I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Following Hattori Takeo, another person stood up—Suzuki Mikisaburo, the younger brother of Ito Kashitaro—and while surveying the entire audience, he loudly proclaimed:

"I also support Professor Ito! Tachibana Aoto is nothing but a brute! Professor Ito is the leader who can put the world back on track!"

With these two leading the way, it was as if a spark had fallen into a haystack and instantly ignited a raging fire!

"Teacher Ito, I am Shinohara Yasuyuki, and I am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty!"

“I’ve been fed up with Tachibana Aoto for a long time! He always acts like he’s above everyone else. Who does he think he is? Oda Nobunaga? Toyotomi Hideyoshi? What gives him the right to boss people around?”

"Rather than blindly following Tachibana Ao's lead, it's much more comfortable to serve Ito-sensei!"

The room grew increasingly noisy... More and more people stood up, joining the condemnation of Tachibana Aoto and the suddenly formed "Ito faction."

Heisuke Todo stared blankly at everything, observing it all.

In that instant, he understood many things.

Why did Ito Kashitaro establish the "Ito Juku"?

Why are all the members of the "Ito Juku" close confidants of Ito Kashitaro?

So... it was all preparation for Tachibana Aoto's rebellion!

Just as Todo Heisuke was completely overwhelmed by a flood of anger and grief, a new scene unfolded that nearly drove him to the brink of collapse—Saito Hajime silently stood up beside him.

Todo Heisuke stared blankly at Saito Hajime... In an instant, his facial expression was dominated by intense disbelief!

"Brother Saito...you...! Even you are going to betray Mr. Tachibana?!"

The moment he finished speaking, Toudou Heisuke could no longer suppress his emotions; his eyes widened to their limit, as if the corners of his eyes were about to tear apart.

Until tonight, no matter how unpleasant Saito Hajime and Aoto had been, no matter how fierce their conflict was, Todo Heisuke never imagined that Saito Hajime would betray Aoto!

Saito-san was one of Tachibana-san's earliest companions... how could they possibly have a falling out?!

Saito didn't even look at Todo Heisuke, and said indifferently:

"Heisuke, I don't hate Mr. Tachibana."

"However... a series of recent events have made me realize that Mr. Tachibana and I are not on the same path."

"Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together."

"It's better for everyone if we part ways sooner rather than later."

Heisuke Todo was speechless... It was unclear whether he was losing his voice due to indignation or because he was too disappointed in Saito Hajime, so he didn't want to say a single word.

Before long, 23 of the 24 students present had stood up, leaving only one person still sitting in place.

Ito Kashitaro lowered his eyelids and stared intently at Todo Heisuke, who stood out conspicuously in the crowd because he had been unwilling to get up for so long.

"Heisuke, are you unwilling to stand on my side?"

Heisuke Todo remained silent for a moment, then raised his gaze and engaged in a sharp, uncompromising stare with Kashitaro Ito.

“Master, if we were on the battlefield against the ‘Western Alliance,’ I would stand by your side without hesitation! I would fight alongside you! Until death do us part!”

"But! Betraying Mr. Tachibana... There is only one thing I cannot agree to!"

Ito Kashitaro frowned slightly:

"Heisuke, the time I have taken you as my apprentice far exceeds the time you have known Tachibana Seito."

"Is the former less important than the latter?"

Heisuke Todo shouted sternly:

"Master, this has nothing to do with the length of time! It only concerns my own sense of righteousness!"

Kashitaro Ito chuckled as if he had heard a ridiculous joke.

"'Great righteousness'? Is your 'great righteousness' to blindly obey Tachibana Seido?"

"No. My 'righteousness' is not such petty stuff."

The unexpected reply startled Ito Kashitaro.

Heisuke Todo straightened his back, his voice rising in pitch and becoming resounding:

“Master, I have no doubt about your talent.”

"If it were you, perhaps you could truly govern the country and bring peace to the world."

"However, compared to you, I'd rather believe Mr. Tachibana!"

"I firmly believe that if there is only one person in this world who can clear the world, it can only be Mr. Tachibana!"

"Even if it costs me my life, I will wholeheartedly assist Mr. Tachibana and help him become king!"

