Notes:

• My Japanese is very poor. So take my translations with a grain of salt. There are a few parts I did not know how to translate, so I guessed at the meaning. Those parts are marked with an (*). Just keep in mind these are far from 100% correct or perfect. If you see a translation mistake, please let me know.

• The following should be read with manga in hand. These are only the dialogue. There are no mentions of scene changes, and very little description of action. So you may be confused if you don't have the manga in front of you.

• If you don't have the manga, I've written a summary of this chapter. So check that out.

Key:

text outside of word bubble

Last Revised: 3-8-02.

Nagi:

Tatara,

I sense an evil presence.

Nagi:

An ominous shadow...

surrounds you...

Sarasa:

Everybody, allow me to introduce...

the leader of the Rebel Army.

This is Raizô.

Chacha:

Whoo, what a stud.

So charming.

Zaki:

Chacha...

Raizô:

Thanks.

Zaki:

You...

look pretty strong.

(Zaki and Raizô start arm-wrestling.)

Pirates:

Alright— Go for it.

Chacha:

Ah ha ha

Good luck, Zaki.

Asagi:

{sfx: wah— wah—}

It sure is noisy out there.

Such a hard bed.

Are they having a party?

Asagi:

Ouch.

I didn't plan on getting burned for real.

{sfx: creak}

{sfx: swish swish} (quick movement)

Shadow figures:

Long time no see,

Lord Asagi.

Asagi:

The Four Kunshi?

(NOTE: kunshi sorta means man of virtue, wise one, or person of high rank.)

Shadow figures:

That person has sent us...

to assist Lord Asagi.

We're here for your command.

Asagi:

Isn't there a guard outside?

Shadow figures:

We've put him to sleep.

Asagi:

Oh— How are things...

with Kyôto and the Emperor?

Shadow figures:

A formal vigil is being held right about now.

Shadow figures:

The Emperor has ordered his vassals to deal with the rebel army,

while he goes cavorting with his new concubine.

Asagi:

Mmm— Sounds good.

Now...

here are your orders.

Asagi:

"Take," go north,

to monitor the Black King's movements.

Muratake:

Yes.

Asagi:

"Ran," stay with me.

Ranmaru:

Yes Sir.

This is an honor.

Asagi:

"Kiku," return to Kyôto for a detailed report.

Kikune:

Yes, I will not fail you—

Shadow figure:

And me, Sir?

Asagi:

"Ume," go west.

Asagi:

And find me the Red King's...

Achilles' tendon.

Umewaka:

Understood.

{sfx: swish}

Voice:

Until then,

Lord Asagi.

{sfx: swish}

Asagi:

Ranmaru,

about my Guards...

Ranmaru:

{sfx: heh}

They've...

already been taken care of.

Sarasa:

The Suzaku swordmaker wrought...

the Sword of Suzaku,

and the Sword of Seiryu.

Sarasa:

I don't know where the Sword of Byakko is.

But once I discover its whereabouts...

Sarasa:

we will reunite 3 of the Sacred Swords.

Chacha:

Suzaku Village is 80% restored.

Zaki:

I lost.

We're also building a fort that can stand up to the Red King.

Voice:

And Kanto...

has toppled the Blue King.

Independence...

Raizô:

The times, they are a changin'.

This change is something even the Emperor cannot stop.

Sarasa:

I wonder what kind of person...

wields the 4th Sword.

Sarasa:

And those legendary warriors who first challenged the Emperor with these 4 swords,

I wonder what kind of people they were.

Raizô:

Right now, we should rebuild our towns and strengthen our foothold.

Raizô:

Let's not focus on anything besides that.

Raizô:

Surely someday,

we'll establish a new country,

by fighting together.

Sarasa:

Yes!

Raizô:

Until then,

I'll entrust you with the Sword of Seiryû.

{sfx: toss}

Raizô:

Tatara must have a sword.

Sarasa:

Thank you, Raizô.

I'm honored.

Chacha:

Alright!

Let's have a brotherly toast!

Pirates:

Boss, you're always looking for an excuse to drink.

{sfx: wah— ha ha ha ha}

Chacha:

Shut up.

{sfx: wah— ha ha ha ha}

Asagi:

Such a beautiful scene,

so beautiful it makes me want to puke.

Asagi:

But, though they appear to be a solid group,

they're really just a bunch of misfits.

Sarasa:

Raizô,

we'll stay here for a few days and check out the situation.

Sarasa:

During this time,

can you teach me swordfighting?

