I formed the strongest swordsman group.

Chapter 911 [Decisive Battle at Yodo] and the Debut of the "Demon's Vice-Captain"! [5400]

Ichimura Tetsunosuke - Hijikata Toshizo's nickname.

During the previous "Great Conscription", his eye-catching actions attracted the attention of Hijikata Toshizo, and later he was taken in as a nickname by Hijikata Toshizo by accident.

Of course, his relationship with Hijikata Toshizo was very pure, and did not leave room for unlimited imagination like "Oda Nobunaga and Mori Ranmaru" or "Takeda Shingen and Kousaka Masanobu".

……

……

Suruga Province, Choshu Army Camp——

"Takasugi-kun!"

Hearing someone calling him, Takasugi Shinsaku stopped and turned to look - he saw Katsura Kogoro running towards him in two steps with a complicated expression on his face.

"Gui, what's wrong?"

"Don't tell me you're going to be so fussy about seeing me off."

"Don't give me that. I can't stand these goosebump-inducing scenes."

Katsura Kogoro ignored Takasugi Shinsaku's request.

Before he ran up to the other person, he took several deep breaths to even out his breathing, and then said in a serious tone:
"...Takasugi-kun, you must be careful."

"It would be extremely dangerous to fight against the Shinsengumi with only 1500 men, even with the advantage of terrain!"

"Remember to protect yourself!"

"As long as there are people, there is hope."

"If a person is gone, everything ends!"

Takasugi Shinsaku looked at Katsura Kogoro helplessly.

"Katsura, why do you sound like Mr. Shoin?"

The "Mr. Shoin" he mentioned is naturally referring to Yoshida Shoin, the common mentor of him, Katsura Kogoro and Kusaka Genzui.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I haven't lived long enough."

“When it’s time to fight, I’ll fight like hell.”

"When it's time to retreat, I will retreat without hesitation."

"When the time comes, or when the battle can no longer be continued, I will naturally retreat... cough, cough, cough, cough, cough!"

Suddenly, Takasugi Shinsaku started coughing.

He turned his head away from Katsura Kogoro, covered his mouth tightly with his hands, and coughed so hard that his back bent and his shoulders hunched.

Seeing this, Katsura Kogoro frowned and looked worried:

"Hmm? Takasugi-kun, what's wrong with you? Did you catch a cold?"

After coughing several times, Takasugi Shinsaku gradually recovered.

He turned to Katsura Kogoro again and said with a smile:

"Well, I did catch a cold. My throat is always itchy. It's just a minor illness, nothing to worry about."

Upon hearing this, Katsura Kogoro looked at the other person carefully with half belief and half doubt.

Seeing that the other party looked normal and did not show any signs of illness, he did not ask any further questions.

"Kui, you should think more about yourself than me."

Takasugi Shinsaku said this while moving his eyes left and right, looking around.

After confirming that there were no outsiders around, he took a half step forward, leaned forward, put one hand on Katsura Kogoro's shoulder, and lowered his voice:
"You should know clearly why I did not take away all the combat forces of the Special Forces and left 500 people here."

"..."

Katsura Kogoro pursed his lips in silence, his facial expression becoming solemn and dignified.

Just now, after a brief discussion, the generals of the "Choshu faction" finally determined the detailed troop division arrangements - Takasugi Shinsaku would lead a special force of 1500 troops to meet the Shinsengumi, and the remaining 500 people would be led by Katsura Kogoro and follow Shuten Doji to continue their march into Edo.

Takasugi Shinsaku lowered his voice a little, so that only the two of them could hear it clearly:
"Although I just said it very nicely in Honjin, 'grasshoppers on the same rope', to us, the Fazhu Party is still an outsider."

"I never trust those crazy people."

“When it’s time to work with them, you can’t look back.”

"But you should be careful and not hesitate."

"The 500 people I leave to you are not only a 'secret stake' to monitor the Fazhu Party, but also a 'seedling' to ensure the immortality of Changzhou."

"If the 'Amanuma Spear' fails, and something unexpected happens to me and the 1500 men I lead... then you and your 500 men will be the last 'seedlings'."

"Just as you said, there is hope as long as there are people. If there are no people, everything is over!"

"You told me to remember to protect myself, so now I'm telling you in return: remember to protect yourself!"

"Even if I am cursed by the world as 'the runaway Kogoro', I must resolutely be a 'Kogoro who is good at preserving my power'!"

