Touma Sakaki

Touma is disciplined, severe and convinced that violence can serve justice. He views corrupt politicians as legitimate targets and initially treats assassination as an effective way to force the new government toward a better path.

His convictions originate partly in his admiration for Heihachirou. During the Bakumatsu, Touma learned a philosophy in which mastery of the sword could influence history. While his teacher eventually rejects that outlook, Touma carries it into the Meiji era and takes it to an increasingly destructive conclusion.

He also possesses enough conscience to question himself once the foundations of his cause collapse. Discovering that the Jinpuu Squad has been manipulated for one politician's personal advancement forces Touma to confront the difference between his stated ideals and what his killings actually accomplished.

Touma is an accomplished swordsman trained in Hinoha Ittou-ryuu. His principal technique is Shiden no Tachi, an extremely fast thrust designed to kill an opponent in a single attack.

Touma modifies the technique into a two-stage attack. The first thrust is deliberately shallower, creating an opening for an immediate second strike if the opponent evades or counters. He regards this modification as an improvement.

Heihachirou disputes that claim because weakening the first thrust abandons the original technique's decisive purpose. Kenshin Himura likewise recognizes the structural weakness created by Touma's modification and is able to counter it.

Touma commands the Jinpuu Squad during its campaign of political assassination. Seeking additional strength, he approaches Heihachirou, his former teacher and a formidable Bakumatsu swordsman, hoping to bring him into the organization.

Heihachirou refuses. His years since the revolution have led him toward pacifism and education rather than political killing, placing teacher and student on opposite sides of the conflict.

[Kenshin's investigation exposes politician Takuma Hashizume as the man manipulating the Jinpuu Squad to eliminate political rivals. After learning the truth, Touma attempts to turn his sword against Hashizume and later tries to take his own life in atonement. Heihachirou stops him, insisting that genuine atonement means continuing to live with responsibility for his actions. Touma is subsequently arrested.](#spoiler)

Heihachirou Sasaki is Touma's former master and the person whose swordsmanship most strongly shaped him. Their conflict reflects the radically different conclusions they reach after surviving the Bakumatsu.

Kenshin Himura becomes Touma's principal opponent. Touma recognizes him as Hitokiri Battousai and measures his own swordsmanship against Kenshin's.

Takuma Hashizume secretly directs the Jinpuu Squad's assassinations. Touma discovers that Hashizume has exploited his ideals merely to remove political rivals and advance his own career.