I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Now, he has established his own organization, become a leader, and is able to bargain with behemoths like the "Western Alliance"!

He has made meticulous plans for this new organization that he founded.

The first problem he needed to solve was his "political stance".

Without a steadfast and universally accepted political stance, one will lack the righteous cause to rally heroes and become a rootless duckweed.

Therefore, once the organization has stabilized, he will publicly display the banner of "guarding the tomb of the late emperor," revealing his ambition to be loyal to the court!

Guarding the tomb of the late emperor (Emperor Komei) is a moral high ground that no power can find fault with.

Therefore, Ito Kashitaro decided to name his organization "Goryo Guard".

Despite Imuta Shohei's recent gesture that "Lord Saigo might reject your alliance request, so be prepared," Ito Kashitaro was not worried at all.

Arrogantly speaking, he couldn't imagine what reason the "Southern Dynasty" would have to shut him out!

Regardless of the intelligence resources he possesses, even if it were just to annoy Qingdeng, the "Southern Dynasty" would have no choice but to ally with him!

Even if we take a step back and assume that Saigo Kichinosuke has lost his mind and actually rejects his request for an alliance, he won't panic.

Am I not able to live without the "Southern Dynasty"?

I am Ito Kashitaro!

Even without the aid of the "Southern Dynasty", I can still establish an immortal legacy!

The deeper Ito Kashitaro thought about it, the more he couldn't suppress his excitement. The corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up, and even his steps became lighter.

Suddenly, he belatedly realized that the street scene around him looked unfamiliar.

To avoid the patrol they had just encountered, they had to take a long detour and enter a remote town.

For some reason, perhaps it was an instinctive wariness of unfamiliar surroundings, but Ito Kashitaro subconsciously asked:

"Where is this place?"

Kondo Isami replied calmly:

"These are seven paved roads."

"The oil road... I've never been here before."

Ito Kashitaro turned his gaze around, looking around... All he could see was deep darkness and eerie silence, not even the sound of insects chirping.

“…Mr. Ito, thank you.”

Kondo Isami's sudden expression of gratitude startled Ito Kashitaro.

"Hmm? Mr. Kondo, what's wrong? Why are you suddenly thanking me?"

"Thanks to your careful guidance recently, I have learned a lot."

Upon hearing this, Ito Kashitaro couldn't help but chuckle:

"Don't mention it, it's nothing to worry about. I really enjoy teaching. If you don't mind, you can always continue to learn from me later."

Kondo Isami shook his head:

"There are many more reasons why I want to thank you."

“You have praised me more than once, saying that my talent is no less than that of Mr. A Sui and Mr. Shan Nan.”

“I am very happy to be praised like this—although I am very clear that my talent is nowhere near that of Mr. Asui and Mr. Shannan.”

"I truly want to proclaim my name to the world."

"However... I still can't give up my 'school'."

Upon hearing this, Ito Kashitaro and Hattori Takeo finally noticed something was wrong. They stopped in their tracks, turned around, and stared intently at Kondo Isami with unfriendly expressions.

Almost at the same moment that Kondo Isami finished speaking—

Splash splash splash splash splash!

An incredibly noisy chorus of footsteps surged in from all directions!

Ito Kashitaro and Hattori Takeo's expressions immediately changed.

In that instant, Ito Kashitaro suddenly realized that before the sound of footsteps, the surroundings were unusually quiet!

Before they could think further, dozens of Shinsengumi members dressed in light blue haori rushed out from street corners, alleyways and other places, surrounding them completely.

"Mr. Ito, it's been a long time."

Ito Kashitaro followed the sound, then, while keeping a close eye on the other person, he forced out a roar through clenched teeth:

"Orange·Green·Deng!"

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Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

P.S.: Thanks to yesterday's rest, Leopard is feeling much better, but still a bit listless... (Leopard tired.jpg) Going to bed early again tonight! Trying to be energetic again tomorrow! (Leopard excited.jpg)

Chapter 1115 All His Life's Learning Returned to Its Rightful Owner! Ito Kashitaro Dies! [5500]

Finally, the rustling footsteps stopped.

