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

Meanwhile, Saigo Moritaka was also waiting. He was waiting for the reinforcements from the four southwestern domains to arrive. Although it would be faster to transport troops by sea and land, considering that Aizu and Kuwana were very close and could be transported directly from Edo, they would arrive before the reinforcements from the four southwestern domains.

However, Saigo Moritaka was fearless.

He knew very well, and Tokugawa Yoshinobu knew very well, that the best course of action for the current shogunate army was to retreat to Osaka and remain inactive. Attacking would only hand victory over Saigo Moritaka. Saigo Moritaka was naturally happy to see this. Although he would give Tokugawa Yoshinobu time to recuperate in Osaka, he was confident that once the troops from the four southwestern domains arrived, they would be able to suppress the corrupt shogunate.

Zuo Cun watched all of this unfold with a mixture of joy and bewilderment.

The shogunate's defeat was a complete collapse, which was what he was happy to see, and also what the deceased Sakamoto Ryoma and Takasugi Shinsaku wanted to see.

However, this victory was not achieved by the few individuals who had single-handedly built up the military strength of the two southwestern vassal states.

How ironic.

I created you, yet you were assassinated, abandoned, and isolated from the center of power simply because you did not immediately choose to overthrow the shogunate by force, but instead chose a smooth transition.

But the final result was exactly what both Samura and Ryoma wanted.

That is the road, the road we have already paved.

Zuocun must go, by whatever means, because it is the only dignity he has left.

Just like Hijikata Toshizo and the Shinsengumi, it was a path that had already been paved, and we had to walk it.

Samurai, they are such a pathetic group of people.

Dignity is always more important than life.

Samura got up from the tatami mat, put on his wufu (traditional Japanese clothing), and put on his somewhat tattered tsukiyaki (a type of hawk feather brocade).

Stepping out of the room, I saw Ms. Okita sitting in the courtyard watching the snow.

Kanna was sweeping snow on the side.

Miss Okita seemed oblivious to Samura, her eyes vacant and fixed on the snow.

Instead of bothering Okita Souji, Samura beckoned Kanna over.

"What's wrong, Mr. Samura?" Kanna ran up to Samura's side.

"I'm sorry, Kanna, for troubling you... If possible, could you please help take care of Okita during this time?" There was a hint of sadness in Samura's eyes. "If possible, could you have Roslan come and examine Miss Okita?"

"It's alright, Mr. Samura. I'd actually be happier if Okita-neechan could come. Although living here is far from the war, it's still a bit boring living alone..."

Zuo Cun looked into Kanna's eyes, pursed his lips, and nodded.

"You're a sensible child, thank you."

"Hehehe..." Kanna scratched her face, then suddenly remembered something, "Oh right, Mr. Samura, there's something."

Kanna ran back to her room and took out a katana.

It's Kiyomitsu Kashuu.

Okita's gaze was drawn to it, and he wanted to say something, but he didn't say anything.

"If you can, please take this knife with you." Kanna looked at Samura earnestly.

"This...is Okita's sword?" Samura turned to look at Okita Souji.

Okita Souji subconsciously turned his head away.

"...Is that what Okita meant?" Samura sighed.

He took Kashuu Kiyomitsu from Kanna's hand and muttered, "I apologize for the intrusion."

Kashuu Kiyomitsu was drawn from the sword in Samura's hands.

As a top swordsman with many years of experience, Samura keenly sensed the differences between the two famous swords, Kashuu Kiyomitsu and Tsuruka.

California Ching-kwang, incredibly light.

As for the crane wings, they are so heavy that even an adult male needs both hands to hold them securely.

"Is it the difference in the material of Tamahagane..." Zuocun murmured.

Looking at this katana, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.

After pondering for a moment, Zuocun took it and walked to Ms. Okita's side.

"Would you let me take it with me?"

Ms. Okita tried to nod, but found her neck stiff and unable to move.

After a long silence, Ms. Okita lowered her head with a disappointed smile.

"I don't want to."

"But I really can't lift it anymore."

