I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Even if it turns into a messy battle where both sides deplete their supplies and it's a test of endurance, it wouldn't be surprising.

Initially, even with the most optimistic outlook, Matsudaira Katamori believed that it would take the Shinsengumi at least half a month to capture Takatori Castle.

He had even made preparations to supply provisions to the Shinsengumi.

As a result... he received the news yesterday that "the entire Shinsengumi army has arrived at the foot of Takamori Mountain", and today he has already received the news of "the Shinsengumi's great victory"!

From any perspective, the Shinsengumi's recapture of Takamori Castle was incredibly fast! It was astonishingly fast!

Suddenly, Matsudaira Katamori felt a strong sense of frustration for no apparent reason.

When people mention Aizu, the first thing that comes to mind is the Aizu Army, which was famous throughout the world.

Matsudaira Katamori always felt proud of the strength of the Aizu army.

He always believed that, even in the whole of Japan, the Aizu Army was a uniquely powerful army!

However, at this moment, he suddenly realized that his proud Aizu Army seemed to have fallen behind the Shinsengumi...

He couldn't help but ask himself:

—If...if we were to clash with the Shinsengumi now, could we win?

He couldn't give a definite answer to this question for a long time.

No, to be more precise—his reason had already produced the answer, but his emotions couldn't accept it...

At this moment, the messenger who came to deliver the message hesitated for a moment, then stammered:

"My lord, regarding how the Shinsengumi recaptured Takatori Castle in such a short time... I've gathered some rumors, the veracity of which is uncertain..."

Upon hearing this, Matsudaira Katamori immediately perked up and quickly replied:

"Speak quickly! Just say it! I will judge whether it is true or false!"

Upon hearing Matsudaira Katamori's words, the messenger no longer hesitated, took a deep breath, and slowly said:

"My lord, as far as I know, the rapid recapture of Takatori Castle is entirely due to Lord Tachibana's competence!"

"Lord Tachibana single-handedly stormed into Takatori Castle, successively capturing the Sannomaru, Ninomaru, and Honmaru, greatly weakening the Tenchu ​​Group's fighting strength, disrupting the castle's defenses, and clearing the way for the army's subsequent offensive."

"Thus, the Shinsengumi were able to liberate Takatori Castle overnight!"

The messenger finished speaking succinctly.

"..."

Even though the other party had already finished speaking, Matsudaira Katamori remained silent for a long time without uttering a word.

The shock that had barely faded returned to his face.

About half a minute later, he mechanically asked in return:

"……What did you say?"

The messenger, very honestly, spoke again:

"Lord Tachibana single-handedly stormed into Takatori Castle..."

"No! I didn't ask you to repeat it... Sigh... Never mind..."

After saying that, Matsudaira Katamori let out a long breath and then leaned weakly against the elbow rest next to him.

A samurai single-handedly stormed into Takatori Castle, one of the "Three Great Mountain Castles," and even managed to breach the entire castle in one fell swoop, capturing even the main citadel. Normally, if someone were to say this to Matsudaira Katamori, he would definitely rebuke them angrily: What kind of delusions are you having in broad daylight?!

Strangely enough... if the protagonist of this "story" is changed to Tachibana Aoto, he will change his mind: if it is Tachibana Aoto, then such a thing is really possible!

Although Qing Deng was a legendary figure who created miracles, nowadays, it is no wonder that he does something so outrageous.

However... even so, Matsudaira Katamori was still speechless with shock at the astonishing feat of "soloizing Takatake Castle".

After letting out another long breath, Matsudaira Katamori placed his hand on his forehead and gently massaged his scalp with his fingers to relax his brain, which was extremely tired from listening to a large amount of heavy information.

Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, he paused for a moment, then muttered to himself softly:

"Before long, this land will have another powerful daimyo... I wonder where Tachibana no Hyōbu will be assigned..."

……

……

Almost at the same time, the Imperial Court, the Satsuma Domain, and other major powers in Kyoto, as well as the Choshu Army still fleeing westward, all received news of the Shinsengumi's victory.

