I formed the strongest swordsman group.

Chapter 1177 The final battle of this book begins!
According to Qing Deng, after the Southern Dynasty abolished the "annual tribute reduction order", Sagara Sozo broke with it and led the Red Glory Corps to operate in the capital region on his own.

Not long after, he vanished without a trace, as if he had evaporated into thin air, and his Red Reporting Team also disappeared completely.

Although the other party was from the opposing camp, this did not diminish Qing Deng's appreciation for his courage to resist tyranny and his compassionate heart to speak out for the people.

Because he valued Sagara Sozo highly, Aoto seriously considered recruiting him into his ranks.

Unfortunately... before Qingdeng could find him, he vanished without a trace...

The Southern Dynasty was keen on assassinations, and preferred to eliminate potential threats through "physical elimination," both internally and externally.

Therefore, Qing Deng guessed that Xiang Le Zong San was most likely secretly eliminated by the "Southern Dynasty", and his Red News Team was also wiped out.

This matter deeply saddened Qing Deng.

He thought that Sagara Sozo had long since passed away, but now he was standing right in front of him, alive and well... Aoto couldn't help but look astonished.

Fortunately, at this moment, Ōshio Heihachirō chimed in from the side:

"At the Zuo residence, I noticed Xiang Lejun as soon as he began to show his talent..."

The old man succinctly recounted the entire process of his search for and recruitment of Sozo Sangaku.

Sozo Sagara's aspirations aligned with the platform of the Daishio Party.

The Ōshio Party was severely lacking in combat personnel who were skilled in fighting and capable of leading independently—and Sōzō Sagara's talent perfectly filled this gap in the Ōshio Party.

From any perspective, Sozo Sagara is an exceptionally talented individual perfectly suited for the Ooshio party.

Therefore, Ōshio Heihachirō made up his mind to "absolutely bring him under his command".

After Sagara Sozo led the Red Mirror Corps away, Ōshio Heihachirō anticipated that the "Southern Court" would not let him go, so he ordered Shiyō to find their location and dispatched the Kaiten Corps to rescue them.

Although the process was somewhat dangerous, they managed to rescue Sagara Sozo from the ambush by the "Southern Court" at the last minute.

Unfortunately, many members of the Red Report Squad did not survive until the Resurrection Squad arrived...

Having survived the ordeal, Sagara Sozo looked at the increasingly dilapidated Red Army Corps and his comrades who had died unjustly, and was utterly disappointed in the faithless "Southern Dynasty".

After learning about the Ooshio Party's platform, he accepted Ooshio Heihachiro's invitation without hesitation and led the remnants of the Red News Corps to join the Ooshio Party.

From then on, there was no longer a "Sangara Sosan of the Red Report Team," only a "Sangara Sosan of the Resurrection Team."

Before Ōshio Heihachirō could finish speaking:
"After learning of the alliance between the Ōshio Party and Niō, he has always expressed his desire to meet you. I have been troubled by this matter for a long time, but fortunately, today I am finally able to meet you."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng involuntarily turned his eyes and looked at Sagara Sozo again.

Though he didn't speak, his eyes, tinged with curiosity, asked: You want to see me? Why?
Prior to this, they were enemies.

People like Sozo Sagara often exhibit a terrifying stubbornness.

Once they've set their sights on a goal or a principle, they'll hold on to it stubbornly, no amount of persuasion will change their mind. Even if they've hit a wall, they won't easily turn back.

Qing Deng didn't believe that Sagara Sozo could so quickly complete the psychological transformation from "hostile to Niou and wishing he could be killed" to "admiring Niou and wanting to meet him" in such a short time.

Meeting Aoto's unwavering gaze, Sagara Sozo's expression remained unchanged, neither humble nor arrogant, and he said softly:

"The recent events have made me see through the hypocrisy of the 'Southern Dynasty'."

“During the time I served the ‘Southern Dynasty,’ the words I heard most often were insults directed at ‘King Ni’ Tachibana Aoto.”

"The lecherous scoundrels who wreak havoc in the inner palace, the enemies of the court who manipulate the imperial court, the eccentrics who tarnish the traditions of the samurai family... the list goes on."

[Note: "Oddballs" refers to those who deviate from the norm, meaning a group whose clothing and behavior are different from ordinary people.]

"Since the rulers of the 'Southern Dynasty' are all depraved beasts in human clothing, I can't help but wonder—is 'King Ren' Tachibana Aoto really as vile as they claim?"

After saying that, he raised his eyes and looked at Qingdeng with a questioning gaze.

