Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Onsen Jamboree Episode 4 Part 1

Instead of continuing on with the main event right away, the story picks up by quoting a bit of the Heike Monogatari, specifically the beginning of the passage about Gion Shoja's bell ringing in the impermanence of all things. It then segues into talking about how through this idea, presumably Wa no Kuni can continue to shine even if the rulers who've obtained real power switch out for another person. All warriors admire in Wa no Kuni praise the Originator and the influence they grant, and many of them train with the sword aiming to be heroes to bring honor to their parents and family name.
 
Moritaka is one of those warriors, and he focused entirely on becoming strong and training his sword skills so that he can one day defeat the enemies of the lord he'll serve. But after many battles here in Tokyo, Moritaka started to doubt himself. Is it truly enough to just have the strength to defeat his lord's enemies? Is that really all he needs to strive for?
 
Narration then dips into a flashback set just before the Jamboree started, tuning in at the point Moritaka was attempting to focus on training when Shino and Tadatomo turn up. Moritaka is surprised to see them there, and when he turns to address Shino, Shino insists on being referred to as Shino rather than some other name. Moritaka attempts to protest this before he gives in and apologizes for his manners. He then asks why they came all this way and comes to the idea that Shino is there to help with sword training.
 
Shino snorts at Moritaka and says he came to do the exact opposite. He says that Moritaka doesn't need sword training at the moment and orders him to drop his shinai. Moritaka is confused by this, so Shino repeats himself. Moritaka then freaks out a bit as he asks why Shino is taking his sword away, and Shino tells him he heard from Tadatomo that Moritaka has been in a funk. Moritaka admits to it but uses it as an argument to keep training. He swore to be a great warrior, and he declares he has no other way of life than the way of the sword.
 
Shino laughs at Moritaka for trying to play at being a hero and mocks him for wrinkling his forehead over this. He also quotes an expression at him to call him a tool ("when the enemy is defeated, the victorious soldiers can be killed off"). Moritaka argues back that this is disrespectful to him and all the warriors in Wa no Kuni, but Shino says it's also true as lots of hopeful heroes-to-be have disappeared into the darkness of history.
 
Moritaka insists that That Person is not like that. Shino sighs that Moritaka is so stubborn about this and says it reminds him of someone. He comments that Moritaka is confused with a jumble of thoughts on how to serve mixed with his emotions. He asks if a yapping mutt that won't look back is so scary, calling Moritaka a dope who can't even tell his thoughts about what he should go for is mixed up with other worries. He then orders Tadatomo to do whatever it is he told him beforehand.
 
Moritaka protests whatever it is Tadatomo is doing, and Shino laughs as he asks what Moritaka is so surprised about as he offers to tell him of a training place that'll be perfect for him. He talks about how Tokyo is full of convenient stuff, then orders Tadatomo to stuff Moritaka into a box. Tadatomo does not question this at all and moves to obey. Shino talks about having heard of a good event that's perfect for Moritaka, and he tells him to reexamine himself over there over Moritaka's muffled protests before whacking him with the handle of his sword to knock him out.
 
Tadatomo is shocked by this and almost refers to Shino as father before switching to name and suggesting that Shino might have gone overboard. Shino says it'll be okay since Moritaka is only out cold and tells Tadatomo to take him all the way to the event area. Shino then sticks a delivery slip on the cardboard box Moritaka got put into, then laughs about labeling it with "Contains Mutt."
 
Title card pops up, and this chapter is called Strike, Lost Hakkenshi!
 
Camera then tunes back into the present as Moritaka takes a deep breath, commenting on how nice it feels. Kagutsuchi runs over to tell him he's being called for and asks him to come with him. Moritaka nods and says he'll be right there.
 
Scene shifts over to your end as Shirou comments on finishing up wiping down the Evils, which is a bit of a chore given how many of them there are. He thanks everyone else for helping since now it looks like you guys will be ready for the afternoon part of the day. You say it's for the Evils working so hard in the last battle and that it's not a big deal. Kagutsuchi talks about how being in the bath can be rough when there's a lot of people, saying it's the same at the dojo. Moritaka talks about how this is an everyday thing back at the dorms, so he's used to it. He then says he's done and that the Evils are clean.
 