The reactions of various factions to the Shinsengumi were mixed, with some rejoicing and others lamenting.

Among those most excited and thrilled were the rulers and retainers of the Takatori Domain.

The day after Takagi Castle was liberated, they returned to their home.

Thanks to Qingdeng's lightning-fast attack, Gaoqu City was liberated with minimal damage.

Not only did they help drive out the bandits, but they also preserved the city as much as possible... The gratitude of the Takatori Domain's rulers and retainers towards Seido is beyond words.

It's no exaggeration to say that they wished they could hug Qingdeng and "nibble" at his face like they were eating a watermelon.

……

……

Kyoto, Imperial Palace—

"Tachibana no Hyōbu won?"

Kujo Naotada looked at his attendant who had come to deliver the news with a look of surprise and delight.

[Note: Close attendant; personal attendant]

Xi Jinping's reply:

"Yes! Absolutely true!"

After the pro-shogunate faction, led by Sanjo Sanetomi, was completely purged, the pro-shogunate faction, represented by Kujo Naotada, was able to rise and seize control of the imperial court's discourse.

They were of one mind with the shogunate, so Kujo Naotada was naturally overjoyed when he received the news of the Shinsengumi's victory.

Kujo Minami grinned, revealing two rows of black teeth, and excitedly slapped her thigh with her fan while shouting:

"Excellent! Excellent!"

"Well done, Tachibana Heibu!"

"Following the Changzhou Army, that damned Tianzhu Group has also been wiped out!"

"In this way, those who only know how to make noise and daydream should finally shut up."

"Oh dear, Tachibana no Bingbu has performed another great service! He deserves a reward! He deserves a reward!"

"What kind of official title should we bestow upon him this time...?"

……

……

Kyoto, Satsuma Domain Residence, a secret room—

Inside the secret room, two of the "Three Heroes of Satsuma"—Kichinosuke Saigo and Tateto Komatsu—sat facing each other.

Besides the two of them, there was no one else in the secret room.

“…Saigo-kun.”

Komatsu, sword in hand and arms crossed, said in a deep voice:

"Although I shouldn't be saying this, but... that Tachibana Aoto is truly captivating."

At this point, he curled the corners of his mouth, adopting a tone that was half serious and half playful.

"After severely damaging the Extermination Group and annihilating the Shimizu clan, he once again created a new miracle with his pure personal strength."

"In terms of battle record alone, he has almost reached the limit of a martial artist, and is close to Ogata Itsuki back then."

"If I were an ordinary martial artist, I would probably worship Tachibana Seido like crazy."

As soon as he finished speaking, Saigo Kinosuke, sitting opposite him, half-jokingly chimed in:

"Komatsu-kun, we're in the same boat."

At this moment, Komatsu suddenly changed the subject, his tone becoming serious:

"However, while we admire them, as 'Satsuma Hayato', we should take into account our own position."

"After this battle, Tachibana Seito's prestige will surely soar to new heights."

“Saigo-kun, I think it’s time for us to consider our next course of action.”

"It is to completely side with the shogunate, just like Aizu did."

"Or... as always, keep something in reserve?"

After speaking, he stared intently at Saigo Kinosuke, waiting for his response.

"..."

Saigo Kichinosuke lowered his gaze, staring at the tatami mat in front of him, as if deep in thought.

……

……

A grove of trees in the Mimasaka region, west of Gyeonggi Province.

Splash splash ...

It's raining.

A light drizzle was falling.

Countless tiny raindrops fell on the branches and green leaves, splashing up even smaller droplets that fell to the ground.

Looking around, a fine curtain of rain enveloped the entire forest, making everything wet and adding a layer of hazy melancholy to the land.

Deep in the woods, a brown "dragon" meanders through the forest.

Upon closer inspection, it was the Choshu army that had been fleeing all the way after leaving Kyoto.

Accompanying them were the seven nobles of the Zunyan faction, led by Sanjō Sanetomi.

Having been expelled from Kyoto, Sanjo Sanetomi and the others had no other choice but to flee to Choshu.