Encounter in the Forest While stumbling through a forest, Sanosuke meets a fallen monk who continues to train as a vow to protect others. He reveals a technique called Futae no Kiwami that allows him to negate the resistance in a target. Sanosuke wishes to learn this but due to its secretive nature, the monk will kill him if he fails. He accepts and gives himself a week to master it. At first, Sanosuke makes no improvement while damaging his hand, but he declines the monk's chances to reconsider. On the sixth night, he sees a vision of Sagara, who asks why he is pushing himself; Sanosuke reveals his newfound desire to keep his friends safe by strengthening himself...