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.

• "Tamutamu Time" is a little personal section Yumi Tamura uses to address her readers' questions and comments.

• 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: 8-20-02.

Asagi:

I'm going to take away...

...your most precious thing.

Asagi:

A cute little girl.

Shuri:

Sarasa...

Shuri:

Sarasa!!

(Shuri whistles for the messenger bird.)

(The bird arrives, and Shuri sees that it's still carrying his old letter.)

Shuri:

I see...

Shuri:

You couldn't find Sarasa...

City of Suou
Underground Water Canal Construction Site

Sakaki:

Red King!

What are you doing here?

Shuri:

Oh.

Sakaki.

Shuri:

Is the construction going smoothly?

Sakaki:

More or less.

Sakaki:

I prefer this to the battlefield.

Sakaki:

Laying the foundation is extremely difficult because the ground is so soft.

And all the rocks have to be brought in from San-In...

Shuri:

How long is it going to take?

Sakaki:

Ah...about a year.

Shuri:

Too slow!

Finish it in a month.

Sakaki:

Th...that's impossible.

Shuri:

All the workers came only because they thought this is simple work.

Shuri:

You can't keep them from their homes for too long.

Sakaki:

But...

Senju:

I can hear you shouting from a mile away.

heh heh

Shuri:

Ah.

Princess Senju?!

Shuri:

Why are you here?

Shuri:

Feeling better?

Senju:

Yes.

They say I'll have a difficult delivery...

...if I don't get some exercise.

Senju:

Besides,

Senju:

...I've always wanted to see the underground water canal...

...that Lord Shidô was working on.

Shuri:

How do you like the Shinonome Mansion?

It should be more comfortable than the Royal Palace.

Senju:

Oh yes.

The Mansion is right in the middle of town,

...and the area is very lively.

Isn't it, Bâya? (Senju's maid.)

Maid:

Yes, we're very happy.

Shuri:

I've been thinking of staying at the Shinonome Mansion for a few days myself.

Let me know if there'll be any inconvenience.

Senju:

We would be honored.

Senju:

Umm...

There's something...

Senju:

...I want to tell you...

Workers:

The rocks have collapsed!

Workers:

Someone's trapped underneath!

Workers:

Not another accident.

Shuri:

"Another?!"

Do accidents happen often?!

Sakaki:

I'm afraid so, Sire...

Sakaki:

The workers just can't concentrate as well...

...under such intense heat.

Shuri:

Move aside!

Shuri:

Help push this up.

Shuri:

Hurry.

Shuri:

Pull him out!

Shuri:

Are you okay?

Worker:

His foot...

Workers:

Ah...the Red King?!

Workers:

Eh.

Workers:

Eehhh.

Workers:

We're sorry.

Shuri:

What's with all the "eh"s? Let me see your foot!

Shuri:

There, that should do it!

Hey, Sakaki! Get the relief squad!

(Shuri is looking at the construction workers.)

Shuri:

What's this?

You all look half dead.

Shuri:

I'm not asking you to build me some useless pyramid.

Shuri:

You guys are making a waterway for everyone.

Shuri:

Alright!

How about this?

Shuri:

Listen up!

Shuri:

From now on, everyone will be split into teams.

Shuri:

Each team will be assigned its own construction zone.

Try to complete each zone as quickly as possible.

Shuri:

The first team to finish their work...

...will be rewarded 100 times their worker's wage.

Workers:

Are you serious, Sire?

Shuri:

Of course! You can take my word for it.

Shuri:

Everyone, make this a friendly competition and get to work!

Sakaki:

Your Highness...

Shuri:

This is how you should handle 'em.

Sakaki:

Yes, Sir!

Woman:

Here son.

Woman:

You forgot your lunch.

I brought it for you.

Sakaki:

Mother?!

Sakaki:

Mother, not in front of the Red King...

Sakaki's mother:

Thank...thank you for taking care of this son of mine.

Sakaki's mother:

You!

Work hard and don't be slacking off.

Sakaki:

I know, I know.

Just hurry back home.

(Shuri is walking through downtown Suou.)

Shuri:

Shidô, this is a great city, isn't it?

