I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Since it's war, there will naturally be casualties. There's no war where people don't die."

"Are you trying to tell me that we should lay down our weapons and start chanting scriptures every day to curse Tachibana Aoto to death?"

At this moment, Okubo Ichizo suddenly interjected:

"Sakamoto-kun, I have heard about your recent actions."

"It is said that you advocate dialogue with the 'Northern Dynasty' and restore peace to the world through negotiations."

“You are a distinguished guest of Samo, so I don’t want to say anything too harsh.”

"But what needs to be said still needs to be made clear—Sakamoto-kun, you are really too naive."

"What you can't get on the battlefield, you can't get at the negotiating table either."

"A few light touches of lips, and you think you can settle a dispute... How could such a good thing exist?"

"Go and look through the history books, and see how many words in them were written in blood."

Compared to Saigo Kinosuke and Komatsu Tateto, who frequently appear in public, Okubo Ichizo, who was in charge of Satsuma's internal affairs, was much more low-key.

Although not well-known outside of Satsuma, the name "Okubo Ichizo" is said to have the power to "stop children from crying"!

Because of his decisive and ruthless actions, he was like a "political machine" devoid of emotions and desires, so the people of Satsuma both respected and feared him.

For the vast majority of samurai and commoners of the Satsuma Domain, Okubo Ichizo was the embodiment of words like "cold-blooded" and "heartless."

The successive attacks by Saigo Kinosuke and Okubo Ichizo did not deter Sakamoto Ryoma.

"Saigo-kun, Okubo-kun, you've both misunderstood me!"

Sakamoto Ryoma, head held high and chest puffed out, said solemnly, enunciating each word clearly:

"I am not a fool who cannot distinguish between what is important and what is not."

"Of course I know that any negotiations are ineffective before the outcome is decided on the battlefield."

"What I advocate is that after making Tachibana Seiden suffer, we should not escalate the war, and we should not view the people of the Northern Dynasty as 'losers'! We should regard them as our important compatriots! We should actively adopt appeasement measures towards them!"

"Enough blood has been shed in recent years! Let's not shed any more!"

Why should we be so eager to kill each other?

"Western powers are eyeing our country with covetous intent. In the face of this unprecedented change, shouldn't we unite as one and move forward hand in hand?"

Sakamoto Ryoma calmly surveyed the entire arena, awaiting the response from the other side.

Saigo Kinosuke and Okubo Ichizo remained silent—this time it was Komatsu Tatekō's turn to speak.

Komatsu, who had been silent until now, spoke calmly:

"Sakamoto-kun, do you know how many of our comrades have been harmed by the 'Northern Court'?"

“Even if we were willing to let the Northern Dynasty go, Changzhou would not agree.”

“The people of Choshu harbor deep resentment towards the Northern Court, and they especially wish they could grind the chief villains, such as Tachibana no Seito and Matsudaira Katamori, to dust.”

"Without a doubt, after defeating the 'Northern Court,' the people of Choshu will definitely destroy the Hatazu and Aizu domains completely, and no one can stop them."

Sakamoto Ryoma frowned slightly, his tone heavy:

"It is precisely to stop this kind of foolish thing that I am offering this advice to you all here and now!"

"The only ones who can stop Changzhou's retaliatory actions are you gentlemen here!"

Okubo Ichizo coldly said, immediately following Komatsu with his sword:

"Sakamoto-kun, I understand what you're thinking now."

"Simply put, your proposition is 'negotiation as the primary means, war as a secondary means'."

"After defeating the 'Northern Dynasty,' they switched to negotiation to promote peace."

At this point, Okubo Ichizo let out a blatant and undisguised sneer.

"Hmph, it seems I wasn't wrong when I said you were naive."

“You just said, ‘After making Tachibana Seito suffer, don’t escalate the war.’”

"Then I'd like to ask you a question in return: how badly do we have to fight before we can make Tachibana Seito suffer?"

"Should we take the Kyoto region? Or Nobi? Or should we fight all the way to Kanto and take Edo as well?"

"Ju Qingdeng is a hero with a strong will and an indomitable spirit."

"How could one or two defeats possibly discourage him?"

“Sakamoto-kun, our war with the ‘Northern Court’ is no small matter.”

"What we are fighting for is the rightful right to rule, the right to rule the world!"

"In a war of this magnitude, there is no room for mercy! We must go all out and fight fiercely until either side is completely defeated!"

