Chapter 326 Shuanglong Meeting [There are 30,000 words today
Kyoto, Futamicho.
A certain open space in Nimiang Town was already filled with people.
The people who occupy this open space are the remaining disciples of the Six Sword Halls... No, to be precise, the vast majority are the members of the "Grave Diggers" who have infiltrated the Six Sword Halls.
Hexian stood in a shadow not far from here, looking at the empty space that was already crowded with people.
"Lord Hexian..."
"Ryunosuke-sama, you are back... hmm? Why are you injured?"
Ryunosuke slowly emerged from the shadow behind Kakusen and was holding his left shoulder.
"It's just a minor injury... I just returned to the stronghold on Sanjiang Street and found that the stronghold was in a mess. All my subordinates deployed in the stronghold were dead."
"Oh?" He Xian's eyes narrowed, "Someone actually found your base for assembling explosive bombs... was it done by the officials?"
"No." Ryunosuke shook his head, "These guys who attacked my stronghold captured Ichizaburo alive."
Ichizaburo - the name of the bald man who was captured alive by Ogata and his party.
"Fortunately, Ichizaburo is not stupid either. After being captured by the gang, he made a wound on his body in time and spread the blood on the ground, creating a blood trail extending from the stronghold to the place where he was trapped."
"I followed the blood trail and found the group of people who dared to attack my stronghold."
"In order to finish them off in one go, I used the explosive bombs I usually carry with me for self-defense."
"You are so cruel," Hexian said in a half-joking tone, "Are you actually planning to blow up your own subordinate named Ichisaburo?"
To Hexian's joke, Ryunosuke did not make any response and only continued:
"It's a pity that I missed it."
"There was a guy in this group who had a blunderbuss. He shot me in the left shoulder, causing my bolter to miss."
"The missed bomb rolled to...some guy's feet, and then was thrown back by that guy."
"No wonder you look so disgraced." He Xian shrugged, "Did your bombs successfully kill those people?"
"No. After the bomb exploded, I took a special look and found that all the limbs of the group were intact."
"Because there were many of them and I was only one person. If we had a direct conflict with them, I would not have the advantage, so I retreated after throwing the bomb."
Having said this, Ryuzosuke paused.
Then, he muttered in a low voice at a volume that only he could hear clearly: "Fortunately, he was not killed..."
"Then the injury on your left shoulder is not serious, right?" He Xian asked.
"It's nothing serious. The projectile did not penetrate my shoulder, it just brushed my shoulder. I have simply bandaged it."
"It's a pity that the light was very dark at the time and the time was very urgent. I didn't have time to see clearly what this guy with a short gun looked like. As a result, I couldn't find a target for revenge in the future."
"Forget it!" Hexian raised his hand and patted Ryunosuke on the back, "If the stronghold is gone, it will be gone! Anyway, the explosive bombs you need have been assembled, right?"
Regarding He Xian's words, Long Zhijie did not comment.
Ryuzosuke turned his head and looked at the empty space not far away that was already full of people.
Looking at the empty space full of people, Ryuzosuke twitched the corner of his mouth and said:
"... Lord Tsurugi. You see, I did what you wanted - I changed my plan. All my subordinates who were originally responsible for setting fires everywhere in Kyoto later have been transferred here to prepare for Ogata Ittosai.
."
"Thank you." Ryunosuke's tone showed strong displeasure at this time, "My current plan is in a mess."
Ryunosuke's original plan was quite perfect.
First use explosive bombs to explode the designated area, and then let the subordinates who sneaked into the Six Sword Halls set fire everywhere to completely destroy Kyoto.
After the incident is completed, Kyoto will suffer heavy losses, and at the same time, it can be blamed on the six major sword halls, making life worse than death for the masters and true disciples of the six major sword halls.
As a result, because of He Xian's fluttering words "I want to capture Ogata Ittosai alive", his originally perfect plan was now changed into a mess.
Although I don’t know why Kakusen wanted to capture Ogata Ittousai alive, but since Kakusen said so, Ryunosuke had no choice but to change his originally perfect plan according to his wishes.
The force that He Xian belonged to gave considerable help to the "Grave Diggers" led by Ryunosuke.
Be it weapons or the raw materials needed to assemble explosive bombs, everything is provided by the force to which Hexian belongs.
Therefore, He Xian has a considerable say in front of Ryunosuke.
Ryuzosuke had no choice but to listen to He Xian's request.
Therefore, under various suggestions from He Xian, Ryunosuke changed his plan to what it is now: let the subordinates who sneaked into the six major sword halls and the masters of the six major sword halls and those who are not them "
Kill all the disciples of the "Grave Digger" members.
Then he openly claimed that he suspected Ogata Ittousai had killed their tavern owner and fellow apprentices, and asked Ogata Ittousai to go to Futou Town to confront them.
