Hoji plans an attack of Aoiya at night using a secret unit, the Owl clan, in order to capture Okina and catch a hint of Kenshin's whereabouts, but instead the Owl clan were the ones defeated. Okina challenges Aoshi to a battle via a member of the clan whom he sent back to Shishio's location. After some time has passed, Misao heads back to Aoiya where she senses something is off and interrogates Omasu about Okina's whereabouts....