1. Handsome Swordsman of Legend
We are introduced to the legendary assassin, Hitokiri Battousai, and learn that after the chaos during the Revolution, the Battousai was never seen again. 10 years later in Tokyo, Kenshin, our killer turned wanderer, meets Kaoru Kamiya, a young dojo instructor seeking revenge on the Battousai. Kaoru makes Kenshin stay in the separate room because he saw her naked when she was taking a bath. He was trying to ask if she was OK but thought she was quiet because she was trying to kill herself. Also near the end of the episode when Kaoru invited Kenshin to stay with her, he said that he might see her naked again. She punched him and apologized because she thought he could dodge it seeing he is the Battousai.
2. Kid Samurai
Kenshin meets a kid, Yahiko Myouji, a descendent of a long line of samurai warriors. After his parents died, they had a large debt to pay to a Japanese mafia. Yahiko pickpockets people for money. Kaoru teaches Yahiko, after Kenshin refuses.
3. Swordsman of Sorrow
It seems Yahiko is having some trouble adjusting to his new sensei - Kaoru. It seems he wants to learn swordsmanship to defeat his enemies, not to protect others.
4. Bad!
Kenshin meets Sanosuke, Fighter for Hire.
5. Reverse-Blade Sword vs. The Zanbatou
Reverse-Blade Sword vs. The Zanbatou: Beyond the Battle. A day has passed since Episode #4, and Kenshin is 'preparing' to face Sanosuke. Actually, he's hanging up laundry. Kaoru and Yahiko tell Kenshin to be careful about him, but Kenshin smiles as if it's nothing. Gensai's grandchildren come, and Kenshin runs off to play with them. Meanwhile, Sanosuke is in his room meditating. A flashback is shown of Sanosuke as a kid, with an older man he calls "captain". The man's last name is Sagara, and young Sanosuke wants to take it as his last name. They are part of the Sekihou Tai, and a man on horseback comes giving the captain orders to come see him. Sanosuke is interrupted by Gohei, and he angrily asks what he wants. Gohei makes up some lame excuse, and Sanosuke tells him to make sure to stay out of the way when he and Kenshin battle. Kaoru and Yahiko are talking with Gensai, who tells them that one of his patients knew of Sanosuke. He used to be part of the Sekihou Tai, a false army that used to wander around and lie about taxes being lowered. Kaoru and Yahiko realize Kenshin is gone, and they go to the village to try and find where he's fighting Sanosuke. Eventually they see him a bit of the way down from a river. They get there just in time, and Sanosuke once again attacks Kenshin with the massive Zanbatou. Kenshin dodges easily, and slams Sanosuke in the back. He's knocked down, and thinks more of his past. The Sekihou Tai army is crowded around a man, who seems to be a higher-ranking official. He tells them that they will be punished for lying to the people about taxes being lowered, but the captain tells the man that they were just taking orders from the imperial army. The man ignores this, and reveals a large army hidden in the brush, ready to execute the Sekihou Tai. It's a massacre, and young Sanosuke runs off with the captain on his shoulders. The man tells Sanosuke to leave him, that the imperial army is greedy and lying, and pushes him off a small cliff into the water, as the Sekihou Tai is destroyed forever. Sanosuke jumps back up, declaring that he will never lose to an imperialist 'scum'. Kenshin is starting to piece together bits and pieces of this. They fight some more, and Sanosuke is once again knocked down. At this time, however, Gohei, who is hiding in a bush, pulls a gun on Kenshin. He shoots, and Kenshin blocks it with his sword, cracking the hilt. Gohei quickly runs and grabs Kaoru and Yahiko, threatening Kenshin. Suddenly, Sanosuke moves, swinging his Zanbatou and smashing Gohei in the ankles, knocking him over. Kaoru and Yahiko run, and Gohei tries one last attempt to shoot Kenshin. Kenshin quickly slams the ground with his sword, sending a shockwave along and knocking Gohei presumably unconscious. Sanosuke is not ready to quit the fight yet, although he is thoroughly battered and bruised. He rushes Kenshin, and suddenly, Kenshin flips the Reverse-Blade Sword around. In one swift movement, he slices the Zanbatou in half, and elbows Sanosuke in the back in one final crushing blow. Sanosuke refuses to go down, still vowing to beat the strongest of the Imperialists. At this point, Kaoru yells out that Sanosuke is the bad one, who was part of a lying army. Yahiko concurs with her. Sanosuke gets angrier, but Kenshin jumps in. He tells Kaoru and Yahiko that people are not what they seem, and explains that the Imperials originally had planned to have a tax reduction plan when the new regime was in session. However, due to the revolution, they were in deep debt, and cut the tax reduction. Kenshin explains that the Sekihou Tai were used as a scapegoat as to not tarnish the people's view of the Meiji. Kenshin goes on to explain that the revolution is not over, that the government is still not complete, and people are still stuck in their old ways. That is why he decided to become a wanderer as well, because his only way to atone for his sins during the Revolution is to protect people with his sword. Sanosuke watches Kenshin, realizing he sounds just like his old Captain Sagara. He realizes what Kenshin truly means, and falls down, defeated. About a week later, Kaoru tells Kenshin that Gensai treated Sanosuke's wounds and sent him to a hospital, where he was supposed to stay for three weeks. They see him, however, pushing some drunks out of the AKABEKO. He turns to Kenshin, smiling, and after some friendly chat, he says he'd like to tag along with Kenshin, because he too has given up his revolutionary ways, and wants to learn from him. Kenshin happily complies, and the Kamiya Dojo acquires their third new tenant.
6. Appearance of Kurogasa
Appearance of Kurogasa: Death From the Shadows. A policeman makes a visit to the Kamiya Dojo, and tells them of a serial murderer who has been patrolling the streets. He has been able to successfully kill numerous policemen and high-ranking officials without them even being able to pull out their guns, let alone shoot him. Kenshin has a hunch that this is yet another battousai leftover from the revolution, still stuck in the old ways. Kenshin and Sanosuke come to a nobleman's mansion, midst a crowd of other men who have come for the reward of killing the killer, whom everyone has nicknamed "Kurogasa". After a brief moment of waiting, the guards outside are quickly decapitated by the killer. A man blurts out that the killer is too scared to come in, and that's when he appears, proceeding to slice the man in the back. He stands in the window, a man with creepy blue eyes and grey hair. Kenshin recognizes him as Jin-e, a battousai from the revolution, just as he had predicted. As everyone approaches to fight him, they find themselves unable to do so. Jin-e has a paralyzing power, that renders opponents motionless, for easy kills. Kenshin, however, hid behind Sanosuke, and jumps out and attacks Jin-e. He easily dodges, and the two begin in a swordfight, until they come to a stalemate. Sanosuke, by this time, has wrenched free of the power, and launches a statuette at Jin-e. He jumps aside, and attacks Sanosuke, gashing his arm up. Kenshin quickly intervenes, and the two are locked in battle yet again, but it seems that neither side is progressing much. Jin-e laughs at how weak Kenshin has become, and berates him for giving up his battousai ways. He says he'll give Kenshin one day to prepare, for he wants to have a fight with the true battousai, and leaves. Sanosuke asks Kenshin why he didn't follow, but Kenshin tells Sanosuke that Jin-e was right. Kenshin has lost his true battle spirit in the 10 years he's been a wanderer. He leaves to go meditate for the remaining 24 hours, to try and rise the battousai spirit out of him so that he can stand a chance against Jin-e's true power. Sanosuke heads back to the dojo to tell Kaoru, who has fallen asleep outside waiting for Kenshin. When she hears of the news, she immediately rushes off to find him, as usual, down by the river. She tells him that she doesn't want him to leave and never come back, so she lends him her blue ribbon, telling him that he must return it after the battle. Kenshin smiles, and Kaoru smiles back. Suddenly, she is ripped from the side of the river by none other than Jin-e, sailing down on a raft. He laughs at Kenshin, attempting to get a rise in him and set his true anger free. Kenshin shouts for Kaoru, but Jin-e is long-gone. . .
7. Deathmatch Under the Moon
Deathmatch Under the Moon: Protect the One you Love. Jin-e has retreated to a small grove in the woods, where he is holding Kaoru. Kenshin appears, but with a stern face, and an even sterner voice. Kaoru realizes his eyes aren't the Kenshin that she knows, and Jin-e smiles, realizing that the battousai has turned back to his old ways. They begin to battle, and after a while, Kenshin is slashed in the arm. Jin-e scoffs, saying he was wrong after all. He decides to take a step further, and uses his paralyzing technique on Kaoru, this time pumping it up to its maximum. Not only is it freezing her body, but her lungs as well. There's only two ways to free someone from the spell: If they themselves have enough power to break the paralysis, or if the caster is killed. With Kaoru's life on the line, Kenshin rises, his eyes blazing. Back at the dojo, Sanosuke and Yahiko find a note from Kenshin telling them that if he doesn't come back alive, to sic the police on Jin-e and save Kaoru. Worried about Kenshin, they head off to find him. Back in the forest, Jin-e attacks Kenshin, but Kenshin disappears in a blur, and then slams his sword into Jin-e's face, knocking him back. Jin-e is dumbstruck; he didn't even see Kenshin move. He smirks, and gets back up. Kenshin then says something along the lines of "if you want me to kill you then hurry up and prepare for death..." then somewhere he also says "your death has been assured tonight Jenai " He then casts his illusion technique on himself, neutralizing it and releasing his true power. Kenshin is poised, and Jin-e attacks with a downward strike. Kenshin preys, and at the last minute, Jin-e pulls out another hidden sword, ready to deal the finishing blow. . . However, he feels a sudden crack in his elbow, and looks to see Kenshin holding his sheath in his other hand. Kenshin has just broken the ligaments in Jin-e's right arm, preventing him from ever using a sword again. He raises his sword to kill Jin-e, but Kaoru suddenly shouts out at him to stop. It seems that her deep feelings for Kenshin, and her desperate want for him not to revert to the Battousai, allows her to break the illusion and come free. Kenshin rushes over to her, as she collapses into a faint. Jin-e stands up behind him, and pulls out his sword with his left hand. . .and then plunges it into himself, realizing there's no place for him in this world as long as Kenshin is around. Sanosuke and Yahiko join up with Kenshin just afterwards, and the four head home, Kenshin's mind a bit clearer.
8. A New Battle
A New Battle: The Beautiful Girl from Nowhere. Kenshin is accompanying Sanosuke in a gambling match with his friends, and... Sanosuke is losing very badly. After some comedic dialogue, Sanosuke finds out that a friend of his that he owed some money to was killed by opium, a lethal drug. (Note: Opium is a drug that was originally manufactured in China. Some of it is dangerous.) Then, a woman in a blue kimono runs into the room. She's being chased by two thugs, who tell them not to interfere, and let them take the girl. They say they're from a man named Kanryu Tekeida, a rich nobleman who employed the woman. Sanosuke, being pissed off as it is, beats up the two men to save the woman. Kenshin notices a third man come in, an unusual-looking short man with a spiky mohawk. He demands that they hand over the woman, and throws two darts at two of Sanosuke's friends, injuring them. He next targets Kenshin, Sanosuke, and the woman. Kenshin slams his hands down on the tatami mat, causing the front end to fly up and block the attack. He and Sanosuke rush the short guy, and pummel him through to the next building. The woman introduces herself as Megumi Takane. Kenshin, Sanosuke return to the Kamiya Dojo with Megumi, much to Kaoru's surprise. She accuses Kenshin of seducing the new woman, and hits him. He takes the abuse, then realizes someone's watching them, and springs up to look around, but the watcher is already gone. They bring Megumi inside, and tend to the wounds she got from escaping. The scene changes to Tekeida's mansion, in which the short midget has returned. He is revealed as Beshimi, 4th-in-command of the Oniwabanshu, a group of assassins-for-hire. Their leader, Aoshi Shinomori, has called back Beshimi and a man in a skull-esque mask, whom was spying on the dojo, and sends them back out to retrieve Megumi, following Tekeida's orders. Kenshin is inside talking with Megumi, while Sanosuke is outside on guard watch. (as well as stifling Kaoru's angry cries at Kenshin being alone with Megumi.) He suddenly notices a immensely large man looming over the fence. This is the last-in-command, 5th Elite of the Oniwabanshuu, Hyattko, a master in fire-breathing. He drinks oil and spits out fire, nearly burning Sanosuke. He targets Kenshin next, but Kenshin begins to spin his sword rapidly, miraculously blocking the fire. Sanosuke tells Kenshin to let him take this fight, and dives straight through Hyattko's next flame, smashing his fist straight back into his throat, causing him to puke up the device he used to make the flame. Sanosuke finishes him off easily. Then, Benishi, who had been watching from a tree, jumps down, preparing to just kill Megumi there instead of risking getting killed himself. No one is near her except Yahiko, who had insisted on coming outside to help in the fight. He sees this, and dives in the way, unaware of the extreme danger the darts hold. They both slam into his arm, and Benishi reveals that they were the poison-tipped ones. Kenshin rushes him angrily, knocking him flat unconscious, and then runs over to grab Yahiko. At that moment, the man in the skull mask grabs the bodies of Benishi and Hyattko, and flees, telling Kenshin he eagerly awaits fighting him in the future. Everyone gathers around Yahiko's wound, and Kaoru suggests sucking the poison out. Suddenly, Megumi exhibits some amazing medical prowess, and gives everyone orders to get the materials needed to cure Yahiko. They all rush off, but Sanosuke notices something fall out of her pockets as she carries Yahiko into the dojo... ... opium.
