I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Instead, there were slow, light footsteps approaching from afar.

A moment later, a petite figure came into view.

After leaving the back room, Souji stood timidly beside Aoto, his hands clasped together in front of him, his fingers nervously twisting together.

She was no longer dressed in her usual men's clothing, but in a light purple women's kimono with a wide black sash around her waist.

Her hairstyle remained unchanged; she still wore a high, short ponytail that gave her a lively look.

Strangely enough, she had only changed her clothes, but she gave off a completely different vibe, transforming from a handsome young man into a charming and lovely young woman.

Of course, compared to her clothes, the most obvious change in her body is her figure.

Looking back, in order to conceal the most prominent feature of women, the chieftain used a thick breast wrap to apply a strict "seal".

Now that the "seal" has been removed... even a loose-fitting kimono can't hide its considerable size and height!

With the appearance of the "woman-dressed Souji"... ah, no, correction. With the appearance of the "real Souji," the entire audience was stunned.

In an instant, apart from a very few people such as Aoto, Hijikata Toshizo, and Kondo Isami, everyone else cast incredulous glances at Souji.

Harada Sanosuke: "This...this...it really is a girl...!"

Nagakura Shinpachi: "I'm so ashamed... all these years, I never realized Okita-kun was a girl..."

Serizawa Kamo: "It's one thing for me to be an outsider! But how come even you fellow disciples don't know she's a woman?"

Toudou Heisuke: "Thinking about it carefully... there are some clues! Okita-kun never bathes with us!"

Saito Hajime: "We were too stupid."

Under everyone's gaze, Souji showed a rare expression of embarrassment, his cheeks flushed.

Having played a man for so long, she's no longer used to appearing as a woman.

At this moment, Qing Deng said loudly:

"As you all have seen!"

“Okita Souji is a woman; her original name was ‘Okita Tsukasa’.”

"She disguised herself as a man to make it easier for her to practice swordsmanship."

"This custom of women dressing as men has been passed down to this day."

(So ​​stop calling me a follower of the Way!) — Qing Deng barely managed to hold back from saying the rest of his sentence.

As the commander-in-chief of the Shinsengumi, Aoto had long been aware of the rumors: because he was close to Souji, many people suspected that the two of them were members of the Shudo.

Qing Deng had no way to express his frustration about this.

As a staunchly straight man, he deeply resented the title of "a person of the righteous path".

At this moment, he could finally vent all his pent-up grievances—the commander is a girl! I'm not playing the game!

As soon as Aoto finished speaking, Yamanami Keisuke interjected:

“Okita-kun… uh, no, Ms. Okita, since your original name was ‘Okita Tsukasa,’ should we address you differently from now on?”

Upon hearing this, the commander quickly waved his hand:

"No need! That's too much trouble!"

"Although 'Okita Souji' is a pseudonym, I've gotten used to it over the years."

"I am both Okita Tsukasa and Okita Souji."

"So everyone can just continue as usual, there's no need to change your tune!"

After a brief moment of surprise, the atmosphere gradually became harmonious and congenial.

Although we went through the farce of "traveling together for twelve years, not knowing that Mulan was a woman," so what?

In the eyes of her fellow students, such as Nagakura Shinpachi and Saito Hajime, she was still the gentle and understanding Souji.

Sanako's crazy act at Training Ground No. 1 was only yesterday.

It must be said that what she orchestrated had a profound impact.

Whether it's Aoto, Souji, or Kinoshita Mai, they've all been put on the fire by her.

Now that things have come to this, they have no way back.

The commander probably never imagined that the secret he had kept hidden for most of his life would be exposed in this way... This is probably what they call the cruel twist of fate!

Aoto had no idea what Souji, Kinoshita Mai, and the others were thinking.

For him, this is just right!

Everything unfolded exactly as Kiryu had predicted, and Sanako became the "game-changer."

If we squander this rare and excellent opportunity, it would truly be a case of "if Heaven gives it to us and we don't take it, we will suffer the consequences!"

