Hell Teacher Nube 189

He may seem to know all there is to know, but how much does Nube "really" know about his students? When five of his most notables go off on a peculiar mission, he decides to find out more about them...through undercover means...

#189: A Report Card of Nube’s Class

70.
Narrator: Nube today is producing an extremely terrible thing. Children turn pale just looking at them…it is said to be a terror to the extent that one can’t sleep at night…
Nube: 3…2…
SFX: Gogogogogo
Nube: 2…1
SFX: Gyaaaa~~
Nube: Though he admirably just has 2s and 1s… (His 5 is just in phys-ed……) Nothing I can do about it…
Booklet:
Report Card
Class 5-3
Tateno Hiroshi
Nube: Well then, what remains is the confidential report columns. I fill it in with their habitual behavior, but…well, this here is simple for me, a superior teacher who knows everything about the students but
(TN: “Confidential report column” is also known in Japanese as “Naishinran”; also known as the ‘unofficial report column’, it essentially is the opinion of the one writing the report on whom they’re writing it about)

71.
Nube: (right to left, top to bottom): Hiroshi is earnestly good at soccer, but doesn’t quite have a love for learning; Makoto is still much a pampered child; Katsuya has a tendency of being attracted to delinquent-esque things; Kyouko is a good girl who is extremely good at obeying regulations, but her hot-temperedness is her flaw in the crystal; Miki is out of the question; and so on and so forth…
(TN: There are a couple terms to mention here that should be gone over in order to understand what Nube is saying about his students:
-Makoto is called an “amaenbou”, which here is translated into “a pampered child”, but is a typical attribute in Japanese society in regards to the caretaking of others as a mother does to a child. My guess is the Nube thinks that Makoto’s child-like behavior still makes him over-reliant on others thus keeping him more like a child than the rest of the 5th graders.
-The term Nube uses for Kyouko’s hot-temperedness is “flaw in the crystal”, which is a literal translation in the Japanese term “tama ni kizu” or “weak-point in the sphere”. Another way of explaining it is something like the English term “fly in the ointment”)
SFX: Sara sara sara
Voice: This is secret to teacher.
Hiroshi: Today at 3:30, at the 3rd pier in Doumori Harbor……that fine?

72.
Miki: But will this get terrible if it’s exposed to Nube?
Hiroshi: That’s why we’re not going to expose this.
Kyouko: That’s fine but
Nube: What are they doing? It will be awkward if that is known by me…
Nube: Those five…
Caption: Doumori Harbor
Nube: Namu Daiji Daihi Kyuugu Kyuunan Koudai Reikan Byakue Kanzeon Basatsu Namubutsu Namuhou Namusou Namukyuu Gukyuunan…

73.
Nube: Youshin Jutsu
SFX: Po
Caption: The Youshin Jutsu is a jutsu that kneads together ki and produces a clone exactly similar to the self. The clone created is an entity that possesses a physical body called a “youshin”; it is different from “Inshin”, which is made by erethral body separation, and can even touch objects. This jutsu is Nube’s ultimate secret.
Caption: And thus, he can even change his form and age according to an image he himself imagines by managing his power.
Caption: Nube Grade-School Version
(TN: We’ve come across certain aspects of the “youshin jutsu” prior in Vol. 10 and 19 [both time involving fellow jutsu user Ayumi], but this sort of clears it up a tad further)

74.
Hiroshi: You’ve come.
SFX: Zaza--…
Hiroshi: That freighter half-sunk in an accident last week. We’re boarding it…fine then.
Nube: That’s what it is…
Hiroshi: !
Nube: That boat is owned by a toy company. There are rumored there are ten-thousand Tamagotchi on there but…
(TN: The “Tamagotchi” (a portmanteau of “Tamago” or “Egg” and “Watch”) is a line of hand-held electronic pets originally introduced in 1996, created by Akihiro Yokoi of WiZ and Aki Maita of Bandai which exploded and became a major toy line by this point in 1997. There is a weird little irony about the mention of Tamagotchi here and the future of one of the Nube creators…but I’ll get to that another time)
Hiroshi: Who’s that!?
SFX: Ba!

