Like the Flames

The Shinsengumi have established their new headquarters in Edo. Hijikata has been working nonstop since their arrival as the temporary leader of the Shinsengumi in Kondo's absence, causing Chizuru and the squad a great deal of concern. In addition to working all night for several consecutive days, Hijikata is also struggling to control the urges to drink blood caused by his new Rasetsu powers. Kondo returns to the Shinsengumi headquarters and informs the squad that they are being renamed the Kouyou Chinbutai. Acting under the orders of the emperor, they will be attempting to defend Koufu Castle from pro-imperialist factions. The Shinsengumi captains aren’t happy with how the Tokugawa shogunate appears to be yielding to the Imperial faction and Nagakura is very upset and distrusting of Kondou’s daimyo aspirations.