Section 3: Separation, Rocked by the Waves of Time

Damn, we really got our asses handed to us.

...

No way we're turning this around with nothing but third-rate soldiers and gear.

There's nothing more we can do for Aizu. Come on. We're heading north.

Gotcha. Well, you'll have to head there without me.

...What was that?

Oh, I'm sorry, did you not hear me?

Old Hajime's going his own way from here.

What are you saying?

It's nothing personal. I just don't enjoy working under you anymore.

...

Remind me, do I need to commit seppuku as the penalty for leaving the squad?

...Forget it.

I'll go the rest of the way alone.

...Hey, Vice Commander? No...Hijikata?

Don't you think it's enough now?

...What's enough?

Commander Kondou's gone, Okita's gone...

There's almost nobody from the old gang left anymore.

...No. Not yet.

I'm not letting the Shinsengumi end like this.

It's already over!

There IS no Shinsengumi anymore!

...There's me.

Huh?

I'm still Shinsengumi!

Vice Commander... You still...

...

All right. I see how it is.

You want to keep this up till you get yourself killed? Then knock yourself out.

...

...Farewell, Vice Commander.

Good morning, Senpai.

？！

Breakfast is ready.

We're having fresh clams today. Himiko gathered them herself.

They've been boiled in salt water to preserve their natural flavor, and they look absolutely delicious.

I don't know. I'm getting pretty tired of the same light seasoning all the time.

If Sister were here now, she'd be throwing a fit about the lack of miso and soy sauce.

Miso? Soy sauce? What're those?

You said it. How'm I supposed to fight with just this pitiful excuse for food?

As much as I hate to admit it, for once, I agree with you. There's just no flavor here.

I had a feeling you guys would say that, so today, I brought you this!

Ta-daaa! It's soy sauce!

...Or something like it, anyway.

？！

Black water? What is this stuff?

See for yourself. Just try a little on one of those cooked clams.

Hmm, I don't know...don't see how this black water can make clams taste better than they already

Oh my gods, what IS this!?!?

A-and how is it this shmoopily deliscrumptious!?

Careful, Sister. You're starting to speak nonsense.

At any rate, I take it this is a kind of hishio seasoning?

Wherever did you find something like that?

Oh, it wasn't me. It was Mr. Yamanami.

Oh good, it looks like it tastes all right then.

Believe me, it was quite a surprise to me as well when I saw the villagers making something that looked like hishio.

They were kind enough to share some with me, so I strained it to see if I could get something resembling soy sauce out of it.

It's a far cry from real soy sauce, of course, but it's not half bad, right?

Aha. So this isn't ordinary hishio, but rather, a kind of sauce you can make from it.

It's certainly delicious, that's for sure.

Hishio? You mean that black goopy stuff we brought back from the Kingdom of Wei?

Oh man, if I'd known it was this good, I would've had some myself!

At the time, I just gave it all away 'cause I thought it looked kind of gross.

It's a good thing you did, Sister. Otherwise, this village might never have ended up making their own hishio like this.

Wahahaha! There's no better seasoning for a meal than soy sauce!

The only thing that'd make this better is some sake!

Haha, sounds good to me. I think I'll have a drink, too.

U-um, I'm not sure it's a good idea to have sake with breakfast...

Hey there, Okita's Master. You out here by yourself?

That's me. Saito Hajime, Captain of the Shinsengumi's Third Unit.

Didn't I tell you not to call me that?

？！

Anyway, it's no big deal, but if you've got some time to spare right now...

...I just wanted to chat a little about Okita.

？！

Well, she's just a little different from how I remember her.

Back then, our enemies just saw her as some kind of ruthless killer who'd cut down anyone in her path.

Hell, even our allies were afraid of her, calling her the assistant instructor from hell.

So the other soldiers mostly kept their distance from her.

The only time I ever saw her smile was when she was playing with the neighborhood kids now and then.

And it wasn't like how she smiles now, either.

It was more like she was just smiling 'cause she had to.

？！

Oh yeah. I've known her ever since we attended the Shieikan dojo.

Right from the start, she never went easy on anyone.

It didn't matter if she was up against some kid from a well-off family or someone connected with the higher-ups in the shogunate, she'd go to town on them all the same.

That led to more than its share of problems, believe me.

That's the whole trouble with genius swordsmen, isn't it? They've got no idea how commoners feel.

That said, back then, she still smiled the way she was smiling today, at least every now and then.

But once we started the Shinsengumi, her smile kept gradually losing its luster.

？！

Yeah... We started the Shinsengumi...

...and then, it was over.

And neither me nor Okita were able to be there when it all came to an end.

...

Sorry for talking your ear off.

I was just kind of curious what sort of Master you are...

...since you got Okita smiling like her old self again.

Hope I didn't bother you too much.

So you've found the next shrine?

Right. Apparently, there's a glowing haniwa occupying it.

Got that? Good. Then go take care of it.

Me? Oh, I'm not going. I've got my hands full looking for Sister.

Unfortunately, it sounds like this haniwa has a lot of subordinates working for itenough for a small army.

