01x18 - Sanosuke & Nishiki Paintings

[bunniefuu]

Sagara Sanosuke.

Age 19.

Born the first son of a farmer in Shinshū,
the year of Manen.

When he was nine,
he left home to join the Sekihōtai.

He idolized the Captain, Sagara Sōzō,

but the unit was accused of
being a false government army

and Sōzō was decapitated.

The Sekihōtai dissolved.

After that, he came up to Tokyo
to become the street fighter Zanza,

devoting himself
to fighting and winning fame,

until his defeat by Rurouni,
Himura Kenshin.

From then on, he goes in and out
of the Kamiya dōjō

while living a carefree life,

doing nothing in particular.

What?!

ORIGINAL STORY BY DAISUKE ASHIHARA

AKABEKO GYŪNABE BAR & RESTAURANT

Nishiki-e?

There are new ones coming in,

but they are done by a popular artist,
so they get sold out fast.

But we can't leave the restaurant.

So you want me to buy some for you.

Yes, would you?

You should ask Yahiko for things like...

I'm working too, idiot!

Unlike somebody!

All right, I'll do some free work for you.

You always give me free food.

It's not free.

It's all on your tab up until now.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

Well, what kind of picture do you want,
and who's the artist?

The Swordsman Iba Hachirō,
by Tsukioka Tsunan!

Oh, the handsome swordsman from Bakumatsu,
Iba Hachirō of Sekiwan.

Yeah?

No... It's nothing.

If you want to say something,
you have to come out and say it.

So, what is it?

No...

Okay.

Tsukioka's Iba Hachirō, two of them.

That's my man, Sano.

I just hope he can pay.

Sano is really friendly
and great these days,

but Sano back in the day was also cool!

Yeah, the Zanza!

Even when he was smiling,
he never seemed satisfied.

Like a b*mb just before it explodes!

He was always glaring.

Nishiki-e.

In Edo times,

the pictures were mainly
of landscapes or popular actors,

but in the Meiji period,

various types of pictures were drawn
as the culture became that of the masses.

Today, they are an important means
of telling us about the Meiji culture.

Welcome.

Hey.

Sano?

Oh, it's you two.

Nishiki-e?

How unusual.

Maybe a beauty?

Nope.

Maybe something erotic?

Oh my.

No way.

Tae from Akabeko
asked me to get her something.

It's not for me.

Hey, you got two
of Tsukioka Tsunan's Iba Hachirō?

You're in luck.

These are the last two.

Tsunan's pictures are very popular.

We always sell out quickly.

Two pictures will be ten sen.

Oh, I don't have anything on me.

Let me borrow some.

You!

Anyway, I've heard about this stuff,
but I'm surprised there are so many.

There are a lot of figures
from the Bakumatsu.

Yeah.

Ishin Shishi and top military officers
are sold as souvenirs of Tokyo.

Iba Hachirō is from the old government,

but he's popular
among those who live in Edo.

AKU - SAGARA SOZO

Sano?

This is...

Captain Sagara.

Oh, that one?

That's by Tsunan too, but nobody buys it.

Though he always draws it, no matter what.

This guy, who was the leader
of the false government army...

Tsukioka Tsunan.

Tsukioka...

This guy... Where is he?

Tell me where this Tsunan guy is!

Sano!

He's at the Dobu Ita Houses
in the next town.

But he hates people, so you can go,
but he won't see you!

Oh, he will!

There's no way he's not going to meet me.

TSUKIOKA

Tsukioka.

Tsukioka.

Are you there?

I know you are there,

Tsukioka Katsuhiro, from the Sekihōtai!

I thought so.

You drew this, right?

Sanosuke?

How the hell did you...?

Look at the picture.

That's you and me behind the Captain.

No one else could have drawn this.

I see.

The artist Tsukioka Tsunan is also
one of the survivors of the Sekihōtai.

Let's go, Miss Kaoru.

Sano was acting unusually, so we followed,
but there's no problem here.

And as you can see from the way
he still wears the character of evil,

the Sekihōtai holds some
special memories for him.

In this world of memories,
there's no need for strangers.

You're doing pretty well as an artist.

You were pretty skilled
with your hands, as I recall.

You used to mix gunpowder
and handle the cannons.

So, what are you doing now?

Not much, just hanging around.

Having a good time.

Really.

So, you're having fun.

I haven't done anything fun
in the past ten years.

I've been holding a grudge

against those who disgraced
Captain Sagara and the Sekihōtai.

So, you've been this dark
for the past ten years?

You don't have many friends, do you?

But I can understand how you feel.

I didn't think that I would meet you

on the day all the preparations
were completed.

Maybe the Captain
is guiding us from Heaven!

Katsu?

Sanosuke.

Do you want to create
the Sekihōtai once more with me?

We will destroy the government

and make the new era
Captain Sagara dreamed of a reality!

Katsu.

What exactly have you got planned?

What do you mean?

There was only one vision
the Sekihōtai aimed for.

The Captain's dream, an age
of perfect equality for the four classes.

And we'll destroy
the government that's in the way.

While you were painting pictures, didn't
you hear anything about the Seinan w*r?

Saigou raised his soldiers
in Kagoshima, the tip of Japan.

All the fighting there
was just a waste of effort.

My goal is the center of Japan.

Namely, Tokyo.

The "Department of the Interior"
oversees all domestic affairs,

and the first step is to completely
shut down its functions.

I would like to shut down the Department

of the Army, Navy, and Finance
at the same time, but I can't do it alone.

Alone?

I don't trust strangers.

I went forward with my plans alone.

But even though I'm alone, I have this.

Look at this, Sano.

Using my knowledge of firearms
I learned in the Sekihōtai,

I made these bombs.

