HIGHLIGHTS:
Picking up from last episode, Kaoru, Yahiko, and Misao arrive at Seijuro Hiko's (current successor to the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu) to see Kenshin. Seijuro sends Kenshin out for water while he talks to Kenshin's friends. He learns that Kenshin has been a rurouni for the past ten years, and he's been involved with helping others. This impresses Seijuro. He tells Kenshin to follow him so he may teach him the final secret of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu. Even Seijuro cannot ignore Shishio.
Returning to the waterfall, Seijuro tells Kenshin that if he learns the final secret, he can become as powerful as him.
Meanwhile, Kaoru and the others are returning home when Yahiko remembers that he forgot to tell Kenshin about seeing Aoshi in Tokyo. Misao gets excited to hear that Aoshi is in town. (Misao is unaware of what happened between Aoshi and Kenshin.) Kaoru explains the sad events that took place.
A day before Kenshin's training, Aoshi and Okina/Gramps meet secretly. The younger man wants to know where Kenshin is, but Okina says he doesn't know at this time.
Just after walking away from Okina, Aoshi is approached by Sojiro and three other members of the Ten Swords. They have been watching him. Aoshi agrees to see Shishio when they tell him they have intel on Kenshin.
Shishio is in the training room. He literally sliced and burned his victim using Secret Sword One: Homuradama.
Sojiro walks in with Anji, Henya, and Iwanbo. In addition, Aoshi walks in. His only care is defeating Kenshin and being the strongest. When Shishio threatens Okina and the restaurant Aoiya to get info on Kenshin's whereabouts, Aoshi says he doesn't care...thus creating an alliance with Shishio.