When the black ships came in 1853, Ryoma was awed and fascinated at the gaijin's advancement (he was in Edo then and saw the ships himself), where others only felt disgust and disdain for the foreigners. Ryoma realised that in order to defend Japan, such scientific knowledge was essential, but all the others could think about was "drive the damned gaijins out!" He became the disciple of Katsu Kaishuu, a Bakufu official sharing his views. Though both men knew that they may one day be enemies (since Ryoma was determined to throw the Shogunate over), they appreciated each other's wisdom, frankness and lack of snobs. Ryoma learned about ship-building and handling under Katsu, and they set up navies together. Later, Ryoma would set up his own navy/shipping company, the Kaientai in 1867 with his friends.
Throughout his career in Kyoto, Ryoma made the acquaintance of the Bakufu officials, Ishin Shishis (including the Choshu and Satsuma people, Katsura, Okubo, Saigo among them), the Shinsengumi, foreigners with whom he dealt with in his business of shipping firearms and stuff. Being a charismatic man in his own way, Ryoma's frankness won him both praise and appall. Some people, including officials who were restrained by all the ritual codes found his 'rudeness' and 'uncouthness' amusing and his opinions and plans enlightening, besides practical. Others found those same characteristics disgusting, and thought him an utter disgrace to bushido. Actually (IMHO) he was simply a man who cared nothing about fuss (especially those in bushido codes) - he did whatever he thought was appropriate. He was a far-seeing man, his ideas ahead of his time, his plans and actions startling to people, but hey, they worked.