Aoshi's words hung in the air, cold and resolute. "Your skills are impressive, Himura. Truly worthy of the title 'strongest.' But after this fight... that title will be mine."
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I felt a chill crawl up my spine as Aoshi prepared to strike again, his face devoid of emotion. His blade flashed in the dim light as he moved, faster than I'd ever seen him. Kenshin was ready, though. His eyes were sharp, calculating. Just as Aoshi brought down his Kaiten Kenbu with deadly precision, Kenshin did the impossible—he caught the Kodachi mid-strike. The shock that flashed across Aoshi's face was brief, but I caught it. Kenshin didn't stop there. In one smooth motion, he reversed the momentum of Aoshi's attack, using the hilt of Aoshi's own Kodachi to strike him brutally in the throat.
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I winced at the harsh impact. The sound of it was enough to make me flinch, but Aoshi didn't go down easily. Even in his defeat, his determination shone through. With one final burst of strength, he landed a heavy blow on Kenshin's side before he collapsed. Both of them hit the ground at the same time, but only Kenshin managed to stand, though the pain in his expression was unmistakable. He was holding his side, his breath ragged, yet still he stood tall. Meanwhile, Aoshi remained motionless. For a second, the room was silent, save for the heavy breathing of Kenshin.
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I rushed forward. "Kenshin!"
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He raised a hand to stop me from going further. "I'm fine... just a scratch," he lied, wincing as he straightened. My heart raced as I watched him. He always tried to do this—handle everything alone. I wanted to protest, but then a soft groan pulled our attention to Aoshi.
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He stirred, blinking slowly as he came to, his face tight with frustration and pain. A few moments later, his voice came out hoarse. "Why... didn't you finish me off?"
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Kenshin stepped closer, his face softening slightly. "Because I am a Rurouni," he said quietly, his tone as gentle as ever, "and I refuse to take lives."
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Aoshi's gaze hardened. "You're a fool. You should have killed me when you had the chance. I'll come after you again and again until I take that title from you."
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Kenshin didn't flinch. His eyes held a sad understanding, but there was no hesitation. "I have no problem with that. But as long as you don't involve anyone else."
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Aoshi's fists clenched as he sat up, his voice dropping. "I've had chances before, you know. High-ranking positions in the new government. They wanted me, but I refused... for them. My followers. I made them into members of the Oniwabanshū, and this world... left them with nothing."
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My heart ached hearing the bitterness in his voice. Aoshi, the man so obsessed with strength, had been driven by loyalty to his fallen comrades this entire time. Before I could even process that thought, a slow, mocking clap filled the room. My blood ran cold.
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Kanryū.
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He entered the room like he owned it, that smug grin plastered across his face. In front of him... I froze. A Gatling gun. My throat tightened as dread flooded my veins. "Well, well, well," Kanryū taunted, casually standing behind the massive weapon. "It seems the Oniwabanshū's strongest isn't so strong after all."
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"Kenshin..." I whispered urgently, but Kenshin had already shifted into a protective stance in front of me.
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Kanryū's grin widened. "Now, let's have some fun, shall we?"
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Without warning, he squeezed the trigger, and the Gatling gun roared to life, spitting bullets in every direction. I dove behind a pillar, the deafening sound filling my ears. Kanryū laughed maniacally as he fired, deliberately missing us but forcing us to scramble for cover. I could feel the terror in my breath as I huddled behind the stone. Kenshin darted across the room, dodging the bullets with inhuman agility, while I stood frozen. "Kenshin, what do we do?" I called out, panic rising in my chest.
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Kenshin was breathing hard, his voice tense. "Stay down! I'll—"
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A sharp, pained cry cut through the chaos. My heart lurched as I whipped my head around. Aoshi. He was standing, barely, blood pouring from his leg where Kanryū's bullets had hit him. "Ahh... former Okashira," Kanryū sneered, adjusting his aim. "Still standing, are we? You're just as useless as your little gang of misfits."
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Aoshi growled, fury etched across his face. "Where did you... get that weapon?"
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Kanryū's face lit up with twisted delight. "Oh, you mean this?" He patted the barrel of the Gatling gun. "I had it imported, of course. Soon enough, I'll have an entire empire of these weapons at my disposal. Kenjutsu? Honor? What a joke. The real power is money. And soon, I'll control it all."
