I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Back when Aoto was setting up the medical department of the Shinsengumi... that is, the medical side, he extended an olive branch to Kita Jin, promising him a generous income.

Unfortunately, Bei Fangren politely declined, and the matter was left unresolved.

Since the Chiba brothers unanimously recommended this person, Elodie and Shimada Kai had no choice but to agree.

To be honest, when Hijikata Toshizo was sent to Jin-i-kan, neither Elodie nor Shimada Kai believed that Hijikata Toshizo had any hope of survival...

Shot in the abdomen, and delayed for so long... it's no exaggeration to say that Hijikata Toshizo's ability to hold on until now is a miracle.

As Kita Jin examined Hijikata Toshizo's wounds with a blank expression, Elodie and Shimada Kai were both filled with despair, waiting for him to say indifferently, "He's beyond saving."

Unexpectedly, Beifangren said:

"It can be cured."

"A mere gunshot wound is nothing to worry about."

"However, the most troublesome thing about this kind of injury is infection and inflammation."

"I got the bullets and I could stitch up the wounds, but I couldn't stop them from getting infected."

"I will do everything in my power to save her."

"Whether he survives or not depends entirely on his physical strength, willpower, and fate."

After saying that, he turned and instructed his personal assistant—the pretty girl named Tachibana Saki—to prepare equipment and medicine.

While waiting for the equipment and medicine to arrive, Bei Fangren succinctly explained his treatment plan to Elodie and the others.

Elodie didn't know much about medicine, and there were many medical terms she didn't quite understand.

However, she roughly understood what Kita Jin meant: he wanted to perform a major surgical operation on Hijikata Toshizo!

It was truly unexpected for Elodie that there were doctors in Japan who knew how to perform surgery.

When Tachibana Saki brought over all sorts of equipment and medicines, Elodie gave them a cursory glance.

Sharp daggers, slender pliers, clean cotton, high-proof liquor... and so on. It looked very professional and matched all the instruments she knew needed for surgery.

Since he was a doctor who knew how to perform surgery, Elodie was no longer worried about Northern Ren's medical skills.

The doctor's medical skills are fine, so whether Hijikata Toshizo lives or dies is entirely up to fate...

……

……

As soon as Elodie and his companions returned to Edo, they immediately received commendation from the shogunate.

After the Battle of Hachioji ended, the remaining troops of the thousand-strong united force retreated eastward, with many of them going to Edo.

Under Tokugawa Iemochi's personal instructions, the shogunate rewarded them generously and made proper arrangements for them.

As the main commanders, Elodie and Shimada Kai were both personally summoned by Tokugawa Iemochi.

Thus, the two entered Edo Castle, and after traversing the long, zigzagging road, they met Tokugawa Iemochi and Tenshōin in the Ōhata.

This was the first time Elodie had met either the Shogun or the Grand Master.

Elodie didn't have any particular feelings about Tokugawa Iemochi; she simply thought he was very young and had a refined demeanor, unlike the head of the shogunate or the leader of the samurai class.

As for Tenshōin... the "shock" she brought to Elodie was much greater.

Although Elodie already knew that Tenshōin was a woman of unparalleled beauty, she was still stunned when she saw her face in person.

Immediately afterwards, as if by conditioned reflex, she subconsciously thought:

—Luckily, she's the Ōmikado, so it's impossible for her to be with her master…

She silently felt fortunate for her good friends (Sanako, Mai, and Souji).

*******

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Today is another day of 7+ new chapters for Leopard! (Powerful Leopard.jpg) It's double monthly pass time now, so readers with monthly passes shouldn't waste them, quickly vote for this book! (Crying Leopard head.jpg)

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

P.S.: As the chapter title suggests, why don't you hurry up and thank your brother-in-law, Chiba?!

Chapter 944 Vairocana, Reborn from the Ashes!

"Miss Angoulême, Mr. Shimada, thank you for your hard work! On behalf of the entire shogunate and the people of Edo, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to you!"

Having said that, Tokugawa Iemochi solemnly bowed and greeted Elodie and Shimada Kai in front of him.

Sitting to his side and behind him, Tenshōin followed closely behind, bowing respectfully in thanks.

The mother and son's sudden actions startled Elodie and Shimada Kai.

Elodie is a French girl who lacks sensitivity to the samurai culture and hierarchy of the Edo period.

Therefore, she was simply surprised by the mother and son's respectful attitude towards scholars.

In comparison, Shimada Kai's reaction was much more intense.

Unlike Elodie, he was a native Japanese samurai.

A strong sense of class and hierarchy was always deeply ingrained in his mind.

The fourteenth Shogun, the co-leader of the samurai class, and the most honored woman in the shogunate, all simultaneously adopted a humble posture and respectfully thanked him... Shimada Kai could not find the right words to describe his current feelings!

