A Drifting Boat (第四章 揺蕩う舟, Daiyonshō tayutau fune) is the fourth episode of Hakuōki: Sekkaroku that is meant to be an extension of the main plot of Hakuōki: Shinsengumi Kitan. This episode is focused on Toudou Heisuke.
Plot
Heisuke trashes a shop
Chizuru and Heisuke are taking a stroll in the city discussing the upcoming New Year's day when they suddenly hear something break behind them and a man shouting aggressively. Heisuke rushes to interfere and picks a fight with a few rogue samurai. Despite coming victorious and demonstrating his skills after being called a shortie, Chizuru, Sano and Shinpachi playfully hint at the situation being unpleasant and hurry to leave. When Heisuke looks around, he realizes that he has ruined a whole shop during the fight.
Heisuke catches ducks
When Hijikata scolds Heisuke, he tries to explain himself but the vice-commander stays angry. As Heisuke later tells Chizuru, he is sure that Hijikata would do the same in that situation. Shinpachi and Sano join their conversation, and Sano calls Heisuke a forerunner explaining that it means someone who takes the lead in the vanguard and is respected for their courage. Chizuru promises to cook a great meal, and Heisuke cheerfully runs to catch some ducks. Everyone compliments the duck soup and Chizuru clarifies that it is thanks to Heisuke's hard work. Heisuke and Shinpachi take the same piece of meat and start fighting over it. When Hijikata opens the door, the meat slips out and flies right in his face. Shinpachi quickly moves away leaving Heisuke alone to try and come up with an excuse, which Heisuke fails to do and ends up being punched.
Itou and his men watching Heisuke train
Next day Heisuke is seen training with his subordinates, which is commented by Sano and Shinpachi who notice that Itou and his men are also watching Heisuke. They mention the rumors that Itou has been working behind their backs recruiting skilled warriors to join his faction.
Several days later, the trio goes to Shimabara to watch over Chizuru who is spying on rogue samurai dressed as a geisha. While Sano and Shinpachi seem pleased with the situation, Heisuke is troubled. He voices his thoughts doubting if Chizuru is going to be okay since she has to pour drinks and might get touched by drunk men. Sano leaves Chizuru to Heisuke and leaves dragging Shinpachi away.
Heisuke drinks with Chizuru
Kazama attempts to harass Chizuru
When Heisuke runs into the room screaming that he is worried about Chizuru, the sight of her dressed as a geisha mesmerizes him, and he is unable to speak or to look her in the eyes. He eats and drinks with her but eventually realizes that he cannot stand the idea of her serving other men while looking like that, so he runs away promising to stop it. Chizuru leaves the room and stumbles upon Kazama who orders her to bring sake since he is tired of the people he was with. He also mentions that they are a group of loyalists. Chizuru asks Kazama to wait until the sake is prepared, and he teases her about not having an accent as all geisha do in Shimabara. He asks if she was born in the east, and she is forced to lie that she has just recently arrived, but he quickly tells her to stop playing games as he has recognized her. He claims that her appearance is befitting his wife and attempts to harass her. The action is stopped by Senhime who enters the room and slaps Kazama with her fan. Chizuru runs away and comes across the room with the rogue samurai that she was sent to spy on.
Meanwhile, Heisuke runs to Kondou and Hijikata and asks them to stop Chizuru's mission, but Hijikata tells him that it is his job to make sure nothing happens to Chizuru. Kondou decides to send Hijikata to check on Chizuru, and Heisuke runs ahead. He arrives right when Yamazaki is defending Chizuru from drunk samurai and introduces himself as one of the Shinsengumi Captains, so the fight begins.
Itou recruites Heisuke
The trio and Chizuru playing in the snow
In January 1867, Itou scolds Heisuke for making a riot and tells him to stop considering the Shinsengumi his comrades making it clear that Heisuke is supposed to have made his mind about joining Itou's group and leaving the Shinsengumi. Walking back, Heisuke talks to himself and assumes that everyone will hate him for his decision, even though he cannot change his beliefs for them.
Next day Heisuke calls for Chizuru to go out and play in the snow that has fallen overnight. Shinpachi and Sano join them and start a snowball fight. Hijikata catches Heisuke and asks why all the doors have holes, and Sano and Shinpachi are already gone to put all the blame on Heisuke, who gets punched once again.