Trigun Maximum Vol. 5: Break Out

By Yasuhiro Nightow

Vash is shopping in an open food market, 1 of the boys in a gang he's feeding is complaining about getting apples instead of his requested ice cream. Vash gets a flashback regarding "July", and lashes out, breaking down and remembering all the humans he'd loved and lost. Back with Mer in the cage and Zazie sending some bugs to provide updates on Vash. MidValley's "Freak" in a hood and scooting skateboard style, due to no legs, orders milk in a bar, providing a message, which the bartender poutingly states of the caged girl.

Gauntlet's pep talking himself into waiting for his moment to plug Vash. Somehow, Vash's next seen by Mer outside, she shouting to warn of the trap set for him. Wolfwood, meanwhile gains the upper-hand in his fight, until Mil fires from behind him, surprising but not harming Gauntlet. Then, Vash has a dream where he meets Knives in the past, as adults, Knives and the doc looking at Vash as he's strapped to the hospital bed, and discuss how much more power Vash has, and the danger it poses to humanity.

Knives, in Vash's dream, is showing him how to tap into the power despite the heat felt at first. Knives chats on about what it feels like with the power once used to it, as well as asking if Vash ever hated humans after a century with them. As Knives attempts to bring out the frustrations and abuse humans cause, Vash blames Rem for making Knives this way. To add to the pain, Knives plans to unbury the memory of July which Vash begs to not rehash. Back with Wolfwood, Gauntlet sets off a rigged explosive to the enormous building, Mil refusing to leave when Wolfwood commands her, again.

Instead, Gauntlet helps protect Wolfwood from the falling rubble, and as they faceoff chat, Legato joins them. He gives props to Gauntlet then as he's preparing to finish with Wolfwood, Beast shows up to help, Wolfwood deducing Legato's keeping news of Vash to himself. As Beast has her gun pointed on the laid down Wolfwood, Mil has time to instigate gunfire. Vash's dealing with all the lives he's been responsible for taking, good people of all ages.

Wolfwood and Mil meet the missing Gung Ho Guns member, Elendira, Crimson Nail, a transvestite. He reveals Knives' plan to destroy the ships coming to save them, and not caring this included himself, since he'd have more fun until then. After he's left, Vash's arm is noticed as being healed by Mer, she and Mil having a reunited hug. Wolfwood and Vash are in the desert, Vash getting flack for how he's burying and providing crosses to all the dead enemies, but in the end getting Wolfwood to help him with a building project.

Cute still, the black and white isn't annoying me yet. So, Onward!