Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations
Volume Six--No Need for Worries
from the front flap--
(Watsuki-sensei is tiring himself out slashing the air with a sword. Yahiko is looking on
with scorn.)
Watsuki: The feeling of a real sword in your hand is the best! (But actually I feel more like
the Highlander . . .)
Yahiko: That’s not the best at all!
REMORSE
The complaints in earlier books are really too pathetic. From now I’ll do my best to pick up
my spirits. To change the subject, recently I’ve been thinking about buying a real sword.
It’s expensive shopping, but it will be material, and I’ll be totally absorbed by it, like in
the picture above. But I’m sometimes exhausted . . . especially since I have no time. I’ll
probably have to give up on the real sword and look forward to buying a big picture of "Samurai
Shodown."
Part 40--A Man of Ideals
(Sanosuke and Kenshin are walking home from the market.)
Sanosuke: It’s been ten days since the Shinko school attack, and no sign that Raijuuta’s
coming. Maybe you beat ‘em so easy he got scared.
Kenshin: It wasn’t easy. There were a lot of them, and the one with the twin blade was good.
Sanosuke: That's what you say, but it doesn't sound like you mean it.
Kenshin (reaching for the dojo door): You think so?
Yahiko: Who’s a shrimp, you cat-eyed bastard?
Sanosuke: Ouch.
Kenshin: Oro.
Yahiko: You’re not even a student and you keep coming here every day! I thought you weren’t
doing shinai kenjutsu anymore!!
Yutarou: I told you, shinai kenjutsu's just a game! I came to check things out for Sensei’s fight
with Himura Kenshin!
Yahiko: Checking things out? All Kenshin ever does is clean house.
Yutarou: Right. That surprised me too.
Yahiko: So why do you keep coming here--!!
Yutarou: Since when do I take orders from you!!
Sanosuke: Looks like we're getting the understudy instead of the real thing.
Kenshin: For ten long days.
Kaoru: (These kids are going to drive me crazy!) That’s it! Stop fighting! You two are here to practice! Practice! Yahiko, today Yuta
rou’s practicing the jumping face stroke. You be the target.
Yahiko: You want me to do what?
Kaoru: I’m too tall for him; it wouldn’t be good practice. Don’t complain. Hurry and put on
the mask. That’s an order from your master!
(Yahiko puts on the kendo mask and armor.)
Yahiko: Come on. Let’s see that shaky sword of yours. . .
(Yutarou deals him a strong stroke.)
Kaoru (to Kenshin): How was that?
Kenshin: I’m surprised. (thinking) He’s more talented with the sword than I thought
. . .
Yahiko (thinking, as Yutarou continues to practice): This guy couldn’t even hold a shinai
right when he started--he’s come a long way in ten days. He’s not just talk anymore! But--
(ripping off the mask and fighting back, saying) Aren’t you going overboard!!!
Kaoru: That’s enough!!
Kenshin: Ororo.
(Later, at the Akabeko)
Yutarou: Mm! Food tastes great after exercise. (holding out his bowl to Yahiko) Waiter,
could I have another bowl?
Yahiko (jumping into a dust-cloud fight): How much are you planning on packing away?
Yutarou: Hey, I’m a customer!
Kenshin: Can we stop them?
Kaoru: I just don’t know anymore . . .
Tsubame (creeping up to their table): Umm . . . Thank you for before.
Kenshin: Nagaoka hasn’t been bothering you since then, has he?
Tsubame: No, thanks to you.
Sanosuke: If he does, you just tell us.
Tsubame: Is that a friend of Yahiko’s?
Kaoru: Um, sort of.
Tsubame: They look like they’re getting along well.
Yahiko (turning from Yutarou to yell at her): We’re FIGHTING!!! This is not getting along well!!
Are you blind or something?
Tsubame: I’m sorry . . .
Kaoru (giving Yahiko several lumps on the head): Don't scare Tsubame like that!
Yahiko (storming off): Everyone’s against me!
Sanosuke: Disgraceful.
Kaoru: Oh, that’s right, Yuta. I have something to ask you.
Yutarou (with his mouth full): Ask me what?
Kaoru: About becoming a student. How about it? You've been working hard. I’m sure you and Yahiko
would become fine swordsmen of the Kamiya Kasshin school.
(A pause. Then Yutarou lays his chopsticks down across his bowl and bows his head.)
Yutarou: I’m sorry . . . Miss Kaoru, you’re a good teacher. I was really happy that you
picked me out. And Himura Kenshin, I know you’re a really strong swordsman. I really hate the
rooster head, but.
Sanosuke: Hey, I don’t like you much either, kid.
Yutarou: Even though I’d decided that shinai kenjutsu was stupid, when I tried it, it was
really fun. I really enjoyed training at the Kamiya dojo. But, like I thought, if I want to be
strong, Raijuuta-sensei can teach me better.
(Later, walking home. Yutarou is a little in front of the rest.)
Yutarou: I first met Sensei on a night like this. We were going down a forest path on our
way home. The carriage was attacked by bandits.
(Flashback. Their carriage is overturned, and Yutarou, his father, and a servant are backed
against it by a large group of bandits.)
Bandit: Go ahead and call for help, Tsukayama. No one will hear you.
(To Yutarou’s shock, his father prostrates himself, touching his forehead to the ground.)
Tsukayama: If it’s money you want, I can give you as much as you need. Just spare
our lives--
Bandit: You’re pathetic. You must have traded in your honor along with your sword for your
money. Hey, you (to Yutarou) get down on your knees and beg for your life.
Yutarou: You must be joking! Tsukayama Yutarou is a descendent of Tokyo samurai--
(The bandit kicks him, sending him flying.)
Tsukayama: Yutarou!!
Bandit (picking Yutarou up by his shirt): Showing off, kid? A brat like you should be like you
r father and beg. Right, Mr. Tsukayama?
Tsukayama (bowing again): Please, just spare his life--
(The bandit laughs, but is choked off suddenly as the gigantic figure of Raijuuta appears behind
him. Raijuuta brings down the sword as the bandit flees for his life.)
Yutarou (thinking): Only one blow! With one blow he sent the bandits running like baby
spiders. That’s when I knew he was invincible.
Sanosuke: Raijuuta saved you? You’ve got to be kidding.
Yutarou: Shut up, rooster head! Sensei doesn’t say much and never has an expression on his
face so everyone misunderstands him. But the strongest men in the world would scatter before
this man of ideals. If I’m strong like him, I won’t grow up to be a weakling like my father.
(turning to face them) Himura Kenshin, how will the fight with Sensei be? Just make sure it's
a fair and proper fight. A real match between two great swordsmen--
(Raijuuta appears behind them, sword raised to strike when they're not looking.)
Yutarou: SENSEI!!?