The Evils excitedly start swarming Aizen next, and he commands them to settle down and form a line since he'll be giving one strawberry milk per person. Shirou apologizes to Aizen about the Evils pestering him for drinks, but Aizen says handing milk out after a bath is also part of his job, and he brought it for this purpose so everyone can have some. Kimun Kamui walks over laughing about how busy it is and compares the noise level to a daycare. Shirou welcomes him back and says it's thanks to that the Evils are cleaned up.
 
You take notice that Kimun is alone and ask if someone else from the Missionaries is supposed to be coming if Maria went back with the staff. Kimun says he heard someone else is supposed to be coming, and Aizen thinks to himself that this person would be assigned to watch over Kimun in case he turns into Wen Kamui. Kimun says he's brought over the food given to you guys for lunch, then suggests eating outside.
 
You observe that the sun's still pretty high in the sky and ask if you guys got over here early. Aizen says it's because you guys did leave early in the morning, and he mentions that at least half of the teams have already made it to the checkpoint. For some reason he has a stick up his butt as he mentions that your team was also supposed to have had lunch already, so you say you have no excuse, say that stuff happened, and/or suggest starting lunch then.
 
Time skips a bit as Kimun warns Kagutsuchi to keep a good grip on whatever he's carrying. This turns out to be a giant riceball that amazes Kagutsuchi, and he comments on it being a little cold but still springy and tasty. Aizen is having some instant miso soup that's been heated up, which was freeze dried at some point and he mentions it has large cut ingredients in it. Kagusuchi talks about how it can be eaten with a bit of water or hot water and how convenient it is, and you recognize it as something Chouji brought.
 
Kimun says he heard that Chouji brought it a few days ago and asks you about having had it before. Shirou talks about how crackers have a lot of different flavors available nowadays and points out that the Evils are eating it. Kagutsuchi mentions feeling lost over all the choices and comments that food preservation methods are amazing. Kimun talks about hearing how Tokyo had been advancing its preservation technology and food culture since before the connection with other worlds. This kind of growth puts him in awe, and it's much different from his home world of Immutability.
 
You try to parse out the meaning of the word immutable and ask Kimun about his world. Kimun says the passage of time is a dreadful thing, and that his summoning to Tokyo already feels like it happened a long time ago. Kimun then starts describing Kamuy Kotan as a giant snowfield surrounded by permafrost. An eternal blizzard blows there that seems to freeze even time. The cold can degrade thoughts and easily bring death, and it is always a struggle with the question of eat or be eaten. Also it is a world run by the harsh providence of nature where the domain of mortals has been defined and sticking out of it is not tolerated.
 
The party is quiet and has stopped eating as Kimun talks while staring into the distance. Kimun then mentions that people have survived in that world, passing down their knowledge and way of life to future generations. He and others came down from the heavens to give Blessings to the people. He gathered faith in the idea that bears are the ones who grant the blessings of the mountains, but Kimun says that bears are only one part of the world. If they step out beyond their defined area, they'll meet the same fate people do. Those who disobey the world's order will not be tolerated, even though bears are Those Who Grant Things to People and are Those Who Hurt People.
 
You try to ask if stepping beyond your bounds is referring to wen kamui. Kimun explains that wen means evil in his homeworld. Bears and beasts who learn the taste of attacking people are referred to as wen kamui and avoided. It is the job of young children to hunt wen kamui down. Bears that become wen kamui are not allowed to be eaten, and they are removed from the world's cycle. Bears hunt the children who step out of line, and children hunt the bears who step out of line. That is the repeating cycle of eternity of Kamuy Kotan.
 
You express some concern for Kimun and ask if he hated his world. Kimun is surprised by the question and says it's a difficult question. When he was there he never gave the idea any thought. All the beliefs he saw in front of him were things someone somewhere supposedly wished for. He then starts thinking about how it all is when put together. Now that he can see it from some distance away he says he can see some unfortunate things to it, and he ponders on the concept of things being visible because you are away from it. Moritaka stays quiet.
 