"How can you suddenly stop halfway through a fight and ask the other party, 'Why don't we talk?'"

"Don't treat war like a game!"

Ryoma Sakamoto had anticipated Ichizo Okubo's harsh criticism and had made adequate preparations accordingly.

Unfortunately, before he could reply, Saigo Kinosuke interrupted him calmly:

"...Sakamoto-kun, I have a general understanding of your position."

"This is a matter of great importance, and it is not up to us in Samo to decide. It requires all the high-ranking members of the 'Western Alliance' to reach a consensus before a final decision can be made."

"However, I have to admit that you have a lot to say."

"When I meet with Mr. Gui and the others later, I will share your ideas with them."

Saigo Kichinosuke spoke very politely, seemingly accepting Sakamoto Ryoma's opinion.

But in reality, anyone could tell that he was just giving them the runaround.

Sakamoto Ryoma wanted to say something more, but he had already keenly sensed the air of being asked to leave.

After much internal struggle, he swallowed the words that were on his throat and let out a long, silent sigh.

……

……

What should have been a joyous and harmonious "awards ceremony" ended in an awkward atmosphere.

After bidding farewell to the "Satsuma Three Heroes", Sakamoto Ryoma and Nakaoka Shintaro left side by side.

After moving to a deserted and quiet place, Shintaro Nakaoka, who had been holding back for a long time, finally exploded and angrily rebuked:

"Ryoma, what's wrong with you now? Why did you say such stupid things just now?"

Sakamoto Ryoma said calmly:

"I was merely stating my opinion. Shintaro, don't you think my thoughts are correct?"

"Correct? Where is it correct?"

Shintaro Ooka frowned, glaring angrily at Ryoma Sakamoto with a look of displeasure.

"You've been rambling on for so long, haven't you just been trying to say that we should show leniency to the 'Northern Dynasty'?"

"The 'Northern Dynasty' is a perverse and treacherous regime. What's wrong with retaliating against them and making them pay a bloody price for their folly?"

"Furthermore, 'showing mercy' is a privilege of the strong towards the weak."

"Our strength is at best comparable to that of the 'Northern Dynasty'."

“Even if we fight with all our might, we may not be able to defeat the Northern Dynasty.”

"Under such circumstances, what right do we have to talk about 'showing mercy'?"

“What Okubo-kun just said is quite right. Ryoma, you are indeed too naive!”

After hearing this, Sakamoto Ryoma gave a wry smile:

"Naive...maybe."

After chuckling self-deprecatingly a few times, Sakamoto Ryoma suddenly turned left.

Upon seeing this, Shintaro Nakaoka quickly stopped and asked in a fast voice:

"Hey! Ryoma, where are you going?"

"Kyoto."

"Kyoto? What are you going to Kyoto for?"

"Go see Arlong and Granny Otose. While you're at it, see if there's any way to get close to Tachibana Aoto."

"What? You're getting close to Tachibana Aoto? Do you want to assassinate him?"

"How could that be? With my already sluggish body, I probably wouldn't even be able to touch a hair on Tachibana Seiden's head. I want to meet with Tachibana Seiden and have a proper talk with him. If we want to bridge the gap between North and South peacefully, we need the joint efforts of both sides."

"Negotiation with Tachibana Aoto? Hey! Have you gone mad? Are you addicted to negotiations? Do you know how dangerous Kyoto is right now? The streets are full of Shinsengumi patrols!"

Sakamoto Ryoma ignored Nakaoka Shintaro's advice and went his own way.

Shintaro Nakaoka gritted his teeth, a look of hesitation appearing on his face.

A moment later, he stomped his foot hard, then chased after him as fast as he could:

"Ryoma! Wait for me! I'll go to Kyoto with you!"

"Oh? Shintaro, you want to be my bodyguard?"

"With my lousy skills, I'm more suited to be your bodyguard! I'm here to advise you! I'm already scared of you! I'm going to keep nagging you until you change your mind and completely abandon your naive ideas!"

……

……

Saigo Kinosuke stood by the window, quietly watching Sakamoto Ryoma and Nakaoka Shintaro gradually disappear into the distance.

"That Sakamoto Ryoma is really too presumptuous."

With a furrowed brow and an icy expression, Okubo Ichizo moved to Saigo Kinosuke's side, his eyes coldly fixed on Sakamoto Ryoma's receding figure.

"It seems we've been spoiling him too much lately, to the point that he's a little confused about his place."

"A mere lobbyist dares to take advantage of us and criticize us."