This place has always been a secret stronghold for the loyalists of the Choshu clan. Because of its remote location, it was not exposed even after all the forces of the Choshu clan were expelled from Kyoto. On the seventh day after Kenshin disappeared, an important figure was welcomed here.
A high-ranking figure, Katsura Kogoro, who was then the governor of the Choshu feudal clan in Kyoto.
As the leader of the Choshu feudal rebels, he would not leave the Choshu feudal residence in Kyoto easily. As the situation became increasingly tense, even his lover, Miss Ikamatsu, rarely met.
"Have you not found out the news about Kenshin yet?" Katsura Kogoro asked worriedly.
The person sitting in front of him was the only one who escaped with his life that night. He replied with a look of shame: "The only information that can be determined is that Feicun-san was not killed. In the past few days, I have personally visited all the people nearby.
I didn't find much useful information about the merchants and residents. Judging from the situation at the time, even if Fimamura-san could escape, he would have been severely traumatized. Unless there was someone he knew outside to take him in, there was no reason to stay outside, not to mention that it had been a long time.
Fan smiled bitterly: "Himura-san usually won't leave this place. Unless he has plenty of time after killing someone, he will find a tavern to drink alone. As for women... I always thought that in his eyes, there are only killable people and unkillable people.
The difference between people…”
"Oh, that's it." Katsura Kogoro sighed and whispered to himself: "Kenshin, where are you!"
"About this, I've discovered a strange phenomenon these days." "Oh?"
"Recently, the Shinsengumi often visit a restaurant, especially Okita Souji, who is known as the Heavenly Sword of the Shogunate. He often even stays there all day long from opening to closing. Coincidentally, that restaurant is not far from where we were attacked.
Because of the existence of the Shinsengumi, I did not go deep into Ryotei to inquire, but according to intelligence, the previous leader of the Shinsengumi, Serizawa Kamo, was also assassinated nearby, so I always felt that there was something strange there."
"What's the name of that restaurant?" "Yiweiwu."
Kenshin's recovery speed was much faster than Kazuyo Sorayama expected. Except for the broken ankle that needed rest, the injuries on his body were no longer serious. Even the relatively troublesome internal injuries healed quickly under Sanai's careful care.
Seeing this situation, Sorayama Kazuha unceremoniously gave him a crutch and carried it to the lobby, asking him to share part of the work in the store. He said that proper exercise is beneficial to the recovery of injuries.
Holding a pot of soju, Kenshin slowly approached a table of Shinsengumi soldiers wearing light green haori. It seemed that he had not yet transformed from a murderous executioner to a Ryotei hand-servant serving drinks and food. He looked at this group of people.
Kenshin couldn't help but tighten his hand holding the cane against the unkind-looking enemy, and it had already become his instinct to scan several people with sharp eyes, looking for their flaws.
Okita Souji, who was sitting facing the kitchen, looked at Kenshin with a smile, but the tip of the bamboo chopsticks in his hand never left Kenshin's chest and heart! Facing this swordsman who was almost as old as himself, he was actually full of desire to fight.
.
According to what Saito Kazuo said that day, the swordsmanship of the person in front of him was definitely not inferior to that of himself, the top master of the Shinsengumi, and even once the sword master's unique secret technique was launched, he would not be able to take it without any injuries.
Fortunately, this move is actually a move that can kill eight hundred enemies and injure one thousand, and the swing time before launching the move is too long, so it is impossible to have a chance to use it in a master duel.
Saitoichi, who has always had a keen eye, came to the conclusion: The two men are equally skilled in swordsmanship. In a life-or-death duel, Kenshin has a slightly greater chance of winning. When swordsmanship cannot determine the outcome, whoever has killed more people has a higher chance of winning.
It is the universal standard for all swordsmen. Even someone as arrogant as Okita has to admit Saito Ichi's judgment.
Kenshin stopped. Three meters in front of him was the Shinsengumi team member closest to him. This person Kenshin was also very familiar with. He was none other than Saito Kazuo. The master across the table even made him feel that he was better than Saito.
