Niji-iro Tougarashi (Rainbow-colored Peppers) Translation by Wei-Hwa Huang (whuang@ugcs.caltech.edu) Book 2, Version 5/9/97-5/9/97 Originally published in Shonen Sunday Heisei year 2 (1990), week 14 to week 24 p5 --------------- PART 10 -- WHERE IS NATANE? --------------- p6 What? What exactly did Natane do? I don't know! They said it was a serious offense! Waa Where's everyone else? Goma-oniisan's performing in the tavern. Keshi-oniisan's, um, pulling weeds in that shrine on the hill. And, and... Chinpi! Calm down! p7 Kamibori District Prison Just shut up! Go home! p8 But why? How many times do I have to tell you? She committed a serious offense! Yes, but WHAT serious offense? How should I know? In any case, we were ordered to do so by our superiors! She must have done something wrong! Where are these "superiors"? I'll say this once,... they don't take audiences with normal riff-raff! p9 Waa! Waa! Yow! Urk! Why, the little brat... Might as well lock you up, too! Please forgive him! It's just clay! It's not real. Clay? Please, let me see my sister! Please! (Waa...) p10 You'll see her at the execution tomorrow! Forget it; it's useless! Now clean up this clay and go home! You better not leave a single bit... Oh! Sir! You still have some on your clothes. What? Where? Here, let me get it off. p11 There. About time! Enough! Now go home! Shichimi-oniisan... Chinpi, do you know how to cast keys? Huh? p13 Chinpi? What's this? Oh! That? It creates a smoke screen that puts people to sleep when you light it. It's only effective in small rooms. It's not lethal, is it? Certainly not! Just makes them fall asleep. Wear the mask if you use it, or you'll fall asleep too. This? As long as we cooperate, we'll get her out! I'm not going to let Natane-oneesan be executed! Sanshou Save Oneesan! p14 Shichimi-oniisan? It's done. Great! But...onii...san... I'll risk it alone. p16 Om, I'm famished. Might as well get some noodles... Master Hiro! What is it, Hanzo? WHAT?!? p18 Yow! Hot! p19 What? What happened? Oh! Natane! Where are you? Natane! p20 Have you seen this girl? "by Shichimi" Her? They just let her go. Really? Thanks! Uh-oh... p21 Great! Natane, that's so great! Yay! So why did they release you? Release me? I don't even know why they locked me up in the first place! This princess sure has been causing me a lot of trouble... I mean, she can't just lock up her own sister.... ...even if she doesn't know it! Master Hiro! WHAT?!? p23 ------------------- PART 11 -- THE MYSTERIOUS ROBBERS ------------------- p24 Go home! But why? How many times do I have to tell you? You were pardoned! Yes, but WHY was I pardoned? How should I know? In any case, we were ordered to do so by our superiors! Pardoning not good enough for you? Where are these "superiors"? I'll say this once,... they don't take audiences with normal riff-raff! p25 Hmph! Fwap! What a headache! p27 Ahh... recently... The weather's been getting warmer. Then you should get up earlier. p28 Oh? It's the end of the month? Great! More allowance coming up. Yep! I've already taken the part you owe me. Did you thank Shichimi? Why should I thank that guy? Why? I know it ended up being a wasted effort, but he did spend a night in jail because of you! I didn't ask for him to save me! Well, it's not like you were able to... Well! It's his fault anyway! It all started because that weird girl wanted to see him. You know, you start acting funny whenever the topic turns to Shichimi. I can't stand him! There's something different about him. In fact, I bet he's the one! The one what? You know, what Sanshou said. One of us isn't actually related! p30 I bet it's him! Definitely! Natane! Didn't we say, never to mention it again? p31 The forest is just over there! The old birdhouse is probably worn by now; I want to give them a new home. Very admirable... actually building birdhouses for wild birds. But this time, I'm lucky to have oniisan along to help. Last time, it took me forever to