Gate 7 03 translation
May. 5th, 2011 00:25![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
starladyI forgot how long these damn chapters are. Also, as a historian, this one is really fucking creepy. The rest tomorrow or Friday, depending.
!!! page 01
Chapter 3: Hidetsugu and the Demon
------------
!!! page 02
Chikahito: Auuugghh!
A horn!
A horn--!
FX: Offended
It really is a horn!
FX: Freaking out
------------
!!! page 03
Girl: …May I curse him with the power of words,
Hidetsugu?
Hidetsugu: Now, now, calm down,
Okay,
Mikoto?
That's right.
You can see "oni" as well, can't you, Chikahito-chan?
------------
!!! page 04
Hana: Mikoto,
Hello!
Mikoto: It's been a while,
Hana.
Hana: Been well?
Mikoto: Hidetsugu has been dedicating offerings to me properly.
But
I want something new.
Hidetsugu: Another doll?
Hana: Bleh!
Bleh!
Mikoto: What's that?
Hana: Bleh! Bleh!
------------
!!! page 05
Hidetsugu: Though you're demanding things, your behavior's turning away.
FX: Bleh! Bleh!
Hidetsugu: Hand over the new price, Long-hair.
Chikahito: I really don't get what's going on here.
Can you explain…
Hidetsugu: Before that,
FX: Slowly
------------
!!! page 06-07
Hidetsugu: Noble creature who makes humans live,
Oni who causes pacts to be sealed with blood.
I ask
As the head of the Toyotomi:
Is his arrival good fortune, or bad fortune?
Mikoto: It is
"Mu." [TN: Nothing]
------------
!!! page 08
Mikoto: "Mu"
Means that he is affiliated with nothing.
Hidetsugu: So he's the same as Hana.
So can he do the same things?
Mikoto: He cannot.
Hidetsugu: What?
FX: Surprise
------------
!!! page 09
Mikoto: It's because Hana is Mu that Hana takes everything in.
It's because he is Mu that he clears everything away.
Hidetsugu: …I see.
------------
!!! page 10
But,
Whether good or ill fortune, that's--
Mikoto: Yes.
Hidetsugu: On which it will fall, even you, Mikoto, cannot judge,
Huh?
But even so, Hana wants to be with them.
In that Ura-Shichiken.
Hana: Yes.
------------
!!! page 11
Hidetsugu: Then,
Shall I have Chikahito-chan come to "this side"?
FX: Blowing up
Chikahito: More than sketchy,
He's scary!!
Hana: No.
Hidetsugu: Hana?
Hana: First, ramen.
FX: Bleh, bleh!
Mikoto: Oh,
Even though you're demanding something, this suits you.
FX: Bleh bleh
------------
!!! page 12
Hidetsugu: Chikahito-chan, it's been postponed until after the noodles.
Mikoto FX: Ha ha ha!
FX: Bleh bleh
Chikahito: Well,
I wonder whether it wouldn't be better to wait for eternity for it to come 'round…
Hana: I wanted to eat more.
Mikoto: Three portions weren't enough?
FX: Head turning
Chikahito: The people around aren't noticing Mikoto-san at all.
This really is Kyoto.
Hidetsugu: The Kyoto in your head seems pretty funny, Chikahito-chan.
------------
!!! page 13
Hidetsugu: Since they can't see, they won't notice.
Chikahito: Huh?
Hidetsugu: To a large extent, outside of special beings,
Oni can only be seen by those with special powers.
Chikahito: But,
I…
Hidetsugu: You're "not", but you can see oni.
You're mysterious, Chikahito-chan.
------------
!!! page 14
FX: Flash
FX: Flash
FX: CLUTCH
Chikahito: Hana-san!
Hidetsugu FX: Ha ha ha
Hidetsugu: You really haven't changed, Hana.
Chikahito: Um…
Where are you heading?
Hidetsugu: I told you, didn't I?
You're coming over to "this side," Chikahito-chan.
Chikahito: Th--"this side" means--
Something other than Shinkyougoku, right? [TN: Shinkyougoku is the shopping arcade they're in]
Hidetsugu: You really are funny, Chikahito-chan.
