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

This chaotic world will bring pressure to everyone.

As Okita passed through the front hall, he saw a figure standing in front of the Shieikan gate, about to knock on the door.

“Mr. Zuocun…” She stood there, stunned, and murmured to herself softly.

Samura forced a smile: "Long time no see, Ms. Okita."

......

"Are you the only one at the Shieikan?" Samura sat not far from Okita, took a sip of tea, and was somewhat hesitant to look at Okita.

Okita nodded: "Master took Shimazaki and Hijikata out, so I'm the only one here for now."

She was also a little afraid to look at Zuocun.

Mr. Samura has become more mature, and his smile seems to have completely disappeared.

All that remained were stiff facial features and an aura that kept strangers at bay.

She was aware of her feelings for Samura before, and she was distraught for a long time after Samura left Mibuji Temple.

...Was it a fondness for Zuocun, or simply a fleeting infatuation during her teenage years?

Okita couldn't figure it out.

She wasn't a smart girl; she was just a girl skilled with a sword. If there were too many or too complicated questions, her mind wouldn't be able to process them.

After that parting, Samura completely disappeared from the Edo area.

until today.

Stealing a glance at Samura's serious face, Okita's lips involuntarily curled up slightly.

She couldn't quite understand her feelings for Zuo Cun, but she knew that looking at Zuo Cun made her happy.

"Mr. Samura, where have you been for the past two years?" Ms. Okita asked with a slight smile.

“I’ve been to Tosa, Nagasu, and Anotsu, and I’ve also spent a long time in Shimoda Port.” Samura didn’t intend to hide anything from Okita.

There is not a single lie about Okita to him. If it weren't for Okita that day, there would be no Hagiwara, and perhaps Samura would have died in some turmoil long ago.

"I see." Okita knew that Samura wouldn't lie to her, so she maintained her smile. "So, will you be staying here this time?"

Zuocun paused, his hand holding the teacup still.

"...I don't know, I guess...they probably won't keep it." Zuo Cun sighed softly and drank the tea in his cup in one gulp.

"Huh? Is that so?" Although Okita has grown older, taller, and stronger, his dazed personality when he is with those close to him has not changed at all.

Samura seemed unusually relaxed: "The main reason I came to Edo this time is to visit Mr. Kondo Shusuke and you all, and then... tell you a few things, that's all?"

Okita tilted his head: "Say something? What is it?"

Zuo Cunxin's heart tightened suddenly, and he pondered for a few seconds: "Let's wait until... Shimazaki and Hijikata come back before we talk about it."

"...By the way, Okita, it's been a long time. I wonder how your swordsmanship has improved?" Samura touched the hilt of Tsurugi and suddenly looked at Okita.

Okita smiled as he looked at Samura, who was displaying a fighting spirit towards him.

"Don't underestimate me now... Mr. Samura."

......

"Hyakucho-ryū, Samura Anno." Samura's icy face finally showed a hint of a smile.

Only the feeling of battle could bring some relief to Zuocun's heavy heart.

"Natural Rishin-ryu, Okita Souji." Miss Okita excitedly drew Kashuu Kiyomitsu from its sheath.

"Mr. Samura, let's have a try! Now, let's see whose swordsmanship is stronger!"

“…Oh!” Zuocun replied.

Zheng—

The crane wings were drawn, and two famous swords stood facing each other, their owners facing each other.

Okita moved first, but instead of using the "shrinking ground" technique, he simply thrust straight forward.

Even so, Samura still felt that Okita was striking him like lightning.

Standing with his sword drawn, Zuo Cun had no intention of jumping up to dodge. At this speed, he couldn't dodge anyway; speed wasn't the Hundred Birds Style's forte.

Ping!

As Tsuruka and Kashuu Kiyomitsu's blades clashed, Okita did not continue to exert force. Instead, he deflected the blades and swung his sword rapidly at extremely close range towards Samura.

In an instant, several blades shot towards Zuo Cun.

Zuocun simply chuckled.

A fierce and rapid exchange unfolded between the two.

Samura's reaction speed and counterattack speed were completely on par with Okita's.

Despite delivering dozens of stabs, Okita still couldn't gain the upper hand and had no choice but to create distance.

