I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"The road ahead is for Tachibana-kun to walk on his own."

"Try to feel it, try your best to experience it, and rack your brains to understand it."

"Only in this way can we truly master 'transparency' and then 'harmony between man and nature'."

“I will try to help him during this time.”

"When the time is right, I will help him break through in my own way."

When he said "in his own way," Goro Komaki emphasized the phrase and put on a strange, meaningful expression.

The Kiryu boss seemed to understand the unspoken meaning in the other party's words. He first chuckled, then thanked them sincerely.

"Ogata-kun, I'm relieved to hear you say that."

Suddenly, a look of reminiscence appeared on Kiryu's face, his facial features relaxed, and his expression became bright.

"Thinking about it carefully... time really flies."

"I met Tachibana-kun four years ago."

Four years ago, he was just an unknown Xiao Tongxin with mediocre swordsmanship.

"In just four years, he has become the number one swordsman in the Shogunate Army and a top swordsman who has entered the realm of 'transparency'."

"The sight of the younger generation's backs always makes me dizzy and I can't help but look away."

Upon hearing this, Komaki Goro immediately burst into laughter and patted him on the shoulder.

"Mamiya, don't say such depressing things."

Don't let age become your constraint.

"That day, when you stood behind Tachibana-kun, sharing a sword with him and striking the Flowing Light stance, for a fleeting moment, I saw 'Flowing Light Hachiman' return to the world."

"At over ninety years old, it's the perfect age to venture out and explore."

"Since we're all going to die anyway, we might as well make a fuss for one more day."

"If there's any gain, then it's a profit."

"If we gain nothing, then it's not a loss."

Listening to Goro Komaki's "advice," Mr. Kiryu smiled noncommittally.

"Alright, let's go."

“'Wind' didn’t lie to you; I can already see the dark clouds.”

"Let's hurry home before it rains."

As Mr. Kiryu spoke, he turned around and looked back.

Goro Komaki lifted his foot to follow, and the two walked side by side.

“This is a rare opportunity, Mamiya. Come to my house for some wagashi (Japanese sweets). Atachi hasn’t seen you in a long time. She would be very happy if you could come to my house as a guest.”

"Well, that's fine too."

The two gradually walked away and entered the winding mountain road.

……

……

Changzhou, Fangzhou (Zhoufang State), a certain winding, verdant mountain range—

Chirp chirp—! Chirp chirp—! Chirp chirp—!

The chirping of birds could be heard from time to time in the bushes.

The intermittent chirping of birds added to the tranquility of the mountain forest.

Although the mountain scenery is still shrouded in lush greenery, it does indeed have the feel of a changing season.

Shuten-dōji led the way, Takasugi Shinsaku followed in the middle, and Katsura Kogoro brought up the rear. The three of them formed a single file and headed straight into the depths of the mountains.

Under the escort of the special forces, Katsura Kogoro led the remnants of Suzuchi's army back to Choshu without any major incident.

Ignoring their grief, Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro quickly threw themselves into their work.

The first thing they need to do is go see Yamata no Orochi!

Shuten-dōji did not keep them waiting for long.

In just two days, he brought them a definite message: Come with me! I will take you to see Lord Orochi!

And so, the three of them arrived at this nameless mountain not far from Hagi Castle [the capital of Choshu].

Walking under the green trees lining the path, Katsura Kogoro turned his head to look behind him. Thanks to the good weather and excellent view, he could see the majestic Hagi Castle in the distance.

Then, he looked up at the sky, but the dense branches of the trees blocked his view.

Through the gaps, one can glimpse the clear blue sky and the bright sun reaching its zenith.

"Hey! Shuten-dōji! How much longer are we going to walk?"

Shinsaku Takasugi wiped his sweat and continued shouting impatiently:

"It's just a meeting, does it have to be so tiring?"

Shuten-dōji stopped and turned to return a faint smile:

“‘Mystery’ is one of the biggest characteristics of our Party of Law Enforcement.”

"We have always spared no effort in upholding this characteristic."

"We're almost there, just hang in there a little longer."

Having said that, he continued walking without another word.

Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro exchanged a glance, then silently followed.

Climbing hills, leaping down steep slopes, pushing aside bushes... After trekking for who knows how long, suddenly, the sound of gurgling water came from afar.

A moment later, a clear mountain stream appeared before the three of them.

The stream was very clear, flowing gurglingly down the mountainside.

Shuten-dōji glanced at the stream and said:

"We're almost there. Follow the stream upstream and you'll find a waterfall. Behind the waterfall is a cave, and Lord Serpent is inside."

Shinsaku Takasugi smacked his lips:

"Tsk, finally arrived... Hmm? Who is it?"

He suddenly widened his eyes and turned his head to the right.

Almost at the same time, Katsura Kogoro looked up and saw a young couple sitting cross-legged by the stream not far away, with their backs to them.

The girl was startled by Takasugi Shinsaku's shout.

She cried out in surprise and hurriedly turned her head, casting confused and frightened glances at Katsura Kogoro and the others.

In contrast, the young man remained much calmer, sitting in the same spot, unmoved.

As the girl turned her head, Katsura Kogoro was able to see her face clearly.

She was around 20 years old, wearing an orange yukata. She was petite, with delicate features and a beautiful face, truly deserving of the title "beauty".

At first, the girl's pretty face was full of vigilance, but she relaxed after seeing Shuten-dōji.

"What? It's Ajiu..."

Shuten-dōji shrugged:

"Ah Ling, what are you afraid of? With your brother around, who has the ability to hurt you?"

In response to Shuten-dōji's sarcastic remark, the girl called "Rin" made a playful face, then turned to the boy beside her and called out:

"Brother, Ajiu is back!"

Only then did the young man finally react and make a move.

He slowly turned his head to the side, looking at Katsura Kogoro and the others with a blank expression.

Katsura Kogoro took the opportunity to sized up the other person.

He was 23 or 4 years old, dressed in a samurai outfit, quite tall, with fair skin, neither ugly nor handsome, with an ornate ancient sword hanging at his waist, but no wakizashi (shoulder saber).

At first glance, he looks like just an ordinary person who was thrown into a crowd and never found again.

However, for some reason, this person gave Katsura Kogoro a... indescribable feeling of strangeness.

At this moment, Shuten-dōji's voice interrupted his train of thought:

"Mr. Takasugi, Mr. Katsura, let me introduce you."

Shuten-dōji stood sideways so that the two could face each other.

"This is our Law Extermination Party's top combatant, Ōtakemaru."

"This is Ootakemaru's younger sister, Ootengu."

“Ootakemaru, Rin, this is Takasugi Shinsaku, and this is Katsura Kogoro.”

No sooner had Shuten-dōji finished than Rin stood up straight, bowed slightly, and said solemnly:

"It's a pleasure to meet you both, Ah Ling! I've long heard of your esteemed names, and it's truly an honor to meet you today!"

He was reasonable and measured, neither arrogant nor humble, displaying the demeanor of a great man.

Otakemaru: "..."

The young man... that is, Ōtakemaru, remained silent, just staring at the two of them with a blank expression.

In fact, Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro didn't hear the second half of Shuten-dōji's words or Rin's self-introduction at all.

Upon hearing the name "Ōtakemaru", their entire focus was captured.

At this moment, both of them stared wide-eyed at the young man in astonishment, the same question echoing in their minds:

—Is he Ōtakemaru?!

Katsura Kogoro was unable to control his shock.

He simply couldn't equate this seemingly ordinary young man, who possessed neither a strong physique nor an imposing aura, with the "highest fighting force for the Party's extermination."