Inside Edo Castle.
Seeing the figure in front of him with a helmet made from the same material as a straw hat and clothing distinct from the other Naraku members, Kawaki showed a faint smile of self-mockery.
"Seriously," Kawaki sighed, spreading his hands, "even though it's an old debt, I don't remember coming here to settle this kind of old debt..."
At the same time, Naraku members wielding staff-like weapons surrounded Dingding.
It's worth noting that the moment the Naraku appeared, Shinjo quickly pulled Sasaki back several meters, joining the remaining Mimawarigumi members.
"It seems..." Kawaki glanced up at the bright sun in the sky, "today is indeed not a good day to settle accounts..."
"Oro, you're a little late," Dingding said calmly, standing with his hands behind his back, surrounded by Naraku members, as he looked at Oro in the courtyard.
Oro responded, "Everything is proceeding according to Lord Dingding's plan."
"Is that so? That's good." Dingding still wore a faint smile, but then he lifted his head and spoke with some melancholy, "Still, it's quite ironic that even as the true ruler of this country... no, as this country itself, my position would be shaken, and in the end, I have to resort to such methods to secure it again. How laughable."
"After today, no one will ever challenge your position again," Oro replied. "Anyone who could will be dealt with by Naraku. Rest assured, Lord Dingding."
"Haha, that's very reassuring," Dingding laughed heartily and then glanced at Rokuro Mukuro, who was kneeling on the ground, sweating profusely. "You think so too, don't you, Mukuro? After all, you are my most loyal and capable retainer, even though... you did betray me once. But I never held it against you. You should be grateful, right?"
"Y-Yes, Lord Dingding!" Mukuro replied without raising his head.
Seeing this scene, Kawaki curled his lip in disgust and spat to the side. "What a sickening display."
"As expected from my greatest contributor in becoming Shogun," Dingding praised with a laugh, "such loyalty, even at a time like this. But..."
Dingding's eyes flashed with coldness. "Is that loyalty for me, or just so you can stay alive long enough to see that wretched woman again? That's something I'm curious about. Can you tell me, Mukuro?"
"I... I wouldn't dare!"
"You must have heard from that guest from Yoshiwara, right?" Dingding turned to look at Kawaki, who stood before Oro. "Suzuran is still alive in Yoshiwara, but her time is running out. Do you want to see her? How many full moon nights have passed since that day? Tonight might be another full moon..."
Dingding then turned his gaze back to Mukuro.
"So... take responsibility and die with that guest from Yoshiwara. The deaths of the Shinsengumi, Mimawarigumi, Shogun's retainers, and the retainers of the Hitotsubashi faction—take all that responsibility upon yourself and die as my loyal retainer, just as you once wished. If you can do that, I'll let you see that woman again..."
As he spoke, Dingding pulled out a seppuku dagger from his robe and tossed it in front of Mukuro. "But in hell—Suzuran is waiting for you there."
"G-grandpa!" Shogun Shige Shige's pupils constricted, and he immediately stepped forward to stop him.
However, before Shige Shige could take a step, the Naraku members, signalled by Dingding, blocked his way.
"Stand down!" Shige Shige shouted, "Do you know who you're pointing your weapons at? I am the Shogun of this land, Tokugawa Shige Shige!"
However, the Naraku members did not move; their weapons were still aimed at Shige Shige.
"There's no point in saying that now, Shige Shige," Dingding replied coldly, glancing at him. "The Shogun of this land? Don't make me laugh. You don't even understand what 'this land' truly means. This land... refers to me, the old man! You're just my puppet! You always were, and you always will be!"
"I'll say it again," Shige Shige stared at the Naraku members fearlessly, "Stand down! Do you know who you're threatening with your weapons? The Shogun of this land, Tokugawa Shige Shige! Step aside now!"
Hearing this, Dingding's expression grew cold, and his eyes narrowed with anger and murderous intent.
"Shige Shige, don't tell me you think you're my only puppet?" Dingding gritted his teeth, glaring at him with evil eyes.
Shige Shige didn't respond, but his determined gaze said it all.
