Based on Shiba Ryoutarou's fiction, many also believe that Okita and Hijikata were like brothers.
In 1865, Okita became the captain of the first unit of the Shinsengumi and also served as a kenjutsu instructor;[REF] later that year, he was appointed by Kondo Isami to be the fifth master of the Tennen Rishin-ryu after him [REF].