Yahiko takes deeply to heart one of Kenshin's primary lessons -- although a sword is chiefly a weapon of killing, it should only be used to protect. This is also Kaoru's chief lesson in the Kamiya Kasshin Style, where Yahiko has learned to fight with the deadly bamboo sword he has in hand in this super shot.

This lesson is in fact what Yahiko is striving to perfect. After his earlier humiliating defeat by the single wooden target, he learns that he absolutely must be stronger if he is going to protect Tsubame. So he puts his determination to work on a whole new level, against an entire host of hanging targets.