March 6 of the fourth year of Keio.

After receiving the news that Kofu had been preemptively occupied by the new government forces, the Shinsengumi were forced to set up camp at Katsunuma, six miles from Kofu.

Everyone's face was solemn.

Kondo's brow furrowed, and Hijikata punched the body of a cannon hard.

"It's all because I'm waiting for the shogunate...... I haven't shipped this thing all the time! if it had been a day earlier...... We were the ones who entered Kofu a day earlier!!"

Liu Quan stood beside him, silent.

Although she had spent the night garrisoning near Tama on the way, the Shinsengumi - no, now renamed the "Koyo Suppression Team", and she was very suspicious of Katsukaishu's real intention in giving the Shinsengumi the name of the passer-by A. - the speed of the march along the way was not slow, and the speed of the forced march on the rugged mountain road was close to 20 kilometers a day, and it was not easy for the Shinsengumi and the newly recruited co-operatives who had not actually undergone rigorous military training.

Saito made a detour from the other side of the mountain road and succinctly reported to the Turkish dialect, "I have inquired clearly." Kofu Castle Dai Sato Suruga Mamoru has surrendered to the new government army. The vanguard of the new government army has been stationed in Kofu Castle, with a total of about six and a half infantry squads, two artillery squads, a total of nearly 1,000 men, and nine artillery pieces. ”

Kondo: "......"

Earthwork: "......"

Shinhachi and Harada glanced at each other, and their faces showed anxiety that could not be hidden.

"There are only three hundred people on our side...... Less than seventy of them were members of the original Shinsengumi! There were only two mountain cannons! They were barely delivered when it was too late to go on the expedition!!" Shinpachi said angrily, "That Azubo Mamoru ...... Do you really want our Shinsengumi to take Kofu?!Or are you uneasy and kind, you want our Shinsengumi not to go back?!"

The last two questions are too heavy. Kondo and Hijikata shouted at the same time: "Nagakura-kun!"

Shinpachi did not stop his words questioning the shogunate and Katsukaishu.

"And- a good Shinsengumi...... I have to change the name of the 'Koyo Zhenfu Team'! Obviously, the Shinsengumi have already made a name for themselves, and how many people who have joined us have gathered under the banner of Seiji for this resounding name! If you really want to trust us and rely on us to continue to fight hard, you shouldn't change the name of this person who can gather lofty ideals! When Mr. Kondo and Mr. Hijikata go to meet him, Lord Anbo also has a strange attitude, right?! Is this what he looks like for a man of lofty ideals who wants to loyally fight to the death for the Shogun?! ”

Kondo was silent. Harada was also silent. Saito was already silent. Only Hijikata shouted:

"Shinhachi!!"

Harada also pulled Shinhachi at the same time, and Shinhachi reluctantly shut up as if he was not convinced.

After drinking Shinhachi's complaints, Hijikata's face also became gloomy, and he sighed rarely in front of the cadres.

"It's useless to say that now. …… What we should think about is how to set up and fight this battle well. He said sternly, "Those big guys...... They have their ideas, but we also have our own ideas. It doesn't matter if we are called traitors or not taken seriously by the big names of the shogunate...... But now, no matter what others say, we are standing here as samurai!"

He took a deep breath.

"It doesn't matter if we are traitors or countrymen, we are not taken seriously...... To clarify yourself, there is no other way than to fight. ”

His eyes burned over everyone present, and his deep voice seemed to carry a fiery determination.

For a while, everyone seemed to be shocked by such determination, and none of the people present spoke up.

Then the earthworks began to plan at a rapid pace.

"We can't afford to lose the battle here. You must go to Edo Castle to seek reinforcements. There are still ready-made armies that can be drawn immediately, but if anyone else asks for it, they will be despised by the big guys...... Then I'll go. In addition, there is an active team in Tama called the Naba Team, which can also be borrowed...... I'll be sure to get in touch again when I'm passing through Tama......"

Hijikata quickly assigns tasks as he looks at the nearby terrain and slices his finger across the map.

"This formation is located here at the Kashiwao Bridge, and the artillery team is also left...... Saito, you go to Kannonzaka in the north. Nagakura-kun, you are in charge of the defense of the area around Mt. Iwasaki on the south side...... The canyon between Mt. Iwasaki and Mt. Kashiwao is guarded by the Kasuga team. Harada, you also stay here in the main camp, and you have to defend yourself against the frontal enemy. ”

This plan for the distribution of troops is already the best choice that can be made at this stage, and no one has any objections.

Hijikata's gaze lifted from the map, and he looked at the mountains in the distance, his brow furrowed.

As if he remembered something, Kondo turned to Saito and said:

"Oh yes, Saito-kun, you go and give orders to the soldiers first. Let's just say that we have 600 reinforcements from the Aizu Domain, and we will arrive soon. Otherwise, in the face of a strong enemy's unstable heart, it will not be possible to stop this situation of escaping from the front. ”

Saito replied calmly, "Understood!"

Shinhachi was stunned, "Aizu Domain's ...... Reinforcements?"

Harada didn't have much hope and asked, "Will it really come, when will it arrive?"

Kondo laughed heroically.

"It should be soon...... In any case, Aizu has been kind to us, and without his appreciation and support, we would not have been able to make a name for ourselves in Kyoto......"

Shinhachi muttered, "Well, that's the same thing...... Aizu Gong is indeed much more reliable than the other big names in the shogunate......"