9. Strongest Group of Ninjas
Strongest Group of Ninjas: The Terrible Oniwaban Group. Yahiko's recovery seems to be going well, and Gensai tells them that Megumi is not only a medical expert, but an expert on chemical drugs as well. Sanosuke isn't surprised. At Tekeida's mansion, Aoshi is surprised to know that Hyattko and Beshimi were both defeated. Hannya, the second-in-command, with a skull mask, tells Aoshi that the strongest one bore a cross-scar on his cheek. Aoshi wonders if it's the Battousai. . . Back at the Kamiya Dojo, Kenshin finally gets Megumi to explain her story. Her father, Ryusei, was a scholarly doctor, but he died. Megumi, hoping to become a great doctor like her father, became employed as an apprentice to her father's friend, who was currently employed by Kanryu Tekeida. However, he died mysteriously, and she took his place, and suddenly realized the horrors inside Kanryu's mansion. Making opium was bad enough, but when Kanryu ordered her to create a lethal opium for mass-market, so she escaped, rather than continue killing people. Kenshin acknowledges that they are in much greater danger than he realized. Megumi decides to cook dinner, and while she's outside, she notices an elderly man walking down the path to the dojo. She goes over to see what he wants, but as soon as she does, the old man mask falls off, and Hannya is revealed. He grabs her, and jumps off into the deeper forest. Sanosuke sees this, and follows him. Deep in the forest, Kanryu is waiting. In a nutshell, he tells Megumi that he will not kill her, but he wouldn't have a problem setting the Kamiya Dojo ablaze if she doesn't cooperate with him. With no other choice visible to her, she complies. Kanryu is unaware that Sano is listening from behind a tree, but Hannya notices. As Kanryu leaves, Aoshi tells him he's making a big mistake. Kanryu doesn't think that Kenshin will attack if Megumi comes of her own will, but Aoshi disagrees. Kaoru finds Megumi's farewell note, and Kenshin and Yahiko depart with her to the Kanryu mansion. Sanosuke, however, is already there, talking with Megumi. He's angry about his friend dying from opium, but he's also angry at her for wanting to kill herself. In a deep speech, he explains to her that she's not the only one with a dark past. He and Kenshin have realized that the better way to deal with that is to live, and repent for your sins by helping others. Megumi has her moment of recognition, just as their conversation is interrupted by a loud boom. The 3rd-in-command of the Oniwaban group, Shikijou. He's a muscular, scarred man, carrying a ball-and-chain. Sanosuke catches it, and snaps the chain easily, telling Shikijou to come down and fight like a man. He does, and Sanosuke assaults him with a flurry of punches. They go into fast combat, but Shikijou has very tough skin, and even tougher fists. He knocks Sanosuke back, and thinks he's finished, but Sanosuke's vitality shines through. They've both taken their fair share of hits, but Sanosuke deals him a hard kick in the face, knocking him out. As soon as he's dealt the finishing blow, however, Beshimi dives down from a post, snatching up Megumi and taking her into the depths of the castles. Sanosuke stretches out, a bit looser from his warm-up, and Kenshin, Yahiko, and Kaoru arrive. He briefs them on what's happened, and they prepare to journey to the depths of the Kanryu mansion. . .
10. Aoshi
Aoshi: Someone so Beautiful it's Frightening. Kenshin and the group enter the Tekeida residence, slashing their way inside. On the third floor, Kanryu tells Hannya, the remaining Oniwaban member besides Aoshi, to take care of Kenshin. Hannya complies, but makes it a point that he's not doing it to follow Kanryu's orders, but to defeat the great Battousai. Aoshi hears this, and agrees, saying he couldn't care less what happens to Kanryu. He says he'll take care of it, and takes Megumi up to the highest floor and waits for Kenshin, even with the realization that Hannya will be defeated. He hands Megumi a dagger, telling her that she can get it over with now, or prepare for greater suffering later. Kenshin and the group meet more obstacles, and eventually comes to a long hallway, face-to-face with Hannya. Hannya is wearing metal gauntlets underneath his gloves, and he wastes no time in charging Kenshin, using a rougher style of the Kempo art. He punches Kenshin, and even he is surprised at Hannya's speed. For the second attack, however, he sticks his sword out in a defense position and parries, coming back around and cracking Hannya's mask, revealing a grotesque face that had been through years of horrible battles. Hannya now reveals his true weapons, wolverine-like claws that come out of his gauntlets. He and Kenshin charge each other, and come to a spot. As Kenshin notices the cuts in his gi, Hannya tells him he doesn't stand a chance against Aoshi. Then, however, Hannya's gauntlets fall to bits, and he himself falls. Kenshin, not wanting to waste any more time, rushes on. Kaoru and Yahiko stay back to take care of the onslaught of lackeys, while Sano and Kenshin rush up to meet Aoshi. In a small room, Aoshi is waiting. He wastes no time in revealing his weapon, a wakazashi, or kodachi, about half the length of a katana. It is lightweight but sturdy, based mainly on defense. Kenshin is surprised to know that Aoshi concentrates on defense. Sanosuke isn't impressed, and is the first to charge him. Aoshi dodges his punches easily and backhands him, sending him sprawling to the doorway, knocking him down in one punch. Kenshin is surprised yet again, but unsheathes his sword and prepares to fight. Aoshi comes on quickly, assaulting Kenshin with kicks, while parrying the Reverse-Blade Sword with his wakazashi. Kenshin feels the welts afterwards, realizing Aoshi's true refined Kenpo style, that of extreme speed. He falls to one knee, just as Kaoru and Yahiko show up and come to Sanosuke's aid. As Kenshin catches his breath, he wonders what someone of such amazing skill is doing in such a useless place. . .
11. Farewell, the Strongest Men
Farewell, the Strongest Men: A Clash Between Light and Dark. Kenshin gets up, and asks Aoshi what his true intention is behind keeping the Oniwaban Group together. Aoshi gladly explains. . .that during the revolution, the Oniwaban were striving to become the strongest warriors ever known. He had always wanted to fight the Battousai and proclaim himself strongest, and now, he is finally getting his chance. Aoshi rushes Kenshin, and Kenshin blocks a few blows, but also gets hit, and is unable to get any hits in. . .Aoshi seems too fast for him, since Aoshi's wakazashi is so small and quick. He decides to pick an alternate method, and when he blocks Aoshi's attack, he flips his katana, slamming the hilt up into Aoshi's throat, and stunning him. Aoshi realizes that he is just now seeing the true power of the Battousai, and as to not risk further injury, he decides to unleash his most powerful technique. He attacks Kenshin very slowly and easily, but then disappears into a blur, moving all around Kenshin at a rapid speed. It's the supposedly "unblockable" move that killed so many before. He strikes Kenshin, marking three long cuts across Ken's chest, and he's knocked down. Aoshi tells the others that Kenshin is dead, for no one's ever survived that attack. Of course, Kenshin gets up. It seems that he used his hilt once again, as it is in three pieces, to lessen the impact of Aoshi's blow. Aoshi is still confident, and attacks again, and this time, Kenshin catches his blade, his hands bleeding and shoves the hilt once again into Aoshi's throat, knocking him down. After a bit, Aoshi stands, demanding that Kenshin finish him, or else he will keep coming back to fight. Kenshin tells him he's welcome to, but he must never include anyone else in their personal bouts. Then, the door behind Aoshi opens, revealing the other four members of the Oniwaban. They are all accepting of their fates, realizing there is no place for them in a peaceful world that has passed on. It is a sad time, but suddenly, Kanryu Tekeida intrudes, ruining it. . .and he's brought a gatling gun, and seems to have gone completely out of his mind. He shouts that Aoshi and Kenshin are weak idiots, and that he who has the most money is the best fighter. Now, while this is blatantly wrong, it doesn't stop Kanryu from firing his gun, ripping the place to shreds. Everyone dodges to the best of their ability, and the Oniwaban run forward for a head-on strike to the gun. The lower three die protecting their master, but Beshimi manages to throw a dart in the string of bullets by the gatling gun. Aoshi watches his friends die in horror, and stands there, speechless. Sanosuke and Kaoru decide to go rescue Megumi before things get to rough, and Hannya stops Kenshin, and tells him to go retrieve his sword, which he dropped during the battle to catch Aoshi's blade. Kenshin realizes what Hannya means, and he runs out, diverting Kanryu's attention so that Kenshin can recover his Reverse-Blade Sword. When all is said and done, Kenshin rushes Kanryu, furious, and slashes off the lever for the gun. Kanryu screams like a girl and begs Kenshin to spare his life. "WHY DON'T YOU CALL FOR YOUR MONEY TO SAVE YOU!?" Kenshin shouts, losing his temper. He breaks Kanryu's jaw and knocks him out. Aoshi stands, his head down, mentally paralyzed, and Kenshin runs up to the final floor. Megumi is preparing to kill herself, thinking it the only way to atone for her sins of creating lethal drugs. Sanosuke rushes in in the last moment, calling her stupid, and Kenshin tells her that he too must atone for the deaths he caused, but suicide will not bring them back. The only way is to live and help people. . .Megumi is put at ease, and the five return home. Megumi goes to study under Dr. Gensai, and there is finally some piece at the Kamiya Dojo. Kanryu was imprisoned, and Sanosuke said that at the crime scene, Aoshi and the bodies of the other four Oniwaban were nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, in the forest, Aoshi walks alone into the darkness. . .
