Dawn of the Divine Warriors (天武の暁 Tenmu no Akatsuki) is the first episode of the anime Hakuouki: Reimeiroku (Demon of the Fleeting Blossom: Dawn of the Shinsengumi). It aired on July 9, 2012.
Plot
Ryuunosuke found by Serizawa
Ryuunosuke Ibuki, the main protagonist of the prequel, is found by Kamo Serizawa in the forest unconscious. Serizawa offers him food dropping it on the ground and then mocking Ryuunosuke for eating it nonetheless, noting that Ryuunosuke has chosen survival over pride and self-respect. He brings the boy with him to Kyoto.
Ryuunosuke wakes up in the Rōshigumi headquarters in Mibu Village after seeing a dream of his mother being disappointed in him. Heisuke tells him not to get up as his body is bruised, and Ryuunosuke remembers how he was beaten up and robbed by national loyalists in the forest. Some time later, Inoue visits him and brings him food.
Souji confronts Ryuunosuke
Hijikata argues with Serizawa
More or less recovered, Ryuunosuke attempts to leave but he is stopped by the trio, and Sano lectures him about leaving without thanking Serizawa for saving his life. When Ryuunosuke starts playing cool, Sano punches him and makes him introduce himself and then stay to find Serizawa. Ryuunosuke goes to a well to wash his face where he meets Okita who rudely shoves him away claiming that it was his fault for spacing out. Okita is about to start a sword fight when Sannan stops him and informs Ryuunosuke that Serizawa is out. Hearing that Ryuunosuke intends to thank Serizawa and leave, Okita insists that he should first and foremost thank Kondou, the highest-ranking person in the Rōshigumi.
Kondou is benevolent towards Ryuunosuke and wants him to stay but both Ryuunosuke and Sannan claim that it would be too much extra weight in the current position of Rōshigumi. Despite that, Kondou offers Ryuunosuke to at least stay for dinner. At the same time, they hear commotion outside and decide to check what is going on only to find Serizawa arguing with Hijikata who is scolding him for being too reckless in the "red-light district" (the area with geisha inns such as Shimabara). Serizawa, feeling attacked by Hijikata's words, attempts to hit him with his infamous hand fan but Hijikata does not budge claiming that he has not said anything wrong. Serizawa calms down and leaves telling Hijikata to go back to Edo if Serizawa's methods are not suitable for him. Ryuunosuke is persuaded to stay the night and talk to Serizawa next day.
Serizawa makes Ryuunosuke stay in the headquarters
Upon meeting Serizawa, Ryuunosuke intends to briefly thank him and leave, but the commander is displeased with such an attitude and calls Ryuunosuke "a stray dog who cannot show his gratitude properly". He reminds the boy of the ultimatum he gave him asking him whether he wanted to live , and Ryuunosuke agrees to stay in the headquarters to be Serizawa's servant to repay him for saving his life.
When Ryuunosuke tells the trio about it, Heisuke calls it horrible that Serizawa decided to keep him as a dog, and Shinpachi confirms that Serizawa is hard to handle, but Sano reminds his friend that he is treated fairly decently due to using the same fighting style as Serizawa (the Shindou Munen).
Kondou and others offer Serizawa cooperation
Late in the evening, Kondou, Sannan and Hijikata come to Serizawa's room to make a deal: Serizawa's connections in collaboration with the Shieikan's strength and swordsmanship skills. Serizawa agrees and promises to help Kondou have a conversation with the Aizu Domain. Afterwards, in a private conversation, Hijikata confesses to Kondou that even though Serizawa's assistance annoys him he has to admit that it is their best bet as they need to make a name for themselves in Kyoto. Hijikata promises to make Kondou one of the greatest samurai in Japan.
Next morning Ryuunosuke is woken up with Serizawa's kick, and the commander informs him that the dog must wake up before his master. He sends the boy to buy him saké. On his way to find Heisuke and ask where a saké store is, he meets Saitou who has come to join the Rōshigumi.