Chaos at the Dojo
Peace never lasts long at the Kamiya Dojo. Kenshin and Sanosuke return, but this time they’re not alone—they bring with them the mysterious woman from the gambling hall, Takani Megumi. The problem? They can’t exactly tell Kaoru the truth—that Megumi is connected to an opium ring.
So, Sanosuke, ever the quick liar, improvises. “She’s the payment some guy gave us after losing everything gambling,” he says. Kenshin, awkwardly polite, goes along with it. Kaoru’s reaction is explosive. She beats Kenshin senseless before turning to Megumi, who thanks her sweetly and decides to stay anyway.
Kaoru, furious, tries to kick her out, but Megumi’s playful smirk and constant flirting with Kenshin only make things worse. The air fills with shouting, jealousy, and comic violence until Kaoru, in a full fit of rage, kicks everyone—Kenshin, Sanosuke, and Yahiko—out of the dojo entirely. Only Megumi remains inside, perfectly composed, dusting her sleeves as if nothing happened.
Shadows on the Bridge
Outside, the mood shifts. Sanosuke, now serious, tries to get Megumi to talk about the opium. She dodges his questions with teasing remarks, keeping her secrets close. Suddenly, one of Sano’s friends, Shu, runs up breathless. “You need to come. Now.”
The group follows him through the streets until they reach a bridge—and the scene freezes them in place. Bodies lie scattered across the ground, blood painting the cobblestones. These are Kanryu’s men, slaughtered mercilessly. The crowd whispers, horrified, but Kenshin’s sharp eyes pick out a familiar face among the onlookers: Takeda Kanryu, the wealthy industrialist behind the opium operation.
Standing beside him is a tall, elegant man in a white trench coat, his presence unnervingly calm amidst the chaos. Megumi’s expression tightens. “That’s him,” she whispers. “The okashira of the Oniwabanshu—their leader.”
Kenshin’s gaze hardens. “So that’s what we’re up against... a corrupt merchant and a legendary ninja group.”
The Web Tightens
Megumi looks shaken for the first time. The illusion of control she maintained at the dojo fades in an instant. Her past has caught up to her. Sanosuke clenches his fists, muttering that Kanryu is worse than the Yakuza. Kenshin says nothing for a moment, then steps forward with quiet resolve.
“We can’t abandon her now,” he says.
The scene ends with the three of them standing together—an unlikely trio bound by chance, danger, and a cause that’s quickly becoming much bigger than themselves. The wind on the bridge carries the faint smell of smoke, and the promise of war.
Final Thoughts
This chapter perfectly blends humor and tension. After the dark and emotional Jin-e arc, Megumi, Kanryu, and... reintroduces levity through the chaos at the dojo, only to pivot sharply into the darker world of crime, opium, and corruption.
Megumi’s charm and mystery add a new dynamic to the group—her playful attitude hides something deeper, and her chemistry with both Kenshin and Kaoru fuels the best kind of drama. But beneath the comedy, the danger is real. The introduction of Kanryu and the Oniwabanshu sets the stage for one of the most iconic arcs in the series.
All images are personal captures taken from my own physical copy of the manga.