I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

As he spoke, he slowly squatted down so that he could be at eye level with the other person.

At first glance, Hijikata Toshizo appears to be a nice guy.

His face was gentle, he had a smile on his face, and his tone was friendly.

However, after this "nice guy" finished his self-introduction, Yoya Kiemon looked as if he had seen a ghost, his expression changed drastically, his eyes widened, and his pupils contracted.

"Hijikata...Toshizo...?!"

In a way, he really did see a ghost—in the eyes of the enemy, the decisive and ruthless "Demon Vice-Commander" was a real demon!

"I have already heard a detailed account of your situation from someone."

"Although you are an enemy, I have to admire your perseverance."

"It is truly remarkable that he could grit his teeth and refuse to utter a single word despite enduring so much torture."

"However... that's enough."

In that instant... it really was just a blink of an eye! Hijikata Toshizo's appearance changed drastically!

The gentle smile disappeared, the kind tone vanished.

Instead, he wore an indifferent expression devoid of joy or sorrow, and spoke in a cold tone as if laced with ice.

"I, Hijikata Toshizo, have arrived, and I will no longer give you the chance to show off your power."

"I have a lot of questions I want to ask you."

“I don’t want to waste too much time on mere ‘interrogation’.”

"I will use the most drastic measures to make you quickly, obediently, and without daring to hide anything anymore confess everything."

"So... now, let me properly explain to you why I am called the 'Demon Vice-Commander'."

As he spoke, he slowly stood up and looked down at Yoshiemon.

"The reason is actually very simple—I'm ruthless to my own people, and even more ruthless to my enemies!"

"Someone, go and get two five-inch nails and two hundred-eye candles."

[Note: 100-mesh candle: Each candle weighs 100 mesh (approximately 375 grams)]

"Drive five-inch nails into his feet, starting from the insteps and exiting from the soles, and then hang him upside down from the rafters, and put a lit hundred-eyed candle on the two nails!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Whether it was Yoshiemon, Serizawa Kamo, or the executioners, they were all stunned.

"What? Didn't you hear my command?"

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Please vote for me! Please recommend me! (Like a leopard crying.jpg)

PS: This chapter is based on historical facts. No matter what they did, Yoshikata Toshizo refused to confess, so he personally intervened and used this cruel torture to torment him.

Finally, we've arrived at the infamous "Ikedaya Incident"! Leopard is now full of energy! (Leopard High.jpg)

Chapter 809 Something Strange Happens in Kyoto! Kyoto Burns Down! [5100]

Accompanied by a cold, emotionless voice, Hijikata Toshizo slightly turned his head, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the executioners beside him.

Instantly, they felt a stinging pain on their skin, as if knives were shooting at them instead of eyes. They felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave, and uncontrollably shivered several times.

After hurriedly agreeing, they fled the prison as if they were escaping.

A short while later, they returned to Hijikata Toshizo and the others, now holding two five-inch nails and two hundred-eyed candles.

"Let's do it."

With that, Hijikata Toshizo unfastened Izumi no Kami Kanesada from his waist, sat down imposingly on a wooden barrel not far away, crossed his hands at the base of the hilt of his sword, and held the sword in front of him, coldly watching Yoya Kiemon, who was pale and trembling all over.

The executioners exchanged glances, then simultaneously gritted their teeth.

Although they hadn't discussed it beforehand, they acted with remarkable coordination.

They pounced on Yoshino Kiemon, removed the two huge stones from his legs, and untied the bindings on his legs.

Before Yoya Kiemon could catch his breath, a new nightmare began.

The executioners divided the work and cooperated—

One person held his head to prevent him from biting his tongue and committing suicide.

One person held him tightly to prevent him from moving around.

One person held his legs so that it would be easier to drive nails into his feet.

The other person is holding a hammer and a five-inch nail.

When the skin on the back of his foot felt the cold, sharp touch of the nails, Yoya Kiemon could no longer pretend to be calm.

