Reports of a group of pirates known as the Kairyu hijacking ships is just one of the headlines in the newspaper. While Kenshin does the laundry, Yahiko and Sanosuke lounge around, complaining about how hungry they are. The thought of food is on Kenshin's mind as well. Kaoru calls the boys once she finishes cooking a mere fish. When Kaoru leaves to go teach at the other dojo, immediately, Yahiko and Sano begin arguing over who gets to eat what. During their little struggle, the two knuckleheads knock the fish onto a ground, leaving it for a stray cat to eat. Once Kaoru sees that the boys have been messing around, she begins complaining to them. Before hearing anymore, the three move their feet and run off.

No worries for Sanosuke here.

In town, where the boys ran off to, Kenshin, Yahiko, and Sano come upon a man giving out a good sum of yen to those who can act as bodyguards for his ship, the Senbonya. All three apply for the job. They are forewarned before boarding the ship, however, about the Kairyu. Sanosuke doesn't seem to be worried, nor does anyone else. Everyone believes that the Kairyu won't bother hijacking a ship that's carrying silk, everyone but Kenshin.

Yahiko gets seasick fast. As he begins vomiting over the railing, a young woman rushes over to his side to join him in the grotesque act. When she turns around, the girl is revealed to be Kaoru. Kaoru explains to the guys that she wanted them to eat better, so she decided to enlist to buy a better meal for a change. Kenshin's worry grows even more, now that Kaoru is involved. Later in the night, the worst possible event comes.

Sanosuke takes on the Kairyu's leader

A storm builds up, and the Kairyu take advantage of it to hijack the Senbonya. All of the guards on the ship battle the pirates. The fight is unfair, the pirates are in too great of a number. While the many battles take place upon the deck, Yohei, the man who hired the bodyguards for the Senbonya, gathers men to quickly unload his cargo. He seems to be a bit too concerned for crates that supposedly carry silk. Yet, his actions are stopped by Kairyu pirates and his goods are stolen.

Kaoru's left shoulder gets injured in combat. Kenshin and Yahiko do their best to protect her, but Yahiko is thrown overboard. Sanosuke dives in the deep water to save the boy. The leader of the Kairyu, Shura, challenges Kenshin to a battle. For a woman, Shura is very strong, yet Kenshin overcomes her exceptional skill. Shortly after, the coastguard shows signs of their arrival, signaling that the pirates must leave quickly. Still, one pirate has the audacity to kidnap Kaoru. Kenshin begs Shura to leave Kaoru out of the situation. Since Shura was a bit jealous of the rurouni beating her, she allows Kaoru to go, but in exchange, Kenshin must become the prisoner. Without much of a choice, Kenshin agrees on the terms and is taken away while the Kairyu all chant for his execution.