I formed the strongest swordsman group.

Chapter 816: Attack on Ikeda House! Bloody Battle Begins! [Ikeda House Incident] Erupts! [Leopard Update 6K2]

Kyoto, Sanjo Bridge (west of Kamogawa River), Ikedaya——

“Tainosuke! Tainosuke! Where are you?!”

"Boss, I'm here!"

"Tainosuke, put aside the work in the kitchen for now. The stairs are dirty, go clean them!"

"Yes, I'll go right away!"

As he spoke, Yamazaki Jun took off his kappa, walked out of the kitchen in two steps, and ran towards the stairs.

[Note: Kappouza: A coverlet specially used for cooking during the Edo period]

On the surface, Yamazaki Zheng still looked respectful and obedient.

But in fact, he had already started cursing in his heart.

——Damn it...! I can't find any chance at all...!
After discovering that the meeting place of Miyabe Teizo, Katsura Kogoro and others was Ikeda-ya, Yamazaki Shō had been looking for an opportunity to pass on this important information.

However... the endless heavy workload completely tied him up and he couldn't find any chance to go out.

Miyabe Teizo, Katsura Kogoro and others, whom the Shinsengumi had been pursuing for a long time, were now right before their eyes.

As long as we notify the garrison, these guys can be caught in one fell swoop.

But in the end, he was trapped in this shabby hotel, guarding the information but unable to pass it on...

This indescribable feeling of frustration made Yamazaki Zheng impatient.

——Just go for it!
——Don’t worry about the work! Just leave Ikeda-ya and run back to the village to pass on the message!
As soon as this thought came to his mind, he immediately rejected it.

——No, no... I almost made a mistake...

——The hotel is busy right now. If I leave immediately, the boss and others will immediately notice and become suspicious.

——Such behavior is no different from openly announcing that “I am a spy for the pro-shogunate faction.”

——This will undoubtedly stir up trouble and make those guys on the second floor dare not stay here anymore.

——They fled before our main force arrived.

——I must not leave this place without permission. I must come up with a foolproof plan...

——Damn it! If only a Shinsengumi member happened to pass by the store right now!
Yamazaki Zheng walked towards the stairs with a rag and bucket in hand, trying hard to think of a way out of the predicament.

When he passed by a shoji screen, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a few shades of light green swaying outside the store...

——Hmm? That is...!
At that moment, he stopped abruptly as if struck by lightning, turned his head, and looked outside the store through the gap in the shoji - to be precise, he looked at the familiar figures striding towards this side - his eyes were wide open, and he was shocked and then happy.

……

……

Outside Ikeda's house——

"Brother Kondo, we're here."

Souji took a quick step forward, glanced at the thick door plaque with the words "Ikeda-ya" inscribed on it, then turned and nodded to Kondo Isami.

Inoue Genzaburo held the sword at his waist and walked to Souji's side, muttering:

"Ikeda-ya... I remember that the business of this store suddenly became very prosperous not long ago."

"In order to find out the truth, Mr. Tachibana specifically ordered Vice Captain Yamazaki to lurk here."

"Thinking about it this way, this is most likely the meeting place for Miyabe Teizo, Katsura Kogoro and others..."

As soon as Inoue Genzaburo finished speaking, Nagakura Shinpachi beside him smiled helplessly:
"There are so many inns and pubs frequented by the Sonjo patriots. Uncle Gen, I think you'd better not get your expectations too high, or you'll be disappointed again later."

Kondo Isami took over the conversation:
"No matter what, don't take it lightly."

As he said this, he took a big step and prepared to push open the door of Ikeda-ya.

"Director Kondo, wait a minute!"

A hurried voice suddenly sounded.

Immediately afterwards, an agile figure emerged from the dark alley beside Ikeda's house like a loach and ran quickly to Kondo Isami.

Kondo Isami stared at the man's face, and then a look of sudden enlightenment appeared on his face:
"Oh, it's Yamazaki-kun."

Before Kondo Isami asked him why he came, Yamazaki Jun said impatiently:
"Director Kondo, 35 people including Miyabe Teizo and Katsura Kogoro are now in the innermost room on the second floor of Ikeda-ya!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere on the scene changed instantly!

