I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Page 2280

She gave Ogata a special look.

"Didn't you just advise Xiao Si to rest quietly?"

Ogata smiled:

"In my personal opinion, I do tend to prefer that she stay in Osaka."

"But...you saw the look in her eyes just now, didn't you?"

"A half-baked person wouldn't have that kind of look in their eyes."

"What right do we old people have to point fingers at young people who follow the right path?"

*******

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Chapter 1157 Human history is indeed full of dark humor

Fushimi, the western outskirts of Fushimi, the base of the 2nd, 4th, and 13th Divisions—

There was still about half an hour until dawn... It was still pitch black all around, and flocks of birds that came out to forage kept chirping.

Although there were quite a few minor mishaps—many squad members were too exhausted to wake up—the second, fourth, and thirteenth squads managed to assemble before dawn.

At this moment, thousands of soldiers from the three squads were lined up in four neat rows on the desolate outskirts of Fushimi.

Looking up, they were all dressed neatly and had stern expressions.

The cool morning breeze brushed past them, lifting the hems of their haori and making them rustle.

Human beings' "sociality"...or rather, their "susceptibility to the influence of the atmosphere" is truly amazing.

The moment the formation was complete, although no one said it outright, they all felt a significant change in the surrounding atmosphere—like countless needles mixed in, making it prickly—and thus deeply realized the fact that "a great battle is imminent"!

Goosebumps rose on my skin, my throat went dry... Stimulated by this, the last vestiges of sleepiness vanished instantly, the blood in my veins flowed faster, and my mind became exceptionally excited!

Even if you gave them the most comfortable bedding and the softest pillows, they wouldn't be able to fall asleep now!

They exchanged glances, sharing their tense and excited emotions, anxiously counting down the time.

When the sunlight spreads across the earth, that will be the moment they launch their counterattack against Toba!

At this moment, Nagakura Shinpachi stood at the very front of the formation, staring blankly ahead—this direction was Toba's direction, the direction of their attack!

Although it is springtime, it is still very cold before sunrise.

Nagakura Shinpachi rubbed his frozen hands and yawned widely.

"sleepy……"

Just then, a greeting arrived:

"Shinpachi, how are you feeling?"

As he spoke, Kondo Isami walked up from behind and stood side by side with Nagakura Shinpachi.

"I'm perfectly fine! This is just a minor injury!"

Nagakura Shinpachi grinned widely and raised his hand to touch his forehead, which had been injured by being hit the day before.

"I'm bursting with energy right now! I can't wait to start the battle and make up for not being able to fight yesterday!"

Yesterday, under Qing Deng's strong demands, Nagakura Shinpachi was forced to rest in bed for a full day.

Despite his repeated statements that "I'm fine," "My head is no longer dizzy," and "I can fight," Qing Deng simply ignored them.

Thanks to this, Nagakura Shinpachi had a boring but beneficial day yesterday.

Thanks to his excellent recovery ability, his physical condition has largely recovered, and the dizziness that had been lingering deep in his head due to the forehead injury has vanished.

Looking at the spirited Nagakura Shinpachi, Kondo Isami chuckled a few times:

"It's good that you're alright. Today's battle is crucial, so let's make the most of the strength we've accumulated yesterday!"

Yongcang Xinba Wan'er:

"Each each other!"

……

Fushimi, the western outskirts of Fushimi, the base of the 3rd, 5th, and 12th Divisions—

Saito Hajime, standing at the very front of the formation, remained expressionless as always.

He crossed his arms over his chest, remaining silent. The only moving part of his body was his eyelids, which blinked occasionally.

If viewed from a distance, it would most likely be mistaken for a wooden sculpture.

Standing next to him was Nishiki Nishiki (captain of the 5th Division), who was also a man of few words.

After the two met, they only exchanged greetings and then said nothing more.

Their taciturnity left Soma Kazue (captain of the 12th Division) feeling bewildered.

Soma Kazue glanced at Saito Hajime on his left, then at Niimi Nishiki on his right… Because he was nervous, he wanted to chat with someone, to say anything to distract himself and regulate his emotions.

However... both seniors on either side exuded a cold aura that said, "Get out of my way, don't talk to me..."

Suddenly, the "wood carving" moved—Saito Kazuki raised his chin and looked up at the sky.

"...It's dawn."

Upon hearing this, Shinmi Nishiki and the horse-souke simultaneously looked up.

As dawn broke in the eastern sky, the heavy veil of night that had obscured the heavens began to recede.

Shinmi Nishiki vigorously moved his shoulders, making a series of sharp, teeth-grinding "crack" sounds.

"...Finally, it's dawn. I can't wait any longer."

As he murmured softly, he turned around, preparing to return to his position to lead the Fifth Division.

At the same time, Soma Kazue also set off for the Twelfth Division.

They had only walked a few steps—

"...Shinmi-kun, Soma-kun."

Saito suddenly called out to them.

Saito Hajime, who was usually very taciturn, actually took the initiative to talk to them... The two of them were both taken aback, and then stopped in their tracks, turning their heads around with puzzled expressions.

Saito Hajime looked at them intently, then said slowly and deliberately, in a serious tone:

"I wish you a resounding victory."

Nishiki Shinmi and Soma Kōkei exchanged a glance—they both saw intense surprise and a faint smile in each other's eyes.

The next moment, they all said in unison:

I wish you great success!

……

Fushimi, Fushimi West Suburbs—

Qingdeng stared intently at the rapidly changing sky.

The pitch-black sky slowly turned blue, and the beautiful ultramarine blue filled the view.

After blue came deep purple, then light red, peach, pink... Finally, the golden dawn dominated the sky with an overwhelming presence.

Fushimi, Toba, the nearby plains, the distant mountains... everything within sight was bathed in the dawn light.

The sky was already bright, and the morning mist was rising.

Hijikata Toshizo, who was gazing at the sky with Aoto, murmured softly:

"...To be honest, I've been thinking just now: I wish it would never get light."

Qingdeng naturally understood the implied meaning, so he responded half-jokingly:

"How dare the dignified 'Demon Vice-Commander' utter such spineless words. If others were to hear this, rumors would surely spread throughout the city that 'the Demon Vice-Commander is cowardly.'"

Hijikata Toshizo shrugged and returned the joke in the same tone:

"I still occasionally want to be a 'Bodhisattva Vice-Minister'."

Qingdeng glanced at him, smiled, and remained silent.

At that moment, a messenger from the Ninth Division rode up on horseback:

"My lord, the Eleventh Division is ready and can fire at any time!"

“Tell them: In 3 minutes, I want to see the sky shake and the earth tremble.”

"Yes!"

After watching the messenger leave, Hijikata Toshizo let out a long sigh of relief, and then drew Izumi no Kami Kanesada from his waist.

"Ju, please don't die."

Qing Deng Wan Er:

"Ah, you too."

He, too, had his sword drawn.