"Ogata-kun, can you do me this favor?"

"You just need to give him a little guidance as much as you can."

After saying that, he cast a sincere look at Goro Komaki.

Facing Boss Kiryu's warm eyes, Komaki Goro did not agree boldly, but showed an expression full of emotion:

"...Mamiya, your request is too embarrassing for me."

"As you can see, I have become a hermit."

"If I were born casually, wouldn't it violate my principle of not caring about worldly affairs?"

"I'm well prepared to 'live the rest of my life with A-Machi in an ordinary way'."

Upon hearing this, Boss Kiryu couldn't help but smile helplessly:

"Ogata-kun, the rest of your life is still very long, right?"

"But... you are right."

"You have fought all your life, fought all over the world, and finally lived a peaceful life."

"Even today, there are still young people who covet your 'power'."

"It's my fault for bothering you."

"I'm sorry, I was abrupt. I thought I didn't say what I just said..."

Before Boss Kiryu finished speaking, he was interrupted by Goro Komaki:

"Mamiya, you misunderstood."

"Although your request is really embarrassing for me, did you hear my refusal?"

"Mr. Orange's talent is very high, astonishingly high."

"Such a genius is really rare to see in a hundred years."

"To be honest, if possible, I would also like to train Mr. Tachibana, and then see with my own eyes how far he can grow in the future."

Boss Kiryu was stunned for a moment, then showed a look of surprise.

However, before he was pleasantly surprised for a long time, he was poured cold water on him:

"It's just that I really can't give you any advice, Mr. Tachibana."

"Mamiya, 'transparency' and 'selflessness' are two completely different realms."

"You can also try to give some advice on the latter."

"But the former is powerless."

"The 'transparent realm'... and the 'unity of man and nature' after thoroughly understanding the 'transparent realm' are both truly 'can only be understood, not expressed in words'."

"You can't achieve anything by just talking with your mouth or demonstrating with actions."

"The more I talk and do, the easier it is for Qingdeng to lose his way."

"So, we really have nothing else to do except wait and see what happens."

"The road ahead must be left to Mr. Tachibana to walk on his own."

"Work hard to feel, work hard to understand, and rack your brains to understand."

“Only in this way can we truly control ‘transparency’ and then control the ‘unity of man and nature’.”

"In the meantime, I'll try to help him."

"When the time comes, I will help him break through in my own way."

When he came to the phrase "in his own way," Komaki Goro emphasized his tone and put on a strange and meaningful expression.

Boss Kiryu seemed to understand the implication of the other party's words. He laughed at first, and then solemnly thanked:

"Ogata-kun, with your words, I feel relieved."

Suddenly, a look of reminiscence appeared on Boss Kiryu's cheeks, the lines on his face relaxed, and his expression became clear.

"If you think about it carefully... time flies so fast."

"I met Mr. Tachibana four years ago."

"Four years ago, he was just a little-known little Tongxin with mediocre swordsmanship."

"In just four years, he has become the first person in the shogunate's army and a top swordsman who has entered the realm of 'transparency'."

"The back views of my juniors always make me dazzled and I can't help but look away."

After hearing this, Komugoro immediately laughed and patted his shoulder.

"Mamiya, don't say such depressing words."

"Don't let age be a shackle for you."

"That day, when you stood behind Mr. Tachibana, holding a sword with him, and assuming a flowing posture, for a moment, I saw the 'Liuguang Hachiman' coming to the world again."

"Ninety-something is the right age to start a career."

"You're almost dead anyway, just one more day to make trouble."

"If you gain something, you've earned it."

"If you get nothing, it's not a loss."

Listening to Goro Komaki's "advice", Boss Kiryu smiled noncommittally.

"Okay, let's go."

"'Wind' really didn't lie to you, I have already seen the dark clouds."

"Go home quickly before it rains."

Boss Kiryu said as he turned back.

Komugoro raised his heels and they walked side by side.

"This is a rare opportunity, Mamiya, come to my house to eat wagashi. Atachi has not seen you for a long time. She will definitely be very happy if you can come to my house as a guest."

"Yeah, that's fine."

The two gradually walked away and entered the winding mountain road.

…

…

Changzhou, Fangzhou (Zhou Fangguo), a certain winding mountain -

Tweet—! Tweet—! Tweet—!

From time to time, you can hear the chirping of birds in the trees.

The intermittent chirping of birds makes the forest even more peaceful.

Although the scenery in the mountains is still shrouded in lush green, it does have a sense of seasonal change.

Shuten Doji took the lead, Takasugi Shinsaku was in the middle, and Katsura Kogoro was at the back. The three of them lined up in a single file and walked straight into the depths of the mountain.

Under the escort of the team of surprise soldiers, the remnant army led by Katsura Kogoro and Shuai Suzu finally returned to Changzhou without any danger.

Regardless of their grief, Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro quickly threw themselves into work.

The first thing they have to do is to meet Yamata no Orochi!

Shuten Doji didn't keep them waiting.

In just two days, he brought a sure message to the two of them: Come with me! I will take you to see Lord Orochi!

In this way, a group of three people came to this unknown mountain not far from Hagi Castle [the feudal capital of Choshu].

Walking through the green trees along the road, Katsura Kogoro turned his head and looked behind him. Thanks to the good weather and the excellent view, he could see the majestic Hagi Castle in the distance.

Then, he raised his head and looked up at the sky. Thick branches obscured his view.

From the gaps, one can glimpse the clear blue sky and the bright sun that is reaching its highest point.

"Hey! Shuten Doji! How long do we have to go?"

Takasugi Shinsaku wiped his sweat and continued to shout angrily:

"It's just a meeting, is it necessary to make it so tiring?"

Shuten Doji stopped and turned around with a faint smile:

"'Mystery' is one of the biggest features of our FaZun Party."

"In order to implement this feature, we have always spared no effort."

"We're almost there, just hold on a little longer."

After that, he continued to move forward without any explanation.

Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro looked at each other and followed silently.
To be continued...