I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Inoue Genzaburo looked helpless.

"After all, today is the day of the 'Yamahoko Parade,' and everyone is preparing to go and admire the Yamahoko."

Upon hearing the words "Yamahoko patrol," Todo Heisuke's face immediately fell.

"Those madmen from Choshu actually plan to burn down Kyoto tonight... What a terrible thing to do...!"

……

"Huh? Huh? Oh... That's weird..."

Nakazawa Kotomi reached her hands behind her back, trying to pull something out—she couldn't fasten the buttons on the back of her chainmail.

His hands fumbled behind his back, his whole body almost twisted into a pretzel shape.

Suddenly, a gentle voice sounded from behind him:

"Miss Nakazawa, let me help you."

Before she finished speaking, Souji had already moved behind Nakazawa Koto and helped her put on her chainmail.

Because of the significant height difference between the two (Souji is 1.55 meters tall, and Nakazawa Koto is 1.73 meters tall), Souji had to stand on her tiptoes slightly.

"Captain Okita?!"

Nakazawa Koto was taken aback and quickly said:

"How can I let you, Captain, help me put on my chainmail?"

After marrying Aoto, Souji changed her name to "Tachibana Tsukasa".

However, the name "Okita Souji" is simply too famous.

Just like "Nioh: Tachibana Aoto", "Heavenly Sword: Okita Souji" has become the Shinsengumi's signature weapon.

Compared to "Tachibana Tsukasa", both sides are more accustomed to "Okita Souji".

Therefore, even now, most people still habitually refer to Souji as "Captain Okita" or "Okita-kun".

The commander-in-chief did not mind this.

In her view, whether it's "Tachibana Tsukasa" or "Okita Souji," it all refers to her, so she welcomes it no matter which name is used to address her.

Seeing Nakazawa Koto's awkwardness, Souji smiled gently:

"It was just a small favor, you don't need to be so formal. Okay, you're all dressed now."

While they were talking, she deftly helped the other person fasten the buttons on the back of their chainmail.

"Captain Okita, thank you so much!"

Nakazawa Koto stood straight, her expression solemn, and bowed to the commander-in-chief with measured steps to express her gratitude.

The commander smiled helplessly:

"I told you, don't be so reserved... Ah, Tachibana-kun!"

At that moment, the sharp-eyed Souji noticed the tall figure hurrying into the clubhouse—it was Aoto, who had just arrived in Kyoto.

Aoto was among the last group of people to travel to Kyoto.

Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo followed closely on either side of him.

Upon hearing this, everyone present stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Qingdeng.

Qingdeng waved his hand:

"You will remain on standby."

With that, he, Hijikata Toshizo, and Kondo Isami walked into the depths of the clubhouse and disappeared in a short while.

Although Qing Deng and the others didn't say anything, based on their expressions and actions, everyone had already vaguely guessed that the Ninth Division still hadn't found out the specific time and place of the meeting!

Seeing this, Serizawa Kamo curled his beak in a crooked way:

"The situation is not optimistic..."

……

After entering the inner room of the club, Qingdeng and the others casually found an open space and sat down on the ground in a "品" shape.

Hijikata Toshizo took out a map of Kyoto from his pocket, spread it out on the three men's laps, and began to explain:

"All members of the Ninth Division, who are lurking in Kyoto, have been mobilized to search for the whereabouts of Miyabe Teizou, Katsura Kogoro, and others, as well as the location and time of tonight's meeting."

"But unfortunately... as of now, we have not received any definite confirmation."

"However, based on the intelligence we have so far, the meeting location can be basically determined to be in the northern area from Gion to Sanjo Avenue."

As he spoke, he stretched out his finger and drew the area on the map.

After reading it, Kondo Isami's expression immediately turned serious:

"Although the area has been narrowed, the territory from Gion to Sanjo Avenue is still quite large..."

As he spoke, he turned to look at the sky outside the window, then said to Qingdeng:

"Kid, it's getting dark, night has fallen... What should we do now?"

After he finished speaking, he stared intently at Qingdeng.

Hijikata Toshizo also raised his gaze, staring intently at Aoto, awaiting Aoto's instructions.

Under their gazes, Qingdeng lowered his eyelids and looked down at the map in front of him without blinking, as if deep in thought.

He had hoped that the Ninth Division could find out the information, confirm the meeting location and time, or directly find out the specific whereabouts of Miyabe Teizō, Katsura Kogoro, and others.

Unfortunately... judging from the current situation, his expectations are going to be dashed.

It is now night, the "Yamahoko Patrol" is about to begin, and the summit meeting of the Zunrang faction will likely be held soon.

Should we continue to wait for news from the Ninth Division?

Or……

Qing Deng fell into deep thought—the decision he made next would largely determine the fate of Kyoto tonight, and might even directly affect the future!

Miyabe Teizō, Katsura Kogoro, Yoshida Toshima... these people are to the Zunyan faction what Hijikata Toshizo, Nagakura Shinpachi, and Saitō Hajime are to the Shinsengumi.

They are undoubtedly the core members of the pro-democracy faction!

If Qing Deng and his group were to successfully launch a surprise attack on the meeting and wipe out the entire group... the impact on the Zunyang faction and on the future would be immeasurable! Enough to change the course of history!

Qingdeng's current thinking and his subsequent decisions possess this kind of energy!

Knowing this, Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo both held their breath and dared not make a sound, wishing they could simply disappear so as not to disturb Aoto.

About 10 seconds later, Qingdeng slowly raised his heavy eyelids, his gaze firm and his eyes gleaming.

"Now that things have come to this, we can stop waiting for news from the Ninth Division."

"Now that we've confirmed the meeting location is in the area north of Gion to Sanjo Bridge, let's search this entire area!"

As he spoke, he stretched out his finger and traced lines on the map.

"We split into two groups."

“Isaru is in charge of the area west of the Kamo River, and he will inspect the Kiyamachi area between the Shijo and Sanjo Bridges.”

“I will be in charge of the area east of the Kamo River. I will search northward along Nawate-dori.”

"We must check every hotel and izakaya along the way, one by one!"

Upon hearing this, Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo's expressions immediately turned serious.

They didn't say much, but simply said in unison:

"Yes!"

Aoto looked up at Kondo Isamu and asked:

"Yong, how many people do you need?"

Kondo Isami smiled confidently, a slight curve to the corners of his mouth.

"Seven people!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Hijikata Toshizo frowned.

"Seven? Are we enough people?"

Kondo Isamu replied:

“The area east of the Kamo River is quite large, and Tachibana-kun needs more manpower than I do. For me, seven people are enough!”

As he spoke, he cast a resolute glance at Qingdeng.

Qing Deng was also looking at him, his gaze fixed directly into his eyes.

After a moment, he slowly countered with a question:

"...Yong, which seven people do you want?"

Without hesitation, Kondo Isami answered:

"I want Tsukasa and Shinpachi, the rest are up to you."

"Just Xiao Si and Man Xin? No one else is needed?"

Kondo Isamu Kanji:

“If I were to be a little greedy... I would actually also want Saito. But if I take Saito away as well, then you'll only have Toshi left who can stand on his own.”

Qingdeng smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

……

……

Aoto, Kondo Isami, and Hijikata Toshizo emerged from the inner room of the clubhouse and appeared before everyone.

Listen up, everyone!

Upon hearing this, everyone stood up as if by conditioned reflex and rushed to Qingdeng's side.

As Qingdeng surveyed the entire area, he loudly issued the battle plan:

"We'll split into two groups!"