Chapter 116: The Final Battle Begins

Kenshin: Aoshi... (They stare each other down.) You've changed... You've changed so much I would hardly have thought you were Shinomori Aoshi.

Aoshi: So I've changed. (unsheathing his swords) To defeat you and win the title of the strongest, I'd change anything.

Sanosuke (thinking): Two kodachis!

Aoshi: Draw, Battousai.

(Kenshin pulls his sword out of its sheath a little, then clicks it loudly back into place.)

Sanosuke: Kenshin...

Aoshi: What was that. Do you intend to break your promise of a final battle at the last minute?

Kenshin: I'll honor my promise. But my opponent isn't you. My promise was with Aoshi, the Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu, not to you.

Aoshi:... What do you mean by that.

Sanosuke: Give it up, Kenshin. If he listened to reason, you could have settled this long ago at Kanryuu's mansion. Aoshi's Aoshi, all you can do is fight him and beat him.

Kenshin: But that would mean breaking another promise. The Aoshi I promised to bring back to Miss Misao was Aoshi the Okashira, not the Aoshi before our eyes. Defeating him or bringing him back as he is now would mean nothing. (to Aoshi) I'll keep my promise! But my opponent won't be you, who lives on the verge of violence.