Rurouni Kenshin New Kyoto Arc (OVA)

Note: The Kan'ei Era was from 1624 to 1643.

Even when the drought of the Kan'ei Era came to pay us a visit

this well had remained unperturbed, but now...

Oh, hello, good sir from Aoi-ya.

Mrs. Oshige, how do you fare?

The rainy season has yet to come, but the heat is fierce.

It would be dreadful if it fails to rain soon.

People are praying for rain...

What has happened to the Eastern rain?

The Chief of Internal Affairs was assassinated in Tokyo...

The one who struck him down was Soujiro Seta of the Shishio Faction.

What of Makoto Shishio?

Sir, he and several subordinates have come to Kyoto.

Sorry to trouble you with this upon your arrival in Kyoto, Officer Fujita.

It's fine.

Daily Kyoto Newspaper

Makoto Shishio. Born in Shingetsu Village.

Daily Kyoto Newspaper

He was allied with the Choshu Faction.

Daily Kyoto Newspaper

This man inherited his predecessor's job to slay men from the shadows.

But I thought that he was killed in the Boshin War.

Makoto Shishio is a treacherous individual

whose lust for ambition and conquest is beyond comprehension for normal men.

May 1373 No. I! Report on Makoto Qdisdio Kyoto Police Department

Some of his assassinations were of such great import

that if brought to light, they could uproot the foundation of the Meiji government.

Had Shishio survived to greet the new era,

there was a possibility that he would take advantage of such weaknesses,

allowing him to hold Japan in the palm of his hand.

As such, the government took advantage of the chaos in the Boshin War to dispose of him.

It claims that they doused his corpse in oil and set it aflame...

B-but he still managed to survive?

He may indeed be... a ghost.

Absorbed in his hatred and desire for vengeance,

he has forgotten that he is human.

At any rate, he will most likely be the key to defeating Shishio.

Who do you mean?

When he moves,

so moves the era.

And Aoshi has been missing since?

The person Aoshi encountered while in Tokyo...

That man is also making his way to Kyoto.

I see. He must be chasing after Shishio as well.

Do you know of him?

Yes, his name is...

Misao! As a member of the onmitsu group Oniwabanshu,

could you try to eavesdrop on a conversation or two more eloquently?

Tell me! Tell me about the guy who was with Master Aoshi!

If I find him, I'll find Master Aoshi!

His name is...

Himura.

Kenshin

I can't let you handle subduing Shishio all on your own!

Note: Hitokiri - "Man Cutter".

Hitokiri Battousai...

If it is still in you to speak of restorations,

sing of this nation is future. I dare you.

Euwuni Keméin New Kyoto

Cage of Flames

Himura...Battousai!

I-I'm just fine, Lu One!

Well, I get that you're afraid.

After all, we're going up against Himura Battousai.

Formerly a revolutionary for the Choshu Faction,

he was feared as the “Hitokiri Battousai" during the end of the Shogunate.

Supposedly the land of death spreads to wherever he goes.

A cross-shaped scar?

He's short and skinny.

Is that wimpy-looking guy really Himura?

You're right! As a member of the Oniwabanshu, I must first confirm that he is the enemy.

Go, Lu One!

Lu One?!

Hey, you are tickling me!

I can't believe Lu One warmed up to him just like that!

Now then, what did you need with me?

Himura Battousai, spill it! Where is Master Aoshi?!

You know him, don't you?

I know, right?

He is in the onmitsu Oniwabanshu that defended the Imperial Castle in Edo.

Hey! Wait for me!

Whoa!

How the heck... did you get across this?

I won't let him go!

I do not know what your relationship to Aoshi is,

but down the path of pandemonium, danger is always by your side.

What?!

Who are you to tell me that?!

You should sever your feelings for the man and forget about him.

It is for your own good.

Don't you dare give me that crap!

I can't forget him! That's why I'm searching for him!

Don't be crazy! Stop!

How the heck could forgetting about the person I care for the most make me happy?!

Until you tell me...

I won't leave your side.

I swear it!

Straight ahead, there is a manor...

Is that where Master Aoshi is?

Makoto Shishio is there.

The man we sent on reconnaissance claims to have seen Himura Battousai at Hakone Pass.

