With Kenshin's story
concluded, everyone heads off their separate ways without
speaking a word. It's already late into the night, so
Tsubame, Kaoru, and Megumi hit the sack. Tsubame, however,
cannot fall asleep. She tells Kaoru, who appears to
be the only one awake, that she feels sorry for both
Kenshin and Tomoe. Megumi speaks, even though her back
is turned to both Tsubame and Kaoru, reminding them
that Tomoe died protecting the man she loved. Now that
Megumi is awake, she and Kaoru engage in a minor argument
concerning what would happen if they were in Tomoe's
shoes. Tsubame is caught in between the crossfire, confused
as ever.
In front of the dojo,
Yahiko confronts Sanosuke, telling him that it's his
turn to stand guard. Sanosuke reminds Yahiko that a
declaration of war has already been issued, so it'd
be pointless for a surprise attack. When the battle
comes, though, Sanosuke tells Yahiko to stay out of
it, even if Kenshin dies, unless Enishi's comrades get
involved. Unlike the battle with Shishio, this fight
is personal. With anticipation for the battle and a
better understanding of Kenshin from his story, Yahiko
begins training for the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu succession
technique in hopes of becoming one who protects lives
like Kenshin. He crosses his arms over his head, planning
on executing the same movement ten thousand more times.
If he accomplishes the task, Kaoru promised to teach
him the succession technique. Sanosuke looks up into
the star-filled sky and wonders what to do. Meanwhile,
inside, Kenshin sits quietly in solitude, deep in thought.
