Disclaimer: I do not own Ruronin Kenshin or Peacemaker Kurogane.
M.Kasshoku: Your friendly neighborhood cop is back.
SailorEarth13: Somehow, given Saitou's character, I can't picture anyone killing his sister and living to see the next sunrise. Saitou will gatotsu him in some dark alley the very night before going to attend his sister's funeral. Enishi has a reply for our friendly neighborhood cop. Enishi and gang will liven things up. May return to Soujirou later.
Lolo: Yeah, Saitou's back for now. And the morgue incident is Gein's work alright.
YamiChikara: An update.
Axa: Enishi and gang make their move.
Gas explosions and morgue thefts in Tokyo? In Kyoto, Hiko learns the price of being attractive. More advice from yours truly.
The Japan Bulletin
Official Meiji Government Flagship
Issue 15
TOKYO: MYSTERY RESTAURANT BLAST
Popular family restaurant Akabeko of Tokyo was the victim of a random act of violence. Witnesses saw a bright flash followed by a large boom. Fire units rushed to the scene to find the smoldering ruins of the restaurant. Fortunately, the Akabeko Restaurant was closed for personal business on the night of the blast and no one was injured or killed. Authorities ruled out a gas explosion as the neighborhood was not supplied by gas-pipes.
The source of the flash was pinpointed coming from a sacred tree on the hillside overlooking the city. The sacred tree was snapped in half. Superstitious folks claimed that it was the work of evil spirits. However, police on the scene found traces that it was a manmade occurrence.
A note found at the site read "Jinchuu". Members of the public are requested to be on the lookout for suspicious characters in town. Currently, business rivalry has been ruled out as a motive. Restaurant owner Sekihara Tae insists that Akabeko will be operating from a temporary location near the Soba Place. So customers can continue to enjoy their hotpot beef-bowl. Investigations are underway.
MORGUE BREAK-IN
The Yokohama morgue was broken into for reasons unknown. Morgue workers found body parts missing from corpses being embalmed or prepared for funerals. As such, families recently bereaved are requesting that their dead be quickly interred without the usual embalming. It eerily resembled a similar incident at the Kyoto morgue.
In a separate incident the new grave of a young woman was found vandalized by her horrified parents. The girl had perished from a chronic illness of the heart a week ago. The parents are demanding leads on the criminals who had dug up their daughter's grave.
In an unrelated incident, five people were hurt in a riot and a Shimabara Nagasaki Christian group's offices were vandalized after accusations of devil-worship and grave-robbing were hurled at the group.
One of the injured was the Dutch envoy to Japan, who was a guest speaker to several would-be exchange students under the group's sponsorship. Investigations are underway. Members of the group were taken into protective custody as police appealed for calm.
GAS BLAST AT POLICE CHIEF'S HOME
Tokyo chief of police Uramura was severely injured when an explosion ripped through his residence two nights ago. His wife and daughter escaped injury. The explosion is believed to be caused by a gas leak in the building. Do not be misled by allegations of a government plot to assassinate Chief Uramura. That was purely a fabrication by that rag of a cheap tabloid. The would-be assassins had nothing to do with the Meiji government. They are some guys with a personal vendetta, not directed at our chief.
We guys at the Tokyo Police department wish our chief a speedy recovery and extend any help to his family in these trying times. Rest assured that the perpetrator will be punished. The swordsman Battousai has agreed to assist us.
(Hey! It was a gas explosion wasn't it?)
BRAWL AT MAEKAWA DOJO
A brawl broke out at the Maekawa Dojo two nights ago when a punk challenged the students to a free-for-all fist fight. The dojo was previously embroiled in the 'Raijuta Incident' and another incident involving a sword-wielding salesman. Twenty-five of the dojo's residents suffered injuries, including the dojo owner Maekawa-sensei.
The fight was broken up when an irate neighbor from the Kamiya dojo came to complain of the racket. Unfortunately, the punk made his getaway when an accomplice threw a bomb at the building. The Maekawa dojo will be closed for rebuilding. The Japan Kendo Association will also be carrying out investigations to determine if the dojo has done anything to warrant removal from their registry.
(Maekawa junior students: Sensei! My parents are worried Kamiya dojo's bad karma is rubbing off on us! They want us to quit.)
Advice Segment
As usual the soba here sucks! Even that Ichimura pup can turn out better soba. Hey! This is ramen! I wanted soba! And what's this, seaweed? It feels like a rag, tastes like one too…
Dear Umeko-san,
My past as a hitokiri has caught up to me. My brother-in-law wants to harm those close to me and he's threatening to blow up Tokyo. You see, I killed my wife by accident those years ago. I have vowed not to kill and to protect the happiness of those around me. But I fear I may have to kill Enishi…
Ruronin Kenshin, for now
Dear Himura,
You are way pathetic! Your brother-in-law's a gangster and arms dealer. How come I am not surprised? Figure out your own messes. Pah!
Not Fujita
P.S. We still have some unfinished business from the Bakumatsu, from a certain old soba place. I'll appreciate it if you live to see to it.
Dear Fujita,
I am very, very disappointed by your reply to my letter. I DO have a plan to totally crush Battousai! I and my comrades will bring down jinchuu on him. He will suffer! Muahahaha!
Avenging my Sis
Hn, and I thought Shishio was crazy. Understand, Avenging-san, that if you disturb the fabric of our peaceful society, this friendly neighborhood cop will be paying a visit to you. Aku Soku Zan.
Personal ads:
Yo. I'm a street fighter in Tokyo. Need myweapon fixed! Meet me Zanza lunchtime at the temporary Akabeko. Will PAY!
In loving memory of my sister, Yukishiro Tomoe. I still miss your smile after all these years. I find solace in the knowledge that the man responsible for your death will soon suffer my wrath!
To the waitresses of Aoiya, I am happy being a bachelor and a hermit! Quit dropping by my place all hours of the day and night. Thank you for the sake, but, seriously, I am considering moving to quieter surroundings if this keeps up. It's interfering with my pot-making. (Argh! When did you girls get here?)
Kamiya Dojo not accepting bids for renovations anymore. We decided to D.I.Y.
Plagued by ill fortune? Need to improve the fengshui of your building? Contact Fengshui Master Jinpo at the Wind Chime Hut, downtown Tokyo. Also have charms to improve your karma if you have accumulated bad karma from a past as a hitokiri. If you're from Kamiya dojo, I'm willing to drop by and check out your place for a small fee.
Chou. Meet me at the usual hangout.
Author's Notes:
Oh my, poor Maekawa dojo has the Kamiya dojo ill fortune rub off on them. Kenshin writing in to Saitou for advice? For what happened at a certain soba store, it was very painful for Saitou. Going for his regular soba lunch, running into Battousai, getting kicked in the jaw by Battousai… read the companion fic for further details.
Someone PAYING? Are pigs flying?
