Hitogatana 9

[This chapter has already been scanlated by Maigo. This is just the original translation.]

Hitogatana
Chapter 9


p.141 (01)
Sign: AKCD

Chapter 9: The Night the Family Gathers

Right board: Standby

Top left board: Off-duty
First Squad, Fifth Squad, Squad, Squad

Bottom left board: Vacation
Second Squad, Eighth Squad, Fourth Squad

Take: ——What’s this,
There’re a lot of squads taking time off.

Guy: Well, it’s been fairly peaceful recently,
And we AKCD are only for casual outsourcing in the first place.
Take: No wonder you’re so carefree.

Guy: Does it seem like there’s any problems in the investigative department,
Takemoto-san?

Take: There are. There’s the idiots (Eighth Squad) who went and solved a case at their own discretion without consulting us.


p.142
Take: Those guys’re so carefree you know.
Take: They’re probably having a worthless vacation.

Recep: Welcome to the Swordsmith Association, Kanto Branch.
Recep: We have been waiting for you
Tsukiyama Juuzou-sama.


p.143
Chapter 9
The Night the Family Gathers


p.144

Togs: ———
There’s nothing for me to do anymore...

Togs: Now that I think about it,
It’s not very often

Togs: That there’s no one home on an off-day.

Togs: I wonder what I’m normally supposed to do in times like this.
SFX: knock knock
Togs: Yes~


p.145
Togs: ——Oh,
Minamoto-san.

Mina: Hey.
Inu: ——And Inuzuka-san, right?
You ignored me just now, didn’t you?

Togs: Why are you...
Mina: Why, you say...
We contacted you beforehand to have a meeting about the join exercise next week, didn’t—
Inu: OH

Mina: Well, basically that’s how it is.
Daingu messeeji: Minamoto
Togs: Oh...


p.146
Mina: Oh, I saw the report.
Mina: Defeating the former kenshi who came to avenge his disciple Iwatooshi...
Isn’t that a reasonable way to explain to the higher-ups while hiding the existence of that girl?

Mina: In fact, wasn’t it a hassle to investigate the mystery
Mina: Of the criminal who killed Iwatooshi and Heshikiri Hasebe?

Togs: Yes, Oyassan got fed up with it as well.
Mina: Haha

Mina: Well, it’s something you guys decided on so there’s no helping it.
Mina: ——By the way,


p.147
Mina: What are you doing, Inuzuka?
Inu: Of course!!
The classic sear—
ch

Daingu messeeji: Minamoto

Togs: ...Is that okay?
Togs mutter: Whoa...
Mina: Of course.
Mina: This rudeness, even though I brought him since he wouldn’t stop saying that he’s coming too...
If this guy wasn’t here, it could even have been just the two...

Togs: ......Yes?
Mina: I could have been alone with you!!
SFX: frank [not really necessary >.>]
Mina: So, where did the other two go?

Togs: Oh, I don’t know about Oyassan,
Togs: But Ane-san——


p.148

Sign: Katana Advancement Department- Third Research Facility


p.149

Shinobu: ——Seri

Shinobu: ——Sorry to keeping you waiting.

Sis: Oh? Shinobu,
Sis: So you’re not in Kogarasu Maru.

Shinobu: No way.
Shinobu: I have today off too.


p.150
Shinobu: It’s rare
For you to suggest grave visiting, Seri.

Sis: I’ve also forgotten about them these days,
But something made me remember. It’s been a while.

Sis: How could we leave them alone, you know?
Sis: We were able survive due to everyone’s sacrifices.

Sis: Even if being a successful Artisan (enhanced human) isn’t something to be happy about, right?


p.151
Shinobu: .........
Sis: ?

Shinobu: You see, Seri, I [ i]do[ /i] think what you’re saying is really good, but,
Shinobu: Unlike you, I’ve been going to their graves every year you know?
Sis: Whaaaaat!!?

Sis: I— I didn’t know that!
Shinobu: ‘Cause I never said.
Shinobu: My grandma says to make sure to do those kinds of things.
Sis: At least invite me.
Shinobu: Well, I thought you were going every year too.

Shinobu: So with that said, what you were saying earlier
Shinobu: Is something so obvious that it shouldn’t have to be said out loud.
SFX: blush

Shinobu: Ahaha, Seri, you’re face is red!
You’re cute, even at that age~
Sis: Shut up.
Hm? Did you just say “even at that age”?


p.152
Sis: Oh, that’s right.
Sis: There was something I wanted you to find out.

Sis: Someone I fought against earlier
Sis: Said something that bothered me.

The Artisans that I heard about weren’t anything like this.

Sis: The Artisan research was terminated while it was still classified.
Sis: The research facility was also completely barricaded, and it was all but erased from records.
But doesn’t that way of saying it suggest the strength of an Artisan other than me?


p.153
Shinobu: Really~? You think so?
Shinobu: Maybe you’re thinking too hard?

