3 Chapter 16 - Origin 4 SFX: *running* SFX: *screech* Samurai: You've been walking about boldy all day! Samurai: But today is the day that you accept defeat!! Samurai: SAKAMOTO RYOUMAAA!!! Ryouma: OOO~~~HH!! SFX: *zoom* Ryouma: Aren't you the same guys who were chasing me yesterday, and the day before that? Ryouma: At least I'm using my legs like a real man!! Samurai: What did you say!? 5 Ryouma: !? Ryouma: ...Ah... Ryouma: My Oryou-chan DX-2...!? SFX: *snap* Samurai: BWAHAHAHA!! Come on, grow up!! SFX: *running* Ryouma: Y... you guys never give up, do ya? Ryouma: Shit!! Ryouma: !! Samurai: Ahahahaha!! We've got you now!!! Samurai: There's nowhere to run!! 6 Kanji: Now you see him... Kanji: Now you don't... Samurai: ...... Samurai: What!? How did we lose him!? Samurai: Find him!! He must be hiding somewhere in that shop!! Samurai: Yes, sir!! Samurai: [Yes!!] Samurai: ...... Servants: [Huh?] Samurai: ...... 7 Samurai: ...Let's check... SFX: *crushed* Samurai: That palanquin over there. Servant: Ah... Servant: Not here... Aotani: ? Aotani: Hey... Aotani: You guys... Aotani: What are you doing here? Samurai: What does it look like we're doing!? We're chasing the bad guys! Samurai: Is this your palanquin? Let us inspect it. Shortie: ...... Aotani: My master is merely out for a ride. Aotani: I assure you there is nothing suspicious here. Aotani: We stopped because he have business with that shop. Sign on shop: "Candy Store" Samurai: ...Business? Aotani: Yes, to buy anmitsu. (Anmitsu is jelly cubes, fruit, and sweet bean paste.) SFX: *surprise* 8 Katsu: ...... Katsu: Is there a reason... SFX: *smoke* Katsu: Why a retainer of Katsu Kaishuu cannot buy anmitsu? (Katsu Kaishuu was a well-known military and political figure, probably one of the most influential people of the Bakumatsu. He was a loyal advisor to the Tokugawa shogunate, but also sympathised with the rebels - he was very peaceful and wanted to avoid civil war.) Samurai: ...... Aotani: Well, they do say the capital is a dangerous place, don't they? Headband: We're acting as bodyguards to escort our master to Edo, as there have been attempts on his life. Headband: So we're using an ordinary palanquin... Samurai: .......F... Samurai: Please forgive us!!! SFX: *sweat dripping* Aotani: I believe I saw a strange-looking man escape onto the roof. 9 Katsu: ...As always, you stick out like a sore thumb. Katsu: You run about so carelessly... Ryouma: HAHAHAHA Nah, I've gotten pretty good at running away! Katsu: And yet you can't even send a simple letter... Katsu: So you intend to contact Saigo Takamori on your own, then? Is that what you were thinking...? Ryouma: Not at all, Katsu-sensei!! Ryouma: First I just want to be friends with him!! SFX: *pat* Ryouma: No lies, no tricks, just a meeting of our souls! SFX: *sigh* Katsu: This is one of Ichimura's stupid ideas, isn't it? 10 Ryouma: ...Yes, Katsu-sensei. Ryouma: Right now... Ryouma: The Peacemaker's sons are in this city. Katsu: ...Impossible. Katsu: That brat is here...? Ryouma: Yes... Katsu: [I wonder if they're alright...] Katsu: ...... Katsu: ...Do what you have to do. Katsu: These times... are enough to make anyone worry. Ryouma: Oh no!! Come on, aren't you happy!? 11 Ryouma: Somehow that kid even made it into the Shinsengumi! Ryouma: Both of them, actually. Katsu: WHAT!? Ryouma: Yeah, I checked up on them already. Ryouma: The kid volunteered for the Shinsengumi to avenge his dad, or something like that. Katsu: ...... Katsu: ...Then they must think... Katsu: That it was our people who did it... Ryouma: ...Come on, it's still okay. Ryouma: If we can just take care of setting up the reconcilliation, then it won't be a big deal... Katsu: ...They won't make it in the Shinsengumi. Ryouma: Look at you, Katsu-sensei, you're a shogunate official. Ryouma: If you can fool everyone, then how can you give up on them so easily? Katsu: ...Don't be an idiot. 