Episode Title:
Cherry Blossoms.
Episode Description:
Tetsunosuke Ichimura wants to enroll in the Shinsengumi, but his older brother Tatsunosuke Ichimura, who works as a bookkeeper, says he is too young to join. Sōji Okita, the first unit captain, invites Tetsu to spar with him in front of Isami Kondō, the commander. Tetsu soon performs a double-sword technique, but Okita easily overpowers him. Toshizō Hijikata, the second vice commander, is against Tetsu joining the Shinsengumi, despite Kondō's approval. Later that night, Tetsu is traumatized when Hijikata slaughters a group of ronin who were sent after him.
