I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Anyone with eyes could see that Todo Heisuke had completely fallen into a disadvantageous position.

If this continues, he'll be killed by Ito Kashitaro in less than ten... no, eight rounds!

What was clear to outsiders was even clearer to Toudou Heisuke, who was at the center of the fierce battle.

After a while, Todo Heisuke's brain, which had been extremely excited due to his heightened emotions, calmed down a little.

Without a doubt, if he doesn't find a way to break the deadlock quickly, his defeat will be a foregone conclusion.

But... what should I do?

He had already given it his all, but... even when he was suppressing his opponent, he couldn't force out a weakness.

Now that they are being suppressed by the opponent, it will be even more difficult to defeat them.

He had a perfect record of defeats against his mentor in the past... How could he possibly defeat this formidable opponent whom he had never beaten?

Suddenly, as if struck by a flash of inspiration, he suddenly recalled the last lesson the other person had given him—

(The so-called swordsmanship is nothing more than 'not letting oneself reveal a weakness and being careful not to be cut,' and 'making the opponent reveal a weakness so that it is easier to cut.')

(Therefore, if you encounter an incredibly powerful enemy in the future, but one you must defeat, you can simply relax your defenses, let the enemy attack, and then seize the fleeting opening to turn the tables and kill them in one fell swoop!)

(When you are weak but want to defeat a powerful enemy, you can only gamble with your most valuable possession, which is your life!)

"Huff...huff...huff...huff...huff..."

Todo Heisuke secretly adjusted his breathing and silently gripped the sword in his hand.

Although barely perceptible, a resolute flame did indeed ignite in his eyes.

Suddenly, he loosened his grip slightly, and the knife in his palm shifted away from the center line of his body.

Maintaining a firm grip on the body's midline—this is an absolute principle in martial arts.

Any martial artist of exceptional skill will pay close attention to their opponent's midline.

If the opponent's midline is even slightly exposed, a fatal blow will be delivered immediately!

Sure enough, at that very moment, Ito Kashitaro, as if by reflex, swiftly and decisively pounced on Todo Heisuke!

call out!

The whistling blade transformed into silver lightning, its terrifying power seemingly possessing the might of thunder!

The latter lowered his eyelids, staring intently at the rapidly approaching former without blinking.

Although it was only for a split second, he did see it... In the instant the opponent flew to strike, he saw that the opponent's posture was no longer perfect due to the outstretched arms!

Toudou Heisuke's eyes gleamed with starlight... and the sword in his hand transformed into lightning!

Two bolts of lightning crossed paths—

It was as if the pause button had been pressed; the master and apprentice remained motionless, still in their sword-wielding stances.

Ito Kashitaro's sword pierced Todo Heisuke's left shoulder socket. If it had been slightly lower, it would have pierced his heart and left lung, killing him instantly.

And Todo Heisuke's sword... pierced through Ito Kashitaro's chest!

The exchange just now happened in the blink of an eye.

Although all the team members present were elites among the best, only a very few, such as Aoto and Kondo Isami, were able to see the specific details of the confrontation.

Heisuke Todo seized the momentary opening exposed by Kashitaro Ito's sudden attack, thrusting his sword forward like lightning, while Kazusa Kenjiro's sword struck the opponent's body first.

Affected by the excruciating pain, Ito Kashitaro's sword path deviated uncontrollably, and the sword that could have pierced Todo Heisuke's heart only managed to pierce his shoulder.

Heisuke Todo's sword was only a few milliseconds faster than Kashitaro Ito's—it was this difference of milliseconds that determined the outcome of the battle!

Ito Kashitaro opened his mouth, and thick blood immediately gushed out like a waterfall.

Looking at his beloved student, so close yet so far, who filled him with a deep sense of loss because of his reluctance to leave the Shinsengumi, he forced a smile.

"Heisuke...you...you've really gotten capable..."

Heisuke Todo held the knife with only his right hand, his left hand clasped together, his head bowed, burying his face in Kashitaro Ito's chest, so that outsiders could not see the expression on his face.

"All my life's learning... I'm returning it to its rightful owner!"

The instant he finished speaking, he swiftly drew his sword!

Pfft!

Blood spurted out, dripping all over the ground!

Ito Kashitaro collapsed to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.

In the blink of an eye, the blood flowing from its body stained the earth black.

He moved his fingers, as if he wanted to pick up the knife again, but it was all in vain.

As Todo Heisuke drew his sword, the light in his eyes began to dim, much like a candle about to burn out.

And now... the "candlelight" has been extinguished.

His lifeless, empty eyes stared straight at Qingdeng—in his final moments, he mustered his last strength to turn his head and look at Qingdeng.

