I formed the strongest swordsman group.

Chapter 1112 "I will take away Tachibana Seiden's power!" [5000 words]

From having mud smeared on their faces to escaping by scaling the wall, everything happened in the blink of an eye.

No one present expected that Todo Heisuke would be able to escape from Ito Kashitaro's sword.

Hattori Takeo was the first to react, and roared angrily:

"Quick! Grab him!"

After shouting, he took the lead, sword in hand, took a running start, leaped up, scaled the wall, and chased after Todo Heisuke along his escape route.

The others quickly realized what was happening and hurriedly chased after Hattori Takeo.

Saito Kazuya also wanted to go after him.

However, he had only taken two steps when he was stopped by Ito Kashitaro:
“Saito-kun, you stay here. Hattori-kun and the others will go after Heisuke.”

Saito turned his head to the side, glanced at Ito Kashitaro, and said:
“Heisuke is the ‘one-man leader,’ and it won’t be easy for Hattori and the others to catch up with him.”

"Mr. Leading the Way"—this is the affectionate nickname given to Heisuke Todo by the world.

On one hand, it refers to the fact that Todo Heisuke was very brave and always took the lead in battle.

On the other hand, it refers to the fact that Heisuke Todo's running speed is so fast that ordinary people simply cannot catch up with him.

As Ito Kashitaro wiped the dust from his face, he said:

"It's alright. Even if we kill Heisuke, we will still leave Otsu tonight as planned and head to Kyoto."

"In other words, whether Heisuke lives or dies, after tonight, Tachibana Aoto will find that we have left the Shinsengumi. It's just a matter of sooner or later, nothing serious."

Since Ito Kashitaro had said so, Saito Hajime said no more and silently retracted the leg he had just stepped out.

At that moment, Suzuki Mikisaburo walked over, looking at Ito Kashitaro with a concerned expression:

"Mr. Ito, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I just accidentally ate some dirt."

Todo Heisuke's "slap your face" was perfectly aimed, hitting Ito Kashitaro's handsome face squarely.

He looked quite disheveled; his face was ashen, and even his hair was covered in a layer of mud.

Ito Kashitaro spat forcefully, his saliva a mixture of brownish spittle and dirt, then turned to Suzuki Mikisaburo and asked:
"Saburo, where is Mr. Kondo?"

Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives—

No sooner had he finished speaking than Kondo Isami emerged from the room, covered in dust.

Upon seeing Kondo Isami arrive in person, Ito Kashitaro quickly asked:

"Mr. Kondo, what happened just now? Did you catch a Shinsengumi spy?"

Kondo Isami shook his head:
"I just heard a strange noise from the ceiling and thought it was a ninja from the Ninth Division. But it turned out to be... just a fat rat."

As he spoke, he raised his left arm, revealing that he was holding an incredibly fat rat in his left hand.

Looking at the fat rat that had already been strangled, Ito Kashitaro chuckled wryly, a look of helplessness creeping onto his face.

"Oh, it was just a rat... Well, it's better to have a false alarm than a real one."

Kondo Isami looked around and noticed that many people were missing, especially Todo Heisuke, so he couldn't help but ask:

"What's wrong? What happened? Where's Heisuke?"

Suzuki Mikisaburo offered an explanation on behalf of Ito Kashitaro, succinctly recounting the accident that had just occurred.

Upon hearing this, Kondo Isami looked apologetic.

"Mr. Ito, I'm sorry, it's all my fault..."

Before Kondo Isami could finish speaking, Ito Kashitaro interrupted him:

"This is not your fault, it's my problem. I was too careless."

"If I had been more careful and discovered earlier that Heisuke had secretly hidden a handful of soil, perhaps this tragedy would not have occurred."

As he spoke, he turned his head to look at the wall to the east—the very wall that Todo Heisuke had just scaled to escape.

Because his back was to everyone, no one could see the expression on his face; they could only vaguely sense a subtle change in his aura.

After a long while, he said softly:

"...Saburo, I have to go ahead. You'll be in charge of meeting them when Hattori-kun and the others return."

