01x20 - Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story: Act Zero

[bunniefuu]

Himura Battōsai,
a Chōshu Domain Ishin Shishi,

worked for them for five years
between the ages of 14 and 19.

The first half, he spent as a manslayer,

a ruthless assassin
who stalked in darkness.

The other half was as a swordsman

who protected his allies from a group
of swordsmen from the Shogunate.

You are well known today
for your work on the latter half.

Stop!

If you've got the real Battōsai around,
it will become pointless.

I'm not asking you as a Battōsai to stay
but as a Rurouni to st...

If you want to go, then leave.

But at least tell me
your name before you leave.

Or do you not even want to say
your real name?

Kenshin.

Himura Kenshin.

That's the current name I go by.

I am a Rurouni,

so I may start wandering off again.

But if that is okay with you,
I would like to stay.

Wow. What a good scent.

Right?

I went out of my way
and bought some nice tea leaves!

Wow, this is good.

It's surprising that a girl like you
likes delicious food and drinks.

She's just a pig.

Thanks to that, though,
we're able to eat delicious meals.

Then start thanking me.

We are.

I wonder how long it has been
since I had such delicious tea.

Don't be silly, Kenshin.

You should have had some tea somewhere
while you were traveling.

AKU

I was in the middle of traveling,

so I didn't have time
to sit quietly and enjoy tea.

Hey, let's hear some interesting stories
about when you were traveling.

That's a good idea.

I want to hear stories
of what you enjoyed during your travels.

I want to hear stories
where you defeated bad guys.

Hey, everybody,

Kenshin's having a difficult time.

-Stop forcing him.
-I may have one.

A story that's interesting, enjoyable,
and defeats bad guys.

ORIGINAL STORY BY NOBUHIRO WATSUKI

Yokohama, Foreign Settlement.

When the port of Yokohama was opened
at the end of the Edo period,

under the Treaty of Amity
and Commerce with Foreign Countries,

this area was specifically designated

as a place for foreign residents
to settle and trade.

Out of my way!

-Oro?
-I'm in a rush!

Out of my way!

Oh no! You're all right?!

-What's going on?
-Whoa!

Thank goodness! I'm glad you're okay!

I thought I k*lled you or something.

I guess I should be glad that
I look okay in your eyes.

I'm really sorry.

I'm Dankichi, a rickshaw man. And you are...

I'm a Rurouni.

-Ruro...
-A wandering swordsman, a kenkaku.

Ken... Wait, so you are a...

Samurai?!

-That's a katana!
-Oro?

That's against
the Sword Abolishment Edict!

It is indeed a katana, but this katana is...

Over here, rickshaw man!

-That's right. I have to get going!
-Ororo.

-She appears to have fallen ill.
-Hurry. Get her to a doctor!

I knew there was no time to waste!

So I brought him on my best rickshaw!

Doctor!

Suspicious!

Do not worry.

I am not suspicious!

A westerner. And he's wearing a mask.

If he doesn't appear suspicious,

Yokohama is indeed an incredible city.

That's not it at all!

Yo, Dankichi.

-Are you sure about that doctor?
-What?

Foreigners aren't unusual here,

but can we really trust a doctor who
we know nothing about, not even his face?

What are you talking about?!

They say after three generations,
you're a true Edo citizen,

but if you spend three nights here,
you're a true Yokohama citizen.

-Right.
-That is what they say, but...

Dr. Elder spent well
over three nights in Yokohama.

Are you guys saying
you can't trust another Yokohama citizen?!

Well...

We can trust you,
Dankichi, but a foreigner...

We're Yokohama citizens, man!

We're the cutting edge
of Civilization and Enlightenment!

Mom!

Your mom will be alright!
Dr. Elder is a world-renowned doctor.

He's on the side
of anyone who's hurt or sick!

-Dankichi!
-Yes!

I must prepare a prescription.

-Please take this lady to my hotel room.
-You got it!

-I'm on it.
-Out of the way!

What the heck?!

You are...

Ishizu Deian!

Look what I found after chasing the crowd.

The mysterious wandering Western doctor.

