I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Ironically, even when he "sold himself," he didn't get a good price.

Two years after the Battle of Sekigahara, Kobayakawa Hideaki died of illness. Because he had no heir, Tokugawa Ieyasu ruthlessly confiscated his territory, and the Kobayakawa family was thus destroyed.

Even today, "Hideaki Kobayakawa" remains a synonym for traitor and fool.

Three years after the Battle of Sekigahara, in 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed Shogun in Edo, establishing the Edo Shogunate.

In conclusion, the Battle of Sekigahara held a very special significance for the Tokugawa clan.

After the Battle of Sekigahara, the Toyotomi clan was no longer able to resist the Tokugawa clan, laying the foundation for the Tokugawa clan's rule over Japan.

In other words, the victory at the Battle of Sekigahara led to the establishment of the Edo Shogunate.

To fight another battle that will determine the future in a place that once determined history... no wonder everyone present was so shocked!

Interestingly, the army that belonged to the Tokugawa family became the Western Army, while the army that opposed the Tokugawa family became the Eastern Army.

Toudou Heisuke stared blankly at the map in front of him, then turned his head to look at Aoto, swallowing hard.

"Mr. Tachibana, are you sure? Do we really want to engage in a major battle with the Choshu army at Sekigahara?"

Qingdeng nodded and replied without hesitation:

"Without a doubt."

"Perhaps at this very moment, the Choshu army has already received the news of 'the return of the King of Benevolence' and is rushing westward with its troops."

……

……

Suruga Province, Choshu Army's main camp—

"...What a coincidence, Shuten-dōji, you and I are thinking the same thing."

Takasugi Shinsaku said suddenly.

He crossed his arms and said slowly, his face expressionless:

"My thoughts are the same as Shuten-dōji's."

"We must not be careless in our fight against King Ren."

"If we don't find a way to stop the Shinsengumi's advance, who knows what Niou will do next."

With the two bigwigs from the Law Suppression Party and the Special Forces Team speaking, no one else dared to utter a word more, even if they had different opinions.

After pondering for a moment, Katsura Kogoro muttered to himself:

"But the problem is... how many troops do we need to stop the Shinsengumi? And who will command them?"

Before he could finish speaking, Takasugi Shinsaku shouted without hesitation:

"I go!"

Instantly, everyone, including the Supreme Commander Shuten-dōji, turned their surprised gazes toward Takasugi Shinsaku.

Amidst the surprised gazes of the crowd, Shinsaku Takasugi calmly continued:

“1500 men were separated from the special forces.”

"With the 1500 men of the Special Forces at our disposal, and with the geographical advantage of Sekigahara, and if we're lucky enough, I'm confident I can hold off the Shinsengumi for 3 to 7 days!"

Shuten-dōji blinked, looked Takasugi Shinsaku up and down several times, and then adopted a half-joking tone:

"Takasugi-kun, I really didn't expect you to volunteer."

Shinsaku Takasugi said calmly:

"Although I am very unwilling, I have to admit that your Slavic Legion of the Fazhu Party is an indispensable fighting force for the capture of Edo."

"After weighing the pros and cons, sending a surprise force to block the newly selected group is the optimal solution at present."

"The Special Forces are a unit that I built from scratch, so it is most appropriate for me to personally command them."

"Besides, I've long wanted to have a go at the Shinsengumi."

At this point, Shinsaku Takasugi paused briefly.

When he spoke again, his tone became firm and powerful:

"Now that things have come to this, we're all in the same boat, so let's not distinguish between you and me."

Shuten-dōji nodded seriously after hearing this:

“That’s right, Takasugi-kun is right.”

"Now that things have come to this, we are in a close alliance where we share both prosperity and adversity."

"However, I'd still like to confirm with you—are 1500 soldiers enough?"

Takasugi Shinsaku grinned:

That's enough!

"If it were to be a head-on confrontation with the Shinsengumi on open, flat ground, I certainly wouldn't dare to make such a boast."

"But if we're just trying to delay the Shinsengumi's advance at Sekigahara, then this force is enough!"

“I’d like to ask you that instead, after I took away the 1500 men of the Special Forces, you only have 2000 men from the ‘Slavic Legion’ and 500 men from the Special Forces left. With such a small force, are you confident that you can capture Edo Castle?”

