I formed the strongest swordsman group

"..."

"..."

"..."

There was silence inside and outside the formation.

No one spoke.

No one wailed.

Everyone has turned into clay and wood sculptures.

Everyone lowered their heads and avoided looking at each other.

It seems that as long as their eyes meet, they will see the filth in each other's eyes that is difficult to look directly at.

Genrui Kusaka, who was always high-spirited on weekdays, was slumped on the horse in despair, his head drooped, the bones in his waist seemed to have softened, and his whole person was in a state of malaise.

Because it is obscured by shadows, people cannot clearly see the expression on it.

In fact, no one at the scene was surprised at all by this result.

This is why after hearing the bad news, no one took any drastic action and everyone was calm.

Anyone with a normal mind, anyone with a little knowledge of the Shinsengumi, would not know that - how could the Tenchu ​​Group, which is a patchwork of people and doesn't even have a leader who can convince the crowd, be the new one? Choose your opponent!

It's just that... although their rationality has kept up with reality, their sensibility cannot accept such a reality...

They really couldn't accept... no, it should be said that they were unable to "evacuate Kyoto and return to the country in defeat". The tragic consequences!

If they just evacuate like this, all the efforts they have made in recent years for the Choshu Domain and to respect the king and repel the barbarians will be in vain!

In addition, he would have to bear the reputation of being "disloyal" and "holding the emperor hostage".

Some far-sighted people have already seen that the shogunate will most likely take this opportunity to launch the "Marshal Campaign"! Completely annihilate the Choshu clan!

Compared to the very human-like previous shogun (Tokugawa Iesada), the currently reigning Tokugawa Iemo is indeed a rare hero - even those who hate the shogunate deeply have to admit this fact.

Although he is still very young and his qualifications and prestige are still insufficient, his various performances so far have made the supporters of the shogunate see the hope of ZTE.

Now, the shogunate has the right to declare war on Choshu, and the conditions for launching a war are complete.

Based on Tokugawa Iemo's decisive character, it was impossible for him not to take this opportunity to launch a fatal blow to the Choshu Domain and eliminate this major hidden danger in one fell swoop.

Although based on the current comprehensive strength of the shogunate, if it wants to launch a western expedition that can wipe out Choshu, it will take at least a year and a half to prepare.

However, this also means that Choshu will next make long and careful preparations to meet the shogunate's expeditionary army.

To be honest, it is a question whether Choshu can withstand the all-out onslaught of the Tokugawa army, let alone return to Kyoto.

Even if they finally regain control of Kyoto, they don't know that they will have to wait until the Year of the Monkey and the Horse Moon...

Just when everyone was dumbfounded, someone took the lead in breaking the silence:

"...That's enough, let's call it a day."

As soon as these words came out, everyone at the scene, including Genrui Kusaka, turned to look at the owner of the voice - Katsura Kogoro.

Facing everyone's dull gazes, Katsura Kogoro said slowly and calmly:

"The Tenchu ​​Group has been defeated."

"As much as I hate to admit it... we did lose."

"In the absence of strong foreign aid, we simply cannot compete with the Huisa coalition with our own strength."

"If we don't retreat, we will follow in the footsteps of the Tianzhu Group."

"The whole army retreats! Escort Qiqing back to Changzhou!"

"We will make long-term plans after we return to Changzhou!"

The Seven Ministers - the seven ministers of the Zunbang faction who were blocked from the imperial palace by the Huisa coalition forces.

They are: Sanjo Sanimi, Sanjo Saijizhi, Higashikashi Tongxi, Mibu Jixiu, Shijo Takayan, Kinkoji Laide, and Ze Xuanjia.

After saying that, Katsura Kogoro turned to look at Kusaka Genrui not far away:

"Kusaka-kun, what do you think? Do you agree with my idea?"

Hisaka Genrui raised his dull eyes and glanced at Katsura Kogoro.

"...Well, just do as you say."

Seeing that even Hisaka Genrui agreed to Katsura Kogoro's retreat plan, some people looked hesitant and opened their mouths, as if they wanted to say something.

However, in the end they could say nothing.

Faced with the current overwhelmingly negative situation, even the most die-hard radicals cannot utter any optimistic words.

Katsura Kogoro's step forward gave everyone present a backbone again.

The sparkle returned to their eyes.

At this time, Katsura Kogoro spoke again:

"Retreat tonight!"

"The Huisa Allied Forces should have also received news of the defeat of the Tenchu ​​Group."

"The longer time passes, the harder it will be for us to retreat!"

"Inoue-kun, you will be the forward!"

