I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Aoto's broad back was just the right size to completely conceal the petite Souji, preventing Harada from discovering this deadly trap in time.

Their "double act" tactic immediately proved effective.

Souji's bamboo sword slashed down at Harada Sanosuke, who was unable to stop his momentum.

Click!

Harada Sanosuke is defeated!

In less than two minutes, the score changed from "two against seven" to "two against three".

Aoto and Souji exchanged a quick glance.

Despite not exchanging any words, only a glance, the two understood each other perfectly and shifted their positions.

The two passed each other by—Aoto faced off against Hijikata and Saito behind Souji; Souji fought one-on-one against Yamanami behind Aoto.

With fluid and graceful movements, Qing Deng unleashed a slash as sharp as thunder.

In the blink of an eye, his sword was in front of Hijikata and Saito.

The two barely managed to dodge out of Qing Deng's attack range.

Having barely established a foothold, Qingdeng launched a new offensive.

When Aoto slashed at him for the second time, Saito dodged with skillful footwork, then used the momentum to step forward and slash straight at Aoto's shoulder.

At the same time, Hijikata raised his sword overhead, coordinating with Saito to deliver a powerful blow.

Qing Deng blinked a few times, locking onto the positions of Saito and Hijikata's bamboo swords. Then, he spread his legs and slashed the bamboo sword from the upper right to the lower left—a Kesa-giri—deflecting Saito's attack.

Immediately afterwards, he changed the direction of his blade, deflecting Hijikata's bamboo sword as well.

Thus, even though Hijikata and Saito's bamboo swords were still a long way from Seito, their attacks were thwarted one after the other—Seito's sword speed and reaction speed were simply astonishing.

The fight between the two sides was almost non-stop.

The moment the bamboo swords clashed, a deafening roar erupted, making one doubt that their bamboo swords had broken.

Aoto's offensive intensified, and Hijikata and Saito were gradually suppressed.

Saito intended to switch from defense to offense and turn the tide of the battle.

He changed his stance, switching from a stable mid-stance to an offensive high-stance.

Just as he raised his bamboo sword to the "upper section," a momentary opening appeared in the "middle" of his body... This fleeting flaw was clearly reflected in Qing Deng's eyes!

Qing Deng saw the target clearly, and without hesitation, stepped forward and swung his sword horizontally.

Saito's pupils contracted slightly, and he instinctively swung his sword to counterattack, trying to suppress Qing Deng's strike.

At first glance, it seemed that the two struck at the same time, but after they passed each other, Aoto was unharmed, while Saito—

Click!

Only a bare red cloth strip remained on his forehead.

Saito Hajime was defeated!

At almost the same time that Saito was defeated, Souji and Yamanami Keisuke also decided their match.

Souji knew Yamanami Keisuke's strength and was unwilling to fight him, so she didn't waste any words—she simply leaned her body and pointed the bamboo sword, which she had used to start with the blue eye, at Yamanami's eyes.

"Natural Flow of Mindfulness, the Profound Meaning—"

These actions and words caused Shan Nan's expression to change instantly.

He immediately braced the bamboo sword in his hand, assumed a defensive stance, and prepared to meet the commander's unique skill - the Three-Stage Thrust of the Blue Eye!

laugh!

The bamboo sword pierced the air like a white rainbow piercing the sun, striking straight at Shan Nan's body.

Yamanami's eyes couldn't keep up with the speed of Souji's sword at all, so he could only swing his sword instinctively.

Snapped!

Perhaps it was just a lucky break, but he managed to deflect the Souji's bamboo sword.

However, merely blocking the commander's "first thrust" had already caused his lower body balance and posture to become irreversibly disordered.

In the blink of an eye, Souji withdrew the bamboo sword he had thrust out and returned to his stance with blue eyes.

laugh!

The second attack is coming!

This time, Shannan was simply unable to defend or dodge.

Click!

Yamanami Keisuke was defeated!

*******

*******

Today is the last day of the month! Readers who still have monthly tickets, please be sure to vote for this book! (Crying leopard head.jpg)

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

PS: Souji's best stance is the Blue-Eye Stance~~ In fact, the detailed descriptions of the battle in this chapter have already clarified the strength ranking of the "Seven-Person Group," making it clear who is the strongest and who is the weakest.

Chapter 497 The Powerful "Source Breathing" - "The Realm of Selflessness"! [5000]

Shannan blinked, then left with a wry smile and a regretful expression.

Aoto and Souji both focused their attention on the last "survivor"—Hijikata Toshizo.

He truly lives up to his reputation as a troublemaker who is used to getting into trouble and has seen it all.

Even though he was fighting alone, there was still no sign of fear on his face.

Aoto and Souji changed positions, flanking him from the left and right.

Hijikata Toshizo's sharp gaze swept across the two men's faces, and he let out a cold laugh.

"Hmph! One against two... How exciting! Come on! Bring it on!"

Compared to Hijikata's high morale, Aoto and Souji's reactions were much calmer and more intriguing.

They exchanged a glance—Souji's cheeks revealed a knowing smile with a hint of mischief, and Aoto followed suit with a meaningful smile.

"Mr. Hijikata, have you forgotten?"

The commander-in-chief said in a joking tone, with a hint of sarcasm.

"What we're doing now isn't a martial arts sparring match to see who's the best fighter, but a 'Red and White Battle' where you win by taking the head of the enemy's general."

As soon as Souji finished speaking, Tsuchibara seemed to realize something and suddenly raised an eyebrow.

The next moment, Qing Deng suddenly put away his bamboo sword, stopped fighting, bypassed Tu Fang, and headed straight for the Red Team's main camp!

"Tsk!"

Tu Fang smacked his lips, moved sideways, and tried to intercept Qing Deng.

However... a bamboo sword was placed in front of him.

"Mr. Hijikata, don't treat me like I'm invisible."

As he spoke, Souji launched an attack towards Hijikata.

Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!

The two exchanged several moves in quick succession.

Hijikata managed to barely block Souji's slash... but it was only "barely".

He was already preoccupied with dealing with the chief's entanglements, leaving him no time to spare for pursuing Qing Deng.

Left with no other choice, he looked up and shouted:

"Quick! Stop him!"

Upon hearing Tu Fang's order, the Red Team members all looked troubled.

Stop the King of Kings?

That's asking too much of anyone!

You monsters can't stop him! What are we mortals supposed to do to stop him? With our heads?

However, despite knowing it was impossible, they still went ahead with it anyway.

And then... they met with the expected outcome.

Click, click, click, click, click...

It's like playing whack-a-mole.

Every time a "groundhog" appeared, Qingdeng would immediately strike with his sword—a strike that would always hit its mark and ensure the victim's death.

The Red Team's fighting was undeniably valiant.

But their valiant efforts couldn't even slow Qingdeng down by a fraction.

Before long, Qingdeng passed through the formation without incident and successfully attacked the Red Team's main camp.

Inside the main camp, Ogiwara Tsukasa sat upright on a stool, his head held high, his eyes closed, and a glistening snot bubble rising and falling with his breath.

Upon seeing Qing Deng's attack, the soldiers guarding his left and right sides quickly drew their swords and charged forward.

Click, click.

The defense perimeter, which was practically non-existent, collapsed instantly.

Aoto strode toward Ogiwara no Tsukasa, who was still fast asleep.

Thus, today's "battle of red and white" has come to a conclusion.

Upon realizing this, Qingdeng's mind relaxed.

Just as he raised his bamboo sword, aimed it at the porcelain bowl on the other man's forehead, and prepared to strike—

Ogiwara Satsuki disappeared from his sight.