amatsuki 74

amatsuki 74

1
Text: [Amatsuki 13 Contents]
Text: [Chapter 74: A Cricket On A Red-Painted Bridge]
Text: [Chapter 75: The Rashoumon Gate of Hell]
Text: [Chapter 76: The Moon Beneath The Surface Of The Sea]
Text: [Chapter 77: A Song Of A Thousand Torii Gates]
Text: [Chapter 78: The Mirror Hell]
Text: [Chapter 79: The Mirror Hell (2)]
Text: [Chapter 80: Crystalline Utsugi]

2
Text: [Amatsuki 13 / Takayama Shinobu]

3
Servant: It's as we feared!
Servant: His Lordship the Shougun can't be found anywhere!!
SFX: [*run run*]
Servant: He's not in the inner chambers,
Servant: Nor is he in the noblemen's quarters...!!
Yoshinobu: !!
Yoshinobu: Do the other samurai know about this!?
Servant: No, sir.
Servant: Not yet...
Yoshinobu: (You fool!!) Don't let them find out!!
Older Samurai: The shougun's affairs are none of their business!!  If these rumors start to spread among the townspeople...
Older Samurai: I'll have you slice your own gut open!
Servant: Yes, sir!
SFX: [*run run*]
Servant 2: Yoshinobu-sama!!
Servant 2: The black smoke has completely enveloped the castle down to the lower floors!  People are panicking as if there's a fire!!!
Yoshinobu: Tch!

4
Yoshinobu: Then I'll send Tatsugorou!
Yoshinobu: When it comes to putting out fires, there's no one better.  He'll sort this out.
Yoshinobu: For now, I'm heading to the castle!
Yoshinobu: I'll need several men to accompany me!
Samurai: Sir, please wait!
Samurai: We've already sent people to investigate the castle.
Samurai: With all due respect,
Samurai: We can't allow you to go.
Samurai: We chief retainers must stay and think...
Samurai: Of how to stop this invasion...
Yoshinobu: ...!!
Yoshinobu: Damn it!!!  What is going on here...!?
SFX: [*whoooosh*]

5
Soldier: !
SFX: [*gasp*]
Soldier: Hey!
Soldier: What do you think you're doing h...
SFX: [*slam*]
Soldier: Gah!
Soldier: Ah...
SFX: [*collapse*]
SFX: [*toss*]
Kanzou: Hmph.
Kanzou: This area's clear.
Susutake: I'm all done, too!

6-7
Text: [Chapter 74: A Cricket On A Red-Painted Bridge] (Note: Crickets are most active in autumn, so they symbolize death and the transience of life.  Like cherry blossoms, they're often used in Japanese poetry to represent the short but meaningful life of a samurai.  Red bridges are sometimes seen in Japanese gardens, but they're even more common in Chinese landscapes.  A red bridge symbolizes a sacred path, which is why the torii gates at Shinto shrines are so often painted red.]
Hizame: I've placed a seal around the area.
Hizame: Anyone who doesn't know the secret opening won't be able to get in.
Kurotobi: It's too late.
Kurotobi: Who knows how many people have already braved that black fog and gone in...?
Kanzou: (Hmph) Getting them out is going to be a pain in the ass.
Toki: Whoa... this place looks like...
Toki: The entrance to hell...

8-9
Sasaki: So this...
SFX: [*whoosh*]
Sasaki: Is everyone, then?
Sasaki: The others will attempt to enter through alternate secret routes.
Sasaki: You will be the only ones entering through here.
SFX: [*rustle*]
Toki: Sasaki-san!
Toki: But even if we go in this way, we're still not going to be able to make it up to the tower, right?
Sasaki: If you choose the right path, it's possible.  But one mistake could be the end of you.
Sasaki: That darkness is deeper than you can possibly comprehend.
Hizame: I've already sent a few of my dolls in to scout around.
SFX: [*waggle*]
Hizame: Many didn't return at all.  It's hard to find one's bearings in there, and everything is pitch black.
Susutake: Gah...
Sasaki: In any case, you're free to choose who goes in.
Sasaki: Those who take this route will be passing through Hell itself.
Toki: Heihachi-san?
SFX: [*sputter*]
SFX: [*shock*]
Heihachi: WHAT!?
Toki: You can wait outside if you want to!
SFX: [*gasp*]
Heihachi: Toki...