As soon as he finished speaking, Qingdeng chuckled lightly, as if teasing him:

"So, you want to know what kind of person Niou is?"

Sagara Sozo nodded slightly.

"Why don't you observe this problem with your own eyes for a while?"

As Qing Deng spoke, he raised his gaze and scanned the remaining members of the Kaiten Squad behind Sagara Sozo.

"You too! Look at me carefully with your own eyes!"

“I know that many of you have some complaints about this battle, thinking: We are clearly serving the Ooshio Party, so why should we be risking our lives for Tachibana Seito?”

Upon hearing this, the facial expressions of Ebina, Akutsu, and many members of the Kaiten-tai underwent subtle changes.

"I completely understand how you feel!"

"If it were me, I would also feel confused and frustrated."

“I am not a good talker; I prefer doing to talking.”

"So, use your own eyes to see for yourselves!"

"See if I, Ju Qingdeng, am worthy of your service!"

"See if this battle is worth your time!"

"You can rest assured, I'm not hard to find!"

"No matter the time, I will always be there in the most dangerous places!"

"Wherever the battle is at its most intense, that's where I'll be!"

"Wherever the enemy is strong, there I will be!"

"Look in the most dangerous place, look where there are the most enemy corpses, and you'll definitely find me!"

"I will lead you forever! Until victory or death!"

The talent "Failed Art Student +6" was activated—though it was a simple statement, it made all the members of the Kaiten Team, including Ebina and Sagara Souzo, tense up.

At this moment, Aoto's gaze returned to Sagara Souzo:
"Sagara-kun, this battle is against your former 'master.' Can you bring yourself to do it?"

Sozo Sagara, head held high and chest out, replied in a firm tone:

"No problem! I only regret that Saigo Kinosuke, Iwakura Tomomi, and the others are not outside the castle, otherwise I would definitely fight them to the death!"

……

……

Sozo Sagara's sudden appearance was just a minor incident.

Led by Aoto and Ōshio Heihachirō, the Kaiten-tai dismounted, formed a neat line, and left the city gate to walk into the city—their horses had been taken to the stables for proper care.

The moment they stepped into the core area of ​​Otsu City, an intense look of shock and astonishment once again dominated the expressions of Ebina and the others.

They looked around like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden, blinking repeatedly as if checking their eyesight.

What surprised them first was that the number of garrison troops in the city was far greater than they had expected!
Looking up, all I could see were throngs of people.

Patrol teams, supply train teams, teams reinforcing the city walls, teams training diligently... Teams performing their respective duties passed before their eyes, their numbers far exceeding the six thousand or so they had known beforehand!

The soldiers, who were stationed close to the mountains and the sea, produced a roar like a raging wave, far surpassing even the fireworks display in Edo.

"When a shell comes at you, never let your belly touch the ground! Otherwise, your internal organs will be damaged! The correct way is to brace yourself with your elbows on the ground, keeping your belly a distance from the ground."

"If enemy soldiers climb the city wall, don't be afraid. Grip your bamboo spears tightly and thrust them into the enemy's chest! It's very simple, even a three-year-old can do it! Your bamboo spears are so long, and with so many of you thrusting together, even a top-notch martial arts master won't easily dodge!" "Shout it out! Open your voices wide and shout it out with all your might! Shouting will dispel your fear and boost your strength! When you thrust your bamboo spears, you must shout it out!"

……

Before the initial shock subsided, another one struck – upon closer inspection, Sagara Sozo and his men were astonished to discover a large number of civilians among the garrison.

Sagara Sozo stared intently at a group of soldiers practicing slingshots not far away, muttering to himself:
"Are they... civilians?"

His demeanor and movements made it clear at a glance that he was not a samurai, but an ordinary civilian.

Qingdeng nodded:
“That’s right, all the people you see here are the people of Otsu.”

Ooshio Heihachiro added from the side:

"Inspired by Zuo Fu, all the people of Dajin participated in this battle and stood with us through thick and thin."

Upon hearing this, Sozo Sagara and the others lost their composure, their expressions revealing disbelief.

Sagara Sozo hurriedly pressed for more details.

Ōshio Heihachirō patiently explained in detail, focusing on the content of Aoto's speech.

The members of the Huitian team were all speechless after hearing this.

After a brief moment of shock, different people exhibited vastly different reactions.

Some people—such as the vast majority, led by Ebi—were greatly encouraged by the increased military strength.

Some people, impressed by Aoto's eloquence and the courage of the Otsu people—such as Akutsu—couldn't help but cast excited and admiring glances at the militiamen in their sight.