This temporary new plan is currently progressing smoothly - in addition to the master of the Metaphysics Hall, the other five masters, as well as the real disciples found in the six major sword halls, have all been killed by them.
Ryuunosuke's subordinates who had sneaked into the Six Great Sword Halls had already gathered in Futami Town and were waiting for Ogata Ittosai to arrive.
Hexian seemed not to hear the displeasure in Ryunosuke's tone and chuckled:
"Ryuunosuke-sama, thank you for your cooperation! When we successfully capture Ogata Ittousai alive! I will thank you well!"
"Ha!" Lord Ryunosuke sneered, "Capture Ogata Ittousai alive? Let's wait until Ogata Ittousai really comes! Whether Ogata Ittousai will come or not is a question!"
Although the temporary plan drawn up by Ryuunosuke and Kakusen successfully forced Ogata into a difficult situation, if he didn't come, he would indirectly be able to claim the title of "There's a Ghost in My Heart", but will Ogata come?
, no one is sure.
He Xian chuckled:
"If Ogata Ittōsai doesn't come, then forget it. Anyway, even if Ogata Ittōsai doesn't come, I have nothing to lose. If Ogata Ittōsai doesn't come, Ryunosuke-sama, you just go ahead with the original plan and let your
Let these subordinates set fire to Kyoto."
"Huh!" Ryuzosuke snorted coldly, and then fell silent.
After a moment of silence, Ryuzosuke said in a concentrated voice:
"Lord Hexian, all my subordinates here are under your command."
"I only give you half an hour."
"After half an hour, if Ogata Ittousai still hasn't come, you will have to take these subordinates of mine and set fires everywhere in Kyoto as planned."
"No problem!" He Xian said cheerfully.
"Then - this place and my subordinates here will be handed over to you."
After saying that, Ryuzosuke turned and left.
"Master Ryunosuke, where are you going?" Hexian asked.
"...I have a place I must go to. You don't have to worry about me."
…
…
Kyoto, Konraku's mansion.
"...I see." Makimura nodded gently, "Lord Konraku, thank you for your help."
Just now, Shimada Yan briefly and comprehensively explained the whole story to Makimura.
Jinle's home happens to be located not far from Sanjiji Street.
After hearing the explosion, Kinle was curious and went out to check the situation.
When we arrived at Sanjizi Street, we heard noisy sounds.
So Konle chased after the noisy sound again.
This noisy sound was the sound of the officers chasing Makimura and others.
So Konraku accidentally met Makimura and others who were escaping from the pursuit of officials, and then extended a helping hand to Makimura and others. While assisting Makimura and others in escaping from the pursuit of officials, he brought Makimura and others to his home and gave Makimura
Healing with Hasegawa.
"Makimura-kun, you're welcome." Konraku smiled freely, "Just treat it as a gift in return as you entrusted your two companions to send me a message this evening to remind me to pay attention to safety."
Makimura knew that the two companions Konraku was referring to were Lin and Asai.
"Makimura-kun, it's not easy for you too." Konraku continued at this time, "You have been fighting alone with a bunch of lunatics who plan to destroy Kyoto until now."
"Lord Konle, do you know everything?"
"Yeah." Konraku pursed his lips towards Shimada next to him, "This young man just told me everything you did tonight."
Having said this, Kinle put down the ointment in his hand and patted Makimura on the shoulder:
"Okay. The wound on your forehead has been treated with medicine. The wound on your forehead is not serious. Now that you have applied the medicine, do you feel better?"
Makimura slowly sat up while holding his head.
Just as Konraku said - Makimura now feels that his head is much better and he is not so dizzy.
After Makimura stood up, he asked Shimada who was standing aside, "How is that bald guy doing?"
"Makimura-senpai, don't worry." Shimada responded, "The bald head is currently locked in the next room."
"Just now, the bald head woke up. I just asked the bald head on your behalf where they placed the bombs."
"Where did they place the bombs?" Makimura asked urgently.
"... Yamaboko." Shimada said solemnly, "They planted explosive bombs in Yamaboko."
"They mixed their dead soldiers into the drag hands responsible for pulling the Yamaboko. They planned to detonate the explosive bomb installed in the Yamaboko in the middle of the Yamaboko parade."
"...I see." Makimura's face suddenly darkened, "Is it Yamaboko... They really know how to choose their positions..."
The individual Yamabokos have always been assembled by ordinary people, not the government.
So if you plan to install a Yamaboko secretly in a Yamaboko, it won’t be easy.
And the detonation of the explosive bomb installed in the Yamaboko will also be extremely lethal.
The scene of the Yamaboko parade was a sea of people.
Detonating a bomb in the middle of a street with people on both sides... That scene... just thinking about it is terrifying...
