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.

Sarasa:

My mother...

has been captured...

by General Kazan...?!

Sarasa:

The General...

Kazan...

who decapitated my brother...

Asagi:

I fought the Red King recently.

So I've gathered quite a bit of info about the Red Army.

Asagi:

Are you aware?

Asagi:

That she has a beauty mark in the path of her tears.

Asagi:

But, this is your own personal problem, isn't it?

I'm sorry, I've said too much.

Sarasa:

Everyone's hearts are set on going north right now.

As a leader, I can't ask them to go west for personal reasons.

Man:

So we're sailing to the Northeast tomorrow...

to fight the Black King, huh?

Man:

Have we stocked enough water?

I've also set aside some lumber.

Man:

Hurry and make more armor.

Man:

I wonder if the North has any good food—

Man:

Cold-weather foods should be pretty good.

Man:

Is it cold up north?

Man:

Yeah, I hear it snows there.

Man:

What's snow? Can you eat it?

Chacha:

Tatara.

Chacha:

...What is it? You're pale as a ghost.

Zaki:

Yeah.

Sarasa:

Ah...nothing.

Where's Nagi and Kakujî?

Chacha:

They went on land.

Sarasa:

Thanks.

We have to get up early, so don't drink too much.

Chacha:

I wonder what's bothering him?

Hayato:

Hmph, Tatara never wants to talk to us.

Zaki:

What's Hayato so peeved about?

Chacha:

Even now, he's still only close to Nagi and Kakujî.

Zaki:

Chacha, that can't be helped.

Chacha:

But he looks...

so lonely...

Sarasa:

Mother!

Sarasa:

To be...

at the house...

of such a demonic beastly general.

How miserable that must be...!

Sarasa:

I'm so sorry,

Mother.

Sarasa:

While I was only thinking about Shuri,

You were...

Sarasa:

I'm sorry.

Sorry.

I'm so sorry.

Sarasa:

I hope this isn't true.

I don't want you to be going through such a thing.

But I also hope this is true.

Because that would mean you're still alive.

Nagi:

There, just don't move your arm for a while. Next.

Sarasa:

Nagi...

Nagi...

Kakujî:

Alright. Alright.

Sarasa:

Kakujî.

Worker:

Great.

The rubble is almost all cleared up.

Thanks for your help.

Worker:

What would we have done without you?

Now, let's go have a drink.

Sarasa:

Kakujî.

Sarasa:

No. I can't keep behaving like a child!

Everyone has their own problems.

Sarasa:

I need to save her on my own!

Ageha:

Ah, Tatara.

Ageha:

We're going to perform.

Want to come see?

I'll get you a good seat.

Sarasa:

Ageha...

Ageha:

Call me Kichô <3

Is your ship leaving tomorrow?

<— completely transformed

For the North?

Sarasa:

Yeah...

Sarasa:

Ageha...

Have you heard...

Sarasa:

if the Red Army in Suou...

has captured any of my family?

Ageha:

No...

Family? Who?

Shinbashi:

Daddy.

Sarasa:

Ah, oh.

Nothing.

Ageha:

When a person is troubled,

he often makes mistakes.

Ageha:

That's what friends are for.

They can go through the good...

and the bad with you together.

Ageha:

Now, wipe off this gloomy expression.

Ageha:

Everyone looks up to that face of yours.

You're too tense— Too tense.

Sarasa:

But Ageha...

This doesn't concern everybody else.

Sarasa:

I'll go by myself.

To see if it's true.

And then...

Sarasa:

No matter what,

I'll rescue you.

Sarasa:

So...

until then,

please stay alive.

Asagi:

Can I go too?

I can help.

Sarasa:

You should just get off this ship!

Asagi:

I coulda showed you the way.

You're so mean.

Asagi:

I guess I'll shout.

Asagi:

Everybody!

It's Tatara—

Asagi:

Tatara is...

leaving all by himself—

Asagi:

He's all packed!

Sarasa:

Why you!

What're you scheming?!

Chacha:

Tatara?

Asagi:

He's sneaking out—

Hayato:

What's going on?

Men:

What is it?

What?

Chacha:

We're leaving tomorrow.

Where are you going?

Sarasa:

Ah...

I need to go do something.

I'll come right back and meet up with you guys later.

Chacha:

Let's be clear about this.

Are you going to leave this ship without a leader again?