Sarasa:

I've never learned it right.

So ashamed...

Raizô:

Oh, of course.

In the mornings then.

Hayato:

Hey, where's my sake—?

Chacha:

You're still a kid.

So no sake for you.

Besides, you're hurt.

Hayato:

But Tatara can drink.

{sfx: pout pout}

You always treat me like a kid.

Asagi:

If I want to infiltrate something,

Hayato:

I'll just help myself.

Asagi:

there's bound to be opportunities.

Asagi:

It's the same as during the Snake King's reign...

Nagi:

I will attend to the injured tomorrow.

Raizô:

Oh, that would be great.

Raizô:

Well then.

Time for me to go.

Sarasa:

Ah, I've already prepared a room for you.

Raizô:

No, don't trouble yourself.

How can I possibly sleep on a bed...

when everyone has to sleep on the ground.

Raizô:

Besides, my wife is waiting up for me.

Good night.

Chacha:

What? You have a wife?

Zaki:

Chacha...

Raizô:

Until tomorrow.

(Next morning, Raizô and Sarasa are practicing swordplay and Raizô is impressed with Sarasa's skill.)

Voice:

Yah!

Hah!

Toh!

Raizô:

He's never learned it right?!

But this is...

Sarasa:

I never did.

Phew— So sweaty.

But Kakujî used to play swords with me when I was a kid.

Raizô:

{sfx: fu fu fu}

I see.

Raizô:

So he learned the basics...

through games...

Asagi:

Can you call Tatara?

I have something important to tell him.

Make sure he comes alone.

Sarasa:

You want to talk?

Asagi:

I know where...

the 4th Sacred Sword is.

(Chacha, Hayato, and several others are eavesdropping through the door.)

Chacha:

What?

Hayato:

Can you hear them?

Voice:

Don't push—

Asagi:

This is top secret, so come closer.

Asagi:

Well...

{sfx: Kyah}

Asagi:

I'm sorry.

Don't hit me Tatara.

I'll tell you everything.

Ouch!

It hurts.

Stop!

Everyone:

Tatara?!

What happened?

Sarasa:

Ah...

All of a sudden,

he just started screaming.

Chacha:

Tatara,

how can you treat the injured like this?

How cruel.

Sarasa:

I...

I didn't...

Asagi:

It's alright.

Asagi:

It's all my fault.

Asagi:

I used to be Captain of the Blue King's Guards.

Asagi:

I suppose all of you don't know this.

The Blue King was a homosexual and preferred young boys.

Asagi:

I was...

treated worse than a slave.

Chacha:

I see.

So he was like that.

Asagi:

It's always,

always,

made me think of death.

Asagi:

But,

with neither parents nor siblings,

I was devoid of any means.

There was no place for me to go.

Sarasa:

Liar.

That's not what I saw.

Sickening.

{sfx: sickening sickening sickening sickening...}

He had such a haughty expression back then.

Hayato:

Now, now,

don't cry.

Hayato:

Everyone here has no family either,

just like you.

Asagi:

...Thank you.

Asagi:

I thought I was going to burn to death.

Asagi:

Then I was saved.

Tatara showed me the grace of God.

Asagi:

That's why I want to tell you what I know.

For example...

Asagi:

The Emperor has ordered the Black King and Red King...

to subjugate the rebel army.

Chacha:

What?!

Sarasa:

The Red King?!

Asagi:

However, the Black King has been busy fighting the Northeast's Kazuno sect for many years.

So he can't be bothered with this.

Asagi:

I also doubt the Red King would take his army far from his territory.

Asagi:

So at this point, nobody will attack us here.

This is the perfect time for you to build up an army and conserve power.

Asagi:

The Emperor probably doesn't consider you to be a major threat yet.

Since he's such a fool.

Asagi:

Ah, I believe the Kazuno sect has the Sword of Genbu.

That's just a rumor though.

Asagi:

Furthermore, the Blue King's valuables...

are hidden under the royal palace.

That's what he ordered me to tell the Count.

Sarasa:

So, a person who manages hidden valuables is...

worse than a slave?

Hayato:

Tatara.

Sarasa:

Enough.

Hayato:

Tatara, why're you so mean...

{sfx: grab}

Asagi:

Stay a little longer.

I'm lonely.

Asagi:

Your foot,

is it a battle wound?

Hayato:

I got this when I saved Tatara during the battle of Sakura Island.

It's an honorable injury.

