The Swordsman Of Millennium

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The Swordsman Of Millennium

Premiere date:	23 January 2007
Episode Code:	016
Episode Airdate:	23 January 2007

The Swordsman Of Millennium (Japanese: 千年の剣士, - Sennen no kenshi) is the sixteenth episode of the anime series D.Gray-man.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

There is a legend about a princess named Sandra who lived in Rome over 1000 years ago. She had many suitors, but she wished to only marry the strongest man in the world. Therefore, all of her suitors had to fight in the battle against the gladiator named Victorio in order to win her hand in marriage. So far no one had defeated him, and it is rumored that Victorio still continued to fight to this day. Presently, Kanda enters the ruined Colosseum and starts his battle against said fighter. While this is happening, Allen is summoned to Komui's office about a new mission. Komui explains that Kanda and his Finder have not contacted Headquarters so they are concerned. Due to a large amount of Akuma around the area, Komui decides to send Allen to search for him. When Allen is about to leave, Lenalee stops the boat and informs him that she is coming as well. Allen notices that she seems angry with him and figures out that she is still upset about the Road incident.

As they walk to their train, Allen mentions to Lenalee that they have not talked to each other since their last mission and apologizes to her for his action, causing a scene. Before Allen can lift his head, Lenalee puts the bag of groceries on his head and tells him that she has not forgiven him yet. She claims that Allen is selfish for recklessly sacrificing himself and asks him that if they are friends, why they cannot fight together? Lenalee also says that she hates his left eye. Allen apologizes again and thanks her for saving him. She briskly declares that she will help him no matter what and enters the train. A confused Allen wonders if he is forgiven, but Lenalee cheerfully calls out to him to get on the train before it will depart without him. On the way to Rome, Allen and Lenalee read their mission brief. Lenalee notes that Victorio is similar to Lala because both live for some hundred years, which implies that he has the Innocence. Allen wonders aloud if the gladiator is compatible with it, but Lenalee is uncertain. They also believe that Victorio destroyed the Akuma who enter the arena. Meanwhile, Kanda orders his Finder to stay back and heads off to the Colosseum.

Arriving at their destination, Allen and Lenalee are surprised to see armed men everywhere. The latter worries that a war is brewing, but one of the men assures her it is not the case. They are actually bounty hunters who are there to try to rescue a girl named Claudia of the Sardini family. The girl was kidnapped three weeks ago by a man who called himself Victorio. While the two exorcists ponder if the man is the same person from their mission brief, a messenger arrives and announces to the bounty hunters to follow him to the castle. When they arrive at the castle, they are treated to a feast. Two distinguished men then appear on a balcony. The younger one introduces himself as Claudia's fiancee, Viscount, and the older one as Claudia's father. He explains the situation to the crowd and announces that whoever saves Claudia will be rewarded one-tenth of the Sardini family's fortune. Claudia's father is displeased to hear about the reward because he was not aware of it, but Viscount points out that eariler he said that he is willing to do anything for Claudia's sake. Hearing this, Claudia's father reluctantly agrees.

Later that night, Allen and Lenalee sneak in through a window and talk to Claudia's father. He tells them that one month ago, Claudia told him that Victorio appeared in her bedroom, proclaiming that he had not found the strongest man in the world yet. However, he did not believe her in spite of her insistence. When it was decided that Viscount would be her fiancee, she disappeared. Suddenly, her fiancee came into the room and said that the marriage would allow the Sardini family to enter the ranks of nobility. Her father was more upset that they are depending on bounty hunters instead of the police since it would be less expensive. Viscount dismisses that notion and implies that he intends to kill the person who receives the reward off. Noticing the two exorcists, Viscount considers just using them to rescue his fiancee, but Allen refuses. Angry at the two for only thinking about money and power, he demands to know what is important: those superfical things or Claudia? He also believes that Claudia ran away because of their attitude.

Early in the next morning, the bounty hunters walk toward the Colosseum in hope of earning the reward. As the two exorcists hurry to that place, they spot several Akuma approaching the stadium and realize that the others are in danger. As the men search for Victorio, they got attacked by the Akuma. Allen and Lenalee arrive just in time to stop the Akuma, which prevents more killings and allows the surviving bounty hunters to escape. However, a messenger from Viscount comes to the outskirt of the stadium and declares the reward is now one-fifth of the Sardini's fortune; some are reluctant to face the Akuma again while the others say that they will have the "kids" deal with them. Back in the Colosseum, Victorio suddenly appears and cut an Akuma in half. Allen is about to confront him, but Kanda's voice tells him to stop. The latter says that Victorio is his opponent and warns Allen not to interfere. He runs up to the gladiator and starts their battle. Later Pedro, the Finder who accompanies Kanda, explains that the two were battling for three days now, but they got separated when the Akuma appeared. He also says that they believe that the Innocence is Victorio's sword. During the battle, Kanda is able to strike the gladiator down but is stunned to see his wounds healed. Before he can react, Victorio stabs Kanda on the side, causing him to lose a large amount of blood.