[birds chirping]
[footsteps shuffle]
- Huh? What the hell is that?
- Look! A katana!
- Not so loud.
[intriguing music]
- He's got a katana.
- That's dangerous.
- Hasn't he heard of the Sword Abolishment Act?
- Best to steer clear of a guy like that.
[Saito] So you finally decided to go to Kyoto.
♪ ♪
Have you said your farewells to that Kamiya girl?
Forget it.
It's none of my business.
Now that we're allies
in the fight against Shishio and his clan,
we'll try and keep things friendly.
- We're allies, are we?
- Yes, Old Man Kawaji's got a lot on his hands right now,
what with Sir Okubo being assassinated and all,
so I'll be taking charge of things once we get to Kyoto.
- [grumbling]
- Does that look on your face mean anything in particular?
- No, nothing.
- Anyway, follow me.
If we head to Yokohama now,
we can catch the first boat to Osaka in the morning.
- Not me.
I'm going via Tokaido.
- Why's that? Is it money?
The government will cover the boat fare--
- It isn't anything like that!
It should be clear from what happened to Sir Okubo
that the Shishio clan can strike anywhere.
There is a strong possibility
they will attempt to ambush us on the boat.
A battle fought on a boat, where there's nowhere to run,
would mean innocent people being hurt or killed.
- Seems to me you're still thinking like a rurouni.
Peacetime has made you complacent.
The sooner you revert to being a hitokiri, the better.
If it'll help, I'll fight you again right here and now.
- I will take you on any time, that I will.
However...
I have no wish
to ever again revert to my Battosai self
or to involve anyone else in this case.
That is why I choose to travel alone.
- Suit yourself.
Take whichever route you want.
just see that you get to Kyoto.
It takes about ten days for an average person to get there,
but I'm sure you can make it in five.
Just try to keep a low profile, if that's possible.
Shishio has a network of spies
spread across the country like a spider's web.
It's more than likely they'll be aware of every move you make.
Never forget...
the battle against Shishio has already begun.
[wind blowing]
["Chained" by Kitani Tatsuya x natori]
♪ ♪
[birds chirping]
[sentimental music]
♪ ♪
[Kenshin] Thank you for everything.
And now...
farewell.
[Kaoru] I couldn't go after him.
The moment I heard Kenshin say that one word, "farewell,"
it felt like my whole body was paralyzed.
♪ ♪
[no audible dialogue]
♪ ♪
It still does...
to this day.
- You've gotta be kidding me!
Does that little punk think he can just up and leave
without even saying a word?!
- [whimpers] - Now, don't go getting upset.
Oh, please! Please don't smash up my restaurant, Mr. Sanosuke!
[Tsubame] Too scary!
- Well, I'll go to Kyoto, too!
I got a sudden urge to sock him in the eye!
- Huh? - [gasps]
- [grumbles] Huh?
Got that, Kenshin? Don't you go wandering off somewhere
without clearing it with me first.
[grumbles]
Ohh!
- He's really upset.
- He certainly is.
He left without paying again.
It's a shame.
I really thought Mr. Kenshin
would settle down at Kaoru's place.
- Hey. - [Tsubame gasps]
Yahiko.
- You seen Sanosuke around?
- Yes, he was just here,
smashing things in a terrible temper.
- Ah, don't tell me. He's lost it, too?
- Is Kaoru feeling any better?
- Nah, she's useless.
She's just lying there like a lump.
It's like Kenshin saying farewell to her
completely broke her spirit.
And it doesn't help
that she hasn't eaten a thing in two days.
- [gasps]
- I thought maybe you guys
could take her some food and try and cheer her up.
[Tae] We will.
- [panting]
[both sigh]
- This should be enough to get you to Kyoto.
- Appreciate it. I'll repay you when I get back.
- Really? Well, that would be nice.
- Though I'm not quite sure how.
- I won't hold my breath.
- All right, then. I'm headin' out.
- Sanosuke, wait.
- Huh?
- Take these. A parting gift.
- Are you nuts? I'm not gonna go around carrying your damn bombs!
Especially not when they've been upgraded to be even deadlier!
- Watch yourself.
Kyoto is a far more dangerous place nowadays than you think.
- Eh?
So you know about Shishio, then.
- Word gets around in the newspaper business.
- Well, don't go printing any stories about it.
The situation's bad enough already.
I won't. No one would believe them if I did.
- Yeah. You're probably right about that.
- [grunts]
- Hey, why don't ya watch where you're goin', shorty?!
- Well, as a matter of fact,
I was watching where I was going, you big jerk,
'cause I was lookin' for you! It's Kaoru!
She's in bad shape and gettin' worse!
I don't know what to do! I can't--
- Yahiko.
You know what?
Someone tailed you here.
- Where do you think you're going?
- I'm going to Kyoto, of course.
Got a problem with that?
- Yeah, I do.
You're the problem.
I don't need any amateurs tagging along
and getting in the way.
- "Amateurs"?
- The most fundamental concept of combat
is to strike at your enemy's weakest spot.
