I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

PS: Hijikata Toshizo asked Ichimura Tetsunosuke to take his photograph and his remaining hair as they fled the battlefield to Hino to give to his family—this is actually historical fact. That's how Hijikata Toshizo's real photograph came to be.

Chapter 941 The "Last" of Hijikata Toshizo, the "Demon Vice-Commander"

Before Hijikata Toshizo could finish speaking:

“In Tama-Hino, there is a man named ‘Sato Hikogoro’. He is my brother-in-law and is very well-known in the area. You can find his address by asking around.”

"This is a very difficult task, please help me."

Ichimura Tetsunosuke stared blankly at the photo and hair that Hijikata Toshizo handed him.

"Mr. Hijikata, what... what's wrong with you..."

He stammered, unable to recover for a long time.

While he was still in a daze, Hijikata Toshizo smiled slightly—he rarely showed such a gentle smile.

"Tetsunosuke, thank you for your help all this time. Choosing you as my page was definitely the right decision. Thank you for your hard work."

Ever since he was taken in as a page by Hijikata Toshizo, Ichimura Tetsunosuke's intelligence and competence have been evident to all.

He managed Hijikata Toshizo's daily life in an orderly manner, allowing Hijikata Toshizo to focus on his official duties.

After following Hijikata Toshizo to Hachioji, his performance still did not disappoint anyone.

Because he was too young, Hijikata Toshizo was not allowed to go to the front lines.

So he did everything he could from the rear.

Boiling water, carrying the wounded, transporting weapons and ammunition... even the most picky and ruthless person cannot deny his diligence and contributions.

At this moment, Ichimura Tetsunosuke finally realized what was happening:

"Mr. Hijikata! Please retract your order!"

He knelt down as he spoke, his face full of sincerity.

"I won't leave! Please let me stay! I want to fight alongside you until the very last moment!"

The battle lines have reached their limit... Everyone knows today is the "last day".

It is obvious that Toshizo Hijikata's move was to give Tetsunosuke Ichimura a way out.

They said they wanted him to deliver something, but in reality, they wanted him to escape the battlefield.

"Don't be silly, you won't be of any use staying here."

"Even so, I want to stay and fight! I can wield a sword! I can fight!"

Hijikata Toshizo's tone gradually turned cold:

"Article 1 of the Shinsengumi Law: All actions must be in accordance with orders. Anyone who disobeys will be beheaded."

Having said that, he raised his left hand, pressed it against the scabbard of Izumi no Kami Kanesada at his left waist, and pushed forward with his thumb against the tsuba, revealing the red copper latch that held the scabbard in place with a "click".

Seeing Izumi no Kami Kanesada already drawn from his sword, a flicker of fear flashed in Ichimura Tetsunosuke's eyes.

Even so, he still refused to back down:

"Mr. Hijikata, please... let me stay. As a samurai, how can I run away..."

“This isn’t running away; you’re just following my orders.”

"But...but..."

"Tetsunosuke, your task is not just to deliver things for me."

Upon hearing this, Ichimura Tetsunosuke instinctively raised his confused gaze.

Hijikata Toshizo continued in a calm tone:

"In order to save the people of Edo, we held our ground here for five days and nights, deterring both our enemies and ourselves."

"We cannot let this heroic and moving battle be forgotten."

"How a thousand people fought together in Hachioji."

"How did the 'Demon Vice-Commander' Hijikata Toshizo, the First Division Vice-Captain Shimada Kai, the Shinsengumi Chief Elodie Angoulême, and the others roam the battlefield?"

"I hope you can spread these stories and let the world know about them."

"With such a heavy responsibility, who else could I entrust it to but you?"

Hijikata Toshizo's tone was firm and forceful, filled with an unquestionable air.

Ichimura Tetsunosuke's eyes gradually welled up with tears.

He opened his mouth, as if he had something more to say.

But when faced with Hijikata Toshizo's unwavering gaze, he couldn't utter a single word.