Although his expression was dominated by intense fear, he kept his lips tightly closed, as if to say, "Even if I am filled with fear, I will not give in."

Of course, his "strength" vanished in just two seconds.

"Ughh ...

The executioner responsible for hammering the nails swung the hammer down forcefully.

The unparalleled pain put immense pressure on Yoshiemon's nerves.

The piercing screams seemed to tear his vocal cords off.

Such a pitiful scream caused even the executioners, who were used to seeing horrific scenes, and the resolute Serizawa Kamo, to change color upon hearing it.

Only Hijikata Toshizo remained unchanged, his face showing neither sorrow nor joy, without the slightest change in expression, not even a twitch of his brow.

"Hurry up, I'm in a hurry. If you dawdle, don't blame me for punishing you."

Yoshiemon's screams were indeed terrifying.

But for the Shinsengumi members, the enraged "Demon Vice-Commander" is even more terrifying!

Urged on by Toshizo Hijikata, the executioners dared not slack off.

In no time, both of Yoya Kiemon's feet were mangled and bloody, a truly gruesome sight.

And this is just the beginning.

The executioners hung him upside down by hanging thick ropes from the roof beams.

The two large iron nails on his feet, due to his upside-down position, turned so that the nails pointed upwards—the executioners placed a hundred-eyed candle on each nail tip and lit it.

In the blink of an eye, scalding hot wax, like viscous hot lead, flowed down the soles of Yoshiemon's feet, dripping and sticking to his calves.

The dizziness of being upside down, the excruciating pain of having your feet pierced, the heat and sticky texture of dripping wax... any one of these things is enough to send chills down your spine!

To endure all this pain at the same time...it's like falling into hell!

It is probably impossible to accurately describe the devastation it inflicts on people, even if we exhaust all human language!

Yoshiemon, who was able to maintain his integrity even during the stone-embracing punishment, could no longer maintain his calm and magnanimous demeanor.

"Aaaaaaah! Aaaaaah!! Aaaaaah!!

The screams were incessant.

A distorted and deformed expression.

It is truly a sight to behold that makes one tremble with fear, and a sound that makes one shudder!

Before long, the dripping wax gradually solidified and covered my calves, like being stuck in a quagmire. Every pore on my legs was blocked, causing immense discomfort and adding another layer of pain.

In contrast, the two hundred-eyed candles had only just begun to dim.

Hijikata Toshizo spoke in a lukewarm manner:

"Speak! Who are you? What's with that warehouse full of weapons? What are you plotting?"

"...I...I...as a true, upright...man...will never...give in...to...the enemy...because of pain..."

Upon hearing this, Hijikata Toshizo seemed amused and burst into laughter.

"Good! You've got guts!"

"In that case, let me see something new."

"I'd really like to see how long you can hold out."

"Don't disappoint me, we have plenty of hundred-eyed candles."

At this point, he turned to look at the executioners beside him.

"If the wax solidifies too much or becomes too thick, remember to peel it off. Otherwise, he won't be able to feel the burning heat of the wax on his skin all the time."

"Yes!"

The screams continued.

The interrogation is still ongoing.

……

……

Kyoto, Gion——

The two weary travelers looked around, then lowered their low-brimmed straw hats and continued on their way.

Suddenly, a ragged, unkempt beggar darted out from the side and blocked their way.

"Gentlemen! Please have mercy! I haven't eaten for three days! Please give me some money! If you don't have money, a bite to eat will do! I beg you! Your kindness will be immeasurable!"

Although the faces of the two ronin could not be seen because they were wearing low-brimmed straw hats, their actions and words revealed their displeasure.

"Get away from us, you filthy beggar!"

"We have no money, and even if we did, we wouldn't give it to you. You'll have to ask someone else for it!"

Without hesitation, they bypassed the beggar and walked away.

The beggar sighed heavily, his head drooping, and retreated to the side of the street with a look of dejection, curling up in a corner.