Suzuki Mikizaburo nodded vigorously:

"understand!"

After giving a brief order, Ito Kashitaro turned around and strode away from the courtyard, heading towards the entrance.

"Mr. Kondo, Mr. Saito, let's go to Kyoto!"

……

……

Qinjin Fan, Dajin, a certain street——

"Huff...! Huff...! Huff...! Huff...!"

Heisuke Todo clutched his left ribs, channeling all his strength into his legs to run faster.

He hadn't noticed anything amiss just moments before, but now he felt a burning pain in his left rib area, as if a fire was burning inside.

The injuries he sustained in his duel with Saito Hajime were more severe than he had imagined.

Fortunately, based on his personal experience, his left rib was not broken.

Unfortunately, the persistent and increasingly intense pain, like needles pricking his nerves, prevented him from running away at full speed.

Normally, with his leg strength that he was so proud of, he would have left the pursuers far behind.

Even with all his might, he could only watch helplessly as the chaotic footsteps behind him drew ever closer...

Finally… the sound he least wanted to hear rang out:
"We found him! He's there!"

Todo Heisuke turned his head to look behind him—a large contingent of pursuers led by Hattori Takeo had already entered his field of vision! They were charging towards him menacingly!

It was obvious that Hattori Takeo and the others were much faster than him, and the distance between them was constantly closing...

If this continues, he will be caught up in half a minute to a minute at the earliest.

"damn it……!"

Having finally escaped the Ito residence, how could I let myself be caught up so pathetically?
With a whoosh, Todo Heisuke drew Kazusa no Sukeshige from his waist again.

Just as he had made up his mind to fight like a cornered beast, a bright orange light suddenly shone into his eyes.

He hurriedly looked in the direction of the light—right in front of him, a patrol of 10 warriors was leisurely making its way down the street.

Each member of the patrol team carried a lantern with the character "诚" (sincerity) painted on it.

Looking at the familiar lantern, Toudou Hei was first surprised, then smiled broadly and let out a long sigh of relief:

"Ah, just in time..."

His tense nerves relaxed at that moment... He immediately felt his body go limp, and he lost his balance, like a puppet whose strings had been pulled out, falling straight to the ground.

At the same time that Heisuke Todo spotted the patrol, the latter also saw the former.

They recognized the light blue haori worn by Toudou Heisuke and quickly surrounded him:

"Hey! Are you okay?"

"Which squad are you from? Why are you out at night?"

"Huh? Isn't that Captain Toudou?"

"It really is Captain Toudou!"

"Captain Toudou, what's wrong?"

Upon discovering that he was a "captain-level" important figure, they dared not be negligent and hurriedly helped Todo Heisuke up, asking him all sorts of questions.

Hattori Takeo and the others were a beat slow to notice the patrol team... Instantly, their expressions changed.

The unit that patrols the streets of Otsu... there is no other unit besides that one!

Hattori Takeo clicked his tongue, a dark cloud gathering between his cheeks:
"Tsk, First Division...!"

As the "Niou Personal Guard," the First Division is stationed in Otsu.

A total of 12 people, including Hattori Takeo himself, came to hunt down Todo Heisuke.

The patrol team opposite had 10 people.

The numbers are roughly equal, but here's the problem—when you don't have a numerical or equipment advantage, it's best to avoid a direct confrontation with the First Division!
Although unwilling, Hattori Takeo made the most correct judgment:
"Get out!"

The others were waiting for his words—in the blink of an eye, they returned to where they came from, leaving only wisps of dust behind.

As he felt a sense of relief, the pain he had been suppressing surged up all at once, almost causing Todo Heisuke to faint.

Heisuke Todo mustered his strength and issued instructions intermittently:

"Go after them quickly... Call more help... They're traitors to the Shinsengumi... Be careful of Hattori Takeo... Also... Escort me to the Tachibana residence... Hurry..."

Those around them were unaware of the details.

However, as members of the First Division, their professionalism is beyond doubt!

