Chapter 1

A Scattering Blossom (散る華, Chiru hana) is the 1st chapter of the Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem manga series.

Characters

 * Ichikawa Makoto
 * Nagakura Shinpachi
 * Hijikata Toshizou
 * Okita Souji
 * Yamazaki Susumu
 * Harada Sanosuke
 * Inoue Genzaburou
 * Toudou Heisuke
 * Saitou Hajime
 * Kondou Isami

Summary
March 1912, Otaru, Hokkaido, Ichikawa Makoto, a reporter, was getting harassed by some men, while waiting someone. An old man arrives, telling them she is with him, but as one of the men attacks him, the old man takes the man down in a blink of an eye. He then breaks the fingers of the second man, who had drew his blade. Makoto comments that Nagakura Shinpachi skills haven't diminished at all, his real name he haven't heard in years.

Back at his place, Makoto wants to know everything about the Shinsengumi and the man Hijikata Toshizou. Shinpachi points his blade at her throat telling her she is risking her life, but notices something in her eyes that reminds him of Toshizou and decides to tell her the truth about Toshizou.

1859, City of Edo, 24-years old Toshizou defeats some opponents at a dojo, angering them as he uses dirty methods. He was a medicine seller and figured instead of looking for injured people, he can injure them himself and sell them the medicine, while also honing his sword skills. Toshizou arrives at Tennen Rishinryu, but it looks run down and wonders if they will be able to buy his medicine. He asks a kid if the owner is strong and the kid tells him its strong and weak, but then gets chased by some other kids. In the dojo, Shinpachi and Saitou Hajime were practice fighting. Hajime tries to chase Toshizou away as they don't need medicine, but Toshizou tells him they will need some and tries to strike Hajime with his wooden sword, but Hajime dodges. He then yells this is a raid and asks for the boss to come out. Kondou Isami gets called out and seeing Toshizou, he tells him he had heard of a man selling medicine and raiding dojos. As they start fighting, Toshizou feels strong intimidation from Isami, who then starts beating Toshizou. As Toshizou doesn't give up and states his reasons to learn swordsmanship, Isami decides to also get serious and takes his big wooden sword. Toshizou manages to dodge the first strike, thinking a second would be impossible, but gets surprised when Isami immediately follows with another strike. Toshizou still manages to evade to everyone's surprise and cut Isami's face. Isami then punches Toshizou, which knocks him out with a smile on his face as he had fun fight. Souji had been also observing the match and realizing that Toshizou will also be joining the dojo.