Taboo of Tarot Page #2

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Don't call me captain.

How old was he?

About 60, I guess.

Are you joking?

Even Kondo is only about 30.

No one here is that old.

He said he was

from the same school as you.

I've got it. Genzaburo lnoue.

You should kill yourself

for such an affront.

He is our senior member,

but he's 43 or 44.

- You said 60.

- I'm sorry.

Forget it.

It's his own fault - he looks old.

What is his post?

He's captain of the Sixth Unit.

Commander Kondo,

Lieut. Commander Hijikata, old lnoue

and myself are from the same dojo.

and the Tennenrishin school.

Some say we have

a lock on the militia.

That's not our intention.

I understand.

It's true of course.

He's no good with a sword.

When you spar with him, go easy.

THlS ADVlCE PROVED DlFFlCUL TO PUT lNTO PRACTlCE

You're the one

who asked my religion, right?

I inquired about

your swordsmanship training.

I didn't know who you were.

Forgive me.

If you say so.

"Little Religion!"

I don't have time

to coach you now,

but we'll get to it soon.

Thank you.

THEN, ONE DAY...

"Little Religion!"

Ready?

I'll show you.

Call that a samurai?

- Who are you?

- After them!

What happened?

I don't know.

Two of them. Dubious characters.

They've got a nerve coming in here.

What did they say about us?

"Call that a samurai?"

Unforgivable.

Was that all?

Also, "That's the best

the Shinsen can do?"

Our guards heard them,

but thought they were invited.

They let them go.

Long ago, people dared enter.

But now that we're

to maintain order,

no one should ever get inside!

I'm sorry.

Punish me as you see fit.

It's my fault.

Captain lnoue had no part in it.

Kano, don't lose your head.

Calm down and await orders.

Get back to work, all right?

One had a scar on his chin,

and a crest of three stars.

The other was about 25.

He had a strange crest -

crossed battle-axes.

Crossed battle-axes?

I haven't seen that often.

We're not certain,

but they may have Higo accents.

If they are from Higo,

they may want to avenge

their comrades from lkedaya.

Find out.

Right away.

Whom did they see

sparring in the dojo

at that moment?

Captain lnoue and Sozaburo Kano.

They must've been mocking Kano,

for his inexperience.

lnoue.

Toshi.

Let your assistants

do that for you.

I do.

But I do it much better.

You must set an example

for your men.

You think so?

I wanted to speak to you,

about today's incident.

I'm sorry.

No, it's not your fault at all.

But we must find out

what they were after.

I'm assigning you and Kano

to settle this matter

as quickly as possible.

I'll handle it.

By the way,

why were you sparring with Kano?

"Little Religion..."

I told Sozaburo

to spar with Capt. lnoue.

You did?

Let me serve you a drink.

You're my guest.

Leave us. We have to talk.

Why were you holding back

against lnoue?

I wasn't.

Stop. I was watching you.

I've seen all your bouts.

He can't possibly compete with you.

You weren't yourself.

Of course I was.

Is it because of his position?

I'm not criticizing.

We all bow and scrape to them.

That's how they retain authority.

We're only equal in theory.

Anyone who doesn't agree,

who wants out,

is killed.

That's what happened

to Yamanami last spring.

He was one of the first

of the militia's commanders.

On the eve of his death,

a woman cried

at the window of his cell.

A woman with small feet.

But I'm digressing.

Do you know

why I was watching you so closely,

how I knew you were holding back?

Kano...

Do you know?

Why?

I'd give my life

to wake to the nightingale's song,

after holding you in my arms

all night long.

Sozaburo, make my dream come true.

Someone might come in.

I'm not to be disturbed.

Don't tell Tashiro.

So it's true...

You're lovers.

Yamazaki, any news?

Are you still here, Capt. lnoue?

Nothing on the crests?

It takes time.

I told him it was no use

staying here,

but he won't leave.

We've placed men all around town,

and we've let it be known

we're looking for them.

Capt. lnoue, you can't possibly

roam around like Sozaburo.

Are the crests his only clues

in the search for those two men?

No. They had Higo accents.

Twice a day,

he goes to the Ogawa lnn,

on the east side, near the bridge.

Please, sir.

may l?

Just in time. Follow them.

But where are you going?

Fine. I'll report to you in Gion.

Waiting for someone?

Yes. A company aide.

- See anything?

- Nothing.

This way.

What do we do?

Go to the inn.

Now?

Shouldn't we wait

until we know more?

Never wait to pull a weed.

Where I come from,

the racoons dry in moonlight.

They take good care of their hides.

I see.

What do foxes do?

There's a den at the Hino temple.

The foxes who live there

are very smart.

Whenever they buy sake,

they pay for it.

- With leaves?

- No.

With real tarnished coins.

They're very clever.

Lieut. Commander Hijikata's family

had a gardener.

His name was Genzaburo.

He grew potatoes.

The townspeople called him

Potato Gen.

The kids from the next village

would swim across the river.

They'd steal potatoes from him.

When he died,

they attended his funeral,

covered by huge leaves.

People thought they were

river sprites.

I didn't.

Why not?

Because among them,

among all these kids,

I recognized Hijikata.

It's me, Soji.

Why are you dressed like that?

It's not my choice.

It's your fault.

my fault?

Capt. lnoue.

You pushed him to desperate lengths.

Desperate?

Yes. He's left with Sozaburo Kano,

for the Ogawa lnn,

where the Higo men gather.

He's ready to die.

He hasn't got a chance.

You know him.

He wanted to make up for his error.

That idiot!

Send him reinforcements,

immediately.

I'll be along with other troops.

When fighting indoors,

choke up on your sword.

What do you mean?

Both hands up near the guard.

Never aim for the head.

You might hit a ceiling

or bust a doorframe.

- You've done that?

- Like this.

Near the guard?

Wait for the right moment to attack.

If you miss,

back up and come again.

Of course,

it's easier said than done.

Open up!

Official search.

I figured as much.

They followed us.

How many of them are there?

It's hard to see,

but I think there's two of them.

Two?

Go get the others.

I'll be right there.

They wouldn't attack with only two.

must be at least ten.

What's the matter?

One moment, I'm coming.

Shinsen militia.

What's your hurry?

move over!

I'll show you the way.

Come along.

This way.

Come along.

See, there's no one here.

- Still warm.

- Warm?

You must be mistaken.

Let's try the back door.

The back is on the river.

- madam.

- What?

We're going down.

must we?

Get me five lanterns and a ladder.

Why so many lanterns?

There you are.

I see now.

Not bad, eh?

Take a look down there.

See anyone?

No one.

I'll go down then.

my leg's broken.

Who's there?

In the name of the Shinsen militia.

Kano!

Hang on.

You're coming around. Sozaburo.

Finally. I was worried.

I feel better now. You all right?

"On December 22nd of that year,

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