I formed the strongest swordsman group.

Chapter 952 "Will You Follow Me to Death?" [4400]

"Mr. Nangu, you..."

While Tenshoin was steadying Tokugawa Iemochi's body, he looked at Otani Seiichiro in surprise.

Seiichirō Otani said calmly.

"The enemy's general has appeared. There is no better opportunity than this."

Upon hearing this, Tian Zhangyuan immediately understood the other party's implication and his expression became solemn and serious.

"In that case, I will hand over all my guards to you..."

Before she finished her words, she was interrupted by Seiichiro Otani:

"No need."

"The enemy is outnumbered, and our soldiers are in urgent need of rest."

"Even if you hand over all the soldiers present to me, it will only be a little better than nothing."

"It would be better to let them retreat with you to Edo Castle."

"Besides...if my comrades around me can't keep up with my movements, they will become an obstacle for me."

Having said this, Seiichirō Otani paused.

After a while, he spoke again - with a hint of smile in his tone.

"This is something that only I, Otani Seiichiro, have the opportunity to do."

"I have had enough of the bandit army's rampage and... the powerlessness of swords."

"So, Your Highness, please let me go out."

After saying this, he clenched the sword in his hand.

The sharp blade reflects a chilling light.

"..."

Tian Zhangyuan didn't say anything, but looked at the other person with complicated eyes.

Admiration, regret, sadness... countless emotions flowed in his eyes.

After a long while, she slowly withdrew her gaze and whispered:

"……I see."

She put one of Tokugawa Iemochi's arms on her shoulders and turned back.

"Mr. Nangu, I wish you good luck in martial arts."

Male Tan Seiichiro curved his lips:
"Your Highness, may the eight million gods look down upon you."

On the other side, Elodie put Kondo Shusuke's left arm on herself.

"Mr. Kondo, please follow me!"

She took a deep breath, gathered strength in her waist, and stood up with force.

Although Kondo Shusuke is an old man, he is not light at all.

Moreover, Elodie was too petite, a whole head shorter than Kondo Shusuke.

Even if she managed to stand up straight, she couldn't completely lift the old man up, and his legs always dragged on the ground.

In this way, it doesn't seem like supporting an elderly person, but more like dragging him/her.

However, the situation is urgent now and we can't care about so much.

She gritted her teeth and prepared to retreat with Kondo Shusuke to the rear.

Unexpectedly, she had just taken a few steps when Kondo Shusuke shook off her arm, got rid of her support, and staggered to a stand.

"Elodie... no need..."

He grinned, revealing a frank smile.

"My back hurts... my internal organs feel like they are burning... I can't walk anymore..."

"Elody...you should leave with His Highness Tianzhangyuan..."

"I...want to stay."

At the end of his words, his tone suddenly became firm and full of unquestionable meaning.

Elodie was stunned, her eyes wide open, her expression dominated by intense astonishment and confusion, her lips trembled uncontrollably, and her voice became stammering.

"Mr. Kondo, what are you talking about..."

Before Elodie could finish her words, Kondo Shusuke made a gesture, signaling her to be quiet.

"Elody, there are only two things that people pursue in life."

“One is to live comfortably.”

"The second is to die a worthy death."

"I had already achieved the former when I married A Bi and adopted Yong as my son."

"Only the latter... the 'moment' that I could feel was it, never came."

"And now, I feel... this 'moment' has arrived."

"So, Elodie, at this point, there's no need to persuade me. Don't take away what I've been seeking all my life."

"Let us say goodbye in style."

“This is more in line with my style.”

"Swordsmen don't need too many words."

After saying this, Kondo Shusuke stood up again and clenched the Niou Kiyomi in his palm.

In an instant, that stern look appeared on his face again, as if all the pain had left him.

After hearing what he said, Elodie's cheeks were filled with undisguised sadness.

She opened her mouth, as if wanting to say something to stop Kondo Shusuke.

However, there was a force that forced her to keep her lips together.

She was also a swordsman, so she knew very well that the power that made her shut up was called "Swordsman's Dignity".

She is the head of the Shinsengumi and lives in an environment where swordsmen gather.

Through what she saw and heard, she understood one truth: for swordsmen who "live by the sword and die by the sword", death is not a terrible thing.

In the end... just like Tenshoin and Seiichiro Otani just now, Elodie said nothing.

She turned around silently and exchanged glances with Kondo Shusuke.

After passing each other, she slowly stopped, as if hiding her face, and asked without turning her head:
"...Mr. Kondo, is there anything you want me to bring?"

Kondo Shusuke smiled slightly:
“Please help me tell A-Bi: ‘It is because of your company that I have become who I am today.’”

"Please help me tell Yong: 'Always remember your original intention and always hold the sword tightly.'"

"Finally...tell Qing Deng, Xiao Si, Sui San, and Shinpachi, just say 'I have always regarded you as my children. I love you.'"

