The Tokyo Arc is the first/prologue arc of the Rurouni Kenshin series, introducing Himura Kenshin and the other main characters. It is divided into mini-arcs detailing their daily lives.
History[]
Meeting with Destiny[]
Kaoru scolds the wanderer for carrying a katana
Kamiya Kaoru meets Himura Kenshin on the streets of Tokyo, because she mistakenly confuses him for a man running wild and killing people on the street, while claiming to be the legendary Battōsai. After realizing that Kenshin is a Rurouni or wanderer, who wields a Sakabatō, (a reverse blade sword that is specifically designed for users not intending to kill), she is convinced that he is not really the "Battōsai" she is trying to pursue.
The alleged Battōsai appears. Kaoru suffers a shoulder injury during the encounter and just as the killer is about to finish her off, Kenshin rescues her and takes her to the Dōjō, though she faints on the way. Since Kenshin has nowhere to go, Kaoru requests that he stay with her at the Dōjō, as thanks for having saved her life, to which Kenshin agrees.
Kenshin sees Kaoru bathing
While locked up in a room by Kaoru for walking in on her, while she was bathing, Kenshin asks Kaoru if any student at the Kamiya Dōjō had a dislocated left thumb like the killer. She later comes to apologize to him for having been so rude, but by then Kenshin has left and she regrets not having asked his name at least.
The next morning she checks the records of all the Kasshin-ryu students and finds Hiruma Gohei, a student who was expelled from the Dōjō and realizes that he is the one behind the murders. At that moment Gohei breaks into her Dōjō with a bunch of his pupils in order to destroy the Dōjō and kill Kaoru. At this point Kenshin breaks in and says that Kaoru's ideals are play talk for those who have never stained their hands and the truth is that swords are weapons designed for murder. Gohei then tries to attack Kenshin, saying that he's the only one worthy of the name Battōsai, but Kenshin easily defeats him and dislocates his right fingers, rendering a complete end to his life as a swordsman, since now both his right and left hands are badly injured.
Kaoru asks Kenshin to help her restore the Kamiya Dōjō
Kenshin then apologizes to Kaoru for hiding the fact that he is the Battōsai and proceeds to leave. Kaoru tells him not to leave, because she needs his help to fix up the Dōjō and bring in more students, to which he says that if the real Battōsai stayed, it would only bring her more trouble. She replies that she does not want the Battōsai to stay, but the Rurouni to stay (although she stops at Rurouni, being unable to finish her sentence). She then tells Kenshin that he can leave if he wants but should at least tell her his real name. Kenshin does so and decides to stay, saying that a little rest from wandering would do him good.
Forming the Kenshingumi[]
The kid tackles Kenshin on the street
After nearly being pick-pocketed by a young street burglar, Kenshin takes sympathy on the boy who declares himself to be from a samurai family. Yahiko Myōjin has been forced into working for the yakuza to pay off his deceased mother's debt. Kaoru goes to rescue the boy but shoe finds herself in trouble when a yakuza assassin is trying to harm her.
Kenshin the breaks in and tells the Yakuza to release Kaoru and Yahiko immediately or suffer being beaten up by his hand. They gets angered and try to attack Kenshin, but Kenshin easily defeats everyone. The yakuza boss recognizes that he is no position to deny Kenshin's request and agrees to return Kaoru and free Yahiko. Yahiko then tells Kenshin that he can fight his own battles and doesn't need any help. Kenshin is impressed by Yahiko's pride and the three take off towards the Kamiya Dōjō, where Kenshin tells Yahiko to become a great swordsmanship, learning the Kamiya Kasshin-ryū under Kaoru's tutelage.
Yahiko celebrating the prospect of becoming strong
Some time later Yahiko grows discontent with the teachings of Kamiya-Kasshin-ryū, wanting to just defeat his enemies over the idea of "protecting the innocent". Meanwhile, Yamagata Aritomo and the police chief ask Kenshin to become a police officer in order to help the Meiji Government run the country, but Kenshin refuses saying that he does not want to accept a reward for being a Hitokiri and intends to help save those around him without committing murder. Yahiko, having seen and been inspired by Kenshin's acts of bravery, selflessness and courage, is influenced to properly dedicate himself to Kaoru's teachings and become a great swordsman.
Some time later Hiruma Gohei hires Sanosuke Sagara, a.k.a. Zanza (after his signature weapon, a Zanbatō) to take Kenshin down. He accepts, but after informing Sano that Kenshin is really Hitokiri Battōsai, the former is pleased and takes up Gohei's offer. As Sano walks away holding the Zanbato, Gohei notes that everyone who has fought him are haunted by the memories day and night and that the money he charges his employers' depends entirely on how entertaining a fight is for him.
Sanosuke reaches the Dōjō and Kenshin, sensing his presence, steps outside to see what he wants and Sano tells him that he no longer has a choice regarding this fight, since he is now a client. He tells Kenshin that he knows who he really is and has no greater wish than to defeat the strongest of the Ishin Shishi. Sano attacks Kenshin several times, but Kenshin easily dodges, however, when Oguni Ayame and Oguni Suzume step outside to see what is happening, Sano ceases fighting and goes away.
Kenshin hits Sanosuke
Zanza returns the next day to fight Kenshin, and he reveals his true reason for fighting: his past with the Sekihōtai, where his captain and teammates were used as scapegoats by the government, and then executed. Sano tells Kenshin that he wants to settle his battle against the strongest of the Ishin Shishi. Kaoru and Yahiko condemn him for hating the Ishin Shishi, saying that it was the Sekihōtai who were evil. Sano simply laughs at their ignorance, while Kenshin corrects them saying that Sano is right to hold a grudge against the Ishin Shishi, who had framed the Sekihōtai and he tries to tell Sano that not all Ishin Shishi were like those who betrayed the Sekihōtai, however Sano stops him from finishing his sentence, instead going on about how terrible the Ishin Shishi were.
