Rurouni Kenshin

Hiruma Gohei:
Are you here to talk about swords that give life too?

Kenshin:
No. A sword is a weapon. No matter what pretty names you give it, swordsmanship is the way to kill. Kaoru-dono speaks as one who has never bloodied her hands in combat. She maintains a sweet naive lie. But in the face of such awful truth, the naive lie she tells is so much better. If this one had a wish, it would be that her lie would become the truth of this world.

Kenshin:
[in pain] Dislocated groin!

Kaoru:
Dislocated brain!!!

Kenshin:
Are you that bothered by your lack of power, young one?

Yahiko:
Damn. I want to be strong. So strong I won't need your help... Strong enough to defend my father and mother's pride on my own.

Kenshin:
...Of course.

Kaoru:
And you! You say you're 28?! That's a lie and you know it!

Kenshin:
Would "30" make you happier?

Kaoru:
...No, it wouldn't...

Kenshin:
[exasperated] This isn't going to be easy...

Kaoru:
But why do you still have your battle expression?

Kenshin:
Um... Well... it's a bit odd actually. You see... it's been so long since my eyes were narrowed into this "death glare" and... well... ahem My muscles are stuck.

Yahiko:
Nobody likes fat girls.

Kaoru:
Better than a pointy-eyed midget.

Yahiko:
Oh yeah!? The girls love this pointy-eyed midget.

Kenshin:
It's enough to protect those within my sight.

Udo Jin-e:
Don't look at me like that, Batt?sai. Your eyes were much better before...when you said you were going to kill me. A hitokiri is a hitokiri until death. Another hitokiri tells you this. It cannot be wrong. Keep playing at "rurouni." I'll watch you... from Hell.

[Later into the chapter]

Kenshin:
Jin-e, are you watching from hell? Even if "hitokiri" is this one's nature, nature shall be surpressed. "Rurouni" this one shall be, until this one's very death.

?kubo Toshimichi:
Shishio is scheming at Kyoto.

Sanosuke:
Shishio?

?kubo Toshimichi:
He's after one thing...The Meji Government disposed.

Kenshin :
Even now, do you still think them empty words?

Shinomori Aoshi :
It is too early to gloat. One width of paper closer, and I'd have sliced your jugular.

Kenshin :
But that narrow margin is the key difference between me and you in your present form. When I was at the brink of life or death, I used all my will to survive. I drew upon a different power than that of self-sacrifice, and mastered an ultimate technique. Sometimes, the bravest act is to live. That was the ray of light that my master risked his life to show me. As Hitokiri Battousai, I have committed so many sins that I cannot possibly repent for them, that is why I had secretly believed that it didn’t matter whether when I died or was killed. However, now even if I were formally punished and restrained, I will never lose the will to live. Aoshi, you said you have thrown everything away. Anyone can throw away everything if they wish, it’s easy. With your swords, you have become stronger beyond limits, but mentally you’ve gotten so much weaker that you’re far from what you used to be. As the Commander, you wish to give the proof of being the strongest as a title to four men who had gruesome deaths, that I understand. However, with that weakened spirit of yours, saying so becomes an excuse so you can look away from continuing to live. You aren’t doing anything for these four now. All you are doing is swinging your sword full of evil, and blaming these four for it. Beshimi, Hyottoko, Shikijo, Han'nya, face the truth, Aoshi, is it for them that you fight, or it is that they are merely an excuse?

Sanosuke:
Alright, I'll take you on. I'll ask who you are with these fists! [he punches Saito] Sorry, I got serious here.

[Sanosuke is confused after realizing that his punch has no effect.]

Hajime:
I see, nice punch. That explains why people say that you are the strongest fighter in Tokyo. However it is good only for the peaceful times like current Meiji era. In Kyoto, during the Bakumatsu, a punch like this would get you killed.

Kaoru:
Are you really going?

Sanosuke:
Yeah, but I'll try not to make it goodbye for good. Make a kid or two with Kenshin, and show them to me next time we meet.

Kaoru [embarrassed] Wh-wh-what are you saying?

Sanosuke:
Don't be modest!

Kaoru:
Stay here.

Kenshin:
I promise I'll return.

A:
Because I didn’t want to draw those samurai hairstyles. You know, those weird hairstyles from ancient periods. If you want to draw swords but no strange hairstyles, then you have to go to the Meiji era. Also, I am a big fan of the Shinsengumi. But drawing in this period means that I’m going to be drawing a lot of historical stuff.