01x14 - Yahiko's Battle

[bunniefuu]

Yahiko is...

an important successor
of the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu.

{\an8}ORIGINAL STORY BY NOBUHIRO WATSUKI

Yahiko's gone?

Yes!

It's true that he has been
disappearing a lot lately.

-Right?!
-Probably out with some girl.

He's grown for his age.

I bet he's out blowing
his money on snacks.

The kid is a pig.

I think he's out training on his own.

He is probably starting to develop his own
interpretation of swordsmanship.

-No way!
-No way!

You think so?

A girl. It's definitely a girl.

It's definitely food.

No mistake!

I really think he's trai...

-No way!
-No way!

Food!

Girls!

Why are you guys shamelessly blabbering
about your stupid desires?

Disgraceful.

-You punk!
-You punk!

Gosh.

Kids these days.

What's going on?

So, where were you, Yahiko?

Just went out for a walk.

If you're missing practice,

it isn't "just" a walk.

I practiced my swings this morning

and I'm attending four out of six days
of practice a week, so it's alright.

It's not something to worry about.

{\an8}A FEW DAYS LATER

‪KAMIYA KASSHIN-RYU

Alright.

It is suspicious.

He's hiding something.

Well, I've got some time to k*ll.

It's a girl, I'm telling you.

It's got to be food.

I still think he's training.

AKABEKO GYUUNABE BAR & RESTAURANT

The Akabeko?!

So it was food!

Oro.

So he's been sneaking in here...

But where is he?

That's strange.

I'm sure he went in here.

Oh, Kaoru!

Welcome!

Seats are open.

Please take a seat.

Thanks!

No!

Tae, well...

Hey, kid!

We are out of charcoal.

Bring another bag!

Got it!

Tell Tsubame to bring one too.

It's getting crowded,
so after that, come help the customers.

OK.

I see.

He's taking day jobs here.

He told us not to say anything.

He came in one day and asked us all
to keep it a secret.

But why would he...

Maybe that's what he's after.

That?

Oh, Tsubame?

That can't be it.

She started working after Yahiko did.

What are you doing?

I'm sorry, Yahiko-chan.

I told you not to call me that!

Sorry!

Quit being so nervous and jumpy.

I hate that.

Yahiko-cha...

Yahiko-kun...

Training your legs is essential
to becoming a good swordsman.

You're fine.
Hurry up and serve the customers.

Food, girl, and training.

I guess we were all right.

But there's no motive.

He isn't just working for pocket money?

But why keep it a secret?

Maybe he is trying to help out
with the household expenses

for the Kamiya dōjō?

Yeah right!

He's no saint.

You shouldn't talk!

You come over just for the food!

Hey! What's taking so long?!

Here...

Here I am.

Sorry to have kept you waiting.

Hey there.

Now what's that miserable face for?

You're not making faces
at your master, are you?

Phew.

This is harder than Kaoru's training.

But it's all to get it.

No complaints.

But I wonder how much it'll cost?

So, how about it?

I asked you a question.

The Akabeko doesn't keep much money.

The owner takes the day's earnings
to his own home.

Just as I thought.

Alright, come on.

We will see if you are right.

You've got the mold for keys
to the owner's house and cash box!

You... You can't, Mikio-sama!

Stealing would damage
the Nagaoka family name!

You little...

Since when do you give me advice?!

For 300 years, your poor samurai family

was serving my family!

Then, when the new government took over,

all of a sudden, we are strangers.

Meiji is a world I hate!

There's no loyalty left!

By preaching equality
for the four classes,

they trample over 300 years
of obligation and debt.

But...

You'd be a thief then.

Oh, I get it.

I'll not give orders anymore
to a total stranger.

But then I'll do whatever I want.

If I don't have a key,
I'll have to k*ll everyone in the house.

Or the victims would be left to hurt
the important family name of Nagaoka.

That includes the owner's daughter Tae.

That's right.

You idiot!

It's been ten years
since the Meiji era began

and you still can't get over the fact
that you are not a "master" anymore!

Who's there?!

I'm talking to you, you sideburn b*stard!

As the descendant of samurai,
I cannot watch this in silence!

Yahiko-chan!

Don't call me that!

Hey!

Abandon those foolish thoughts
of stealing at once!

Otherwise, you'll face Myojin Yahiko,
descendant of the Tokyo samurai!

Shut up!

-You little brat!
-Body!

You...!

I can do this!

This is the reward for my training.

-You brat!
-Come on!

Give me that.

Now!

Surround him and beat him up!

Oro!

Why are you just staring
at the scene like it's a show?

He's right, Yahiko's in danger!

Calm down.

I won't calm down.

Whatever his behavior may be,
he is my student!

One moment.

Yahiko has not yet noticed
that we are here.

Our sudden appearance
would be very unnatural.

But...

You will never grow strong

if you know you will always
be rescued by someone.

This is Yahiko's fight.

As long as he does not ask for our help,

we have no right to help him
and take the responsibility off him.

"A lion pushes its own cub to the bottom
of a thousand-fold valley," I guess.

But...

Stop!

Stop them, please! Mikio-sama!

He has nothing to do with this!

I'll give you the mold.

Hey!

We have more important stuff to do!

No point in beating up children!

OK.

Are you all right?

Damn!

If it had been a one-on-one,
I would've beaten them up.

Tsubame!

That should have taught you a lesson
as to who your master is.

See you later, Yahiko-chan.

I'm sorry.

You got into all of this because of me.

I'm really sorry.

They will need one day to make a key
from the molds you gave them.

That means they will carry out
their plan tomorrow or later.

Yahiko-chan?

I don't care anymore.

I couldn't even beat idiots like them.
I am still your little Yahiko "chan".

Don't worry about me.
It was my decision to help you.

