Henpeita Takechi acts as the strategist for Takasugi Shinsuke's extremist faction, the Kiheitai, dedicated to overthrowing the Bakufu and destroying the world order. He professes feminist beliefs yet openly expresses attraction to young girls, creating contradictions. His appearance is that of a conventional samurai with a traditional topknot and he carries a sword, but he possesses minimal combat ability. Due to physical limitations, he frequently delegates fighting to his subordinate Kijima Matako. Takechi met Takasugi during a battle, mesmerized by his swordsmanship, and abandoned his government post to follow him indefinitely. He deeply respects Takasugi, though he occasionally impersonates him for comedic effect. His relationship with Kijima Matako involves frequent bickering but is founded on mutual trust and longstanding loyalty; they met when Matako was young, and he resolved to respect her resolve as an equal, forming a unique brother-sister dynamic. Key appearances define his narrative role: * Introduced as Takasugi's subordinate in the Benizakura Arc, he argues with Matako during combat and is hurled into a wall by a transformed ally, leaving his status uncertain until a later reappearance. * During the Kabukicho Four Devas Arc, he impersonates Takasugi to oppose youth restrictions, resulting in violent retaliation from allies Kawakami Bansai and Matako. * In the Patriot Reunion Arc, he arrives disguised as Takasugi to deliver a message. After his disguise fails, he orchestrates the kidnapping of Katsura Kotarou and Sakamoto Tatsuma. He later participates in a plan to frighten Sakata Gintoki, inadvertently becoming a victim of his own trap and fainting from terror. * Supporting Takasugi's attempts to assassinate the Shogun in later arcs like the Shogun Assassination and Rakuyou, he relays critical information about the antagonist Utsuro to Gintoki and Katsura. * By the Silver Soul Arc, he joins former enemies to defend Earth against external threats, shifting from antagonist to ally. Recurring comedic elements include being shot or mauled by Matako or Bansai when imitating Takasugi, and his use of a voice-changer to mimic Takasugi's voice in the anime. His character name derives from the historical samurai Takechi Hanpeita (Takechi Zuizan), who recruited anti-Bakufu members and masterminded violent attacks.