The Operation Starts, The Terrorist Group Jinpuu Tai!

It's not nice to go over to a friend's home uninvited. The Jinpuu Tai are a group of assassins that have recently killed a lot of businessmen and politicians lately, claiming that they were taking bribes and selling influences. Their name is currently being giving much publicity in the papers. On what seems to be just another day at the Kamiya Dojo, a man walks in with a child in his arms. He immediately calls for Sano, who's lounging around. Sano checks up on the man he calls teacher. The boy in the teacher's arms is sick, and he figured that Sano could help the most because he knew a doctor. Doctor Genzai is out on a trip to visit a patient and isn't present, but Megumi is. She takes in the child and diagnoses him with diarrhea. As the child is looked over, Sano explains that his friend is a teacher that lives in the same building as himself who teaches poor children how to read and write. Kenshin looks at Sano's teacher friend and thinks that he's seen the man before.

Clash of the Shiden no Tachis The following day, Sano's friend is seen by Kenshin and Yahiko working the fields as they return home fresh from grocery shopping. Both Kenshin and Yahiko admire Sano's friend, as he is working very hard, even while the other workers are taking their break. Yet, suddenly, a mysterious man dressed in black with a cape runs onto the field with his sword extended. Quickly, Sanosuke's teacher friend raises his pickax to block. Although the pickax's point was cut off, Sano's friend charges forward at the mysterious man with the pickax handle, holding it out straightforward. The uninvited guest also charges with his sword in the same stance. Neither one are hurt when they collide. The mysterious one praises Sano's friend, who he addresses as Sasaki. Sasaki looks at his attacker for a bit and calls him Toma. Toma acknowledges that Sasaki still has his skills, then walks away, promising that they will see each other again. While everyone is left confused, Kenshin tells Yahiko that he had fought a man in Kyoto with such a technique as the one Toma had used. It's a technique from the Hinoha Ittou Ryuu called Shiden no Tachi.

Is this peer pressure or what? At nighttime, Sano, ready to go drinking, heads over to Sasaki's room. However, to his surprise, he sees Sasaki walking away with a group of men, the Jinpuu Tai. Curious of what's going on, Sano follows them and watches. Toma, the leader of the Jinpuu Tai, insists that Sasaki join the Jinpuu Tai, as they are looking for a skilled swordsman to help their cause. Sasaki declines immediately, not wanting to kill anyone. Unlike the past where he thought the sword was his only way of life, Sasaki claims to have found true happiness in teaching unfortunately poor children how to read and write, even if it is his penance for murdering people. After declining Toma's request, Sasaki walks away, but he won't be let off that easily. Toma swears that Sasaki will join the Jinpuu Tai no matter what, since he now knows their goal.

Another night, another raid. While teaching his students calligraphy, the child from the other day that Sasaki brought to Megumi shows his work to his teacher. As Sasaki examines it, a knife flies towards the child's neck. Just in the nick of time, Sasaki grabs the knife before it hits. Cautiously, Sasaki investigates the direction where the knife came from and finds Toma waiting outside. By time nighttime, the Jinpuu Tai with Sasaki, who was dragged along, stop a carriage with their next target inside. Quickly, the group kills off their target's bodyguards. The only one left is the targeted politician. Toma holds a sword out for Sasaki, allowing him the honor of killing their target. Sasaki doesn't grab the blade, instead, he is saved by Sano.

Two hitokiris from the past both atoning for their sins. Immediately, Sanosuke takes out a few of the Jinpuu Tai, allowing their target to flee. The Jinpuu Tai ignores Sano for now because he's unarmed and gives chase to their prey, but in their way is Kenshin. Willing to fight Kenshin, Toma and the rurouni clash. After what seems to be an even match, Toma uses the Shiden no Tachi. Although Kenshin had tried to hit Toma in the process, he was the only one scratched in the process. Before the fight can continue any further, the police whistle is heard in the not too far distance. The Jinpuu Tai quickly flee the scene. Kenshin knew that Sasaki was the man with the Shiden no Tachi technique he fought back in Kyoto. Sasaki was a member of the Kyoto Sentry, a group as powerful as the Shinsen Gumi. Yet, at the same time, Sasaki only know recognizes Kenshin as the Hitokiri Battousai he fought over ten years ago.