After a brief moment of stunned silence and shock, Shimada Kai came to his senses and hurriedly returned the greeting, quickly reciting humble phrases such as "You flatter me" and "I dare not accept such praise."

Elodie, a beat behind, awkwardly imitated Shimada Kai's mannerisms and speech.

After praising the two men's achievements, Tokugawa Iemochi stated clearly and righteously that the remnants of the thousand-strong united force would be properly resettled and the dead and wounded would receive due compensation—which relieved Elodie.

As one of the frontline commanders in the Battle of Hachioji, she witnessed firsthand how the thousands of soldiers fought bravely with one heart and one mind.

From initial panic to stepping forward bravely, and finally to rivers of blood, utter annihilation, and the inability to fight any longer...

They faithfully fulfilled the promise made by their ancestors, resisted the powerful enemy, and held the Eighth Prince until the very last moment!

Elodie had no strong personal desires and did not care whether she would receive a generous reward.

She only cares whether a thousand people working together can receive the rewards they deserve!

Although this was her first time meeting Tokugawa Iemochi, based on his current demeanor, words, and actions, Elodie was certain: he was a good ruler! His promises would certainly be kept!

Tokugawa Iemochi summoned Elodie and Shimada Kai to Edo Castle without any particular purpose; his motive was quite simple: he just wanted to personally commend them and recognize their efforts and sacrifices in Hachioji.

He was very concerned about Hijikata Toshizo's injuries.

"I will send out my divine eye seal and spare no effort to save him!"—he said firmly.

[Note: "Gome-ken Hoin" refers to the qualification to have an audience with the shogun; "Hoin" was a title bestowed upon monks with several professional skills (including medicine) during the Edo period. "Gome-ken Hoin" can be understood as the shogun's personal physician.]

During the Edo period, many medical practitioners were monks, which is why doctors always shaved their heads—because they were originally monks.

Upon learning that Elodie and the others had sent Hijikata Toshizo to the Jin Medical Hall for treatment, Tokugawa Iemochi breathed a sigh of relief.

“I see. Since Mr. Northern is personally handling the matter, there’s no need to send out my Imperial Eyes’ Seal.”

It seems that even the mighty General Zheng Yi has heard of Bei Fangren's illustrious reputation.

Judging from his tone and manner of speaking, even the imperial physicians of the shogunate could not compare to Kita Jin.

Although there was no need for the appearance of the Dharma Seal, Tokugawa Iemochi still generously sent Hijikata Toshizo the best medicines, as well as tonics such as ginseng and white sugar, to show his concern.

After the meeting, Tokugawa Iemochi offered to arrange accommodations for Elodie and the others.

Shimada Kai was not from Edo and had no relatives or friends there, so he did need the shogunate to arrange a place for him.

As for Elodie, she didn't have that need.

She politely declined Tokugawa Iemochi's offer.

In Edo, she had a place she could safely seek refuge.

……

……

That afternoon—

Edo, Koishikawa Kohinata Yanagi Town——

Elodie strode forward along the familiar road.

After several days of evacuation, Edo has become a ghost town.

All the shops on both sides of the road were closed.

There wasn't a single pedestrian on the road; only the occasional soldier could be seen running quickly.

A blonde, blue-eyed Western girl swaggered down the street... The scene was incredibly eye-catching.

Soldiers along the way turned their heads and cast all sorts of glances at Elodie—some curious, some doubtful, some disgusted…

Under normal circumstances, she would have been stopped and questioned long ago.

It's not impossible that they might be harassed by radicals who advocate patriotism.

However, at this moment, no one dared to approach and disturb Elodie.

This was all thanks to the two items on her waist: a delicate wakizashi engraved with hibiscus flowers, and a beautiful inro also engraved with hibiscus flowers.

Both of these items were gifts she received this morning when she met Tokugawa Iemochi and Tenshōin.

During the Edo period, the inro worn on the waist served as an ornament, a container for small items, and a symbol of status.

A Westerner actually wearing a wakizashi and inro, which were only reserved for nobles of the shogunate...

Although they didn't know what was going on, they were all certain that this girl was someone they couldn't afford to mess with!

Therefore, when faced with Elodie strolling leisurely, they all respectfully stepped aside, daring not to offend her.

Thanks to the "deterrence" of the wakizashi and the inro, Elodie arrived safely and smoothly at her destination: the Shieikan!

After climbing that familiar long slope, the entire view of the Shiwei Hall came into clear view.

Looking at the sword hall she hadn't seen in so long, Elodie's lips curled up slightly, revealing a nostalgic smile.

Back then, as Qingdeng's apprentice, she often visited Shiwei Hall.