Sanosuke barely standing on foot
Kenshin then flips his Sakabatō and agrees to settle the fight. Sano tries attacking and Kenshin breaks his Zanbatō in half and attacks him with Ryū Tsui Sen, but the former still remains standing. Kenshin acknowledges Sano's endurance, saying that he is the first opponent to remain standing after being hit with Ryū Tsui Sen. However, Sano is still badly injured and Kenshin says he should stay where he is, while he calls a doctor. Sano refuses to give up, saying that for his mentor and for the Sekihōtai, he'll never lose to an Ishin Shishi. Kenshin simply walks towards him and punches him in the face, telling him that the Sekihōtai didn't teach him to fight imperialists but to help create a new era. He then acknowledges his defeat to himself and collapses on the spot, as a result of all the injuries.
Several days later Sanosuke tells Kenshin that he'll see for himself whether or not he's different to the other Ishin Shishi hypocrites and says that whenever Kenshin is involved in a battle or goes on a journey, he should tell him before hand. Kenshin then says that he has gained yet another weird comrade and Yahiko and Kaoru say that he's the weirdest of all of them.
Kenshin then asks Sano that the only way for him to beat Jin-e is to return to being the Hitokiri he was during the Bakumatsu, since he stands no match for him at that point. He also requests that he tell Kaoru and Yahiko that he has left in order to fight Jin-e. When he does so, Kaoru is broken up by the news and is about to run off, searching for Kenshin. Sano and Yahiko try chasing after her, but lose track of her.
Kaoru finds Kenshin and tells him that if he does not return to the Dōjō, then neither will she. Kenshin tells her that he cannot win against Jin-e if he is worried about her safety. Kaoru then realizes that it is best not to get in his way, but leaves him her favorite indigo ribbon, saying that if he does not return it to her, she won't forgive him. Jin-e suddenly appears and nabs Kaoru, knowing that Kenshin will surely fight him a lot more seriously, when he is angered and his woman's life is put in jeopardy. He tells Kenshin that if he wants to save her, he must get angry and let his rage consume him, returning the Hitokiri he once was. Jin-e laughs hysterically and escapes, while riding away in his boat.
Fight against Kurogasa[]
Kenshin fighting against Jin-e
Some time later government officials have been murdered. The police ask Kenshin and Sanosuke for help and inform them that Kurogasa, a former hitokiri known for his ruthless attitude, is doing it. Kenshin and Sano go to a building, to protect a fat Ishin Shishi, who is worried to death for his own safety. When Kurogasa arrives, Sanosuke challenges him also, but he uses his Ki technique with his eyes, causing disabled movement for Sano and a group of other bodyguards. And when Kurogasa discovers Kenshin, Kurogasa realizes he has the ultimate opponent to prove he is the best swordsman once and for all.
Kaoru accuses Jin-e of cheating, saying that he is afraid to fight fairly and is holding her hostage in order to put Himura Kenshin at a disadvantage. Jin-e laughs, saying that he wishes to re-awaken the Hitokiri inside Kenshin by making the latter give into his anger.
Jin-e kidnaps Kaoru
Meanwhile, Sagara Sanosuke and Myōjin Yahiko read a letter sent by Kenshin to the Kamiya Dōjō, where he states that Kaoru has been abducted and that he must battle Jin-e in order to rescue her. He then instructs them to seek the Police Chief's help in rescuing Kaoru, if he is unsuccessful. Sano and Yahiko then run off to go find Kenshin, and they can help save Kaoru.
Kenshin arrives at the duel
Kenshin arrives just in time to face Jin-e, who notices and is pleased by the anger that is beginning to swell inside of the former Hitokiri. The two warriors begin to battle and it seems as though they are evenly matched. Jin-e then performs a series of moves, starting with a form of Hirazuki (a one-handed thrust) and ending with what appears to be a Karatake (i.e. downwards slash). However, instead of ending with Karatake, Jin-e sneakily switches hands from behind, and thrusts his sword towards Kenshin, wounding him in the shoulder.
Still unsatisfied, Jin-e raises the stakes by performing a special and extra powerful version of Shin-no-Ippo on Kaoru, causing her lungs to paralyze and leaving her with 5 more minutes of life, at most, before she suffocates to death. He tells Kenshin that the only way for her to escape this fate is if she manages to break the Shin-no-Ippo, which he says is impossible since her Ken Ki (swordsmanship spirit) must be at least as good as his for this to occur, or if the user of the Shin-no-Ippo, i.e. Jin-e, dies.
The Legendary Hitokiri, Himura Battōsai, renewed
Suddenly, Kenshin's speed amplifies and he strikes Jin-e with a fast and hard blow, dislocating the latter's nose and causes blood to gush out. Jin-e smiles in satisfaction, saying that not only was he unable to see the sword's path, he didn't even see his opponent's body move. Jin-e realizes that he must be at his fullest now, in order to stand a match against Kenshin, so he uses Shin-no-Ippo on himself by using his blade as a mirror (the Hyōki technique, which he had not used since leaving the Shinsengumi 15 years prior). This causes his power to amplify.
