| Through the entire anime Kenshin follows two basic | | | | deeply cut near the his lower right section of his |
| principles. One is to defend the weak from injustice | | | | abdominal area. Then, while the sword is still inside |
| and the second is to never kill. These beliefs stem | | | | Kesnhin's body, he twists the sword and follows with a |
| from his time as a hitokiri (manslayer) during the time | | | | side sweeping attack and then ends the barrage with |
| of the Japanese revolution called Bakumatsu | | | | a spinning kick. |
| (1853-1867). It is because of his time as an assassin he | | | | Then Saito attacks again with another Gatotsu but this |
| created these two principles as a way to redeem for | | | | time Kenshin is able to evade it by using his sakabato |
| the lives he took. Unfortunately for Kenshin, changing | | | | (reverse blade sword) as a shield and deflecting the |
| so radically one's point of view creates internal | | | | thrust away to his right, but Saito counters with a right |
| psychological and emotional turmoil which played out | | | | handed body blow to where Kenshin is cut and sends |
| so excruciatingly clear in the anime, specifically the fight | | | | Kenshin flying in the wall! Kenshin falls to the floor and |
| scenes, one can feel Kenshin's internal war. | | | | breaths very heavy for a couple of seconds. Then |
| One of the greatest battles that took place in the | | | | you can see in his eyes his level of seriousness has |
| anime that shows this internal struggle is when he | | | | increased. This time he attacks Saito! He charges |
| fights Hajime Saito. Saito is an old enemy which | | | | forward and as Saito is going to thrust his Katana |
| Kenshin has fought before but as a hitokiri back in the | | | | (sword) Kenshin ducks and moves behind Saito. Saito |
| revolution. Saito, back then, was called the Lone Wolf | | | | immediately attacks Kenshin with a low sweeping kick |
| of MIbu; for his striking resemblence of a wolf. Their | | | | and sends him flying again. |
| battle ended in a draw. Both respected each others | | | | At this point, Saito has the upper hand but Kenshin has |
| abilities but as Kenshin took his oath to never kill, Saito | | | | yet to show his true skills! While Kenshin is on the floor |
| became a government agent never forgetting his | | | | recovering from the hit from Saito, he is also |
| hatred for Kenshin. In the revolution, although they | | | | pyshocologically transforming to his hitokiri persona. |
| were on opposing sides, their view on evil was firm | | | | From the very beginning this is what Saito wanted! |
| and unforgiving. | | | | Kenshin got up and his eyes were yellow and his |
| When Saito meets Kenshin for the first time after the | | | | expression was dead serious. As he walked to Saito, |
| revolution, ten years later, he is disgusted with | | | | as if he was never hit, you can tell he has changed by |
| Kenshin's decision to become a wandering | | | | his swagger. Saito then unleashes a stronger and |
| swordsman who vows to never kill. He states that | | | | faster Gatotsu but Kenshin quickly dodges it to left and |
| Kenshin could never defend the people he loves | | | | blockes the side sweeping attack with the sakabato |
| without killing those that want to harm them. Kenshin | | | | and finishes the movement whirling around and |
| defends himself by stating that it does not matter | | | | whipping his sword to the back of Saito's head. This |
| what he thinks he will never kill again. Kenshin then | | | | time sending him flying face first through the wall! |
| states that as long as he has the strength of a | | | | The rest of the fight is even better. Kenshin and Saito |
| wonderer he does not need the strength of a | | | | then attack each other seamlessly. Kenshin is using |
| manslayer. Then they begin to fight. | | | | acrobatic attacks where he jumps from the wall, floor |
| Saito begins with the first stance of his Gatotsu | | | | and even the ceiling jumping down on Saito. Meanwhile |
| technique called ishiki. This is basicly a left handed | | | | Saito is blocking Kenshin's attacks and staying almost |
| thrusting ground attack. Kenshin quickly evades by | | | | stationary. The exchanges of attacks is so intense |
| jumping up but then Saito unleashed his third stance of | | | | and fast all that can be seen is Kenshin jumping and |
| the Gatotsu called Sanshiki. This a upward striking | | | | swords whipping in the air and clashing with each |
| attack that is meant to nullify an opponent attack from | | | | other. |
| above. This caught Kenshin by surprise and was | | | | |