Chapter 3: The Shinsengumi

Chapter 3: The Shinsengumi

Welcome to Chapter 3, "The Shinsengumi," where Ryoma Sakamoto officially sheds his identity and fully embraces his new persona as Saito Hajime. Your primary objective in this chapter is to infiltrate the notorious Shinsengumi, a powerful and often brutal police force, to uncover the truth behind your father figure's assassination. This chapter serves as a crucial turning point, introducing you to the complex hierarchy, internal politics, and formidable personalities within the Shinsengumi.

Prepare for a significant shift in gameplay focus. While previous chapters involved more direct investigation, Chapter 3 plunges you into a world of strict military discipline, suspicion, and the constant need to maintain your cover. You'll be navigating a new environment, participating in Shinsengumi duties, and carefully observing those around you to piece together clues.

Main Objectives & Walkthrough

Chapter 3 begins immediately after the events of Chapter 2, with Saito Hajime (Ryoma) officially joining the Shinsengumi. Your journey through this chapter will involve several key stages:

1. Joining the Shinsengumi

• Initial Briefing with Kondo: Upon entering the Shinsengumi barracks, located in the Fushimi district, you'll be led to the main hall for an introduction. Here, you'll meet the stern and imposing Commander Isami Kondo. He will outline the strict rules and expectations of the Shinsengumi, emphasizing discipline and loyalty. Pay close attention to the dialogue, as it sets the tone for your new life and provides context for future interactions.
• Meeting the Captains: This is a critical sequence where you'll be formally introduced to the various Shinsengumi Captains. You'll move through the barracks, encountering each Captain in their respective divisions or common areas. Each Captain has a distinct personality and fighting style, and understanding their roles and temperaments will be vital for navigating the internal politics.
• First Assignment - Combat Demonstration: Your first task is a mandatory combat demonstration to assess your skills. You'll be directed to the training grounds within the barracks. Expect to face a series of training dummies first, allowing you to re-familiarize yourself with your chosen combat styles (Swordsman, Gunman, Wild Dancer, Brawler). Following this, you will engage in a few basic combat encounters against low-level Shinsengumi recruits or "thugs" (often fellow trainees or minor delinquents brought in for practice). This segment serves as a tutorial for Shinsengumi-specific combat mechanics, such as coordinated attacks if fighting alongside allies, or specific environmental hazards within the training area. Focus on parrying and using Heat Actions to impress your superiors.

2. Navigating the Barracks and Daily Life

• Exploring the Shinsengumi HQ: After your initial assignments, you'll gain limited freedom to explore the Shinsengumi headquarters. Key areas include the training grounds (where you can practice freely), the Captains' quarters (initially restricted, but you'll pass by them), the main hall, and the mess hall. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the layout; knowing your way around will save time and help you avoid drawing unwanted attention. Look for glowing items on the ground for minor consumables or crafting materials.
• Daily Duties: As a new recruit, you'll be assigned various mundane tasks. These are often simple fetch quests or patrol duties within the barracks or immediate surrounding areas of Fushimi. Examples include:
  • Delivering Messages: You might be asked to take a message from one Captain to another, or to the quartermaster. This is an opportunity to eavesdrop on conversations.
  • Patrol Duty: Walk a designated route within the barracks or the nearby streets. You might encounter minor street thugs or resolve small disputes, which can lead to minor combat encounters.
  • Cleaning/Maintenance: Simple tasks like tidying up the training grounds or fetching water. While seemingly trivial, these tasks are opportunities to observe other members, gather snippets of information, and build minor rapport with other recruits.
• Maintaining Cover: Remember, you are Saito Hajime, not Ryoma Sakamoto. Every interaction is a test of your disguise. Choose dialogue options carefully to avoid suspicion. Acting too eager or too hesitant can raise red flags. When speaking to Captains, maintain a respectful but not overly subservient demeanor. Avoid asking too many probing questions about the Shinsengumi's inner workings early on.

