This cop…
He knows Himura?
Oh yeah, Himura!
He is not even out of breath…
Hey!
What are you wasting your time for?
Saitō.
Rurouni Kenshin -Kyoto Disturbance-
Episode 28 Portrait of the Ambitious
What are you doing here?
My job.
One of my men informed me that Shishio was here.
Since I still had some time before the subjugation forces reached Kyoto,
I decided to come on foot.
However, I don't know the man’s present whereabouts.
You mean…
Eiji's brother was a police spy…
Eiji?
I see.
Mishima Eīchirō was originally from Shingetsu.
That’s why I sent him, so he could infiltrate without arousing suspicion.
Probably, he was discovered,
and tried only to protect his family…
Moron.
He should have waited for my arrival.
How can you talk like that about one of your own dead men?!
Hey, who is this…
Weasel girl?
I’ll kill you!
Kill!!
Easy, easy…
That’s just how he is.
More importantly, we should take them down and mourn for them.
Yes...
Wait!
You can’t cut them down.
If you do, Senkaku will be angry.
We are helpless before him.
We will leave them as they are.
What are you saying?!
They were from your village!
You’re still going to obey Senkaku after this?!
If we defy Senkaku, it means death.
Obeying him means life.
It's for the village.
You outsiders and the Mishima boys should leave.
Eiji, you understand?
You…
Don’t be angry.
There aren’t many people who are brave enough
to place their lives on the line to defend their honor and dignity.
Just surviving, like an animal, you don't need honor and dignity.
What does an outsider know?
You police are no help.
Anyway, we cannot permit you to take down the bodies.
Leave us now.
Himura!
What are you doing?!
Himura!
The fate of this village…
Will be the fate of all of Japan in Shishio‘s new era.
If this village gets destroyed, it's your fault.
You murderer.
In front of violence, people become weak.
Under such control, they will seek only to survive, losing all honor and dignity.
Did the government abandon this village?
Not just this one.
More than 10 have been abandoned and belong to Shishio.
The police trying to recover them are already in retreat.
I don’t really understand,
but if the police don't work, why don’t you use the army?
Moron.
It has only been half a year since the Southwest War.
If the army is mobilized again, it will show our unrest to the foreign powers.
That shouldn't be the priority!!
Even so, we would not get permission to use the army in the first place.
Why not?
Because no one wants to share Governor Okubo’s fate.
I see.
There’s a possibility of reclaiming the village if the army is used.
But then a retaliatory assassination will be inevitable.
It’s very difficult for those in government to prevent assassinations.
You know that.
The officials are only human.
They value their own lives and think,
“Someone else will take care of the problem.”
Who is “someone”?!
Who is going to help the village?!
And who is going to avenge the boy?!
The village, the police, the army, the government…
They are all helpless before Shishio Makoto.
That is why…
People like you and me are necessary.
We have identified the location of Shishio’s inn.
Will you go there before Kyoto?
Yes.
Wait!
I’m going too!
No.
You stay here.
No way!
I’m not letting him get away with this!
Misao.
What?!
No one’s telling…
Please stay with Eiji.
Okay.
Please forgive me!
At the Hakone Peak,
Himura Battōsai suddenly entered the forest and we lost sight of him.
We are putting all our effort into finding him so please...
What are you going to do, Shishio?
It’s all right.
I’ll let it go.
After my first hot spring bath in half a year, I’m in a good mood.
Go find him before I change my mind.
Thank you!!
That’s nice.
But next time you make a mistake, I won’t be so forgiving.
Yes!!
Seta!
So noisy.
What is it?
Well…
Really…
Shishio, Shishio!
So noisy.
What is it this time?
The man with the scar on his left cheek
and the policeman who carries a Japanese sword is approaching this inn.
I see…
Isn’t it just like my predecessor to show up unannounced.
Sōjirō, bring them to me.
Yes!
And…
Have Senkaku prepare for battle.
Senkaku…
Senkaku!!
I will kill Senkaku with my own hands!
Rurouni Kenshin -Kyoto Disturbance-
Himura Battōsai, and Saitō Hajime?
That voice…
Be careful, Saitō.
This is the man who killed Governor Okubo.
Oh, no no no,
today I’m just your guide.
Look, I'm not even armed.
Shishio is waiting for you inside.
Please come in.
Being cautious won't start anything.
Let’s go.
Shishio,
how about a drink after your bath?
They are here.
You are…
Shishio Makoto?
Call me Shishio,
my rude predecessor.
Don’t let it bother you.
The rudeness is on both sides.
Hey, are you sure you want to just stand there?
Battōsai could kill Shishio in a single leap.
It’s all right.
Himura isn’t like you, Saitō.
He'd never try anything as dishonorable as a surprise attack.
He's better than I thought.
Wait a minute!
Where do you think you are going with that thing?
Shishio's inn.
For revenge.
What?
You will never make it!
Whether I can or not, is not the problem!
It's whether I do or don’t!
Hold on!
I'll help you out!
Sorry, Himura,
but I have to help him!
I understand his feelings.