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He aimed the gun directly at Aoshi this time, a deadly glint in his eye. "Don't!" I screamed, reaching for my sakabatou. Out of the corner of my eye, movement caught my attention.
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Sanosuke burst into the room, blood dripping down his head, but he was still standing, as stubborn as ever. Relief flooded through me. "Sano!" I called out, my voice breaking with worry. Without a second thought, I rushed over to him, skidding to a stop just before I could crash into him.
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"Aka..." he muttered, a small smirk tugging at his lips despite the blood on his face. "Told ya I'd be alright."
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"Alright? You look like you've been through hell," I shot back, but the relief in my tone betrayed me. My hand instinctively reached for his shoulder. "You're bleeding..."
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"I've had worse," he shrugged it off, but I could see how tired he was.
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Before I could press further, Han'nya's voice cut through the room, addressing Kenshin. "Himura, now! While Kanryū's distracted—take him down!"
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Kenshin didn't need to be told twice. He darted forward in a blur, but Kanryū swung the barrel of the Gatling gun towards Aoshi.
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"You think you can insult me and get away with it?" Kanryū snarled, his finger poised to pull the trigger. "Let's see how strong you are now."
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My blood ran cold. Aoshi was too injured to move, and I knew what was coming. Just as Kanryū opened fire, the guy Sano had fought rushed forward, his massive body acting as a shield between Aoshi and the storm of bullets. "Shikijō!" Sano gasped, his eyes widening in horror.
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The sound of gunfire echoed through the room, and Shikijō grunted, the impact of the bullets tearing into him. He dropped to his knees, blood pooling beneath him as he turned his head toward Aoshi, a weak smile on his lips.
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"Okashira... don't... be sad..." His voice was a ragged whisper, and with one final breath, he collapsed to the floor, still as the grave. Aoshi's eyes were wide, his face a mask of devastation. I swallowed hard, my throat tight as I watched the man who had fought so hard for his men begin to crumble.
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"Sano, we have to—" I began, but before I could finish, Beshimi and Hyottoko entered the room, charging straight for Kanryū.
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Hyottoko moved with terrifying speed, yelling as he ran, "Shoot me, and we all go up in flames! There's oil in my gut—if you fire, we'll all explode!"
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Kanryū sneered, waiting until Hyottoko was dangerously close before firing a single shot. The bullet tore through Hyottoko's skull. His body fell heavily to the floor, lifeless. Beshimi leaped from behind, hurling a dart toward Kanryū, but it never reached him. A gunshot rang out, and Beshimi collapsed, his attack foiled. I watched, numb, as the Oniwabanshū fell one by one. These men, who had lived for each other, were dying in front of us, sacrificing everything for their Okashira. Aoshi's face twisted in agony, and I could see him breaking piece by piece. His followers, his family, were being slaughtered, and he was powerless to stop it.
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"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, my grip tightening on my sakabatou. My heart ached for Aoshi, and even though he had been our enemy moments ago, this wasn't right. No one should have to witness this. I felt Kenshin's resolve from across the room as if he shared my thoughts. This senseless death... it had to end.
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Han'nya, breathing heavily, stepped forward next. "Himura," he said, his voice thick with determination. "Megumi is still being held captive. You must go. Get your sakabatou... I'll cover you."
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Kenshin's eyes widened. "Han'nya—"
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"Go!" Han'nya ordered, his gaze flicking to Aoshi, before settling on Kenshin. "I know what I'm doing."
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Kenshin hesitated for just a second before he nodded and dashed toward the fallen sakabatou. Han'nya moved swiftly, throwing himself into the line of fire as Kanryū pulled the trigger again. The bullets ripped through Han'nya's body, but he didn't fall immediately. His eyes locked on Aoshi, a small, sad smile on his lips. "For the Oniwabanshū..." he whispered, before he too fell to the ground.
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Aoshi's face crumpled. I had never seen him look so defeated, so broken. His teammates...his family—gone, right in front of his eyes. My heart clenched at the sight, the weight of everything pressing down on me. Kenshin, now wielding his sakabatou, stood tall, facing Kanryū, who sneered and adjusted the Gatling gun, ready to fire again.