12. Birth of a Boy Swordsman
Birth of a Boy Swordsman: The First Battle of Apprentice Yahiko. Yahiko is out training, when he slips and breaks one of his shoes. A girl, who was standing by the river and watching him, comes down and fixes it for him. She leaves, and he forgets to thank her. Later, Kenshin, Sanosuke, Kaoru, Yahiko and Dr. Gensai's grandchildren are all at AKABEKO for another dinner. Their waitress, however, is the same girl that tied Yahiko's shoe together. He's embarrassed at first, but then takes the opportunity to thank her. He follows her outside and thanks her, and helps her with gathering water from a well. They have a little moment, and then Yahiko heads back inside. He's just about to go into the doorway, when the girl is approached by some thugs. The lead thug gives a big speech about her family had been slaves to his family for 100 years, and that she had better have done what he told her to: make a wooden print of some key, that will allow him to sneak in and steal a noble's money. She refuses, for obvious reasons, and he slaps her. Yahiko jumps down, protecting her, and starts to take on gang. He does good at first, blocking them, but they start to team up on him, and eventually he's knocked down and beaten. The girl eventually agrees, and the men lay off Yahiko and take her away with them. Yahiko, utterly disgusted with himself, walks back home alone. Little did he know, however, that Kenshin, Kaoru, and Sano witnessed the whole thing. Kaoru was going to jump in, but Kenshin had held her back, telling her that if they always came to Yahiko's rescue, he would never get any stronger. Yahiko vows to protect her, and since they're going to be breaking into the place the next night, he practices all day. Kenshin stops by and watches him, and Yahiko asks him for help fighting a bunch of opponents at once. Kenshin lets him in on a small fighting tactic: By running away, it causes them to disperse into a straight line, the faster ones reaching first, allowing one to fight a one-on-one match with each opponent separately. Yahiko's hope is restored, and he thanks Kenshin. Kenshin tells him to remember that the Kamiya Kasshin style is to protect people, so failure is not an option. Yahiko smiles, and tells Kenshin he'll give it everything he's got. That night, Yahiko watches the men take the key to enter the noble's house. Yahiko jumps down and steals the key, telling them to chase him down for it. They do, and eventually he leads them into a thin alleyway, allowing him to fight each person at a time. He knocks them all down easily, until they all unsheathe knives, and approach him. Then, Kenshin and Sanosuke jump onto the roof. The men recognize the Kenshin's cross-scar, and run away. Yahiko is surprised, but the leader stays, wanting to 'punish the punk'. He pulls out a real sword and attacks. Sano realizes this is Yahiko's first opponent with a real sword. Yahiko does well to dodge, but then, the leader cuts his bokken in half. He's cornered, but he hears the girl cheering him on from the opposite corner, and at the last second, he slides under the man's legs. He grabs the leader's sword, and, using his lack of height, ducks under the next sword swipe and trips his opponent. He comes back around quickly, slamming the sword down and knocking him out. Yahiko has succeeded protecting someone he cares for, and is now a true swordsman.
13. Striving For the Grand Championship
Kenshin and co. meet a reject sumo wrestler in the street. Kaoru feels bad for him, so they take him to the Kamiya Dojo, where he eventually trains to surpass those who rejected him, and becomes a true sumo.
14. To Save a Small Life
To Save a Small Life: The Challenge of Doctor Megumi. When Dr. Gensai is injured with a back problem, it's up to Megumi to keep the clinic up while he is recuperating. This episode really has nothing to do with the plotline, but strengthens the intimate relationship between Sanosuke and Megumi. Megumi is walking down a street, when she seems a man double over in a 'stomach pain'. She looks at him, and then leaves. Yahiko asks her why she didn't do anything, and she tells him that the man was faking. Just then, another man appears, claiming that he can cure the man's stomachache with a special herbal medicine. He does so, but since the man was never sick in the first place, normal water seems like a magic spell. Tons of people flock to buy his product, causing Megumi and Dr. Gensai to lose their patients. It doesn't help when the Yakuza start spreading rumors about Megumi. While the man is boasting, however, Sanosuke drops in, and beats them up. They pull out a cannon to kill him, but Kenshin arrives and chops it in half. The men admit to their fake scheme, and the clinic is back to its prosperity.
Two Legendary Manslayers: The Jimpu Squad on the Run. A group of men in dark clothes are seen killing nobles in a mansion. They are the Jimpu Squad, a group of assassins that have been killing people. The oddity, however, is that the people that they've been killing, nobles or politicians, have all been found to be embezzling money. . . At the Kamiya Dojo, a man brings an injured child, looking for Dr. Gensai. Kaoru tells him that Gensai just left to go far away on an important patient, but Megumi steps up and takes the job. As she's healing the child, everyone watches from outside. Sanosuke tells everyone that the man lives in the poor district by his house, and that he is a old sensei that now teaches poor children to read and write. His name is Sasaki, and Kenshin thinks he's seen him somewhere before, but can't remember. . . We then see the leader of the Jimpu Squad, Toma Sakake, speaking with a dark-faced man about his next mission. The man tells him it's time to get a different target. . .an old manslayer from the revolution. Kenshin and Yahiko are walking, and they see Sasaki tending the fields, as an odd job to pay for his rent and school. He's still working long after the other men have gone home, and Kenshin acknowledges his good heart. Then, Toma appears on the horizon, and attacks Sasaki. Sasaki quickly defends, by using his pickaxe like a sword, and they are both inches from each other's throat. Kenshin tells Yahiko this is an lethal technique that he remembers on the revolution. He realizes he's fought Sasaki before, and just barely survived that technique. After that, he never saw Sasaki again, until now. Toma steps back, and tells Sasaki he's just as powerful as he remembered, then leaves. Later that night, Sanosuke heads over to Sasaki's house to visit. As he does, he sees Sasaki walking down the street, surrounded by men from the Jimpu Squad. He follows, and hears them trying to recruit Sasaki to become an assassin in the squad. Sasaki declines, saying the children are the only thing he has left, and leaves. Toma is angered. . . The next day, Sanosuke tells Kenshin of the past night's events. Dr. Gensai comes home, and as Sanosuke sees him hugging his grandchildren, he realizes that Sasaki's children are in danger as well. At Sasaki's dojo/classroom, he's in the middle of a lesson, when a knife flies through the window. Sasaki manages to catch it, inches from a child's throat. He goes outside, to see Toma standing there. Toma gives him no choice but to join, or have his children killed. Sanosuke reaches the classroom too late, and a child tells him that Sasaki just left with a dark man. Later, the Jimpu Squad massacres a carriage carrying politicians and nobleman. As the last man is left, Toma hands Sasaki a sword, and tells him it's his job to finish. Sanosuke jumps down then, telling Toma he can't do that. He fights off some of the Jimpu Squad, and Toma pulls a sword on him, as two other squad members chase the man who Sasaki was supposed to kill. Kenshin jumps out from an alley and knocks down the two men, and tells Toma that he will be his opponent. They begin to fight, and Toma uses the lethal technique. Kenshin barely dodges, getting a small mark on his neck. They turn around, but Toma hears a police whistle, and escapes with the remaining members of the Jimpu Squad, telling Kenshin he'll look forward to fighting him again. Sasaki gives Kenshin his thanks, realizing he's the Battousai. Kenshin nods, but his eyes are locked intently on the horizon, wondering about Toma's next move. . .
A Promise From the Heart: The Secret of the Shiden-Rengu Blade. The Jimpu Squad's superior, the senator, is disappointed in Toma's failed assassination of Sasaki. He tells Toma, for his final mission, to kill both manslayers and the punk that assists them. Toma sets out, to finish it once and for all. Meanwhile, Sanosuke wonders why Kenshin let Toma run away. Sasaki tells him that as of now, Toma is stronger than Kenshin, and Kenshin knows it. Sanosuke refuses to believe it. Kenshin goes to meet Toma, and he asks him why he is an assassin. Toma was taught by Sasaki, but he was never taught to give up the sword for the new life, and is trying to change the world with one sword. He refuses to listen to Kenshin, and they are about to fight, when Toma is called away -- there's one more assignment the senator had for him -- to kill the Lord. The senator is speaking with other officials, and tells them of the Jimpu Squad's dealing. He plans to kill them, after they finish the jobs he assigned for them. Some of the Jimpu Squad are sent to the Kamiya Dojo, however, Kenshin isn't there. Sanosuke and Sasaki take care of them, and find out where Toma and the rest of the Jimpu Squad are. They're waiting on a bridge for the Lord to cross in a carriage, so they can complete their final assignment and be free to kill whom they want. However, it isn't the Lord they find in the carriage. . .but Kenshin. He plans to stop Toma, before he takes any more lives. Sasaki and Sanosuke show up in time, and they all take out the Jimpu Squad, until Toma is left. He and Kenshin square off, and after a bit of sword lock, Toma gets ready to use the Shiden-Rengu on Kenshin. He says that he's perfected it from his master Sasaki's style, and that it's unblockable. He rushes Kenshin extremely fast, but Kenshin parries it, and then spins around and slams Toma on the back, before he can get in the lethal second slash. Toma hits the ground hard. He is amazed that he lost, but Sasaki tells him that instead of perfecting the technique, he basically screwed it up. The key was for the first technique to be slow, so that it caused the opponent to block it, and then surprise them with a second quick attack. Toma turned it backwards, and rendered it useless. The senator, Toma, and the rest of the Jimpu Squad are arrested. Toma tries to kill himself, but Sasaki stops him, and tells him to instead atone for his sins and make the world a better place. They throw his sword into the river, Sasaki returns to a peaceful teaching life, and all is good in the Kamiya Dojo.
Fly to Your Dreams: Adventure of the Human Cannonball, Marimu. Kenshin and co. are at the fair, checking out the various attractions. They go into a booth and watch a young girl Yahiko's age fly out of a cannon. She's the human cannonball, Marimu, however, her father's in a bit of trouble. They used to work for some dirty-dealing carnies, but recently separated to do their own shows. However, the leader of the carnies comes in, and demands the payment on the money Marimu's father borrowed to set the place up. He realizes that Marimu's cute performance is stealing their customers, so he plans to force them to join back with the carnies. Marimu's father says he'll get the money to him by tonight. . . On the way out, the cranny's henchman tosses a cigar on the straw and sets it ablaze. Yahiko dives down to help them put it out, in the process, making friends with Marimu. He's nervous about her, so later that night, he follows them as her father is en route to the carnies' hideout. As he is on the way there, a pickpocket grabs his money and runs down an alley. Marimu's father follows, but he's ambushed by a trap, and is buried among a pile of wood. He has a lot of bruises, and Yahiko is there to save him and take him back to the Kamiya Dojo. There, Megumi heals him while Marimu tries to think of a way to make the gunpowder for tomorrow's show. Megumi tells them she'll make it, since she knows how to mix things well. It seems like a good plan, and Yahiko gets busy selling tickets. The carnies, however, aren't going to go down easy, and steal their home-made gunpowder. In a last-ditch effort, since they sold so many tickets, Yahiko and Marimu run to the fireworks shop to buy some more gunpowder. (Why didn't they just do this in the first place? I don't know.) Meanwhile, Kenshin, Kaoru, and Sanosuke are left to entertain the crowd, which leads to some very funny scenes involving Kenshin balancing a ball on an umbrella, and singing while Kaoru drinks a huge bowl of sake. Eventually, Yahiko and Marimu return with the gunpowder, and they are ready to start the show. However, the carnies bust in, with a knife-throwing woman, a reject ninja, and a tough guy who wants to crack some stuff. The reject ninja slashes one of the poles to the tent, and Sanosuke grabs it to keep the tent from caving in, while Kenshin takes on the three carnies. He uses an umbrella, to make it seem like it's part of the show. The carny boss tries to escape, and Yahiko knocks out his henchman while Marimu flies off from her cannon and tackles him. All is well, and Yahiko's made yet ANOTHER girlfriend.
Run, Yahiko!: Get Back the Reverse-Blade Sword. Yahiko stops a robbery at the AKABEKO, and starts gloating as if he saved the world. However, a man familiar to the Kamiya Dojo, Gohei, witnessed it. Angered at the brat, he decides to try one last time and get Kenshin for good. He calls on the Onizuka Brothers, two spiritually-inclined men who can somehow make other men float in the air, and even choke them to death without using their hands. . . Yahiko is practicing one day, when Gohei approaches him. He fights him, and Yahiko beats him with his bokken. Obviously tricking him, Gohei tells him how he wouldn't win in a real fight, if his opponent was using a real sword. Yahiko tells Gohei that Kenshin's Reverse-Blade Sword could do the job, and Gohei tells him to meet him at the shrine in the woods the next day for a true fight. Letting his ego get in the way, and without even asking Kenshin, he accepts. The next day, Kenshin watches Yahiko sneak off with his sword. Thinking this to be a good chance for Yahiko to see how scary a real sword is, and not knowing the true danger, he lets Yahiko leave with it. . . Yahiko arrives at the shrine in the woods, and the Onizuka Brothers knock him out and tie him in up in the shed with the sword, using it as a lure to draw Kenshin to them. Meanwhile, a message is sent to the Kamiya Dojo, telling Kenshin to come to the shrine if he wishes to save Yahiko and his sword. Kenshin curses himself for letting Yahiko go without thinking, and goes, even without a weapon, to save the boy. Kenshin arrives to face the Onizuka Bros, who are eager to tear him apart. Meanwhile, Yahiko rubs his rope-tied hands against a sharp piece of wood to get himself free, bloodying his hands in the process. He takes Kenshin's sword and runs to the river, to hopefully reach Kenshin time. The Onizuka Brothers use some special technique to ensnare Kenshin's right hand and his legs. They are about to deal the finishing blow, when Yahiko arrives. Gohei steps in his way, but Yahiko deals a crushing blow to Gohei's groin, and throws Kenshin's sword to him. Kenshin makes a few swipes, revealing the Onizuka Bros' "magic" to be nothing more than some invisible wires. He defeats the brothers, and Yahiko is sorry for what he did and apologizes to Kenshin. Kenshin is happy that Yahiko realizes he let his ego get in the way, and yet another sun sets on the Kamiya Dojo. . .
