* Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translation *
* Volume two: Hitokiri vs. Hitokiri *
* Chapter nine: Black hat of rushes *
Lightning strikes
Man: Ah... no... I plead thou... all the cash terms you lay, I wouldst
pay... still I prithee... spare mine life please...
Assassin: You Ishinshishis hath been deluded with the scent of money? Ho ho
ha ha!
Man: (starts to run away) No please!
(assassin's eyes sparkle a little)
Man: !? *Mine... mine body refuses to obey!*
Assassin: (lifting his sword) Ho ho! Ha ha ha!
Man: *Wherefore hath the situation turned this sour?*
Assassin: DIE YOU!
(shouts screams pierces ouch)
Sano: How it invokes mine bitter buds!
(Kaoru snaps a little)
Sano: 'Tis spells misfortune, Jouchan! The 'cook-jutsu' of yours should be
seasoned with more variety and taste! How about't! Let I myself shower you a
few precious pointers! Kenshin, the daily dish of which being so, I pity
thee; the which to bear with such dull and boring food!
Kenshin: (smiling) There is no issue of that. Kaoru's cooking increases it's
worth and tastiness every one more bite of't, ingredients of which is tasty
and delicious yet packed with exotic flavors.
Sano: Ho- ! Doth thou consider these as 'exotic flavors'? 'Tis but some
rotting fish and careless veggies!
(Kaoru's hair stands up on ends)
Kaoru: (as she engages in a free throwing situation) Do not touch the food
if you find the bitterness invoked! What is't! Hath you not considered the
very fact of which the thing you are! Only the motive of which you drop by
here for the white eat white drinks! (^_^x)
Kenshin: Oro! Oro! ORO!
(we find that Sanosuke is using Kenshin as a shield against all flying
accessories while Yahiko continues to munch on his fish with a straight
face)
Sano: How should I find mine money with the disengagement in engaging
fights! Thou art the ones who sent me that advice!
(a foot steps in)
Chief: Extreme apologies! To have disturbed your peace in a busied time, may
I bother you yet then... Himura-san et here?
Kaoru: ! Ch... Chief! Kenshin! Chief himself hath-
* Footnote reads: please refer to chapter two
(Kaoru stops abruptly as she notices that Kenshin looks pretty injured)
Kenshin: ...
Chief: I hath something of utmost importance for you, Himura-san... !
Kenshin: Oro? (face of wonder)
(meanwhile, Yahiko still concentrates on his fish like it was some delicacy)
Chief: By first, the apologies for the sword-bearing police event must be
delivered. That true hath caused the disbandment of those reckless officers,
currently I hath devoted mineself to the task of rebuilding confidence in
the station's internal affairs. Therefore too, pray thou not bear the grudge
of the matter in thy heart...
Kenshin: Thy matter mentioned hath ceased to dwell in my heart. What matter
of utmost importance doth thou really wish to entrust this unworthy one?
Chief: Before all matters be brought up, I need to clarify it- 'tis a matter
which would mar the serene image of the police. The order hath been issued
to all major publication printing companies to refrain from the report of
this matter. Therefore, mayst all you sirs and madames here be laid with
that desire too.
(everyone is sweating. Sano's chewing his fish bone, Kenshin's mouth has
disappeared.)
Chief: There art no other matter I wish to entrust you, prithee please help
our station defeat this disciple of violence.
Sano: Disciple of violence?
Chief: Known to the masses as 'black hat of rushes'! Currently he hath
engaged in the decimation of the government, official and merchants of
previous Ishinshishi claims. A 'kill traitor letter' would be sent forth
before he actually does, he is a unscrupulous demon of death!
(shown 'black hat of rushes' as a sorta flashback)
Chief: His appearance hath been attributed to the entire country, and his
assasination doings hath been done ten times, with a clean sheet, definitely
a swordsman of wide martial arts claim.
Kaoru: Decimation of previous Ishinshishi claims, wouldst mean - he hath
habored hatred or hath wished to reform the society!
Chief: A reason of all. So besides that mentioned, this person black hat
feels the most pleasure towards the matter of murder.
(Kenshin's eyes widen in wonder)
Chief: When the target hath been targetted, the police shall thrust in our
heart and liver to the task of protecting the targetted target. Besides that
mentioned, the target himself wouldst punch in what his riches may do to
help with the employment of the region's best bodyguards, however, this
black hat would finish his deed no matter how many, who may it be, from
which we see how much joy he derives from murder.
(close up of Chief's worried face)
Chief: Two months ago, he resurfaced in the pool of Shizuoka, the target,
police and hired guards all grouped together, 34 hath since deceased, 56 had
received seriously if not fatally inflicted wounds!
Kaoru: Please wait! The point of his great abilities hath been taken in
point, however, was not the gunned policemen also at the scene? Wherefore
all the serious injuries and deaths still so...
Chief: Well... I know not how to say't... that fellow hath in him the
ability as well to down all the gunned policemen before a trigger is even
pulled nor released.
(picture of skies)
Chief: He who hath been lucky enough to retrieve his life mentioned, that
his body seemeth to hath been bound in one strangling movement, refusing to
act upon command! At that very instance, the sword hath reached the face of
the one-
Kenshin: The Nikaidou Heibou's "One-sided Heart" eh!
(Sano flinches.)
Kaoru: Pardon?
Kenshin: The breeze made in the wave of the blade - hath blown away his
mister's original design in of which, the meaning and motive of't hath been
clouded by the scent and taste of blood! Thoughts aside, 'tis the tenth year
of Meiji, yet within still exists a man of this type...
