Konzen Douji
What a "Boring" Person
| Tenpou: There's one person I know who doesn't even care to stop by the flowers to look at or admire them, wouldn't even want to touch or feel others' feelings, or would not even care about the taste of great wine. Kenren: Doesn't he sound like a person with no sense of humour or any feelings? |
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At the beginning of Saiyuki Gaiden, Kenren and Konzen are not acquainted with each other - however, both have quite an accurate grasp of the other's reputation.
Kenren is indirectly introduced to Konzen during a conversation with Tenpou. When Kenren expresses difficulty understanding what true boredom is, Tenpou describes someone who does not care about anyone and can't be bothered with anything - Konzen. Faced with the proposition that this person cares neither to admire flowers nor to taste great wine, Kenren's first impression is that he is a "boring" person.
What a "Troublesome" Person
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Konzen: There's another one at your place that's troublesome too. Tenpou: Oh yeah, there is. Compared to that child [Goku], only his figure's bigger. Konzen: He was called Kenren, right? I hear he's stronger than the fighting god that is lying around. |
Later, during a conversation between Konzen and Tenpou, Konzen mentions that he has heard of someone under Tenpou's command who is difficult to handle. He also comments that even the higher authorities believe that Kenren is a bother, expressing interest in Tenpou's opinion on this man and the reason for his leniency with Kenren's behaviour. However, Tenpou does not disagree nor agree with Kenren's tactics and changes the subject by hinting that he knows there's something shameful stirring within the higher ranks.
| Konzen: Tenpou, a marshal is supposed to be higher in rank than the general. Why are you letting yourself be an adjutant? Tenpou: ... I don't like to stand out. |
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As Konzen and Tenpou discuss their thoughts on the recent escalating movement of military troops, Konzen re-directs his interest back to why Tenpou allows Kenren to do whatever he pleases when Tenpou has the authority and right to control Kenren's actions as his superior. Smiling, Tenpou replies that he would rather not to attract too much attention to himself. Konzen, however, is still unconvinced and wonders if this is all part of Tenpou's scheme to purposely let Kenren stir up trouble.
At this point, both Kenren and Konzen still only know each other by reputation - not to mention that the two of them have gathered some unfavourable impressions of the other. But with this much foreshadowing of two paths that have yet to cross, we know that a face-to-face meeting between these two would be inevitable.
