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

Okita Souji and Saito Hajime attempted to ambush Serizawa Kamo from behind, but Serizawa Kamo was prepared and drew his sword to block their attack.

Okita Souji held Kashuu Kiyomitsu to his ear and looked at Serizawa Kamo seriously: "As expected of Mr. Serizawa, there's not a single flaw."

Saito Hajime, holding Onijimaru Kunishige, frowned and said, "Hey, wasn't this guy supposed to be dead drunk and sleeping right now?"

Serizawa Kamo closed his eyes, seemingly annoyed: "What a bunch of restless fellows."

He glared at Okita and Saito: "Adults are having a conversation, kids get out of here!"

Clang—Ping!

He repelled the two men who charged forward again with a single strike.

Okita Souji remained silent, but once again assumed a thrusting stance.

Saito Kazuya became serious.

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

Chapter 387 Takasugi Shinsaku

“...That’s how it is, Hijikata.” Serizawa Kamo held his katana, his aura sharp, and pointed at everyone present. “Whether it’s Souji... or Saito... or the other members of the Shinsengumi, they all lack ambition and are just a bunch of people who only know how to follow orders.”

"They have absolutely no sense of responsibility for the country."

"And it did not undermine the country's ideals at all."

"So of course someone should guide them and lead them in the right direction."

His gaze lingered on Hijikata Toshizo: "Isn't that what you think, Hijikata?"

Hijikata Toshizo replied, "I understand, Mr. Serizawa..."

"But this is not your task."

Serizawa Kamo sighed: "So the talks broke down... I had high hopes for you guys, Hijikata, Yamanami."

"But I didn't expect you to be unreasonable people as well. This is really difficult."

Yamanami Keisuke gently pushed the tsuba (guard) off the scabbard with his thumb: "Please... be prepared, Serizawa-san."

Serizawa Kamo smiled and shook his head.

"You want me to be prepared?"

"We should be prepared—"

"It's you guys!!!"

Snapped--

Harada Sanosuke also attacked. Serizawa Kamo parried Harada's spear, kicked Harada in the stomach, and then blocked the slashes from Yamanami Keisuke and Saito Hajime.

Okita lunged from the side, but Serizawa shifted his position slightly. Okita's blade missed a vital spot, only piercing Serizawa's shoulder.

Serizawa didn't say anything, but fiercely lifted Okita up and slammed him to the ground, trying to cut Okita Souji, but Souji dodged it.

puff-

Harada Sanosuke stabbed Serizawa in the thigh with his gun.

puff-

Yamanami struck Serizawa squarely in the chest.

puff-

Okita and Saito stabbed Serizawa in the body from the front and back respectively.

"—Ugh—Pfft—!!!"

Serizawa spat out a mouthful of blood.

Hijikata pointed the gun at Serizawa's head.

Serizawa stared at the muzzle of the gun, speechless.

Well... looks like I won't be able to live freely anymore, Samura...

...Let's manage a faint smile before we die...

...Never mind, my smile looked awful...

bang——

......

After being expelled from Kyoto or fleeing from numerous feudal troops, officials of the anti-foreign faction and remnants of the opposition forces all headed toward the same destination.

Choshu Domain.

Following the August 18th coup, most of the anti-foreign activists across the country gathered in the Choshu Domain.

Although Zuocun heard the news, he didn't take it to heart.

Just as he had said before, the attempt to expel foreigners was doomed to fail, and Japan could not avoid contact with the outside world.

As November approached and before the snow fell, Samura, Izo, and Kanna finally arrived at the residence of Sakamoto Ryoma in the Satsuma Domain.

"Zomura, Izō, thank goodness you're alright." Ryōma looked at the two with delight.

Miss A-Long's interest, however, was focused on Kanna.

"Long time no see, Kanna, hehehe." Miss A-Long pinched Kanna's face and grinned foolishly.

"Miss A-Long, if you pinch like that, your mouth will get bigger." Kanna tried to break free from Miss A-Long's clutches.

Meanwhile, Samura and Ryoma were already discussing matters.

"What's the progress of establishing the Haiyuan Team?" Zuocun asked.

Longma shook his head: "It's not really established yet, but I already have a channel to buy ships."

