I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Xiao Si and I aren't really that close."

"However, sometimes, intuition is more accurate than reasoning."

"When I saw her righteously declare that she had to go to Toba and Fushimi, for some reason, a voice rang in my mind: the new owner of that sword is her."

Ogata paused for a moment, then adopted a half-joking tone:

"Even putting everything else aside, just looking at her appearance, I think she is the most deserving swordsman in the world to wield that blade."

"That sword is quite beautiful in appearance, the most beautiful sword I have ever seen. It is very suitable for a heroic and talented female swordsman like Xiao Si, isn't it?"

Having said that, he withdrew his gaze and looked again in the direction of Toba and Fushimi, a slight smile playing on his lips, and whispered:

"Reappearing in the world after a long absence, only to be involved in a battle of this scale... If that sword had a soul, it would be overjoyed."

……

……

The commander untied the strips of cloth one by one.

Soon, the object under the cloth strip was revealed.

This is a slender katana, resembling a rice seedling, with a blade length of nearly 80 centimeters. Near the hilt, it is decorated with sixteen-petaled chrysanthemum patterns and horizontal lines, and even the tsuba (handguard) is in the style of a sixteen-petaled chrysanthemum.

Looking at the distinctive katana, Qing Deng couldn't help but feign astonishment, muttering to himself:

"Kikuichimonji Norimune...!"

Exquisite sword fittings, unique decorations and tsuba... all of these point to its name—the long-lost legendary sword, Kikuichimonji Norimune!

A legendary sword representing the highest level of craftsmanship in the Kamakura period, it is the best example of the "tachi" form!

The chief took in Qing Deng's surprised expression with a satisfied look—she had been watching Qing Deng's changes in expression the whole time.

After she was satisfied, she hung the Kikuichimonji Norimune pendant on her left waist, and then solemnly untied the light blue haori tied around her waist, putting on her clothes neatly.

The hem of the haori, reaching down to the hips, fluttered like a battle flag, producing a rustling sound.

She raised her chin, raised her gaze, and scanned the enemies present. Although she was looking at them at eye level, she gave off a sense of disdain!

"I am Okita Souji, captain of the first division of the Shinsengumi!"

"Here comes my voice, you who are far away!"

Those nearby, please observe my actions quietly!

"Although I have no grudge against you, since we each serve our own masters, we have no choice but to draw our swords against each other!"

"Next, I will attack without hesitation and kill any enemy I encounter!"

"Those who value their lives, step back immediately."

"You who dare to die, bring it on!"

After shouting, she turned her head and glanced at Qingdeng behind her.

Qing Deng also looked at her at the same time.

The two exchanged glances, smiled at each other, and then looked at their enemies in front of them, one after the other.

"Natural Flow of Mind"

“Ju Qing Deng”.

"Natural Flow of Mind and Body"

"Okita Souji"

The next moment, Vairocana and Kikuichimonji Norizumi simultaneously flashed with dazzling sword light, their brilliance complementing each other.

……

……

"Quickly, go save the captain!"

Nakajima Noboru (second division vice-captain) led more than ten squad members and hurriedly headed to Nagakura Shinpachi's location.

He just received accurate intelligence: Captain Nagakura is in danger!

The Southern soldiers first used fishing nets to restrict Nagakura Shinpachi's movements, and then used a large number of muskets to fire.

This was outrageous... Nakajima, disregarding everything else, hurriedly led a group of soldiers to the rescue.

During his journey, he repeatedly prayed in his heart, from Amaterasu to the Buddha, earnestly asking the gods and Buddhas to bless Nagakura Shinpachi.

Although he was not a fisherman, he knew how troublesome it was to get tangled in a fishing net.

Breaking free from them isn't difficult, but before you regain your freedom, the enemy has plenty of time to eliminate you...

Upon realizing this, his ominous premonition grew stronger.

Just then, he suddenly saw a burly man striding toward him.

