* Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translation *
* Volume 7: Meiji's 11th year, 5th month, 14th day *
* Chapter fifty-seven: The afternoon of the 11th year, 5th month and 14th
day of Meiji *
Newsboy: Extra! Extra!
- The afternoon of the 11th year, 5th month and 14th day of Meiji. -
Newsboy: Assasination of the internal affairs master! Master Okubo hath been
assasinated!
- The pivotal point of a dying century - Okubo Toshimichi's assasination, on
the afternoon of the very day had made itself manifest for the human
upheaval. -
(Kaoru, Sanosuke, Megumi and Yahiko reading the news brought by Tae-san)
Kaoru: ...
(at the police post)
Kawaji: 'Tis truly the way of the Shishio operators! (whams the table)
Authorizing a nation-wide follower's ambush, then utilizing the known facts
to commit ugly crimes! However his personal appearances doth not carve the
situation, he wishes to squeeze every valuable drop out of the Meiji
government, then crack it with the final, furious blow!
(Kenshin and Saitoh watches on)
Kawaji: ... Master Okubo...
Man: (opens door) My apologies!
Kawaji: He be the governor of Fukushima prefecture, Yamayoshi-san. Too he is
whom Master Okubo... last conversed with.
Yamayoshi: Matters required mine attention for arranging in Tokyo, and
return was imminent, therefore a visit to Okubo was arranged for exchange of
pleasanties, never did one stop to imagine the outcome...
*Okubo: Ten years hath passed since the Ishin, however nothing worthy has
been achieved, and the mere mention makes one regret.
(Okubo finishes a sip from his cup)
Okubo: But all shall differ from this moment forth. A firm and fixed
foundation for a country, would demand 30 years of space, this 1st ten past
wouldst be the 'Opening decade". Whilst the 2nd ten from forth on shall be
the "Developing decade", where internal politics, external performance all
beg for attention, where would be an important developing stage.
(he stands up)
Okubo: I do not possess talent or ability, however in this 2nd decade, I
must displace all problemed roots to grow this way down. The final 'Settling
decade' can be inherited by the chosen successors! Parlimental meetings,
constitutional congregates to steer Japan towards true democracy.
(he stands at the window looking out)
Okubo: When, then, Japan receives it's nationstate status, can the Ishin be
truly accomplished.*
Saitoh: A so-called democratic nationstate... calls to mind that not all
matters shall be weighed upon and decided by an absolute power, but shared
upon with the citizens of the land, is't not so! An ideal of this kind,
wouldst it not be too far-fetched.
Kawaji: Nay, I firmly believe the final fulfillment of this ideal... if only
though Master Okubo remained...
Saitoh, Kawaji and Kenshin: ...
Yamayoshi: Would there be one matter mystifying me greatly. Master Okubo was
never one prone to discussions, however this greatly lateralled this
morning's state, I dare not predict that he has foretold the death date, or
could it be that to himself, today was a day which would greatly alter
Japan's fate...
(Kenshin looks down in realization)
(picture of corridor lights)
Kenshin: Kawaji-san hath hit the extreme blues from the way matters present
themselves.
Saitoh: Because he be one whom Master Okubo nurtured and grew.
(both of them are walking down the corridor side by side)
Saitoh: Moreover, Kawaji wouldst not be the only one who hath eaten the
blues, of the 3 'Ishin's who begets greatest credit the last hath been
slaughtered, the best leader vanishing, leaving the kittens and puppies in
charge of the government. From forth then, Japan shall truly dissolve into
the pan of confusion.
(picture of Kenshin leaning on the bridge looking lost)
Newsboy: Extra!
Saitoh: (voice over) And Shishio would not easily let go of the handle of
this seemingly heaven-sent pan -
Newsboy: Extra! Masster Okubo's assasination! Assasination of the internal
affairs master!
(a piece of the 'Extra~' pamphlet floats gracefully into the waters)
Kenshin: *History of that turbulent time - shall repeat itself arise
again -*
(the sun sets)
Megumi: What is truly the matter! For mine prescence in an emergency
operation even in the death of the night!
Sano: The little fellow and the vixen both - to travel in the black night
really rests no one's heart, I myself shall see them to the stop.
Messenger: Prithee hasten!
Megumi: And what attitude would that be?
Kaoru: (grasping er left elbow as the wind rustles the leaves) Then... be
tactful where you step...