Kenshin tells Jin-e that no matter what techniques he uses, his fate is sealed. Kenshin then goes into the Battōjutsu stance, which causes Jin-e to worry, knowing that Battōsai is able to pull the blade from his sheath at "God-like speed" and use the stance to slay opponents instantaneously. When the encounter occurs, it happens just as Jin-e had hoped, however, Kenshin surprises him by using the sheath of the blade to attack and break his arm, during the moment Jin-e believed him to be defenseless. Jin-e realizes that Kenshin had used a double-Battōjutsu, incorporating the sword and the sheath together.
Kenshin about to finish Jin-e off
He then tells Jin-e that his life as a swordsman is over, since his elbow joint was crushed and his ligaments torn. He then says that now his life too will end by his hand. However, Kenshin still hesitates to finish his opponent. Just as Kenshin is about to kill Jin-e, Kaoru breaks free of the Shin-no-Ippo hold on her and shouts desperately for Kenshin to stop. She tells him not to use Satsujinken, i.e. the sword that takes life. As she says this she falls down, but Kenshin grabs her and makes sure she is alright.
Jin-e is surprised that Kaoru was able to break free of his hold on her. He heads towards Kenshin and Kaoru and draws his sword. He then stabs himself through the heart and says "this is a good feeling", before dropping to the ground. He tells Kenshin that he is truly a Hitokiri from inside and coming from one Hitokiri to the other, such a statement is no mistake. He also tells him that he a Hitokiri can never be anything else until he dies.
Kenshin thanks Kaoru
Sano and Yahiko's voices are then heard nearby and the two go and see them. All four of them head back to the Dōjō, knowing that the incident is over, although Yahiko is displeased that he was not involved in any part of the action. Kaoru thanks Kenshin for saving her, but Kenshin says that he is the one who should be thanking her.
He then thinks to himself that if Kaoru hadn't shouted to him back when he was about to kill Jin-e, he would've reverted back to his old self.
Meeting Megumi and the Oniwabanshū[]
Takani Megumi, is running away from two people that are chasing her. Meanwhile, Sano is gambling with his friends, seeking Kenshin's advice while doing so, but he is told that a friend of his named Yoita passed away. He learns that Yoita died as a result of opium, which he was misled into believing was beneficial for him. The woman running away in the beginning suddenly appears, she notices Kenshin's sword lying next to him and jumps towards him, embracing him and asking for his help. The two men chasing her also appear and identify her as Megumi. One of them tries to capture her, but is easily tossed aside by Sano. It is learned that these two are henchmen for an underground criminal, named Takeda Kanryū. Megumi is asked why they are after her and she claims to have no knowledge of what they are after.
Beshimi appears without being noticed
Thereafter, a small man appears (Beshimi), laughing and accusing Megumi of being a lying deceiver, and he throws spiral darts towards her, which hit Ginji and Tomo in the face, causing blood to draw from them. He then tells Megumi that he will fire the next ones at both her legs. He fires away, but Kenshin blocks the darts with a nearby mat, He and Sano then punch the man in the face, making him fly out of the house. Back at the Dōjō, Kaoru and Yahiko continue training. Kenshin and Sano return home with Megumi and Kaoru is not too happy to see her, especially after she begins flirting with Kenshin right in front of her, calling him "Ken San" and "handsome" in a sensual tone. Megumi doubts that a little "sweaty" Dōjō girl like her can be Kenshin's lover.
Kanryū Takeda eating at his mansion
Elsewhere, Kanryū is seen eating dinner in the company of a man standing next to him, whom he calls Okashira (i.e. commander). Han'nya then appears and tells the Okashira, Megumi's location in the Kamiya Dōjō. The Okashira orders him and another one of his underlings, Hyottoko, to help Beshimi retrieve her. Back in the Dōjō, Megumi informs Kenshin of Kanryū, and his most dangerous associates, the Okashira's soldiers. She tells Kenshin that these soldiers are distinct from his other bodyguards and are members of the Oniwabanshū, defenders of the Edo Castle, a group that gave command to a 15 year old prodigy named Shinomori Aoshi (the Okashira), just before the Bakumatsu.
Kaoru eavesdropping Kenshin's conversation
Kenshin then asks Megumi why Kanryū is so bent on finding her, but she refuses to answer him, saying that it is none of his business. Meanwhile, Kaoru attempts to eavesdrop on their conversation and she tries to make excuses, saying that she only wants to know what is happening since Kenshin and Megumi have been spending all night together in a single room. Kenshin then comes out of the room and tells Kaoru and Sano that they are dealing with the Oniwabanshū. Kenshin tells Kaoru that there will most likely be trouble ahead. Hyottoko appears out of nowhere and breaks through the Dōjō's surrounding wall. Sano tells Kenshin to leave Hyottoko to him and although Kenshin advises him to be weary, because the opponents are members of the Oniwabanshū. He then attacks Hyottoko with a punch straight in the gut, but the latter simply laughs, grabs Sano and breathes fire on him. Megumi, who is seeing the battle, attempts to make her escape, but is caught by Kaoru, who tells her how shameful her action is, and says that no matter who the enemy, Kenshin will always keep his promise to protect her.
Hyottoko's flame technique
Sano then returns, Hyottoko, meanwhile has drank a gallon of oil and is once again able to use his fire technique. Sano charges straight towards him. Sano punches Hyottoko right into the mouth and the latter is hurt badly, but punches him right back in the face. Sano then finishes off Hyottoko with a hard kick right to the face. Beshimi, who is nearby, is angered by Hyottoko's defeat and decides to finish off Megumi right there for causing him all that trouble. As he fires his poison darts towards Megumi, Kenshin notices it and Yahiko quickly jumps in the way, causing him to be struck on the arm. Kaoru tends to him, but he says that it is nothing he can't handle before suddenly collapsing on her.
