I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

At this point, Mr. Kiryu paused.

In that brief pause, his expression—regret, sorrow, bewilderment… the three emotions blended beautifully together, coalescing into a profound sense of anguish.

How can someone who has never seen light describe the brilliance of the sun to you?

"If one speaks nonsense, wouldn't one be misleading the younger generation?"

"Regarding 'the first before,' there is only one thing I am certain of—it is not my delusion, it is real."

"Because two of my deceased relatives had reached this state, they gave 'the first of the first' a more formal and prestigious title."

"However, because it is a supreme state that can only be understood intuitively and cannot be explained in words, just like Buddhism, you can't get anything out of it by just talking about it or gesturing with your hands and feet. You can only feel and understand it yourself."

"So I dare not tell you too much, and I dare not tell you the formal name, because the formal name contains too much information that may confuse you."

"If I tell you too much, it may have a negative impact on you."

"A long time ago, I was thinking: if I could combine the 'first move of seeing through the opponent' with the 'moment of lightning'... then the strongest draw sword technique, which is not to be used until it is used, but will hit the target and kill the one who is hit, will be born!"

As he uttered these words, Kiryu's tone became increasingly assertive, and with each rise in his voice, the light in his eyes shone brighter.

"If I can successfully develop this technique, then my life as an iaido swordsman will be complete."

"However, it is a pity... even in my prime, I was unable to achieve my wish, and now that my body is old and frail, there is even less hope."

"Tachibana-kun, if possible, please perfect 'Setsuna' for me, and make it the strongest draw sword technique in the true sense."

Kiryu turned his head to look directly into Aoto's eyes. Their eyes met, and he smiled gently.

“You are the only disciple I have ever had the faith in during my nearly 100-year career.”

"I can't quite explain why, but I just feel that you can definitely do it."

"If one day in the future you do manage to complete what I have not yet accomplished, please be sure to report your success to me as soon as possible."

"If when that day comes, I am no longer alive, please come to my grave, offer me my favorite red bean buns, and sing a triumphant song."

"This is... the important thing I want to entrust to you today."

Halfway through the conversation, Qingdeng felt an indescribable emotion welling up inside him.

Upon reflection, I realized that I and Mr. Kiryu were actually old acquaintances.

They met the other person the day after they were transported to this world.

Without Kiryu's introduction, he would not have known about the existence of Shieikan, let alone gotten to know Kinoshita Mai, Souji, Sanako, and his brothers Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo.

It can be said that Kiryu was both his mentor and his guide.

The vast majority of his current network of connections can be traced back to Kiryu.

The wonderful time spent as both teacher and friend over the past three years has made him an important figure in Qingdeng's heart that he can never be underestimated.

"Ok!"

After the emotional turmoil subsided, Qingdeng nodded vigorously.

"I will! Kiryu-sensei, you must live a long life so that that day can come!"

The Kiryu boss smiled.

"I've already lived long enough, over 90 years old, which is rare in this world. If I live any longer, wouldn't I become a monster?"

Just then, as if remembering something, Mr. Kiryu suddenly changed the subject:

"Ah, since we have this opportunity, I'll tell you about that as well. Tachibana-kun, there's something very important I need to discuss with you—about the Angoulême family."

Qingdeng raised an eyebrow.

"The Angoulême family? What happened to Elodie and the others?"

"For some reason I cannot go into details, the Angoulême family will be moving to Kyoto soon."

"Kyoto?"

Qingdeng opened his eyes wide in shock.

Immediately afterwards, the look of surprise turned into solemnity.

"Kiryu-sensei, what's going on? Elodie and the others are going to Kyoto at this time? You're not kidding me, are you?"

If it were an ordinary family going to Kyoto, then Qing Deng wouldn't say anything.

Although Kyoto is in chaos right now, ordinary people can still live a relatively peaceful life as long as they live honestly, do not express any political views in public, and do not get involved in any political activities.

But it seems really strange that a group of Frenchmen would go to Kyoto at this critical juncture!

This behavior is not just jumping into a fire pit, but jumping into a volcano that is about to erupt!

Since being promoted to the position of Commander of the Capital Region, Qingdeng has acquired a wealth of firsthand intelligence concerning the current situation in the capital region.