Everyone, including Kondo Isami, was stunned, and then looked at each other - they all noticed strong expressions of excitement on each other's faces.

found it!
We found the meeting place!
After a brief excitement, Kondo Isami licked his lips, suppressed his surging emotions, and asked in a deep voice:
"Yamazaki-kun, are you sure?"

Yamazaki Jun nodded vigorously:
"I'm sure! I took the opportunity to observe their faces closely while the wine was being served. I'm sure that the man sitting on the main seat is indeed Katsura Kogoro himself! In addition, I have memorized the appearance of Miyabe Teizo!"

After hearing this, Kondo Isami closed his eyes and let out a long breath. After exhaling the last breath, he suddenly opened his eyes, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

"Yamazaki-kun...well done! You've done a great job!"

Yamazaki's report continued:

"I have quietly opened the back door just now. If necessary, I can lead you to the back door."

Nakazawa Qin swallowed hard and asked Kondo Isami in a nervous tone:

"Director Kondo, what should we do now?"

"Are we going to attack directly?"

"Should we send someone to inform the lord and his men first, and then attack together after both sides have reunited?"

As soon as Nakazawa Koto finished speaking, Kondo Isami answered without hesitation:

"Is there any need to ask? Of course we will just attack directly!"

"Those patriots may not have any other abilities, but they are all first-rate at escaping."

"If we procrastinate, it will probably lead to complications."

"The enemy is right before our eyes. How can we not take action immediately?"

"Jujun must be notified."

"But before we wait for them to arrive, let's go make some noise first!"

After saying that, he turned his head and looked at Yamazaki:
"Yamazaki-kun, Tachibana-kun and the others are searching along Nawate-dori Road east of Kamo River. Go and inform them immediately!"

As a first-rate ninja, Yamazaki Jun has the fastest running speed among everyone present, and he is not a combatant, so even if he were to join in the attack, he would be of little use.

Therefore, choosing him to inform Qing Deng and others is undoubtedly the most appropriate one.

Yamazaki was about to nod his head in agreement when a calm voice suddenly interrupted him:

"Director Kondo, please wait a moment."

The person who spoke was the Sixth Division's Vice Captain, Chief Accountant Soma.

Because of his calm personality and general-like demeanor, he is currently being trained by Qing Deng as the "future deputy chief."

Chief Accountant Soma said slowly:
"We don't recognize Miyabe Teizo's appearance."

"Once the chaos of fighting begins, Miyabe Teizo will dive into the crowd and we won't be able to find him."

"If Vice Captain Yamazaki leaves, who will lead us to identify Miyabe Teizo?"

"I think Captain Yamazaki must come with us in the attack."

After hearing this, Kondo Isami nodded.

"Yeah, that's true."

After a brief thought, he turned to look at Yamazaki Zheng again.

"Then let's do this, Yamazaki-kun. Once you identify Miyabe Teizo, leave immediately and head to Nawate-dori to find Tachibana-kun and the others!"

Yamazaki Jun nodded vigorously:
"I understand!"

After making arrangements for Yamazaki Zheng, Kondo Isami turned to look at the others and gave precise instructions one by one.

"Soma-kun, Yoshimura-kun, you guard the front door."

Mr. Soma and Kan'ichirō Yoshimura both nodded.

"Heisuke, Ms. Nakazawa, you guard the back door."

Fujido Heisuke and Nakazawa Kotonari claimed "yes".

Then, Kondo Isami turned to look at Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi, and Inoue Genzaburo.

"Koushi, Shinpachi, and Uncle Gen, follow me. Yamazaki-kun, how wide are the stairs to Ikeda-ya?"

Yamazaki immediately replied:

"About two feet wide (60cm)."

"Two feet... it's very narrow..."

After pondering for a moment, Kondo Isami turned his gaze and locked onto Souji.

"Xiao Si, after we get in, you and I will be the vanguard and rush to the second floor! Attack the enemy group!"

"Shinpachi and Uncle Gen will lead the second wave of attacks. They will attack right after us and won't give the enemy a chance to breathe!"

"The stairs are narrow, watch your step and avoid crowding."

After hearing this, the General Manager couldn't help but ask:
"Are you and I the only ones responsible for taking the lead?"

"There are 35 people on the other side. There must be many powerful martial arts masters among them, and 'Swordsman Kogoro' is among them."

"With only two vanguards... isn't that too risky?"