If you go to Kyoto, you'll just be giving Shishio a target.
Get it?
And Battosai in his current state
won't be able to protect you or you.
That is why he chose to go by himself.
And as far as Battosai is concerned,
you're his weak spots.
You'll be nothing but a liability to him.
So why don't you two be good boys and...
just stay right here in Tokyo.
[Yahiko grumbles]
- So that's it?
That's why he left without saying anything?
He was afraid I'd be a distraction
because he'd have to worry about protecting me.
Well, if that's the way he thinks,
it just makes me wanna sock him in the eye even harder!
Get out of the way!
Get out of the way, or I'm gonna go right through ya!
- Hmph! I'd like to see you try.
- [yells]
[gasps]
- [scoffs]
- [groans]
[bones crack]
[groans]
- A cheap shot!
That's his old wound!
- [groans]
[shudders]
[gasps]
[wails]
- [gasps] - Like I said,
the fundamental concept of combat
is to strike at your enemy's weakest spot.
Nothing cheap about it.
Anyway, what's "fair and square" doesn't matter now.
Kyoto is going to be a death match.
Only the winner will walk away alive.
It's no place for little boys like you.
So be smart and stay here in Tokyo.
[Yahiko scoffs]
Yeah, I don't think so.
- [knuckles pop] - In that case...
[Sanosuke] You think that hurt?
- Hmm?
Nah, that didn't hurt...
not a bit.
I'll tell ya what does, though.
The fact that Kenshin thinks I'm a liability,
now that hurts a lot worse than anything you can do!
- [winces]
So get outta my way!
'Cause I'm going to Kyoto!
I'll prove with these two fists how wrong he is!
I'm an asset, not a liability!
- [scoffs]
You just don't know your place.
So you'll prove your worth with your fists, you say.
- Yeah, that's right!
[gasps]
- I don't want to hear any excuses
about how you lost because your opponent had a katana.
So we'll do this fight on your terms,
with just our fists.
- You can't trust this guy, Sanosuke!
You saw how dirty he fights.
He'll probably kick you the moment you're not looking!
- I meant what I said.
We'll fight with fists only.
As dimwitted as you are, once you've seen
how easily I can thrash you at your own fighting style,
even your simple mind will grasp
just how small you are in the scheme of things.
- That's very funny!
Let's get to it!
- You're nothing but a one-trick pony.
- I'm just a one-trick pony, am I?!
I could say the same for you!
- A barrage.
- Holy hell.
When'd he learn that?!
- Feels different, doesn't it?
With your sword, you could be aggressive
and take the initiative!
But now that you're fighting with fists,
you're on the defensive!
You have to wait for an opening to launch a counterattack!
But what if I don't give you an opening?!
Did ya ever think of that?
Then this fight's over, and I've won!
[all gasp]
- Not one of my punches got through!
- Hmph.
Did you actually believe
that you had me on the defensive all that time?
Don't make me laugh.
[dramatic music]
- [gasps]
[Sanosuke] Damn it!
There's no real difference
in our fist speed or punching power.
[winces]
So why is it that none of my punches land
and all of his do?
- Why? - [blows strike]
[yells]
[Tsunan] He's tough.
[Yahiko] I hate to say it, but when it comes to fighting,
that guy is on a level with Kenshin.
- Now do you get it?
Compared to Battosai and me, you don't even come close,
not in skills and not in experience.
You think you can fly with eagles.
You're a fledgling who's barely out of the nest.
- Ah, shut up.
Even if what you say is right...
[wincing] I'm still goin' to Kyoto.
And not you...
or anyone else can stop me.
[groans]
- Hmph.
- [grunts]
- Forget it.
I'm not letting you go.
- Wait, is that...
Gatotsu!
[gasps]
He's not holding a katana,
but that stance is still Gatotsu.
You'd better dodge it!
You're in big trouble if it hits you!
[Saito] Impossible.
He's barely able to keep on his feet as it is.
You can look and act tough all you want.
You're still just a fledgling fighter!
- [gasps]
- [winces] - [gasps]
- Maybe I am! So what?!
Admit it.
You're a little surprised, aren't ya?
- Damn you.
- I've let you talk long enough. Now it's my turn.
So tell me, what makes you any different?
Yeah, you may be good now,
but you and Kenshin weren't always such kick-ass fighters.
That took you years, years of fighting
and rising through the ranks in the Bakumatsu Era,
'til you finally got to be a part
of creating the Meiji Era.
I may be a fledgling now,
but don't you dare underestimate me!
- Hmph.
- Hey, what the hell was that?!
- I quit. - [Sanosuke] Huh?
- It's a waste of my time trying to beat any sense into you.
You're not only as stubborn as a mule,
you're as dumb as one, too.
If you want to go to Kyoto, do it.
Go ahead and get yourself killed.
- What?!
- A fool who's proud of being able to take a punch
but doesn't know the basics of defense
is not going to last very long.
- You got your way, Sanosuke.
Now we'd better treat those wounds.
