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Plunge into Darkness is the two hundred seventh chapter of the Rurouni Kenshin manga.

Synopsis[]

In the midst of the battle Enishi sneaks and gets to Kaoru, who cannot defend herself and gets captured. Meanwhile Kenshin and Sanosuke are busy taking care of Kujiranami whose spirit has surpassed his body. With the help of Saitō, Kenshin is able to go and try to rescue Kaoru, but a strange mist blocks his vision. Can Kenshin find Kaoru before Enishi completes his Jinchū? What will be the fate of Kaoru?

Summary[]

Kaoru readies her bokuto to fend off Enishi, even though she knows she has no chance against him. Enishi asks politely for Kaoru to give up, but seeing that his planned victim for Jinchū won't give up without a fight, he disappears into the smoke. Second later, the silver-haired man reappears behind Kaoru, who is caught completely off guard. Enishi holds her tight and covers her mouth, leaving Kaoru able to do nothing more but silently call out Kenshin's name.

Kujiranami attempts to crush Kenshin like an ant, but the rurouni summons whatever strength he has and begins to release the one-armed man's hold on him. Before Kujiranami can smash Kenshin like a bug, Sanosuke and Saitō come to the rescue. A fierce punch and Gatotsu are delivered to Kujiranami's chest. The massive man falls to the ground, allowing Kenshin to run off in hopes of reaching Enishi. Following closely behind is Sanosuke. When the two disappear into the smoke, Kujiranami gets back to his feet, angry as ever. His spirit has surpassed his body, just like Enishi. Yet, that kind of strength does not frighten the lone wolf left behind.

Kenshin brushes past Megumi without noticing her presence for a second. The rurouni stops in the field of smoke suddenly, once his nose catches the scent of white plums. Nearby, but not revealing himself completely, is Enishi. He tells his "brother" to follow the fragrance of his dear sister, as it will eventually lead him to what he's searching for. Using his senses to guide him, Kenshin finds his way to the Kamiya Dōjō.

Sanosuke and Megumi catch up with Kenshin, only to find him staring blankly at something in the Dōjō till they noticed to their shock and horror. Kenshin falls to his knees in an unmitigated mental breakdown hysterically cries, what good is his Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū and life. Once again, Himura Kenshin was not able to saved the one he loved the most. Up against a wall in the Kamiya Dōjō is Kaoru's body, dressed with Enishi's tachi drilled through her heart and a cross-scar on her left cheek.

Characters[]

Chapter Notes[]

  • Upon discovering Kaoru's body, Kenshin mentally breaks to the point he omits the -dono honorific, possibly signifying the change in Kenshin's demeanor and/or that Kaoru was indeed as significant as Tomoe in Kenshin's heart (Kenshin never referred to Tomoe as Tomoe-dono) -- so it's up to the reader to decide.
  • The ironic reflection on the severe mental shock Kenshin was inflicted is described:
    • Kaoru's corpse has the cross scar on her face reflecting Kenshin's.
    • "She" has been impaled towards back wall of her own Dōjō underneath the mantra "the sword that revitalizes" is inscribed. Some might say perhaps it would have been even more ironic if Enishi had used Kenshin's Reverse Blade Sword to commit the heinous deed.

Gallery[]

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