Kihei Hiruma

Kihei is calculating, deceitful and opportunistic. He prefers manipulating other people into creating the circumstances he wants rather than confronting opponents directly.

His treatment of Kaoru illustrates his methods. He exploits her compassion to enter the dojo and patiently attempts to persuade her to surrender the property, while Gohei's crimes make keeping the school increasingly difficult.

Kihei also has few reservations about attacking people unfairly. When careful planning fails, he is willing to use firearms and exploit distractions rather than accept defeat.

Kihei's primary ability is manipulation rather than martial skill. He devises the plan to damage the Kamiya Dojo's reputation, recognizes how to exploit Kaoru's circumstances and directs his more physically imposing brother.

He is capable of using ranged weapons, including a revolver and a bow. These allow him to remain dangerous without possessing Gohei's strength or Kenshin's swordsmanship.

His greatest weakness is that his schemes depend on opponents behaving as expected. Kenshin's arrival introduces someone whom Kihei cannot manipulate or overcome by ordinary intimidation.

After the death of Kaoru's father, Kihei gains entry to the Kamiya Dojo and positions himself close to its young master. Meanwhile, Gohei commits murders while falsely identifying himself as Hitokiri Battosai and claiming to practice Kamiya Kasshin-ryu.

The brothers intend to ruin the dojo's reputation, pressure Kaoru into relinquishing it and profit from the valuable land. Kenshin uncovers their operation and defeats the Kiheikan fighters.

Kihei and Gohei later hire Sanosuke to fight Kenshin. When Sanosuke is defeated and begins reassessing his own motives, Kihei's attempt to exploit the situation with a firearm fails as well.

The manga later brings the brothers back as hired bodyguards during Sanosuke's return to his home region, where Sanosuke defeats them once again.

Gohei Hiruma is Kihei's younger brother and principal partner. Kihei is the planner of their schemes, while Gohei supplies most of their direct fighting strength.

Kaoru Kamiya is manipulated by Kihei as part of his attempt to obtain the Kamiya Dojo property.

Kenshin Himura exposes the brothers' conspiracy and defeats them.

Sanosuke Sagara is initially hired by Kihei and Gohei to eliminate Kenshin, but their attempt to use him ultimately fails and he becomes their enemy instead.