Qinjin Fan, Ojin, Hijifangdi——

"Come! Tachibana, you're welcome, sit down wherever you want! Just treat it as your own home!"

As he said that, Hijikata Shisan, who was wearing a loose yukata, sat down on the tatami, leaning on his elbows and propping up his knees. He looked as casual as he wanted, and his posture was as comfortable as he wanted.

"Even without your words, I would not be polite."

After saying this half-jokingly, Aoto followed Hijikata Toshizo's example and sat cross-legged leisurely.

On the surface, Toshizo Hijikata always looks very out of character, laughing, cursing, and willful.

But in fact, his thoughts are quite delicate.

Whenever outsiders are present in public places, he will definitely play the role of "vice-chief of the Shinsengumi" and "old man of the Qinjin clan". He will never act in a manner that is inconsistent with his status and status because of his close relationship with Qingden.

.

Throughout the ages, the reason why "brothers work together to start a business" has always been tied to the "brothers' feud" is that there are always people who still treat each other as "good brothers" even after their good brothers become successful, leading to tragedy.

To this day, although Aoto and Hijikata Toshizo are still close "friends", they are also "kings and ministers" and "commanding generals".

Hijikata Toshizo has a clear understanding of his relationship with Aoto and will never be confused about his position - and this is one of the important reasons why he can still have a good time with Aoto over wine until now.

Of course, in private, they no longer have to follow these twists and turns.

If no outsiders are present, the relationship between them will return to the purest friendship of relatives and friends - Hijikata Toizan is Souji's adopted brother, so he can also be regarded as one of Seito's many uncles.

"Tetsunosuke! Get some tea..."

Before Hijikata Toshizo finished speaking, a handsome young lady trotted in front of him - holding a tea tray with two cups of hot tea in his hand.

"My lord, my lord, please have some tea!"

Shota said loudly, while using steady movements he took down the two cups of hot tea on the tea tray and handed them to the knees of Aoto and Hijikata Tozo respectively.

Looking at Shota, who was quick with his hands and feet and brought tea without waiting for orders, Hijikata Toshizo was stunned for a moment, then gently nodded and cast an appreciative look at him.

"Well, Tetsunosuke, thank you for your hard work. Please step aside. I want to have a small meeting with Tachibana."

"yes!"

Shota, who was called "Tetsunosuke", lowered his upper body, put three fingers to the ground, and bowed respectfully to Ayoto and Hijikata Toizan.

"My lord, my lord, I'll take my leave first!"

After saying that, he lifted up the hem of his hakama, stood up and left.

Qingdeng raised his eyes and watched his back.

After the sound of his footsteps faded away, Qingden looked away, looked at Hijikata Toshizo, and smiled slightly:

"Ichimura-kun is getting smarter and wiser."

Hijikata smiled at the age of three, with a hint of pride on his face:

"Of course, after all, it was the nickname I chose at first glance!"

Ichimura Tetsunosuke - the real name of the shota just now, was born in the first year of Ansei (1854), he is exactly 10 years old this year, and he has not even shaved his forehead.

As Hijikata Toshizo just said, this shota is now his nickname.

Prior to this, Hijikata Toshizo had never had a nickname and had always been a loner.

The process of why he established a monarch-subordinate relationship with the other party for the first time is quite interesting.

It is the result of the superposition of various causes and coincidences.

Like most people with lofty ideals, Tetsunosuke Ichimura and his brother Tatsunosuke Ichimura have long admired the invincible Shinsengumi.

Therefore, when the "big conscription" began at the beginning of this year, the brothers rushed to apply.

His brother passed the exam successfully, but he just...

Although the "Grand Recruitment" has not set a specific age limit, this is not a critical moment when "all the strong men have been killed, so children can only be sent to the battle". The "Recruitment Office" of the Shinsengumi will not recruit 10 people no matter what.

Young children serve as soldiers.

"Little brother, you are not yet good at wielding a knife. The battlefield is not a good place for you yet. Wait until you grow up a little before you can enlist in the army."

Faced with the kind words of the conscripts, Ichimura Tetsunosuke refused.

He looked sad and angry, held his head high, and shouted loudly:

"Don't you, the Shinsengumi, want to recruit heroes from all over the world? Then why do you want to abandon the real heroes?"

His bold words happened to be heard by Hijikata Toizo who happened to be passing by.

Seeing this little guy who was not big in stature but had a big voice, Hijikata Suisan was very happy.

