I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Kashitaro Ito stared intently at Heisuke Todo with a somber expression... His complex emotions made it impossible to decipher his thoughts.

The deathly silence created by Todo Heisuke's bold declaration and Ito Kashitaro's prolonged silence lasted for nearly half a minute.

Half a minute later, Ito Kashitaro sighed silently:

"...It's such a pity that I couldn't persuade you... Heisuke, if I had a choice, I really wouldn't want to kill you."

Having said that, he waved his hand—

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Suzuki Mikisaburo and Hattori Takeo drew their swords simultaneously.

Immediately afterwards, the others reacted, and with varying expressions, they drew their swords and assumed fighting stances.

Some people have no expression.

Some people looked excited because the opportunity to make a contribution was right in front of them.

Some people looked sorrowful because they had to draw their swords against their former fellow disciples.

Someone who had studied under Ito Kashitaro alongside Todo Heisuke gritted his teeth:

"Heisuke...don't force us...do we really have to come to this?"

Toudou Heisuke said calmly:

"No need to say more, no need to worry more."

Having said that, he raised his gaze, looking over Ito Kashitaro's shoulder, towards Kondo Isami, who had been standing silently behind Ito Kashitaro since earlier.

"Mr. Kondo, although I already have the answer in my heart, I will still ask you one question—have you also betrayed Mr. Tachibana?"

Kondo Isami stood with Ito Kashitaro the entire time... The meaning of such a scene is self-evident.

However... the pain and confusion in his heart prompted Heisuke Todo to ask a question.

Meeting Todo Heisuke's sharp gaze, Kondo Isami said softly, without any emotion:

"Heisuke, I am like Saito. We have different paths, so we cannot work together."

"Oh, I see... That's really sad."

Just as he didn't want to look at Kondo Isami any longer, Todo Heisuke silently withdrew his gaze from him and instead scanned the enemies in front of him.

He faced more than twenty swordsmen single-handedly, including three great swordsmen whose strength far surpassed his own: Kondo Isami, Saito Hajime, and Ito Kashitaro...

However, Heisuke Todo showed no fear on his face, raising his chin and puffing out his chest without flinching.

"Although there are many familiar faces, I won't show any mercy."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and grasped the sword of Kazusa no Kanetsugu at his waist—the blade clanging as it was drawn inch by inch, illuminating his murderous face.

"Since you have chosen to betray Mr. Tachibana, you must all be prepared to die, right?"

The instant he finished speaking, he drew the remaining half of the blade from its sheath in one swift motion! As the blade flashed, air surged!

"Article 5 of the Shinsengumi Laws states: Anyone who betrays the country and colludes with the enemy shall be executed on the spot!"

"No matter how many of you there are, no matter who you are, bring it on!"

"I am Heisuke Todo, captain of the 8th Division of the Shinsengumi. I hereby annihilate you all!"

In a flash, the instant the words fell, he leaned forward, struck the ringleader first, and swung his sword to cleave Ito Kashitaro's body!

clang!

Just as his blade slashed down, Hattori Takeo's sword thrust out from the side, blocking Todo Heisuke's attack.

"Drink it! Ahhhhhh!"

Hattori Takeo gave a low shout and forcefully deflected Todo Heisuke's sword.

Using the reaction force, Todo Heisuke lightly leaped backward, slightly widening the distance, then held his sword in front of him, his eyes like lightning, staring intently at Hattori Takeo who was charging like a bull.

Their swords clashed again, and they immediately launched into a dazzling display of offense and defense!

Killing intent spread everywhere, metal clashed, and sparks flew wildly!

Because of the limited space, and the fact that the confrontation between Todo Heisuke and Hattori Takeo had reached a level that would deter even gods and demons, the others could only stand by and wait, unable to get involved at all.

Just by looking at his physique, you can tell that Takeo Hattori is a "power-type" swordsman.

"Drink it! Ahhhhhh!"

He swung his sword like a hammer, seized the opportunity, and smashed it away from Toudou Heisuke's sword, forcing his body to open wide.

In the next breath, he raised his sword above his head and chopped it down towards Toudou Heisuke's Tianling Gai!

Heisuke Todo is not known for his strength—but his agility is exceptional!

He nimbly shifted his body to the side, dodging the opponent's slash, and at the same time, raised the knife in his hand, sweeping it across Hattori Takeo's chest.

Hattori Takeo, as expected of a "captain-level" first-class swordsman, reflexively leaned back and dodged the attack.