Katsura Kogoro gave instructions in an orderly manner.

Finally, he said seriously in a sonorous and powerful tone:

"I will cut off the queen myself!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole audience was shocked.

"No! Mr. Gui, you are the pillar of our Changzhou!"

"Yes, you can't get involved in danger!"

"Mr. Gui, I would like to invite you! Please allow me to come to the back of the palace! I will definitely live up to everyone's expectations!"

…

Everyone was talking, everyone said something to me, trying their best to persuade Katsura Kogoro not to take risks.

The rear guard - as the name suggests, engages in dealing with the enemy to gain time for the evacuation of large forces.

This is an extremely dangerous task.

Throughout the ages, the troops responsible for the rear mission have all suffered heavy casualties.

Facing everyone's concern, Katsura Kogoro smiled slightly:

"It is precisely because this is a precarious battle that I go even more."

When he said this, he paused for a moment, and then changed his tone to a relaxed tone.

"You don't have to worry."

"I am the proud disciple of 'Saito of Power'."

"Ordinary people can't do anything to me."

"Even if I am surrounded by thousands of troops, I can still escape unscathed."

Before joining the Zunbo Movement, Katsura Kogoro studied abroad in Edo, where he studied under the "Saito of Power" Saito Yakuro, and reached the rank of teacher at the military training hall.

In the red-white battle of "Shinsengumi VS Genbukan" 3 years ago, that is, the battle in which Aitobo and Souji jointly challenged Chiba Michizaburo and narrowly won in the end, Saito Yakuro once led Katsura Kogoro Come and watch the battle.

It was at that time that Aoden met Katsura Kogoro - although the two only met once, they only had a relationship where "each other knew what the other looked like and what his name was."

"Anyway, you don't need to say any more! Hurry up and get ready!"

Katsura Kogoro has already said this, and no one else can say anything more.

With a burst of neat "Yes!", the generals filed out, left the formation, and acted separately.

…

…

The Changzhou Army's position became lively.

Those who dismantle the camp tents and those who carry the luggage carry the luggage.

Inoue Munta, who is responsible for the forward position, has already led the vanguard to set off.

Due to time constraints, Katsura Kogoro and others did not announce to the entire army that "the Tenchu ​​Group has been defeated and our army is retreating."

Despite this, the soldiers at the middle and lower levels still vaguely knew the truth of the matter based on the atmosphere at the scene.

Looking around, the officers and soldiers of the Changzhou Army all closed their mouths and looked gloomy and depressed.

It was obviously a huge military camp, but it was eerily quiet.

Suddenly! A dense roar suddenly sounded from the position of the Huisa Allied Forces in the distance!

boom! boom! boom! boom! boom! boom! boom!

The dense gunfire tore apart the silence of the night!

Following the sound, a changing red light appeared on the ground.

Balls of light rose high into the sky, and then fell like raindrops! Falling straight towards the Changzhou Army's position!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Raging flames.

Splattering shrapnel.

The originally orderly Changzhou military formation suddenly became extremely chaotic!

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"The gangsters and thieves are setting off firecrackers!"

"Don't panic! Hold your ground!"

Chonk, bang, bang, bang... Katsura Kogoro looked at the military formation of the Huisa Allied Forces in the distance with an expressionless face, and slowly drew his sword out of its sheath.

"It's finally here..."

…

…

Huisa Allied Forces, our formation——

The air was acrid as it was filled with cannon smoke and heavy fog.

Saigo Yoshinosuke held up the military equipment in his hand:

"put!"

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

There was another burst of intensive artillery fire.

The gunners of the Satsuma Army loaded the shells with skillful movements, pulled out the fuses - boom - new sparks burst out on the ground.

The artillery pieces produced by the Satsuma Military Factory were arranged in a neat line and fired in turn.

Such intensive firepower and such skillful artillery maneuvers frightened not only the enemy's Satsuma Army, but also our own Aizu Army.

Matsudaira Yongho narrowed his eyes and stared at the Satsuma artillery array not far away with deep meaning, thinking to himself:

——The firearms unit of the Satsuma Army is indeed as powerful as rumored...

The Satsuma Domain, which has achieved a certain degree of industrialization early on, has always maintained a powerful firearms force - this rumor has been around for a long time.

It was not until today that Matsudaira Yongho saw the power of the Satsuma Firearms Team for the first time!

To be honest, even Matsudaira Rongbao couldn't help but be shocked and happy.

——Fortunately, the Satsuma Army is our friendly army...

The Satsuma Army is like a very heavy weight.

