A person in Japan, a sword that soars to immortality.

Chapter 182 Yukimura Tsuru: My Shinsengumi brothers all love me!

While Yamanami Keisuke was having fun with the geisha Akari, in the room next to him, a man drinking while being served by a geisha had a furrowed brow and a serious expression.

"This warrior named Taihao, does he really have such great strength?"

"So, if Kenshin were to face him, could he win?"

It can't be that exaggerated, right? Otherwise...

Should we let Kenshin try?

The moment that thought crossed my mind, I immediately cut it off.

Forget it. Kenshin is more important to Katsura Kogoro than any other samurai; he is the most crucial element in his martial arts career.

Indeed, Katsura Kogoro himself was a famous swordsman. Although he was born in the Choshu Domain, he made a name for himself in Edo with his swordsmanship.

More importantly, he learned his martial arts of internal energy in Edo!

However, the person she was learning from was not one of the masters of Kennogami, but a shrine maiden from the Sendai Domain.

“Master, I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I’ll have to fulfill the vow I made to you in another way.”

After glancing at the white snake tattoo on his wrist, Katsura Kogoro's eyes were momentarily confused before he resumed his cheerful and talkative demeanor.

Pretending nothing had happened, he continued drinking and chatting with the geisha, Ikatsu.

But when he spoke, his eyes revealed a hint of helplessness and a burning passion.

Since Edo, I have witnessed the powerful ships and cannons of America blast open the gates of Japan, and forced the arrogant Tokugawa Shogunate, which had ruled the country for three hundred years, to grovel and sue for peace.

These events deeply affected him and caused him to waver greatly in his resolve regarding the knife in his hand.

Can something like this really change the world?

Sword energy—his own sword energy, though it could travel several meters away from his body, could cut through huge rocks five or six meters in diameter.

However, this kind of attack cannot be used without limit.

Is smashing rocks impressive? Of course it is. For an ordinary person, it's something they could never accomplish in their entire life, and even a samurai couldn't do it.

But his swordsmanship, which he was so proud of, looked so ridiculous in the face of the foreigners' ironclad warships and giant cannons.

With hundreds of giant cannons firing simultaneously, not only rocks, but even city walls could be reduced to dust.

And those all-black ironclad warships, like monsters floating on the sea, make people tremble and break out in a cold sweat just by looking at them.

And the enemy had four of these monsters!

He even heard that these iron-framed monsters were considered junk products in the foreigners' homelands, where there were even bigger, more powerful, and more numerous ironclad warships!

"Kenshin, your dream was once my dream too."

"Everyone wants to change the world with their swordsmanship and the blade in their hands, but..."

"I have seen a wider world and witnessed a more magnificent power, so I place my dreams on you."

Stroking his long-unsheathed sword, Osafune Kiyomitsu, Katsura Kogoro knew that perhaps it was time to give it a new owner.

The image of Kenshin's red hair, his eyes full of fighting spirit, his indomitable will, and his unwavering martial spirit echoed in my mind.

At that moment, Katsura Kogoro felt that his dream should be realized in two parts.

To change this world, a rebellion is needed, and the swordsman's dream is entrusted to Kenshin.

"Therefore, Kenshin's current strength is not enough to fight against that warrior named Taihao."

In Edo, he had the privilege of witnessing a samurai competition of the Yamada Asaemon family, a demonstration of swordsmanship by top experts.

Although he was far inferior to his opponent at the time, he could still feel the gap between himself and a master swordsman.

Now that Kenshin is his own "sword," he has a very good understanding of his opponent's strength.

Therefore, sending Kenshin to deal with Taihao, whose strength is equivalent to that of a master swordsman, would be too risky.

"We can't rush things now. Let Kenshin train some more first."

Katsura Kogoro shook his head, feeling quite helpless, but also filled with hope for Kenshin.

......

Time passed, and it was now 1864.

After a year of fighting and growth in Kyoto, Kondo Isami and his companions have made significant progress in both their mental fortitude and martial arts skills.

And they finally got their wish, receiving rewards from the officials in the capital, including a salary and a new name.

Shinsengumi!

Nishi Honganji Temple.

A general meeting of the newly formed troop was being held in the building that had been officially designated as the troop headquarters.

Kondo Isami sat at the head of the table, with a long table in front of him, flanked by Hijikata Toshizo, Okita Souji, Todo Heisuke, and others.

Of course, over the past year, they have lost some combat power, but also gained even stronger combat power.

Saito Hajime, Ito Kashitaro!

The former is a swordsman from a mysterious school, while the latter is the master of the Hokushin Itto-ryu school!

Furthermore, Ito Kashitaro's strength is no weaker than that of veteran members like Kondo Isami. There are even rumors that when he goes all out, his strength can surpass that of the genius swordsman Okita Souji!

"Everyone."

Kondo Isami sat upright with his hands on his knees, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room before he said in a deep voice:

"The situation is getting worse and worse."

"Without Chief Serizawa Kamo, even though I'm leading the Shinsengumi, the security situation in Kyoto hasn't improved. There are still all sorts of assassination attempts happening one after another."

"I am deeply sorry for this; it is all due to my poor leadership."

After saying this, he first lowered his head and began to apologize to everyone.

"Ahem, Director, I don't think it's your fault." Yamanami Keiji adjusted his glasses, a glint of light flashing across the lenses, then a slight smile curved his lips as he continued:

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Chief Serizawa Kamo, but with the arrival of Ito Kashitaro and Saito Hajime, and including our current team members, we now have over 200 members."

"With all of these combined, I believe that the Shinsengumi will be able to completely eradicate the chaos in Kyoto."

After Yamanami Keisuke finished speaking, he first glanced at Ito Kashitaro, who returned a grateful look.

Following his words, the others began to discuss the matter, and most of their comments were positive, expressing great optimism about the future of the Shinsengumi.

Only one person stood out from the others, sitting in the corner with a worried expression.

Okita Souji wasn't the only one who noticed her unusual behavior; Hijikata Toshizo, Todo Heisuke, and Harada Sanosuke were also among those who noticed.

Kondo Isami also noticed the looks in their eyes. Seeing how much they cared about Yukimura Chizuru, his mood immediately sank to the bottom.

"Chizuru, why are you so unhappy?"

Okita Souji shifted back, leaned over, and asked with a concerned expression.

"because......"

Yukimura Chizuru raised her small pink fist, lowered her head, and placed it in front of her lips, her eyes filled with worry.

"Speak boldly, I'll be the first to not allow anyone to bully you!"

Harada Sanosuke, with his chest muscles exposed, wearing a mandarin jacket, and his abdomen half-wrapped, spoke with a fierce expression.

"Zanosuke, please don't do this!" Yukimura Chizuru looked up at him gently, her voice full of reproach as she spoke:

"No one is bullying me, and even if someone is, you can't let Sanosuke do that!"

"I don't want you to be in danger."

"What I'm worried about is that swordsman named Battosai."

"I've heard that people have been dying by his sword every day these past few days."

"Tonight, I'm afraid something terrible will happen again!"