------------
!!! page 15
Hidetsugu: I thought we'd go to the place where it's easiest for me to explain.
Chikahito: ?
It says…"Hidetsugu."
Hidetsugu: Right.
It's my grave.
------------
!!! page 16
Chikahito: Huh?
FX: Running
Chikahito: Please wait!
Certainly Toyotomi Hidetsugu was Hideyoshi's nephew,
And when Hideyoshi still had no children, he was the person presumed to be Hideyoshi's heir.
Um, and he became Kanpaku,
But after that, Hideyoshi had children,
And Hidetsugu--
After that, there was a lot of unfavorable criticism,
And he was called the "barbarous Kanpaku" and such… [TN: 'Barbarous' = sesshô; this is a pun: see the previous link]
------------
!!! page 17
Mikoto: Hidetsugu wouldn't do those things!
FX: Bursting
FX: Shining
Hana: Myouhou
Fuuka. [Windflower]
------------
!!! page 18
FX: Wham
FX: Roiling
Hidetsugu: Thank you, Mikoto.
FX: Wafting
Hidetsugu: But please keep your questions until the end.
------------
!!! page 19
FX: Tugging
Chikahito: But, though it's written that Hidetsugu did various things that are said to be bad,
Literary works and such were traps for scorning Hidetsugu…
After,
There were false accusations that he had tried to raise a rebellion against Hideyoshi,
And since his real son Hideyori had been born to him,
Hideyoshi wondered whether Hidetsugu wasn't an obstacle…
Hidetsugu: You're really knowledgable, Chikahito-chan.
Even though Toyotomi Hidetsugu was a Sengoku general, he's not a famous one.
Chikahito: Since I was interested, I read books…
FX: Running…
------------
!!! page 20
Chikahito: Yes,
With the false accusations of rebellion hanging on him, he entered the priesthood on Kôya-san,
But after that, he was forced to commit seppuku, and his head was sent to Sanjô-Kawara.
Hidetsugu: In front of that head, his children, his wife, his concubines--all 39 of them were executed.
Did you know that too?
Chikahito: Ye, yes…
Hidetsugu: Do you know why Hideyoshi went that far?
FX: Shaking head
Hidetsugu: For blood.
------------
!!! page 21
Chikahito: Blood?
Hidetsugu: Hideyoshi wanted someone of his own blood to succeed him, no matter what.
But he was never blessed with an heir,
And even when one was born, he died soon after.
So, all the more so because of Hideyori's adorability,
He became unable to see anything else.
Chikahito: Is that about the family headship and such?
Hidetsugu: It was that too,
But that he didn't want to lose the oni who could succeed only the person strongest in blood,
Was the true reason.
------------
!!! page 22
Hidetsugu: Since oni are inherited from those with whom they first swore a blood-oath by those who are next closest in blood,
Even if the blood relationship doesn't cease, if the blood thins, the power of the vow with the oni will thin as well.
FX: Swallowing
Hidetsugu: From time immemorial, those who have made a name for themselves in the realm have held an ability different from humans.
And
Among them there are many who received that power from making a blood-oath with those that are called "oni" by humans.
------------
!!! page 23
Hidetsugu: Especially the generals of the Warring States.
------------
!!! page 24
Chikahito: Then, Mikoto-san is also--
FX: Glare
Mikoto: Call me Mikoto-sama.
Chikahito: Mi-
Mikoto-sama.
Mikoto: I was bound by a blood contract
To Toyotomi Hideyoshi of the Tomo clan.
In the present generation, there is no one called Hideyoshi.
Accordingly, Hidetsugu has the contract.
------------
!!! page 25
Chikahito: Does that mean
That you're the reincarnation of that Hidetsugu?
Hidetsugu: I wonder.
My name on my family register isn't Hidetsugu.
But Mikoto--
Mikoto: You are "Hidetsugu."
Hidetsugu: That's what she says.
FX: Turning
Chikahito: Then that's enough.
So
FX: Footsteps…
Chikahito: That means that the person called Hideyori isn't around either.
Hidetsugu: He is.
Chikahito: Huh?
------------
!!! page 26
Chikahito: But if it went by which blood connection was closest, the son would be…
FX: Huh??
