At the madman Shishio Makoto's headquarters, the long-delayed duel between Kenshin and Shinomori Aoshi concludes while, at Aoi-Ya, those left behind wage their own desperate battle against Shishio's Juppongatana or 'Ten Swords.' The strength of one swordsman in particular seems monstrous, and defeat imminent... that is, until Kenshin's former Hiten Mitsurugi master, Hiko Seijuro, takes the field.