He folded his arms in front of his chest, walked over in a swaggering manner, and asked:

"Boy, what's your name?"

Facing this strange old man (?) with a unique temperament who suddenly appeared, Ichimura Tetsunosuke was startled, but he still stiffened his neck and pretended to be calm and introduced himself:

"My, my name is Ichimura Tetsunosuke!"

Hijikata Toshizo twitched the corner of his mouth:

"It's funny how you dare to shout such ungrateful words in front of the Shinsengumi."

"Uncle, who are you?"

"Uncle...?! Tsk, well, considering the age difference between you and me, it's okay for you to call me 'uncle'. I am the Shinsengumi's 'Deputy Chief of Demons' Hijikata Toshizo. Please give me some advice."

"

"'Deputy Commander of the Ghost'...?!"

Tetsunosuke Ichimura, who was so impassioned a second ago, was like a deflated rubber ball this second, his expression changed drastically, his eyes widened, and his face was filled with disbelief.

Hijikata Tossan continued the words quietly:

"Although we can't let children go to the battlefield, but... let's do this, you will take my nickname! In this way, you can be regarded as a member of the Shinsengumi."

"Xiao, Xiao last name...?!"

As soon as these words came out, Ichimura Tetsunosuke suddenly looked embarrassed.

"What? Aren't you happy? I've said something ugly before, but I gave you a very precious opportunity. I don't know how many people want to use my nickname, but they haven't had the chance yet."

Facing the sharp gaze directed by Hijikata Toshizo, Tetsunosuke Ichimura lowered his head in aggrieved manner and weakly said to his toes:

"Just, even if you are Hijikata Toshizo, I don't want to be your Kousaka Masanobu..."

Takasaka Masanobu - Takeda Shingen's nickname, that is, the typical person who sold his fortune by selling ditches.

Hijikata Toshizo was startled for a moment, and then showed a rare expression of frustration:

"Who said I want you to be Kousaka Masanobu! Don't worry! I'm not Takeda Shingen! I don't have that kind of hobby! Do you want to be my nickname? Please give me a confirmation! I'm busy!"

Finally, after a fierce ideological struggle, Ichimura Tetsunosuke nodded with difficulty, and became Hijikata Tobizo's nickname, responsible for taking care of his daily life.

When it was learned that Toshizo Hijikata actually adopted a 10-year-old boy as his nickname, a huge wave of discussion broke out within the Shinsengumi.

From the generals to the ordinary soldiers, everyone participated:

"That 'Deputy Chief of Ghosts' actually still has such interest..."

"Isn't this kind of thing normal? What's all the fuss about?"

"I didn't expect that the 'Deputy Chief of Ghosts' would actually favor all Taoists... If I have a chance, I must have a good exchange with him!"

…

There are countless comments similar to this.

In fact, it’s no wonder that everyone is like this.

Although the original meaning of "little surname" is just a personal servant, but...

Oda Nobunaga and Mori Ranmaru, Takeda Shingen and Kosaka Masanobu...the things these people have done have made the term "little surname" no longer pure.

After learning that Hijikata Toshizo, who had always been alone before, suddenly adopted a nickname with a delicate face, it is indeed difficult not to make people have strange associations with this...

And Hijikata Toshizo happened to be a guy with a "lot of criminal records".

After thinking about his flirtatious nature, it’s no surprise that he does all sorts of tricks!

Everyone was talking a lot... On the other hand, those who were familiar with Hijikata Toizo - such as Aoto, Souji, and Kondo Isamu - were quite calm.

Because they know Hijikata Tozo very well, they all know in their hearts: Hijikata Tozo is a straight man! He will not engage in any public sect!

Besides, Toshizo Hijikata is definitely not the kind of person who would attack children.

If he were such a scumbag, there would be no need for others to comment on him. Qingdeng himself would come to Hijikata Mansion with his sword in hand and have a "detailed talk" with the other party!

Although he is Qingdeng's best friend, personal feelings are not worth mentioning in the face of big rights and wrongs! The ethics and morals that should be corrected must be corrected!

Faced with everyone's doubts, Hijikata Toshizo, who had expected it, sneered a few times and responded calmly: Tetsunosuke Ichimura reminded him of his former self who was not afraid of the sky or the earth, so he decided to do it on a whim.

He took it with him and cultivated it.

In this way, everyone's suspicion was finally lifted.
To be continued...