Hisasaka Genzui's optimism did not convince Katsura Kogoro.

"Kusaka-kun, Hikosai is not a god! No matter how fast and sharp his sword is, he can't change his destiny!"

"A mere 200 reinforcements are just a drop in the bucket compared to the Shinsengumi's 3,000 troops!"

Katsura Kogoro originally wanted to continue to persuade Hisasaka Genrui.

However……

"Stop talking!"

Kusaka Genrui roared again.

"Gui, I've made up my mind, don't try to persuade me again!"

"I won't retreat!"

"Fight! Or die!"

Having said that, Kusaka Genrui ignored Katsura Kogoro, quickened his pace, and threw him away as if he was running away.

"..."

Katsura Kogoro narrowed his eyes and stared at Kusaka Genrui's back getting further and further away with a complicated expression.

After a moment, he slowly looked up at the sky and let out a long, long sigh.

…

…

At the same time——

In the southern suburbs of Kyoto (opposite the Choshu Army position), the Huisa Allied Forces position——

After the Changshu Army left Kyoto, the Huisa Allied Forces followed closely and arrived at the southern suburbs of Kyoto, setting up a series of military camps opposite the Changshu Army's position.

The two armies faced off again.

It's just that the location of the confrontation was changed from outside the Imperial Palace to outside Kyoto.

At this moment, the generals of the Huisa Allied Forces gathered in this formation.

The candlelight flickered, and the dim yellow light elongated the figures of the generals, reflecting them on the curtain painted with clover and maru cross.

Although Saigo Kinnosuke is the actual commander-in-chief of the Satsuma Army, after all, he is just an ordinary samurai, not even a daimyo.

Matsudaira Yoho was the leader of a feudal clan, and he was also a powerful feudal clan. In terms of political status alone, Saigo Kinosuke could not compare with him.

Therefore, Matsudaira Yongho sat in the undisputed first seat, and Saigo Kinosuke sat in the second seat.

The remaining generals of the coalition forces took their seats in order according to their status.

The general of the Aizu army sat on the east side of the long table, and the general of the Satsuma army sat on the west side of the long table.

A thin young man stood, holding a scroll in his hand, and read out the current battlefield situation to everyone present.

This person's name is Nakamura Hanjiro.

Compared with this popular name, his nickname - "Human-Zan" Hanjiro - is even more famous.

He is as famous as Kawagami Hikosai, Okada Izo, and the deceased Tanaka Hanbei. He is a top swordsman with outstanding swordsmanship!

He was proficient in the Nodachi Shigen style. Since he was a child, he would use the trees in his courtyard as his opponents and practice chopping eight thousand times a day with his wooden sword.

Due to such violent exercise, all the trees in his courtyard with a diameter of three or four inches were broken.

His extremely ferocious fighting style, in which casualties are inevitable with just one strike, and his solid combat record earned him the well-deserved title of "man-killer".

However, compared to several others, he was not a reckless man who could only wield a sword.

Although his cultural level is not high, he has a good mind and a lot of strategies in mind.

He is the kind of compound talent who can both take the lead and make strategic plans.

For this reason, he was deeply trusted by Saigo Kinosuke and was promoted to a personal bodyguard by him.

Under the careful training of Saigo Kinosuke, he is no longer a simple swordsman, but has the style of a military strategist.

"Judging from the movements of the Changzhou Army, there is no doubt that they are waiting for reinforcements."

Nakamura Hanjiro's voice clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

"The only army currently able to provide them with effective assistance is the Tenchu ​​Group, which is currently causing chaos in Yamato."

"It is estimated that Changzhou is preparing to join forces with the Tenchu ​​Group and wait until its military strength grows before launching a decisive battle with us."

Nakamura Hanjiro flipped the scroll and continued to report:

"This evening, the Orange Military Department sent a letter here."

"He plans to spend 5 days raising supplies."

"After all the supplies are gathered, he will crush the rebellion like a storm."

After saying that, Nakamura Hanjiro put away the scroll in his hand and sat down slowly.

Saigo Kinosuke smiled "hehehe".

"We have to wait until all the baggage and equipment are ready before sending out troops... It's really the style of the Tachibana Military Department."

Sitting next to Saigo Kinosuke, Komatsu sneered a few times with his knife:

"The Choshu people think so beautifully...Do they really think that the Tenchu ​​team of Raushiko can defeat the Shinsengumi?"

Komatsu Daito is a civilian official in charge of foreign affairs and is not responsible for military affairs.

However, there is no reason for a big shot like him (one of the Three Great Masters of Satsuma) not to be here.

As soon as Komatsu's voice with the sword fell, the atmosphere inside and outside the formation was filled with joy.

Shinsengumi VS Tenchu-gumi - To be honest, the generals of the Huisa Allied Forces were not even interested in betting on the outcome of this one-sided war.

At this time, Matsudaira Yongho's calm voice suddenly sounded:

"The rebellion in the Yamato area can be left to the Orange Military Department to handle."

"We just have to focus on what's right in front of us."

Speaking of this, he raised his head and raised his voice:

"Strictly monitor the Changzhou Army!"

"Any change in the Changzhou Army must be reported immediately!"

"Also, send a force of 500 people to help defend the Shinsengumi's camp and guard against sneak attacks by the Choshu Army!"

Then, Matsudaira Yongho began to elaborate on his troop deployment arrangements.

Which unit is responsible for monitoring Choshu; which unit is responsible for serving as a reserve unit; which unit is responsible for protecting the Shinsengumi's camp... everything is arranged in an orderly manner.

Qingdeng has sent the 7th and 10th divisions (cavalry) to protect the baggage train.

It would never be that easy for the Choshu Army to cut off the Shinsengumi's supply of supplies.

Even so, there is no harm in adding an extra layer of insurance to the Shinsengumi's logistics line.

After announcing his order loudly, Matsudaira Yongho turned to look at Saigo Kinosuke, asking for advice and giving him full respect.

Saigo Kinosuke nodded without thinking too much.

"Well, Higo-sama, your idea coincides with mine."

Matsudaira Yongho nodded slightly, then raised his chin:

"Then...everyone goes to your place!"

…

…

August 20, morning——

Gyeonggi, Yamato area, Kotori domain, Kotori castle——

Looking up, there was thick smoke everywhere.

The horizon is filled with traces of dilapidation.

"Bang bang bang" gunfire sounded from time to time.

Several samurai in simple clothes climbed onto the castle tower of Takatori Castle, waving a large flag with the word "Tenchu" written on it.

"Win!"

"We win!"

"Capture Takatori Castle!"

*******

*******

It’s another day when I’m typing on my mobile phone, and my thumb almost cramps when typing... Seeing how hard Bao Baozi works, please be sure to vote for this book! (Pao Baozi’s head is crying)
Chapter completed!