Kumo no You ni Kaze no You ni (Like the Clouds, Like the Wind)

"Like the Clouds, Like the Wind"

What?!

The Emperor?!

Has Died?

I see... The Emperor...

...has passed on.

On the 34th year of Fukuei, Sokan Kingdom's 17th Emperor passed away.

There were as many as 550 wives living in the Inner Palace located in the back of the whole Imperial Palace.

But with the passing of the Emperor, it was all set to be destroyed.

As expected, all of the wives except the Seihi (highest ranked wife), who would become the Empress Dowager, had to leave.

That was the custom.

There were wives who cried.

There were wives who just gave up.

There were wives who started packing for the journey home.

It was quite a time... to see many different types of women.

But even in the short period of time until the prince's appointment as the next Emperor...

The Inner palace became a den of conspiracy.

I hear that there have been movements to speed up the succession ceremony.

I'll bet it's the work of someone like Hireikaku and his vassals... Those cunning badgers.

The next Emperor shall be my own son, Heitetsu.

Seitono, you shall rush forth to open the way for Heitetsu's succession.

Yes?

Don't you understand? Find the Prince, and...

...him.

Understood...

...after all, we're dealing with the Fox of Nauto.

We need to have the best guards available.

That's right.

The rumor that the former Emperor's parents may have been poisoned lingers to this day.

That fox is the center of all those rumors!

We don't know what she might do to the crown prince if we dally about.

We must carry on with the succession ceremony as soon as possible.

We must find the future Emperor a Seihi to do so.

To find a Seihi, we must gather candidates first.

Women of the palace...

It's a woman hunt!

And so, in order to find candidates to be the new Emperor's wife,

The court's official eunuchs spread throughout the entire country to return to their hometowns.

Seeking candidates for women of the palace!

The former Emperor of the nation, as well as the stability of the kingdom, have passed.

We hereby request that the thoughtful citizens bring forth their respectable ladies to possibly become the future Empress.

For the continuation of the thousand years of peace in this land, we shall find unity among people.

In order for the...

Hey, hey! Sounds like there's some serious stuff up there, but what's it mean?

Basically, the former Heavenly Emperor has passed away.

So they're looking for women of the palace for the next Heavenly Emperor.

Women of the palace?

What are those?

They are candidates to become the Emperor's wives.

Tons of beautiful women will gather and be schooled to become the Emperor's wife.

Wow... Women of the palace get to study?

And what'll happen if you actually become the Seihi? You get to wear pretty gowns, plus three meals a day and time to nap.

Three meals and time to nap?

If you give birth to a prince, you'll have all the honor and the glory you could ever wish for.

If only there was a chance like this when I was young,

I wouldn't have gotten together with this sad excuse for a husband.

Daddy!

Hey, Ginga!

I'm going to be the Heavenly Prince's bride!

Ahem! I am the eunuch Mano.

I have been sent here to Odaken in order to find a woman of the palace.

I am...

Shhh...!

Umm...

BE QUIET!

You may keep facing forward!

Stand up.

What's your name?

Ginga!

If mom were still alive, she would have probably stopped you.

Why?

Because we wouldn't think you would be happy as a Woman of the Palace.

Then do you think staying here in the country would definitely making me happy?

I don't have to be super happy.

I wan to live in the bustling city and talk to all kinds of people...

And...

AND...

Yeah... I mean, it's three meals and time to nap, after all!

Daddy?

Hmm?

Go find a wife after I'm gone.

What?! Hey!

Hang in there, daddy.

Okay...

Ginga!

Yes, ojii-san (Uncle)?

UNCLE?! I'm the eunuch Mano!

I know, so what?

You should be riding in the carriage.

No way... I can't see the countryside from in there.

I can't have a possible bride-to-be get too tanned under the sun.

Hm... So the prince likes pale, pasty, ghostly women?

Well... I guess they didn't tell me his preferences.

But it's obvious that it's better for a women to be WHITE.