"If you plan to go to the Yamaboko parade, it may be a little late now." Konraku on the side suddenly said, "The Yamaboko parade has started now."
…
…
Kyoto, Shijo Street.
Shijo-dori, the starting point of the Yamaboko patrol, was already blocked by water at this time.
In order to watch the Yamaboko Parade, which only happens once a year, nearly half of the people in Kyoto gathered here.
Those who arrived early have already grabbed a good spot.
Those who come late can only feel sad secretly outside Shitiao Street.
Some who are strong and brave even climb to the roof in order to watch the Yamaboko parade.
In order to maintain law and order, ordinary people in Kyoto even had to spontaneously form a "temporary security team."
The members of this "temporary security team" turned their backs to the middle of the street, facing the private houses and shops on both sides of the street.
He stretched the long wooden sticks in his hands and connected them one by one to build two temporary human walls, and circled the people who were crowded together outside the human walls, leaving a space in the middle of the street.
So that Yamaboko can pass through here safely.
Grandma Cake was one of the people who came early to grab a spot.
Grandma Cake is very lucky.
She just happened to grab the seat closest to Nagatoho.
The Nagatohobo is the most classic Yamaboko. Due to various historical reasons, the Nagatohobo must be the vanguard during the Yamaboko parade.
Nagatoboko is not only the most classic Yamaboko, but also the most special Yamaboko.
A "child" must be placed on each Yamaboko.
The so-called "child" is the messenger of the gods.
The purpose of the child at the Gion Festival is to purify the procession path so that Yamaboko can lead to the divine world.
The other children on the Yamaboko are all dolls, but the child on the Nagatoboko must be a real person, and it must be a boy of about 10 years old.
Granny Cake silently nibbled on the cake in her hand while waiting for the Yamaboko parade to begin.
At this moment, Grandma Cao suddenly heard the person next to her shout:
"Look! The child on the long sword is about to be tied to the rope!"
Hearing the shout from the person beside her, Grandma Kuai quickly looked towards the long sword in the middle of the street.
On the long sword, a child dressed in white makeup and dressed in a long sword was seen holding a long sword, cutting off the rope in front of him with a most solemn movement.
As the rope on the long sword broke, people on both sides of the street immediately let out cheers like a landslide and tsunami.
"The child on the long sword who is responsible for cutting the head will cut off the rope" - this is a very solemn ceremony.
This ceremony means that the barrier has been opened and each Yamaboko can march towards the divine world.
In other words——It means that the Yamaboko parade has begun.
As the rope on the Nagatohobo broke, the dozens of dragmen under the Nagatohoho who were responsible for pulling the Nagatohoho immediately exerted all their strength and pulled the Nagatohoho slowly forward.
No one noticed—some of the dragmen responsible for pulling each Yamaboko showed strange sneers.
…
…
Kyoto, the home of Konraku.
"Konraku-sama." Makimura put his Odachi behind his back and said loudly to Konraku, "Thank you for your help. I'll leave first."
"Are you going to stop that group of lunatics from destroying the Yamaboko parade? With all due respect - it may be too late." Konraku said in a cold tone, "And - although I don't know why, I
We have just received the news: now all the officials in Kyoto seem to be looking for you."
"All the officials in Kyoto are looking for me? Ha! That's just right! If all the officials in Kyoto are looking for me, it will save me a lot of trouble."
Makimura grinned and said sternly to Konraku.
"Konraku-sama, I ask you to take care of Hasegawa-sama. Oh, and the bald man, I also ask you to take care of him temporarily. Shimada, let's go."
"Wait..." At this moment, Hasegawa's voice suddenly sounded, "I'll go too..."
Hasegawa, who had been lying on the bed next to him since just now, woke up at some point and struggled to get up from the bed.
"If you want to come with us, hurry up." Makimura didn't say any nonsense to Hasegawa like "You stay here to rest."
Because Makimura knew that with Hasegawa's character, even if he was told not to come, Hasegawa would definitely come.
Hasegawa did not keep Makimura and Shimada waiting for long. As soon as he got up from the bed, he quickly put the sword back into his waist and put on his straw sandals.
Just as the three of them were about to rush out of Konraku's mansion, Konraku suddenly and quietly said to Makimura:
"Makimura-kun."
"What's the matter?" Makimura asked, "Lord Konraku, if you have anything important to say to me, please do so as soon as possible. I'm in a hurry."
"Makimura-kun, you are no longer a member of Kyoto, but you are just a white man. You do not need to shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting Kyoto's public security."
Konraku pierced Makimura with a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through Makimura's entire body.
"Since you have no responsibility to do anything for Kyoto, why are you working so hard?"
Makimura did not answer Konraku's question.
He only glanced at Konraku with eyes that made it difficult to understand his emotions, and then silently led Shimada and Hasegawa outside.
Konle looked straight in the direction where Makimura's back disappeared.
