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

"You don't need to apologize to me, Zuocun."

“My master once told me that a samurai should have his own beliefs.”

"You and Shimazaki just have different ideas, and you may not necessarily go down opposite paths in the future."

Upon hearing Ms. Okita's clumsy attempt at comforting him, Zuocun couldn't help but burst into laughter through his tears.

"Then let's just leave it at that."

Samura released Okita and walked past her.

Okita turned around: "Samura, how about I go with you—"

“Okita!” Samura interrupted Okita.

He knew what Okita wanted to say.

"This path of mine is not suitable for you, and I will not let you follow me."

"Go with Shimazaki and Hijikata."

"...If, when dawn arrives, neither of us has died in this chaotic world...I will come to find you."

Zuocun did not say anything more.

With a leap, only Okita Souji remained on the rooftop.

She felt the lingering warmth and bit her lip.

"Then... it's settled."

......

Zuocun returned to his room and nudged Takeshi Hanpeita, who was still sleeping.

"Get up, Lord Takeshi."

"Huh? Is it dawn already?" Takeshi Hanpeita sat up, still half asleep.

"Not yet... but let's go." Zuo Cun said apologetically.

However, he was afraid that if he stayed here any longer, Okita would follow him.

As he said, before dawn, all roads are dark, and no one knows which road leads to the final sunlight.

However, the path that Samura chose was destined to be unsuitable for Okita.

A pure girl like Okita really needs the optimists like Shimazaki and Hijikata to brighten her day.

I'm sorry, Ms. Okita.

The two packed their luggage, left the hotel, and continued walking towards Oda Castle.

Miss Okita watched as Samura left without saying a word.

The wine that Zuocun had just drunk was still on the roof.

Okita sat in the spot where Samura had just been sitting, picked up the remaining wine, tilted his head back, and drank the rest of the wine in one gulp.

"Cough cough! It's so spicy!"

......

Both Samura and Takeichi Hanpeita were fast travelers, and they arrived at Oda Castle in less than a week.

After meeting up with Sakamoto Ryoma, the four of them quickened their pace and returned to Tosa.

Time was of the essence, and the establishment of the Tosa Loyalist Party could not be delayed.

The three of them rented a car and finally returned to Tosa in mid-October.

The three of them drafted a manifesto.

"Party leader: Wu City Ruishan."

"Once the proclamation is sent out, all the talents we've recruited will probably gather here," Ryoma said, stroking his hair, looking quite pleased with himself.

"The three people in this room, the rest are Oishi Maru, Masaki Soryou, Hirai Shujiro, and..."

“Okada Izou”.

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

Chapter 350 The hothead named Izo

When Okada Izo heard that the various domains were making moves and that Ryoma had apparently returned, he followed the rumors and went back to Tosa to see if he could find Ryoma.

Then he found it.

The two were childhood friends, both of humble origins. One was a foot soldier who had inherited his father's status, while the other was an ordinary village gentry, though he was very wealthy.

"I wonder what state that coward has reached now, and whether that strange woman is still by Ryoma's side protecting him." Izo muttered to himself as he walked toward Ryoma's residence.

Okada Izo has been practicing swordsmanship outside for the past two years, and has thus honed his skills.

He did not specialize in any particular sword technique, but rather drew upon the strengths of various schools.

In short, Okada knows a little about every kind of swordsmanship, but he is not proficient in any of them.

However, none of this mattered to Okada Izou.

After all—all he needs is the ability to kill.

His sword was forged solely for killing.

"Ah, the lights are still on." From outside the door, it can be seen that the lights are still on in Ryoma's private residence, so someone must be home.

"It's been a while," Izo said with a smile, knocking on the door of Ryoma's residence.

"Is anyone there? Hey! Ryoma, it's me."

A rustling sound came from behind, and Ryoma, hearing the familiar voice, couldn't help but smile: "Looks like someone familiar has arrived."

"Who is it?" Zuo Cun asked, sensing the unfamiliar voice.

He had been in Tosa for a while and knew almost everyone who was somewhat famous.

