When Hijikata was first captured, Aoto revealed his identity as a "new disciple of Shiwei Hall" to Hijikata, so he already knew that the one who captured him today was his new junior disciple.
Hijikata looked at Aoto with curiosity, surprise, and various complex emotions in his eyes.
"Speaking of it... I haven’t formally introduced myself to you yet."
Hijikata straightened his clothes and then stood upright.
"Nice to et you."
He said seriously to Aoto.
"I am a disciple of Shiwei Hall: Hijikata Toshizo."
...
...
Aoto and Nishino’s capture operation this morning can be described as perfect.
While Aoto was handling Hijikata, Nishino smoothly and effortlessly captured Kin’emon who escaped in his direction.
Nishino is the holder of the "directory" of the Beichen One-Sword Style. He actively approached Kin’emon, drew the jitte from his waist, and used it like a sword to take Kin’emon down with just one strike, successfully arresting him.
These thugs who only bully and oppress others daily, what kind of firm will can they have?
After bringing him back and showing him various torture instrunts, he was imdiately scared out of his wits.
After intimidating him with the instrunts and using the "Killing Rod," the Action Officer responsible for interrogation at the Prison Compound then offered the "red carrot": if you tell us everything you know, you can receive a reduced sentence.
Being so frightened and provoked by the Action Officers at the Prison Compound, Kin’emon imdiately confessed all of his cris.
He admitted to being a mber of the notorious "Masked Faction" recently. He also revealed the identities and addresses of several of his companions.
In the afternoon, Hosoi dispatched a large team to capture the rest of the "Masked Faction."
With the information revealed by Kin’emon, it was only a matter of ti to eradicate the "Masked Faction."
Not participating in the afternoon’s capture operation and having no urgent work after noon, Aoto clocked out at dusk and returned to Shiwei Hall.
Tonight, Shiwei Hall was far more lively than usual—because Toshizo Hijikata ca to have dinner.
Hijikata Toshizo had previously been injured in a brawl at his old ho and recuperated in his hotown for over two months before finally recovering and returning to Edo. Tonight’s dinner at Shiwei Hall served as a welcoming party for Hijikata. Abi especially bought more ingredients and cooked a more sumptuous dinner.
As dinner began, Zhouzhu, who was seated at the head, sighed heavily and said to Hijikata in a heartfelt, serious tone:
"Sui San, I heard about today’s events."
"You really need to change your ’Thorny Evil Child’ temperant."
"Your biggest flaw is that when faced with trouble, you only think of solving it with fists and feet."
"Indeed, so things can’t be resolved without using physical force."
"But there are also many things that violence can’t solve."
...
Zhouzhu lectured Hijikata in a slightly nagging tone.
"Yes..." Hijikata lowered his head to Zhouzhu and responded in a slightly subdued tone, "I have been reflecting..."
Hijikata verbally expressed his reflection, sowhat showing a guilty deanor—but whether he truly took Zhouzhu’s words to heart, only he would know.
Zhouzhu was still tempted to lecture Hijikata, but sitting beside him, Abi seed annoyed by Zhouzhu’s preaching and frowned:
"Alright, let’s talk after dinner!"
Zhouzhu withdrew his neck and quickly agreed: "Fine, fine, let’s eat."
Hijikata, overall, was a rather quiet person.
He’s not like Chokata, who is cheerful, constantly smiling, and can chat with people for hours without pause.
But he isn’t as taciturn as Saito, who might remain silent for extended periods.
When dining with Aoto and the others, he actively participated in the conversation and even initiated topics and asked questions.
For example, now—he actively brought up the fight he had with Aoto today.
"Your martial arts skills are incredible." Hijikata said mildly to Aoto, who was sitting across from him, "I haven’t encountered such a master like you in hand-to-hand combat for a long ti. Where did you learn these martial arts?"
"What I use is my family’s ancestral martial arts." Aoto brought out his universal excuse, "Your martial arts are also quite formidable; today, several tis, I almost got defeated by you."
Aoto wasn’t being polite or flattering; he genuinely thought Hijikata’s hand-to-hand combat skills were excellent. Today, he indeed narrowly avoided being taken down by Hijikata several tis.
"I noticed that the techniques you use don’t seem to belong to any school or sect." Aoto probed, "Did you co up with these techniques yourself?"
Hijikata nodded: "Those techniques are ones I explored and figured out bit by bit during fights with others. Although they’re sowhat unconventional, I believe they work quite well."
"Speaking of this, I’ve had a question since you took down this morning."
With that, Hijikata put down his bowl and chopsticks.
"The move with which you subdued —grabbing my right arm and twisting it behind my back—"
Hijikata moved his hands trying hard to recreate the mont he was subdued by Aoto today.
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