A typical lunch at the
Kamiya Dojo, meaning it's really out of hand, is in effect
until Police Chief Uramura visits. Uramura seeks the assistance
of Kenshin. What Uramura wants is for Kenshin to defeat
an assassin by the name of the Kurogasa. The Kurogasa
has been murdering former Ishin Shishi that hold high
political positions. Some believe that it's simply revenge,
but others suspect the Kurogasa is killing for pleasure.
Word about the Kurogasa and his murders are not well-known,
due to the government keeping the public in the dark about
the situation. Kenshin agrees to assist the police in
their attempt to stop such a ruthless killer along with
Sanosuke, who decides to join in for the hell of it.
Later, Tani Juusanrou,
a member of the War Department and latest target of the
Kurogasa, who makes his targets known by sending a warning
in advance, is told by Uramura about the assistance of
outsiders. Tani feels confident because he has hired dozens
of bodyguards, but he nearly drops his jaw when Kenshin
enters his room. By their few sentences exchanged, it
is learned that Kenshin had protected Tani in the past.
Sanosuke follows closely behind the rurouni. Tani's bodyguards
drop their jaws as well. A few of them were beaten up
by Sanosuke when he was known as Zanza.
It's almost 1 A.M. Kenshin
and Sanosuke play shogi while everyone else, including
Tani, his bodyguards, and policemen patrolling both the
outside and inside of Tani's residence, wait in anticipation
for the Kurogasa. During their game, Sanosuke asks Kenshin
why he accepted the task and what he knows about the Kurogasa's
technique, Shin no Ippou, as mentioned by Uramura when
describing the paralysis technique the assassin uses.
Kenshin simply doesn't want such a man running around
in the Meiji Era. As for the Shin no Ippou, all Kenshin
has heard are rumors of the technique.
Suddenly, a scream is heard
from outside. Kenshin and Sanosuke rush to the window,
only to see a few policemen lying in a pool of their own
blood. The clock strikes one o'clock. All of Tani's men
ready themselves. Kenshin and Sanosuke wait before the
door for the Kurogasa, but it doesn't seem like the assassin
is going to arrive. One of Tani's bodyguards thinks it
was all a bluff, but, suddenly, he is suddenly slain.
The Kurogasa had entered from a window with an evil grin
on his face.