Shuri:

Our Suou...

Merchant:

Red King! This magnificent tuna was just brought in from Iki.

Want us to bring it up to the Palace?

Merchant:

How about some fresh lobsters?

Caught locally

Merchant:

Tomatoes!

Shuri:

...is a great city.

Shuri:

Sarasa, I really want to show you all of this someday.

Sakaki:

Princess Senju, weren't you going to say something to the Red King?

Senju:

Oh no...

Senju:

It's just that I've been feeling a bit uneasy lately,

...but no one would believe me.

Sign:

Manju & Dumplings Shop

Shuri:

Jii-san!

Jii-san, you in?

(Jii-san can be used to refer to any old man. I couldn't find an adequate English equivalent, so I left it untranslated.)

Shop owner:

Well, if it isn't the King.

Shuri:

Manju and tea please!

Shuri:

Manju and tea.

Shop owner:

I wanted an easy retirement, so after leaving the Palace,

...I decided to open up a little business.

Shuri:

That's great, because I love manju.

Shop owner:

This is just an old man's hobby.

Shuri:

How's your daughter's illness?

Shop owner:

A famous traveling doctor came by recently to take a look at her,

...so she's doing much better...

Shuri:

Anyway, can you bring 20 some buns to the Palace tonight?

Shuri:

Take some to the Princess at Shinonome too.

Shop owner:

No problem.

Shuri:

What is it?

Crowd:

A corpse!

Crowd:

A corpse has floated up at the park's pond!

Captain of the Guards:

The body is identified to be that of the recently missing...

...Lord Tsubaki, one of Your Majesty's Guards.

Captain of the Guards:

I found no injuries on the body.

Thus, the cause of death...

Captain of the Guards:

...is ruled as accidental drowning, probably due to drunkenness.

Shuri:

I asked him to investigate Ashô's maid...

Shuri:

He wouldn't die in such a careless way.

Shuri:

Are you certain of the cause of death?

Captain of the Guards:

Yes.

Shuri:

I see.

Good work, Captain of the Guards.

Shuri:

He doesn't drink...

Shuri:

Shidô's dead.

Kazan's dead.

Now another one...

Shuri:

Since Kazan's death, I haven't been able to find anyone to replace him.

Shuri:

I want to choose Sakaki, but he's not the military type.

Shuri:

There's no one...

Shuri:

It seems as though everything that I hold dear is slipping away, like sand through the cracks of my fingers.

Sarasa:

It's your own fault if you don't have anyone around you.

Shuri:

Is it really my fault...?!

Shuri:

No...

Shuri:

I have to build my city.

Complete the water canal.

Get rid of Tatara.

Defeat my brothers.

Overthrow my father.

Only then will Japan be mine.

Shuri:

I'm not doing anything wrong.

Absolutely nothing wrong.

Shuri:

Sarasa, what would you say if you were here...?

Shuri:

I want to see you again, Sarasa.

Shuri:

I wish I can just fly to your side.

Shuri:

If I find you, I'd hold on to you.

Shuri:

And never let you go.

Shuri:

I wonder...

...why I'm feeling this way.

Shuri:

Is it...

...because I can't stand the thought of Asagi...

...taking you away from me...?

Sakaki:

That body belonged to Lord Tsubaki, one of the Guards.

Sakaki:

He was a good man.

(Sakaki notices something on the body.)

Sakaki:

A stab wound...?!

Sakaki:

Didn't they say he drowned from drinking?!

Sakaki:

Who examined the body?

Sakaki:

Captain of the Guards—

Sakaki:

Cap...

Ashô:

Since the body has been discovered, we must hurry...

Soon, the Red King will move into the Shinonome Mansion,

...to observe the townsfolk as usual.

Ashô:

This will be our chance.

Ashô:

It's much easier for us to surround that Mansion...

...than the Royal Palace.

Ashô:

A midnight attack should be sufficient enough...

...to bring him down.

Sakaki:

What are they...talking about?

Ashô:

Oh, Lord Sakaki.

Sakaki:

Lord Ashô...

Sakaki:

Captain of the Guards?!