Kondo Isami curled his lips and asked half-jokingly:
"Why? Xiao Si, do you not trust my strength, or do you lack confidence in your own skills?"

Souji was stunned for a moment, then smiled confidently - although she didn't respond, her expression said it all.

"The fourth-generation head of the Tennen Rishin-ryu family and the 'Heavenly Sword' - this combination is enough!"

Kondo Isami said this with a big grin, looking excited.

"It's been a long time since we two brothers have fought side by side."

"Let's take advantage of this opportunity tonight to regain the tacit understanding of 'brother and sister working together'."

"With the strength of you and me, we can turn the world upside down!"

There are 8 people on our side and 35 people on the enemy side.

Although it was a battle with a huge disparity in numbers, no one looked fearful.

I saw them dispersed and ready to go!
Soma Shukei was in a team with Yoshimura Kanichiro.

Fujido Heisuke and Nakazawa Koto are in the same group.

Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi and Inoue Genzaburo stood in a "品" shape behind Kondo Isami.

Kondo Isami raised his eyes and stared at the "Ikeda-ya" plaque above his head and the vast night sky.

"Tonight, Koche is very hungry for blood!"

Before he finished speaking, he slowly pulled out the long Sone Kotetsu from his waist. Clang clang clang clang clang clang...!
As the blade was pulled out inch by inch, his aura grew higher and higher!
The others also drew the blades from their waists.

Nagazone Kotetsu, Kaga Kiyomisu, Banshu no Tabarayama Ujishige, Oshu no Shirakawa no Kanetsu, Kamisuke Kaneshige... The moment these famous swords were unsheathed, the sound of swords burst out, as if they could not wait to join the bloody battle tonight!
The clanging of swords being drawn and the scattering of sword energy instantly dispelled the heat of the summer night and blurred the moonlight!
"Remember, kill without mercy! Don't let any one go!"

Kondo Isami stepped open the door like a lion, inserted Kotetsu into the gap of the door, used the knife as a lever, gently pushed it to the right, and silently opened the door.

After opening the door to the width of one person, Kondo Isami took the lead, followed by Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi, Inoue Gensaburo and Yamazaki Shō, who entered one after another.

Soma Shukei and Yoshimura Kanichiro stood still, guarding the gate.

Fujido Heisuke and Nakazawa Koto went around to the back and blocked the back door.

Entering the store, the dim light of candles fills the view.

Kondo Isami and his group of five lowered their center of gravity, tensed their nerves, raised their senses to the limit, and moved silently towards the stairs with their exquisite footwork with their feet sticking to the ground.

At this time, the owner of Ikedaya appeared.

The boss walked out from the inner room with an abacus in his hand.

He was smiling happily because he made a big deal tonight, but now he was petrified on the spot.

He stared at the group of uninvited guests in light green haori with a dull expression, like clay sculptures or wooden carvings.

The next moment, he opened his mouth belatedly and was about to scream - at this critical moment, Kondo Isami rushed forward with quick eyes and hands, and hit him hard on the side of the neck with the bottom of the handle of the knife.

His eyes rolled back, his limbs went limp - the boss didn't even have time to utter a groan before he collapsed to the ground and fainted.

At the same time when the boss fell to the ground, as luck would have it, a woman came down from the second floor carrying a wine tray.

When she saw her boss lying on the ground, and Kondo Isami and others wearing light green haori, her eyes widened and her expression was dominated by intense horror.

After a few seconds, she turned around and ran back to the second floor, screaming at the top of her lungs:

"Run! The Shinsengumi are coming!!"

……

……

Ikeda House, second floor, innermost room——

Even though a long time has passed, Katsura Kogoro, Miyabe Teizo and others are still arguing about the right and wrong of "burning Kyoto and kidnapping the emperor."

Prajna lowered his head early in the morning due to boredom, pulled down his hat to block out the light with the brim, and fell asleep.

At this moment, everyone in the room, who had just been arguing with spit flying and red faces, all changed their expressions.

In an instant, the noisy room became silent, and you could hear a pin drop.

At this moment, everyone in the room vividly demonstrated what "all living beings are in their hundreds of forms" means.

There was a look of surprise and disbelief on Miyabe Tingzang's face.

Katsura Kogoro's face was covered with dark clouds, as if it had been splashed with ink.

