The Brightly Burning Beacon (明るく燃える信号 Akaruku Moe te iru Biikon) is the tenth episode of the anime Hakuouki: Reimeiroku (Demon of the Fleeting Blossom: Dawn of the Shinsengumi). It aired on September 10, 2012.
Plot
Heisuke and Ryuunosuke are watching sumo wrestlers' competition when Shinpachi finds them and takes them back to their posts. The competition has been organized by the Rōshigumi to improve their reputation and, according to Kondou, make everyone happy.
Serizawa burns down a store
As the competition finishes, Yamazaki brings news to Hijikata that Serizawa has caused trouble again. As they arrive at the scene, they witness a burning store, and Serizawa claims that its owner wrongfully gained its fortune by trading with foreigners, is under a suspicion of supporting rogue samurai, and he also refused to provide financial assistance to the Rōshigumi. In Serizawa's eyes, those were the crimes that warranted the arson as a punishment. Hijikata orders to put out the fire since Serizawa does not have any proof of what he is saying, but Serizawa stops him and plays the commander card claiming he would not fabricate a story which forces Hijikata to change his order to searching the store for evidence. People around start whispering that the "Wolves from Mibu" are no better than other rogue samurai since they now have started burning stores.
Oume plans to kill Serizawa
As Serizawa is back to the headquarters, he is shown to be drinking accompanied by Oume. He sends her back to her husband claiming to be short of money, however, she is determined to stay as her husband has kicked her out with nothing but the clothes she is wearing. Serizawa lies down and turns her back to her, and Oume takes out a knife assumingly to kill him, but he seems to feel her intentions and asks her right away. Shocked, she denies the allegation and puts the knife away before the commander can turn around and see it. As she starts crying, he offers her to stay by his side since she has nowhere else to go adding that it will give her an opportunity to kill him at any time.
Next morning Sannan reports that the Yamato Shop that was burnt down the day before had earned the ire of imperial nationalists due to making large profits by trading with foreigners. Despite some truth in Serizawa's words, the captains eventually come to the conclusion that Serizawa's actions go against the group's wishes and goals, with both Saitou and Okita expressing this view.
Serizawa collapses from his disease
As Serizawa goes drinking to Shimabara, he realizes that alcohol does not reduce the symptoms of his disease anymore, and he eventually collapses and stops recognizing the surroundings and people worried about him. He kicks Hirama in the stomach but after Ryuunosuke shakes him by the shoulders Serizawa seems to return back to normal and then hits the kid with his fan. Some other guests recognize Serizawa and are about to pick a fight but suddenly Kazama walks in and stops them. As everyone leaves, Kazama speaks to Serizawa quietly and points out that due to his disease most of his body should have been rendered useless by now. As the demon predicts a painful death, Serizawa claims being aware of the situation and awaiting.
Meanwhile, Koudou gives Niimi special medicine to suppress Rasetsu's bloodlust.
A few days later, Kondou and Hijikata visit the Aizu in a formal setting. They get praised for their efforts, however, Serizawa's actions have been noticed and cannot be overlooked any longer. Kondou and Hijikata receive a direct order to deal with the commander.
The order to join the battle arrives
One morning Hijikata wakes up hearing cannon fire close by. Everyone gathers in the common room ready to head out as soon as the order is given but the Aizu are not requesting the Rōshigumi's help. As the inspectors return with a report, it turns out that Aizu and Satsuma are guarding the Sakaimachi Gate, while the Chōshū, who used to be the ones guarding the gate, are trying to get inside the palace. Hijikata wonders out loud why Aizu and Satsuma are teaming up despite being opposing clans, and Serizawa does not miss a chance to insult him by commenting that the world is not as simple as his mind. He explains that opposing ideologies are a trivial matter when Chōshū need to be kicked out of their position as they come to the palace at will very easily. Despite everyone's conclusion to stay on standby and wait for orders, Serizawa decides to move out on their own. Luckily, as soon as they are ready to go, the messenger arrives with an order from Aizu to depart and help protecting the Gate.
The Roshigumi are told to leave
Upon arrival, the troop is stopped by the warriors at place as they have not heard of Mibu Rōshigumi and have not received an order that they will be joining. Kondou tries to play the good cop and asks politely to check with the officials but receives a harsh reply telling him to leave and a spear pointing at him. Serizawa interferes and slaps the man with his fan repeating Kondou's words angrily and demanding clarification on the orders.
Kondou announces the Shinsengumi name
Oume and Serizawa
After the situation has been handled, Kondou announces that Aizu complimented the squad's work and decided to officially entrust them with patrolling and protecting Kyoto. Along with the new responsibility, the Lord of Aizu has bequeathed a new name unto the squad - Shinsengumi. As this name used to belong to another organization under Aizu's domain that had military arts experts in it, bestowing this name upon the Rōshigumi means accepting them as warriors worthy of the title.
Right before everyone goes partying, Saitou shares his feelings with Ryuunosuke admitting that he has already abandoned the way of the warrior once in the past but now he intends to move forward being part of the Shinsengumi. Kondou and Hijikata find it hard to stay around heavy drinkers and decide to take some fresh air, exchanging pleasant relief as all their efforts have paid off but also pointing out that their path is still long. Serizawa, being all alone in his room accompanied only by Oume, says that now since Aizu have accepted them, the Shinsengumi will have to stomp on some of their sacred images, like the image of a warrior, and be ready to get their hands dirty if they want to achieve their goals.
While everyone is busy, Niimi experiments on Rasetsu giving them the medicine he received from Koudou and making notes on the results. At the same time, a fire is set in Kyoto.