From the end of the XVIII century, Japan had to solve serious problems with numerous popular riots started on a revolutionary process that took to the end of the shogun of Tokugawa. In the period of conflicts and bloody fights, a man distinguished himself for his pitiless violence, the samurai Battosai Himura.
He was nicknamed the "killer samurai" because his reprisal consisted in cutting in two whoever met on it's way. It was his blood-soaked sword to inaugurate the new Meiji age. With the end of the revolt, Battosai disappeared from the circulation, but it's name remained in the legend.

Now Himura has decided to abandon the Battosai name and he is called Kenshin.

Kenshin becomes a wandering samuraï. He goes through the country equiped with his reversed-edge sword, with the intention not to kill any more.
He meets with a young lady, Kaoru Kamiya  who is trying to protect her dojo. A dojo (道場) is a place where the Japanese practice the martial arts, but it is also a formal gathering place for students of a martial arts. Once there, Kenshin decided to remain at her dojo. 

KAORU

Little by little, they will meet with new friends: Yahiko Myôjin, a young man coming from the class of the samouraïs, who will become the follower of Kaoru, and Sanosuke Sagara....

Despite his desire not to kill any more, Kenshin is caught  by his past and the governement is still needing his skill.
Even if the peace is restored in Japan, some are looking for a position in this new society. far from being perfect.
Despite the presence of Kaoru by his side, Kenshin is still inhabited by a dark and painful thought.

The first fight which really mobilize all the forces of the Kenshin band is the one which was carried out against Aoshi Shinomori and Oniwa Banshu.

Then, Japan is coveted by Shishio Makoto, also a former assassin, wanted death by the Meiji Government . All his body is still keeping burns from this man hunting.

Kenshin  was  then requested to Kyoto, it would seem that will be difficult for him not to break his wish not to kill any more.

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