Although Todo Heisuke was not their direct superior, since it was an order from their superior, they had no choice but to obey!
In a split second, they assigned tasks—send one person to the garrison to find reinforcements, send two people to escort Todo Heisuke to the Tachibana residence, and the rest pursue Hattori Takeo and his group! "Chase them! Don't let them get away!"

The roles of offense and defense have reversed—Takeo Hattori and his crew become "runaways," while the Shinsengumi members become "pursuers"!
……

……

Ito Kashitaro crouched down and crawled into the palanquin.

"Sit still."

After the two sedan bearers outside the sedan gave a soft reminder, they skillfully lifted the sedan and headed straight for the western suburbs of Dajin.

As for how to get to Kyoto, Ito Kashitaro had already made a plan—they would first leave Otsu along a small path, and then take a waterway into the town of Kyoto.

As the sedan chair beneath him swayed rhythmically, Ito Kashitaro felt an indescribable weariness wash over his limbs.

Why am I so tired?

Is it because Heisuke, whom I thought would follow me, abandoned me instead...?
Thinking of this, Ito Kashitaro slowly closed his eyes, looking utterly weary.

He felt his consciousness drifting between reality and illusion, and all external sounds faded away.

In the midst of chaos, he suddenly remembered many things from the past—

……

"Daizang! You are truly amazing! No wonder you are a renowned genius! You were able to memorize such a difficult article word for word!"

Of course! Who do you think I am? I'm just reciting texts, how could such a small thing stump me!

……

"Daizang, would you be willing to marry my daughter and inherit my temple?"

Of course I'd love to! In that case, I'll be the master of the Ito Dojo! Just watch! Within five years, I will make the Ito Dojo a world-renowned, top-tier dojo!
……

"Master Ito! Look! So many people have come to become our disciples this month! It seems our Ito Dojo is becoming more and more famous! If this continues, surpassing the Genbukan and Chiba Kenkan, the two main schools, will be just around the corner!"

Hmph! Of course! With my abilities, managing a dojo is a piece of cake!
……

"Teacher Ito, a talent of yours should be devoted to governing the country and bringing peace to the world! It's such a waste that you're only serving as a dojo instructor! Now that the seas are raging, it's the perfect time for a talent for governing the world to step forward!"

Was it a waste of my talent? Ah, you're right... The Ito Dojo, which I once considered magnificent, now seems too small to contain my talent!

……

"Ju Qingdeng? Who is he?"

"Teacher Ito, don't you know? He's a rising star among swordsmen! It's said he's as brave as ten thousand men!"

A genius swordsman? Hmph, most likely just another ignorant brute with nothing to offer besides swordsmanship!

……

"Teacher Ito, yesterday's swordsmanship competition was truly spectacular! The champion is that Tachibana Aoto! It seems he's not just all talk! He's definitely got some skill!"

How is that possible... That Tachibana Aoto could actually unleash "power" at such a young age... Even I only barely touched the threshold of "power" after I turned twenty...

……

"Teacher Ito! Have you heard? That famous Tachibana Seito has been promoted! He's now the Minister of Personnel and the Chief of Staff, a very high-ranking position!"

Tch... He's just a brute, but he's got some skills... However, if it were me, I could definitely do better than him!

……

"Teacher Ito, that Tachibana Aoto has been promoted again! He will lead a newly formed army to Kyoto to guard the capital region!"

It's Tachibana Seido again... He's been promoted again... He's clearly just a brute... He's clearly just a brute... Hmph, whatever! He only rose through the ranks because of the favor of the Great Tree Lord and the Great Imperial Palace! He's not worthy of admiration!

……

"Teacher Ito! Tachibana Aoto has achieved another great feat! He led only a hundred men and defeated tens of thousands of bandits!"

That's enough... Don't mention that name in front of me again...

……

"Master Ito often talks about 'the world,' but he has always remained holed up in a corner of Edo."

Shut up……

……

"Sigh, I saw through it long ago. It's all talk and no action! He talks a lot about the imperial court and the shogunate, always putting on a righteous and awe-inspiring act, but he never takes any real action!"

