Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations
Volume Twenty-One--And So Time Passed
Part 186--The New Invincible Tekkou
Banjin: Ha--ha! Jusshiki Invincible-school Raijin-guruma!
(He barrels down, turning furious somersaults, and lands smashing through a building. Otowa touchs down beside him.)
Megumi: It's escalated another step.
Kaoru: That's proof of his confidence in his strength. We can't afford to make light of that power. But--
Yahiko: He doesn't look that bright.
Kaoru: Actually, I'm not sure what that move was meant to accomplish . . .
Banjin: What was that!
Megumi (looking at Sanosuke): Two of a kind, I guess.
Sanosuke: What!
Otowa: Hm . . It seems the only ones left are these brave young ladies. (extending a hand to reveal
the miniature crossbow below his sleeve) Which shall I take . . .
Kenshin: You've got the wrong opponent.
(He vaults over their heads to land between Otowa and the girls.)
Kenshin: You'll be fighting me.
Sanosuke: Kenshin, the whale-mouth's--
Kenshin: It's all right. Below the arm is a vital spot. The blow he took pierced his ribs to the lung.
Even if he's still conscious, until he can breathe again he won't be able to lift a finger.
Banjin: You're Battousai! Sweet! I'm taking you down! But first, I got a little business to take care of.
Sanosuke: Just what I wanted to hear.
(He steps forward, holding the remaining half of the zanbatou.)
Banjin: You're armed today. Ha! Not that it matters. Try it and I'll teach you the strength of my tekkou all
over again!
Sanosuke (thinking): Those tekkou are gonna intercept any attack . . . but on the other hand, that means he isn't
expecting to get hit himself. I'll smash 'em first and just beat him into submission. Now that I can't use the
Futae no Kiwami, I gotta count on you one more time, zanbatou!
(They charge. Sanosuke brings the zanbatou across in a level swing; Banjin holds up the tekkou to block.
The tekkou shatter.)
Sanosuke (thinking): Thanks, zanbatou . . .This time will be your last.
(Banjin only smiles. The tekkou that Sanosuke smashed were only coverings; they fall away to reveal unbroken
tekkou underneath.)
Sanosuke: What?!
Banjin (punching him): Whadduya mean, what? I told you I'd do it all over again! Invincible Tekkou to New
Invincible Tekkou! Look! They're better shaped and more efficient! (to Enishi) Thanks, I'll use 'em well!
Enishi: Please, feel free . . .
Banjin (to Sanosuke): Ha--ha! What do you feel now? Despair? Regret?
Sanosuke: My chest hurts. Like somebody made me eat too much. (charging) And my zanbatou died for nothing!
Banjin (punching him again): Shut up!
Megumi: Sanosuke can't keep this up!
(Otowa and Kenshin are still locked in a standoff.)
Otowa: Why won't you move? Do you wish to see your friend die?
Kenshin: If I move, you'll shoot the three in the dojo.
Otowa: What makes you think that?
Kenshin: For whatever reason, that's the kind of man you are.
(Otowa smiles.)
Otowa: How perceptive of you. Then you will let him die.
(Unable to fend off the tekkou, Sanosuke takes blow after blow.)
Kenshin: If he dies here, then then it will be because Sagara Sanosuke was never any
greater than this.
Otowa: Ha! Fine words, Battousai! I'm pleased to hear you speak so plainly! Then you will abandon him!
You will let him die!
Yahiko (thinking): No! It's just the opposite! If it were one of us or a stranger fighting, Kenshin would never
have said that. He said it because it's Sanosuke! The only one he doesn't have to protect . . . The only man who
can fight alongside Kenshin! Now is not the time . . . but someday . . Someday I'll be there too!
(In a balloon above)
Gein: This isn't going well. Banjin won't do anything but attack, and Otowa's determined to wait and trick
his opponent into acting. They're the two extremes--in the end, they're deadlocked. If we stay on the sidelines,
we'll miss our chance for earthly justice.
(He leaps from the basket of the balloon to a large box hanging below it.)
Gein: I have no choice but to make my move. With the Sangou Iwanbou Moushuugata!
And So Time Passed--End
translations by maigo-chan
last updated 11 july 2000