Katsura Kogoro, who usually loves to preach and cannot stand heavy words like "sacrifice" and "destruction", remained silent at this time and did not refute the other party.

After a long while, he nodded vigorously and solemnly:

“…Yes, I understand!”

Seeing that Katsura Kogoro agreed to his request so readily, Takasugi Shinsaku patted his shoulder half in surprise and half in relief.

At this moment, a hearty voice suddenly came from not far away:

"Oh! Takasugi-kun, you're here!"

Katsura and Takasugi were both startled, then turned their heads at the same time to look at the owner of the voice - Shuten-doji, who was walking towards them with his hands behind his back.

He did not come alone, a cow ghost followed closely beside him.

I saw the cow ghost holding a big box, and I didn’t know what was inside it.

When facing Shuten-doji, Takasugi Shinsaku was not so enthusiastic.

He said expressionlessly and in a cold tone:
"Shuten-doji, are you here to see me off as well?"

"Well, sort of. But I'm mainly here to give you something. Niugui!"

Hearing Shuten-doji's call, Niu-ki immediately took half a step forward and handed the big box in his hand to Takasugi Shinsaku.

Looking at the big box in front of him, Takasugi Shinsaku couldn't help but frown.

"Shuten-doji, what is this?"

Shuten-doji smiled, and his smile was very meaningful.

"This is the 'Decisive Battle of Yodo' that I mentioned to you before."

Decisive battle at Yodo—when they heard these words, both Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro's expressions changed.

Shock, disgust, fear, confusion... a variety of emotions flowed through their cheeks.

Shuten-doji ignored their expressions and continued speaking:
"Takasugi-kun, please accept this. This box of 'Decisive Battle Yodo' will surely be of great use in the upcoming battle."

"...Why? Are you going to give me this box of 'Decisive Battle'?"

"Yes, that's right!"

"Is this really okay? Didn't you say that this 'Decisive Battle Pool' is very precious? It should not be used casually unless it is absolutely necessary."

Shuten-doji nodded slightly and continued:
"Yes, it is indeed so!"

"The cost of 'Battle of the Lake' is very high. It is a treasure that even I feel painful for."

"I was quite hesitant about whether to give you a part of 'Decisive Battle' for your use."

"But now, I've figured it out!"

"Isn't it to overthrow the shogunate that such a powerful thing was created?"

"In this case, we can't be so petty!"

"If you can't successfully hold back the Shinsengumi, I'll be the one who suffers in the end!"

At this point, Shuten-doji paused, tilted his head, and continued with a kind face:
"Takasugi-kun, just take it! You're welcome!"

"I remember I told you in detail the pros and cons of 'The Decisive Battle of Yodo' before."

"You are an excellent leader. It is up to you when to use the Decisive Battle and whether to use it. I will not interfere."

Takasugi Shinsaku lowered his eyelids and gaze, staring deeply at the big box in the Ushio's hand. His expression changed several times, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Katsura Kogoro beside him looked much the same, with a complex expression on his face.

After a moment, Takasugi Shinsaku said coldly, without any sadness or joy:
"...In that case, I will respectfully obey your command."

After saying that, he snatched the big box, held it and turned away.

Shuten-doji shouted at his back:
"Mr. Takasugi! I'm leaving Sekigahara in your care!"

"..."

Takasugi Shinsaku ignored the other party and disappeared from his sight in a moment.

Not long after, a group of cavalrymen galloped out of the camp - the leader was none other than Takasugi Shinsaku.

Led by Takasugi Shinsaku himself, this cavalry team rushed straight to the west along the Tokai Street with great momentum.

While galloping on his horse, Takasugi Shinsaku looked down at his hand - this was the hand he used to cover his mouth when he coughed just now - after coughing, he secretly hid this hand while Katsura Kogoro was not paying attention, being careful not to let the other party discover it.

The palm of this hand was splattered with blood, bright and dazzling. Looking at the blood stain that covered half of his palm, Takasugi Shinsaku pulled the corner of his mouth, revealing a strange expression that seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

Then, he repeated Katsura Kogoro's instructions in a self-deprecating tone:

"'Remember to protect yourself'?"

……

……

Qinjin Fan, Dajin, Hijifang Residence——

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Hijikata Toshizou walked briskly along the corridor of his house.