Then, an intriguing smile appeared on Konle's face.
"Red Dragon... I wish you good luck in martial arts..."
As soon as he rushed out of Konraku's mansion, Shimada said urgently to Makimura:
"Makimura-senpai! How should we stop the 'gravediggers' from destroying the Yamaboko patrol site?"
"With just the three of us, no matter what we do, we can't stop it." Makimura said in a calm tone, "So - we need to find helpers."
…
…
Heitaro, who was in pain all over his body, just opened his eyes and saw the old man who had defeated them all by himself, as well as a man and a woman.
Heitaro didn't recognize the man, but Heitaro did recognize the woman.
"Atachi!"
After seeing the woman's appearance clearly, Heitaro subconsciously called out the woman's name.
"Good evening, Heitaro." Amachi said with a cold face, "Are you here to arrest me, like Ryutaro and the others?"
"Ryutarou?" Heitaro's pupils shrank slightly after seeing Atachi mention the name Ryutaro, "Have you seen Ryutaro?"
"Of course. I killed Ryutaro and the others."
"What?" Heitaro's eyes widened in shock, "Killed? Just by you?!"
"Don't underestimate the kunoichi. You guys are really haunting... I just finished dealing with Ryutaro, but you came again..."
"Ha..." Although his whole body was in pain and it was quite difficult to even speak, Heitaro still managed to cheer up and sneered, "What? Do you finally know how to be afraid?"
"Don't be afraid. When you decided to defect to Shiranui, you should have thought of such a day, right?"
Heitaro's tone was full of naked mockery.
Listening to Heitaro's taunt, Ogata frowned.
Ogata just opened his mouth and planned to say something to Heitaro. At the side, Atachi raised his hand to signal Ogata to stop talking.
Seeing Omachi making this move, Ogata could only close the mouth he had just opened again.
"I'm not afraid!" Amachi said loudly, "You can just come! I will kill as many as you come!"
"Ha..." Heitaro sneered again, "Anyone can talk about big words."
"You can say such things, don't you feel ashamed?"
"How many more will come and how many will be killed?"
"Maybe you don't know? We in Shiranui are cooperating with the shogunate!"
"I know." Atachi said with a stern face, "Ryutarou told me all these things."
"Now that you know, the more ridiculous I think you are! Knowing that we, Shiranui, have cooperated with the shogunate, you can still say such shameless words!"
Heitaro raised his hand with all his strength and pointed towards Nijo Castle in the distance.
"Have you seen Nijo Castle? Our Lord Kotaro, one of the 'Four Heavenly Kings' in Shiranui, is leading the rest of our companions to guard Nijo Castle!"
"The task of guarding Nijo Castle will only last until the end of tonight's banquet!"
"When tonight's banquet is over and there are no more tasks, Lord Kotaro will lead all the remaining combat forces under his command to pursue you endlessly!"
"You may be able to defeat Ryutaro with a moment of luck, but do you think you can defeat Kotaro-sama with luck?"
"You should still remember A-Zhu! A-Zhu will be your fate in the future."
After hearing the name "Atake" from Heitaro's mouth, Atachi's face suddenly turned pale.
Just when Heitaro opened his mouth and wanted to say something else, a slender black shadow quickly struck at him, and then hit him hard in the mouth.
This black shadow is Da Shi Tian.
Ogata pulled out the Daishiten sword from his waist with the sheath attached, and then used the bottom end of the sheath to swipe Heitaro hard in the face.
Ogata showed no mercy at all.
The bottom end of the scabbard of the Daishiten sword hit Heitaro's face. As Heitaro flew out laterally, several teeth flew out from Heitaro's mouth.
Heitaro, who had just woken up, passed out again.
"Atachi, don't pay attention to what this guy just said."
While Ogata inserted Daeshukten back into his waist, he turned his head and said this to Amachi.
After turning his attention back to Omachi, Ogata was stunned, his eyes widened in shock.
I saw A-Machi, who had just shouted "I'll kill as many as you come" with great momentum, now his face turned pale, and his hands and feet were shaking as if uncontrollably...
…
…
"Akiyama-kun, have you and your subordinates found Makimura?"
Akiyama shook his head: "No. Shiina-kun, what about you?"
Shiina - Like Akiyama, she is a yuri from Kyoto. She has a neatly shaved Tsukiyo head and a delicate face. Although she looks young, she is actually nearly 40 years old and is one of the old people in Kyoto town.
Just now, Akiyama, Shiina, and the rest of the gang received an order from Riri Abe: to make every effort to capture Makimura Yahachi who escaped from prison.
Although they were quite disgusted with the order to "arrest Makimura Yahachi", after all, it was an order issued by their immediate superiors, so Akiyama and Shiina did not dare to disobey it.
Where is Makimura Yahachi now?
have no idea.
