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

It's common knowledge within the samurai community that Samura is a samurai who doesn't treat people like human beings.

Several patriots witnessed the massacre of bandits in Zuocun.

Expressionless, single-minded.

Moreover, he only drew the emerald green wakizashi from its scabbard, slaughtered all the bandits in front of him, leaving none to escape, and then continued with his own business.

Those bandits who died tragically, some even cleaved in two with a single blow, were left to rot in the wilderness.

The number of people killed by Zuocun alone, as witnessed by the patriots, was in the dozens.

What about those that the patriots had never seen before?

can not imagine.

Zuocun, this living god of slaughter, kills wherever he goes, because what this chaotic era has no shortage of is opportunists who will cause trouble as soon as they have a little bit of strength.

It's probably close to a thousand people already, right?

However, Zuocun also has his own beliefs.

Aside from bandits and enemies, he had never killed a single person.

In fact, he was quite kind to ordinary people.

The patriots couldn't understand Zuo Cun's methods, and dared not pry any further or try to understand him, because they knew that Zuo Cun Anno was incredibly dangerous no matter what.

Takeshi Hanpeita coughed twice, drawing everyone's attention.

"Does Mr. Takechi Zuizan have any suggestions?" Yamano Zentaro of the Mito Domain looked at Takechi Hanpeita with some excitement.

Wushi Ruishan is another name for Wushi Banpingtai.

“I do have a suggestion.” Takechi Hanpeita sat up straight and said seriously, “Please, everyone, do not attempt to assassinate Princess Kazumiya or the senior councilor, Ando Nobumasa.”

Zentaro Yamano frowned: "Why?"

"Because it's meaningless," Takeshi Hanpeita calmly stated his opinion.

"Assassinating Kazuya and assassinating Ando Nobumasa are meaningless."

"You say you want to make a show for the shogunate, but what the shogunate will see is not a group of patriots fighting to save the country, but only a mob that will stop at nothing to create panic." Takechi Hanpeita looked into Yamano Zentaro's eyes with a hint of confrontation. "Is all you want to do is make us a mob in the eyes of the shogunate?"

Although Takeshi Hanpeita spoke slowly, his tone was questioning.

Zentaro Yamano broke out in a cold sweat.

Even disregarding the presence of Hagiwara Zamura behind Takechi Hanpeita, Takechi Hanpeita himself was among the most outstanding of these patriots.

In such a chaotic environment, fame and ability are the only benchmarks for measuring status.

"Then... then what do you suggest we do?" asked a member of the Choshu Domain.

After the atmosphere had just heated up, everyone started discussing how to assassinate Kazumiya and Ando Nobumasa, but Takeichi Hanpeita's meddling brought everyone back to their senses.

Everyone wanted to do something for the country, but everyone was also driven by passion.

It's best to avoid doing things that harm others and yourself as much as possible.

Seeing that no one spoke, Takechi Hanpeita glanced at Samura behind him and smiled.

Zuocun gave Takeshi Hanpeita a thumbs up.

He and Takeshi Hanpeita have known each other for almost two years, and this isn't the first time he's done something like this.

"Let me give my opinion, which will represent the people of Tosa." Samura sat next to Takechi Hanpeita, his eyes sharp as an eagle, sweeping over the patriots in the room.

Those who were caught in Zuo Cun's gaze felt goosebumps.

"Because of the Ansei Purge a few years ago, the connection between the various domains and the shogunate itself is already precarious. The current situation is very close to the division during the Warring States period."

"If it weren't for the pressure from foreigners here, the various domains might have already established their own kingdoms. I'm sure everyone here is aware of that."

The assembled patriots from various regions fell into deep thought.

"Therefore, my suggestion is to temporarily tighten the activities of the patriots of various domains who are outside, especially assassinations. If assassination incidents occur now, it will only make us look like thugs in front of the shogunate, rather than patriots who are fighting for the future of the country."

“Each of you should return to your domain, establish your domain as a means of serving the emperor, manage your respective factions, then contact your lord, escort him to the capital, and have him convey your opinions to the shogunate. Under the dual pressure of foreigners and division, I believe that the Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi will not fail to seriously consider your opinions.”

Everyone, except for Samura and Takechi Hanpeita, began to consider the feasibility of what Samura had just said.

Takeichi Hanpeita smiled. This answer was naturally something he and Samura had discussed beforehand, and Sakamoto Ryoma had also been involved.

"Then, what about the timing?" the patriots of the Mito Domain asked again. "The timing must not be late. The shogunate has ruled Japan for so long, their efficiency must be much higher than ours."

“There’s no need to worry too much about that,” Takechi Hanpeita said. “The Emperor’s sister marrying the Shogun is a grand celebration that will definitely consume a lot of energy for both sides. Moreover, the Shogunate is currently struggling with factional infighting, and with mutual constraints, the efficiency will not be as fast as we imagine.”

