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

Yamanami Reisuke.

And disciples of the Natural Rishin-ryu school.

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

Chapter 367 Struggle for Command

In the early morning, the group of the Tennen Rishin-ryu Shieikan, led by Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo, arrived at Mibu Village, not far from Kyoto.

“Mibu-dera Temple, this is our destination.” Kondo Isami pointed to a temple outside the village and said to the people behind him.

Mibu-ji Temple was a very large temple, but it has fallen into disrepair for some reason.

“My two older brothers have been waiting inside for quite some time,” said Nagakura Shinpachi with a slight smile.

"Then let's hurry over there." Kondo Isami led the group forward.

......

At Mibu-ji Temple, the other samurai of the Tennen Rishin-ryu school dispersed.

This abandoned temple will serve as our base for activities for a long time to come, so we need to clean it up first.

The remaining five people who were truly in charge sat together in a room to discuss some matters.

"My name is Serizawa Kamo. I practice the same Shinto Munen-ryu style as Nagakura Shinpachi. Nice to meet you." Serizawa Kamo smiled and bowed slightly.

"Niimi Nishiki is also a member of the Shinto Munen-ryu school. Please give me your guidance." Niimi Nishiki smiled and bowed his head.

"I heard your name from Shinpachi a long time ago, Mr. Serizawa." Although Kondo Isami did not look as muscular as Serizawa Shinmi, he was neither humble nor arrogant.

He is the elder brother of the Natural Rishin-ryu school, representing the face of Natural Rishin-ryu.

"My name is Kondo Isami, the former director of the Tennen Rishin-ryu Shieikan. Nice to meet you."

"Hijikata Toshizo, Tennen Rishin-ryu, please give me your guidance." Hijikata Toshizo didn't want to say too much.

"I am Yamanami Keisuke, of the Hokushin Itto-ryu school. Please... take good care of me." He is a link connecting everyone, so it is only natural that he should be here as well.

"The topic we've gathered here to discuss is very clear," Kondo Isami began, his eyes sharp. "The shogunate's policy of appeasement towards ronin is an opportunity we all see as valuable. We've all gathered here for this opportunity to serve and save our country. Everyone—no objections, right?"

Everyone nodded.

“That being said, there are countless ronin gathered around Kyoto, and quite a few of them are even organized. It will be difficult for us to stand out from the crowd,” Kondo Isami raised the first challenge.

“That’s not a big problem,” Serizawa Kamo replied.

“I still have some connections. Although Kiyokawa Hachiro proposed this plan, as far as I know... he probably has some other ulterior motives. After all, he is a thorough anti-foreigner.”

"Is that so...? Then, what stance do we need to take?"

Although Serizawa Kamo didn't say it explicitly, Kondo Isami could tell that Serizawa Kamo had a way to bypass Kiyokawa Hachiro and directly contact higher-ups.

Since this method exists, all that needs to be done is to strengthen management and adopt the appropriate stance.

“This requires us to discuss it together,” said Hijikata Toshizo. “The first thing we need to figure out is what they need.”

“What they need is definitely more than just maintaining order.” Yamanami Keisuke looked at the two groups of people. “The complexity of the police job lies here. Having the power to arrest is certainly a coveted position, but it is also a position that is easily envied by others.”

“Indeed…” Serizawa Kamo pinched his chin, “And now Kyoto is a mixed bag, with political struggles… you all know about it, I don’t need to say more.”

“Actually, I don’t think it’s necessary to overcomplicate things. What we should show most is our strength and loyalty, nothing more.” Kondo Isami held up one finger. “At such a crucial juncture, if we think too much and make things too complicated, it might backfire in the end.”

“Kyoto is currently embroiled in internal strife, and even the Shogun and the Emperor cannot remain uninvolved. What they desire most is military force,” Kondo Isami said, looking at the crowd. “Military force that can stabilize everything.”

He pointed to himself, then to Serizawa Kamo, and then to the outside of the room.

"We are force."

“I understand.” Serizawa Kamo, after being reminded by Kondo Isami, also realized, “If we want to control the fate of this country, we must first be prepared to be controlled by this country.”

“In that case, the remaining answer is quite clear.” Kondo Isami smiled at Serizawa Kamo.

Serizawa Kamo didn't mince words, directly following Kondo Isami's lead: "What methods are used to determine the leader of a violent organization...?"

Their eyes met.

