I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Anyway, I have plenty of time."

"I'd like to see whether it's Takeshi Hanpeita, Okada Izo, or my patience that will run out first."

After saying that, he turned and left.

He is a busy political advisor to the state, and he doesn't have the time to waste on these stray dogs.

Just as he was striding forward, he suddenly saw a young man of about 26 or 7 years old walking towards him.

Upon seeing Goto Shojiro, the young man immediately shouted:

"Goto-kun, so this is where you are! I've finally found you!"

Goto Shojiro asked calmly:

"Itagaki-kun, is something the matter?"

Itagaki Taisuke—this young man's name.

Satsuma has three heroes (Saigo Kichinosuke, Komatsu Tateto, and Okubo Ichizo).

Choshu also had three outstanding figures (Kusaka Genzui, Takasugi Shinsaku, and Katsura Kogoro).

Tosa also had three outstanding figures.

The "Three Heroes of Tosa" were Goto Shojiro, Itagaki Taisuke, and Sasaki Takayuki.

Among them, Sasaki Takayuki is relatively low-key, hence his lack of fame.

Therefore, when discussing the "Three Heroes of Tosa", people most often mention Goto Shojiro and Itagaki Taisuke.

Goto Shojiro was in charge of politics, and Itagaki Taisuke was in charge of military affairs; both were close confidants of Yamanouchi Yodo.

After the Tosa Loyalist Party fell, they both became central figures in the Tosa Domain government under the strong promotion of Yamanouchi Yodo.

When asked by Goto Shojiro, Itagaki Taisuke did not answer immediately, but instead glanced at the attendants behind him.

Goto Shojiro, understanding the unspoken message, turned his head and said to his attendant:

"You should leave first."

"Yes."

The attendant responded with a shout of agreement and retreated in two quick steps.

After the footsteps faded into the distance and disappeared completely, Itagaki Taisuke said seriously:

"Goto-kun, I've found Sakamoto Ryoma."

Upon hearing the name Sakamoto Ryoma, Goto Shojiro immediately focused his gaze and adopted a serious expression.

Speaking of Sakamoto Ryoma, he was truly a prominent figure in the Tosa Domain.

He was born into a merchant family whose ancestors specialized in sake, with their business spanning the entire domain. He later purchased the status of a local scholar.

Despite their humble status, the Sakamoto family was extremely wealthy, being one of the richest merchant families in Tosa.

Because of his outstanding talent in swordsmanship, he became a renowned genius swordsman at a young age.

In 1854, he went to Edo to study and became a student of Chiba Sadakichi.

In 1857, Yamanouchi Yodo held a martial arts competition in Edo, where he won the championship with overwhelming strength, becoming famous throughout Edo.

In the same year, his study abroad period ended, and he returned home in glory.

Up to this point, he was simply an enviable young master with immense wealth and outstanding talent.

The turning point in his life was when Takechi Hanpeita formed the Tosa Loyalist Party.

As Takechi Hanpeita's childhood friend and close confidant, Sakamoto Ryoma also embraced the idea of ​​respecting and rejecting.

In 1861, after Takeichi Hanpeita formed the Tosa Loyalist Party, Sakamoto Ryoma resolutely joined it.

Shortly thereafter, in order to facilitate the implementation of the "Respect and Exile" movement, he decisively broke away from his domain and fled along mountain paths, thus becoming a wandering ronin.

During the Edo period, deserting one's domain was a serious crime.

Not only would the person be executed, but their family members would also be implicated.

After Sakamoto Ryoma defected from his domain, the domain immediately issued an arrest warrant for him.

Immediately afterwards, his entire family suffered.

The eldest sister, Otome, was forced to divorce.

Knowing that he wanted to break away from the feudal lords, his second sister, Arong, still gave him a famous sword as a farewell gift and committed suicide.

His elder brother—the current head of the Sakamoto family—spent a lot of money and used all his connections to finally avoid further punishment.

Later, for reasons unknown, he broke away from the Tosa Loyalist Party and began to act independently.

After that, he disappeared without a trace, and his whereabouts became unknown.

Although he was no longer a member of the Tosa Loyalist Party, Goto Shojiro was determined to capture him based on his two identities: "a veteran of the Tosa Loyalist Party" and "Takeichi Hanpeita's childhood friend"!