He was not wearing the light green haori that symbolized the Shinsengumi, but instead was wearing the Western-style outfit that he had taken great pains to purchase - a black suit and a long black trench coat - and his hair was cut short and combed back.

It's not hard to see that he really likes this outfit.

Ever since he bought this outfit, he was rarely seen wearing the light green haori.

However, in order to show his identity as the vice-leader of the Shinsengumi, he tied a light green armband on his right arm with the word "誠" embroidered on it.

At this time, a short, young, handsome boy carrying a small package jumped out from the corridor next to him:

"Mr. Hijikata, I'm ready!"

This person was none other than Ichimura Tetsunosuke, the younger son of Hijikata Toshizo.

Hijikata Toshizo stopped and looked Ichimura Tetsunosuke up and down:
"Tetsunosuke, this should be the first big battle you have experienced in person. Are you scared?"

"Not afraid!"

Ichimura Tetsunosuke shook his head and said loudly without thinking:

"If I was afraid of death, I wouldn't have chosen to join the Shinsengumi!"

Hijikata Toshizo smiled and nodded:
"Yes, your courage is commendable!"

"It's a pity that you don't have the chance to go to the battlefield."

"When you arrive at Hachioji, your mission will be the same as usual. You will only be responsible for taking care of my daily life. You don't have to get involved in other matters."

When Ichimura Tetsunosuke heard this, his face immediately fell:
"Mr. Hijikata! Please let me go to the battlefield! I will not let you down!"

"Wait until you shave your forelock."

[Note: According to the custom of the Edo period, men would keep their hair on their foreheads when they were minors, but the hair on the top of their heads would often be shaved off. This can be understood as a "quasi-hairstyle". When they reach adulthood, their hair on their foreheads would be shaved off and they would start to grow a formal hairstyle. Therefore, "shaving the hair on the forehead" means that men have reached adulthood.]

Ichimura Tetsunosuke continued to appeal, but Hijikata Toshizo simply ignored his claims.

"Okay, stop yelling, it's time to set off."

Just as Hijikata Toshizo was about to take a step forward, he suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to look at Ichimura Tetsunosuke.

"Tetsunosuke, did you bring the things I asked you to bring?"

Upon hearing this, Ichimura Tetsunosuke immediately stopped "appealing" and got back to work:
"Yes, I brought it!"

As he spoke, he took out a small cloth bag from his arms and handed it to Hijikata Toshizo with both hands.

After Hijikata Toshizo took it, he quickly opened the cloth bag and took out the contents - a small stack of photos.

These photos were the commemorative photos he had asked photographer Kenzo Tamoto to take for them.

From his own solo photos to his photos with Qing Deng, to the group photo of the "Shiweikan faction"... there were more than twenty photos in the stack of photos that Hijikata Toshizo was holding in his hand at the moment.

Just on the eve of the official launch of the "Choshu Expedition" to march towards the two states of Choshu and Zhou, these photos were developed and distributed to everyone.

Looking at the photos in his hands, Hijikata Toshizo's eyes gradually softened and the corners of his lips unconsciously curled up slightly.

Ichimura Tetsunosuke looked at Hijikata Toshizo, then looked at the stack of photos in his hand, and asked in confusion:
"Mr. Hijikata, why did you bring these photos with you?"

After a moment of silence, Hijikata Toshizo replied half-jokingly:
"Nothing, I just want to find something to entertain myself while on the road."

As he spoke, he rewrapped the stack of photos with cloth, solemnly put them in his arms, and then walked towards the entrance without hesitation.

"Tetsunosuke, let's go!"

"Yes!"

……

……

Qinjin Fan, Dajin, suburbs——

Kondo Isami, Soji... basically all the generals who had no important tasks to do and could spare the time came to see Hijikata Toshizo off.

As for Harada Sanosuke and others who led the cavalry to seize the advantageous terrain of Sekigahara, they were so busy that they had no time to take care of anything else.

Looking at Qing Deng and others who came to see him off, Hijikata Toshizo said in a voice that was half helpless and half emotional:
"Such a luxurious lineup... I am really flattered by what you have done."

His joking tone slightly eased the solemn atmosphere at the scene.

Looking up, I saw that almost everyone present had a sullen look on their faces.

The crowd had not wanted to put on such a show when seeing them off.

However...when they thought about the battlefield that Hijikata Toshizo would be heading to next, they just couldn't show any positive attitude!
Anyone with a little common sense knows how difficult the task that Hijikata Toshizo has taken on is!

