I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

The Southern Army is preparing for today's bloody battle... and so is the Shinsengumi.

"Eighth Division! Follow me!"

"Our mission today is singular—to hold this street to the death! Even if we are completely wiped out, we cannot let a single enemy soldier pass!"

"Be careful, the enemy is very strong... Even the Second and Sixth Divisions were defeated yesterday."

"Sigh... I wonder how this battle will turn out..."

"What's there to be afraid of? As long as Lord Ren is here, we can't possibly lose!"

"Yeah, that makes sense."

Yesterday's defeat has inevitably shaken the morale of the Shinsengumi.

However, since last night, a rumor has been circulating among the various divisions of the Shinsengumi—Niou will personally go to the front line today!

For the soldiers of the Shinsengumi, there could be no more inspiring news!

Just hearing his name is enough to invigorate the soldiers of the Shinsengumi!

The morale, which had been dampened by yesterday's defeat, has now soared!

At this moment, Aoto was putting on white and blue armor at the main camp (Fushimi Magistrate's Office), and then he put on a large Shinsengumi uniform (light blue haori) over the armor, which served as a "battle haori".

After dressing and tidying himself up, he seemed to have made up his mind, turned his head and shouted towards the outside of the room:

"Call Chief of Staff Shannan over."

With a loud response, the members of the "Zero Squad" waiting outside the room quickly went to find Yamanami Keisuke.

Before long, fully armed Yamanami Keisuke came into view of Aoto.

"Mr. Tachibana, what are your orders?"

Qingdeng skipped all pleasantries and went straight to the point, speaking seriously:

"Jingzhu, bring out both flags."

Upon hearing this, Yamanami Keisuke subconsciously raised an eyebrow, his expression showing surprise:

"Is it too early to unleash the 'brocade banner' and the 'imperial white banner' now?"

Qingdeng said slowly:

"It was indeed much earlier than expected."

"But if we do not try to boost the morale of the entire army, it will inevitably have a negative impact on today's battle."

Yamanami Keisuke gave a wry smile and said, half-jokingly:

"After all, yesterday's defeat was too fast and too sudden."

"In the eyes of ordinary soldiers, the war had just begun, and we had already lost the feathers we had painstakingly built up in a muddle."

To properly accommodate the troops that had withdrawn from Toba, Yamanami Keisuke had been inspecting the camp since last night.

Therefore, he naturally had a very deep understanding of the changes in the soldiers' morale.

Many soldiers were worried about the final outcome of this battle.

The new recruits, in particular, who had just joined the army, developed a certain fear of the "Southern Army".

Qingdeng continued speaking:

"The reason for preparing two flags is to inspire the fighting spirit of the entire army at critical moments."

"And now is the perfect time to use these two flags."

Yamanami Keisuke nodded:

"I understand, I'll go prepare right away."

……

……

The sun rose slowly, and golden rays of dawn poured down, illuminating the earth.

The sunlight could dispel the cool morning mist, but it could not dispel the somber atmosphere that permeated Fushimi!

Looking up, the vast town had become a heavily fortified stronghold!

Solid and complete fortifications, soldiers poised for battle, faces etched with determination... everything was ready, just waiting for the "Southern Army" to attack!

Just then, a soldier somewhere inadvertently discovered two unfamiliar military flags fluttering high above their position.

"Hey! Look! There are two new flags over there that we've never seen before!"

Upon hearing this, everyone around turned to look in the direction of the main camp.

Next to the familiar "Sincerity Flag," there was a new brocade flag embroidered with golden chrysanthemums and a bright white flag.

Just as the soldiers were puzzled, they saw messengers from the Ninth Division riding fast horses, quickly passing through the streets and strongholds of Fushimi.

They issued the following notice to all the soldiers in the town:

"Gentlemen! Look! That banner embroidered with golden chrysanthemums is the Emperor's military flag! His Majesty, moved by our loyalty, bestowed this flag upon us!"

"That pure white military flag is the 'White Banner' that represents the orthodoxy of the samurai family! It was previously held by the Shogun! After Lord Ōki (Tokugawa Iemochi) fell ill, it was put into the care of Lord Niō."