Mikoto: Though we are both present, in the present generation, Hidetsugu is the most appropriate.
Chikahito: Which…
So…
That means that Hideyori-san…
FX: Grinning
FX: Footsteps
Chikahito: Somehow he's incredibly scary!!
------------
!!! page 27
Hidetsugu: Now then, to change the subject.
Do you know the origin of Kamishichiken?
Chikahito: Ce--certainly Kitano Tenman-guu was destroyed by fire,
And at the time of its repair, with the remaining materials,
The first teahouse was built in Nanaken.
In the Momoyama period,when Hideyoshi held tea ceremonies at Kitano,
That Shichiken teahouse became Hideyoshi's place to take a break… [See TN]
FX: Um, um
Chikahito: And what happened next--
Hidetsugu: You can do it!
Chikahito: That's right!
Dango!
The teahouse brought out mitarashi dango,
And Hideyoshi accepted them,
And he gave permission for the teahouse to remain open.
And that's how the flower district called Kamishichiken
Originally developed.
------------
!!! page 28
FX: Applause
Hidetsugu: Well done.
85 points.
FX: Applause
Mikoto: Aren't you being too generous with the points?
Hidetsugu: At the same time that Kamishichiken was created,
Urashichiken was made along with it.
FX: Applause
Hidetsugu: To protect
The Toyotomi, and that precious land in the ancient capital.
It's a group with unusual powers.
------------
!!! page 29
Hidetsugu: At the moment
FX: Flashing
Hidetsugu: They're three.
There's no help for it;
They're a select few.
FX: Bleh bleh
Chikahito: The Urashichiken…
Hidetsugu: I inherited the Urashichiken along with Mikoto.
As the head of the Toyotomi clan.
Chikahito: Then,
Hidetsugu-san, your job is,
As the most elevated person in the Urashichiken…
------------
!!! page 30
Hidetsugu: No, I'm in corporate administration.
FX: Grin
Chikahito: What!?
Hidetsugu: But,
This is more important,
And I'll obtain even bigger things.
Chikahito: …Like what?
------------
!!! page 31
Hidetsugu: The strongest demon
In this land of the rising sun.
Chikahito: So there are strength and weakness among demons?
Hidetsugu: There are.
There's simple strength of power,
And there are also divisions amongst what they can do as oni.
------------
!!! page 32
Chikahito: Mikoto-san…
Mikoto: I spin the souls of words. [TN: 'Kotodama'; see below]
Like before, when I used a word as a blade.
I can also shoot them.
Hidetsugu: Well, offense isn't your nature, Mikoto.
FX: Pouting
Mikoto: I'm strong.
Hidetsugu: Of course.
But words of foresight are your strongest ability.
FX: Tickling
Mikoto: Yes.
FX:
Chikahito: That's amazing.
Huh?
But you certainly said that oni are inherited by the person closest in blood to the person with whom they first made the contract.
Hidetsugu: That's right.
------------
!!! page 33
Chikahito: Then,
That strongest oni would also be someone's…
FX: Flapping
Hidetsugu: About that.
For a long time, it didn't become anyone's.
The person who sealed the contract with the strongest oni
Slept, having sealed the oni in his own body.
------------
!!! page 34-35
Hidetsugu: That person's name was Oda Nobunaga.
And the strongest oni's name is
Mara.
------------
!!! page 36
Chikahito: Did you say
…Nobunaga!?
Hidetsugu: Do you know what happened to Lord Nobunaga's remains?
Chikahito: We--
Well,
What's in Honnô-ji is just his beloved sword.
His corpse's whereabouts are unknown…
FX: Applause
Hidetsugu: You really are knowledgable, Chikahito-chan.
Thanks for the quick explanation.
Mikoto: You've still got a ways to go.
Hidetsugu: Yes,
No one has found them yet.
Not Lord Nobunaga,
And not the strongest oni, either.
Of course,
Those who know of its existence have been searching for it all this time.
Even until now…
------------
!!! page 37
Hana: They haven't found it.
Hidetsugu: But we do know the way to finally arrive at it.
Chikahito: What's that method!?
FX: Whoosh
------------
!!! page 38
Hidetsugu: Since I've said it,
He's come.
Another person who wants Lord Nobunaga's oni.
