Alliance Agreed! The Day When Shishio and Aoshi Unite!

Misao is told what happened in Tokyo. Misao is told the shocking news about how Hannya and the others were killed off by a gatling gun while trying to protect Aoshi. She cannot believe it, but that is the reason Aoshi is after Kenshin, trying to kill him to take revenge for his men so he can earn them the title of the strongest. Speaking of Aoshi, he is informed by Hoji, Shishio's servant, that only the old man formerly known as the Okina at the Aoiya knows of Kenshin's true location. Soujirou suggests that torture be the way they get the Battousai's location spilled out. Aoshi has no care if his own people die, he just wants to fight Kenshin. Shishio has no problem if Aoshi kills the Battousai, thus, sealing their alliance.

I think Jiya's well off by himself. While Kenshin trains with Hiko, the Aoiya is attacked during the night by the Owls, a group of Shishio's spies thats do their dirty work best at night. They break in and try to torture Jiya, but are only beaten up by the Okina himself. Word goes back to Hoji about the mission's failure. Another message is included, written on one of the ninjas. The message is from Jiya to Aoshi, telling him to meet at "Location A" at 1 P.M. alone. By the next morning, Jiya leaves to the disclosed location, equipped with his old ninja suit and weapons. Misao had gone off to do something, but when she comes back to the Aoiya, she is very suspicious on why Jiya is gone with the equipment he used as the Okina.

This battle's intense. Aoshi and Jiya begin their battle at "Location A". Aoshi uses his pair of kodachis, while Jiya uses iron tonfas. It comes to a point in the battle where Aoshi manages to break one of Jiya's iron tonfas, a task that was nearly impossible for a kodachi. Jiya has realized Aoshi's strength has probably surpassed that of the Oniwa Banshu's founder, only because the evil built up inside of him is being released. Aoshi asks Jiya for the location of Kenshin, promising not to kill him if he tells, but Jiya refuses. Even if Aoshi threatens to kill the other four at the Aoiya, the Okina still refuses. Jiya swears that he won't betray the Oniwa Banshu's master like Aoshi has done and will kill him for joining Shishio's cause.

Only silence from Aoshi to Misao. By time Misao arrives at "Location A" after finally being told where Jiya went back at the Aoiya, she opens the door, only to see her best friend fall to the ground in a bloody mess. Aoshi had cut up Jiya good with his two kodachis. With an evil look in his eyes, Aoshi walks out, passing by Misao. Misao turns to the one she loves, simply asking him why. Aoshi states that he doesn't want to see Misao ever again and asks her to tell the Battousai he'll be waiting at Shishio's headquarters. Jiya is brought back to the Aoiya, where he is stitched up. A message is given to Misao, as it was meant to be if Jiya was ever in such a situation. The message basically tells Misao to dissolve the Oniwa Banshu, since Jiya is dead, so she can live a normal, happy life. Misao ignores the letter and turns to everyone, Kaoru, Yahiko, and the four former Oniwa Banshu members, announcing that Aoshi is now no longer the leader of the Oniwa Banshu, but the enemy, and that she is taking over his position.