And it'll be completely healed soon.

Asagi:

That's great! So...

among Tatara's subordinates,

you're sort of his vice-commander.

Hayato:

We're...

not Tatara's subordinates!

Asagi:

Ah, sorry.

But Tatara...

Oh, no, nevermind.

Hayato:

Tatara what?

Asagi:

Nothing...

Hayato:

Say it.

Asagi:

A while ago,

he told me not to go near his subordinates.

(Sarasa walking down the hall, fuming.)

Sarasa:

{sfx: stomp stomp}

Ah! I am so mad.

I can't stand the sight of that guy.

Sarasa:

I should have let him burn at the stake.

Sarasa:

...Shuri.

What would Shuri do?

Shuri:

That kind of guy will go down with one kick.

Throw him out!

Sarasa:

..That's...

probably what he would say.

Sarasa:

Shuri...

Sarasa:

Why...

aren't you here?

Sarasa:

Big laughing,

big talking,

strong,

overconfident,

...gentle...

Shuri...

Sarasa:

If only...

you're here by my side...

Sarasa:

I wish...

you can always...

be with me.

By my side...

{sfx: BONK}

Sarasa:

Wah— Stupid me.

{sfx: bonk bonk bonk bonk}

What was I thinking—

Nagi:

Tatara?

Nagi:

What is it?

<— Went to treat the injured.

Sarasa:

Nagi...

Ah, thanks for the hard work.

Sarasa:

...Umm

Later on,

can I talk to you...?

Nagi:

Anytime.

I'll make some Shizuoka imported tea.

Sarasa:

Where's Kakujî?

Nagi:

Ageha's whole troupe volunteered for a performance.

He went to watch.

Sarasa:

Eh— So he likes that stuff.

What an unlikely fan.

Nagi:

You wanted to talk?

Sarasa:

Well,

Nagi,

...

I...

Sarasa:

Is it okay for me to like a boy?

(Nagi drops his tea.)

Nagi:

Sorry. I was a bit surprised.

Sarasa:

I never thought you could be suprised.

Nagi:

Who... is this person?

Do we know him?

Sarasa:

No.

You don't know him.

Nagi:

Ah...

Kakujî secretly told me something.

Is it the monk you were traveling with on the ship?

Sarasa:

He's not a monk.

He's just a manjû salesman.

(Note: Manjû are steamed buns with fillings inside.)

Nagi:

Ah.

How unusual.

Sarasa:

...I know it's wrong.

Sarasa:

Tatara shouldn't have these kinds of feelings...

I know that.

Nagi:

Actually, you don't understand.

You think you understand,

but you don't.

Nagi:

It's natural...

for you to like someone.

Nagi:

You don't know how much better it is to love than

be a biased vengeful demon who has forgotten how to feel.

Nagi:

The question lies within your heart.

Nagi:

Being in love...

can cloud a person's vision,

and make him wreck and lose everything.

Nagi:

But it can also make a person cherish many things,

and turn him into a great man.

Nagi:

If you become like the former, then would you please take off Tatara's mask,

and go off somewhere,

so as not to bring trouble onto everyone else.

Sarasa:

...Yes.

Sarasa:

S...

Scary.

Sarasa:

Nagi,

have you ever been in love...?

Nagi:

Well, I may not look like it now, but I was quite a playboy back in the day.

{sfx: PU—}

Letter:

Dear Shuri... Did you get home safely?

I don't even know if this letter will reach you.

But...

I miss you.

Will we meet by chance

in some hotspring again?

Letter:

Are chance meetings...

the only way for us to see each other?

I hope we can travel together again...

someday.

Sarasa:

Take care.

Letter:

——From Seiran

Sarasa——

(Sarasa ties the letter to Shuri's bird, and lets it go. Little does she know, the bird is soon captured by Asagi's henchman Ranmaru.)

Bird:

GAAAH!

Asagi:

Tatara's bird?

Ranmaru:

It's carrying a letter, must be a secret message.

Asagi:

Mm—

Probably to Suzaku Village...

Letter:

"Dear Shuri..."

Ranmaru:

Lord Asagi?

Asagi:

This is...

Tatara's...?

Ranmaru:

Yes, I saw him with my own eyes.

Ranmaru:

What...?

Asagi:

Ranmaru.

Ranmaru:

Yes.

Asagi:

I need you to investigate something right away.

Asagi:

The sacrifice offered to the Blue Dragon...

was a 15-16 year-old girl named Sarasa.