Who decided that?

The Prince?

Or you, Uncle?

No one decided anything like that! And I'm not your UNCLE!

I'm the eunuch Mano!

Never mind about your name; no matter how you look at it, you're just a regular Uncle to me.

I wonder if I chose wrong...

No, I've seen many women of the palace over the years, so I can't be wrong.

This girl is a gem!

She's a jewel that'll shine the more she's polished.

Imagine if a girl from this Odaken becomes the empress...

I'll get a huge promotion, since I am the one who discovered her!

I must polish Ginga up before we reach the palace...

I'll polish that gird covered radish and use her as an irresistible temptress!

No, no, no, I mean, turn her into a lady! EDUCATION! MANNERS!

Mind your manners!

No one else yawns with her mouth so wide you can see her tonsils!

It's because I'm so bored.

Your manner of speech... Etiquette... You'll have to learn them before we get to the palace.

The palace is an uptight place, isn't it?

It's not like what I heard at all.

Hm? What on earth did you hear that sparked your interest in becoming a candidate?

OH! Three meals a day and time to nap!

Hey, aren't we leaving soon?

Can't you see that it's raining?

Oh, I'll take that.

Good, then I can use this...

The rain stopped.

Just hang on. You see those mountains?

I hear there are horrible robbers in those mountains these days.

It'd be too dangerous to just casually leave.

Okay, luck is coming my way. Another game.

WHAT?!

GINGA!

We can't go because it's raining?

We can't move because there are robbers?

With all that you've said so far, we've been at this inn for ten days!

I'm so bored I can't stand it anymore!

That's why I found a manner and etiquette tutor for you!

No! I'm going back to Odaken!

Ginga! WAIT!

GINGA!

Geez! That guy just pisses my off!

Whoa, be careful!

What a peppy little girl...

I'm sorry.

I see... Might you be the girl going to the Sokan Castle as a bride candidate?

Who are you, Uncle?

Oh, I'm Konton, from the Kasai village.

The eunuch Mano called me here.

This is good timing... Can you show me the way?

Sure!

But why did Mano-san call you?

It seems he has some business for the Gikyoudan of Kasai village.

What is the Gikyoudan?

We're a gang of mercenary hooligans.

Hooligans?

But we help people at times too.

As long as we get a good deal on it, of course.

Which way?

This way.

That's a candidate to be the bride of the Emperor?

Well, Ginga? I may look like all I do is play, but I've thought ahead, haven't I?

We don't have to be afraid of any robbers if the Gikyoudan protects us like this.

It might have been cheaper to hire the robbers themselves...

What a despicable little brat!

Aw, I can't be saying that. I was the one who chose her.

I must turn her into a true lady no matter what!

I don't have the strength...

Brother Konton, she must be pretty if she's a candidate to be the Emperor's bride.

Well, I don't know.

I guess you can say she's cute.

I'm going to go look.

Hey Heisho!

I'm Heisho, the leader of the Kasai village's Gikyoudan.

Huh?

The bride was yawning.

She's still a virgin.

Doesn't look like the robbers will come out.

It's because we're guarding you.

You won't lose even if they come out?

Of course!

I wish they'd come out then.

How can you say that so casually?

Well, do you guys think you can make money just by walking along side of me?

Huh?

What a naive little girl!

She's so innocent, look at her wave to us.

Brother Konton, can a mountain monkey like her really become the Emperor's bride?

I think she'll be kicked out and come home in no time.

No, this girl, Ginga...

I'm starting to think that she might actually become the Emperor's wife.

It's the Palace!

We won't see each other for a while now.

Where are we?

It's the entrance to the palace. That old lady will take you from here.

Be strong, Ginga.

Your future awaits you at the other side.

Okay.

Not "okay." Say "Yes!"

I know, I know.

I'm counting on you, Ginga.

All my hopes rest with you.

I doubt it, though.

But, maybe the new Emperor likes them eccentric.

I... Um, I'm Ginga!