Hayato:

Can't you tell your subordinates anything?

Sarasa:

Hayato?!

Chacha:

You already went to Kanto by yourself.

Now you're going off alone again?!

Chacha:

Well,

I guess you don't need us!

Sarasa:

Chacha!

Don't say that!

Chacha:

It's the same thing.

Chacha:

When you went off to Kanto by yourself,

we were so worried.

Chacha:

If we can be with you, we can help you.

Then you don't have to bear all this burden alone.

Chacha:

Why won't you let us?!

Zaki:

Chacha.

Chacha:

But Zaki!

Aren't you sick of this too?

Zaki:

Tatara,

Chacha's right.

Zaki:

We all...

want to fight with you, together.

Men:

We were arrogant pirates once.

But we've thrown all that away.

Men:

The people of Suzaku feels the same.

Since you released us from the Shôjô Family, we've been freed.

Chacha:

You gave us a new pride.

Chacha:

The pride...

of finally standing up to this country's tyrants!

Men:

Let's fight together.

Men:

So we can change the framework of this country.

Men:

It's our dream!

Men:

That's right!

Men:

Come on, Tatara!

Sarasa:

Chacha...

Thank you, Chacha.

Sarasa:

But, you don't know the whole truth.

This concerns my mother,

I can't ask you to go west.

Chacha:

Tatara, after all I've said, do you still want to go?

No matter what?!

Sarasa:

No matter what.

Chacha:

In other words,

you're saying you don't trust us.

Chacha:

Don't make me laugh!

(Chacha pulls out her sword and slashes at Sarasa.)

Zaki:

Chacha!

Chacha:

Now, draw your sword!

Chacha:

You can go after you defeat me.

Men:

Chacha! Stop.

Asagi:

What an unruly bunch.

Such simpletons.

Asagi:

I guess I'll have to...

step in soon.

(Meanwhile, Nagi is checking Izumi's - she's Raizô's wife - throat.)

Nagi:

Yes, open your mouth.

Nagi:

Try to make a sound.

Yes, that's good.

Raizô:

Nagi-sensei.

How is Izumi's throat...?

(Izumi was one of the women the Snake King "silenced," which means her vocal cords were destroyed and she's mute.)

Nagi:

Well, I cannot say with certainty.

Nagi:

But given the proper equipment, and the right doctor...

Nagi:

...in Kyôto or overseas,

I think an operation may be possible.

Raizô:

Really?!

Raizô:

Izumi...

I may be able to...

hear your voice again!

Raizô:

Thank you so much for the hard work.

Nagi:

It's nothing.

Take care.

Ageha:

Raizô-chan,

was that Nagi just now?

Raizô:

Oh, Ageha.

Banzai!!

Ageha:

WHA!

Ageha:

You big brute.

Do you want to break my waist?

Raizô:

Sorry, sorry.

Where is your waist?

Ageha:

But, this is good news.

Ageha:

Being an Izumi fan, I'm happy for you.

Raizô:

You sure are everybody's friend (happô-bijin).

Ageha:

What?

You mean a beauty (bijin).

(Note: I think that was a pun.)

Ageha:

Got anything to eat?

Raizô:

You have...

always supported our rebel army.

Raizô:

And you're close to Tatara.

But,

you're also close with that Asagi fellow.

Raizô:

Did you ask him why...

he has come to Tatara?

Ageha:

I did.

Ageha:

But I don't want to tattle.*

Raizô:

I see.

Then you can't eat either.

Ageha:

To me, Asagi is just a wretched kid.

Ageha:

If Tatara gets tricked by him,

then Tatara is a fool.

I wouldn't know.

Raizô:

You're too hard on Tatara.

Don't you think he's wretched too?

Ageha:

I guess.

Ageha:

Well, see you later.

We've got 2-3 more days of performances.

Come see us some time.

Raizô:

Ageha...

Raizô:

Are you still searching for...

the "woman worth giving up your life for?"

Ageha:

I haven't a clue where to look.

Raizô:

...I see.

Well, good luck, pretty boy.

Ageha:

—Everyone...

Ageha:

...is searching for their soul mate.

Ageha:

Oh, a shooting star.

I wonder if someone is going to die.

Raizô:

—A shooting star...

can be a good or a bad omen...

Raizô:

I hope...

this uneasy feeling I have amounts to nothing...

