Now Is The Time To Awaken. True and Perfect Solution.

Kenshin tries to wake up Aoshi. Kenshin continues telling Aoshi that he has become selfish and lost sight of his goal as the fight between the two has become a standstill. For continuing to speak however, Kenshin is beaten around a frustrated Aoshi. When Kenshin brings up Misao, telling Aoshi that he promised to bring him back to her, Aoshi hits Kenshin one last time. Kenshin can take no more beatings; he reviews everything he's said and shouts for Aoshi to wake up. The eyes of the former Oniwa Banshu leader finally turn back to normal. No longer is Aoshi possessed, but he cannot walk away from the fight. Kenshin understands and accepts to continue. Both men get into their positions for the final strike.

The Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki connects. Aoshi apologizes to his men, Hannya, Shikijo, Hyottoko, and Beshimi, for disgracing them, but he promises he'll try his best to win. A stalemate is what Kenshin and Aoshi stand in. Both stand in place for over ten minutes, neither wants to start the fight. During the silence of it all, Sano overhears a clicking noise. Looking around, he spots Yumi sending messages to Shishio. Immediately, Sanosuke warns Kenshin not to use the Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki. As Kenshin's attention is slightly distracted, Aoshi charges forward. In an instant, Kenshin turns around to hit the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu sucession technique.

A beaten, yet, renewed man. Such a move could do so much. At last, Aoshi is down and his selfish ambition is faded. Sano destroys the telegraph and runs off with Yumi, demanding that she show him and Kenshin the next room. Although Shishio did receive Yumi's message, there was no description of how the Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki was executed due to the speed of it. Before Kenshin departs, Aoshi tells him he'll catch up sooner or later. With his eyes closed, Aoshi tells his men that he's tried his hardest, but lost. Aoshi has no regrets for losing to such a man like Kenshin, all he hopes for is that he'll be accepted by his own people after what he's done, especially to Okina.

Can Yahiko beat Henya, or will he die trying? Meanwhile, at the Aoiya, Iwanbou seems to have no trouble with the four Oniwa Banshu members. His skin is so thick that he doesn't even need to attack, everything just bounces off of him. As for the others, they discover the Kamatari is actually a man after a long argument over who's hot and who's not. Both Kaoru and Yahiko were to take on Henya and Misao was to fight Kamatari by herself, but the order is shifted. Instead, Yahiko will battle Henya alone while Kaoru and Misao duel with Kamatari. Henya sighs at the outcome, explaining to Yahiko that he'd rather fight someone like Kenshin other than some kid. Yahiko plans to make the Juppon Gatana member regret his words by fighting at his very best, however, Yahiko's best may not be good enough. Henya reveals his arsenal of explosives and his skill to soar in the air. With an aerial attack, not even the best swordsman in the world would have an easy time defeating Henya.