I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Master...this is practically gambling with your life..."

Ito Kashitaro Kanji:

"That's right, it's a gamble with your life."

"How can we defeat a powerful enemy without paying a certain price?"

When he said this, Ito Kashitaro's tone carried a deeper meaning.

"The principle of 'equivalent exchange' is reflected in every aspect of life."

"If you don't work hard enough, you'll become a weakling."

"If you are not bold enough, you will miss the opportunity to change your destiny."

"When you are weak but want to defeat a powerful enemy, you can only gamble with the most 'valuable' thing you have, which is your life!"

Heisuke Todo was intimidated by the imposing aura emanating from the reprimand, and couldn't help but clench his fists.

"Yes! This disciple has learned a lot!"

As he spoke, he bowed respectfully and gave Ito Kashitaro a solemn disciple's salute.

"Master, although this is the 'last lesson,' I am still very inexperienced! I would like to continue to learn swordsmanship from you!"

Ito Koshitaro laughed dumbly:

"Heisuke, you're just too serious."

"When I said 'last lesson,' I only meant that I didn't have any more swordsmanship techniques to teach you, not that I was going to expel you from the school."

"As long as you don't mind the trouble, you can exchange sword techniques with me as usual."

Heisuke Todo beamed with a big smile:

"How could I find it troublesome? Having a wise teacher like you is the greatest fortune of my life, Todo Heisuke!"

Just as Todo Heisuke was about to use even more fervent words to express his heartfelt respect for Ito Kashitaro, suddenly, an uninvited guest arrived at the dojo gate:

"Mr. Ito, I've finally found you."

"Huh? Master Kondo?"

Todo Heisuke turned his surprised gaze toward the sound, staring blankly at Kondo Isami, who had suddenly appeared.

Ito Kashitaro lowered his eyelids and looked calmly at Kondo Isami, their eyes meeting.

"...Heisuke, I'm sorry, I have to excuse myself. Director Kondo seems to have something to discuss with me."

"Ah, yes, Master, see you later!"

Ito Kashitaro nodded slightly, and then, under the watchful eyes of Toudou Heisuke, he and Kondo Isami left the dojo together, walking side by side towards a secluded corner where no one was around...

……

……

After moving to a place where no one would disturb him or eavesdrop, Kondo Isami turned around, staring intently into Ito Kashitaro's eyes, and said directly and seriously:

"Mr. Ito, please take good care of me from now on."

In that instant, Ito Kashitaro's facial expression underwent a remarkable change.

Excitement, anticipation... his eyes shone brightly.

"Director Kondo... ah, no, Mr. Kondo, are you really determined?"

Kondo Isami nodded earnestly, his tone firm and resonant:

"That's right, my mind is made up—I will leave the Shinsengumi and build an even greater legacy than Tachibana Seito with my own hands!"

*******

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Chapter 1110 The Shinsengumi Splits! Kondo Isami and Saito Hajime's Rebellion! [6000]

The first year of Kuangtian/the first year of Meiji (1865), November 1st, night——

Qinjin Domain, Otsu, Ito Residence, "Ito Private School"——

The autumn wind is bleak.

The night wind outside the window howled and whistled, producing a sharp sound that sent chills down one's spine.

Heisuke Todo flipped through the pages of "The Great History of Japan" in front of him, reviewing his previous lessons while waiting for Kashitaro Ito to arrive.

Before he knew it, he had been attending classes at the "Ito Juku" for more than two months.

The long-awaited return to the ocean of knowledge filled him with immense fulfillment, and much of the pressure that had been weighing on his shoulders dissipated.

Looking back on the past two months of studying at the "Ito Juku", Todo Heisuke sincerely exclaimed: It was so wonderful to be able to listen to my master's teachings!

Ito Kashitaro's scholarship far surpassed that of others.

Although he had read the "Great History of Japan" countless times, he gained many new insights after listening to the careful teachings of Ito Kashitaro.

Indeed, he felt extremely fortunate to be able to attend classes at the "Ito Juku".

But... for some reason, from the very first day he joined the "Ito Juku," an inexplicable sense of foreboding lingered in his heart...

What first made him feel uneasy was Ito Kashitaro's political stance.

During class, Ito Kashitaro would always intentionally or unintentionally promote the idea of ​​"supporting the imperial court".

Supporting the imperial court—this is not a wrong or unspeakable idea.