How dare you practice medicine
without permission right under my nose?!

What permission!

The only people you treat
are big-shot Westerners and the rich!

And what's wrong with that?
Those who cannot pay shall not live.

Then what we're doing won't affect you!

Dr. Elder takes care
of those who can't pay!

That is exactly why I can't allow it.

The practice of medicine
is an expensive skill.

The cost of Western medicine

has been rising since it was introduced
at the beginning of Meiji.

If we allow someone to exercise
that skill practically for free,

it will decrease the value
of our skills as well.

Do not treat her.

-If you do...
-You will bring harm to me?

Don't be ridiculous.

Laying hands on a foreigner here
in the settlement is the greatest taboo.

It's the sick woman we will lay a hand on.

If the patient is beyond help,
you have no reason to treat her!

Mom!

Stop it right there, both of you.

The lady's well-being
is the main concern right now.

Stay out of this!

Or I'll take your eye out with this!

A katana!

That's against
the Sword Abolishment Edict!

Like you have the right to say.

A wannabe samurai
in Yokohama in the Meji era?!

Flying?

You little rat!

Rurouni! We're good to go!

Leave the girl and the lady to me!

-You!
-Elder! Hurry!

Mask. A complete mystery.

Is he really a doctor?

-It's probably best not to get involved.
-Yeah.

A bodyguard, huh?

If that's how you want to play,
I have a plan!

Search where he's staying!

-I'll send him a message.
-Yes, sir.

I booked another room.

It's best she gets some rest
until she feels better.

It seems like the medicine
is starting to kick in.

Once the fever goes down,
she should start to gain some energy.

Foreign doctor, thank you.

You're welcome.

He went above and beyond the call.

He did the same for me
when I broke my leg.

He absolutely wouldn't accept payment,

saying I can't earn with the rickshaw
until I am healed.

On top of that, after I got better,
he hired me so I could make some money.

Ask nothing from those who can't pay.

Goes out of his way
to treat those in need.

That's the kind of person he is.

-Thank you so much, Dankichi.
-No... not at all.

It's me who should thank you.

Rurouni, need a lift?

"Ask nothing from those who can't pay."

"Goes out of his way
to treat those in ne..."

Free rides will be taken
straight to the police.

I'm a Rurouni and I should walk.

All right. That's more like you.

Thank you, Rurouni, for helping us.

In return, would you like some tea?

-Afternoon tea.
-Oro?

Dankichi, do you want to join?

Sure! I don't know what's going on,
but I would love to join!

The weather is fine today,
so let's have tea outside!

Great idea!

Like an outdoor tea ceremony?

Here you go.

Thank you.

Samurai sword.

It was worth coming all the way to Japan.

A Western sword?

A great garden.

You can smell the winter daphne,
hinting that Spring has come.

Please.

Toast to meeting Rurouni!

Toasting with tea?

Don't worry about the little things.

So this is Western tea and Western snacks.

Itadakimasu!

Delicious!

Rurouni, don't hold back and eat!

Thanks.

It has a good flavor, right?

The snacks are sweet and delicious.

How about the tea?

We're using very good tea leaves.

I appreciate the opportunity.

Are you not able to taste
the flavor of the tea?

Yes.

I see. It seems like you're a bit tired.

Well, he did go crazy
with those guys earlier.

I'm not actually that tired.

Your body isn't the only part
of you that can be tired.

When you can sense the flavor of a flower
but not of tea,

your heart is tired.

Heart?

Western doctors are interesting!

You do have a name, right?

Well...

You were probably a hell of a samurai
during Bakumatsu.

Oh, I know! You're one of them!
The Shinsengumi!

Are you okay?

Kyoto during Bakumatsu must have been
chaotic, but so was Yokohama.

Imagine a foreign settlement
being established all of a sudden!

Yokohama has grown
to be such an interesting city.

In terms of cutting edge, we're at
the top, along with Tokyo and Hakodate.

There must be a lot of rare things
that were brought from outside of Japan

or were made with foreign technology
here in Yokohama.

That's right!

Yokohama is the place to be!
I love this place!

