Everyone said that if Okita seriously fought his master, Kondo would lose,' ("Nagakura Shinpachi Idan,") is well-known but there are also comments to the same effect from outside the Shinsengumi's inner circle.
恐らく本気で立ち合ったら師匠の近藤もやられるだろうと皆が言っていた」（『永倉新八遺談』）と語ったことが知られているが、新選組内部以外からの声もある。