In the 1860s in Japan, a new era is dawning. During this time fraught with violent social upheaval, samurai of all walks of life flock to Kyoto in the hope of joining a band of warriors united around their undying loyalty to the shogunate system. In time, this group would become one of the greatest (and most infamous) movements in Japanese history... the Shinsengumi!

After attempting to seduce Sei, the aristocrat Yoshinobu begins to tell her about his past and why he is hesitant to become the shogun. His personality enrages Councillor Ito to the point that he approaches Vice-Captain Hijikata with plans for overthrowing the shogunate! Meanwhile, Nakamura Goro, who is on Ito's side, is jealous of Sei's relationship with Soji...