"That's good." Zuocun smiled. "As long as there's a boat, that's fine."

What's the point of building a maritime aid team if you don't have a ship?

"Oh, right, besides you, there's one more person coming over today." Ryoma moved a table out of the cabinet and took out some tea set. "Miss Ryoma, could you please make me a cup of tea?"

"No problem!" Miss A-Long released Kanna's face and went to make tea.

“That woman…” Izou shuddered as he recalled being bullied by Miss A-Long before.

Click.

A man pushed open the door of the Sakamoto residence.

He looked at the several pairs of shoes on the ground with a puzzled expression.

"Hmm? Are there any other guests today?"

"Hey Sakamoto, I'm here." The man pushed open the door and found that besides Sakamoto Ryoma, there were two other samurai there.

"Ah, Takasugi, you've arrived," Ryoma greeted with a smile.

Both Zuo Cun and Yi Zang's eyes were fixed on this man.

"Let me introduce you." After Takasugi Shinsaku sat down at the back of the table with a puzzled look, Ryoma introduced him to the two of them, "This is the Takasugi Shinsaku that I mentioned to Samura before."

Shinsaku Takasugi nodded slightly with a humble smile.

“Takasugi, these two are Samura Anno and Okada Izo.” Ryoma then introduced Samura and Izo to Takasugi Shinsaku. “Okada has been active in the Loyalist Party in Kyoto, while this Samura Anno has been in charge of communication between me and Mr. Takeichi Zuizan in Kyoto, as well as other activities in Kyoto.”

"I've heard so much about you, Mr. Takasugi." Samura smiled and nodded to Takasugi Shinsaku.

"I've long admired you." Izang also followed Sachura's example.

"Are you the one who slew the demon, Samura Anno?" Takasugi Shinsaku looked at Samura Anno with interest.

Zuo Cun's face stiffened for a moment, then he sighed and nodded: "Ten'inki chose to leave on his own, but he claimed to the outside world that I was the one who killed Ten'inki."

Everyone who hears the name Zuocun Anuo asks him if he has ever killed a demon; he's become numb to it all.

"Huh? Is that so? So you mean monsters really exist?" Takasugi Shinsaku seemed a little flippant.

"Let's get down to business first. We can talk about these things later." Ryoma clapped his hands. "I gathered everyone together mainly to talk about my ideas, but since Takasugi is here too, let's talk about something related to Takasugi-kun as well."

Ryoma cleared his throat: "I have gathered some patriots from various domains who have left their domains, and I intend to form a society."

"The association was formed in the form of a business company, with the aim of finding a place for those who wished to leave the domain, and also to lay the groundwork for larger actions in the future."

Zuo Cun nodded; these were things he and Ryoma had discussed long ago.

“Of course, this trading company also has some connection with Mr. Takasugi.” Ryoma pointed his finger. “Mr. Takasugi currently holds military power in Choshu, and our trading company can provide logistics and supplies for the army under Mr. Takasugi’s control.”

"Thank you, Sakamoto." Takasugi Shinsaku smiled and waved.

Samura frowned: "Takasugi-kun? Before that, I have a question for you."

"...Your Choshu Domain has gathered so many patriots dedicated to expelling the barbarians, but what is Takasugi-kun's view on expelling the barbarians as the one who controls military power?"

Zuo Cun narrowed his eyes.

"Tell me about it, Takasugi-kun," Ryoma said with a slight smile.

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

Chapter 388 Okita's Cough

“Since it was Ryoma who summoned you, it means... you can be trusted, right?” Takasugi Shinsaku glanced at Ryoma.

Ryoma nodded slightly.

Zuo Cun is absolutely trustworthy, as for Yi Zang... he probably wouldn't understand.

Takasugi smiled and nodded: "Right now, all those guys across the country who are shouting for the expulsion of the barbarians are gathered in Choshu, but..."

My views on resisting foreign aggression...

Takasugi Shinsaku snorted: "It's impossible to do, but it's still a useful tool."

"Now the shogunate is on the verge of collapse. Even the shogun Tokugawa Iemochi could not stop its decline despite his best efforts. My thinking... is to destroy and then rebuild."

"Using the pretext of expelling the barbarians, we will use military action to create a real situation of separatism and establish a truly new government."