19. Raijuta's Ambition
Raijuta's Ambition: Vision of a Forbidden Empire. The Kenshin group have been invited to the mountains of Izu, to stay with Dr. Gensai's sister for the week. They are introduced to the estate's young master, Yutaro, a spoiled boy who is looking for a strong swordsman teacher like his deceased father. At first, he wants Kenshin to become his teacher, but Kenshin declines, and Yutaro gets angry. Yahiko's patience is shot by the boy's rudeness to Kenshin, and he attacks Yutaro. The group decides to leave the boy alone now, and they go back to rest at Ms. Gensai's hot springs. Meanwhile, Yutaro is out in the woods, when he's approached by some thugs who try to mug him. Then, a large man with thick eyebrows appears, and slaughters the thugs with his sword. His name is Raijuta, and he's the master of the Shinko Style, a style of swordsmanship used during the revolution. He is trying to resurrect the Shinko Style and its members to take over the Izu mountains and turn it into their stronghold. Yutaro is impressed by his skill, and asks him to be his teacher. Raijuta, aware that Yutaro owns a large mansion, that would be perfect for a headquarters, accepts. Now that Raijuta has a home in Yutaro's mansion, he has made plans for the four Shinko Elite to gather men to create a base in the mansion. Yutaro begs him for lessons, and he shuns him off. He hands Yutaro a real sword, and tells him that swordsmanship is a choice between killing and being killed. He tells him never to hold a wooden practice sword again, and only practice with a real sword. Kenshin, after some deducing, realizes that Raijuta is the leader of the Shinko Style, and goes to stop him from hurting Yutaro and taking over the mansion. Raijuta sics the four elite on Kenshin, and he easily defends them off. Then, Yutaro, who was watching from behind a rock, slips and falls off the edge of the cliff into the river. Kenshin's attention is diverted, and he's knocked to the ground. Raijuta commands his men to kill Kenshin.
20. Revival of the Shinko Style
Revival of the Shinko Style: The Technique to Heave Mountains. Kenshin avoids Raijuta's deathblow, and jumps off the mountain to save the drowning Yutaro. Yutaro nearly drowns, but Kenshin grabs him at the last second. Raijuta and the Shinko members presume Kenshin dead. Yutaro wakes up bandaged in a bed, back in the Gensai hot springs. Kenshin tells him what happened, and he tries to get up and go back to the mansion. Yahiko tells him that before he goes back, he needs to beat him first in a battle. Yutaro accepts, using the real sword Raijuta gave him. However, he can't hold it strong enough, and is too clumsy. Yahiko easily defeats him, and Yutaro is left in shame. Kaoru tells him that Yahiko uses the Kamiya Kasshin Style, a style to protect people. This is a new idea to Yutaro, and he happily becomes an apprentice. While Yutaro practices day and night, his mansion has become a stronghold of Shinko warriors. Raijuta anticipates the police to come once they learn of their actions, so he tells his men to prepare for battle. The servants and maids of the house are confused as to what is going on, and they're sent out. Down by the river, the Kenshin gang and Yutaro have caught fish and are eating lunch. Yutaro wants to challenge Yahiko to a battle again, so he goes back to the hot springs to get his sword. En route, he sees the police chief looking around the house. The chief asks Yutaro if that's his house, and Yutaro tells him who he is. The chief is stunned to learn that he's still alive, and tells him what's happened to the mansion. Yutaro, shocked, grabs his sword and runs off to his mansion. The chief continues down the path and finds Kenshin, who is looking around for Yutaro. They both eventually realize what's happening, and Kenshin sets off for the mansion as well. The mansion, however, is surrounded by tons of policemen, who have just broken through the front gates. Shinko come out from everywhere, attacking and killing tons of policemen left and right. Yutaro arrives just in time to witness Raijuta take out around ten policemen in one blow. Raijuta locks eyes with Yutaro, as the Shinko continue to decimate the police squad.
21. Dissolution of a Nightmare
Dissolution of a Nightmare: Raijuta's Dream Falls Apart. The soldiers that had come to reclaim Yutaro's mansion are quickly being cut down by the Shinko warriors. Yutaro runs through the woods, trying to find Raijuta, and comes across one of the gang members that had attacked him when he first met Raijuta. The man tells him that Raijuta had planned it all from the beginning, he had merely paid them off to attack Yutaro and then act like Raijuta had saved the day. Yutaro refuses to believe it, and then Raijuta appears and kills the man. He plans to kill Yutaro, too, now that he's useless to him. Yutaro is in a state of disbelief, since he thought of Raijuta as a father figure. Then, Kenshin arrives, disgusted at Raijuta. They begin to fight, and exchange blows. Kenshin's kimono gets a thin cut from Raijuta's attack. Yutaro then steps in, asking Raijuta to stop fighting Kenshin. Raijuta gets angry, and slashes Yutaro's arm, knocking him back. It was a bloodless cut, which means that it was done by a vacuum attack. Even after the cut, Yutaro hoped that Raijuta had done it by accident. Raijuta laughs, and a furious Kenshin vows to defeat him on the spot. The rest of the gang takes Yutaro home to be treated, and Kenshin and Raijuta begin to fight. Raijuta continues to use his "Izuna" vacuum attack, but Kenshin easily dodges it by jumping into a tree. Raijuta finally uses an aerial vacuum attack, and just barely scratches Kenshin. Kenshin asks him if he's happy that he gave him a minor scratch, and then quickly defeats the pathetic fighter. Raijuta's Shinko Elite prepare to commit suicide, but Kenshin stops them and tells them to instead atone for their sins. Yutaro's wound is healed, but Megumi informs everyone that the tendons in his arm were cut, and he will never hold a sword in his right hand again. Yahiko is extremely disappointed, since he lost a sparring partner. Yutaro is to live with an uncle in Germany. He bids everyone farewell, and Yahiko makes him promise to learn swordsmanship with his left hand so they can have a rematch someday. The ship sails off, and yet another chapter in Kenshin's story is closed.
22. Danger on a Runaway Locomotive
Danger on a Runaway Locomotive: This is yet another filler episode. In a nutshell, the Kenshin gang gets a ride on a newly-invented steam engine-propelled train. Sanosuke is surprisingly very superstitious, and also believes cameras steal your soul. Some thugs hijack the train, and Kenshin shows them what's what.
23. Sanosuke's Betrayal
Sanosuke's Betrayal: The Fateful Reunion. It seems that a group has resurfaced, and is calling themselves the Sekihou Tai. Sanosuke is at the AKABEKO, when he offers to run an errand to pick up a caricature for the owner and her daughter. On his way, he meets up with Kenshin and Kaoru, who also went to look at the pictures. As he buys the pictures, he sees a caricature of Sagara, the former leader of the Sekihou Tai. He's shocked, finds the name of the person who drew it, and goes to track him down. We soon find out that this man is Tsukioka Katsuhiro, the other boy that was an apprentice to Sagara. He and Sanosuke obviously go way back, so Sanosuke is happy to see him again. Katsuhiro feels the same as Sanosuke does about the government. . .if not more. It seems that he's been hording home-made explosives, to try and take offensive against the Meiji Regime. Katsu asks Sanosuke to join him, which puts Sano in a difficult decision between his past and his present life. News spreads about explosions killing politicians under the name of the Sekihou Tai, and Sanosuke is horrified to think that Katsu did it. Under further investigation, he finds the fake organization, and defeats them to save Sagara's name. He apologizes to Katsu for accusing him, and Katsu once again asks Sanosuke if he'll help him revive the true Sekihou Tai. Sanosuke. . .says yes.
24. Midnight Battle
Midnight Battle: Kenshin vs. Sanosuke, Revisited. Sanosuke, having joined Katsuhiro's revival of the Sekihou Tai, plans to have a going-away party. He keeps his leave undercover, however, just announcing that he'd like to have a celebration to thank everyone. He gets the money for the food from Katsuhiro, who tells him that he's planning an assault on the Internal Affairs office, the crux of all communication of the Meiji Empire in the village. Sanosuke tells him he'll be there, and then sets off for the Kamiya Dojo. Everyone drinks up at the party, having a great time, and soon, they're all fast asleep. Sanosuke prepares to depart, saddened at leaving the best friends he's had in a long time. After the touching scene, he meets up with Katsuhiro at the Internal Affairs mansion, and they begin to bomb it. Their plans come to a halt, however, when a very much awake Kenshin appears. Katsuhiro accuses him of being an imperialist scumbag, but Sanosuke tells him that Kenshin feels the same way they do about the Meiji Government -- since he helped them create it. Kenshin tells Sano he won't allow him to continue this new life of crime, and Sanosuke prepares to fight him. He lunges at Kenshin, but Kenshin easily blocks every blow he throws at him, and counters harshly. Sanosuke is beaten, and Katsuhiro tries to fight for his lifelong friend. He tosses a bomb at Kenshin, but Kenshin dodges it. Sanosuke is knocked out by the next bomb blast, and Kenshin hands Sanosuke to Katsu, telling him to treat his wounds. Katsu calls Kenshin a hypocrite, but Kenshin merely smiles and leaves. Sanosuke whispers a thank-you to Kenshin, and Katsu realizes his huge error. The next morning, Sanosuke approaches the dojo, bandaged as usual. Megumi noticed the wound on his stomach was from a reverse-blade sword, and Ken just smiles and tells them last night was pretty wild. Katsu gives up his anarchist lifestyle and begins a newspaper, drawing his final picture for Sanosuke -- a portrait for Captain Sagara.
29. Strongest Opponent From the Past
Saito has recovers from the fever. meanwhile there is a plot to kill Kenshin by Sanito, a hired assassin. During the episode Kenshin fights Akamatsu an assassin who works for the same politicians as Saito. At the dojo, Kaoru and Yahiko are getting suspicious of Saito.
30. A Devil of Vengeance
The fight between Kenshin and Saito begins, during the battle Kaoru attempts to help Kenshin. An old man who is a top official from the Japanese government stops the fight. They then offer Kenshin a job to assassinate Shishio, an enemy of the government. He also tells Kenshin that they won't arrest Megumi for opium possession if he goes.
31. A Wish Unrequited
Kenshin must decide whether he wants to go back to Kyoto or not, to go back to becoming a manslayer. Lord Ohkubo is riding in his carriage, thinking to himself that he hoped Kenshin would chose to go to Kyoto. However, Soujiro assassinates him. Soujiro tells Kenshin that it's a warning to stay out of Shisho's way. At the end Kenshin announces that he will be going to Kyoto. Kaoru is worried that this means he will go back to being the Battousai.
32. Change Tears to Courage
Ayame and Sazume are looking for Kenshin and are upset when they don't find him. There is a fight between Sano and Saito; Sanosuke loses the fight. Kaoru is convinced to go to Kyoto by Megumi.
