"…Sakura-sama."
Hasegawa said in a deep voice.
"Is it really confirmed? Shiranui is planning to send Gokutaro, one of the 'Four Heavenly Kings', to participate in the 'Gozen Trial'."
Sakura nodded.
"I have confirmed this repeatedly."
"In order to restore their damaged image since the 'Nijo Castle Incident' in Kyoto and prove their strength to the Shogun and other people in the shogunate, Shiranui has decided to send their Gokutaro to participate in the 'Gozen Trial'."
"Their goal is simple - to win the first place in the 'Imperial Trial' martial arts test."
"Let everyone know the strength of their Shiranui ninjas."
After a moment of silence, Hasegawa sighed softly.
"I didn't expect... Shiranui actually wanted to get involved in the 'Gozen Trial'..."
"I never thought that they would use this method to restore their image that was damaged by the 'Nijo Castle Incident'."
Sakura sneered.
"They are desperate now. Although their Enma was just appointed as a hatamoto and became a direct vassal of the Shogun, there are still many people who are extremely dissatisfied with Shiranui."
"Even the elder Lord himself had some complaints about Shiranui's disgraceful behavior in Kyoto."
"If they don't find a way to save their image quickly, they may be abandoned by the shogunate."
"Since it has been confirmed that Shiranui intends to interfere in the 'Gozen Trial', we can't just ignore it."
"No matter what, we must destroy Shiranui's plan in the 'Gozen Trial'! Let Shiranui's plan to win the first place in the martial arts test and restore their image fail!"
"...Sakura-sama." Hasegawa crossed his arms over his chest, "Are you really going to go against Shiranui to the end?"
"Of course." Sakura said without hesitation, "I hate ninjas the most."
"And as for Shiranui, I hate her even more."
"I think you have heard about the cruel systems in Shiranui, Hasegawa-sama?"
"…I have heard of it." Hasegawa nodded.
"Of course, my hatred for ninjas is just one of the reasons why I want to fight against Shiranui and sabotage the Shogun's plan to recruit Shiranui."
"Master Hasegawa, I have never told you this before, but I will now reveal to you a little bit of the inside story of Shiranui."
Sakura picked up the teacup beside her, drank a sip of tea, and then said to Hasegawa in a deep voice:
"Lord Hasegawa, do you know why the General wanted to recruit Shiranui?"
"I'm not sure." Hasegawa shook his head. "I'm just a military officer. I don't know much about these twists and turns."
"Many people in the shogunate know the reason why the general wants to recruit Shiranui."
"It's just that no one dares to say it openly..."
Sakura held up three fingers.
“For three purposes.”
"The first goal is to supplement the existing combat power of the shogunate."
"The second purpose is to monitor and collect intelligence on Russia, which has been frequently extending its influence into Ezo."
"As for the third purpose..."
Sakura's face slowly darkened.
"It is to monitor the civil and military officials in the shogunate, as well as powerful vassal states like Satsuma and Nagasu that are at odds with the shogunate."
Hasegawa's brows furrowed when he heard Sakura's words.
"Lord Hasegawa, I wonder if you know the Jinyiwei of Tangtu."
"Of course I know." Hasegawa responded without hesitation.
"The Jinyiwei was a special guard unit of the now-extinct Ming Dynasty. One of its main duties was to help the emperor monitor the civil and military officials."
"The general intends to emulate the Ming Dynasty's system and make the ninjas in Shiranui his 'Jinyiwei'."
Sakura's expression grew increasingly serious.
"If the purpose of recruiting Shiranui is just to monitor Lucia, Satsuma, and Nagasu, then I will have no objection and will warmly welcome the arrival of Shiranui's ninjas."
"But if they monitor us while monitoring foreign countries and powerful vassal states... I can't stand it."
"Master Hasegawa, can you imagine what it would be like if the ninjas in Shiranui were used to spy on us?"
“Everything we say and do will be monitored.”
"There might be a ninja from Shiranui hiding on the ceiling of your home at any time."
"I don't want to live a life where I'm being watched by ninjas at any given moment."
"This is the main reason why I want to fight against Shiranui to the end."
"Many people, including me, have racked their brains, thinking about how to get Shiranui out of Edo."
"And this 'Imperial Trial' is a great opportunity."
The corners of Sakura's mouth quirked up slightly in a smile.
"Since Shiranui is planning to redeem their image by getting first place in the martial arts test of 'Gozen Trial', then we will make it impossible for them to get first place!"
"As long as we can foil Shiranui's plan, we can take advantage of the opportunity to attack them and criticize their ninjas for being useless. This will further damage Shiranui's image in the eyes of the Shogun and other people who support Shiranui, and isolate Shiranui!"