So a haniwa's running an army, huh? There's a thing I never thought I'd say.

It doesn't matter what kind of opponent we're up against. I'll cut 'em down all the same. Now let's go.

？！

We should be at the shrine in question soon...

H-hanyobbu!?

Aha! There it is!

H-hanyo hanyooo!?

Oh no, you don't! Get back here!

？！

Preparing to give chase!

Who does Okada think he is, running off on his own without giving the captain of the First Unit her due deference!?

Hey! Wait for me, too!

Looks like we'd all better get going then.

Hang on. Just a min

Well, I was a little too late there, huh... Oh well, nothing to be done now.

H-hanyobubu...

Wahahaha! End of the line for you, you overgrown pile of clay! I'm gonna enjoy wiping that smug grin off your face!

Don't be mean, Okada. You had pretty much the same smile on your face when you were a haniwa.

Shut it! And that's MR. Okada to you!

What's wrong with her calling you Okada, Okada? It suits you.

Now I see! So you're the one responsible!

She's right, though. It does suit you.

Don't you think it's a cute name, Futuro?

Right? Just try saying it three times fast: Okada, Okada, Okada. It's fun!

Hmm, too bad.

？！

All of you, shut up! Let's just hurry up, take this thing out, and

What the...? What was that sound?

I was afraid of this. It looks like you took the bait hook, line and sinker.

Hanyo hanyo hanyobbu!

Look out, Master! A whole army of haniwa is attacking from the rear!

I can't believe the haniwa set up an ambush... We must have been underestimating them.

Hani hani, hani hanyo tora!

What the...!? Hey! What's a haniwa doing with a stronger divine aura than me!?

That divine aura... The clever positioning of this ambush... Could it be

Hanyo hahanyotora!

Oh, I think it liked that guess.

Hanyaaa!?!?

Hmm. I don't think it liked that guess.

？！

Hanyohaa, nyaaaaaa!!!

Even if it wasn't expecting to run into us here, the fact that it would run away so quickly strikes me as suspicious.

You think it's a decoy?

At times like this, paranoia and preparation are your friend. Saito, circle around from the right. Okita, would you do the same from the left?

I do feel bad about putting Okada through this, but since he essentially volunteered for decoy duty...

Now I see. That's a good idea.

Aww, don't you think that's a lot to ask of him?

？！

Come on, let's hurry. We should end this while Okada's got the enemy's attention.

Hanyo hanyobu tora!

Hanyobbu hanyobbubu!

What the heeeeeell!?

How can there be this many of them!?

Hanyotora, hanyotora, nyaaa!!!

Dammit! Where'd all the others go!?

That's enough, strangely glowing haniwa!

Hanyo!?

Yeah, yeah. Please, don't mind me... Hup!

Hanyobuuu!?!?

H-hanyotora!?

Sorry for the delay, Izo!

We're here to help, Okada!

Took you long enough! And that's Mr. Okada to you, you hear!?

You don't get to lecture us after running off on your own, Okada.

All right, that takes care of the surrounding haniwa. It seems all that's left now is the glowing one.

Hanyotora... Hanyo hanyo...

It looks like we hurt its feelings...

？！

Hanyotora! Nyaaa!!!

Now it's just charging straight at us!?

I-I lost...nya...

Th-that was quite a lot of haniwa, wasn't it, Senpai?

I can't believe my superior tactics lost to sheer brute force. Some god of war I turned out to be...

Still, I love it!

Fighting your way out of a disadvantageous situation with brute force is what makes warfare so fun!

If that's your idea of fun, I'd hate to see what you find exhausting.

What's the deal with this girl and her ridiculous strength, anyway?

I'm the greatest god of war in all the Warring States, thank you very much.

Don't tell me this is another acquaintance of yours?

I-I lost...nya...

I thought that was probably you, Kagetora.

When my strategy failed, I thought I'd try to turn the tide of battle on my own...

But I didn't realize my little haniwa arms would be too short to fight how I usually do!

You're saying that wasn't you at your full strength?

'Cause I have to say, even as a haniwa, you were a force to be reckoned with.

Well, I WAS the greatest god of war in all the Warring States for a reason, you know.

Don't tell me this is another acquaintance of yours?

Yes, that's right. I was also trapped inside a haniwa, but once I'd given those other haniwa a good thrashing and placed them under my command...

...they began worshipping me as though I was a god or something.

But then again, I guess that's no surprise, since I AM a god of war and all.

？！

So this girl here's Nagao Kagetora, huh...?

The one known as Uesugi Kenshin, the dragon of Echigo?

That's right, guy with the weirdly aggravating swordplay.

I'd appreciate it if you put more oomph into your swings next time.

Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment.

I must say, you're certainly acquainted with some impressive people.

I never would have guessed the legendary Uesugi Kenshin was actually such a dashing woman...

At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if Lord Nobunaga were to show up as well.

I really wish she wouldn't, though!

Sisteeer! Where are yooou!?

Nobukatsu!? You're here, too!?