Tajemniczy wojownik zjawia się w japońskiej szkole sztuk walki w okresie Meiji, przypadkowo znajdując się w samym centrum konfliktu na tle handlu opium.
Kaoru is deeply depressed since Kenshin left Tokyo. With the help of her friends, Kaoru regains her courage and decides to go to Kyoto and see Kenshin.
The female bandit, whom Kenshin meets in the forest, is a member of the Oniwabanshu. Misao refuses to stop chasing Kenshin, as she believes that he can lead her to them.
Shishio is challenged by Kenshin, but Shishio refuses the duel, saying that Kenshin is weak as a wanderer. Shishio tells Sojiro, his right hand man, to fight Kenshin instead.
Kenshin and Misao make it to Kyoto. Kenshin goes to see Sekku Arai, who is the son of Shakku Arai, the one who forged the reverse blade sword, in order to replace its broken sword.
Kenshin finds that Cho has kidnapped baby Iori in order to obtain the final masterpiece of Shakku for himself. Kenshin is forced to choose between keeping his vow not to kill and saving the baby.
Kenshin finds his master Seijuro Hiko living as a potter near Kyoto, but Hiko is initially unwilling to take Kenshin back because he joined the revolution.
Okina doesn't allow Aoshi to continue as the leader of the Oniwabanshu due to his demonic desire to kill Kenshin. Desperate Misao tries to stop the confrontation at the temple between the two.