Chapter 894 Death Prophecy of “The Vice Chief of Ghosts” [6000]
"Hey, Sanosuke, you're blocking me."
"Shinpachi, you still have the nerve to talk to me? Isn't your big ass blocking Mr. Hijikata?"
"Okay, don't make such a fuss, everyone else is still waiting to take pictures."
Hijikata Toshizo said, putting his arms around Nagakura and Harada's shoulders, and stepped aside to let the camera go.
After hearing that this was a magical machine that could record images with precision, everyone at the scene became interested.
Even some people who are usually very inactive showed rare enthusiasm at this time.
"...Mr. Tachibana."
Saito appeared quietly behind Qingnobo and said slowly and hesitantly:
"Can we...can we take a group photo?"
Looking at this close friend who had followed him for the first time, Qingden smiled calmly:
"sure."
Heisuke Toudo, who was not far away, heard this and shouted impatiently:
"Ah! Mr. Tachibana, I also want to take a photo with you!"
Suddenly, as if a chain reaction started, Nagakura Shinpachi, Harada Sanosuke... everyone expressed their desire to take a photo with Aoto.
Qingdeng was like the principal at a university graduation ceremony, standing alone on the stage while others took turns stepping forward to take photos with him.
Out of the blue, Hijikata Toshizo suddenly shouted to Ayoto:
"Tachibana, those of us who come from the Imperial Guard Hall, let's take a big group photo together!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone immediately echoed and agreed.
Qingden smiled and nodded.
"Okay, that's what I meant!"
Seeing that Seito agreed, Hijikata Toshizo immediately went around to call people over.
"A Sheng! Come here quickly! And you, Shannan! Stop being a pestle!"
Shannan Keisuke smiled helplessly and walked towards Hijikata Toshizo.
In fact, Shannan Keisuke is not as enthusiastic as others about photography.
It wasn't until Hijikata Toizo grabbed him just now that he had no choice but to take a photo with him.
In a short time, under the leadership of Hijikata Toshizo, the "Testeikan Faction" were all in place.
Aoto, Isamu Kondo, Toshizo Hijikata, Souji, Keisuke Yamanan, Shinpachi Nagakura, Ichi Saito, Genzaburo Inoue, Heisuke Toudo, Sanosuke Harada—these 10 people who decided to go to Luo with their passion.
, gathered together after a long absence.
Ever since the Shinsengumi became a huge army dominating the Gyeonggi Province, it has become increasingly difficult for them to reunite with each other.
Due to the large number of people, if they were arranged in a "long snake array", they would definitely exceed the shooting range of the camera.
Therefore, they were arranged in a fan shape, with Qingden standing in the middle and the others forming his "two wings".
"Okay! Don't move!"
Kenzo Tamoto said as he got into the black cloth behind the camera.
"One...two...three...four...five...Okay! You can move!"
After Kenzo Tamoto took the photo, Sanosuke Harada looked excited and laughed proudly.
"Hmph~~ I have a hunch that the photo we just took will go down in history! As for the name of the photo, it's called 'The Test Guard Hall—The Strongest Sword Hall in Edo'!"
Kondo Isamu grinned:
"That's a pretty good name."
"Oh, that's bad! If I had known this, I should have shaved off my beard earlier! Wouldn't it be ridiculous if future generations saw my slovenly appearance?"
Nagakura Shinpachi said as he gently rubbed the stubble on his chin with a worried look on his face.
Hijikata Toshizo shrugged:
"Don't worry, this photo isn't that clear, I can't see your stubble."
Just as everyone was about to disperse, Qingdeng shouted first:
"Wait a moment, don't leave in a hurry!"
After saying that, he turned to look at Serizawa Kamo and Shinmi Nishiki not far away.
"Serizawa! New acquaintance! Come here quickly, let's take a photo together!"
As soon as these words came out, Serizawa Kamo and Niimi Nishiki were both stunned.
"A group photo? Us?"
Serizawa frowned.
"We are not from the Trial Guard Hall, so we don't have to come forward to join in the fun, right?"
While Aoto and others were taking photos in great excitement, Serizawa Kamo and Niimi Nishiki kept standing on the side, neither speaking nor coming forward to participate in the "photo session", looking "alone and independent"
", "Everyone is drunk and I am sober alone" with a cold look.
Of course, from another perspective, the two of them seemed to be isolated by Qingdeng and others.
Qingdeng smiled and explained:
"We were just taking a group photo of the 'Trial Guard School'."
"And now, I want to take a group photo of the Shinsengumi."
"So, Sanako, Amu, Elodie, Yataro, you guys should come over quickly too!"
This time, Elodie and the others were stunned.
Sanako and Awu were fine, and quickly returned to normal.
