Remaining Juppon Gatana. Choice of Life!

So calm at such a moment is Saitou. A sudden uproar of fire breaks through the bridge Kenshin, Sano, Saitou, and Aoshi are on. However, the fire has separated Saitou from the group. With a cigarette in hand, Saitou takes a few puffs as Sano begins to belittle the Miburo. Sano still hasn't gotten to finish the fight with Saitou, but Saitou could care less. He tells the three across from him that Aoshi has the map and they can escape from the path he made on it. Sano calls out to Saitou with an angered voice, but when the fire rises, he's gone.

The Warriors Return The blazes from the arena set fire to the entire base. Anji had saved Hoji at the last minute and they join Soujirou who was watching from outside. Soujirou takes a few seconds to look at the burning fire and sets off for his journey of truth. As for Anji, he tells Hoji that he'll be turning himself into the authorities for his crimes. Hoji agrees to do the same as Anji, but when he gets his trial, he promises to tell everyone how Shishio wished to rule the country and make fools of the Meiji Government. Later that evening, Kenshin, Sano, and Aoshi return to the Aoiya.

And who could this be? Kenshin was unconscious upon his return. A letter was sent to Megumi, who rushed over to Kyoto to treat Kenshin's wounds. A month passed by. Spring had turned into autumn. Because of the damage caused to the Aoiya, everyone was forced to stay at the Shirobeko, the Akabeko of Kyoto, the original sukiyaki restaurants set up by Tae's parents. Aoshi has spent most of his time meditating in a shrine, having much to think about. Unexpectedly, a guest no one ever thought they would see again arrives. Chou makes his presence known. First, he eats, then tells everyone what happened to the Juppon Gatana.

The Fate of Hoji Chou himself has become a private detective, swearing that he'll change jobs as soon as he finds something that is more of his taste. Henya, Saizuchi, and Fuji have all taken jobs like Chou because the government allowed them their freedom. The Juppon Gatana was most wanted by the Meiji Government because of their exceptional abilities. As for Kamatari, he was heartbroken after hearing of Shishio's death, but it took Chou's lies to persuade him into taking the job the government offered him, a posing international exchange student that infiltrates advanced nations as a female spy. Anji had turned himself in and received twenty-five years of jail. He currently is serving time in a provincial jail in Hokkaido. Hoji, who also turned himself in, committed suicide in prison before damning the Meiji Government. The government would not allow him to have the trial he wanted. They had offered Hoji a job because of his business sense and ability to organize an army in exchange for his silence, but of course, he did not take it. Yumi was like Hoji. She had cared so much for Shishio after meeting him, even if she was really an expensive prostitute. The remaining Juppon Gatana members, Soujirou and Iwanbou are the only two that walked down a different path. Soujirou has become a rurouni and Iwanbou just wandered off, too stupid to know what to really do, so he isn't considered a threat.

Shishio plans to overthrow the devil himself. Before Chou leaves, Kenshin asks him to tell Hoji's grave that even though the era has tried to erase Shishio and the Juppon Gatana from history, he'll remember them. Chou walks off, promising to deliver the message, even though Hoji may not be so thrilled to hear it from the rurouni. Speaking of Hoji, Shishio's faithful servant finds himself in Hell. Nearby is Shishio and Yumi, who were almost waiting for his arrival. Shishio invites Hoji to join him in his quest to have his Kuni Tori against Enma, the ruler of Hell. Hoji wastes no time in joining the two. Usui is also sought for. Shishio finally accepts the fact that the era had sided with Kenshin, but he promises that his plans won't fail in the afterlife.