3. Key Character Introductions & Internal Politics

This chapter is rich with character introductions that will shape the rest of your adventure. Pay close attention to these individuals and their roles:

• Isami Kondo (Commander): The formidable leader of the Shinsengumi. He is a man of unwavering principles and demands absolute loyalty. Your interactions with him will be formal and infrequent early on, but earning his respect is paramount.
• Toshizo Hijikata (Vice-Commander): Known as the "Demon Vice-Commander," he is the enforcer of discipline and a shrewd strategist. His gaze is piercing, and he misses nothing. Hijikata will be your primary point of contact for assignments and will often be the one testing your resolve. Navigating his suspicion requires unwavering adherence to rules and efficient completion of tasks. Avoid direct confrontation or questioning his authority.
• Souji Okita (First Division Captain): A prodigious swordsman with a deceptively youthful appearance. He is incredibly skilled but also somewhat unpredictable and prone to fits of violence. Okita is often seen training or patrolling. While he might seem aloof, observing his fighting style can offer insights into advanced combat techniques. He respects raw strength.
• Shinpachi Nagakura (Second Division Captain): A powerful and straightforward warrior. He values strength and honor above all else. Nagakura is more approachable than Hijikata or Okita, and demonstrating your combat prowess can earn his respect.
• Hajime Saito (Yourself): While you are playing as him, you'll be interacting with others who knew the "real" Saito Hajime, adding another layer to your deception. Be prepared for subtle tests of your knowledge about his past, which you'll need to bluff your way through.
• Other Captains: You'll meet several other division captains, each with their own quirks and allegiances.
  • Genzaburo Inoue (Sixth Division Captain): A kind, older man who often acts as a calming presence. He might offer minor advice or be a good source of general information.
  • Sanada Nobuyuki (Eighth Division Captain): A more reserved and intellectual Captain. He often observes from the sidelines.
  • Heisuke Todo (Eighth Division Captain): A younger, more energetic captain who can be a bit hot-headed.
  • Keisuke Yamanami (Vice-Commander, often seen with Hijikata): The intellectual counterbalance to Hijikata's brute force. He is observant and intelligent.

  Strategy for Navigating Politics: The Shinsengumi is a viper's nest of ambition and suspicion. To survive and gather information:

  • Observe and Listen: Pay close attention to dialogue during cutscenes and casual conversations. Characters often reveal their allegiances, rivalries, and personalities through their words.
  • Complete Tasks Diligently: Your primary way to gain trust is to be an exemplary recruit. Complete all assigned duties quickly and efficiently.
  • Avoid Taking Sides (Initially): Do not openly align yourself with any single Captain or faction early on. Maintain a neutral, professional demeanor.
  • Show Respect: Always address Captains and superiors with the appropriate honorifics and deferential language.
  • Demonstrate Competence: Excelling in combat or investigative tasks will earn respect from figures like Hijikata and Okita.

4. The First Incident & Investigation: The Murder of a Recruit

As you settle into Shinsengumi life, a significant incident will occur that allows you to flex your investigative muscles and prove your worth. This typically involves the discovery of a murdered Shinsengumi recruit within the barracks or a nearby area in Fushimi. This is your first real test as Saito Hajime.

• Discovery of the Body: You will be alerted to the incident, likely by a fellow recruit or a Captain. The body will be found in a specific location, such as the training grounds or a secluded alley just outside the barracks.
• Gathering Evidence:
  • Speak to Witnesses: Interview nearby Shinsengumi members or civilians who might have seen something. Look for NPCs with speech bubbles or specific markers. They might provide conflicting accounts or crucial details.
  • Examine the Crime Scene: Interact with glowing points of interest around the body. This could reveal a weapon, a dropped item, or signs of a struggle. For instance, you might find a distinctive sword sheath or a piece of clothing.
  • Follow Leads: Based on the evidence, you might be directed to a specific location (e.g., a local tavern, a merchant's stall) to pursue a lead or question a suspect.
• Interrogating Suspects & Combat: Your investigation will lead you to a group of suspects, often disgruntled former recruits or local thugs. You'll engage in dialogue, and if they resist, you'll enter combat. These fights are typically against 3-5 opponents. use your Wild Dancer style for crowd control or Swordsman for focused damage.
• Reporting Findings: Present your findings to a superior, most likely Hijikata or Kondo. Your ability to deduce the truth and report accurately will build trust and establish your reputation as a capable investigator. Be concise and factual in your report.