The vast majority of people showed expressions of timidity, fear, and panic.

Prajna suddenly opened her eyes, straightened the western hat on her head with one hand, grabbed the sword in her arms with the other hand, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, and excitement flashed in her eyes.

Because everyone heard the cry:
"Run! The Shinsengumi are coming!!"

……

……

Seeing that their whereabouts had been exposed, Kondo Isami and others changed their expressions but did not panic.

Although there was no prior discussion, Kondo Isami and Souji worked together brilliantly at this time.

Kondo Yutora jumped out, grabbed the female teshiro by the back of her collar, dragged her down the stairs, and punched her hard, causing her to fall asleep temporarily.

In a flash, Souji held Kaga Kiyomizu in front of him, in the Caixia section configuration, with the tip of the knife pointing straight ahead. He rushed to the stairs, climbed up the steps, and his feet stepped on the steps, which made a "thump thump" sound like a war drum!

Suddenly, a burly man appeared at the top of the stairs and blocked Souji's way.

"who?!"

He asked loudly, pressing his hand on the knife.

Seeing that the enemy had appeared, Souji lowered his eyelids, exhaled secretly, and accelerated suddenly!
With a sound of "Puchi", Souji used the momentum of his sprint to stab the knife into the body of the sturdy man.

After her knife pierced the sturdy man's chest, it penetrated his back in one breath, going straight from the tip of the knife to the guard. Only Souji's fist, the guard and the handle of the knife were left outside the sturdy man's chest.

The next moment, Souji twisted the blade with a skilled move, freeing the muscles that were clamping the blade, and smoothly pulled the knife back to his hand. Then, without even looking at the sturdy man who had died and fallen at his feet, he rushed up to the second floor like lightning and ran straight to the innermost room.

After Kondo Isami knocked out the female soldier, he caught up with Souji in the blink of an eye.

The two of them walked one in front and one behind, and in just a moment they crossed the corridor that was dozens of meters long.

Souji waved his hand suddenly, first with a neat cassock slash, and then with a reverse cassock slash, splitting the door of the innermost room into four pieces.

When the broken door panel fell to the ground, the two of them suddenly saw a clear vision -

The room was crowded with people and turbid hot air was blowing in my face.

"The light green haori... It's the Shinsengumi! It's really the Shinsengumi!"

"Why is the Shinsengumi here?!"

"Wait, I remember that little face... Damn it! The person who came was none other than 'Heavenly Sword' Okita Souji!"

Panic, fear, hatred... gazes of various emotions were fixed on Kondo Isami and Souji.

Kondo Isami raised his head fearlessly, looked at the whole audience, and shouted loudly:

"We are the Shinsengumi, under the command of the Gyeonggi Pacification Commissioner!"

He said as he raised the knife and moved in the middle.

"Tennen Rishin-ryu, Shinsengumi chief, Kondo Isami!"

Souji wiped off the remaining blood on the blade with an expressionless face, then slowly assumed the Blue Eyes stance.

"Same as Tennen Rishin-ryu, captain of the Shinsengumi's First Division, Okita Souji!"

Some people panicked.

Someone calmly faced the battle!

Katsura Kogoro, Matsuda Shigesuke and others stood up quietly and drew their swords!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The short and intensive sound of swords being drawn suddenly changed the atmosphere in the whole place!
The dim room——was suddenly filled with murderous intent.

Now that things have come to this, no more words are needed!

Whether it is Kondo Isami and Soji, Katsura Kogoro, Matsuda Shigesuke and others, both sides are now concentrating on one thing - focusing all their attention on the enemy in front of them!
The sharp blades shine against each other.

A bunch of wolf-like and tiger-like gazes confronted and collided in mid-air!
Now there was a sense of tension that made one gasp. No, it was a tingling tension that gave one goosebumps.

At this moment, a firefly with a faint green light flew in from the window, bringing a flickering light to the dim room.

Katsura Kogoro, Miyabe Teizo, Kondo Isami, Souji... The fireflies danced unsteadily in the air, illuminating everyone's face, and finally stopped on Souji's blade.

At the moment when the tense atmosphere reached its limit, a beast-like shout came from a corner of the field:
"Come on!!"

Before the roar died down, several patriotic warriors rushed forward!

