Houshin Engi by Fujisaki Ryuu, adapted from the novel by Ano Tsutomu published by JUMP Comics; Shueisha, Inc. ------------------------------------------------ 28. Taikoubou and Kishou ------------------------------------------------ [067] 28. Taikoubou and Kishou [068] Bukichi: I'm home, mother... Mother: Oh, you're back, Bukichi... Mother: Oh... we have guests? Bukichi: This is my Master, Taikoubou. Taikuobou: I'm not your master! [069] Taikuobou: Let me see... Mother: ? Taikuobou: Ah...this can cure an illness caused by over-exhaustion. Sipuxiang: Goshujin, what sort of medicine is that? Taikuobou: I got it from Master Genshi Tenson! Bukichi: Mother... Bukichi: I have some things to take care of and will have to leave here. There is food in the kitchen, please eat when you're hungry. [070] Bukichi: All right, I'm leaving now. Taikuobou: Ah...Sipu, stay here and look after the lady. Mother: Bukichi! Mother: I don't know what matters you have, but go ahead and don't worry about me. Go and do what you think is right. Bukichi: Right!! Sipuxiang: Ma'am, please take this medicine. Here's some water. Mother: Oh, thank you, silly-looking creature. [071] Sipuxiang: I'm Sipuxiang, not a silly-looking creature!! Mother: Right, whatever... Mother: How can this be? I feel as if I've completely recovered! Sipuxiang: The medicine from the Senninkai are miraculous, of course! You can even stand up now!! Mother: Bukichi... Sipuxiang: ........... Sipuxiang: Don't worry... Bukichi will come back soon! [072] Bukichi: Master, thank you so much!! Bukichi: It was really good to be able to see mother one last time. Now, I can face my sentence without any regrets. Taikuobou: I already said it won't be your last meeting! I have a plan! Taikuobou: Oi..... Seiki City is still quite a distance... *Can't even catch a glimpse....* Bukichi: There's no choice, the real estate in the city is really expensive! Us, normal citizens must stay in the countryside, of course! Taikuobou: All right! Bukichi, you will have to carry me! Bukichi: What!? [073] Bukichi: But, I just collided with Kishou-sama yesterday, do you really want me to carry you? Taikuobou: No problem! We'll take the roof-tops! Bukichi: All right! Taikuobou: AAACCCCCCKKKK!!! Taikuobou: Bukichi! Slow down. All this shaking...I'm going to be sick.... Bukichi: Huh? Did you say something? Taikuobou: I said slow down!! Bukichi: What!? Did you hear the wind?! [074] Shuukoutan: The debris from the wall fell inwards. That means that the wall was destroyed by someone from the outside. Shuukoutan: It doesn't seem like it was caused by a normal man. Could it have been a sennin from the Senninkai? Shuukoutan: Or someone who has extraordinary powers... Shuukoutan: Ahh... Bukichi: Shuukoutan-sama! [075] Bukichi: I have already gone to see my mother one last time! There is nothing else which will cause me regrets!! Shuukoutan: I didn't think you would actually return... What is that strange looking thing? Taikuobou: Ahem.... [076] Taikuobou: Are you Shuukoutan? The highest ranking official in Seiki? Shuukoutan: I don't know if I'm the highest. But the people don't address me by my real name, "Kitan", but as "Shuukoutan". Taikuobou: Ahh...it seem that you have governed Seiki well, and it is prospering thanks to you, is that true? Taikuobou: But, in my eyes, you're merely an ordinary man, that's all! [077] Taikuobou: A true governor must not only govern Seiki well, but must also help all of Yin to prosper together. Taikuobou: Let's take Bukichi for example... He merely collided with Kishou, and you sentenced him to death, that's too much! Taikuobou: While your own brother, Hakuyuukou, was murdered, you said and did nothing! If you truly have such a strong sense of justice, why did you let those two which committed crimes, Dakki and Chuuou, off? Taikuobou: To think that the head of a city would use "Justice" to handle this matter, what a joke!! Before you claim Bukichi's guilt, think about your own guilt! Fool! [078] Shuukoutan: Hmm...? After saying so much, who are you, anyway? Taikuobou: I'm the doushi, Taikoubou. Shuukoutan: I see, so this big hole is your doing? Shuukoutan: The sentence for destroying government property is to be tied up like a mummy. Taikuobou: AAAH AAAH!! Kishou: Is that what the doushi said? [079] Shuukoutan: That's right! The way he said it, I was worthless. But I had no chance to rebut at all... Kishou: It was my fault... Frankly, I've been avoiding this truth all along... Kishou: Kitan... do you think I should get rid of Chuuou and Dakki? Shuukoutan: The answer depends on... Whether you wish to remain loyal to the emperor, or fight for the people. [080] Kishou: In any case, release Bukichi. Shuukoutan: All right, since father has decided... Kishou: That doushi is a sage... I must have a good talk with him face-to-face. Shuukoutan: Then, let's invite him here! Kishou: No! Kishou: It would be more polite for me to go to him. Shinkouhyou: Taikoubou is indeed very clever! Not only did he secure Bukichi's release, he also used this matter to catch Kishou's attention... [081] Shinkouyou: The composition of Chuuou vs. Kishou, and Dakki vs. Taikoubou is complete. But Chuuou and Dakki's group seems to be more powerful at the moment. Kokutenko: Eh? But Taikoubou has the support of the Kongrong sennin! Shinkouhyou: Chuuou has Bunchuu! Shinkouhyou: And backing Bunchuu is a large group who are enemies of Kongrong Mountains... There is another place in the Senninkai, the home of the youkai-sennin. [082] Bukichi: Really... Bukichi: Thank you very much, Master!! Thank you for saving my mother and myself!! Taikuobou: Oh, lower your voice! The fish have all be frightened away! Bukichi: I'm...I'm sorry!! Bukichi: All right, I'll go home first and see my mother! I will come back! [083] Sipuxiang: He's a really good boy, I like him! Taikuobou: But, I wish he wouldn't call me Master.... Sipuxiang: Goshujin, are you afraid of Bukichi? Taikuobou: It's not that... Kishou: Are you fishing...? [084-085] Kishou: How's the catch? Any fish? Taikuobou: Looks like I just caught a big one... Kishou: Can we have a little chat? Taikuobou: Eh? Such an important person as you, yet you have no bodyguards? Kishou: Well, Seiki is very safe! [086] Kishou: ...... There is a matter which I would like to consult with you... What should I do from here on? Taikuobou: Because of Dakki, the people have lost all trust in the Yin Dynasty... If this carries on, there will only be harm and no good! Taikuobou: Your only choice is to lead an army and invade Chouka! Taikuobou: To build a new dynasty! [087] Taikuobou: And you will become the next king! Kishou: That's too hard... I'm not worthy enough to accept such an important burden of history! Kishou: But, this might be the path Heaven has laid out for my fate. o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o Translation (c) 2000 Koushi - all rights reserved. No part or whole of this document may be broken up or published on a web-page without the express permission of the author. It may be freely distributed for _personal_ use ONLY on the condition that it is distributed in its entirety and no changes of ANY KIND are made, leaving all original author and copyright information intact. o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o