HIGHLIGHTS:
Four of Shishio's ninja botch up their orders. Hoji isn't too worried, but Usui arrives and wants to execute them. Hoji won't allow him to do that saying they are short of men. Once Usui leaves, the men thank Hoji. (NOTE: Usui is a bitter member of the Juppongatana mostly because it was Shishio who was responsible for his loss of sight.)
Elsewhere, Kenshin has returned from the mountain and is taken to the police station. He notices the increase in police patrolling the city.
Meanwhile, Saito is smoking one cigarette after another. He questions one of Shishio's men caught that morning and Cho of Shishio's plan to destroy Kyoto. Saito knows that they plan to burn Kyoto at 11:59 that evening, but something doesn't sit right with him.
Sano, who's been following Saito, goes to lunch. He is shocked to see a restaurant just like Akabeko and someone who looks like Ms. Tae. Sano learns this is NOT the Akabeko, and he must pay his bill even if it is in labor. He uses his new technique from Anji to split the wood.
At the police station Saito is given good news. Kenshin has been found and will arrive by carriage shortly. When the carriage pulls up, Saito watches as Kenshin exits. "He's changed," Saito thinks, "He's not the same Battousai. What did he gain in this short time?"
Kenshin and Saito talk. The news of the Kyoto fires came to easily...could it be that Tokyo by boat is the actual target?! They rush off, but just as Kenshin is out the door he receives a sucker punch from Sano. "Your not going to leave me again," he says.