Others—such as Sozo Sagara—were drawn in by the content of Seido's speech.

All that could be seen was Sagara Sozo staring blankly at Aoto's retreating figure.

Although it is unknown what he was thinking, one could see his naturally hanging hands slowly clenching, and a star-like gleam appearing in his eyes.

……

……

Although the Huitian Team was small in number, the arrival of reinforcements was always a heartening and joyous occasion, especially given the overwhelming threat of a major enemy.

Witnessing the magnificent scene of "the people of Otsu all taking up arms", the soldiers of the Kaiten-gumi were greatly encouraged and devoted themselves to the war preparation work with great enthusiasm.

After arriving at the northern outskirts of Dajin, the British troops set up camp in an orderly manner.

Trenches were dug, artillery positions were set up... and an impregnable field position was quickly formed.

In the days that followed, as more enemy troops arrived, the defenders in the city could only watch helplessly as the enemy camp outside the city gradually expanded and grew...

The enemy's forces were limited and unable to surround the entire city of Dajin; they only blocked the north and east sides of the city.

That works out perfectly.

As the saying goes, "surrounding three sides while leaving one side undefended" means that leaving the city's defenders no way out will only incite them to resist.

One side was waiting for reinforcements to arrive while intensifying preparations for the siege.

On the other hand, they were racing against time to train the militia and intensify preparations for defending the city.

In the blink of an eye, two days have passed...

……

……

Two days later, at dawn—

Qinjin Fan, Dajin, Dajin City, North City Wall——

The guards rubbed their hands together, trying to ward off the chill of the early morning wind.

"It's so cold... It's already spring, but it's still so cold..."

"Hey, stop dozing off, wake up! It'll be time for the shift change soon, just hang in there."

"Ouch... my nose is running again... Do you guys have any toilet paper?"

The guards on the city wall were divided into six shifts, taking turns to guard the city wall and monitor the enemy's movements.

The guards responsible for the early morning hours work particularly hard, as both sleepiness and the cold wind make it especially challenging to their willpower.

However, even so, they did not slack off in the slightest and remained dedicated to their duties.

In recent days, apart from the enemy camps expanding their reach, there is nothing else worth mentioning.

Due to the great distance and the obstruction of wooden fences, the enemy's specific movements were completely obscured.

Judging from the current situation, this round of surveillance by these guards will pass peacefully again.

"How long will this battle last...?"

"Who knows about such things?"

"The enemy has come from afar, so their supplies must be limited. Once they run out of food, we can launch a counterattack."

"Look, the sun is out."

"Phew... It's finally dawn... Once the shift change comes, I'm going to sleep like a log..."

boom! !

With a sudden, deafening roar, an unstoppable shockwave swept out, knocking them to the ground!
The loud noise and the shockwave robbed the guards of their hearing and their senses.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye... The guards were completely stunned, their minds went blank, and they had no idea what was going on.

They stiffly got to their feet and stared blankly around—the smoke and dust filled their vision, stinging their eyes; the beehives buzzed in their ears.

In a short while, the smoke and dust dissipated... and all that could be seen where a living person had just stood was now a small pit, and charred flesh and blood covering the pit.

At this moment, the guards' consciousness finally caught up with reality.

At that moment, a sharp, piercing sound descended from the sky!

boom! boom! boom! boom! boom! boom! boom! boom! boom!
Shells rained down on and around Dajin City, creating waves of flame!

"It's a cannon!"

"I know without you telling me! Get out of the way of the shelling!"

"Quickly report to the lord! The enemy has begun their attack!"

In reality, Qing Deng doesn't need their reports at all.

The moment the cannon fire sounded, Qingdeng, who was taking a nap inside the main castle, immediately opened his eyes, instinctively grabbed the Vairocana sword from the nearby sword rack, flipped over and leaped up, running outside as fast as a shooting star, and looked north.

Souji, Kondo Isami, and the others did the same—although they lived in different rooms, at this moment, they rushed out of the door one after the other, staring at the north as if facing a formidable enemy.

Watching the cannonballs pierce the sky, Qingdeng silently adjusted the Vairocana pendant to his left waist, his expression solemn.

"Bring it on...!"

On May 15, 1866 (the second year of the Meiji era), the Battle of Otsu began!
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P.S.: Finally, the fighting has begun. These kinds of unavoidable dialogue scenes are so annoying. (Angry Leopard.jpg) Not only are they brain-draining, but they're also incredibly boring to write. Action-packed plots that don't require much brainpower suit Leopard much better.