I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"If we don't deal with Genjuro, there's no way we can even talk about entering Rakshasa's bedroom."

"However, Genjuro was an extremely dull man, like a stone."

"He has neither personal interests nor obvious personality weaknesses."

"His only hobby was to follow the Rakshasa's orders and obey the Rakshasa's commands."

“As long as the Rakshasa commands him to guard the bedroom, he can stand like a stone statue in front of the bedroom door, never leaving it.”

"In short—he is not someone who can be dealt with by trickery or deception."

"The only way to break through Genjuro's guard is to use force."

"However, my skills are mediocre."

"And Genjuro is a master of the Shinto Munen-ryu style."

"Even if ten of me attacked together, we still wouldn't be able to defeat him."

"Therefore—Nishino-kun, I need your help."

"With your cooperation, Genjuro could be easily subdued."

“I’ve calculated that the Rakshasa, who loves talent so much, will definitely imprison you in order to subdue you.”

"The reason I deceived you, gave you the special black tea, and pretended to arrest you... all of this was for today."

"Only in this way can I smoothly bring you into the Rakshasa's stronghold."

After my grandson finished speaking, the cell fell silent.

Nishino stared intently at my grandson's face.

My grandson, with a faint smile on his lips, waited silently for Nishino's reply.

About five seconds later, Nishino spoke up:

"...You want me to help you? You're dreaming!"

"First of all, why should I believe you?"

Nishino took two steps back and spread his arms so that my grandson could see his full appearance.

"Look at me, who did I have to thank to end up in this miserable state?"

"My grandson, you really fooled me so badly before."

How do I know whether what you just said is true or false?

"How can I be sure you're not some Rakshasa sent to test my loyalty?"

"You're a member of the Ōshio Party? I could say I'm the Grand Chancellor of the Kyoto Imperial Court, and Yotatsu of the Ōoku!"

[Note: *Daijōkan: In the Edo period, a close attendant of the Emperor. *Ōoku: The harem of the Shogun, specifically the residence of the Tokugawa Shogun's mother, principal wife, concubines, and various female officials. *Yōtatsu: The title of the official responsible for purchasing various supplies for the Ōoku.]

"Even if I concede and assume you're not lying, and you truly are a spy planted by the Great Salt Party within the Faju Party..."

At this point, Nishino paused, then raised his gaze and cast an undisguised look of disdain at Abiko in front of him.

"How is this any different for me from before?"

"You and the Party that punishes the law are no different; all crows under heaven are black!"

"Whether you're a member of the Great Salt Party or the Law Punishment Party, in my eyes you're all the same—traitors and collaborators with the enemy!"

"You're not trying to say that because your actions are more lenient than the punishment of factions, you're more trustworthy, are you?"

After speaking, Nishino waved his hand impatiently, as if he was too lazy to waste any more words on my grandson.

"Get out of here! I'd rather die than associate with you!"

Nishino's words were truly powerful and resounding.

The brief silence was my grandson's bitter smile.

"...Indeed, as you said, I really cannot prove my innocence."

"The only thing I can do right now is to swear to you: I really didn't lie to you this time."

"As for the saying 'all crows are black'... that's a gross exaggeration."

My grandson switched to a half-joking tone:

"To equate the Great Salt Party with the Fa-ju Party is an insult to us."

“Nishino-kun, I ask you: Do you think our spiritual leader…that is, Mr. Ōshio Heihachirō, is a despicable and shameless villain?”

As soon as my grandson finished speaking, Nishino instinctively opened his mouth—Of course! Ōshio Heihachirō is a heinous traitor! —That was what he wanted to say.

However... after opening his mouth, he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

Ōshio Heihachirō was a member of a samurai family. Having enjoyed a life of luxury since childhood, he should have been loyal to his country. However, instead of serving his country wholeheartedly, he betrayed it and engaged in military espionage. From this perspective, he was indeed a shameless and deeply sinful person.

[Note: "Bakuroku" refers to the stipend or salary of the shogunate.]

But... it cannot be denied that Ōshio Heihachirō's private morality was quite perfect.

Perfect enough to be called a samurai... no, a model of humanity!

My grandson, as if reading Nishino's mind, smiled slightly and said slowly:

"Mr. Daishio was well-versed in Chinese studies. He could readily apply his knowledge to both traditional Confucianism, represented by the Four Books and Five Classics, and Yangming's philosophy of mind, which emphasizes the unity of knowledge and action."

