In order to become a Heroic Spirit, I had no choice but to cause trouble in history.

Despite carrying the burden of fifteen years of emptiness, she can still live happily in this world.

But that smile...

During the two months they spent together, Okita Souji... hardly ever saw Sakura Sho.

He was fine with Ryoma and Ms. Aryu, perhaps because he had like-minded companions, so Mr. Samura would occasionally show a smile.

However, during his time back in Edo, Samura... remained very indifferent.

Moreover, when Samura was with Okita, he could clearly feel a sense of being enveloped and a distance between them.

He's such a gentle person, what is it that has stolen Mr. Samura's smile?

Zuocun under the faint moonlight had the same expression as during his journey.

Okita covered Samura with the blanket, stood up, and walked out of the room.

Peering through the crack in the door at the sleeping Samura, Ms. Okita couldn't help but say, "I really do wish Mr. Samura could smile a little more..."

Click.

Zuocun let out a burp.

......

A few days later.

The open space behind the test hall.

"Mr. Kondo, please enjoy the swordsmanship I have created." Samura did not bring his tsurugi, but instead carried an ordinary katana.

"Please, Mr. Samura." Kondo Shusuke nodded with a smile.

Isamu Shimazaki, Toshizo Hijikata, Souji Okita, and Hajime Saito expressed their strong interest in watching.

"Samura's swordsmanship is in no way inferior to mine, and may even be stronger!" Ms. Okita said with a smile.

"Huh? That guy has grown up so fast?" Shimazaki Isamu asked in surprise.

"Okita, what are you so happy about?" Hijikata Toshizo looked at Okita Souji suspiciously.

"Don't talk, that guy Samura has started." Saito interrupted Hijikata, staring intently at Samura.

Zuocun took a deep breath.

Then, to the astonishment of several people...

He jumped up.

“Holy crap!” Saito Kazuya cursed.

Zuocun's jump was as if he had taken off; he didn't use his full strength, but he jumped seven or eight meters high.

“This…?” Hijikata looked at Okita.

"Hmm? What's wrong? Is this Mr. Samura's swordsmanship?" Okita said with a smile.

"No, no, no, even if you make it sound normal, something still doesn't seem right." Shimazaki Isamu shook his head, rubbing his head.

Although Kondo Shusuke was also surprised, he did not make a fuss like the three young men.

This power...

The way it is applied should be somewhat similar to the shrinking of the earth in the natural flow of mind.

The Natural Mind School has been passed down for countless generations before it was able to develop the art of shrinking the earth, and those who have mastered this art are extremely rare.

Anno Sadamura, this person...

Zuocun, however, did not care about what the people on the ground thought.

With his sword raised, Zuocun looked at the wooden stake on the ground.

Since it's meant to be shown to Mr. Kondo, then...

New Feather Wheel, one of the separate wings.

"Tsuru-ru," Zuo-cun whispered in a voice only he could hear.

The body, seemingly suspended in mid-air, suddenly plummeted downwards at high speed.

The katana sliced ​​easily across the wooden post.

pat.

The wooden stake, as tall as a person, split in two and fell to the ground.

Samura sheathed his katana and bowed slightly to Kondo Shusuke: "I've made a fool of myself, Mr. Kondo."

Kondo Shusuke didn't say anything, he just nodded and walked over from the side.

He crouched down to examine the wooden stake that Zuo Cun had cut in two.

Falling from the air generates more force than a normal thrust or slash.

Moreover, this jumping ability can also help avoid enemy slashes, and the air is also a blind spot for many people...

Kondo Shusuke had a keen eye; he understood the principles of the Samura Hyakucho-ryu style with just a few moves.

But this amazing jumping ability...

“Actually, I should be glad I didn’t let you stay at the Shieikan back then, Samura.” Kondo Shusuke stood up.

“Even when I was young, I might not have been able to use such a sharp sword technique.” Kondo Shusuke patted Samura on the shoulder.

