 In his introduction in the manga, Sanosuke is hired to fight Kenshin, but after the former assassin defeats him, he learns of the truth of Kenshin's no-kill approach and becomes one of his allies.After Kenshin defeats him and breaks his zanbatō, Sanosuke decides to focus on unarmed combat.When the criminal Shishio Makoto tries to conquer Japan, Sanosuke helps Kenshin in the fight against him.