"Instead of letting it continue to follow me, you should..."

"Okita".

Samura patted Ms. Okita on the shoulder.

He placed Kashuu Kiyomitsu in Okita Souji's arms.

"......well?"

"Think about happy things," Zuo Cun said with a smile. "Even if you're in the abyss, I don't want you to abandon your honor."

"Kukai Kiyomitsu does not belong to me."

"It belongs to you."

As Okita Souji looked at Kashuu Kiyomitsu in his arms, tears involuntarily streamed down his face.

"Uh-huh!"

Zuocun breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew Okita's current state.

He took Kashuu Kiyomitsu with him, and perhaps Okita will be a little better off because he won't be able to see Kashuu Kiyomitsu and won't be reminded of the past.

However, as time goes on, Okita Souji will definitely become panicked and fearful because he can't see his own sword.

The sword is an integral part of a swordsman's life.

Okita Souji is a swordswoman, and whether she can wield a sword or not, she is a powerful and honorable swordswoman.

After calming Okita Souji down, Samura looked up at the sky and leaped high into the air.

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

Chapter 416 Make Me a Shiromuku

Samura returned to the area surrounding Toba Fushimi.

The flames of war ravaged the land, leaving it unrecognizable.

Many remains of feudal soldiers still lay on both sides of the road. As Zuocun walked along the road, looking at the tragic scene on both sides, he couldn't help but sigh.

He wasn't lamenting the deaths of these people, but rather lamenting that Ryoma's truest wish could no longer be fulfilled.

That unrealistic, overly kind-hearted person's idea of ​​completing a power transfer without bloodshed is undeniably naive, yet also—enviable.

It's laughable to have no dreams, let alone dreams like this.

On the road, we encountered a small patrol team that appeared to be soldiers from the Satsuma Domain. Pedestrians automatically stepped aside to welcome the soldiers.

Zuocun smiled slightly.

The shogunate has completely lost the support of the people; any further efforts it makes are merely futile struggles.

quickened his pace and Zuocun returned to the military camp.

......

When Zuocun returned to the military camp, he happened to witness Saigo Moritaka's awarding of medals and departure for the expedition.

He didn't stop to admire the view; instead, he returned to his tent somewhat disheartened.

I'm still somewhat useful, at least I don't end up without a single tent.

Not long after Zuo Cun returned to his tent, two men dressed in general-style armor entered it.

“Yamaminami, Okada,” Samura called their names softly.

Yamanami Keisuke looked at Samura, took off his helmet, and sighed deeply.

"After Sakamoto Ryoma died, everything changed."

Okada Izou and Samura both bit their lips, remaining silent.

“We’ve been assigned to the front lines, Samura. You should know what that means.” Yamanami Keisuke said with a distressed expression.

"...I'm sorry." Zuo Cun's expression was blank, but he didn't dare to look at the two people.

The front lines were where the greatest sacrifices were made, and Zuo Cun's few trusted confidants were stationed there...

“You’re not in the wrong, and you’re not the one who should apologize.” Yamanami Keisuke patted Samura on the shoulder. “You should cheer up and not worry about our safety.”

“You’re the one who needs to be careful, Samura.” Okada Izo crossed his arms. “Although you are very strong, I still hope you can be careful.”

"I don't want you to... become the next Ryoma."

Samura stood up and hugged Okada Izo and Yamanami Keisuke.

"Thank you, I understand my current situation."

Yamanami Keisuke sighed and patted Samura on the back.

......

War has begun again.

In the area between Kyoto and Osaka, Saigo Moritaka intercepted the Kuwana Domain's troops.

Under the pressure of the Eastern Expeditionary Army, Kuwana Domain had no choice but to surrender, abandoning the shogunate's stance and declaring neutrality.

Without the support of the Kuwana Domain, the shogunate was unable to mount an effective resistance in Osaka.

Despite their best efforts, in March, Mikawa fell, and the Tokugawa family lost their ancestral homeland.

The shogunate army retreated to the towns of Koshu and Shinshu.