Upon hearing this, Shuten-dōji couldn't help but smile:

"Although it's a bit of a stretch, I'm still very confident—provided you can hold off the Shinsengumi for as long as you can."

……

……

Qinjin Fan, Dajin, Judi, military conference room——

"...That would be bad."

As Nagakura Shinpachi examined the map, he said in a deep voice:

"It is already very difficult for us to catch up with the Changzhou army."

"Now we'll have to spend even more time defeating the enemy forces that are trying to intercept us."

"Mr. Tachibana, is there any way we can protect Edo before the Choshu army does?"

Qingdeng lowered his eyelids:

"Normally speaking, this is indeed extremely difficult."

"However... as long as the thousand men of Hachioji can hold off the Choshu army's advance for a long time, we will still have a chance to come to Edo's aid."

"A thousand men of one mind in Hachioji"—Upon hearing the name of the unit, everyone present instinctively turned their gaze toward the Hachioji region marked on the map.

The Hachioji area is located at the border of the Kanto Plain and Kai Province, and is a necessary route for those traveling along the Tokai Road to Edo.

In other words, as long as the Choshu army continues eastward, it will inevitably run into the united forces of the Eighth Prince!

If the unity of the thousand men of Hachioji is not broken, the Choshu army will not be able to get close to Edo.

Todo Heisuke stared intently at the Hachioji region marked on the map for a long while, then said quietly:

"To have a thousand men from Hachioji unite to block the Choshu army... Mr. Tachibana, I am not trying to boost the enemy's morale or demoralize our own, but... is it too much of a burden to have a thousand men from Hachioji unite?"

"..."

Qingdeng remained silent.

It neither affirmed nor denied it.

While considering how to return to Edo, Aoto had already realized that the key was the unity of the thousand men of Hachioji who guarded the crucial pass.

Therefore, long before the start of the "Second Great Return to China", Qingdeng sent a fast horse to deliver an order to the 1,000 men of the Eighth Prince, requiring them to immediately evacuate civilians and build trenches, fences and other battlefield fortifications on the spot in preparation for the upcoming great battle.

Even without Todo Heisuke's reminder, Aoto, as the leader of the Hachioji Sennin Doshin, knew that it was far too much to ask this unit to face the overwhelming and formidable Choshu army alone...!

Although thanks to his and Tokugawa Iemochi's efforts, the current Hachioji Sennin Doshin has been equipped with advanced firearms, they have not yet completed the relevant training and are at best "ancient army with guns and cannons as weapons".

Moreover, the Hachioji region has no advantageous terrain to rely on, and the thousand men united can only face the Choshu army head-on on the open plains.

Faced with the fierce offensive of the Choshu army... they might not even last half a day!

Unless... a person who is proficient in military affairs, skilled in troop deployment, and has sufficient prestige is sent to command a thousand people in unison!

If so, there is a chance to turn the impossible into possible, and unite a thousand people to gain enough strength to hold off the Changzhou army.

So, who under Qingdeng possesses such abilities?

In fact, there's no need to even think about this problem.

As the question flashed through Qing Deng's mind, one name immediately came to mind—no one else could be thought of but him!

Strangely enough, at that very moment, it seemed as if the other party had seen through Qingdeng's thoughts.

"Ju, let me go."

He spoke slowly and deliberately, with a serious expression.

Aoto instinctively looked in the direction of the sound and met Hijikata Toshizo's gaze.

Hijikata Toshizo stared intently into Aoto's eyes and repeated:

"Ju, let me go! Who else but me can do this mission?"

“I come from Tama, and I am a farmer’s son. I am considered a half descendant of the Qianren Tongxin.”

"It is most suitable for me to lead a thousand people with one heart!"

Having said that, Hijikata Toshizo curled the corners of his mouth and smiled:

His relaxed tone... made it seem as if the mission he was about to take was a trip to the countryside, rather than a life-or-death battle.

Aoto stared intently at Hijikata Toshizo, his gaze complex.

"Sui San, this task is not easy. Are you prepared?"

Hijikata Toshizo chuckled a few times:

"Tachibana, who do you think I am? I am the 'Demon Vice-Commander' Hijikata Toshizo!"

"...How many people do you need to take from me? You can choose any number you like."

"I am enough on my own. However, I'd still like to have Ichimura Tetsunosuke help me out. I've gotten used to his service, and without him, my daily life would be in serious trouble!"