i don't think that enough people use the wild west au, it has so much potential to create wonderful stories in almost any universe.
if i were to make ishimondo a western i would absolutely play on the lawful churchgoing dogooder falls hopelessy for the outlaw trope. however, instead of making taka, who is of course the goody two shoes because while i love indulgent bad boy taka fic they are inherently ooc when using canon taka, the sheriff or even bounty hunter if we are stretching, we could make him the son of a bounty hunter.
walk with me here. taka's grandfather in my mind could've been a sheriff for a town, but was exposed for corruption such as unlawful executions and back alley deals with outside towns that screw over the locals. this causes him to be disgraced and his family to be shamed, and out of self-preservation and a moral duty to write the immoral deeds of his father, takaaki becomes a bounty hunter as a form of street justice. similar to the path the goes down in canon where he basically just wants to bring justice. he would of course bring taka with him because he was a child and nobody in the town would care for him, which would be the reasoning behind his isolation and inability to read social situations as he has never really been exposed to them outside of his uber serious, justice driven father.
this culminates into taka eventually finding his way back to his home town trying to bring justice and gain forgiveness for his grandfather's actions by trying to become a sheriff. except since he's been gone the town has developed and become a populace of people that still remember and feel the effects of toranosuke, but weren't actually there for it. tons of fresh faces, markets, and outlaws.
taka is a trainee constable who sees this outlaw gang leader who is around his age and challenges him. in his eyes there's no logical reason why someone so young would be a hand leader and ruin their lives in corruption just like his grandfather. of course the challenge they agree on is an endurance challenge of who can survive the longest in the desert heat in broad daylight. in their delirium from borderline heatstroke they confess their inner turmoils and find comfort in each other and respect for each other's strong sense of responsibility for those around them.
unfortunately due to each other's status, they have to hide their bond with secret little rendezvous on campgrounds outside the prying eyes of the townspeople. they are not free but despite everything they still find happiness and self-exploration that they help guide each other through.
at least until they have to go their separate ways back into civilization, avoiding and faux-rivaling each other until they can meet again under the southern stars.