Those willing to become Xenophobic Patriots fall into two categories. One is the wanderers, who have nothing to do all day and no master.

Aside from the swords at their waists, they have nothing. Naturally, they are dissatisfied with the existing system and want to find a space for easier progress.

The other category is the samurai who have read books and possess wealth and influence at home.

Among these people, they are divided into ambitious individuals and those who truly want to save the country.

Of course, everyone declares that they sincerely want to save the country.

But in the eyes of Nan Yunlian, the Ghost Tribe leader, none of the people at Ikedaya truly want to save the country; they're just using this excuse to fulfill their ambitions.

The man who truly holds the idea of saving the country hasn't arrived yet.

Nan Yunlian thinks of Katsura Kogoro. Although he is not impressive in appearance, that man genuinely wants to save the country.

But Nan Yunlian doesn't believe the other can truly accomplish such a thing. He sits here simply to repay the favor owed to the Satsuma Domain for sheltering the Ghost Tribe.

The Ghost Tribe is also a kind of Yokai.

Unlike most Yokai, the Ghost Tribe closely resembles humans, with the simple difference being in hair color. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Nan Yunlian has short golden hair, red eyes, and fair skin. Walking around Edo or Kyoto with this appearance usually makes one stand out.

But after the Black Ships incident, Ghost Tribe members like him can freely walk the streets of Kyoto without suspicion, often mistaken as Westerners.

From his standpoint, things aren't too bad right now.

But the Ghost Tribe's debt to the Satsuma Domain must be repaid.

Only after assisting the Satsuma Domain can he return to the Ghost Tribe's dwelling place and continue his secluded life.

He dislikes contact with humans.

Though a small part of humanity does exhibit admirable qualities, most humans are foolish creatures, preaching peace with nobility while secretly longing for conflict.

Nan Yunlian surveyed the Xenophobic Patriots in front of him.

They spoke constantly of the nation's future, yet ignored the common people residing in Kyoto.

They only thought of kidnapping the Emperor to the Choshu Domain, believing the nation would thus improve.

Such selfishness.

Nan Yunlian raised the wine in front of him and silently took a sip.

The houses in Kyoto are nearly all wooden; setting a fire here would cause chaos and death imaginable by anyone.

Children as young as three in Kyoto fear flames.

Katsura Kogoro's delay in arriving at Ikedaya perhaps silently protests such radical strategies.

Yet as long as he chooses to bear the banner of xenophobia, he cannot abandon this group.

Nan Yunlian mulled over these matters, his nose twitched suddenly, a handsome smile appearing on his face—an all-too-familiar scent.

Looks like someone close to him—his friend's daughter—has arrived.

He recalls that the girl should have been picked up by the New Shogunate Police; have they discovered the Ikedaya plot?

Sharp sense of smell.

He didn't alert the others, merely shook the cup in his hand, waiting silently for that group of people to arrive.

...

Approaching night, the exterior of Ikedaya became quite desolate.

Due to the recent frequent heavenly punishment incidents in Kyoto, Matsudaira Katamori, in charge of the Kyoto Shugoshoku, had already initiated a curfew.

Even high-ranking officials from the Imperial Court, when wanting to do anything, could only host gatherings at home, ensuring guests couldn't leave at night and had to stay overnight.

The commoners were even more restricted, mostly returning home at sunset.

The last glow of sunset vanished in Kyoto.

Night descended on this ancient capital; Kondo Isami arrived at Ikedaya, the two floors lit by lamps, lanterns illuminating the entrance.

Aozawa stood on the moonlit rooftop, observing with interest.

How should he describe it?

Directly participating in such a famous event depicted in anime, film, and history, gave him the feeling of being in a movie.

Would his name appear in history after tonight?

Waiting for this to end, he could jump further ahead and see.

Kondo Isami was unaware of being watched; he stepped forward and knocked on the inn's door, while the innkeeper warily called, "Who is it?"

As he spoke, the shadow of the innkeeper projected onto the door, but he had no intention to open it immediately.

Kondo Isami gripped the sword hilt, judged the approximate distance between them, then boldly drew his sword.

The bright white blade flashed in the air, slicing open the door and cutting through the innkeeper's upper body, which slid to the ground.

With a splatter, a large amount of blood and entrails sprayed out, dyeing the white sliding door red.

Kondo Isami charged into Ikedaya, shouting: "By order, search here! Those who dare resist shall be killed without mercy!"

Though said like that, with murderous intent written across his face, he had no intention of letting anyone present live!

Unless they completely abandoned their weapons and knelt for surrender, otherwise, their only path was death.

Survivors could indeed provide more intelligence and information, but in this bloodshed, he wasn't sure he possessed enough skill to hold back and ensure the safety of New Shogunate Police members.

"It's the New Shogunate Police!" "We've been discovered." "Run!"

"Fools, why run? They're only five! Take them down!"

The wanderers in the first-floor hall initially appeared panicked. Upon realizing there were only five adversaries, they quickly shifted from panic to ferocity, drawing their swords.

"Leave these minnows to me and Shinpachi."

Hajime Saito immediately took on the task of dealing with the underlings, ensuring the other three could rush to the second floor without the enemy leaders escaping.