I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

The sudden call startled Kondo Isami.

He quickly looked up and was surprised to see a familiar, tall figure.

"Mr. Ito?"

Master Ito – namely, the master of Todo Heisuke and the head of the Edo Ito Dojo, Ito Kashitaro.

Long before Aoto formed the Shinsengumi, Shieikan Gunei had interacted with Ito Kashitaro—who at that time had not yet changed his name and was still called "Ito Daizo"—because of this connection with Todo Heisuke.

After the Shinsengumi marched to Kyoto and launched the "First Great Conscription," he changed his name to "Ito Kashitaro," closed his own sword-fighting school, and led a group of outstanding disciples to join Aoto.

Given his outstanding talent, Qing Deng promoted him to "Assistant to the Chief of Staff"—which can be understood as the adjutant of the General Affairs Department and the deputy of Yamanami Keisuke—entrusting him with important responsibilities.

Because he kept a low profile and disliked showing off, he was not well-known, and many people outside the Shinsengumi did not know that there was such a person in the group.

In addition to serving as "assistant to the chief," he also held the position of "literature professor," occasionally offering "cultural classes" to teach those soldiers who were not highly educated but eager to improve their knowledge to read and write.

He became famous very early; when Seido was still an unknown figure, he already had a name in the martial arts world of Edo.

Regarding his personality... simply put, he's like a carbon copy of Keisuke Yamanami.

Yamanami Keisuke is a "dual practitioner" proficient in both Hokushin Itto-ryu and Ono Itto-ryu; he is a "dual practitioner" proficient in both Hokushin Itto-ryu and Shinto Munen-ryu.

Yamanami Keisuke was well-versed in literature and had profound knowledge in various fields such as Sinology and Mito studies; he was also well-versed in literature and had profound knowledge in various fields such as Sinology and Mito studies.

More importantly, the two are remarkably similar even in terms of their gentle personalities and handsome appearances.

For this reason, people often use the phrase "you two are like brothers" to tease Yamanami Keisuke and Ito Kashitaro.

However, whenever someone brings up this joke, Keisuke Yamanami always smiles modestly:

"You flatter me. Mr. Ito's talent far surpasses mine. I only joined the Shinsengumi earlier, which is why I had the honor of becoming his superior."

Whether Yamanami Keisuke truly believed that Ito Kashitaro's talent surpassed his own is unknown to outsiders.

However, it is true that Yamanami Keisuke respected Ito Kashitaro both in public and in private, and rarely acted like a superior in front of him.

As it turns out, Ito Kashitaro's reputation for talent was well-deserved.

From any perspective, Ito Kashitaro's performance after joining the Shinsengumi was remarkable.

He was like an old ox, working diligently and selflessly.

With his assistance, Keisuke Yamanami's workload was greatly reduced.

The rapid development of the Shinsengumi was inseparable from the efficient operation of the General Affairs Department, which was in charge of document work.

The efficient operation of the General Affairs Department is inseparable from the outstanding talent of Ito Kashitaro.

Although Kondo Isami never wanted to admit it, he always harbored a strong sense of inferiority about his peasant background.

As a result, he has always held cultural figures—especially outstanding ones like Ito Kashitaro—in high esteem.

Although he didn't have a deep relationship with the other person, their relationship was fairly harmonious, and out of respect, he always addressed the other person as "teacher".

Upon seeing Ito Kashitaro suddenly appear before him, Kondo Isami, after a brief moment of surprise, rushed to his side.

"Mr. Ito, what are you doing here?"

Ito Kashitaro smiled slightly:

"Today is my day off, so I came out for a stroll. Director Kondo, are you off today too?"

Kondo Isami's expression became somewhat unnatural—he was reminded of the unpleasant experience he had just had.

"Uh, yeah."

Ito Kashitaro flashed a bright smile:

"Oh, what a coincidence! Since we've met by chance, how about we grab a drink together? I know a really good place."

Kondo Isami blinked, hesitating and wavering.

He's in a bad mood right now and doesn't want to stay out any longer; he just wants to go home and lie down as soon as possible.

However, today is a rare holiday, and it would be a shame to go home early.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally made up his mind—he nodded:

“Okay, Ito-sensei, let’s go grab a drink.”

……

……

Otsu, a private room in an izakaya (Japanese pub).

Kondo Isami looked around in astonishment, glancing at his surroundings.