"So, next year, next spring, we will escort the lord to the capital, and that will be fine."

After discussing it for a while, the group finally finalized a plan.

They went back for the time being, kept quiet, established the various vassal states' loyalist parties, and then, in the spring of 1861, escorted the vassal lords to the capital.

After the discussion ended, Samura walked out of the room, sighed, and walked side by side with Takeshi Hanpeita toward the inn.

There are still many details to be finalized regarding the establishment of the Loyalist Party, and deciding which people to contact to form the party is also a major issue.

At the same time, another figure entered the headquarters.

The figure wasn't tall, but he had a knife at his waist, and the surrounding people quickly moved away.

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

Chapter 349 Farewell to Ms. Okita

Samura and Takeichi Hanpeita did not linger in Kazusa for long, and set off for Tosa early the next morning.

The establishment of the Loyalist Party must be done as soon as possible. The plan should be implemented next spring. It's already almost September, and time is running out.

The two of them first went to Oda Castle to meet up with Sakamoto Ryoma, and then returned to Tosa together.

When the two passed through Xiazong, they stayed at a hotel.

Inside the inn, there was also a short samurai guest wearing a straw hat.

......

Zuocun bought some wine.

He climbed onto the roof alone.

It's cloudy tonight, but you can still occasionally see the moon through gaps in the clouds.

Sitting alone under the moon, drinking by himself, is Zuo Cun's greatest pleasure when he is all alone.

He enjoyed drinking more and more because when he drank too much, he didn't have to think about many things.

Downstairs, a figure returning from outside paused for a moment, looking at Zuo Cun sitting on the hotel rooftop.

"Zuocun... Anuo."

Zuocun was so engrossed in drinking that he was completely oblivious to what was happening.

However, after drinking for a while, just as Zuocun was getting drunk, he sensed that someone else had come up to the roof besides himself.

He thought it was Takeshi Hanpeita, but Takeshi Hanpeita was stepping on the roof tiles, so it wasn't that sound; the footsteps of the person coming were much lighter.

"Sir... what brings you here?" Zuo Cun finished his drink without turning around, and simply said this.

But Zuo Cun's hand had already gripped the hilt of Tsurugi's sword.

"Nothing much," a clear, cool female voice sounded from behind Zuo Cun. "Just came to see you."

Zuocun was stunned.

That sound...

After a long silence, neither of them moved.

Zuocun blinked and poured himself another glass of wine.

Then he handed it behind him.

Would you like a drink?

Okita took the sake from Samura without hesitation and drank it all in one gulp.

"Cough cough!" She coughed twice. "I really don't understand why you like to drink this kind of stuff."

"You get used to it after a while." Zuo Cun poured more wine and swirled the glass. "I know that what's in the glass can never drown your sorrows, but it can make you temporarily forget your pain."

"Is Mr. Samura really in pain?" Okita's tone carried a hint of accusation.

"...It's less about pain and more about self-pity." Zuo Cun looked at the wine in his glass, the moonlight reflecting off it, allowing him to see his own face. "It's just...the self-destructive behavior of someone who doesn't cherish feelings."

“You actually cherish feelings.” Miss Okita took two steps forward and pressed down on Samura’s head. “If you really don’t cherish feelings, why won’t you turn around and look at me?”

Zuo Cun gritted his teeth and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp again.

"Hey, Okita, in your mind, which is more important, belief or emotion?"

"......I have no idea."

Okita pursed his lips, his expression somber.

“...That’s true, Shimazaki and Hijikata have always been the ones making decisions for you.” Samura smiled.

"Are you making fun of me?" Okita frowned.

“No, that’s not it.” Zuocun stood up, dusted off his clothes, turned around, looked at Okita Souji, at this swordsmanship genius, and at this girl who had just come of age.

He gently embraced Okita Souji.

"Your purity is the best gift to this chaotic world."

"Rather than turning you into me, into someone like Shimazaki or Hijikata, it's better to just leave it as it is."

Zuocun was hesitant to let go, and dared not look Okita in the eye.

"Samura, I..." Okita didn't know what to say.

“I used to be afraid to face myself, but I understand, I’ve always understood.” Sakura held back his tears, biting his lip, and squeezed out the words, “I really want to leave Tosa, and live with you, with Hijikata, Shimazaki, and Inoue, with the life at the Shieikan, but I can’t.”

"Before dawn, all roads are dark, and no one knows which path is right. I cannot convince myself to abandon my beliefs and path to take the wrong one, so I'm sorry, I'm really sorry."

After pondering for a while, Okita hugged Samura back and patted him on the back.