Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations
Volume Nine--Arrival in Kyoto
Part 73--Meeting in the Forest (End)
(Sanosuke, drenched in sweat, punches a rock set atop a boulder. It breaks in half.)
Sanosuke has begun training to learn the Futae no Kiwami.
Sanosuke: Damn. This isn't working. No matter how quickly I hit the rock the second time. This is supposed to be easy and I just can't do it.
It's already the third day.
Anji (appearing behind him): To say is easy. To do is hard. You knew how difficult the Futae no Kiwami was. Are you beginning to think it's impossible in just a week?
Sanosuke: Yeah, right. I still have four days. If I pissed from here, it'd reach the sea in four days.
Anji: What kind of proverb is that.
Sanosuke: I'll look forward to you deciding if I can do it or not in four days.
Anji: This is like chanting sutras to a horse. All right. You had a week. There are four days left. After that, if you still can't do it--
(He punches the boulder to his right, crushing it to smithereens.)
Anji: You'll die.
Sanosuke (grinning): Great!
Fourth day
Sanosuke (breaking rock after rock and thinking): If I could have achieved strength like this without risking my life, I wouldn't have needed this at all. What I want, what I'm searching for--
Fifth day
Anji: Such useless effort. The Futae no Kiwami was the product of ten years of training. To attain it with sheer determination alone will not be easy.
Sixth day
(Sanosuke's right hand is bleeding; he is exhausted and covered in sweat.)
Sanosuke: I still . . . (sinking to his knees) I still have time before dark . . . I crushed all the rocks here into gravel. I'll have to go get some . . . (thinking) Shit. Even if I had time, I don't have the strength . . . In this place I don't even know, I'm finished . . .
Sagara: Sanosuke . . .
Sanosuke: Captain . . . Sagara? I must be dreaming, or it's a phantom, or . . . (rubbing his eyes) Aughhhh!!!! (He doesn't have feet--!)
Sagara: It's all right, Sanosuke. You've done enough. You've pushed yourself to the limit. When you recognize defeat that man will take your life. The impossible things you've done up till now are no guarantee on your life. Forget everything and rest. This is the command of your captain.
Sanosuke: I'm sorry, captain. But I can't obey. When your head was displayed, I hated the new government with all my heart. But the truth is, I hated myself just as much. The person I most respected was mercilessly killed and I couldn't do a thing about it. I despised myself for being powerless. For ten years . . . I festered like that until a good man woke me up. Maybe I would have died in some fight if he hadn't. (He stands up) I don't want to go through those ten years of hatred again. And I don't want to put anyone else through then. That's why I have to be strong now. I'll fight against unjust violence with all of my power, with this fist . . . !
(He walks past Sagara.)
Sanosuke: Whether you're a dream, or a phantom, or a ghost . . . I was glad to see you, one last time.
(Sagara smiles.)
(The next morning, Anji finds Sanosuke stretched out on the boulder, a rock still clutched in one hand.)
Anji: Dead of exhaustion. (taking out his prayer beads) At least I can give him his memorial service. Such a waste . . .
Sanosuke (opening his eyes): Hey, don't go killing me yet, you stupid monk. I was tired and thought I'd grab a little sleep, that's all. (yawning)
Anji: But by the look of the rock in your right hand, you haven't yet mastered the Futae no Kiwami.
(Sanosuke tosses the rock in the air. Then he shatters half of the boulder he's sitting on.)
Sanosuke (catching the rock on its way down): I just now figured it out, but once you get the hang of it, you could do it even before breakfast.
Anji: Truly, you have great talent . . .
Sanosuke: Hey, you look like it was your life on the line. "Talent?" Don't end it with a word like that.
(A pause. Sanosuke grins.)
Anji: You're right. I'm sorry. Let me rephrase. (shaking hands) A great man . . .
(A little later)
Sanosuke: Well . . . I've lost enough time. I've got to get to Kyoto.
Anji: Kyoto?
Sanosuke: Yeah, I got as far as the Nakasen Way and then I don't know what happened.
Anji: Then that's easy. This is Shimosuwa, so if you leave the forest in this direction you'll hit one of the inns along the Nakasen.
Sanosuke: Did you just say Shimosuwa.
Anji: Yes. What's--
Sanosuke: Of course! Shimosuwa! Ha---ha ha!
Anji: What? What?
Sanosuke (thinking): I thought it looked familiar. (aloud) It's a little weird to say this to a fallen monk, but (thinking) This is where the Sekihoutai met their deaths . . . (aloud) Let's just say maybe I believe a little now in the Buddha's path.
Anji: ?
Sanosuke: It's okay, it's okay. Don't worry about it. Well, thanks for looking after me. I'm Sagara Sanosuke. Maybe we'll meet again someday.
Anji: I am Yuukyuuzan Anji. Take care. (thinking) It's like he became a different person overnight. Until yesterday I thought he was a mere chick. Today he's like a young bird leaving the nest.
Soujirou (appearing behind him): Oh, there you are, there you are. I've been looking for you, Mr. Anji. The battle has begun. The members of the special unit Ten Swords are gathering in Kyoto.
And so the stage is set for the turmoil of Kyoto . . .