I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Okada Izo, who regards Takeshi Hanpeita as a god, takes on these dirty jobs without hesitation and willingly wields the sword of "Heaven's Punishment".

According to statistics, the number of people who have died under Okada Izo's sword has reached an alarming level!

On August 2, 1862, he assassinated Yokome Inoue Saichiro of the Tosa Domain at Dotonbori in Osaka.

On the 20th day of the intercalary 8th month of the second year of Bunkyū, he assassinated Honma Seiichirō in Sanjō Kiyamachi, Kyoto. On the same day, he assassinated Ugō Genban-no-kami, a subordinate of the former Kanpaku Kujō Naotada, in Kawaramachi-dori Maruta-cho, Kyoto.

On the 30th day of the intercalary 8th month of the second year of Bunkyū, he assassinated Sarūno Bunkichi, a subordinate of Shimada Sakon, at the source of the Sanjō River in Kyoto.

On September 23 of the second year of Bunkyū, he assassinated four people—Watanabe Kinzaburo, Okawara Shigezo, Mori Magoroku, and Ueda Sukenosuke—at Ishibe-juku in Eishū Province.

On January 22, 1, he assassinated Ikeuchi University near Namba Bridge in Osaka.

……

A terrifying record...

A bloody record!

"Kenshi Itō" has become the blood-soaked "Hand-Slayer Itō"!

In terms of achievements alone, looking across Japanese history, there are probably few assassins who can compare to Okada Izo.

In reality, the so-called "Four Great Killers"—Kawakami Gensai, Tanaka Shinbei, and Nakamura Hanbei—were just there to make up the numbers.

Although these three possessed great strength, they did not have any outstanding battle achievements.

They did not kill countless people, so calling them "human killers" is really inappropriate.

Only Okada Izou was different.

Based on this long list of murders, the title of "Man-Cut-to-Hide" is absolutely genuine!

Of course, the above are all speculations and there is no definitive conclusion yet.

If it's just a minor squabble, then so be it.

However, this level of serious case cannot be handled recklessly!

This case involves a wide range of people, and decisive evidence is needed to convict anyone!

Otherwise, it will be impossible to win people's hearts.

To this day, the government has still not obtained conclusive evidence that Okada Izo harmed innocent people.

Although based on the existing clues, it has been basically determined that Takeshi Hanpeita is guilty of something, and Okada Izo is indeed an unforgivable serial killer.

However... there is a lack of strong evidence.

Okada Izo always chose to commit his murders at night when it was dark and quiet, and in places where there were few people around.

In this way, it is naturally extremely difficult to find witnesses and physical evidence.

What's even more ruthless is that after Okada Izo kills someone, if he finds a witness, he will also kill the witness as well!

There were at least five cases with the same circumstances—the bodies of civilians, their faces filled with terror and stabbed in the back, were found near the murder scene…

Under such circumstances, how can we even begin to collect evidence?

The Tosa Loyalist Party has consistently denied accusations that "Okada Izo committed murder" and "Takeichi Hanpeita ordered Okada Izo to assassinate others."

They exploited the weakness of the government's claim that "the government lacks evidence."

Knowing full well that this person was the murderer, they were powerless to do anything about it... The government could do nothing but lament.

To this day, Okada Izo remains at large, while Takechi Hanpeita remains firmly in control.

Speaking with a heavy Tosa accent, and proficient in Ono Itto-ryu and Kyōshin Akechi-ryu... If the information provided by Todo Heisuke is accurate, then the assassin who attacked Todo Heisuke tonight is most likely Okada Izō.

It is truly fortunate that Todo Heisuke was able to return unscathed after facing such a formidable opponent.

At this moment, Hijikata Toshizo adopted a serious tone and said solemnly:

"Let's set aside the true identity of the murderer for now."

"A highly skilled expert has set his sights on us—this is the only thing that can be confirmed at the moment."

“Even Todo is no match for him.”

"In that case, the only people in the new selection who can handle this guy on their own are probably you, me, Akatsu, Souji, Ban Shin, Saito, and Serizawa Kamo."

Manshin—also known as Nagakura Shinpachi.

