A Hidden Technique of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu!
Reunion with Master Hiko Seijuurou!

Why would Kenshin try to slice this humble sculptor? Kenshin arrives at the home of a sculptor, located in the mountains. As the sculptor wearing a white cape sits quietly, Kenshin draws his Sakabatou and takes a slice at him. Quickly, the sculptor evades, leaping high into the air. This is no ordinary sculptor, he is Kenshin's master, Hiko Seijuurou. While Misao leads Kaoru and Yahiko in Kenshin's path, agreeing that she would reunite them, Jiya gets a message from Aoshi. Jiya meets Aoshi at a busy market where they discuss matters. The first thing brought up is that Misao will not get involved with anything. Quickly, the topic is changed, as Aoshi mentions he is looking for someone. Jiya immediately assumes that it is the Kenshin, the Battousai, and asks Aoshi if he is the one. Aoshi demands to know Himura's location, but Jiya refuses to spit it out. He feels as though Aoshi must wake up from the evil building up inside of him. Aoshi doesn't want to listen to the old man ramble on, so he walks away. However, Jiya reminds Aoshi that he was the one who decided to choose him as the Oniwa Banshu leader, and if he must, Jiya will fight Aoshi.

On his hands and knees, Kenshin begs to learn the succession technique. Aoshi walks past Soujirou, Anji, and two other men. Soujirou greets Aoshi with a smile, glad to see him in Kyoto. Aoshi felt as though someone was spying on him all along, but now his question is answered. Soujirou apologizes for doing so and asks Aoshi if he would like to talk while he and the men are on their way to Shishio's place. Aoshi begins to walk away, but he turns back to follow Soujirou when he mentions that they can help find Kenshin's location. Meanwhile, Kenshin asks his master if he could inherit the succession technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, to complete his training after fifteen years. Hiko refuses to do so because Kenshin doesn't see things the way a true master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu should. The Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu style was meant to protect people from national conflict or public fear. Hiko feels that since Kenshin left him fifteen years ago and became the Battousai, there should be no reason for Kenshin to become stronger without turning into a Hitokiri because he was the one who created Shishio Makoto in the first place.

Kenshin has no intention of looking at Kaoru. By time Misao, Kaoru, and Yahiko arrive at Hiko's home, they hear Kenshin's master yelling at the student. Feeling insulted, Misao and Yahiko kick down the door. Kenshin looks back at them, shocked to see Yahiko and mainly Kaoru. Hiko quickly breaks up the reunion, commanding that Kenshin go get some water. Kenshin questions his master why he needs to do such a meaningless task, but eventually goes off to fetch some. Kenshin did not look at Kaoru for a second when he passed by her. Misao and Yahiko begin to nag Kaoru, asking what she's going to do now since she's seen Kenshin. All Kaoru wanted to do was actually see Kenshin once more, that's it.

And so, the training begins... When Kenshin returns to Hiko's home, Hiko has already learned of what Kenshin's done that impacted the lives of the three guests. Not only that, but the eastern division of Shishio's Juppon Gatana has gathered, plus an unexpected guest, Aoshi. Hiko finally agrees to teach Kenshin the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu succession technique after learning that his "stupid" pupil has become a rurouni atoning for the sins he committed as the Battousai. That and because he does not want Shishio to have free reign. As Hiko and Kenshin depart, Kaoru stops the rurouni, asking if he's mad at her for venturing all the way to Kyoto. Kenshin answers truthfully as always, saying half of him is angry, while the other half is relieved.

How will Misao handle the truth about her friends? Misao, Kaoru, and Yahiko depart Hiko's home, their destination is the Aoiya where they'll spend the night. Yahiko ponders what kind of technique the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu succession technique must be, thinking that it must be the strongest move in the world. With that mentioned, Yahiko feels as though he and Kaoru forgot to tell Kenshin something. Kaoru remembers immediately, they forgot to tell Kenshin about Aoshi being in Kyoto. Misao hears Aoshi's name and asks Kaoru if she knows him. Yahiko hears that Misao ends Aoshi's name with 'sama', so he draws his shinai and gets into a fighting stance, now knowing Misao is an Oniwa Banshu member. The boy begins questioning Misao if Aoshi is after Kenshin, seeking revenge for what happened to Hannya and the others. Misao looks confused, not knowing what Yahiko's talking about. Kaoru stops Yahiko before he gets ahead of himself, reminding him that Misao cannot be an enemy because she lead them to Kenshin. Again, Misao asks Kaoru if she knows Aoshi and asks what happened. Kaoru puts a serious look on her face and tells Misao straight up that she will not like what she's about to hear.