Burning Rengoku! Shishio Makoto's Fortune.

Kaboom! Plans are made by both sides, Kenshin and Shishio. Once the Armstrong cannon from the Rengoku is fired, Kenshin and Saitou somehow make it onto the ship. Meanwhile, Sano steps on floating debris to make his way to the Rengoku, allowing him to hit the navy battleship on target with one of the Sakurestu bombs he gotten from Katsu. The explosion from such tiny bombs is so powerful, it sends the Rengoku into flames. Shishio's plans are foiled already. However, Shishio is not through yet. He invites Kenshin, Saitou, and Sano to his base, a "small" shrine with six arches near the northeast side of the Hiei Mountains, as he sails away on a lifeboat with Yumi, Hoji, and Soujirou.

What's the rush for? Back in Kyoto, forty-one officers were killed while trying to prevent Kyoto from being set on fire. Saitou leaves Kenshin and Sano's presence to file damage reports for the time being. Kenshin and Sano then head off to the Aoiya, where Yahiko and Kaoru await. The first thing Kaoru tells Kenshin is that something is wrong with Misao. When the situation is investigated, Kenshin finds Misao throwing a fit. It was because of what happened the night before, Misao feels stupid because she let Usui sneak up on her. Kaoru and Yahiko explain that the blind Hitokiri was about to kill Misao until a strange priest, Anji, stopped him. They also mention to Kenshin about Aoshi being in Kyoto and Misao adds in about what Aoshi did to Jiya. All of a sudden, the four remaining Oniwa Banshu members run in, dragging Kenshin and Misao along.

Aoshi the Devil Jiya has woken up from his unconsciousness. With memory still serving him, Jiya asks if Kenshin could do him a favor, to kill Aoshi. The reason is because Jiya thinks Aoshi is a devil, obsessed with becoming the strongest, so the only way to give him peace is by death. Kenshin refuses, knowing Aoshi isn't completely a devil. If he was one, then he'd kill Jiya for good instead of just injuring him. The only thing Kenshin promises is to return Aoshi to the Aoiya, where he truly belongs. With the conversation concluded, Sano steps in, informing Kenshin that there was a message from Saitou saying they will leave tomorrow morning for Shishio's base.

Off to Shishio's Kenshin, Saitou, and Sano go. That evening, Kaoru joins Kenshin on the Aoiya's rooftop. Kaoru is very concerned about Kenshin's safety, but Kenshin is very calm. After holding it for such a long time, Kaoru finally gives the medicine from Megumi to Kenshin, telling him everyone wants him back safely. A few minutes into the conversation, Yahiko appears and drags Kaoru aside, urging her to make love to Kenshin, but Kaoru is a bit offended by his choice of words. Kenshin sees Yahiko and asks that he take care of Kaoru and the Aoiya. Yahiko's a bit shocked; he thought all along he was going to go. Kenshin shakes his head, explaining that Yahiko must stay because Shishio might attack the Aoiya while he's gone. Hearing that, Yahiko forgets about going with Kenshin and focuses on his newly received mission. Sano appears afterwards, followed by Misao, Jiya, and the Oniwa Banshu. With everyone joined together, Kenshin feels he has a lot of support from his friends and loved ones, thus, he has nothing to fear. By the time the sun rises the next morning, Kenshin, Saitou, and Sano, all joined together, leave the Aoiya for Shishio's base. Before he left, however, Kenshin promised Kaoru one thing - they'd all return to Tokyo together.