I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Over the years, all their efforts to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate have ended in failure.

As the elders died or left the organization, Tamamo-no-Mae unknowingly became the most senior member.

"Overthrow the shogunate"... seems to be an unfulfilled dream forever.

Tamamo-no-Mae couldn't help but think:

—The history of the Law Enforcement Group probably ends here...

Gradually, she slowly came to her senses.

Looking around, all was empty.

Everyone has left.

Those who claimed "I'm not going to play along" disappeared without a trace.

Those who advised others not to leave and called them "cowards" probably lost their courage to continue after seeing that most people had left, so they also ran away.

The association, which had lasted for nearly half a century, met such a tragic end...

Oh well... let it be...

The repeated failures had completely exhausted Tamamo-no-Mae's energy.

At this moment, she felt neither joy nor sorrow.

She stood up stiffly, her expression blank, looking just like a clay or wooden sculpture.

Where to go next?

Where else can I go?

How am I supposed to live from now on?

As she silently pondered these weighty questions—

"Great! This place is excellent! Let's make this our base for making a comeback!"

The sudden young voice startled her.

She mechanically turned her head and looked in the direction of the sound—she saw a young man in his early twenties standing tall with his hands on his hips, looking at the open space beneath his feet with great confidence.

Neither ugly nor handsome, neither fat nor thin, neither tall nor short... This person exudes an "ordinary" aura from the inside out.

Tamamo-no-Mae recognized the young man; he had recently joined the Hojuku group, but due to his lack of seniority, she did not remember his name.

"...Why aren't you leaving?"

Driven by curiosity, Tamamo-no-Mae couldn't help but ask.

The young man looked at her and raised an eyebrow:

"Oh? Grandma, you're still here? I thought you all left."

Because of her seniority, Tamamo-no-Mae is often respectfully addressed as "Grandma" within the organization.

At this moment, Tamamo belatedly realized that there was a child next to the young man... Correction, it was a child holding a baby.

The child, about three or four years old, stood expressionless beside the young man, his demeanor displaying an unusual maturity that seemed unlike that of a child his age.

It's worth mentioning that he was holding a baby in his arms—judging from its appearance, it should be a baby girl.

The baby was covered with a raincoat, and whether she was carefree or what, she was fast asleep in the wind and rain, completely unaffected by the external environment.

The young man noticed Tamamo-no-Mae's gaze and smiled:

"These two children were adopted not long ago."

"The older brother is a deaf and mute man born without hearing, and the younger sister is still an infant."

"I felt sorry for them, so I adopted them."

After saying that, he affectionately raised his large hand and patted the boy's head.

Tamamo-no-Mae is not concerned about the brother and sister for the time being.

She's only focused on one thing right now: What's wrong with this person? Why is he still here?

Why aren't you leaving?

Tamamo-no-Mae repeated the question she had just asked, and then added:

"Can't you see the group has already dispersed?"

The young man remained remarkably calm in the face of Tamamo-no-Mae's questioning.

He simply shrugged, his shoulders relaxed, and a smug smile spread across his face.

"Even though the team has fallen apart, we're not dead yet, are we?"

"Since we still have breath in our lungs, we still have a chance to regroup!"

"Grandma, look, this place is beautiful with clear waters and lush mountains. Most importantly, it's in a secluded location, making it difficult for the authorities to find us. It's truly an ideal place to establish a base!"

"I've made up my mind, I'll rebuild the Law Enforcement Group right here!"

"Since it's going to be rebuilt anyway, let's just change the name while we're at it."

"From this day forward, the 'Law Extermination Group' will be renamed the 'Law Extermination Party'!"

“This name is not only imposing, but also better reflects the nature of our association.”

Tamamo-no-Mae stared blankly at the young man, her face utterly bewildered.

A moment later, she frowned slightly, her tone displeased:

"What nonsense are you spouting to yourself?"

"Establishing a base and changing names... Do you think you're the leader of the Law Enforcement Group?"

The young man smiled slightly and said calmly:

"Mother-in-law, as you can see."

He pointed to the empty ground beneath his feet.

"The team has already fallen apart, hasn't it?"

"The only remaining members of the Law Enforcement Group are you and me."

“Mother-in-law, although you are a very senior elder, you are not suitable to be a leader.”

"In that case, it is perfectly reasonable for me to become the new leader of the Law Enforcement Group!"

Tamamo-no-Mae blinked hard, unable to suppress her astonishment.

This man's behavior tells Tamamo-no-Mae that he is not joking; he is serious!

"...That's enough, stop making this futile struggle."

Tamamo-no-Mae lowered her head, staring intently at her toes, and said in a deep voice:

"Even if the Law Enforcement Group is rebuilt, what then?"

"It has been twenty years since I joined the Legal Extermination Group."

"We have been failing for the past twenty years."

"Failed time and time again... with almost no sign of success in sight."

"Young man, take my advice and leave. Living well is better than anything else."

No sooner had Tamamo-no-Mae finished speaking than the young man, as if in response, loudly repeated the word she had just uttered.

"'Alive'?"

In an instant, the young man's expression changed drastically.

The optimistic smile vanished, and his facial features became distorted and contorted.

"The reason I joined the Legal Extermination Group is because I couldn't survive anymore!"

After saying this, under the influence of his excited emotions, his chest heaved rapidly, and he made heavy breathing sounds.

Hearing the other party's roar, Tamamo-no-Mae seemed to sense something and her body trembled slightly.

About half a minute later, the young man let out a long sigh of relief, and his facial expression returned to normal.

“Grandma, when I decided to fight against the shogunate and realize my ideals, I was already prepared to die.”

"I'm not even afraid of death, so why should I fear defeat?"

After hearing this, Tamamo-no-Mae slowly raised her eyes and stared blankly at the young man.

She couldn't remember what happened after that.

All I remember is that from that day on, the "Law Extermination Group" was officially renamed the "Law Extermination Party".

From that day on, she began to follow and serve this young man, becoming his first subordinate.

……

……

"Grandma...Grandma...! Grandma!"

Tamamo-no-Mae felt someone shaking her body.

The dream shatters, and consciousness awakens.

She slowly opened her eyes... Before seeing anyone, she saw her belly.

The Yamata no Orochi, with its round belly, stood smiling beside her.

“Grandma, if you want to sleep, you should sleep in bed. You’re very likely to get back pain if you sleep like this. You’re getting on in years, you should take good care of your health.”

He raised an eyebrow as he spoke, then stared at the other person's face with great curiosity.

"Hmm? Grandma, you seem very happy. What sweet dream did you have?"

Tamamo-no-Mae smiled gently:

"It's nothing, I just dreamt about some things from our past."

"Oh? Could you tell me more about it?"

"No, it's embarrassing to say it out loud."