As Aoshi tries to stop a takeover of the country, Kenshin poses Shishio with his greatest challenge. In his defeat of Usui, Saito exposes the blind warrior's plot to kill Shishio.

After Kenshin finds a ring inside a catfish, he's persuaded to give it to Kaoru. Thinking it's an engagement ring, Kaoru is sure that he's asking her to get married.

As Kaoru continues her training of Daigoro, Kenshin is warned to steer clear of the young man's teacher, Kaishu Katsu.

After their search leads them to the hidden cure, the leader of the Black Knights makes it clear that he has no intention of honoring his promise to cede control of Japan to the Sanada Ninjas.