Sakaki:

What have you all gathered here...

...to discuss?

Man:

What are we discussing?

Man:

Treason of course.

Man:

The Red King has defied the Emperor,

...clearly declaring himself a rebel to the central government.

Man:

It's our duty to apprehend him.

Man:

We're doing nothing wrong.

Ashô:

We have the Blue King and the Emperor's support...

...to overthrow him.

Sakaki:

Overthrow...the Red King?!

Sakaki:

Rebellion!!

Ashô:

Since you've heard everything,

...you better join forces with us Lord Sakaki.

Sakaki:

What!

Sakaki:

I'll never cooperate with you...

...to rebel against the King!

Ashô:

I thought you'd say that.

Ashô:

Well then, please come with me.

Ashô:

There's something I'd like to show you.

Sakaki:

The prision?

Sakaki:

You plan to imprison me?

Ashô:

No.

Ashô:

Please look inside.

Sakaki:

Mother!!

Ashô:

Lord Sakaki, your mother is your only family, right?

Ashô:

Her life is in your hands.

Umewaka:

Should you succeed,

...the Blue King will surely honor you with high favors,

Umewaka:

...Lord Sakaki.

Kumano
Yunomine Hotspring

Sarasa:

Nagi, Kakujî, are you there?

Sarasa:

Keep a tight watch for me, okay.

Nagi:

No matter what they say about Yunomine hotspring's rejuvenating powers,

...the heat can improve or worsen your condition.

I don't know which, Tatara!

Kakujî:

Honestly speaking Nagi-sama, how is she?

Kakujî:

She's not going to stay blind, is she?

Nagi:

...

Nagi:

This is too much for me to handle...

Kakujî:

Even for you?

Nagi:

I may have to consult Doctor Bashô...

Kakujî:

The haiku poet?

Nagi:

What are you talking about? He's my master.

Kakujî:

Where is he?

Kakujî:

I wasn't trying to joke around. I thought you were talking about Matsuo Bashô.

Nagi:

I know.

Nagi:

I don't know, he's quite the wanderer...

Nagi:

He's traveling between Kyôto and Suou...

...right now...

(Nagi's master is named Doctor Bashô. Kakujî thought he was talking about Matsuo Bashô, a famous haiku poet during the Edo period.)

Sarasa:

My eyes still feel oozy.

Sarasa:

I hope they heal soon...

Sarasa:

Or else, when Shuri's next letter gets here...

...I won't be able to read it...

Hayato:

Yo! Tatara!

Sarasa:

Eh?! What?!

Hayato?!

Hayato:

It must be tough being blind.

Hayato:

Let me scrub your back.

Sarasa:

I'm fine. I'm fine.

Hayato:

Come on, don't be shy.

I'm your #1 guy.

Shinbashi:

Backstroke

Sarasa:

No...

Sarasa:

Umm...

Ageha's Voice:

Oye, Hayato.

Ageha's Voice:

Over there is wild boar habitat.

Why don't you go show off some skills?

Hayato:

All right!

Hayato:

I'm going to catch tonight's dinner, Tatara—

Ageha:

Here.

(Ageha hands Sarasa a cloth.)

Ageha:

It wouldn't be good if someone sees you like this.

Sarasa:

...

Sarasa:

Ageha...?

Ageha:

You've endured much suffering.

Sarasa:

Ageha...?

Sarasa:

My secret.

Sarasa:

Do you know...

...that I'm a girl...?!

Voices:

Eeh!

Voices:

Yaa!

Voices:

Too!

Asagi:

No! No! No!

Keep your arms straight.

Then bring the sword down.

Asagi:

Again!

Ageha:

What are you doing, Asagi?

Asagi:

Ageha!!

Asagi:

Since I'm the best fighter here,

...Tatara wanted me to teach everyone kendo.

Ageha:

Tatara seems to know how to utilize personnel.

Ageha:

Nice tan.

You look very healthy.

Asagi:

We've gotten so many new recruits.

Asagi:

Hey you, no slacking off!

Asagi:

I've been working my butt off...

...trying to shape this rabble into a proper army.

Ageha:

You used to disinfect your hand if you so much as touched the Blue King.