Kaoru, Yahiko, Chief and Sano: Kenshin... !
(awkward silence)
Kenshin: (sipping his tea) ...
At the next targetted target's mansion:
Tani: Cometh to help suppress this one? (waving his arms) Needless,
needless! The opponent is but more than one disciple of violence! Speak not
of help from outsiders, the police should be spared from this trouble too.
Chief: Mr. Tani, thou art too naive! The opponent is non other than the
'black hat of rushes'!
Tani: Sprinkle thy words with caution! I hath survived all the turmoils of
the past and survived through Meiji, thou art a mere police chief, there is
no millimetre of speech allowance here for you!
Chief: I base you words on the foundation of your realization of how
distinguished the opponent's skills art!
(Tani surrounded by lots of snobbish looking weaponary experts)
Tani: Ho! 'Tis the exact reason why I hath racked the four corners of the
region for the strongest experts! They hath all came in awe of the name of
me Tani Juusanrou!
Man1: 'Tis right! Mr. Tani shall rest his heart with us experts here!
Man2: The police mayst return to sit in your own lavatory in peace!
Tani: How shouldst who imitate you, the invitation of some fellow with no
established background nor determined history's help, thy face hath been
trashed down the deepest! Still though, you hath the courage to mention that
these people shall reign supreme over your entire station combined! Doth
thou know how to blush!
Chief: Thou speakst the truth. I hath no color in mine cheeks.
Tani: What?
(the door opens and Kenshin walks in. Tani recognizes him in subtle silence)
Kenshin: Thy words hath proven fully, Tani-san thou art an improved figure
from the one this unworthy one hath been carrying from dusk till dawn within
the turmoils of the past, improved from the one this useless one hath always
been shielding from spikes and spears!
(Tani's face deflats)
Tani: WAH!
Sano: (walking in as well) Hey! Where do your "region's strongest experts"
come from? If my memory hath not failed me, I myself can recall every single
one of them hath been used to mop the floor by me!
Experts: (recognizing him with opened mouths) WAH WAH!!
Kenshin: (smiling sillily) Us fellows with no established background nor
determined history hath disappointed thou deeply! Mayst this lowly one then
ask the daring question for thou to tolerate us fellows for one miserable
night.
Tani: Th-There is nothing of similar... it would be my most unworthy honor
should that happen... (sweating)
Sano: (smiling just as sillily) That would be the matter! Let us temporarily
throw our grudges aside tonight, and be good companions! Only for tonight
though!
Experts: (mouth still wide open) ...
Chief: Mr. Tani, I hath installed some other officers at the front door
gates beside bringing forth this duo, you wouldst not mind?
Tani: Ho! As thou pleases!
Chief: Pardon me?
Tani: Oh... no! I uttered 'the need for that would trouble you'!
Darkness over Tani's mansion... two policemen in sight outside the gates:
Sano: The time hath passed to leave only 5 minutes, wouldst he really come?
Kenshin: Ho... all the better if the latter doubt 'twere fulfilled!
Sano: Jouchan and company asleep then?
Kenshin: Ay! They wish to awaken in sunrise liberty to prepare the welcoming
waters for our baths!
Sano: However, Kenshin! I myself canst not fathom how you would accept a
deal like that. How should I put it - you must dislike these matters which
you must appear as 'Battousai'!
Kenshin: Oro... the dislike is true, however, how canst this lowly one here
sit by and watch. Should the black hat of rushes not disrupt his violence,
the innocents involved would pile stacks up. Thou too art very amused by
this black hat art thou not -
Sano: Dare thou say me, you are the one who often noses around in amused
desires! Snicker, snigger! How can I disember my involvement in such an
interesting duel.
Chief: *This is but a duel for swimming gangsters...*
Sano: Flow along, I'll bring up an inquiry.
Kenshin: What inquiry?
Sano: Previously you mentioned 'one sided heart', what canst it be? Canst
it not be that you hath already come to an understanding for which with this
black hat?
Kenshin: Thou art inquiring two...
Sano: (punching Kenshin) Do not pick on mine grammatic errors, reply!
Kenshin: (rubbing his face) A hearsay 'tis but.
Sano: Hearsay?
Kenshin: A hearsay from two decades minus one - this matter of coming to an
understanding, more or less we say yes... however, the years have come to
bleak, eventually -
Voice from outside the window: Wah ah ah!
Kenshin and Sano: !
Man: Wh-What is't! That terrible sound previously... what is't?
Men: 'Tis not from the internal areas, 'tis from external!
(Kenshin and Sano wham open the window. The policemen are all lying
motionlessly on the ground, the gate is open)
Kenshin: Here! Sano and mine self stay front at the door! All thou others
well up gradually!
(everyone starts following instructions while Tani stares)
Tani: Ah? Hey? ...
Sano: (giving him a kick) Do not throw your glance all about! Thou stuffed
pork bun! According to the rules, the boss of't all comes last!
(the clock strikes one. Everyone is arranged accordingly and awaiting in
anticipation)
Man: It's one...
Man: Still not here... ?
Long haired man: (wiping his sweat) Heh! Playing stuffs! 'Tis only for
frightening people! Hu-
(black hat appears behind him and strikes him down)
Kenshin and Sano: !!!
Black hat: Ho haha... there are quite abundance of fellows who wish to give
up their lives...
END TRANSLATION
(c) Nobuhiro Watsuki Translation: ruroken@geocities.com
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