Saitou Hajime

, Class Name , is a Saber-class Servant summoned by Ritsuka Fujimaru in the Grand Orders of Fate/Grand Order.
==Profile==
===Identity===
Captain of the Shinsengumi’s Third Division. Along with Souji Okita and Shinpachi Nagakura, he was noted as one of the best swordsmen in the Shinsengumi, though details such as his origins and school of swordsmanship.
He continued to fight from the turbulent Bakumatsu period up through the Meiji era as one of the few Shinsengumi members to live out his natural lifespan. His swordsmanship was outstanding even among the rest of the Shinsengumi, with the captain of the Second Division, Nagakura Shinpachi, describing Okita Souji as the Fearsome Blade and Hajime Saito as the Invincible Blade. It is said he diligently performed many off-the-record missions such as purging of members within the group, and one rumor is that he was a secret agent for the Shinsengumi from the shogunate and Aizu. In reality, we have an incomplete understanding of much of his behavior during his time as part of the Shinsengumi, and it appears he held a special position among the soldiers.
He was a member of the Shinsengumi since its founding, and the Commander, Kondou, and Vice-Commander, Hijikata Toshizou, both place very much trust in him. Although he completed many important missions and survived countless fierce battles, he eventually left the Shinsengumi, supported the new government, and lived out his life.
He didn’t speak much in his later years, and passed away telling very little of his time in the Shinsengumi.
He did more work as a secret agent than as a swordsman, leading an aloof existence that belied his true feelings from enemy and fellow soldiers alike— and as such was often accused of being a man who held no conviction as a samurai.
“Well, that’s basically how it is. I aimlessly wander here and there, following whatever seems most interesting at the time. If humans die, they lose, right? So in other words, if you don’t die then you won’t lose. That’s the innermost secret of the Invincible Blade. But who knows, ya’know?”
—Indeed, who knows? That until his final moments he heralded a single flag within his heart, even as he continued on into a new era.
===Appearance===
===Personality===
At first glance, he seems to be a flippant guy who’s 50% joker and 50% romcom lead, but sometimes the sharp and shrewd glint in his eyes slips through. Among the Shinsengumi soldiers, who tended toward anachronistic ideals, he believed in a flexible way of life unbound by pre-existing values.
“Wha~at, this way is just more interesting to me.”
However, because he’s always like this, his fellow member Okita has given him many nicknames such as the Shabbygumi.
He likes noodles. He especially likes the croquette soba he ate after coming to the modern era.
“Croquettes soaked in soba broth is cheap-looking, delicious, and totally irresistible.”
====Relationships====
;Okita Souji
:"Well, isn't that Okita-chan? Have you been well? Kidding, it's not like that. It was Meagre-chan. Well, in any case it's a relief you're an ally. You're the only one I don't want to have a go against never again..."Fate/Grand Order Saitou Hajime Lines
:"Oh hey, Okita. You've been well? Heh. Guess not. You've always been a sickly one. Well either way, I'm glad we're on the same team. I'd rather not fight you ever again."
;Okita Souji Alter
:"Are you Okita-chan? Nonono, what's with those looks, what's that katana, what are those breasts? ...Huh? "Okita-chan is an Alter and Majin-san"? Whoa, I don't get what you're saying at all. Whatever. By the way, what about having a drink tonight? While eating soba, of course."
;Hijikata Toshizou
:"Vice-Commander, you still… No, that's right. That's fine. You can stick to your "sincerity". I'll walk my "sincerity"."
:“Something I hate? I've always disliked stubborn guys. They're everywhere, aren't they? Guys that won't understand even if you tell them. The Vice-Commander? Aah, that's not stubborness. ──It's more genuine.”
:Officially, he kept his distance, but among the members, he was the most trusted by Hijikata, and undertook many behind-the-scenes missions for the Shinsengumi. Due to the passage of time, they parted company, but the trust of Hijikata, the vice-captain, is absolute even after time has passed.Fate/Grand Order material XI - Saitou Hajime's profile translated by Reddit User IreyimikaTheLost 
;Okada Izou
:"The manslayer Izou, huh. His skill with the sword was a big deal if I remember right. It's not an exaggeration to say he's a genius. But getting on in the world of scoundrels is too completely worthless. Since you're done for if you die."
:"Izo the man-slayer... I have to admit that his swordsmanship is impressive, but his social skills need some work"
;Sakamoto Ryouma
:"Sakamoto Ryouma of Tosa. To think we'd meet at this place. That said, it's a good thing if you're not the enemy. Looks like you'll use him a lot. By the way, won't you introduce me to the pretty girl you always take with you? ...Huh? I kinda have a bad feeling."
:"By the way, I didn't kill Sakamoto."
;Miyamoto Musashi / Sasaki Kojirou
:"Even that Musashi Miyamoto and Sasaki Kojirou are here? What the hell's this place? Does a minor swordsman like me have a turn? Even so, there's no mistake they're those fencers of folk tales... I'd like to be their opponent on ── Whooa, that was out of character. I'll better leave it."
;Nagao Kagetora and Oda Nobunaga
:"So that War God of Echigo was a woman. But, here even Lord Nobunaga was a woman, at this point it's not surprising... No, the usual thing would be to be surprised, wouldn't it?! But well, seems like even that Okita-chan was thought to be a man..."
;Yamanami Keisuke
:A serious and kind person among the Shinsengumi. At first glance, they don't seem to get along well, but during their lifetime they were strangely compatible and often ended up on the same missions. He describes Yamanami as being clumsy but which one of them was really clumsy is anyone's guess.
;Nagakura Shinpachi
:On fairly bad terms as a matter of fact. Saito basically keeps a moderate distance from all the members, except for Nagakura.