------------
!!! page 39
Hidetsugu: Long time, no see,
Lord Akechi Mitsuhide.
------------
!!! page 40
Chikahito: "Akechi"?
That Akechi!?
Hidetsugu: …
Akechi: Is this
The child who newly entered the Urashichiken?
Chikahito: !?
Akechi: Well,
Whatever.
Today Tachibana of the left and Sakura of the right seem to be absent.
Which means this is a chance.
------------
!!! page 41
Akechi: Then,
Shall we begin?
So that your oni
FX: Clutch
Akechi: May humbly meet with Lord Nobunaga again.
Enka. [TN: Catastrophe of flame]
FX: Sudden
------------
!!! page 42
Chikahito: The same face!?
FX: Leaping forward
FX: Blazing
Hana: Myôhô.
"Hanakago." [TN: Cage of flowers.]
------------
!!! page 43
FX: Roaring
Chikahito: !?
------------
!!! page 44-45
FX: Crash crash
Chikahito: Hana-san!!
Hideyoshi is famous for a lot of things, among them being something of a megalomaniac with a penchant for playing to the crowds, which makes him in some ways the pinnacle of the Sengoku political changes but was also a trait that the Tokugawa and Nobunaga didn't share. The mass tea ceremonies HIdeyoshi held at Kitano Tenman-guu for thousands of Kyotoites of all ranks were just one of the things he did that seemed strange to most of his contemporaries. It's long been a common suspicion, moreover, that Hideyori wasn't actually Hideyoshi's son.
'Kotodama' is an old idea that's been knocking around--'Shinto mysticism' is accurate on one level, but it's also a misnomer--for a while. In the Edo period a school of scholarship now called the Nativists (Kokugaku) began to elaborate an anti-Confucian theory of Japanese culture that looked back to the earliest written documents of Japan, the Kojiki and the Man'yôshû, and among many other things elaborated the idea that in all the words of ancient, native Japanese (the language pre-Sinitic influence) there was a 'soul', a power that could be revived by studying the ancient language for itself.
I've been translating 'oni' as 'demon' or leaving it untranslated according to which sounds best in my head. But the characters are 'hidden power' ('power' in the sense of 'authority').
!!! page 01
Chapter 3: Hidetsugu and the Demon
------------
!!! page 02
Chikahito: Auuugghh!
A horn!
A horn--!
FX: Offended
It really is a horn!
FX: Freaking out
------------
!!! page 03
Girl: …May I curse him with the power of words,
Hidetsugu?
Hidetsugu: Now, now, calm down,
Okay,
Mikoto?
That's right.
You can see "oni" as well, can't you, Chikahito-chan?
------------
!!! page 04
Hana: Mikoto,
Hello!
Mikoto: It's been a while,
Hana.
Hana: Been well?
Mikoto: Hidetsugu has been dedicating offerings to me properly.
But
I want something new.
Hidetsugu: Another doll?
Hana: Bleh!
Bleh!
Mikoto: What's that?
Hana: Bleh! Bleh!
------------
!!! page 05
Hidetsugu: Though you're demanding things, your behavior's turning away.
FX: Bleh! Bleh!
Hidetsugu: Hand over the new price, Long-hair.
Chikahito: I really don't get what's going on here.
Can you explain…
Hidetsugu: Before that,
FX: Slowly
------------
!!! page 06-07
Hidetsugu: Noble creature who makes humans live,
Oni who causes pacts to be sealed with blood.
I ask
As the head of the Toyotomi:
Is his arrival good fortune, or bad fortune?
Mikoto: It is
"Mu." [TN: Nothing]
------------
!!! page 08
Mikoto: "Mu"
Means that he is affiliated with nothing.
Hidetsugu: So he's the same as Hana.
So can he do the same things?
Mikoto: He cannot.
Hidetsugu: What?
FX: Surprise
------------
!!! page 09
Mikoto: It's because Hana is Mu that Hana takes everything in.
It's because he is Mu that he clears everything away.
Hidetsugu: …I see.
------------
!!! page 10
But,
Whether good or ill fortune, that's--
Mikoto: Yes.
Hidetsugu: On which it will fall, even you, Mikoto, cannot judge,
Huh?