75.
Nube: I’m Hinokami Akira, a 6th grader.
(TN: A silly little note: “Hinokami” is another reading of the kanji for “youshin”, thus an obvious connection to what Nube has become at this point. BTW: since this character is essentially “a younger version of Nube” and we already have an Akira in Nube’s class, I’m just going to refer to him as Nube in the script for simplicity’s sake)
SFX: Za
Kyouko: !?
Hiroshi: Hinokami?
Katsuya: Is anyone acquainted with him?
Makoto: Well?
Miki: Have we met him somewhere?
Kyouko: ……
Nube: How is it fine to do that? That boat is sinking, it’s dangerous. Further, if this is exposed to the school, they’ll call your guardians and they’ll be extremely angry. Stop this.
Nube: Do you think as such too? (to himself) Kyouko obeys regulation. She’s the stopper of everyone. She should support my opinion…

76.
SFX: Pan
Nube: !?
Kyouko: What, are you a good boy 6th grader? There’s something you don’t know but
Kyouko: I saw it yesterday. An abandoned cat flowed from the Doumori River and drifted towards that boat. I was certain it washed ashore onto the boat by now and was sure that it was still alive.
Cat: Nya—
Kyouko: You may not be going, but…we must go. That cat will die…even so, are you saying to stop!?
Nube: For one cat…?
Kyouko: Yes! Is that bad!?
Miki: Let’s go.
Hiroshi: Tell on us, then. Tell on us.

77.
Nube: Heh…that Kyouko: she wasn’t obeying regulations that were merely said…she’s quite acting with the moral within herself…
Nube: But…this dangerous thing…I can’t ignore it as an adult…
Nube: I’m going too. Since I can’t ignore this as your upperclassman.
SFX: Ton!

78.
Kyouko: …Hey, that boy, doesn’t he resemble the spirit we met at the pool before?
Hiroshi: …!
Caption: Consult manga vol. 6
Hiroshi: It’s…your imagination. There isn’t a reason that it’s him.
Kyouko: Wh…what? What are you angry about?
Hiroshi: …Chi.
Kyouko: Look! It’s the box the cat was in. It ultimately did drift to the boat. It’s not in the box anymore…it took refuge in the boat.
Nube: There’s a forecast that today the weather will fall apart from the evening…if we don’t hurry
Hiroshi: Understood, you’re being noi—sy about it.
Hiroshi: Let’s search quickly.
SFX: Doka doka doka
Nube: Oh brother…did I have a conflict with Hiroshi?

79.
Miki: Hey, look look, it’s a flare.
Katsuya: Hee, that seems amusing.
Cat: Nya—
Kyouko: It’s there!
Cat: Nya—
Voice: Wait! The boat is slanting and its cargo seems to be collapsing.
SFX: Gishi
Nube: Even with a bit of an impact, it will collapse. I’m going.
Hiroshi: Stop that! In spite of being an outsider!
Voice: I’ll go
SFX: Ba!

80.
Nube: Makoto!
Makoto: Since I’m light and small, leave this to me. (Come here, come here)
Nube: Makoto…he’s got courage for that…
SFX: Gura
Makoto: Wa
Makoto: Waa-
SFX: Gara gara gara
Nube: Makoto--!!

81.
Nube: Chi…
SFX: Da!
SFX: Gashaaa
Hiroshi: Are you alright--?
Kyouko: They’re caught between it!
Makoto: I…I’m calm.
Nube: Yeah. (to himself) Because the body of a youshin is immortal.
Nube: For the moment it would be awkward if I don’t show wounds…
Kyouko: It’s terrible, blood is…
Nube: I’m cool about this.
Makoto: Thank you.
Miki: Eh, ju…just a moment.
Miki: It’s…ten-thousand Tamagotchi! (Waa~~~)
Hiroshi: It was true.

82.
Nube: He…hey.
Miki: Wa—I’ll get white—
Kyouko: I’ll take five—
Voice: Stop that!
Katsuya: That’s stealing. Stop it. It’s best that you ignore them. I know from many times of experience.
Hiroshi: Ri…right.
Kyouko: I’m sorry, I just…
Nube: Hee…Katsuya…stopped everyone on that sort of thing…
SFX: Gura

83.
Voice: Kyaaaa! The wind is picking up…the boat is slanting!!
SFX: Guraaa~~~
Kyouko: Ah! The boat!
Hiroshi: It’s been washed away by the waves!!
Hiroshi: We’re suddenly out on the stormy sea like this…
SFX: Gii…gii…~~
Makoto: Uuuh—it feels bad with this shaking.
Katsuya: Nothing we can do. Shall we wait here until the storm settles?
Voice: Just a moment you.
SFX: Boyoyo~~n
(TN: I’d be shocked too…)
Nube: Uh.

