Going back in time, the 4th year of Keio. Kenshin is suffering from a high fever in the main hall of a desolate shrine. He exerts some strength in his sword-holding hand as he hears a disturbing conversation by hunters of the defeated army of the new government. The hunters leave, and Kenshin falls asleep; he dreams he’s conflicted with what Shakku has to say. When he awakens, he finds himself being nursed back to health by former private detective Giichi and his wife Satsuki in their home. This is the past of the Hitokiri that Kenshin carries on his back, and the story of the first time the sakabato is ever wielded.