The modernized facilities are enjoyed by the upper echelons of the Shogunate.

The longer she lived, the more she thought, and the more she believed she probably made a mistake.

But she no longer had the strength to undo her mistakes.

If her head could provide a glimmer of hope for those fighting against the Shogunate domestically, then let them take it.

It could be considered as her attempt at redemption before she died.

Yukimura Tsuruko closed her eyes.

The sound of footsteps was so loud.

The buzz of a blade slicing through the air felt familiar, as if in an instant it pulled her back to her younger days, fighting alongside the commander and the others.

Things went wrong, but she truly missed that group of people.

The sound of blood spurting from the vein was heard.

Yukimura Tsuruko didn't feel any pain, she opened her eyes questioningly, the guards should have been sent away by her.

However, the man before her fell, blood gushing from his neck.

A young boy appeared in front of Yukimura Tsuruko, his features distinct and somewhat familiar yet a bit strange.

Yukimura Tsuruko stared at Aozawa for a while before suddenly remembering who it was.

"Aozawa?!

Yukimura Tsuruko cried out in surprise, every wrinkle on her face piling up, her waist suddenly straightening, followed by a cracking sound.

Twisting her waist caused her hands to tremble, but she didn't care about the pain, she continued to stare at the boy, exclaiming: "How come you haven't aged at all?"

"Time is indeed ruthless."

Aozawa sighed, remembering the fair-skinned, delicate young girl.

In a blink of an eye, she had turned into an old lady with white hair and dry hands like withered bark.

If anything was beautified by the passage of time, it was probably her eyes.

Revealing a calmness that had seen through time.

"Hearing that from you, it feels a bit ironic."

Yukimura Tsuruko's excited heart calmed, she was no longer the young girl of the past.

Time had taught her much, making her more stable in heart.

Aozawa smiled, offering no explanation, saying, "The Shinsengumi didn't disappoint me, they left an indelible mark in history.

Swordsman Okita Soji, Demon Vice Commander Hijikata Toshizo...

Who did you marry in the end?"

"No one, I was always running around, joining various battlefields, committing too many killings, how could I deserve the happiness of normal people."

Yukimura Tsuruko shook her head, beginning to tell Aozawa about those years. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Aozawa did not interrupt, but listened patiently to her stories, comparing them with the history books, finding that in terms of details, the person who experienced it knew more thoroughly.

...

The two were engrossed in conversation when hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

A group of people quickly appeared at the gate, "Master Yukimura, are you alright?"

A young man with a hedgehog hairstyle rushed into the courtyard, his eyes sweeping over to see two rows of cherry blossom trees flanking a path on which a body lay.

He was haunted by fear, then looked at the boy chatting happily with Yukimura Tsuruko, with a touch of confusion on his face, "Master Yukimura, who is this?"

No second-generation officials in the Shogunate would willingly come to this courtyard to chat with Master Yukimura.

He wanted an answer.

Yukimura Tsuruko didn't answer his question, but said to Aozawa, "This is the captain of the Shinsengumi's First Division, Mitani Yoji.

Don't underestimate his youth; he is skilled in swordsmanship, somewhat reminiscent of Lord Okita's style."

"In this era, is there still room for swordsmanship?"

"Of course, firearms are only equipped for the military, strictly controlled, now the Shinsengumi functions like what foreign countries refer to as the police station, maintaining Edo's public order."

Yukimura Tsuruko explained to Aozawa.

Mitani Yoji's expression became more confused, he could tell the interaction between Master Yukimura and the boy was neither that of an elder and junior, but rather as equals.

How could this be?

Master Yukimura was the last surviving First Generation Squadron Member of the Shinsengumi.

Her status was so high that even the current shogun displayed a demeanor of being the junior when meeting Master Yukimura.

That behavior was ostensibly a bit of a show, but it also proved how high Yukimura's status was now.

In the hearts of those who supported the Shogunate, Yukimura Tsuruko was a living legend.

"Why do you seem to have no impression of the country, where have you been all these years?"

"I was in the heavens."

Aozawa answered with a smile.

Mitani Yoji wanted to retort, what kind of pretentious youth is this?

But he said nothing, continuing to stand there watching.

Aozawa patted Yukimura Tsuruko's head, saying, "Let's stop chatting, I have other things to attend to."

"Is that so, farewell forever."

Yukimura Tsuruko didn't think she could see Aozawa again.

Her lifespan was at its end.

"Hmm."

Aozawa nodded, his body gradually disappearing from this world.

Yukimura Tsuruko looked at the empty courtyard, forced to believe that there truly was an immortal deity in this world.

"Hey, Master Yukimura, what was that about?"

Mitani Yoji shouted in surprise.

Looking at him, Yukimura Tsuruko smiled, seemingly seeing her younger self, and said softly, "That was Aozawa."

"No way!"

Mitani Yoji was filled with shock, as he often chatted with Yukimura Tsuruko, he had naturally heard Aozawa's name, and knew he was a figure from 1864!

Why does he still look like a boy now?!

Mitani Yoji felt his mind was in chaos, unable to comprehend, nor thinking that Master Yukimura would deceive him.

Yukimura Tsuruko couldn't answer, even she didn't understand why, she tilted her head up, feeling the wind brushing against her cheeks, her eyes closing. It was truly a suitable time for a nap.

The sound gradually receded from her ears.

She fell into sleep.

...

Tokyo, Adachi District.