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31: : Never Reaching Feelings... Kenshin's Departure
Today is May 14, the day of Kenshin’s decision. Megumi and Yahiko came to Sano’s house to wake him up, since today was a very important day, not only for Kenshin, but for the whole gang as well. Kenshin was with the kids, Kaoru, and Dr. Genzai. They were looking at the spot where they used to watch fireflies in the summer. Kaoru was sure that Kenshin wouldn’t go. He’s been with them for almost a year now, and he’s part of the family. She’ll do anything to stop him from being the slasher once again. Sano and his associates arrived, and they all told Kenshin not to go. Sano even stepped on his head for emphasis. Kenshin was having difficulty deciding, since Okubo isn’t really corrupt or else Saitou would’ve killed the man himself. Meanwhile, Saitou is having his meal at a restaurant, sneezing to his heart’s content. He too, is aware of the significance of date on the calendar. Megumi tried to put a leash on Kenshin’s neck to prevent him from leaving, but it didn’t work. Kenshin left to give Okubo his decision. He decided to walk to Akusaka to save Okubo the trouble of traveling. In the carriage, Okubo was thinking about his plans for the day when a young man opened the door and delivered a message from Shishio, with a blade. The carriage was put to halt by a bunch of rebels. They opened the door to kill Okubo, but he was already dead, so they just rammed their swords into his limp body and claimed his assassination. Kenshin arrived to see a crown gathered. Okubo’s body was drenched in blood under a straw mat. The man responsible for his death warned Kenshin to stay away, else he’d be dead as well. The news of the Meiji Government’s central pillar’s death spread and the people were devastated. Saitou is going to Kyoto to stop Shishio. Kenshin is staring into space, the gang’s and his enemies’ words echoing in his mind. Jin’es speech struck him most. He had to be true to himself, to know who he really is. He has to give battousai a chance, to know which life he’d like best. Back at the dojo, the little girls and Megumi left reluctantly to attend a patient, and Sano escorted them. Kaoru waits on the road for Kenshin’s return, little lights glowing in the dead of night. Kenshin arrived to say goodbye. He decided to go to Kyoto, despite Kaoru’s pleas for him not to turn back to what he once was. He thanked her for everything, and hugged her… He turned and walked away, his steps heavy, vanishing into the darkness. Fireflies were everywhere, and so were her tears.
32: Changing Tears to Courage! The Path Chosen by Kamiya Kaoru
The dojo is like a haunted house. Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan are crying over Kenshin’s absence. So is Kaoru. Meanwhile, Sano is dismantling the restaurant. Kenshin’s unprecedented departure got him all riled up. Yahiko arrived at the restaurant to look for Sano, who just left. He asked Tae and Tsubami to visit Kaoru and lighten up her mood. Sano went to borrow some money from Tsukioka for his trip to Kyoto. His friend also gave him a few small explosives for precaution. Yahiko bumped into Sano on his way out of the house. He was followed by Saitou, who was there to discourage Sano’s plan to follow Kenshin. He kept on saying that Kenshin doesn’t need their help, and they’d only get in his way, just a nuisance, a burden. The two men fought and Sano’s shoulder was wounded. Still they fought, with Saitou adding insult to every injury. Sano couldn’t penetrate through Saitou’s defenses - the man wasn’t even affected by his attacks. Saitou continued his tirade of insults. Sano managed to fight back, only to be struck again. He was beaten up, and Saitou just left. Sano went on his way, refusing Tsukioka’s offer to patch his wound. He left it to Yahiko to bring Kaoru to Kyoto. He vowed to get stronger by the time he reached his destination. The idea that Kenshin thought that he’d only be in his way hurt more than his bloody arm. Kaoru was drowning herself in reveries of Kenshin when Tae and Tsubami found her. Megumi went to the dojo, having learned of Kaoru’s condition from Yahiko. Kaoru hasn’t eaten since Kenshin’s goodbye. The two girls tried unsuccessfully to convince her. Megumi drove Kaoru to jealousy, and they were snapping at each other, the argument was getting out of hand. Megumi whirled back to slap Kaoru in vain, but she almost got her other cheek. Megumi gave her a large chunk of her mind instead of slapping her. There was an intense verbal play between them and Kaoru was shook to reality with the fact that she was the only one Kenshin said goodbye to. Megumi walked out and gave the special medicine to Yahiko, while tears fall. Yahiko eased Megumi’s worry by insuring that they’ll bring back Kenshin. He then told Kaoru of the significance of Kenshin’s goodbye, and she finally got a grip on herself.
