The Long Wait
Two weeks have passed since Zanza’s encounter with Kenshin, and the Hiruma brothers are getting restless. They wonder why the fighter they hired hasn’t gone after Battosai yet. Suddenly, Zanza shows up and scolds them—reminding them that a true fight isn’t just about throwing punches. His confidence makes it clear he’s not in this for money alone; he wants a challenge worthy of his fists.
Truth Revealed at the Dojo
Zanza heads straight to the Kamiya Dojo, where he meets Kenshin, Kaoru, and Yahiko. He casually explains that he went all the way to Kyoto to dig into Kenshin’s past and shares what he’s learned. It’s here that Yahiko finally discovers the truth—that the quiet, kind wanderer he looks up to is the legendary Hitokiri Battōsai. The revelation adds weight to everything Yahiko has seen so far.
Zanza then makes his position clear: he despises the Ishin Shishi and wants to crush their strongest fighter—Kenshin—once and for all. But before the battle begins, Kenshin quickly notices the Hiruma brothers spying from behind a fence. Their cowardly plan to shoot Kenshin with a revolver is thwarted when Zanza himself smashes the weapon, showing that he’s here for an honorable fight.
The Zanbato Clash
The group moves to the riverbank, where Zanza finally introduces himself by his real name: Sagara Sanosuke. To everyone’s shock, he unveils a weapon as oversized as his personality—an enormous zanbatō, a sword designed to kill cavalry horses in a single stroke. With this blade, Sano declares his intent to defeat Kenshin.
Their duel begins fiercely. Sanosuke swings his massive weapon with brute force, but Kenshin dodges with ease, striking back with the blunt edge of his sakabato and knocking Sano down. Yet Sanosuke isn’t deterred. He rises, grinning, and declares that the winner isn’t always the best swordsman, but the one left standing. Kenshin, calm as ever, tells him he can repeat those words if he’s still standing at the end.
Final Thoughts
This chapter feels electric because it finally gives us a real clash of ideals, not just swords. Sanosuke isn’t a villain—he’s a fighter shaped by anger, loyalty, and frustration at the Meiji government. His reckless strength contrasts beautifully with Kenshin’s controlled precision. Their face-off isn’t just about power, but about philosophy: brute endurance versus skill and conviction.
It’s also the first moment Yahiko (and readers) confront the full weight of Kenshin’s past. That mix of awe, fear, and respect adds even more depth to the story. The stage is set for one of the most iconic rivalries-turned-friendships in the series.
All images are personal captures taken from my own physical copy of the manga.