Toshizou Hijikata/Story

Overview
**Story**
Gallery

## Background

Hijikata was born in Musashi province, in the modern day Tokyo region. During his youth, Hijikata made a living selling medicine. As a young man, Hijikata enrolled into the Shieikan dojo around the same time as Shinpachi Nagakura whom he got along well with and acted like fools together. In the dojo, Hijikata received a nickname "Baragaki" due to his youth and wild nature. Sometime later, Hijikata joined the Shinsengumi along with Nagakura and Isami Kondou. He helped defended Nagakura numerous times from Kondou's ire due to his playboy attitude.
During the Bakumatsu period, Hijikata met an assassin known as Youichirou the Manslayer in Kyoto.

In the 4th year of the Keiou era (1st year of Meiji), the Shinsengumi participated in the Batlle of Toba-Fushimi and were scattered. The remnants went to Edo to regroup where Hijikata once again joined Kondou to become his personal retainer. It was at this time, that they had a falling out with Nagakura and parted ways.

Decades later, as Hijikata was being led into Kabato Prison as a prisoner, he spotted Nagakura who had finished teaching the guards swordsmanship and was about to leave for the New Year's. He spoke out Nagakura's old nickname "Gamushin" which caught the attention of his friend. Nagakura was surprised to see him as he looked back at him with a smile on his face.

Hijikata was able to speak with Nagakura once more due to the help of the chief guard and the both of them began to reminisce about their past. When Nagakura asked if he was looking out for him to prevent him from dying an early death, Hijikata just replied that he thought he was an idiot whom he couldn't stand with a smile on his face. Sometime later, Hijikata was transferred to Abashiri Prison when Shirosuke Inudou became the warden there due to his hatred of him for his brother's death.

## Plot

### Escape King Arc

When Yoshitake Shiraishi tells Saichi Sugimoto what he knows about Abashiri Convicts, he claims to not know anything about Noppera-bou's friends, saying only their leader who took charge of escape does. Sugimoto asks who was that man, and Shiraishi responds that they thought he was just an old quiet man, a political prisoner. However, it was merely a façade: during the prisoners' escape, their leader pulled a sword away from one soldier and killed three of them in the blink of an eye. The man was a soldier on the losing side of the Battle of Hakodate 30 years ago, a samurai who fought for shogunate. Shiraishi says that it might be a rumor, but the prisoner is actually the merciless Vice-Commander of Shinsengumi Hijikata Toshizou, who was thought to be dead.

Days later in Otaru, Hijikata Toshizou goes to a brothel disguised as a soba restaurant to find another Abashiri convict, Ushiyama the Undefeated. Hijikata finds Ushiyama with a prostitute, and Ushiyama immediately assumes that the prostitute sold him out. He grabs her leg and throws the woman at Hijikata, who dodges it and attacks Ushiyama with his katana. The two men clash, and Ushiyama pulls out his gun, asking if Hijikata really thought his katana would cut through his thick skull. Hijikata shows Ushiyama a copy of tattooed skin made on oil paper; he explains that there's no need to kill each other when they can copy the tattoos instead. Hijikata offers Ushiyama to join him, mentioning that sooner or later they will come to blows with the 7th Division and they need the tattooed skins they're in possession of. Ushiyama snarls and sarcastically wonders if Hijikata is planning to have a swordfight with the whole Imperial Japanese Army. Hijikata smiles and says that it doesn't matter how old you are, boys just love to play with swords.

Hijikata and Ushiyama visit an old acquaintance of Hijikata, Shinpachi Nagakura. Nagakura agrees to let Hijikata use the house they're visiting as his base of operations; he says he can give him whatever capital he has on hand, and a small number of the latest foreign-made guns he received. However, Nagakura laments that there's a limit to what he can do for Hijikata, and that he is too old to join his crazy schemes. Hijikata doesn't believe it, claiming Nagakura's body must be burning for the chance to revive the Shinsengumi legend. Ushiyama, who's been listening to the conversation, recognizes Nagakura and the legendary Nagakura Shinpachi, the best swordsman in the entire Shinsengumi. Ushiyama tells the two men that he's figured out they're after more than just gold.

The group of Toshizou Hijikata is looking for allies to search for the gold. Hijikata wants to recruit Zenjirou Shibukawa, a leader of of a band of thieves that was recently released from Kabato Prison. Ushiyama is skeptical of Shibukawa's cooperation, and Hijikata reveals that earlier he sent some messengers to the men but they never returned. Still, Hijikata claims that they need Shibukawa's talents and his men and empathizes that they must not kill Shibukawa under any circumstances. Ushiyama mentions that there's only ten of them versus a dozen of Shibukawa's men, which puts them at disadvantage. Hijikata disagrees and says that one cannot count on raw numbers winning battles, what matters is how many men on your side are prepared to die.