33. For the Title of Strongest
Kaoru and Yahiko leave on a boat as their friends see them off. Cut to Sanosuke taking out some of his anger on poor innocent trees. He says he's going to get stronger and show Kenshin that he isn't a burden. Cut to Kenshin sneezing. Townspeople are frightened by Kenshin's swor. Cut to flashback of Saito asking Kenshin if he said goodbye to Kaoru. Kenshin glares at him and Saito says they should get on friendlier terms since they'll be fighting Shishio together. Saito goes on to explain that he'll be leading the police squad in Kyoto. Kenshin says he's taking a different route than Saito because he doesn't want to endanger innocent people. Saito get angered by Kenshin's peace loving ways and challenges him to a fight. Saito changes his mind and they both leave for Kyoto.
34. The Girl Bandit
The girl threatens to rob Kenshin, and realizes that the only thing worth stealing is his sword. She tries to punch him but he easily evades her attacks. He explains that she's too light for the punches to hurt, that is if they actually hit. Kenshin continues dodging her punches, then takes the money and says he wants to return it. Misao gets angry and throws some kunai at him, but Kenshin picks the cape up off the ground and uses it as a shield. She get angry because her cape is now riddled with holes and takes it from him. Misao also tries to take the money, but Kenshin doesn't let her. He says that the men took it from somebody else and it's not hers. She says that her cape is ruined and will settle for Kenshin's sword as compensation. He hands it to her thinking that she won't want it because it's a reverse-blade. He says that it's worth dirt if she tried to sell it. Misao takes it anyway and proceeds to walk away. Kenshin chases after her saying that it's really important, and she says that the cape was her favorite and explains they're even now. He then offers all his money instead of his sword. She accepts and Kenshin is revealed that he has his sword back. Misao on the other hand isn't because he didn't have a lot of money. He decides to go return the stolen money to the owner. She chases after him saying it's her money. Kenshin arrives at the place the cash belongs. He jumps to the roof followed by Misao. She thinks he's a bandit because of his skillful landing on the roof. Kenshin thinks that she isn't an ordinary girl because of the fighting style and the kunai. They return the money and Kenshin has to stop her from stealing more money. Misao explains that she needs the money to go back to Kyoto. Cut to a mob of armed men walking the streets. Cut to Kenshin Misao walking on a bridge. She id talking about an errand that brought her to Tokyo. She explains how she ran out of money on her way home. Kenshin asks why she went to Tokyo by herself. She says that she was looking for somebody there. She explains how she had been all alone since she was little and was lucky when someone found her. Kenshin concludes that she is looking for that person. She says that the person and his friends left her in Kyoto with an old man, but she still wants to see them. As soon as she hears anything about their whereabouts she goes to look for them. She says that it is very difficult to find them. Kenshin says he knows how she feels and she introduces her self as Misao Makimachi. He says it's wrong to steal no matter how much you need money. Misao asks him what she's supposed to do about getting back if she has no money. Kenshin explains that she can write a letter to the old man telling him to pick her up. He tells her to leave the city as quickly as possible to avoid getting injured by the men she robbed earlier. The armed mob surround them while they're on the bridge. Misao tells him to take half of the guys, but Kenshin removes his reverse-blade sword and breaks the bridge. On the river bank she is complimenting his skill at destroying the bridge. He explains that it's easy to break a bridge like that one. Misao says the people she's looking for are even better than Kenshin. She finally says the people she's looking for were the protectors of Edo castle in the revolution. Kenshin is really surprised, and Misao thinking about what Aoshi and the other members of the Oniwaban group could be doing now. Kenshin knows that they're all dead except for Aoshi but she doesn't. He accidentally says Aoshi's name, and Misao asks what he knows about the Oniwaban group. Cut to Aoshi Shinomori walking in the forest. He's thinking of going to Kyoto and beating Kenshin. Cut to Kenshin and Misao walking in the woods. She's still bugging him about where the Oniwaban group is. She starts calling him insulting him, and he tells her his real name. She kicks him in the face for not saying anything about Aoshi, and he runs away. Misao is still following Kenshin despite his silence. She drags him under a tree just as it starts raining. She explains that she can predicted whether patterns because of her ninja training. Cut to ship that Yahiko and Kaoru are on. Yahiko is wondering whether Kenshin is getting wet. Kaoru has a flashback of a rainy day when Yahiko and Kenshin and her are trying to get out of the rain. Cut to Kenshin and Misao sitting under a tree waiting for the rain to stop. Misao starts telling about Aoshi and how when was 15 he became leader of the Oniwaban group. She goes on to say that he's responsible and kind but has a cold, ruthless, poker face on the outside. Also that she knew him for 8 years and never saw him smile. The rain stops and Kenshin starts running away, and Misao chases him yet again. Then they're walking in the forest and Kenshin is debating whether to tell Misao what happened to the Oniwaban group. Kenshin decides to loose her, an he begins to run away. She continues to chase after him, and Kenshin surprised at her ability to keep up with him. Misao trips and Kenshin is standing telling her to go home for the sake of her own happiness. Then she realizes he's at the other side of a canyon. She throws the kunai as he's walking away. Kenshin turns around and stops them with the wind pressure of his sword. Misao tries to jump over the canyon and starts to fall. He dives down to save her. She passes out. When she comes to she realizes that she fainted and Kenshin explains that he could be attacked at anytime and warns her to pretend not to know him. She follows him.
35. Conquered Village
Misao and Kenshin are walking down a forest path when Misao suggests they stop for lunch. Kenshin says it's faster to go through the forest and he has no intention of stopping until sunset. Misao takes out her lunch and eats it while they walk, but Kenshin doesn't have any food. She says she'll share her lunch if he tells her about Aoshi, but Kenshin declines. As they're walking Misao starts telling stories about when she was little with Aoshi and the rest of the Oniwaban group. She is beginning to get angry at Kenshin for not paying attention to her, and really gets ticked off when he starts parting the grass. Misao eventually decides to share her lunch with Kenshin, and he gets concerned because he thinks it has truth serum in it. Kenshin hears a noise in the woods and goes to investigate, while Misao is wondering if people are really after him. Then Misao and Kenshin find a bloody guy with a child in his arms sitting at the base of a tree. The dying man asks Kenshin to save his brother and village from Shishio and his men. Kenshin is surprised to hear that Shishio took over a small village. A while later the little boy comes to. He asks where his brother is and Misao says that when they found him it was too late to save him. The boy starts to cry and Kenshin asks what's going on, and Kenshin says he's heading to Kyoto to defeat Shishio. The boy explains about how his village was taken over by Shisho's men. He goes on to say that the government abandoned his town and how his brother tried to save his family. Kenshin asks Misao to take care of the boy while he goes into the village. Kenshin wanders around the town noticing that it looks like a ghost town. Kenshin found out that Shishio visits the village every 6 months, coincidentally he is currently staying at Shingetsu village. As it turns out Eiji and Misao are following Kenshin. Eiji says that Senkaku is at the mansion to welcome Shishio. Kenshin finds 2 dead people hanging in the middle of the town, and Eiji screams that those are his parents. A mob of Shishio's men come to find out what's going on. Kenshin asks why Eiji's parents were killed, and the leader says because their sons tried to escape. This is when Kenshin gets angry and beats them all down . Meanwhile Misao is trying to comfort Eiji. She nearly gets killed by one of the men when Saito comes and stabs him through the back of the head. Kenshin asks why Saito is here, and he replies he's doing his job. He explains that one his men said that Shishio is here so he deicide to investigate. Kenshin realizes that Eiji's older brother was a cop. Misao gets angry at Saito for being heartless because one of his officers was killed and he doesn't seem to care. Saito then comments that she looks like a weasel. Following this opinion Kenshin has to restrain Misao from trying to kill Saito. Kenshin suggests that they bury Eiji's parents when a group of townspeople come and try to stop them. The villagers say that they will be executed if the bodies are lowered. Misao gets angry at the village for being coldhearted. The townspeople are being selfish and mean, so they tell Kenshin and his little group to leave. Misao gets angry and is about to attack but Saito stops her, because they've lost all pride and respect. Kenshin proceeds to lower the corpses despite what the villagers said. The townspeople are angry but leave anyway. While walking up to bury Eiji's parents Kenshin and Saito are talking about what Shishio's plans to transform Japan are. Misao asks if the police can't do anything why doesn't the military. Saito explains that military is not an option due to the recent end of the Saynon wars. Saito says that the even if the military was available the politicians wouldn't allow it because they're afraid they might be assassinated. When they reach the burial place Eiji says he'll take care of it. Saito says if Shishio isn't stopped he'll have control of the whole of Japan. That's why it's important to stop Shishio before his plans get out of hand. Kenshin and Saito are just about to leave for the mansion where Shishio is when Miao says she wants to go to. They refuse to allow he to come and Kenshin asks her to stay with Eiji. Then they leave for the mansion. Cut to one of Shishio's men begging for forgiveness/informing him that Saito and Kenshin left and that they are searching for him. Soujiro asks Shishio what to do about this, he lets it slide this once but if he screws up again he's dead. Yet another of Shishio's men comes to tell Soujiro that Kenshin and Saito are coming to the mansion. Shishio tells Soujiro to greet them outside and tell Senkaku to be ready to fight. Cut to Eiji and Misao kneeling before the graves. Eiji says he's leaving to find Senkaku, and Misao tells him not to go. In the end she ends up going with him. Cut to Saito and Kenshin arriving at the mansion where Soujiro is waiting to greet them.
36. Across the Boundary Between Edo and Meiji
Kenshin and Saito arrive at the house where Shishio is staying at. Soujiro greets them and leads them inside the house. Meanwhile, Misao and Eiji sneak pass the guards. Shishio talks for a bit about his history, then Senkaku fights Kenshin. Misao and Eiji spy on the fight right as Kenshin defeats Senkaku. Finally, Kenshin challenges Shishio by telling him to draw his sword.
37. Shock! Reverse Blade Sword Broken
Senkaku’s down and out, but the battle has only just begun for Kenshin. Shishio refuses to fight him, on the grounds that the fight would be “boring”, instead leaving his henchman Soujiro to take on Kenshin. Soujiro turns out to be a dangerous opponent for two reasons. First because of his “tenken”, his “sword skill from the heavens”, an inborn skill with the sword. But most deadly for Kenshin is Soujiro’s second advantage – that he has no emotions besides happiness. Kenshin’s Hiten Mitsurugi Style relies on predicting an opponent’s moves, but with no swordsman’s spirit and no emotions, Soujiro is impossible to read. The battle comes down to battoujutsu, the art of the speed-draw. The swords of the two opponents clash, and Kenshin’s sakabatou comes down in two pieces, cut in half by Soujiro’s sword, borrowed from Shishio himself. However, Soujiro’s weapon isn’t in much better shape, and the result is a draw, with Soujiro heading off to follow Shishio and the others remaining to set Shingetsu village to rights. With the fighting over, Eiji approaches the fallen Senkaku and realizes the man is still breathing. Determined to avenge the deaths of his parents and brother, Eiji raises his sword to finish Senkaku off, but is stopped by Saito. It is Kenshin who really persuades him though. He reminds Eiji of his brother’s nobility and courage, and the fact that he wouldn’t wish his little brother to become a murderer. With the last of the villains fled or defeated, Shingetsu village has returned as much to normal as it can. Saito takes Eiji to be looked after by Tokio, his wife, and Misao and Kenshin continue their journey toward Kyoto, where Shishio awaits, having ordered Soujiro to gather the warriors of the Juppongatana, the “special attack squad”. One burning question is at the forefront of Kenshin’s mind. Will he be able to take the battle to Shishio if he remains a Rurouni? Or will he have to become the Hitokiri Battousai once more? The question will be answered, in Kyoto…
38. Sanosuke's Secret Training
A Buddhist monk, Anji, tells Sanosuke of the Futae no Kiwami, the lethal punch which can kill people. Sano and Anji make a deal: if Sano can't master it within a week, then Anji will kill him. Can Sano learn the technique?
39. The Creation of the Reverse-Blade Sword
Kenshin pays a visit to the Seiku, son of the forger of Kenshin's original reverse-blade sword only to find out Sekiu wishes nothing to do with his father's past line of work. However, Sawagejou Chou of the Juppongatana pays a visit to the young man demanding the blade as well and instead kidnaps Seiku's son forcing Kenshin to go and fight him.