But even so, Hana wants to be with them.
In that Ura-Shichiken.
Hana: Yes.
------------
!!! page 11
Hidetsugu: Then,
Shall I have Chikahito-chan come to "this side"?
FX: Blowing up
Chikahito: More than sketchy,
He's scary!!
Hana: No.
Hidetsugu: Hana?
Hana: First, ramen.
FX: Bleh, bleh!
Mikoto: Oh,
Even though you're demanding something, this suits you.
FX: Bleh bleh
------------
!!! page 12
Hidetsugu: Chikahito-chan, it's been postponed until after the noodles.
Mikoto FX: Ha ha ha!
FX: Bleh bleh
Chikahito: Well,
I wonder whether it wouldn't be better to wait for eternity for it to come 'round…
Hana: I wanted to eat more.
Mikoto: Three portions weren't enough?
FX: Head turning
Chikahito: The people around aren't noticing Mikoto-san at all.
This really is Kyoto.
Hidetsugu: The Kyoto in your head seems pretty funny, Chikahito-chan.
------------
!!! page 13
Hidetsugu: Since they can't see, they won't notice.
Chikahito: Huh?
Hidetsugu: To a large extent, outside of special beings,
Oni can only be seen by those with special powers.
Chikahito: But,
I…
Hidetsugu: You're "not", but you can see oni.
You're mysterious, Chikahito-chan.
------------
!!! page 14
FX: Flash
FX: Flash
FX: CLUTCH
Chikahito: Hana-san!
Hidetsugu FX: Ha ha ha
Hidetsugu: You really haven't changed, Hana.
Chikahito: Um…
Where are you heading?
Hidetsugu: I told you, didn't I?
You're coming over to "this side," Chikahito-chan.
Chikahito: Th--"this side" means--
Something other than Shinkyougoku, right? [TN: Shinkyougoku is the shopping arcade they're in]
Hidetsugu: You really are funny, Chikahito-chan.
------------
!!! page 15
Hidetsugu: I thought we'd go to the place where it's easiest for me to explain.
Chikahito: ?
It says…"Hidetsugu."
Hidetsugu: Right.
It's my grave.
------------
!!! page 16
Chikahito: Huh?
FX: Running
Chikahito: Please wait!
Certainly Toyotomi Hidetsugu was Hideyoshi's nephew,
And when Hideyoshi still had no children, he was the person presumed to be Hideyoshi's heir.
Um, and he became Kanpaku,
But after that, Hideyoshi had children,
And Hidetsugu--
After that, there was a lot of unfavorable criticism,
And he was called the "barbarous Kanpaku" and such… [TN: 'Barbarous' = sesshô; this is a pun: see the previous link]
------------
!!! page 17
Mikoto: Hidetsugu wouldn't do those things!
FX: Bursting
FX: Shining
Hana: Myouhou
Fuuka. [Windflower]
------------
!!! page 18
FX: Wham
FX: Roiling
Hidetsugu: Thank you, Mikoto.
FX: Wafting
Hidetsugu: But please keep your questions until the end.
------------
!!! page 19
FX: Tugging
Chikahito: But, though it's written that Hidetsugu did various things that are said to be bad,
Literary works and such were traps for scorning Hidetsugu…
After,
There were false accusations that he had tried to raise a rebellion against Hideyoshi,
And since his real son Hideyori had been born to him,
Hideyoshi wondered whether Hidetsugu wasn't an obstacle…
Hidetsugu: You're really knowledgable, Chikahito-chan.
Even though Toyotomi Hidetsugu was a Sengoku general, he's not a famous one.
Chikahito: Since I was interested, I read books…
FX: Running…
------------
!!! page 20
Chikahito: Yes,
With the false accusations of rebellion hanging on him, he entered the priesthood on Kôya-san,
But after that, he was forced to commit seppuku, and his head was sent to Sanjô-Kawara.
Hidetsugu: In front of that head, his children, his wife, his concubines--all 39 of them were executed.
Did you know that too?
Chikahito: Ye, yes…
Hidetsugu: Do you know why Hideyoshi went that far?
FX: Shaking head
Hidetsugu: For blood.
------------
!!! page 21
Chikahito: Blood?