Upon arriving to Shibukawa's residence, Hijikata and his men get inside the building. One of Shibukawa's men confronts them but Ushiyama quickly grabs him and throws him in the air, breaking the ceiling. Shibukawa says that he hasn't seen Hijikata since he was transferred to Abashiri Prison but back in Kabato Prison he helped him a lot. Hijikata asks if his men have arrived, and Shibukawa replies that they did and were tortured until they gave up the information about Ainu gold. Hijikata announces to Shibukawa that he will either join him or fight to the death. Shibukawa asks Hijikata to show him his Abashiri tattoo, but instead Hijikata throws him the severed heads of the men that were supposed to attack Hijikata and his group. Hijikata demands Shibukawa order his men that are hiding behind the walls to lower their weapons. Shibukawa seemingly surrenders, saying Hijikata may have fooled everyone in Kabato by acting like a quiet old man, but he always knew that Hijikata was a dangerous son of a bitch. Suddenly, Shibukawa shouts, telling his men to kill the group, but he is immediately shot by Hijikata. The fighting ensues, and Hijikata, carrying both his katana and Winchester rifle, kills several of Shibukawa's thieves and orders his own men to let anyone escape. Ushiyama watches him, remarking to himself that this must be the true face of the Shinsengumi's Merciless Vice-Commander.

Some time earlier, a conversation between Hijikata and Nagakura occurs. Nagakura says that "if a man does not die when he is meant to, what awaits him is a shame worse than death". He expresses surprise at the fact that despite his old age, Hijikata wants to start a war. Nagakura wonders if Hijikata is actually seeking a place to die, but Hijikata denies it, jokingly claiming he is planning on living another hundred years.

When the fight ends, Hijikata stands above the dead bodies of Shibukawa's men. Before leaving, he laments that Shibukawa wasn't half the man Kondou was.

In the carriage on their way back, Ushiyama asks if Hijikata is planning on re-creating the Shinsengumi and warns him that he is only interested in the gold. Hijikata says there are a great multitude of people that want to liberate this land of Ezo that have existed here for a long time.

### Edogai Arc

In a cabin that Hijikata and his group are resting at, he is reading a newspaper as Ogata mocks him and talks about Noppera-Bou and his reasons. After Ogata questions what Noppera-Bou's purpose is, Hijikata speaks up and says that most likely, Noppera-Bou must be a partisan from the Russian Far East. He talks about the economical and political effects of that area, and believes that Noppera-Bou may have partisan allies within the Ainu that are assisting him with the war affairs.

### Con Artists Arc

Hijikata and his group made their way to Yubari where they split up, with Ushiyama and Ogata in one party. After finding their objective in the town, he was summoned by Ushiyama to the Edogai store and informed of the situation. He picks up a cat and a tattooed skin and says that they'll have to find a way to discern whether or not the skin is real.

As Hijikata enters the room, Sugimoto comments that he's seen him before and asks if they've met before. When Shiraishi tells his name to Sugimoto, Hijikata says that it has been a while since they met and asks him to introduce him to his friend. The two then begin to talk about Noppera-Bou, but when Asirpa is about to speak up, he cuts her off and threatens Sugimoto to either join forces or fight to the death. Nagakura enters the room as well and with Asirpa's stomach loudly rumbling due to hunger, Ienaga pops in and suggests that they eat and continue the conversation over dinner.

As he is holding his drink, Hijikata shows concern on how they can distinguish the fake skins from the real ones, to which Ienaga says that she may know someone who could help, a counterfeit artist named Chouan Kumagishi. Some time later, as the other people head to the Yubari mines to confirm Sergeant Tsukishima's status, Hijikata stays at the store with Ogata and Ienaga to find some clues on the skins. Just then, a Molotov cocktail is thrown into the store, lighting it on fire. When Ogata confirms that some military soldiers have arrived, Hijikata comments they must be here to destroy the evidences in the store.

Hijikata notes that since Tsurumi's men have come to destroy the house, Tsukishima must've been able to escape the mines and begins preparation for battle. When Ogata heads to the upper floor to drive the 7th Division soldiers up against the walls, Hijikata shoots at them with his rifle, forcing them to retreat back into Ogata's sight. However, Ogata is distracted by a soldier at some distance and Hijikata needed to reload, giving the 7th Division enough time to charge into the store. Hijikata then pulls out his katana to strike down Kouhei Nikaidou, but is tackled by him.

