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.

Key:

text outside of word bubble

Last Revised: 8-13-02.

Shuri:

Sarasa...

Sarasa...

Where are you...?

Shikoku
Tosa - Ryûou Cape

Shuri:

Yûna!

About that stuff we talked about before...

Yûna:

What?

Shuri:

That "what is love" talk.

Yûna:

Aah...

Yûna:

Haven't you ever loved someone,

...Red King?

Yûna:

Yeah. What about it?

Shuri:

I don't know how other people love each other.

But I like Sarasa.

Shuri:

I want to be with her.

And I want to hold her.

Shuri:

If that's not love,

...then I don't care what you call it.

Shuri:

I don't live to wax poetics.

Shuri:

I just want to get the things that I want.

Yûna:

...Not just for yourself,

...but also for Sarasa's happiness, right?

Shuri:

Of course.

If she's laughing happily,

...then I'm happy too.

Yûna:

I wonder if he had thought a lot about this.

Yûna:

That's the way to go.

Shuri can be so cute.

Shuri:

What's so funny?

That's why...

...I want to marry Sarasa.

And you can be my concubine.

Yûna:

What was that?!

Shuri:

Just kidding.

Yûna:

You male chauvinist pig!

Shuri:

Older women sure are difficult.

Sorry—

Shuri:

I don't remember allowing you to kick me.

Nakijin:

How dare you say such vulgar things!

Apologize to Yûna!

Shuri:

Oh.

You think I'd do it just because you tell me to.

Who are you to lecture me?

Shuri:

You're just a chump who can sit back quietly and watch...

...some half-dead uncle-guy <—President Asato

...get the girl that you like.

Nakijin:

That's my business.

Shuri:

Hoo

A coward's excuse, huh?

If you want something, you should take it by force.

Stupid chump

Yuba:

I can't believe that's the Red King.

Yûna:

What is it? Yuba.

Yuba:

No matter how fierce he gets, all he does is argue.

He never draws his sword.

He actually seems to enjoy arguing...

Yûna:

That's because he was a fool before.

Doesn't he have more friends now?

Yuba:

Ah... Friends...?

Shuri:

Yuba!

What're you doing?!

What's your business!

Yuba:

Ah. Yes. I'm sorry.

Yuba:

A messenger came from Tenma of Tosa.

He asked for you to go to his mansion.

Nakijin:

Who's Tenma?

Shuri:

For a long time now, he's been High Chief of the Shikoku region.

Nakijin:

Oh.

This land used to be under your control, so he should be your retainer, right?

Shuri:

I once wanted to conquer Shikoku, but then I thought better of it.

Nakijin:

Is it safe to meet with this guy?!

Shuri:

This is a man who has repeatedly refused to become my tactician,

...choosing instead to play shôgi at his own pace.

(Note: Shôgi is Japanese chess.)

Shuri:

He's a pain to deal with,

...but I want his military strength!

Tenma:

Well now, how goes the Red King?

Welcome to my humble abode.

Shuri:

Long time no see, Tenma.

I don't use that name anymore.

Shuri:

From now on, my name is "Tiger King of the Desert."

But "Red Tiger" will do.

Tenma:

Hoho

Why tiger?

Shuri:

Because I was born in the year of the tiger.

That's the only reason.

Tenma:

Hoho.

Can a tiger...

...best my dog Tosamaru?

Tenma:

Momonoi-sama of Suou city...

...has ordered me to capture the Red King.

Shuri:

Wait, Nakijin.

Shuri:

I never thought High Chief Tenma would listen to Momonoi's orders.

This is a pity.

Shuri:

I'm sorry.

Shuri:

{sfx: bow}

Right now, I am a mere vagabond.

I know my place.

Shuri:

I came only to say this.

Tenma:

Red King?!

Nakijin:

Shuri...

Shuri:

Do you want to play...

...a game of shôgi together against Japan?

Tenma:

The Red King...

Something about him...

...has changed...

Tenma:

Even after losing his kindgom,

...he appears neither desperate,*

...nor impatient,*

...nor wretched...*

Tenma:

He comes as the Red King...

...with his proud swagger.

What should I do...?

Woman:

A man of light and wind, isn't he?*

Tenma:

Madame Ryû...

Rû:

In the Tosa that upholds freedom,

...the wind that blows...

...is the wind of restoration.

Ryû:

Look at you. We have guests, and you don't even offer some tea.

Tenma:

Yes yes.

Tenma:

Everyone, pull back.

Man:

But... Chief...

Tenma:

It's okay.

Tenma:

Forgive me, my guests.

Let's go have our talk.

Shuri:

This is much appreciated.

Shuri:

Nakijin!

Shuri:

You shouldn't make such a candid face.

Others can take advantage of that.

Shuri:

I still need to rely on you,

...so it'd be good if you can adapt to any given situation.

Nakijin:

...eh...

Nakijin:

Ah, well, I'll do my best.

Shuri:

Of course you will.

I still need you.

Shuri:

Once I build up enough power in Shikoku,

...then Tatara of Sakura Island will be next...

