Volume 5: Kyoto Summer Campaign Chapter 318: A move that turns the situation around in one fell swoop! (Part 2)
"I finally found the body of one of my men just now. He died in a remote alley. He committed suicide."
"It is not easy to train such an elite who not only has superb shooting skills, but also has good physical skills and can kill himself in time when necessary."
"Now that he's dead - Lord Ryunosuke, how are you going to compensate me for this elite soldier I loaned you?"
"Humph!" Ryunosuke snorted heavily, "Compensation? You still have the nerve to ask me for compensation?"
"The person you lent me is not as good as this one."
"My mission for him is to shoot the head of the Metaphysics Hall dead if he finds him trying to inform others."
"What's the result? As far as I know, the head of the Metaphysics Hall is not dead! He is lying in the clinic and recuperating!"
"You didn't even complete the mission I assigned you. The elite troops you lent me are just so-so!"
"So - Lord Ryunosuke, are you planning to default on your debt and not make any compensation?"
Hearing Tsurugen's question, Ryunosuke's lips instantly tightened and the expression on his face became conflicted.
After a long silence, Ryunosuke said in a deep voice:
"...Tell me, how do you want me to compensate you?"
“Hahahaha!” As soon as Ryunosuke finished speaking, Tsurugi laughed a few times, “Sir Ryunosuke, I was just joking with you just now.”
"Since we have been working together for quite some time, forget about the compensation."
"I came to you this time just to tell you some bad news."
"According to my research, the real Ogata Ittosai is in Kyoto now."
"What?" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"It seems that the person the officials are chasing now is not someone who looks like Ogata Ittosai, but the real Ogata Ittosai." Tsurugen continued, "I just sent someone to take a look at the place where the wife and daughter of the master of the Xuanxueguan are imprisoned. The wife and daughter of the master of the Xuanxueguan have been rescued."
"And all of your subordinates who were responsible for guarding the wife and daughter of the master of the Metaphysics Museum were killed."
"Among your men who were killed, one is missing. Among the dead, except for one whose wounds were not sharp enough, the wounds on the other dead were very sharp."
"From the traces of fighting at the scene, there were only about two people who came to rescue the wife and daughter of the master of the Metaphysics Hall and fought with your subordinates."
"One of these two needs to be strengthened, and the other is extremely strong."
"Most of your subordinates were probably killed by that extremely powerful person."
"The guy who faced so many enemies by himself and still managed to inflict such a sharp cut is definitely not an ordinary person."
"There are probably no more than five people in Kyoto who can do this. Ogata Ittosai is the biggest suspect."
"... Lord Tsurugen." Ryunosuke said in a deep voice, "You mean... the person who rescued the wife and daughter of the master of the Xuanxueguan is most likely the real Ogata Ittosai?"
He Xian nodded slightly, and then continued:
"If the person who rescued the wife and daughter of the master of the Xuanxuekan is the real Ogata Ittosai, then everything will be connected and make sense."
"Ogata Ittosai first approached the head of the Metaphysics Museum for unknown reasons."
"The wife and daughter have been kidnapped for so long, it is impossible for the head of the Metaphysics Museum to remain indifferent. He may have already found out where his wife and daughter are being held."
"After Ogata Ittosai approached him, the head of the Xuanxuekan asked Ogata Ittosai for help."
"When the master of the Xuanxue Pavilion asked Ogata Ittosai for help, he was discovered by the sniper I lent you who was responsible for monitoring the master of the Xuanxue Pavilion, and he immediately started shooting at the master of the Xuanxue Pavilion. It's a pity that he missed and failed to kill the master of the Xuanxue Pavilion on the spot."
"Ogata Ittosai begins chasing the sniper I lent you."
"My subordinate is not only good at long-range shooting, but also has strong melee combat skills ."
"An ordinary warrior is no match for him. He can't be forced to commit suicide."
"But it would make sense if he was fighting against Ogata Ittosai. He couldn't be a match for Ogata Ittosai, so he chose to end his life in time."
"Before the master of the Xuanxuekan was shot by my subordinates, Ogata Ittosai might have learned from the master of the Xuanxuekan where his wife and daughter were imprisoned."
"After dealing with my subordinates, Ogata Ittosai ran to rescue the wife and daughter of the master of the Xuanxue Pavilion."
