The engine room of Rengoku. Hoji manages to catch the explosives and prevents the room from blowing up. However, Sanosuke delivers the Mastery of Two Layers to the ship's Kingston valve, flooding the perimeter. Meanwhile, Usui reveals himself to Kaoru, Yahiko, and Misao as Arato faces off against Kamatari and Henya. Goichi begs for Megumi's help at her clinic to heal Tokuji, his younger brother. As these passions clash with each other in all places of Kyoto, a small, over-looked fire begins to flare up.

Shishio sends a dueling challenge directed at Kenshin, Hajime, and Sanosuke. The duel is to be held the next day on Mt. Hiei, northeast half way up the mountain in a small shrine with a six-storied torii. At Shishio's fortress, Hoji proposes a strategy to Shishio for an "absolute victory," when the Ten Swords assemble there.... And on the night before the duel, Kaoru talks to Kenshin as he stares up into the night sky.