climb up those trees. Don't worry, I'll handle all the climbing this time. Birdie! Fly! Fly! p32 Chinpi...how much further to this forest? Not far... ...it WAS here... p33 Oh? The trees all got cut down to build that Gaijin Hall in Edo! You see, the trees around here are bigger and very valuable. Let's try the forest over there. Okay... p35 The gaijin (foreigners). Guests of Edo town, they often appeared on the streets... completely willing to share their advanced culture and knowledge to the Japanese citizenry. And in return, they received respect and admiration. In time, they became the most popular celebrities in the city. p36 Meanwhile... another problem in Edo is starting to surface... INVOICE: 6000 ryou -- Red Light Legion p37 Within one month, the rich merchants were attacked by the gang known as the red light legion...many valuables were stolen. How come the increase in guards? Increase in *ineffective* guards, no less. No surprise, really... Everyone was lulled into complacency by the peaceful times. I guess. We don't have much to worry about, though. Probably. p38 But, I'm worried about O-Kayo's family. O-kayo? Her? You didn't know? Her family's one of the richest merchantile families in all Edo! Oh? I guess I didn't know... p40 Long time no see, kid! Huh? You've been around, haven't you? p41 --------------- PART 12 -- "OH, IT'S HIM!" --------------- p42 SPECIAL TASK FORCE: QUALIFYING ARENA p44 Eh? Yow! Sorry,...please go home. p45 Sigh...these days, it's getting harder to find skilled people. Even the official palace guards don't seem to be very competent. Looks like I may have to resign our wares to the Red Light Legion. Daddy, I have some friends... ...they could probably do it. Really, O-Kayo? p48 Hey! Yow! Victory is mine! p49 Chinpi's invention? Yup! I call foul! Oh. The rules are: anything goes. You've lost. p50 I knew we should have competed in rhetoric! One more victory and I get the prize and booty, right? Yup! Don't be too confident! Natane took lessons from Asajirou-oniisan, so make sure you don't lose too badly! Yup! p51 Whatever. Let's Go! Time out! Okay! Look like you don't have any hidden tricks this time. Let's go! Wow! Not a single hole in her defensive position! p55 Hee hee! Here, it's all yours, okay? Behave! Why did you suddenly freeze? What a shame! Stunned by her dazzling beauty? No, I just remembered something. What? That brigand... p56 That was him. Yes, that definitely was him! Who? Huh? No name, no nothing... and you remember him with only one glance? So you remember him. So what? Nothing. p57 Breasts! What kind of a prie is this?! Ow! Ouch! Hey! Well, I wasn't expecting you to win! Natane! O-Kayo! p58 Natane? Chinpi? Sanshou? Keshi? Goma-oniisan? Funny,...where is everybody? p59 ------------------ PART 13 -- SIX GUARDS ------------------ p61 Well, Hanzo. Impressive, no? And with Asajirou,...these seven could take on a hundred palace guards! But... Sir....letting them guard Shin'etsu-ya? That's still a bit too dangerous. The Red Light Legion is no normal gang. As far as I can tell, they have quite a few skilled warriors in their midst... and the entire gang trains regularly! p62 True... How about this. Take a few men and hide in the shadows, just in case. Yes, sir! But don't help them. Don't show yourself until it's absolutely necessary. Let them bring out their full potential. Yes, sir! p63 Tonight...we meet at O-Kayo's home. Okay! p64 Something wrong? Uh-huh. Nothing...I was just thinking we were a bit hasty accepting the job. If you're afraid, you can always stay home... That's not it! That person's very good... p65 At a distance of 4, oh, 5 meters, he... chopped off a man's arm just like that! The victim didn't even realize it! I've never seen such skill. Nothing special. I see it every day. Asajirou-oniisan's skill is that good. Speaking of which, were you the one who changed that picture? p67 Wow! A little gift! And a letter! It was in your room. "I passed by on