I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Saito Hajime remained silent as always, but everyone knew that he had become a customer of Shieikan because of Aoto.

Harada Sanosuke scratched his hair a few times.

"I don't really have any ambitions or dreams. It's just that everyone goes to Kyoto and I feel lonely if I don't go."

Inoue Genzaburo chuckled a few times.

"I don't have any ambitions or dreams. It's just that I'm worried about A-Yong, Toshizo, and Souji."

Kondo Isami cast a helpless glance at Inoue Genzaburo.

"Uncle Yuan, we've grown up now. Don't always treat us like little kids who need to be protected."

Hijikata Toshizo remained expressionless and silent.

Souji was also silent.

However, Souji smiled and looked at the noisy crowd with a happy expression.

At that moment, Qing Deng suddenly realized something and asked Kondo Isami:

"Kondo-kun, you, as the fourth head of the Tennen Rishin-ryu main family, and Souji, as the headmaster and teacher's representative, have both left Edo. What will happen to Shieikan?"

Kondo Isamu chuckled awkwardly a few times:

"There's no other way... I can only ask my father to work hard for a few more years."

Kondo Shusuke rubbed his smooth chin a few times, laughing "hohoho".

"Sigh, I never thought I'd have to come back to work so soon after retiring."

The commander-in-chief, with a grin, suddenly interrupted:

"Master, why don't you come to Kyoto with us?"

Kondo Shusuke said irritably:

"I'm going to Kyoto too, but what about the Shieikan? Are we going to close it down? Besides, my old bones can't take the long journey anymore! I just want to be buried quietly in Edo!"

Qingdeng quietly observed the crowd.

"...Gentlemen, have you really thought this through?"

Upon hearing this, the hall immediately fell silent.

A barrage of gazes fell upon Qing Deng.

Have you really thought this through?

Qing Deng shifted his gaze and scanned everyone's faces once more.

"I don't want to interfere with your thoughts or actions."

"As the commander of the capital region, I naturally hope that as many talented people as possible will join the garrison."

"But as your friend... I feel I need to ask you one question—are you really prepared?"

"After going to Kyoto, one must constantly be accompanied by death."

"Not only that, but for a very long time to come, I won't be able to return to Edo."

At this point, Aoto glanced at Kondo Isami, the only one with a family.

"Moreover, after you join the Zhenfu Army, you will be my subordinates in terms of status."

"At that time, regardless of what happens in private, I will never regard you as my relatives and friends in public."

Aoto's gaze shifted to Souji.

"I will only see you as my soldiers."

"We will deploy you to every place where you are needed, whether it be a mountain of knives or a sea of ​​fire, a dragon's den or a tiger's lair."

Even so, are you still willing to join the Zhenfu Army? Are you still willing to follow me?

He finished speaking.

Qingdeng stopped speaking and quietly waited for their response.

In a short while, the target of attention shifted from Aoto to Kondo Isami.

The gazes of Souji and his group seemed to be urging Kondo Isami forward.

"...Yes, I've thought it through!"

Kondo Isamu nodded vigorously.

Our resolve is firm! We will never back down!

Qingdeng: "..."

Everyone: "..."

Meeting Kondo Isami's sharp gaze, a smile filled with mixed emotions gradually appeared on Aoto's cheeks.

"I never imagined that I would solve the problem of a lack of talent and trusted confidants in this way."

*******

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Chapter 512 Even the Short-legged Cat Wants to Join the Garrison Army! [4400]

The next day—

Wenjiu three years (1863), January 4th——

Edo, the recruitment venue for the Zhenfu Army—

Compared to yesterday, the number of people gathered around the venue today was significantly less.

One reason is the sharp decrease in onlookers.

Many people who came to join the fun had already had their fill of seeing the sights yesterday, so they had no interest in coming again today.

Secondly, the rumor that "the conscription standards of the Zhenfu Army are extremely strict" spread, which had an excellent effect in persuading people to withdraw.

A considerable number of applicants and prospective applicants withdrew disappointed because they felt they had no chance of being selected.

Even so, there are still two or three hundred people who have registered today.

Qingdeng stood majestically on the high platform, just as he had yesterday, sparring with every applicant.

Normally speaking, the battles between Qingdeng and the participants are so boring that they make you want to fall asleep—what's so interesting about these battles of "instant kill and being instantly killed"?

Since the start of today's conscription ceremony, not a single person has been able to withstand two rounds of Qingdeng's sword.

Before long, the extremely tedious battle process deterred many viewers.

However, suddenly, something unexpected happened.

Just as another applicant, whose name had been deemed "unqualified" by Qingdeng, walked down from the platform with a gloomy expression, the clerk in charge of calling out names turned to a new page in the thick book in his hand. Suddenly, he froze, and his expression became strange.

It took him a while to finally compose himself. He took a deep breath and, in a tone tinged with surprise, said loudly:

"Next! Chiba Sanako!"

In an instant, the bored expressions of the spectators below the stage vanished.

Instead, a look of disbelief appeared on their faces.

A low murmur arose in some places.

Immediately afterwards, the noise and commotion spread rapidly.

Some people who hadn't heard the name the officer had called out were also affected and looked up at the platform.

Then, a graceful and elegant figure was reflected in their eyes.

With her hair tied in a high ponytail, a neat kendo uniform, and dressed as a "female samurai," Sanako strode up the high platform, carrying a wooden naginata.

Immediately, the venue was filled with chatter.

"Is she Chiba Sanako?"

"So beautiful..."

"Compared to her, the courtesans of Yoshiwara are nothing special!"

"Alright, stop getting all lustful towards her! Don't you know? Chiba Sanako is Niou's woman!"

"Of course I know I have no chance to get close to her, but am I not even allowed to look at her?"

"Even women can join the garrison army..."

"Look at what you're saying. In terms of individual strength, Chiba Sanako is stronger than most men!"

……

Under the gaze of all sorts of eyes, Sanako stood calmly directly opposite Aoto.

Looking at the dashing beauty, Qing Deng's face showed a half-smile.

"Zanako, what did Mr. Sadakichi and the others say about your decision?"

Sanako smiled gently.

You'll see when you see it.

After saying that, she turned her head to the side and gestured with her chin toward a certain spot below the stage.

Qing Deng looked in the direction indicated by Sanako.

With his exceptional eyesight granted by his talent "Fiery Eyes +5", he immediately spotted several familiar faces.

The Chiba family members were all gathered together.

Chiba Sadakichi, Chiba Jutaro, Chiba Michizaburo, and Chiba Tamon Shiro—these four "Chiba" stood in a row, casting helpless and frustrated glances at the high platform...or rather, at Asa Sanako.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Just from their expressions, Qing Deng could imagine how "lively" the Little Chiba Sword Hall must have been last night.