Never Reaching Feelings... Kenshin's Departure.

Megumi really wants Kenshin to stay. The day of destiny has arrived. May 14, Meiji 11, the day Kenshin decides whether he will go to Kyoto to halt Shishio's Makoto or stay and live peacefully as a rurouni at the Kamiya Dojo in Tokyo. Along a path, Kenshin walks with Ayame and Suzume while Kaoru and Genzai trail behind. Ayame and Suzume begin to talk about how pretty the fireflies in the area were the night before, and soon, Yahiko, Sano, and Megumi arrive. All three try to convince Kenshin not to leave. Megumi even puts a collar around Kenshin, but none of their attempts will cause Kenshin to make up his mind. To everyone's surprise, Kenshin leaves by himself to meet up with Okubo in Kiyoi Saka, as he is on his way to visit Dajokan in Akasaka. Kenshin promises to return later.

What's that kid doing in a tree? In his carriage, Okubo wonders if the man once known as the Hitokiri Battousai will accept his offer. On his way to Dajokan, however, Okubo's carriage door swings open and a rather young looking boy with a smile on his face covers the ex-Ishin Shishi member's mouth, delivering an oral message from Shishio. Shishio states that Okubo is just a bump in the road, and he knows about the plans for the Meiji Government to use the Battousai. In the near future, Shishio plans to take over the country. With the message ended, the boy kills Okubo with a dagger and flees. The carriage is then stopped by a group of samurai known as Shimada Ichiro. The angered men announce that they have come to assassinate Okubo. First, the driver is killed, but then men find that their target is already dead. A threat was already sent to the government and media of the Shimada Ichiro's plans earlier by the group themselves, but they weren't the ones who killed Okubo. Thus, they will take the blame.

Kenshin hears the voice of Okbuo's assassin. Onlookers are shocked to see Okubo's dead body covered on the road. As the medics tend to him, Kenshin arrives on the scene. The assassin of Okubo, the smiling boy, passes by Kenshin, warning the rurouni that he will end up like Okubo if he interferes with Shishio. The news is announced and the people of Japan learn that the last of the three main men who shaped the Meiji Era is now dead. Kenshin and Saitou meet with Kawaji, where Fukushima's Governor, Yamayoshi, speaks to them. The governor was the man who had last spoken with Okubo. In their conversation, Okubo revealed that he had plans to turn Japan from a country into a nation state. For some reason, Yamayoshi thought that Okubo knew that this would be his final day alive.

A Time of Relfection Japan is entering a stormy time, and Saitou knows that Shishio won't miss his opportunity. That's why Saitou plans to go to Kyoto. Kenshin is unsure of his fate yet. He takes time to thinking, going over what everyone's told him, trying to decide what'd be best. That evening, Kaoru waits for Kenshin alone by the area on the path where the fireflies sparkle. Megumi had to go tend to an emergency call. Ayame and Suzume tagged along with the foxy doctor, and Sanosuke accompanied them as their bodyguard. Yahiko decided that it was time for him to sleep, not wanting to wait for Kenshin's late return.

Kenshin says good-bye to Kaoru. After waiting only for a few minutes, Kenshin appears at Kaoru's side. Kenshin is well aware of what really happened with Okubo's assassination. Shishio somehow found out about the samurai group's plans and used it to his advantage. He continues talking, telling Kaoru that deep down inside, the Battousai is still in him; it's something that just can't go away. If he stays at the Kamiya Dojo, Kenshin fears he'll put everyone in danger. The rurouni thanks Kaoru, because, the first day they met, Kaoru didn't care about his past. All along, Kenshin was happy and thought he could live a normal, peaceful life. To conclude, Kenshin hugs Kaoru, says good-bye, and turns his back on her, beginning his journey to Kyoto. Leaving behind a crying Kamiya Kaoru, Himura Kenshin has returned to the life of a wandering rurouni.