As the sun sets
upon Tokyo, Kenshin and Kaoru head on home. Kaoru
has something she would like to tell Kenshin,
but before she can, Kenshin notices three students
eating noodles at a soba stand. He looks at them
and wonders where they're from. Kaoru answers
Kenshin's query, saying they're from the Shibata
School, a place where she teaches from time to
time. A bit angered because they're spending their
money on food in between meals, Kaoru shouts out
at them. The children wave back at Kaoru pleasantly,
ignoring her statement completely, but also notice
Kenshin at her side. Quickly they identify who
he is and speak highly of the rurouni.
Kids look up to
the strong. Kaoru feels as though kenjutsu will
be the way of the new era after seeing all of
sorts of kids, including Yahiko, training so hard.
What Kenshin thought was a naive ideal may become
a reality. The sword may eventually be used for
protecting others by many people. Kenshin thinks
differently. He wished the sword would be used
in such a way, but everyone has their different
paths. The rurouni gives some examples, which
include Yahiko, Sanosuke, and Megumi. They will
all walk down different paths. Out of the blue,
Kaoru says she would like to stay with Kenshin
forever.
Feeling it was
an awkward statement, Kaoru runs off quickly.
Kenshin puts his hand on her shoulder before she
gets too far. He stops Kaoru and turns her to
the setting sun, reminding her of the time they
all returned from Kyoto. It was the first time
in his life as a rurouni Kenshin said the words
"I'm home.".
Nighttime falls
upon the city. Chou finds Saitou at the noodle
stand and immediately starts complaining about
his boss' poor directions. Saitou pays the vendor
before turning his attention to Chou. He plays
dumb, pretending not to know his own man. Chou
had been sent out on an assignment by Saitou to
find out who sold Shishio Makoto the battleship
Rengoku. Sources led to Enishi, but Chou dug even
deeper, finding that the black market arms dealer
is on a personal job in Tokyo that has something
to do with Battousai. Saitou smirks when he hears
that; he never expected to meet up with his old
rival so soon.