Heisuke Todo silently tore off his light blue haori and used it as a blanket to gently cover the body of Kashitaro Ito.

Ito Kashitaro, former assistant to the general affairs officer of the Shinsengumi and leader of the Goryoku-ebi, died in battle!

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PS: In historical fact, Todo Heisuke betrayed the Shinsengumi along with Ito Kashitaro.

During the Shinsengumi's battle against the "Ito Faction," Todo Heisuke drew his sword against his former comrades, including Nagakura Shinpachi and Harada Sanosuke, and ultimately died in battle.

Chapter 1116 Sweeping Away the Imperial Guards! Severely Damaging the "Satsuma Royal Thief"! [6200]

On his deathbed, Ito Kashitaro felt his mind go blank.

Ambition, resentment, unwillingness... all these emotions have left him.

Beneath him lay hard yellow earth, his hands too weak to grip the knife... It was all over.

However, for some reason, as if driven by his subconscious, he unconsciously raised his gaze and looked at Qingdeng not far away.

The other person remained unchanged, with an indifferent expression, looking down at him who was lying on the ground, about to lose all life.

Perhaps this is what is called a "revolving lantern"—in that instant, scenes from the past flashed before his eyes.

The day he joined the Shinsengumi; the time he spent working hard to build the Shinsengumi as an assistant in the General Affairs Department... there was nothing to reminisce about, yet it left him feeling quite wistful.

He suddenly remembered that there was a time when he had the idea of ​​"giving up on competing with Tachibana Seido".

However... however...

Human beings are all slaves to something, whether it is money or women.

And he, Ito Kashitaro, was a slave to the obsession with "surpassing Tachibana Aoto".

It's pitiful that he was so clever all his life, yet he was manipulated by this obsession, going astray without realizing it. He toiled for it for years, only to end up like this... He wanted to give a self-deprecating bitter smile, but he no longer had the strength to even twitch his lips.

And so, he looked straight at Qingdeng and breathed his last.

Although it was barely perceptible, at that moment, a sense of peace did emerge deep in his eyes—the liberation of completely letting go of a certain obsession.

The death of Ito Kashitaro deeply affected Hattori Takeo, who was standing nearby.

"Ito-sensei... Ahhh... Ahhhhhh!!"

First came a painful screech, followed by an angry roar.

"Die, all of you! I'm going to kill you all!!"

With red-rimmed eyes and bloodshot whites, Hattori Takeo's eyes turned a terrifying blood red, resembling those of a wounded wild beast.

He drew his wakizashi from his waist with his left hand, switched to a two-sword style, and fought like a cornered beast.

He was one of the Shinsengumi's top swordsmen.

He had long been renowned within the Shinsengumi for his exceptional bravery.

Right now, he is fearless in the face of death and has unleashed extraordinary strength!

Such opponents who are willing to risk their lives are the most terrifying. You must not underestimate them, or you will inevitably pay a heavy price!

At this moment, five team members rushed forward to attack him, using all sorts of methods, but they could do nothing to him and were instead forced back by his fierce sword strikes.

In Japanese swordsmanship, the two-sword style is the most difficult technique, but also the simplest.

The reason it is considered difficult is because the katana is very heavy. Even holding one katana with both hands may not be enough to wield it freely, let alone holding two katanas with both hands.

However, on the other hand, as long as you are strong enough, you can easily master dual-wielding!

No skill required! Simply swinging your sword wildly is enough to defeat a powerful enemy!

That is what Hattori Takeo looks like now.

He swung his twin swords wildly, displaying no skill whatsoever, yet the relentless barrage of blows left the team members on the scene utterly helpless.

"Come on! Is this all you've got?! Are the knives in your hands just for show?! Come and kill me!!"

Suddenly, he launched a fierce attack, leaping to the right and wielding his katana to disperse the soldiers on his right. Then, he stopped and leaned to the left, his wakizashi (sword) thrusting out like a poisoned needle, forcing the soldiers on his left to retreat as well.

Thus, the encirclement surrounding him became loose and no longer as tight as before.

Seizing the opportunity, he immediately broke free, escaped the entanglement of the team members, and dashed south.

His target was none other than Kondo Isami, who had caused him and Ito Kashitaro to end up in this predicament!

"Kondo Isami! You beast! Prepare to die!"

He ran and raised the two swords in his hands, the gleaming blades reflecting Kondo Isami's solemn face.

Seeing this, Kondo Isami silently raised his right hand and grasped Nagasone Kotetsu at his waist.

However, before he could draw his sword, a figure suddenly darted out from the side and stood between him and Hattori Takeo.

"Vice Captain of the 8th Division of the Shinsengumi"

"Oishi Shojiro"