Ep. 1: Former assassin Himura Battosai confronts a fake in Tokyo while training at Kamiya Kaoru's dojo.

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A decade after the Bakumatsu, former assassin Himura Battosai wanders Tokyo wielding a reverse-blade sword that refuses to kill. He is attacked by Kamiya Kaoru of the Kamiya Kasshin dojo but yields, explaining his weapon's unique nature. Chaos erupts when a man impersonating Battosai studies the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu style, prompting Himura to flee with a wounded Kaoru. Inside the dojo, Himura observes Kaoru’s belief that swords can protect lives and suspects her assistant Kihee has ties to his past. Upon investigating Kihee, the impostor invades the dojo, revealing himself as Kihee’s older brother who seeks to usurp Battosai’s identity. Himura exposes his true self, effortlessly defeats the attackers with his sakabato, and spares them. Kaoru, indifferent to his history, asks him to assist with the dojo. He agrees, finally revealing his true name is Himura Kenshin.