40. A Killer Without Mercy
Even with his sakabatou broken and useless, Kenshin goes off to face down Sawagejou Chou of the Juppongatana. Chou remarks that the Battousai doesn't look like much, Kenshin shrugs it off and tells Chou to hand over Iori Shakku. Chou responds by flinging the sheath of the sword Iori was tied to in to tree, hanging the child out of to dry, literally. Chou fights Kenshin with one of his special swords, made by Arai Shakku, the Renbatou, two blades in one. Kenshin manages to dodge the attacks and destroys the Renbatou with his sheath. While this is going on, Misao, Okina, and the Shakkus arrive to watch. After much battling, insulting, and general mayhem, Chou uses his best and strangest sword. The blade of the sword is razor thin and VERY long, almost like a whip made of razor-wire. Managing to cripple Kenshin, to keep him from running around and avoiding his strike. Seiku, after some prodding from Azusa races to the temple and throws out the temple's holy sword to Kenshin, telling him to use his father's final creation to save his son. Unable to draw the sword because of his vow not to kill again, Kenshin is paralyzed with fear. Tired of waiting on Kenshin, Chou decides to end the fight by killing Iori with his Orochi. Misao and Okina jump to the ready to save Iori, but Kenshin starts yelling and with great reluctance, draws the blade, charging on Chou. Laughing that attacking the baby was a feint, Chou turns the Orochi on Kenshin, who deflty dodges the attack, much to Chou's horror. Kenshin uses the Ryu Ken Sen Tsumuji and it appears that Chou was killed by Kenshin. Staring down at Chou's prone form, Kenshin's eyes are that of the Battousai. Misao is truly terrified of Kenshin, and Okina laments that Kenshin is gone and the Battousai has taken his place. The hilt of Kenshin's sword shatters and the blade falls to the ground, at that point Misao notices that the blade was reversed, like Kenshin's sakabatou. Chou stirs and everyone is happy that Kenshin hasn't killed him. Inscribed on the blade was a message from Seiku's father, about he he was creating the sword's not for his son's generation, but the one after that, stating that all he wanted to their to be peace, but he knew that it would take war to get it, plus a lot of work on the part of the people. Back at Shakku's Kenshin is surprised to learn that his new sakabatou was the master-forge, an even better sword than his original. While talking with Seiku, Kenshin recalls what Arai said to him regarding him becoming a wanderer, and giving him his first sakabatou. Yahiko and Kaoru have finally arrived in Kyoto and are getting somewhat depressed at not having seen Kenshin yet. Back at the Aoiya, Okina tells Kenshin where he can find his old master, Hiko Seijurou, and so Kenshin leaves again, with Misao in his wake. Sitting near the market in Kyoto, Yahiko and Kaoru see Shinomori Aoshi walk past and give chase. In the typical "ships that pass in the night" sense, Misao misses Aoshi, and Kaoru misses Kenshin. Yahiko collides with Misao, who yells at Kenshin he's an idiot. With hope lighting up her eyes, Kaoru begs Misao to tell her about Kenshin.
41. The Ultimate Technique of the Hiten-Mitsurugi Style
This is the episode that Kenshin completes hi straining with his master, Soujiro Hiko, he learns The Ultimate Technique of the Hiten-Mitsurugi Style. the name of this attack is Amaka Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki. this attack uses god like speed to hit your attacker before he hits you.
42. The Formation of an Alliance
While Kenshin continues his training with Master Hiko, the Oniwaban Group are in trouble. In Kyoto itself, Aoshi finds himself having to choose between his revenge and his old friends. Okina is determined to stop Aoshi to protect Kenshin and the rest of the Oniwaban Group, and the two meet to decide their fate with blades. Misao having learned of Aoshi's need for revenge, realizes she must find them and stop them before she loses either her mentor or the man she loves.
43. Between Life and Death
Kenshin’s training with Master Hiko is finally coming to its conclusion as he prepares to learn the ultimate attack of the Hiten Mitsurugi Style. However, his life is in danger even as he draws this close to his goal. There can only be one Master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Style, and in the final teaching of the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki either teacher or student must lose their life. With just one night in hand, will Kenshin be able to come to terms with his own inner demons and learn the ultimate attack before it’s too late?
44. A Decisive Battle like Violent Waters
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45. As If to Fly
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46. Purgatory Bursts into Flames
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47. Crash! The Lethal Punch, Futae no Kiwami!
Sano, Kenshin, and Saito have arrived at the enemy compound. The first of the Juppongatana has arrived, too. Much to Sano's surprise, it's Anji! How can Sano win when he's fighting the very man who taught him his ultimate move?
48. Reborn to Salvation
Note: This is my first episode synopsis, so bear with me. Anji, convincing Sanosuke Sagara that his wicked concept of salvation is correct and would only be accepted in death, hits his opponent with a right-hand Futai no Kiwami. Thinking that Sano died on contact, Anji does a "Namu Amida Butsu" prayer for his soul. The prayer, however, was a little too early; Sano did a Kiwami Hazushi that saved him. Sano gives Anji the attack he taught him, and it so appears that he lost. Sano says to Hajime Saito that his victory wasn't luck; he saved up one last Futai no Kiwami, but didn't expect it to ‘kill' him. Anji's hand moves, surprising Sano. It turns out that most of the force of the supposedly fatal blow was absorbed by an Ihai, or a memorial tablet. The tablet, although an inadvertent cushion that saved Anji's life, actually represented the "lives with pure souls that couldn't be saved." A boy, whose name is revealed to be Tasuke, plays with a gyro-like toy, while he picks on a toddler. Their older sister, Tsubaki, knocks Tasuke upside the head as punishment for picking on Goro. And they both get punished for not bathing yet. Tsubaki later scolds Monk Anji, who's thinner and have normal eyes, for being too gentle; when scolding someone, one's heart must turn into that of a demon. Later, Monk Anji teaches the kids how to spell "Buddha". Anji also teaches how Buddha is basically like a god in other similar religions – he forgives no matter what happens, and people pray for stuff to happen. One thing in particular, the kids pray that he and their older sister, Tsubaki, will marry. They believe that if they marry, they can become a real family. Inside the temple, the town's mayor and two of his servants inform Anji that they're going to tear down the temple where he and the kids reside because the Meiji government abolished Buddhism. Anji wasn't concerned with the abolishment of Buddhism, but he was concerned with the welfare of the kids, because they became orphaned since their parents were lost in the Boshin War. Their parents were even more reason why the mayor requested the wrecking of the temple; their father was loyal to the Shogunate and contributed to their opposition in the war. If the children were to leave, they would get more funding from the Meiji. The kids, who eavesdropped, and Anji, started praying that they'll move to Tokyo or Kyoto, and that they'll have a happy future and be watched over. Later that night, Anji's prayers awaken Tsubaki. She vows that she'll do anything he asks him, and will bear the responsibilities of an adult, and then prays that they'll be watched over. Anji continues praying outside, over a waterfall, chanting "Namu Amida Butsu." He sees a blaze in the distance, and notices that it's the temple burning down. Immediately, he runs over to see what happened, but is knocked unconscious by the mayor's servants, who are happy that they'll finally get that phat lewt from the Meiji. At sunrise, Monk Anji awakens to the destruction of the temple. None of the children survived. Out of anger, he punches the statue of Buddha, which was still standing, and asks his deity why his prayers for protection and a happy future for the happy children were never answered, and why he allowed the children to have such a fate. He wipes his tears of anger with his hands, stained from the soot and ash of the fire. This is how he gets those black eyes. And this is when he transitions from Monk Anji to Anji the Destroyer. It's nighttime with a full moon, and it appears to be red. The mayor of the town is cowering beneath Anji the Destroyer, who is now more muscular and intimidating than to his previous monk form. The old mayor claims that the temple incident wasn't his doing, and he begs for his life to be spared. Immediately after that, the scene switches to the present. Anji explains that not one thing can be saved through prayers and wishes. He then vows that until the five kids are reincarnated into the earth, he'll never lose a battle. Sano demands an explanation why Anji believes in his twisted logic, which reminds himself of his own rage when Captain Sagara died. He intends to get this chip off Anji's shoulder the same way Kenshin did to him. They trade blows of Futai no Kiwami. Despite being a one-shot attack, the Futai no Kiwami proves futile to each other because of their desire to win at any cost. However, Saito observes that even though Anji is a part of the Juppongatana, he's not a swordsman, but he keeps a short sword in his belt nonetheless. Anji uses the sword to do the To-ate, a distance attack that uses the sword as merely a tool to send the Futai no Kiwami's force through the ground. Anji does another To-ate, but Sano jumps over it and counterattacks with his own Futai no Kiwami, but Anji's left hand Futai no Kiwami collides with his. On contact, Sano convinces Anji that now's the time that his wounds start healing. Anji replies that all he has are deep scars and consequently, he feels no pain. He intends to stay as a Destroyer until he saves the world because it's his children's wish. The physical fight ends with a draw, but Sano tells Anji that him being a destroyer would be the LAST thing the children would wish for; they're crying because of all the blood he shed. Monk Anji carries Tsubaki over his back, walking in the snow, because she has a sprained ankle. Tsubaki wishes that time would freeze so that everyone would stay the way they were – happy, and ‘when' she gets older, she'll stay by Anji's side no matter what. Anji starts crying, saying that he doesn't deserve that kindness. His face changes to its present state, with the soot around his eyes, but tears still flowing. He realizes his wrongdoing of all the lives he took. The ghosts of the orphans appear, and reminded him of what he taught them – no matter what happens, out of sorrow or out of hatred, Buddha will forgive, and also that they'll be together forever in spirit. The ghosts float off, converging into a golden light that turns into the face of Buddha. Anji, wakes up, and gives up his ways of a Destroyer. Sano explains that his kindness saved the kids up until they passed on, and that he can return to the life of being a gentle monk. He admits defeat, and warns them to return to the Aouia, since the only Juppongatana in the fortress are Usui, Soujiro, and Hoji – the rest are surrounding the hospice to destroy the Oniwaban. Anji agrees to look over the nearly-paralyzed Sano, and uses the medicine Megumi gave to Kaoru to give to Kenshin so he can aide him. Despite the attack on the Aouia, Kenshin and Saito decide to go on, since they can't go back unless they want to get lost within the labyrinth of the fortress, and more importantly, they trust the skill of their friends, and especially the arrival of Seijurou Hiko the Thirteenth. Cut to the Aouia. About 150 men of the Juppongatana, including Kamatari, surround Kaoru, Yahiko, Misao, and the Kyoto Oniwaban. Cut back to the fortress. Yumi, Kenshin, and Saito enter a dark room where Usui awaits. There are eyes painted on every tile of the wall in the room, plus five eyes on the floor – one on each of the four corners plus one big eye in the center of the room. He asks which of the two swordsman wants to see the afterlife first…
49. The Wolf Destroys the Shingan
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50. The Promised Time Has Come
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51. Wake Up Now!
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52. To Make a Miracle
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53. The Giant Versus Superman
After defeating Henya, Kamatari, and I wambo running away, Misao and the other think that it is over. But then the Destruction Army, Saizuchi and Fuji appear. After Saizuchi spent several minutes explaining his and Shishio's twisted logics, Fuji is about to attack when Seijurou Hiko appears. Seijurou recognizes from Fuji's strike that he is a proud martial artist. He convinces him to strip off his armor. After he does, they fight shortly, and Seijurou uses the Kuzu Ryu Tsen to finish him off.