the way to buy paint. I'm not finished with my current piece; so I won't be back for a while. Asajirou" Really! p68 How are you going to use a hairpin with that hairstyle? Forget it. See you tonight at O-Kayo's! p69 He still has... ...that bad habit! Ah-choo! p72 Hey! Chinpi! Where are you? Yow! p73 Careful, I've set up a lot of traps. I see. p75 Very good recommendations, O-Kayo. Quite a group of reliable siblings. Hohoho! My only honor is a laugh from you, sir. Um. And him? Huzzah! Huzzah! Ahhm... p78 ------------------ PART 14 -- "500 RYOU, THAT'S DIFFERENT" ------------------ p80 They're here! p81 The Red Light Legion will appear tonight! Oh? He's done it! Hanzo's famous psychic prediction... Such a rare occurrence... ...it's invariably wrong! Looks like we won't see any action tonight. They'll be here! Ah! Yes, sir! p82 Hey! Propmen! Did you bring the drums? p83 Yes, I did. Was that bad? Well, no. But what use are drums? Open that bag. To be frank... it is pretty boring waiting for someone who may not even show up. They'll come. There aren't many rich families left in Edo. RED LIGHT LEGION p84 Yum. 500 ryou, if captured alive. Great! Compared to what was stolen, 500 ryou is nothing! Excuse me... I made some rice balls for everybody. Please enjoy them. Oh! Thank you very much! Where's Shichimi? Him? On watch, outside. I'll take these to him. p85 Wait a second! How come those rice balls look bigger? They're not! Really! It's nice to be admired, eh? I used to think O-Kayo had taste. Falling flowers hold some meaning; falling waters hold no love. Some come on strong, and some never do at all. Tune in next week for the exciting conclusion! p86 O-Kayo...you have such a large house! I think this is the first time in my life I've ever been in a house with multiple rooms. I'm sorry... There's nothing to be sorry about. It's not like we can choose which family we are born into. True... p87 But if I had the choice... I'd wish for one with lots of brothers and sisters. If I could have someone like you be my... Oh! p89 Oh! Ow! Shichimi, what's going on? CAN'T YOU TELL? p90 We have guests! How did they get in? What are the outside guards doing? How should I know? p91 Quite a commotion in there. Must be having a big party. Eh? Where's the moon? Maybe it was invited to the party! p93 Gee, 500 ryou's pretty hard to earn! They're tough! It's a bit late for that comment! p95 Who are these brats? They're pretty agile...be careful, everybody! p96 Hey, they're afraid of us, too? How fortunate. Is it alright if I damage the house a little? Huh? Uh, should be okay... p97 Hey! Watch it! Inventing is one thing. Aiming is another... Um. Could you use some other weapon? p98 Welcome, sir... Glad to hear my jokes are giving you side-splitting laughter! They will come! p99 --------------------- PART 15 -- JUST STRESSED --------------------- p100 Hey! Augh! Ho! Boy, this guy is tough! p102 Um, could you use something else? p103 Hyah! You've got quite a potential there. p104 But, you need to back it up with actual experience! True fighting has no room for thought. Leave no pause for killing! Hey! p105 And to avoid death, one must make decisions quickly! p106 Brat! Do you want to die? Heh! I plan to live to a hundred! In your next life, eh? p107 Shichimi-oniisan! Hey, you actually called me oniisan? I was just stressed, okay? Oh! Izzat so? p108 Ow! Quite a hypocrite, aren't you? Didn't you just say, "no room for thought, leave no pause for killing"? Sorry! I also like torturing people slowly. Well, I never! Really! p110 Hey, not bad! Throw down your sword. How many times do I have to say it to you? Leave no pause... for killing! Okay. Is the lesson over now? p112 Retreat! Retreat! Eh? Thok p115 Master Hanzo, look! What? Look, the moon... Hmmm... p116 Great! 