The red square on the other side——

"Hey, hey, what are you doing? Mr. Tachibana and Okita are in the same camp... The two strongest people in the trial gym are hooking up. How can this be a big deal?"

Harada Sanosuke, carrying a wooden gun, squatted on the ground and muttered slightly frustrated.

Nagakura Shinpachi, who was standing next to him, grinned and said with a smile:

"Hey, isn't this great? Being able to play against Mr. Tachibana and Okita at the same time... There aren't many opportunities like this!"

At this time, Hijikata Toshizo's voice came from behind them.

"Nagakura, Harada, come here."

The two turned around and saw Hijikata Toshizo waving to them.

"It's time to hold a war meeting."

Under the leadership of Hijikata, the group of three people moved to the "main formation" in the rear area, and then they saw many familiar people - Shannan, Inoue, Saito, and Toudo were waiting for them in the "main formation".

In order to enhance the sense of ceremony, both the red and white "main formations" used curtain strings to build a decent formation screen with the Kondo family crest, and the general was sitting in the formation screen. From the appearance, it really looks like

The main formation of the main army during the Warring States Period.

[Note: curtain string: a stick used to hang the array curtain]

[Note: Formation curtain: a curtain used to isolate space and construct a position. It plays a role similar to camouflage, interfering with the enemy's reconnaissance, making it impossible for the enemy to know the reality of our side, and concealing our defenders, making the enemy's

Offensive firepower cannot find target]

Inoue Gensaburo, Nagakura Shinpachi, Saito Kazuo, Harada Sanosuke, Toudo Heisuke - the five of them formed a circle with Hijikata Toshizo and Shannan Keisuke as the center.

If anyone is careful here, they will definitely find such an interesting sight - a circle of "isolation layer" appears around Hijikata and others.

Everyone...whether they were juniors who had just started practicing swordsmanship or seniors who had been practicing swordsmanship for many years, they all walked around and avoided them.

No one dares to approach... This "seven-person group" is invisible, exuding a terrifying aura that is inaccessible to strangers!

And this is natural - with so many ruthless people gathered together, it is difficult to prevent the situation from changing!

Ono's Ittōryu and Beichen's Ittōryu are both passed down by Shannan Jingshu.

Natural Rise of Mind-ryu, Gensaburo Inoue.

Shinto Mu-Nen-ryu is passed down by Shinpachi Nagakura.

Without leakage, everyone is allowed to pass on, Saito Ichi.

There are four swordsmen who hold the Onsho Kaden alone - among them, Nagakura Shinpachi and Saito Ichi have quite a lot of practical experience.

Especially Saito Ichi, who was a professional bodyguard before he met Ayoto, and among the "Group of Seven", he is the most experienced in fighting.

As for the skills of other people, they should not be underestimated either.

Sanosuke Harada, who is proficient in the art of spearmanship in the Hohoin style, may look carefree and stupid on weekdays, but once he enters a war, he will become a different person, stabbing the enemy with his spear without mercy.

Toudo Heisuke's strength is still lacking just because he is still young, but it is only a matter of time before he is granted the Hokatsu Itto-ryu's exemption from the Minden. In terms of bravery and courage, he is not inferior to anyone in the "Group of Seven".

Although Hijikata Toshizo does not have the natural ability of Rishin-ryu, it is not because he is not strong enough.

In terms of strength, he had already qualified for the title a few years ago.

However, Kondo Shusuke thought that his learning was too complex, and his sword skills were mixed with too many street fighting skills that he learned in his early years in society, as well as moves from other schools. Naturally, the "purity" of Rishin-ryu was not enough, so he did not

The exemption granted to him by the Natural Rise of the Heart is passed on.

"So? How to fight this battle?"

Harada Sanosuke asked bluntly.

"If you fight head-on, you will definitely lose."

Saito, who rarely speaks a word, directly gave a concise, poignant but precise conclusion.

"I think so..."

Harada Sanosuke smiled bitterly, and then continued:

"Even if our No. 50 people come together, I'm afraid they won't be able to defeat Mr. Tachibana and Okita."

