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

Longma immediately became happy.

He thinks very comprehensively and far ahead; he has even figured out how he will probably die in the future.

So when Zamura said he had learned the language of Americans, Ryoma immediately thought about many things that would happen in the future.

If he wants to take any naval actions in Tosa, he will inevitably have to make contact with foreigners.

At this time, if there is someone who understands a foreign language by your side, many things will become much simpler.

At the very least, the barriers to communication will be greatly reduced.

"As expected of you, you've thought of everything so thoroughly." Ryoma excitedly tried to pat Samura on the shoulder, only to find that Samura was already quite drunk.

He sighed, "Miss Long and I only drank one bowl of the two jin of baijiu each... When did you become such a heavy drinker?"

"It's not long, just these last couple of days," Zuo Cun burped.

Even when drunk, he remained remarkably sober.

However, Zuocun rarely drinks this much alcohol.

...Perhaps Zuo Cun's mood has been a bit off these past few days.

This strange thing started after my conversation with Shimazaki Hijikata on the eve of my departure from Mibu Village.

If it were just a difference of opinion, it would be easy to resolve, but ultimately...

It was Samura who saw the possibility of future conflict.

Shimazaki Isamu and Hijikata Toshizo rarely went out, lacking experience but full of ambition. With no opportunity to realize their ambitions, their only goal was to serve the shogunate.

Samura directly invited everyone at Shieikan to try walking their own paths, to travel more, and to strive for change in this country.

However, Shimazaki and Hijikata, whose mindsets had become somewhat rigid, rejected Samura's proposal after careful consideration.

They are not like Zuocun, who has no worries, nor like Ryoma, whose family has some power.

They were just warriors who rose from the ranks of the most ordinary people, and it was only natural that they would think that having the backing of the government was the best path to advancement.

So, naturally, the ending a few days ago was... an unpleasant one.

Everyone here is an adult, and Zuo Cun can no longer influence their thoughts too much.

As he was leaving, Isamu Shimazaki, the carefree older brother, patted Samura on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Even if we go down different paths in the future, we'll still be good friends, won't we?"

Zuocun nodded in agreement.

But deep down he knew... if they really went down different paths, could they still continue as friends?

The way samurai survived was something everyone knew perfectly well.

On the battlefield, whenever a sword is drawn, even the closest of friends must be prepared to be... hacked to death.

This is the samurai.

It appears glamorous, but in reality, it's an identity that deviates from humanity and tramples on emotions.

Zuocun has been asking himself these questions during the days he's been away.

Am I truly prepared to do anything for this country?

"Ryoma, I've come to my own answer now." Samura lowered his head, his bangs obscuring his eyes, along with those things that shouldn't be there, stuck to them.

"I may never find my own answer, but... I will push myself forward, as always."

"Just like... when Kurokawa Shimomura was."

Ryoma also noticed that Samura's mood was very strange.

He sighed and stood up: "Feeling better, Zuo Cun?"

Zuo Cun raised his head and smiled indifferently.

What are your plans for the future?

“I want to walk along the coastline to Shimoda.” Zuocun always had a detailed plan for his route. “I want to see what this port, which was opened to foreigners, looks like now.”

Do you want to come along?

Ryoma glanced at the bored Miss Ryoma beside him, pondered for a moment, and then smiled.

"Let's go then."

......

The two stayed overnight in the small village and set off on their journey the next day.

And someone who had wanted to meet Samura for a long time...

Emperor Komei sighed.

He remained very calm.

Since taking office, he has been like a mascot, with no real power whatsoever, and his mentality is extremely stable.

However, as the nominal supreme ruler of Japan, it's impossible to say that he had no ambition whatsoever.

And now, he sees that hope.

However, despite his hopes, Xiaoming still had his own thoughts during this time of external troubles and internal turmoil.

That is, on the surface, he must protect and support the shogunate, since the shogunate is the best shield in front of him against external enemies.

He even publicly stated his position on this matter.

However, none of this prevented him from having his own little schemes.

That is to recruit some of your own trusted confidants and find a way to get something back from the shogunate.

For example... by using the shogunate to give rise to the power of the monarchy, and to achieve the union of the court and the military?

However, the plan to secretly search for a strong person has not gone smoothly. At least, the person Xiaoming thought was the best candidate... seems to have forgotten about him and has never come to see him.

Zuocun really forgot.

He is currently practicing swimming at the beach.

Ryoma wants to create a sailor team or something similar. Although it's still just a concept, mastering swimming skills is essential.

Although Zuocun can jump, there's nothing on the sea surface to give him leverage to jump up.

However... Zuocun is a landlubber.

If it weren't for Miss Ah Long's great efforts to retrieve him, Zuo Village might have drifted away there.

On land, when he encounters a river or something similar, if there are many people, he will cross the bridge; if there are few people, he will simply jump across, without getting wet at all.

But now...

Zuo Cun spat out a mouthful of seawater, his mouth full of salt.

He lay on a large rock by the sea, staring at the sky with a look of utter despair.

"Why can't I learn to swim?" He felt like dying when he said that.

As a top-tier samurai, his physical coordination was exceptional.

But when the entire body was submerged in seawater, it inexplicably became uncontrollable.

In short, he's afraid of water.

Ryoma found it somewhat amusing, but felt that laughing out loud might be impolite.

"Hahahahahaha!" Miss Ah Long laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight.

"I clearly... I clearly didn't feel anything when I was catching fish a couple of days ago." Zuo Cun patted his bulging belly and sighed.

too difficult.

But Zuocun will teach himself to swim; he must learn what he wants to learn.

...I just don't know how much more seawater I'll have to drink.

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

Chapter 339 The Death of Tokugawa Iesada

Hijikata Toshizo spent some money to get some details about Abe Masahiro's assassination from a servant.

When Masahiro Abe was found, there was a large hole in the ceiling of the room, and Abe himself had a severed arm and a penetrating wound on his forehead, which appeared to have been caused by a dagger.

Aside from these, the murderer did not leave any further clues at the scene.

Hijikata Toshizo pondered.

Within the small group belonging to Shieikan, he was quick-witted; he was the one who came up with ideas, and then Shimazaki Isamu finalized them.

He had some bad thoughts in his mind.

That is, Masahiro Abe... was most likely assassinated by Samura.

Samura had been staying in Kyoto, which many people can attest to. After all, Hagiwara was quite a big shot, and a very special one at that.

As for the dagger... Zuo Cun happened to have a dagger hanging on his chest.

In addition, there was that debate between Samura and the two of them back in Mibu Village...

No, we shouldn't jump to conclusions so quickly. Do you think a mere samurai like me can investigate something that the government can't?

Hijikata Toshizo had this idea of ​​escaping somewhat.

"Hijikata, did you find out anything?" Shimazaki Isamu leaned closer and asked.

Okita Souji's eyes were filled with hope.

Hijikata hesitated for two seconds, then shook his head: "There is no useful information, all we know is... Lord Abe died a very tragic death, his hands were cut off."

"Is that so...?" Shimazaki Isamu crossed his arms, as if he was thinking about something.

Only Okita noticed that slight hesitation.

Zuocun is not the only one facing contradictions and entanglements.

......

Zuocun and Ryoma walked along the coastline, stopping and starting intermittently.