The threat from One was even greater. Faced with the surprise attack from two masters of the same level, he was not sure of escaping unscathed in his current state. He had to stay at a relatively safe distance and watch the Shinsengumi members vigilantly.
Murderous aura began to permeate the store. Affected by this, ordinary diners put down their bowls and chopsticks and looked around. Some people began to look around, preparing to jump out of the window and escape if there was a fight. This is really nothing in today's Kyoto.
A gentle female voice appeared at the right time: "Kenshin, the dishes for the next table are ready, please go to the kitchen to help." Sanai stood on tiptoes and took elegant steps to take the wine bottle from Kenshin's hand and came to the table.
Filling the glasses of the four Shinsengumi members one by one, he said with a gentle smile: "Captain Saito, Captain Okita, we met last time. Thank you for always taking care of our business. If there is any inconvenience in the hospitality, please forgive me.
Please forgive me."
Now that the Shinsengumi has learned the true identity of Sorayama Kazuha, the identity of the proprietress in front of them can also be revealed: the daughter of Chiba Shusaku, the former master of Hokatsu Itto-ryu, the sister of Chiba Eitaro, the contemporary master, and a beautiful swordsman who was famous in Edo at that time.
Chiba Sana!
Before the two captains could answer, one of the team members who knew the inside story stood up excitedly and said: "Miss Sana... Madam, do you remember me? My dear Todo Heisuke, when he was training in the training hall, he had an affair with Madam
We met several times, and I'm so happy to meet you again today!" Judging from his expression and his tone, it seems that he is another former suitor.
Toudo Heisuke, together with Hijikata Toshizo and others, were known as the "Four Kondo Kings". Although he was not well-known in later generations, he was a master of the Hokatsu Ittōryū Shinden and was one of the few masters in the Shinsengumi. His swordsmanship was only inferior to that of several captains.
.
Sanai bowed his knees slightly and saluted, and a smile appeared on his face covered by the veil: "Oh, it's Todo-kun. After so many years of absence, you are still as handsome as before. Why didn't you continue to serve in Edo and come to Kyoto instead?"
Todo said with some shame: "I was defeated by Miss... I was defeated by Madam, so I decided to travel to Japan." Then he raised his head and stared at Sana eagerly: "I accidentally met Director Kondo and was touched by his heroism.
So I was invited to come to Kyoto to join the Shinsengumi. I didn’t want to meet my wife here, but really, really..."
Knowing that Sanai's surname was now Kongshan, he certainly didn't, and he didn't dare to have any unreasonable thoughts. It's just that any man in his middle age would be like him when he meets the goddess he once dreamed of in a foreign land.
"Since I have met an old friend, all your purchases today are free. Please enjoy our special dishes." Sana bowed again, apologized and left, but Toudo still stared at Sana's back for a long time without sitting down.
Being overwhelmed by this atmosphere, the tense situation when Kenshin arrived just now disappeared. Okita couldn't help laughing and said: "I didn't expect the free and uninhibited Todo brother to be so infatuated. But by the way, this boss lady has made you miss me for so many years.
, it can be seen that his appearance must have been extraordinary back then."
Without waiting for Todo to answer, Saitoichi suddenly said bluntly: "Don't forget the purpose of our coming today." "Ah, Brother Saito, don't be so straight-faced. Didn't we come here to drink today? By the way, pay attention to suspicious people in the store.
."
"With this executioner's martial arts prowess, he will definitely not be given up by the rebels. I received intelligence that someone was nearby recently to inquire about the news about that night. I think they will find out here sooner or later. In this way..."
"Follow the clues and catch them all in one fell swoop. Oh no, Hijikata-kun has said this several times! Haven't you found any worthy people until now?" Okita Souji waved his hand indifferently.
At this moment, a man wearing a hat slowly walked into the store, interrupting Okita Souji's words. He found a table in the corner and sat down, slowly untied the hat, revealing a picture of the Shinsengumi Nichiyo.