Rurouni Kenshin (るろうに剣心 明治剣客浪漫譚)

Huh? What the hell is that?

Look! A katana!

Not so loud.

He's got a katana.

That's dangerous.

- Hasn't he heard of the Sword Abolishment Act?

- Best to steer clear of a guy like that.

So you finally decided to go to Kyoto.

Have you said your farewells to that Kamiya girl?

Forget it.

It's none of my business.

Now that we're allies

in the fight against Shishio and his clan,

we'll try and keep things friendly.

We're allies, are we?

- Yes, Old Man Kawaji's got a lot on his hands right now,

what with Sir Okubo being assassinated and all,

so I'll be taking charge of things once we get to Kyoto.

- Does that look on your face mean anything in particular?

No, nothing.

Anyway, follow me.

If we head to Yokohama now,

we can catch the first boat to Osaka in the morning.

Not me.

I'm going via Tokaido.

Why's that? Is it money?

The government will cover the boat fare--

It isn't anything like that!

It should be clear from what happened to Sir Okubo

that the Shishio clan can strike anywhere.

There is a strong possibility

they will attempt to ambush us on the boat.

A battle fought on a boat, where there's nowhere to run,

would mean innocent people being hurt or killed.

- Seems to me you're still thinking like a rurouni.

Peacetime has made you complacent.

The sooner you revert to being a hitokiri, the better.

If it'll help, I'll fight you again right here and now.

- I will take you on any time, that I will.

However...

I have no wish

to ever again revert to my Battosai self

or to involve anyone else in this case.

That is why I choose to travel alone.

Suit yourself.

Take whichever route you want.

just see that you get to Kyoto.

It takes about ten days for an average person to get there,

but I'm sure you can make it in five.

Just try to keep a low profile, if that's possible.

Shishio has a network of spies

spread across the country like a spider's web.

It's more than likely they'll be aware of every move you make.

Never forget...

the battle against Shishio has already begun.

["Chained" by Kitani Tatsuya x natori]

Thank you for everything.

And now...

farewell.

I couldn't go after him.

The moment I heard Kenshin say that one word, "farewell,"

it felt like my whole body was paralyzed.

It still does...

to this day.

You've gotta be kidding me!

Does that little punk think he can just up and leave

without even saying a word?!

- - Now, don't go getting upset.

Oh, please! Please don't smash up my restaurant, Mr. Sanosuke!

Too scary!

Well, I'll go to Kyoto, too!

I got a sudden urge to sock him in the eye!

- Huh? -

Huh?

Got that, Kenshin? Don't you go wandering off somewhere

without clearing it with me first.

Ohh!

He's really upset.

He certainly is.

He left without paying again.

It's a shame.

I really thought Mr. Kenshin

would settle down at Kaoru's place.

- Hey. -

Yahiko.

You seen Sanosuke around?

Yes, he was just here,

smashing things in a terrible temper.

- Ah, don't tell me. He's lost it, too?

Is Kaoru feeling any better?

Nah, she's useless.

She's just lying there like a lump.

It's like Kenshin saying farewell to her

completely broke her spirit.

And it doesn't help

that she hasn't eaten a thing in two days.

I thought maybe you guys

could take her some food and try and cheer her up.

We will.

- This should be enough to get you to Kyoto.

- Appreciate it. I'll repay you when I get back.

- Really? Well, that would be nice.

Though I'm not quite sure how.

I won't hold my breath.

- All right, then. I'm headin' out.

Sanosuke, wait.

Huh?

Take these. A parting gift.

- Are you nuts? I'm not gonna go around carrying your damn bombs!

Especially not when they've been upgraded to be even deadlier!

Watch yourself.

Kyoto is a far more dangerous place nowadays than you think.

Eh?

So you know about Shishio, then.

- Word gets around in the newspaper business.

- Well, don't go printing any stories about it.

The situation's bad enough already.

I won't. No one would believe them if I did.

- Yeah. You're probably right about that.

- Hey, why don't ya watch where you're goin', shorty?!

Well, as a matter of fact,

I was watching where I was going, you big jerk,

'cause I was lookin' for you! It's Kaoru!

She's in bad shape and gettin' worse!

I don't know what to do! I can't--

Yahiko.

You know what?

Someone tailed you here.

- Where do you think you're going?

I'm going to Kyoto, of course.

Got a problem with that?

Yeah, I do.

You're the problem.

I don't need any amateurs tagging along

and getting in the way.

"Amateurs"?

- The most fundamental concept of combat

is to strike at your enemy's weakest spot.

If you go to Kyoto, you'll just be giving Shishio a target.

Get it?

And Battosai in his current state

won't be able to protect you or you.

That is why he chose to go by himself.

And as far as Battosai is concerned,

you're his weak spots.

You'll be nothing but a liability to him.

So why don't you two be good boys and...

just stay right here in Tokyo.

So that's it?

That's why he left without saying anything?

He was afraid I'd be a distraction

because he'd have to worry about protecting me.

Well, if that's the way he thinks,

it just makes me wanna sock him in the eye even harder!

Get out of the way!

Get out of the way, or I'm gonna go right through ya!

Hmph! I'd like to see you try.

A cheap shot!

That's his old wound!

- - Like I said,

the fundamental concept of combat

is to strike at your enemy's weakest spot.

Nothing cheap about it.

Anyway, what's "fair and square" doesn't matter now.

Kyoto is going to be a death match.

Only the winner will walk away alive.

It's no place for little boys like you.

So be smart and stay here in Tokyo.

Yeah, I don't think so.

- - In that case...

You think that hurt?

Hmm?

Nah, that didn't hurt...

not a bit.

I'll tell ya what does, though.

The fact that Kenshin thinks I'm a liability,

now that hurts a lot worse than anything you can do!

So get outta my way!

'Cause I'm going to Kyoto!

I'll prove with these two fists how wrong he is!

I'm an asset, not a liability!

You just don't know your place.

So you'll prove your worth with your fists, you say.