Prelude to a New Threat.
The Shadow of the Wolf is Drawing Near.

The past haunts Kenshin. For some strange reason, Kenshin thinks about his past when he was the Battousai and against a powerful group known as the Shinsen Gumi. Doctor Genzai appears at the Kamiya Dojo, fresh from handling a delivery with Megumi. To celebrate the child's health, Genzai announces that he feels like a big lunch. Everyone agrees and heads off to the Akabeko, but Kenshin lags behind. Kaoru finds it odd that Kenshin's so quiet and looks so serious, so she goes over to talk to him. Of course, Kenshin explains to Kaoru everything, about who the Shinsen Gumi were and how they were his enemies, but he has no grudge against them at the present time.

Sano faces off against... a merchant? Sano arrives at the deserted Kamiya Dojo, angry that everyone left to eat without him. The doors of the dojo open up, and a merchant walks in, trying to sell medicine. The man introduces himself was Fujita Goro, but Sano can see right through the "merchant". His eyes are evil and his hands have sword calluses. Immediately, "Fujita Goro" drops the act and asks where the Battousai is. Sano tries to get answers out of the "merchant" himself, thus leading to a fight. His fist flies, and Sano connects with "Fujita's" face. No damage at all. The so-called merchant commends Sanosuke's skills for being fit for the Meiji Era, but if he was in Kyoto during the near end of the Tokugawa Era, he would have been killed. "Fujita" thrusts forward with his sword, using incredible speed. The sword of the trespasser stabs Sano right in his right shoulder. Sano tries to get back up after the powerful blow, but he is simply shoved down and knocked out by "Fujita".

Saitou Hajime seeks revenge on the Battousai. That evening, Saitou Hajime, also known as Fujita Goro, real occupation, a police officer, meets up with a man named Shibumi, the one who had hired Saitou to assassinate Kenshin. Matters are discussed, and Saitou heads his own way back to the Kamiya Dojo. Shibumi and a hired thug of his are surprised that the former captain of the Shinsen Gumi's third division had joined such a cause. But really, Saitou has his reasons; he isn't trying to kill Kenshin just for Shibumi.

Can Kenshin defeat Saitou? Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko, and Megumi, whom they met up with along the way back home, enter the Kamiya Dojo to see it not only slightly damaged, but find Sano knocked out cold. Megumi tends to his wounds, and luckily, Sano isn't that injured because of his super human endurance. Kenshin sits quietly by himself, already knowing who attacked Sano. Thinking to himself, Kenshin ponders, wondering why Saitou has come for him and if he'll have to turn back into the Battousai to beat a rival from the past.