If the Oniwabanshū were killed, I would throw away my life to get revenge!
Don’t get in my way.
Why did you target this village?
You are after the whole country, not one or two little villages.
For the hot springs.
They are good for my burnt skin.
But I thought other bathers would be afraid to see me.
So I made it mine.
You…
For this alone, you would terrorize an entire village…
I’m kidding, I’m kidding.
You are as serious as the rumors say you are.
Keep yourself calm.
This village will make a strong military base for dominating the Tōkai region.
Although I do like the hot springs.
Shishio…
You keep quiet.
So with this base,
You intend to plan a revenge on the Meiji government for those bandages,
young man?
Saitō Hajime, Captain of the Shinsengumi third unit…
You are more like me than Battōsai is,
so I thought you could understand me better, but it looks like I was wrong.
I have no intention of seeking revenge on those who gave me these bandages.
Rather, I should thank them.
They taught me things that have sunk into my soul.
“If you trust, you will be betrayed.”
“If you are careless, you will get killed.”
“Kill first before you get killed."
And…
“A good man is never far from a woman."
Well,
could you keep it down then?
I’m tired of running all over Japan because of you.
Keep it down?
You, him, and I, we all are men who survived the Bakumatsu.
Then why can’t you understand how I feel?
Revere the emperor, destroy the Bakufu, expel the barbarians, open the country...
These ideas brought about the Bakumatsu,
but in the end, it was nothing more than a time of chaos
that finally came 300 years after the Sengoku.
Satsuma, Chōshū, and Tosa,
all raised their flags and fought and killed in the name of justice.
Born in those times…
A true man should try to rule all under heaven.
I was almost assassinated.
After I finally healed my wounds, I noticed that
The time of violence had ended and a puny government called the Meiji was created.
Now, this puny government won't send a single troop against me
for fear of looking weak before the Western powers.
A pathetic government.
I cannot leave this country to such a weak government!
Then!
If the time of violence has ended, I will awaken it!
I’ll seize control!
I will make this country strong.
Justice will be served when the country is mine.
But…
For this justice, blood will flow.
Blood of those who now live in peace.
Shishio Makoto,
I'm not going to let the blood of others be shed for the sake of your own justice!
And you, Saitō?
I don’t like pretty words like he does.
But it seems to be my fate is to be on the side that brings Shishio down.
It doesn’t matter if we fight or not.
If we do, I prefer Kyoto, the city of flowers.
But, if you really want to fight…
Then Senkaku, the ruler of Shingetsu, is your opponent!
So you are Senkaku.
The man who killed Eiji's brother and parents...
He is fast.
You are slow!
Oh!
That was much easier than I thought.
Himura Battōsai was not terrible enough!
I made a promise to Eiji.
I will destroy you before I destroy Shishio!
Destroy...
Me?
Yes.
That is funny!
I have killed 99 people up till now.
You will be the hundredth!!
Only 99?
That’s not much to be proud of.
The famous speed we’ve heard of much about.
But...
If we are comparing speed, he won’t be the loser.
Kill!
Hey...
Is Hitokiri Battōsai such a coward that he can only strike from behind?
If so…
I can do it too.
It's nothing to be proud of.
Our speed is equal!
But I am far stronger!
I'm fast!
I'm hard!
I'm strong!
Senkaku has no weakness!!
Take this...
Senkaku-ryū...
Kizamiuchi!
Senkaku-ryū...
Ningen Dokyū!
How long can you keep dodging?
Battōsai!
Circling, circling…
How long do you think you can avoid me?
Himura is having a tough time.
He is being pushed back and hasn’t attacked once.
Why don’t you help him?
You must be joking.
I have no intention of showing the enemy my sword techniques.
Look.
He spoke at length with a cold sneer,
but ever since the fight started, he’s looked like that…
He is going to see through everything his enemy does.
He isn’t going to let anything get past him.
Naturally, Battōsai has noticed this.
So without daring to attack, he is inviting his opponent to destroy himself.
Destroy himself?
About time?
Had enough of you!!
My leg is broken…
You kept moving without ever losing speed.
When you made the quick turn, the burden was too much for your body to bear.
That’s ridiculous!
Why should it be too much for me and not you?
We were moving at the same speed!
At the same speed, your weight is greater and so you bore more force.
Ridiculous!
This has never happened before!
I should have been able to take it…
The moron hasn’t noticed yet?
When Battōsai made a quick turn, he gradually increased his speed.
You were trapped under the impression that your speed and his were equal.
You’ve killed 99 people, but the hundredth was yourself.
Wow…
Everyone has a different view of the fight.
No…
I didn't do it!
The 99 people were only a figure of speech!
But the death of Eiji's family was your doing.
Senkaku.
I never expected you to win…
But if you lose without showing me a single one of Battōsai‘s techniques…
Then I will take your life with my own hands.
Senkaku-ryū Secret Technique...
Chō Ningen Dokyū!
Hitenmitsurugi-ryu...
Ryū Shōsen!
Grab your sword,
Shishio Makoto!
Next Episode Once Again to Kyoto