Asagi:

Find out if she's among the rebel army...

or maybe even on this ship.

Go investigate.

Asagi:

Suppose she's not here?!

Suppose she's not anywhere.

Then...

Ranmaru:

I couldn't find the girl you mentioned anywhere.

Ranmaru:

People said they still saw her after the flood,

but no more after that...

Asagi:

Is that girl Tatara?

Did Tatara disguise himself as a woman?

No, that girl is definitely female.

Then, Tatara is a woman?!

Asagi:

No wonder she doesn't like me.

She's met me before.

Asagi:

Tatara and the Red King - Shuri -

were traveling together,

almost as a couple...?!

Asagi:

Tatara and the Red King...

are notorious enemies.

Is it all a façade?

Asagi:

No, that can't be.

That can't be.

Asagi:

But then what?

Then...

Asagi:

They don't know!

Asagi:

They don't know about each other!

Asagi:

They don't know each other's identities.

Asagi:

Ku...

Asagi:

They only know each other...

as a man and a woman.

Asagi:

Kuku...

Asagi:

Ha...

Asagi:

HA

Asagi:

This...!

Asagi:

HA

Asagi:

This is an unexpected Achilles' tendon.

Asagi:

HA

Asagi:

Hahaha...

Oh, my eyes are watering.

{sfx: reeling}

Asagi:

I'm laughing so hard, tears are coming out.

Asagi:

Ranmaru, can you copy this handwriting?

Ranmaru:

Yes, easily.

Asagi:

Let this letter fly safely,

straight to darling Shuri.

(They let Shuri's bird go, carrying the forged letter.)

(Next morning, Sarasa comes into the kitchen from sword practice with Raizô.)

Sarasa:

Ha— I'm beat.

Morning practice is over.

Raizô sure is tough.

Sarasa:

Can I have some water...

Asagi:

Good morning.

Sarasa:

What are you doing here?

Asagi:

I'm cooking Tatara's breakfast.

This is the ship's kitchen.

Asagi:

I didn't put any poison in it.

I'll do a taste test if you want.

Asagi:

This is my special vegetable juice...

You probably never had this in the desert.

Sarasa:

{sfx: knock}

Ha.

Sarasa:

{sfx: kataaan...}

If it's not poison,

then it's probably some sleeping draught.

Sarasa:

That's what I'd like to say.

Asagi:

So Tatara is the type who wastes food.

{sfx: wipe wipe}

{sfx: pop}

Sarasa:

I'm just not hungry.

Sarasa:

If you're feeling better, I'd like you to leave the ship.

{sfx: ku... kuku... kuku...}

Hayato:

Don't cry.

I'll eat your cooking.

{sfx: bupu} (holding back a laugh)

Asagi:

Thanks, Hayato.

Zaki:

What's Tatara so riled up about?

Chacha:

Kicking out the pretty boy so soon?

These two sleep in the same room.

Sarasa:

Well, if no one objects,

I want to set sail for the north,

where I plan to ally with the Kazuno sect to fight the Black King.

I also want to find the owner of the Sword of Genbu.

Hayato:

It's not like we have any say in the matter.

mutter

Sarasa:

Eh? What? Hayato.

Hayato:

Nothing.

Sarasa:

Okay.

Sarasa:

We'll depart tomorrow morning.

Asagi:

So she's planning to sail north, huh?

Asagi:

Then I'll have her clash with the Black King first.

<— These clothes are borrowed.

Ranmaru:

Lord Asagi.

Asagi:

Ranmaru?

Ranmaru:

I bring you Ume's report from the West.

If you want to drive a wedge into things...

{sfx: whisper whisper}

Asagi:

Huh.

Huh.

Ranmaru:

And then, just now...

Ranmaru:

It's still unconfirmed, but...

at General Kazan's house...

Sarasa:

Captain of the Guards.

{sfx: creak}

Asagi:

Tatara?

Sarasa:

The ship will depart tomorrow.

Before that, I'd like you to get off.

Asagi:

But I want to help you.

And there's one more thing I have to tell you.

Asagi:

You know...

{sfx: grab}

Asagi:

Should I say it? In front of everybody?

Tatara is the Red King's woman!

Sarasa:

Let go!

I don't want to hear what you have to say.

Asagi:

{sfx: heh heh heh}

Do you know of...

Suou city's General Kazan?

Asagi:

I heard that...

Tatara's mother...

was captured by him.

Sarasa:

What...

Sarasa:

My mother...