Kyoto has entered a state of martial law.

However, some rumors continue to circulate among the people and the Imperial Court.

"The Choshu Domain has raised an army!" "It's said they want to appeal to Emperor Komei about the unjust accusations against their lord."

"It seems there are differing opinions within the court."

"Prince Sanehito of the Arisugawa-no-miya seems to agree with Choshu Domain's view and wants to expel the Aizu Domain Lord, Kyoto Shugoshoku Matsudaira Katamori."

"Kyoto Imperial Palace Guard Commander Tokugawa Yoshinobu advocates repelling the Choshu Domain's troops."

"Emperor Komei is undecided about this."

The customers in the teahouse exchanged the information they had gathered; each had family or relatives working for prominent figures, so news naturally spread rapidly.

A patrol of the Shinsengumi appeared at a street corner, and the entire street quickly fell silent.

Since the Ikedaya Incident, Shinsengumi's notorious reputation spread rapidly across Kyoto and the various domains.

Yukimura Tsuruko found it strange that the Shogunate seemed unwilling to let Aozawa's name appear before the public.

They officially declared that all the credit belonged to Shinsengumi.

As a result, within Kyoto, the fame of Shinsengumi soared, earning the fearsome name "Mibu Wolf."

Only a few knew the truth.

She glanced at the passersby on the street.

Those people averted her gaze, their faces unable to hide their fear of the Shinsengumi.

Even though they thwarted the plot to burn Kyoto, they were feared by many for their excessive killing.

Yukimura Tsuruko sighed inwardly, then shifted her thoughts back to the Choshu Domain's army in Kyoto.

"Soji, how do you think the court will decide?"

"I'm not sure, but if the Choshu Domain takes over the court, we must leave here with Lord Matsudaira.

Otherwise, Shinsengumi will surely be destroyed."

Okita Soji's expression was devoid of its usual laziness, appearing quite serious.

Right now, the situation for the Shinsengumi was quite dire.

There were even those within the court who proposed to offer their heads to make the Choshu Domain cease their uprising.

The reason for the Choshu Domain's attack on Kyoto was the Ikedaya incident and the death of Katsura Kogoro.

In the Choshu Domain, Katsura Kogoro was definitely considered a heavyweight figure.

Such a figure should not have been at the front lines.

The Choshu Domain had tried many times to have Katsura Kogoro return to the domain and take charge of its affairs.

But Katsura Kogoro believed that his presence in Kyoto was far more significant than returning to the Choshu Domain.

In the end, he died in Kyoto.

For the Shogunate, this was good news.

For the Choshu Domain, it was a devastating blow, and all the loyalists in the domain were infuriated.

But Katsura Kogoro was not killed by the Shinsengumi.

Okita Soji thought of that young man, saying he had matters to attend to, could his feet have oiled up and fled?

He only hoped the situation was not as he feared.

Otherwise, Shinsengumi would be finished.

...

Kyoto Saga Tenryu-ji.

Kijima Heisuke felt the oppressive heat of midsummer, his chest bare, sitting on a stone by the pond, feeling discontent.

It had been six days since the Choshu Domain angrily raised an army and camped here.

According to his thinking, they should naturally charge into the Kyoto Imperial Palace in one go and reason with Emperor Komei.

But within the Choshu Domain, Hisaka Genzui, Takasugi Shinsaku, and the domain lord all held a prudent attitude towards that decision, believing they should not violate the wishes of the Imperial Court by rushing into the palace.

They only wanted to talk with Emperor Komei and didn't plan to lead the army into the palace.

But Kijima Heisuke thought, since they had already raised an army and come here, if they didn't charge straight into the Kyoto Imperial Palace, how would Emperor Komei see them?

He looked into the pond's reflection, letting out a soft sigh, and then his pupils suddenly expanded.

There was an unexpected additional reflection in the pond!

It was a boy he had never seen before.

Kijima Heisuke looked up and wanted to ask who it was.

"Silence."

Aozawa used his hypnosis ability, instantly transforming Kijima Heisuke from a raging lion into a docile puppy.

He had no thoughts of calling for others.

Aozawa stared at the man in front of him, who was only about 1.6 meters tall, thinking to himself that if Emily were to come to Japan during this period, she would surely be very happy.

With her height, she would consider herself of a normal standing height in Japan, walking freely.

"You don't need to stay here any longer. Quickly mobilize the troops to march toward Kyoto, set fire along the way, breach the palace, and seize Emperor Komei to return to Choshu."

Aozawa had slightly skimmed through historical records earlier and found that there was still some time before the Forbidden Gates Incident.

But it didn't matter. With him around, the Forbidden Gates Incident could happen at the beginning of July, without needing to wait until July 19th.

After all, if they continued staying here and waited for the Satsuma Domain's people to arrive, the court would care even less about their opinions.

Kijima Heisuke's face transformed from struggle to determination after Aozawa's words, nodding: "Yes, I should attack immediately!"

Aozawa smiled, using Element Replacement, turning his body into an invisible breeze.

When the fire was set, he could rely on the power of the wind to burn the entire Kyoto directly.

Generally speaking, Aozawa wouldn't harm ordinary people.

But this period was different.

In Kyoto, Japan, at this time, everyone was guilty.

Everyone deserved to die; there was no concept of the innocent.

Kijima Heisuke suddenly stood up and shouted: "Mobilize the troops, mobilize the troops!"

The guard turned around, looking shocked: "Lord Kijima, what do you mean by this?"

"Hisaka is inept, failing the nation and its people!

If we continue waiting here, we'll only let forces from various domains advance into Kyoto. We must attack the Kyoto Imperial Palace with the force of thunder, explaining our grievances to Emperor Komei!"

Kijima Heisuke shouted loudly, the guards showing excitement on their faces.