33: Time to Be the Strongest Warrior! Aoshi's New Battle!
Kaoru and Yahiko said their good-byes to Tae and Tsubami. Their boat was rowing off when Dr. Genzai, Megumi, and the girls arrived to bid them farewell. Deep in the forest, Sano slowly destroys nature as he wipes out the tress with his strong fists. Kenshin was walking his way to Kyoto and the people were avoiding him since he was carrying a sword. He refused Saitou’s offer to ride on the boat earlier, since he doesn’t want anybody else hurt so he went alone. He was deep in though when a policeman noticed his sword and chased him. Megumi went to check on the dojo but found that it wasn’t locked. She ran inside hoping to find Kenshin, but saw Aoshi instead. He threatened to kill her if she didn’t tell him where Kenshin was. Saitou provided the information. The two men got acquainted. Saitou told him about Kenshin’s mission in Kyoto, and invited him to go along. Saitou thinks that he could use him against Shishio but Aoshi refused and walked away. Shishio’s spy was up a tree, and he heard everything. The moon was up but the police was still chasing Kenshin, and Sano was still logging the forest. Aoshi went to the graves of his men and there were four giants drinking there. They delivered a message from Shishio, an invitation. Aoshi refused, and the giants attacked him. He used his double kodachi to finish the battle. Shishio’s right hand, Soujiro Seta applauded his skill with the swords. He came to invite him to work for Shishio, to restore the reputation of the Oniwabanshuu. Soujiro used Aoshi’s shattered dreams for the Oni gang to somehow sway him. At that, Soujiro left, and Aoshi decided. He will go to Kyoto. Soujiro went to the spot where Shishio and his woman were having a picnic. Shishio gave instructions to Soujiro to greet a certain slasher. Still in the woods, Sano is figuring out the directions to Kyoto, he seems lost. At the clinic, Megumi absent-mindedly treats her patient as she thinks about Kenshin. A cloaked woman was beguiling men with her mysteriously sexy voice, as Kenshin walks past her and is plagued by innkeepers. He retreated to the woods that night and made camp. He heard a noise and became wary of the dangers. Some men were harassing the woman with the sexy voice into providing a little entertainment in exchange for money. She took her cloak off and her sexy voice was gone. She was just a girl, and the men backed out, disappointed in little lass. She demanded the money with her, uh, tomboyish voice. She beat them all, and Kenshin found her. She planned to rob Kenshin, but he looked so poor...
34: The Little Thief... Makimachi Misao's Deceptive Looks!
Since he was penniless, she decided that Kenshin’s sword would do. Kenshin refused to give it up since it was all that he had. She attacked him, but her puny efforts didn’t even make Kenshin wince. She threw her Hikimo at him, but to her horror, Kenshin used her cloak to block the daggers. Aside from that, he got hold of the money she stole. Now, she was really furious, so she demanded his sword, and Kenshin obliged. She decided to keep the sakabatou, in exchange for her ruined cloak. He gave up his only money and got his sword back, then went off to return the stolen loot. They found the place and went inside. Kenshin pushed away his not-so-pure thoughts, encouraged by the girl’s tight clothing and returned to the job at hand. He had to draw her away from the unguarded safe to avoid further temptation. They walked on the bridge and there he learned about her. She is Makimachi Misao. She told Kenshin about her lone pursuit for her stepfather. However, she went broke before she found him so she’s returning to Kyoto. Kenshin lectured her about stealing, but Misao grabbed and shook Kenshin while explaining her unusual food supplement since she went broke. Kenshin warned her of the men she beat up earlier. It was too late, for the thieves had already surrounded the bridge. Kenshin prevented the fight by slashing the bridge. Then, Misao talked about the large group she grew up in, at Kenshin’s request. He was stopped dead in his tracks when he heard the leader, and her stepfather’s name. It was Shinomori Aoshi. She started her list of questions, but Kenshin evaded her inquiries. This continued in the morning. He runs away whenever Misao mentions the Oniwabanshuu. But she isn’t daunted. She’s desperate for news and by god, she’s going to get it out from him. Kaoru and Yahiko were only a day away from Kyoto. The rain brought back memories. In the forest, Kenshin and Misao were under a tree. She described Aoshi as a very kind man. He ran away in the middle of her monologue since the rain was gone. He decided to keep the truth from her because he didn’t want to destroy the image of the man who cared for her. He ran faster to lose her, but she was close behind. Kenshin got to the other ridge. It was a good distance apart. He turned serious and denied knowledge of Aoshi, and told her to leave him alone. Misao refused to give up, and jumped to the other side. She fell short and Kenshin saved her. He made her promise not to do such thing again, and she decided to go with him to Kyoto, despite the dangers. Still, she continues to prod him about Aoshi and the Oniwabanshuu.
