I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Chase them! Don't let them get away!"

The roles of offense and defense have reversed—Takeo Hattori and his crew become "runaways," while the Shinsengumi members become "pursuers"!

……

……

Ito Kashitaro crouched down and crawled into the palanquin.

"Sit still."

After the two sedan bearers outside the sedan gave a soft reminder, they skillfully lifted the sedan and headed straight for the western suburbs of Dajin.

As for how to get to Kyoto, Ito Kashitaro had already made a plan—they would first leave Otsu along a small path, and then take a waterway into the town of Kyoto.

As the sedan chair beneath him swayed rhythmically, Ito Kashitaro felt an indescribable weariness wash over his limbs.

Why am I so tired?

Is it because Heisuke, whom I thought would follow me, abandoned me instead...?

Thinking of this, Ito Kashitaro slowly closed his eyes, looking utterly weary.

He felt his consciousness drifting between reality and illusion, and all external sounds faded away.

In the midst of chaos, he suddenly remembered many things from the past—

……

"Daizang! You are truly amazing! No wonder you are a renowned genius! You were able to memorize such a difficult article word for word!"

Of course! Who do you think I am? I'm just reciting texts, how could such a small thing stump me!

……

"Daizang, would you be willing to marry my daughter and inherit my temple?"

Of course I'd love to! In that case, I'll be the master of the Ito Dojo! Just watch! Within five years, I will make the Ito Dojo a world-renowned, top-tier dojo!

……

"Master Ito! Look! So many people have come to become our disciples this month! It seems our Ito Dojo is becoming more and more famous! If this continues, surpassing the Genbukan and Chiba Kenkan, the two main schools, will be just around the corner!"

Hmph! Of course! With my abilities, managing a dojo is a piece of cake!

……

"Teacher Ito, a talent of yours should be devoted to governing the country and bringing peace to the world! It's such a waste that you're only serving as a dojo instructor! Now that the seas are raging, it's the perfect time for a talent for governing the world to step forward!"

Was it a waste of my talent? Ah, you're right... The Ito Dojo, which I once considered magnificent, now seems too small to contain my talent!

……

"Ju Qingdeng? Who is he?"

"Teacher Ito, don't you know? He's a rising star among swordsmen! It's said he's as brave as ten thousand men!"

A genius swordsman? Hmph, most likely just another ignorant brute with nothing to offer besides swordsmanship!

……

"Teacher Ito, yesterday's swordsmanship competition was truly spectacular! The champion is that Tachibana Aoto! It seems he's not just all talk! He's definitely got some skill!"

How is that possible... That Tachibana Aoto could actually unleash "power" at such a young age... Even I only barely touched the threshold of "power" after I turned twenty...

……

"Teacher Ito! Have you heard? That famous Tachibana Seito has been promoted! He's now the Minister of Personnel and the Chief of Staff, a very high-ranking position!"

Tch... He's just a brute, but he's got some skills... However, if it were me, I could definitely do better than him!

……

"Teacher Ito, that Tachibana Aoto has been promoted again! He will lead a newly formed army to Kyoto to guard the capital region!"

It's Tachibana Seido again... He's been promoted again... He's clearly just a brute... He's clearly just a brute... Hmph, whatever! He only rose through the ranks because of the favor of the Great Tree Lord and the Great Imperial Palace! He's not worthy of admiration!

……

"Teacher Ito! Tachibana Aoto has achieved another great feat! He led only a hundred men and defeated tens of thousands of bandits!"

That's enough... Don't mention that name in front of me again...

……

"Master Ito often talks about 'the world,' but he has always remained holed up in a corner of Edo."

Shut up……

……

"Sigh, I saw through it long ago. It's all talk and no action! He talks a lot about the imperial court and the shogunate, always putting on a righteous and awe-inspiring act, but he never takes any real action!"

Shut up!