He struggles with Nikaidou who has overpowered him, but Nikaidou is distracted by Sugimoto who had entered the store. Taking advantage of this moment, Hijikata slashes at Nikaidou, cutting his right leg off. He attempts to cut him down once more, but Nikaidou rolls away to hide from him. Hijikata tries looking for the soldier but Sugimoto tells him that they should leave the store. Outside, they agree to split up in order to remain inconspicuous as he and Ienaga heads out to meet Nagakura and Shiraishi.

They were able to regroup with Nagakura, Shiraishi, and Kiroranke and began making their way to Tsukigata. When Ienaga and Kiroranke question how they would be able to meet Kumagishi privately due to the strict security at Kabato Prison, Hijikata says that Nagakura has some connections there and he would be able to arrange a private meeting. Shiraishi then begins to tell them about his past in Kabato Prison and how he met Kumagishi. They find a spot to make campfire and eat some food as Shiraishi continues to talk about his time in Kabato Prison.

When Shiraishi had finished telling his story, Hijikata comments that it would be easier and quicker to have Shiraishi sneak into Abashiri Prison. Nagakura says that since they were talking about Kabato Prison, he recounts the day that he reunited with Hijikata there. Later, they reached Tsukigata where Nagakura and Ienaga went to meet Kumagishi. However, they came back with the news that Kumagishi had died, and after some discussion, made the decision to head to Abashiri Prison, with Hijikata saying that it would not be a bad idea to pay his his respect to Inudou who had taken good care of him in Kabato Prison.

They settle at an inn in Tsukgata and Kiroranke says that it's such a big deal that they were able to find out about the existence of the fake skins and that Tsurumi wouldn't have expected his plans to be exposed so quickly. However, Hijikata says that so long as they have no means of distinguishing the skins, Tsurumi hasn't suffered much of a setback. He then says that if they were to find any information, that they would have to trace it all the way back to its source. Nagakura and Ienaga laments over Kumagishi's death and that they have no means of distinguishing the skins with no other choice but to depend on Shiraishi.

The next morning, Hijikata is observing Shiraishi's situation as a man who just woke up groggily asks what the commotion is. He reports to the others that Shiraishi has been captured by the 7th Division and they ponder about what to do. Hijikata then tells Nagakura and Ienaga to wait in Tsukigata for Sugimoto and head to Asahikawa together as he and Kiroranke will rescue Shiraishi as he is their only means of meeting Noppera-Bou.

Hijikata and Kiroranke rides horseback in order to get ahead of the 7th Division so that they can lay their trap to distract the 7th Division. When Kiroranke's trap fails, Hijikata cuts down a tree and pretends to be a frail old man whose wagon has been blocked from continuing on the path. However, Shiraishi does not notice this opportunity, as well as all of their further attempts to get him to flee. Kiroranke is infuriated and wonders if Shiraishi wants to escape and Hijikata notes that they will have to use a more extreme method.

In the village of Fukagawa, Hijikata disguised as a merchant is selling snacks to the locals and is able to get Shiraishi's attention long enough to pass a paper with the message "kamuy kotan" and "rope bridge" and makes his way out to execute his plan. As he and Kiroranke prepares to carry out their operation, Kiroranke tells him about the "kamuy kotan" as well as the legend of the man-eating blade Ipetam. Kiroranke also described how the Ainu made canoes, with which he will use to rescue Shiraishi. When Hijikata asked if he made canoes to cross the Amur River, Kiroranke fell silent as he continued to prod into his past and asked what Noppera-Bou's true name is.

When rainfall came and the 7th Division prepares to cross the bridge, Hijikata, wearing a hood to cover his face, stops them in their path and draws out his blade, pointing it at them. Hijikata then cuts the ropes of the bridge, sending them all falling into the Ishikari River. When Kiroranke failed to rescue Shiraishi, the two men returns to Fukugawa and reports the results to the other members of their group. They decide to leave Shiraishi to his fate since they already have a copy of his tattoo, but Sugimoto refuses, saying that he wants to save him and that they should make use of Suzukawa's skills.

