Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan

They're selling candy!

Let's buy some!

I want some candy!

A REASON TO ACT By NaShWaN AL-YeMeN 2023

How many years has it been since I last made some ohagi?

My.

My, my, my.

This is tasty, that it is.

Thanks.

But anyone can make a tasty ohagi.

Oh, no. Last time Miss Kaoru made some,

it was like balls of mud—

Oro...

Don't say things you don't need to say.

You really are a troublesome, violent girl.

- Ororo. - So how about it?

You can leave her and see me instead.

Miss Megumi!

I let my guard down a little bit, and you press your luck!

I thought I told you that I'd kick you out if you made moves on Kenshin!

Oh? Love and romance is up to each individual.

How you nitpick each and every time like that

is proof you're not confident in yourself, isn't it?

If you're frustrated, why don't you become able to make tasty ohagi?

I can't talk back.

I thought she'd end up slightly more graceful,

but she hasn't changed a bit.

But she's a lot brighter and lively compared to before, that she is.

That's a good thing, that it is.

It's not good!

What is this farce so early in the morning?

Oh, Sano.

The old man's got the results.

Without a doubt, this is the new opium that is the talk of the town.

I see, so it is.

You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? You want some?

Don't want any.

I don't wanna eat anything made by opium girl,

even more so than anything made by missie.

Wha—

I've been up all night.

I'm gonna borrow a bedroom, so wake me up when the noon-gun goes off.

Hold it just a second! I can't let that last line pass!

There, there.

Don't let that get to you either, Miss Megumi.

We figured out that Miss Megumi was the creator of the opium,

but at the same time, we learned of your past,

making us unable to pin the blame on you even if we wanted to.

On top of that, Kanryu's group hasn't made any moves whatsoever for a week since.

He lost sight of what to do with the fist he raised.

That's probably what's behind his irritation, that it is.

Let's leave him be for a while, that we should.

"Opium girl," huh?

Hello!

Thanks for your continued patronage. I'm the book lender.

I have quite a few new books. How about it?

I see.

Miss, I see you often lately.

Are you going to be a new resident here?

No, I'm just a freeloader.

So I see.

That's good.

Now quiet.

If you make a ruckus, I'll pour this into that well.

Mercury!

Kanryu Takeda wishes to speak to you.

Can you make an effort to come by?

What do you want to talk about?

That goes without saying, doesn't it?

Why don't you just hurry up and come back to us?

I'd rather die than go back to your place.

I see. If you're not coming back...

we will burn Kamiya Dojo down.

My private army, the Oniwaban Group, and the neighborhood yakuza,

all 500 of us will surround the place so that not one mouse can escape.

Then we will launch fire arrows.

"If the small cuckoo refuses to shed a tear,

just kill it right off."

Why don't you give up on having dreams already?

It is an unavoidable fact that you refined opium.

Even if you could meet your family,

what would happen if people found out a Takani girl did such a thing?

It's too late for you to run now.

You, me, and opium all share one fate...

now and forever.

Oh, that's right.

The place will burn tonight at midnight.

There isn't much time 'til then, so please gather your thoughts by then.

See you.

You think she'll come back...

that woman?

I'd be troubled if she didn't.

Now that we have learned that the one with the cross-shaped scar

is the legendary manslayer Himura Battosai,

it is best to not use brute-force tactics that would bring down his wrath on us.

"Megumi Takani left of her own free will."

And if that's the case, there's no reason whatsoever for Battosai to make a move.

A reason, huh?

I can't escape.

Not from Kanryu. Not from opium.

Not for the rest of my life.

"Opium girl."

Greetings.

Please forgive me for leaving quietly of my own accord.

It seems Kanryu's pursuers have stopped coming,

so I will start heading back to Aizu.

It was only for about ten days, but I really thank you so much for your help.

"Sincerely, Megumi Takani."

Well, this is kind of a letdown.

I screwed up!

Kenshin?

There shouldn't be anyone who is waiting for Miss Megumi back in Aizu now!

There's no doubt that one of Kanryu's men contacted and threatened her!

Sano, you know where Kanryu's mansion is, don't you? Let's go!

You go on ahead.

Why do I have to do anything for that opium girl?

Sanosuke? Since when do you say such lame—

That's enough, Sano.

This isn't like you.

My buddy was a candy seller.

He loved gambling and the smiles of kids who came to buy his candy.

Good-natured, but a good-for-nothing.

But then... he died because of the opium she made.

Where in that story is there a reason for me to act?

I'm not as much of a sucker as you are, nor am I a rurouni!

Sano, you didn't look closely at Miss Megumi's eyes, that you didn't.

Eyes?

She may have acted tough, but there was a moment

when she looked at us with lonesome eyes, that there was.

You're...

Go tell Kanryu that Megumi Takani has returned right now.

Those were eyes looking for friends

she can open up to like family, that they were.

If someone needs a reason for each and every act,

that reason is enough for me, that it is.

Kenshin, I'll go with you!

Hold it, Yahiko! Even if you go, you'll just get in the way!

Shut up! That woman saved my life once already!

I'm gonna go help her even if my life is at risk!

If I can't do that,

then what is the life-giving sword of the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu?

That kid has become a pretty good swordsman

in his own right before we knew it.

Looks like this will take all night.

Don't forget to have breakfast for five and a hot morning bath ready.

Sanosuke!

I'm done thinking about trivial things!

I'll be like my usual self and go make trouble!

All right.

Let's go!

RUROUNI KENSHIN

So this is Kanryu Takeda's mansion.

Yeah.

So, how are we going to take this place down?

A surprise attack with a small army depends on its speed.

After the gate goes down,

we're going to race full speed to the entrance, that we will.

So we're breaking through the front door.

All right!

Sanosuke.

Don't you fall behind us. Got that?

Let's go!

What the...

Welcome back, Megumi.

I always knew you would come back.

This is the only place you can return to, after all.

I hate to cut to the chase, but my supply of Spiderweb is running low.