Although based on historical accounts, this story is fictional.
Act 1: The Man of the Slashing Sword
They are afflicted.
The times and the mind of man...
The world is headed for destruction day by day.
Even if a man of incredible strength were to arise...
He would not be able to stop it.
Please!
Spare the child, I beg you!
Shizame!
Sis...
Please, don't look.
Shinta! Shinta!
You are just a child.
You have not chosen your life, as we have been able to.
You cannot die now.
You must live.
Live a full life for the sake of those who died here tonight.
Shinta, please live.
Live, Shinta.
Live for me.
Who the hell are you?
You are about to die, so knowing my name is useless to you.
I suppose it was fate that led me in this direction tonight.
You have been avenged.
Bearing a grudge against these men will not bring your loved ones back.
Revel in the fact that you survived.
It no longer surprises me.
The smell of blood is as common as the smell of white plums.
Mankind lives in the hell of being slaughtered by bandits.
He lives in the hell of being sold into slavery.
Yes.
It happens every day.
In the past, and in the future...
My sword is guided by the teachings of Hiten Mitsurugi.
Yet, many times, I cannot use it to save even one person's life.
Not one living soul...
It is enough that I bury the corpses I suppose.
I notice you've made graves for the bandits as well as your family.
They were slave traders, not my family.
I was sold to them after my parents died of cholera.
But...
After they died, there were no bandits or slave traders.
Just dead bodies...
What are these stones for?
For Kasumi-san...
Akane-san...
Sakura-san...
I only met them yesterday.
Since I was the only boy in the group...
I wanted to protect them...
But...
They tried to protect me.
They said, "Please spare the child."
I was too young to help.
So...
I wanted them to have special graves, so I wanted good stones.
Those are the only ones I could find.
I don't even have flowers to put on them.
It is unfortunate to enter Nirvana without having tasted good sake.
So, this is my tribute to them.
Thank you.
Um...
I am Hiko Seijuro.
I'm a wandering swordsman.
Swordsman?
Boy...
You failed to protect something very delicate.
You were entrusted with those three lives.
Your tiny hands will remember how heavy their bodies were...
But...
You will carry the far heavier weight of their lives with you forever.
You have already carried them.
Now, you must acquire the strength to support yourself, and protect others.
Then, you will be able to live your life, and defend cherished lives.
Defend cherished lives?
What's your name, boy?
Shinta...
Much too delicate a name for a swordsman...
From now on, your name will be Kenshin.
Kenshin...
I am going to teach you...
...my forte!
Rurouni Kenshin - Tsuioku Hen
(Genji 1)
I'm sorry, we're running late.
We should hurry up now.
I've heard the good news, Kiyosato.
What?
You're to be married next month.
Yes, sir.
Your lovely childhood sweetheart will soon be your wife.
You're a very lucky man.
Thank you.
I feel bad about it though.
If so many people are miserable, why should I be this happy?
What are you talking about?
The world is always in a terrible condition.
That shouldn't stop a man from being happy, should it?
I will return no later than next Spring.
We must try to be patient...
Both of us...
I'll bring you back a ground cherry from my travels.
You are Shigekura Jubei of the Kyoto Shoshidai, are you not?
I have come to inflict Heaven's punishment upon you.
Assassin?!
You think you can change the world with the edge of your sword?
Identify yourself!
Answer me!
Get away!
You must not die now!
Shigekura-san!
I must not die now.
I will not die.
Surrender.
I will not!
I cannot die...
I cannot die yet!
I do not want to die.
I will not.
I refuse to die!
I do not want to die...
Not yet...
Not now...
Do not let me die...
Tomo...
Are you hurt, Himura?
Not seriously...
I can't believe someone was actually able to mark you.
He must have had great skill.
No.
Just stubborn...
Iizuka-san...
Clean this up if you please.
H-Hey!
Now, attack me!
Faster!
He will grow stronger.
No one can improve his skill with a sword...
...without desiring to become stronger as well.
This boy desires nothing more than to increase his potential.
He is pure.
Yes.
He is so pure that I would almost call him a simpleton.
The principle of Hiten Mitsurugi Swordsmanship states...
