I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

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So Goro Komaki really is Ogata Ittosai! Wow! That's shocking! No wonder he had so much screen time! Oh, I see! This foreshadowing was so deep, I bet none of you readers noticed! (Leopard in shock.jpg)

Chapter 1038 Kings Meet! The Formal Meeting of [Nioh] and [Shura]! [4500]

Because Ogata reacted quickly and caught the old man, his waist only bent halfway down and remained suspended in mid-air.

Ogata tried to straighten Kiryu's back, only to find that the other man was actually wrestling with him!

Kiryu was secretly straining, trying to push Ogata's hand away and complete the unfinished dogeza (a traditional Tibetan pilgrimage bow).

One side wanted to kowtow, but the other side wouldn't allow it... and the two were locked in a stalemate.

"Ogata-kun, do you understand? This is my determination!"

"Mr. Kiryu said with a serious expression."

"I would gladly perform the most dignified prostration, even if it meant bowing deeply, to obtain your blood!"

"Don't say things like that so solemnly... I already said, if you kneel down and kowtow in front of me, I'll have nightmares tonight!"

Ogata said this in an annoyed tone, his face showing even more conflicted expression.

"In short, sit down first, don't kneel."

"In our current state, we can't even have normal communication."

After saying that, he slowly released Kiryu's shoulders.

Boss Kiryu stopped being stubborn and cooperated obediently, straightening his back again.

"I have witnessed your determination."

As Ogata spoke, he cast a look at the other person that was half serious and half helpless.

"Jiulang, your tongue is still as sharp as ever."

"I heard it very clearly just now."

“You just mentioned that ‘Ogata, like you, is a very loyal person.’”

"They deliberately compared me to Tachibana Aoto in order to gain my sympathy... Although it's a very low-level tactic, I have to say it's effective."

"Saving my wife who was in critical condition... I wouldn't say I can fully empathize, but I do understand the difficulties and anxieties involved."

He seemed to recall some past events, his expression slightly somber.

At this moment, Atachi smiled and extended her right hand, placing it on the back of his broad left hand.

Ogata turned his head and looked at his wife. His expression, which had just dimmed, brightened again.

After calming down a bit, he took a deep breath, softly repeated Qingdeng's name, and a meaningful glint appeared in his eyes.

"Is it Tachibana Aoto...?"

For a moment, both Kiryu and Omachi remained silent, quietly awaiting Ogata's response.

For Kiryu, the next few hours felt like an eternity.

In reality, only 10 seconds had passed.

"...Never mind."

Ten seconds later, Ogata broke the silence with a long sigh.

"Since we met, I have been constantly taken care of by you and owe you a huge debt of gratitude."

"Since it's your request, Jiulang, how can I refuse?"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Kiryu was slightly taken aback.

The next moment, emotions caught up with reality, and the eyes behind the glasses brightened and filled with excitement at a speed visible to the naked eye.

However, before he could show any excitement, Ogata spoke again:

"However, Jiulang, let me make this clear from the start,"

"'Immortality' is not a panacea."

"Even if she drinks my blood, it will only slightly increase her survival rate."

"If things go wrong, she might die even sooner—please be sure to be mentally prepared."

"Also, if anything goes wrong, I won't be lenient."

"If Okita Souji were to mutate while absorbing the 'power of immortality'... I would not hesitate to take action to eliminate the 'trouble'."

When he said the word "purge," he emphasized it, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"At that time, I won't care about friendship or face."

"Even if you team up with Tachibana Seito and bring the entire Shinsengumi with you, you still can't stop me."

"You should know very well that I'm not bluffing."

"So please don't make things difficult for me."

His tone was exceptionally cold and serious... making no attempt to conceal the warning connotations in his voice.

The old man's expression hardened, and he nodded with a complex look in his eyes:

"Yes, I understand. If anything unexpected happens... you can handle everything as you see fit, I will not interfere."

……

……

The next day—

Qinjin Fan, Otsu, Judi, the ward of the General Secretary——

A strong medicinal smell filled the air.

At this moment, Souji lay peacefully asleep in his blankets, his breathing even.

Qing Deng sat quietly beside him, gazing at the commander's face with a somber expression.

The translucent sunlight pierced through the window and fell on her face, making her already pale skin appear even more ashen.

Her complexion gave her a delicate aura... making her seem like a fragile object that could break at the slightest touch.

Although Northern Jin could not cure the blood cough, he could alleviate the Souji's suffering.

Before leaving Otsu, he wrote out a prescription and instructed Souji to take his medicine on time.

Souji is the living symbol of the Shinsengumi and one of its strongest fighters.

The mere name of "Heavenly Sword" is enough to intimidate a host of villains.

If the outside world were to learn of the commander's illness, it might shake morale and embolden the enemy.

Therefore, after a brief discussion, Qing Deng and others unanimously decided that the matter of "Souji suffering from hemoptysis" should be classified as top secret and only high-ranking personnel should know about it.

The only thing they said to the outside world was that the commander was injured and needed to rest quietly.

Before making further plans, Shinpachi Nagakura will serve as the acting captain of the First Division.

The General Manager lodged a strong protest against Aoto's series of arrangements.

Her viewpoint remains the same old one: since I can't be cured anyway, let me continue to contribute my remaining energy!

Of course, it was easy to imagine that her proposal would be rejected without hesitation by Qing Deng.

Thus, under Aoto's insistence, Souji was forced to live a secluded life to recuperate.

It must be said that Bei Fangren is indeed a renowned doctor rarely seen in the world.

The medicine he prescribed did indeed improve the commander's complexion somewhat.

Unfortunately, the effects of these drugs are ultimately only to "delay" rather than "cure".

When she is not coughing, apart from her slightly pale complexion, she is no different from an ordinary person.

But once it starts coughing... the coughing sound, as if it's about to vomit its lungs, is unbearable to listen to; the mouthfuls of blood it spews out are too much to bear looking at.

Coughing like that makes it hard to imagine the immense pain she was enduring.

Thinking of this, Qingdeng involuntarily clenched his fists.

Despite his extreme anxiety, he had no choice but to wait quietly.

—How long will we have to wait before we hear from Kiryu-sensei...?

Just as he was secretly fretting, Qingdeng suddenly heard footsteps coming from the direction of the corridor.

An elegant and composed way of walking... that's Sanako's footsteps.

With a whoosh, Sanako pushed open the door and slowly walked towards Aoto.

Qingdeng turned his head to the side, asking with his eyes, "What's wrong?"

So as not to disturb Souji, Sanako knelt beside Aoto, holding down the hem of her kimono, and whispered:

"Qingdeng, a guest has arrived."

Upon hearing the word "guest," Qingdeng's eyes widened, and he excitedly asked in a rapid voice:

"who is it?"

Although puzzled by Qing Deng's strong reaction, Sanako quickly replied:

"It's Mr. Kiryu, and there's a stranger I've never seen before."

Kiryu's boss and a stranger... Aoto's eyes narrowed.

Without saying another word, he stood up abruptly and rushed out of the room, leaving Sanako standing there blankly.

……

……

When Aoto arrived at the reception room, he saw Mr. Kiryu waiting there, as well as a "stranger" sitting next to him.

Qingdeng didn't bother to greet anyone. He had just entered the hall when he stared intently at the person.

The man was wearing a low-brimmed straw hat with tassels sewn on it, obscuring his face.