One of the intensely appealing aspects of the Ruroni Kenshin saga is its placement in and around historical events. In this scene, Kenshin and Tomoe have been enjoying warm sake in town as the infamous attack on Choshu patriots at the Ikeda-ya inn ensues. Kenshin is told he must leave because Katsura (an actual historical figure) is in danger. Kenshin and Tomoe rush out the back door and hurry toward the Ikeda-ya, only to come face to face with a group of Shogunate supporters. "Go back the way we came," he tells Tomoe, holding her back. But she wants to stay and watch him "do his work."

A few moments later, one of them announces "We are the Shigesuke Heima, trained in the technique of Hokushin Itto-Ryu!" Kenshin yells "I don't care!" and proceeds to massacre all of them. Rather gruesomely, actually. Both Kenshin and Tomoe are a bit shaken by the experience.