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

Mr. Takeshi, we will not waste the efforts you made for us. These years of development have allowed us to find our direction and accumulate strength.

We... will definitely bring your share and usher in a new era.

......

Nothing earth-shattering happened in 1865.

This year passed by slowly, like a gentle stream.

The Choshu Domain was biding its time, the shogunate was accumulating strength, and everything seemed so peaceful.

Everyone knows that this calm often signifies an even bigger wave is about to come.

In this era when true dragons descend to earth, qilin tread the ground, and eagles soar through the sky.

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

Chapter 400 The Arrival of 1866

In June 1866, Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi went to Kyoto to discuss with Emperor Kōmei the conquest of the Chōshū Domain.

The Choshu Domain has become a problem that cannot be ignored, and the conquest of Choshu is now imperative.

To protect Tokugawa Iemochi, the Kyoto Guardian deliberately deployed its most elite Shinsengumi to guard the area around the Shogun's residence.

Meanwhile, outside the palace, Sasumura, who was chatting with Saigo Moritaka, Okubo Toshimichi, and others, finally smiled upon hearing the news.

The opportunity has finally arrived.

“Brother Saigo, Brother Okubo, I have some matters to attend to and must leave first.” Samura stood up and walked to the door. “You should return to Satsuma. Ryoma has made all the preparations.”

“I understand.” Saigo Moritaka nodded.

Zuocun leaped high into the air and left the room.

Upon arriving in Mibu Village, Kanna saw Samura standing at the door and excitedly opened it, saying, "Mr. Samura, you've come at the perfect time."

"What's wrong, Kanna?" Samura gently stroked Kanna's head.

Mibu Village has become the base for two teams.

The leaders of these two teams were Keisuke Yamanami and Izo Okada, respectively.

They need to provide support and protection for what Zuocun will do next.

"The haori that Kanna wanted to make for you is finished." Kanna took a haori out of the house and placed it in Samura's hands.

Sakura smiled and said, "Thank you, Kana."

“Mr. Samura, whatever you’re going to do,” Kanna said, looking into Samura’s eyes, “you must be careful to protect yourself.”

"......I see."

After taking off the black and white crane-patterned haori, Samura picked up the haori that Kanna had just made.

Loose fit, long sleeves, light brown all over.

The eagle feather pattern on the sleeves gives one an involuntary sense of heaviness and grandeur.

“This is truly a...perfect haori for me.”

Zuocun wore eagle feathers on his body.

Unlike the Tsuruhaori, which gives off a more refined and elegant vibe, even if Samura carries a sword, you'd feel that he wouldn't draw it.

However, this brand-new eagle feather garment truly and perfectly matches the aloof temperament of Samura.

A true eagle is nothing more than this.

......

“According to intelligence, the armies of various domains have completed their assembly and are expected to march on Choshu next month.” Yamanami Keisuke pointed to a location on the Kyoto map. “And this is where Tokugawa Iemochi’s temporary residence is located, which is also… the location we really need to target.”

"Seriously... How did you come up with such a crazy and dangerous plan, Samura?" Okada Izo said with a wicked smile.

"I just want to speed things up. Xiaoming won't last much longer. We have to take him down during this time." Zuocun stroked the poisonous feather on his chest.

“But… there’s one thing you need to be careful about, Samura.” Yamanami Keisuke’s eyes were filled with hesitation and conflict.

"What's wrong? Shannan?" Zuocun asked, puzzled.

"The one responsible for protecting the general's residence... is the Shinsengumi." Yamanami Keisuke felt a little embarrassed to say it, but he still said it.

“…I guessed it.” After a moment of silence, Samura said, “Do you have a list of Shinsengumi members?”

“Yes.” Yamanami Keisuke nodded. “Director Kondo Isami and Vice Director Hijikata Toshizo will both lead troops into battle. After all, this campaign against the Choshu Domain is quite large in scale. Not only are there domain troops, but the shogunate has also deployed its fleet. I hope President Takayama can withstand the pressure.”

"Trust that guy, he's the most outstanding commander of the army." Izang said with a hint of admiration.

There are not many people who can inspire his admiration; so far, only two have done so.

These two are Shinsaku Takasugi and Anno Samura; Ryoma is a close friend.

"The Shinsengumi will be incorporated into the Aizu Domain's forces for operations, but a few squad leaders will remain in Kyoto to protect the Shogun's safety."

