Conflicting Swords

(相克せし刃 Sōkoku Seshi Yaiba), also known as Opposing Blades, is the fifth episode of the anime Hakuōki: Shinsengumi Kitan (Demon of the Fleeting Blossom: The Tale of the Shinsengumi). It aired on May 2, 2010.
==Plot==
August 1864
Kashitarou Itou joins the Shinsengumi. Kondou describes him as a gifted swordsman and a splendid debater, which is admitted by Sannan, who yet mentions that Itou is an imperial nationalist of the Mito City tradition, and doubts whether he can join the Shinsengumi. Kondou brushes it off by saying that Itou will surely understand if spoken to openly about their goal, and so he asks Heisuke to have a conversation with Itou as Heisuke used to be his student.
Later we see Saitou's group and Chizuru patrolling the ruined city ruined after the fire. Chizuru makes an attempts to ask the city folk about her father but in vain. Saitou notices her devastation and inquires about her heath saying that she should not be pushing herself so hard that she would collapse.
Next morning Heisuke announces to Chizuru that he is leaving for Edo and asks her how to find her house there. He also mentions that people have started to respect Shinsengumi's actions, so he is going to recruit more members.
In the following scene Chizuru is serving tea to Hijikata, Souji, Saitou and Sano, and she is asking about Sannan's whereabouts, to which Souji replies that he is doing some research. Saitou notices that the food is way too salty, and Sano joins by saying that it is horrible, to which Souji owns up that he cooked it and liked it, not finding any issues with it. Saitou leaves the room to rinse it, and everyone joins him one by one leaving Chizuru alone.
Autumn 1864, Edo
Kondou meets up with Itou in Edo, and Itou explains that at the moment the country requires a great and organized power to fight the foreign barbarians; however, the shougunal vassals that should be racing to protect the Bakufu have become used to 200+ years of tranquil life.Shogun is a Japanese title from 1185 to 1868. It was the title of the military dictators who, nominally appointed by the Emperor, were usually the de facto rulers of the country (lit. 'tent government'). The Shogun and his advisers were called Bakufu. By 'barbarians' Itou means foreign attackers as Japan was open to foreign trade after the Convention of Kanagawa of 1854. By '200+ years of tranquil life' Itou refers to The Edo period or Tokugawa period which is the period between 1603 and 1867 in the history of Japan. Among other things, this period was known for perpetual peace and no serious conflicts. It ended with the Boshin War that we see at the end of Season 2. Itou also calls them cowards. Kondou agrees with the statement, and Itou continues by saying that there are still warriors of conviction, which Itou Dojo is part of as much as the Shinsengumi. He deems important to join forces to protect the country, so he agrees to join the Shinsengumi. 
Meanwhile, Sannan is once again tempted to drink Ochimizu that he has been working on. Okita checks up on him, and Sannan shows him the results of his research. Okita jokingly dares him to try it out, but Sannan admits being hesitant. Okita mentions that he will kill Sannan if he is to lose his mind after drinking the elixir and offers to drink some sake instead.
October 1864
Itou and a few of his men are greeted by Kondou and Hijikata at the Shinsengumi headquarters. Shinpachi, Saitou, Souji and Sano are watching from around the corner when Shinpachi mentions that Itou has mastered his own fighting style called 'Itto'. Saitou adds that Itou is said to be an imperial nationalist.Imperial nationalists were the people who believed that the Shogunate (or Bakufu) did not have enough power to protect Japan from the barbarians and needed to be overthrown and replaced by a government more able to show its loyalty to the Emperor by enforcing the Emperor’s will. The most devoted nationalists promoted the Emperor's supreme authority. The Shinsengumi were organized by the Bakufu and had opposing views to imperial nationalists'. Sano points out that it is the same mindset as the Chōshū. Sannan joins the discussion by contradicting that Itou is highly educated and a gifted speaker, and leaves very quickly afterwards. Others notice that has behavior has changed significantly after his injury.
Later that day, Hijikata asks Chizuru to bring sake to the common room and informs her that Heisuke has been to her house but there was no sign of Koudou having come back. 
