Awa Port Blue Dragon's Village
After leaving the Blue Dragon's village,
we walked for days while resting, and rested while we walked.
Then, finally...
It's the port city.
Hak, is that the ocean?
It's so beautiful. I've never seen it before.
First time, also.
First time. First time, also.
Goes without saying. First time. First time, also.
It's the Earth Tribe's Awa Port.
I never thought I'd be back here.
Episode 17: The Pirates of Awa
Thunder Beast, you've been here before?
Long ago. The geezer brought me here.
Gija, is the Green Dragon here?
Well... He seems to be moving about at a dizzying speed...
Gija?!
I guess the dragons' powers aren't indefinite.
After a certain point, they lose a lot of strength.
I'd like to look for the Green Dragon, but we're exhausted from our long journey.
We should get more food, too.
Clearly Suspicious Strangely Shaped Head Red-haired Princess
Okay, let's go to the port city!
We're not going!
We can't take you guys down there!
Especially not the one in the mask!
Pat
I'll go, then.
I remember how to get around the city.
Hak, I want to go, too.
Princess, you've grown uglier lately.
Hey!
How dare you?!
The princess is b-beautiful.
You have bags under your eyes.
Your hands are covered with cuts.
You're pushing yourself too hard.
You should get some rest.
I don't know what you're talking about.
I hate how Hak always notices everything.
Just be careful.
Don't start any trouble.
You guys should hide.
Oh, this thing will draw attention, so I'll leave it here.
It's so heavy.
And White Snake...
You don't have to tell us!
We will protect the princess!
Well, whatever.
It's just a gut feeling, but he seems to be a capable guy.
Hak!
Come back soon.
I haven't been to a lively city in a while.
Because the princess asked me to.
I'd like to take a look around, but...
Sir, why don't you stop by?
I need to get back to the others quickly, after all!
It must be my imagination...
Everyone's eyes seem so lifeless.
Not that it matters.
I need to do what I came to do and get back to—
No! Please stop!
What? We're officials of Awa.
We're willing to pay the asking price.
It's not a bad deal, is it?
I can't! Let go of me!
What should I do, Yun-kun?
Lowlifes... I ran into a couple of lowlifes.
And they're officials?
If I were traveling alone, I could do something about this, but...
Please, let me go!
Come on!
Someone, help!
Now I've done it.
That wasn't a very beautiful way to seduce a lady.
I had no choice.
Wh-Who are you guys?
You think you'll get away with this?!
You were rough with a woman, and now you get angry?
You need another lesson in beauty.
What happened? What's going on?
Crap.
Oh, my...
Let's run. Come with me.
U-Um...
Stop!
You're in the way!
Wha—
Are you a soldier?
You seem pretty strong.
No, I'm just a traveler.
A traveler, huh?
The way you handle yourself is pretty extraordinary, too.
What? I'm extraordinarily beautiful?
I didn't say that.
Damn it! Search the other side!
Got it!
We lost the officials...
I'm sorry.
I wish I could spend more time with you, but I must go.
Hey.
Have this man walk you home.
Wait just a minute.
I don't know this area that—
He's gone.
Who was he?
Can't you come back a little more quietly, Jeaha?
That was a gorgeous return, Captain Gigan.
You're so childish, it's unbelievable.
You're the one who doesn't want the attention.
I was in a hurry.
Why? Were the officials after you?
Yes, but I detected the presence of someone more dangerous.
Oh? You mean that thing you once mentioned?
Yes. It seems the White and Blue Dragons have come to this city.
What? You didn't buy anything?
Why did you even go into the city? You're useless.
Sorry, I couldn't find the right shop.
It's no use sending you, Thunder Beast.
Tomorrow, we're all going into the city.
Hooray!
I shouldn't tell them that I clobbered those officials yet.
Sinha, do you also...
I feel it.
The Green Dragon is toward the ocean.
According to Gija and Sinha,
the Green Dragon's presence disappeared somewhere over there.
I'm going on my own for a bit.
Huh?
I want to look at some weapons in the city.
I'm the only one who knows what to look for.
Lord White Snake, hold on to this.
Why me?!
Hak...
The officials saw my face yesterday.
If I stay with her, I'll put her in danger.