Sanako has shown her courage.

Now it's his turn to show his strength!

So, Qing Deng took the opportunity to announce to the public: Sanako was right! I'm going to marry all three of them! They're all my wives! No concubines!

The meeting being held today is primarily aimed at achieving two objectives.

Firstly, it would allow everyone to see Souji's "true form" and dispel their confusion about "marrying Souji as a wife".

Secondly, it was to announce his next course of action.

After instructing the commander to return to her seat, Qing Deng adopted a serious and earnest tone:

"Next, I'm going to Osaka."

He succinctly explained his economic plan of "finding partners and attracting investment" to everyone.

After he finished speaking, Kondo Isami frowned slightly:

"...Tachibana-kun, will this work? Osaka's merchants are notoriously profit-driven."

Qingdeng smiled slightly:

"It is precisely because Osaka merchants are profit-driven that there is a greater chance of closing a deal. Toshizo, Yu, Keisuke, I entrust the Shinsengumi and the Hatatsu Domain to you during my trip to Osaka."

Hijikata Toshizo, Kondo Isami, and Yamanami Keisuke bowed in response.

In fact, there was one more thing that Qing Deng didn't mention—this trip to Osaka was not only for business, but also for "relationship building."

Qingdeng knew very well what was going on.

The biggest obstacle to his grand plan of having "three wives" was Kinoshita Mai's family...

……

……

Edo, Little Chiba Sword Hall—

At midday, a sudden burst of noisy footsteps abruptly shattered the tranquility inside and outside the sword hall.

"Uncle! Uncle!"

Two important members of the Chiba family—Chiba Michizaburo and Chiba Tamonshiro—rushed into the dojo to find Chiba Sadakichi.

Chiba Sadakichi raised an eyebrow at the two who had suddenly arrived:

"Hmm? Sanlang, Shiro, what brings you here?"

As luck would have it, at that very moment, Chiba Jutaro was right next to Chiba Sadakichi.

The sudden appearance of his cousins, and their gloomy appearance... Faced with these signs, Chiba Jutaro immediately realized something and gradually revealed a guilty expression.

Chiba Tamon Shiro gritted his teeth and cast a dissatisfied glance at Chiba Jutaro:

“Brother Chong! Uncle rarely goes out, so it's understandable that he doesn't know about this matter, but how come even you don't know?”

"I...I...I..."

Chiba Jutaro kept saying "I" for a long time.

After a long while, he weakly said:

"I just found out about this myself... I don't know how to tell my father yet..."

Chiba Sadakichi gradually grew impatient with the strange remarks of his son and nephews:

"Stop playing games! Just tell me what happened!"

Chiba Michizaburo sighed softly:

"Uncle, Tachibana-kun is getting married. This news was published in Edo's tabloids this morning and is spreading like wildfire."

Upon hearing this, Chiba Sadakichi was first taken aback, then his face lit up with joy:

"Oh, I see... Tachibana-kun is getting married to Sanako, that's great news!"

As soon as Chiba Sadakichi finished speaking, Chiba Michisaburo and Chiba Tamonshiro exchanged a glance—they communicated silently with their eyes:

(Third brother, you tell the story.)

(Huh?! Why do I have to say it?)

(Since you are the elder brother, it is most appropriate for you to say it.)

After the "exchange" was over, Chiba Michizaburo cleared his throat forcefully.

“Uncle, listen to me, Tachibana-kun is indeed going to marry Sanako, but… but… sigh, never mind, Uncle, you should just decide for yourself…”

After saying that, he took out a small newspaper from his pocket and carefully handed it to Chiba Sadakichi.

Chiba Sadakichi, completely bewildered, reached out and took the book, unfolded it, and began to read it quickly, skimming through it.

A moment later, his expression was dominated by intense shock, his eyes widening like saucers:

"...Huh?!"

……

……

Edo, Koishikawa Kohinata Yanagi Town, Test Guard Hall——

"Hehehehehehe~"