"In the sixth year of the Bunsei era (1823), Mr. Daishio opened a school in his home, named it "Xixindong", and formulated eight articles of oath for enrollment, eliminating empty theories and strictly implementing the tenet of Daishio School - pragmatism."

"Countless disciples came to study under Mr. Daiyan because they admired his character and knowledge."

"Mr. Daiyan's teaching philosophy profoundly embodies Confucius's advocacy of 'education for all'."

"Besides the samurai from martial families, many of the disciples of the Shinshin-dong sect are poor people from farming families near Osaka."

"How many high-ranking samurai in the world would treat farmers and townspeople covered in sweat and grime with equality?"

"Master Da Yan, who has hundreds of disciples, can live a life of luxury with just his tuition fees."

[Note: "束脩" refers to the custom of students presenting gifts to their teachers as a sign of respect. This practice, known as "束脩," was already established during Confucius's time and later became a fixed form of apprenticeship fee, which can also be understood as tuition.]

"He could have ignored the lives of the poor at the bottom of society."

"He could have shut himself in and lived a peaceful life."

"He could have been high above the clouds, enjoying delicious food in one hand and beautiful women in the other, watching the poor people writhing and struggling in the mud make fools of him."

But he simply didn't do that.

"When the Great Famine of Tianbao swept across the country, he sold all the books in his house and donated all the proceeds."

"When the poor were driven to desperation by famine and the shogunate's exorbitant taxes, he resolutely stepped forward and rose up in rebellion."

"Nishino-kun, do you think that the erudite and insightful Mr. Ōshio doesn't know that this battle is doomed to failure?"

"Do you think he didn't know that after raising his voice, he would inevitably meet a tragic end?"

"Why is Mr. Daishio doing this?"

The questions my grandson posed were like sharp arrows, piercing straight into Nishino's heart.

When he came to his senses, he found himself unconsciously lowering his head, his gaze fixed on the ground in front of his toes.

Erudition, humility, benevolence... To be fair, the qualities possessed by Ōshio Heihachirō are exactly what Nishino, who aspires to become an outstanding samurai, admires.

If Ōshio Heihachirō had not led the people in rebellion, then without a doubt, he would have become the idol that Nishino admired, longed for, and strived to emulate.

“It’s okay if you don’t agree with our ideology of opposing the Edo Shogunate.”

"Everyone has their own ambitions, and we do not force everyone to be as hostile to the shogunate as we are."

"But Mr. Daishio's ideal... the ideal of our Daishio Party to create a peaceful and prosperous world, you wouldn't object to that, would you?"

"Just consider this a temporary alliance with us."

"After listening to my explanation, you should understand the harmfulness of hallucinogenic substances, right?"

"Even if it's just to save the innocent people poisoned by the illusionary poison, please lend a helping hand."

As soon as he finished speaking, my grandson revealed a knowing, enigmatic expression.

At this moment, he was focused on only one thing—paying close attention to Nishino's expression and reactions.

Nishino: "..."

My grandson: "..."

Silence fell between the two.

The cell where Nishino was located and the corridor where my grandson was located were both so quiet you could hear a pin drop...

……

……

Let's go back to the present—

Genjuro placed his left hand on his sword and his right hand on his hip, scanning his surroundings expressionlessly.

Even in the tedious task of guarding the goal, he never slacked off—this was both his excellent personal ability and his unwavering loyalty to Rakshasa.

At that moment, a hurried male voice suddenly came from beside him:

"Genjuro! Is Lord Rakshasa here?"

"My grandson?"

Genjuro raised an eyebrow and cast a questioning glance at his grandson, who was running towards him at a fast pace.

"Lord Rakshasa is out and not here for the time being. What's wrong?"

"Tsk! Lord Rakshasa isn't here... This is troublesome. Why did she have to be gone at this exact moment... In that case, I'll come back later... cough! cough! cough cough!"

Suddenly, my grandson knelt down, covered his mouth and nose with his hands, and coughed violently.

The cough was so loud and frequent that it sounded like the lungs were about to be vomited out.

Genjuro was greatly surprised when he saw this.

"Hey! My grandson! What's wrong? Hey! Hey!"

He asked questions anxiously while kneeling down and bowing to personally examine my grandson's physical condition.