Make sure you actually buy something this time.
Sure.
The Thunder Beast is acting weird.
Huh?
He's hiding something.
He's normally stuck to you, but he went off on his own.
It just means he trusts all of you.
R-Really?
Maybe he's meeting a woman.
What?
Oh, it's around here.
That's a pirate ship.
What?
At the very least, it isn't a merchant or government ship.
Don't tell me he's in there.
Huh?
What is it?
His presence...
It disappeared.
Oh, it's you.
It must be fate that brought us together again.
Could you come with me?
Huh? No, I...
Someone's after me, you see.
An official?
Something like that.
Don't worry. You won't get hurt.
Look, you...
What are we doing here during the daytime?
It's easier to hide in these places.
I don't have time for this right now.
Sir, don't go!
Huh?
Th-That man could kill a woman with one look...
Really? Try it on me.
I didn't do anything.
Of course, there were plenty of attractive women in my village.
What? Where is your village?
Fuu—
Uh, I mean, you're wearing some strange clothes.
Where were you born?
Huh? Me?
I was...
I was born... here.
Here in Awa.
These clothes were imported from the Kai Empire.
It's a port city. You can get anything here.
Oh?
Speaking of the city, this place seems strange somehow.
It appears normal at first glance, but everyone's eyes look kind of lifeless.
You're quite perceptive.
The lord of this region, Yan Kumji, has a lot of power here in the Awa Port.
Everyone in the city is afraid of him.
I see.
He conducts shady business without the kingdom's knowledge, too.
"Shady," how?
Who knows?
Taking away someone's freedom is the most awful thing you can do.
People who do that should rot in the ground and be reborn as roses.
Don't you agree?
Well, I'm a bodyguard.
How awful for you!
It's not so bad. It was my choice.
Whoops, maybe I said too much.
It's because he's so talkative...
I can't understand it.
What a playboy
Though I wouldn't mind protecting you ladies.
You're pretty particular about freedom.
Did something unpleasant happen to you?
I—
What are you doing?!
Shock
Yun! Princess!
What are you doing here?
This isn't what it looks like.
He forced me to...
He's gone?!
Where did he go?
What are you doing here, in the middle of the day?
What are you guys doing here?
Gija said he sensed the Green Dragon nearby.
I wasn't expecting a place like this,
or to find you here.
It's indecent.
Don't get the wrong idea. I was...
Hak...
When you want to come to a place like this, just tell me.
I didn't realize.
It's not that!
Yes, thank you for saying that!
Where did that guy disappear to?
That was close... I let down my guard.
The White Dragon just appeared near that place out of nowhere.
But in addition to the White Dragon...
There was another powerful, agitating presence.
You're pretty particular about freedom.
Of course I am.
The legendary four dragons?
A master I must protect?
Nonsense.
Being destined from birth to do something goes against my aesthetic.
I will escape my destiny.
Even if King Hiryuu appears, I will kick him away.
What?!
He lied to the princess and went to a slovenly establishment like that?
I'm so disappointed.
Hey, wait.
Would you guys just listen to me?
Gija, Yun... You shouldn't say those things.
Even Hak wants to have fun with women sometimes.
Don't say ridiculous things like you know what you're talking about.
Quiet.
They're officials.
Once we finish our business, we should leave quickly.
We do stand out.
By the way, is the Green Dragon in the city?
I can't sense his presence anymore.
Excuse me...
Huh?
You're the girl from yesterday.
Yes. Thank you for helping me then.
Hanging out where officials are wandering around is dangerous.
I can't help it.
I work here.
But...
Stare
Let's go somewhere else.
What? You punched and kicked some officials?
Yeah. It was some other guy passing by who kicked them, though.
That was one brave passerby.
You drew that much attention to yourself, Thunder Beast?
I was careful.
Oh?
This city's officials do that in broad daylight?
Yes... They trash stores, and carry off women who catch their eye.
We have no choice but to avoid angering the officials.
Why?
It's Yan Kumji, isn't it?
Kumji?
I heard he's the lord of the Awa region.
The people of the city are all afraid of him.
Yes... All the officials work for Kumji.
For permission to conduct our business, we're forced to pay Kumji unreasonably high taxes.
There are disquieting rumors floating around town, but there's nothing we can do.
