One potato, two potato, three potato, four...
Kaoru, you're good.
You're good, very good.
I haven't lost my touch yet.
Every woman has one good trait, no matter how ugly she is.
What was that for?
I was praising you, ya know!
Yahiko, you won't ever be popular with girls unless you fix your personality.
Shut up!
I'm sure that you won't ever find a guy that would marry you!
What did you just say?
Wait!
Hey, Yahiko!
Well, I guess I will go prepare lunch, that I will.
Kenshin, what's the menu for today?
Let's see...
Cooked burdock, and...
Oh, the eggplants I pickled yesterday should be ready to eat, that they are.
Damn, that's boring.
Can't we splurge and go eat something good once in a while?
You freeloader, what are you saying?
Think about it, where is that money coming from?
That's true.
You would only get dust from this poor school if you were to shake it out.
Could you move?
Where was it?
I know it was here somewhere...
What is Kaoru doing now?
D-Did you hit your head or something?
I just remembered!
This... This thing!
My grandfather drew this...
...doodle.
It's an ink painting!
Oh,those wonderful brushstrokes, if I recall correctly, are little Kaoru's--
Grandfather was a pretty well-known ink artist as well as a swordsman.
If I sell this, I think I can get money out of it.
Oh, thank you, Grandfather...
So! Let's go to the beef hot-pot place, and eat a nice lunch!
All of us, we can party!
Beef hot-pot!
You're great, Kaoru!
You have other good traits!
All right!
You're the best in Japan!
Really, you sometimes hold nothing back...
Yay!
Beef hot-pot! Beef hot-pot!
Yeah! Beef hot-pot!
Welcome!
Yahiko, it's bad for your body to eat so fast.
I know...
See what I mean?
You really are troublesome!
Even Yahiko is no match for our little Kaoru...
Not at all!
A world of democracy will never come from doing that!
Be more outrageous!
But that means we would pressure Dr. Itagaki to his death!
Yeah!
The lord of domestic affairs, Ohkubo, even charged the great Saigou head on!
I don't fear Ohkubo!
If I can die and become a hero, the Doctor can too!
You're kidding!
What good comes out of romanticism like that?
Yeah!
If Dr. Itagaki dies, freedom dies with him!
It seems they are desperadoes in a democratic movement, that they are.
What's that?
Right now, a single group controls all operations of the government.
But there is a movement...
...for many more people to be politically involved.
That sounds like a good thing, but looking at them I'm not so sure.
To me, they're just a bunch of drunks no matter what.
It's just as you say, Yahiko.
Kenshin!
Are you all right?
Kenshin!
Are you all right?
What did you just say?
Say it again, huh?
Yeah!
I'll say it whenever ya want!
What a real movement for democracy is!
You're just a blockhead!
What are you arguing about after you throw stuff at other people?
Forget about that, apologize first, dammit!
Shut up!
Kid, you couldn't talk back to us desperados of democracy...
...if you were 100 years older!
I don't care about kids or adults!
I'm telling you to apologize, you drunks!
Who are you calling drunks?
We're working for democracy!
Shut up!
Whatever, when you get sloshed, you're a drunk!
Punk!
Excuse me...
We don't want a disturbance in the store...
What?
Shut up!
Woman, butt out!
Miss Tae!
Hey now, democracy exists for the weak.
Or is this democracy...
...the freedom to make a ruckus by blaming it on your drinking?
What was that, you bastard?
You all right?
Oh, y-yes.
Are you trying to pick a fight with us?
Let's see...
It wouldn't hurt to occasionally.
What?
Usually people pick fights with me.
But I hate abusing the weak, or watching others do so.
Especially hypocrites who speak of freedom, justice, and equality.
They piss me off to no end.
What was that, you bastard?
Go outside!
Outside!
This is a strange set of events...
Do you think it would be wiser to stop them, that is?
I don't see why, they're the ones wanting this.
I won't forgive you even if you cried.
First, I wanna see how strong you are.
Gimme the best that ya got.
Punk!
Take this!
That's unfair!
To have a hidden dagger!
Stop yipping!
Daggers are meant to be hidden!
What they say is true, that it is.
But...
...it didn't do anything.
This is all you can do, even with a dagger?
M-My arm!
Man, this is nonsense.
If I give it all I got, I would be abusing the weak.
Here, I'll fight you with one finger.
Man, I sure picked a boring fight.
One flick to the forehead...
I was patient with your drunken uproar...
...but if you're going to pull that out here, I won't show any mercy.
Democracy is fine in itself.
But for people like you...
...improving oneself comes before improving the government, that it does.
Now pay your bill, and go.
Thank you very much.
We were saved thanks to you.
Oh, I did it 'cause I wanted to.
It's nothing to be thanked for.
And I'm sorry to make such a scene.
So, Mr. Swordsman, is your head all right?
Oh, it was nothing much, that it was.
Of course.
It would be silly to be hit on purpose, and get wounded.