"The 'brocade banner' and the 'imperial white banner' are both in our hands! We are the true rulers! We are the government troops!"

"The 'Southern Army' on the other side is a traitorous enemy of Korea!"

"The greater good belongs to our army! Annihilate the Korean enemy!"

"The greater good belongs to our army! Annihilate the Korean enemy!"

The soldiers of the Ninth Division recited the proclamation over and over again, running through every base in Fushimi, trying to make sure that every soldier could hear it clearly.

Soon, the air inside and outside Fushimi began to stir quietly.

"'Banner'? 'Imperial White Banner'? Are these two banners very powerful?"

"I don't quite understand, but I think so."

"We've acquired a really powerful flag—that's what you mean, right?"

"That's right! That's exactly what it means! Those are the legendary 'Emperor's Banner' and 'White Banner'!"

"I always thought these two flags didn't exist. Turns out they actually exist."

"I never imagined we would possess these two legendary military flags!"

"Fantastic! As long as we have these two flags, we are the undisputed rightful heirs!"

"Long live Niou! Long live the Shinsengumi!"

"Long live Niou! Long live the Shinsengumi!"

"Long live Niou! Long live the Shinsengumi!"

……

The vast majority of soldiers did not understand the difference between the Emperor and the Shogun, let alone what the "brocade banner" and the "white banner" actually represented.

After hearing the messengers' report, all they knew was that these two flags were very powerful, and whoever could obtain them would possess the great cause.

Those familiar with the relevant knowledge were all filled with excitement, and an atmosphere of "excitement" began to spread.

Immediately following this, the others also unconsciously felt excited – as we all know, humans are social animals and are easily influenced by the atmosphere.

Gradually, cheers spread.

No one knows who started it, but shouts of "Banzai!" rang out louder and louder throughout Fushimi!

Hearing the cheers rising and falling, Kondo Isami, who remained at the main camp, couldn't help but chuckle softly a few times:

"The results were even better than I expected. Going to the trouble of forging these two military flags was definitely the right choice."

Hijikata Toshizo, standing to the side, smirked and adopted a teasing tone:

"I wonder what kind of expressions the officers of the Southern Army will have when they see this 'brocade banner' and this 'imperial white banner'. It's really something to look forward to."

Almost at the exact moment Hijikata Toshizo finished speaking, a messenger came running up at breakneck speed:

"Chief! Deputy Chief! The enemy has begun their operation! Countless enemy soldiers have left Toba and are heading east!"

Hijikata Toshizo raised an eyebrow.

"Are they here...?"

As he spoke, he took the binoculars from his waist, extended the lens, and looked westward—a vast array of menacing enemy soldiers came into view.

Before he could even examine the enemy's formation closely, he involuntarily stopped what he was doing upon seeing something, his expression changing... an indescribable, strange look dominated his expression, and he kept muttering to himself:

"……what?"

Right in the center of the frame, a strangely familiar military flag is clearly visible, fluttering in the wind...

If viewed from above, the view would be even clearer—among the ranks of the "Southern Army's" vanguard, a banner embroidered with golden chrysanthemums stood tall.

Thus, two "banners" with similar patterns but different colors stood facing each other across the distance...

*******

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

PS: Compared to battles between two armies, Leopard really prefers writing about swordsmen slashing each other! (Tearful Leopard head.jpg) When writing his first novel, Leopard was already tired of writing war scenes, and he didn't expect to have to write them again now! (Leopard throwing fish.jpg) Oh well, let's just consider it as building up his skills for future "mecha novels".

Chapter 1145 Fierce Street Fighting in Fushimi! Niou, Charge! [5200]

At the same time that the Shinsengumi raised their "brocade banner" and "white flag," a similar scene unfolded on the opposite side of the "Southern Army."

As the vanguard of the "Southern Army" left Toba and headed straight for Fushimi, a "brocade banner" embroidered with golden chrysanthemums suddenly rose up and caught the eyes of the soldiers.

Immediately afterwards, the messengers, running back and forth, shouted loudly:

"Gentlemen! Look! This is His Majesty's military flag!"

"Hundreds of years ago, the imperial court's million-strong army carried this banner as they conquered all directions!"

"Now, this flag has been handed into our hands!"