No wonder everyone seems so depressed.
Really? I thought it was a lively city.
It seems lively, but their smiles seemed fake.
A princess who knows nothing about cities notices that?
What about the pirates?
Pirates?
There was a boat resembling a pirate ship anchored nearby.
It must make the city even less secure.
No. They have never harmed the city folk.
Oh? Really?
They do attack boats, but they only attack Yan Kumji's boats.
Where is it?
It's all loaded.
Now we just have to hand it over to the envoy at the port.
Hey, guard! See any suspicious boats?
No.
I see...
Looks like the pirates didn't notice our ship tonight.
Excuse me.
What is it, guard?
What "thing" were you talking about?
Huh? Why would you ask now?
It's a new type of drug smuggled in from the Kai Empire.
What are you going to do with it?
What are we going to do?
Sell it to the residents of the city, and make a killing, of course.
That isn't very nice.
It isn't beautiful.
Guard?
Wha? Hey!
I forgot to introduce myself.
I'm the beautiful newcomer who took over
the watch just a moment ago.
P-Pirates!
Sink it, boys.
To your posts!
Defend the ship!
This power really is the best.
I'll return the favor.
H-He's flying?
Goodnight. Sweet dreams.
Damn pirates... How dare you?!
Die!
Why are you having trouble with a lousy official?
Jeaha, quit playing around and help us.
If you don't do it yourself, Captain Gigan will sink you next.
I can't help it.
Until five years ago, I was only a fisherman.
In other words, you've been a pirate for five years.
Captain Gigan, we found the drugs!
Burn the whole ship, boys.
Kumji doesn't seem to be here.
Where are the officials?
We packed them into a little boat and set them adrift.
You didn't kill them, did you?
Captain,
you're too strict!
They're trying to kill us, but you won't let us kill them.
Awa would be better off without those officials.
I love you boys, no matter how stupid you are.
I won't let the people I love burden themselves with murder.
Mom!
I love you!
I love you, too!
I don't remember giving birth to such ugly children.
Me, too!
What's wrong? You're awfully quiet.
It's nothing serious.
My right leg has been tingling since yesterday.
But you like the feeling, don't you?
A little, yes.
Shall I step on you?
Because you're stepping on me.
Thank you, Captain. I'm fine now...
This has never happened before.
The soaring legs of the dragon.
They say it's an ancient power, but I never get used to seeing it.
I really envy your power, Jeaha.
It's so cool how you look like you're flying.
There's no one else I'd rather have on our side.
I'd rather have cute girls depend on me.
It doesn't mean much, coming from a bunch of smelly men.
Shock
What did you say, droopy eyes?
Boo Boo
You pervert!
You aren't cute at all!
You aren't very honest.
Oh, I'm incredibly honest.
I just feel uneasy.
This place is too comfortable.
Thirteen years ago, I left my village,
and ended up here after an exhausting journey.
No one is creeped out by my ability, and they don't mention it to others.
They're such kind idiots...
No one's that interested in you.
That's no good! You should be more interested in me!
In any case, I'll be staying here for a while.
I hope you'll keep me around, Captain.
Aren't your friends here to get you?
My friends? You mean the dragons?
You must be joking.
Speaking of friends, I wish we were a little stronger, honestly.
We'll track it down eventually.
When we do, it'll be a pretty intense fight.
You're not normally so timid, Captain Gigan.
I can't let my idiots die.
Aren't there any good young men around?
There's a beautiful young man right here.
No, there is one! A good young man!
I've heard enough about you.
That's not what I meant. I met him in the city.
Really? Is he strong?
I only caught a glimpse, but he's crazy strong.
Oh? He's crazy strong?
Yeah, he's crazy strong and handsome.
Captain, you'd like him.
Secure him immediately.
Aye, Captain.
He's perfect.
He is worthy to fight by my side.
Wait, didn't he say he was someone's bodyguard?
So what?
I know I can convince him.
Positive!!
I'll look for him in the city tomorrow.
You just wait!
This way... That way... Which way?
Next Time
If you simply obey orders without question to protect your master,
that isn't your greatest wish, but your greatest tragedy.
Next time, Yona of the Dawn episode 18:
Episode 18: Ties
Ties.