The silver-haired figure
greets the one-armed man named Kujiranami. Kujiranami
isn't too friendly with the stranger knowing his name,
but once the figure mentions Gein, everything is understood.
The silver-haired figure explains that he's the one
behind all of the operations and is covering all of
the expenses, but never mentions his name. Kujiranami
readies himself afterwards by equipping a cannon barrel
on his missing wrist and locking onto a target.
On their way home, Sanosuke,
carrying a rather drunk Yahiko, pulls Kenshin to the
side and asks the rurouni why he's been so quiet lately.
Kenshin is a bit hesitant, but explains once Sanosuke
threatens to beat him up if he's going to still treat
him like a weakness. The problem is, of course, Kujiranami.
Kenshin tells Sanosuke and Yahiko that he was the one
that cut off his wrist back in the Battle of Tobafushimi
and is now feeling a bit guilty. That doesn't seem like
that big of a deal to Sanosuke. He points over to Kaoru,
Tae, and Tsubame enjoying the sight of the fireflies
in the evening and asks if there's a shadow of war amongst
the scene. Frankly, Sanosuke thinks Kenshin's worrying
too much.
Suddenly, a thunderous
sound is heard. Everyone assumes that it's simply the
summer fireworks, but Kenshin is familiar with the sound.
The sound is that of an Armstrong cannon. Kujiranami
shows no sympathy as the Akabeko is hit and destroyed
in an instant. The signal flare of revenge has been
set off.
