Between Life and Death! Succession Technique Mastered,
Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki.

Finally, Kenshin scratches his master. The training for Kenshin to learn the succession technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu continues, but Kenshin isn't fairing to well. Not yet has he been able to scratch his master, Hiko. Hiko spends time reminiscing of the past when he saved Kenshin's life as his pupil struggles to get to his feet. At last, Kenshin jumps up into the air and comes down at Hiko, who jumps straight up at him. Kenshin had managed to scratch Hiko's hand by using all of his strength on that hit. Finally, the real training begins.

Hiko demonstrates the speed of the Kuzu Ryu Sen. Hiko tells Kenshin of a technique called the Kuzu Ryu Sen. The Kuzu Ryu Sen hits all nine vital parts of the human body, head, left shoulder, right shoulder, left arm, right arm, left waist, right waist, between the legs, and chest, so quickly that it's nearly impossible to defend from. Hiko demonstrates on Kenshin, not hitting him for real. Once Kenshin has seen the technique, Hiko tells him to try it out with him. Both master and student execute the Kuzu Ryu Sen at the same time. Kenshin falls over from the nine hits, while Hiko remains standing. Hiko explains that the damage all relies on the strength in the attacker, thus, his Kuzu Ryu Sen is stronger than Kenshin's. However, there is one way to cancel out the Kuzu Ryu Sen; the succession technique of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki. When Kenshin can defend from the Kuzu Ryu Sen, his training will be done.

What's stopping Kenshin? Kenshin gets into a Battou Jutsu stance. Hiko prepares to execute the Kuzu Ryu Sen, but all of a sudden, Kenshin moves his hand away from the Sakabatou and just stands there. For some reason, Kenshin feels as though he cannot acquire the succession technique. Hiko walks away in disgust, calling Kenshin an idiot. The Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu master knows that something is blocking his student from learning the Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki and facing his destiny.

The slash of the Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki. Later, Hiko confronts Kenshin and asks if he found out what's blocking him. Kenshin hasn't, so Hiko prepares to kill his pupil, figuring it'd be better off if he died. Kenshin feels a bit shocked. Deep in his find, Kenshin finally figures out what's blocking him - death. All his life, he's killed so much people that he's forgotten about valuing his own life. Hiko charges, executing the Kuzu Ryu Sen. At the same time, Kenshin draws his Sakabatou and slashes. The two stand back-to-back from each other once the blows have been executed. Hiko congratulates Kenshin for inheriting the succession technique then falls to the ground with a large cut going down his torso. It is fate that has done such a thing. For Kenshin to have acquired the Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki, he had to kill his master, the exact same way Hiko inherited it. It is the fate for all Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu masters and students.