The Man Who Makes Sakabatou... Arai Shatku's Masterpiece!

This guy was one of the best spies in Kyoto? Just as Shishio arrives at his base in Kyoto, Kenshin and Misao arrive in Kyoto. Misao rushes up to what she claims her restaurant, the Aoiya, and is greeted by the old man she calls Jiya and four other employees. Kenshin, who has his cross scar covered with a bandage, begins walking away until Jiya stops him. Somehow, Jiya knows who Kenshin really is. As Misao takes a refreshing hot bath, Jiya sits down with Kenshin to discuss matters. The old man introduces himself as Kishiwazaki Nenji, former Oniwa Banshu member and spy in Kyoto, also referred to as the Okina. Jiya explains that the Aoiya was originally a main base for the Oniwa Banshu, but when the Edo Government had collapsed, it had become a restaurant that gave jobs to former Oniwa Banshu members. Therefore, all of the employees were once Oniwa Banshu. Seeing as that's the situation, Kenshin decides to speak about what happened with Hannya and the others. It is agreed by both that Misao shouldn't know what happened to them yet. Jiya is also aware that Shishio is in town because he knows everything that goes on in Kyoto and figures that Kenshin is present as well to fight him, so Kenshin decides to rely on the old man's knowledge to find two men: Arai Shatku and Hiko Seijuurou.

What a strange technique Kenshin has. The next morning, Kenshin, Misao, and Jiya depart for Arai Seiku's place. Seiku is the son of Arai Shatku, the man who crafted Kenshin's Sakabatou. Unfortunately, Shatku had died, but his knowledge was handed down to his son. At Seiku's residence, kitchen knives are displayed in showcases in the front of his home. A little boy, Seiku's son, is the only one present, but his mother, Seiku's wife, walks out shortly after hearing the "customers'" arrival. Kenshin asks if he could try out one of the knives. The woman allows him to do as he pleases. From his kimono, Kenshin pulls out a large radish and chops it with the knife. Shortly after, he is able to put it back together, as if it was never cut. Only the best samurai can perform such a technique with the best type of sword. By time Kenshin is through examining Seiku's knives, Seiku himself arrives back home. The first thing Kenshin asks is if Seiku could make him a sword. Seiku refuses the offer, explaining he's given up making them. Unlike his father, Seiku is more of a pacifist and doesn't understand killing. Kenshin understands and thanks Seiku for his time. Misao begins shouting at the now knife maker, trying to force him into crafting a sword for Kenshin, but that does no good because she's eventually dragged away by the rurouni.

Eyes of a Sword Lover Later, Seiku's home is visited by an unexpected guest. A blonde haired samurai-like man immediately asks if he could see Arai Shatku's last sword. This man's name is Chou, and he really is one of Shishio's Juppon Gatana. Seiku plays dumb, acting as if his father's swords are all gone when there's really only one left. Chou wants the sword immediately, otherwise, their son, Iori, dies. Not wanting her only child to be killed, Seiku's wife, Asuka, tells Chou the last sword of Arai Shatku was dedicated to the Hakusan Shinto Shrine. Now knowing the location, Chou leaves, but takes Iori just in case Asuka is lying.

Who'll get Arai Shatku's final masterpiece first? Misao arrives on the scene after Chou's departure. She was going to bother Seiku into making Kenshin's sword, but now that dangerous matters have come up, she has a carrier pigeon inform Kenshin and Jiya of the situation at the Aoiya. By time Chou arrives at the shrine with Iori hanging at the tip of his long sword's sheath, Kenshin is already there. With eyes ready for battle, Kenshin removes his bandage, showing the scar on his cheek. Chou identifies the Battousai quickly and knows he probably wants Shatku's sword too. Even so, Chou promises that he will be the one to get it because Kenshin will be dead.