I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"There are many who are dissatisfied with this swift defeat in the uprising."

"All of this suggests that the war may be reignited and a second wave of uprisings may break out."

"In order to stabilize public sentiment, the shogunate had no other choice but to make compromises."

"While mobilizing resources, we worked hard to eliminate the impact of the Tenpo Famine so that the people of Osaka would no longer go hungry."

"On the one hand, we should minimize publicity about this 'great victory' to avoid upsetting the people of Osaka."

"Thus, Kazami Kazuma, a hero of the war, received no recognition whatsoever."

"Even official government documents rarely mention him."

"He worked himself to the bone for the shogunate, only to be ruthlessly abandoned in the end... Hahahaha! He deserved it! He deserved it!!"

"He mysteriously disappeared after the great battle."

"He no longer appears in public, and we have not heard any news about him since."

"Some say he was heartbroken by the ruthlessness of the shogunate, and went into seclusion, never to concern himself with worldly affairs again."

"Some say he went to the shogunate to demand an explanation, but was silenced by the shogunate."

"Some say he died in agony in bed because his abdominal wound worsened."

"Regardless of the truth, he has indeed disappeared."

"As time went by, he was gradually forgotten by the world, and no one remembered this once-renowned genius gunslinger."

"He bears the resounding title of 'the prodigy of Namikawa'... Countless people, including myself, admire and respect him, regarding him as the pride of Osaka..."

"But he raised his butcher's knife and swung it at his own people..."

"I will never forgive him..."

"I will never forgive him...!"

"Although many people say he's dead, I won't give up until I see his body with my own eyes!"

"I must kill him!"

"I want to plunge this knife into his chest with my own hands! Pierce his heart... Cough! Cough! Cough!"

His eyes bulged out, and he coughed violently, his chest heaving rapidly like the bellows in a blacksmith's shop.

Upon seeing this, Qingdeng immediately reached out and steadied him.

"Are you OK?"

Kinoshita Mai followed immediately:

"Wait a moment! I'll go get you another bowl of water!"

Kinoshita Mai was about to turn around to find water when Tougoro waved his hand:

"No, no need... I just had a sudden urge to catch my breath, I'm much better now..."

He clutched his chest, tilted his head back, and coughed up a harsh sound as he greedily inhaled the air.

"Haha...it seems I've talked too much without realizing it..."

“I haven’t talked this much in a long time.”

"For the past twenty years, everyone has avoided me, saying I'm crazy, and avoiding me like the plague."

“I know that everyone secretly calls me a ‘remnant of the Big Salt Party’.”

"Hehe... that's too kind of you..."

"To this day, the heroes of the Ōshio Party are still running around and fighting bravely to realize Mr. Ōshio's ideal of a 'world of great harmony'."

"I am but a coward who trembles with fear in battle but moves like a rabbit when fleeing... How can I compare to the heroes of the Great Salt Party?"

"It would be more accurate to call me the 'ghost of the Great Salt Army' rather than the 'ghost of the Great Salt Party'."

"I died on the battlefield 26 years ago..."

Touko finished speaking.

Whether it was because he had vented his anger with a roar or something else, his complexion improved considerably, and his eyes regained their clarity.

"Thank you... for listening to this old madman's ramblings."

As he spoke, he leaned against the earthen wall behind him and stood up unsteadily.

"I'm leaving."

"As we part, I have a request."

"If you encounter anyone who resembles Kazami Kazuma in the future, please be sure to come to Osaka and inform me."

“I’ve been wandering the streets of Osaka all day, so you can easily find me.”

"I have no other expectations in this life, except to kill Kazami Kazuma with my own hands before I die...!"

"If this wish cannot be fulfilled, I will not die in peace..."

After saying that, without waiting for a response from Qing Deng and Kinoshita Mai, he staggered away, heading straight for a dimly lit street corner in the distance.

Aoto and Kinoshita Mai stood there, silently watching his retreating figure.

Soon, silence returned—the old monk had disappeared from their sight.

However, the two remained standing there, staring at each other... About 10 seconds later, it was Kinoshita Mai who uttered the first words.

"What a heavy story..."

Qingdeng nodded in agreement.

Unexpectedly, tonight's "night tour" brought a pleasant surprise—I accidentally learned of such a tragic and heavy story...

It's not difficult to understand Goro Todori's inner world.

The hero I once admired has transformed into a ruthless executioner who slaughtered the Osaka rebels...

Such a huge contrast and blow is enough to cause a huge and irreversible impact on a person's original values.

In fact, from a certain perspective, Kazami Kazuma is similar to a "dark version of Tachibana Aoto".

Both are exceptionally talented.

They both made great contributions to the shogunate.

They were both young men in the prime of their lives.

However, due to their different choices and different opportunities, the two ended up with vastly different outcomes.

He became a hero who was highly respected by the people and renowned throughout the world.

The other became a pitiful person whose name was obscured by the shogunate and never even survived...

—Kazami Kazuma…

Qingdeng silently remembered the name.

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Today is the final chapter of the "Osaka Arc"! All the foreshadowing, setup, new characters, and stuff is finally done! (Throws keyboard in frustration.jpg)

Next up, finally, is the much-anticipated "Wedding Arc"! (Excited Leopard.jpg) Leopard will strive to finish the "Wedding Arc" within 7 chapters, and then skip about half a year to quickly jump into the "Ikedaya Incident"! (Excited Leopard.jpg)

Chapter 789 Qin Jinfan's Instant Wealth! [4500]

The next day, at dawn, just as the sky was turning a pale white—

Osaka, northern suburbs, the main road leading to Kyoto—

"Grandma, I'm leaving!"

Kinoshita Mai stepped forward and hugged Kinoshita Rin tightly.

"Yes, have a safe trip."

Kinoshita Rin smiled and patted her on the back with her other hand.

As planned, Aoto and Kinoshita Mai officially set off for Kyoto today.

Kinoshita Rin led a group of high-ranking officials from the Gourd House, including Mr. Kiryu and Mr. Mogami Yoshikiyo, to see him off; the procession was quite grand.

Mr. Kiryu did not accompany the two to Kyoto, nor did he return to Edo.

According to him, he will be staying in Osaka for quite some time, and the Senjiya will be closed for a while.

As for why, Kiryu didn't say it explicitly, and Aoto didn't ask any further questions.

The Thousand Things Shop is temporarily closed... Qing Deng felt as if he could hear the sobbing of the old ladies and grandmothers near the Thousand Things Shop.

At this moment, facing her grandmother who had come to see her off, Kinoshita Mai's reluctance to part was palpable.

Although Kinoshita Rin always has a stern and unsmiling demeanor, she always shows a gentle side in front of her granddaughter.

Just now, Kinoshita Mai received a parting gift from Kinoshita Rin—a set of bright red, dazzlingly beautiful daifusode (a type of long-sleeved robe).

Kinoshita Rin often expresses her care for her granddaughter by "sending her clothes".

She gives away clothes quite frequently.

Kinoshita Mai receives new clothes every now and then.

From yukata to furisode, from simple designs to ornate patterns... Kinoshita Rin has a grand ambition to "give all the red clothes in the world to her granddaughter".

That's why Kinoshita Mai's wardrobe is so luxurious.

Qing Deng once calculated that if Kinoshita Mai changed into a new outfit every day, she could guarantee a month without repeating a single look!

In terms of the richness of her wardrobe, she has far more than Sanako and Souji combined!

After a long while, Kinoshita Mai reluctantly let go of her grandmother in her arms.

She had barely given up her seat when Qingdeng immediately filled the "vacancy".

Aoto opened his arms and gently embraced Kinoshita Rin.