At the time, there was a power struggle between Serizawa of Mito Group and Isami KONDO of Shieikan Group within the Mibu-Roshigumi (Mibu masterless warriors group).
その頃、壬生浪士組では芹沢ら水戸派と近藤勇ら試衛館派との間で主導権争いが起きていた。