These people are—

"The captain of the first squad, Okita Souji; the captain of the second squad, Nagakura Shinpachi; the captain of the third squad, Saito Hajime; the captain of the sixth squad, Inoue Genzaburo; the captain of the eighth squad, Todo Heisuke; and the captain of the tenth squad, Harada Sanosuke, totaling six people, along with more than ten other members, also participated in the guard duty."

"What? Why are all the troublesome guys left in Kyoto?" Okada Izo said, drawing out his words.

Zuo Cun frowned as well; none of these people were easy to deal with.

Yamanami Keisuke sighed: "You don't need to worry too much about this, Samura."

“Okada and I were sent here to help you with this problem. The primary task is still the person inside the house; we will try our best to keep them occupied outside.”

"There's another important point."

He crossed his arms and said, "Captain Okita stayed in Kyoto because of illness, while Captain Saito stayed in Kyoto because he was injured by the aftershocks of a shelling during the Tengu Party's egg attack a while ago."

"Neither of them can exert their full strength."

Zuo Cun felt his heart tremble slightly, but he couldn't say anything.

"I see."

"Then... once the army sets off... that's when we'll make our move."

“…I understand.” Yamanami Keisuke’s complex gaze gradually hardened.

"I can't wait any longer." Okada Izou seemed eager to try.

......

Choshu Domain.

"Cough cough—cough—" Takasugi Shin covered his mouth and nose with a cloth strip, coughing violently. "How is the fleet?"

"All the warships purchased in March are ready for deployment," the man reported respectfully to Takasugi Shinsaku. "But Lord Takasugi, your health..."

His eyes were filled with worry.

"Don't worry about my health. As for Kido, have him come to me. The shogunate is about to attack, and I have some things to discuss with him." Takasugi Shinsaku waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to worry.

"Yes, I understand." The subordinate had no choice but to leave with the order.

Kido was originally Katsura Kogoro, who changed his name to Kido Kanji at the beginning of the year, and now he has changed his name to Kido Junichiro.

Not long after, Kido Junichiro arrived.

Before even entering the room, Kido heard a violent coughing fit.

"Cough cough—cough cough cough!"

"Your cough hasn't gotten any better, Takasugi?" Kido Junichiro's eyes were filled with heartache.

He was well aware of Takasugi's talent as a close friend, but it was precisely because he knew that he was so heartbroken.

It's a tragedy that such a talented person is so envied by heaven...

“It’s incurable, it’s a terminal illness, I knew that a long time ago,” Takasugi Shinsaku said with a smile.

Junichiro Kido sat down next to Shinsaku Takasugi and sighed, "I really don't understand why you can still laugh. If I had a terminal illness, I probably would have committed suicide by now."

“That’s because we’re pursuing different things. Katsura… Ah, it really does sound better to call him Katsura.” Takasugi Shinsaku lay on the tatami mat and sighed.

He murmured, "All I want is to have a good talk with my closest friends—"

"All the crows in the three thousand worlds have been killed,"

"I will stay with you from morning till dawn."

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

Chapter 401 The Death of Tokugawa Iemochi

At the end of July, the war against Choshu broke out, and the troops from various domains assembled by the shogunate marched toward the Choshu Domain.

This time, the army was much smaller than the last time because one powerful domain did not send troops to Choshu Domain. That domain was Satsuma Domain, which had secretly formed an alliance with Choshu Domain.

On the Choshu Domain side, Takasugi Shinsaku, who held military power for centuries, showed no fear or retreat. Instead, he directly mobilized his armed forces, preparing to confront the shogunate's coalition forces head-on.

A large-scale war on land and at sea is imminent.

Outside Kyoto, once the army had gone far away, Anno Samura's operation began.

He disappeared into the night alone.

Okada Izo and Yamanami Keisuke led their respective teams and forcefully broke through the west gate of Kyoto.

With Yamanami Keisuke's "Yamajin-tai" as cover, Okada Izo's "Tenchu-tai" entered Kyoto.

Kyoto is still recovering from the previous fire, and most of its guards have been taken away by the army, leaving its defenses extremely weak.

However, making a breakthrough is still not a simple matter.

While Okada Izou and Yamanami Keisuke were entangled at the West Gate, the eagle under the moon flew into the general's residence.

A Shinsengumi member guarding the courtyard spotted Samura and was startled. Just as he was about to warn him, Samura punched him twice, knocking him unconscious.

Leaving his team members aside, Zuocun looked at the house.

Taking a deep breath, Zuo Cun did not enter immediately, but waited.