The once silent streets are now filled with a chilling aura of killing intent.

Light blue haori fluttered in the wind, and figures surrounded the street, making it impossible to move.

Roughly speaking, there were more than fifty people.

To deploy such a large force in such a narrow street... it was truly a "three-layered" force!

Looking around, Ito Kashitaro, Hattori Takeo, and Kondo Isami were completely "wrapped up," just like onions.

Despite the suddenness of the incident, Ito Kashitaro and Hattori Takeo proved to be exceptional swordsmen, one in a million.

They instinctively shifted their positions, back to back, and quickly raised their right hands to grip the swords at their waists.

They were not overwhelmed by the desperate situation before them, but instead took immediate action and prepared for battle... truly admirable.

Unfortunately, standing amidst the vast sea of ​​people in this pale green color, their isolated and helpless figures appeared so powerless.

Hattori Takeo clenched his teeth, his facial expression dominated by intense bewilderment.

what happened? !

How is this going? !

Why did we fall into the Shinsengumi's ambush?!

At that moment, a thousand thoughts raced through Hattori Takeo's mind.

It was obvious that the Shinsengumi had laid an ambush there long ago.

The problem is, their whereabouts can never be exposed!

Unless... there's a mole...!

So, who exactly leaked their whereabouts?

Only a very few people, such as Kondo Isami and Hattori Takeo, knew that Ito Kashitaro would be meeting with Imuta Shohei tonight.

Thinking about it this way... the answer is obvious!

Hattori Takeo suddenly raised his gaze, glaring angrily at Kondo Isami, his eyes practically bloodshot:

"Kondo Isamu! You bastard! You betrayed us?!"

A beastly roar startled birds that flew away into the distance.

Faced with Hattori Takeo's questioning, Kondo Isami replied calmly and expressionlessly:

"Hattori-kun, I was never one of your allies from the very beginning, so how can you say I've 'betrayed' you?"

Upon hearing this, Hattori Takeo's anger intensified, his entire face turning crimson, as if steaming blood would spurt from his seven orifices at any moment.

If it weren't for the other team members watching him, making him hesitant to act, he would have definitely pounced on Kondo Isami without hesitation, willing to die to make that bastard pay the price!

Compared to Hattori Takeo's fury, Ito Kashitaro's reaction was much calmer.

For a moment, the latter's attention was completely drawn to someone.

Right in front of Ito Kashitaro, the Shinsengumi members respectfully parted to the left and right to make way.

Immediately afterwards, someone stepped onto the long path—that familiar, tall figure appeared before Ito Kashitaro with unhurried steps.

"Mr. Ito, it's been a long time."

It was him... the man he both resented and envied...!

"Orange·Green·Deng!"

The words squeezed out from between the teeth seemed to be mixed with sharp sand and gravel.

Aoto watched Ito Kashitaro without changing his expression.

Such an expression is neither the victor's mockery of the loser nor the living's pity for the dying.

Rather, it is a kind of... ultimate indifference.

Indifference to having complete control over the fate of others!

It was as indifferent as if the Buddha were toying with the Monkey King!

Even though there was no obvious height difference between Ito Kashitaro and Aoto, at this moment, the former felt as if he was looking up at the latter.

In that instant, the Qingdeng he saw transformed into towering mountains and a vast, boundless sky.

As for him, he was like a blade of grass, a speck of dust, capable of nothing but staring blankly at the mountains and the sky!

At that moment, Kondo Isami silently moved his feet and stood next to Tachibana Aoto.

Upon seeing this, Ito Kashitaro's expression froze.

In fact, he realized the truth immediately after falling into the Shinsengumi's ambush.

However... due to various reasons, a sliver of "impossible" and "won't happen" still lingered in his heart.

Now, the undeniable facts are clearly presented before him.