12 Katsu: He never wanted special treatment for those kids... Katsu: ...Ichimura was a good father. Katsu: But nobody has ever told those kids the truth... Katsu: And we can't just bring them into this now... Ryouma: ...... SFX: *clatter* Ryouma: ...... Aotani: ? Aotani: Ryouma-san? Ryouma: ...... Aotani: What are you thinking...? 13 Katsu and Aotani: ....... SFX: *snoring* Katsu: ...Damn it. Katsu: There's nothing we can do for the kids... Katsu: Aotani, why don't you go roll out some futons. Aotani: Yes, sir. Katsu: [It's been five years...] 14 Katsu: [It was 1860, and on the pretext of guarding the delegation that opposed the Japan-America trade agreement...] Katsu: [We, as naval inspectors, took the steamship "Kanrinmaru" to San Francisco.] Manjirou: We'll be coming into port soon. Manjirou: How's your seasickness? SFX: *dangle* Katsu: Ah... John-san. Manjirou: Hahaha!! It's alright, you can call me "Manjirou!" Manjirou: After all, I'm Japanese now!! SFX: *wind* Katsu: Oh... Katsu: I can see the harbor from here...! Katsu: !? Endou: ...YOU BASTARD!! 15 Japanese guy: You sure are bold for someone who's barely above a common ruffian!! SFX: *grab* Endou: You were just making fun of my hairstyle, weren't you, you American!? SFX: *sigh* American: Hey now, talk English, Jap! American: We went through all the trouble of reaching out to you people and you talk to us like that? American: We've been so nice to Japan, and you yellow monkeys can't even show us some respect? Endou: Bastard!! What's so funny!? Katsu: Hey!! What's going on!? Manjirou: Please wait, Katsu-san! Manjirou: Don't trouble yourself. Manjirou: We brought along a specialist in these matters. Katsu: A specialist...? SFX: *hair being moved by the wind* 16 Ryuunosuke: Excuse me, mister! Ryuunosuke: Endou-san, you quiet down too. Ryuunosuke: Now why don't you just apologise? Ryuunosuke: Sometimes the unintended meaning of our words can make others uncomfortable. Ryuunosuke: He's just trying to welcome you to his country. Ryuunosuke: Why don't you help him with the luggage? Ryuunosuke: See, that's communication! Ryuunosuke: Now shake hands! *heart* 17 SFX: *grip* SFX: *laugh* Manjirou: He and I are in the same situation. Manjirou: We've been living in this country for about three years now. Manjirou: Eleven years ago, we were in Nagasaki... Manjirou: He makes learning English look easy... Manjirou: Well, maybe that's why he has such a rare gift at settling disagreements. Manjirou: He doesn't just translate the opposing opinions, he works out the problem. Manjirou: Let me introduce you. 18 Manjirou: We call him "Peacemaker Ichimura." Manjirou: Ichimura Ryuunosuke. 19 SFX: *swoosh* Ryouma: Ah... Ryouma: Mmm... Ryouma: Ah... SFX: *some cute little sleepy noise* 20 SFX: *impact* Ryouma: What the...!? Ryouma: ..... SFX: *click* Ryouma: [It can't be an assassin coming for Katsu-sensei...] SFX: *loud footstep* Ryouma: Let's go kick some ass... 21 SFX: *grab* Ryouma: What, you don't wanna play tag? Background text: The Punisher Ryouma: Then how about a shooting game here on the roof? Ryouma: I'm pretty good at this game, too... Ryouma: ...... Ryouma: ...You. 22 Ryouma: Blonde Girl...! 23 Old Guy: Will this cover the advance payment... SFX: *slide* Old Guy: For the assassination of Katsu Kaishuu? Akesato: ...... Akesato: One is enough. Akesato: There's no guarantee I'll get a clean hit. Akesato: Aren't you afraid I'll take the money and run? Akesato: Or that I'll give your name if I'm arrested? Old Guy: Hehe... Old Guy: I doubt it. Old Guy: You say that every time. Old Guy: And I know you won't run away from me... 24 Akesato: And how do you know that? Akesato: It seems as though I've become your favorite shinobi. Old Guy: Heh, you're always so difficult. Old Guy: You are a loyal shinobi. Akesato: Whatever, I'll take the assassination job. SFX: *woof* SFX: *laugh* Akesato: But even if he's gone... Akesato: Will it be enough...?