Kenshin hesitates to
execute Jin'e with his reversed Sakabatou. As Kenshin
stands in place with his sword raised, Jin'e provokes
the rurouni, reminding him that killing him will set
Kaoru free. Keeping that in mind, Kenshin says he will
become the Hitokiri Battousai again if it concerns saving
Kaoru's life. Kaoru struggles and somehow breaks the
Shin no Ippou when she calls out Kenshin's name. In
a matter of seconds, Kenshin returns to his normal self.
It took a lot of strength
for Kaoru to break out of the Shin no Ippou, so she
collapses onto her side. Kenshin rushes to catch her
and asks if he's fine. Kaoru claims she is, but the
Jin'e gets to his feet and executes one final act. The
Kurogasa takes his sword and drives it straight into
his heart. Jin'e thinks he has grown weak, as both of
Kenshin's friends now have broken his technique. His
final words tell Kenshin that there is in fact many
hitokiris in the Meiji Era, if he wants to believe it
or not. There are still those who require the assistance
of killers to take out their adversaries. Jin'e hints
at the fact that he has been working for someone all
along, but he doesn't say exactly who. A hitokiri is
to fight only when told, but Jin'e had broken the code
when he fought Kenshin for pleasure. Yet, Jin'e has
no regrets, as his fight against Kenshin was enjoyable.
Before he passes on to Hell, Jin'e promises that he'll
be watching to see just how long Kenshin can stay away
from becoming the Hitokiri Battousai once again.
On the way home, Kenshin
and Kaoru remain relatively quiet. Until they reach
town, Kaoru finally has the courage to thank Kenshin
for saving her. Kenshin thinks nothing of it as he should
be the one thanking Kaoru for saving him from becoming
the Hitokiri Battousai once again. As they get closer
to the Kamiya Dojo, Kenshin remembers something. He
reaches into his shirt and gives Kaoru back her prized
blue ribbon, soaked in his blood however. Because of
the wound to his left shoulder, Kaoru's ribbon was stained.
Yet, Kaoru has no sympathy as she chases Kenshin home
in an angry rage.
