Kaze Hikaru Vol 29

Romance between "swordsmen," based on a true-life adventure of a young girl determined to be a part of history. 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! Posing as a man, Sei trains with the Shinsengumi and does her best to survive the turbulent times. After initially attempting to seduce Sei, the aristocrat Yoshinobu begins to tell her about his past and why he is unwilling to become the next Shogun. Later, his decision to request an imperial order to stop sectarian fighting enrages power-hungry councillor Ito to the point that Ito approaches vice captain Hijikata with plans for overthrowing the shogunate! Meanwhile, Nakamura Goro, who is on Ito’s side, becomes jealous of Sei’s relationship with Soji…

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

When Sei gets wounded, Soji takes her to Doctor Matsumoto, an old family friend who knows her secret. While in his care, Sei tells him of the resentment she feels toward her father, who neglected his family to pursue his medical practice. Matsumoto reveals the truth about her father and the sacrifice that affected his family's destiny. -- 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

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

Headquarters in Kyoto learns that the rogue behavior of their branch troop captain in Osaka is stirring up resentment among the local populace. Kondo takes Okita, Sei and the first troop to Osaka to investigate. They find that Tani Sanjuro, the captain of the seventh troop, is a hard-hearted man who rules with an iron fist. Will Kondo find a way to deal with this ogre, or will he need to take extreme measures to eliminate him? -- VIZ Media

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

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