Shut up!
……

"In comparison, that Tachibana Seiden is far more formidable! With overwhelming combat power, he severely suppressed the arrogance of Choshu and ensured the safety of the capital region!"

Shut up, all of you! I'm a master of both arts and sciences! I'm Ito Daizo! How could I possibly be inferior to that Tachibana Aoto? As long as I show my true skills, I'll quickly achieve something remarkable!
……

"What? Ito-sensei, you're joining the Shinsengumi? What about the dojo? Will it close down?"

Now that things have come to this, who cares about any temple or religious site anymore!
A mere temple is no longer enough for me!

Didn't you say I'm not as good as Tachibana Aoto?

Fine! Then I'll join the Shinsengumi!

I'm going to take away Tachibana Seiden's trusted confidants!

I'm going to take away Tachibana Aoto's power!

I'm going to show you all who's better between me and Ju Qingdeng!
……

After an unknown amount of time, Ito Kashitaro opened his eyes.

My thoughts were still a jumbled mess.

To refresh himself, he straightened up slightly and opened the sedan window next to him—a cool night breeze blew in.

Judging from the scenery outside, he was about to leave Otsu.

Gazing at the town of Otsu Castle gradually receding into the distance, and at the deep darkness of the surrounding night, he murmured in a voice only he could hear:
"Watch closely... My talent... will never be inferior to Tachibana Aoto's...!"

……

……

Hatazu Domain, Otsu, Tachibana Residence, Aoto's office—

With the escort of the First Division, Toudou Heisuke arrived safely at the Tachibana residence.

At that time, Qingdeng was handling government affairs in his office.

Upon hearing that Todo Heisuke had urgent news to report, he immediately summoned him here.

But then he saw Todo Heisuke lying flat on the tatami mat—because he was injured, so Seito had specially allowed him to lie down—and recounting in detail everything that had happened that night.

"...The above is the detailed account of Master's...I, the traitor's rebellion."

When the title "Master" was mentioned, Todo Heisuke quickly realized his mistake and changed it to "Izai".

Qing Deng sat quietly beside him, listening attentively until the very end.

When discussing the part about "Kondo Isami and Saito Kazuto leaving the Shinsengumi and joining Ito Kashitaro," Todo Heisuke cautiously raised his eyes to observe Aoto's facial expression.

He had expected Qing Deng to show a shocked and indignant expression.

After all, both Kondo Isami and Saito Hajime had an extremely close relationship with Aoto, one that went far beyond ordinary friendship.

Unexpectedly... Qing Deng didn't say anything at all.

Neither his facial expressions nor his demeanor revealed the slightest emotional fluctuation... truly nothing at all.

Heisuke Todo didn't know if Aoto was hiding his emotions or if he was so angry that he became calm... In any case, he couldn't remain as indifferent as Aoto!

Anger is an emotion that cannot be sustained for long; it will subside after a brief outburst.

As the anger subsided, the deep-seated sorrow in his heart began to show its presence.

Heisuke Todo bit his lip hard and said in a trembling voice:
"Mr. Tachibana, what's going on... why... Kondo-sensei and Saito-nii-san..."

He couldn't speak anymore.

His voice trembled so badly that he could no longer utter complete sentences.

As the youngest member of the "Shieikan faction" (21 years old), Todo Heisuke's emotions are more complex.

Qing Deng, who had been silent until now, finally spoke:

"Heisuke, don't panic."

"You must keep tonight's events a secret and not let anyone else know. I will handle this personally."

"Don't worry, that Ito will be brought to justice soon. You won't have to wait long."

Heisuke Todo never doubted Aoto's abilities, much less his guarantees.

Like a gentle breeze, Toudou Heisuke felt a significant relief in his chest, which had been feeling very congested.

However... Ito Kashitaro is no ordinary person. What should be done to bring him to his death as soon as possible?

Heisuke Todo looked up at Aoto with a mixture of relief and confusion—and saw a smile appear on the corners of Aoto's lips.

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