Hana Page #2

Though I can't heal

much more than this

Soza san, is this the first time

you've met Kichiemon?

Yes

I'm Kichiemon

I'm Aoki Soza-emon

Soza san has come from up north,

to avenge his father

I see

Revenge, huh...

It's been over two and a half years now,

with no leads...

Two and a half years, I'm sorry

But why here?

Any special reason?

These places often shelter strangers

A good place

to seek my enemy...

Strangers?

Master Aoki,

what do you do for fun?

Fun?

My pleasures are...

Bathing and...

I also keep birds

And I like to play Go

Kichiemon also enjoys Go

Why not challenge each other?

Yes, an excellent plan

Over a game of Go...

Yes

It was at a Go tournament

"You've called halt four times"

"No, it's only three," that's how it began

"You're just an idiot,

how dare you call me a liar! Draw!"

I'm so sorry

He always longed to die at war

Dying over a silly dispute

Must have been a shame

At least...

If he had died in a manner

more worthy of a warrior...

One moment

I've always been...

handy this way

That's all for today, Soza san

So I stand at 7 wins, 3 losses

Do come back

Welcome

Don't stare

Done yet?

Not yet

Tell me when you're done

I hope it's a lot

A lot, a lot

A lot, a lot

Revenge?

That's right

It's just a play

A play?

This'll be your first

Every spring festival, Shigehachi writes

a script and we stage a revenge play

Despite his looks,

this guy's smart

Despite my looks...

I've got more confidence in

my brains than my guts

Same goes for me

The crowd paid us well

last year

Osae san looked so pretty

in her costume

Osae san, too?

They only love our show so much,

half aware it's a farce,

because real fights are so scarce

We make money...

Thanks to those cowardly

Akou ronin who can't avenge their Lord

Did they beat you up, Shinbo?

No

What then?

They made fun of me

How?

They said I live like a pig

in a rubbish heap

What the hell?

And that everyone

who lives here is trash

Who the hell said that?

Don't get so upset,

they're just kids

Besides, they're right

They said "why bother buying trash,

just sell your own"

That'd be me

Got that right

What's wrong with my work?

Bring the brat here

I'll beat the sh*t outta him

Hurry up, bring the brat

Soza san

Teach me to use a sword

I really want to beat them

Sounds great

Teach him, Soza

Act like a samurai for once

My father made me promise

no fighting outside the academy

That's pretty useless

I'll teach you

Come here

Hold this

Grab this tight

Hold it in front of your belly

Hold it really straight

Lift it straight up and...

Bring it down

What's going on here?

Shinbo's practicing vengeance

For the play?

No, the genuine article

Swing it down hard

And shout

Oto san

What would you do in his place?

I'd learn how to take a punch

without getting hurt

How's that?

Let 'em hit you where it doesn't hurt

and call it quits

Who taught you that pathetic trick?

My dad, before he died

What a legacy!

Your mom's a real terror...

Yup, it's come in real handy.

Thanks, Dad

Don't force it

Give it here

Hold this, straight, straight

When you're ready to strike...

That's it

Shinbo, come on,

hit me like you mean it

Hey, that's dangerous

Come and get me, crybaby

You want to win, right?

Listen

It's no good swinging

like that useless Lord Akou

Swords are made for thrusting

Got it? Try it

That's right, that's good

Aim at their knees and ankles,

where it's hard and it'll hurt

That's cheating...

Say, noble samurai

Why don't you come after me?

I think not

It's childish to take on an amateur

No need to worry

I want to show Shinbo, fencing

learned in a dojo, is useless in reality

Find any fish?

Watch out!

Mago!

He's useless...

Cheater

Listen up, Shinbo

This way, they'll never bother you again

If that's not your style,

get that guy to show you how

to take a punch without getting hurt

Somebody...

Look after Soza san

Hey, there's a sudden chill in the air

Taking a few days off

Daddy, you're home!

It's spinning

It's caught

You're right

Other way

This time the other way

- Welcome home

- Thanks

What's that?

It was just lying there

Someone was in a hurry

I'm home, baby

Can you hear?

Hirano san...

Are you all right?

Do you have a stomach ache?

Hirano san...

Hey, Sada san!

Look what a mess you made of the floor

The landlord won't like this

Get a doctor, quick!

He'll be fine, it's the third time

And the sword's bamboo

He tries to commit hara-kiri

every spring

- Pathetic

- Ouch

Listen, if you do this on the floor,

it's a pain in the neck to clean up

If you must,

do it on the dirt floor

Answer me

Oh, no!

Soza san, please get Dr. Onodera

Soza san

What a bunch of hopeless losers...

Bamboo...

Osae san...

Thank you

I could've sworn he was taller

Enough of your stories

Give me the money

Money?

Oh, hello

Pick it up

Sada san

I'm grateful

What for?

I was in the mood for something sweet

Actually, Sada san

Why so serious, suddenly?

I've already found him...

Kanazawa Jubei

Changed his name

Heisuke, right?

He's a laborer in Kawaracho

That widow he's living with is a beauty

- You knew!

- Yeah, I knew

- Since when?

- For a while

- But you...

- Listen

Have you told anyone else yet?

Then let's keep it secret

In this day and age, this samurai

revenge thing's out of style

Besides, with your skills,

you're doomed

Think I can have another?

Another, please

So, sell any?

Not this crap

Welcome home, Soza san

Another day

Off to the bath with Sada?

Treat me, sometime

Wish I'd get a good job

Tried buying scraps?

No way!

Why?

Stinks

Figured

What do you see, Mago?

I see night

Say, Soza san

What will happen to your bird?

I wonder...

Is he stuck underground forever?

It's dark and it's cold

and he won't like it

I wonder if my father's

underground somewhere

Shinbo...

Don't tell my mother

She still thinks

he's going to come home

Sure

Let's pray again,

that your father's some place warm

On his deathbed,

my father held my hand and begged,

"Soza, please avenge me"

But I'm a hopeless swordsman,

and haven't fulfilled this task

His one dying wish

That is my inheritance

Inheritance?

Yes

It's why I have to pay back

his enemy with my own hands

Is that true?

I can understand your feelings,

but this is how I see it

If, after living his whole life,

your father left you nothing

but hate,

it would be unbearably sad

Mother, come

"Owing to my imminent starvation,

"I pray you will send funds

"upon receipt of this letter

"May I inquire, Father,

"whether you are happy and healthy?

"Hope you will take

"the very best care of yourself

"Yours, Sakutaro"

That's what it says

So, how will you reply?

Reply?

I have no reply

What, a samurai?

So spoiled

You have no skills

I wouldn't be so proud if I were you

What's the big deal over

those two swords you have?

The village dumpling-maker

serves them three at a time

Whenever he gets that drunk,

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