I made sure nobody knew about this
and ex*cuted it slowly for ten years.

After its expl*si*n, it will set fire
and act as an incendiary b*mb as well.

As each department gets bombed,
the power of the center will be cut.

The discontented Samurai
and the peasants will rise.

Revolts will occur on their own.

After the Seinan w*r, the government
is exhausted and weak like never before.

After that, we just have to wait
for the avalanche.

And then,

the age of true equality
for the four classes will come

and the names of the Captain
and the Sekihōtai can finally be cleared.

I'm doing it tomorrow.

No one will be there on a Sunday night.

Sano, I don't want to force you.

As one of the Sekihōtai,
I'll do it even alone.

Think about it until tomorrow evening
and give me your answer.

This is pointless.

The Meiji government may be
weakened by the Seinan w*r,

but a few bombings and isolated
uprisings won't shake it.

For ten years,

all he's been thinking about is clearing
the name of the Sekihōtai and Captain.

He's not seeing the present at all.

Ten years.

Damn.

It's Spring,

but a cold wind is blowing.

Sano?

Captain.

It's fixed now.

-Look.
-Thank you very much.

When you are handling g*ns,
let somebody know.

Don't operate it on your own.

Sorry.

But having this much accuracy
with a distorted barrel is impressive.

I'm not good with swords or fights,
so I thought at least with a g*n...

Good thinking.

Though that's unnecessary.

Katushiro, you should focus on studying.

Studying?

The age of g*ns and swords
will soon be over.

After that comes the age
of knowledge and wisdom.

The age you guys will be living in.

Meet new people and expand your insights.

I'm having you guys
follow me for that reason.

But we want to protect you, Captain.

I have no intention of surviving
while using you guys as my shield.

Katsuhiro.

With Sanosuke, protect each other.

Protect each other
and step into the future.

The Sekihōtai will change
as we move into the future.

You guys will be creating
the new Sekihōtai.

This might be too difficult for you now,

but you'll someday understand
what I am saying.

I...

I wasn't able to protect you
nor was I able to adapt to the new age.

But watch me from Heaven, Captain.

Please see what I've been
working on for ten years

and the new Sekihōtai!

‪KAMIYA KASSHIN-RYU

What?!

You mean Tsukioka Tsunan
is an old friend of yours?!

You don't sound that surprised.

Of course we are, aren't we, Miss Kaoru?

Yes, Kenshin.

Well.

Anyway, we were thinking of
having a reunion party.

Do you mind if we use the dōjō tonight?

That's fine, I guess, but where
are you going to get the money to...

You're not sponging off me again!

No way! Absolutely not!

Don't worry about it.

Leave that to me.

See you guys soon.

Oh yeah, tell Tae
and the little girl to come too.

They'll probably enjoy it.

Strange.

Strange! This is too strange!

I think he's sick!

Calm down.

It is Spring.

SAKE

Well, let's begin.

When you said to leave it to you,

you meant you were sponging off Tsunan.

It's fine. Right?

I'm fine.

Is it okay for us to be here too?

It's alright.

If you say so.

You are here too.

Sorry. I...

Don't worry about it. Right?

If Sano's okay, then we are too.

Yes.

But...

Yoita liked gambling,
the smiles of kids and girls,

so when you feel like it,
please go see his grave.

She's already gone.

What?

Sorry.

Sano, what is this party for?

This is the first time
you're hosting a party.

Don't worry about the details.

Let's finish a few of these bottles!

I didn't know Tsunan
was Sano's childhood friend!

What kind of kid was Sano?

What kind?

What?

Not much has changed.

He doesn't think too much
and moves according to his instincts.

I can totally see that.

He was like a b*mb that
no one could stop when it goes off.

Yep, that too, I can see.

You want me to hang you?!

But...

he was a guy you could count on.

Thank you very much!

I'll make it my family treasure!

Thank you very much.

No need to thank me.

Let's have him draw you, Sano.

I'm good.

He already drew me
a lot when we were kids.

And he always draws me
with bruises and scars.

Disgraceful.

I just drew the reality.

That's Sano.

How about Himura?

No, I'll pass.

Come on. Have him draw you.

You can only do this while we are drunk.

What's your relationship with Sanosuke?

Friends.

We became friends through a little fight.

I heard you are a Rurouni.

What were you doing before?

I was in the West.

Kyoto?

Are you an Ishin Shishi?

Hey.

Yes.

I see.

This is my first time drawing
an Ishin Shishi in person.

An ex-Ishin Shishi.

I'm just a Rurouni now.

Are you sure?

Done.

Oh, no face?

I only draw what I see.

I can't see this man's true nature,

what he hides behind those smiles
and behind those scars.

But you can definitely tell
it's me from this scar.

Thanks for the party, Sano!

Come to my place next time!

Will do.

Go home safely, guys.

I know. See you tomorrow, Sano!

Yep, see you.

Well...

Shall we get going?

Your last meal.

Did you enjoy it?

Not really. But I didn't really think
I would.

The girls at the Akabeko
have fed me plenty of times,

so this is to pay them back.

Shu and Ginji.

Well, they're like the party-makers.

What about you?

Did you enjoy
your first party in ten years?

Not at all.

Really?

It seemed like you were having fun.

Are you sure about this Sanosuke?

Idiot.

I'm not a sissy.

I see.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart
for choosing Sekihōtai over the present.

Let's hurry.

If we take too long,
the night will be over.

Sorry, guys.

I'd explain, but you wouldn't understand.

But deep down in my heart,
I'm still a part of the Sekihōtai.

Kenshin, the next time we meet,
I'll be a great criminal.

Then you can even
take me out with the Sakabatō.

Next episode, "Tsunan and Nishiki-e".