If you had evaded that, this girl's face would be covered in blood.
So you purposefully didn't move, and used your head as a shield.
Isn't that so?
You think too much of me, that you do.
You belittle yourself.
I like you.
Will you accept a challenge?
I'll decline, that I will.
Well, if you ever feel like it, come and get it.
I'll be in the Ruffian Row House.
See ya.
What kinda person was he?
I can't tell if he was good or bad.
That "wicked" character must mean "wicked bad taste".
He is an interesting fellow...
That reminds me!
You know him, Miss Tae?
That man...
He left without paying!
Skipped out, that he did?
That's the fighter-for hire from the recent rumors, Zanza...
If I use him, I'm sure to be rid of that annoying guy.
What?
You want me to ace someone?
Are you mistaking me for some kinda hitman or something?
Get this straight, whether or not he dies depends on how lucky he is.
I'll be fine as long as I enjoy the fight.
I'm sure you will enjoy it 120%.
I guarantee it.
Oh?
The way I see it, you're not that bad yourself.
And the opponent is so strong that you need someone else to fight for you...
Nothing less from Zanza.
So, what kinda guy is this Kenshin?
Takes one to know one.
You live in the underworld, so I'm sure you've heard the rumors.
That guy named Kenshin is actually...
You sure about that?
How is it, Zanza?
I'm sure the opponent isn't lacking.
Besides, don't you think this is the prime opportunity to raise your name?
That doesn't matter to me!
It's been a while, but I finally have someone who can face this, my partner.
The legendary manslayer, Himura Battousai!
Zanza, fighter-for-hire, has been looking for a tough guy like him!
Zanza, the fighter-for-hire.
A man who will fight your enemies for you, well-known in the underworld.
An arrogant lone wolf whose fee is based on how much fun he had.
But he is strong!
Those who have fought him are plagued by nightmares...
...of the character on his back, which means "wicked".
Just you watch, Himura Battousai...
Because of you, I can never hold a sword again.
I will never forget the hatred I feel for you.
This isn't good.
I didn't know it was this late.
I should go home soon.
You can stay a bit longer, right Dr. Gensai?
Little Ayame and little Suzume are fast asleep.
I'll walk you home later.
Oh, Yahiko says something nice every so often!
The "every so often" was unnecessary.
We have a guest, that we do.
W-Wait, Kenshin, what's wrong?
I felt a presence, that I did.
Foolishly straightforward...
No attempt to hide.
A fighting spirt!
I'm here to pick a fight.
He's the one from this afternoon!
The guy with the forehead flick!
So it is you.
I said that I had no wish to fight, that I did.
I can't accept that.
I'm fighting as a fighter-for-hire, so I can't turn back.
On top of it, the opponent is an Imperialist...
...he's even Battousai the Manslayer.
H-How did you know?
Imperialist soldier from Choshu...
Himura Battousai, also known as Battousai the Manslayer.
User of the ancient style, Hiten Mitsurugi.
You researched well, that you did.
Part of your job as a fighter-for-hire, that it was?
You don't need to research to know that.
However...
There're also things I don't know.
What the Hiten Mitsurugi Style can do, for example.
And why the merciless manslayer became a wanderer who doesn't kill...
I have no idea.
Because I don't know...
Here I am, asking for a simple duel with no strings attached.
I do not know some things, either.
Why is a man who hates abusing the weak...
...working as something like a fighter-for-hire?
Why do you proudly wear the character "wicked" on your back?
What twisted your logic so much, that is?
What, you ask...
Never mind.
Sappy stories are not to be told before fighting.
I just want to defeat the legendary manslayer...
...said to be the strongest of the Imperialists...
...from the bottom of my heart!
Oh yeah, I haven't introduced myself yet.
My name is Sanosuke Sagara.
In the underworld, everyone calls me Zanza.
That's...
It's short for Zanbatou wielder Sanosuke.
Zanbatou? What's that?
It's the largest sword ever made, to slay the enemy leader horse and all.
It has been said that nobody has ever mastered it due to its sheer weight.
I suggest you lose that "no killing" sweet-talk right now.
Otherwise...
...you're gonna die!
He's quick!
And with such a heavy weapon, too!
I've seen through all your moves now!
You won't escape this time!
Now draw!
Kenshin.
Where, Where?
Where is Ken?
Little Ayame!
Little Suzume!
Real fights shouldn't be seen by women or children...
Besides...
...there seems to be a filthy little death threat about, that there is.
What's that?
Looks like someone was there.
Nothing less from the Battousai...
But I will warn you of this.
Even if you're not up for it, I, Zanza the fighter-for-hire...
...never lets his prey escape.
Zanza.
Why do you hate Imperialists so much?
It seems that I have no choice but to fight you.
Kenshin...
Ken!
What's wrong?
Big brother!
Now, little Ayame, little Suzume, I'll walk you home with Yahiko, that I will.
Really?
Yay!
We love you, Ken!