Genzaburo Inoue also began to express his opinions at this time:

"Tachibana-kun and Souji have a tacit understanding - this is a well-known thing in our trial defense hall. If the two of them fight side by side, it will not be a simple 'added combat power'

, but 'multiplication of combat power'."

"What is multiplication?"

Harada Sanosuke turned his head and asked Shannan Keisuke diagonally opposite.

"I'll explain it to you later."

Shannan Jingsuke smiled.

"Does that mean... we have to try to separate them?"

Fujido Heisuke looked at Inoue Genzaburo and asked.

"Separating Mr. Tachibana and Okita...this is not an easy task."

Nagakura Shinpachi shrugged as he spoke.

"Unlike us who have only played house games like 'Red and White Battle', Mr. Tachibana has led real soldiers and fought real battles. Most of the strategies we can think of, he can also think of.

I think he will definitely take precautions to prevent us from separating him and Okita."

At this time, Harada seemed to have recalled something, and was startled.

Then, he lowered his voice and said slowly in a faint tone:

"Speaking of which...I've been doubting it since before."

"What do you suspect?"

Nagakura Shinpachi asked rhetorically.

"Mr. Tachibana and Okita...could they be members of the Taoist community?"

"Huh? What kind of stupid question are you asking?"

Nagakura Shinpachi's thick eyebrows were raised at the corners of his eyes.

Harada Sanosuke continued:

"You see, the two of them always stick together on weekdays. I dare not say that in other places, but at least in the trial guard hall, where there is Okita, there is often Mr. Tachibana, and where there is Mr. Tachibana, there is often Mr. Tachibana.

Don’t you think it’s weird that our relationship with Okita is so good?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Nagakura Shinpachi sneered disapprovingly.

"Hey, I thought you were going to say something. I think you are overthinking it. Mr. Tachibana and Okita have always had a very good relationship, and they are inseparable. Isn't this normal?"

Todo Heisuke on the side also interjected at this time:

"Moreover, didn't Mr. Tachibana and Miss Chiba kiss in public? Since they have kissed women, there is no doubt that Mr. Tachibana likes women, right?"

"Todo, don't you understand? In this world, there is a kind of alien who likes both women and men."

Just when Harada Sanosuke wanted to say something more——

"Hey hey hey, what the hell are you talking about?"

Hijikata Toshizo interrupted in an impatient tone:

"Aren't we discussing combat strategies? Why did the personal affairs of Tachibana and Okita suddenly come up? Let's stop talking about topics that have nothing to do with this red and white war!"

Hijikata Toshizo, who has both the profound qualifications of being a brother-in-law with Isamu Kondo and his excellent strength, has always had a very high prestige in the trial defense hall.

He had ordered the conversation to stop, but no one dared to disobey and quickly shut their mouths.

At this time, Shannan Keisuke, who had remained silent except for answering Harada Sanosuke's questions, finally spoke up:

"...Hijikata-kun, how are your brother-in-law's skills?"

Shannan Keisuke crossed his arms thoughtfully and looked at White's "main formation" on the opposite side.

Sato Hikoro, who is responsible for serving as the general of the White side, is now putting his hands on his hips and holding his chest high, looking very interested and triumphant - he seems to be very happy that he can serve as the commander-in-chief of the first army.

"Not very good."

Hijikata Toshizo tilted his head and answered without thinking.

"Brother likes swordsmanship very much and has practiced martial arts since he was a child. However, his talent is limited. Although he has practiced for decades, his skills are still lackluster."

"That being the case, it's easy to handle."

Shannan Keisuke nodded slightly.

"This is a 'red and white battle', rather than a swordsmanship competition in which everyone has to decide the winner. As long as we can take off the general's head, it will be our victory. Therefore, there is no need for us to worry about how to defeat

Tachibana-kun and Okita-kun.”

Hijikata Toshizo grinned:

"Shannan, you and I are thinking of going together. Hey, it would be great if our general could be more reliable. In this case, we will have more tactics to choose from."
To be continued...