Episode 48:
"Guze e no Saisei . Anji no Aratanaru Shuppatsu"
(Rebirth of Saving the World . Anji's New Beginning)
The reason why Anji became a "Hakaisou" (a monk who breaks certain restrictions, ie drinking, etc) becomes clear.
Anji used to be a kind monk, who ran an orphanage of sorts in a old, slightly run down temple. When the village elder near the temple orders Anji to leave because of a new law passed by the Meiji government, Anji agrees, telling the elder he and the children will start preparing. However, the impatient elder decides to set fire to the temple, knowing that no one will care if a run down temple is burned down. The children at the temple all burn to death, and Anji gets knocked unconcious and left for dead. When Anji regains conciousness, he discovers the burned temple with the charred corpses of the children. He vows revenge against the village elder, and trains himself into the massive fighter that he is now.
After getting his revenge, Anji decides to join forces with Shishio so that he can "cleanse the world clean of all humanity" so a new world can be built.
When Anji finishes recounting his past, Sanosuke decides to beat some sense into Anji. Sano and Anji finish their fight and Kenshin, Saitou and Yumi head toward the next room, leaving Sano asleep in Anji's room.
The Juppongatana Henya, Kamatari and Iwanbou attack Aoiya, where Kaoru, Yahiko, Misao and the others prepare for battle.
Episode 49:
"Shingan wo Toraeta Ookami . Sakuretsu suru Gatotsu Zeroshiki"
(The Wolf that Captured the Hearts Eye . The Explosive Gatotsu Zeroshiki)
Saitou Hajime and the Juppongatana Usui battle each other. Saitou recevies wounds to both his legs, but using his secret move Gatotsu-Zeroshiki, he pins Usui high on the wall with his sword sticking out of Usui.
Kenshin, Sano and Yumi move on to the next room, which Seta Soujirou is waiting in. However, on their way to Soujirou's room they come across Houji's room where Shinomori Aoshi is waiting for Kenshin.
Kenshin decides to fight Aoshi, but seeing the cold blooded "shura" (a fighter that lives only for fighting) that Aoshi has become, Kenshin decides not to draw his sakabatou. He plans to change Aoshi back to the Shinomori Aoshi that Misao fell in love with; the Shinomori Aoshi that the four Oniwabanshu sacrificed their lives to protect. However, Aoshi has become so powerful and skilled that Kenshin is forced to draw his sword. And the real battle begins.
Episode 50:
"Yakusoku wo Hatasu Toki . Aoshi to Kenshin no Saisen!"
(The Time to Honour the Promise is Now . Aoshi and Kenshin's Rematch!)
As Kenshin advances to the chamber where Seta Soujirou waits, he comes across another chamber which has an occupant that also wants to battle Kenshin: a deadly cool fighter by the name of Shinomori Aoshi.
Shinomori is willing to give up his life to defeat Kenshin and obtain the name of "saikyou" (ultimate) for the Oniwanbanshu. But is his willingness to die just away of hiding from his feelings? Whatever his true feelings, he has Kenshin cornered and.....
Episode 51:
"Mezameru Toki wa Ima . Manshinsoui no Kettchaku!"
(Now is the Time to Awaken . Conclusion with Wounds Covering the Body)
Aoshi realizes that his quest for being the "ultimate" has led him down a dark path, and finally "awakens" with strong words from Kenshin.
Aoshi and Kenshin confront each other for the final battle. Aoshi uses his Kaitenkenbu-Rokuren, but Kenshin uses his Amakakeruryunohirameki and renders Aoshi immobile, but not unconcious.
Yumi, who was sending Morse-code messages to Shishio sees Kenshin's Amakakeruryunohirameki, but because it was so fast, she could not figure out what made it so special.
Aoshi, lying prone on the floor, warns Kenshin that using Amakakeruryunohirameki too many times will hurt Kenshin more than the opponent. Kenshin thanks Aoshi for his advice and prepares to leave the room. Aoshi tells Kenshin that he will come to the aid of Kenshin when he regains feeling in his body.
Kenshin, Sano and Yumi leave for the next room where Seta Soujirou waits.
Meanwhile at Aoiya, the four Oniwabanshu try fight Iwanbou, but their attacks are futile, and they are all knocked down by Iwanbou's finger blades. Kaoru and Misao face off against Kamatari who turns out to be gay to the total shock of Misao and the others. Yahiko faces off against the dynamite using Henya, who uses the dynamite to allow him to fly.
