I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

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"You don't need to worry."

“I am the prized student of ‘Saito the Powerful’.”

"Ordinary people can't do anything to me."

"Even if I am surrounded by thousands of troops, I can still escape unscathed."

Before joining the Zunpu Movement, Katsura Kogoro studied in Edo under Saito Yakuro, also known as "Saito of Power," and rose to the position of instructor at the training hall.

Three years ago, during the "Shinsengumi VS Genbukan" red and white battle, which was the battle in which Aoto and Souji joined forces to challenge Chiba Michizaburo and ultimately won by a narrow margin, Saito Yakuro brought Katsura Kogoro to watch the battle.

It was at that time that Aoto met Katsura Kogoro—although the two had only met once, they were only "familiar with each other's appearance and names".

"In short, you don't need to say anything more! Hurry up and go prepare!"

Since Katsura Kogoro had already said so much, no one else could say anything more.

With a chorus of "Yes!", the generals filed out, left their positions, and went about their own business.

……

The Changzhou army's position became lively.

Some dismantled the camp, others took their luggage.

Inoue Monta, who was in charge of leading the vanguard, had already set off with the advance troops.

Due to the urgency of the situation, Katsura Kogoro and others did not announce to the entire army that "the Tenchu Group has been defeated and our army is retreating."

Nevertheless, the lower-ranking soldiers still vaguely discerned the truth of the matter based on the atmosphere at the scene.

Looking around, all the soldiers of the Changzhou Army kept their mouths shut, their faces gloomy and dejected.

Despite being a huge military camp, it was eerily quiet.

Suddenly! A burst of furious roars erupted from the distant positions of the Huisa allied forces!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The deafening roar of cannons shattered the stillness of the night!

Following the sound, an ever-changing red light appeared on the ground.

One by one, orbs of light rose high into the sky, then fell like raindrops! They landed directly on the Choshu army's position!

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

A raging inferno.

Shrapnel flying everywhere.

The once orderly Changzhou army formation instantly became extremely chaotic!

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"The traitors and the Sa thieves have fired their cannons!"

"Don't panic! Stay calm!"

Clang, clang, clang... Katsura Kogoro stared expressionlessly at the distant Allied Forces of Kazusa, slowly drawing his sword from its sheath.

"It's finally here..."

……

The Allied Forces of Salvadoran Union, Main Camp—

The air became pungent and acrid due to the thick smoke and fog from the cannons.

Saigo Kichinosuke raises his military pistol high:

"put!"

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Another burst of intense artillery fire followed.

The Satsuma gunners skillfully loaded shells and pulled the fuses—boom—new sparks erupted on the ground.

The cannons, produced by the Satsuma Arms Factory, were arranged in a neat line and fired in turn.

Such concentrated firepower and such skilled artillery handling intimidated not only the enemy's Satsuma army, but also their own Aizu army.

Matsudaira Katamori narrowed his eyes, gazing meaningfully at the Satsuma artillery position not far away, thinking to himself:

—The Satsuma army's firearms units are indeed as powerful as rumored...

The Satsuma Domain, which had achieved a certain degree of industrialization early on, has long maintained a powerful firearms force—this rumor has been around for a long time.

It was only today that Matsudaira Katamori witnessed the power of the Satsuma Firearms Corps for the first time!

To be honest, even Matsudaira Katamori was shocked and relieved.

Fortunately, the Satsuma army is our ally...

The Satsuma army was like an extremely heavy weight.

No matter which side of the scale it lands on, it will cause a major change in the situation!

If the Satsuma army allied with the Shinsengumi and Aizu army, they could easily defeat the Choshu army.

Conversely, if the Satsuma army were to ally with the Choshu army, it could cause great trouble for Aoto and Matsudaira Katamori!

Neither the Shinsengumi nor the Aizu army currently possesses the means or capability to counter firearms.

Just as Matsudaira Katamori was lost in thought, the Aizu army's most valiant general, Sagawa Kanbei, suddenly rode up to his side.

"My lord, it's our turn."

Matsudaira Katamori nodded slightly, then raised the military pendant in his hand.

"Aizu Iron Cavalry, advance!"

……

At this very moment—

Somewhere in the southern suburbs of Kyoto—

The three warriors stood side by side, gazing at the distant battlefield where the fighting had already begun.

The physical characteristics of these three people are quite interesting.

The man in the center had an exceptionally handsome face and exuded a refined and scholarly air.

At first glance, one might mistake him for a young master from a scholarly family.

The samurai standing to his left was a tall and muscular man with a shaved head like a monk. He was quite old, around 40 years old, with dark skin. Judging from his appearance alone, he was someone not to be trifled with.

The samurai standing to his right was rather unremarkable. He was of average build and appearance, lacking any memorable features; even if you looked at his face ten times, you would hardly remember his features. He was very young, around 18 years old, with an unhealthy pale complexion.

The bald man said:

"Shuten-dōji, the Allied Forces of Kaizan have begun their attack."

The handsome young master... also known as Shuten-dōji, said calmly:

"Yes, I see it. Su Nuo, you have good eyesight, can you help me check how the battle is going?"

Su Nuo… that unremarkable fellow, sighed softly:

"Shuten-dōji, even my keen eyesight has its limits..."

Although he was complaining, Su Nuo obediently stretched his neck and stared intently into the distance:

"Hmm... Umibozu, may I borrow your neck?"

Without saying a word, he leaped up and climbed onto the bald man's neck.

Umibozu did not object to Sukuna's self-righteousness; instead, he raised his hands to help support Sukuna's legs.

"Hmm... The Aizu cavalry has been mobilized. It won't be long before the Choshu army engages them."

Shuten-dōji pondered for a moment.

"This is bad... The Allied Forces of Salvador are moving faster than I expected..."

Umibozu picked up the conversation.

"Given Changzhou's current state, they will likely suffer losses of more than two-thirds before they can escape the encirclement and suppression by the Huisa allied forces."

Shuten-dōji curled his lip:

"Changzhou is very dangerous."

Su Nuo interjected:

"Shuten-dōji, should we go and provide support?"

Shuten-dōji replied without hesitation:

"Of course! For the sake of future plans, we can't just stand by and watch Changzhou suffer heavy losses."

Having said that, he slowly drew the katana from his waist.

"Let's go, Umibozu, Sukuna, it's time to get to work!"

As soon as he finished speaking, sharp clanging sounds rang out from his left and right sides respectively.

Umibozu drew the greatsword from his back.

Su Nuo then drew the two katana from behind him.

"You guys better not die."