Scattering Cherry Blossoms

Overview

Hijikata meets up with an admiral in Sendai, who mentions that murders have been happening frequently outside the castle. He believes that maybe they have a strange unit, which Hijikata and Chizuru suspect to be the Rasetsu Unit. Shortly afterward, Heisuke shows up and reveals that Sannan has most likely joined Koudou, who is still alive. However, Koudou shows up with his Rasetsu unit and kidnaps Chizuru, leaving Heisuke fighting alone in the broad daylight. Koudou attempts to persuade Chizuru to lead the Rasetsu in order to rebuild the Yukimura Clan, but she refuses, saying that human and Oni lives are equal. Just as Heisuke and Hijikata appear, Sannan claims that he indeed was working with Koudou to build an empire that Rasetsu and Oni could live peacefully. But he reveals that he was actually spying on Koudou. Hijikata, Heisuke, and Sannan fight the Rasetsu, and Koudou is killed protecting Chizuru. Heisuke and Sannan crumble to dust after they have used all of their lifespan. The Shinsengumi makes plans to move to Ezo, and Hijikata orders that Chizuru stays behind in Sendai while he goes to fight.