Nachi:

Ah.

Aachoo.

Toh!

Nachi:

Ah—

My snot's frozen.

For southern bred Na-chan, Hokkaidô sure is tough.

My stomach's growling.

Nachi:

But the fish don't rot.

And I can get fur.

So it's not too bad.

Nachi:

Maybe some pretty girl will show up later...

{sfx: grrrr...}

Nachi:

Heh!!

Bear!!

Definitely not a pretty girl—

Nachi:

I...

I may only be a Kumano guy, but...

...Kumano...

...is also bear country—*

This is a bear cave—?!

Nachi:

Heh—

Teh.

I want to run away, but...

Nachi:

...compared to a whale, you're just a small fry.

So I'm not scared at all—

Nachi:

See.

I'm such an awesome wildman.

Nachi:

Who's a wildman?

Am I Tarzan?

Hahahaha

Nachi:

...I'm talking to myself like an idiot.

Hi-chan, come back.

Now.

Nachi:

Abashiri Prison, huh...?

How can I rescue them—

Nachi:

Eh?

A person?

Nachi:

Are you okay?

Muratake:

Uh...

Nachi:

The blizzard's blowing again.

Lucky—

It's a pretty girl!

Muratake:

I'm sorry...

My name is Muratake...

I'm looking for someone...

Nachi:

What? He's a guy?

Nachi:

Oh well. No matter.

I was just roasting some bear meat, <— slow roast

...it's almost done.

Sorry Mr. Bear

Man:

You're just a dancer,

...but your body is so well-trained.

Man:

I bet you can break my neck if you want to.

Kinda unnerving.

Ageha:

Ha— Worn out.

Even though I can do it, I won't. Because I still need you.

Man:

Need me?!

Ageha:

You're running some sort of grapevine here.

Ageha:

And this wall...

...is carved with many dates.

Ageha:

This means...

...you want to escape.

Man:

"A knife behind a smile"...huh?

Who are you?

Man:

You're not planning something, are you?!

Ageha:

...Besides, I don't hate guys with droopy eyes.

Man:

Does the guy you like have droopy eyes?

Do I have droopy eyes?

Ageha:

He's dead.

Man:

Oh, didn't realize how much you cared until he's gone, huh?

Was he a good friend of yours?

Ageha:

He was a righteous man.

I'm also a righteous man.

Man:

That's a pity.

Man:

I'm No.13, Shirasu.

A Hokuriku fisherman.

Shirasu:

I went against the Black King,

...so they threw me in here.

Shirasu:

It's been "a long life with much shame."

And you?

Ageha:

Ageha.

I come from the west.

Men:

What did you two talk about?

Our boss is really clever you know.

We want our turns too.

Shut up.

Men:

Aww,

...your cute little brother's crying.

Go cheer him up.

Heh heh heh

Ageha:

Do you...

...scorn me?

Ageha:

I can imagine what you're thinking right now.

Ageha:

Don't blame yourself.

Don't feel guilty.

Sarasa:

...

What can I do...

...to make this up to you...?

Ageha:

Nothing.

Ageha:

If you keep on living for the sake of a new country,

...then that'll be good enough for me.

Ageha:

The first time I met you.

Ageha:

In the desert, when I first met you,

Ageha:

...I could sense that you are the Child of Destiny.

Ageha:

I wasn't wrong.

Just don't ever...

...disappoint me,

...then it'll be fine.

Ageha:

Asagi.

What're you sulking about?

Asagi:

You didn't have to do that.

The two of us could have overpowered those guys.

Ageha:

Maybe. But it's too dangerous a risk.

Besides, this way has its own merits.

Asagi:

I don't like it.

I like the proud and dignified Ageha.

I don't like this Ageha.

So disgusting.

Sarasa:

Asagi!

Nanao:

That was too much.

We were saved because of what he did.

Nanao:

Ah, I'm No.50, call me Nanao...

Asagi:

Don't get so close to me!

Ageha:

I didn't know this would bother you.

If you find me disgusting,

...then Ageha is finished.

Sarasa:

Asagi...

Asagi:

Tatara, you probably prefer this Ageha, don't you?

Sarasa:

Don't say such things!*

Not even to the people you dislike.

Sarasa:

That time when you assaulted me...

...was worse than death...!

Sarasa:

No matter what, I couldn't make it stop.

One's own body is so precious...!

Ageha:

Stop talking about it already.

Idiots

I'm going to get more depressed.

Ageha:

What happened...

...really wasn't that big of a deal.

OK?

Sarasa:

...I'm... sor... sorry...

I didn't consider your feelings...

Ageha:

...not again.

She just won't stop crying, as if I'm really that pitiful.

No matter what I say.

Ageha:

Shirasu! Recently,

...did a new kid called Hayato get sent here?

Sarasa:

Hayato!

Shirasu:

Never heard of him.

I'll ask around.

Sarasa:

That's right...

Hayato.

I came to rescue Hayato...

Ageha:

Re-energized now?

Ageha:

Shirasu, in the meantime, why don't you tell us about this place?