Part of the firewood snaps at this point, and Kimun apologizes for bringing down the mood. Aizen says you guys were the ones to ask and figures it was a difficult subject to talk about. Kimun decides to change the subject by asking Shirou what the afternoon plans are, so Shirou answers that today's plans is Nothing In Particular. The rest of the party is surprised by this, and you are too though you can ask if this is being handled a bit too roughly.
 
Shirou says he'll explain and asks everyone to listen to him. He describes the checkpoint as being famous for having forests and rivers nearby so that you can fully enjoy nature there. You can engage in some athletic stuff, enjoy the air, and run around as much as you like. You either comment on nature, say you can decide what you want to do, or start thinking about dogs running around before covering with some coughing.
 
C has an extra line where Moritaka is shocked by you looking at him when you said that and denies he'll be running around. Shirou brings up the possibility of putting on a swimsuit and playing in the river, and you either think it's a good idea when it's hot out or start thinking aloud about dogs playing in the water before coughing again. Moritaka reacts if you pick C as he asks you to stop and says he won't be playing in the water even if it is hot.
 
Kimun says that HQ lent him a bunch of things that you guys can use to play with, which you guys can use if you want. Shirou says he's curious about something and points out that the schedule doesn't have anything written about when to start cooking for dinner. Kimun assures him it'll be okay because the staff is supposed to cook dinner for everyone that night. Moritaka asks if that means Kimun and everyone else will be cooking then.
 
Kimun says all the food is supposed to have been brought in already, and he'll be showing everyone his specialty cooking so you guys can look forward to that. The Evils get excited by that, and Shirou says you guys should start free time. He asks that you all make good use of it.
 
A little bit afterwards, Kagutsuchi talks about wanting to go somewhere with a good view if he can use his time freely. Aizen says he'll go observe some other group and talks about how supervising public order is his duty. And as the Tycoons' special envoy he says he needs more information on how the Missionaries operate. You wonder what you should do, comment on how cheerful Kagutsuchi is, or comment on how little Aizen has changed.
 
B has Kagutsuchi say lunch was great, so he has energy to spare. C has Aizen get snippy with you as he says that's how he normally is and demands that you stop sticking your nose in his business before turning in a huff. In any case Kagutsuchi asks what Shirou and Moritaka's plans are, inviting them to come along with him. Shirou notes that some of the things HQ lent out included a coffee maker, so he was thinking of putting some coffee on and sitting down to read.
 
Kagutsuchi asks if it's okay to take the Evils with him to go sightseeing. Shirou says it's okay, though he asks them to stay within his line of sight. Kagutsuchi agrees, then asks the Evils to follow him. They follow excitedly as he yells charge. Shirou reminds them to be careful so they don't fall and to stay away from dangerous areas. Kimun says he probably doesn't need to worry given who's around. The other Missionaries have already investigated the area for any danger, and Kagutsuchi has already grown. If there's anyone to worry about, Kimun looks towards Moritaka.
 
Moritaka is staring at nothing, and you talk to him asking if he has anything he wants to do or point out that he's spacing out. Moritaka says that he can't think of anything to do when suddenly told to go play. He's spent the entire event so far following Shirou's and Kimun's orders, so when asked for what he wants to do all he can come up with is sword training. He did choose to come along to have fun with everyone, but now he's at a loss for what to do.
 
Kimun invites Moritaka to come with him then since he can give him something like training. Moritaka is excited to hear about this and agrees to go since he thinks Kimun knows a place to train. You wonder about this and decide to follow since it sounds fun, or you can comment that you want to train together with Moritaka. If you go with C, Moritaka gets flustered and says he really needs training if he gets this shook up by anything you do. Anyways, Kimun tells you guys to follow along, and the episode section ends with someone watching you guys from out of sight.
 

1 comment:

  1. Poor Moritaka, being kidnapped by his family to a family trip XD

    ReplyDelete