"How is it? Lord Ryunosuke, what do you think of my reasoning? I have figured out the whole story."
"...What you just said was just inference." Ryunosuke responded in a deep voice.
"Although what I just said is just my speculation, it is true that Ogata Ittosai is in Kyoto right now."
"Lord Tsurugen, how did you find out that the real Ogata Ittosai is now in Kyoto?"
"Haha." Tsurugi chuckled a few times, "Lord Ryunosuke, do you know the Enohara in Kyoto?"
"Of course I know."
"Eihara is a very chaotic place, with many people who are greedy for money. I sent people to inquire there and learned that around dusk today, a man who looked very similar to Ogata Ittosai entered Eihara. He also entered the home of Inshin, the manager of Eihara."
"Afterwards, Inshin's follower Agong personally led this person who looked like Ogata Ittosai away from Ebihara."
"There is no one else who can be treated so solemnly by Master Inshin, except the real Ogata Ittosai, right?"
"… Lord Tsurugen, thank you for telling me." Ryunosuke said softly, "But even if the real Ogata Ittosai is in Kyoto now, it doesn't matter."
"Those things are almost assembled."
"My plan...is about to succeed!"
After saying that, a ferocious smile appeared on Ryunosuke's face.
"Ryunosuke." Tsurumi called out Ryunosuke's name again.
"What? If you have anything else to say, just say it quickly."
"I wish I could change your plans."
Ryunosuke's brows slowly furrowed.
"Change of plans?"
"I plan to capture Ogata Ittosai alive." Tsurugen said word by word, "So - let's make use of the six great sword halls."
…
…
In Kyoto, in the teahouse where Kamiyama is hiding.
"Master Kamiyama." Kamiyama's assistant said respectfully to Kamiyama, "It's almost time for the banquet. Please get ready. We will leave for Nijo Castle soon!"
“Has it come to this already…” Shenshan rubbed his brows with a tired look on his face, “I understand…”
After waving his hand to signal his assistant to retreat, Shenshan sighed.
After Hasegawa successfully rescued Makimura from prison, he immediately sent someone to Genshinyama to report the good news and told Kamiyama that he had decided to act with Makimura and the others.
Although Makimura has been successfully rescued from prison, it is indeed a gratifying thing.
But Shenshan couldn't be too happy.
Because he understood that rescuing Makimura from prison was nothing.
That Abe Riri would definitely not sit idly by and watch Makimura being rescued. He would definitely find the right opportunity to attack Makimura and Hasegawa again.
Thinking of this, Shenshan's brows couldn't help but frown.
——Being one level higher in rank is really overwhelming...
Shenshan couldn't help but say this bitterly in his heart.
——With just one word, Lord Kyoto can strip me of my command over all the officials in Kyoto Prefecture, leaving me a commander without any troops to command. I can do nothing except sit in the tea room like this...
——Is there nothing...that I can do now...
At this point in his mind, the conversation he had just had with Hasegawa emerged in his mind uncontrollably...
…
…
When Hasegawa was about to leave the teahouse and take Makimura and his two companions to rescue Makimura from prison, Hasegawa suddenly said to Kamiyama before leaving:
"Shenshan, it's so miserable."
"Why do you say that?"
"Even if we successfully rescue Makimura from prison, that Abe Riri will definitely not let it go."
"He will definitely lead the officials of Kyoto Prefecture to seize the opportunity to attack us."
"Now even Kyoto Prefecture has become our enemy. Not only do we have to deal with the enemies hiding in the dark, we also have to deal with Kyoto Prefecture."
“…Yes, Hasegawa, you are right. The current situation… is indeed terrible…” Kamiyama nodded and agreed softly, then let out a long sigh.
"The difference in strength between the enemy and us is quite large..." Hasegawa said in a deep voice, "We must find a way to reverse the current situation. At the very least, we must find a way to pull the strength of Kyoto Prefecture to our side. What we need now is... a move that can turn the current situation around, a move... a smart move."
“…You are right.”
…
…
After recalling this conversation with Hasegawa, Kamiyama let out a long sigh.
Then he muttered in a low voice that only he could hear:
"A move that can... turn the situation around in an instant... Haha..."
Shenshan laughed dryly a few times.
"Where can I find that move..."
Wow!