Seeing Shige Shige's resolute expression, Dingding smirked and turned away, speaking as if to himself, "The Shogun of this land, Tokugawa Shige Shige, dies by the hands of Hitotsubashi faction's dogs—the Mimawarigumi assassins. Overcome with grief, Tokugawa Dingding reclaims the Shogun position. The Hitotsubashi faction, unable to prove their innocence, will be slowly dismantled. What do you think of this plan, Shige Shige?"
"Flawless," Shige Shige replied, "But... until you kill me, Uncle, I will continue to resist."
"It seems you've chosen your path," Dingding sighed, and then he glanced at Mukuro kneeling on the ground. "But before you go, let this old man take the lead. Mukuro, perform seppuku!"
Mukuro's body trembled at the order, his pupils shaking.
Seeing Mukuro's trembling hand reach for the dagger on the floor, Shige Shige shouted, "Stop, Grandpa! That's an order from your Shogun!"
Mukuro's hand hesitated, but then he continued to reach for the dagger.
"What a shame, Shige Shige," Dingding smirked mockingly, "His loyalty... is only to me."
"Indeed..." Shige Shige bowed his head slightly, his gaze softening. "I finally understand now. A friend once told me the root of samurai loyalty lies in being exploited by their lords... through Bushido."
Hearing this, Kawaki smiled slightly, and in an instant, he moved, dashing toward the door.
Oro noticed Kawaki's movement and also sprang into action, chasing after him while issuing a command.
"Attack..."
In an instant, apart from the Naraku members protecting Dingding and those blocking Shige Shige, the remaining Naraku members and guards rushed toward Kawaki and the surviving Mimawarigumi members.
Seeing the overwhelming numbers of Naraku and guards, Sasaki sighed, "With such an uneven fight, there doesn't seem to be a good solution. Miss Shinjo, it looks like we might die today."
Just as he said this, a heavy object suddenly flew into the midst of the Mimawarigumi, pinning Sasaki to the ground.
"But before that, don't forget your duty," Kawaki's voice called out, "Like protecting this castle, for instance. Isn't that right, petty officer pervert?"
Looking at Shige Shige lying on top of him, Sasaki sighed, "That's true. Also, could you kindly get off me, Shogun? I think my wounds just reopened."
"Sorry," Shige Shige quickly stood up.
In that brief moment, Kawaki had broken through the guards surrounding him and thrown Shige Shige toward the Mimawarigumi, leaving everyone in shock. Meanwhile, Kawaki himself was surrounded by Oro, a large group of Naraku members, and Dingding's guards.
Seeing Kawaki in danger, Shige Shige called out, "Kawaki-san!"
"Don't misunderstand, Shogun," Kawaki replied calmly, "I just saved the wrong person. I was aiming for the debtor, but I guess I got the wrong target. Besides, you probably don't know me. I'm not the type to share interests with others."
"Kawaki-san..."
"What a bother," Kawaki muttered, gripping his umbrella tightly. "But there's still time before the full moon rises, so I'll take the opportunity to settle a little interest on this old debt. After all, we've got plenty of time..."
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As the sound of explosions and clashing weapons echoed from inside the house, along with the sound of blades cutting into flesh, Shige Shige called out once again, "Kawaki-san!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After shooting a few of the guards approaching Shige Shige, Sasaki said, "Shogun, you should focus on your own safety first. Miss Shinjo, protect the Shogun."
"There are too many enemies..." Shinjo said as she cut down several Naraku members while shielding Shige Shige. "It seems that under Dingding's orders, at least half of Amaterasu's forces have been deployed, led by their most skilled assassin, Oro."
"It seems this time..." Sasaki wiped the blood from his face and looked at Shige Shige. "Shogun, you've truly angered the uncle who raised you, especially with your recent decree..."
"As the Shogun of this land, there are some things I must do," Shige Shige said, lowering himself and picking up a bloodstained sword from the ground.
"I see..."
Inside the house, Oro, who was using his sword to block Kawaki's retreat, coldly reminded Dingding, "Lord Dingding, please move outside. This man is no ordinary person."
