Kaze Hikaru Vol 19

The leaders of Japan panic when foreign forces deliver an ultimatum: open the borders and allow trade or face invasion. The politicians squabble, and finally the young Shogun Iemochi resigns in exasperation. Lord Matsudaira goes to consult with Iemochi, accompanied by Kondo, Soji and Kamiya. Kondo's heartfelt plea convinces Iemochi to return to Kyoto and lead the Bakufu through this time of chaos. -- VIZ Media

"A historical romance set in the time of Rurouni Kenshin."--Cover.

An ancient ghost possesses Hikaru and unleashes his hidden genius! R to L (Japanese Style). An ancient ghost possesses Hikaru and unleashes his hidden genius! One Step Forward! Hikaru is determined to move carefully, step by step, up the ladder of professional go. He pours his energy into it, striving to get closer to his ultimate goal--playing the Divine Move. After many games he finally gets to play a 7-dan, who turns out to be someone he's confronted before, though not across a board. Their mutual animosity fires their competitiveness, pushing them to play with maximum intensity!

Into this fierce milieu steps Kamiya Seizaburo, a young would-be warrior who, though lacking in combat experience, possesses a fiery enthusiasm to both aid the Mibu-Roshi in their mission and to avenge his wrongfully murdered family. One of the Mibu-Roshi's most gifted (and immature) swordsmen, the legendary Okita Soji, agrees to take Seizaburo under his wing. What no one suspects, least of all Soji, is that Seizaburo is actually a girl named Tominaga Sei in disguise! -- VIZ Media

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... -- VIZ Media

Warfare between the Choshu and the Bakufu factions seems inevitable. Will Sei and the Shinsengumi be drawn into the hostilities as well? Meanwhile, Captain Harada Sanosuke’s first child is born in Kyoto. While the Shinsengumi members are overjoyed, trouble arises when Sanosuke names the child... -- VIZ Media

Hijikata decides to make use of Kamiya's feminine features and sends "him" out dressed as a woman on a spy mission. Her assignment: to ascertain the whereabouts of the notorious enemy leader Sakamoto Ryoma. Soji, left in the dark about the secret mission, sets off to find Kamiya. The two get more than they bargained for when they come face-to-face with the enemy himself! -- VIZ Media

Now that Sei has been transferred to the third troop under his command, Saito grows increasingly suspicious of Sei’s true identity. He is visited by dreams of his old friend, Sei’s brother, Yuma. The memories of Yuma’s words gradually grow more vivid, and Saito finally realizes Sei’s secret. Feeling he must protect her, Saito confronts Soji with an ultimatum: expose Sei to Hijitaka and have her dismissed from the troop, or allow Saito to take her as his bride. -- VIZ Media