At this moment, the paper sliding door of the teahouse was suddenly pulled open.
"Excuse me, sir. This place is reserved today."
As soon as the sound of the paper sliding door being opened was heard, the proprietress who had been guarding the store door immediately spoke respectfully to the person who came in through the door.
Shenshan thought it was just a customer who happened to come here to drink tea, so he ignored the person who came into the store and didn't even look at him.
But who would have thought - this person then said something that Shenshan had to pay attention to:
"I'm not here for tea! I'm here to see Kyoto Town Magistrate: Kamiyama Koshinosuke, and the leader of the Fire Thieves Kai: Hasegawa Heizo!"
As soon as this person finished speaking, Shenshan immediately raised his eyebrows, then quickly looked up towards the store entrance.
I saw a young man standing at the door of the store.
The young man was carrying a one-eyed man on his back, who was either unconscious or asleep.
Holding a little girl in his right hand.
A woman followed behind him.
In his left hand he held a long pole wrapped in layers of thick cloth.
"...I am Kamiyama Koshinosuke." Looking at the young man, Kamiyama said in a deep voice, "I wonder why you are looking for me..."
Before Shenshan finished speaking, the young man ran up to him in two steps.
"Are you Kamiyama Koshinosuke?"
"Yes." Shenshan nodded, "May I know your name?"
"My name is Kondo Uchisuke! These two are the wife and daughter of Master Inaba of the Metaphysics Museum."
"Oh?" Kamiyama raised his eyebrows, "The wife and daughter of Master Inaba of the Metaphysics Hall?"
Kamiyama had just received news about the master of the Xuanxue Hall: Master Inaba of the Xuanxue Hall was shot by a cannon with an unknown person.
Fortunately, after rescue, Master Inaba's life was safe.
Although the disciples of the Xuanxueguan have already reported the case to the Kyoto Prefecture, the Kyoto Prefecture already has enough things to deal with, so they can only put the "Inaba-kan Master Shooting Case" on hold for the time being.
"Master Kamiyama!" Kondo cleared his throat and said seriously, "I have something very important to tell you!"
…
…
Kondo explained to Kamiyama in the simplest way possible how the wife and daughter of Master Inaba were kidnapped and threatened by a group of unknown people, and how they had been successfully rescued by him and his master.
"...This is the weapon used by that group of people!" Kondo tore off the cloth wrapped around the long pole he had been holding and handed it to Kamiyama in front of him. "My master said that this is a new type of iron cannon used by the southern barbarians. It is a very rare thing."
"The Inaba-dono who was shot was injured by this cannon!"
"My master said that the wife and daughter of Master Inaba, as well as the one-eyed dragon on my back, are important witnesses of someone plotting something bad in Kyoto."
"And this extremely rare new-style Nanman iron cannon, which is extremely difficult for even the government to obtain, is important evidence that someone is plotting something bad in Kyoto."
"These three men and this cannon must be handed over personally to Lord Kamiyama or Lord Hasegawa!"
After taking the new cannon from Kondo, Kamiyama looked it up and down carefully.
Kamiyama had once seen the appearance of the Nanban's new iron cannon by chance from a friend who worked at the Nagasaki Customs .
So at just one glance, Shenshan recognized it - this was indeed the new type of iron cannon used by the southern barbarians that did not require a fuse.
Gripping the new barbarian iron cannon tightly in his hand, Shenshan suddenly felt as if a flash of lightning flashed through his mind.
At this moment, a bold plan suddenly popped up in Shenshan's mind!
"... Kondo-kun. You just kept calling me 'Master'. Who is your Master?"
"My master's name? Uh..." Kondo wanted to say his master's name.
But after opening his mouth, he couldn't utter a single word.
"It's terrible..." Kondo's face suddenly turned pale, "I haven't asked the master's name yet... The beautiful woman next to the master didn't say the master's full name, and kept calling the master 'Ayi'... But the master's face is very familiar, I always feel like I have seen the master's face somewhere on the street... Where on the street did I see the master's face..."
"...Is he really your master...? Never mind, let's skip this matter for now, Kondo-kun, please tell your master a thank you for me later."
After saying that, Shenshan gripped the new cannon in his hand even tighter.
"Your master...has really been a great help!"
"Hasegawa... I found the chess move that can turn the whole situation around in one fell swoop!"