Yahiko gets poisoned by the dart
Beshimi is angered that he missed his chance, saying that the kid will be dead within one hour. Kenshin then attacks him from above, knocking him out and almost simultaneously, Han'nya appears out of nowhere, grabbing his comrades and making his escape. Kenshin realizes that Han'nya too is a very skilled warrior. Kaoru is about to suck the poison out of Yahiko's arm, but is stopped by Megumi, who tells her that sucking poison out of the wound causes infections and that such an ailment cannot be treated by an ordinary person, and orders Kenshin and the others to bring her specific ingredients necessary to cure the poison. She then picks up Yahiko, and back in the Dōjō, Yahiko continues to suffer and is being watched over by Megumi, Kenshin and Sano, as Kaoru runs to buy the medicine Megumi ordered.
Back in Kanryū's mansion, Han'nya informs Aoshi that Beshimi and Hyottoko were defeated by the swordsman they fought at the Dōjō (i.e. Kenshin). Aoshi is surprised, and orders Han'nya to find out who he is. He thinks to himself that the swordsman may in fact be the legendary Battōsai, since he has red hair and a cross shaped scar on his left cheek, although he is not shown saying his actual name.
Everyone is relieved at Yahiko's recovery
Yahiko recovers from his illness. While Megumi prepars Sano, demands that she explain the opium. Kaoru sees what is happening and Megumi confesses that it was she who made that opium. Kenshin too is now present. Kaoru tells Sano to calm down and asks Megumi to explain why she prepares opium. She recounts how she came to Tokyo from Aizu five years ago, in order to study medicine under the tutelage of a certain doctor. She later learned that the doctor was an associate of Kanryū's, aiding the latter in his manufacture of opium. The doctor was later killed and afterwards, she was forced to produce opium in his stead. Kenshin asks Megumi why she ran from Kanryū and she tells him that she was forced to manufacture a new drug that could be cheaply mass-produced.
While Megumi is outside the Dōjō, a kunai flies towards her with a letter asking her to head towards a specific place. She knows that it is the Oniwabanshū. Sano notices and follows her. On the way, she is greeted by Han'nya. He grabs Megumi by the mouth, tells her that Kanryū is waiting for her and takes her away. Sano witnesses what is happening and follows.
Han'nya talking to Megumi
Kanryū tells Megumi that he does not wish to hurt her, but only wants her to join him once again. Kanryū says that if she chooses this path, he'll order the Oniwabanshū to burn down the Kamiya Dōjō and everyone in it, which shocks Megumi, Aoshi, asks Kanryū why he doesn't just take Megumi now and he says that he wants Megumi to join him willingly, and the Battōsai has no reason to involve himself. Han'nya informs Aoshi of Sano's presence but Aoshi tells him to forget about it, saying that they should only be concerned with Battōsai.
Sano and Megumi are attacked
As Megumi heads towards Kanryū's mansion, she finds Sano standing at the front door. Sano says that she's not the only one having a regretful past and that she should stay alive, and she can repent. Suddenly, a chained weapon with an iron ball at its head, flies towards the two of them and Sano moves Megumi out of the way just in time. The attacker identifies as Shikijō, guardian of the keep of the Edo Castle Oniwabanshū. The two then charge towards one another. Sano starts striking his opponent with punches to the mid-section, which have no affect. The two intensely grip one another's hands and Sano is stunned at Shikijō's power.
Shikijō lifts him up, slams him against the door and headbutts him extremely hard on top of the head. Sano then punches with his left hand, but Sano grabs hold of his left fist too. The two continue fighting and Sano manages to land a hard punch square on Shikijō's face, knocking his opponent out. Beshimi then appears and quickly grabs Megumi, while Sano is distracted. He then brings her back inside the mansion, Kenshin and Yahiko then also appear, but are too late to save Megumi. The group blast their way through Kanryū's bodyguards.
Han'nya grabs Megumi's tantō
Kanryū asks Megumi to prepare for her the new opium. Instead, she intends to kill him. However, Han'nya's last minute intervention saves Kanryū. He hits her in the face and says that he'll kill her, right after torturing her into spilling the secrets for the formula of the new opium. Right outside, Kenshin and his crew continue pummeling their way through Kanryū's bodyguards. Kanryū suddenly sees Kenshin's sinister eyes gazing directly upon him and the latter tells him to give up and release Megumi at once. Han'nya tells Kanryū that the man he faces is not an adversary that can be bought with any amount of money. Kanryū then tells Han'nya to shut up. Kanryū's anxiety begins to rise and Han'nya tells him that his words angered his adversary further.
Han'nya explains to Kanryū about Kenshin's motives
Kanryū demands that Han'nya and the Oniwabanshū defeat the approaching threat. Han'nya, deeply insulted, roughly grabs Kanryū, telling him that the Oniwabanshū follow only the Okashira, Aoshi, and are ready to put their lives on the line for his sake, but have no obligation to follow Kanryū's demands. Kanryū says that he's the one who pays Aoshi large sums and that even Aoshi wouldn't defy his orders, which only angers Han'nya further. Aoshi comes inside the room saying that Battōsai will be stopped. The Okashira says that Battōsai continues to carry forth the warrior's spirit, unlike many other Ishin Shishi who indulged themselves in greed, after the Meiji era.
Aoshi says that he will keep Megumi in the observatory on the third floor and tells Han'nya to go and assume his post immediately, which he does. Kanryū, unable to do anything after being belittled by Aoshi earlier, now begins revealing his anger at being insulted. Kenshin and the others walk through the door of Kanryū's mansion, only to be met with Han'nya, who vows to guard his post with his life, as per the request of the Okashira.