500 ryou! Shichimi...is this the "person"? No. I've never seen this man before. "THIS IS MY FIRST APPEARANCE" Tune in next week for the exciting conclusion! p117 -------------------- PART 16 -- THERE'S NO SUCH THING, IS THERE? -------------------- p120 Furon! What are you doing? Isn't it obvious? I'm enjoying a glass of wine. p121 Didn't you remember we were going to Shinetsu-ya tonight? My memory is flawless. I'm just not in the mood. How can you be so callous?! Can't help it. Life is too easy. Besides, I have little interest in group forages. It was quite unexpected, to see that the only reason you build this hideout was to store money. We have a master plan! Money is just the first step! p122 Then call me when you get to step two. Edo's full of those useless guards. Those men you sent will be enough. I don't know where you got them, but they seemed quite competent. If I told you that these "competent" people were all captured, would you go then? p123 Captain! Captured? Every one? Oui. p124 The city guards? Non. Four children, a monk, and a performer. Hm. Edo is getting interesting! p125 Very interesting. Four children, a monk, and a performer... p126 500 ryou! 500 ryou! p127 Haha! WHAT? Say that again! We...we have no reward money! p128 Is this poster a hoax? No. Then what's going on? Public accounting didn't give permission, so there's no money... So get permission! But we can't! Why? Because they all escaped! With our salary, too... p129 "Brats! We'll see about this! Red Light Legion" How did this happen?? p130 What's wrong with these guards? Wasn't expecting them to be this useless. Edo is going down the tubes, I tell you! Strange... No matter how incompetent the guards might be,... with so many captives, how could they escape without anyone noticing? Inside job? Possibly. They weren't typical brigands, that's for sure. Humm... p131 Whee! Ha! Ha! Oh, no! Alright, I surrender! Haha! p132 Unless you want your brother to get hurt... come with us. Shichimi--!! HEARSAY TEMPORAL DEDUCTIONS PROHIBITED by order of the Magistrate p134 Thank you, Hanzo. You're welcome, your highness. This voice... I am Koto, the daughter of the 8th shogun Akimitsu! Stop dawdling and get out of there! You...! p135 -------------------- PART 17 -- WELCOME TO THE ARENA -------------------- p137 Ah, you've accepted my invitation. Um! Not voluntarily! Your soldiers forced me to come! You wanted to see me so badly? Haven't you heard a thing I said? And what are you wearing? A Tarzan get-up? What's Tarzan? Drums? It means the tournament's about to begin. I'm inviting you to watch it! You should thank me! Ow! Let's go. p138 Master Hiro! p140 Daddy! Koto-hime, come here! The tournament's about to begin. p141 That hurts! Oho? Is he your boyfriend? Hey? Who's her boyfriend? Kowtow before the shogun! Ow! That's all right. What's your name? Shichimi, from the Karakuri Tenements! Why am I being held here? p142 Put your head down! Hahaha! What a lively kid! You're very welcome here, Shichimi from the... Shogun! I'm alright, I'm alright... p143 Hey! Sit down over there. Ow! Sorry. Don't mention it. p145 Stop yelling and start fighting! Yawn... Why the tournament? p146 It's a special training session to select candidates for Edo's defense. Oh? Is that the famous Gaijin Hall? p147 Only Daddy and a few select others can go in... Lots of fun things there. Just like Disneyland. Disney...? It's just exposition for the readers. Don't worry about it. Do you want me...to ask the Captain to show you? If I were Chinpi, I'd be overjoyed. But I'm not interested in gaijin stuff. Um! How strange! p148 Um....nothing. Sorry. Jeez, they're all pretty bad! Natane could beat all of them! Yeah! I mean, really,... cough, cough. p149 I have to pee. Yamashiro! Here! Just tell me where the toilet is. Yamashiro, don't let him escape. Follow me. Shichimi... Nothing important, really. p150 Are you enjoying the tournament? Maybe if the fighters were decent. Or if it was a comedy show. Yeesh! Don't talk that way to the shogun! p152 Who's he? p153 ----------------- PART 18 -- CAREFUL, SHOGUN! ----------------- p156 Who's that? Sorry, sir; I