Koyama dojo was not what it used to be. It had way more students now, and after Zhang Heng’s motivational speech, many came in early to train, forcing Zhang Heng, who was just a wall away, to develop the habit of going to bed getting up early. When Akane found him, he had already washed up and was getting just about to go for a run. Knowing that Okita was literally knocking on death’s door, Zhang Heng had long given up hope of fighting a duel with him. Furthermore, in the current state he was in, Okita wasn’t even expected to last one round. Even though Zhang Heng was stuck between levels 3 and 4 and had no way to move past that stage, the last thing he wanted was for Okita to sacrifice his life.
However, when Zhang Heng saw Okita, he knew that he would not talk the man out of the duel.
So, in the end, both ended up in Zhang Heng’s little courtyard at Zhang Heng’s request. Regardless of who won, he did not wish for the duel’s result to be made public.
Okita Soji took the bokuto from Akane but was in no hurry to remove the tachi from his waist.
He looked at Zhang Heng in the eyes and said, “Before we start, I have a few questions I’d like to ask you.” “Please, go ahead,” replied Zhang Heng. “Are you working together with Satsuma and Choshu Domain now?”
The atmosphere suddenly turned somber.
Akane appeared to be troubled and was about to speak up when Zhang Heng raised a hand to stop her. “Yes,” he nodded.
“Of course.”
Okita Soji’s reaction was completely unexpected. Instead of being angry and disappointed, he looked relieved. “I heard similar rumors. I also heard that the deputy leader of Kyoto Mimawarigumi died by your hand.”
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“Mm, that’s true,” Zhang Heng answered. “So, have you come to avenge them today?”
“No, even though we do the same thing as the Kyoto Mimawarigumi, our association is perfunctory. Also, I’m not a perfectionist like the deputy leader.” Okita Soji shook his head. “Times have changed; the general has already relinquished command and returned imperial rule to the Emperor. However, they are still not satisfied. No one knows what the future will look like, and there’s panic among the people. Many are already seeking ways to escape the country, but because of the strict regulations, no one dares to say it aloud. The truth is, people are already thinking of other ways to deal with it.”
Okita paused, “I want to speak to someone who has contact with the Sonno-joi. It’s just perfect that Mr. Abe happens to be well-acquainted with them. It’s because I know that I can trust you.”
“You can always come to me if you need any help. Are you hoping to get out of Shinsengumi?” asked Zhang Heng.
Okita smiled. “How is my current situation any different from that? I don’t care about the higher-ups’ matters, but I’ve worn this uniform for so long, and I’ve gotten used to it. And why bother wasting energy taking it off when I’m already at the end of my life?”
Zhang Heng kept quiet and waited for Okita to continue.
“… there are two people in this world that I will never stop worrying about. The first is my elder sister Ako. Thank goodness, she’s already married. The other person is Commander Kondo. He was the one who brought me to Kyoto, and he and Hijikata have been taking care of me all this time. I know the commander very well. He’s a stubborn man-once he sets his mind on something, he will never change it. If… If the new government is established, I’m afraid he will never submit to those renegades. So, I’m asking you to do something that won’t be easy to do…”
Okita Soji sighed. “…should the situation deteriorate to that extent, and if conditions permit, I hope you can help Commander Kondo
-pull some strings to have the commander’s life spared, let him return to his hometown, and perhaps, live out the rest of his life as a farmer.”
Okita was probably the only one among the Shinsengumi unconcerned about politics. Ironically, he was also probably the most thoughtful.
His worries were not unreasonable. In fact, they were bang on.
Zhang Heng, well-versed with the era’s history, knew precisely what was to become Kondo Isami, Shinsengumi’s leader. Even though, for some reason, Kondo was unable to participate in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, he remained loyal to the Shogunate and returned to Edo after he lost the Battle of Köshū-Katsunuma to the new government. On top of that, there was also internal conflict within the Shinsengumi. Kondo led the remaining members with their revolt against the new government, but he was captured in Nagareyama, then beheaded in public soon afterward.
Zhang Heng thought about the request and then decided to be forthcoming with Okita. “I can only do my best, but there is no guarantee.”
The fact was, Kondo’s death would be due in April the following year. By that time, Zhang Heng would have already left the quest. He had been swamped lately and found no time to use his extra game opportunity to return to the previous quest. In fact, he had no idea what would happen to this quest after he left.
However, he could find a way to smooth things over between him and the higher-ups ahead of time and maybe even keep Kondo Isami from dying. But then again, based on Kondo’s personality, even if he was lucky enough to escape death, chances were he wouldn’t retreat to his hometown and be a farmer. There was still the Enkyu Ezo War, the Satsuma Rebellion, and many more.
But even if Zhang Heng fulfilled his promise and saved Kondo, Kondo’s death after the fact was no longer his responsibility.
Okita Soji sighed, obviously relieved. “That’s enough. I never expected you to swear by it or anything like that. I just want to have one less thing to worry about when I leave. There is one last thing I need you to do for me.”
As he was speaking, he removed the sword at his waist, and as he stroked the blade, his face softened. “This sword is called Kiku-ichimonji, cast by the swordsmith Ichimonji of the Ichimonji School of Bizen Province. It’s seven hundred years old and has been my companion since I could remember. Unfortunately, our fate has concluded. I want to find a home for it, and you are the best candidate. I believe that, in your hands, it will dazzle with even more brilliance.”
Zhang Heng was dumbstruck. The Kiku-ichimonji may not be one of the five heavenly swords, but it was also reputed as one of Japan’s greatest. There were rumors on the internet claiming that its owner was none other than Okita Soji—though very few would agree to that. Yet, here was Zhang Heng, receiving the famous sword from Okita Soji.
Okita visited Zhang Heng at the Koyama dojo to make some arrangements for when he was gone. He clearly sensed that he did not have much time left, so he asked Zhang Heng for a favor and to bid the world farewell as a samurai.