Nakajima Noboru quickly stopped and stared blankly at the other person.

"Captain Yong...?"

The visitor was none other than Nagakura Shinpachi.

He was covered in blood and grime, his face so dirty that his features were blurred together, and there were bits of fishing net hanging on his body.

"Oh, it's Nakajima. What are you doing here?"

Nakajima swallowed hard.

"I...I heard you were in danger, so I brought people here. Captain Yongcang, are you alright?"

Nagakura Shinpachi's expression revealed his understanding:

"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine."

“Those fishing nets were really troublesome, they tied my hands and feet up very tightly.”

"Fortunately, I was more skilled and managed to cut all the fishing nets wrapped around my body to shreds before they fired."

After saying that, he raised his hand and flicked away some pieces of fishing net hanging on his right shoulder.

—Can you just cut fishing nets like that? Didn't you just say that those fishing nets bound your hands and feet tightly?

Although countless questions arose in Nakajima Noboru's mind, he quickly found peace of mind.

After all, he's Nagakura Shinpachi! With his skills, it's no wonder he achieves some outrageous feats!

As for what happened to the Southern soldiers who attacked Nagakura Shinpachi, Nakajima Noboru wisely didn't ask—was there even a need to ask? Just looking at Nagakura Shinpachi's current blood-soaked appearance, one could already know the answer.

Suddenly, Nagakura Shinpachi spoke, pulling Nakajima Noboru back to reality:

"Nakajima, you've come at the right time. Come with me quickly. There's a lot of commotion over there, and they might need our support."

Before Nakajima could respond, Nagakura Shinpachi darted forward and headed towards a dense forest not far away.

Nakajima Noboru reflexively lifted his foot to follow, responding loudly:

"understand!"

……

……

"Stop! Cease fire!"

The Southern soldier, dressed as a commander, raised his hand to signal "stop".

The gunfire gradually subsided... The more than twenty musketeers at the scene released their triggers and lowered their smoking gun barrels.

Before them lay a large rock riddled with bullet holes and charred marks from gunpowder, with debris scattered everywhere.

Just now, Saito slipped behind the large rock and then remained silent.

The commander raised his arm and made a "forward" gesture.

The musketeers immediately split into two teams, approaching the large rock from the left and right, like the two jaws of a pair of pliers.

They all wore tense expressions, their palms sweating profusely, holding their muskets firmly to their chests—only by doing so could they feel a little safe—their right index fingers constantly on the trigger, ready to "fire at any moment."

Being so close to the Shinsengumi's infamous massacre site... anyone would feel immense pressure.

They moved forward inch by inch, much like a group of snails.

Finally, they successfully circled around to the back of the large rock—but there was no one there, not even Saito Hajime.

The sudden paranormal event terrified them.

At that moment, the commander suddenly felt a large hand land on his left shoulder from behind.

He instinctively turned his head to look behind him—and then he saw the sharp blade and Saito Hajime's cold, piercing eyes.

……

……

"What's this……?"

The breathtaking scene that greeted his eyes caused Hijikata Toshizo to exclaim involuntarily.

The light before him dimmed slightly—all because a staggering mountain of corpses lay before him!

This mountain of corpses contained at least thirty or forty bodies, piled up haphazardly in a disorderly fashion, reaching several meters in height.

At the "mountain top", Kondo Isami leaned on his hand in front of him, his hands folded over the hilt, his forehead resting against the tsuba, seemingly resting with his eyes closed.

After a moment, he slowly raised his head, and seeing that it was Hijikata Toshizo, he smiled slightly.

"Oh, Sui, it's you."

"Ah Sheng, this... you did this?"

Kondo Isami smiled calmly and said lightly:

"I accidentally rushed too far ahead and got surrounded."

"To be honest, I don't remember much about what happened next."

"I only remember swinging the knife incessantly, swinging it with complete absorption."

"When I came to my senses, this is what it looked like now."