During the evening meal, Kondou and Itou exchange jokes and laugh, and Itou asks Sannan to teach him about the Shinsengumi policies. Sannan refuses by saying that he there is nothing he could teach Itou (implying his high education). Then Itou praises Hijikata by saying that the men regard him highly and call him a person of action. Chizuru interrupts by entering the room and collecting empty sake bottles. When she is out washing them, Itou approaches her and wonders what a person like her is doing with the Shinsengumi. He comes closer to her pointing out that she is not a soldier (apparently assuming she has some other duties), but Okita stops the harassment by swinging his sword in front if Itou. His sword cuts a rose from the tree which he gifts Itou saying that he was implying that all along. And then he dismisses Chizuru in a very cold manner (addressing her as 'kimi' which is an informal emotionless 'you' used towards subordinates and often seen as rude or assuming when used with superiors, elders or strangers) to hide her real importance from the outsider.
The next scene is winter, and Genzaburou Inoue notices that Chizuru has been with the Shinsengumi for more than a year. He thanks her for everything she has been doing even though being a guest.
Kondou announces that there are a lot of new members, therefore the Shinsengumi needs new headquarters as soon as possible. There is a discussion about it with Shinpachi, Sano, Souji, Saitou, Sannan, Hijikata and Itou present, and Hijikata suggests Nishi Hongan-ji Temple which seems to shock everyone except Itou who grins. Sannan protests that the temple is for outlaws like Chōshū but Hijikata insists that he would use force if necessary. Itou agrees with Hijikata and informs Kondou of having done some research on it as well. Saitou agrees that Chōshū will lose one of their hiding places in the case if the Shinsengumi take over the temple. Sano joins in as well, but Shinpachi is unsure when Sannan protests once again by claiming that this decision will only make things worse. Itou states that pushing things forward requires forceful and bold tactics, and he then makes a comment about Sannan's left arm becoming unusable which instantly makes the atmosphere tense as everyone is frowning and feeling resentment towards Itou. Hijikata loses his cool and yells at Itou that Sannan is as much of a gifted theorist as he is a swordsman. Sannan silently agrees that his arm is not in its best shape, and Itou quickly realizes that he has said too much. Kondou declares that the Temple will be the Shinsengumi's next headquarters. Sannan perceives that as an insult and leaves.
In the evening, Shinpachi confesses to Chizuru that Sannan has had it rough because other soldiers have been steering off him due to his attitude. Sano points out that Sannan did not use to be like that before, and they both agree that he was always nice and caring on the outside but had a pitch-black heart. Then they proceed to discussing Itou's behavior that has exasperated everyone. Okita even offers Hijikata to 'take him back for a refund'. Hijikata takes it seriously and refuses because Kondou would never allow that, and Souji calls him 'the Devil Vice Commander' who has to 'do the unreasonable'. Chizuru asks Saitou's opinion, and his answers is slightly vague, he points out that having people of different views can diversify the organisation, but if this diversification is forced, things could collapse from within.
Chizuru cannot sleep because of her worrying about Sannan, she remembers Okita mentioning a special medicine, she gets dressed and leaves her room. She notices Sannan and follows him losing him shortly afterwards. She comes back to the headquarters and, when passing Sannan's room, she sees Ochimizu standing on his table. Suddenly, Sannan appears behind her and says he did not expect to be found out by Chizuru. He invites her in and explains that Ochimizu is a special medicine brought from the West that is meant to change the humanity as it increases muscle strength and healing properties. He also reveals to her that her father Koudou created this medicine by secret order of the Bakufu. He experimented on Shinsengumi and found out that the medicine had a fatal flaw which turned people into bloodthirsty monsters making them lose all reason. Sannan continues by saying that he has been researching the medicine based on Koudou's notes and appears to have improved it. He is desperate because his arm does not have any chance to heal by itself, so he takes Ochimizu right in front of Chizuru. 
Sannan seems to be suffering, his hair silver and his eyes glowing red, he starts to suffocate Chizuru with a crazy look on his face. 
==Historical note==
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Category:Episodes
Category:Season 1