10
Heihachi: ...Thank you!
Heihachi: Please, please be careful!
SFX: [*grab*]
Toki: ...Uh, thanks!
Toki: I'm counting on you to keep watch!
Toki: I know I'm kind of a suspicious-looking guy...
Toki: But you've always been really nice to me.  Thanks.
SFX: [*wibble*]
Heihachi: T... Tokiiiiiii~~!!
Heiihachi: [Uwaaaaah, I'm going to be praying for you to come back safe!!!!]
Toki: [Heihachi-saaaaaaan!!]
SFX: [*hug*]
Kon [hmph]

11
Toki: ......
SFX: [*shock*]
Toki: Um...
Toki: I guess you're not coming either, Kon?
Kon: !!
Toki: I know "Shinonome" and "Kon" are different people.
Toki: And we're probably going someplace that only "Shinonome" can go.
Toki: None of this has anything to do with "Kon's" life.
Toki: So... it's okay if you stay behind.

12
Kon: I don't understand any of this.
Kon: What am I supposed to do?
Kon: I probably shouldn't have anything to do with somebody like you.
Kon: I was kinda hoping that someone else would decide for me
Kon: But when I think about leaving you behind...
???: If the old you had heard about this, you would have done something...
???: You must feel like you're falling apart inside.
Kon: When he calls me "Shinonome..." I feel like we're really friends.
Kon: ...Heh.
Kon: You think you can get rid of me that easily?
Kon: You suspicious-looking people have dragged me into your crap from the start.
Toki: Kon?
Kon: It's like a spell that I just can't break.

13
Kon: I'm going too.
Kon: I have to find out who I really am.
Kon: Although at this point, I don't know how much help I'll be.
Toki: Kon...!!
Toki: Just don't die before you figure it out, okay?
Kon: !!
Kon: Shut the fuck up!  No one is going to die!
Toki: But Kon, you're so weak!
Kon: So are you!
Kon: And who gives a fuck what you think!?

14
Toki: Wahaha!
Toki: Oh well, I guess I'll just have to protect you!!
Kon: What?
Toki: [You can't do aaaaanything!!  Poor thing!  But as long as we're together, I'll take gooooood care of you!  Uwaaaaaah~!  Hey, are you crying?]
Hizame: ...Well, that settles that.  They'll both be coming along.
Hizame: Is there anyone else who doesn't want to go?
Utsubushi: !

15
Hizame: Rikugou-dono will fight the Yakou...
Hizame: And in all likelyhood, he will be the deciding factor in the battle with Teiten.
Bonten: ...Yeah, but I think that "Shinonome" is going to be an important piece in this game, too.
Bonten: What do you think?
Hizame: Oh, yes.  We all have a stake in this endeavor.
Hizame: We may all have our own reasons, but we share one goal, right?
Susutake: ...Yeah, whatever.  I don't want to be anybody's pawn!
SFX: [*bleeh*]
Bonten: From here on, we move forward with that thought in mind.
Hizame: As do we.
Utsubushi: ...
Susutake: ?
SFX: [*pff*]

16
SFX: [*glare glare*]
Hizame: [Oh, don't worry.]
Susutake: Hey, big bird!  What's wrong?
Susutake: You're being awful quiet, aren't you?
SFX: [*shock*]
Utsubushi: Uwah!?
utsubushi: ...Um.
SFX: [*sweat*]
Susutake: ?
Utsubushi: It's...
Utsubishi: Nothing!
Utsubushi: Really!

17
SFX: [*stomp*]
Bonten: Utsubishi!!  Susutake!!
Bonten: I'm going in ahead, so wait here with the humans!
Utsubushi: Oh?
Utsubushi: Uwooh?
Susutake: (hehehe) Just leave them to us, Boss!
Toki: ...Huh!?
Toki: Bonten!?
Bonten: Someone has to secure the entrance.
Bonten: The rest of you can follow us in later.
Bonten: There's no point in all of us getting killed at once.

18
Toki: ...Um, hey, what about Tsuyukusa?  He's not coming?
Bonten: ...Who knows.
Bonten: I guess he got lost and took a different route.
Bonten: Maybe he'll meet up with us inside.
Bonten: There's already enough dead weight on this team,
Bonten: But he'll be back.
SFX: [*stab*]
SFX: [*sputter*]
Toki: WHAT!!?
Bonten: ......
Toki: ...Bonten?
SFX: [*whoosh*]
Susutake: Okay, you guys, be careful!