Finally... he bit his lip, lowered his head, and nodded forcefully, choking back tears.

"Yes...I...I understand..."

Seeing that Ichimura Tetsunosuke had finally nodded in agreement, that gentle smile returned to Hijikata Toshizo's cheeks.

"Let's set off quickly before the enemy forces attack."

As he spoke, he handed over the photo and the hair again.

Ichimura Tetsunosuke wiped away his tears, extended his hands, and respectfully accepted the gift. Then he stood up and solemnly bowed to Hijikata Toshizo.

As he turned to leave the bulletproof bunker, he stopped abruptly at the entrance, turned his head, and gazed longingly at Hijikata Toshizo.

Hijikata Toshizo nodded to him:

"Tetsunosuke, have a safe journey."

He bit his lip again, forcing a nonchalant expression:

"Mr. Hijikata, I wish you great success in your military campaigns."

After saying this, he bowed deeply again... Only after doing all this did he turn his gaze back, lift his feet which were stuck to the ground, and walk away quickly.

Hijikata Toshizo silently watched Ichimura Tetsunosuke's retreating figure.

He only slowly withdrew his gaze after the footsteps faded into the distance.

"..."

He stared blankly into the empty space before him, remaining silent, lost in thought.

After a moment, he chuckled softly, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, his smile containing a hint of relief.

Just then, Shimada Kai's shout came from outside the cave:

"Vice Commander! Vice Commander!"

A moment later, Shimada Kai rushed into the cave, followed closely by Elodie.

Just like Hijikata Toshizo, the fierce battles of the past few days had left them looking quite disheveled, covered in blood and grime.

Even Elodie's beautiful blonde hair lost its luster.

However, one thing about them has never changed: the fighting spirit in their eyes has never faded!

Shimada Kai reported succinctly:

"Lieutenant Commander! The enemy troops are attacking!"

Hijikata Toshizo nodded slightly:

"Well, I see."

He stood up calmly as he spoke.

Then, as if remembering something, he turned to look at Elodie beside him.

"Elodie, although it might seem tactless to ask this now, I still want to confirm with you: are you really going to fight alongside us to the very end?"

Elodie tilted her head and smiled gently:

"If I were to desert my post, it would be a disgrace to my identity as 'the disciple of Niou'."

After saying that, she deliberately raised the Yamato no Kami Yasusada in her hand.

Upon seeing this, Hijikata Toshizo returned a look of respect and admiration.

The next moment, with a clang, he suddenly drew Izuminokami Kanesada from his waist and unfolded his long overcoat:

"Let's go, and etch our bravery into the annals of history!"

……

……

The Faki Allied Forces, Main Camp—

Shuten-dōji stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant battlefield where a thousand men were united.

Suddenly, he murmured:

"Incredible, they managed to hold us off for five days... I admire them, I underestimated them."

While the generals of the Faki coalition did not look down on the thousand men united in purpose, they did not consider them a significant threat either.

Admittedly, Hijikata Toshizo is a brilliant talent who commands respect in all directions, but what can he accomplish on his own?

Everyone, including Shuten-dōji and Katsura Kogoro, optimistically predicted that it would only take three days at most to break through the united defenses of a thousand people and capture Hachiō!

Unexpectedly... Hijikata Toshizo and his thousand soldiers, united as one, managed to hold off them for five days with their iron will!

For such a record, for the indomitable will of a thousand men united as one, and for Hijikata Toshizo's excellent command, even someone as proud as Shuten-dōji had to give it the highest praise.

As soon as Shuten-dōji finished speaking, Katsura Kogoro, standing beside him, said calmly:

"Hijikata Toshizo's unity with a thousand people is truly admirable. It's a pity... that's where it ends."

Shuten-dōji nodded slightly in agreement:

"Yes, that's the end of it."

Before them, a vast number of soldiers surged like a tide toward the position where a thousand men were united.

The final day of the Battle of Hachioji begins!