After a brief agreement, everyone dispersed, each of them went to assign tasks to his subordinates and go to the predetermined position.

The Ichiban group was also assigned to the main camp here in Kashiwao Bridge, but Harada took the initiative to assign tasks and garrison locations to the team members.

Liu Quan blinked as if he couldn't react for a moment.

Harada smiled and waved at her, "Yukiha will be in charge of sending Mr. Hijikata off." Here I am. It's okay to wait and come back. ”

Willow Springs: ...... Zuo Zhijun, you are always so considerate, and at this time, you have not forgotten to give other people's love road to create a possible opportunity to assist, it is really touching......

Of course, Hijikata also heard Harada's words. He gave a fierce "snort", but did not object.

So Yanagizumi walked with him to the rear of the main camp and walked up the rugged mountain road to Edo.

Both were silent along the way. Eventually, Hijikata stopped and said to Yanagizumi, "That's it." I'll do my best to get back. ”

Liu Quan nodded, but he didn't know what to say for a while.

At such a moment, as the acting leader of the Ichiban-gumi, it was impossible for him to leave the Ichiban-gumi and follow Hijikata back to Edo for help. If she had chosen to do so, the deputy chief's favorability would probably have come to an end - but for the first time in the face of this almost inevitable war, she also felt a certain sense of confusion in her heart.

"Be careful on the road...... Mr. Hijikata is alone," she said reluctantly in a relaxed tone, "and I will do my best to hold this place until Mr. Hijikata returns." ”

Instead of laughing, Hijikata frowned slightly.

"I said don't just care about working hard, and talk about death, death...... It's only been a few days, and you've forgotten?!" he said with a look of displeasure.

"It's not a dead end. I didn't give you an order to die, so don't do stupid things...... Do you understand?!" He raised his voice slightly, and there was a certain boldness in his tone.

Liu Quan: ?!

A stunned look appeared on her face for a moment.

As if not satisfied with her reaction, Hijikata said in a commanding tone, "I now order you to serve as Mr. Kondo's bodyguard." You'll have to lead a group of guards near the chief and assist him. ”

Liu Quan was stunned for a moment, and immediately responded: "Yes!"

The awe-inspiring look on her face reappeared as an excellent member of the Shinsengumi, as if the previous vacillation was just an illusion. However, Hijikata's expression did not relax because of this.

"There is one more condition. He was silent for a moment, then said fiercely.

"You, you are not allowed to die. ”

Willow Springs: !!

"Mr. Hijikata?!" she blurted out for a moment, in a tone of surprise and questioning.

Hijikata's gaze drifted from her face behind them, looking far away in the direction of Kofu Castle.

"This time, the opponent is Sa Changjun, they are well trained in modern tactics. It is impossible for us to win, and we are at an absolute disadvantage in terms of numbers, firepower, and tactics. He analyzed in a calm tone.

Then, his gaze turned to Willow Springs.

"I'll do my best to get back. If anything happens before I come back, you and Saito will protect Kondo-kun and run away together. ”

Liu Quan: ?!

Looking at the question mark on her face, he seemed to be a little depressed for a moment, and then a little helpless, and suddenly ordered her: "Pull out your knife!"

Liu Quan felt that his head was full of question marks.

What kind of knife is this command that easily reminds her of another person—another man, who is already in another world?

And why do you suddenly draw your sword, the enemy hasn't attacked yet? Is the deputy chief going to duel her here?!

However, the deputy chief probably had his own intentions, and Liu Quan slowly pulled out his [Mass-produced Longquan Sword] from the scabbard about one-third of the length, trying to guess the true intention of the earthwork.

Hijikata pulled his favorite sword "Izumi Mamoru Kanejo" out of his belt with his backhand, and also pulled it out of the scabbard, and directly touched the exposed blade with the sword blade in Yanagizumi's hand.

Gold and iron collided, making a crisp sound.

"It's a 'gold strike'. He said, "When the samurai take an oath, they do it." ”

Liu Quan was stunned.

Looking at her stunned face, Hijikata suddenly smiled at the corners of her lips.

"You and I are not real samurai, but we might as well follow the example when we make our vows. ”

This was the first time that when he mentioned that he was not really a samurai, there was no self-deprecation or resentment in his tone.

"Establishment...... What oath?!" Willow Quan's voice stammered.

…… Vice Chief, it's easy for people to think crookedly like this, okay! The big war is imminent, and it's really not advisable to think wildly, it will make it difficult for people to concentrate on the enemy!!

However, this aspect of thinking is not as complicated as Liu Quan's deputy chief, but he smiled calmly.

"I will definitely be back. and thou shalt come to me alive. No one is allowed to die. ”

His slightly muffled voice seemed to ringing in her ears, blasting against her chest and heart.

"This is the vow. ”

In an instant, without warning, a violent sourness swept through Liu Quan's facial features and consciousness. Tears rushed into her eyes almost quickly, and she had to grit her teeth and use all her strength to hold back the weak tears.

“…… I—I see. She stuttered uncontrollably, feeling her throat tighten as tears welled up.

"If anything happens...... I will definitely take Mr. Kondo away from the battlefield safely and meet Mr. Hijikata again. She said word for word.

"I'm definitely going to live...... When everyone is already desperate, try to live. Because I made an appointment with Mr. Hijikata......"

Because, as it has been said before, this is my virtue.