
Kenshin: The Kyoto Fire is modeled on the Ikedaya Affair. Since Shishio is taking over the
country and taking revenge at the same time, this other target would be some kind of game.
Saitou, in the decisive battle of the Boshin war, Tobafumi, the Bakufu shogun Tokugawa
Yoshinobu deceived his allies by fleeing by ship from Osaka Bay to Edo. This maneuver was
the main reason for the government victory. Shishio will ironically make his victory into
his own . . . (pointing at Tokyo) Here! The Kyoto Fire is the only the first stage of his
plans! His true objective is a marine bombardment of Tokyo!
Saitou: I see . . . The Kyoto fire is an opening move to draw the public eye and his
supporters. The Shishio faction and the police will meet in a head-on, flashy battle. So he
deliberately let the information out. The target is Tokyo, the seat of government. A place
that can't be put out of harm's way.
Kenshin: They won't be able to combat a marine attack! It's the one thing they can't avoid!
(opening the door) There's no time! Hurry!
Sanosuke: Leaving me behind again?
(He punches him across the face.)
Sanosuke: Not this time.
Kenshin: S . . Sano! What are you doing here!
Sanosuke (catching him as he falls forward): What am I doing here? I decided to help you
out!
Kenshin (smiling): I see.
Saitou: Don't you mean get in our way?
Sanosuke: Hey! Anyway, there's no time! I've got a lot to tell you while we run!
Saitou: You're going to run all the way to Osaka? Idiot. We'll take the carriage.
Sanosuke: Ah, why do you always have to find fault with everything I say!
Kenshin: . . . .