Eternal Heartfelt Loyalty (誠心は永遠に Seishin wa Towa ni), also translated as Undying Sincerity, is the fourth episode of the anime Hakuōki: Hekketsuroku (Demon of the Fleeting Blossom: Record of the Jade Blood) and the sixteenth episode of the season 1 & 2 combined version. It aired on October 25, 2010.
Plot
March 1868
A Rasetsu turns into ash and lights up with blue flame
Saitou is following Sannan in the dark of the night due to the suspicions that Sannan might be responsible for mass killings in Edo. However, when the moon disappears, Saitou loses sight of Sannan and runs faster to see where he went. Instead of the Deputy Commander, Saitou finds Amagiri being attacked by a Rasetsu who has lost his mind over his bloodlust. Saitou cuts off the Rasetsu's arm saving Amagiri but before the battle could continue the Rasetsu suddenly turns into ash and lights up with blue flame. Amagiri is grateful for the assistance, and while explaining his goal to be here he reveals the truth about Rasetsu's lifespan. As it turns out, extraordinary strength, agility and miraculous healing abilities are hidden within a human body and used evenly throughout the course of life. However, Ochimizu manages to pull it all out at once turning a Rasetsu into a superhuman, and that has consequences: the more these powers are used, the shorter the lifespan becomes. Amagiri advises Saitou to pass on the information to his Rasetsu friends, and Sannan is seen lurking in the shadows listening to the conversation.
Sannan is aggravated to hear that the Rasetsu Corps needs to be terminated
Next morning, after Saitou has brought the news to the Shinsengumi, Chizuru witnesses a conversation between Hijikata and Sannan in Heisuke's presence when they are arguing about the Rasetsu Corps. Apparently, Hijikata has given orders to cease the expansion of the Corps, which aggravated Sannan. Hijikata explains his reasoning further voicing the news from Saitou, and Sannan realizes who has brought the information in. Chizuru and Heisuke are taken aback but Hijikata looks fairly composed and does not waver in his decision. Kondou overhears the conversation behind the closed door and realizes how dangerous the situation is for his men who happen to be his friends, and he is especially concerned about Toshi. Sannan tries to push towards the continuation of the research on Ochimizu but Hijikata pulls the vice-commander card and gives a direct order. Switching to a different topic, Hijikata proceeds to talk about the Shinsengumi joining the Aizu due to inability to have a camp at the current location. The first step would be recruiting more people in Edo and then moving to Lord Katamori's territory where the Shinsengumi's skill will not be put to waste. The Rasetsu need to move out first in order to avoid being seen by the new recruits.
Hijikata claims that he drunk Ochimizu on his own accord
Chizuru has to listen to Hijikata suffer behind the closed door
Hijikata and Chizuru are left alone in the room. He quotes Sannan's words about the necessity to strengthen the troops, since Shinpachi and Sano are gone, and admits that he cannot argue with that statement. Chizuru begs him to stop using his Rasetsu powers but Hijikata questions the reason to listen to her request. Chizuru explains that Hijikata became a Rasetsu only because he had gotten involved with Kazama and it was Chizuru's fault, but Hijikata denies that by saying that drinking Ochimizu was his own choice. Chizuru asks him to tell her about his real feelings and admit that he did not want to become a Rasetsu, but Hijikata smiles and replies that she reminds him of his sister, who used to lecture him, and that it is a trait of Edo women in general. He asks her not to worry because his life will not shrink if he does not use the power and tells her to bring more tea. But as she is about to leave, he has a bloodthirst seizure that makes him struggle. She tries to cut herself with a sword to give him demon blood and ease his pain but he pushes her out of the room and tries to combat the condition. Kondou listens to the conversation behind the corner. The Hijikata suddenly remembers that Heisuke left him a medicine to relieve the pain, so he finds it and takes it.
April 2, 1868
The Shinsengumi have moved their troops to the Nagaoka Inn (in Shimousa, Nagareyama). Saitou led the new recruits traveling separately from the main forces.
Hijikata and Shimada bring bad news to Kondou
Hijikata is shocked to hear an order from Kondou
Chizuru brings Kondou tea when Hijikata and Shimada run to inform him about the headquarters being surrounded therefore the need has arisen for him to escape immediately. Since the current Shinsengumi members are not enough to defeat 300 enemy soldiers, and there is not enough time to wait for Saitou's reinforcements, the only option available is to run. Hijikata orders Shimada to take Chizuru and Kondou and escape while he himself would stay and deal with the situation, but Kondou refuses and insists on becoming the distraction. He plans to introduce the unit as samurai safekeeping a hatamoto which should buy enough time for his people to escape. But Hijikata is sure that they would instantly see through the lie and just kill Kondou. However, Kondou does not take no for an answer, he is sure that his daimyo title still means something, so he will not be killed right away, even though Hijikata protests that titles given by the former Bakufu mean nothing. Hijikata keeps insisting that he is very strong and can make a diversion but Kondou is adamant to make the sacrifice. With Hijikata's last attempt to prove his point, Kondou uses the commander mode and orders Toshi to follow his decisions. Hijikata is astonished and heartbroken due to the fact that Kondou has always been a friend, in addition to being ta commander, and has always listened to what Toshi had to say. But now he has decided to stop the democracy and make Hijikata follow commander's orders.
Kondou gives his last order
Come on, Toshi. It's about time you let me be at peace. You've run about trying to spread my renown, and now you've even become a Rasetsu. It's hard to see you like this. I'm sorry. I am the one who has driven you to such lengths, aren't I?—Kondou Isami, last words to Hijikata before surrendering
Hijikata orders Shimada to gather the people and tells Chizuru to wait with Kondou until everything is ready. When Chizuru and Kondou are left alone, he gives her a small sack of money and asks her to run, explaining that he wants to do something nice for her. But she refuses saying that she would like to stay with the Shinsengumi and Hijikata. He understands her feelings for Hijikata and comments on them as 'you have become accustomed to the position of Toshi's attendant'. She asks him to join them but he says openly that if he were to wish to flee, Toshi would turn into a Rasetsu and run to kill everyone shortening his lifespan. He asks her to take care of Toshi, and she cries.
Hijikata gets shot
Right before escaping, Hijikata calls Kondou a cruel man for making him carry all the burden by himself but there is nothing he can do. They look at Kondou for the last time and run away through the back door. A few soldiers notice them and start asking questions but Hijikata kills them blinded by his sorrow and rage. A couple dozen more soldiers arrive and prepare to shoot but Hijikata orders Shimada to take his people to safety, turns into a Rasetsu and rushes to fight. He gets shot but claims that it is not as bad as he imagined and cannot be compared to the agony he has suffered. Chizuru is watching the enemies fall on the ground one by one too scared to move. When she finally finds courage to approach the battlefield holding onto her sword, she finds Hijikata all alone surrounded by corpses. He enquires about Shimada and the troops and when she replies positively he tells her to run away while she still can. She comes closer and apologizes for not being able to obey the order, asking him to let her stay.
Kondou and Hijikata's past
I... Why have I fought so far? Was it to hand Kondou-san over to the enemy in a place like that? I was going to make him bigger than Kansei Teikun or Lord Kiyomasa. I wanted to make him a true warrior. I wanted to see how far the owner of a poor country dojo and a farmer's child could go. We were sharing the same dream! So what am I doing here? Why did I survive after leaving Kondou-san behind? I abandoned the one person I should never abandon... I am the only one of us to survive!
Chizuru tries to reassure Hijikata
Hijikata-san, just as you care for Kondou-san, Kondou-san did not want to let you die. He wanted you to live much much longer. That's why I think it had to turn out the way it did...