Elodie nodded stiffly.

"I see……"

After she finished speaking, she did not stop, but forced her feet off the ground and caught up with Tianzhangyuan.

The damage to Toryumon Gate was even worse than that to Koremon Gate, and Akasaka Gate had become a dilapidated ruin.

There is no doubt that this is a deadly place where we cannot stay for long.

Under such circumstances, Tenshoin and Elodie could only lead the remaining soldiers to retreat to the last line of defense - Edo Castle!

"Quick! Get moving!"

"Take all the wounded with you!"

"Huh? Why doesn't Mr. Kondo leave?"

"Don't ask any more questions! Hurry up and follow me!"

The soldiers moved to the rear in an orderly manner and retreated into Edo Castle.

Soon, there were only three old men left at the scene - Seiichiro Otani, Shusuke Kondo, and Kiyone Kubota, who volunteered to stay.

Kiyon Kubota's right leg was broken by a rock, leaving her unable to move.

Having said that, if he wanted to, he could let the soldiers carry him away.

In fact, Tenshoin did send out several guards and ordered them to support Kubota Kiyone.

However, he politely declined Tianzhangyuan's kindness.

"Don't worry about me, you guys go away and let me stay here." In this way, Kubota Kiyone became the third person to volunteer to stay behind to cover the rear after Otani Seiichiro and Kondo Shusuke.

The footsteps of Elodie and others gradually faded away.

The footsteps of the enemy soldiers were gradually approaching.

Despite being faced with a powerful enemy, the three old men looked very relaxed.

It seemed as if what they were about to face next was not a life-and-death bloody battle, but a pleasant picnic.

Kubota Kiyone let out a long breath, then spread out her arms, lay down in a "big" shape, and looked up at the sky.

"'His thigh was broken by a rock, and he lay on the ground like a dead dog'... I really don't want such a shameful record to be recorded in the history books of future generations..."

Seiichirō Otani turned his head and looked at Kiyon Kubota with a puzzled look on his face.

"Qingyin, why don't you leave?"

Kubota Kiyone raised the corners of her mouth, as if she was smiling:
"Seiichiro, I've been living a very tiring life every day since the 'Black Ship Incident'."

"The big ships and big guns make a mockery of everything I have learned in my life."

"I'm not as open-minded as Saito Yakuro."

"Because I don't want to admit that the martial arts and military tactics I master are all yesterday's news, I have always tried my best to avoid contact with advanced Western knowledge."

"At this point, my self-deception has reached its limit..."

"The explosion just now made me realize more clearly that times have changed."

"Just a few bombs have made us swordsmen lose face."

"I'm tired, that's it."

“There is no place for me in the new era.”

"At this critical moment, I feel that I am physically and mentally incapable of serving others."

"Instead of living a life of idleness, why not make some useful contributions to the best of your ability while you are still alive?"

After saying that, he supported himself on the ground with his hands, struggled to raise his upper body, and then reached out to grab the bow beside him.

"Seiichiro, let me lend you a hand."

After hearing this, Seiichirō Otani burst out laughing.

The two old partners looked at each other, then turned their heads at the same time in tacit understanding and looked at the enemy group that was getting closer and closer in front of them.

Kubota Kiyone wiped the bow in her hand and asked:
"The enemy is coming soon, Seiichiro, do you have any good ideas?"

Seiichiro Otani smiled:
"Do you know the story of 'Sanada Nobushige asking for Tokugawa Ieyasu'?"

Nobushige Sanada - the famous "Japan's No. 1 Soldier" Yukimura Sanada.

In 1615, Tokugawa Ieyasu launched the Summer Campaign of Osaka and personally led his army to engage in the final decisive battle with the Toyotomi army.

The Toyotomi army was not short of famous generals.

The "Seven Generals of Osaka" led by Yukimura Sanada made the Tokugawa army terrified.

However, no matter how bravely the generals of the Toyotomi army fought, they could not reverse the country's poor national strength.

In order to save the collapsing empire, Yukimura Sanada decided to make a last-ditch effort - charge straight into the Tokugawa army's main camp and cut off Tokugawa Ieyasu's head!

He personally braved the arrows and stones, took the lead, and after a bloody battle, he finally broke into the main camp of the Tokugawa army.

However, Tokugawa Ieyasu was a cunning old raccoon cat.

Seeing that Yukimura Sanada was about to kill him, he put down his flag and retreated 12 kilometers.

Unable to find Tokugawa Ieyasu, Yukimura Sanada broke into the Tokugawa army's main camp as many as seven times, losing almost all of his troops and being seriously injured. Finally, he had to retreat to the nearby Yasui Shrine.

The enemy army surrounded the Anai Shrine. The enemy general Nishio Muneyoshi entered the shrine and cut off the head of Sanada Yukimura. The famous general was finally killed in the battle.

