|
|
The
Swordsman in Sorrow. The Man That Cuts the Past.
|
The
Kamiya Dojo has finally begun to rebuild itself, now
with one enrolled student, Myoujin Yahiko. Kaoru,
master of the dojo, tries to teach Yahiko the first
skill of Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu, meditation, but Yahiko
refuses to follow along. This angers Kaoru, and the
two start off a chase that leads them to Kenshin.
Yahiko doesn't want to learn how to meditate, he grumbles
to Kenshin, but he wishes to learn how to fight just
like Kenshin. Kenshin refuses Yahiko's request, saying
it is better to learn how to protect rather than kill.
|
|
|
|
Kaoru's
thoughts of Kenshin's past.
|
Later, during a lunch
break, Yahiko asks about the mysterious Kenshin, wanting
to know more about him. Kaoru isn't sure, but she
has heard that Kenshin helped create the Meiji Government,
but there was a huge uprise in Kyoto, and then he
disappeared. Rumors say Kenshin accidentally killed
important people, or maybe he just knows too much.
That is why the government wishes to silence him.
|
|
Kaoru
fears Kenshin's death as she watches him cook dinner,
but when she closes her eyes, Kenshin is no longer
there. Already, the rurouni has gone off to get some
tofu, and there are visitors at the door waiting for
Kaoru. Doctor Genzai, who happens to be there, answers
the door. It's the police, an unexpected guest, and
they demand to see the Hitokiri Battousai. If Kaoru
does not agree to hand Kenshin over, she will be executed.
There's no other choice, Kaoru shouts at Yahiko, who
just watches the controversy, to inform Kenshin.
|
|
In
town, Kenshin is headed back home with tofu in his
hands. Ayame and Suzume had accompanied Kenshin on
his trip, but on the way back home, Kenshin gets into
a brief run in with the government's sword squad.
The sword squad flashes their authority by picking
on a family, saying they've assisted thieves. Their
execution is planned, but Yahiko, who is really looking
for Kenshin, stands up against the sword squad for
the family, who have no evidence against them. Yahiko,
however, is too much over his head and is beaten up.
Kenshin steps in just in the nick of time, offering
himself to be the one punished instead. The sword
squad accepts his offer, but they are quickly beaten
by Hitokiri Battousai.
|
|
|
|
The
sword squad is no match against Kenshin.
|
By time Kaoru arrives
on the scene, she watches as Kenshin defeats the
captain of the sword squad. There's no time to waste
when Kaoru and Yahiko explain to Kenshin the situation.
Kenshin, Kaoru, and Yahiko all run away from the
scene, but they are immediately surrounded by the
police. Having no where to run off to, a well dressed
man arrives in a carriage. His name is Yamagata
Aritomo, leader of the army, department of defense
for the Meiji government, and a cabinet member.
|
|
|
|
It
looks like Kaoru and Yahiko will never get along.
|
The
reason for Yamagata's appearance was to ask Kenshin
if he would consider rejoining the government. Previously,
Kenshin had worked for the government, protecting
them from harm. Kenshin states clearly that he is
not interested in killing anymore and has decided
to stay a rurouni, protecting the weak and helpless
with his Sakabatou. There is no changing Kenshin's
mind whatsoever, as Yamagata finds out. The words
spoken from Kenshin about his theory of protection
has really gotten to Yahiko. On the way home, Yahiko
decides that he'll put up with Kaoru and will become
a master of Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu, protecting others,
just like Kenshin.
|
|
|