84.
Nube: Lo…looking with the perspective of a grade schooler…Miki’s chest has…amazing appeal…
SFX: Ka~~~~
Miki: …Where are you looking? You’re a lecher that isn’t connected to your outward appearance. I found a first-aid kit. I’ll be treating you. Hold out your leg.
Nube: Eh.
Nube: Hee…there is this kind side to Miki…
SFX: Doooon | Muni
Miki: Uwaa~~
Hiroshi: No, the boat can’t hold us. It’s sinking!

85.
Voice 1: Everyone, cling to the mast!
Voice 2: No—I’m scared—
Voice 3: It is a tad dangerous!
Voice 1: Kya—come someone—
Voice 2: Wa—
Voice 1: Uwa—we’re sinking--!!
Voice 2: Someone come to save us—
Voice 3: No good: no one knows that we’re on this boat!!
Hiroshi: Right! There were flares in the hold earlier. We’ll use those and notify the people in the harbor!
Katsuya: Bu…but, is there already water in the hold!?
Hiroshi: I’ll go to take them by swimming.
Nube: Stop this! It’s dangerous. You’ll be swallowed by the waves!
Hiroshi: Shut up! As is, we’re all going to die!

86.
Nube: If that’s the case, then leave this to me! I’m your teacher…n…no, your upperclassman.
Hiroshi: You fool: are we dragging a person with no connection into this?
Hiroshi: Daa
SFX: Ba!
Nube: Hiroshi!
Nube: Stop it! Leave this to me.
Hiroshi: Stupid, don’t come with.
Hiroshi: They’re my friends! Kyouko, Makoto, Katsuya and Miki…! I have the most physical strength of all of us. What would I do if I didn’t move at this time? I like all of them! Even in exchange for my life, I will save all of them!

87.
Nube: Hiroshi…! Whata kid with strong sense of responsibility and heroism…having become the standpoint of a similar grade-schooler, I understand it well…!
Hiroshi: It’s there!
SFX: Ga--!
Hiroshi: Gaho

88.
Nube: Somehow today I well understand now about all of you. I was just from on top of a platform. I didn’t know of your true forms…
Katsuya: Hiroshi--!!
Kyouko: Is he alright!?
Nube: He swallowed a bit of water.
SFX: Dadada

89.
Katsuya: That was mysterious.
Hiroshi: Even when I investigated the 6th graders, there wasn’t that Hinokami person.
Kyouko: But he was a nice guy.
Hiroshi: Was he?
Nube: No, no, I must write out my confidential report columns.
Nube: ………
Nube: ……Hiroshi…has a strong sense of responsibility and thoughts of his friends…

90.
Nube-sensei’s
(Useless) SUPPLEMENTAL EXPLANATION

#28: Byakue-Kannon Sutra (Part 1)

This doesn’t have particular connection to the contents of this chapter, but let me explain.

Byakue-Kannon, it goes without saying, is a variety of Kannon-sama. Kannon-sama, as “Kanzeon Bousatsu” (the Bodhisattva Kanzeon/Kannon), is a Buddha who has natural popularity in Japan as the Buddha who possesses a kind, compassionate heart and saves people. The explanation about Kannon-sama is “Lotus Sutra: Kanzeon Bousatsu Fumon Article #25” (The so-called Kannon Sutra), but within it, Kannon-sama is written to be personified into thirty-three forms dependant on circumstance. Byakue-Kannon is one among these thirty-three personifications.

Byakue-Kannon (it’s original name in India is Vandouravashini) is the form of a woman wearing a white cloth on her head, as pointed out by her name. Her other name calls her “Daisokusai Kannon” and she has belief as the Buddha who removes all calamities.

Well then, the incantation that Nube-sensei always chants when in exorcism, which is called “the Byakue-Kannon Sutra”, isn’t a “sutra” exactly. It is correctly called “Byakue-shin Ju”. (“Ju” is a chant-like thing used in Mikkyou) Merely since its popular to call words that are chanted by Buddhist priests as generally “sutra”, it was made easy to understand in this work and called the “Byakue-Kannon Sutra”.

