In the meantime, a secret meeting between Saito, Okita and Reiyama Reiji was held in the headquarters of the Shinsen-Gumi. One might ask why the ring-leaders Kondo Ishami and Hijikata Toshizo weren't there, well, it was mainly because that meeting concerned those nearest and dearest to Miryu's mother, Ryumiko.
"What news do you have about Hitokiri Battouryu?" Reiji asked Saito. The last fifteen years had left him old and haggard, especially without Ryumiko's sunny disposition to cheer him up. "I've heard rumors that she resembles her mother greatly…"
"The rumors are true, I saw her once at Ryumiko's gravesite during the anniversary of her death, Reiji-sama" Saito said humbly. "Indeed, she is a skilled swordswoman at such a young age…"
"Saito-san, you've crossed swords with Miryu before?" Okita asked in shock. "Why didn't you tell me about it?"
"That was because I wasn't sure that Battouryu really was the Miryu we know, and we did not cross swords…"
He was interrupted by Reiji, who said, "Then what did you do when you saw her?"
"She was the one who attacked first after a long moment's silence. Surprisingly, she used a whip, which hit my right leg. Her Ki was strong, in fact, as strong as Ryumiko's lover…"
"But of course" Reiji said, "It must be Hiko Seijurou who trained her all these years" Still, it seemed abnormal for Hiko to train Miryu in the Hiten-Mitsurugi, after all, the style was passed on from master to apprentice who were all male. Could Miryu prove herself strong enough to inherit the Hiten-Mitsurugi? Was it even possible to beat a swords-master like Hiko in his own game? If so, who was this Battousai who also used the techniques of the Hiten-Mitsurugi style, was he the true heir to that ancient sect of Kenjutsu?
"Reiji-sama, if Battouryu really is Miryu" Okita broke in, "We must get her to our side. She would prove to be a great asset to the Bakufu and to our Shinsen-Gumi. Think how much we can accomplish with her aid"
"I'd doubt it if she would join us willingly. She must've heard about her mother's story through Hiko, there's no doubt that she would turn against the Bakufu for the unfairness of its ruling system, a flaw in every teenager's mind" Reiji said. His skill in judging the characters of people was renown all over Kyoto. The captains and leaders of the Shinsen-Gumi would be the ones caught in between the war if not for Reiji's keen eye in seeking talent. His evaluation on Miryu was outright accurate if he knew that she was Battouryu. Why can't that Battouryu see that the only way to stop this war is obedience? We must uphold the peace of our country, not grind it to dust in blind hope of creating a new era. The old traditions must be withheld strictly that no one is given the chance to rebel against us…
Then, there was a knock on the door. A tall, muscular man in a white cloak lined with red came into the room, his ebony eyes that were mixed with shades of emerald told the three men that he was uninterested in being there at that moment. This man was Hiko Seijurou. "Reiyama, why have you summoned me?" he asked.
"I have a question for you, Hiko-dono" Reiji replied, "Do you know what side is my granddaughter on?"
"I have no right nor intention to give you that information, Reiyama" Hiko said, "Miryu is a free woman, she was born free, and not tied to any allegiance unlike you and Ryumiko. What side she chooses does not concern you"
"Hiko-san, please, we really need Miryu's help" Okita pleaded.
"Okita, I believe what I said was enough" Hiko said as he pointed his katana to Reiji. "You may think that you have full claim over Miryu, but who was it that started the feud between the Tsubasa clan and the Shinsen-Gumi that Ryumiko so much hardship that she chose to die even after Miryu was born? Who was it that did not even care to visit her even when she was a child? Do not forget that it was you who chose that bastard Akurou as Ryumiko's husband, Reiyama. That union only brought her pain and suffering. If you want to use Ryumiko's daughter only for politics, you do not deserve her services as a mere hitokiri of yours"
Reiji was aghast by Hiko's words. Never before had he heard anyone who used so harsh words on him. In his heart, he could not deny that Hiko was most scarred by Ryumiko's death. Miryu was the only person he had in his heart after Ryumiko's death. Still, he had to get his hands on every resource that would improve the strength of the Shinsen-Gumi, even if it meant using the power of his own granddaughter whom he ignored for fifteen years.