In search of Arai Shatku's last sword, Chou first kidnapped Arai Seiku's son Iori to learn the location of the sword. Seiku had told Chou that the sword was dedicated to a Shinto shrine. Just in case he was lying, Chou brought Iori along with him. At the shrine he met up with Kenshin. After recognizing the former Battousai, Chou threw Iori up into a tree and prepared for battle. Kenshin was unarmed at this time, since his Sakabatou had been broken by Soujirou. Armed with a katana, Chou charged forward with a Gatotsu-like attack. Kenshin managed to dodge it, being familiar with the technique, and hit Chou in the back with his scabbard.

Seiku hesitated before running into the shrine to get the sword. It was until he realized that man, not weapons, make the new era. Chou had tried to prevent Seiku from reaching the shrine. Thanks to Kenshin's broken Sakabatou, the Hakujin no Tachi was stopped before it hit Seiku. As a last resort, Kenshin elbowed Chou in the face. There was nothing else to do until Seiku threw his father's final masterpiece into the hands of Kenshin. Kenshin hesitated to draw the sword, unsure of exactly what it was. He still had to keep his promise of not killing anyone. Chou had threatened to kill Iori, and that caused Kenshin to unsheathe the sword in an angered rage.

It was a trick. Chou wanted Kenshin to become enraged. Kenshin charged forward with full speed. Chou had thought he could finish off Kenshin once and for all, but this time, not even his Hakujin no Tachi could touch him. With a deadly look on his face, Kenshin hit Chou with a Ryu Kan Sen Tsumuji. Later, it was found out that the sword was none other than a Sakabatou. Chou was not killed; he was hit really hard.