don't know! I don't think he's a registered entry. Next! Uh...uh... Oh, my tummy hurts... Who's that? Uh, sir, he's one of my men. Salary cut, effective immediately! Yes! Thank you, sir! Hanzo! p156 Here! Spar with him. Yes, sir! p159 Ninjutsu, eh? p160 Hey, too fast! What's going on? p161 Halt! You're holding back. Really? I didn't think so... p162 He actually defeated Hanzo! This man is good. Very good, very good! Come here! What's your name? Furon. What would you like as your prize? Wealth? Fame? Shogun, Edo has been peaceful for so long... Eh? Please watch out for you own safety. For example, don't stand so close... to strangers! p164 Remember, Edo is not as peaceful as you may believe. Oh! Get him! Catch him, now! p167 Are you all right, shogun? Fine...just a bit surprised. Captain, thank you, thank you! That man was very dangerous. I was wondering whether he would make any sudden moves... I knew it! The shame! We were too negligent! To actually forget of defense when seeing such a skilled... If anything had happened to the shogun, my life would be forfeit. I don't know how to thank you, Captain... p168 That's all right... we've caused the shogun some inconveniences ourselves. A bit of help like this? It's only a little bit of gratitude. The shame! The shame! Well? Hey! Did you find him? Where in tarnation... could that man have gone?! Search the premises!! p169 Not there! There's a bunch of hidden traps inside and outside the Gaijin Hall. No one can get in unauthorized without setting off the alarms. He can't be in there. Let's search elsewhere. p170 So, only... The silly shogun, the petulant princess, and a "few select others" can get in, I hear. Long time no see, kid. p171 ----------------- PART 19 -- AT LAST WE MEET AGAIN? ----------------- p173 Bad omen... Natane! What? You've been carping just about forever! Ask me again, and I'll still have no idea what to do! We don't even know who took him away? Could be anyone! Judging from their abilities, they couldn't be just anyone. p174 Could it be the Red Light Legion? If it was, why just him? They should hate you just as much! Hm...that's true... Damn! It's all my fault! If something happened to Shichimi, then I'd... p175 BLAAAT!! What? I'll go look for clues... Shichimi-oniisan? Whah? Nothing that concerns you. He'll get back safely. At least, he's not worth worrying over. p176 He can't die that easily. It'll be fine. Although, who, I wonder... ..probably some other stupid girl found him attractive. RETCH!! p177 Yamashiro! Yes! I'm coming! Where's that danged peasant? Oof! Um? p179 Get down here, kid! Interesting. What? I don't believe in fate... but I'm curious about you. Now that you mention it, I remember having a feeling... that somehow, I knew I would meet you again. From the first time we met. p180 Even so... I'd probably do this anyway. Eh? p181 Right here, right now... your life is mine! p182 Meow! Oneesan! Shichimi-oniisan's still missing, right? Apparently. p183 Where are you going? Um. Out. Watch over Sanshou for me. p184 Pretty agile! You actually managed to avoid part of my thrust. Don't you mean to say, you didn't actually intend to kill me... or else... I couldn't have avoided it at all. Pretty observant, too. The same way you attacked the shogun. p185 What's your relationship with these foreigners? What do you mean? Nothing! Just wondering how you managed to get into this place without setting off any traps. That intellect of yours will get you killed some day. This building is very strange... Looks like you'll die here, though. p186 No, I think we'll meet again. You wish! You actually expect to escape? Right then, I suddenly believed... that fate had arranged this all. Even though I don't know where it's going... I'll just have to see where the tunnel leads. p187 Kid... I have it! Really? You wanted me to find him, right? Yes, yes! There! Hey! Whatcha doing here? Nothing! Hey! Miss! My payment! ----------------------- End of Book 2