Episode 52:
"Kiseki wo Yobiokose! Aoiya no Koubou"
(Make a Miracle Happen! The Attack and Defense of Aoiya)
Yahiko defeats Henya with his version of Kenshin's Ryutsuisen (the move where Kenshin jumps into the air and slashes downward). However, he falls unconcious due to the injuries he received during the battle.
Kaoru and Misao are hard pressed by Kamatari, but they beat him by using some nice teamwork. However, Misao receives an injury to her ribs, and Kaoru breaks her bokutou.
Lucky for them, Iwanbou chickens ourt and runs away...
Episode 53:
"Kyojin tai Choujin . Zetsubou no Fuchi ni Hanatareta Isshi!"
(Giant vs Superhuman . The Lone Arrow Shot at the Edge of Dispair!)
Kaoru, Misao and the others sighs of relief are cut off by a huge man wearing a skull mask, and an old man standing on his palm.
The huge swordsman, Fuji, and the old man, Saizuchi, stare down at the injured and battered group of Misao, Kaoru, Yahiko and the four Kyoto Oniwabanshuu.
Yahiko regains conciousness and shouts his defiance against Fuji, saying he will believe in Kenshin till the end, no matter what happens. Getting annoyed, Saizuchi orders Fuji to cut Yahiko down.... but Fuji's sword is stopped by a man in a white cape with red trim, with strength that supasses even Fuji's.....
Episode 54:
"Hiten tai Shukuchi! Soujirou Tenbu no Nouryoku"
(Hiten vs Shukuchi! Soujirou's Natural Ability)
Kenshin finally confronts Seta Soujirou, the one who broke Kenshin's old sakabatou.
Soujirou's foot speed is greater than even Kenshin's "shinsoku" (God speed), for Soujirou's speed is in the realm of "shukuchi" (reduced land). To Kenshin and the others, Soujirou's speed seems close to teleportation. Kenshin barely manages to fend off Soujirou's attacks, and without the ability to read his opponents next move by judging the others feelings and emotions, Kenshin realizes he is in big trouble.
But is Soujirou really missing his emotions, or are they hidden deep inside him....
Episode 55:
"Arashi no Yoru no Sangeki . Soujirou no Kako"
(A Stormy Nights Tragedy . Soujirou's Past)
All Kenshin can do is defend against Soujirou's blindingly fast attacks.
However, Soujirou becomes frustrated after failing to finish Kenshin off with all the chances he has had. Soujirou stops the fight for a while to get new waraji (grass sandals).
While Soujirou puts on his waraji, he thinks about how he first met Shishio...
Episode 56:
"Kyokugen no Shoubu! Shuntensatsu tai Amakakeruryunohirameki"
(Battle to the Limit! Shuntensatsu vs Amakakeruryunohirameki)
Because Soujirou starts to show some emotions, Kenshin is able to read what Soujirou is going to do, which makes Soujirou even more frustrated.
In the end, Soujirou and Kenshin square off with each other for the final duel where Kenshin's Amakakeruryunohirameki beats Soujirou's Shuntensatsu.
Kenshin, Sano and Yumi move on to Shishio's room, leaving Soujirou alone in his room contemplating his life... with tears trickling down his cheek.
Episode 57:
"Bakumatsu wo Kaketa Futari . Shishio tai Kenshin Saishuusen!"
(The Two that Fought Through the Bakumatsu . The Final Battle Shishio vs Kenshin!)
Kenshin and Sano arrive at Shishio's room where Shishio and Houji are waiting.
Yumi takes out her watch and tells Shishio to be careful. Shishio answers by saying he'll defeat Kenshin within 15 minutes.....
Shishio's Hiken (secret sword technique) wounds Kenshin again and again, both with the blade and the flames he creates with his sword.
Kenshin is hard pressed to fend off Shishio's attacks, and finally drops to his knees...
Episode 58:
"Jidai wa Shishio wo Erabu no ka? Kenshin Saidai no Kiki!"
(Will the Age Choose Shishio? Kenshin Grave Danger!)
Shishio grabs Kenshin with his fist and finishes (?!?!) Kenshin off by using his special move Gurenkaina (Gunpowder blast).
Kenshin falls to the ground unconcious or dead.....
Sano jump in to save Kenshin and hits Shishio with his Futaenokiwami using his injured right hand. Shishio however, doesn't even flinch, and punches Sano into the wall.
Shishio gloats that he is the strongest when Saitou Hajime bursts into the scene. Saitou aims his Gatotsu at Shishio's forehead but....
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