Shirasu:

This is A Block.

There are also B Block and C Block.

Shirasu:

I think you already know that this place is all underground.

It's like an ant's nest, a total maze.

Shirasu:

A Block has, I think you already met him, "Mizu no Shika." (Water Deer)

Shirasu:

B Block has "Hi no Kitsune," ("Fire Fox")

...and C Block has "Tsuchi no Kuma," ("Earth Bear")

...respectively.

Shirasu:

The one in charge of them all is a fellow called "Kaze no Fukurô." (Wind Owl)

He's the son of this country's king.

Ageha:

...Kaze no Fukurô...

Sarasa:

That guy...?!

Ageha:

I see.

I thought I'd seen that face somewhere before.

Turns out he's the Red King's cousin.

Sarasa:

The Red King's cousin...!

Sarasa:

And that bastard calls himself an "Owl"...

Shinbashi...!

Man:

"Mizu no Shika" is pretty nice.

Just don't piss him off and you're good.

Man:

What happens if you piss him off?

Man:

Then—

You'll be........ very afraid.

Man:

I don't know either.

Man:

Good night.

Ageha:

Now...

...how can we escape from here?

Ageha:

The look in their eyes...

...changed...

Ageha:

I see.

Then we're saved.

It seems like this bunch can be on our side.*

Shirasu:

Escape is more difficult than striking gold.

Just ask this old geezer when he gets up.

Shirasu:

"Youth yesterday, white hair today."

He's been here for 25 years.

During this whole time, I think only one guy made it out.

Shirasu:

Like "koi in a pond," we're...

...just a "herd of sheep."

Ageha:

If someone got out, then we can too.

Men:

Boss— You done talking yet?

Shut up already.

Yeah.

Shirasu:

Let's go to sleep.

Better just give up.*

Shirasu:

"Sleep is life's only pleasure."

"Tomorrow blows tomorrow's wind"...so they say.

Sarasa:

Is it snowing outside...

...Ageha...

Ageha:

Dunno.

Because of that hotspring, it's not cold here.

Ageha:

Go to sleep.

Sarasa:

Someday...

...I'll run...

...for Ageha's sake...

Ageha:

I know. Now go to sleep.

Sarasa:

toku toku toku...

I don't hear that little heartbeat.

I can't protect anyone.

Sarasa:

Brother...

Nagi...

Kakujî...

Chacha...

Shuri...

Give me...

Please give me strength.

Foreman:

No slacking off!

Move it!

Ageha:

What're we digging for?

Shirasu:

Various resources...

...used to expand the empire.

Foreman:

You there! No talking!

Nanao:

If we weren't tied up,

...we'd work better, right?

Sarasa:

Yeah...

Sarasa:

To keep doing this everyday...

...forever.

It's hard to believe.

Sarasa:

Blank faces...

Blank...

Foreman:

Foreman, I see a cave over there.

Foreman:

Really.

Man:

A cave?!

We'll need another canary.

Voice:

A canary, huh?

Sarasa:

Canary...?

Foreman:

OK, I've got the perfect canary.

You there! The little guy.

Foreman:

Go inside the cave.

Sarasa:

Wh... What for?

Foreman:

Just go in all the way, that's all!

Ageha:

Wait! I'll go.

Foreman:

No, we need a small guy!

Sarasa:

I'll be okay, Ageha.

I've got a fire.

Voice:

Go in.

Go in.

It should be okay.

Ageha:

What's going on?

Shirasu:

Old coal mines used real canaries.

Shirasu:

To find out whether there're any deadly gases,

...a canary would be sent out.

Shirasu:

"One death to save many."

So they sacrifice one guy.

Sarasa:

How far in...

...do I have to go?

Sarasa:

?!

Nagi:

Places where fire doesn't burn normally indicate strange gases.

Sarasa:

I'm in danger...!

Gas, huh?

Sarasa:

I better...

...hurry back...!

Sarasa:

Eh...

Sarasa:

Guh...

Who...

Sarasa:

Can it be...

...Asagi again...

Sarasa:

Eeeh...!

Foreman:

It's no good I guess.

He didn't come back.

Foreman:

So there's gas in there.

OK. Forget about this place. Keep working!

Ageha:

Damn it.

Voice:

I've cut your chains.

Go save him.

Ageha:

?!

Ageha:

What?!

Ageha:

Who?!

Just now...

Ageha:

My chains...

Ageha:

Shirasu, make some noise.

Shirasu:

Uh?

Oh.

Voice:

Ageha

Shirasu:

Go—

Go for it, new guy.

Kaze no Fukurô:

Oye.

What're you doing?

Kaze no Fukurô:

...What?

Was that a prisoner just now?!

Kaze no Fukurô:

This guy's the canary...?

Probably died from breathing too much gas.

Kaze no Fukurô:

Too bad.

I'll just be taking back the prison uniform.

Kaze no Fukurô:

...!!

...A woman?!

Ageha:

Tatara!

Where are you?!

Ageha:

Tata...

Ageha:

Tatara's... shirt...

Ageha:

Tatara...!