5. The Shinsengumi's Dark Side: Unveiling the "Ishin Shishi"

Following your successful investigation, you'll be tasked with a more direct mission related to the Shinsengumi's primary objective: rooting out the "Ishin Shishi" (imperial loyalists) and other anti-Bakufu elements. This is where your true mission begins to intertwine with your cover.

• Assignment from Hijikata: Vice-Commander Hijikata will summon you for a private briefing. He will assign you to a specific patrol route or an undercover operation targeting suspected Ishin Shishi activity in a particular area of Fushimi, such as the bustling Teramachi Street or the quieter Kyo-machi.
• Undercover Reconnaissance:
  • Blending In: You might be required to wear a disguise (though often your Shinsengumi uniform is enough to deter casual trouble) or simply observe from a distance.
  • Eavesdropping: Look for groups of suspicious individuals or listen to conversations in taverns and tea houses. NPCs with unique dialogue prompts are often key.
  • Following Suspects: You may need to discreetly follow a person of interest through the streets of Fushimi. Maintain a safe distance to avoid being detected. If you get too close, they might become suspicious; too far, and you risk losing them.
• Confrontation and Combat: Your reconnaissance will inevitably lead to a confrontation with a group of Ishin Shishi or their sympathizers. These encounters are often more challenging than the previous recruit skirmishes.
  • Enemy Types: Expect a mix of swordsmen, spear-wielders, and occasionally gunmen. They will often employ coordinated attacks.
  • Recommended Styles:
    • Wild Dancer: Excellent for managing multiple opponents with its wide-sweeping attacks and evasive maneuvers. Use its Heat Actions to quickly dispatch weaker foes.
    • Swordsman: If you prefer focused damage and parrying, this style is effective against individual, stronger enemies. Master the parry counter for devastating returns.
    • Gunman: Useful for creating distance and picking off ranged enemies, or for interrupting charging attacks.
  • Environment: use environmental objects like barrels or walls for cover or to create openings.
• Reporting Back: After the skirmish, you'll report your findings and the outcome to Hijikata. This will further solidify your position within the Shinsengumi and potentially earn you a promotion or more sensitive assignments in future chapters.

6. The First Captain's Test: Okita's Challenge

To truly prove your mettle and gain the respect of the more formidable Captains, you will face a direct challenge. Often, this comes from Souji Okita, the First Division Captain, who values raw combat skill above all else.

• The Challenge: Okita will approach you, either in the training grounds or during a patrol, and challenge you to a sparring match. This is not a fight to the death, but a serious test of skill.
• Boss Battle: Souji Okita (Sparring)
  • Phase 1: Okita's Speed and Precision
    • Attacks: Okita is incredibly fast, using quick slashes and lunging thrusts. He often chains together multiple attacks.
    • Weakness: He relies heavily on speed. Parrying his attacks is crucial. A successful parry will leave him momentarily vulnerable.
    • Strategy:
      • Swordsman Style: Focus on precise parries (L1/LB + Square/X, or specific timing depending on your control scheme). After a successful parry, unleash a strong combo.
      • Wild Dancer Style: Use evasive dodges (X/A) to get behind him and land quick combos. Be wary of his wide-sweeping attacks.
      • Gunman Style: Can be used to create distance and pepper him with shots, but his speed makes him a difficult target. Save Heat Actions for when he's stunned or vulnerable.
    • Recommended Gear: Equip a sword with good attack power and a defense-boosting armor. Consider talismans that increase Heat gain or provide a slight health regeneration.
  • Phase 2: Heat Actions and Pressure
    • As his health drops, Okita will become more aggressive and may start using his own Heat Actions.
    • Strategy: Continue to prioritize parries and dodges. Don't get greedy with your attacks; land a few hits and then prepare to defend. If you have a Heat Gauge full, use your most powerful Heat Actions when he is vulnerable.
    • Consumables: Keep a few basic healing items (e.g., Medicine, Vitality Pills) on your quick-access slots.
  • Common Pitfalls: Trying to brute force him. Okita punishes reckless attacks. Getting caught in his combos without a way to escape.
  • Reward: Defeating Okita earns you significant experience points, a unique crafting material (e.g., Okita's Blade Fragment), and a substantial boost to your reputation within the Shinsengumi. More importantly, it unlocks Okita's Training as a side activity, allowing you to spar with him for further skill development.