Aoshi returns the tantō to Megumi
Megumi wakes up in the observatory room and Aoshi gives her the same knife she attempted to use on Kanryū earlier, saying that she can either end her life right there or be tortured to death by Kanryū, before leaving. Megumi begins looking at the dagger, wondering whether or not she should just end it all.
Meanwhile, in the entrance of the mansion, Kenshin offers Han'nya a chance to step aside. Han'nya charges straight towards Kenshin landing a hard punch directly on his face, followed with a spinning back fist. He proceeds to attack Kenshin, while he is on the ground, but Kenshin dodges just in time. Aoshi senses that the battle has begun and states that Han'nya uses the Shin-wan technique and that any adversary who cannot see through it, has lost the battle. Kenshin enters the Shin-ken stance, a defensive stance that allows the user to quickly respond to an opponent's attacks, but makes it difficult to perform offensive maneuvers. Han'nya once again charges towards Kenshin, but this time, Kenshin dodges the attack just in time and hits his opponent in the face, with the sheath of his sword, causing his mask to crack.
Kenshin breaks Han'nya's trick
Kenshin says that Han'nya's spell was simply the stripes on his arms, which created an optical illusion, causing his arms to appear thicker than they actually were, which caused Kenshin to misjudge the distance between the two earlier on. The two fight and Kenshin seals the battle with a forward slash that knocks Han'nya out, but suffers a slight cut on the shoulder during the exchange. The group then heads towards Megumi and Sano looks at Han'nya for a second, thinking to himself how powerful the commander of skilled warriors like Han'nya, Shikijō, Beshimi and Hyottoko must be.
Kenshin and Sano head up a level and open the door. Standing in front of them is Aoshi. Kenshin asks him where Kanryū and Megumi are and Aoshi tells him to ask him with his Sakabatō, while he responds with his own weapon, a short looking blade. Aoshi is impressed by Sano's speed, but quickly strikes with a blow to the back of neck that sends the latter flying, just as Kaoru and Yahiko enter. Aoshi then pulls out his small blade, which Yahiko identifies as a Kodachi - a blade about half way in between a Katana and a Wakizashi that is ideal for defense but bad when it comes to offense. Kenshin is surprised that a man like Aoshi would use a weapon of such sort.
Aoshi showing his weapon: a Kodachi
Aoshi charges towards him. Kenshin realizes how incredibly fast his opponent is. He blocks Aoshi's downward slash, but is suddenly hit in the face with a powerful kick. Aoshi proceeds to fire Kenpo strikes on Kenshin sending him flying off. Kenshin manages to land on his feet and charges forward, trying to attack Aoshi, but the latter is easily able to defend against his sword strikes. Kenshin tells Aoshi that he realizes his techniques, Aoshi corrects him, stating that it was he who taught Han'nya Kenpo and that there is a vast difference in speed and power between the teacher and the pupil. Aoshi continues battling Kenshin, but Kenshin eventually figures out a way to counter his attack: Kenshin holds his sword by the blade, shortening its length and allowing him the speed to attack Aoshi with the sword and then use the hilt of the blade to strike his throat.
Kenshin hits Aoshi with his own Kodachi
Aoshi, impressed by Kenshin's skills, uses his ultimate attack, Kaiten Kenbu, which nearly kills Kenshin, saying afterwards that no one has ever survived that attack. Kaoru, Yahiko and Sanosuke all look on in shock, believing Kenshin has been killed, but Kenshin partially blocked the attack at the last moment. Aoshi tries to repeat the Kaiten Kenbu, but this time, Kenshin catches his Kodachi just as he attacks, and the hilt of his own blade hits Aoshi hard in the throat. Aoshi is the one knocked out from the exchange of blows, though Kenshin loses his senses for a moment.
Aoshi's mates (Beshimi, Hyottoko, Shikijō and Han'nya) arrive, and having lost the fight, Aoshi asks Kenshin to end his life and that if he doesn't, he'll target him as many times as it takes to win the title of "strongest" from him. At that moment Kanryū makes himself known, by blasting through a nearby door with his Gatling gun, which can fire 200 bullets a minute. He declares his intention to kill Aoshi, along with the rest of the Oniwabanshū and Kenshin. He begins firing it towards those in front of him. Aoshi pushes Han'nya out of the way and is shot in the leg. His mates rush to his aid.
The 4 members of the Oniwabanshū die
Kanryū fires at Aoshi for insulting him earlier, but Shikijō shields him and is killed in the process. Hyottoko then dashes towards Kanryū, but is shot too. He smiles, however and Beshimi jumps from behind him throwing a dart towards Kanryū. He is shot, however and the dart ends up in the middle of his bullets. Aoshi is devastated at the murder of his loyal followers. Han'nya then tells Kenshin and his allies where Megumi is being held and tells Kenshin to get his Sakabatō, still in the middle of the battlefield. It happens just as Han'nya plans and Aoshi is once again broken to bits as he sees his best disciple die, right in front of his eyes, straight after the others.
Aoshi screams in pain for the loss of his comrades
Kenshin charges straight forward and jumps. Just as he is about to be shot like the others, the bullets stop. It is the result of Beshimi's dart, which is stuck in between two bullets, causing the weapon to jam. Kenshin hits him hard in the face with his Sakabatō, knocking him out. The group then heads for Megumi. As they do, Kaoru looks at Aoshi and the Oniwabanshū with a sad look on her face and Kenshin tells her that they were truly the ones who defeated Kanryū's Gatling gun. Aoshi then roars, although the sound is muted.