Raizô:

When young Asagi first came to this place,

the Blue King had just had his coming-of-age ceremony.

Raizô:

He wasn't too smart, just a nice quiet kid.

Raizô:

But,

before I knew it,

the King became isolated from his important vassals,

and stopped listening to everyone.

Raizô:

He only wanted Asagi by his side.

Raizô:

Asagi...

made that man into the king he was.

Raizô:

Is he trying to do the same thing to Tatara?!

No, Tatara is with good company.

I don't think he can go wrong...

Raizô:

He'll be fine...

Chacha:

Well, I'm coming!

Sarasa:

No!

I won't fight you, Chacha.

Chacha:

I'm dead serious.

En garde!

(Just as Chacha is about to stab Sarasa, Asagi jumps in between them and deflects the hit.)

Sarasa:

Asagi?!

Kakujî:

What's going on?

Sarasa:

Nagi!

Asagi:

Everyone...

Tatara...

wants to go save his mother.

Man:

His mother?

Isn't she dead...?

Sarasa:

Asagi!

Shut up!

Asagi:

General Kazan of the Red Army captured her.

She's in Suou right now.

Asagi:

I know all about it.

Chacha:

Tatara...

Chacha:

Why didn't you tell me...

about such an important thing?!

Sarasa:

But that would trouble everyone...

Chacha:

What trouble?

You still don't get it!

Chacha:

Rely on us!

Sarasa:

Chacha...

Chacha:

We would do anything for you!!

Asagi:

That's right.

Tatara really doesn't get it.

Asagi:

General Kazan...

and Ashô are two of the Red King's most trusted men.

Asagi:

If we can rescue Tatara's mother...

and defeat the General,

then we would rid the Red King of his right-hand man.

Chacha:

I see.

That's right.

Chacha:

Anybody got a problem with this?!

Men:

No Boss!

Men:

Let's go west!

Men:

To the west!

Men:

Down with General Kazan!

Bring back Tatara's mother!

Men:

Let's show the Red King a thing or two!

Hayato:

Tha... that's great Tatara.

You're mother's still alive.

Sarasa:

Hayato.

Nagi:

Tatara, let's take him to bed.

Nagi:

It's not a deep cut, but he's lost some blood.

Sarasa:

You risked your body to stop something you stirred up...

What were you thinking?

Asagi:

The same thing as you.

Sarasa:

Uh?

Asagi:

I want to bring down the Red King.

Asagi:

The one who advised the Blue King to ally with Tatara was me.

Sarasa:

Why?!

Asagi:

Because I hate the Red King.

Sarasa:

...?

Men:

Don't talk anymore.

Men:

That guy's tougher than he looks.

Man:

Mmm.

Nagi:

Please rest quietly for a while.

Asagi:

This is perfect.

Asagi:

Tatara and the Red King...

will both become too powerful if left alone.

Asagi:

I need to get rid of their right-hand men...

so as to reduce both their forces.

Asagi:

From the looks of it,

the one who is the General's equal and Tatara's right-hand man...

is that pirate woman...

Asagi:

She'll play right into my plan.

Phff, I'm exhausted.

Asagi:

Tatara's mother is the perfect bait.

Ranmaru:

Are you all right, Lord Asagi?

Asagi:

Ranmaru?

Ranmaru:

I will travel on land to gather information.

Please stop by one of the ports for my report.

Asagi:

Fine, meet me at Ise.

I'm sleepy.

Asagi:

Then go west and contact Ume.

Old Fortune Teller:

Not good.

The west bears an ill-omen for you.

Chacha:

You're still using water to do fortune telling?

It's not too accurate, is it?

Old Fortune Teller:

Well, I'm no pro like Nagi-sama.

Old Fortune Teller:

If you go north, it'll be fine.

But the west is bad. An evil forest awaits.

Chacha:

The west is all desert.

Have you gone senile?

Old Fortune Teller:

No, there will be forests.

And Tatara is cursed.

Old Fortune Teller:

In order to counter the curse,

one of you...

will lose your life.

Chacha:

...Don't scare us.

We don't want any of that.

Zaki:

No matter what, you should rest easy.

Zaki:

I've already decided what to do.

Chacha:

Zaki...

Chacha:

That old lady's fortune...

can't be right.

Chacha:

Because, there are no forests in the west...

Voices:

Set sail—!

Men:

Raise the anchor.