But now it was Zuocun's turn.

Sangura closed in, giving Okita no chance to create distance.

Okita's swordsmanship focuses on thrusting, while Samura's focuses on slashing.

The strokes were wide and sweeping, with each cut extending a long distance.

pat!

Okita seized an opening and tried to retreat.

With utmost focus, Zuo Cun leaped into the air, his entire body flipping over mid-air—

The sword slashed at Okita from an unexpected position.

Okita knew what kind of swordsmanship Samura's Hundred Birds Stream was, and was prepared for this move.

Kashuu Kiyomitsu held the sword horizontally above his head, the two swords intersecting!

-

The distance between them increased, and the two switched places, standing in place, slightly panting.

"You've made a lot of progress, Okita." It's been snowing lightly these past two days, but Samura is sweating.

He smiled at Okita Souji across from him: "Can you continue? You'll have to show your true skills."

Okita Souji laughed twice: "Miss Okita—it's getting serious now!"

Neither of them intended to stop.

The seemingly dangerous battle just now was merely an appetizer.

The real battle is about to begin.

Zuocun took a deep breath, his leg muscles tensing.

Okita closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, all that remained was seriousness and earnestness.

Zuocun leaped high into the air, while Okita disappeared from the spot.

The ultimate showdown between the Hyakucho-ryu and Tennen Rishin-ryu styles—

......

On the road leading to the Shieikan (Test Guard Hall).

A thin, somewhat aged-looking old man, followed by four young men, was heading towards the Shie-e-kan (Test Guard Hall).

"I wonder what Okita is doing now," Shimazaki Isamu said, taking a bite of his steamed bun.

"She's probably practicing her swordsmanship. After Zuocun disappeared, it felt like she entered a state where she only had her sword." Hijikata Toshizo shook his head.

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

Chapter 343 The Dignity of a Samurai

The five people could hear clanging sounds coming from the direction of the Shiwei Hall from a distance.

"This is..." Saito, standing at the back, had the most acute senses and instantly caught the sound of swords clashing. "The sound of battle?"

Hijikata and Saito exchanged a glance and said in unison, "It's Okita!"

Then the two of them, along with Inoue Genzaburo behind them, took off running and rushed towards the Shieikan.

Kondo Shusuke couldn't run anymore; he was too old to run. Although only two years had passed, Kondo Shusuke, whose health was already poor, was now even more powerless.

He didn't want to run away either.

Although Kondo Shusuke was thin, his aura was still sharp. He looked at Saito Hajime behind him and said, "What's wrong, Saito kid? Aren't you going to chase after them?"

Saito paused for a moment, then smiled and shook his head: "Mr. Kondo, how could you not know Okita's strength?"

"There's absolutely no need to worry about that guy being in danger. To put it bluntly, there are practically no people in Japan these days who can match Okita's swordsmanship."

"In your opinion, among the renowned swordsmen in Japan today, who can rival Okita?" Kondo Shusuke asked with a smile.

"Hmm... that question," Saito Hajime said with a nonchalant smile, "I guess I'm one of them. Shinpachi Nagakura of the Shinto Munen-ryu style is also capable of going toe-to-toe with Okita, and then there's..."

“That person who disappeared from this area two years ago.” Saito Hajime’s eyes showed a hint of regret. “Habakizaki, Samura Anno.”

His strength has improved very rapidly in the past two years. Having experienced the invisible sword, Saito Hajime is confident that he is no less than the likes of Samurai, Okita, and Nagakura.

Kondo Shusuke just smiled and didn't say anything.

......

The battle between Samura and Okita has reached a fever pitch.

Okita, who has fully mastered the art of teleportation and can frequently and rapidly unleash it, and Samura, who moves like a flying bird and can even remain suspended in the air for several seconds, this battle...

Anyway, Shimazaki Isamu, Hijikata Toshizo, and Inoue Genzaburo, who rushed over, were dumbfounded.

Okita darted through the air, while Samura stood suspended in mid-air, constantly parrying Okita's swords that seemed to come from nowhere, before landing on nearby tree branches to reorganize his attack.

Samura stood on the tree, and Okita stood on the ground.

Both of them narrowed their eyes and stared at each other.