Are there any clues about Makimura Yahachi?
The only clue that could be considered a clue was that Makimura Yahachi had just appeared at Sanoji Street where an explosion suddenly occurred.
Therefore, Akiyama, Shiina, and the rest of Yuli could only lead their respective subordinates to conduct a search around Sanoji Street.
But until now, Makimura Yahachi has not been found.
Doing this kind of task that doesn't count as doing is very tiring.
Therefore, Akiyama and Shiina, two close friends who usually have good personal relationships, gathered together secretly, chatting while recovering their strength.
"I didn't expect Makimura-kun to return to Kyoto..." Shiina smiled, with a strong sense of reminiscence in her smile, "He is always so 'sudden'... he suddenly jumped out and became Yuli 7 years ago.
, suddenly disappeared from Kyoto 2 years ago, and now suddenly returned to Kyoto..."
"I actually met Makimura-sama during the day today." Akiyama smiled bitterly, "Makimura-sama made a big fuss just after he returned to Kyoto..."
After all, Akiyama met Makimura and Yakuza fighting on the street this afternoon, and then Makimura gave him a face and surrendered, and asked Akiyama to tell Shiina the series of events that led to him being imprisoned.
"You stood up for a little girl who was robbed of candy, and you chose to go to jail in order to help your friend..." Shiina smiled, "These two things are really Makimura-kun's style... Makimura-kun is such a person.
In this way, you always have a 'Ren Xia' demeanor when doing things."
"'Ren Xia'...haha." Akiyama laughed along with Shiina, "This description is so appropriate!"
Qiu Shan's eyes now showed admiration and longing.
"Makimura-sama has always been someone I admire very much..."
Qiu Shan spoke softly and slowly.
"Two years ago, on the day of the Tenmei Fire, when all of us had to listen to Toda-sama's order to protect Nijo Castle, only Makimura-sama and Kunieda-sama did not listen to the order, but went resolutely.
The common people who chose to evacuate Kyoto..."
"At that time, I still remember the figures of the two of them rushing in the opposite direction to us..."
Shiina nodded: "Me too..."
Shiina untied a gourd filled with wine hanging from her waist, took a sip, and handed it to Akiyama: "Would you like to drink it?"
"No." Qiu Shan waved his hand.
Seeing that Akiyama refused to drink, Shiina took the gourd back, sipped it in small sips, and said softly:
"Actually, there are many people like us in the entire shrine who admire Makimura-kun and Kunieda-kun."
"I have noticed just now that many people are simply carrying out the task of 'capturing Mihachi Makimura' assigned by Riri Abe with a perfunctory attitude."
"Hahaha." Qiu Shan laughed a few times, "Yes! I found it too!"
Speaking of this, Qiu Shan paused and then added:
"I believe in Makimura-sama's character! I don't believe that Makimura-sama would do anything bad!"
"This is probably because Riri Abe is deliberately trying to cause trouble for Makimura-sama!"
"I think so too." Shiina nodded seriously, "The relationship between Abe Riri and Makimura-kun has always been very bad. Abe Riri even had a funny incident where he was stared down by Makimura on the day of the Tianming fire.
One scene.”
"That guy Abe Riri always exacts revenge. He definitely still holds a grudge against Makimura-kun. I think he just deliberately seeks to cause trouble for Makimura-kun."
Regarding Shiina's words, Akiyama couldn't agree more.
After nodding vigorously, Akiyama shrugged:
"In short - I trust Mr. Makimura more than Riri Abe. I hope Mr. Makimura can hide and escape like he is now, and don't let us run into him..."
Before Qiu Shan finished speaking, one of his subordinates ran towards him panting.
While running towards him, he said loudly:
"Lord Akiyama! Makimura Yahachi has been found!"
Upon hearing Tongxin's words, Akiyama and Kunieda's faces were filled with astonishment.
"What did you say?" Akiyama exclaimed, "You found Lord Makimura?! Where did you find him!"
“It’s just nearby Dongshan Street!”
"Take me there quickly!"
Under the guidance of this colleague, Akiyama and Shiina quickly arrived at Higashiyama Street, not far from here.
Higashiyama-dori is an ordinary street that can be seen everywhere in Kyoto.
At this moment, this ordinary street was filled with official officials, numbering in the hundreds, and the number was still increasing.
Pedestrians on the street didn't know what happened, but when they saw so many officials gathered here, they instinctively thought that something might have happened, so they hid far away.
Only the officials and the three people standing opposite the officials, Makimura, Shimada, and Hasegawa, were left on Higashiyama Street.
Akiyama and Shiina pushed past the official officials who were blocking them and came to the front of the official officials.
"Lord Makimura..." Looking at Makimura in front of him, the expression on Akiyama's face became complicated, "Why do you show up so arrogantly...?"