Kenshin tells Megumi to keep living
Meanwhile, Megumi decides to end her life to make amends for all her crimes, thinking to herself that she was glad at having met Kenshin and the others. Just as Megumi is about to stab herself, Sano grabs the knife with his hand and shouts at her in anger, mentioning how hard Kenshin and the rest of them worked for her sake and how she was willing to let it all go to waste. Kenshin then tells her that killing herself won't make amends - the only way to do that is to help save people, as he does, using his Sakabatō, to atone for his own crimes.
Megumi departs with Gensai to start studying
Finally Kaoru tells Megumi that she is welcome to visit the Dōjō whenever she pleases and Megumi thanks her and bids farewell to Kenshin and the others, as she goes off on a journey to become a Doctor, under the guidance of Doctor Oguni Gensai. It is revealed that Kenshin was able to use his trust with the Police Chief, to clear Megumi's name, despite the truth behind Kanryū's accusations. It is also revealed that Aoshi and the corpses of his followers were nowhere to be found on the crime scene, when the police had arrived.
Aoshi is then shown standing before the tombstones of his followers, telling them that someday he will place flowers on them, but that he cannot do so now (since he still has not defeated Kenshin and so has not earned the title of "strongest").
Raijūta and the Shinko-ryū[]
Kenshin and his friends travel to Izu on vacation to visit Doctor Gensai's little sister Oguni Hana, deciding to stay with her for a week. The house she looks after belongs to Tsukayama Yutarō, the son of a samurai who died years ago. Yutarō is a very rich and arrogant little boy who looks down on others, due to being raised and looked after by servants his entire life.
Tsukayama Yutarō, the master of region
When he learns that Kenshin is a swordsman, he rudely demands him to prove his skills, whereby Yutarō would accept him as his mentor, but Kenshin says that he does not have the desire to train him in the first place. Yutarō continues being arrogant and Myōjin Yahiko has enough and pins him to the ground. Sagara Sanosuke pulls Yahiko off him and Kaoru tells Yutarō that in order to be a great swordsman, he needs to be a humbler and more respectful person. Yutarō then demands all of them to leave his mansion at once.
Yutarō declares Raijūta will be his teacher
Soon afterwards, while riding on a horse, Yutarō and his servants get attacked by a group of thugs, but are saved by Isurugi Raijūta, who begins to brutally kill the thieves one by one. So Yutarō declares he will be as important as his late father, and invites him to his mansion, where he states everyone must respect Raijūta. But when he tries to start taking kendo classes with him, Raijūta breaks his wooden sword and gives him a proper Katana. Then he presents to Yutarō some of his lieutenants (Sakuramaru, Kiriji, Tsukiō and Tsuruzaemon) of the Shinko-ryū.
Some time later Kenshin, his group and Yutarō go to fish at the river, and then go to a hot springs. While being there, they learn by Hana that Raijūta and his followers have been taken control of the Tsukayama estate and have already been selling some of the Tsukayama's possessions to buy weapons for some war.
Raijūta and his lieutenants discuss about Kenshin being the legendary Battōsai, and later that night Raijūta asks Kenshin about his opinion about the current state of the swordsmanship at Japan, and they try to convince him to join the Shinko-ryū. When Kenshin refuses to join Raijūta, his followers start to attack him. In the midst of the fight, Yutarō falls to the fierce ocean.
All the members of the Shinko-ryū prepare to attack Kenshin
Kenshin fights his way from the Shinko-ryū after showing his true fighting skills by turning Battōsai for a little bit. Then, he dives into the stream and saves Yutarō. Raijūta and the Shinko-ryū are unaware of Kenshin's save, thinking that he jumped to his own death. By the next morning, Kenshin returns to Doctor Gensai's sister's house carrying Yutarō in his arms. Everyone was waiting for Kenshin's return, worried about where he was all night. Yutarō is treated by Megumi, but at the same time, the young boy's house is the gathering spot for many swordsmen and assassins under Raijūta's preparation for his empire.
Word has gotten out about the men gathering at the Tsukayama mansion around the country. Kenshin is determined to stop Raijūta before things get messy. As the Kenshingumi feast upon their cakes, Yutarō wakes up from his slumber and announces that he's headed straight home. Although Kenshin asks that Yutarō stay with them for a little while, the stubborn boy tries to leave. Yahiko steps in his way, halting him, and challenges Yutarō to see if Raijūta taught him anything. If Yutarō manages to win, Yahiko will let him go on home. Yutarō foolishly accepts the challenge and never gets a hit in.
Yutarō preparing to fight Yahiko
After his complete loss to Yahiko, Kaoru offers to teach Yutarō Kamiya Kasshin-ryū. Yutarō willingly accepts and trains day and night with Kaoru and by himself, hoping to defeat Yahiko when he's ready. A couple days pass by and during a meal out in the open, Yutarō finally thanks Kenshin for saving him. Even though he's learned a lot from Kamiya Kasshin-ryū, Yutarō, however, wants to go back to Raijūta and show him his strength because he was offered a spot in the Shinko-ryū. Ayame and Suzume drag Yutarō away after he finishes his fish and take him to a place where, just by coincidence, he meets up with the police chief from Tokyo, Muraki. Muraki asks Yutarō if he knows where Kenshin is and if he lives in the area. Yutarō answers both questions and is given a reply that shocks him.
Muraki meets up with Kenshin and tells him that the military will now be getting involved to prevent Raijūta and the Shinko-ryū's takeover. The government has allowed it, and all Muraki came to Izu for was to ask Kenshin his opinion on the subject at Yamagata's request. Kenshin repeats, he thinks it'll be an ugly scene. Kaoru bursts into the room and informs Kenshin that Yutarō is missing. Immediately, Kenshin turns to the police chief and asks if he told the boy. Yutarō arrives at his home, only to see many men killing each other or are already killed. It's up to the Kenshingumi to save Yutarō, for he does not know what kind of fate he'll meet if he stays in the middle of the battlefield.