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"Kenshin, look out!" I shouted, but Kenshin didn't stop. He charged forward, faster than I thought possible, closing the distance between them in seconds. Kanryū grinned, pulling the trigger, but—nothing. The bullets stopped. The Gatling gun had run out of ammunition. Kenshin didn't hesitate. With one swift motion, he sliced through the handle of the Gatling gun, rendering it useless. The metal clanged to the ground, and Kanryū's grin faltered, replaced by a look of pure terror.
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"Wait, wait!" Kanryū cried, stumbling back as Kenshin advanced. "Mercy! Please! I-I'll give you anything. Money, power—"
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Kenshin's eyes were cold, a devastating anger behind them. "Ask your money for mercy."
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With that, he swung the sakabatou, the blunt side connecting with Kanryū's face, knocking him out cold. Silence fell over the room. I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, but my heart felt heavy as I glanced around at the fallen Oniwabanshū. Kenshin stood still for a moment, staring down at Kanryū's unconscious form before turning toward us.
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"We need to get Megumi," he said quietly, though I could hear the exhaustion in his voice. As we started to move, my eyes lingered on Aoshi. He knelt beside his men, his face etched with grief. The Oniwabanshū had given everything for him. His loyalty to them, and theirs to him, was undeniable. But now...
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"They were the ones who defeated Kanryū's Gatling gun," Kenshin said softly, coming up beside me. I looked at him, seeing the sadness in his eyes. "Without them, none of us would be standing here."
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I nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle in my chest. "Yeah," I whispered. "I know."
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With one last glance at Aoshi and his fallen comrades, we turned and headed for Megumi, the weight of the battle still lingering in the air.
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As we opened the door to where Megumi was being held, the dim candle light flickered across the room, casting long shadows over Megumi's trembling form. She knelt on the floor, the knife hovering dangerously close to her chest. My breath caught in my throat as I realized what she was about to do. "Megumi!" I shouted, starting forward, but Sano was faster.
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He lunged, grabbing the blade with his bare hand. The metal sliced into his palm, blood spilling down his fingers, but he didn't flinch. With a powerful yank, he tore the knife from her grip, causing her to fall backward in shock. "What the hell are you doing?" Sano growled, his voice low and angry. His hand shook as he tossed the knife away, blood dripping steadily onto the floor. "Are you out of your mind?"
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Megumi stared at him, her chest heaving with panicked breaths. "I... I deserve to die," she whispered, her voice trembling. Tears welled in her eyes as she pulled her knees up to her chest. "All the lives I've ruined... the people who've suffered because of me... I can't—"
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"Deserve to die?" Sano barked, cutting her off. He knelt down in front of her, grabbing her shoulders and forcing her to meet his eyes. "Do you have any idea what we went through to save you? What Kenshin and the rest of us did to stop Kanryū? And now you're just gonna throw that all away? After everything?"
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Megumi's lips trembled, but she couldn't respond. Her guilt was written all over her face. She looked away, tears finally spilling down her cheeks. I stepped closer, feeling my heart twist in my chest. This woman, broken and burdened by guilt, reminded me so much of myself. Of the countless nights I spent awake, haunted by my own sins, by the blood that still stained my hands.
Kenshin's quiet voice broke through the tension. "Megumi-dono," he began, walking toward her with slow, deliberate steps. "Ending your life won't bring those people back. It won't change what's happened."
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She shook her head violently. "But I... I made the drugs that killed them! I'm just as responsible as Kanryū. Maybe even more."
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Kenshin knelt beside Sano, his gaze soft but firm. "You can't undo the past, Megumi. None of us can." He lifted his sakabatō slightly, the blade gleaming in the dim light. "I fight with this sword, not to kill, but to save. To atone for the lives I took during the Bakumatsu."
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Megumi's eyes widened, her tear-filled gaze turning toward him. "But... how can you live with it? How do you keep going?"
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I knelt beside Kenshin, resting my hand on the hilt of my own sakabatō. "Because we have to. There's no other choice." I took a deep breath, the memories of the war flashing through my mind. "I used to think the same way you do, that I should pay for what I did with my life. But living on and trying to do good, that's how you truly make amends."