Sis: It might be those guys——
Shinobu: Mmm~ if you’re talking about surviving Artisans...

Sis: There were two successes.

Sis: It was only me in the first phase*
Sis: And only you in the latter phase.*
*[These might need to be worked on.]


p.154
Shinobu: .........
Shinobu: But if we’re just talking about those who survived,
“Suzuna” “Suzushiro” “Hakobera”

Sis: “Gogyou” “Hotokenoza”*
Sis: There are five people other than you and me.
*[ Suzuna, Suzushiro, Hakobera, Gogyou, Hotokenoza, Seri, and Nazuna are the traditional names of the 7 herbs used in “Nanakusa-no-sekku,” the Festival of Seven Herbs. They correspond to turnip, daikon, common chickweed, jersey cudweed, and henbit, Japanese parsley, and shepherd’s purse. These seven herbs were used to make rice porridge which was eaten on January 7.]

Shinobu: But didn’t everyone get separated to other facilities because of their lack of adaptability?


p.155
Sis: So ya see, Shinobu-chan
Shinobu: Whoa
Mutter: Scary

Sis: Couldn’t the Hiyama baa-sama find out the current state of that?
Shinobu: Whaat~ but grandma gets mad when I mention those kinds of things.
Shinobu: Something about not being good for her mental health or something.

Sis: “Shinomura” anmitsu*
Shinobu: Nnnn~
*[Anmitsu is a Japanese desert with agar jelly and anko, sweet azuki (red) bean paste.]

Sis: Alright then, any sweets are fine.
Sis mutter: Sweets you know, sweets.
Shinobu: Even “Oboroya” kuzumochi!?*
Shinobu mutter: Call them desserts
Sis: Yup, yup.
*[Kuzumochi is mochi (Japanese rice cake yummm) made of kuzuko, a starch powder from kudzu roots. Apparently it is traditionally served with kuromitsu (some sort of dark sugar syrup) and kinako (soybean flour, commonly used in Japanese sweets).]

Shinobu: ...I got it.
I’ll try to ask her.
Sis: There we go.

Shinobu: But,
Shinobu: Yachiyo Seri,


p.156
Shinobu: This is classified information.
Shinobu: Until you hear from [ i]me,[ /i]* I will not tolerate you spreading information around based on speculation alone.
*[She uses “ore” the masculine form of “me” that she uses in her Karasu Maru persona. If you’re wondering about the “I,” it is an implied part of her sentence and she doesn’t say it.]

Sis: ——Roger.
Sis: Squad Leader Hiyama Shinobu.

SFX: grin

Shinobu: Let’s go then, Seri.
Sis: Yeah, yeah.
Shinobu: Oh, I just remembered. I met Togusa at the pharmacy the other day, you see——
Sis?: ———


p.157

——“Seri”

You should just go. To the outside. We’ll have to pass on that.
A peaceful world just gives us the creeps. The place we should be living in is——

Box: They might still be longing for it.
Box: A battlefield that can satiate them——


p.158
Suzuna: ——Are they gone?
Gogyou: Yeah. We were just about to run into them.

Suzuna: This happened because you said we should stop by on a stroll,
Gogyou.

Gogyou: It’s about the sentiment.
Well, it’s good that you got to see your colleague,


p.159
Gogyou: Eh? Suzuna.
Suzuna: ——It’s not really for the better or for the worse.

Gogyou: Oh dear.
The younger sister is as unfriendly as usual.
Gogyou: ——Well that’s fine.

Gogyou: You’ll be able to meet with them eventually.


p.160
Minamoto: Alright, here. It’s the documents for the joint exercise.
Togs: Yes.

Minamoto: Oh, that’s right,

Minamoto: You might be contacted by the sixth squad as well.
Togs: Understood.
Inu: Damn~ I couldn’t beat the last boss after all...
※ Fighting game

Minamoto: Let’s see each other next week, then.
Say hello to the other guys too.
Togs: Yes. Thanks for your hard work.

Inu: Thanks~ I’ll find a way to win by the next time I come.
Minamoto: .........
Minamoto: You really weren’t of any help at all...


p.161
Inu mutter: But the boss’ anti-air female fighter is like 100% with the max gauge...
Minamoto mutter: Shut up
SFX: slam (the door)

Togs: !
Togs: Maybe I’ll get ready for dinner soon.

Sis: ...I—
I’m back...
Togs: Welcome home. ...Wait, huh?

Tsuki: We’ve returned!!
Girl: W—
We’re home.
Togs: Oh, Oyassan, welcome home.

Sis: That little punk~
Sis: You eat too much~...
Tsuki: Kaaa!
Wonderful!! That’s wonderful!


p.162

Tsuki mutter: Go take off your coat.
Girl mutter: Yes.

Togs: Ane-san
Sis: Whatizzit?
Togs: Isn’t Oyassan in an unusually good mood?
Sis: Mmm~?