Kenshin screaming in hopes to stop the battle
With so many tragic deaths occurring, Kenshin runs in the middle of the fight and shouts at everyone to stop. Immediately, the men do as the rurouni says, but a few need to be reminded that the man talking is the legendary Hitokiri Battōsai. Elsewhere, Yutarō wanders the forest area nearby his residence and finds one of the thugs that tried to kidnap him lying helplessly on the ground. The thug struggles to speak, telling Yutarō that what he did a couple days earlier was all set up by Raijūta. Raijūta had paid the men off to perform the act so Yutarō would earn Raijūta's trust, but in the end, he had killed most of them. Those are the man's final words before being slain by Raijūta himself.
Yutarō asking Raijūta to stop fighting
Yutarō looks up at his teacher, saying he didn't believe a single word from the thug. Enter the Kenshingumi. Raijūta ignores Yutarō for the moment, surprised that the Battōsai is still alive. With one swing of his sword, Raijūta unleashes his deadly Izuna technique, creating a quake in the ground. Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko, and Sano all jump in separate directions to avoid the attack. The only one that took damage from the Izuna was Kenshin, with only a mere cut on his shirt. Raijūta prepares repeat his maneuver, and that's when Yutarō realizes something. Bravely, the boy steps in front of his teacher's way and asks that he stop fighting because he was the one who saved his life. Raijūta has no remorse when he launches the Izuna, cutting Yutarō in his right arm. The Kenshingumi all tend to Yutarō as he lies helplessly on the ground. Kenshin thinks quickly and tells Kaoru to take Yutarō back to Doctor Gensai's sister's place with Sanosuke accompanying her. The two leave with haste, while Yahiko is the only one who stays back to watch Kenshin defeat Raijūta for Yutarō's sake.
Kenshin resumes the battle, well aware of how Raijūta's technique operates. No matter, however, Raijūta continues to attack Kenshin with his Izuna until it finally scratches the rurouni on his wrist. Now, Kenshin fights seriously. A Do Ryū Sen followed by a Ryū Tsui Sen is all that it takes to knock out Raijūta. One of the Shinko-ryū members that had witnessed the battle tries to commit suicide because of Raijūta's loss, but his attempt is canceled when Kenshin knocks the sword out of his hands. Once again, Kenshin has to speak the words of wisdom, telling the man that he can stay alive and atone for his sins rather than taking the simple way out, death.
The Kenshingumi wishing Yutarō a safe trip to Germany
It was discovered by Megumi that the muscles and nerves in Yutarō's arm were severed, thus, he could never wield a sword again with his right hand. Back home at the Kamiya Dōjō, Megumi receives a letter from Yutarō. In it, Yutarō writes that he is going to live with his uncle in Germany, only because he wishes to forget the memories of Japan. At the dock, the Kenshin Gumi meets up with Yutarō and one of his servants escorting him. A handful of farewells are exchanged to Yutarō, who remains quiet. When the boy and his servant walk away to board the boat, Yahiko calls for Yutarō's attention and immediately attacks him with his shinai. Yutarō fights back with his wooden crutch. During this sudden battle, Yahiko tells Yutarō to get over his depression and begin training again, even with his handicap. Yutarō swears that he'll never give up Kendo no matter what and promises to beat up Yahiko with his left hand. And so, Yutarō departs for Germany.
Return of the Sekihōtai[]
During a small visit to the Akabeko, Sanosuke kindly accepts an errand for Tae and Tsubame, to get them the latest popular nishiki-e prints during their busy day. To Sano's surprise, he discovers prints of his late mentor Sagara Sōzō and that makes Sanosuke recognize the artist's name as an old friend, Tsukioka Katsuhiro. After talking a little Katsuhiro suddenly brings up that it's been ten years since Sagara and the Sekihōtai were assassinated. Ever since then, he's been planning to take revenge on the government to set up a new one were there would be true peace like Sagara wanted. To accomplish this plan, Katsuhiro will use bombs, which he shows off to Sanosuke.
Sano talking to Sōzō Sagara
Robberies with the usage of bombs have been occurring lately. When Sanosuke hears of the news, he goes to Katsu's place, only to find no one's home and the bombs missing. Sanosuke goes around town, asking nearly everyone if they've seen Tsukioka. Sanosuke waits until the man nicknamed red-nosed Shinzo is through gambling. Shinzo walks the streets by himself to an unknown destination until he is jumped by Sanosuke, demanding to know everything about the new, imposter Sekihōtai.
Shindō Tatewaki, the responsible for betraying and murdering the Sekihōtai
Shinzo leads Sanosuke to a place where the "Sekihōtai" discuss their plans. The true identity of the imposters is the Shiranui Yakuza lead by the man who tricked the Sekihōtai, Shindō Tatewaki. Sanosuke takes care of the imposters with his fists outside. A couple of minutes into the fight and Katsu joins to wipe out the imposters. Once the true former Sekihōtai members are victorious, all that is left is Tatewaki, but he wields a gun. Sanosuke charges for the high ranking police official. Tatewaki pulls the trigger, firing a bullet, but quickly, Katsu pushes Sanosuke away, taking the hit to his shoulder. In rage, Sanosuke punches Tatewaki directly in the gut, knocking him out. The police whistle is heard, signaling that they're nearby. As fast as they took care of the "Sekihōtai", Sanosuke and Katsu leave the scene.