Elodie's beautiful eyes flashed with surprise on her face.
Yataro Iwasaki was even more stunned.
"Mr. Tachibana, me, me?"
He pointed at himself, with a look of intense hesitation on his face.
"But...but...I'm not from the Shinsengumi, I'm from the Shinsengumi Chamber of Commerce..."
Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Qingdeng:
"To me, you have long been a member of the Shinsengumi. Stop talking nonsense and come here."
"Mr. Orange..."
Yataro Iwasaki's face was filled with emotion, as if he might cry at any time.
Qingdeng had already said this, and Elodie and the others no longer hesitated and trotted to the front of the camera.
Now, only Serizawa Kamo and Niimi Nishiki remain in place.
Serizawa looked at Aonto with a complicated expression, neither advancing nor retreating.
At this time, he suddenly felt a big hand pressing his shoulder.
Serizawa turned around and saw Nishiki Shinmi smiling at him and saying:
"Brother Serizawa, let's go."
"..."
Hesitation and hesitation exerted a final tug between his cheeks.
Finally... about 5 seconds later, he slowly took a long step towards everyone, and Shinjian Nishiki followed closely.
No one at the scene expressed any objection to their joining.
Comradeship is indeed a very special bond.
Qingdeng once read this piece of trivia in his previous life:
The comradeship...especially the kind of comradeship that goes out into danger together and trusts each other's lives, will burst out with amazing energy, just like a strong love relationship, or even more like a husband and wife.
Qingdeng is not a professional scholar, so he has no idea whether this piece of trivia is true or false.
However, based on his own actual experience, he feels that this statement still has some truth.
Looking back at the time when Serizawa Kamo and Niimi Nishiki joined the Shinsengumi, they were incompatible with each other even if they were not disliked by others.
This was not because Qingdeng and others intended to exclude him.
The "Shiweiguan Sect" headed by Qingteng came from the same sword hall, and they have a very deep friendship with each other. They will naturally work together, leaving no room for outsiders to get involved.
On the other hand, Serizawa Kamo and Niimi Nishiki are from the same hometown (Mito) and have been close friends for many years, so they form a small group of their own.
In this way, the estrangement and opposition between the "Tsueikan School" and the "Mito School" became a natural thing.
However, after experiencing many bloody battles, fighting the enemy side by side, and going through life and death, the barriers between the two groups gradually diminished.
Comrades who have squatted in the same trench, worked together in the same boat, and shared weal and woe... This kind of bond has gone beyond ordinary friendship.
Even Hijikata Toshizo, Saito and the others, who used to be very hostile to Serizawa Kamo, are no longer as hostile to each other as before.
Of course, such changes are inseparable from the illustrious military exploits gained by Ya and Jin through their sweat and blood.
The Shinsengumi are an army, so they naturally respect strength.
Whoever can fight better, whoever is more capable, will get more respect.
Hijikata Toisho is to the Shinsengumi what Zhang Liao is to Soochow, he can play the role of "stopping children from crying at night".
Whenever the "Deputy Commander of Demons" is mentioned, the soldiers of the Shinsengumi can't help but fight between two groups.
Despite this, no one dares to question its status.
The reason is that his excellent ability in both civil and military affairs is obvious to all.
Faced with tough and tough battles, Serizawa Kamo and Niimi Nishiki never gave up. They always charged forward and accumulated solid military exploits.
Serizawa Kamo even won the first victory in the battle (Battle of Iga).
No one will deny: Kamuo Serizawa is one of the most valiant and skilled swordsmen in the Shinsengumi!
Even those who hate Serizawa Kamo the most have to admit his bravery and military exploits, and then respect him to the greatest extent.
On the other hand, I don't know whether it was because he was convinced by Aoto, or because of his comradeship, Serizawa Kamo was not as sharp as before.
In a word, he has become much calmer, like a sword that has been put back into its sheath and no longer easily exposed to others.
With the addition of Serizawa Kamo, Elodie and others, the front of the camera became extremely crowded.
After everyone spent a lot of effort, they finally found their respective positions.
Aoto is still standing in the middle, with Isamu Kondo and Toshizo Hijikata on his left and right.
The girls headed by Sanako stood in front of him, and Awu hugged Elodie affectionately.
The rest of the people stood or squatted so that everyone's face could be captured by the camera without being blocked.
Perhaps being infected by the lively atmosphere at the scene, Tamoto Kenso enthusiastically got into the black cloth behind the camera.
After taking the group photo, Nagakura Shinpachi, Harada Sanosuke and others took turns taking individual photos, saying that they would send the photos back to their hometown so that the folks back home could see how majestic they look now.
Harada Sanosuke, this big live treasure, even took off his upper body and threatened to take a photo of the scar on his stomach.