Sis: ...That’s, you know. [ i]That.[ /i]
Sis: Maybe it went well.

Togs: Went well?
Sis: That’s what Tsuki-chan went out for, right?
About Hahagiri’s future.


p.163
Togs: ——...
Ahh.

Togs: Have you heard anything about that, Ane-san?
Sis: Nyope.
Sis: I’ve entrusted it to Tsuki-chan.
...Well, I can sort of tell how it went.

Togs: ...Is that so.

Sis: Does it bother you?
It doesn’t for me.
Sis: Tsuki-chan won’t ever let anything bad happen to her.


p.164

Togs: ——True.

Sis: He’ll probably bring it up after dinner.
But if it goes like I expect it to...

Sis: Togusa.

Sis: For you,
It’s time to grow up a bit as well.

Togs mutter: Why me?


p.165

Tsuki: Now.
Tsuki: Hahagiri, over here.

Tsuki: Yachiyo,
Togusa,
Tsuki: There’s something I must report.

Tsuki: It’s about Hahagiri.
Tsuki: Previously I have said that I had an idea for this girl’s future.
We were out today for that.


p.166
Tsuki: And we safely
Tsuki: Settled on where she will go.

Box: I felt it by looking at her still awkward smile.
Togs: ...Perhaps I’ve
Grown a bit fond of this girl who was in a similar circumstance as me.


p.167
Box: I might have been able to become close with her.
Box: This is my first experience of parting ways with someone like that.

It’s time to grow up a bit——
Togs: Although the pain of parting isn’t something I really want to know.

Tsuki: Now, then,
Tsuki: Going into the details,


p.168
Tsuki: Fortunately, from today, this girl
Tsuki: Will be living here as my apprentice.

Sis: Awwriiight!!
Togs: .........
Togs: ...I’m sorry?


p.169
Togs: Umm...
I’m sorry?
Tsuki: Here, Hahagiri, you say something too.
Girl: Oh, yes.

Girl: I—
I’ll be in your care from today.
Girl: Though I may be incompetent, I humbly request your support.

Sis: Me toooo!!

Tsuki: .........


p.170
Tsuki: ——Is it safe to say there are no objections?
Togs: Uh, well, is this okay?
I’m surprised you were able to convince the swordsmiths.

Tsuki: Though it was in part because of my own virtue...
Tsuki: I investigated her father.

Tsuki: His name is Ujiyama Sakon. He was one of the swordsmiths hired by the country when automaton research was still being vigorously carried out.
Tsuki: His concept was the production of an automaton as close to human as possible.

Tsuki: The termination order was given as the research neared completion.
Tsuki: He had lost his family by then and Hahagiri must have been his only support.
He fell to madness and continued his research unseen ——and realized his dream.


p.171
Tsuki: Due to his concept, Hahagiri has no armaments whatsoever.
Tsuki: She hasn’t been taken by any dangerous thoughts, either.
——It’s okay.

Tsuki: Although we should still keep her father’s death concealed——
Sis: Hey, hey, Togusa!!

Sis: What’re you just standing there for?
Sis: Here, your greeting.
Get it together.


p.172
Sis: You’re going to be a big brother to Hahagiri-chan from now on.
Sis: She’ll be depending on you.

Togs: ——OH

Togs: Is [ i]that[ /i] what you meant by “grow up”?
Sis: ?
What else is there besides that?
Girl: ?

Togs: ...Oh——
Yeah...


p.173
Togs: Hahagiri
Girl: Y—
Yes, Togusa.

Togs: Welcome to the eighth squad.

Girl: ......Yes!


p.174
Sis: All right!! Let’s do a welcoming party today!
Tsuki?: Ah,
Tsuki: And I thought you’d say that, so I bought sake!
Togs: ......Stick to juice, Hahagiri.
Girl: ......Yes.

SFX: vrrrr

Incoming call

Box: Meanwhile, the sixth squad
Tora: What’s wrong, squad leader?
Shikoku: I’m tryin’a make a call about the joint exercise,
But nobody’s answerin’. [But no one ain’t answering.]
Kid mutter: Daddy~

Hitogatana [2] END


p.175
(STAFF)
Onigunsou
Kuro Usa Ou
Yuu Kato
Fuumin

(HELP)
Tatsuya Kamishima [One kanji was slightly different from an 18+ author. A thinly veiled disguise?]
Chisato Akita
Helipoi

-Hitogatana- (2)

Congratulations on Volume 2 of Hitogatana
Kato


p.176
SS: If he was truly hiding his claws,
SS: What a skilled hawk he must be... I'd like you to praise me for holding my excited self back.

SN: ——...

“Artisan”
What they, who were chosen to fight, desire——

GG: It's almost time for the finishing touches.


p.177
The starved fighters'
Feast will be held.

-Hitogatana-
Volume 3 slated for release Autumn 2010