Houji Sadojima

Houji is Shishio's minion, and, aside from Yumi and Soujirou, he is closest to him. He used to be an official in the Meiji government but lost faith in it when he saw no one in the government worthy of controlling the country. He abandoned his position in the government and eventually met Shishio. Houji, too, envisions Japan as a mighty power led by Shishio, ruling with the principles of basic animal survival. Houji is indeed unique; although he is not proficient in any fighting style, he is a cunning organizer and possesses frightening leadership qualities. His skills as a staff officer figure are quite amazing; he even manages to purchase Rengoku—the gigantic ship, which gets destroyed by Sanosuke, Kenshin, and Saito—on the black market. Houji was 'baptized' by Shishio's intense body heat to kindle in him a belief in hell. Houji strongly believes in Shishio's strength as he throws away a gun he had hidden after learning of Shishio's fifteen minute limit. He is in utter disbelief when Shishio is finally defeated by Kenshin and then attempts to destroy the complex the fight took place so that if Kenshin died, there would be no victor; thus Shishio would never have been beaten.