It can be said that Longma's acquaintances are his acquaintances.

“He’s one of the people on the list we came up with a couple of days ago.” Ryoma stood up and stretched his neck. “I’ll bring him over first.”

"Hmm." Zuo Cun nodded and continued writing something with his head down.

He and Ryoma had been discussing the future. The purpose of establishing the Loyalist Party was clear: to convey the idea of ​​"expelling the barbarians" to the shogunate.

After discussion, Samura and Ryoma also realized that simply denying "expelling the barbarians" is the same as "expelling the barbarians" itself, and that this is the trend of the times.

Together they concluded that expelling the barbarians was not the result, but the process, and the ultimate goal was to achieve a nationwide reform of Japan.

Simply put, two people can't do much. What they need to do now is to control the Tosa patriots and plan their next move.

Therefore, Samura and Ryoma devised a plan.

"When the feudal domain is settled and the emperor is loyal, Takeichi Zuizan will take office to promote the expulsion of foreigners. The imperial court and the shogunate will surely respond. However, the faction that unites the court and the military will resolutely oppose it. At that time, we will spread the message of supporting foreigners in Tosa and gather patriots."

There is also a supplementary clause, which was added personally by Takeshi Ruishan.

"If the leader of the loyalist party, Takeshi, becomes disloyal, you must urge him to change his mind, and if necessary... force Takeshi to commit suicide."

The Loyalist Party is undoubtedly a radical force, and those conservative old guys in the Gongwu Alliance faction will definitely find an opportunity to kill the Loyalist Party.

Therefore, the Loyalist Party was, from beginning to end, merely a pawn, a pawn used to confuse the public and conceal the true thoughts of Tosa, except that Takeichi Zuizan was one of those who willingly became a pawn.

This was the path to national salvation chosen by Takeshi Ruizan, and Samura and Ryoma naturally had no reason to stop him.

Just as Samura was still pondering, Ryoma had already returned with Okada Izo.

Okada Izo was not tall, had a messy black hairstyle, and looked rather listless.

Zuo Cun looked up, and their eyes met.

"Ryoma, is there anyone else? Why didn't you tell me beforehand?" Izo looked at the stranger, Samura, feeling a little awkward.

Miss Alon, who was lying on the side, was woken up and discovered Izou.

"Oh! It's Izan!" Seeing a familiar face, Miss A-Long was quite happy and skipped over to Ryoma's side.

"What? This woman is still here?" Okada Izo involuntarily shrank his neck. He used to be beaten up by Miss A-Long all the time. Although he had mastered swordsmanship, he was still afraid of Miss A-Long.

But you still need to be stubborn.

"Aren't you going to introduce him, Sakamoto?" Samura asked Ryoma with a forced smile.

"No need for Ryoma to introduce me, I am Okada Izou. Who are you?" Okada Izou scoffed.

Longma couldn't help but chuckle and took a step back.

He's now looking forward to seeing what Okada Izo will do next.

“Ryoma has bad intentions.” Miss Ryoma stared at him.

"Shh, don't talk." Ryoma put his finger to his lips, signaling Miss Ryoma to be quiet.

“You’re Okada Izo, huh? I’ve heard about you from Ryoma.” Samura stood up and extended his hand to Okada Izo.

However, Okada Izo did not grasp it, but instead looked at Samura with a provocative gaze.

"Shouldn't we introduce ourselves before shaking hands?"

"My name is Zuocun Anuo." Zuocun didn't seem to care.

Okada Izo nodded and shook Samura's hand.

"So, who exactly are you? And why are you at Ryoma's house?"

Zuo Cun showed a hint of surprise.

In recent years, every Japanese samurai has recognized him by his sword, let alone his name.

This is the first time I've encountered a samurai from Zuocun who I don't recognize.

Zuocun was also somewhat tempted by the prospect.

"As you can see, Sakamoto and I are friends, and even more so, partners who fight together." Samura revealed a rare smile as he introduced himself in a conventional manner.

"I see." Okada Izo looked at Samura's harmless smiling face and felt a little annoyed.