Just now, when they asked the Tongxin to lead the way, Akiyama and Shiina learned from the Tongxin that Makimura was not found.
Makimura walked arrogantly on the street and shouted "I am Makimura Yahachi", attracting all the officials.
Shiina looked around - five people, including him and Akiyama, had gathered around.
The five people including them all had complicated faces at this time.
Their target of arrest: Makimura Yahachi is right in front of them.
But for a long time, no one waved his hand to his subordinates and ordered Makimura Yahachi to be brought to justice.
Everyone turned their eyes to Makimura with mixed emotions.
Everyone was asking Makimura with their eyes: "Why did you show up?"
"Everyone!" Makimura said loudly with a smile on his face, "Long time no see! Although there are many new faces, there are also many familiar old faces!"
"If possible, I would also like to chat with you more, but I don't have that time now!"
"Everyone, please give me a helping hand!"
"I need your help now!"
"A group of lunatics are planning to detonate something called a 'explosive bomb' in Kyoto."
"You can understand 'explosive bombs' as explosive shells that do not need to be fired by artillery."
"These lunatics installed 'explosive bombs' in every Yamaboko."
"Once the explosive bomb installed in Yamaboko is detonated, the consequences will be disastrous."
"Countless civilians will be killed."
"Then countless civilians will be trampled to death in the ensuing panic."
"We will stop those lunatics from detonating Yamaboko at all costs!"
"With my own strength, there is no way I can dismantle the explosive bombs hidden in the more than 20 yamabokos!"
"But it will be different with your help!"
"I don't need too many helpers, only 50 people are enough!"
"With only 50 people, we can dismantle the explosive bombs contained in more than twenty yamabokos!"
"Everyone, please give me a helping hand!"
After saying that, Makimura bowed vigorously to the officials in front of him, headed by Akiyama and Shiina.
The helpers mentioned by Makimura, Shimada and Hasegawa just now in "looking for helpers" refer to the officials in Kyoto.
Now that the Yamaboko patrol has begun, the only way to dismantle the explosive bombs in the more than twenty Yamabokos at one go is to rely on the power of Kyoto officials - there is no other way.
Just after Makimura finished speaking, Hasegawa, who was standing next to Makimura, also said loudly:
"I am the fire thief-turned-commander - Heizo Hasegawa! What Makimura-kun just said is all true! I can testify!"
Akiyama, Shiina and others looked at each other in shock.
What Makimura just said contained too much information and had a strong impact.
Most of the people present still looked stunned.
Akiyama, who was the first to recover from his shock, pursed his lips, opened his mouth, and was about to say something to Makimura——
Da da da……
A bunch of horseshoes suddenly sounded.
Akiyama, Shiina and others followed the sound, and their faces immediately darkened.
It's Abeleli here.
Abeleli rode a horse, led a few close friends, and galloped toward them with excitement on his face.
The officials hurriedly moved to both sides to make way for Abeleli to pass.
After riding his horse to the front of the officials in one breath, Abe Lili jumped off the horse and laughed:
"Makimura Yahachi! I finally found you! Hey! What are you doing standing still? Why don't you tie up Makimura Yahachi!"
Abe was gesticulating excitedly.
However - Akiyama, Shiina and others around him did not immediately respond to Abe's order.
Seeing that the subordinates around him were not moving, Abe's face showed displeasure.
"Hey! What are you all doing! Didn't you hear my order?"
Qiu Shan pursed his lips, then summoned up the courage to speak loudly:
"Lord Abe! Lord Makimura just said that a group of lunatics planned to destroy the Yamaboko parade..."
Before Akiyama finished speaking, Abe interrupted rudely:
"What stupid things are you talking about? Do you just believe whatever that guy Makimura says?"
"Abe Riri!" At this moment, Hasegawa suddenly shouted, "You have to think clearly! If those crazy people really succeeded in destroying the Yamaboko patrol scene, as a big fan, you cannot escape the responsibility!
"
"Well..." Abe's face darkened, "Hasegawa...you are here too..."
Because I was so excited just now, I could only see Makimura, and I ignored Hasegawa who was standing next to Makimura.
"Hasegawa!" Abe yelled, "Do you really think I'm afraid of you? You're just a commander who has been punished by thieves. I'm really not afraid of you!"
"You don't have any evidence at hand, just open your mouth! Just open your mouth and say that there is a lunatic who wants to disrupt the Yamaboko parade! Why should I believe you!"
"...Just because I am Makimura Yahachi!" Makimura Yahachi, who had been silent since just now, said sonorously and forcefully, "Everyone, are you willing to believe me, Makimura Yahachi?"
Makimura's words seemed to have some kind of magic power. After hearing Makimura Yahachi's words, the eyes of Akiyama, Shiina, and the rest of the people present began to shine with a different kind of light.