Especially that shoulder wound. It looks bad.
- Yeah.
[gasps]
- [gasps] What's the matter?
[Sanosuke] That bastard.
All those punches he threw,
but after the first blow, he never hit my shoulder again.
He was holding back,
fighting me at my level!
So that's how good he is, the Wolf of Mibu,
Captain of the Third Unit of the Shinsengumi.
That does it!
I can't waste time standing around here.
I'm gonna hit the road!
- You've got to treat those wounds.
Gimme what I need, and I'll treat 'em on the way.
- Oh, brother.
- Yahiko, the rest is up to you.
- Huh?
- Bring missie to Kenshin,
even if you have to drag her there!
- Got it!
- I'm going to get stronger.
I've got to make myself stronger and tougher
by the time I reach Kyoto.
[soaring music]
- [winces]
[Saito] Hmph.
[Megumi] All right, take care.
[carriage rattling]
[gasps]
Yahiko?
- [gasps] Hey, Megumi.
- So you're still here.
I thought you were going to Kyoto.
You guarding the dojo by yourself?
- I'm not by myself.
Kaoru's still at the dojo, too.
- Huh?
[Tae] I understand how you feel, Kaoru,
but you can't just mope around forever.
Come on, cheer up.
- It might not look like the tastiest thing ever,
but it's not good for you not to eat anything.
- I don't want it.
- Don't say that. Tsubame made it just for you.
Won't you try it, at least?
- No.
[Tae] Kaoru!
- Don't worry about me.
Please, just leave me alone.
- [door slides] - [winces]
[sighs]
[Tae] Miss Takani!
Look! Miss Takani's come to see you, too!
- She's so worried about you. - Mm-hmm.
- Huh. Is that why you think I came?
- Oh? - Huh?
- You're so wrong.
I just came to make fun of raccoon girl here
for getting dumped by Kenshin.
- Miss Takani!
- This is my family's
old traditional healing medicine for wounds.
Kenshin himself told me that it works very well.
I have a feeling Kenshin's going to be needing it,
so I'll entrust it to Yahiko to get it to him.
Obviously it would be a waste of time to entrust it to you.
- [sighs]
Why trust it to anyone?
Why not go to Kyoto and give it to Kenshin yourself?
[both grumbling]
[Tae] Uh-oh. Catfight!
[Tsubame] Too scary!
- [sighs] Unfortunately,
I have things to do, unlike some people.
I have patients to look after.
I can't just go gallivanting off across the country.
- So your patients are more important than Kenshin.
Guess your feelings really aren't that deep, Miss Megumi.
- Oh, Kaoru!
Come on, now! That's a bit much--
- [gasps]
I am still the keeper of the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu!
Don't mock me! [gasps]
[sighs]
- You're the one who should stop mocking me.
- [sighs]
- I'm trying to atone for my past sins
by becoming a doctor and saving as many people as I can.
You see? This is the path that I've chosen.
And the person who got me started on this path
was none other than Kenshin.
So even if he still isn't around to witness my progress,
I am still going to follow the path that he set me on
and become a doctor.
That is how I show the depths of my feelings for Kenshin.
And I sure as hell don't want
to hear my feelings being questioned
by someone who's moping around, doing nothing.
- [crying]
You don't understand, Miss Megumi.
That he could just say goodbye to me
right to my face, as if it meant nothing,
how do you think that made me feel?!
- I don't know.
But then, I could ask you the same thing.
- [gasps]
- How do you think it made me feel
when I didn't even get a goodbye from him?
- [gasps]
- You need to get a grip on yourself
and reconsider the position you're in now.
- [gasps]
[sentimental music]
♪ ♪
- All done with your talk?
- Yes.
- Well, don't worry.
We'll bring Kenshin back with us.
So don't cry.
Just wait for us.
- [shudders] Okay.
[Kaoru] Despite what she says,
I think Megumi really wants to go to Kyoto.
I wonder...
- What are ya sittin' around for?
Hurry up, and let's get goin'!
It's a long way to Kyoto!
- But I-- - No "buts" about it!
You're the only one around here that Kenshin said goodbye to!
What does that tell ya?
If you had any sense,
it would tell ya that he obviously only did that
because you're the one person he hated leaving the most!
- [gasps]
- Listen, if anyone can bring Kenshin back here, it's you.
And I don't care what anybody else says!
Megumi will look after the dojo while we're gone.
And in return, you'll deliver her family's healing medicine
to Kenshin yourself.
Well, Kaoru?!
Don't you want to see Kenshin?!
- I... I...
- Oh, Kaoru!
- Miss Kaoru!
[Kaoru] I do.
[crying] Yes, I do.
I do want to...
see Kenshin again...
more than anything!
- Right!
That settles it, then.
[Kaoru] So we're going to Kyoto.
Kyoto, where Kenshin is.
♪ ♪
- [chuckles]
["suikousetten" by NOMELON NOLEMON]
♪ ♪
[Kenshin] Next episode: "On the East Sea Road."