Hidetsugu: Hideyoshi wanted someone of his own blood to succeed him, no matter what.
But he was never blessed with an heir,
And even when one was born, he died soon after.
So, all the more so because of Hideyori's adorability,
He became unable to see anything else.
Chikahito: Is that about the family headship and such?
Hidetsugu: It was that too,
But that he didn't want to lose the oni who could succeed only the person strongest in blood,
Was the true reason.
------------
!!! page 22
Hidetsugu: Since oni are inherited from those with whom they first swore a blood-oath by those who are next closest in blood,
Even if the blood relationship doesn't cease, if the blood thins, the power of the vow with the oni will thin as well.
FX: Swallowing
Hidetsugu: From time immemorial, those who have made a name for themselves in the realm have held an ability different from humans.
And
Among them there are many who received that power from making a blood-oath with those that are called "oni" by humans.
------------
!!! page 23
Hidetsugu: Especially the generals of the Warring States.
------------
!!! page 24
Chikahito: Then, Mikoto-san is also--
FX: Glare
Mikoto: Call me Mikoto-sama.
Chikahito: Mi-
Mikoto-sama.
Mikoto: I was bound by a blood contract
To Toyotomi Hideyoshi of the Tomo clan.
In the present generation, there is no one called Hideyoshi.
Accordingly, Hidetsugu has the contract.
------------
!!! page 25
Chikahito: Does that mean
That you're the reincarnation of that Hidetsugu?
Hidetsugu: I wonder.
My name on my family register isn't Hidetsugu.
But Mikoto--
Mikoto: You are "Hidetsugu."
Hidetsugu: That's what she says.
FX: Turning
Chikahito: Then that's enough.
So
FX: Footsteps…
Chikahito: That means that the person called Hideyori isn't around either.
Hidetsugu: He is.
Chikahito: Huh?
------------
!!! page 26
Chikahito: But if it went by which blood connection was closest, the son would be…
FX: Huh??
Mikoto: Though we are both present, in the present generation, Hidetsugu is the most appropriate.
Chikahito: Which…
So…
That means that Hideyori-san…
FX: Grinning
FX: Footsteps
Chikahito: Somehow he's incredibly scary!!
------------
!!! page 27
Hidetsugu: Now then, to change the subject.
Do you know the origin of Kamishichiken?
Chikahito: Ce--certainly Kitano Tenman-guu was destroyed by fire,
And at the time of its repair, with the remaining materials,
The first teahouse was built in Nanaken.
In the Momoyama period,when Hideyoshi held tea ceremonies at Kitano,
That Shichiken teahouse became Hideyoshi's place to take a break… [See TN]
FX: Um, um
Chikahito: And what happened next--
Hidetsugu: You can do it!
Chikahito: That's right!
Dango!
The teahouse brought out mitarashi dango,
And Hideyoshi accepted them,
And he gave permission for the teahouse to remain open.
And that's how the flower district called Kamishichiken
Originally developed.
------------
!!! page 28
FX: Applause
Hidetsugu: Well done.
85 points.
FX: Applause
Mikoto: Aren't you being too generous with the points?
Hidetsugu: At the same time that Kamishichiken was created,
Urashichiken was made along with it.
FX: Applause
Hidetsugu: To protect
The Toyotomi, and that precious land in the ancient capital.
It's a group with unusual powers.
------------
!!! page 29
Hidetsugu: At the moment
FX: Flashing
Hidetsugu: They're three.
There's no help for it;
They're a select few.
FX: Bleh bleh
Chikahito: The Urashichiken…
Hidetsugu: I inherited the Urashichiken along with Mikoto.
As the head of the Toyotomi clan.
Chikahito: Then,
Hidetsugu-san, your job is,
As the most elevated person in the Urashichiken…
------------
!!! page 30
Hidetsugu: No, I'm in corporate administration.
FX: Grin
Chikahito: What!?
Hidetsugu: But,
This is more important,
And I'll obtain even bigger things.
Chikahito: …Like what?
------------
!!! page 31
Hidetsugu: The strongest demon
In this land of the rising sun.
Chikahito: So there are strength and weakness among demons?
Hidetsugu: There are.