Unfortunately, that is where he lost sight of him.

What became of that man?

I wound up killing him.

Master Seta!

You're being most unseemly. What is it?

Well...

Please, this way.

You brought a woman?

The hot springs located here in Shingetsu Village soothes my burns.

It also tightens the ladies where it matters.

A-and where does it matter?!

I believe this was the village of your birth, was it not, Makoto Shishio?

Just what I'd expect of my predecessor. You know me well.

Shingetsu Village was exploited by the government, turning it into a ghost town.

Even this therapeutic hot springs resort

was an unfortunate legacy that financially destroyed the village.

This village reflects the true shape of the Meiji government.

And my body reflects its true nature.

However, my motive is hardly something as trivial as vengeance.

What I seek is power.

I want to create a powerful country.

Our current world is a facade.

Even though the Shogunate was replaced by a bureaucracy, nothing has actually changed.

They use false pretenses of peace as bait, grow fat on their profits,

and secretly dispose of any they find to be a nuisance.

These are stop-gap measures.

The government is rotten to the core.

In order to create a new world that is not a facade, strong power is required.

You plan to destroy this country yet again

so that you may pluck the government from its roots and plant a new seed?

Exactly. This body has made me accept the truth.

The ruling law of our world is that “the strong eat the flesh of the weak.”

In that case, I shall use my power to destroy all indolence...

and burn away all falsehood!

This false world may be the one to writhe in agony as you engulf it in those flames,

but I cannot allow you to fill this era

with the screams of the innocent, of those currently living in peace!

Your sword... Didn't Shakku Arai forge it in his final days?

The same is true of this one. In other words, they are brother swords.

However, Shakku filled my sword with an infinitely pure bloodlust

when he forged this blade.

In comparison, your sword that cannot kill is no different than our current era.

It is merely a product of confusion.

It can't kill?

Our swords match their owners.

In which case, the relationship you and I share is that of brothers who are complete opposites.

Are you certain?

Yeah, play with him in my stead.

It is too soon for a showdown between “brothers.”

Then I shall do as I please.

Will Sou be all right on his own?

Don't worry. His strength comes directly from his lack of emotions.

Does that mean you can't read his mind?

Pitted against Hiten Mitsurugi-ryuu, he could prove to be the ultimate foe.

Battou-jutsu, which would give him the lead, may prove effective.

But lacking the emotion “sadness,” murder does not trouble Soujiro's heart.

How will the Battousai and his tepid resolve to not kill fare against such a blade?

No, he is no longer the Battousai.

It is clear how this battle will end.

Victory goes to me, doesn't it?

No, it's a draw!

Huh? Wow, this is amazing!

Not that I care. This belongs to Shishio anyway.

There were no winners or losers in this bout.

I must take my leave for today, but please fight me again.

Be sure to get another sword before that time comes.

Not that Shakku is still amongst the living.

Himura...

What are you going to do?

I do not mind staying where I am.

If you didn't have the funds to cover two rooms, we didn't have to stay here.

In your search for me, you never stopped running, not even to sleep.

Your feet cannot take much more...

Don't patronize me!

I am not patronizing you...

Yes, you are! If everything was right in the world,

I would be a kunoichi, working by Master Aoshi's side.

And I could tell going by your stances.

There is no way you could possibly lose to that Soujiro guy!

He said that you can't kill. And then there's that sakabatou.

Are you seriously trying not to kill anyone?

He called you his predecessor. Who is this Makoto Shishio?

It was because of me... that his fate was thrown askew.

If one darkness were to vanish, there would be need for a new one.

I thought I understood that, and yet...

The night birds... are hooting.

Indeed, they are.

I... For some reason, I've been afraid of the night ever since I was little.

But when I was with Master Aoshi, I could handle it.

Master Aoshi always goes on ahead, telling me what lies ahead in the darkness.

Your name?

I never told you?

Misao! I'm Misao Makimachi.

If you continue to meddle in my affairs, Miss Misao,

it will only feed the darkness that frightens you so.

If it's for Master Aoshi, I don't care!

And really...it's not like I'm doing him any favors or anything.

Found Himura Battousia. Look for master swordsmith.

But I have to find out about this Shishio guy anyway.