I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

“I know you too; you’re also a member of the Big Salt Party.”

"Yes. We're colleagues, you know."

As he spoke, Shintaro Toujo carefully examined Sozo Sagara's entire body—his forehead, neck, arms, and other parts were wrapped in thick burlap, clearly indicating that he had been through countless fierce battles.

"...Sōzō Sagara, you're really working hard."

"You're not bad either."

As Sagara Sozo spoke, he looked down at Toujou Shintaro's leg injury, which was almost stitched up.

Shintaro Toujou shrugged and said half-jokingly:

“We are clearly members of the Salt Party, yet we are all working harder than the last when it comes to aiding the Zuo family.”

Souzo Sagara twitched the corners of his mouth, a calm smile slowly appearing:

"These people are fighting so hard; it would be outrageous for us to be timid and hesitant."

After pausing for a moment and pondering for a while, Sagara Sou continued in a firm tone:

"Shintaro Tojo, I've made up my mind. After this battle, I will leave the Ooshio Party and join the Safu faction."

"The ideals of the Zuo family coincide with my own aspirations."

“I once thought Saigo Kichinosuke was an outstanding and wise leader—which proves that I have no reliable judgment of people.”

"I don't know if the Zuo family is worth following—but since so many people are willing to fight for him, I'm willing to trust their choice!"

After saying that, Sagara Sozo scanned the wounded around him with his sharp eyes.

Shintaro Toujou stared blankly at Souzo Sagara without blinking.

A moment later, he pulled down the corners of his mouth, revealing a self-deprecating bitter smile:

"You're all so dazzling that I just want to look away..."

Sōraku Sōsan smiled:

"Thank you for the compliment. Shintaro Toujou, I'll be going now."

After leaving those words, Sagara Sozo turned and left.

However, he had only taken two steps when Shintaro Toujou suddenly called out to him:

"...Sagaru-kun, please wait a moment. Do you have a knife? I'd like to borrow it."

……

……

Dajin City, North Wall, a battlefield somewhere—

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"A few more are coming! We can't hold them off any longer!"

"You'll have to figure it out yourselves! We simply don't have enough manpower available!"

……

Shimada Kai (the vice-captain of the First Division) clicked his tongue, his face full of anxiety.

On the battlefield, where blood and flesh were flying everywhere, the defending army's lines were showing signs of collapse.

Shimada Kai has no reserves left. If no reinforcements arrive, the front line here will collapse completely in just 10 minutes!

"...Damn it! I'll fight!"

He gritted his teeth and drew his sword—since he had no reserves left, he would be the last reserve!

In a split second, he shifted his feet, rushed forward, and launched a desperate attack.

Although he was very brave, his personal involvement in the battle could not fundamentally change the situation.

Having given his all, Shimada Kai could only watch helplessly as his comrades fell one by one, and watch in despair as the defensive line collapsed...

At this critical moment—

call out! !

Beside Shimada Kai, a large spear drew a crescent-shaped arc, cutting several enemy soldiers into shattered remains!

Bathed in the pouring rain of blood, Shimada Kai stared blankly at the suddenly appearing fat man.

"Toujou...kun?"

It's no wonder that Shimada Kai was so surprised—the Toujou Shintaro in front of him was no longer the disheveled and decadent figure he once was.

He shaved his beard, washed his face, and combed his hair meticulously.

Compared to his appearance, the change in his spirit was even more significant—his eyes shone with a bright, spirited brilliance!

Even his bulky physique and numerous wounds could not conceal his heroic spirit!

Sagara Sozo slowly arrived at the battlefield half a step away from Tojo Shintaro.

The terrifying destructive power of a single shot, which sent several people flying, deeply shocked the enemies present.

In an instant, a barrage of terrified gazes focused on Shintaro Tojo.

Taking advantage of this moment, Shintaro Toujou calmly surveyed the entire scene.

Before them stretched a vast horde of enemy soldiers, their faces contorted in a ferocious and vicious manner.

Behind him were the people who fought alongside him.

Yes, it's different from 29 years ago... This time, I stand with the people!

"...Sōzō Sagara, have you ever encountered a place where you would be willing to risk your life 'here'?"

Before Xiang Lezong could reply, he continued on his own:

"I've found... a place worth risking my life for, right here!"

The next moment, he took a deep breath and, with a look of triumph, called out the name he hadn't heard for thirty years—

"Kazami Kazuma, the 'Naniwa Kirin' (a prodigy), reporting for duty!"

Shintaro Toujou... no, Kazuma Kazami raised his spear and strode towards his destiny!

*******

*******

New book countdown: 5 days!

My new book is being released after three and a half years... Although it's a work I'm confident in, I'm still so nervous... (nervous leopard.jpg) I was so nervous last night that I couldn't sleep... (crying leopard head.jpg)

Chapter 1189 Ogata Itsuki and reinforcements have arrived!

Otsu Castle, North Wall, somewhere—

Because the city walls here were the most thoroughly destroyed, they suffered the most intense attacks!

A messenger braved the hail of artillery fire, traversing layers of fire lines, and finally found Qingdeng.

"Lord Niou! Captain Okita has been taken to the rear due to exhaustion!"

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng's expression changed slightly, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on the knife.

"……I see."

After responding with this expressionless indifference, he quickly composed himself, suppressed the distracting thoughts in his mind, and then, without turning around, called out to Ozeki Masajiro behind him:

"Masajiro! Stay close to me!"

"Yes!"

After shouting, Masajiro Ozeki forcefully raised the military flag in his hand, and the huge character "诚" (chéng, meaning sincerity) fluttered in the wind.

Because of his great strength, good physique, and good looks, Masajiro Ozeki has always served as the standard-bearer of the Shinsengumi and has never been replaced.

To boost morale, Aoto specially transferred Ozeki Masajiro to carry the Honesty Flag and keep him by his side at all times.

In this way, the soldiers can see the fluttering banner of sincerity as soon as they look up, and then they can see the benevolent king leading the way!

In the blink of an eye, Qing Deng charged forward, unleashing streaks of dark purple sword light that emanated from him and spread outwards.

In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen enemy soldiers collapsed, spitting blood.

However... his bloody battles only gave him an advantage in the battles around him.

The situation in other positions remains far from optimistic!

The thing Qingdeng feared most still happened—no matter how powerful he was, he couldn't possibly cover every battlefield!

The reason this battle was so difficult was largely due to the British army's significant advantage in firearms.

Even Qingdeng often found it difficult to defend against sniper shots and artillery fire, let alone others.

The bravery and tenacity of the city's defenders are a perfect example of the word "unyielding".

But... they really reached their limit.

The battle lines retreated again and again, and they were about to give up the area around the city walls.

If we retreat any further, we'll have to retreat into the main castle!

Qingdeng alone was simply not enough to fundamentally change the course of the war.

The phrase "pressing down one gourd only to have another pop up" perfectly describes Qing Deng's valiant struggle—he had already calculated that even if he used his trump card, "the state of no self," he wouldn't be able to repel all the enemy forces from all directions before exhausting his strength.

He had already deployed his cavalry, his trump card, and had no reserves left.

With no reserves, the enemy was still advancing and the front line was still retreating... For Qingdeng and the defenders in the city, the moment of life and death had arrived!

At that moment, Harada Sanosuke, carrying his blood-dripping spear, hurriedly ran towards Aoto:

"Mr. Tachibana! A-Yi's situation isn't good! Please let me go help!"

Qingdeng nodded vigorously without hesitation:

"Okay, it's up to you!"

Harada Sanosuke grinned: