01x16 - The Ideal Man

[bunniefuu]

Maekawa Kunai,
founder of the Chuuetsu-ryu,

I challenge you for a match.

I am Isurugi Raijūta!

A man who is deeply concerned
about the future of kenjutsu.

His eyes are too muddied
to reveal their secrets.

But he's strong!

What do you want with me?

What do you think about
the state of Japanese kenjutsu?

Don't you think its soul is dying?

That it's fragile and weak?

My school is Shinko-ryu,

a school
that thrives on reviving kenjutsu.

My objective is to destroy
all 500 or so schools of kenjutsu.

I see.

Then you and I are on different paths.

Do you not feel anything
about kenjutsu getting destroyed?

As a swordsman,

I do hope for the best
for the future of kenjutsu.

But a future where the k*ller's sword
runs rampant is a future

I'd rather not see.

I see.

You can't agree with my way.

Well then,

you are my enemy from now on.

{\an8}ORIGINAL STORY BY NOBUHIRO WATSUKI

The same technique that was used
to slash the floor at Maekawa dojo.

Secret technique, Matoi Izuna!

A technique I've revived from
a secret old-style kenjutsu book!

Wow! I knew my Sensei was strong!

You can't beat me by just running around!

A sword with a reverse blade.

As you can see from this sword,
I forbid k*lling.

Since I have deemed you an enemy,
I am going to crush you.

Well, I guess we're done here.

Let's go home.

‪AKU

I will get you guys for this!

Okay... We're sorry,
so don't get so angry, kid.

Don't you pat me!

You covered his mouth
and tied him to a tree?

Sanosuke did it.

Listen!
I'm going to shred you with my secret...

-Gosh, you're so loud!
-What?!

If you've got enough energy to scream,

then come to the dojo alone
instead of following that huge idiot!

Then I'll have a match with you!

But with a Shinai!

I'm here as promised!

Do you know what time it is?

You never said what time!

So, let's fight!

We are going to settle this!

Get ready!

Hey, Kaoru, judge for us.

-Well, first point...
-You call that a yell?!

We can't fight with you like that!

Stop screaming near my ear!

Well, then wake up, you hag!

-I'm awake, you idiot!
-Hey, fight me!

Listen!

KAMIYA KASSHIN-RYU

First point!

Let's start!

Huh?

Oro?

You're holding the Shinai wrong.

Usually, you grip it
with the two hands separated,

with the left at the bottom
and the right just below the hilt.

I'm only trained with real swords!

So, I don't know any Shinai grips.

Actually, your grip on a real sword
and a Shinai is the same.

Wait. Don't tell me.

You've never learned kenjutsu before?

I see.

That's why you came early, so that
you could fight me while I'm sleepy.

My goodness.

Raijūta hasn't been training you?

It's not his fault.

Sensei's busy now spreading
the Shinko-ryu.

He said it's really important
for the sake of Japanese kenjutsu.

I can't be selfish and bother him.

Well, well.

All right.

Since you're already here,
I might as well give you a lesson.

OK. First, the grip.

The little finger of the left hand
goes here, catching halfway.

-What are you blushing for?
-Shut up!

Yahiko, leave him alone.

Face...

That's it. You're doing good!

-Very good, Yutaro.
-Really?

You really have talent.

Thanks!

Time for a break.

We haven't eaten all morning,
so I made us some rice ba*ls.

-Here, Yahiko.
-Thanks.

Kaoru's such an idiot.

Whose side does she think she's on?!

-Here, Miss Kaoru.
-Thanks.

I think Yahiko's sulking.

My goodness. He's such a kid.

Yahiko!

-What, you hag!
-What?!

Here, Yutaro.

No, thanks.

You are the enemy of my Sensei.

I won't accept anything from you.

Don't be so harsh. Here!

Even the great General Uesugi Kenshin
sent a gift of salt to his enemy.

Excuse me.

Hey, don't just sit next to me!

So, is Shinai kenjutsu fun?

It's just playing.

Of course, it's fun.

But playing won't make me stronger.

I'm going to be an unbeatable swordsman,
like Sensei, and show my father.

-Show your father?
-Yes.

He threw away our family honor
to become a merchant,

and he's always smiling
and bowing to people.

He sells swords,
a warrior's spirit, to foreign countries.

I want to show my father how
a real Samurai with a sword should live.

Having the pride of coming from
a Samurai's family is the same as Yahiko,

but the reason of wanting
to be strong is completely different.

Yutaro, would you like
to take lessons here for a while?

What?!

You can forget about wanting
to show anyone or beat anyone

and face your true feelings
that you want to do kenjutsu.

You can compete with Yahiko
and you guys can get stronger together.

I see. That's a good idea.

Kenshin and Kaoru,
what are you guys thinking?!

He's Raijūta's student!

-I see.
-What?

You are afraid I'll be better than you.

Idiot! How ridiculous!

-You'll never be any good!
-You're angry because I'm right!

You want to attend Kamiya dojo?

Please consider it.

I accept.

Thank you so much!

They say, "Know your enemy, know thyself,
and you shall not fear a hundred battles."

The Art of w*r!

Get the experience of knowing your enemy.

Yes! Thank you so much!

For the first time,
I received training from Sensei!

He has high expectations of me!

That kid's been coming
to the dojo ever since?

He's very dedicated.

