Kaoru and Yahiko worry about Kenshin’s readiness to fight Zanza, while Kenshin wonders why Zanza hates Imperialists so much. Meanwhile, Zanza tosses a set of die, thinking back to himself as a youngster with his father-figure, Captain Sagara. One snowy evening, Captain explained to the boy that soon, the 300 years of Tokugawa rule will end and a new era would begin - an era where the weak will no longer be repressed. Those of the Sekihoutai will take the lead. Sanosuke asks if he can take the Captain’s last name once everyone is equal. Soon, a government official named Tatewaki Shindou rides up, looking for Sagara. He has orders from the government general. In the present, Zanza senses an intruder outside his house. He strikes, finding Gohei, and reassures his employer that he will indeed defeat Kenshin.
Kenshin is playing with Gensai’s grandchildren when he senses Sanosuke in the distance. Elsewhere, Gensai explains that the Sekihoutai were a fake army, a group formed during the Revolution from farmers and traders. They informed the people that taxes would be halved, confusing the people when that never happened. The Imperialists punished them for their crimes. Soon, Ayame comes back and mentions to Kaoru that Kenshin went with Zanza. Concerned, Kaoru and Yahiko head over to the river to stop the fight.
Zanza and Kenshin oppose one another. Zanza first mocks Kenshin’s reverse blade and then attacks. Kenshin stands calm until Zanza strikes and then dodges and strikes Zanza, who goes down. Zanza returns to his feet to the amazement Kaoru, who recalls that Kenshin’s Hiten Mitsurugi Style puts each enemy down with one blow. They continue their fight, but Kenshin sees through the Zanbatou motion each time. He then attacks with multiple blows.
Meanwhile, Zanza’s mind is elsewhere as he recalls being betrayed by the government. An official named Shindou accused them of impersonating an Imperialist army and sentenced them to execution for spreading lies and confusing the people. Sagara understands. The government needs a scapegoat. At one time, they may have promised to half taxes, but now, due to financial difficulties, they cannot. The Sekihoutai will have to take the blame. Shindou explains that in times of war, the winners are just and the losers are evil. Even if a group itself is good, it will become weak. With that, Shindou’s army begins firing upon the Sekihoutai. Sanosuke watches in horror as Sekihoutai fall on all sides of him. He picks up Sagara’s body and carries it to a cliff, until the Captain commands him to leave and pushes him off a cliff, sacrificing his life so Sanosuke could live. The Imperialists blamed the Sekihoutai for everything and then killed them for those deeds. That was when he vowed to get even.
With Zanza out for the moment, Gohei spots an opportunity to fire at Kenshin, who easily blocks the bullets. However, Gohei is able to capture Kaoru and Yahiko in the process. Zanza wants no interference in this match, and frees the captives as Kenshin performs Hiten Mitsurugi Style, Do-ryu-sen. Gohei goes down.
Meanwhile, Kaoru and Yahiko accuse Sanosuke of going after the wrong guy. They still see the Imperialists as a force of justice, while the Sekihoutai are the bad guys. Kenshin corrects them, explaining that the Sekihoutai were used by the Imperialists and cut down ruthlessly. He understands Zanza’s grudge, but Zanza isn’t quite ready to forgive just yet. The Imperialists were the ones that put the character for wicked on the backs of Sagara and the Sekihoutai. They killed them, an unforgivable deed.
Realizing the seriousness of the matter, Kenshin flips his blade the right way as Zanza vows to beat the strongest Imperialist. The two fight hard, but Kenshin uses Ryu-tsui-sen to strike Zanza. He remains standing, refusing to give up. Kenshin hits him and then asks if the Sekihoutai taught him to defeat the Imperialists or complete the Revolution.
Kaoru and Yahiko soon run over to defend Kenshin. Kenshin explains that the Revolution is not yet over. Many are still are oppressed, but he remains a wanderer to protect those people. Zanza admits defeat as Kenshin calls Dr. Gensai.
In town, Kenshin, Kaoru, and Yahiko discuss Zanza’s condition. Gensai said it would take him at least 3 weeks to recover. The group heads over to grab lunch and runs into the desperados from before. A bandaged Zanza is there to kick them out. Zanza then vows to follow Kenshin and that he is no longer Zanza, fighter for hire, but Sanosuke Sagara.
Comments: If you have netflix you should get the Rurouni Kenshin DVD's.