54. Hiten Versus Shukuchi
Kenshin, Sano, and Yumi enter Soujiro's room. Soujiro greets them warmly, but Kenshin says they can't waste time and asks if Soujiro will fight or not. Soujiro knows he means his friends at the Aoyia, and tells Kenshin the Juppongatana was defeated there. Everyone's shocked, but Soujiro says now he can't waste time. They both prepare for battoujutsu and as a drop of sweat falls from Yumi's face, they attack, finishing as the drop hits the ground. Soujiro looks at his sword and sees Kenshin cracked it. He's surprised Kenshin improved that much, being able to crack his legendary sword, the Kikuichimonji Norimune. Soujiro starts tapping his foot, saying he can beat Kenshin if he tries. He disappears and all that can be seen is Soujiro's feet hitting the ground. Flashback to Soujiro using this move to kill Okubo. Kenshin manages to dodge and Soujiro reappears, saying he slipped. Sano asks Yumi what that was and she has no idea, since she's never seen him fight. Kenshin realizes it's the Shukuchi, a speed even faster than god like speed. In Shishio's room, Hoji asks what the Shukuchi is. Shishio tells him it's a legendary technique that uses powerful legwork to bring your opponent within reach instantly. The shukuchi is so fast, that it can't be seen. Also, Kenshin uses emotions to predict his opponents' moves, but Soujiro doesn't have any. So the probability that Kenshin will win is "zero". Back to the fight, Soujiro tells Kenshin that wasn't the entire Shukuchi, which is why he could dodge it. Soujiro taps his foot again and says he thought that would have been enough, and now he'll try two steps short of the Shukuchi. He disappears and Kenshin manages to dodge the first attack. Kenshin dodges a second time, but Soujiro runs up a wall and attacks him. Kenshin manages to block and Soujiro disappears again. Kenshin uses the Kuzu Ryu Sen, which can't be blocked or dodged, and it appears he has defeated Soujiro. But he appears behind Kenshin and slashes him across the back. Everyone's shocked, including Soujiro, because Kenshin was wide open after the Kuzu Ryu Sen and Soujiro still couldn't kill him. Cut to Shishio saying his trademark phrase "If you're strong, you live and if you're weak, you die". Cut to Senkaku sitting by a river. Soujiro asks why Kenshin showed the Ryu Shou Sen to Shishio at Shingetsu Village. Flashback of their fight. Sano says it was to save Senkaku's life. Soujiro says Kenshin should have killed Senkaku himself. Then he realizes he's wasting time and starts tapping his foot again for the Shukuchi. Actually, one step short of it. As Soujiro is attacking, even though he's moving very fast, his sword is slow. Soujiro thinks to himself that Kenshin should have killed Senkaku. Because he didn't, Senkaku started saying weird things. Flashback of Senkaku running away from prison. He falls down a steep ledge and lands next to a river. Soujiro comes over and greets him. Senkaku asks if Soujiro is going to kill him. Soujiro says Shishio didn't tell Senkaku anything important, so he wasn't worth killing. Senkaku is relieved. He tells Soujiro how the Battousai is strong and merciful, unlike Shishio, who's just strong. Soujiro can't understand the idea of not killing. He watches a bird catch a fish, and with a weird grin on his face, kills Senkaku. He hears Shishio's voice in his head saying, "If you're strong you live, if you're weak you die." Soujiro repeats these words and attacks Kenshin, cutting him. Soujiro is shocked as he failed to kill Kenshin once again. He asks Kenshin why he doesn't kill people, because weak people die in the end. Sano gets mad and yells at him that Kenshin protects the weak. Soujiro still doesn't get it. Kenshin asks why that bothers him so much and tells Soujiro that deep down, he didn't want to be a killer. Soujiro's eyes flash with anger, which doesn't make sense since he has no emotions! He tells Kenshin he talks to much, then bounces around and says he'll finish this with the next attack. But during his attack, Soujiro's shoe breaks and he tells Kenshin he can rest while he fixes it. Sano tells Kenshin to attack him, and Kenshin says that makes him sound like Saito (this angers Sano a lot) and the best thing to do now is take care of his injuries. As Sano applies bandages to Kenshin's injuries, Kenshin asks him if he thinks Soujiro really lacks emotions. Sano thinks Kenshin really pissed him off. Kenshin concludes that Soujiro locked away his emotions and now they're coming back. Yumi yells at Soujiro, asking why he hasn't killed Kenshin yet. Soujiro says it doesn't make sense, that Kenshin is wrong and only the strongest survive. Cut to Soujiro being beaten by an older man. He screams, then stands there with a bloody sword surrounded by dead bodies. Back in the present, Soujiro starts thinking about his past...
55. The Tragedy of a Stormy Night
As Soujiro and Kenshin take a break from their fight, Soujiro looks back on his tragic past. He was forced to be like a slave on his family's rice business for his family because his father had him with a prostitute. Carrying large barrels of rice daily is what built up Soujiro's leg muscles enough for him to be able to use the Shukuchi. One night as Soujiro is washing off an injury he received when his step-father threw a jug of sake at his head, he sees Makoto Shishio kill several police officers. Shishio would have killed him had Soujiro had not been smiling. Soujiro took Shishio into the rice shed and gave him food and bandages. Shishio tells Soujiro about his motto, "If you're strong you live, if you're weak you die" and gives him a Wakazashi in return. Soujiro contemplates Shishio's words and decides that he should return the sword. But his family finds out he has been housing Shishio and beat him, then threaten to kill him. Soujiro ran and hid under the porch, but one of his step-brothers found him. Shishio's words return to Soujiro and he kills his step-brother. He steps out from under the porch and kills the rest of his family, then goes off with Shishio. Soujiro finishes fixing his shoe, and becomes irritated at Kenshin because despite Kenshin being "weak" and wrong, he is still standing. Their fight continues, Soujiro attacking with one step short of the Shukuchi, but Kenshin can block it because Soujiro is so troubled by what Kenshin says. Soujiro says that if Kenshin was right, he would have protected him back then and that since Shishio's logic saved him and not Kenshin's, Shishio was right.
56. A Duel With an Extreme Moment
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57. Two Men at the End of an Era
The battle between Shishio and Kenshin begins however, Shishio shows that he has the upper hand by revealing the numerous techniques he knows. At the end of the episode, he shows that Kenshin is possibly "biting off" more then he can chew.
58. The Age Chooses Shishio?
Kenshin & Shishio's fight continues. After a good bit of sparring, Shishio slides his flaming sword over his gunpowder-filled glove, creating an explosion which knocks Kenshin out. It seems all hope is lost when Saito appears out of nowhere and begins attacking him, but he too is no match for Shishio. Sano attacks Shishio with the Futae no Kiwami, but it has no effect and he gets thrown aside. Now the only man standing between Shishio and the title of strongest is Aoshi...
59. Not Out of Luck!
Aoshi fights Shishio, but there's nothing he can do except stall for time. Sano and Saito are still useless, and Kenshin is still knocked out. But then, something causes Kenshin to awaken! He unleashes a flurry of Hiten Mitsurugi moves on Shishio. But Shishio comes roaring back. The guys know there's only one move Kenshin hasn't used: the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki...
60. The Man Who is Chosen for Victory
Both Kenshin and Shishio are ready to end the fight with their ultimate attacks. As they begin, Shishio uses the insight he received from Soujiro to parry the Amakakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki. He ignites he's sword to finish Kenshin, when Kenshin spins around to hit Shishio. Hiko reveals there is a second half to the ultimate attack of the Hiten Mitsurugi style, and Aoshi mentions that with the combined force of the parry and spin, the second half of the attack is far worse than the first. With Shishio defeated, Yumi begs for Kenshin to spar his life. Shishio kills Yumi as an attempt to get to Kenshin, but dies from being pushed to far over his limits. As Aoshi, Sano, Kenshin, and Saito leave, Gouji begins to destroy the boiler, causing the bridge the bridge they're on to break, and surrounding them in flames.
61. The Choice for Life
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62. Kyoto, the Engraved Memory
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63. The Legend of the Fireflies
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64. The Birth of Prince Yahiko
A foreign prince is attacked by bandits. As Kenshin and Kaoru are returning from a play, they see this and Kenshin intervenes. During the attack the prince was injured, so Kenshin and Kaoru take them back to the dojo. As it turns out, Prince Shin looks exactly like Yahiko, and so Yahiko is put in his place to attend a banquet. At the banquet the bandits attack yet again, but our favorite samurai is there to protect Yahiko, along with Sanosuke.
65. Find the Lost Treasure!
When he finds himself under attack by the Kenwadan, a gang of masked men, a politician, Mr. Takamori, throws the key to his safe into an alleyway. Unexpectedly, the key is promptly picked up by a dog, who then escapes with it into a river, despite the gang's frantic pursuit. While praying at the shrine for better luck at dice, Sanosuke comes across the dog, now half-dead, and carries it back to the Kamiya dojo to be looked at by Megumi. Cue comic adventures as the dog, which Sanosuke names Notaro, promptly tears the Kenshin Group's lives apart, eating their food, stealing and burying their possessions, and generally making a nuisance of himself. But it doesn't take the Kenwadan Gang long to track Notaro down. Will Kenshin and the others be able to fend them off and find the key before the gang do?
66. Kaoru, Ecstatic
Kaoru and Tae from the Akabeko are touring town and come across a jewelry shop selling Engagement Rings. Tae informs Kaoru that it's a western custom for a man to give her one when he asks her to marry him, so naturally Kaoru fantasizes about Kenshin giving her one. And with the Japanese equivalent of Valentine's Day approaching, it seems all the more important, so Tae decides to get Kenshin to do something romantic for Kaoru. Kenshin goes out fishing, and Sanosuke and Yahiko begin to act very nice to Kaoru. Kaoru begins to wonder what's going on, then assumes that they must have crushes on her since it's Tanabata. Turns out they were just being nice because Yahiko broke her favorite vase and Sanosuke wanted to borrow money. Kenshin returns with a catfish, which unfortunately turns out to be Kaoru's least favorite fish in the world. Luckily for Kenshin, the catfish redeems itself by coughing up an engagement ring, which Tae promptly tells Kenshin to give to Kaoru. Kenshin, unaware of the western custom, gives it to Kaoru, and Kaoru assumes that it means Kenshin wants to marry her, so she begins to act a lot like a housewife, much to the confusion of Kenshin, Yahiko, and Sanosuke. Eventually, Sanosuke goes fishing to see if he can catch something to get Kaoru happy with him again so he can borrow money from her, and finds a man about to commit suicide by the river. The man explains that he threw his engagement ring in the river because he saw his girlfriend with another guy, who turned out to really only be an old friend. He felt awful after the whole ordeal, and now wishes to commit suicide as his ultimate apology. Sano immediately recognizes the description of the ring and runs back to inform the others. Yahiko and Sano decide that have to get the ring back for the man's sake, and since they want it back before the day is over, they only have until nightfall to do so. They try stealing it during Yahiko's practice, but it only results in Yahiko getting beaten up by Kaoru. They try stealing it while she's taking a bath, but while arguing over who will go in and do the deed, Kaoru hears them and knocks them both out. Finally, they get her drunk and try to pry it off, but fail miserably and Kaoru punches them so hard it sends them flying. Kenshin confesses, and Kaoru hits him so hard that he goes through the outer wall of the dojo, releasing the ring from her finger. Kenshin and gang return the ring, and Kenshin gives Kaoru a bunch of flowers as a gift instead.
