Chapter 134: The Second Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki

Seta Soujirou, born the first year of Bunkyuu in the prefecture of Kanagawa. When he was eight, he slaughtered his abusive adoptive parents and their children. Since then, as the right hand of former Ishin Shishi Shishio Makoto, many have fallen to him, beginning with the Minister Okubo Toshimichi. (Soujirou pulls his sword from the floor and walks to the center of the room.)

Soujirou: You're interfering.

(He whips his sword around him in a blinding half-circle, then sheathes it, assuming battou-jutsu stance.)

Soujirou: I'm coming. Be ready.

(Kenshin watches him closely.)

Sanosuke: Battou-jutsu stance. The right hand a little lowered... (thinking) This is a match of speed now.

Soujirou: My only named technique. Shuntensatsu. As the name implies, it kills in an instant. There is no time to feel pain.

Kenshin: A series of moves connecting a Shukuchi charge with self-taught battou-jutsu? Most assuredly a Shuntensatsu. But can you do it? With your heart confused as it is now.

Soujirou: I see. So you know everything, don't you? What arrogance you have.

Sanosuke (thinking): That idiot. What arrogance? After that harsh match with Aoshi, he's being pushed by someone who hasn't even shown his true strength yet. Unfavorable fights are the only kind he gets...