Although Yukimura Sanada's last fight failed, his feat of charging straight into the enemy's main camp was undoubtedly the most shining scene in this battle!
According to legend, upon learning that Sanada Yukimura was about to attack the main camp, Tokugawa Ieyasu was so frightened that he peed his pants and ran away in fear, even drawing his sword and wanting to commit suicide.

Of course, this was probably fabricated by people who hated Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Tokugawa Ieyasu was a veteran general who had experienced many storms and waves. Being close to death was just a common occurrence for him. How could he be frightened to the point of committing seppuku over such a small matter?

In short, no matter what, Yukimura Sanada's bravery shocked both the enemy and us! Therefore, he was awarded the exclusive title that has been passed down to this day: "Japan's No. 1 Soldier"!
Kubota Kiyone raised her eyebrows and changed her tone to one of helplessness:

"So, what you mean is: you don't have any tricks up your sleeve, and you just want to imitate Sanada Nobushige back then and charge head-on into the enemy camp?"

"Yes, that's right."

After saying that, Seiichirō Otani moved his neck and shoulders vigorously, making crisp "crack" and "crack" sounds that made his teeth ache.

Then he turned his head and looked at Kondo Shusuke beside him.

"Excuse me, I haven't asked your name yet. I'm Seiichiro Otani, the Straight to the Stars."

Kondo Shusuke smiled calmly:
"I am the third generation head of the Tennen Rishin-ryu family, Kondo Shusuke."

Seiichiro Otani showed a surprised expression:

"So you are Kondo Shusuke. I have heard of your name for a long time."

"No, I have heard of you for a long time. Mr. Nangu, you were also one of my idols when I was young. I never thought that I would be able to fight side by side with the famous 'Sword Saint'. It is really a great honor."

"Mr. Kondo, you are too kind. At this point, let's not say such rude words. At this moment, there is no "Sword Saint" here, and there is no distinction between superiors and subordinates. There are only two swordsmen who want to make the swords in their hands shine with the last bit of light and heat."

After saying this, Seiichirō Otani raised his eyes and looked towards the dense group of enemies ahead.

"Mr. Kondo, are you willing to follow me to my death?"

He said as he threw away the scabbard at his waist.

Kondo Shusuke took half a step forward and stood beside Seiichiro Otani. The two stood side by side, and then they also threw away the scabbard at their waists.

"my pleasure!"

Seiichiro Otani held his head high and his eyes were sharp.

"Okay! Then hold on to your knife and let's go!"

The next moment, the two old men stepped forward at the same time and ran out.

Suddenly, wisps of breeze blew from behind them, rolling up sparks and spots of light, giving the wind shape, like a swimming dragon!

……

……

At this moment, everyone in the Faqi coalition - including Shuten Douji - felt relaxed.

They all felt that the outcome was settled.

The bombs just used to blow up the ferry gate were their only remaining stock.

These bombs are not cheap.

The equivalent is enough to blow down the city gate...you can imagine how much gunpowder is stuffed inside.

Although the cost is staggering, judging from the results, such a price is not unacceptable.

Akasaka Gate was completely lost and the defenders had to retreat to Edo Castle.

A big hole was torn in the "Sanjuroku Mitsuke", and the last obstacle to the attack on Edo Castle was completely removed - this remarkable result made Shuten-doji breathe a sigh of relief and smile.

It would have been great if Tokugawa Iemochi had died in the explosion just now.

Just as Shuten Douji was leading the remaining troops at hand and marching towards the collapsed Akasaka Gate... he suddenly saw two figures.

The two old men climbed over the ruins of the Akasaka Imperial Gate, passed through the dust that had not yet dissipated, and shot straight at them like two sharp arrows... no! Like two cannonballs!

Immediately afterwards, an invisible aura emanated from the two old men, rolling like waves, and then swept across the entire audience in an instant!
Katsura Kogoro's expression suddenly changed.

The expressions of Sukuna, Umibozu and others were also not good.

Even Shuten-doji couldn't help but frown.

After a brief moment of shock, Katsura Kogoro murmured to himself:

"Such a strong 'momentum'...!"

Shuten-doji recognized one of them and said in a deep voice:
"What you fear will come true... Everyone, brace yourself! The Sword Master is out! The Riflemen, move forward!"

His instructions were quickly passed on.

The musketeers trotted forward and formed two neat rows in a horizontal formation, with one row kneeling and the other standing.

Shuten-doji waved his hand:
"Fire!"

With the sound of popping beans, the barrage of bullets flew out and hit the two old men.

Seiichirō Otani raised his blade, and Shusuke Kondo raised the tip of his blade - the "silver net" composed of countless sword beams tightly covered them, deflecting and chopping off all approaching bullets!
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PS: I feel weak... I feel weak today... It's the same old problem again, I don't sleep well... I really can't write... (crying leopard head.jpg)