The following is the whole passage. Further, with a number of changes so it could be easier to understand in the work, it will have them at this time as well, but please acknowledge this.

Namu Daiji Daihi Kyuugu Kyuunan Koudai Reikan
Kanzeon Bousatsu Makasatsu
Namubutsu Namuhou Namusou
Namu Kyuunan Kanzeon Bosatsu
To-ji-to-on Kara Hotsuta Kara Hotsuta
Kako Hotsuta Kara Hotsuta Kara Hotsuta Sowaka
Tenrashin Tirashin Jinrinan Nanrishin
Issai Saiou Kaijin
Namu Maka Honnya Haramitsu

(TN: A few things about this entry:
1. As I mentioned several times before and as reminder: “Byakue-Kannon” has a typical translation of “White-Robed Kannon”, where as Kannon/Kanzeon refers to the Bodhisattva Guanyin, which came from China as deviated from the original “Avalokitesvara” of Buddhism.
2. The “Lotus Sutra” (Sanskrit: Saddharma Pundarika Sutra) is one of the most popular and influential Mahayana sutra. The sutra in itself shows instructions for “skillful means”, particularly parables for achieving the perfection of a Bodhisattva. Kannon is one of the many Bodhisattvas who is personified and spoken of in the sutra, as stated here.
3. I had a hard time in determining whether to use “Kanzeon Bosatsu” or “the Bodhisattva Kanzeon” here mostly due to the way it is depicted in the sutra as stated in actuality, thus I included both here. Likewise I ended up translating “Myouhou Rengekyou Kanzeon Bosatsu Fumon Bodai Nijuugo” as “Lotus Sutra: Kanzeon Bousatsu Fumon Article #25”, with “Fumon” kept as is due to not having a proper translation. (based on kanji, the best word to use for it is probably “Universal Gate”)
4. Likewise, the other name for Byakue-Kannon, “Daisokusai Kannon”, literally translates into “Great Kannon of Good Health”.
5. Just as a slight reminder: “Mikkyou” refers to a Japanese esoteric Buddhism of the Shingon school which has many mystical teachings and combine in other aspects including Shinto and Taoism into Buddhist philosophy.)

TN: There is an expression somewhere: you can't understand someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. In a way, that expression probably best explains this chapter...sort of. In a way, you could sort of see that this chapter reveals to Nube everything we already sort of knew about the "main five" of the class, but does so through him acting as Hinokami and watching over them through this weird scenario in rescuing a cat from a sinking boat. In some ways, a lot of what we've seen in this chapter sort of has been revealed or evolved from what we've witnessed throughout the series from all five of the main students, so it doesn't really come from out of nowhere:

-Obviously Hiroshi is the brave, strong one who does a lot of the physical matters to protect and help his friends out, this sort of stands out time and again.
-Kyouko is more bound by morality than the rules and does what she thinks is right than what is probably the best thing to do. The best example of something like this was the "Red Vest" incident, where she nearly gets killed but still does her best to stand up to the strange ghost.
-Makoto's desire to help regardless of being childlike and small seems to have best been shown in something like the "Nikujin" incident in vol. 10, where he is willing to protect Ai regardless of the danger presented due to nearly not escaping from the grasp of the monster.
-Katsuya's anti-thievery nature is more or less built upon his problems he usually has from stealing, as we've seen with the Hatamonba and 13th stair incidents.
-Miki...well you wouldn't typically consider her caring but she has those moments; think of the Daidara Bocchi or the Kesaran Pasaran incidents.

In all these cases, Nube may have been around but for the most part he wasn't there to experience or understand it like he did in the Hinokami guise. He in those moments was merely a teacher who knows how to save his students and who is there to make them survive...but doesn't really know how they themselves do it. Maybe he has a hint of such being their teacher, but this is probably the revelation that he needs to show how far his students have come since he first took their charge. They may get themselves into danger and problems time and again, but they can handle themselves...just remember that as the story goes along.

Though...seeing the evolution of these five makes me wonder how Nube ranks and how he would further see others in the class. Sure the "main five" are important but I would have liked to maybe see a scenario involving more 5-3 students and showing what they've all learned or have on them beyond what Nube sees on the outside.