19
Sasaki: Rikugou-san,
Sasaki: I regret that we must part ways here.
Sasaki: There are things I must take care of out here... I can't go with you.
Toki: Yeah, I understand.
Toki: ...But you know, it's weird!
Toki: I'm not used to seeing you act so reserved, Sasaki-san!
Sasaki: Well, I'd love to keep you here with me forever~
Sasaki: But I don't think you'd let me~
SFX: [*giggle*]
SFX: [*giggle giggle*]
SFX: [*pfffff!!*]
Toki: Whaaaaaaaat!!?
Shamon: Toki...

20
Toki; Wah!
SFX: [*hug*]
Toki: Shamon-san...
Shamon: You be careful, okay!!?
Shamon: Whatever you do,
Shamon: Don't die!!
SFX: [*squeeeeze*]
Shamon: And Kon too!!  Don't do anything stupid!!
SFX: [*sniffle*]
Suou: [Every time you say goodbye to someone, it could be the last time!!!
Suou: So live life with no regrets!!!
SFX: [*hug*]
Toki: [Okay!]
SFX: [*squeeeeeze*]
Toki: ...Hey, old man.
Toki: You don't have to cry.
Toki: ...Because we're going to come back.
Shamon: Huh?

21
Toki: So make a rice omlette...
SFX: [*sizzle sizzle*]
Toki: I mean,
Toki: Make me some fried rice, okay?
Shamon: ....?
Shamon: Sure!
Shamon: [Omlette?  Is that some kind of foreign food?]
Kon: Only you could think about food at a time like this.
Toki: Haha~!
Kon: [Remind me why we're friends again?]
Kon: Okay, so are we ready to go now?
Toki: What!?
Kon: Or do you want to exchange good luck charms?
(Note: In Japan, it's traditional to exchange possessions with your friends if one of you is going on a long trip.)
SFX: [*shock*]
SFX: [*gasp*]
Toki: Ooh, right...
Toki: Give me a minute, will you?
Toki: [I can't leave Ginshu-san's eyepatch behind... I guess I could leave my kimono, but then I'd be naked... people would think I'm a pervert...]
SFx: [*panic panic*]
Toki: I could leave my underwear!?  Wait, that's even more perverted!!  Chill out, Toki!!
SFX: [*panic panic*]

22
SFX: [*rip rip*]
Kon: [Here.]
Kon: Take this, old man.  You can make a goatee out of it or something.
SFX: [*shock*]
Shamon: [!?]
Toki: [It's like I'm already dead...]
Shamon: Saving the hair of the deceased?  That's a little creepy, Kon-san!
Shamon: ......
Shamon: I have to help Tadajirou warn the townspeople, so I can't go with you.
Shamon: But...
Shamon: Well...
Shamon: You kids may be troublemakers, but when you eat rice from the same pot...
Shamon: You start to feel a bit like family.
Shamon: So there will always be a home waiting for you guys.
Shamon: ...And Kuchiha, too.  You take good care of her, okay?
Toki: We will.

23
Shamon: Here, Toki!  I'll give you my underwear as a good luck charm!
SFX: [*grin*]
SFX: [*pull*]
Toki: [GAAAAAAAAAHHH!!]
SFX: [*whoosh*]
SFX: [*gulp*]

24
SFX: [*glare*]
SFX: [*shock*]
Toki: [GRAAAAR!!]
SFX: [*shock*]
SFX: [*staaaaaare*]
Kon: Quit it, you idiots.
Kon: We're going.
Hizame: Oho~
Toki: Hey,
Toki: wait...
Kon: You're still worried about good luck charms?
Kon: Didn't this string used to belong to you?
Kon: ?
Toki: ...Huh?

25
SFX: [*hiss*]
Toki: Okay!
Toki: Here we go, everyone!!
SFX: [*fwoosh*]
Toki: Uwah!
Toki: Ugh...
Kon: Ugh...
Kon: Gah!

26
Toki: Ah...
SFX: [*whoosh*]
Hizame: Oh?  Well, this is the place.
Hizame: I'm sure you know where we are.
Hizame: This is the gate of hell.

27
(no text)