I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Even the most skilled swordsman cannot withstand the combined roar of naval cannons."

"This is no longer the age of the sword."

"How can we, who use swords as weapons, contend with the Westerners who possess warships and cannons?"

“I support expelling the barbarians, but we cannot continue to use the current form.”

"Learn advanced Western technology to strengthen our own power. Once we have the ability to stand on equal footing with the Westerners, then we can drive them out—that is the true way to expel the barbarians!"

Sakamoto Ryoma poured out all his thoughts at once.

He had barely finished speaking when he received a response from the other party:

"Ryoma, please forgive me for disagreeing."

"Learn Western techniques? Just imagining that makes me want to vomit!"

At this point, Takechi Hanpeita adopted an extremely solemn tone and expression:

"How can we, as citizens of a glorious divine kingdom, bow down to lowly barbarians?"

Sakamoto Ryoma frowned.

"Chin, this inexplicable arrogance should stop now!"

“We are not some noble citizens of a divine kingdom.”

"Westerners are not lowly barbarians either."

"Open your eyes and see how big this world is!"

At this point, Sakamoto Ryoma reached into his pocket and, as if by magic, pulled out a miniature globe.

“Chin, look, this thing is called a ‘globe,’ it’s a model of the planet we live on.”

"This is the Qing Dynasty."

"This is the United States of America."

"This is England."

As he spoke, Sakamoto Ryoma pointed to the various countries on the globe.

"And this place... is our country."

Sakamoto Ryoma, his face grim, drew a horizontal line with his finger, pointing to a tiny dot the size of a booger hanging alone in the east.

"Chin, look, how small our country is compared to the vast world."

“Our country is not a divine kingdom, and there is nothing special about it.”

"Put aside the arrogance born of ignorance, and humbly acknowledge your own shortcomings as well as the strengths of other countries."

Sakamoto Ryoma's words were undeniably sincere and earnest.

However... after glancing at the miniature globe in his hand, Takechi Hanpeita's expression remained indifferent.

"Alright, Ryoma, stop trying to persuade me."

I respect your opinion.

"How you think and how you act is entirely your freedom."

Even if I don't agree with your ideas, I won't interfere.

"So, don't interfere with me."

You can't persuade me otherwise.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with my current thoughts and practices, and I don’t think there’s any need to change or revise them.”

"My Tosa loyalist party and I will continue to act in accordance with the current policy until the great cause of overthrowing the emperor is accomplished!"

They were locked in a fierce confrontation, neither giving an inch.

Perhaps the other party's stubbornness exceeded his expectations, because Sakamoto Ryoma's expression turned ugly to a visible degree.

He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something.

But he stopped just before he could finish speaking, and then, like a sulking, child, he turned his head away, staring at the empty void, no longer looking at Takeshi Hanpeita.

Like him, Takechi Hanpeita silently turned his head and looked in the opposite direction from Sakamoto Ryoma.

The joyful atmosphere that had filled the air because of the brothers' reunion has now completely vanished.

An indescribable sense of heaviness hung between the two.

In this deathly silence, after an unknown amount of time... Sakamoto Ryoma finally spoke again:

"...Chin, are you...still sending Izang to kill people?"

"..."

Wu Shi Banping remained silent.

As if he had anticipated this, Sakamoto Ryoma remained calm, sighed softly, and then continued the conversation quietly:

"If you are unwilling to accept my new views on resisting foreigners, then forget it."

"But the only thing that matters is 'assigning him to hide and kill people everywhere'... I hope you will listen to me: stop now, this plan is not a long-term solution."

"It's not too late to stop now."

Having said that, Sakamoto Ryoma grabbed the sword at his side and stood up abruptly.

Takechi Hanpeita finally spoke:

"Ryoma, are you leaving?"

"Hmm, if we stay here any longer, I'm afraid we'll start arguing again."

Sakamoto Ryoma shrugged, revealing a bitter and helpless smile.

"Where are you going? Are you going on another trip? Or are you planning to put your ideals into practice in your own way?"

"Well... I don't know."

The wry smile turned into a fearless, calm one.

"Let's take one step at a time."

After speaking, he strode forward.

However, after taking only two steps, he suddenly stopped.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot to ask. I heard that 'Niou' Tachibana Aoto is currently in Kyoto... Chin, have you ever met Tachibana Aoto?"

Takeshi Hanpeita raised an eyebrow forcefully and smiled slightly:

"I've not only seen him, I was just negotiating with him."

Sakamoto Ryoma's expression immediately showed surprise:

"Oh? Could you tell me in more detail?"

Takeichi Hanpeita nodded slightly, and then succinctly told Sakamoto Ryoma the whole story of Aoto's visit.

After hearing this, Sakamoto Ryoma tilted his head:

"Iwasaki Yataro? Who is this person? Why is Tachibana Aoto going to such lengths to help him?"

"God knows."

Sakamoto Ryoma wasn't particularly interested in Iwasaki Yataro's background.

After asking "Who is Yataro Iwasaki?", he stopped talking about it and instead said in a regretful tone:

"I see... Tachibana Aoto just visited this place..."

"That's a real pity, I'm a step too late."

"If I had come a little earlier, I would have bumped right into him."

Takeshi Hanpeita asked, puzzled:

"Ryoma, do you really want to see Tachibana Aoto?"

"Hmm...I guess so."

Sakamoto Ryoma slightly curled the corners of his mouth, a meaningful expression appearing on his face.

"I am very interested in this swordsman who has already achieved remarkable feats at such a young age..."

……

……

Kyoto, Mibu-go, Shinsengumi headquarters—

"Lord Renwang, I will never forget your great kindness and virtue!"

With that, Iwasaki Yataro knelt down again and performed a deep dogeza bow to Aoto in front of him.

Seeing this, Qingdeng helplessly reached out and helped him up:

"Alright, get up now."

Upon returning to the Shinsengumi headquarters, Yataro Iwasaki immediately knelt down solemnly, expressing his gratitude to Aoto to the best of his ability.

After helping him up, Qingdeng said half-jokingly:

"If you want to thank me, don't just say it, take some real action."

Iwasaki Yataro immediately said loudly:

"Of course! Please rest assured, sir! From this day forward, I, Iwasaki Yataro, swear to serve you with my life!"

Iwasaki Yataro was about to say something more to express his loyalty, but was stopped by Aoto, who disliked such empty words:

"Alright, enough talk, let's get down to business."

Qing Deng adopted a serious tone.

"I think your previous plan to have geisha from Gion and courtesans from Shimabara help promote Silver Mirror is particularly good."

"Is there anything else you'd like to say or add regarding this plan?"

Yataro Iwasaki thought for a moment and answered: