Chapter 716 The Shadow Assassin Attacks! Fujido Heisuke Is Targeted! [4300]

Sustaining the capital is the core function of the pacification office.

Therefore, one of the daily tasks of the Shinsengumi is to patrol Kyoto and punish lawbreakers.

For the sake of convenience, the soldiers of the Shinsengumi called this "patrolling the town".

Previously, because the size of the troops was too small, each team had to patrol the town.

Now, the size of the Shinsengumi is no longer what it used to be, and the specific functions of each team have been further refined.

As the ninja team and the cavalry team, the 7th, 9th, and 10th squads naturally do not need to be involved in this task.

As the elite 1st, 2nd, and 3rd squads are "heavy weapons of the pacification army", sending them to patrol the town is a bit of a waste of talent.

Therefore, the responsibility of patrolling the town fell on the shoulders of the four ordinary infantry squads of the Shinsengumi, namely the soldiers of the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th squads.

The four squads rotate every 7 days.

In detail, each team will be on duty once a month.

There are only two ways to patrol the town.

First, set up sentries at traffic hubs such as Sanjo Bridge and Shijo Bridge.

Second, send a large number of patrols to patrol the streets and alleys of Kyoto.

Since the large-scale Sonnō Movement broke out in the Gyeonggi region, a large number of masterless ronin have been pouring into Kyoto under the banner of "The rise and fall of the country, every man has a responsibility".

Suddenly, there are a large number of young and middle-aged men with no jobs, no families, and shining swords on their waists in the city... Anyone can imagine what kind of results this will lead to.

These ronin who poured into Kyoto are very clearly polarized.

Some of them are indeed true patriots who care about the country and the people and have noble character.

However, the vast majority of them are just scum and villains who want to take advantage of this opportunity to make a fortune.

Robbery, extortion, rape, extortion... these beasts can be said to be doing all kinds of evil.

Under their destruction, the public security in Kyoto is getting worse and worse.

At nightfall, the people of Kyoto would not wander the streets, but would close their doors and windows and wait for dawn in fear.

Especially those powerless merchants, they were even more afraid of these "sono patriots" who would extort them every now and then on the pretext of "subsidizing military expenses".

One of the original intentions of Tokugawa Iemochi to order the establishment of the Shinsengumi was because Kyoto was already in a state of chaos and needed a strong and powerful violent agency to punish evil and correct the atmosphere.

Let Qing Deng take charge of public security... Isn't this a professional match between female ninjas and training, female knights and depravity?

Looking back, Qing Deng had served in the Kitabansho-sama-cho and the fire-fighting thieves, and he was a student at the police academy in his previous life.

He was too familiar with this series of "businesses" of catching thieves, arresting criminals, and rectifying public security!

So, after Qing Deng arrived in Kyoto, he did not say a word and directly dealt a heavy blow to the dire situation of thieves rising in Kyoto!

The Gyeonggi Pacification Envoy had the privilege of "killing first and reporting later, and granting special powers".

Under Qing Deng's instruction, the Shinsengumi did not have the troublesome things such as "presumption of innocence" and "saying as much as there is evidence".

Once the Shinsengumi found a suspicious person, they could arrest the other party directly without any procedures and processes!

If the other party dared to resist, they would be executed on the spot!

In this way, the Shinsengumi was able to let go and exert strong subjective initiative.

They arrested batches of thugs.

They chopped off batches of heads.

The magnificent Kyoto on Sanjo River was piled up several layers higher.

In troubled times, heavy punishments are used - this famous saying of the ancients is true.

Under Qing Deng's "heavy punch", it took only one month for Kyoto's public security to improve greatly, and even the air became much fresher!

To ​​this day, the term "panic" is really the most appropriate to describe the thugs in and outside Kyoto.

As soon as they heard the name of "Shinsengumi", they couldn't help but sweat on their faces; as soon as they saw the light green clothes, their bodies couldn't help but shiver!

Fujido Heisuke is a serious and responsible person.

Whenever the 8th Division is on duty, he will lead the team in person and patrol every corner of Kyoto with all his heart and soul.

His rigorous personality of doing everything himself, and his brave attitude of always charging forward when encountering a war, earned him the reputation of "Mr. 'The First'".

Fujido Heisuke rolled his eyes and scanned every corner of the street.

It was 10 o'clock in the evening, and the whole town was shrouded in night and tranquility.

It was quiet, with only the rustling sound of their straw sandals rubbing against the ground.

Tonight was a "moonless night", with thick clouds covering the sky and the earth.

The dim light only illuminated the ground at his feet.

The place outside the light was as dark as entering the abyss.

Suddenly, Fujido Heisuke heard a warm shout from the front:

"Hey? Master Fujido! Good evening! Would you like to have a bowl of hot soup?"

Fujido Heisuke raised his eyebrows, then looked up - it turned out to be a nighthawk noodle stall.

The stall owner was an old man with white hair and beard.

He leaned forward, poked his head out of the curtain, looked at Fujido Heisuke and others, and smiled warmly.

Nighthawk noodle stall - specifically refers to a small street vendor selling soba noodles late at night.

With the rapid recovery of public security, Kyoto's night has regained its vitality after a long time.

Even in the dead of night, when everything was quiet, the people dared to go out on the streets.

Late-night restaurants, late-night izakayas and other small vendors that rely on "nighttime" meals were also able to reopen.

Toudo Heisuke knew this old man.

His name is Mentaro, and he is a good cook of soba noodles.

In Japan, there has always been a "traditional custom" that "at night, men go out in groups to hang out."

The Japanese attach great importance to the so-called "gregariousness" and are very repulsive to loners.

In order to maintain their social circle and avoid being ostracized, men...especially the samurai who were eating from the public family would often go out in groups to have fun when they got off work.

Their activities include but are not limited to: drinking, watching geishas, ​​going to casinos, and going to red light districts.

After we finished playing and having fun, we stopped by for some late-night snacks.

In this way, various nighthawk vendors such as soba noodles, nigiri sushi, and oden were born.

Previously, the wanton behavior of thugs caused the livelihood of these ordinary people who ran nighthawk vendors.

In such a bad public security situation, let alone doing business, they didn't even dare to set up a stall!

They had gritted their teeth and persisted until now, and finally waited for the arrival of the Shinsengumi.

Thanks to the heavy blows of the Shinsengumi, those young people died and escaped, which was very satisfying.

People can take to the streets.

Merchants can also do business with peace of mind.

After receiving such a great kindness, they were naturally grateful to the Shinsengumi.

In addition, the Shinsengumi's military discipline is very strict. The "Shinsengumi Code" explicitly prohibits harassment of ordinary people, and offenders will be directly beheaded. Therefore, so far, there has been no dispute between the Shinsengumi and the people of Kyoto.

With all this going on, Mentaro naturally has a very good impression of the Shinsengumi.

Whenever he meets a member of the Shinsengumi, he will greet them warmly.

After going back and forth, Toudo Heisuke got to know this enthusiastic and cheerful old man.

Mentaro is the epitome of that.

Who wouldn't like an army that has done practical things for the general public, and at the same time has excellent military discipline and does no harm to the common people?

What's more, the leader of this unit is still the Niou who has many legends and enjoys high popularity.

To sum up, most of the scholars and people in Kyoto love the Shinsengumi very much. It can be said that they are "eating a pot of pulp to welcome the king's master".

Toudo Heisuke walked to Mentaro's stall and spoke familiarly:

"Old man, how is business tonight?"

Mentaro chuckled:

"It's so-so! Mr. Todo, would you like a bowl of hot soup? I'll give you a discount! It only costs 1 penny!"

Fujido Heisuke shook his head.

"No, I still have a mission. When I have time in the future, I will take care of your business."

"Hahaha! That's a deal!"

Todo Heisuke smiled and waved his hand, said, "Yeah! It's settled! I won't forget it," and then led the team members away.

Suddenly, as if Mentaro remembered something, he suddenly changed into a serious tone and called out to Toudo Heisuke:

"Yes, yes, I almost forgot! Master Todo, you must be more careful these days!"

Todo Heisuke was stunned for a moment, stopped in his tracks, and turned half back.

"'Be careful'? What do you mean? Why do you say that?"

"I heard that there are some bold guys recently who want to take revenge on the Shinsengumi!"

Mentaro lowered his voice, assumed a posture like a storyteller, and continued with a nose and eyes:

"They hate the Shinsengumi, regard the Shinsengumi as a thorn in their side, and are determined to assassinate the Shinsengumi soldiers using the following dirty tricks!"

"So, you should be more careful in the future!"

“Don’t go to sparsely populated places!”

"Don't be alone!"

Todo Hei helped listen and smiled calmly:

"Old man, thank you for the reminder."

"I will report this to Mr. Tachibana later."

"How dare you bring up evil ideas on the Shinsengumi's head... Huh! Apparently, it's time for another 'city-wide purge'."

Seeing Toudo Heisuke's calm face and no trace of fear on his cheeks, Mentaro couldn't help but ask:

"Master Todo, are you... not afraid?"

"Master Todo, you must not take my suggestions seriously!"

"It's easy to hide from open guns, but hard to guard against hidden arrows!"

"You are the captain of the Eighth Division of the Battery Squadron. If those scum are determined to take revenge on you, officers like you will definitely be regarded as their primary target!"

"You must be careful!"

Mentaro persuaded him earnestly.

However... Toudo Heisuke's facial expression remained the same.

"Old man, you misunderstood."

"I value your advice and do not take it seriously."

"I just... have long taken life and death lightly."

"If I were afraid of death, I would never have joined Mr. Tachibana in the first place."

"Either slash or be killed - this is the world of swordsmen!"

"If someone wants to kill me, just let him come over!"

"I, Todo Heisuke, will accompany you to the end!"

Having said this, he stretched out his hand to hold the saber at his waist.

The metal blade reflected a dazzling light under the light.

Mentaro blinked in confusion, and then said seriously with admiration on his face:

"You are worthy of being the powerful 'Mr. Leading the Way' in Kyoto! Just a few words made my blood boil!"

"Now it seems that I was too timid!"

"Lord Todo, I wish you good luck in martial arts! Kill all the lawless traitors!"

Todo Heisuke nodded lightly.

"Well, I accept your good advice!"

After thanking the other party again, he led the team to leave majestically.

According to the original plan, they continued to patrol Kyoto along the established route.

Unknowingly, they had arrived in a dark space.

There are rows of houses like city walls on both sides. No matter which direction you look, you can't see any light. It's like you are on an isolated island far away from the world.

The air was filled with a muggy smell, and the entire town seemed to be sinking into the bottom of a swamp, surrounded only by slimy darkness.

Even if you just stand still, you will sweat like rain.

Suddenly, a gust of cold wind came.

The sleeves are swaying and the hem is fluttering.

The rest of the team were greedily enjoying the sudden cool breeze.

Only Toudou Heisuke... He frowned suddenly and his expression changed.

Although he couldn't tell why... dense goose bumps appeared on his skin.

At this moment, faint footsteps suddenly came from behind him, coming from far and near.

Along with the sound of footsteps, there were also questions that were neither sad nor happy:

"Heisuke Toudou, the captain of the 8th Division of the Shinsengumi Battō Team, right?"

At this moment, Toudou Heisuke turned back like a reflex.

While turning around, he lowered his body weight and reached for the saber at his waist with his right hand.

Looking closely - he saw a long and thin black shadow slowly walking out of Tsujiko on the side of the road, with his legs spread apart and standing in the middle of the street.

[Note·Tsujiko: A trail connecting two main roads. 】

On his head was a low-brimmed bamboo hat that covered his face. He wore no hakama on his lower body, only a thin brown yukata, and a pair of straw sandals on his big feet without socks.

Before Toudo Heisuke could speak, the man was minding his own business and said:

"Now, I want to execute Tianchu."

In an instant, the team members around Toudohei all had their faces downcast.

Without any instructions - clatter, clatter, clatter - there was a sound of footsteps, and the soldiers consciously changed their positions and formed a tight attack formation.

The shield hand is in the front, the spearman is in the middle, the sword hands are on both sides, and the captain is in the back - it is the Yuanyang Formation improved by Qingdeng!

Facts have proved that the Yuanyang Formation is indeed the most powerful formation for combating stragglers!

The reason why Qingdeng made the "Mandarin Duck Formation" a required training event for the Ba Dao team was to strengthen the team members' street fighting abilities.

There are advantages and disadvantages, there are main attacks and auxiliary attacks, both offense and defense... When ordinary people see this formation, most of them will be timid before fighting!

Since taking over Kyoto, the Shinsengumi has used the mandarin duck formation to deal with the thugs, and it can be said that it has been invincible.

As long as this formation is set up, unless the opponent is a highly skilled person, the only outcome will be to be captured or killed!

However... facing the mandarin duck formation set up by the team members, the black shadow did not show any reaction. His shoulders relaxed and his hands drooped naturally, looking calm and calm.

"…Back off."

As soon as these words came out, the team members were stunned, and then they all cast confused glances at Toudou Heisuke.

"Everyone, stand down!"

Toudou Heisuke raised his voice.

As he stepped forward, he drew his sword out of its sheath with a "choking" sound.

"This is not an opponent you can handle!"

Although it was just a glimpse, the "combat intuition" cultivated through bloody battles told him sternly: This person is very dangerous! Never take it lightly!

He stood in front of the team, holding the saber steady in his palm.

"Captain of the 8th Division of the Shinsengumi Batto Squadron"

"Beichen Yidao Style"

"Toudo Heisuke!"

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