The Wolf Destroys the Eye of the Heart: The Fierce Attack of the Zero Stance Gatotsu is the 49th episode of the Rurouni Kenshin anime series.
Synopsis[]
In the darkness waiting ahead, in the "Room of Screams", a demon lies in wait at its center. This next duel ahead now sees the battle with the bloodthirsty Uonuma Usui, the killer with the power known as the "Heart's Eye". As Kenshin and Sanosuke leave ahead, Saitō confronts Usui, with intuition and reasons of his own. As the Demon and the Wolf confront another in the darkness, the murderous intent rages like a sea- And only one shall survive its tumult. What is the true power of Usui, the blind sword? How will this fight to the death finish?
Plot[]
Saitō telling everyone to continue while he stays to fight Usui
By time Sano joins Kenshin and Saitō at Usui's room after being healed by Anji, he quickly leaves, carrying Yumi, following Kenshin. Saitō had requested the two to go on without him, since he thinks Kenshin would prevent him from killing Usui. Once the two powers collide, Usui lets out a fury of attacks on Saitō, who used only his Gatotsu. Saitō is slightly wounded after the attack, but the iron base of Usui's spear is broken. Usui boasts that he knows how to counter the Gatotsu because of his Shingan, which he explains to Saitō how he got (after being blinded on a fight against Shishio). Before the next round of attacks begins, Saitō offers to show off his own Shingan to Usui.
Saitō and Usui laughing out loud
When Usui said he was going to kill Shishio for blinding him, there was a smile on his face. Really, that is a lie. Usui claims he will kill Shishio, but really can't live up to his word because he knows Shishio will always be stronger than him no matter how good he gets. If Usui did die, he'd regret training his Shingan, for it'd be a waste. Once Saitō is finished talking, Usui laughs. Saitō joins in, but Usui gets into a stance, readying himself to kill Saitō for knowing too much. Saitō executes the Gatotsu once again. This time, his sword is blocked by Usui's turtle shell, causing him to get stabbed when left open. The same attack is used by Saitō, and the same defense is used by Usui. Saitō has taken more shots than Usui, but still, the two look in the same condition.
Usui blocking Saitō's view with his Tinbe
After Usui licks his spear with Saitō's blood smeared on it, he thinks he has the match in the bag. Usui is so close to Saitō that the police officer cannot use his Gatotsu technique. However, Saitō proves the blind man wrong. Out of nowhere, Saitō stabs Usui in the middle of the chest so hard that it pins Usui high up on a wall in the room. The move executed was the Zero Gatotsu, a trick Saitō has been saving someday for Kenshin. Usui writhes in pain, angry because he's going to die in such a pitiful way. Saitō has no remorse for his actions, it's just the way he lives his life.
Everyone at the Aoiya going out to face the Jūppongatana
Back at the Aoiya, plans are made for the battle. Kaoru and Yahiko will fight Henya, Misao will battle Kamatari, and all the rest will handle Iwanbō. The other hired thugs on the side of the Jūppongatana are just there to prevent anyone from running away. Meanwhile, Kenshin makes his way to the third room with Sanosuke and Yumi, the room where Sōjirō awaits. As he passes by Hōji's room, Kenshin abruptly stops. A familiar person is waiting for Kenshin inside, Shinomori Aoshi.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Komagata Yumi
- Himura Kenshin
- Saitō Hajime
- Uonuma Usui
- Shishio Makoto
- Sagara Sanosuke
- Yūkyūzan Anji
- Kashiwazaki Nenji
- Kurojō
- Kamiya Kaoru
- Makimachi Misao
- Shirojō
- Masukami
- Ōmime
- Myōjin Yahiko
- Honjō Kamatari
- Iwanbō
- Kariwa Henya
Anime Notes[]
- There are several differences in the events of this episode in comparison with the original manga:
- In the original manga when Saitō defeats Usui with the Gatotsu Zeroshiki he actually torns the body in two pieces: the lower half of the body stays standing on the floor, and the upper half of Usui's body is impaled in the upper wall above the door. This is in comparison with the anime, in which the body is not torn in two pieces, and the whole body is impaled in the upper wall above the door.
Trivia[]
- The sign on top of Usui's room entrance door says "The Room of Screams".
- The way Saitō impales Usui's body in the anime (and even more in the manga) may be a reference to a Fatality in the Mortal Kombat series of videogames.
- Saito's and Usui's symbolism of their battle is a rare case of more a western inspiration to its undertone, tying to the Grecian and Roman mythical Cerberus and Kerberos, the legendary three headed dog of Hades. Such a beast was considered the most vicious and implacable defender of the gates of Hades, driving off intruders and even escapees who potentially threatened the cycles of mortality of the world, and could only be subdued by only great heroes like Heracles.
Gallery[]