Ageha:

And now I see you living amongst such a rough group of people.

It's quite a change.

Asagi:

I guess I've matured.

Ageha:

Ah, that's good.

Ageha:

Along the way,

Ageha:

...you're forcing Tatara to mature as well.

Ageha:

This isn't part of your plan...

Nachi:

What do you know!

Nachi:

No one's been accountin' the finances for Tatara's army.

Nachi:

Well, I guess it's all up to me!

Hijiri:

With your scattered brain?! Better let me handle it.

Nachi:

Hi-chan is the biggest scrooge. No way!

Hijiri:

Whahahaha...

Hayato:

I caught a boar!

Ageha:

What the...?

This rowdy gang has gotten bigger.

Ageha:

Tatara is like a magnet...

He's able to gather the few shiny irons...

...from a heap of sand...

Ageha:

Well, I'll be on my way.

Mr. Wild Boar (on the plate)

Ageha:

Once in Suou,

...I'll send word via Kagerô...

...as soon as I find anything concerning Dr. Bashô.

Nagi:

Thank you.

Nagi:

Hurry...

Nagi:

Fate,

...please don't extinguish...

...the light of this child...!

City of Suou
Shinonome Mansion

Female voice:

Red King.

Female voice:

Red King.

Shuri:

Uh.

Shuri:

Sarasa...?

Female voice:

Kyah!

(Shuri has grabbed Senju is about to kiss her.)

Shuri:

Eh.

Senju:

Red King.

Bâya:

Oh no!

Shuri:

Princess Senju...?

Shuri:

Sorry.

Shuri:

Don't be mad, Shidô.

Shuri:

What's going on, at this hour...?

Senju:

I'm sorry to wake you.

Senju:

But I heard some upsetting noises, so...

Shuri:

Probably just some drunken brawl...

Servant:

Your Highness!

Servant:

Sire!

It's urgent!

Servant:

Outside!

Servant:

Please look out the window!

Shuri:

What?!

(A group of soldiers have gathered outside his window.)

Ashô:

There's that traitor, the Red King!

Ashô:

Our enemy...

...is the Red King!

Ashô:

Arrest the Red King!

Ashô:

This is the Emperor's order.

Ashô:

Do not hesitate!

Senju:

Re...Red King.

Ashô:

Justice is on our side!!

(Umewaka appears inside Shuri's room.)

Umewaka:

Prepare yourself, Red King.

Shuri:

Ashô's maid...

Shuri:

No...

Shuri:

A man...?!

Umewaka:

Correct.

Shuri:

I see.

Shuri:

You're with Asagi...

Shuri:

Ashô wouldn't have the guts to come up with this!

Shuri:

The mastermind must be...

Shuri:

The Blue King!!

(Sakaki charges into Shuri's room.)

Shuri:

Sakaki.

Shuri:

You too?

Shuri:

Princess, hurry and escape.

You have nothing to do with this.

You're just a guest.

Senju:

Red King.

Shuri:

Protect the Princess with your lives.

Escape through the west yard.

Servants:

Yes.

Shuri:

Go!

Sakaki:

Red King!

Sakaki:

En garde!!

Shuri:

You idiot!

(Sakaki tries to attack Shuri, but Shuri easily counters back with his own sword.)

Shuri:

What's going on?

Shuri:

Have you lost your mind?!

Shuri:

Sakaki!

Shuri:

Why...

...did you join with Ashô?!

(Shuri sees that Sakaki is crying.)

Shuri:

They're holding someone hostage?

Shuri:

Your mother?

Sakaki:

If she sees me right now,

...she'd wish I'd never been born.

Sakaki:

I can't go on...

Shuri:

Sakaki.

Shuri:

Hit me.

Sakaki:

Sire...

Shuri:

Stupid!

Shuri:

You want to die?!

Shuri:

You still need to finish the underground water canal! Right?!

Shuri:

I'll be back!

Sakaki:

Sire...

Shuri:

I won't die.

Shuri:

There's no way in hell I'd die like this!!

Ashô:

Sakaki.

Ashô:

The Red King...