"This is... my noble cause!"

Upon hearing this, Ito Kashitaro's expression immediately changed.

To sum up Todo Heisuke's bold words just now, it all boils down to one sentence—you are not as good as Tachibana Aoto.

These kinds of comments seem to be unbearable for Ito Kashitaro!

*******

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Chapter 1111 "I am Toudou Heisuke, and I hereby purge you all!" [6300]

A smile was originally on Ito Kashitaro's cheek.

Now, his smile froze.

Although it was barely perceptible, in that instant, his eyes did indeed well up with a variety of negative emotions, such as anger and frustration.

It is evident how much of an impact Todo Heisuke's straightforward praise of Aoto and his subtle criticism of Ito Kashitaro had on the latter.

Kashitaro Ito's indignant expression abruptly changed the atmosphere.

It was like a north wind passing through, filling the air with a solemn and awe-inspiring atmosphere!

Suzuki Mikisaburo, Hattori Takeo, and others quietly changed positions and surrounded Todo Heisuke.

Seeing this, Toudou Heisuke silently stood up, bent his knees slightly, lowered his center of gravity, and raised his right hand slightly, ready to draw his sword.

Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, the negative emotions in Ito Kashitaro's eyes vanished, and he returned to his gentle and refined demeanor.

“Heisuke, a few days ago, you told me yourself that being in the Shinsengumi, a group full of geniuses, made you feel insecure.”

"If that's the case, why not leave the Shinsengumi?"

"If you continue to stay in the Shinsengumi, Tachibana Aoto, Okita Souji and others will always loom over you like an endless shadow, dimming your brilliance."

"If you don't leave this 'cocoon' that binds you, you will never have a chance to get ahead."

Come on, come to my side!

"I am the one who can truly cherish you!"

"I will make your talent fully blossom!"

No sooner had Ito Kashitaro finished speaking than Suzuki Mikisaburo added:

"Heisuke, you are a disciple of Master Ito."

“Teacher Ito understands you better than anyone else in the world.”

"Understand your swordsmanship level, understand your fighting style, and understand the skills you excel at."

"Only by accepting Mr. Ito's guidance will your talents not be buried!"

Hattori Takeo quickly followed, speaking in a cold voice that was half persuasion and half coercion:

"Heisuke, please don't let down Mr. Ito's good intentions."

Watching the crowd begin to play the "interest card" and the "emotional card," Toudou Heisuke shrugged and chuckled twice in a self-deprecating tone:

"Ah...that's right. Compared to Mr. Tachibana and Souji, my talent is really nothing."

"No matter how hard I try, I can't possibly compete with these monsters..."

"but!"

With a sudden change in tone, Todo Heisuke's voice rose abruptly.

"I have always been proud to be a member of the Shinsengumi!"

"For me, 'family' is far more important than 'fame and fortune'!"

"I am that bastard's illegitimate child. Since birth, I have never experienced the feeling of 'having a home to return to,' and I don't know what 'home' is!"

"It wasn't until I joined the Shinsengumi that I finally found a place I could call 'home'!"

"I cherish this pale blue haori more than anyone else... I don't want to tarnish one of the few things I can be proud of!"

At this point, Todo Heisuke paused, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Anyway, I probably won't have a chance to explain later, so I might as well make it clear here! I don't actually dislike this feeling of being relegated to a supporting role!"

“I know very well that my talents are only at the ‘extended line of mortals’!”

"Even if I betray Mr. Tachibana and join my master, I still won't be able to achieve anything more remarkable!"

"Since we can't catch up with those monsters even if we try our best, we might as well lend them a hand!"

"It doesn't matter if I can't become a great person like Mr. Tachibana or Souji!"

"If my sword can provide even a little help to their becoming kings and achieving sainthood, that would be great!"

"I will continue to protect this 'home' in my own way!"

"I will always follow the banner of honesty!"

Even if I am shattered to pieces, my heroic spirit will live on under the banner of sincerity!

In that instant, Todo Heisuke's not particularly tall body exuded an aura of overwhelming power!

Many people present were overwhelmed by his imposing presence, their faces paled, and they involuntarily took a step back.