Although Todo Heisuke's attack did not take Hattori Takeo's life, it tore through his clothes and skin on his chest, causing blood to gush out.

"Go! Don't give him a chance to breathe!"

"Don't be careless! He is..."

"Flank him! Flank him!"

No sooner had Todo Heisuke forced Hattori Takeo back than the other opponents rushed in from all directions!

Even before joining the Shinsengumi, Todo Heisuke was one of the strongest swordsmen at the Ito Dojo.

Many of those present were fellow disciples of Todo Heisuke, and naturally knew just how strong he was.

He simply can't compare to monsters like Aoto and Souji! Compared to the average person, his strength absolutely deserves the descriptions of "powerful" and "terrifying"!

To be an enemy of such a top-tier swordsman requires absolute concentration! There is absolutely no room for considerations of "fair duel" or "one-on-one duel"!

Seeing multiple opponents attacking, Toudou Heisuke hissed and took a deep breath, silently gripping Kazusa no Kanetsugu's sword tightly in his hand, and calmly launched a counterattack without panic!

He first attacked the enemy on his right, slashing his left wrist.

Then, he whirled to the left, deflecting the enemy's slash from his left.

When his opponent swung his knife, he crouched low. Although his left sleeve was slashed, he also inflicted a bloody wound on his opponent's thigh.

All of the above happened in an instant.

A moment later, Todo Heisuke swung his sword like a lion, the blade flashing repeatedly, breaking through the encirclement in just a few rounds! This deterred the enemies from approaching rashly!

Heisuke Todo's hawk-like gaze swept across the entire area along the blade, his face full of vigilance as he continued to ponder—his mind had been racing ever since he drew his sword.

Although he was furious at the rebellious acts of Ito Kashitaro and others, his chest burning with rage and wishing he could kill everyone in front of him, he still retained his rationality and was not swayed by resentment.

He was quite clear that with Kondo Isami, Saito Hajime, and Ito Kashitaro there, he alone had no chance of turning the tide in their current predicament.

His primary task now is not to act rashly, but to leave this place as soon as possible and spread the news of "Ito Kashitaro's rebellion"!

Just as Todo Heisuke was secretly adjusting his breathing and thinking about a retreat, he saw a tall, very familiar figure push through the enemy ranks and move to the front of him.

"Brother Saito..."

Heisuke Todo murmured, his face darkening.

Taking advantage of his height, Saito looked down at Toudou Heisuke and slowly drew the Settsu-ju Ikeda Kinmaru Kunishige from his waist.

Despite his efforts to conceal it, a hint of pain still lingered on Toudou Heisuke's cheek:

"Brother Saito, was all the sweat we shed while practicing swordsmanship just for the sake of killing each other today?"

"..."

Saito Hajime remained silent, only staring intently at Todo Heisuke.

"Nothing to say... Fine..."

Todo Hei let out a long breath, raised the tip of his knife, and changed to the blue-eyed design.

Captain of the 8th Division of the Shinsengumi

"Hokushin Ittō-ryū"

"Toudo Heisuke!"

Although Saito Hajime was not eloquent, he responded with the same imposing presence:

Former captain of the Third Division of the Shinsengumi

"No outflow"

"Saitoichi."

A duel between the two captains of the Shinsengumi... This is the first time since the Shinsengumi was founded!

This level of confrontation made everyone present shudder and consciously step back, giving up the space.

The confrontation between Heisuke Todo and Hajime Saito began suddenly and ended in an instant.

Boom!

Boom!

Two loud stomping sounds rang out simultaneously!

In just one step, the two sides closed the distance between them!

The two went all out in the first round! Carrying their full weight and the momentum of their forward lunges, they swung their swords fiercely at each other!

clang!!

Kazusa no Suke Kaneshige and Setsu no Juichi Ikeda Onijimaru Kunishige—both treasured swords gifted by Aoto—clashed heavily in mid-air!

The resulting strong wind caused the sleeves of the two combatants to flutter like battle flags!

Heisuke Todo and Hajime Saito stared intently at each other, their blades pressed together, locked in a fierce struggle.

Although Saito Hajime is not known for his strength, he is still far superior to Todo Heisuke.

Even with all his strength, Todo Heisuke couldn't budge Saito an inch.

In the blink of an eye, Toudou Heisuke suddenly lost his balance—the immense force pressing down on him from the front, as if to crush him, vanished—Saito used a skillful and exquisite technique to deflect Toudou Heisuke's sword to the side.

Heisuke Todo was caught off guard and fell forward.