Ashô:

Ooooh.

(Sakaki swings his sword at Shuri, cuts him in the arm, and sees him fall out the window.)

Voice:

He fell.

Voice:

He can't escape.

Voice:

Finish him.

Ashô:

Bravo, Sakaki.

I'll be sure to tell the Blue King about this.

Shuri:

Endure it for now.

Until my return.

Sakaki:

Mother,

...forgive me.

(Shuri is escaping on foot.)

Shuri:

I built this mansion.

I know every last inch of the place.

The fools...

Shuri:

Jii!

Sign:

Manju & Dumpling Shop

Shuri:

Jii!

Shop Owner:

Your Highness?!

Shop Owner:

What can I do for you?

Shop Owner:

Hurry inside.

Shop Owner:

To the back.

Shop Owner:

I'll go check outside.

Shuri:

Thanks.

Shop Owner:

Don't move.

Shop Owner:

This way, Lord Ashô.

Shop Owner:

The Red King is inside.

(Shuri is shot in the chest by several arrows.)

Shop Owner:

Yo...your Highness.

Shop Owner:

Forgive me.

Shop Owner:

I have to protect my daughter.

(Shuri runs past the soldiers.)

Soldiers:

Whaa-

Soldiers:

Hii-

Soldiers:

Don't hold back!

Soldiers:

After him!

Soldiers:

After him!

Shuri:

Aaah-

Shuri:

Where to...

Whose place...

...can I go to...

Shuri:

Where...

Who...

Shuri:

Who else...

There's...

Shuri:

Ha...

Shuri:

...nobody else!

Shuri:

I'm all alone?

Shuri:

I'm all alone?

Shuri:

Hahahahah...

Shuri:

Sarasa!!

Shuri:

Sarasa.

(Sarasa is sleeping in her bed, and hears someone calling her name. She then realizes that someone is in her room.)

Voice:

Sarasa.

Sarasa:

Eh...

Sarasa:

Who...

Soldiers:

Don't let the Red King get away.

Soldiers:

Whoever shelters him will be put to death.

Soldiers:

Bloody tracks.

Soldiers:

This way.

Voices:

Your Highness!

Voices:

This way!

Towns People:

Follow us.

Shuri:

Who are you people?

Man 1:

Please trust us!

Man 2:

We'll help you escape somehow.

Man 3:

I'm the man you helped at the construction site.

Man 3:

I'd like to repay you.

Man 4: (Fish Shop Owner)

Thanks.

Man 5: (Flower Shop Owner)

Your Highness.

Men:

We haven't forgotten...

...how you risked your life to protect this city from the foreign ships.

(Note: That was back in volume 3.)

Men:

We haven't forgotten that.

Men:

We all...

...love this city.

Men:

Sire...

Shuri:

Don't touch me!

Shuri:

Spare me your sympathy!

Men:

Sire...!

Shuri:

Spare me your sympathy!

Spare me your pity!

Shuri:

I'm...

...the King.

A king who sits above the rest of the world...

Shuri:

...alone.

(Shuri sees a ship at the harbor and jumps onboard.)

Old Man:

Who's there?

Hey you!

Old Man:

My ship doesn't carry stowaways.

Old Man:

Oya?

Are you hurt?

Old Man:

Well, I'm a doctor.

Let me take a look there...

Shuri:

Don't touch me!

Old Man:

Oya, oya.

Old Man:

A person's health is everything.

I was just being nice.

How ungrateful.

Shuri:

Wait!

Shuri:

Okay, treat me!

Old Man:

One minute you don't want to be touched.

Old Man:

The next minute you want to be treated.

Old Man:

Well, you can call me Bashô.

Bashô:

I'm heading back to Okinawa.

(Okinawa is a rather large and tropical island located south of mainland Japan.)

Bashô:

So what're you going to do?

Shuri:

What can I do?

Shuri:

Isn't the ship leaving port already?

Hahaha

(Meanwhile, Asagi is groping Sarasa's body in her bed.)

Sarasa:

What...

Sarasa:

Who?

Sarasa:

Let go!

Sarasa:

Who are you?

Sarasa:

Let me go!