While taking pictures, he even did not forget to introduce the scar on his stomach to Kenzo Tamoto:
"I think back then, before I became a ronin, and when I was an official in Iyo Matsuyama Domain, there was a nasty guy who slandered me as a 'little official who didn't even know the etiquette of seppuku'. I just love to be serious, and he is not
Are you saying that I can’t even commit seppuku? I pulled out my wakizashi on the spot, stabbed it into my own belly, and committed seppuku on the spot to show him!”
…
…
Hijikata Toshizo, who had taken many photos one after another, slipped away to an inconspicuous corner alone and rested secretly.
Suddenly, a loud sound came from beside him:
"Ah Sui, it's about time you explained it to me, right?"
Hijikata Toisan raised his eyebrows and looked around with a look of surprise on his face.
"A Sheng, why are you here?"
In front of his sight, Kondo Isamu held the sword at his waist and strode toward Hijikata Toshizo.
"Ah Sui, please explain to me."
He repeated without sadness or joy.
Hijikata Toshizo regained his composure and smiled slightly:
"Explain? What do you want me to explain?"
"You are so unusual today. What happened?"
"Abnormal? May I ask what's wrong with me? On a whim, I paid for everyone to take photos. Is there any problem?"
"I can't tell you exactly. In short, I just think you are abnormal."
"Really...are you being too unreasonable?"
Just as Hijikata Toshizo smiled bitterly, a new voice suddenly sounded:
"Mr. Hijikata, if there is really a secret behind it, let me hear it."
Then, the sound of footsteps approached.
This time, Hijikata Toshizo and Kondo Isamu were both stunned.
The two of them followed the sound and saw the general manager walking in small steps and arriving in front of them in the blink of an eye.
Hijikata Toshizo had a strange expression:
"Xiao Si? Why are you here too?"
The general manager smiled:
"Even Brother Kondo can detect your abnormality, how could I not see it?"
"What kind of friendship do you think we have?"
"It's understandable that Qingdeng and the others don't realize there's anything special about you."
"But we are brother and sister."
"If the other party has any abnormality, he can immediately detect it - we have this ability, don't we?"
After Hijikata Suisan heard this, he stopped making excuses.
Looking at the two people, one on the left and one on the right, "attacking" him with a pincer-like attack, Hijikata Toisho let out a long sigh and spread his hands, his expression dominated by strong helplessness.
"Sigh... I really can't do anything to you..."
"This can make you see something strange. I really impress you..."
Although he was complaining, there was no boredom on his face, and instead he showed a faint smile.
Then, he fell silent without saying a word, seeming to be thinking of words.
Kondo Isamu and Souji were not in a hurry and waited quietly.
He didn't keep them waiting for long.
After just a moment, a faint voice came out:
"...About half a month ago, I always had a strange dream."
"I dreamed that on a vast and boundless land, you were all moving forward."
"And I... am stuck in place, unable to retreat, let alone move forward."
"No matter how hard I try, I still can't make my legs take half a step forward."
"I can only watch you getting further and further away from me."
"To be honest, I don't understand dream interpretation and I don't understand the specific meaning of this dream."
"I only know that every time I wake up from a dream, an indescribable uneasiness will always come as expected and wrap around my whole body..."
"Thinking of the upcoming 'Changzhou Expedition', I couldn't help but wonder: Could this dream be a prediction of my death?"
Having said this, Hijikata Tosei curled up the corners of his mouth and showed a calm smile.
"If I go to the underworld and meet the King of Hell, I will naturally not be able to follow you anymore."
"I'm not bragging, I'm never afraid of death."
"After I went to Luo with Tachibana, I was prepared to die at any time. I never expected to die on the bed of old age."
"If I really die heroically in the 'Changzhou Expedition', then I will be willing to do so and will have no complaints."
"But... for some reason, ever since I had this strange dream, I suddenly had a strange and strong desire - I inexplicably wanted to leave some traces of my life in this world, especially the time I had with you.
Traces of working side by side together."
"So, I thought about cameras, and then found Tadamoto Kenzo."
"The next step is today's story."
Hijikata Toshizo finished speaking.
As soon as he finished speaking, Isamu Kondo whispered slowly in a deep voice:
"No wonder you are so keen on taking photos today and keep asking people to take photos with you. So that's how it is."
If we were to say who was the most active person in taking photos today, then Hijikata Toshizo might be able to compete for a spot.
He just kept inviting people to take photos with him, and almost everyone took a photo with him.
Hijikata Toshizo nodded lightly:
"Yes, that's right. When I think that I will probably die on the Changzhou battlefield, I always want to take more photos..."
"Mr. Hijikata, what are you talking about?"
Before Toshizo Hijikata could finish his words, he was interrupted by Souji in a rude tone.
