Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan

Stop that!

Oro?

Don't be chopping wood right next to someone doing practice swings!

It throws me off rhythm!

You say that, but that is—

If you're gonna do that, at least use an axe!

And what's with this perfect cut?

Don't use a master's skill on helping out with household chores!

You don't even teach me any of it!

- Stop arguing! - Oro?

There's no more need to fight!

We can live in peace from now on!

What is the matter, that is?

Has her ugliness gone up to her brain, too?

I meant the worries about life expenses that were my present concern are gone now!

I was clearing out the closet when I found this!

Something my grandpa drew—

A scribble?

An ink painting!

My grandpa was a swordsman,

but at the same time, a pretty popular ink artist.

Selling this will get us money.

Oh, thank you so much, Grandpa!

What a calculating woman.

Hmm? What is it?

O-Ouch!

And so, we can go to a beef hot-pot restaurant for a fancy lunch!

You act so high and mighty when others are acting humble, you ugly hag!

Whenever you say anything, it's ugly this, ugly hag that.

Is that the only thing you can think—

- What was that? - Good grief, that is.

THE FIGHTER FOR HIRE - SANOSUKE SAGARA

The Meiji enlightenment had a tremendous impact on food culture as well.

SUSHI

TEMPURA

BEEF HOT-POT AND SAKE AKABEKO RESTAURANT

All sorts of new dishes came to life in this era.

Of which, the beef hot-pot,

what we call sukiyaki in modern day, became immensely popular

as a representative of Western cuisine that common folk could eat.

No good!

A world of free democracy will never come like that!

But that means this is the same as sending Mr. Itagaki to death!

That's right! Okubo, the Lord of Home Affairs,

didn't show any mercy, even to the Great Saigo!

Enough of Okubo!

If he can die and join the stars like the Great Saigo, Mr. Itagaki can, too!

Nonsense! What merit is there in romanticism of that nature?

Welcome—

Oh, Kaoru.

It's been a while, Ms. Tae.

I'm glad you're doing well.

Is this young man your boyfriend?

He is not! He's just a guest of the dojo!

If Mr. Itagaki dies, then freedom dies with him!

What are you talking about?

Even if Mr. Itagaki dies, freedom will not!

Moreover, the way he dies will enlighten the people!

I guess they are activists for the Democratic Rights Movement, that they are.

And I'm saying that is romanticism!

They're saying stuff that I don't quite understand.

Those are just drunks.

Oh, don't worry about them.

Shall I prepare enough for three for now?

Oh, and three coffees, please.

You are in good spirits, Miss Kaoru, that you—

Kenshin?

Kenshin!

Ororo...

You can try saying that to me again!

You threw a bottle at someone! What are you arguing about over there?

Put all that aside, and apologize first, damn it!

Kid, you're a century too young

to speak to us Democratic Rights Movement activists!

It don't matter if I'm a kid!

You gotta apologize, damn drunks!

There, there.

Who you calling drunks?

We are Democratic Rights—

Shut up!

Everyone becomes a drunk once they booze it up!

What?

S-Sirs, please don't make a fuss.

Shut up!

- Ms. Tae! - Whoa!

Democratic rights are for the sake of the weak, ain't they?

Activists clamorin' for that shouldn't be doin' stuff like this.

Or is it that...

the democratic rights you speak of are to get drunk and thrash about?

What was that, punk?

Are you picking a fight with us?

Oh, right.

I should pick one every so often.

People usually pick fights with me, but...

I really hate seeing someone be a bully or being a bully myself.

Especially...

hypocrites bullying people

while mouthing off about freedom, justice, and equality.

They piss me off to no end!

Come outside with us!

This is getting really weird.

Would it be better to stop them, that is?

They're sayin' they wanna do it, so leave 'em.

First, let's see what you can do.

How about you land a good blow?

You brat!

Take this!

That's not fair! He was hiding a suntetsu!

Quit your barkin'!

Suntetsu is a hidden weapon to begin with!

What they are saying is correct, that it is.

However...

it is not effective at all.

This is all you can do, even with a suntetsu?

What?

H-Hey...

that right hand of yours...

P-Punk! What the hell did you do?

I didn't really do anything.

A-Are you okay?

Oh, this ain't much!

If this disheartens me,

I can't serve as a Democratic Rights Movement activist!

Oh, that's an admirable spirit!

If I give it everything I got, I will end up bullying you all.

I'll take you on with one finger.

Don't mock me!

Take this!

I sure picked a boring fight.

One flick to the forehead...

Damn it!

I would have let things slide if it was just a drunken fight...

but if you're going to draw something like that, I won't hold back, either.

Democratic rights are perfectly fine.

But in your case...

before you correct the government,

you need to correct yourselves, that you do.

Pay your bill, and go on home.

Thank you very much.

You helped me out there.

Oh, that was a fight I chose to fight.

It's nothing to be thanked over.

Hey, swordsman.

Is your head doin' all right?

Hmm?

Oh, it wasn't much of anything, that it wasn't.

Figures.

If you intentionally didn't dodge it and got badly hurt,

you'd embarrass yourself.

Huh?

If you had dodged it back there,

that girl's face would be covered in blood by now.

So you chose not to dodge it and used your own head as a shield.

You're overestimating me, that you are.

You're being so humble.

That suits my fancy.

Won't you accept my challenge?

I will decline, that I do.

I see.

Well, if you ever feel like it, you can accept it whenever.

I'll be over at the Gorotsuki Nagaya on the outskirts of town.

See ya.

BAD

What was with him?

Is he a good guy or bad guy?

That "bad" must mean bad taste.

A strange man.

By the way...

Do you know something, Ms. Tae?

He didn't pay his bill.

Hmph.

So you want me to go defeat that guy?

SA

I'm sure you will be able to get rid of him.

Don't talk like I'm a hitman.

It's all right with me as long as I can enjoy my fights.

But I'm surprised you guys were able to escape from jail.

That shows how much hatred I have.

If he wasn't around, everything would have gone well.

A pathetic resentment you've got there.

So is this Kenshin guy strong?

I had really boring fights yesterday and today,

so I'm getting fed up with things.

Strong!

So much that he defeated me with one blow!

You putz! Defeating you ain't proof of strength,

even if you do it tens of thousands of times!

Now, now... if you can lend us an ear...

This man named Kenshin is actually...

Come on, is that for real?