(they leave)
Kaoru: *Kenshin... the lateness of now...*
(she notices something behind her)
Kaoru: (whirling around) Kenshin!
(Kenshin's apologetic expression stopped her from further words)
Kenshin: Yahiko be?
Kaoru: Oro... Ah... Well... he hath exhausted from awaiting your arrival.
Children! The eventual inability to battle the night...
Kenshin: That true...
Kaoru: ... Kenshin?
Kenshin: Master Okubo hath met death this morn'.
Kaoru: I do know... the 'Extra!'...
Kenshin: Who else but Shishio and his followers do foot responsibility.
(Kaoru snaps)
Kenshin: Shishio that fellow wouldst not be given up on, this unworthy one
hath mapped the route for Kyoto!
(the winds icily intensifies Kaoru's shock and grief)
Kaoru: You wish to go forth... with the assasination of Shishio Makoto... ?
Kenshin: Nay... the actual decision lies far from this lowly one. The only
thought wouldst be, that a talk with Shishio Makoto be arranged, then if the
need arises, the tables of defeat this undeserving one wouldst dish to him.
However, thou would notice the battle with Saitoh the other time...
(the stars shimmer)
Kenshin: Through the time tunnels of these days this ill-informed one hath
realized much, where forced under predicaments of such canst this unworthy
one remain the normal kenkaku, this undeserving heart grasps no
confidence... however, the physical exchanges with Saitoh hath confirmed a
matter!
(the moon casts a dark and crazed shadow over him)
Kenshin: In this undeserving heart buries the never-changing fact - that
caved and hoed in wouldst be the mass massacrer, the wild and deranged
Hitokiri.
(Kaoru runs to him)
Kaoru: But, the immediate recover shall always apply! However the
resemblance of Battousai is near, thou wouldst be thee, with no allowances
forever! Jin eh was as mentioned, Saitoh too as mentioned! Worry do not
belong to your heart...
Kenshin: Nay... the 'mentioned' do differ...
(Jin eh's flashback)
Kenshin: To fully rescue thou from the troubled ground this unworthy one's
entire heart slated that way and got misled. Then thy immediate voiced
declaration guided this clumsy one back.
(Saitoh's flashback)
Kenshin: However, with Saitoh, a duel remains the duel, that and too...
(Kaoru listens in fear)
Kenshin: ... that thy voice even, be totally ignored by this careless one...
and those have clearly exampled the difference in all!
"The times shall dissolve into the repetition of turbulent hisotires."
Kenshin: The pioneer meeting we had... thou cleearly recognized this lowly
one's Hitokiri Battousai status, yet still raised the accepting hand,
coupled with comforting words that do not care how other's past be...
(he smiles and looks down to Kaoru)
Kenshin: This unworthy one doth glow in the warmth of joy.
Kaoru: I...
"If then this undeserving one's prescence prolongs, thou wouldst be
continually embedded unnecessarily into the web spun by danger, while this
unworthy one would be continually forced for the Battousai revert."
Kenshin: Also too, from the government politicans, Shishio's followers - and
they who wouldst be scattered throughout the country, who downright detests
Hitokiri Battousai's point of view, this lowly one shall never shake of the
Battousai armor.
"Therefore, hesitation canst be no more!"
(Kenshin pulls Kaoru in for a strong hug while Kaoru is too shocked and
electrified to do anything)
Kenshin: Thank thee for the beautiful memories all these days... Farewell
then!
(Kenshin's apologetic eyes)
Kenshin: I my lowly self am a rurouni, while now too, mine wanderings
wouldst have to be restarted again.
(a silent tear rolls down Kaoru's cheek)
(Kenshin lets go of Kaoru and walks away)
(Kaoru falls onto her knees, crying desperately)
Kaoru: Ken... shin...
(but he never turned back)
- Meiji's 11th year, 5th month and 14th day, -
Kaoru: KENSHIN - !
- this very day, Himura Kenshin re-embarked the rurouni's paused journey. -
His solo silouette
(not even one last look... no... never turning back...)
vanished alone and isolated into the domains of shadowed darkness ---
END TRANSLATION
(c) Nobuhiro Watsuki Translation: ruroken@geocities.com
Please press your browser's back button to go back.
(
geocities.com/athens/olympus) (
geocities.com/athens)