Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations
Volume Eight--On the Meiji Toukai Way
Part 62--On the Meiji Toukai Way
Sanosuke. Kaoru and Yahiko. And now Shinomori Aoshi make their separate ways to Kyoto, with their own thoughts
in their hearts.
Passer-by: What’s this?
Another: Looks like a swordsman, but doesn’t he know there’s an edict against carrying swords? Best not to get too close
to him.
(Kenshin walks down the road, ignoring all the attention his sword attracts.)
Boy: Wow, a sword!
Mother: Shh!
Passer-by: A sword, now. That’s risky. Better let sleeping dogs lie.
(Flashback to two days ago--)
Saitou: So you’ve finally made up your mind to go to Kyoto. Said your goodbyes to the Kamiya girl? Sorry, a slip of the
tongue. From now on we’ll be fighting together against the Shishio faction, so we’ll have to get along.
Kenshin: Fighting together?
Saitou: Yes. In the aftermath of Okubo’s assassination, Kawaji took on many more responsibilities, and he put me in
command of the force in Kyoto. What’s the long face for?
Kenshin: Nothing.
Saitou: Well, come on. If we leave for Yokohama now, we’ll be in time to catch the first ship to Osaka.
Kenshin: No. I’m going by the Toukai Way.
Saitou: What, no money? The navy will--
Kenshin: That’s not it. As you saw in the assassination of Governor Okubo, Shishio’s men could appear when they are
least expected. I’ve been thinking about what would happen if they attacked suddenly on a ship. There’s nowhere to run
on a ship, and bystanders who know nothing of this could become involved.
Saitou: You still think like a vagabond. It would be better for you if you returned to the Hitokiri instead of this
peace-loving fool. (putting a hand to his sword.) Maybe I should fight you again here.
Kenshin: I’ll fight you whenever you like, but I have no desire to become Battousai ever again. I don’t want to involve
anyone in this. That’s why I chose to go alone.
Saitou: Well, fine. Whatever road you take, you won’t have any problem getting to Kyoto. It would take an ordinary
person ten days by that route, but for you, five should be enough. But this is no pleasure trip. Shishio has a net of
informants all over the country like a spider’s web. He should know of your every movement. Don’t forget. The battle
with Shishio has already begun.
Kenshin (thinking, back to the present): Carrying a sword while I walk, no one will come near me. No one will get
involved--
(A police whistle sounds behind him.)
Kenshin: Oro ro.
Policeman: Hey, hey! You’ve got some nerve carrying a sword right in broad daylight!
(Kenshin runs for it.)
Connecting Nihon Bridge to Kyoto Sanjouoo Bridge (a distance of 492 kilometers)
the Toukai Way was an important
road from ancient times. However, in Meiji 5 (1872) railroads were being laid from Shinbashi
to Yokohama, so the number of people who still traveled the country on foot was decreasing.
Odowara is the first big city on the way from Tokyo. It lies just before the most dangerous
pass, the Hakone-Goe, so it’s
usual for travelers to spend the night there before going on.
Girls in front of an inn: The Odaya! Stay at the Odaya! The Odaya! It’s cheap, the Odaya! Hey, where are you going,
swordsman? Stay a night here!
Kenshin: No, I’m in a hurry tonight.
Girl: In a hurry? It’s already getting dark! You'll be in the deep in the Hakone
mountains
when night falls!
Kenshin (thinking): It would only bring trouble to stay in an inn.
Away from Tokyo, it isn’t as unusual to carry a sword. I’ll have to avoid contact with people
as much as possible--
Girl: What, flat broke?
(Face fault)
(In the mountains. Kenshin lights a fire and settles against a tree.)
Kenshin: It’s been a while since I slept under the stars. (thinking) I suppose everyone’s angry with me now . . .
But even if they carry a grudge, I had no choice . . .
(A sound behind him. He leaps to his feet, drawing his sword.)
Kenshin (thinking): A women’s voice, and the voices of several men . . . (aloud) It couldn’t be Shishio’s men . . .
Probably bandits or highwaymen. I can’t say I have to avoid human contact now.
(Four men form a semi-circle around the cloaked and hooded woman.)
Man1: What’re you so scared of. You’re the one who invited us here.
Woman: I know. But do you have the money?
Man?: Right here. We just finished a "job" in Odawara.
Woman: Good. Then the performance ends here! (she whips off the cloak, revealing herself to be a girl in shorts, with
metal handguards and a long braid.) Hand over the money!
Men: What the--
It’s just a brat.
Damn, her voice was sexy too--
Got no use for a child. Let’s go back and get some sleep.
Misao: Wait, you freaks!! Who’s a child?? (kicking one in the back of the head) Numbskulls!!
Men: That bitch!!
(Misao blocks a punch and drives her elbow into his stomach.)
Misao: I’m sixteen!!
Man (trapping her arms from behind): Don’t get carried away, brat!
Man2 (drawing his sword): I’m still on edge from the robbery. Why not kill her. Prepare yourself!
Misao (vaulting out): You can’t capture me by force alone.
(A few more kicks, and all four are taken out.)
Misao: Well, that’s that. Just trick ‘em with a sexy voice and reel ‘em in. (picking up the money sack) Nothing to it.
Kenshin: I’m surprised. (Misao jumps out of her skin) I thought you were being robbed, but it’s quite the reverse.
A woman bandit!
Misao: Who are you? Can’t women be bandits?
Kenshin: No, that’s not what I meant. Being a bandit in itself is wrong.
Misao: Hmm . . . I see. You’re trying to give me advice. That’s interesting, coming from you. You look poor--flat broke, right?
Kenshin: . . . . (Everywhere I go, everyone I meet . . . )
Misao: Well, I guess you can't help it. You’re wearing a Japanese sword. I’ll take it instead of money!
Kenshin: Oro ro?