"The 'Imperial Trial' was personally conducted by the Lord Senior."
"Even I can't interfere."
"So the only way we can choose is to send one or several strong people to participate in the 'Gozen Trial' and have them defeat Gokutaro, so that Gokutaro cannot get the first place in the 'Military Trial'."
"So - back to our original topic."
"Lord Hasegawa, are you willing to lend a hand and sabotage Shiranui's plans in the 'Gozen Trial'?"
"You have a lot of talented fire thieves under your command. They are both powerful and have sufficient practical experience. They are like a multitude of fish in the river."
"In terms of strength, the elite soldiers under your command who have rich combat experience are much stronger than the warriors who can only swing the 'Dojo Sword' now!"
"Looking throughout Edo, you are the only one who has powerful subordinates and whom I can trust, Hasegawa."
"I hope you can send a few of your powerful subordinates to participate in the 'Gozen Trial' and defeat Gokutaro."
"How about it? Are you willing to cooperate with us?"
Hasegawa didn't respond to Sakura right away.
Instead, he folded his arms across his chest, lowered his head slightly, and remained silent.
Looking at the silent Hasegawa, Sakura slowly frowned.
"Master Hasegawa, you should have heard what I just said, right? If Shiranui gets out of Edo, it will only benefit you as the leader of the fire thieves."
"You probably don't want to live a life where you don't know when you'll be watched by the Shiranui ninjas, right?"
"...Sakura-sama." Hasegawa sighed, "You and I have known each other for many years, so I won't hide it from you. Regarding trying to drive Shiranui out of Edo... I am not that enthusiastic."
"Although it would be good for me if Shiranui rolled out of Edo, I don't really want to get involved in these complicated political struggles."
Sakura seemed to have expected Hasegawa to say that, and there was no change in her expression.
After taking a long breath, Sakura said slowly:
"Lord Hasegawa, you are still the same. You always stay away from this kind of political struggle."
"Aren't you willing to get involved in this complicated struggle..."
"Well then - Lord Hasegawa, I'll make you an offer."
"A condition that will make you willing to participate in this complex struggle."
At this point, Sakura had a meaningful smile on her face.
"Lord Hasegawa, as far as I know, there have been major problems with the operation of your human foot station recently. Am I right?"
When Sakura finished speaking, the expression on Hasegawa's face changed slightly.
"The old middle master thinks that your human foot station is just a waste of money and has always wanted to abolish your human foot station."
Sakura continued.
"In order to force you to shut down the human resources delivery station, the old Chinese master used various methods to put all kinds of pressure on you."
"It must be very uncomfortable for you to bear such great pressure, right?"
"Master Hasegawa, I can help you."
"As long as you can help me drive Shiranui out of Edo, I will help you maintain the Human Footprints in the future."
"I am a member of the shogunate after all, and I have a lot of say in the shogunate."
"With my help, your stress will be much less."
"How is it? Are these conditions enough to make you decide to cooperate with me?"
Hasegawa's face showed a strong sign of struggle.
After an unknown amount of time had passed, Hasegawa finally let out a long sigh:
"...Sakura-sama, you are still so amazing."
"You made me an offer that I couldn't refuse..."
"I'll take this cooperation."
"It's a pleasure working with you." Sakura smiled.
"It's just that...Sakura-sama, there's something I must tell you."
Hasegawa said seriously.
"Most of my elite fire thieves are not in Edo at this moment."
"There is a villain in the Northeast region who committed arson a while ago - Aoi Ichiro."
"Because I heard that Aoi Ichiro is proficient in archery and kodachijutsu, and has many companions and subordinates, I sent most of my elites to the northeast to capture Aoi Ichiro."
"Although there are still some skilled people left in Edo...but I don't think they have the strength to defeat Gokutaro."
"I have heard a little bit about the strength of the 'Four Heavenly Kings' in Shiranui."
"With the 'Four Heavenly Kings' as our enemy, I don't think my subordinates can defeat them."
Sakura frowned when she heard Hasegawa's words.
"How come most of your elite troops are not here at this very moment..."
After pouting, Sakura continued.
"So, Hasegawa, do you know anyone with extraordinary skills?"
"Anyway, as long as we can prevent that Gokutaro from getting first place in the martial arts exam, that'll be fine."
"So it doesn't matter whether they are your subordinates or not. As long as they are good enough, it's fine."
"I'm a civilian officer. You're the only military officer I know well, and I don't have many friends who are good at fighting."
"And since you are a military officer, you should know a few skilled people in Edo, right?"
"...Sakura-sama." Hasegawa gave a wry smile, "I... am quite close to the current incumbent, Yamada Asaemon."
After hearing the name "Yamada Asaemon" from Hasegawa, Sakura's expression changed instantly.