Bakumatsu

The Bakumatsu, it is an age where idealists struggle passionately for the future of Japan according to their own beliefs. Takasugi Shinsaku, a lucky adventurer from Choshu, tries to sneak onboard one of the ships of the shogunate navy along with his partner, Katsura Kogoro. They are after a legendary treasure said to possess the power to manipulate time called a chronometer. Upon learning that the shogunate is after that power for themselves, Takasugi plots to destroy the device since he believes they shouldn`t be allowed to use boring cheats to maintain their power.

Once inside the giant castle, Susanoo, Takasugi is confronted by one of the twelve commanders of Susanoo who has transcended through time, Sanada Yukimura. Takasugi is led to a factory deep in the castle, where he finds people who are being oppressed by the shadow of technology for the advancement of civilization. Mugensai, the man responsible for all of this, suddenly utters one of the teachings of Takasugi`s beloved master, Yoshida Shoin, which provokes Takasugi to challenge him. Meanwhile, outside the castle, there are those making moves to protect what is important to them.

Takasugi joins up with Katsura, Sakamoto, and Izo after making it out of the giant castle Susanoo. Sakamoto is looking for a young man named Seimei who has the ability to travel through time like the chronometer. Takasugi vehemently disagrees with Sakamoto when he speaks passionately about his plan to use Seimei`s power to go back in time and make a new age for Japan. Takasugi storms out of the inn after his clash of opinions with Sakamoto, and recalls a conversation he had with the Sakamoto he knew in Nagasaki. Meanwhile, as Sakamoto and Izo are going around Kyoto making inquiries, the sought after Seimei suddenly runs into them.

Upon seeing the suffering of the people of Kyoto under the tyranny of the new shogunate up close while hiding at the swordsmith, Katsura swears that he will get back the chronometer from Mugensai and free the townspeople from their fear as soon as possible. That`s when Shinsaku declares that he has an idea and he comes up with a plan for Katsura to join the Shinsengumi! Katsura`s skills during a swordsmanship test impress Kondo, Hijikata, Okita and the others and becomes a member of the Shinsengumi where his fake life begins.

Having snuck inside the giant castle, Susanoo, Sakamoto and Izo square off against members of the Shinsengumi. Katsura deflects Izo`s attacks from Kondo and allows the commander to escape. After Izo storms off with some choice words to Katsura, Okita discovers Katsura`s real intentions and challenges Katsura to a real duel. Meanwhile, as Takasugi is trying to find Mugensai, he happens upon the captive emperor. Unaware of the identity of the man he is speaking to, Takasugi promises to free him, while the emperor tells Takasugi the way to where Mugensai is.

Yoshinobu and Susumu spend a brief few days of peace hiding out in the Kurama temple along with special agent Kasumi. One day, they receive a secret missive via the messenger owl, Zundamaru, from Hyo who has remain behind at the castle to serve as bodyguard to the emperor. The message informs Yoshinobu and the others that Mugensai is currently unable to use the power of the chronometer and that they need to find Seimei as soon as possible and hide him away in a safe place. As Yoshinobu and the others decide to begin their search they find one of the twelve commanders of Susanoo, Benkei, standing in their way.

Takasugi and Shinsaku spot the steam locomotive that carries weapons and ammunition to Susanoo Castle. They follow it to Osaka for reconnaissance purposes, but not long after they arrive they are spotted by Okita Soji, captain of the first division of the Shinsengumi. They try to make their escape by hopping on the train, but another enemy lie in waiting: Shinsengumi Vice-Commander Hijikata Toshizo. Hijikata coldly shoves Takasugi from the train, while Katsura is left behind in a trap. For Takasugi and Katsura, who have been together since they were young, this is a crisis of epic proportions--will they be able to overcome it?

The Kinkakuji is a golden reliquary hall surround by a vast pond. Sakamoto, along with Izo, summons Mugensai there to try and strike a rather bold bargain; however, Okita, Saito and other Shinsengumi members are lurking in the shadows drawing closer to take care of Sakamoto and Izo once and for all. In order to call Sakamoto`s bluff about his deal of making the chronometer work, Mugensai has the Shinsengumi take Izo hostage and toss him into the pond to drown. As his consciousness fades away memories of his time with Sakamoto flash before Izo`s eyes...

The Kinkakuji is a golden reliquary hall surround by a vast pond. Sakamoto, along with Izo, summons Mugensai there to try and strike a rather bold bargain; however, Okita, Saito and other Shinsengumi members are lurking in the shadows drawing closer to take care of Sakamoto and Izo once and for all. In order to call Sakamoto`s bluff about his deal of making the chronometer work, Mugensai has the Shinsengumi take Izo hostage and toss him into the pond to drown. As his consciousness fades away memories of his time with Sakamoto flash before Izo`s eyes...

Kondo, Okita, and Saito have finally found and retrieved Seimei from the bandits. Peacefully sleeping in his coffin, Seimei is loaded onto an airship for transport back to Kyoto, but the ship catches fire and crashes. When the three men come to, they find themselves on Prison Gate Island, a man-made island in the middle of Lake Biwa where criminals and rebels are kept. On the island they encounter a mysterious man calling himself "Black Snake" who saves them from the other criminals trying to hunt them. The mysterious man turns out to be Takasugi Shinsaku in disguise, since he had been unceremoniously deposited on the island by Mugensai. Will the four men be able to cast aside their differences to retrieve Seimei and make it off the island?

After the dice game match on Prison Gate Island, Seimei`s body suddenly starts floating in the air and emitting a strange light. Swallowed by the light, Takasugi awakens to find himself in a familiar place, the castle town of Hagi in Ansei year 5. There he is reunited with his beloved teacher, Yoshida Shoin, and his fellow students, Kusaka Gentan and Ito Shunsuke. Meanwhile, Katsura, having been swallowed up by the same light, encounters Seimei in that light. When Takasugi is pulled in by the light again he is dropped further in time, to the year of Yoshida Shoin`s execution. Takasugi believes that this is his chance to finally save his teacher, but things take a dramatic turn and Takasugi learns something that leaves him trembling with unsteady emotion.

Takasugi and Katsura have learned Mugensai`s true identity within the torrent of time. Once back in the altered timeline, Takasugi has his eye on a final showdown at the giant castle Susanoo. Katsura, along with Sakamoto, Yoshinobu, and the others, try to convince him on another plan of action, but Takasugi takes off on his own. Meanwhile, at the castle, Mugensai is making his own defensive preparations with Kondo and the Shinsengumi. Furthermore, the chronometer has begun to emit a strange black smoke as if it has its own consciousness. Without warning, ominous noises rumble through the castle. The final battle of the patriots living in this tumultuous time has finally arrived!