I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Page 1401

Mentaro blinked blankly, then said with a serious expression full of admiration:

"As expected of the renowned 'Mr. First to Charge' who commands respect throughout Kyoto! Just a few words from him have got my blood pumping!"

"Now it seems that I was the one who was too timid!"

"Lord Todo, I wish you great success in your military campaigns! May you slay all the lawless traitors!"

Heisuke Todo nodded slightly.

"Yes, thank you for your kind words!"

After thanking the other party again, he led his team away with an air of authority.

They continued their patrol of Kyoto along the established route, as planned.

Unbeknownst to them, they had arrived in a pitch-black space.

On both sides are rows of houses like city walls. No matter which direction you look, you can't see any light. It's like you've come to a deserted island far away from the world.

The air was thick with a sultry smell, and the entire town felt as if it had sunk to the bottom of a swamp, surrounded only by sticky darkness.

Even if you just stand still, you'll be drenched in sweat.

Suddenly, a chilly gust of wind swept in.

Her sleeves swayed, and her clothes fluttered.

The rest of the team members were greedily enjoying the sudden cool breeze.

Only Todo Heisuke… He suddenly frowned, his expression changing.

Although he couldn't explain why... his skin broke out in a dense rash of goosebumps.

Just then, a faint sound of footsteps approaching from behind suddenly came from behind him.

Along with the sound of footsteps came a question uttered without any emotion:

"Heisuke Todo, captain of the 8th Division of the Shinsengumi's Battōtai, right?"

In that instant, Todo Heisuke reflexively turned around and stood back.

As he turned, he lowered his center of gravity and reached for the sword at his waist with his right hand.

Looking closely, one could see a slender, dark figure slowly walking out from the roadside, standing with his feet apart in the middle of the street.

[Note: Tsujiko: A narrow path connecting two main roads.]

He wore a low-brimmed straw hat that covered his face, and instead of hakama, he wore a thin brown yukata. His large, unsocked feet were shod in straw sandals.

Before Todo Heisuke could speak, the man began to speak on his own:

"Now, I will carry out the divine punishment."

Instantly, the soldiers around Toudou Heisuke all frowned.

Without any instructions—the sound of footsteps—the soldiers spontaneously changed positions and formed a tight attack formation.

The shield bearers were in front, the spearmen in the middle, the swordsmen on both sides, and the captain at the rear—it was the Mandarin Duck Formation improved by Qing Deng!

As it turns out, the Mandarin Duck Formation is indeed a top-tier formation for striking scattered and disorganized soldiers!

The reason Qingdeng made the "Mandarin Duck Formation" a mandatory training item for the sword-drawing team was to enhance the team members' ability to fight in urban warfare.

It has strengths and weaknesses, main attacks and secondary attacks, and is good at both offense and defense... Most ordinary people would be intimidated before they even start fighting!

Since taking over Kyoto, the Shinsengumi has been using the Mandarin Duck Formation to deal with rioters, and it has been incredibly successful.

Once this formation is set up, unless the opponent is exceptionally skilled, they will inevitably be captured or killed!

However... Faced with the men's formation, the shadowy figure showed no reaction. His shoulders were relaxed, his hands hung naturally, and he appeared calm and collected.

"...Step back."

Upon hearing this, the team members were stunned, and then they all cast puzzled glances at Toudou Heisuke.

"Go back!"

Toudou Heisuke raised his voice.

As he stepped forward, he drew his sword with a clang.

"This is not an opponent you can handle!"

Although it was just a fleeting glimpse, his battle-hardened "combat instincts" screamed at him: This person is dangerous! He must not be underestimated!

He stood at the front of the group, holding his sword firmly in his hand.

Captain of the 8th Division of the Shinsengumi's Battōtai (Sword-Binding Squad)

"Hokushin Ittō-ryū"

"Toudo Heisuke!"

*******

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Chapter 717 The Four Great Slayers of Kyoto! A field teeming with murderers, their remains hidden! [4600]

He announced his arrival home in a firm and resounding voice.

Lower your center of gravity.

The tip of the blade, which was poised to strike from the middle, twitched gently like the tail of a wagtail, making its attack intentions unclear.

Heisuke Todo had already assumed a fighting stance.

however……

"..."

The shadowy figure remained silent and motionless.

He neither changed his stance nor drew his sword.

Just standing there by himself.

At first glance, this person seems to be full of flaws.

But in fact, Toudou Heisuke, who was facing him, clearly felt that this man was exuding a dignified aura! It was as if an inviolable domain had unfolded around him!

—In any case, let's test the waters first!

With this thought in mind, Toudou Heisuke concentrated his strength in his toes, pushed off the ground, and leaped towards the shadow like a bullet!

He unleashed a fierce diagonal slash.

In the blink of an eye, Todo Heisuke's sword—Kazusuke Kaneshige—sliced through the air, its silvery-white blade illuminating the figure of the dark man.

Just as the gleaming blade was inches from its face, the shadowy figure, which had remained motionless like a statue since the beginning, finally made its move.

He changed his footing and spun around like a top to dodge.

With a loud thud, Toudou Heisuke's missed sword forcefully cleaved through the black wooden wall behind the shadowy figure.

In the next instant, Toudou swiftly drew his sword, but in the blink of an eye, he pulled it back to his side.

Indeed, their response was so swift that it deserves the description "lightning fast".

But... "fast" is a relative concept.

When your opponent is faster than you, no matter how fast you are, you're still slow!

"Heaven will punish you!"

With a powerful shout, Toudou Heisuke heard a chilling "clang" as his sword was drawn!

Todo Heisuke's pupils suddenly contracted, and his body moved instinctively.

He leaned back and tucked his neck in—a silver snake swept past his eyes, brushed against his forehead, and immediately a few strands of hair fell down.

The shadowy figure finally drew the sword from his waist, took a step, bent his upper body, and raised the blade in one fluid motion.

A temporary setback did not stop him.

He changed the stance to the upper right, and while forcefully chopping down, he shouted again:

"Heaven will punish you!"

Before Todo Heisuke could even catch his breath, a steel blade whistled down towards his head.

There was no time to defend... Toudou Heisuke gritted his teeth and dodged to the side.

The blade, slashing downwards, landed just half an inch to the right of Todo Heisuke, carving a large, perfectly clean gash into the solid wooden wall.

To avoid being overpowered, Todo Heisuke had no choice but to move along the black wooden wall.

The shadowy figure's blade relentlessly pursued the moving Toudou Heisuke.

"Heaven will punish you!"

The blade slicing the wall flat.

"Heaven will punish you!"

The sharp blade severed the tree trunk.

"Heaven will punish you!"

Heisuke Todo's sleeve was slashed.

Every time the shadowy figure shouted "Heavenly Punishment," a sharp slash would strike Todo Heisuke from a tricky angle.

Todo Heisuke held the sword firmly to his chest, parrying each move as it came.

The youngest member of the Shinsengumi is Heisuke Todo, who is only 19 years old this year.

Although he is young, he should not be underestimated.