Sapporo Shinsengumi Elegy Pt. 4: Aburanokouji and Saitou Hajime (札幌新撰組エレジーPt。 4：油小路と斎藤一 Sapporo shinsenkumi erejī Pt. 4: Abura no Kōji to saitō hajime) is the thirty-ninth chapter of the Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc manga.
Synopsis[]
As Hattori faces off against the Shinsengumi foot soldiers, Saito tells them to get away since they are no match for Hattori. Abe says that they should follow Hattori, but Hattori stops them. Hattori explains that the Goryo-Eji is and that they should not throw their lives away, but they must live and carry their will into the new era. Saito attacks using his Gatotsu, but Hattori is able to block it with the hilt of both his swords. Saito uses his zero style to break through Hattori's swords, which Hattori notices and kicks Saito away. Hattori says that Saito had just uses his trump card, which Saito replies that he will not go easy on a monster like Hattori and that Aku Soku Zan is always at full strength. Hattori mentions how he will like to indulge in a contest of strength and skill with the Shinsengumi. Shinpachi tells Saito to give up on fight Hattori by himself and that he will buy some time for the others to escape. Hattori says that Shinpachi is right and tells the two to come at him since the blade count will be two each. As Hattori and Shinpachi clash, Shinpachi manages to catch Hattori with his San Rendou Sa technique. Hattori figures out what Shinpachi had done, which Shinpachi says that Hattori is a real monster but can't see through his technique. Shinpachi says that he is going to break Hattori's sword, which Hattori uses his legs to force his center of gravity into the ground and free himself. Saito and Shinpachi go to attack from each of Hattori's sides, which Hattori plans to counter them both. Suddenly Harada appears from above and stabs Hattori in the shoulder, and says that its an honor to take Hattori's head and that they will kill him battle field style. Shinpachi and Hattori then take this change to stab Hattori in his sides. Abe tries to go rescue Hattori, but the other members of the Goryo-Eji stops him. Before Hattori dies, he asks Saito if all those he killed were truly evil, and states that they will meet again in hell, were he hopes Saito will give him an answer.
In the present, Saito notices that its cold and remembers a moment were Kenshin and him looked at each other. Saito thinks about how its getting colder and figures that if must be due to them being in the farthest land. Eiji suddenly arrives and explains that he followed Abe but couldn't find Abe's home. Saito tells Eiji to continue following Abe tomorrow, which Eiji agrees to.
In the red light district, Shinpachi meets with Shio Kanou at the Karafuto-Rou. Shinpachi comments about how Shio meet with him since Shio is afraid of Saito, which Shio agrees with. Shinpachi mentions how Shio is one of the assailants who shot Commander Kondo, along with discovering Kondo's true identity and drove him to death. Shio apologises and asks of forgiveness since he really had no choice, which Shinpachi says that he understands and that their is no hard feeling since it was a time of war. Shio agrees with that, which Shinpachi says that Saito is really going to kill Shio. Shinpachi says that he is surprised that Shio and Abe are working in the government in Sapporo and wonders if the story of the decoy came from him, which Shio says that he turned the decoy job since he is sick and tired of fighting. Shio then mentions how Abe seems different right now and explains what happened to the Goryo-Eji after their defeat and how they ended up working for the government. Shio explains that Abe is a good friend of his and begs Shinpachi to protect Abe. Shinpachi tells Shio that he won't let Abe see the Shinsengumi fail. Shinpachi then asks Shio about the mole in the government, which Shio says that he doesn't know since its hard to keep track of their personal affairs.
Suddenly the owner of the Karafuto-rou arrives and asks how their food is. Shinpachi recognizes the owner as Goro Maeno. Goro is shocked that Shinpachi recognizes him, which Shinpachi says that they had fought together for a while. Shio explains that the Karafuto-rou is a shinsengumi favorite since its run by a former member. Shio explains how Goro is a great business men and is now one of the 20 richest men in Sapporo. Shinpachi says that that is amazing, which Goro says that Shinpachi is wrong. Shinpachi explains that Kanou and him are still paid by the government, while Goro is the most honorable for was he has done. Shio says that they are lords for tonight, which Goro says that he can have women come for them tonight. Shio agrees to it, which Shinpachi says that they will pass since they are here for business. Goro then leaves, while telling them to come back.
The next day, Eiji is following Abe while everyone around them is talking about the killings. Suddenly Abe arrives at his home, which Eiji thinks about how Abe came right home after leaving the Hokkaido prefectural office. Abe calls out to Eiji and reveals that he knows that Eiji was following him all day. Abe then tells Eiji to not underestimate the Goryo-Eji.
Characters[]
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Chapter Notes[]
- Takeo Hattori is shown to be able to easily take on both Saito and Shinpachi, while overpowering them.
- Takeo is killed when Harada Sanosuke interferes and stabs Takeo's shoulder, giving Saito and Shinpachi to attack his sides.
- Before dying, Takeo asks Saito if the Goryo-Eiji was evil, and that he will wait to here his answer in hell.
- Shinpachi meets with Shio Kanou and they talk at the Karafuto-rou.
- Shio reveals what happened to Abe and him, after the Goryo-Eiji was disbanded.
- Goro Maeno, another member of the Shinsengumi, is revealed to be the owner of the Karefuto-rou, and has become one of the riches men in Sapporo.
- Eiji continues to follow Abe, and ends up at Abe's home.
- Abe reveals that he knew all along that Eiji was following him.