Perhaps neither of them is the strongest in their respective schools of thought, but they are definitely the most representative of their respective schools.

They possess both formidable strength and sharp intellect.

When two people like these meet, the outcome is self-evident.

Both of them wanted command.

......

Everyone gathered around.

Serizawa Kamo and Kondo Isamu faced each other.

Suddenly, Kondo Isami smiled.

"Speaking of which, I also want to thank someone."

"If it weren't for him, my progress wouldn't have been so rapid."

“…” His eyes turned serious. “Natural Rishin-ryu, Kondo Isami.”

“The Way of God is without thought, Serizawa Kamo.”

Clang—the sword is drawn.

Battle is imminent.

Natural Rishin-ryu emphasizes speed, while Shinto Munen-ryu emphasizes power.

The moment the swords clashed, Kondo understood in an instant that he was far inferior to Serizawa Kamo in terms of strength.

but--

Instead of fighting head-on, Kondo nimbly twisted his body, deflecting Serizawa Kamo's sword forward. Using this momentum, Kondo Isami arrived behind Serizawa Kamo.

Thrust—

Ding!

Although Serizawa Duck is a bit clumsy, it is capable of handling this level of attack.

The battle on the field became increasingly fierce.

Rintaro Okita asked Genzaburo Inoue, "Who do you think will win between Mr. Kondo and Mr. Serizawa?"

Inoue Genzaburo narrowed his eyes: "Because of the pressure from that guy Samura, Kondo has improved a lot compared to before, and I am also a disciple of the Tennen Rishin-ryu school, so I should support Mr. Kondo, but..."

“Mr. Serizawa is clearly stronger.”

"Is that so?" Rintaro replied in silence.

"But Kondo won't be defeated easily either. Swordsmen of their caliber are far more resilient than we can imagine. Let's just wait and see how it goes."

Standing not far away, Shinmi Nishiki seemed to hear a familiar name.

He walked over.

"My name is Shinmi Nishiki, nice to meet you."

"Genzaburo Inoue."

"Rintaro Okita."

"I just heard you mention Zuocun... Are you referring to the one with the Feathered Demon Slayer, Zuocun?"

Rintaro and Inoue exchanged a glance: "Yes."

"Do you know?"

Inoue nodded. "We've known each other for many years. What's up?"

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

Chapter 368 She's a child from Zuo Village.

Upon hearing the name Samura, a small group of people gathered together, leaving only the other Tennen Rishin-ryu samurai watching the duel between Serizawa Kamo and Kondo Isami.

Serizawa Kamo's slash was powerful and heavy. Although Kondo Isami's strength was already considered outstanding in the Tennen Rishin-ryu school, he was indeed unable to withstand Serizawa Kamo's superior strength in the Shinto Munen-ryu school.

Therefore, Kondo Isami made good use of the advantages of the Natural Rishin-ryu style, playing to his strengths and avoiding his weaknesses, using speed to harass Serizawa Kamo.

Serizawa Kamo had been trying to figure out the pattern of Kondo Isami's actions. He was a bit clumsy, but stronger than Kondo Isami. If this battle dragged on to the end, he would definitely win.

But apart from Niimi Nishiki and Nagakura Shinpachi, he didn't know anyone else here.

Therefore, he needed to save face for Kondo Isami, since they would be working together in the future, and a strained relationship would be bad for everyone, especially since they were still in the early stages.

"Hey Kondo, let's settle this with one decisive move!" he suggested, a suggestion that would benefit both sides.

“…I couldn’t ask for more!” Kondo Isami lowered his body, placed his left hand on the ground, and narrowed his eyes as he looked at Serizawa Kamo, who resembled Fudo Myoo.

"Let me show you a little of the special techniques of the Natural Heart-Soothing School!"

Holding the katana upright beside his ear in his right hand, this is the strongest sword technique of the Tennen Rishin-ryu school.

By using extremely high speed to thrust, the strong can even transcend the limitations of space.

This is--

"Unknown Thrust—!"

"You're really strong, Kondo. Well then, you'll have to see what I'm capable of!"

Serizawa stood ramrod straight, his katana held atop his head.

He exhaled, and his muscles bulged instantly.

The ultimate move of the Shinto Munen-ryu style—

"Five cycles of reincarnation—!"

Ping Pong —

Centered on the spot where the two clashed swords, a cloud of dust rose throughout the entire courtyard of Mibu-ji Temple.

The group that was discussing Zuocun also turned their attention back to the competition.