Right, and he's getting along well
with Yahiko too.

Who's the little monkey,
you cat-eyed b*stard?!

I thought you weren't interested
in Shinai kenjutsu to begin with!

Shinai kenjutsu is just a game!

I came to check things out
for Sensei's fight with Kenshin!

But all Kenshin ever does
is clean the house.

Right. That surprised me too.

Such a swordsman only doing chores.

So, then stop coming here!

Since when do I take orders from you?!

Looks like they're getting along.

That's it! Stop fighting!

-Yahiko!
-What?

Today, Yutaro's practicing jumping
face strike, so be the target for him.

Why me?!

I'm too tall for him.
It wouldn't be good practice.

Stop complaining.
Hurry and put on the mask.

That's an order from your master!

Darn it.

Come on.

Let's see that shaky sword of yours.
I'll take...

Face!

-Wow.
-How is he?

I'm surprised.

He's more talented than I thought.

Face!

This guy couldn't even hold
a Shinai right when he started.

He's come a long way
in such a short period.

Face!

He's not just talk anymore!

Face!

But!

It just gets on my nerves
getting hit by you!

What?! Challenge accepted!

That's enough!

‪AKABEKO GYUUNABE BAR & RESTAURANT

Food tastes great after exercise.

Waiter, could I have another bowl?

There's no food for you to eat!

Hey, I'm a customer!

You're not going to stop them?

I don't care anymore.

Oh, Tsubame.

Is that a friend of Yahiko's?

Sort of.

They look like they're getting along.

We are fighting!

This is not getting along well!

-Are you blind?!
-Sorry.

Yahiko! Don't scare Tsubame like that!

Please, use this.

You're so kind, Yutaro!

So different compared to "somebody".

Darn it.

{\an8}-Yutaro, if you don't mind...
-Yes?

Do you want to become
an official student at our school?

What do you think?

You've been working hard.

I'm sure you and Yahiko would become
great swordsmen of the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu.

I'm sorry.

Kaoru, you're a good Sensei.

I'm really happy that you
think of me that way.

And Himura Kenshin, I know
you are a really strong swordsman.

I really hate the rooster head, though.

Hey, I don't like you much either, kid.

Even though I made fun of Shinai kenjutsu,

when I tried it, it was really fun.

I really enjoyed training
at the Kamiya dojo.

But like I thought...

I want to be strong near Raijūta Sensei.

I first met Sensei on a night like this.

Right in front of this Jizo statue,

we were attacked by bandits.

Ji!

Go ahead and call for help, Tsukayama.

Though no one will hear you
in a forest like this.

Darn it!

If it's money you want,
I can give you as much as you need!

-Just spare our lives!
-Father!

You are pathetic.

You must have traded in your honor
along with your sword for your money.

Hey, why aren't you getting on your knees
and begging for your life?

You must be joking!

I'm a descendant of a Tokyo Samurai,
Tsukayama Yu...

Yutaro!

Showing off, kid?

A brat like you
should be like your father and beg.

Right, Mr. Tsukayama?

Please, spare his life!

Just one blow.

With that one blow,

bandits went running like baby spiders.

He's invincible!

That's what I thought
when I saw that blow.

Raijūta saved you?

You've got to be kidding.

Shut up, rooster head!

He doesn't say much
and shows no expression,

so everyone misunderstands him.

The strength that scatters everything
in this world is the man I wish to become.

If I'm strong like him, I won't grow up
to be a weakling like my father.

Himura Kenshin.

You're going to fight
Sensei eventually, right?

Just make sure
it's a fair and proper fight.

I understand.

That's a real match
between two great swordsmen.

Sensei!

Sensei?

A sudden attack from behind at night.

Now we see what he's really like.

No! That was just a greeting!

He wasn't serious!

Isn't that right, Sensei?

Sensei.

Stand back, Miss Kaoru.

It's just like my Zanbatou.

It doesn't mean anything unless you hit.

-Sands!
-You b*stard!

Sensei!

You've lost.

Ryūtsuisen!

I guess my Matoi Izuna can't destroy you.

I didn't want to use this
ultimate technique, but I have no choice!

Secret technique, Tobi Izuna!

What's that?

Yutaro!

We've got to stop the bleeding
and get him to a doctor!

It's not a vital spot. He won't die.

You b*stard!

You've just deliberately
hurt your own student!

Don't you understand?!

You really thought that child
was my student?

What?

Kenjutsu brings no money
in the world of today,

but I needed it a lot
to spread the Shinko-ryu.

He's the son of a patron.

So, I played the patient teacher
for my patron's brat.

It's too bad I have to lose him after I
went so far as to stage a robbery on him,

but I can always get another.

Sensei.

Destroying you comes first.

-Come on!
-Wait there.

I'm taking Yutaro to the doctor.

I'll take care of you after that.

Very well.

He's finally serious.

You haven't even noticed how badly
you've screwed up, feather man.

You got the most dangerous man
on earth pissed at you.

OGUNI CLINIC

Megumi!

How is Yutaro?

What in the world cut him?

Considering how wide the cut is,

it's strange how small the blood loss was.

I don't know either.

But about Yutaro...

His life is in no danger.

But...

But?

The muscles and nerves were severed.

I feel sorry,

but the poor boy can never
practice kenjutsu again.

Next Episode, "Settling the Score".