Aozawa represents the Conquer Barbarian General of the Shogunate.

Even without knowing the details, Kondo Isami didn't dare to casually arrange things and directly vacated his own bedroom.

But his bedroom wasn't that luxurious either.

Kondo Isami harbored dreams of becoming famous worldwide and didn't pay much attention to material possessions or personal enjoyment.

The room he resided in was only slightly larger than the average team member's, which was achieved only at Hijikata Toshizo's strong insistence, granting him such a big bedroom.

Hijikata Toshizo believed that while rules and regulations could be cumbersome, if the people at the top are treated just like those at the bottom, the distinctions between them would blur.

This is a very dangerous thing.

Expecting everyone below to be grateful and reciprocate is obviously wishful thinking.

And a single speck of rat feces could spoil a whole pot of porridge.

"Lord Aozawa, the Shinsengumi is not a large place. If our hospitality is inadequate, please pardon us."

Kondo Isami, judging by his appearance, seemed a dozen years older than Aozawa.

Yet, he maintained a very humble demeanor.

Aozawa smiled, waved his hand, and said, "It's alright. I'm going to sleep now, and no one can disturb me.

There's no need for a guard, everyone can leave."

"Yes,"

Kondo Isami bowed his head and left with Hijikata Toshizo and the others.

On the way back, no one spoke, and the group silently returned to the meeting hall.

Upon arrival, Okita Soji, who had previously remained silent, spoke up, "It's peculiar for the Shogunate to suddenly send someone now, and a young boy at that."

"Indeed, we should have tightly sealed information regarding the Choshu Domain. Even Lord Matsudaira doesn't know, so the Shogunate in distant Edo shouldn't be aware of it."

Kondo Isami pondered, murmuring, "Could it be that there's a Shogunate spy within the Choshu Domain?"

"The possibility is small. The person in charge of this incident is Katsura Kogoro."

"Exactly, given the importance of this matter, it's unusual for them to send only a young boy."

"Tsuruko, don't underestimate him."

Okita Soji's tone was gentle.

When he spoke, he habitually wore a smiling expression, appearing kind-hearted.

But Yukimura Tsuruko knew this man was undoubtedly the Shinsengumi's top swordsman.

With his mortal body, he could slay Demon Warriors.

Throughout Kyoto, there wasn't a swordsman who could defeat Okita Soji.

Yukimura Tsuruko tilted her head, looking at Okita Soji in curiosity, and asked, "Why do you say that?"

"I don't know either."

Okita Soji shook his head, his face uncharacteristically serious, and said, "I can't see through Aozawa.

He seems like an ordinary person, yet not.

Did you notice the warrior accompanying Aozawa?

That warrior is not weak, yet such a person has deep apprehension towards Aozawa, not due to his status.

That gaze wasn't like looking at a master, more like looking at a monster."

Upon hearing Okita Soji's analysis, Kondo Isami stroked his chin and then smiled calmly, "No matter what, we must continue doing what we need to do.

We must do it well, this is a great opportunity to let the Conquer Barbarian General know that Kyoto still has us, the Shinsengumi."

"Indeed."

Okita Soji nodded, he actually didn't care much about the Conquer Barbarian General's favor.

The current Shinsengumi revolves mainly around Kondo Isami, and for Okita Soji, his goal was to eliminate Kondo Isami's enemies.

Whether the enemy was Xenophobic Patriots or the Shogunate, he didn't care.

He didn't have much time left on earth.

Okita Soji's eyes flashed with a hint of melancholy, uncertain how long his body would hold out, but hopeful to eliminate more enemies for Kondo Isami while he could still move.

To engrave the names of the Shinsengumi and Kondo Isami in history books.

From his perspective, this was the treatment Kondo Isami deserved, and the status the Shinsengumi should enjoy.

In terms of swordsmanship, not just in Kyoto, but across Japan, no one surpassed them.

This was Okita Soji's confidence.

...

The darkness before dawn was dim; most people still lingered in a dreamscape.

Yukimura Tsuruko woke early. She wasn't local to Kyoto but hailed from Edo.

Seeking her father, from whom she lost contact, she embarked from Edo to Kyoto last year, coincidentally witnessing a ronin exacting heavenly retribution on an Imperial Court official in the street.

As a witness, Yukimura Tsuruko was taken away by the Shinsengumi for questioning. After clearing her of suspicion, Kondo Isami, considering that a young girl like her might find it hard to survive in Kyoto, kindly took her in.

Initially, Yukimura Tsuruko worked odd jobs in the Shinsengumi, tending to daily needs of the members, until she was discovered to be a Demon Warrior and officially joined the Shinsengumi as a member.

It was then that she realized her father, whom she lost contact with, seemed to be no ordinary person.

A Demon Warrior being half-human and half-yokai indicated that one of her parents must be a yokai.

Because the second generation born from the union of a Demon Warrior and a human would either be human or yokai, but never half-human and half-yokai.

Yukimura Tsuruko didn't know if her father or mother was the yokai.

She only remembered her father telling her at a young age that her mother was no longer living.

Now, Yukimura Tsuruko not only wished to find her father but also to uncover the truth.

She dressed neatly, threw on the Shinsengumi's haori, which was primarily light blue, with only white fangs on the cuffs.

Her jet-black hair was tied into a single ponytail, and she gazed into the mirror at her face, which had a slight touch of baby fat on both sides.

So even when she donned the Shinsengumi's haori, it was hard to highlight her own gallant vibe.

Sigh.

Yukimura Tsuruko was a spirited young woman, hoping she could exude an aura like the demonic vice-chief, Hijikata Toshizo, which would immediately give the impression of an ominous presence.