I can order the domains to cooperate with the shogunate.

You cannot kill me!

Within the Imperial Household right now, only I have the ability to command the domains to stop the expulsion of foreigners!

He laid out his conditions, understanding in his heart that he lacked the ability to escape from here and could only save himself.

An unexpected glint flashed across Aozawa's face, followed by a soft laugh.

He thought of Japan's historical elites, shouting 100 million souls would break like jewels from above.

This slogan, even after the two atomic bombs, hadn't dissipated immediately, at most it hesitated.

What truly made them kneel in submission was the Soviet Union also planning to send troops, fearing digging potatoes in Siberia, they promptly chose to surrender.

I have long been dissatisfied with that old thing.

If you can help me ascend to the position of Emperor, I will prioritize you and the shogunate, forbidding the common people from expelling foreigners.

Mutsuhito saw his soft laugh and thought he might finally escape with his life. He didn't care about the dignity of the Imperial Household, directly kneeling in a dogeza.

He was well-read in history, knowing that temporary gains and losses meant nothing.

Just like King Goujian of Yue.

If there were no enduring hardships, how could he later rise to power?

You're a naturally evil royal, not even loyal to your father; how can you be loyal to anyone else?

These words made Mutsuhito tremble all over, quickly looking up and exclaiming, No!

His eyes glanced at a flash of pitch-black like lightning, then pain struck his heart, and he looked down, seeing the shadow blade withdrawn.

Bright red blood gushed out instantly; he felt cold, shivering uncontrollably all over.

Traitors, may you die miserably!

Mutsuhito's face was twisted in rage.

Born with a leg disease, he never gave up and instead drove himself with grand ambitions. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Mutsuhito aspired to create achievements none of the Emperors could, to prove to the world that being born with disabilities doesn't affect one's accomplishments.

Traitor!

He snarled again, but with noticeably less power in his words.

Mutsuhito stared wide-eyed at Aozawa, eventually collapsing to the ground, blood spreading underneath.

Aozawa vanished into the wind, needing the fire to rage more fiercely to burn Kyoto to ashes.

...

From afar, the flames at Hamaguri Gomon soared skyward, closer in, waves of fire surged.

The two groups previously locked in battle were thrown into chaos by the fire and smoke.

No one could form concrete commands.

Only a few were still loudly shouting to slay the traitors and purge the traitors.

But most chose to scatter and flee.

Including Tokugawa Yoshinobu.

The blaze was too fierce, beyond his imagination, forcing him to retreat, hoping for a breath.

What startled him was that even retreating, the fire and smoke showed no sign of fading.

The palace was aflame too!

What was going on?

Tokugawa Yoshinobu was full of doubt; how did the traitors bypass him to ignite the Imperial Residence?

There's an inside traitor!

A sharp glint flashed in Tokugawa Yoshinobu's eyes, smoke stained his face blackened, were it not for his armor, he might be seen as the foot soldiers.

Lord Yoshinobu, sir, things are amiss, we should retreat first.

Tokugawa Yoshinobu ignored his retainers' words, a decision forming in his heart after a brief contemplation.

In this crisis, if I save the Emperor, I shall become a significant minister of the court in the future.

Looking around, only six surrounded him.

Few men, but enough.

Gentlemen, be it fame in history or obscurity, let's gamble now!

Tokugawa Yoshinobu, relying on his knowledge of the Imperial Residence, quickly arrived at where the Emperor met his demise.

The thick scent of blood lingered in the air; he looked at the two halves of Emperor Komei and the court ministers, then at Mutsuhito alone at one side.

Tokugawa Yoshinobu felt a chill within.

Crackle, a distant palace collapsed, snapping him back, glancing over, it was the residence of the concubines.

Tokugawa Yoshinobu glanced around, flames shooting up on all sides, smoke billowing, as if to paint the azure sky black.

The imperial line that's been passed down for thousands of generations is to be extinguished today?!

Tokugawa Yoshinobu was thunderstruck, finally realizing this wasn't a fierce storm but a giant tsunami.

His lone canoe might sink here.

Quick, let's go!

Tokugawa Yoshinobu shouted, seeking to escape.

On the way out, he didn't bother swinging his sword at those he passed.

Reaching the edge, a searing wave of flame greeted him.

Tokugawa Yoshinobu had to halt, witnessing the boundless fire beyond.

How could this happen? How could this happen?

He murmured, unable to fathom the fire's speed.

Heaven was bent on abandoning him!

...

Damn Choshu rebels!

The fire in Kyoto was too fierce for anyone to stay inside.

Matsudaira Katamori wished to head to the Imperial Residence to save the Emperor, but the blaze was too fierce, impeding his advance.

Retainers carried him out of that sea of fire, and outside Kyoto, he saw the fire engulf the entire city.

Even a hundred meters away, the searing flames were discernible.

Without a doubt, the Emperor's line was utterly consumed by the fire.

Imagining the outcome made Matsudaira Katamori cold all over, tears streaming from his eyes, Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Lord Matsudaira! You must take care of yourself!

His retainers urged, eager to restrain.

Such a blaze was beyond human intervention.

Yet at that moment, few cared about Matsudaira Katamori.

Yukimura Tsuruko observed the hundreds of distraught Kyoto residents, then the inferno.

For such a grand Kyoto, only so few survived...

The royal lineage was obliterated.

What a ruthless heart the Conquer Barbarian General had.

Yukimura Tsuruko felt like leaving the Shinsengumi, seeking a reclusive life.

Aozawa departed this world, yearning to leap to future times, to see how history will judge.