### Youichirou the Manslayer Arc

In the hidden room, Hijikata found a certain object that belonged to a tattooed convict named Shinzou Doi as well as information that Doi had been captured in Kushiro. With this revelation, Hijikata, Nagakura, and Ushiyama set out for Kushiro to find information about Doi's whereabouts. Upon arriving, Hijikata asked the women that had surrounded Ushiyama, marvelling over his strength, if they knew what the item was but none of them were able to answer. As Hijikata was about to give up, Ushiyama called to a nearby Ainu man if he knew of any place to stay at.

The Ainu man, Kirawus brought them to a hut and prepared some shishamo smelt for them to eat. Hijikata once again brought out the object and gave it to Kirawus to examine. Kirawus was able to identify it as belonging to the beak of a tufted puffin and that they could only be found in Nemuro. Hijikata states that they may be getting closer to Doi. When Ushiyama expresses doubt about Doi's might, Hijikata states that Shinzou Doi is a fake name and that he had met him a long time ago in Kyoto back when he operated as a hired killer known as Youchirou the Manslayer.

Kirawus takes Hijikata's group to an Ainu kotan where Youichirou had once lived and learns about Youichirou's past prior to being imprisoned in Abashiri Prison from Kirawus who translates for the village chief. Later he heads to the town of Nemuro where he finds Youichirou being confronted by a group of hitmen and shoots one of them in the head. In regards to Youichirou's statement that there are plenty of people who wishes to kill him, Hijikata says that he is at the front of the line as Youichirou identifies him.

Reacting to Hijikata's gunfire, several hitmen comes into the restaurant but Hijikata is able to shoot and counter them with Ushiyama's assistance. He chases after Youichirou who had fled out of town and finds him leaning over, suffering from his dementia. Youichirou sees him and Hijikata gives a lecture about his idealogy as well as Japan's state of affairs, saying that he is going to keep fighting for Japan. He then drops his rifle, taking out his sword which he cuts Youichirou with.

Suffering from his wound, Youichirou falls to the ground as Hijikata stood before him with katana in hand. Hijikata then gave Youichirou the item that he got from Inudou, which Youichirou says that he received from his wife so that he would always remember Nemuro. Hijikata offers to end Youichirou's suffering but Youichirou declines, saying that he cannot forgive himself for such an easy death.

Youichirou laments on his life as an assassin and what it meant to be "human" before passing away. As Nagakura, Ushiyama, and Kirawus arrived, Hijikata states that though he may not have died at Hakodate, it does not fill him with feelings of guilt and that he only survived because he has a duty left to fulfill. He then calls out to Nagakura that they can still keep on running.

### Pet Monster Arc

Afterwards, Hijikata and Ushiyama heads out to find Waichirou Sekiya in the Lake Akan area. They are separated from each other and Hijikata eventually confronts Sekiya who had poisoned and kidnapped Ushiyama. Sekiya gives Hijikata an ultimatum to consume one of the cocoons lying around the area in exchange for letting Ushiyama go. Hijikata responds that he will not play along with Sekiya's games and come after him.

Sekiya says that he should focus on saving Ushiyama but Hijikata tells him that he has already made a copy of Ushiyama's tattoo. However, after finding out that Ushiyama willingly drank poison to save him, he relents and consume one of the cocoons as well. The cocoon turned out to be a poisonous one however, Hijikata was able to secretly take some aconite to reduce the effect of the poison below a fatal dose.

As Sekiya drags his unconscious body away, he notes that every pellet of poison was a fatal dose and that it is incredible that Hijikata is still alive, unaware of what Hijikata had done. Hijikata is then buried in a bottomless casket with a cocoon next to his hand. While Hijikata lay dormant in the casket, his sword is taken and sent to Kadokura along with a note saying to bring the tattooed skins in exchange for his location.

When Sekiya begins to dig up Hijikata's casket after beating Kadokura in a test, Hijikata springs out from the casket, grabbing Sekiya's neck as well as a knife, which he uses to cut down Sekiya, noting that his days selling medicine had helped him and that relying on luck simply isn't enough to survive in the current day and age.

Hijikata follows Sekiya who stumbles out of the farm and as he falls to the ground, tells him that he had no choice but to gamble, otherwise the other option would mean certain death. Sekiya does not believe it, calling it a miracle and that god finally came to punish him before succumbing to his wounds.

Kadokura approaches Hijikata saying that Sekiya must've been trying to reconcile his faith with his daughter's death but Hijikata says that he while he does not know much about god, the only world that he is interested in is the current world they are living in. He says that being able to do whatever he desires with the life that he is given in this world is enough for him.

## References

1. ↑ Character profiles from the Golden Kamuy fanbook