Even now, do you still think them empty words?
It is too early to gloat. One width of paper closer, and I'd have sliced your jugular.
But that narrow margin is the key difference between me and you in your present form. When I was at the brink of life or death, I used all my will to survive. I drew upon a different power than that of self-sacrifice, and mastered an ultimate technique. Sometimes, the bravest act is to live. That was the ray of light that my master risked his life to show me. As Hitokiri Battousai, I have committed so many sins that I cannot possibly repent for them, that is why I had secretly believed that it didn’t matter whether when I died or was killed. However, now even if I were formally punished and restrained, I will never lose the will to live. Aoshi, you said you have thrown everything away. Anyone can throw away everything if they wish, it’s easy. With your swords, you have become stronger beyond limits, but mentally you’ve gotten so much weaker that you’re far from what you used to be. As the Commander, you wish to give the proof of being the strongest as a title to four men who had gruesome deaths, that I understand. However, with that weakened spirit of yours, saying so becomes an excuse so you can look away from continuing to live. You aren’t doing anything for these four now. All you are doing is swinging your sword full of evil, and blaming these four for it. Beshimi, Hyottoko, Shikijo, Han'nya, face the truth, Aoshi, is it for them that you fight, or it is that they are merely an excuse?