"Why don't you arrest Makimura Yahachi! Do you want to disobey me?"
The success of Abe's plan of "killing four birds with one stone" depends entirely on whether he can capture Makimura Mihachi.
In order for his perfect "kill four birds with one stone" plan to be implemented successfully as soon as possible, Abeleli looked hysterical at this time.
And Abe's words seemed to have a strange magic power, causing the strange light that had just appeared in the eyes of Akiyama and others to slowly dim again.
"...Makimura-kun, I'm sorry." Shiina spoke first and sighed, "We... are samurai after all... listening to our superiors' orders... is one of our bounden duties..."
Then, Shiina slowly took out the Jushou hidden in her arms.
The subordinates behind Shiina also cut off the fishing tools in their hands.
Akiyama on the side, as well as the rest of Yuli, also had heavy expressions on their faces while reaching for their respective fishing gears.
The expressions on the faces of Makimura, Shimada, and Hasegawa gradually became ugly.
Shimada even subconsciously reached for the knife at his waist...
"Lord Abe!"
At this moment, a shout suddenly sounded.
This sudden shout made the originally tense atmosphere suddenly relax.
Abe followed the sound with a look of astonishment.
He recognized this voice—it was the voice of Toda's confidant.
As a member of the "Toda faction", Abe naturally recognized the looks and voices of Toda's confidants.
The person who came was indeed one of Toda's confidants.
"What's the matter?" Abe asked with a frown.
This Toda's confidant rode up behind Abe and said loudly to Abe:
"Lord Abe! Lord Toda has an order - put aside everything you are doing! Make every effort to hunt down the mysterious force that owns the new Nanban iron cannon and kidnapped the owner of the Inaba Hall of the Metaphysics Hall!"
"What?!" Abe suspected that he heard wrongly.
And Toda's confidant repeated what he said just now.
After hearing Toda's order again, Abe looked confused.
He didn't understand what this order was about at all.
New type of Nanman Iron Cannon? Kidnapped the wife and daughter of the owner of the Metaphysics Hall, Inaba? What are these?
Abe didn’t know that Toda Tadahiro had just been scolded by Tokugawa Munemu at the banquet.
After Toda was called to attend by Tokugawa Munumu, he asked Toda directly: "A group of mysterious forces with new Nanban iron cannons came out of Kyoto. They even kidnapped the wife and daughter of a certain sword hall owner, Toda Qing.
Do you know about this?"
Of course Toda didn't know about this.
Therefore, Toda could only speak vaguely and talk about things left and right.
Toda's hesitant appearance indirectly confirmed the fact that "he was derelict in his duties and didn't even know that something like this happened in Kyoto."
So Tokugawa Munemu scolded Toda.
He scolded Toda for dereliction of duty, but luckily Osaka Jodai reported the matter to him.
After scolding Toda, Tokugawa Munemu gave Toda a straightforward order, asking Toda to find out this mysterious force with the new Nanbarbar iron cannon as soon as possible, otherwise he would report to the Shogun the "dereliction of duty on behalf of the Kyoto Commissioner."
The last half of Tokugawa Munumu's words almost scared Toda out of his soul.
Tokugawa Munemu was one of the "Three Tokugawa Imperial Households" and one of the most powerful daimyo in the country. He also had a close relationship with the shogun and had a very important say in front of the shogun.
If Tokugawa Munemushi had mentioned "the Kyoto commissioner's malfeasance in his duties" in front of the general, God knows what kind of trouble would have befallen Toda.
After the frightened Toda staggered back to the table, he quickly called his confidants and asked his confidants to give Abe this fatal order: put aside everything at hand and go all out to hunt down this mysterious force.
.
Abe, who didn't know what happened to Toda, was confused and still couldn't figure out what the sudden order was.
But he understood - Makimura Yahachi can't move anymore!
Because the order from Toda is very clear: put aside everything you are currently doing!
Toda rarely issued such a strict death order, and he specially sent his confidants to deliver the order.
This shows that this order is not trivial.
After receiving this order, if you do other unnecessary things, it is very likely that Toda will be dissatisfied.
Toda is Abe's backer.
Even if Abe had a hundred courages, he would not dare to disobey any of Toda's orders.
And if Makimura is caught right now, he will most likely get into trouble.
Abe knew nothing about the "mysterious force possessing the new Nanman iron cannon" mentioned in the order just now.
Let’s first assume that this mysterious force really exists.
If Abe arrests Makimura at this time, and this mysterious force really exists, and does something big after that, then Toda can take advantage of the situation and shift the responsibility to Abe - it is all his fault for what happened.
You wasted your strength on the irrelevant Makimura Yahachi.
Abe can also be regarded as one of Toda's confidants, and because he is Toda's confidant, Abe also knows Toda's temperament - Toda will not hesitate to pass the responsibility to his subordinates in order to avoid difficult troubles.