Leading a militia that has not yet completed the corresponding training to stop a fierce and fierce army...even if it can't be said to be a life-and-death situation, it's not far from it!

Just as Hijikata Toshizo said in the military meeting just now - no one except him can do this task!
Therefore, although everyone was worried about Hijikata Toshizo, there was nothing anyone present could do to help and they could only pray for him in secret.

At this time, Kondo Isami took half a step forward and looked at Hijikata Toshizo with a complicated expression.

"A-Sui, you...don't force yourself."

He hesitated for a long time before he managed to say, "Don't force it."

Somehow, looking at Hijikata Toshizo who was about to leave for the Hachioji area, he suddenly recalled the various strange behaviors of the other party a while ago -

I had a strange dream that "I stayed where I was, while others were leaving me." Influenced by this dream, I asked a photographer to take commemorative photos for them...

As these memories passed through his mind one by one, Kondo Isami felt his heartbeat suddenly speed up and become heavier like an alarm bell...

Suddenly, following Kondo Isami, Souji also walked forward and cast a complicated look at Hijikata Toshizo.

"Mr. Hijikata, please don't do anything stupid..."

Maybe this is the tacit understanding between brothers and sisters.

At this moment, Souji, like Kondo Isami, suddenly recalled the various abnormalities of Hijikata Toshizo a while ago, and felt inexplicably uneasy...

Hijikata Toshizo glanced around, taking a quick look at Kondo Isami and Souji, who looked a little strange, and then he chuckled as if he was amused:
"I say, do you have too little confidence in me?"

"The person standing in front of you is the 'Demon's Vice Captain'!"

"I will neither force myself nor do stupid things."

"I will only complete the task beautifully and return with glory!"

As he spoke, he stretched out his hands and patted Kondo Isami and Souji on the shoulders respectively.

After he finished speaking, he turned his head and looked at Fujido Heisuke not far away.

"Toudou, did you bring the things I asked you to bring for me?"

Hijikata Toshizo's sudden call made Fujido Heisuke shudder, and he hurriedly replied loudly:
"Yes! I brought it!"

"bring here."

"Yes!"

At the same time as he responded loudly, he took a step forward and handed over the object in his hand - a rolled-up flag.

Hijikata Toshizo grasped the large flag with his left hand and waved it upwards:
call!
The flag that was rolled up tightly on the flagpole unfolded layer by layer, slowly revealing its true appearance in the sunlight - a huge flag with the word "Sincerity" on it.

As the symbol of the Shinsengumi, a large number of flags with the word "誠" (truth) were naturally stored in the military arsenal in Otsu.

Hijikata Toshizo looked up at the flag in his hand, nodded slightly, raised the corners of his lips, and showed a look of satisfaction.

After handing over the large flag that Hijikata Toshizo specifically requested, Fujido Heisuke stood aside respectfully and cleared his throat:
"Mr. Hijikata, Mr. Tachibana asked me to bring you a message."

Qing Deng, who was actively preparing for the upcoming "Second Battle of Sekigahara", naturally had no time to come and see Hijikata Toshizo off.

Hijikata Toshizo raised his eyebrows when he heard this:
"Oh? What did Tachibana-kun say?"

"Mr. Tachibana said, 'I will take Sekigahara as soon as possible and join forces with you at Hachioji'."

Hijikata Toshizo couldn't help laughing after listening carefully.

"Really? He's not here, but it doesn't stop him from being so cool... Fujido, please reply to him for me later: In that case, I'll be waiting with great anticipation."

After saying that, he carried the big flag in his hand and jumped onto the horse beside him.

Qing Deng specially equipped him and Ichimura Tetsunosuke with 8 fast horses so that they could take turns riding the horses and rush to Hachioji as quickly as possible.

Hijikata Toshizo sat upright on his horse and took a final look at Kondo Isami, Souji and others in front of him.

"Everyone, I'll be back soon!"

After leaving these brief words, he shouted loudly and tapped the horse's belly with his heel.

Tetsunosuke Ichimura followed closely behind him.

Two men, eight horses and a flag with the word "Sincerity" on it went against the strong headwind and headed straight eastward!
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PS: I originally wanted to name "Decisive Battle Dian" as "Decisive Battle Weapon", but this name always reminds me of Gundam, which is very out of place, so I changed it.