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

"It's all over!" Saito suddenly slammed his hand on the table.

Tears streamed from Saito's eyes, wetting the map.

"Where is there any Shinsengumi left? Wake up!"

"If you weren't Hijikata, would you really think I'd be standing here trying to advise you?"

"The Shinsengumi has already ended!"

Looking at those few tears, Hijikata Toshizo slowly said, "...Me."

Saito stared blankly at Hijikata Toshizo: "What did you say?"

Hijikata Toshizo loudly proclaimed, "I am the Shinsengumi!"

“…Vice Commander…you still…”

Hijikata Toshizo stared ahead, his body trembling, but he was speechless.

Saito suddenly smiled and wiped the corner of his eye.

"Oh, I see. Goodbye then."

"Just keep doing this alone until you die."

“…Saito!” Hijikata suddenly shouted.

"...Is there anything else, Mr. Hijikata?" Saito Hajime didn't want to turn around.

Hijikata Toshizo stood up, took an envelope from his pocket, and placed it in Saito Hajime's hand.

"Please help me take this... to Zuocun... Thank you... Goodbye."

Saito Hajime said nothing, put the envelope away, and left without looking back.

"...Let's just keep going until we die."

......

February.

Zuocun is sweeping snow in the courtyard.

Suddenly, I noticed someone standing at the entrance to the courtyard.

"...You are Saito?" Samura straightened his slightly hunched body and looked at the figure standing at his door in a trench coat.

"Yo, long time no see." Saito smiled, his scarred face gleaming. "May I come in?"

Zuocun put the broom aside and clapped his hands: "Come in."

Then he turned his head and shouted into the house, "Kana, we have guests!"

The two sat in the living room, and Kanna brought over the tea set.

“Kana has grown up completely,” Saito sighed. “I feel like I’m still quite young, but I only feel old when I’m with Kana.”

"Long time no see, Saito-nii," Kanna greeted him with a smile.

After Kanna left the living room, Saito leaned closer and asked, "How old is Kanna?"

"You're almost nineteen, what's wrong?"

"Why aren't you married yet?" Saito scratched the back of his head.

“I asked her, and she said she couldn’t find someone she liked, so I let her be.” Zuo Cun picked up his cup and took a sip of tea.

This small house has now been transformed into a large courtyard with several rooms.

"Looks like you don't carry a sword anymore." Saito sighed, looking at the four swords hanging on the wall.

Crane wings, pheasant feathers, poisonous feathers... and Kashuu Kiyomitsu.

Saito looked at Kashuu Kiyomitsu, seemingly lost in thought.

"What's the point of carrying a knife? I don't want to kill anyone anymore. Let it go." Zuo Cun said with a mocking look in his eyes, taking a sip of tea. "But you, what made you decide to come to my place?"

“I’ve already left the Shinsengumi and am a free man now, so it doesn’t matter where I go.” Saito shrugged and pursed his lips. “You were the first person I thought of, my old friend, so I came to see you.”

“An old friend…I’m probably your only old friend left…” Village Chief Zuo sighed. “But seeing you still living so freely makes me feel better.”

Saito fell silent.

The air was silent for a moment.

“Take me to see… Saito and Okita.” Saito picked up his teacup, finished his tea, and said in a low voice.

"Okay." Zuo Cun nodded.

After lunch, Samura first led Saito to the riverbank, where Inoue Genzaburo was buried.

The two accompanied Inoue for a while, and then came to a cherry blossom grove.

The cherry trees are just starting to sprout new branches; the leaves haven't even appeared yet.

But it won't be long before this place is full of spring colors.

Saito stood in front of Okita's tombstone for a while.

He stood up, took a letter from his pocket, and handed it to Zuo Cun.

"...Who wrote this letter to me?" Zuocun took the letter.

"Hijikata." Saito put his hands in his pockets. "Hijikata asked me to bring this to you when I left the Shinsengumi."

"Earthwork...?"

Zuocun opened the letter to see what Tufang had written to him.

After reading the letter, Village Chief Zuo sighed.

"So...you want me to go to Ezo...and have another sword duel with him...?"

"So that's what it was about..." Saito stroked his chin. "So, are you going?"

Zuo Cun didn't say anything, but simply folded the letter, put it in his pocket, and turned to leave.

"Huh? Samura?" Saito was a little confused by Samura's attitude.

Samura walked home, and Saito followed behind him.

Zuocun took the eagle feather brocade off the wall and put it on, then took off the crane feathers, pheasant feathers, and poisonous feathers as well.

"I've said before... I don't want to pick up these old things anymore..."

Zuocun tied two knots in his belt and bound the crane's wings and pheasant feathers to it.

"However, since Hijikata wants to duel me again..."

"I have no choice but to respond."

“Didn’t you just ask me if I wanted to go…” Zuo Cun stretched his neck and sighed, “How could I not go?”

"Do you want to come with me?"

Saito shook his head: "No... I reckon if you go, either you or Hijikata will probably be gone. I don't want to see that happen."

"Is that so?" Zuo Cun's hunched posture gradually straightened.

"Kanna, I'm going out!"

Shouting these words aloud, Zuocun leaped up, sword in hand.

Target – Ezo (Hokkaido).

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

Chapter 422 The Passing of the Alpha Wolf

Samura traveled north from Kyoto, crossed the strait to the battlefield, and arrived in Ezo alone.

Following the trail, they found the old shogunate army's garrison.

A group of soldiers saw Zuocun carrying a knife and wanted to fire a warning shot, but they lost sight of him as soon as they looked up.

Then, I felt dizzy and my head and body separated.

Samura stepped over the corpses and arrived at the Shinsengumi's camp.

"Hijikata!"

Zuocun shouted.

Hijikata, who was in the camp, heard the sound and was stunned for a moment.

Then he laughed.

Stepping out of the tent, he looked at Samura and said, "Looks like Saito delivered my letter."

"...He delivered it." Zuo Cun nodded.

Where to play?

"...Let's find a more open space, so you won't say it's because there were trees that I could use for leverage if you lose."

"Hahahaha—Alright, let's go!"

"Don't forget that the survivor has to help collect the bodies of the dead."

"That's an interesting point, but—no problem!"

......

On a high cliff in an open area, Zuocun and Tufang stand facing each other.

The two closed their tired eyes, feeling the cold wind on the high cliff, and adjusted their state.

Zuocun's long hair flew wildly, tied into a ponytail behind him, his eyebrows were already furrowed, Hijikata exhaled and a smile appeared on his lips.

The two of them opened their eyes at the same time.

"How long has it been since I last saw you, Samurai?" Hijikata said, carrying a gun in one hand and a katana in the other, his eyes slanted upwards, looking like a fierce wolf.

Samura raised his chin, his right hand resting on the hilt of Tsurugi, his eyes sharp, like an eagle spotting its prey: "Ah, it's been a long time since I've seen you, Hijikata."

"This is just like—"