what did you just say (to me)?; what's that?
to take upon oneself; to volunteer; to undertake; to offer (to do)
barrier; checkpoint; checking station
strong power of the state; iron fist; heavy hand
without a doubt; completely; something out of the question; something outrageous; being utterly inferior; being helpless
retort; back talk; backchat
arrogant; haughty; insolent
to domineer; to throw one's weight around; to lord it (over)
look of amazement; looking dumbfounded
making practical; making useful; implementing
to rub together (e.g. one's hands)
influential; powerful; popular; prosperous; doing well
dungeon; dungeon (in an RPG or video game); (underground) labyrinth
a head (e.g. taller or shorter); noticeable difference (in competitors' results)
to surpass; to outdo; to excel; to tower above (the surrounding landscape)
getting mixed up in; getting embroiled in; involvement; entanglement; by-blow
various countries; various regions; various provinces
union; combination; association; RENGO (Japanese Trade Union Confederation)
to step aside; to move (out of the way); to make way
to keep an eye on; to take care of
this and that; this or that; one thing or another; this way and that
army; armed forces; military authorities; team; group
plot; intrigue; scheme; conspiracy
at this juncture; after all this time; at this stage; now
to become exaggerated (of rumours, etc.); to become embellished
leader (of an alliance); leading power
useless; futile; unnecessary; needless; not on business; unrelated
to do whatever it takes; to use every trick in the book; to use any means; to stop at nothing
no holds barred; anything goes; no limits
being dotted about; being scattered; being interspersed
to take more time than expected; to take a long time; to be delayed
sound of thin metal or plastic surface caving in and springing back; action of quickly bowing or lowering one's head; with a bob of the head
construction; establishment
alteration; falsification; faking