A person in Japan, a sword that soars to immortality.

"It's a bit messy, let me sort it out."

Taiichi waved his hand, then placed his fingers on his temples and rubbed them as he said, "You were originally a member of the town's magistrate's office."

"Because he punished Okabiki, who was extorting money from a town resident, he was inexplicably transferred to the Fire Thief Bureau."

"Then you, the superior of the Fire Thief, ordered you to fight the great bandit 'Bloodfire Five Soldiers,' but you were not given any support and were left to deal with it all by yourself."

"Don't you sense that something's wrong here?"

Looking at Rantaro's pure and determined eyes, Taichi said with a bit of a headache.

Taiichi had also heard of that notorious thief, Bloodfire Gobei.

They are a group of thieves who recently appeared in Edo and specialize in robbing merchants.

Unlike traditional thieves, this gang often disregarded the three principles of thieves when committing robberies: not to kill, not to abuse women, and not to rob the poor.

Often, when they target someone, not only are all their valuables looted, but the women and children inside are also taken by Bloodfire Gobei and his gang.

"Brother Taiichi, please stop talking." Rantarō slowly lowered his head, looking at his tabi socks, which had become filthy from walking too much, and said softly:

"As a samurai, I enjoy the salary bestowed upon me by the shogun, and I should uphold the spirit of the samurai. Even in the face of any difficulties, we must be absolutely loyal and absolutely resilient."

Rantaro gripped the hilt of his sword tightly and looked up at Taichi.

Although his words were firm, Taiyi could see helplessness and inner conflict in his eyes.

“But you will die…” Taiichi stepped forward, bringing them within a meter of each other, and whispered.

“Those thieves are all heinous criminals. It is my duty to punish evil.” As he said this, Rantaro’s eyes changed again, regaining their previous determination.

"Even if no one helps me, even if I die, I will die without regret, without hesitation, without remorse."

"It's just tough on Suzuko, Rannosuke, and Jiro, but the shogunate might increase my family's stipend because of my sacrifice. That way, even without me, they can live a better life in the future, haha."

Looking at the man in front of her, who spoke of life and death as casually as eating and drinking, and scratched the back of his head while grinning foolishly at her.

Taiyi suddenly felt that at this moment, he seemed to truly understand this man.

In the other party's position, as a fire thief under the leadership of the shogunate, Kaito Shinichi...

One must uphold the spirit of Bushido, remaining loyal to one's lord no matter how unreasonable the orders may be.

At the same time, they have to face their families and also shoulder the responsibility of supporting them.

Disobeying orders could result in losing one's job, having one's salary reduced, or even being stripped of one's samurai status.

If one chooses to obey, even if one dies, the son in the family can inherit the identity and continue to receive a salary.

Comparing the two, Rantaro ultimately chose the latter.

“The problem isn’t you, it’s this era.” Taiyi shook his head and said softly.

"Huh? Brother Taiyi, what were you saying just now?"

"It's nothing. I accepted your request. Also, when are you planning to go and hunt down the thieves? Can I keep an eye on things from a distance? If things get bad, I can run errands for you and call for backup."

Taiichi tucked his hands into the sleeves of his haori, tilted his head, and raised an eyebrow at Rantaro.

"Um... I think it's better not to go. It might be dangerous for you." Rantaro paused for a moment, then smiled wryly. "There probably won't be any support. My superiors said that I'm only dealing with Bloodfire Gobei, so I don't need any support."

Even with Taiyi's excellent self-control, he couldn't help but roll his eyes after hearing such a ridiculous reason.

Good grief, they did only target Bloodfire Gobei, but the question is, as the leader of the thieves, doesn't he usually have any underlings around him?

"It's okay, just tell me when the time comes. Maybe I can even witness your victory."

"Haha, Brother Taiyi is joking again. I'm lucky if I can keep my body intact."

"Maybe a miracle will happen."

"A miracle... such a thing shouldn't happen to someone like me."

"Lord Rantaro, you must believe in fate..."

After Taiichi finished speaking, he gave the other person a mysterious smile and returned to Kitcho Sushi Restaurant.

......

night.

On their way back to the Yamada family home, Senta and Fuchi, having drunk alcohol, started to act wildly.

They either greet passersby or pose for photos in the middle of the road.

Taiyi did not interfere at all, letting the two play around.

"Senior Brother Taiyi, aren't you going to do anything about them?"

Zoccher covered his forehead with his hand, lowered his head, and said in an embarrassed tone.

The behavior of these two is a disgrace to the Yamada family.

After all, there were no other samurai in Edo Castle who wore mourning bells around their necks except for the Yamada family.

"No need, they're just releasing their pent-up emotions."

"I'll take advantage of the alcohol to be my true self for once."

Taiyi smiled faintly.

"The real self?" Zuoqie was taken aback. Looking at Taiyi's clear eyes, which were like black gemstones, his calm and tranquil mind was suddenly rippled.

"A woman who is too timid to be beheaded will be despised by outsiders." Taiyi stopped, looked tenderly at Zuoqie, and then slowly raised his finger, touching Zuoqie's chest:

"If you become a samurai in your own clan, you'll be ostracized by your own people. So, what are you really like?"

"The real me..." Zorche murmured to himself as several images suddenly appeared in his mind.

There were times when he was a child, when other children threw stones at him, and times when he was beheaded, when other samurai mocked him.

Even more disappointing were the looks of those who were the fathers of the Lord.

So, what am I really like...? Do I really have to give up my identity as a samurai and live as a samurai woman, like a pet cat?

Pet cat?

"Senior Brother Taiyi."

"what?"

"Shouldn't the real me cut off your impudent finger right now?"

Taiichi's fingers, at some point, left Sakichi's chest and instead began to tickle her chin as if teasing a cat.

click!

At this moment, Zocie closed his eyes, bit his bright red lips, and slowly pulled out the knife.

"Haha, oh dear, maybe I've been influenced by the alcohol too, so I've made up my mind."

Taiyi turned around, laughing heartily as he stepped forward, looking up at the starry sky.

"What have you decided? Are you trying to change the subject?"

Zoche said through gritted teeth, his eyes lifeless.

Bang!

Taiyi clasped his hands together, instantly bursting the air, then slowly curled the corners of his mouth into a smile, his sharp eyes fixed ahead:

"I've made up my mind, I'm going to hunt down the thieves!!!"

"what???"