"Oh?" Dingding asked with interest, still standing calmly with his hands behind his back. "An acquaintance of yours?"
Boom! Clang!
"Ah, yes~"
Kawaki leapt into the air, stepping on the heads of two Naraku members wielding staves with blades on the ends, and smashed their heads into the ground!
At the same time, he reversed his grip on his umbrella to block Oro's sword!
Kawaki used his left hand to grab a guard by the head, flip it over, and use it as a shield against the countless blades flying toward him!
"Even with your face covered, I'll never forget that scent," Kawaki said, smiling cleanly with narrowed eyes.
With that, Kawaki kicked the guard, who a thousand blades had pierced to the side.
Meanwhile, Oro, sensing something, jumped back several steps and stood in front of Dingding.
"Impressive," Kawaki smiled, flicking his umbrella, "to be able to react so quickly to my movements..."
Thud—
Oro watched in silence as the bodies of the Naraku members and guards around Kawaki collapsed, blood spraying from their wounds. Oro quietly muttered two words:
"Monster..."
"Your reaction was quick, but..." Kawaki continued with a smile, "whether you can completely avoid it is another matter..."
No sooner had he spoken than Oro's helmet-like hat shattered into pieces.
Oro's now fully revealed face remained expressionless as he stared at Kawaki, who was still smiling.
"Don't freeze up now, or the person you're supposed to protect..." Kawaki's voice suddenly came from behind Oro, "might just die~."
Looking at the empty floor in front of him, Oro's eyes widened, and he quickly turned around, jumping back several steps, only to see that Kawaki had already dealt with the guards and Naraku members around Dingding. Kawaki stood before Dingding, umbrella raised high.
"Oro..." Dingding, now realising the situation, stared in disbelief at Kawaki.
"Hey, old man, if you keep kneeling like that, that old lady might beat you to hell," Kawaki said, glancing at Mukuro. "Go ahead."
Mukuro raised his head, staring at Kawaki in disbelief.
"Didn't I say? I don't care about the interest, but you better pay me back every bit of the principal," Kawaki continued. "After all, I accepted the same agreement."
Only then did Mukuro notice the strand of hair wrapped around Kawaki's pinky finger?
"The wall that traps you here..." Kawaki's eyes opened as he glanced at Dingding, "I'll tear it down for you..."
With that, Kawaki swung his umbrella, but just before it struck, Oro appeared behind him, sword aimed at his back!
At the same time, several long steel needles flew through the air, heading straight for Kawaki's back!
Boom!!!
The sound of a massive explosion filled the air, followed by a cloud of dust.
Several seconds later, as the dust settled, Oro realised that Kawaki had vanished. Along with him, Mukuro was also gone.
Looking at Kawaki, who stood in the courtyard with Mukuro, Oro was shocked. Was that man's goal all along... to save the older man?
"Well then, hurry up, old man," Kawaki said casually. Though the moon hadn't risen yet, it's common sense for a man to arrive early for a date and wait for the woman."
"You..." Mukuro mumbled.
"Don't worry about here. Just go," Kawaki said.
"But..."
"Don't worry about the Shogun. He's protected by the most vengeful man in the world. And trust me, the scariest people in this world... are the vengeful ones."
"No, I just wanted to say..." Mukuro pointed at the two steel needles sticking out of Kawaki's back. "Doesn't that hurt?"
"What?" Kawaki pulled out the steel needles from his back without flinching and hid them in his sleeve, looking puzzled. "What's the problem?"
"But... you just pulled them out like nothing happened..."
"Pulled out? What are you talking about? Pulled out what?" Kawaki asked, confused, before suddenly realising something. "Oh! You thought I got hit by those steel needles just now? Hahaha, what a joke. There's no way I'd get hit by those! Look, my back is fine."
"But even if you pretend like you weren't hit and casually pull them out..."
"I said I wasn't hit!" Kawaki shouted angrily. "Why are you fixating on this? I already said I wasn't hit. Just take my word for it, and move on! It was so cool just now, but you ruined the moment! I finally did something cool for once, and you're ruining it!"
"Even so..."
"I said I wasn't hit!"