Satetsu Arc

Lore & Background

During this phase of Kenshin's journey, he is frequently targeted by Saitou Hajime, a man obsessed with tracking down the legendary assassin. Unlike other adversaries who seek to kill for power or ideology, Saitou pursues Kenshin to execute him as a criminal from the past, believing justice demands his death regardless of current circumstances. This dynamic creates a unique cat-and-mouse game where Kenshin must avoid conflict while protecting innocents, often leading to tense standoffs that test his vow never to take another life.

Reader's Guide

The arc begins shortly after Kenshin settles in Tokyo and takes up residence at the Kamiya dojo. Saitou Hajime is introduced as a relentless pursuer who views Kenshin solely through the lens of his past crimes. Conflict arises when Saitou attempts to arrest or confront Kenshin during various missions, often clashing with Kenshin's new philosophy of non-lethal combat. These encounters are interspersed with other minor cases involving bandits or local threats. Resolution is never final; instead, a tense truce forms where both men acknowledge each other as formidable opponents. Saitou eventually becomes an uneasy ally in later conflicts against greater threats like Shishio.

Did You Know?

• Saitou Hajime's Zanbatou was originally used by the Bakumatsu police force before he adopted it for his own use.
• This rivalry is one of the few instances where Kenshin faces a pursuer who knows his true identity as Battousai from the start.
• The Imperial Police unit Saitou leads often operates outside standard legal procedures to achieve their goals.