There's simple strength of power,
And there are also divisions amongst what they can do as oni.
------------
!!! page 32
Chikahito: Mikoto-san…
Mikoto: I spin the souls of words. [TN: 'Kotodama'; see below]
Like before, when I used a word as a blade.
I can also shoot them.
Hidetsugu: Well, offense isn't your nature, Mikoto.
FX: Pouting
Mikoto: I'm strong.
Hidetsugu: Of course.
But words of foresight are your strongest ability.
FX: Tickling
Mikoto: Yes.
FX:
Chikahito: That's amazing.
Huh?
But you certainly said that oni are inherited by the person closest in blood to the person with whom they first made the contract.
Hidetsugu: That's right.
------------
!!! page 33
Chikahito: Then,
That strongest oni would also be someone's…
FX: Flapping
Hidetsugu: About that.
For a long time, it didn't become anyone's.
The person who sealed the contract with the strongest oni
Slept, having sealed the oni in his own body.
------------
!!! page 34-35
Hidetsugu: That person's name was Oda Nobunaga.
And the strongest oni's name is
Mara.
------------
!!! page 36
Chikahito: Did you say
…Nobunaga!?
Hidetsugu: Do you know what happened to Lord Nobunaga's remains?
Chikahito: We--
Well,
What's in Honnô-ji is just his beloved sword.
His corpse's whereabouts are unknown…
FX: Applause
Hidetsugu: You really are knowledgable, Chikahito-chan.
Thanks for the quick explanation.
Mikoto: You've still got a ways to go.
Hidetsugu: Yes,
No one has found them yet.
Not Lord Nobunaga,
And not the strongest oni, either.
Of course,
Those who know of its existence have been searching for it all this time.
Even until now…
------------
!!! page 37
Hana: They haven't found it.
Hidetsugu: But we do know the way to finally arrive at it.
Chikahito: What's that method!?
FX: Whoosh
------------
!!! page 38
Hidetsugu: Since I've said it,
He's come.
Another person who wants Lord Nobunaga's oni.
------------
!!! page 39
Hidetsugu: Long time, no see,
Lord Akechi Mitsuhide.
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!!! page 40
Chikahito: "Akechi"?
That Akechi!?
Hidetsugu: …
Akechi: Is this
The child who newly entered the Urashichiken?
Chikahito: !?
Akechi: Well,
Whatever.
Today Tachibana of the left and Sakura of the right seem to be absent.
Which means this is a chance.
------------
!!! page 41
Akechi: Then,
Shall we begin?
So that your oni
FX: Clutch
Akechi: May humbly meet with Lord Nobunaga again.
Enka. [TN: Catastrophe of flame]
FX: Sudden
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!!! page 42
Chikahito: The same face!?
FX: Leaping forward
FX: Blazing
Hana: Myôhô.
"Hanakago." [TN: Cage of flowers.]
------------
!!! page 43
FX: Roaring
Chikahito: !?
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!!! page 44-45
FX: Crash crash
Chikahito: Hana-san!!
Hideyoshi is famous for a lot of things, among them being something of a megalomaniac with a penchant for playing to the crowds, which makes him in some ways the pinnacle of the Sengoku political changes but was also a trait that the Tokugawa and Nobunaga didn't share. The mass tea ceremonies HIdeyoshi held at Kitano Tenman-guu for thousands of Kyotoites of all ranks were just one of the things he did that seemed strange to most of his contemporaries. It's long been a common suspicion, moreover, that Hideyori wasn't actually Hideyoshi's son.
'Kotodama' is an old idea that's been knocking around--'Shinto mysticism' is accurate on one level, but it's also a misnomer--for a while. In the Edo period a school of scholarship now called the Nativists (Kokugaku) began to elaborate an anti-Confucian theory of Japanese culture that looked back to the earliest written documents of Japan, the Kojiki and the Man'yôshû, and among many other things elaborated the idea that in all the words of ancient, native Japanese (the language pre-Sinitic influence) there was a 'soul', a power that could be revived by studying the ancient language for itself.
I've been translating 'oni' as 'demon' or leaving it untranslated according to which sounds best in my head. But the characters are 'hidden power' ('power' in the sense of 'authority').