Kenshin opened his eyes and turned to the crowd below, who were looking at him in astonishment. A sweet smile formed on his face at the sight. How long had he been in the darkness with Masaru? It had been a considerable amount of time, surpassing a number he could seriously count. He took a deep breath. Masaru and Ken were gone now. He had brought both of their ends. Kenshin was now alone, capable of doing everything by himself. He first focused his gaze on Anton. He knew how much Anton loved Masaru. He smiled at him. Anton's eyes sparkled. Kenshin felt happy seeing the smile. Everything had turned out as he had thought. He had expected Masaru to gather everyone and for his father to be with them, it was the most suitable time for him to take control after many years.
"My dear people..." He didn't exactly know how to address the crowd in front of him. Masaru had become their leader, so he decided to address them as a leader too. The crowd was filled with confusion; none of them understood what was happening. The person who had instilled fear with his presence had disappeared. In his place, someone who brought comfort had come. "I am Kenshin Okumi, and I thank you all for your support towards Masaru. I know Masaru's final plan was a bad ending for you, but I want you to understand him. After all, he was once my hero." Kenshin, while trying to figure out how to convey such a complex event to them, was also saddened for Masaru, whose existence he had erased. "I don't know what explanation I need to give you right now. Actually, I had thought a lot in the darkness, but things didn't go as we expected when I came into the light."
The crowd was still trying to make sense of what was happening, silently attempting to decipher what had occurred. There were many questions in their minds. Why did Masaru do such a thing? Who is Kenshin? Where did Masaru disappear to? Many questions needed to be answered; they were awaiting responses.
"Where should I start, I wonder?" Kenshin left the podium in front of him and sat against the wall in front of the crowd, dangling his legs. "We all have stories, people we can't give up on, an idea, a purpose, an ideology, a hero, a mother, and a father... there's a truth in life that unfortunately, none of these go as we wish. I went against my purpose and couldn't escape the guilt of it. I was afraid, I hid. I could never bring myself out. I thank my protector, Makoto, who protected me while I hid, I apologize to my late friend Larry, whom I couldn't think of, I thank Masaru, who protected me when I was young, and I also thank Anton, who was with Masaru."
Everyone was shocked. It was truly bizarre. But slowly, voices began to rise.
Kenshin jumped in front of the crowd. "As I said, we all have stories. Invaluable stories, with both good and bad times. And now, I have returned to ensure that the rest of our stories have no more bad moments. Whether you knew me as Masaru or Ken, I don't know, but I am Kenshin Okumi, I am chosen. I have returned to bring you entirely peaceful times."
"Y-you're him."
"Chosen?"
"Kenshin..."
Whispers began to circulate among the crowd. Was Kenshin truly chosen? Where had he been all this time? Was there still a need for chosen ones? Kenshin could feel the pressure mounting on him.
"Where's Masaru...?" Anton had eagerly approached Kenshin.
Kenshin patted Anton's shoulder. "Thank you, Anton, for being kind to him..." Anton realized he wouldn't see Masaru again.
"Please, calm down, my people." Kazou stepped up to the podium, struggling to stand but addressing the crowd to calm them down. "He is a true chosen one. I know I told you we need to leave the past behind, and we must, but this chosen one is the one who will lead us forward. Please, believe me."
Everyone stood in shock, staring at Kazou in disbelief as he spoke. After all, Masaru had just brutalized him. Though Kenshin was surprised at his father's behavior, he didn't find it strange.
"Please, believe me, my people." Despite Kazou's current vulnerable state, the people still loved and trusted him. Thanks to his father's intervention, Kenshin had escaped numerous interrogations. Kenshin walked over to his father in a single leap. He didn't know what to say to him, and Kazou was silently looking at him. "Thank you... father." Kazou's eyes widened. After everything, his son was thanking him. "I know you've dreamed of this and now you've made it happen, thank you for that..." Kazou was filled with a strange feeling. He had expected his son to hate him completely, but instead, he heard expressions of gratitude.
"Now, tell me, father... where are they?" Kazou could guess whom Kenshin was referring to. He pointed to the house with his finger. Kenshin nodded and headed towards the house.
"Good luck with this great task, my son."
Kenshin paused. "Thank you, father..." and continued walking towards the house.
"I... I'm sorry, Kenshin..."
Kenshin froze at those words. He could feel his father's sincere regret. After all, he was just like him. Everything had shattered because of that presence. Kenshin gently pushed open the door of the massive house, tears streaming down his face, and entered. Kazou turned back to the crowd and began to speak, one by one, to quell their curiosity.
"Ehehee, Gor has finally arrived." The door in front of the two cells opened slowly, making a sharp noise.
"Yes, Kesh, it seems like the big day has come."
Kenshin looked at the two people standing in the cell, the two who had taken his mother from him. He slowly approached the bars of the cell and began to observe them. His heart ached as he looked at them. His mother's image kept swirling in his mind.
"Yes, hero, whatever you deem appropriate, we will accept that as our fate." Kesh approached the bars of the cell and bowed in front of Kenshin. Gor followed suit and bowed the same way. Kenshin was indecisive. What should he do to them? Should he end their lives directly? Or did they deserve a painful death?
"Wait, wait, WAIT!" the door swung open forcefully. Kenshin was filled with astonishment. "It's you..." Makoto was crying. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry..." she threw himself at Kenshin, hugging him tightly around the neck. After a long time, Makoto had finally reunited with her true Kenshin.