Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations
Volume Eight--On the Meiji Toukai Way
Part 66--A Village Abandoned
Man: Please . . . my brother . . . and the village. Save them from Shishio's men . . .
This man's village was a short distance away from Numazujuku on the Toukai Way.
With a population of no more than twenty, it was a small village
in a mountain valley, half wooded, half farmland. Called Shingetsu, it was an ordinary
place until two years ago.
(A little later. The little boy, Eiji, is propped up against a tree; Misao and Kenshin lean
over him.)
Misao: Wake up. Hey, wake up!
(The boy's eyes slide open.)
Misao: He's awake.
Eiji: Who are . . . (remembering) My brother!
(At the other side of the clearing is a grave mound, with the notched sword sticking out of the ground as a marker.)
Misao: By the time we found him he was already . . .
Eiji (breaking into tears): Dammit. Dammit!
Kenshin: What happened? Can you tell us?
Eiji: What's the use telling a stranger?
Kenshin: I am going to Kyoto to meet Shishio.
(Both Eiji and Misao look shocked. Kenshin returns their gaze.)
Eiji: Shishio's followers came on us suddenly two years ago. First of all, they killed the
police stationed here and took over the village. When more police were
sent, they killed them too. After two years, the police stopped coming and Shishio's men
came in continuously. The government abandoned the
village of Shingetsu.
Misao: You've got to be exaggerating. They're probably planning a war right now.
Eiji (holding out a folded square of paper): Then look at this! It's a brand new map my
brother brought from Tokyo. Look! The name of Shingetsu's been taken
off! When my brother found this he knew the village was in trouble. He tried to save our
family first . . . and got killed by one of Shishio's followers, that bastard Senkaku, the one
that controls Shingetsu! (standing up) I have to go back . . . My mom and dad are
still there! Now that my brother is dead I have to save them!
(putting a hand on the sword on his brother's grave) Brother . . . lend me your
strength.
Kenshin (pushing the sword down): In your brother's stead, I will lend you mine. Miss Misao,
take care of the boy.
Misao: What? I'm going too--
Kenshin: No. I'm going into the village alone. Wait here.
(Kenshin walks into the village's empty streets.)
Kenshin (thinking): Nothing's been repaired or taken care of . . . It's like a ghost
town.
(remembering Eiji saying: "Shishio always stays in the village for a week, twice a year. I
don't know what he wanted, but the village is under Senkaku's control just for that.
Shishio just got
here now. Senkaku went to an inn to meet him, so now's the time to save my parents!")
(Misao and Eiji are sneaking through the trees, following him.)
Misao (thinking): Whatever Himura does he tries to do all himself. I'm one of the
Oniwabanshuu, I'm as strong as he is.
Eiji: Hey, woman, get closer or we'll lose sight of him.
Misao (bonking him): Dummy, Himura's good. if we get any closer he'll see us.
(Kenshin finds the bodies of a man and a woman, hanged and bloody.)
Misao (covering her mouth): An execution . . .
Kenshin (thinking): Like the boy's brother, their entire bodies have been slashed.
Probably the work of this Senkaku . . .
Eiji: MOM!! DAD!!!
(He screams. An army of spear-carrying men in black clothes and masks rushes out, forming a
semi-circle around Kenshin.)
Leader: You're an outsider. Outsiders shall not leave alive.
Kenshin (without turning to look at them): Why did you kill these people?
Leader: Their sons planned to escape the village. They bore the responsibility. Senkaku
executed them and we hanged them.
Kenshin: As a warning.
Leader: This is a place the great Lord Shishio won from the government pigs! Lord Senkaku
controls this village, where the privilege of life is granted by Lord
Shishio! By order of Lord Senkaku, outsiders must die! Prepare yourself!
Kenshin: It is you who should prepare yourselves.
(One blow from the reverse blade knocks the leader back into the ranks.)
Kenshin: Ordinarily I would say now that those who do not want to fight should stand aside,
but now, I'll fight until not one
of you remains.
Misao (to Eiji): Hey, pull yourself together! Hey! I know it's hard, but this is no place
to collapse! Crying for the dead won't bring them back. Now you've got to
stand up!!
(A soldier appears behind her, raising his spear.)
Soldier: Outsiders must die!
(Misao pulls Eiji out of the way.)
Misao (whipping out a handful of kunai): Why you--
Soldier: Outsiders must die--
(He is struck across the mouth by something heavy, wielded by a tall thin figure in police
uniform.)
Misao: Who--who are you . . .
Saitou: That bastard. I thought he was going straight to Kyoto . . . What's he hanging
around here for!
On the Meiji Toukai Way--End