Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan

He can do it!

He didn't even flinch from a blow by the Battosai.

Can this really be—

You really are stupid.

His prized zanbato was easily dodged.

No matter how he goes about it, there's no way Zanza can win.

Huh? Then—

Don't worry.

I have a plan.

Things will go as I had planned after all!

Hey, Battosai. Are you okay with a stance like that?

Your attack won't work against me.

No need to worry.

More like now is the time for you to sheathe your sword, that it is.

Where in the world is there a sheath for this thing?

I can't start a fight and finish it half-assed.

Let's get act two of this fight started!

AND THEN, ANOTHER

The distance...

Take this, Battosai!

Zanza, one blow does not work against you.

If so...

Consecutive attacks!

He did it!

So strong...

Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu...

Ryuusosen.

Zanbato, due to its super-heavyweight nature,

limits the form of attack.

Either you swing down or sweep. There are only two choices.

Quite an easy read.

He isn't just at another level.

There's an entire magnitude of a difference.

I didn't think he would be this strong.

I can't win.

This is not act two.

This is the epilogue, that it is.

Let us stop meaningless combat.

Moreover, I do not want to point my sword against you any longer, that I don't.

Calmly admit your defeat, that you should.

Saga—

Captain... Sagara...

TEN YEARS AGO TOSANDO

What the hell is that?

That's the Sekiho Army, the vanguard of the Imperial Army.

What are they doing so far north?

They're going around with word of the Land Tax Halving Order.

If the Imperialist forces take over the Shogunate,

apparently our land tax will be cut in half.

That's a good thing to hear.

In 1868, the Sekiho Army was formed as a nationalist squad

immediately after the Battle of Toba-Fushimi,

consisting of civilian and nonofficial personnel.

They scouted the roadside domains ahead of the Imperial Army,

the Revolutionary warriors.

They served as the guide and vanguard that assisted the main forces.

The First Unit of the Sekiho Army, led by Sozo Sagara

OLD KYOTO SETA

MISAKA PASS SONOHARA

USUI PASS

had been heading north along Tosando,

relaying the Land Tax Halving Order declared by the Revolutionary warriors.

OLD KYOTO

MISAKA PASS

TAGAJO USUI PASS

Once we're past the village, we will rest.

Yes, sir!

Captain! The meal's almost done!

Wait, what are you doing?

Look.

That?

It's just some smoke.

It means they have firewood to burn and meals to eat.

Don't you think that's a great thing?

Of course...

I have seen many villages where fires wouldn't burn.

Watch closely, Sanosuke.

The 300-year domination of Tokugawa is about to end,

raising the curtains on a new era.

An age where the weak are abused and had to cry in their sleep will end,

and an era of equality for the four classes

with no man standing over another, will begin.

We of the Sekiho Army stand at the front line.

"How hard we work will determine if that is in one year or ten," right?

Katsuhiro and I have heard it countless times.

I see. That means the future of the Sekiho Army is also secure.

Hey, Captain.

If changing the world succeeds

and we get this era of equality for the four classes,

will I, the son of a farmer, proudly be able to have a surname?

Yeah.

Then, can I use the last name Sagara, Captain?

Sanosuke Sagara, huh?

Yeah!

Stop it.

You'll end up with a strange name.

It's not strange. It's the best!

If you're fine with it, do as you wish.

Okay!

Impossible! We are—

You say the Sekiho Army is a fake Imperial Army?

The Government-General ordered units from each region

to capture "the Sekiho Army, a fake Imperial Army."

My squad stationed at Usui Pass has been eradicated!

No way!

What in the world? Why?

They cut us off! The Land Tax Halving Order

that the Sekiho Army was relaying was becoming a nuisance!

What do you mean?

In order to gain support of farmers in each region,

they promised the Land Tax Halving Order.

With the financial difficulties of the Imperialist government,

they can't possibly go through with it.

That's why they framed the Sekiho Army as a fake Imperial Army

and pretend none of it never happened.

What should we do, Captain Sagara?

Captain!

We can't go against the Government-General.

For now, we can head over to the stronghold in Shimosuwa.

Sanosuke, Katsuhiro, both of you wait here.

What do you mean by that?

You guys are still young.

I can't afford to take you any further.

Captain.

Captain.

It'll be fine. Don't worry.

Keep watch while we're away.

Captain Sagara.

Sanosuke!

What's wrong, Katsuhiro?

Our captain!

Let me through! Come on, let me through!

Captain!

Captain.

Capt—

"Fake Imperial Army, Sekiho Army, First Unit Captain, Sozo Sagara.

Sentenced to beheading for the crime of using falsehoods

such as halving land tax to deceive the minds of people," huh?

Don't make us happy prematurely, I say.

The Sekiho Army is a bunch of criminals!

His spirit that was almost gone has returned?

I can't lose.

I can't lose!

He stood up!

His spirit is stronger than ever.

They made Captain Sagara...

They made us, the Sekiho Army, bear the burden of the bad letter

while those Imperialists look like they're the face of justice.

I absolutely can't let myself lose!

Sekiho Army?

Kenshin!

Amazing!

He landed a blow!

So much strength, even after getting hit with Ryuusosen.

He is quite the man.

All right! Now!

Die, Battosai!

No!

Kenshin...

B-Bro?

A plan finally works when you double down, even triple down, on your tactics!

Your luck ended at the moment you thought I only had one gun!

Kenshin!

He clearly saw the trajectory

and reacted with the sword guard...

However, what about this?

Gohei, make sure the brats can't escape!

Make sure they can't escape, Bro?