A subordinate who comes to block the knife.
After thinking clearly about the stakes involved, Abe's face instantly turned ugly.
He turned his head and looked at Makimura with extremely complicated eyes.
Makimura Yahachi is right in front of him, but he can't catch him now...
Abe now feels like he has eaten a hundred flies...
After all, Makimura has been a Yuli for 5 years.
Naturally, he is far more sensitive to such government orders than ordinary people.
Therefore, after Makimura heard the new order issued by Toda to Abe, he immediately realized that he was safe now.
"...Abe-sama." Makimura's lips curved in an intriguing way, "It seems - I'm pretty lucky."
After mocking Abe, whose face turned green and white in such a calm tone, Makimura turned his head and turned his attention to Akiyama, Shiina and others again.
"Everyone, are you willing to believe me?"
Akiyama, Shiina and others looked at each other again.
"...Makimura-sama!" Akiyama gritted his teeth, "Two years ago...on the day of the Tenmei Fire, you and Kunieda-sama did not follow everyone to protect Nijo Castle, but ran to evacuate the civilians. You two
Later, he was sent to prison for disobeying orders..."
"Makimura-sama, have you ever regretted your disobedience two years ago?"
Akiyama suddenly asked a question that had nothing to do with the atmosphere at the scene.
Makimura was slightly stunned after hearing this sudden question.
But after being stunned for a while, Makimura said without hesitation or hesitation:
"I have never regretted it!"
After hearing Makimura's answer, Akiyama fell silent.
While silent, a faint smile appeared on Qiu Shan's face.
It was like some knot in my heart had been opened.
The different light that had dimmed just now bloomed in his eyes again.
"Everyone who is in charge of me, Akiyama, listen!" Akiyama turned around and said loudly to the officials behind him, "Be prepared! We will rush to Shijo Street immediately!"
Akiyama's words caused the heavy atmosphere around him to suddenly dissipate.
Then, as if a chain reaction had started, Shiina gritted his teeth, turned around, and shouted to his subordinates an order that was almost exactly the same as what Akiyama had just said.
Then came the third place and force, the fourth place and force...
Abe's face was filled with astonishment, and he looked at Akiyama, Shiina and others in shock.
"What are you doing?" Abe shouted, "Do you really want to believe what Makimura Yahachi says? No one is allowed to follow Makimura Yahachi to the site of the Yamaboko parade! I have a new mission to do.
Here you go! We are going to find a mysterious force..."
Before Abe could finish his words, he was interrupted by Akiyama:
"Lord Abe! If it were anyone else, I might not believe him."
"However..." A smile slowly appeared on Akiyama's face, "If the other party is Makimura Yahachi, it will be different."
"I want to believe that Makimura Yahachi, who would evacuate civilians even if he was ordered to do so two years ago."
Makimura moved his gaze, letting his eyes pass over the faces of Akiyama, Shiina and others in front of him one by one.
Looking at the faces of these people, a smile mixed with complicated emotions appeared on Makimura's cheeks.
…
…
The number of officials successfully mobilized by Makimura totaled more than eighty people - the total number far exceeded Makimura's expectations.
"Shimada, Lord Hasegawa."
While leading the eighty-odd officials to the scene of Yamaboko's patrol, Makimura suddenly said to Shimada and Hasegawa beside him.
"You two should remember what bombs look like, right?"
Shimada and Hasegawa both nodded.
"That's good, you two are responsible for leading the officers to defuse the explosive bombs on Yamaboko. I want to go to a place."
"Huh?" Shimada looked shocked, "Makimura-senpai, where are you going?"
"I'm going to a place... where I need to go. I'll leave it to you to take care of Yamaboko's explosive bombs!"
Makimura turned his head and told Akiyama and others behind him to follow the instructions of Hasegawa and Shimada, then turned around and turned into another street nearby.
Makimura shuttled through the streets with a familiar attitude.
Finally - he arrived at his destination: a remote open space in Kyoto that didn't even have a name.
This open space is so remote that the ground is covered with weeds and there are not even any passers-by.
After arriving at the clearing, Makimura slowly slowed down and walked slowly toward the center of the clearing.
There should have been no human figures in the open space, but now there was a person suddenly standing in the center.
This person had his back to Makimura, and after hearing footsteps slowly approaching him from behind, he did not turn around.
Looking at this person's back, the expression on Makimura's face gradually became complicated.
After arriving at a distance from this person, Makimura stopped.
After Makimura stopped, the man slowly spoke:
"Ah Ba, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
After saying that, the man turned around slowly.
If it were Kakusen, or the bald head captured by Makimura and the others, seeing this person's face, they might subconsciously call out the name "Ryuunosuke".
However - after seeing this person's face, Makimura called out another name.