"The sword of Mitsurugi should be wielded for the people of the world.
For the protection of the weak."
It's been a long time.
Someone was actually able to hurt you?
It was due to my carelessness.
Who was this swordsman, Iizuka?
A bodyguard of Shigekura Jubei of the Kyoto Shoshidai...
He's now deceased.
Is something wrong?
No, quite the contrary.
I am attending a meeting tonight with Toshimaro and Miyabe-san.
Important matters of our clans' policies will be discussed.
You want me as your bodyguard?
No.
I want you to attend this meeting as my adjunct.
Good for you.
No, thank you.
What?
I am your assassin.
That is the only way I can serve you.
If there is nothing else, I will excuse myself.
Hey!
Come back here!
E-Excuse us.
What an obstinate attitude!
How dare he repay your kindness with that kind of response?
Kihei-tai?
Yes.
These will be all the bullets we need.
They are the best.
They often exhibit great power.
This is what we will use to smash the Bakufu at last.
Certainly more appealing than tired, old samurai...
But can you be sure?
You're always so reticent.
Next!
What's that boy doing down there?
Note: Kibatsu (奇抜) - eccentric, original, novel. Kihei (奇兵) - commandos
The "ki" in "kihei" is the same as "ki" in "kibatsu".
How about that?
Quite a boy, eh?
Takasugi...
What?
Looking at him with those wide-open eyes of yours...
That boy...
I want him to come to Kyoto with me.
I cannot allow you to leave this mountain.
Teacher!
While we discuss philosophy...
Scores of people are being crushed by the disturbance each day.
We must use our power now!
Mitsurugi Swordsmanship must be used to protect the innocent, right?
You foolish apprentice!
What will you do after you lend your arm to this disturbance?
If you want to effect a change in the current crisis...
You will have to join one side or the other...
Therefore, you will also be used by those who hold the power down there.
I did not teach Mitsurugi Swordsmanship to you, so you could tarnish it that way.
You should not pay any attention to these outside distractions.
Concentrate on your training!
People are being oppressed all around us.
They are suffering.
I cannot just turn my back on them!
Hiten Mitsurugi is the most powerful form of sword technique.
It is the black ship of absolute power that sails the land.
That's why we should use it now!
To protect the people from these painful times!
That is the purpose of the Mitsurugi technique!
A sword is a weapon.
Swordsmanship is a method of murder.
You can decorate it with all sorts of pretty words, but that is what it is.
Kill some people in order to protect others...
Murder some to save all...
That is the final principle of all sword techniques.
As you know, I have murdered hundreds of evil men...
But they were all human beings...
They were merely trying to live their lives the only way they knew how.
If you leave this mountain...
You will live a life of murder under the direction of men who write their own justice.
If you throw your lot in with them...
Mitsurugi Swordsmanship will make you a mass murderer.
You may be right...
But I...
...want to rescue those who are suffering with my own hands!
Many people, countless lives, as many as I can!
I want to be their savior!
I must leave in order to do so!
Teacher!
I am wasting my breath on a simpleton like you!
Go wherever you want to go!
Thank you very much.
That foolish apprentice of mine...
He has decided to live according to his own principles.
Because he is so pure...
He has no other choice but to do this foolish thing.
You're bleeding.
It's so nice with the sun shining!
It is!
The snow is starting to melt!
Wait!
I wonder if it will be nice tomorrow.
Well, I hope so.
Here they come.
Saitou-san...
Is something wrong?
I thought I smelled blood.
Oh, stop it, Saitou-san.
Haven't you cut down too many men recently?
Okita-kun?
Yes, sir?
Before you speak, you should taste your words to make sure they are palatable.
Yes, yes!
Who do they think they are?
Walking down the street like they're emperors...
Tonight, okay?
I smell a nice perfume.
It's white plum.
I'm surprised you are familiar with such a sensual scent.
Look at her!
Nice, eh?
Well, I'll see you later.
Oh, my!
I saw the Nibu Wolves coming down the street today!
I was so scared that I moved to the other side of the road!
I heard that they've been performing summary executions of patriots lately!
That scares me!
