Even with their losses the Shinsengumi move on swiftly. They join up with the old Bakufu army and head for Aizu.

Whilst Kondou was under arrest, Hijikata had pleaded for his life but they wouldn’t listen, and they haven’t heard from Kondou ever since.

Edo castle was surrendered without a fight showing just how much of a disadvantage they’re at.

Harada’s still back at Edo where he meets up with Shiranui who explains that Koudou has joined the New Government Army and is training for an attack on Edo so his Rasetsu can get blood. Shiranui doesn’t care about humans, but he hates what Koudou is doing so he plans to stop him.

Back with the Shinsengumi, Ootori Keisuke the infantry magistrate greets Hijikata. Keisuke governs the army and wants Hijikata to be his adviser for the vanguard.

Hijikata sends Shimada to the main army because he’s had experience. Shimada wants reassurance that the Shinsengumi hasn’t disbanded but Hijikata couldn’t give an answer.

Chizuru asks the same question later, this time Hijikata says that after Kondou’s gone he doesn’t know if he can keep this up himself. The urge to drink blood suddenly hits him again. He and Chizuru go to a quiet place in the woods where he finally decides to drink some of her blood.

Shinpachi returns to greet everyone as the person he’s now serving joins the Bakufu army as well.

The Bakufu army tries to attack Utsunomiya castle but fails as they have twice as many men and with the castle as their shield the fight comes to a standstill.

Hijikata and a few men lie in wait and hiding from gunshot. Hijikata orders them to charge, but fearing death by guns they’re too scared to move. So Hijikata charges first and kills a few, this boosts the other’s morale causing them to finally come forward.

As Hijikata infiltrates into the castle he meets up with Kazama and Amagiri. Kazama has a new blade named Douji-giri Tasutsuna, a demon slaying blade. He gains the upper hand when he slashes Hijikata and his wounds don’t heal. After Kazama insults the Shinsengumi Hijikata draws on his willpower and stands his ground. The flaming ceiling that comes crashing down stops the fight. Kazama and Amagiri both leave. Hijikata collapses and is rescued by Shinpachi and Shimada.

Hijikata does take Utsunomiya castle in the end, but his efforts were in vain as it’s reclaimed in four days.

The Bakufu continues their march to Aizu as Hijikata stays in Nikkou to get medical treatment.

When Hijikata wakes he gets a scolding from Ootori because the way he fought isn’t how a leader is supposed to fight. Shinpachi comes to check on him, and after making sure he’s alright he heads out as his unit is moving out. And they will meet up again in Aizu.

‘If you lose your subordinates they can be replaced, but if you lose your leader then the fight is lost.’ Such a harsh statement, but so true. A leader is one in a million, without one subordinates won’t know what to do. This is a rule of thumb in warfare. Though there are well trained armies in which even if they lose their general the soldiers will still keep on fighting. But that’s a general, if you lose your emperor or king or something, then it’s obviously over. Though not all subordinates are as disposable, the higher up the hierarchy you go the less disposable. Anyway enough about this, but I do love old fashioned warfare.

As the episodes go by, even if it’s ending happy this episode and some others it’s still very slowing going towards a sad ending. They’re fighting a losing war, their numbers are dwindling, they don’t have many good leaders and they’re losing their best, Kondou just went. And their troops aren’t exactly well trained and disciplined what with much of them being new recruits.

Just a small thing I wondered. If Kaoru’s dead, which I still don’t think he is by the way, but if he is, shouldn’t that sword he had belong to Chizuru now seeing as she is the rightful owner. And where is that sword? I guess it was buried with him?

So, Koudou wants to kill people to get blood, what happens when you run out of people to kill? Turn on your own? His allies have obviously overlooked that. They’re not gonna be happy when they win the war and run out of enemies to kill, going after innocents won’t last long. Either that, or his allies plan to turn on him when they win, that’s happened before, I’d love to see that happen, if they win.

It’s very well confirmed now that it’s going to be a Chizuru and Hijikata pairing. Was a rather nice scene they had in the forest, and she did basically make a confession of love when she said she’ll stay by him always.

Dunno why, but that Ootori guy seems like a bad leader. He’s easily scared and looks like a kid. Not really leader material, then again I haven’t seen him ‘lead’ yet so I can’t say for sure. Though that said, I doubt he’ll be a main character of any sorts anyway, so it’s probably nothing to worry about.

Aizu’s the next stop.  I wonder what they’ll do when they get there. They can’t win, their army’s too small. I really don’t see a happy ending for the series, but I’ll keep watching nonetheless.