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Megumi looked between the two of us, her tears falling freely now. She was silent for a moment, her body trembling, before she finally whispered, "I... I don't know if I'm strong enough."
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"You are," Kenshin said softly. "We all are. Together."
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Sano, still bleeding from his hand, huffed. "Tch, stop making this dramatic. You're not dying on our watch. Got it?"
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Megumi let out a small, broken laugh, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "Thank you... all of you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. I smiled softly at her, the weight in my chest easing just a little. We'd managed to save her—not just her life, but her spirit too.
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The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway as we descended to the ballroom, Kenshin leading the way. Megumi walked beside me, still quiet but with a new resolve in her eyes. Sano had his hand wrapped in a makeshift bandage, grumbling under his breath about it being 'no big deal.' When we reached the ballroom, the police chief stood there with his men, Kanryū already in cuffs. The sight of him still made my blood boil, but I forced myself to stay calm.
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Kanryū sneered when he saw us. "I suppose you think you've won. But don't think for a second that she's innocent." He jerked his head toward Megumi. "She's just as guilty. Arrest her too."
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The police chief glanced between Kanryū and Megumi, clearly uncertain. I felt the tension in the room rise, but Kenshin stepped forward, his eyes sharp and unwavering. "Megumi-dono was forced to create those drugs under threat of death," Kenshin said, his voice calm but firm. "She is not to blame for Kanryū's crimes."
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Kanryū started to protest, but the police chief silenced him with a wave of his hand. "I trust Himura. If he says she's innocent, then she is."
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Megumi let out a shaky breath, her hand gripping my arm tightly as she whispered, "Thank you."
I smiled and nodded, relieved that, at least for now, her nightmare was over. But just as we turned to leave, Kenshin asked the chief, "What of Aoshi?"
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The police chief frowned. "There's no one by that name here. Just four beheaded corpses. But no one called Aoshi."
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My heart sank. I exchanged a worried glance with Kenshin, but before either of us could respond, Megumi spoke up. "There's a secret passage," she said quietly. "It leads to the garden outside the mansion. Aoshi must have used it to escape."
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Without another word, we followed the police to the back garden. Sure enough, we found the secret passage, the dirt freshly disturbed. And then, standing atop the wall, silhouetted against the night sky, was Aoshi. He held the heads of his fallen Oniwabanshū comrades, his face twisted in fury and grief. My breath hitched at the sight of him—he looked like a man who had lost everything. "Aoshi," Kenshin called out, his voice steady but filled with sorrow.
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Aoshi's eyes were wild as he glared down at us. "Battosai... I swear, one day I will kill you." His voice was a low, dangerous growl. "I will lay the title of strongest on their graves."
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Kenshin didn't flinch. "I won't avoid our future encounter, Aoshi. But know this—I will not allow you to harm anyone."
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Aoshi's gaze flickered, something like hesitation passing over his features, but it was gone in an instant. He turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving only the echo of his threat behind.
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By the time we returned to the Kamiya Dōjō, the sun was beginning to rise, casting a soft golden glow over the courtyard. Kaoru greeted us with a cheerful smile, though her fingers were wrapped in bandages. "Breakfast is ready!" she called out, her voice warm and welcoming. "Though... it might be a little... burnt."
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Sano chuckled, shaking his head. "That's alright. I'm starving."
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We gathered around the table, exhaustion weighing on all of us, but there was a sense of peace now. As we ate, I noticed Megumi staring down at her food, her thoughts clearly far away. "Megumi," Kaoru said gently, catching her attention. "You're welcome here anytime. Don't be a stranger."
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Megumi's eyes softened, and for the first time since we met her, she smiled—a real, genuine smile. "Thank you, Kaoru-dono. I... I'll visit. But for now... I think it's time I started a new chapter."
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I smiled at her, knowing exactly what that meant. "Becoming a doctor, huh?"
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She nodded. "Under Dr. Gensai's guidance. It's the least I can do to atone."
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We all stood to see her off, and as Megumi walked down the path toward her new life, I couldn't help but feel a sense of closure—for her, for us, and for the Oniwabanshū who had given their lives.
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