Houji is one of Shishio's closest allies, alongside Yumi and Soujirou. Formerly an official in the Meiji government, he lost faith in its ability to lead the country effectively and abandoned his position. His disillusionment led him to meet Shishio, with whom he shares a vision of Japan as a powerful nation ruled by Shishio's survival-of-the-fittest principles.
Though not skilled in combat, Houji is a shrewd organizer and possesses formidable leadership qualities. His strategic abilities are remarkable, evidenced by his procurement of Rengoku, a massive ship, through the black market. This ship was later destroyed by Sanosuke, Kenshin, and Saito. Houji's loyalty to Shishio is further solidified when Shishio's intense body heat 'baptizes' him, instilling in him a belief in hell.
Houji's unwavering faith in Shishio leads him to discard a hidden gun upon learning of Shishio's fifteen-minute limit. When Shishio is ultimately defeated by Kenshin, Houji is devastated and attempts to destroy the battleground so that there would be no clear victor, ensuring Shishio would never truly lose. However, as the complex collapses, he is saved by Anji and Soujirou.
Anji persuades Houji to surrender to the police, hoping to use the criminal courts to propagate Shishio's ideals. Despite his intent, the government deems Houji too dangerous and denies him a trial. In prison, Houji commits suicide, slitting his throat and leaving a message on the wall with his blood: "This world is dead to me now. I go to follow my master to hell." This final act conveys his disdain for the Meiji regime and his undying loyalty to Shishio.
In the end, Houji is depicted in Hell with Shishio and Yumi, pledging to follow Shishio as he vows to conquer even the underworld.
