Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno (るろうに剣心 京都大火編)

HYOGO, SETTSU, MINING MOUNTAIN

1878 (11th YEAR OF MEIJI PERIOD)

You're really sure he's here?

We've been watching for two months. There's no mistake.

Let's end this here.

Be very careful.

Over here!

Who are you?

Halt!

Do you believe in Hell?

Surely, a world like this awash in blood...

deserves the name "Hell."

Are you Makoto Shishio?

What if I am?

You know damn well!

Uh-uh.

Don't come any closer.

I love that sound.

You bastard!

Why do you think I knew you were coming?

Hajime Saito, of the Shogunate Shinsengumi police.

A traitor...

We both remember the end of the shogunate government.

Are you content with what this world has become?

Take off that new-government uniform.

Come and join us.

We will turn the clock back to those days of upheaval.

I take orders from no one.

No?

Very well.

Shishio!

Man is born to carnage.

-This world itself is Hell. -Shishio!

KYOTO INFERNO

Kyoto is in chaos!

What do the shogunate police think they're doing?

Indeed!

At least they shouldn't be adding to the trouble!

Onward.

Who's that?

Here he comes!

Who are you?

That scar!

My name is not one worth stating.

I walk the streets of Kyoto dreaming of a new age

when the Emperor reigns supreme.

Bakkyusai the Killer.

I am he!

What nerve!

We will cut you down!

Have at him!

Why is Battosai the villain?

He's "Bakkyusai," not "Battosai."

"Bakkyusai"?

Hang in there!

SENKEIGAN THEATER

ASAKUSA, TOKYO

You're an old legend now,

"Killer Battosai."

KAMIYA KASSHIN-RYU STYLE

Step in!

Hit him first!

Watch him!

Harder!

Shout out!

We have returned.

We're back!

Hello.

Sensei!

Why won't you teach us?

-You're why we came here! -Please!

You're mistaken. I am merely a guest here.

I am no master of fencing.

But...

The "way of the sword" has changed.

The motto of the Kamiya Dojo is "the sword that brings life."

The Kamiya Kasshin-ryu style is what we must learn in our new age.

But if it's a fight you want, street-fighter Sanosuke's your man!

I don't charge much.

-Well? -What do you say?

You want to fight?

You're stingy. Why not show them some stuff?

These days of peace have no need for my High Heaven Sword-Style.

-Kenshin! -Miss Megumi!

How's the clinic? Business good?

Doctor's don't talk about good business, you oaf!

I'll get dinner ready.

Wait. You have visitors.

You're Mr. Himura?

What would you like?

I'm Superintendent Kawaji.

Someone wishes to talk with you.

Would you come with me?

Hey!

We're just getting ready for dinner here.

Who sent you to come waltzing in here like this?

Toshimichi Okubo, the Home Minister.

Who's that?

The top man in the government, that's who.

Don't go. It'll just be trouble.

Hey.

If he goes, I come with him.

I don't trust you guys in the new government.

Fine.

Come with us.

I won't be long.

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

Excuse us.

It's been a long time...

Mr. Okubo.

At last...

we meet again.

You know him?

I'll get to the point.

What is it?

Shishio is plotting in Kyoto.

Shishio? Who's that?

Another assassin.

What?

The successor to Battosai the Killer.

When you laid down your sword at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi...

he was fighting there, too.

He was one of our assassins.

In speed, skills, and quick thinking, he was a match for you.

However, unlike you,

he cared nothing for the weak, or for those with him.

Victory!

It's the Emperor's banner!

We've won!

It's our victory!

Ruthless ambition.

A wish to rule, for which he would trample over anyone.

That's Shishio.

I've won!

Well done!

We won!

Thanks to you!

You did it!

Well done!

You bastards!

Bastards...

You bastards!

Some of his assassinations were so brutal

they would have tarnished the reputation of the new government.

We had to eliminate him.

You put down your sword, and his body was burned.

He should have died...

but then it snowed...

He's alive?

He disappeared into the Kyoto underworld.

He's taken in a bunch of bloodthirsty mercenaries,

and formed his own private army.

He has one aim in mind...

to overthrow the new government.

Wait a minute!

He hates the government for a reason. Why drag Kenshin into this?

He's destroyed every force we've sent against him!

The only one we can turn to...

is you.

Mr. Okubo.

You look worn out.

Building the new age...

SOLDIERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS NATION

...is much harder

than destroying the old one.

I don't expect an immediate answer to a request like this.

Will you take a week and think about it?

So, on May 14th, one week from today...

I hope you'll say yes.

That's crazy!

They want Kenshin to assassinate him?

It's not my idea!

They want Kenshin to clean up the mess that they've made!

Bastards!

Not only that...

You will, of course, be well-rewarded.

And there are certain illegalities we are prepared to overlook.

For example,

Megumi Takani's acquittal on an opium charge.

That's ridiculous!

If that's how they're pressuring him, they can hang me first!

Tell me about it!

I won't let you go to Kyoto.

TOKYO, KIOIMACHI

MAY 14TH

Without Himura, the nation is lost.

-How do you do? -What the--

I have a message from Mr. Shishio.

"If you're thinking of sending Battosai Himura against me,

don't waste your time."

"This land will be mine."

There.

Now it's clean.

Is this the time for laundry?

Tell them to take that job and shove it.

You really hate the new government, don't you?

I hate people like that.

Kenshin?

I'm going to Mr. Okubo's now.

Yahiko...