I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Page 943

When he said the last sentence, his tone suddenly became firm, and the force of his response was as strong as a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

Upon hearing this, Nishino paused, then slowly forced out a dumbfounded, bitter smile:

"A free soul soaring through the vast sky... isn't that too lonely...?"

Well... that's not entirely true.

Qingdeng paused for a moment, gazing at the distant horizon, as if letting his thoughts fly to a faraway place.

"When I die someday, you'll meet me. Although I can't guarantee we'll get along."

Nishino turned his head and looked straight at Aoto, the emotions in his eyes hard to fathom.

A moment later, he slowly turned his face and gaze back to the front—Qing Deng couldn't see the expression he had etched.

“Ju Qing Deng”.

He remained calm and composed, but his tone carried a hint of relief.

"Thank you."

The moment the words left his mouth, the gleaming blade plunged into his abdomen!

Without uttering a sound, Nishino slowly pulled the blade down to his right abdomen.

As he completed his "Ichimonjigiri" (one-stroke cut), and Qing Deng prepared to sever his head—

"Wait...!"

Nishino gave a low shout.

At the same time, he pulled the wakizashi out of his abdomen, lowered the tip of the blade slightly with trembling hands, and then put the blade back into his abdomen.

Upon seeing this, everyone present, including Qing Deng, changed their expressions.

Akutsu murmured:

"Hey, hey, he wouldn't be thinking of..."

Ebina, standing to the side, looked stern:

"Sanmonjiri...!"

Generally speaking, there are three main methods of seppuku: the "one-character cut," the "cross-character cut," and the "three-character cut."

As the name suggests, "one-character cut" is a horizontal cut on the stomach; "cross-character cut" is a cross cut on the stomach; and "three-character cut" is a three-character cut.

Among them, the "three-stroke cut" which requires three horizontal cuts is the most difficult and painful.

Throughout Japanese history, no one has ever successfully committed suicide using the "three-character cut" technique.

Nishino's face was as red as if it had been roasted by fire, countless veins throbbed on his forehead, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

Even so, he still gripped the hilt tightly and steadfastly dragged the blade.

Finally, he cut out the second "一" character.

Without pausing for breath, without stopping—he pulled the knife out a second time, and a third time plunged it into his abdomen…

Nishino's face turned as dark as mud. He clenched his teeth to keep the blood from spitting out of his mouth, so only clumps of bloody foam flowed from the corners of his lips.

Anyone who saw it knew that Nishino was out of strength... He was now relying entirely on willpower to wield the knife.

At this moment, everyone present—whether it was Aoto, Ebina, Sanako and Souji, Ichinose and Akutsu—all focused their gazes, each with its own distinct emotions, on Nishino.

The riverbank was completely silent, except for the exceptionally loud sound of a blade cutting through skin and internal organs.

Finally... the third "一" character took shape.

Thus ended the "three-character cut"—Nishino remained completely silent throughout.

For the third and final time, he pulled out the wakizashi, placed it in front of his knees, and then straightened his back, raising his head and puffing out his chest.

There was no pain, no sorrow.

There is only resignation, only liberation.

Such an attitude and such an expression do not resemble a person waiting to be executed, but rather an innocent yet proud child.

"Niou... attack...!"

Qing Deng held his sword steady with a blank expression.

In an instant, the silver light fell...

……

Aoto gently covered Nishino's body with the haori he had taken off.

At the same time, Ebina stepped forward, squatted down, and tightly grasped Nishino's left hand.

Qingdeng originally thought he was going to recite Buddhist scriptures, but to his surprise, he said in a solemn tone:

"My child, you did a wonderful job. You've worked so hard."

"Sleep, sleep, rest quietly."

"Go, go, cross the Sanzu River."

"The flame of your will that you left behind will become our strength."

"I promise you, we will surely win a complete victory in this great struggle!"

Ebina, with his solemn expression, looked just like a priest in a confessional.

His every move and every word he uttered exuded a strong sense of sacredness.

As Ebina released Nishino's hand and stood up, Aoto couldn't help but ask:

"Is this your own personal eulogy for the Salt Party?"

"Pretty much. Whenever a comrade sacrifices his life, we read this eulogy to him."

"Is Nishino also a member of the Ooshio Party?"

"Although he is not a member of the Great Salt Party, he is our comrade. Deep in Nishino's heart lies the same ideal as ours."

At this point, Ebina revealed a frank smile.

"As long as we share the same ideals, we are comrades."

"...There's a reason why you've survived the shogunate's relentless attacks until now."

"Thank you for the compliment. Okay, now... let's get back to business."

Ebina turned around and looked straight at Aoto.

At this moment, Sanako and Souji stood back behind Aoto.

"Lord Niou, let me get straight to the point—why are you picking a fight with Phoenix House Yataro?"

"...Mr. Ebina, I can tell you the reason. But in return, please be frank with me after I finish speaking."

As soon as Qing Deng said this, it immediately drew surprised looks from Sanako and Souji.

The commander-in-chief quickly replied:

"Tachibana-kun..."

Before she could finish speaking, Qing Deng interrupted her, saying:

“It’s alright. Although it’s not exactly a reason, I guess the reason why the Big Salt Party is targeting Phoenix House Yataro is the same as ours.”

At this point, Qingdeng's lips curled slightly.

At the same time, Ebina also smiled.

"That's quite a coincidence. Your Majesty, our thoughts are exactly the same."

"Then I won't beat around the bush—Mr. Ebina, are you familiar with the concepts of 'punishing the party with law' and 'illusory attachment'?"

……

Qingdeng selectively recounted everything he knew.

All content related to the Tenshōin and the new Imperial Household Agency was avoided.

The identities of the "bodyguards" on the left and right... namely, Sanako and Souji, were not even mentioned.

He emphasized his own grudges against the Fazhu Party, the Shimizu clan, and the Huanfudian.

After Qing Deng had told him everything he could and should discuss, Ebina kept his promise and began to share with Qing Deng and the others the details of their side and the intelligence they had gathered.

What he said was not much different from what Qing Deng said.

"How could this happen..."

Ebina smiled bitterly.

"Two groups of people who had previously had almost no interaction have simultaneously launched an attack on the Fa Shi Party..."

Qing Deng nodded in deep agreement—such a dramatic development was truly unexpected.

At this moment, someone made an impatient sound:

So... what's the situation now?

Akutsu turned his head and gestured towards Phoenix House Yataro, who had been hiding to the side, huddled up and trembling, since earlier.

"What should we do with this fat pig... We can't just chop him in half and give each of us a piece, can we?"

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-!"

"Akutsu, don't scare him."

"Ichinose said helplessly."