Men:

To the west!

Narration:

The ship sailed west,

traveling against the current,

which made the journey somewhat slow.

Narration:

Along the way, we stopped at the port of Ise to restock water.

Chacha:

Make sure you guys get enough water.

Men:

Boss, we bought a lot of shrimp.

Yahoo—

Lobster lobster

Sarasa:

This is where I got off with Shuri.

It already feels like a long time ago.

Asagi:

Tatara, hey Tatara!

Chacha:

That guy sure clings to Tatara these days.

He's probably talking to Tatara about the matter concerning his mother.

Hayato:

How infuriating.

Chacha:

You're still upset?

Asagi:

I heard lots of news in town.

The Emperor is going to Kumano.

Sarasa:

Kumano?

Asagi:

After the Blue King's funeral ceremony is held in Kyôto,

his ashes will be laid to rest on Kôya Mountain.

Though there weren't any bones to begin with.

Map:

Ise

Kyôto —> Kôya Mountain —> Kumano

Kii Peninsula

Asagi:

Afterwards, the Royal Family and fellow aristocrats will travel to...

Kumano to pray...

for the prosperity of this country.

The entire journey will take approximately 1 month.

Sarasa:

There are temples in Kumano?

Asagi:

...

How can you not know such a thing?

Asagi:

Naturally, the Black King and Red King will attend.

Sarasa:

The Red King's going?!

Asagi:

He probably won't go in person,

but he will send a representative.

Asagi:

General Kazan won't be doing much around this time.*

It's the perfect chance for us to attack.

Asagi:

Do you want to go to Kumano?

We have a month's time...

It'd be good if we send someone to check out the situation in Suou.

(Chacha and Zaki have changed from their pirate outfits into merchant clothes.)

Chacha:

Well,

Tatara?

Do we look like peddlers?

Sarasa:

Chacha, you don't have be the scout...

Chacha:

This is easier for a girl to do.

Zaki:

Chacha loves to be relied upon and pampered by others.

Everything will be fine.

Sarasa:

Zaki...

Sarasa:

Well...then.

Thank you for doing this.

Chacha:

No problem!

Sarasa:

We'll sail to Kumano,

then decide what to do there.

Chacha:

OK! I'll send word through Hisha.

Outside of panel:

* I'm always looking for assistants.

Please send me your portfolio. - TAMU

If you can do Beta and Tone, that'd be great <3

City of Suou

Kazan:

That's why we need to hurry and dispatch our troops...

to annihilate Tatara's army on Sakura Island.

Ashô:

No good, General Kazan.

Our men are still recovering from their battle with the Blue Army.

They can't be sent too far away.

Kazan:

Ashô!

I have always considered you a coward!

Your incompetence is surpassed by no one!

Letter:

——To my beloved Shuri——

Not seeing you

makes me lonely

every day and night.

I can't wait to be in your embrace...

Love, ——Sarasa——

Shuri:

It's so mushy.

How come?

I'm all flustered.

Letter:

Dear Sarasa,

Hurry over here and marry me.

I'm waiting for you at the Red Palace in Suou.

You'll be in for a surprise when you finally see me.

Shuri:

Who's there?

Servant:

Ah...

I... I'm sorry.

I'm here...

Servant:

...to begin service at Lord Ashô's house.

My name is Umewaka.

Shuri:

Don't ever sneak up behind me.

Or I'll have you killed.

Umewaka:

Ye...yes Sir.

Umewaka:

I just came from the countryside,

and don't know my way yet.

I'm sorry.

Shuri:

If it's Ashô's place,

then I need to verify her identity...

Shuri:

Better have someone...

keep an eye on her.

Women:

I want it,

I want this cloth.

I want this hairpin.

Umewaka:

What's going on?

Woman 1:

Oh, hello Umewaka.

A peddler is selling lots of rare imports.

Chacha:

Help yourselves.

Everything's on sale.

Woman 1:

This will go so well with Lady Chigusa.

Chacha:

Lady Chigusa?

Woman 1:

She's our guest.

Our General wants to make her our Madame.

Chacha:

I wish she can come take a look at these.

Woman 1:

But the General is very strict...

Woman 2:

Hey...

Don't you think it'll be fine as long as she doesn't go outside?

Woman:

Lady Chigusa, a peddler has come.

Woman:

Will you come to the courtyard—?