35: Occupied Village! Shishio's Evil Shadow, Ever Closer!
Kenshin and Misao went through the forest to Kyoto, with the latter constantly bugging the former. They were in the middle of an argument about eating when they heard a sound. Kenshin ordered Misao to stay behind while he checked it out, but stubborn Misao followed. There, sitting under a tree was a man covered all over with blood, a young boy cradled in his arms. Kenshin offered whatever help he could to the dying man. The man told him to take care of his little brother and to save their village. Kenshin buried him and when the boy awoke, they asked him questions. His name is Eiji, and he lives in Shingetsu, the village that Shishio had taken over for the past two years. The place was ruled by one of Shishio’s men, Senkaku. They killed every policeman that was sent there, until the government stopped sending reinforcements. Eiji’s brother went there to save his family, but failed. Eiji is set on revenge, but Kenshin stopped him from pulling his brother’s sword from the grave. Kenshin went to the village to save the boy’s family. The path was lined with dilapidated shacks and run-down houses. Misao and Eiji followed despite Kenshin’s orders. Kenshin stopped at a clearing. There, two tortured and bloody bodies hung from a wooden post. Eiji screamed as he saw his parent’s mutilated bodies up there, dripping of blood. Shishio’s army surrounded Kenshin. They kill all ill-fated strangers who manage to be lost in this god-forsaken place. Their brutality angered Kenshin, so he took them down. Saitou arrived in time to kill Misao’s attacker. He learned of Shishio’s location so he came to the village, and to investigate his undercover policeman, Eiji’s brother, as well. Kenshin was going to give Eiji’s parents a proper burial, but the villagers stopped him. They would suffer if Senkaku knew of this treachery. Kenshin walked to the hanging corpses. He had only to look at the villagers to stop them from interfering. They all left the village to bury the bodies. Kenshin promised to avenge the death of Eiji’s family and so he agreed with Saitou to visit Shishio. For the nth time, Kenshin asked Misao to stay behind. Shishio was in a bath when Soujiro was informed about two men approaching. He reported it to Shishio, who was almost thrilled to receive his upcoming visitors. Eiji had finished the graves. He took the rusty, chipped sword and headed for Shishio’s. Misao tried to stop him, only to become an accomplice in the end. Kenshin and Saitou have arrived at Shishio’s keep. They were welcomed by the ever-cheerful Soujiro, while Senkaku awaits for battle.
36: After the End of the Dynasty. First Meeting of Kenshin and Shishio.
Kenshin recognized Soujiro’s voice as Okubo’s killer. Soujiro laughed at his own denial and led them inside while Misao and Eiji sneak into the perimeter fence of Shishio’s fortress. Misao had to shake some sense into her overeager companion. She demonstrated her Oniwabanshuu skills and they successfully breached into the grounds. Inside, Kenshin and Saitou got acquainted with Shishio. Kenshin asked him the reason for murdering the villagers. He answered with a joke – it was all a quest for therapeutic hot springs. Kenshin wasn’t laughing. The village was used as a center base to control the whole area, and the hot springs were just a bonus. Shishio was Kenshin’s successor, an assassin who worked in the shadows. He worked hard and obeyed every assignment. However, each assignment made him more dangerous because of what he knew, so the government tried to get him out of the picture. Unfortunately, he survived and now he has greater anger and resolve. By the time he recovered, the chaos was over. He learned that with trust comes suffering and betrayal. He doesn’t give a shit whether innocent lives are lost. He doesn’t believe that weak government should be allowed to run Japan, therefore he’ll do the ruling himself. Kenshin didn’t believe any of this crap. He drew his sword to fight Shishio, but Senkaku would first have the opportunity. He came from below, with Shishio’s slight signal. They fought and Senkaku got Kenshin pinned to the wall. They thought it was over, but Kenshin recovered. He promised Eiji. Senkaku continued his assault, matching Kenshin’s speed despite his huge measure. Kenshin kept avoiding his attacks as he quickly moves behind Senkaku. Misao was bragging about not being scared of anything when Eiji caught her scream at the sight of a big spider. The guards took notice, and Misao gave herself up, but not without a fight. At first she contradicted herself with her unsuccessful efforts to give out a mysterious facade, then she took the guards down. Eiji confronted a guard and forced him to be their guide into the grounds. Senkaku continues to destroy the room with each empty attack. Kenshin wasn’t fighting back, and Saitou explained. Kenshin knew that his skills were being evaluated by Shishio, who was watching him intently. He’s using the self-destruction technique without giving anything away. At that point, Senkaku’s leg twisted when he turned. He screamed in pain and demanded an explanation. His leg couldn’t take any more pressure so it destroyed itself. Kenshin made him turn the same way so that the leg would have to break from the pressure. Shishio ordered Senkaku to fight until Kenshin has shown his technique, or else he’ll meet an unpleasant death in his hands. Kenshin executed a Ryuu Sho Sen on Senkaku’s neck, which left him suffocating. Saitou was disappointed, since he preferred Senkaku’s death. Kenshin faced Shishio and challenged him to fight. The time has come.