Cherry blossoms in the Spring, and starry skies in the Summer...
The Autumn brings the full moon, the Winter brings the snow...
These things make sake taste good.
If you don't like sake...
Then, there is something wrong with you.
Someday you will understand how to taste it.
Then, we will enjoy it together.
That woman is bad news.
I know, but I can't forget about her.
Lately, you've been truly amazing.
What do you mean?
You don't even give them a chance to scream anymore.
Hey, it's bleeding again.
There's a superstition that goes like this.
If a wound is inflicted by the sword of someone with a strong hatred...
That wound will not heal until revenge has been exacted.
Strong hatred?
A wound made by that?
Exactly.
It may never go away.
Sis...
Still cleaning up?
I heard that the meeting the other night went very badly.
What happened?
Well...
Miyabe-san and Katsura-san got into a very intense argument.
Miyabe-san and his group are planning some sort of major disturbance here in Kyoto.
What does Katsura-san think?
He says we should wait, and see what happens.
One of the envoys told me that the argument got so heated...
Katsura-san almost drew his sword.
That doesn't sound good.
That's an understatement.
I am going to be straight with you.
Are you willing to kill people?
There is no point in mincing words.
I will need you to murder people for me.
In order to create a new world...
We must first destroy the old one.
It is not pleasant, but it needs to be done.
You told me you wanted to use your skills to protect people.
I am asking you if I can borrow those skills.
Will you kill people in order to create a new world?
Hey, you!
Who are you?
I'm Iizuka, examiner of assassinations.
This is your first assignment, right?
Hold yourself together.
There are some that lose their minds...
Or make themselves sick after their first job...
I'm fine.
I'm stronger than I thought.
That's good.
You need to be quick, accurate and certain for this work.
No point in staying around after the work is done, so let's get the hell out.
If there is a new world that can be created by my sword...
A world where anyone can live peacefully and without fear...
If my arm can create that world...
I will...
...serve as Heaven's justice.
I will kill.
What do you think of the boy?
He's perfect.
To be honest with you, he is the most prized member of my Kihei-tai.
I will let you have him...
On one condition...
What is it?
The boy's soul will be ruined by this work, you know?
Therefore, you must keep your life clean and virtuous.
Promise me you will never again draw your sword.
As the leader of the Choshu Clan, I have no intention of drawing my sword again.
Can I have your word on that?
You have my word.
My life as a swordsman ends tonight.
Now, you can...
...concentrate on leading the Choshu Clan in the dying days of the Tokugawa Shoguns.
I will handle everything else.
Thank you.
"Though I die and my body decays in the fields of Musashi...
My Japanese spirit will live on."
The Shogunate had you, Master, put to death in the worst of fashions...
But your honorable ideas live in me!
Insanity!
Absolute justice may appear to be insanity at times!
That is what motivates the Choshu Clan and myself!
Go with him.
He will take care of you.
If I sleep too much, I may miss the rest of my life.
You are truly the Hitokiri Battousai.
You killed all of those men, and didn't get one drop of blood on your clothes.
Let's go drink sake together.
No, thank you.
Suit yourself.
I can easily drink alone.
I'll see you later.
He's been with us for a year.
He has grown, but he looks different in more ways than that.
His mind remains the same, without stain or regret.
So, he pleases you, right?
No.
He will start to feel divided inside.
Part of him will be his true self...
The other part will be a ruthless murderer...
Shinsengumi?
No.
You are like me, a hired assassin.
I really must go back tonight.
Good work.
We will hold Miyabe's group back for the time being.
Counting on it.
And warn the men to be cautious about the Shinsengumi.
I will.
Are you finished for the night?
Yes.
I am finished talking about the world.
Would you like another sake?
No, thank you.
It does not taste good to me tonight.
Are you alright?
What a ridiculous idea...
To burn Kyoto to the ground!
You...
...really...
...made it fall...
...the bloody rain.
The blossom of the blue soul is falling.
The fruit of the red blood is ripe.
Behind a sliding door, a faint sigh...
The memory of hands holding your hand...
It is all an illusion.
Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuioku Hen
Act 2: The Lost Cat