Kenshin, Kaoru, and Yahiko visit Akabeko, a beef hot-pot restaurant, where a group of democratic rights activists gets into a heated argument. One of them throws a bottle of sake, and it hits Kenshin, causing a commotion. Sanosuke Sagara, who happened to be in the store during the quarrel, stood up and blew away the activists with a single flick to the forehead. Seeing Kenshin's strength, Sanosuke's curiosity is roused and he asks, "You wanna buy a fight from me?"

At last, Kenshin faces off against Aoshi Shinomori, the head of the Oniwaban Group. In the Bakumatsu Era, the battle-obsessed "Oniwaban group" lost their meaning of existence after surrendering the castle they served without even being able to fight. Aoshi is unable to bear this regret and is in earnest pursuit of the title of the strongest warrior. As a former Revolutionary warrior, Kenshin cannot tolerate conflict without morality. Two men who made killing their profession in the Bakumatsu Era clash against one another, putting their pride on the line.

The name of the girl that Kenshin encounters in the forests is Misao Makimachi, and she came from Kyoto to find Aoshi’s Oniwaban Group. Kenshin is surprised to hear his name. Upon seeing Kenshin’s reaction, she asks him if he knows where Aoshi is, but he keeps his mouth shut. However, Kenshin is touched by the emotions Misao has for Aoshi, in which he then decides to make the journey to Kyoto with her.