7. End of Chapter 3: A New Path Forward

With Okita's challenge overcome and your initial assignments completed, you've firmly established yourself as a capable, albeit mysterious, member of the Shinsengumi. The chapter concludes with a pivotal scene, often involving a meeting with Kondo and Hijikata, where your role within the Shinsengumi is more clearly defined. You'll likely be assigned to a specific division or given a more long-term objective that directly ties into your overarching goal of finding your father figure's killer.

• Story Progression: The narrative will hint at the deeper conspiracies within the Shinsengumi and the broader political landscape of Kyo. You'll understand that your journey to uncover the truth is only just beginning.
• Unlocks:
  • New Fushimi Areas: Access to previously restricted areas of Fushimi or new districts of Kyo may become available.
  • Side Missions (Substories): More substories will populate the map, often related to Shinsengumi duties or the struggles of the common people under their rule.
  • Dojos/Training: Additional dojos or training masters may become available, offering new combat techniques or style upgrades.
  • Crafting Recipes: New crafting recipes for weapons, armor, and consumables will become accessible at the blacksmith.

Potential Challenges & Tips

• Maintaining Your Persona: This is the overarching challenge. Any slip-up in your behavior or dialogue can have consequences, potentially leading to suspicion from Hijikata. Always think like Saito Hajime – reserved, efficient, and loyal.
• Combat Encounters: Expect more structured combat scenarios. You'll likely face multiple opponents, and some Shinsengumi members (especially Captains if you somehow provoke them) can be surprisingly tough. Ensure your equipment is up to date and you're comfortable switching between combat styles. The "Wild Dancer" style is excellent for managing groups, while "Swordsman" offers powerful single-target damage.
• Limited Freedom: Unlike previous chapters, your movements and actions within the Shinsengumi headquarters might be restricted. Don't try to wander off-limits areas too early, as this can trigger warnings or even minor disciplinary actions. Stick to your assigned duties and explore cautiously.
• Resource Management: Keep an eye on your health and Heat Gauge during combat. Stock up on healing items and Heat-restoring consumables before major encounters. Visit the local shops in Fushimi to buy supplies or sell excess crafting materials.
• Skill Upgrades: Prioritize upgrading your preferred combat styles. Focus on unlocking Heat Actions that provide crowd control or significant damage against single targets. Don't neglect your basic stats (Health, Attack, Defense) through the Virtue system.
• Substories: While not mandatory, completing substories can provide valuable experience, money, and unique items. They also offer a glimpse into the daily lives of the people of Kyo and can sometimes reveal important lore or character insights.
• Weapon Upgrades: Regularly visit the blacksmith to upgrade your sword and gun. Even minor upgrades can make a significant difference in combat effectiveness. Look for crafting materials during patrols or by defeating enemies.
• Dialogue Choices: Pay close attention to dialogue options. Some choices can subtly influence your reputation with certain Captains or even open up new opportunities. When in doubt, choose the option that portrays Saito Hajime as a loyal, disciplined, and competent Shinsengumi member.

Chapter 3 Item Checklist & Rewards

Below is a list of notable items you can acquire or are rewarded with during Chapter 3:

By diligently following these steps and paying close attention to the nuances of Shinsengumi life, you will successfully navigate Chapter 3, solidify your cover as Saito Hajime, and move one step closer to uncovering the truth behind the assassination that set your journey in motion. Good luck, recruit!