The Shackles of Pandemonium (修羅の枷鎖 Shura no Kasa) is the eighth episode of the anime Hakuouki: Reimeiroku (Demon of the Fleeting Blossom: Dawn of the Shinsengumi). It aired on August 27, 2012.
Plot
Ryuunosuke wakes up hearing some commotion outside and walks out of the room holding his sword. He is instantly attacked by a Rasetsu but Saitou is quick to kill the monster. Everyone gathers around the corpse ready to hold Niimi responsible. However, instead Hijikata instructs Saitou to put the Rasetsu's head on display in Osaka by Serizawa's order. Hijikata makes it clear that he does not favor this decision but the commander insisted that a bad name would be better than none at all.
Saitou's memories
Saitou fighting Okita for the first time
Saitou remembers his first appearance in Shieikan as Souji instantly decided to challenge him in a sword practice with the trio (Shinpachi, Heisuke and Sano) watching. Saitou's swift movements catch Souji off-guard as he is full of self-confidence, especially being referred to as the dojo's "star student", however, he quickly collects himself and goes offensive, surprising Saitou who is also used to being the strongest one in the room. Souji's attack hits Saitou's stomach, and Shinpachi commands that there has been one hit (which means the match is over), however, the two warriors do not intend to stop the battle. Souji claims that Saitou is the first to dodge his thrust while Saitou admits that Souji is the first person he failed to defeat in his first move. Kondou and Hijikata enter the room, and the latter yells at everyone ordering Shinpachi and Heisuke to hold back Souji while Sano has to stop Saitou. After everyone has calmed down, Kondou compliments Saitou but Saitou asks whether it is a problem that he uses a left-handed stance. Hijikata responds that no matter what stance he uses he is truly strong. Returning back from his memories, Saitou promises to protect the place where everyone can be together and happy.
Three days later, while patrolling the streets of Kyoto, the Rōshigumi members hear people talk all around them calling them "Wolves from Mibu" due to the incident with them placing a killed rogue samurai's head on display in Osaka. Heisuke is depressed about it, and Shinpachi shares his concern for him when Sano admits that lower-ranked members of the Rōshigumi also feel upset because of the current situation. However, Souji does not seem bothered and finds it helpful that the scared citizens open a path for them to go through which helps on patrols.
Koudou requests to meet with Niimi but the door is opened by Ryuunosuke instead who informs Koudou that Niimi is out. Koudou realizes that Ryuunosuke must have seen the latest Rasetsu and starts questioning him about what the kid remembers. Yamazaki interferes to announce Sannan's return, and Koudou leaves. Yamazaki warns Ryuunosuke not to reveal classified information to outsiders.
Saitou teaching Ryuunosuke
How to hold a sword
Later, Ryuunosuke is stopped by Saitou who offers to teach him to use a sword, explaining that he will not be fortunate to meet someone like Serizawa again after he leaves the Rōshigumi, and it is important to learn to defend himself. Ryuunosuke questions the "fortunate" part and complains about Serizawa, but Saitou simply orders him to start coming to the practice from the next morning and leaves. Next morning Ryuunosuke hesitates but Saitou comes in and forces him to join the others. The trio watches Saitou teaching Ryuunosuke and, despite Heisuke's opinion that this is unnecessary, both Sano and Shinpachi believe in the positive changes.
After the training, Ryuunosuke witnesses Oume talking to Hirama about paying for something, with Hirama guiltily explaining that Serizawa is out. Oume promises to return tomorrow and leaves. As Hirama explains to Ryuunosuke that Serizawa has not paid for the Rōshigumi uniforms yet, they enter the commander's room, and Serizawa orders "the dog" to massage his shoulders. Ryuunosuke tells him off saying that it is rude to pretend like he is out, to which Serizawa responds with a chuckle and dismisses his opinion bringing up his age and status and hitting him with his fan.
In a few days, Sano finds Ryuunosuke doing chores and informs him that Saitou has been looking for him. Ryuunosuke complains that his hands hurt and he has a pile of work which is why he is reluctant to go to a sword practice. Sano feels sympathetic and convinces Saitou to let the kid go on patrol instead.
Patrolling the streets, Ryuunosuke witnesses how a couple of women walk past the squad, and one of them blushes seeing Sasaki. He remembers Kosuzu by his side and smiles, provoking Sano's teasing.
Shinpachi and Ryuunosuke at Shimabara
As they return, Shinpachi is waiting for them at the entrance asking Sano to join him for drinks. Sano smells something fishy and refuses, so Shinpachi convinces Ryuunosuke to join instead. As they go, they meet with Serizawa and Niimi, which explains why Shinpachi wanted someone by his side. As they arrive at Shimabara, they split up in pairs, and when Shinpachi and Ryuunosuke are locked in a different room the 2nd unit commander explains why he did not simply turn down the invitation. He confesses that he cannot bring himself to hate Serizawa both because they are from the same dojo and also because, despite all the terrible decisions, without his help the Rōshigumi would not have received any support from the Aizu. He also jokes that if Serizawa had not saved Ryuunosuke, he would not have met all the Rōshigumi members.
Oume pouring sake to Serizawa
Oume eventually manages to see Serizawa face-to-face. She explains that she has been given instructions not to return without the tailoring fees he owes her, pours him some alcohol, but the commander's answer does not change as he claims not to have the money. She insists on returning as many times as needed, and he dares her to prove her resolve in a seductive way only to get slapped by her. However, there is a hint at him raping her which is not stated clearly as the scene cuts off.
The Rōshigumi discussing the thugs who dirtied their name
Hijikata and Sannan stir trouble in the city by fighting thugs who used the Rōshigumi name to forcibly borrow money. They return to the headquarters covered in blood and explain the situation, eventually coming to the conclusion that the Rōshigumi's reputation has dropped very low which can put a stain on the Aizu's reputation as well, and so it has to be stopped.