;Serizawa Kamo
:Their relationship wasn't particularly good or bad. In his life, he often hung out with Okita. Saito was meant to keep an eye on him, but Okita gained his trust naturally. "I really wonder about that, Okita."
==Role==
===Fate/Grand Order===
====GUDAGUDA Yamataikoku====
Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Yamataikoku, Section 1: The Future, From the DistanceFate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Yamataikoku, Section 2: Visitors from Afar, To the Settled LandsFate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Yamataikoku, Section 3: Separation, Rocked by the Waves of TimeFate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Yamataikoku, Section 5: At Midnight, Drenched by the RainFate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Yamataikoku, Section 6: Siblings, Killing LovinglyFate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Yamataikoku, Section 8: The Fierce and the Invincible, Under the Drizzling Rain (2/2)Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Yamataikoku, Final Section: Between Light and Dark
====Holy Grail Phantom Thief Amakusa Shirou and the Slapstick Museum====
 Fate/Grand Order - Holy Grail Phantom Thief Amakusa Shirou and the Slapstick Museum, Final Section: The Phantom Thief's Satisfied Smile
==Abilities==
Saitou Hajime was one of the best swordsmen in the Shinsengumi, on par with Okita Souji and Nagakura Shinpachi, but his origins and the school of his swordsmanship are unknown. His swordsmanship was outstanding even among the rest of the Shinsengumi, with the captain of the Second Division, Nagakura, describing Okita Souji as the Fearsome Blade and Saitou Hajime as the Invincible Blade. However, Saitou explains that the whole reason his swordplay was regarded as invincible is that he made a point to never fight anyone stronger than him.
Hajime claims that Mordred is stronger than him.
===Combat===
Saitou Hajime easily defeated the Dark Shinsengumi Troop that Himiko, Mash Kyrielight, and Oda Nobukatsu couldn't. He also killed three normal Haniwa Nobbus with a single swing of his sword. Furthermore, he is fast and strong enough to block surprise attacks from the likes of Okada Izou or Okita Souji.
On the other hand, Saitou is not only incapable of damaging Haniwa Okita, but his katana gets nicked up every time he hits her. Himiko was also so strong he knocked out Saitou with a single surprise attack while he was busy confronting Okada Izou.
====Empowered by the Coat of Oaths====
In his final Ascension, Saitou Hajime wears the Coat of Oaths.
During the Yamatai-koku Singularity, Saitou fought Okita Souji, who was also powered by the Coat of Oaths. Despite Saitou losing the fight, Okita claims that his sword is the strongest of any opponent she has fought so far. Furthermore, she doesn't think anyone else has taken that many strikes from her sword and managed to walk away intact. On the other hand, Saitou claims that Okita is way stronger than she used to be, and wonders if she might have found someone she cares about.
Back when they were alive, Serizawa Kamo blocked a surprise attack from Saitou with ease. When he retaliated, Saitou was pushed back in distress.
===Skills===
====Class Skills====
*Magic Resistance (D Rank): Nullifies Single Action Spells. Magic Resistance of the same degree of an amulet that rejects Magical Energy.
*Independent Action (C Rank): Ability to remain materialized for a while even if the supply of mana from the Master is cut off. At rank C, it is possible to remain in the world for one day after losing the master.
====Personal Skills====
*Invincible Sword (A Rank): This phrase describes Saito’s swordsmanship, which was appraised as able to compete for first or second strongest in the Shinsengumi. His style was said to be Mugai Ryuu or Ittou-ryuu, but in reality, it was a free sword technique not bound to anything. Saitou's fighting style is so strange Okada Izou can't read his movements. Nevertheless, Haniwa Okada could handle Saito's swordplay extremely well.
*Freely Drawn Sword (B Rank): An ever-changing sword-drawing technique wherein the sword can be drawn with either the left, right, or both hands. A sword technique without school where the blade’s point can be changed freely. A special combat style that is exceedingly difficult to predict. “Dominant hand? Oh, no, I’m just drawing the swords however when I gotta. Like I always say, ‘If you have time to think, you have time to slice.’”
*Mind's Eye (True) (B Rank): Calm analysis of battle conditions, grasping one's own condition and the enemy's ability to create an escape route If there's even a 1% chance of a counterattack, he'll have the chance to put the strategy into action.
===Noble Phantasm===
Saito's main Noble Phantasm is Formlessness.
All Shinsengumi members have access to the Noble Phantasms Coat of Oaths, and also all Shinsengumi officers possesses the Noble Phantasms Flag of Sincerity, though which members they summon with it depends on who likes them enough to answer.Fate/Grand Order material II - Okita Souji, p.268-275, translated by Comun
==Development==
===Creation and Conception===
Saitou Hajime was written and created by Keikenchi in GUDAGUDA ACE and Fate/Grand Order.
Saitou Hajime was designed by Shin Ikezawa in Fate/Grand Order.
===Comment from Illustrator===
"Hajime had a very different look in the beginning. As for what kind of look, It was one that better fit a low rarity character. His final ascension still has traces of that low rarity look. His head among other things." (Shin Ikezawa)
==References==
Category:Saber-class Servants
Category:Servants
Category:Characters in Fate/Grand Order (Part 2) 
Category:Humans
Category:Heroic Spirits
Category:Shinsengumi
Category:Human Attribute Servants
Category:Lawful Neutral Servants
Category:Japanese Servants
Category:B rank Strength Servants
Category:B+ rank Agility Servants
Category:C rank Endurance Servants
Category:A rank Luck Servants
Category:E rank Mana Servants
Category:C rank Noble Phantasm Servants
Category:Introduced in 2020