Sanosuke throws a party at the Kamiya Dōjō for everyone, to which everyone assumes as his victory for finally avenging the Sekihōtai. Little does everyone except Kenshin know, it is Sanosuke's way of parting from the group as he intends to join Tsunan to revolt against the Meiji Government. Near midnight, Sanosuke and Katsu reach the state department building under the night's full moon. Katsu leaves some bombs behind, which explode, catching the attention of the police, dragging them away from the building. Sanosuke and Katsu enter the state department building where they meet up with Kenshin. Both are surprised, mainly Sanosuke, who tells Katsuhiro that Kenshin is the man known as the Hitokiri Battōsai.
Sano and his old mentor
With ease, Kenshin is able to knock Sanosuke down with a Ryū Tsui Sen. Katsu, is outraged that Kenshin, a former Ishin Shishi, is talking about dirty tactics. Kenshin begins speaking but Sanosuke gets up and continues fighting Kenshin. Because of the intensity Sanosuke is fighting at, Kenshin has no other choice but to draw his Sakabatō and slash Sanosuke across his stomach, knocking him out. Sanosuke falls into Kenshin's arms, only to hear Kenshin apologize to him.
The following day, Sanosuke wakes up in his room and runs outside to find Katsu. Sanosuke does find his Sekihōtai friend, not at home, but in a field burying his bombs. Afterwards, Sanosuke meets up with Kenshin at the Kamiya Dōjō, and later at the painting stand, the man there gives Sanosuke a painting that Tsunan asked to deliver. Tsunan, or better known as Katsuhiro, had quit painting and is publishing an antigovernment newsletter. The final painting of the artist was the one given to Sanosuke, a portrait of the Sekihōtai Leader, Sagara Sōzō.
Non-Canon Events[]
- Yahiko's Battle
Everyone notice Yahiko is acting odd
Yahiko meets a cute girl named Tsubame, who works at the Akabeko. Later the Kenshingumi are shown eating at the Akabeko, and Yahiko, meanwhile seems unable to get Tsubame out of his head and his odd behavior draws the attention of the others. Tsubame then walks towards them, giving them tea. Kaoru, introduces the two and it is revealed by Sekihara Tae that Tsubame has been working at the Akabeko for a week. Tsubame is then called to bring water to some customers and Yahiko soon follows her.
Tsubame sad after being threatened by the thieves
She is then confronted by a group of thugs, who ask her that if she made an imprint of the key to the owner's house. She stalls for a moment and then begs him not to steal. In response, he hits her in the face hard, for encroaching her authority, and threatens to kill the owners of the Akabeko and so Tsubame reaches for the key.
Suddenly, Yahiko appears and tells them that the master-slave relationship of the Edo era has ended Kenshin, Kaoru and Sano too are in the background, seeing what is taking place. Yahiko tells the thugs to drop their sinister plans or he'll stop them and so Mikio orders them to attack him. Yahiko fights them off, besting two of them quite easily. He is then attacked from both sides and hit on the back with a hard blow that drops him.
Yahiko asks Kenshin about new techniques
Yahiko knows that he cannot seek the help of the police, as this would put Tsubame in the red light and cannot seek Kenshin and co's help. He must deal with this matter alone. Yahiko begins training with several wooden boards and finds the exercise difficult and asks Kenshin advice on how to fight off multiple opponents. Kenshin tells of a method run away and while their opponents were chasing them, each one of them would be separated from the other as a result of their differences in speed, allowing one to fight them one at a time, while running again after each win repetitively until all the opponents are taken care of. He then tells Yahiko that the method works towards getting adversaries into one-on-one battles and so requires the user to run very fast and defeat each opponent very quickly.
At night thugs make their move and reach the Akabeko owner's house. Out of nowhere Yahiko snatches it from him and runs. They run after him and Tsubame, who is present and hiding behind a nearby house, sees what has happened. Kaoru appears before her, commending her for wanting to stop the thugs herself. The thugs are lured into a narrow alleyway, which allows Yahiko to fight them one on one.
Yahiko defeats the thug leader
The thugs draw short blades from what appeared to be Bokkens all along (i.e. wooden swords). Yahiko panics and backs away a little and as the thugs approach him, a rock hits one of them in the head. They look above and see Kenshin and Sano standing. They run away in fear and the leader is the only one left. Yahiko then defeats the leader of the thugs. In the aftermath of the battle, Tsubame tells Yahiko that she feels a lot more courageous after watching him battle and Yahiko says that he'll continue training and be as strong as Kenshin.
- Kyoto Aftermath
Anime: (Episodes 63-66) To be added
Battles and Events[]
- Himura Kenshin vs. Hiruma Brothers
- Himura Kenshin vs. Sword Bearing Police
- Himura Kenshin vs. Shuei Syndicate
- Zanza vs. Drunks
- Himura Kenshin vs. Zanza
- Himura Kenshin vs. Udō Jin-e
- Sagara Sanosuke vs. Hyottoko
- Sagara Sanosuke vs. Shikijō
- Himura Kenshin vs. Han'nya
- Himura Kenshin vs. Shinomori Aoshi
Trivia[]
- This story arc is the third biggest in the Rurouni Kenshin manga (7 volumes).
- The adaptation of this story arc in the 1996 anime intertwined the events of this arc with several anime original episodes:
- Episodes 13-18: The Kenshingumi meet a sumo student, help a circus girl, fight against a group of assassins targeting politicians, and some other various stuff.
- Episodes 25-27: The Kenshingumi faces a threat by a group of pirates who kidnap Kenshin.
- Episodes 63-66: The Kenshingumi resuming their daily lives after the battle with Shishio.