Some say that he had doubts on the way Shinsengumi was organized as what they actually did was oppress supporters when in fact it was meant to be organized for Sonno Joi.
脱走の背景に尊皇攘夷を目的に結成されながら、実際やっていることは志士の弾圧という新選組のありかたに疑問を感じていたとも言われる。