37: Shock! Sakabatou Broken...
Soujirou the Heavenly Sword versus Kenshin
38: Sanosuke, The Secret of Patience... Challenge the Hakai Priest, Anji
Sano was wandering through the forest, feeling some sort of familiarity with it. He thought about his friends and Saitou’s image flashed back. He shook the memory away. He took out his last piece of bread, tossed it and prepared to swallow when a powerful tremor ruined his concentration. He ate the fallen bread anyway. He went in search for the one responsible for disturbing his meal and saw a monk-like man chanting and meditating. The man then thrust his sword to the ground and the stone formations around him disintegrated. Sano was awed by his strength. After recovering, he asked him for food. They were later gathered around a fire eating roast frogs. The monk’s name was Anji. He’s a depraved monk, having broken all the rules and Buddha’s commandments. He wants to save the world so he’s training to realize it. Sano asked him to teach the technique to him, to be stronger. He begged, but Anji refused because he might not be able to stand the rigid training. Sano persisted, and proved that he wasn’t a weakling. Anji then taught him the basics of turning rock into dust. It took Anji ten years to master the Dueling Stream technique. Sano tried it, but he failed. Anji developed the technique and it wasn’t meant to be passed around. If Sano couldn’t learn it, he must die. Sano’s willing to risk his life for it. He’ll master it in a week’s time. He practiced and practiced until his knuckles bled. Anji tried discouraging him, but Sano was such a stubborn man. On the night of 6th day, Sano’s hand was thoroughly bloody and he could barely move. Just then, a vision of Sagara Souzou appeared before him, scaring the hell out of him. He advised Sano to stop practicing and admit defeat. Sano remembered how he felt when Captain Sagara died, and his head was displayed for everyone to see. Through Kenshin and his newfound family, he could laugh again. His friend was going to face the most important battle of his life. He doesn’t want to endure the same pain again. He has to learn the technique to be of help. Tears streamed down his face as he said goodbye to his friend. On the morning of the 7th day, Anji found a sleeping Sano, thinking he was dead. Sano woke up and showed Anji that he got the technique. The monk was surprised. Later, Sano said goodbye and thanked Anji. He also asked for directions to Kyoto. He started laughing when he learned the reason behind the familiar forest. It was the place where the Sekihoutai got assassinated. Soon after he left, Soujiro came to notify Anji of the scheduled gathering of the Juppon Gatana. Meanwhile, Misao was excited about nearing home but Kenshin somehow saw blood beyond those mountains to Kyoto.
39: The Man Who Makes Sakabatou... Arai Shatku's Masterpiece!