It is no exaggeration to say that, under the instigation of the Choshu Domain, countless radical patriots from all over Japan flocked to Kyoto like a swarm of locusts crossing a river.

The anti-foreign sentiment permeating Kyoto today is even stronger than it was in Edo three years ago when it was ravaged by the anti-foreign group.

Not to mention Westerners, even scholars and doctors who studied Western knowledge would be labeled "traitors" and then suffer divine retribution.

Faced with the questioning look from Aoto, Kiryu gently shook his head.

"Mr. Tachibana, I'm sorry, but I really can't go into the details."

"In short, they must relocate to Kyoto immediately."

"As you know, the situation is still relatively stable in other places, but the capital region is exceptionally chaotic."

"Without adequate precautions, a trip to Kyoto would be fraught with danger—especially for Westerners."

"You will soon be leading the Shinsengumi to Kyoto, so I would like to ask you: when you lead your troops westward, please allow the Angoulême family to accompany you."

"With the Shinsengumi here, even the most radical pro-democracy activists probably wouldn't dare to come and harass us."

"Once we arrive in Kyoto, things will be much easier. Anthony will take my letter of recommendation and go to stay with one of my friends."

Qingdeng listened attentively.

After thinking for a moment, he nodded slightly:

"...I understand. Since there's a reason I can't explain, I won't ask any further."

"Let my Shinsengumi act as guards... that's no problem."

"However, they must disguise themselves as Chinese people while traveling with us, so that my men do not discover that there are Westerners following them."

As he spoke, Qingdeng shrugged, a helpless expression on his face.

"There are quite a few people under my command who harbor strong hostility towards Westerners..."

In fact, the distinction between the "Respect the King and Expel the Barbarians" faction and the "Public and Military Alliance" faction is not so clear-cut.

Among the former were many who supported the Tokugawa family and believed that the Edo Shogunate was indispensable.

As for the latter, there is no shortage of people who respect the imperial court and the emperor and want to expel all the "barbarians" from the country.

Mr. Kiryu nodded:

"Of course. I'll have them disguise themselves properly."

"Does A-Wu know about this?"

"I haven't told her yet."

Qingdeng smiled:

"Elodie is going to Kyoto too... She'll be very happy."

He could imagine how happy Kinoshita Mai would be to learn that her only best friend was going to Kyoto with her.

Elodie was his apprentice.

Although Kiryu's boss remained tight-lipped about the reason for the "Angoulême family's emergency relocation to Kyoto," Aoto could guess that for a family that was living comfortably in Edo to go through the trouble of moving, especially to an area with extremely high danger levels, they must have encountered some serious trouble.

Since his apprentice was in trouble, Qingdeng was naturally happy to help.

Both sides reached a consensus on the "escort mission".

Then, Qingdeng returned to the previous topic:

"Mr. Kiryu, regarding 'Setsuna'... its later versions are probably not something I can count on until I reach the level of 'Saki no Saki'."

"I'll start by studying its 'early version'."

"Could you demonstrate 'moment' to me? Let me witness its splendor firsthand; this would surely greatly benefit my studies."

Upon hearing this, the Kiryu boss chuckled softly a few times.

"Of course. Tachibana-kun, take your sword."

Having said that, he put down his teacup, grabbed the sword beside his leg, and stood up.

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Tomorrow marks the start of the "Kyoto Arc"! I can guarantee that with 100% certainty! We'll wrap up the "Setsuna" arc with about a thousand words, and then it'll be time to head to Kyoto!

Chapter 551 The Shinsengumi's Mobilization Ceremony! [4200]

After gifting the Vairocana sword to Aoto, Kiryu-sensei received a new sword with a red handle and a vermilion scabbard.

Given Kiryu's status, even the sword he used as a "backup plan" was not an ordinary item that could be described as "ordinary".

The sword he is using now is the famous Bizen Osafune.

Like Nagasone Kotetsu and Izumi no Kami Kanesada, Bizen Osafune is also a brand name.

Bizen is a place name, while Osafune is the name of a school of martial arts.

All swords originating from the Bizen Osafune lineage are collectively referred to as Bizen Osafune.

Although this new knife is certainly not as good as the one from Vairocana, it is still a very good knife, one in a million.

Qingdeng grabbed the Vairocana statue beside his leg and slowly stood up.

The two walked towards the courtyard ahead, one after the other.