Every one models themselves after something. Strong warriors always had someone to look up to, someone to imitate in all they do so they too can be heros. Yahiko is no except and he never hides the fact that he has four people he trys to aspire to be. Here is a few of the men he looks up to and why.

The Shinsengumi

The Shinsengumi was originally a unit employedby the Bakufu�s Kyoto Defense with the Edo Tama region swordsmen, who passed through many vicissitudes of fortune, at their core. They wielded their swords to protect the peace of Kyoto, when the Ishin Shishi wasn't yet organized and acted one by one, making Kyoto a demon city of blood and drawn swords. Under their scarlet flag bearing the character for loyalty and in their striped light blue jackets, they were also known as the Miburo who shook Kyoto with their swordsmanship and absolute lack of fear of death. They were defeated by modern weapons and disappeared into the past, but they were probably the greatest fighting force in the history of Japan; the largest, the strongest and the last great group of swordsmen. The Shinsengumi were appointed Kyoto Defenders by Matsudaira Katamori (1835-93), the Daimyo of Aizu, and protector of Kyoto. Matsudaira Higonokami (Katamori) was the leader of the "Kyoto Shugoshoku"("Military Commissioner of Kyoto"). So the Shinsengumi, being under his patronage, wielded their swords.

How could Yahiko not idolize these men? They are everything he wants to be. There were strong, loyal, cunning, honorable and fought under a very strict justice. All that for the people they swore to protect. Also it is said that one of Yahiko's ancestors was a member in the Shinsengumi.

Hijikata Toshizo

This is Hijikata Toshizo of the Shinsengumi. He was Vice captian of the famous group who worked for the greater good in his eyes. Hijikata had great combat instincts who fought until death but Hijikata who killed his gentler feelings, who played the role of a demon and cried within his heart, who buried his human weakness, who lead his men to victory until his glorious death in battle. He helped reorganized the baby Shinsengumi into the fearsome warriors they were. He and Kondou Isami gave the Shinsengumi more laws and more discipline and helped perfect their fighting skills. Hijikata was feared by many for his mercilessness. Nicknamed "The Demon of Shinsengumi". Master strategist and tactician who stretched the prowess of the Shinsengumi to its maximum. After the group's defeat in the Boshin War and the death of Kondou, he joined Enomoto Takeaki (a former Bakufu Navy official), escaped to Hokkaido and proceeded to build a so-called "Hokkaido Republic" in order to continue fighting the Ishin government. However, Hijikata was shot to death in a battle in 1869, 2nd Year of Meiji, age 35.
This is the Hijikata that Yahiko read in his many Shinsengumi books and novels, this was the Hijikata that Yahiko trys to be. Hijikata is what Yahiko wants to be on the battlefield until he too meets a glorious death in battle. Also it is a well known fact that Hijikata family has had a few of their family intigrated into the Yomoto clan. This is something Yahiko is very proud of.

Kogoro Katsura

The leader of the Choushu clan, one of the main clans who helped the Bakumatsu which took down the Tokugawa Shogunate. Following the in the foot steps of his sensei he wanted to make Japan a country of equality and peace. He wanted to open the borders of Japan to the world, he wanted to show that Japan is a power not a small island country. He helped bring down the Shogunate to form the Meiji era. Through his charisma he lead his men to victory in the face of over whelming odds, through his leadership he help organize plans to attack nd defend. He up held an system of justice that to some might seem insane. In his absoulate justice he reached up to the heavens to bring down Heaven's Justice down on the old corrupted Samurai to bring peace.
At first it may be hard to see how Yahiko could support let alone idolize a man who fought against the Shinsengumi and brought down the Samurai. In truth Yahiko admires him for his bravery to do something like that. Katsura was a Samurai himself and he risked everything for his form of justice. To bring the a new age to the static age that lasted for 250 years. He put aside his noble birth as a Samurai and risked it all for what he saw was right, how could Yahiko not idolize someone like that? To have that kind of courage to do somethng like that, to lead like that. Katsura has found a way into the heart of the Hakken warrior.