Kenshin and Misao have arrived at Kyoto and memories flash back. Misao shows him the Aoiya restaurant, owned by her grandfather, Okina. He recognized Kenshin despite the plaster on his scar and invited him inside to talk. Grandfather turned out to be a Kashiwazaki Ninja of the Oniwabanshuu special investigation unit. Because of this, Kenshin had to tell him about the Oniwabanshuu tragedy. They agreed not to tell Misao. Okina assumed that Kenshin’s arrival was connected to his successor, Shishio Makoto. He even volunteered himself to be Kenshin’s partner in the project. He’d already made up his mind so there was no point in discouraging him, so Kenshin just asked him to locate Shaku Arai and Hiko Seijuro. The next morning, Okina had news for Kenshin. Shaku Arai, the greatest craftsman of samurai swords, had long been dead, but his son is still alive. So they went. Shaku’s son now only crafts kitchen knives, because of the Meiji Era swords aren’t needed anymore. They arrived and were greeted by Iori, the little son of the craftsman. Azusa, the mother came out too and greeted them. Kenshin tested the knife on the large radish that he brought. He then asked for Seikuu Arai, to make him a new reverse-edged sword. Seikuu politely declined Kenshin’s request because he doesn’t make swords anymore. His father was known to make swords that kill but now he only makes tools that can help people. Kenshin understood his reasons and they left. He didn’t want to ruin his peaceful life by commissioning him to make another sword. It was the right decision. He didn’t want to involve Seikuu’s family or Misao’s as well in his battle. He decided to leave Aoiya once Hiko was found. Shishio was in their headquarters, discussing his plans with Hoji. They would strike as soon as Soujiro had rounded the Juppon Gatana. Kenshin was to be their sacrifice in their feast of domination. Katanagari Chou arrived and showed off his newly acquired sword. He heard about Shaku Arai’s last sword from Hoji while reporting on Battousai’s last whereabouts. He decided to go to Seikuu’s and collect the treasure. Misao went to convince Seikuu to have the sword made. Seikuu recognized Chou and refused to volunteer information about the sword, but Chou blackmailed them into submission by using Iori. Asuza told him in desperation, but Chou still took the child. The sword was at the Haku-Sen Shrine as an offering. Misao heard about this and informed Okina through a carrier pigeon. Kenshin rushed out despite his broken sakabatou. He got there even before Chou hit the last step. Off goes the plaster on his scar…
40: Cold Blooded Samurai! Battle with Juppon Gatana Chou!
Kenshin asked Chou to release Iori, but he tossed Iori on a tree branch in response. He attacked first but Kenshin easily dodged it and struck Chou’s back. Chou stood up and got his twin blade, the Rambatou. Kenshin easily broke the sword, having been taught by Shaku to defend against it. Chou stood up and demanded him to fight. Now, it was Battousai who looked back at him. Chou exposed his next weapon. Misao was in the lead of Okina, Seikuu, and Azusa up the long flight to the shrine. She reached the top but quickly ducked. Seikuu warned Kenshin of Chou’s weapon. It was Chou’s favorite, the flexible sword created by Shaku Arai, the Satsujinken. He attacked, and it slashed Kenshin’s right thigh. The sword was designed to be so thin and flexible so it was impossible for defense. Seikuu blamed himself for Kenshin’s imminent death while Kenshin continued the fight. Kenshin declared that he would save Iori even to his death. Seikuu’s head jerked up from the avowal. Unlike Chou, Kenshin didn’t kill children; he only killed grown men with honor. Seikuu was dumbfounded to hear Kenshin’s principles. Seikuu ran forward and Kenshin intercepted Chou’s sword. He ran to the temple while Kenshin fought Chou. Seikuu threw Shaku’s last sword to Kenshin. Kenshin couldn’t draw the sword. Chou started for Iori and Kenshin exploded inside. He quaked as Battousai emerged. He raced toward Chou and used Ryuu Kan Sen Tsumuji. Chou flew off and landed – apparently dead. Misao was shocked to know that he actually did it. Kenshin’s feelings were rioting inside. What had he done? Then, Seikuu told him to look at the sword – it turns out to be a sakabatou. Chou is alive, barely. The last sword by Shaku Arai was a shinuchi, the better half of the two sakabatou he made. Kenshin remembered his meeting with Shaku ten years ago. He had told him of his plans for a life of peace. Shaku had given him the sakabatou and told him to come back when the sword broke. Seikuu offered him the gift, and Kenshin accepted it in memory of Shaku. Iori bid him good-bye.Yahiko and Kaoru were sitting on a stairway after 3 days of futile efforts of locating Kenshin. They were at each other’s necks when Yahiko saw Aoshi walk by. He ran off to follow him, in hopes to find Kenshin while Kaoru followed behind. Okina told Kenshin that Hiko Seijuro had been found. Kenshin thanked him and turned to leave. He crossed Misao on the way out. She wouldn’t understand his intentions. Kenshin left and Misao followed him despite Okina’s advice. She wasn’t aware that Aoshi had walked past her. Kenshin didn’t notice that Kaoru scurried past him. Yahiko bumped Misao, both fell down and bickered. Kaoru apologized but held on to Misao’s clothing at the mention of Kenshin’s name. Misao pondered about her possible connection with the man she cared about… almost loved… Misao wanted to punch Seikuu for not doing anything, but Okina stopped her.