In fact, both the "pro-shogunate camp" and the "respect-and-exploit camp" supported the imperial court.

There were many pro-shogunate leaders who admired the imperial court, and Matsudaira Katamori, the lord of the Aizu Domain, was a prime example.

For both camps, "supporting the imperial court" is an indisputable moral high ground and a matter of righteousness, which they would never easily hand over to others.

The main point of contention between the "pro-shogunate camp" and the "respect-and-exploitation camp" regarding the imperial court was the question of "which is more important, the shogunate or the imperial court."

The latter advocated "restoration of imperial rule," suppressing the shogunate and restoring the imperial court to control the country, just like the Nara and Heian periods a thousand years ago.

The former, on the other hand, requires the continuation of the tradition of "government affairs in the secretariat, and sacrifices in the imperial court."

To be honest, in the past, Todo Heisuke's thinking leaned towards the "respect and expulsion" camp.

Influenced by traditional Confucian education, Ito Kashitaro always held great sympathy for the imperial court.

Even when he was still the master of the Ito Dojo, he often preached the idea of ​​"supporting the imperial court" to his disciples.

Under the influence of his surroundings, Todo Heisuke's political ideology also began to align with that of Ito Kashitaro, gradually leaning towards the idea that "the shogunate is bad! The imperial court is good!"

Especially after witnessing so many absurdities of the shogunate, he felt that realizing the "restoration of imperial rule" was a very necessary thing.

However, his thinking has now completely changed.

The shogunate remained the same absurd and incompetent shogunate.

But within the heart of this decaying tree, a brand new, even more robust, towering tree sprouted!

The time he spent following Aoto in his campaigns across the country was the most brilliant and glorious period of Todo Heisuke's life!

Whether restoring imperial rule could truly bring peace to the world was something Todo Heisuke could not know, after all, the Emperor's reign had been over a thousand years ago.

But he clearly saw how the capital region was restored to stability under Qingdeng's rule!

Therefore, he now genuinely feels that the Emperor can continue to be a "puppet" and the court can continue to be a "decorative figurehead." As long as Mr. Tachibana is around, this dilapidated country will eventually regain its vitality!

To be honest, he had thought to himself more than once: If only Tokugawa Iemochi would never wake up! That way, Mr. Tachibana could control the shogunate forever!

Or even further... abolish the Tokugawa family and establish a completely new samurai government...

This idea was so astonishing that even thinking about it in his mind made him break out in a cold sweat.

Therefore, whenever such thoughts surfaced in his mind, he would shiver several times and quickly change his mind, not daring to think about it any further.

Ito Kashitaro admired the imperial court and respected the royal family, a fact that Todo Heisuke was well aware of. It was not surprising that he preached the "Way of the King" in class.

But...but...he felt that the other person was promoting the "kingly way" too frequently in class, so frequently that it seemed deliberate...

Another thing that made Todo Heisuke feel uneasy about "Ito Juku" was his classmates.

This was definitely intentional on the part of Ito Kashitaro. Every single person who came to the "Ito Juku" had a close relationship with him.

Suzuki Mikisaburo, Shinohara Yasuyuki, Hattori Takeo... they were either related to Ito Kashitaro or were his staunch supporters and close disciples.

Todo Heisuke falls into the category of "close disciples".

Whenever he saw these familiar faces, Todo Heisuke would feel uneasy.

Kashitaro Ito claimed to spread knowledge to the masses, but the students he actually gathered were all his cronies...

Based on his absolute trust in Ito Kashitaro, Todo Heisuke would always think to himself:

—It's probably just that the master's energy is limited, and he can't take care of too many people, so he can only prioritize those who are close to him.

In addition to the two problems mentioned above, there is another matter that greatly troubles Todo Heisuke.

However, this matter had nothing to do with "Ito Juku" but with Saito Hajime, who never missed a class at "Ito Juku".

Thinking of this, Todo Heisuke couldn't help but glance sideways at Saito Hajime beside him.

Saito Kazuya was seen intently reading the books on the table.

Although Todo Heisuke was very careful, his little tricks could not escape the keen senses of Saito Hajime.

"Heisuke, is something the matter?"

Saito Hajime turned his head and threw it at Todo Heisuke.

"No, nothing, I just wanted to ask how you've been lately."

"I'm doing very well, and I'm carefree."

"Oh, I see... So, have you been reading any books lately?"