Yet the face given to her by heaven happens to be of a charming and adorable type.

She patted her cheeks and quickly left the bedroom.

Before dawn, members of the New Select Team had already begun enjoying breakfast.

Perhaps due to the impending battle, breakfast included grilled fish, paired with miso soup, along with a bowl of rice and several small dishes, which could be considered quite lavish.

Yukimura Tsuruko did not see Aozawa.

For high-ranking officials of the Shogunate, their meals should differ from theirs.

She lowered her head and silently ate her meal.

During meals, members of the New Select Team must adhere to strict rules, absolutely refraining from speaking.

With the impending battle, the dining hall became filled with a tense atmosphere.

Soon, the members of the New Select Team finished their meals.

Kondo Isami glanced around and then at the sky outside, saying: "You all gather outside first, I'll go check if that lord is awake."

"Alright."

Hijikata Toshizo nodded.

Kondo Isami stood up and left his seat.

Hijikata Toshizo followed suit, and soon others also rose from their seats and headed outside.

...

Kondo Isami did not let anyone accompany him, instead, he walked through the corridor alone, arriving outside Aozawa's room, and respectfully said: "Lord Aozawa, are you awake?"

His words floated into the room without receiving any response.

Kondo Isami dared not leave this spot, yet continuing to urge also seemed inappropriate.

He knew very well that diligently handling matters does not guarantee reward from above; the task must not only be completed but done well.

Kondo Isami counted silently in his heart.

If the allotted time elapsed without awakening, he would speak up again.

Katsura Kogoro, the famous head of Xenophobic Patriots in the Choshu Domain, capturing him would be a great achievement.

Just as he considered speaking again, the sliding door suddenly opened, and Aozawa stepped out, looking at Kondo Isami waiting outside with a slight smile: "Let's set off."

"Yes."

Kondo Isami responded respectfully, then asked: "Regarding this capture mission, do you have any instructions?"

"Manage it entirely yourselves."

Aozawa waved dismissively.

Kondo Isami discreetly observed him, finding no unusual traits, concluding Aozawa is unlikely a Demon Warrior.

Those hands appeared too pale and delicate, without calluses, certainly not hands of a swordsman.

He could only say his demeanor was comparatively calm.

If Kondo Isami were at his age, he could not stay this composed.

Perhaps even Soji was misled by this kind of calm mentality.

He made his judgment.

"Since the lord instructed this way, I have no choice but to comply."

Kondo Isami nodded in agreement.

Even if lacking ability, Aozawa's background and identity warrant respectful service.

This second-generation heir might not necessarily elevate him to higher realms, but could easily implicate him with mere words.

But to which Shogunate official is this person related?

Kondo Isami could not figure it out; his current status is too low, unable to meet Kyoto Shugoshoku, let alone the Shogunate's general.

All orders are conveyed through the aides of the Kyoto Shugoshoku; he remains unfamiliar with the core officials within the Shogunate.

In times when Xenophobic Patriots cry for divine punishment, people like him digging for news on Shogunate heavyweights is undoubtedly unwise.

Information is too limited.

Kondo Isami sighed inwardly but soon felt invigorated.

In this chaotic era, to transform his status and that of Hijikata Toshizo, their only reliance was their swords.

Today would be the moment the New Select Team would gain fame across the land.

Kondo Isami followed three steps behind Aozawa to the front yard, where a group of team members gathered.

He did not make an expansive gesture to send everyone off.

The gathering served to let Aozawa see the New Select Team's military presence.

It did not signal immediate action against the Xenophobic Patriots.

In fact, those holding key information and evidence remain uncaptured, the team is merely in the stalking stage.

"Hijikata, check if Saito and others have captured Yuuya Kieimon."

"Yes."

Hijikata Toshizo responded loudly, left the lineup.

The others remained motionless, like statues.

Aozawa patted his forehead and seemed to recall the Ikedaya Incident occurred at night, turning casually: "I'm tired; do not deploy until I wake up."

?

In the lineup, Yukimura Tsuruko's face held a big question mark, feeling this person must be joking.

To say tired just after waking up and wish to sleep again; not even pigs sleep this much.

Kondo Isami felt speechless, tactfully saying: "Lord, if there's any news..."

"Handle it as you see fit."

Aozawa changed his tune, caring only about smooth progression, indifferent to other matters.

This casual command style angered Kondo Isami, who detested such incompetent heirs.

Such fearlessness was likely mere ignorance of critical issues by a fool!

"Yes."

Kondo Isami remained outwardly composed, hoping Aozawa sleeps through the end, avoiding disruption of his plans.

...

Outside, the remaining sunlight appeared bloody.

Hijikata Toshizo put down his torture apparatus, and a familiar scent wafted through the air.

Although renowned as the "demonic deputy chief," he actually loathed the smell of blood.

But there was no choice; certain matters require someone to handle them.

Kondo Isami's shortcomings in this area necessitate someone to compensate.

Hijikata Toshizo gazed at the shapeless mass before him and turned to leave the room.

Upon opening the door, fresh air rushed from outside, he took a deep breath, striding toward Kondo Isami, whispering: "The details are clear."

The Xenophobic Patriots are gathering at Ikedaya.

The group from Choshu Domain indeed plans to set Kyoto ablaze, then seize the Emperor amidst the chaos and have him reside in Choshu. Their number is seventy-three."

The number uttered by Hijikata Toshizo caused Kondo Isami's expression to change slightly, then he smiled: "Great, proceed according to the original plan, dispatch men to seek assistance from Kyoto Shugoshoku, we shall send troops to Ikedaya."

Hijikata Toshizo nodded, his eyes flickering with concern: "Chief, take care."

"Rest assured, elite members of the New Select Team are accompanying me."

Kondo Isami smiled, intending not to deploy all team members but choose to divide forces, feigning a carpet search for the Xenophobic Patriots' whereabouts, aiming for a shocking spectacle.

Five defeating seventy-three versus thirty against seventy-three conveys drastically different impressions.

The former evokes an image of martial prowess.

The latter feels less formidable. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Kondo Isami seeks to make the New Select Team renowned across the nation, with the most impactful strategy.

Achieving victory with fewer defeating more!

"What about the people from the Shogunate?"

Okita Soji inquired, feeling the youth was extraordinary.

Kondo Isami showed slight disdain: "Ignore them, he mentioned acting at our discretion, and he remains asleep, thus left here."

"Soji, Tsuruko, Saito, Shinpachi, you come with me."

"Yes!"

Yukimura Tsuruko loudly affirmed, her expression full of seriousness, aware this battle relies on risking one's life.

Victory leads to fame, defeat means they perish at Ikedaya.

In Kondo Isami's words, people like them from humble origins must not cherish life for great achievements.

They lack the privileged background of samurai families, lying down achieves no accolades.

Messengers for assistance have already departed.

Kondo Isami led the New Select Team out of their base, then split at the junction, he swiftly led four members toward Ikedaya.

Regarding Ikedaya's location, Kondo Isami knew well, a building accommodating over seventy people is not small.

With two levels and a garden for viewing pleasure.

While patrolling Kyoto streets, Kondo Isami had imagined that if he ever gained power, he would host a grand celebration at Ikedaya, with the New Select Team all celebrating with victorious wine.

Unexpectedly, he approached Ikedaya in this manner.

Kondo Isami sighed at the whims of uncertain life's events.

On the other side, Aozawa once again entered a parallel world.