In the New Era is the tenth chapter of the Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration manga.
Synopsis[]
Kenshin remembers when Saito told him that wandering around with a fake smile isn't going to free from the pool of blood he created. Kenshin also remembers that Saito told him to be prepared to step back into a pool of blood, since he Kenshin keeps wielding that sakabato, then one day he will find himself in a grave predicament.
Udo tells Kenshin that this is how a sword should be used, and asks if Kenshin remembers that this is the art of the sword. Udo states that the sword is a weapon, the art of the sword is the art of killing, and that this is the undeniable truth. Suddenly Kenshin attacks Udo, which Udo says that he couldn't see Kenshin move his finger, let alone his sword. Suddenly a wound opens up on Udo's chest, which Udo thinks that is wasn't just one strike and that he couldn't see the second strike. Kenshin comments about what the undeniable truth is about the sword and the art of the sword, which Udo notices that Kenshin's scar is once again the color of fresh blood. Kenshin tells Udo to come since he will give what Udo wants and kill him. Kaoru notices Kenshin and thinks about him. Udo rips off his shirt and says that the blood of the sacrifice was to effective. Udo says that Kenshin has returned to being a Hitokiri once again but has also prepares to give him his heart, mind, and strength as the successor of the Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu. Udo expresses that this is more then he could have wished for. Udo tells Kenshin to come, and let them battle to the death.
Udo takes a stance and thinks about how he will use his Saidai Joge Dozen technique, along with his weight and strength to counter Kenshin's speed. Udo expresses the point of life is whether he can live or die, and their is no value in mere length but the only thing worth is the moment when life or death is decided. As Udo attacks, Kenshin says that that is already decided since Udo's death will become certain when he said that he will going to kill Udo. Kenshin uses his Kokonotsu Gashira no Ryu no Hirameki technique to stab Udo in nine different spots. Udo comments about all the spots that Kenshin has stab him, and says that he never stood a chance against he Hiten Mitsurugi- Ryu. Kenshin says that its too late, and now Udo dies.
Suddenly Kaoru grabs Kenshin and stops him, which shocks both Kenshin and Udo. Kenshin comments about Kaoru's wound, which Kaoru says that she is alright. Kaoru says that her wound didn't kill her, and tells Kenshin to please don't kill. Udo says that this can't be, that he killed her and that she should be dead. Udo says that he failed to take a life, but notices that his blade slips out of his wound and figures that his would has spread open and his blade loosened. Udo thinks about how his sword point has strayed to Kaoru's side, and expresses that even Kenshin has forced him to abide by his pathetic vow not kill. Kenshin tells Udo that this battle is settled and that he will not kill him. Udo laugh and says that the point of life is whether you live or die, and then stabs himself. Udo says that he won't give his life nor death to a man who won't kill. Udo expresses that it was brief but it was fun. Udo tells Kenshin that when Kenshin said that he was going to kill him, that was the real him, and there is no question about it since this is coming from a fellow Hitokiri. Udo tells them that a hitokiri are hitokiri until they die. Kenshin looks at Udo and thinks about his last words.
Later Sano, Kaoru, and Yahiko are under a sakura tree, which Yahiko is practicing his swings. Sano says that Yahiko is a student at the Kamiya Dojo now, which Kaoru replies that Yahiko is and that he is also a live in student. Kaoru reveals that Yahiko works six days a week at Akabeko, and take half his pay for tuition and savings for his future. Kaoru then says that the other half secretly goes through Tae to pay off Tsubame's family debt. Tsubame arrives and apologizes for being late. As they comments about the Akabeko's special cherry blossom catering, Sano says that the cherry blossoms may no be in bloom yet, but they need this. Kaoru tells Tsubame to join them, which Tsubame says that she can't. Kaoru says that they already asked Tae to let her, which Yahiko asks where Kenshin is at.
Kenshin meets with Saito at a river bank, which Saito reveals that Kanryu and his men have been arrested. Saito says that they are investigating the shanghai connection that was smuggling weapons to Kanryu and the anti-government group that was planning on purchasing them. Saito tells Kenshin that the higher-ups are awfully happy, which Kenshin says that the credit belongs to Yahiko and if there is some kind of reward, then it should go to Kamiya Dojo. Saito comments about how for the first time in ten years, their fiercest brother, Hitokiri Battosai, shows himself. Saito says that he has a message from some of Kenshin's old allies, which is that they need his help laying the ground work for a new government and to come home.
Kenshin thinks back to the night that Udo dies, which Kaoru tells Kenshin that they should go home since Kenshin shouldn't be here and that Kenshin is not here because he want to be. Kaoru explains that the person she met back then wasn't a killer, but a man adrift. Kaoru explains that the times and sword may be different, but as long as the people don't change, nothing will really change. Kaoru then grabs Kenshin's clothes and says please, which Kenshin tells her that he is a little tired of travelling.
Saito tells Kenshin that he was simply lucky this time, and that the Sakabato of his will turn on him one day if he is indecisive. Saito also tells Kenshin that he should resolve himself to return to a pool of blood, which replies that he may be slain by his own sword but as long as a malicious dagger does not penetrate through him, then he will be fine with that. Kenshin says that he swore to the katana that he would never create a pool of blood and within the range of his katana, he will not let others do so either. Saito also Kenshin a fool, which Kenshin replies that he will not return to a pool of blood. Kenshin then leave to meet with his friends.
Kenshin meets with his friends and thinks about how he is returning to where he wishes to return to. Kenshin's friends comment about how he is late and that they have started without him. Kaoru welcomes Kenshin home, which Kenshin replies that it is good to be back.