HIGHLIGHTS:
The waitresses at Akabeko ask Sano if he would pick up some artwork for them. A shipment has just arrived, and the artwork of the very talented artist, Tsuman Tsukioka, sells out very quickly. These are Nishiki paintings dating back to the Edo period.
Sano meets up with Kenshin and Kaoru at the stand where the artwork is sold. He is able to get the drawings that the girls want, but notices another piece that is very familiar to him. Sano demands and is told where he can locate the artist.
Once Sano finds the artist, it turns out to be Katsu. He was a childhood friend of Sano's until they lost touch. Each believed the other was dead.
When the men were young, the two were devoted children followers of the ill-fated Sekihoutai and it's Captain Sagara. Similar to Sano, Katsu spent the past ten years unhappy and hating the people who tarnished the name of the Sekiho Army.
Katsu informed Sano that he is planning to crush the Meiji government specifically the Home Ministry. For the past 10 years, he has been making bombs. As a dedicated Sekiho, Sano agreed to help. However, first Sano holds a big party before the fateful night.
After the party is over, Sano and Katsu leave to carry out their plans. They thought everyone was sleeping when they spoke, but Kenshin overheard.