A Decisive Battle Like Violent Waters: The Strongest Troop Jūppongatana is the 44th episode of the Rurouni Kenshin anime series.
Synopsis[]
Sanosuke has finally arrived in the city of Kyōto, through landing himself hard time in the jailhouse. Busting himself out and showing to Saitō that he is ready for anything that comes his way, another man lies in that very jail, to be interrogated about Shishio's plans. With the conversation leading onto key points, a diabolical plan is unrevealed! What is the terrible plot that Shishio Makoto holds in store for his conquest of Japan and to begin a dark age where only the strong survive? Are Kenshin and Saitō going to be able to stop any secret plan that Shishio may have?
Plot[]
Saitō and the Police Chief reacting to Sanosuke destroying the bars
While Kenshin tends to Hiko's wounds by giving him a medicine his master gave him as a child, Saitō arrives at a prison in Kyōto, only to find Sano is there waiting for him. Sano shows off his new technique, the Futae no Kiwami, but Saitō has no interest in continuing their fight in Tokyo. Instead, Saitō visits Chō, who was recently brought in. Saitō questions Chō on two things. The first thing is from the night before, fifty men of the police and army were killed in Kobe; Saitō wants to know if any man serving under Shishio can do such a task. Chō lies, saying it was him. Even if Saitō offers to get the sword loving one out of jail, Chō refuses to leave. Sano knows that Chō is scared, scared because if he was set free, Shishio would have him assassinated due to his capture. Immediately, Sano and Chō begin arguing. When their petty exchange of words is through and after Sano demonstrates his strength, Chō decides to talk.
Chō explaining about Shishio's plan to attack the government
There are only two men who could have done that; Sōjirō and a man by the name of Usui. Usui was a Hitokiri for the Tokugawa Bakufu, but one day, he was blinded by Shishio. Since then, he's wanted revenge on Shishio and mastered a technique known as the Shingan, but for some reason, aligned himself with Shishio. Saitō continues with his second question, asking Chō what's the facts about the Holocaust of Kyōto. Chō answers, basically saying it's Shishio's plan to burn down Kyōto for revenge on the Meiji Government that burned his body. Hearing that, Sano grows enraged, determined to stop Shishio Makoto.
Kamatari and Yumi fighting for Shishio's attention
All members of the Jūppongatana have arrived at Shishio's base. After an incident with Usui trying to kill Shishio, Sōjirō has returned after being absent for three days. Quietly, he shows Shishio a note, which tells Shishio his ship is prepared to set sail. Meanwhile, Kenshin is rudely awoken from his nap by Hiko. Kenshin is glad that his master is fine, thinking the medicine did the trick. Hiko looks questionably at the "medicine", then finally tells Kenshin it's nothing but a seasoning. The real trick was Kenshin's Sakabatō, it couldn't kill a thing whether Kenshin wanted to or not. Outside of Hiko's house, Hiko presents Kenshin with his trademark mantle, demanding that he take the symbol that represents the inheritor of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū. Kenshin declines the offer, not only because he'd look bad in, but he doesn't want to take the name of Hiko Seijūrō the 14th. All Kenshin wanted to do was to inherit the style's discipline. Even though Kenshin has disappointed his master, the rurouni asks Hiko if he could protect everyone at the Aoiya while he's gone fighting Shishio. It all sums it up when Hiko turns around, smiles, and gives the thumbs up.
The Police Chief telling Saitō that Battosai has appeared
Kyōto is being occupied with policemen rapidly. Shishio's plan to burn Kyōto to the ground will start the following day at 11:59 P.M. The only hope for the Meiji Government is Kenshin. As Saitō waits in a police station in Kyōto, a man informs him that the Battōsai just departed from a police department at the foot of the mountains in the morning and should be arriving by carriage. In a few seconds after, a carriage pulls up. Out steps Kenshin a new, more powerful man. Saitō can see the change in the rurouni and is almost overwhelmed with the power he's gained in such a short time.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Himura Kenshin
- Hiko Seijūrō XIII
- Sagara Sanosuke
- Saitō Hajime
- Sawagejō Chō
- Seta Sōjirō
- Komagata Yumi
- Sadojima Hōji
- Shishio Makoto
- Uonuma Usui
- Honjō Kamatari
- Saizuchi
- Yūkyūzan Anji
- Kariwa Henya
- Iwanbō
- Fuji
Anime Notes[]
- There is a difference between the events of this episode and the manga:
- In the original manga, in the scene where Saitō interrogates Chō in the jail cell, he explains about the history and background of Komagata Yumi. This is omitted in the anime episode.
Gallery[]