I saw her frowning, a look of displeasure filling her cheeks.
"What about 'die on the Changzhou battlefield'? Bah, bah, bah! These are all your random thoughts!"
"It's just a strange dream. I'm sorry you can associate it with 'die in battle'!"
"In my opinion, you are simply overthinking!"
"I often dream that there are mountains of Jinping Candy and they drown me."
"After all these years, why hasn't this dream come true?"
"A dream is a dream, don't think too much!"
"How could the dignified 'Deputy Chief of Ghosts' die under the sword of a Changzhou man?"
"Don't say such unlucky words again...cough, cough, cough! Cough, cough, cough!"
Suddenly, the Souji's voice stopped suddenly and turned into a violent cough.
The cough came so quickly and violently that both Kondo and Hijikata were startled, and their expressions changed.
Isamu Kondo took the lead and asked:
"Xiao Si, what's wrong with you?"
After coughing a few more times, Souji patted his chest and took deep breaths to adjust his breathing:
"No, it's nothing... I just got a bit cold recently, don't worry about it."
Although Souji is the "Heavenly Sword" of the Shinsengumi and has physical fitness that far exceeds that of ordinary people, in fact, his physical health is mediocre.
Every time the seasons change, she often catches colds and fevers.
Now is the time when autumn is transitioning into winter. The temperature difference between morning and evening is huge, making it very easy to get cold.
Hijikata Toshizo and Kondo Isamu were not surprised by Souji's physique that was prone to illness.
Therefore, after they expressed their condolences, they stopped thinking about it.
Kondo Isamu's attention turned back to Hijikata Toshizo:
"Ah Sui, it's really not your style."
"If it were you before, you would only sneer at these mysterious and mysterious things."
"I won't go out of my way to do things like 'take photos with people as souvenirs'."
Hearing this, Hijikata Toisho shrugged with a playful look on his face.
"Yeah, it's true."
"If it's the 'old me', that's true."
When he mentioned the words "my old self", he emphasized his tone specially.
"In the past, I really wouldn't have done such a mother-in-law thing."
"But now..."
At this point, he paused briefly.
Then, he turned his head, raised his gaze, and looked at the people not far away who were still busy taking photos.
Instantly, his eyebrows and eyes relaxed, his facial lines relaxed, and his expression gradually softened.
"Now I...have become a lot more timid."
After saying that, he stood up quickly.
"No matter what, it doesn't hurt to take more precious photos, right?"
After leaving these words, Hijikata Toshizo left without saying another word and strode away.
Before leaving, he did not forget to add loudly:
"Don't tell anyone what I just said, especially Tachibana."
"I don't want my personal reasons to affect Tachibana's judgment and command."
After leaving these words, he quickened his pace and walked away.
Isamu Kondo stared at his back with a complicated expression.
After a while, he let out a long sigh.
"Xiao Si, what is this?"
"Ah Sui's state of 'finishing funeral arrangements early' makes me very worried..."
Faced with Kondo Isamu's depression, Souji smiled helplessly:
"I have no choice but to take one step at a time."
"I still insist on my opinion - it was just an ordinary dream."
"It's just Mr. Hijikata who thinks too much."
"There was a time when I often dreamed that my mouth was full of rotten teeth from eating too many Jinping candies."
"As a result, I was always depressed during that time, fearing that I would end up with no teeth at a young age."
"As a result, my teeth are still in good condition to this day."
"Facts have proved that dreams are just dreams, there is nothing special about them, so don't worry about them."
"Besides, who is he?"
"He is the 'Deputy Commander of Demons' Hijikata Toshizo!"
"Who has the ability to take his life?"
"If you think about it from another perspective, this is actually a good thing."
"The 'Deputy Vice-President of Ghosts' occasionally has a side of 'Vice-President Bodhisattva'."
After patiently listening to the general manager's consolation, Kondo Isamu nodded slightly to show his agreement.
"Well, you talk a lot."
"His life is very big. He will never die easily."
"Xiao Si, we will have to keep an eye on Ah Sui more from now on."
"In case he does something stupid."
He said and raised his feet forward, ready to leave.
After walking only two steps, he suddenly found that the general manager was staying put, so he asked:
"Huh? Xiao Si, what's wrong? Aren't you leaving?"
The general manager said haha:
"I have been busy taking pictures and am a little tired, so I want to rest here for a while. Brother Kondo, please go first."
Hearing this, Kondo Isamu didn't doubt that it was there and walked away directly.
The director-general stared at his back.
After confirming that Kondo Isamu had gone far, she suddenly raised her hand to cover her mouth, and then coughed hard and violently:
"Cough, cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Because she coughed too hard, she had to lie down on the ground to make herself more comfortable...