Saito leaned against the fence, looking at Samura, and shrank back.

------------

Chapter 325 The 1856 New Year

"That level... I think I'll wait and challenge that guy later..." Saito Hajime muttered lazily to himself.

"What's wrong? Saito kid, are you backing down already?" Hijikata looked at Saito Hajime with a smile.

“He just doesn’t want to make trouble for himself. Look at him.” Saito pointed at Samura, who was talking to Kondo Shusuke. “He looks so harmless, but who knew he could jump so high? Once he’s up there, how are we supposed to cut him down?”

“That makes sense…” Shimazaki Yu stroked his stubble-covered chin and pondered, “But have you considered that when Samura jumps up, it means he becomes a sitting duck? After all, he can’t move in the air, can he?”

Hijikata Toshizo rolled his eyes: "You can't move, but can you jump up and cut him down?"

"No," Shimazaki Yu readily admitted.

"So, you can't really hit him, which means you're bound to lose. I'm too lazy to participate in a duel like that." Saito Hajime said this and then ran away.

“What a carefree guy…” Shimazaki Isamu and Hijikata Toshizo exchanged a glance and smiled in unison.

......

"In this weather, how can I find sweet potatoes..."

There was no market today, and it wasn't a busy time of day like in the evening, so there weren't many residents on the streets of Edo.

Previously, when they were in Shimomura Kurokawa, Samura lost a bet to Okita, and the price he paid was that Samura had to make Okita a chestnut kandan (a type of sweet dumpling).

However, after wandering around Zuocun several times, they still couldn't find anyone selling sweet potatoes.

There were no chestnuts either...

With a sigh, Zuo Cun had no choice but to buy a few more jars of wine and a chicken before heading back.

Okita is wielding his sword inside the Shieikan.

Zuocun shook off the snow that had fallen on him and walked into the Shiekan.

"Ah, Samura-kun, you're back!" Ms. Okita looked at Samura with surprise. "How did it go? Did you manage to buy sweet potatoes and chestnuts?"

"Uh, I didn't manage to buy any..." Zuo Cun looked a little embarrassed. "But I did buy a chicken."

Ms. Okita's smile instantly froze on her face.

He twitched the corner of his mouth: "It's really difficult to buy sweet potatoes in this weather..."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely cook for you in the future." Samura handed the chicken to the servant of Shieikan, then gently tapped Okita's head.

"Mr. Samura, don't go back on your word!" Okita called out to Samura's retreating figure.

......

The Lunar New Year is approaching.

Several people sat on the steps in front of the Shieikan (Imperial Guard Hall), looking towards Edo Castle.

"There should be fireworks in Edo Castle today, right?" Shimazaki said, holding a small dish of sake.

“There should be some…” Saito Hajime looked at the sake in Shimazaki’s hand.

"I think we'll all go to Senso-ji Temple tomorrow." Kondo Shusuke walked out of the house with his hands in his sleeves, looking at the group of young people gathered at the door.

“Of course I’ll go, after all, it’s a time to pray for blessings during the New Year.” Miss Okita sat next to Samura, holding food in her hands.

thump...

The buzzing of bells came from afar.

"Ah, it's starting." Hijikata Toshizo looked into the distance. "The New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony at Senso-ji Temple."

thump...

None of them spoke again.

This bell is meant to cleanse away impurities and welcome the New Year.

If you hear all 108 chimes, you will be happy in the new year.

thump...

The cold winter wind gently caressed their faces, and the three teenagers, who had been drunk, sobered up a bit.

The monks of Senso-ji Temple rang the bell one hundred and eight times.

A small white bird landed on Zuocun's shoulder, as if it too was listening to the bells.

"Alright, alright, now that the bells have stopped ringing, everyone should hurry back and rest." Kondo Shusuke began to shoo people away. "Samura, Hijikata, Shimazaki! Put down your sake, don't greet the New Year looking like a drunkard!"

Everyone was sent back to their rooms.