67. The Gleaming Blade of Legends
Shining Legendary Sword! Legendary Sword Master, Amakusa Shougo. This episode starts off with Kenshin reading a letter from Misao-Chan, while Sano and Yahiko argue over lunch The letter informs them of a "mystery in Kyoto." It seems a former high ranking government official was found dead in the water, with a symbol for Christianity on his back. A mysterious man comes to Aoshi and asks Aoshi to protect him from someone. As it turns out, the man whom he wants to be protected from is the same man who killed the high ranking government official and left the symbol on his back. After a small portion of explanation we see the man who comes to Aoshi with many swordsmen around him, men with rifles, and even men with gatling guns, protecting him. This, "Son of God." comes to the building where the man is being protected, and begins to knock everyone unconscious using the reverse side of his sword, and then slays Kasai. This man moves at God-Like speed, so it seems, and seems to be using Hiten-Mitsurugi-ryu. He also has a technique where he using his spirit to destroy the spirit of another warrior, in this case, he uses it on Misao-Chan. The mysterious man, vanishes as Aoshi arrives and gets a quick glimpse. We are now taken back to the Dojo and Shirojo-San shows up, panting and sweating heavily. He asks to speak with Kenshin. He seems to be a messenger for Aoshi and was told to have Kenshin go to Kyoto as soon as possible. Once again, the scene of a man that is being targeted by " The son of God." is being shown, this one is a little bit informative, saying that " When the afternoon dies and fades to black, the son of god will return." He asks one of Shishio's former henchmen the one who was captured by Kenshin and Saito interrogated, to protect him. We learn that Misao-Chan is not hurt, but just her spirit is damaged. The technique is called "Shin no Ippou" come to the conclusion that this man uses Hiten, and think only a god could beat Kenshin. Kenshin returns to his master Seijurou Hiko and inquires about the "God." Seijurou informs him that his name is Amakusa Shougo and he was taught by a former apprentice of his master, Nishida Hyoue, who could not master the Ama Kakeru Ryu No Hirameki and defeat his masters Kuzu Ryu Sen and supposedly died. It seems that he lived, and moved to another country for 10 years, and then, 10 years after that, he returned to Japan. " And brought with him a man considered a god." Amakusa Shougo mastered the techniques of Hiten at the age of 14 and was able to defeat Hyoue's Kuzu Ryu Sen. As it turns out, Hyoue was not allowed to teach the Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu because he had not become a full fledged master. It seems this "God" knows the Ama Kakeru Ryu No Hirameki even though his master did not...
68. The Medallion of Destiny
Part 2 of the Shimabara Arc. It turns out that the mention of the daylight dying in the Shougo Amakusa's letter was a reference to a total eclipse of the sun. During the darkness, the killer strikes, easily defeating Chou the Sword Hunter and cutting down his intended target. Once the sun is back out, Sanosuke hears some passers-by talking about someone called Lord Shougo creating a miracle, and decides to follow them. He finds his way to a hidden cave behind a waterfall where he discovers a woman called Lady Magdalia leading a 'Christian' service. Once the service is over, he secretly follows Magdalia and her companion Shouzo, but comes out of hiding to defend them when the pair are harassed by a group of troublesome policemen. Magdalia’s response is to slap Sano and to try to help the policemen that have been injured in his attack. Sano threatens to leave with her medallion in a fit of sulkiness, and a fight ensues between him and Shouzo. The result is inconclusive as Sano falls into the river with the medallion and is swept away. He is washed up a little further down the river bank safe and sound, though a little puzzled at his own stubbornness. Meanwhile, the rest of the Kenshin Group discovers that Shougo's three victims had been important figures during the Tokugawa Shogunate, in charge of rooting out Christians. Kenshin is given the message that he is invited to speak with Hyouei, the man who taught Shougo the Hiten Mitsurugi style. Hyouei turns out to be blind, the result of a fight between himself and Shougo when the his former student announced his intent to return to Japan and destroy those who had oppressed the Christians. This blinding attack of Shougo's is named the Rai Ryu Sen, and is proof of his ability - as it makes him the first person to add a new attack to the Hiten Mitsurugi Style since the style's creation. Hyouei is old, and dying. His last wish is that Kenshin stop Shougo, and prevent him from unleashing his bloody rebellion on Japan. Hyouei dies in Kenshin's arms, and as Kenshin finishes burying him, both Shougo and Magdalia show up, arm in arm. Shougo leaves with the words, "Kenshin Himura, I will be waiting in Shimabara."
69. To the Battlefield of Shimabara
Part 3 of the Shimabara Arc. The Kenshin Group, with Misao in tow, arrive in town, just a short boat ride away from Shimabara. While wandering the streets, Yahiko is almost run down by a carriage which belongs to the Dutch Consul, Dr. Elsten. It turns out that Elsten and Kenshin have known each other since the Revolution, and it isn't long before the entire group is ensconced in Elsten's house, listening to Vivaldi and drinking tea. Kenshin seeks information about the upcoming rebellion, but to no avail. It seems Elsten doesn't know anything, although he promises to help if he can. However, it doesn't slip Kenshin's notice that Elsten's right hand man, Santou, seems to know more than he's saying. Meanwhile, Shougo, Magdalia and Shouzo travel out by boat to Shimabara. As they enter the harbor, eagerly anticipated by the Christian community gathered there, a 'miracle' occurs. A circle of flame suddenly ignites around the boat, and then surges up to form the Christian symbol in the sky. It is hugely appreciated by the Christian community gathered there, who hail Shougo as the "Son of God" appointed to save them, and chant his name as he comes in to land. The ‘miracle’ turns out to be a trick orchestrated by another of Shougo's associates, Lord Kaiou, though such tactics are frowned upon by Shougo himself. He makes this abundantly clear to Kaiou when the two are alone together. The Kenshin Group land at Shimabara a little later. While Kenshin and Sano head off to investigate, Kaoru and Yahiko are told to remain at the beach but they soon split up as they chase a group of children from the Christian community that had been trying to spy on them. It is Kaoru on her own who finds a hidden passage into the caves, and descends into the depths. It’s not long before Sano and Kenshin find trouble in the form of a guardian of the caves who sets his trained dogs on the pair. Kaoru meanwhile finds her way to a cathedral at the heart of the complex, where she discovers Shougo praying at the altar. At her involuntary exclamation the man turns and spots her. What will be Kaoru’s fate?
70. Shock of the Rai Ryu Sen
Part 4 of the Shimabara Arc. Kenshin learns the guardian has been told that he is a demon, and thinks he’s fighting to save the Christian community rather than being intent on evil. When the man falls and breaks his whistle, making him unable to control his dogs, Kenshin rescues him, much to the man's surprise. Thrown into confusion by this unexpected kindness, once they have escaped the caves the man ties Kenshin to a tree and runs off to seek advice from Lady Magdalia. Sano isn't so lucky. He escapes the dogs chasing him by climbing up a rock, but promptly drops Magdalia's medallion. Though he's still unsure why he's so desperate to hang on to it, he tries to rescue it. Unfortunately he ends up falling into a deep chasm, medallion in hand. Meanwhile, Kaoru confronts Shougo in the underground cathedral. Though it looks like she's in trouble for a while, Shougo respects her honesty, and tells her to pass on all she's learned to Kenshin. All Shougo desires is first to fight Kenshin and surpass his Hiten Mitsurugi style, and then to succeed at creating a "Land of God" through his rebellion. It seems everything's going his way as the cave guardian comes and informs him that Kenshin is waiting up on the cliffs. The entire group, Kaoru and Magdalia included, head out onto the cliffs for the inevitable show down. Shougo's "Sword of Heaven", his version of the Mitsurugi Style, is indeed as good as he claims, and Kenshin comes off worst. Still, Kenshin refuses to use his Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki. As he lies prone on the cliff top, thrown down by Shougo's Kuzu Ryu Sen, Shougo takes his revenge by giving Kenshin a "defeat one thousand times worse than death". The "Son of God" uses his Rai Ryu Sen to blind Kenshin and send him tumbling from the cliff top. He's discovered at the foot of the cliff by Kaoru and Yahiko, alive but badly hurt, and totally unable to see.
71. Kaiou's Conspiracy
An injured Sanosuke is found by Magdalia at the foot of the underground cliff. She takes him back to the Christian compound to tend his wounds, and despite their bickering, there is clear chemistry between the two. They end up arguing about Shougo's intentions and methods, and Magdalia realizes Sanosuke is there to work against her brother. She reluctantly collects a gun from another room, but when she returns to where she left Sanosuke, she finds he’s already gone. He has left a note though, apologizing for the argument and promising to find her medallion which he lost in the fall from the cliff. Back in Shougo’s rooms, he, Santou and Kaiou are meeting to discuss their plans. Santou and Kaiou advocate enlisting the aid of a foreign power that wishes to colonize Japan. However, Shougo states that he will not allow Japan to become a colony. Rather, he insists that they should sign a treaty with the western power, without permitting colonization. As he stalks from the room, Santou and Kaiou exchange glances. Meanwhile, Kenshin and Kaoru have set up camp in a shack near the beach. Kenshin is still totally sightless, but seems to be coming to terms with the loss of his sight. He tells Kaoru that he knows he must face Shougo again, and that the two must both use Amakakeru no Hirameki against each other. Suddenly, Misao arrives with important news. She has discovered the history behind Shougo and his sister, and thus the root of the whole rebellion. Alone in an isolated underground chamber, Kaiou and Santou discuss the problems with Shougo’s stubbornness. Santou is despairing and angry, but Kaiou is perfectly calm. He reveals his true purpose – to use Shougo’s charismatic leadership to control the Christian population and thus break both the Meiji government and Japan as a whole.
72. The Days of Remorse
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73. The Sneering Demon
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74. Sanosuke's Tears
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75. The Last Crusade
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76. Bon Voyage
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77. Himura Dojo in Shimonoseki?
A man claiming to be the Battousai appears in a small village the Kenshin group is passing through on its way back from the ordeal with Shougo. Following him to his dojo, Kenshin is drafted into his ranks as an apprentice and begins his training (which he fails miserably). When a man appears to incite the local thugs, they begin to get aggressive and make an attack on the dojo, which is actually an orphanage for children who've lost their parents in war.
78. Crush!
Kenshin and group stay at a hotel but end up working for them instead when they find they have no money to pay the bill. Among those in the hotel is an artist in search of the true meaning of art. He gets one glimpse of Kaoru and sees her as his inspiration. Later that day, he saw Kaoru and Misao taking a dip in the hot spring together and watched from a tree drawing Kaoru all the while. He was caught and he confessed. So he gets Kaoru to pose for him as a model. So da Vinci gets to draw Kaoru and does so beautifully but he says he hasn't got the essence of Kaoru because he is in love with her. Then Kenshin comes along and Kaoru expects him to say something romantic but his words tip her over the edge and she smacks him. Misao gets an idea and so Sanosuke agrees to help the artist in his mission for love. The only condition being that the guy would have to defeat Kenshin in the martial arts before sunset. He agrees but is stumped after hearing that Kenshi used to be known as Battousai. Nevertheless, he goes ahead and tries to ambush Kenshi but all his attempts fail. Finally, Sano, Misao, Yahiko and Kaoru get to him as he is about to swing down on Kenshi and attack. But all goes wrong and he stumbles onto wasps and Sano and Kenshi get him out. There as he is being brought up he sees Kenshi and Kaoru together and gets a look at Kaoru's heart and is happy for once at having found the true meaning of art. He thus leaves out travelers for elsewhere and leaves Kaoru with his final painting of her, which turns out to be a piece of modern art.
79. Kaishu-Katsu and Kenshin
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80. The Unending Revolution
One aims to be a key figure in the new era while the other has a dream of the future twinkling in eyes. The outstretched hand of the old man cannot be seen by the two youths. And, evil hands of darkness descend upon the flower buds.
81. Conspiracy of the Beniaoi
The unhealed scars from past chaos and the flames wavers from the cries of shame. The passion of the past melts 300 years of ice, causing the river to rise and the water begins to move a boulder. Seasons change but will it arise in that certain person's heart.
82. Kaishu-Katsu's Determination
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83. Yutaro Returns
A new enemy has appeared, the Black Knights. Their role becomes more clear in the next episode, but this is just an introduction to them and getting back what they want from the doctor that Yutaro comes to Japan with, Dr. Hans. After enjoying each other's company and celebrating Yutaro's return, he and Dr. Hans walk home then are ambushed by the Black Knights. They ask for a map, which is unclear what it's for as on now. The doctor refuses then runs and then is slashed in the shoulder. Yutaro almost dies trying to help but good ol' Kenshin comes. He has a VERY short battle with one of them, then they go back to the Kamiya Dojo, hoping that they help Dr. Hans, but before he passes out, he tells everyone that he's hidden something under the porch of the dojo; his notebook and a small stone. Also, there's talk of an elixer. What could this all mean?
84. The Sanada Ninja Squad
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85. A Straying Journey
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86. A Heat wave from Beneath the Earth
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