"Mr. Ito, this shop is really great."

After accepting Ito Koshi's invitation, Kondo Isami obediently followed behind him.

The izakaya they were heading to wasn't far; it was just two blocks away.

Ito Kashitaro, who led the way, lifted the curtain, greeted the receptionist, and then skillfully opened a private room and ordered a few bottles of shochu.

As soon as Kondo Isami entered the izakaya, he was immediately struck by its elegant decor and the subtle fragrance in the air.

Upon entering the spacious, comfortable, and exquisitely furnished private room, he could no longer contain himself and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

After hearing this, Ito Kashitaro gave him a look that said, "I wasn't lying to you, was I?"

"How about it? This place is pretty good, isn't it? I just discovered this great place recently. Not only is the atmosphere fantastic, but the drinks are also quite good."

Kondo Isami nodded in agreement:

"Yes, it's really good. I've lived in Otsu for so long, but I didn't know there was such a good shop. I'm really ashamed."

As the two chatted, a hand-held bottle of wine was quietly brought to them.

Ito Kashitaro swiftly grabbed one of the bottles, filled the glasses next to the two men with drinks, and then raised a toast to Kondo Isami.

"Come on, Director Kondo, let me toast you first! This meal is on me! Let's drink to our hearts' content!"

Kondo Isami smiled sheepishly.

"Mr. Ito, you're too kind. I'll toast you too!"

Because it was a private setting, the two of them didn't put on any airs and drank and chatted freely.

The things they talked about were mostly trivial and mundane matters.

We talked about everything from the construction progress of Otsu Castle to the starting to cool down the weather, from our favorite alcoholic beverages to the stray cat we encountered yesterday…

They became more and more engrossed in their conversation and more and more enthusiastic about drinking... Before they knew it, their table was piled high with empty wine bottles.

Kondo Isami began to feel the effects of the alcohol rising, and his face became hot.

Just as he half-closed his eyes, savoring the intoxicating pleasure—

"Director Kondo, may I ask if something is troubling you?"

The unexpected question caught him off guard and left him speechless.

He subconsciously raised his gaze and stared intently at Ito Kashitaro across from him.

"...Mr. Ito, what makes you say that?"

Ito Kashitaro smiled:

"When I ran into you on the street just now, you were practically wearing the word 'sadness' on your face. How could I not notice? If you don't mind, you can confide in me. Maybe I can help."

Kondo Isami pursed his lips, his grip on the cup tightening and loosening repeatedly.

Then, he spoke softly:

"To be honest, I do have some worries. But... I can't tell you."

"Oh? Is it a private matter that cannot be known to outsiders?"

"More or less..."

Suddenly, Kondo Isami seemed to realize something, and his expression changed slightly.

"...Professor Ito, I have a favor to ask, and I wonder if you would be willing to grant it."

"Please feel free to speak."

"Teacher Ito, please teach me!"

Ito Kashitaro was startled:

"Teach you knowledge? Which specific area of ​​knowledge do you mean?"

"Chinese studies, Mito studies, military science... please teach me anything that can increase wisdom!"

Ito Kashitaro put down the wine glass in his hand and looked Kondo Isami up and down with a face full of curiosity.

"Director Kondo, what's wrong with you? Why have you suddenly become interested in academic research?"

Kondo Isami's expression darkened slightly:

"I have always revered swordsmanship and despised scholarship."

"Now, I feel more and more that I absolutely cannot continue like this!"

"Times are changing... It's no longer an era where you can make a name for yourself just by wielding a sword."

"I am deeply ashamed of my own shallow knowledge and lack of manners!"

"Therefore, I want to learn from Lü Meng of the Wu Kingdom back then! I want to improve my own wisdom!"

After hearing this, Ito Kashitaro asked in return:

"Mr. Kondo, why don't you ask Mr. Yamanami for help? Mr. Yamanami is your close friend, and his scholarship and cultivation are no less than mine. Wouldn't it be more convenient to ask him for advice?"

A hint of embarrassment appeared on Kondo Isami's cheeks:

"Uh, this, this..."

Before Kondo Isami could explain himself, Ito Kashitaro continued on his own:

"Never mind, no need to explain. I understand what you're thinking—you don't want to show weakness in front of your friends, and you want to always present an image of 'being in control,' right?"

Kondo Isami smiled helplessly, tacitly agreeing.

*******