If you'd like, I can show you around
many places that I like with my rickshaw!

I don't have the money to afford that.

I forgot about that.

Then how about this?

You pull the rickshaw for me.

I'll be the passenger
and I'll explain the places we visit.

Then you won't have to pay me.

That's an interesting idea!

How about we go together, Dr. Elder?!

Me too?

There's only room for one passenger.

One person will be left out.

Then rock paper scissors!

The first one to lose
will pull the rickshaw!

The one who wins will get the seat!
The other will run alongside the rickshaw.

How about when you lose, Dankichi?

Stop thinking too much!

Rock paper scissors...

-sh**t!
-Oro.

Rock paper scissors...

-sh**t!
-Oro?

-sh**t!
-Oro?

-sh**t!
-Oro?

-sh**t!
-Oro?

How is this possible?!

What are the odds of this happening?!
It's a miracle!

Oro?

But we can't come to a solution with this.

Let's draw then!
No complaining, no matter what you draw!

I'll be the rickshaw man!

I'm the passenger.

Alright! Let's go!

Residence 39, Yokohama.

The American missionary Hepburn,

who was devoted
to the spread of medical care

in Japan and the translation of the Bible,

established the Hepburn School here.

At this time,

the water in Yokohama was not deep enough
for large ships to dock,

so small boats called "Hashike" were used
to transport cargo to the docks.

The wharf structured with curves to block
waves was called the Elephant's Nose.

Yokohama Station.

Fifth year of Meiji.
Japan's first railroad, a symbol

of the Civilization and Enlightenment,
opened between Shimbashi and Yokohama.

The station designed
by American architect R.P. Prigence

was so well received
that it was depicted in Ukiyo-e.

So, how do you feel about Yokohama now?

It makes me realize
that a new era has come.

Right?!

Now you're talking!

Spend three nights
and you're a Yokohama citizen!

Why won't you quit being a Rurouni
and be a Yokohama citizen?!

Oro.

I'll catch you guys later. See you!

-Are you sure?
-No problem.

Finding a place to stay
at this time is a hassle.

-Please.
-Thank you.

So you follow the custom
of changing footwear indoors.

You seem to be suddenly shorter, Elder.

It's just your imagination.
Westerners appear shorter indoors.

Is that how it is?

-How strange.
-Excuse me while I change.

I'll be in the bedroom.

Huh?

Is it for Elder?

I'm supposed to give this to him... I guess.

Elder, it seems like...

Oro?

Apologies! Didn't know you were a lady!

It's just your imagination.
Westerners sometimes change genders.

I'm sorry. That's a lie.

Is there a reason for this?

Let me explain. Please come in.

He always hides his face with a mask,
so his identity is a mystery,

but he is a first-class doctor.

He treats the poor and injured
while traveling around the world

at the request of prominent
and wealthy people.

And so, you want to
get rid of this Dr. Elder.

Yes, this is my territory.

I want to k*ll him and set an example
so others don't try to do the same thing.

If anybody finds out a local was involved,
it will mean trouble.

I see. So that's why you called us.

And not only that.

Dr. Elder has a bodyguard that none
of my men stand a chance against.

A no-good samurai with a cross-shaped scar
on his left cheek.

Well, that's convenient.

We have a swordsman who is desperate
to fight a strong samurai!

Time to go to work. Espiral.

Samurai with a cross-shaped scar.
It's him.

A samurai.

A sword master using a katana blade

who's even known overseas.

A samurai.

Proud berserkers

who were willing to slay their impious
enemies and cut their own guts for honor.

They disappeared from this world
ten years ago with the Meiji revolution.

But with a glimmer of hope, I have come
all the way to this island nation...

to fight a samurai!

A samurai with a cross-shaped scar,

apparently a renowned swordsman
in Kyoto at the end of the Edo period.

A survivor of the end of the Edo period.

No wonder he is so strong.

You wanted to fight him.

The Samurai with the cross-shaped scar.

A legendary man who was said
to be the strongest!

Hitokiri Battōsai!

Next episode, "Meiji Swordsman,
Romantic Story, Act Zero, Part 2."