I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Page 805

"So, is there any news about Tachibana-kun yet?"

Miyagawa Shunzo asked anxiously.

Kondo Isami shook his head.

“We’ve been searching diligently these past few days, but…”

Kondo didn't finish his sentence.

There was no need to continue speaking; he had already accurately conveyed what he wanted to express to the other party.

After hearing this, Miyagawa Shunzo slowly lowered his head.

"How could this be... So many days have passed, and we still haven't found Tachibana-kun...?"

As he uttered this hesitant and uncertain murmur, the atmosphere at the scene instantly changed.

To prevent a negative impact on morale, everyone has been consciously avoiding the harsh reality that "despite working tirelessly day and night, we are still achieving nothing."

In an instant, everyone began to show unpleasant expressions.

Miyagawa Shunzo noticed that the surroundings had suddenly become very quiet, and then belatedly realized that he had inadvertently said the wrong thing.

Feeling deeply ashamed, he was so embarrassed that he didn't even know what to do with his hands.

Seeing this, Sanako couldn't help but furrow her brows.

She was also very worried about Qingdeng's safety.

But the "warrior's" pride compels her to never show weakness, no matter when or where she is.

Her strong personality, which is very strict with herself and others, was brought into play at this moment.

Just as she was pondering how to admonish everyone not to be secretly saddened and act like a spoiled girl, a calm, neutral voice preemptively lifted the heavy atmosphere.

"Although Tachibana-kun is still missing, he will definitely be alright."

A moment later, everyone present, including Sanako, turned their faces to the side.

A barrage of questioning or surprised gazes fell directly on the girl who liked to wear purple and had her hair tied in a high ponytail.

The commander smiled slightly and continued the conversation:

"Tachibana-kun is 'Nioh', you know."

"His specialty is to accomplish what ordinary people cannot."

"Although it's just a premonition, I firmly believe that it won't be long before Tachibana-kun returns to us safe and sound."

The commander spoke calmly, his tone far from impassioned.

Strangely, every word she uttered seemed to contain an indescribable, special power.

As she finished speaking, everyone, from Kondo and others who were familiar with Souji to Miyagawa Shunzo who didn't know Souji at all, regained their composure.

"Hmm...that makes sense."

Miyagawa Shunzo let out a long breath.

"Tachibana-kun is no longer the naive boy I knew."

"He has grown into an excellent warrior!"

"It has only been two years since I last saw Ju-kun, but his dramatic changes have made me deeply understand what it means to 'look at a person with new eyes after three days of separation'."

Miyagawa Shunzo paused for a moment, then put on a deeply emotional expression.

"It wasn't until last autumn that I heard about Tachibana-kun's deeds and the many great achievements he made."

"To be honest, although I knew long ago that a man like Tachibana-kun would definitely achieve something in the future."

"But I never expected... that he would be so successful."

"The only flaw of Tachibana-kun used to be that he was too dull and inflexible."

"He is very intelligent and quick to understand, but he is a bit slow to mature, so he often gives people the impression of being dull."

"I have always firmly believed that as long as we give Ju Jun time and let him experience more, and let his childishness fade away, he will at least grow into a reliable man, if not soar to great heights."

At this point, Miyagawa Shunzo seemed to recall some painful memory and let out a heavy sigh.

"Sigh! I had hoped that Shimi could marry Tachibana-kun. Tachibana-kun would definitely be a husband worth entrusting one's life to, but... sigh, never mind, let bygones be bygones."

The "Ashi" that Miyagawa Shunzo mentioned was naturally referring to Otsuki Minoru.

Ironically, Miyagawa Shunzo was so engrossed in his regret that he didn't notice that the moment he uttered the words, "I had hoped that Ami and Tachibana would become husband and wife," the expressions of three girls present immediately became slightly unnatural.

However, this is only temporary.

In just a short while, the three girls had each regulated their emotions.

By the way, speaking of Miss Otsuki... didn't she come to Edo with her father? Sanako thought to herself as she looked at Miyagawa Shunzo, who was all alone.

Although she only spent half a day with Ootsuki Minoru, she was still someone she knew.

With this thought in mind, Sanako opened her lips and asked:

"Mr. Miyagawa, where is Miss Otsuki? Didn't she come to Edo with you?"

"Oh... her..."

Miyagawa Shunzo gave a wry smile.

"She said she never wanted to set foot in Edo again in her life."

Upon hearing this, Sanako wisely refrained from uttering a word and simply nodded slightly.

Her husband was kidnapped by Kitahara Konosuke, a member of the Shimizu clan; she desperately sought help from all sides; after finally getting Aoto's help and rescuing her husband with great difficulty, she discovered that the reason her husband was kidnapped was because he had an affair with Kitahara Konosuke's lover...

The experiences that Minoru Otsuki went through can only be described as "unbearable to recall".

It's understandable that she doesn't want to set foot in the city that brought her countless sad memories and deep psychological trauma again.

Of course, whether the real reason why Ōtsuki Minoru didn't want to come to Edo again was because of the immense, irreparable harm inflicted on her by the Shimizu clan and her husband, or because she was ashamed to see the man who was no longer the same person she knew and whom she could only look up to, Sanako could not know.

After a brief pause, Miyagawa Shunzo continued:

"To be honest, Shi doesn't have the energy to come to Edo now."

"Her relationship with Changci... ah, that is, with her husband, has been very strained lately."

"Until she reconciles with Tokiji, she probably won't be able to take care of anything else."

"Alas...it's my fault for not raising my daughter well..."

“I spoiled her too much, which is why she developed this willful personality.”

"She's always like this; she never tells me what she's going to do beforehand."

"This is how you find a man."

"The same applies to this trip to Edo."

"This is insane! How can anyone do business with the Yakuza... especially with a Yakuza group like the Shimizu clan... This is like dancing on a fire!!"

Miyagawa Shunzo clenched his fists, looking indignant and disappointed, but he managed to suppress his inner turmoil with his strong self-control.

"Ah, sorry, I lost my composure..."

"From talking about Mr. Tachibana to my daughter... that's quite a leap in topics."

After making a harmless joke, Miyagawa Shunzo straightened his back and solemnly declared:

“Tachibana-kun is Takayuki’s only son, and I watched him grow up.”

"He is in trouble right now, so I should step forward without hesitation."

Please allow me to do my part!

"Although I don't have any great skills, I do have the ability to search the streets and alleys and find people by following clues!"

The members of the "Support Orange Alliance" never think they have too many helpers.

Having one more person willing to help is a wonderful thing.

Kondo, Hijikata, and Chiba Jutaro all spoke up to welcome Miyagawa Shunzo's joining.

"If you find Tachibana-kun, please be sure to come and let me know."

Shunzo Miyagawa added.

"I live in Otcho-fu at Sendai-ya, Kencho 1-chome!"

……

Edo, Tsukimiya Shrine—

Qingdeng strode through the winding, complex corridors and soon arrived at an exquisite door with a dim candlelight emanating from a crack in its edge.

"Your Highness, it's me."

As soon as Qingdeng finished speaking, a faint response came from inside the room:

"Come in."

After receiving permission to enter, Qing Deng pushed open the door with exceptionally gentle movements.

Inside the room, Tenshōin sat alone at a table piled high with various books.

As the door opened and closed, she shifted her knees to face Qingdeng.

"Sheng Qing, welcome back. Hmm? You were fighting someone?"

Tenshōin noticed the bloodstains on Aoto's body.

"That's a long story."

Qingdeng replied.

"In short, tonight was very fruitful."

Upon hearing this, Tenshōin did not ask any further questions.