Because Nagakura Shinpachi was rough and reckless, and would charge into battle like a bull, Hijikata Toshizo gave him this nickname.

However, the only people who would use "Manshin" to refer to Nagakura Shinpachi are Aoto and Hijikata Toshizo.

Hijikata Toshizo talked about it the most.

Qingdeng would only call out "Manxin" on a very rare occasion.

"Ju, the enemy has already come knocking on our door, we can't show weakness."

"Starting today, double the number of patrol teams, increase the intensity of patrols, and increase the density of sentry posts."

Qingdeng nodded slightly.

"Yes, Sui San, you can handle this matter."

"I would like to add: send out secret agents to closely monitor the Tosa Domain and contact the Kyoto Magistrate's Office to see if we can get any useful clues from them."

"In addition, we should pay more attention to public opinion trends in the city."

"The Shinsengumi's sudden increase in patrol personnel will surely cause unease and suspicion among the people."

"Remember not to cause public panic."

“If necessary, we can contact Iwasaki Yataro and ask him to hire tile vendors and publish a few articles to stabilize public sentiment.”

Hijikata Toshizo nodded vigorously.

"okay, I get it."

"Oh, by the way, Sui San, could you do me another favor?"

"What kind of help?"

"Go and pass on a message to Ah Wu for me."

Qing Deng narrowed his eyes, a deep light flashing within them.

Tell her: I have a top-secret mission to give her, and ask her to come to my room immediately.

……

……

Kyoto, Tosa Domain Residence——

Okada Izo carefully clung to the shadows, walking cautiously along the base of the feudal residence's walls.

After arriving at a secluded corner, he turned his head and looked around.

After confirming that no one was around, he suddenly pushed off the ground and leaped up like a spring, nimbly vaulting over the wall.

Behind the wall is a small courtyard adjacent to the veranda.

As soon as he landed, he rolled forward and ended up next to the edge of the corridor.

Then, he kicked off his straw sandals, plopped down on the veranda, and crossed his legs.

"Tch! Damn it...! I failed to kill that guy...!"

He complained irritably as he reached up and took off the low-brimmed straw hat from his head, revealing a dark, unremarkable, and rough face.

At that moment, a clear, melodious young male voice suddenly rang out behind him:

"Izang, you're back!"

In an instant, Okada Izou's body jolted.

"Ah! Teacher!"

In the next instant, he nimbly rolled down the veranda and into the courtyard, then faced Takechi Hanpeita who was walking towards him, bent his knees and waist, and placed his hands and forehead on the ground—the most standard dogeza (a traditional Japanese kotatsu).

Takeshi Hanpeita smiled and waved his hand.

"No need for formalities, please have a seat."

After saying that, he knelt down on the veranda and gestured to the empty seat to his right, indicating that he should sit down.

Upon seeing this, Okada Izou immediately showed an expression of being flattered.

He patted his clothes, shaking off clumps of dust, then respectfully moved to the side of Takeshi Hanpeita and sat upright.

Looking at his master so close at hand, Okada Izo's cheeks were filled with excitement and agitation... He looked as if he was about to reach a climax.

"Izo, how did it go? Did you manage to kill Toudou Heisuke?"

Upon hearing Takeshi Hanpeita's question, Okada Izo immediately deflated like a punctured balloon, his head drooping.

"Teacher, I'm so sorry, I messed up... That Toudou Heisuke is more troublesome than I expected... Teacher, please punish me!"

Looking at Okada Izo, who was bowing his head and shrugging his shoulders, Takechi Hanpeita's eyelashes trembled slightly, and his eyes flickered.

His subtle change in expression was fleeting.

"I see... Well then, since we failed this time, let's try again next time."

Okada Izou looked up in surprise and blinked hard a few times.

"Teacher, aren't you going to punish me?"

"Izang, how could I punish you?"

Takeshi Hanpeita laughed a few times and patted Okada Izou's shoulder affectionately.

That excited look, as if he were about to climax at any moment, once again dominated Okada Izo's entire body.

"Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war."

"No one can be successful all the time."

"Temporary setbacks are just a common occurrence."

"Besides, you are my beloved student."

"In that case, I'm even less willing to punish you."