HIGHLIGHTS:
Picking up from last episode, Misao realizes that Kenshin knows something about the Odiwaban Group and especially Aoshi. She refuses to leave Kenshin alone until he tells her what he knows. She even risks her own life just to keep up with him.
Kenshin, with Misao in tow, suddenly smells blood. The two come across a gravely injured man holding his unconscious younger brother. Before he dies, the man asks Kenshin to save his village and his younger brother from Shishio's men.
The name of the small village was Shingetsu Village. When the boy, Eiji, wakes up, he tells what has been happening. Two years ago, one of Shishio's men, Senkaku, killed the village cop and took over. When the Government would send in a new cop, Senkaku would kill them as well until the Government eventually gave up on them.
Eiji says he needs to get back to the village to get his parents. When they arrive, they find Eiji's parents were cut up and hung execution style. Eiji shrieks bringing Shishio's men running!
A completely outnumbered Kenshin takes on the men. Not far off, Misao is trying to keep Eiji safe. When they are about to be killed, an unexpected Saitou arrives and kills the man that threatens Misao and Eiji.
Saitou says,"That guy. I thought he was heading to Kyoto. Why is he wasting time in a place like this?"
NOTE: There are small scenes showing a lost Sano, and elsewhere, a very sea sick Yahiko.