So, don't worry about it.

Yahiko-chan.

I can't tell the police.

They'd make her an accomplice of all this.

And I won't ask Kenshin
or the others to help.

I don't want them to worry about me
taking care of trash like those guys.

This is my fight!

{\an8}THE NEXT MORNING - KAMIYA KASSHIN-RYU

Well, this should do the job.

Is that a toy or something?

Idiot!

It's made to practice fighting
many enemies at once.

Useless.

What a useless toy.

What did you say?!

Just think about it!

The boards only move in a fixed way,

not the way real opponents would.

Fighters attack in a number of complicated
and coordinated forms.

It may make your reflexes better,
but it doesn't happen overnight.

‪AKU

A child-like idea.

Shut up!

Hey, Kenshin.

Oro?

Can I ask you something?

I need to know a way to fight
many people at once.

Why all of a sudden?

I was only interested to know, that's all.

Is that so?

Actually, I do know of a way.

Really?

This is a technique used

by the Ishin Shishi during the Bakumatsu
when overwhelmed by superior numbers.

You first run.

-Run?
-Yep.

To be precise,
you pretend to be running away.

Naturally, your enemies will follow you.

This takes advantage
of their individual differences

as they will all follow
at their own speed.

Target one, turn and destroy him,
then run again.

If you repeat this,

you can bring down all of your enemies
without ever being hurt yourself.

I got it!

But in order to do this,
you need to have quick legs and stamina.

I see.

Basically, the point is to look for a way
to fight them one-on-one.

Think about that.

A way to fight them one-on-one.

Yahiko.

The Kamiya Kasshin-ryu teaches
the sword that protects life.

It is the sword wielded for people,
wielded to protect.

One sword can

either protect both you and the person
you are protecting or fail to do so.

If failed, you have not fulfilled
the duty of protecting.

He who wields the sword that
protects life cannot allow failure.

Let this be engraved on your mind.

{\an8}HOUSE OF THE OWNER OF AKABEKO

Alright, let's go!

Are we really going to do this, Mr. Mikio?

What?

You're not getting scared now, are you?

I told you.

The merchant's money was once
the money of the samurai families.

Who cares if we steal their money?

Plus, there is no way we can fail.

Since the stupid girl gave us
the molds for the keys.

It's the one from yesterday!

Give them back, you brat!

If you want them,
you'll have to take them by force!

You should be good at that.

Hey, wait, you!

Yahiko-chan!

Wait! Stop running!

We've got him now!

Get ready!

The destiny of whom I protect
lies on my sword!

I cannot allow failure!

Kamiya Kasshin-ryu, Myojin Yahiko!

I'll be your opponent!

He's trapped like a rat.

What are you doing, you idiots?!

Go one by one!

I see.

He pretended to be chased.

It was really an invitation to a battle
in a narrow place to fight one-on-one.

He's noticed.

But you made the wrong decision!

He's got nowhere to run!

Pressure him slowly!

No need to go easy!

Even if you k*ll one or two people,
bury their bodies and nobody will know!

What are you doing?

Move forward!

The cross-shaped scar!

It must be the one who's so strong!

And the street fighter Zanza!

Run!

Or they will k*ll us all!

Hey! You cowards!

So, we're done with our part.

I guess.

However, how did you know I'd be here?

I left without telling anyone.

I just knew it.

Even if it's "Yahiko's fight",

if he loses, Tsubame and the Akabeko
can be in danger.

You're not that kind of guy

and you are just too nice a guy
to put that lion cub proverb into action.

That could be a compliment or an insult.

Well, anyway, from here...

Yes, a true one-on-one fight.

Never did I imagine

I, Nagaoka Mikio, would be swinging
my sword on a little brat!

I can see!

Head!

I can read the lines of his sword!

Daily practice is paying off.

I hate to say it,
but I have to thank Kaoru for it.

You brat!

It's dangerous...

for girls to walk alone at night.

Kamiya Kaoru.

Yahiko's teacher.

You came here to stop him, right?

Sorry to say this,

but you won't be able to stop that guy.

Leave this to Yahiko.

But do make me a promise instead.

A promise?

If Yahiko wins, have a stronger heart!

Don't be dragged down and be
trapped like you were in the past.

Next time, tell him no from the start.

The times have changed and the world
is one of equality for the four classes.

But if your heart doesn't change too,
that won't mean anything.

You brat!

This is the end!

Nagaoka Mikio-ryu.

The ultimate Ukiashiotoshi!

Oh no, my right foot!

Win!

Please win, Yahiko-kun!

Right!

The destiny of whom I protect
lies on my sword!

I'm going to... win!

So...

What are you doing here, Kaoru?!

And...

you two on the roof!

There are no cicadas during Spring!

Gosh.

Why are they always in my business?

I'll take Tsubame home,

so I'll see you guys at home.

Alright, take care.

Thank you, Yahiko-kun.

You don't have to thank me.

I just hate seeing someone
all shy and awkward.

Yes. So...

I'm not going to be so shy
and awkward anymore.

See you tomorrow, then.

At the Akabeko.

Well, another problem solved.

Nope, not yet.

We still don't know why
he was working at all!

If you say you're not going to tell,
I'm going to...

Alright.

I'll tell you.

It was to buy the Sakabatō.

Someday, when I'm as good as Kenshin,
I'll wear it.

Right now, I'm just saving up.

-Yahiko with a Sakabatō!
-Don't laugh at me, you rooster head!

That's why I was keeping it a secret!

Just don't tell Kaoru!

She's going to laugh too!

-Don't tell anyone.
-I heard it.

Kenshin.

Yahiko.

It's quite expensive.

It's expensive.

It's expensive.

It's expensive.

Alright!

Next episode, "That Man, Raijūta."