Ichibanboshi travels the country in search of the masked samurai who murdered his family. He finally finds a group of samurai wearing the same mask as the man who killed his family, but he is arrested by thief-takers attracted by the commotion. Sentenced to die, Ichibanboshi closes his eyes in regret, but...

The substitutes begin operating as members of the Shinsengumi. Their first job is escorting Sakuma Shozan. However, something seems to have happened between Sakuya and Shozan in the past...

Ichibanboshi's hostility towards Sakuya increases after learning about his past. He refuses to work with Sakuya and is assigned to go on an undercover mission with Akira to the Yoshidaya instead, but...

The substitutes search for the source of the magical swords. Ichibanboshi, Gyataro, and Bo visit the orphans Gyataro is familiar with to gather information, but...

Sogen is baffled by the magical swords that can't be explained by science. Suzuran suggests he and the stumped Sogen go out for a change of pace, and...

The substitutes officially raid the Shirakawaya. However, Ichibanboshi is taken off the job due to the incident with Tsukito...

The Shinsengumi is in danger of being disbanded after they screw up a job. Todo successfully convinces Matsudaira Katamori to keep the Shinsegumi intact, but it comes with a harsh condition...

The substitutes discover the enemy's plan to burn down Kyoto and learn of two of their hideouts. Without concrete evidence, they're forced to split up and investigate...

The substitutes decide to guard the black ship moored in the Osaka bay. They work together to stop the attack against the black ship, but...

As the Choshu forces close in on Kyoto, the substitutes attempt to uncover the goals of the Masked Demons manipulating the Choshu Domain from the shadows. Meanwhile, Tskuito, whose life was saved by Ichibanboshi, decides to...

Through Tsuchimikado's ritual, Tsukito is possessed by Abe no Haruakira. The Shinsengumi fights to take back Tsukito, but Abe no Haruakira's power is overwhelming...