PEACE MAKER KUROGANE

The story begins in Kyoto in March of the first year of Genji (1864). Fifteen-year-old Tetsunosuke Ichimura, whose parents were killed by Choshu samurai, is determined to become strong and exact revenge. He knocks on the door of the Shinsengumi, seeking to join their ranks. His older brother Tatsunosuke has just been hired as an accountant. However, due to his short stature and bad attitude, Tetsunosuke receives a cold reception. At this time, he meets a young man who claims to have connections within the Shinsengumi and can help him; later, it is revealed that this person is none other than Isamu Okita, the captain of the First Unit and a genius swordsman. After a series of twists, including a sparring match with Okita, Tetsunosuke finally joins the Shinsengumi, but surprisingly as a pageboy for Hijikata Toshizo, known as the "Devil Vice-Commander," which greatly displeases Tetsunosuke. There, Tetsunosuke gets to know various members and gradually becomes accustomed to life within the group, developing feelings for Saya, a girl from the Shimabara pleasure district. One day, Yoshida Torajiro, a Choshu samurai belonging to the Sonno Joi faction, causes an uproar by setting fires around town. Tetsunosuke meets Suzu Kitamura, a boy who serves as Yoshida's pageboy. They become friends after several encounters, but in these chaotic times, what will become of the two who stand on opposing sides...? Meanwhile, Tatsunosuke, who initially opposed Tetsunosuke's joining, is also troubled about his younger brother. Additionally, the conflict between Hijikata and Yamanami Keisuke, along with Okita's stoic endurance under the shadow of illness, intertwine their thoughts, leaving the mist in their hearts unresolved...