Moreover, he was already a defector, so arresting him was perfectly reasonable.

Over the past year, Goto Shojiro has put in a lot of effort to find his whereabouts.

Upon hearing news of Itagaki Taisuke, he immediately asked impatiently:

"Itagaki-kun, did you find Sakamoto Ryoma? Where is he?"

"He's in Nagasaki now... or more precisely, he's under Satsuma's command."

"Samo?"

Goto Shojiro was slightly taken aback, then frowned.

*******

*******

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

PS: The conclusion of the Kyoto Summer Siege can be considered the end of the "first half," and now it's time for the "second half." Various factions are secretly preparing for the final showdown.

Everyone should remember the names "Goto Shojiro" and "Itagaki Taisuke." The former represents the "civil" aspect of Tosa, and the latter the "military" aspect. They are central figures in the Tosa faction and will play a significant role in the future.

Chapter 872 The era of the Executioner has ended! [5100]

Although Nagasaki was a territory directly under the control of the shogunate, it was deeply influenced by Satsuma due to its proximity to Satsuma.

After a brief moment of surprise, Goto Shojiro pressed for an answer:

"Why would Sakamoto Ryoma go to Nagasaki? What's he doing there?"

Itagaki Taisuke replied calmly:

"I'm not entirely sure of the specific reasons either."

"All I know so far is that Sakamoto Ryoma has gathered a group of people in Nagasaki and, with the help of Satsuma, has established a trading company called 'Kameyama Shachu,' which specializes in shipping. Business seems to be doing quite well."

"社中" can be broadly understood as "company".

The name "Kameyama-sha" means "Kameyama Company".

"A trading company? Shipping? What goods does he transport?"

Itagaki Taisuke glanced around, then lowered his voice and said in a deep tone:

"It's still unclear."

"However, based on all the information we have so far, the goods being transported by his Kameyama Society are very likely weapons and equipment!"

Instantly, Goto Shojiro's pupils contracted slightly, and a strange expression appeared on his face.

"As expected of someone from the Sakamoto family, they have quite the business acumen."

After murmuring this, Goto Shōjirō pursed his lips, appearing thoughtful.

Itagaki Taisuke waited quietly by his side.

About half a minute later, Itagaki Taisuke broke the silence:

"Goto-kun, I believe that Sakamoto Ryoma is currently very valuable to win over."

Shojiro Goto seemed unsurprised by Itagaki Taisuke's suggestion, calmly countering with a question:

"Oh? Tell me more about it."

Itagaki Taisuke cleared his throat and began to speak slowly and deliberately:

"First of all, although the specific relationship between Sakamoto Ryoma and the Satsuma Domain has not yet been confirmed, it is certain that he is associated with the Satsuma Domain."

"In that case, he can become a bridge for us to communicate with the Satsuma Domain."

“Satsuma is one of the most powerful vassal states today.”

"Strengthening the ties between our domain and Satsuma will be entirely beneficial."

"Secondly, Sakamoto Ryoma has now transformed into a shipping businessman."

"Westerners have already demonstrated the importance of the ocean with their brilliant achievements."

"Our Tosa is a domain bordering the sea. If we want to increase our national strength, we must vigorously develop maritime transport."

"It's never a bad thing to make more connections with successful shipping businessmen."

"If Sakamoto Ryoma could really transport weapons and equipment, that would be even better. We are currently lacking advanced guns and cannons."

"In short, compared to the value that Sakamoto Ryoma possesses now, his crimes such as 'defection from his domain' and 'collusion with the Tosa loyalists' are all insignificant."

Shojiro Goto listened quietly.

After Itagaki Taisuke finished speaking, he laughed heartily:

"Itagaki-kun, you and I are thinking the same thing."

"This Sakamoto Ryoma is quite capable, much better than his childhood friend."

The "childhood friend" he was referring to was naturally Takeshi Hanpeita.

Whenever Takeshi Hanpeita is mentioned, a blatant look of disdain always appears on his face.

“I immediately sent someone to Nagasaki to find Sakamoto Ryoma, to try to contact him and find out his thoughts, whether he is willing to cooperate with us or to sever ties with Tosaon.”