……

"In comparison, that Tachibana Seiden is far more formidable! With overwhelming combat power, he severely suppressed the arrogance of Choshu and ensured the safety of the capital region!"

Shut up, all of you! I'm a master of both arts and sciences! I'm Ito Daizo! How could I possibly be inferior to that Tachibana Aoto? As long as I show my true skills, I'll quickly achieve something remarkable!

……

"What? Ito-sensei, you're joining the Shinsengumi? What about the dojo? Will it close down?"

Now that things have come to this, who cares about any temple or religious site anymore!

A mere temple is no longer enough for me!

Didn't you say I'm not as good as Tachibana Aoto?

Fine! Then I'll join the Shinsengumi!

I'm going to take away Tachibana Seiden's trusted confidants!

I'm going to take away Tachibana Aoto's power!

I'm going to show you all who's better between me and Ju Qingdeng!

……

After an unknown amount of time, Ito Kashitaro opened his eyes.

My thoughts were still a jumbled mess.

To refresh himself, he straightened up slightly and opened the sedan window next to him—a cool night breeze blew in.

Judging from the scenery outside, he was about to leave Otsu.

Gazing at the town of Otsu Castle gradually receding into the distance, and at the deep darkness of the surrounding night, he murmured in a voice only he could hear:

"Watch closely... My talent... will never be inferior to Tachibana Aoto's...!"

……

……

Hatazu Domain, Otsu, Tachibana Residence, Aoto's office—

With the escort of the First Division, Toudou Heisuke arrived safely at the Tachibana residence.

At that time, Qingdeng was handling government affairs in his office.

Upon hearing that Todo Heisuke had urgent news to report, he immediately summoned him here.

But then he saw Todo Heisuke lying flat on the tatami mat—because he was injured, so Seito had specially allowed him to lie down—and recounting in detail everything that had happened that night.

"...The above is the detailed account of Master's...I, the traitor's rebellion."

When the title "Master" was mentioned, Todo Heisuke quickly realized his mistake and changed it to "Izai".

Qing Deng sat quietly beside him, listening attentively until the very end.

When discussing the part about "Kondo Isami and Saito Kazuto leaving the Shinsengumi and joining Ito Kashitaro," Todo Heisuke cautiously raised his eyes to observe Aoto's facial expression.

He had expected Qing Deng to show a shocked and indignant expression.

After all, both Kondo Isami and Saito Hajime had an extremely close relationship with Aoto, one that went far beyond ordinary friendship.

Unexpectedly... Qing Deng didn't say anything at all.

Neither his facial expressions nor his demeanor revealed the slightest emotional fluctuation... truly nothing at all.

Heisuke Todo didn't know if Aoto was hiding his emotions or if he was so angry that he became calm... In any case, he couldn't remain as indifferent as Aoto!

Anger is an emotion that cannot be sustained for long; it will subside after a brief outburst.

As the anger subsided, the deep-seated sorrow in his heart began to show its presence.

Heisuke Todo bit his lip hard and said in a trembling voice:

"Mr. Tachibana, what's going on... why... Kondo-sensei and Saito-nii-san..."

He couldn't continue.

His voice trembled so badly that he could no longer utter complete sentences.

As the youngest member of the "Shieikan faction" (21 years old), Todo Heisuke's emotions are more complex.

Qing Deng, who had been silent until now, finally spoke:

"Heisuke, don't panic."

"You must keep tonight's events a secret and not let anyone else know. I will handle this personally."

"Don't worry, that Ito will be brought to justice soon. You won't have to wait long."

Heisuke Todo never doubted Aoto's abilities, much less his guarantees.

Like a gentle breeze, Toudou Heisuke felt a significant relief in his chest, which had been feeling very congested.

However... Ito Kashitaro is no ordinary person. What should be done to bring him to his death as soon as possible?

Heisuke Todo looked up at Aoto with a mixture of relief and confusion—and saw a smile appear on the corners of Aoto's lips.

*******

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