Almost at the same moment, Souji pushed aside the glow and stepped forward to fight!
Flashes of light cut through the atmosphere! Swords clashed!
In this small space, there is a burning aura from the collision of swords!
In an instant - the patriot closest to Souji had just taken a step when only a small part of his upper and lower body was connected by flesh and blood. His head and hands drooped down weakly, and his feet supported his lifeless body. He staggered forward a few steps before collapsing with a loud bang.

The next moment - Souji's body flashed like the wind and moved to a place 1 meter away from the door.

Just as she dodged, another person staggered and fell to the ground without even having time to scream.

In a blink of an eye, Souji has charged into the enemy group and is leading the way!
Although Kondo Isami's attack was a little slower, he did not fall behind his sister.

He swung his sword to deflect the cold blades that were coming at him, and shouted loudly:

"Yamazaki-kun! Which one is Miyabe Teizo?!"

In an instant, Yamazaki Sho rushed up and lay on Kondo Isami's back like a koala, with his head popping out from over his right shoulder.

He quickly glanced around, then pointed at a middle-aged man with a gloomy face standing in the corner with a knife in hand.

"That's the man! That man is Miyabe Teizo!"

Kondo Isami's wolf-like eyes looked in the direction pointed by Yamazaki Zheng, staring at Miyabe Teizo's face and memorizing it deeply in his mind.

"Okay! Remember! Yamazaki-kun, go to Nawate-dori to find Tachibana-kun!"

"understand!"

After shouting, Yamazaki Zheng jumped off Kondo Isami's back, walked quickly, and in the blink of an eye he was away from the battlefield and back to the first floor.

At the entrance, the female hand-operated Ajian was so frightened by the sudden chaos that she collapsed on the ground, and she looked at Yamazaki Zheng with trepidation as if he had become a different person.

“Tainosuke…?”

"I'm not some Tainosuke! I'm the vice-captain of the Shinsengumi's 9th Division, Yamazaki Sho!"

After saying that, Yamazaki Zhen took off his kirishiro and took off the Sojuro turban on his head, and a look of pride and confidence appeared on his face.

After being an undercover agent for so long and feeling humiliated for so long, he can finally show his true face!

He is not afraid to reveal his identity.

Anyway, after a while, the other party will forget what he looks like.

Yamazaki Zheng and the female clerk Ajian passed each other and came out of the store.

After confirming the direction of the rope, he lifted the hem of his hakama, tucked it into his belt, and ran at full speed! He disappeared at a distant street corner in a flash!
……

……

"Protect Miyabe-sensei!"

"Mr. Miyabe, Mr. Katsura, run away!"

"What are you afraid of? There are only two of us! Kill them!"

Facing enemies attacking from all directions, Kondo Isami calmly raised his blade from the lower section, and Naga Sone Kotetsu radiated light into the sky.

"Come on! My Kotetsu is thirsty for blood!"

At this moment, his talent - "lonely courage" - is activated!
Kondo Isami swung his sword like a windmill, and a strong wind blew up in an instant.

When he stopped moving, several people around him retreated violently like a folding fan, some died and some were injured.

The general manager on the other side is even more unstoppable!
She held Kaga Kiyomizu tightly, assumed a Kasumidan stance suitable for indoor combat, and suddenly leaped towards a corner of the room!

While gliding in the air, in a flash, someone was stabbed on the shoulder and instantly lost most of his fighting power.

When her feet landed on the ground, she used her front hand to force back the enemy in front of her, and then used her back hand to chop down the enemy behind her who was trying to sneak attack. In an instant, the blood spurted out, drawing a charming rainbow.

The blood splattered her haori and her white face red.

Even though her face was stained with blood and the stench was overwhelming, her demeanor did not change at all - her face was expressionless, her eyes were as cold as ice, and her usual cheerfulness and brightness were gone! She was like a demon!
*******
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The "Ikedaya Incident" has finally begun! Considering the quality of this chapter, please vote for this book! (crying leopard head.jpg) Please vote for it! Please vote for it! (crying leopard head.jpg)

PS: In fact, the first people to enter the second floor of Ikeda House were Kondo Isami and Okita Souji. Kondo Isami's talent "Lonely Courage" was created based on his heroic deeds of fighting against the enemy with a small number of people.

(End of this chapter)