In history police were forbidden from entering the Mount Hiei temple grounds, so criminals gathered there and claimed that they were there for "religious enlightenment." Because of this Watsuki located Shishio's hideout on Mount Hiei in "Rurouni Kenshin". In regard to Shishio's relationship with Seta Sojiro, Watsuki described Shishio as more of a mentor to him to the point Sojiro does not think on his own but instead his superior. Meanwhile, his lover Komagata Yumi was given the choice of dying with Shishio due to how Watsuki views Yumi liking Shishio even if she has to die and follow him to hell rather than living alone.