No matter which end of the scale it falls on, it will cause major changes in the situation!

If the Satsuma Army forms an alliance with the Shinsengumi and Aizu Army, they can defeat the Choshu Army.

On the contrary, if the Satsuma Army forms an alliance with the Choshu Army, it will bring huge trouble to Ayoto and Matsudaira Yongho!

Both the Shinsengumi and the Aizu Army currently lack the means and capabilities to counter firearms.

Just when Matsudaira Yoshiho was lost in thought, the most powerful general of the Aizu army—Sagawa Kanbei—suddenly drove his horse to his side.

"Lord, it's our turn."

Matsudaira Yongho nodded slightly, and then raised the military equipment in his hand.

"Aizu Cavalry, go into battle!"

…

…

At this moment——

Kyoto, somewhere in the southern suburbs——

The three warriors stood side by side, looking at the battlefield in the distance.

The physical features of these three people are very interesting.

The person in the middle has a very handsome face and exudes an elegant temperament.

At first glance, I thought he was a young man from some scholarly family.

The warrior standing on his left has a tall, muscular body and a bald head like a monk. He is quite old, about 40 years old, with dark skin. Judging from his appearance, he is someone who is not easy to mess with. people.

The warrior standing on his right was a bit ordinary, with an ordinary build and appearance, and lacked memory points. Even if he looked at his face ten times, it was difficult to remember his facial features. He was very young, around 18 years old, and his skin was unhealthy and pale.

Baldhead said:

"Shuten Doji, the Huisa Allied Forces have begun to attack."

The handsome young master...that is, the Shuten boy said calmly:

"Yes, I saw it. Su Nuo, you have good eyesight. Please help me see how the battle is going."

Su Nuo...the ordinary guy sighed lightly:

"Shuten Doji, no matter how good my eyesight is, it will eventually have its limit..."

Although he was complaining, Su Nuo still stretched his neck obediently and looked far away:

"Well...Umibozu, I can lend you your neck."

As he said that, he jumped up without any explanation and rode on the bald man's neck.

Master Haifang did not object to Su Nuo's decision. Instead, he raised his hands to help support Su Nuo's legs.

"Well... the Aizu cavalry are dispatched. It won't be long before the Choshu Army will engage the enemy."

Shuten Doji pondered for a moment.

"It's not good...the Huisa coalition forces are moving faster than I expected..."

Master Umibo took over the conversation.

"Based on the current state of Changzhou, they may have to reduce their number by more than two-thirds to escape the encirclement and suppression by the Huisa coalition forces."

Shuten Doji curled his lips:

"Changzhou is very dangerous."

Su Nuo interjected:

"Shuten Doji, are we going to support him?"

Shuten Doji replied without thinking:

"Of course! For the sake of future plans, we cannot just watch Changzhou suffer heavy losses."

After saying that, he slowly pulled out the knife from his waist.

"Let's go, Master Haibo, Su Nuo, it's time to get to work!"

As soon as he finished speaking, sharp clangs sounded from his left and right sides respectively.

Master Umibo drew the Odachi sword from his back.

Su Nuo drew out the two swords behind him.

"You guys, please don't die."

Shuten Doji curled up the corners of his mouth and adopted a tone that was half joking and half serious.

"We have lost Rakshasa and our strength has been greatly reduced."

"You two are important pillars of the Pazhu Party, and are the highest combat power at the moment besides me and Otakemaru."

"If you die, Mr. Orochi will be very sad."

"I don't want to make Mr. Orochi sad."

As soon as Shuten Doji finished speaking, Master Umibo and Su Nuo both sneered:

"Shuten Doji, who do you think we are? When I was the leader, you were still wearing crotchless pants."

As he spoke, perhaps to show that his sword was still young, Master Umibo danced the Odachi in his palm up and down, which was very frightening.

At the same time, Su Nuo took over the conversation:

"Shuten Doji, I appreciate your praise and concern."

"If I was going to die, I would definitely yell, 'Shuten Doji, save me!'"

"When the time comes, you have to use your 'invincible state' to save me."

When talking about the words "invincible state", Su Nuo emphasized his tone.

Shuten Doji chuckled a few times.

"Hehehe, my state is not invincible. At least I can't beat Otakemaru. Anyway, if you are in danger, I will do my best."

After finishing speaking, Shuten Boy lowered his upper body and rushed out.

"Let's go!"

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In the previous article, Lord Umibo once appeared in Rakshasa's verbal description. Before Rakshasa came to power, he was the commander-in-chief of the Hōsū Party in the Kanto region.