Chapter 271: Chapter 117: Aoto Swordsman Group’s First Deployment!

With that said, Hosoi picked up a large rolled-up paper beside him, stood up, and quickly walked to the center of the room, spreading the paper on the tatami mats.

This large rolled-up paper turned out to be a map of Edo. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"This is the defense map for tonight that I coordinated with the Yoriki this morning!" Hosoi said loudly. "On this map, each person’s designated area of responsibility for tonight is clearly marked!"

The people sitting on either side of the room gathered around.

Aoto quickly scanned the map and found his name marked in the northwest corner.

"Your mission tonight is quite simple—watch over your respective areas! If you detect any signs of the Anti-foreigner Group in your area, report immediately!"

At this point, Hosoi deliberately paused, raised his eyes, and scanned the faces around him.

Most people still appeared to be in a daze as if they had not fully awakened from a dream.

It wasn’t hard to understand why they looked like that.

After all, until this emergency meeting began, they had either been on leave or just handling their routine tasks for the day.

Being suddenly told about a critical operation tonight... they showed signs of confusion and disbelief without any mental preparation.

Hosoi let out a heavy sigh as he took in his subordinates’ expressions.

"...I know this task came very suddenly and urgently," Hosoi said wearily, "but we have no choice but to press on."

"Those stationed tonight at Ryogoku-dori’s South Division have a heavy burden... and our North Guard Station’s burden is no lighter."

"If the Anti-foreigner Group’s real target is elsewhere and ’raiding Ryogoku-dori’ is just a ruse to divert our forces and attention... whether we can successfully uncover the true target hinges on whether we, who are responsible for defending various parts of Edo, can maintain our vigilance!"

"If all the intelligence we have received is false and the Anti-foreigner Group doesn’t plan to act tonight, or they back down after realizing our Magistrate’s Office is prepared for them, leading to a peaceful night in Edo, that would be ideal."

"But we cannot be overly optimistic; we must prepare for the worst-case scenario."

"This group of madmen is capable of anything."

Hosoi raised his solemn gaze.

And, in an unyielding tone, slowly said:

"Tonight, no one is to be absent!"

"And... everyone must be ready for combat tonight!"

...

...

That evening—

Whenever there was a major task or operation that required direct confrontation with the enemy, the Magistrate’s Office would distribute life-saving chain armor and gauntlets to those involved.

The North Guard Station has been designated as the central base for tonight’s operation.

At this moment, the ’Three Times’ from both the South and North Patrols gathered in one of the North Guard Station’s rooms to collect their protective gear.

The noise was constant.

...

"The protective gear is here! Come and get it!"

"Don’t push! Don’t push! Line up!"

"Hey, my chain armor seems rusty, give me a new set."

"No replacements, just make do."

"How can you make do with life-saving gear?! Quickly, give me a new set!"

...

"Oh, is this chain armor? Tsk tsk, mine is still brand new..." Harada examined the protective gear he had just received with a curious gaze.

Harada tossed his chain armor up and caught it again: "Tsk, it’s quite heavy."

"Alright, stop playing." Standing beside Harada, Aoto urged him not to mess around with the valuable armor in a resigned tone, then turned to Saito, Nagakura, and others beside him, "Has everyone gotten their gear?"

"Yes!" Fujimura nodded vigorously, "We all have ours!"

"Check your gear for any damage, and if there’s any, replace it immediately."

Aoto said seriously.

"These are life-saving items, so don’t be careless."

"Uh..." Harada scratched his head and chuckled, "Mr. Tachibana, this is my first time seeing chain armor, so what does a good set look like?"

"Mr. Tachibana... it’s my first time seeing chain armor too..." Fujimura laughed awkwardly.

Not recognizing chain armor was understandable, as it was only commonly stocked by the government.

Signaling for the clueless Harada and Fujimura to come over, Aoto patiently explained how to check for damage in chain armor and taught them how to properly wear the gear.

After donning the chain armor, gauntlets, leg guards, and other protective gear with Aoto’s help, Harada patted his now rigid chest.

"Tsk tsk... I get why the Grand Generals of the Warring States Era could charge through battlefields effortlessly." Harada chuckled, "With such hard armor, normal swords can’t penetrate. If it were me, I could fight like that too!"

After vigorously moving his shoulders to ensure the gear wasn’t too tight or too loose, Harada eagerly turned to Aoto:

"Mr. Tachibana, what exactly is our mission tonight?"

"Tonight, we need to watch over the area we’re responsible for and keep an eye on the Anti-foreigner Group..."

Aoto had barely started explaining when Harada furrowed his brows and rubbed his head: "Never mind, Mr. Tachibana, don’t bother explaining."

"I don’t like thinking too much; the complex mission details just give me a headache."

"I’ll just follow you and listen to your commands!"

With that, Harada raised his pike, his face brimming with excitement and anticipation.

"Haha! I didn’t expect such a big mission right after joining you!"

"Mr. Tachibana, when do we start the mission? I’ve been eager for it!"

*******

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Happy Birthday to me!

Today is the author’s 23rd birthday! Clap clap clap clap clap (applause)

Time flies, and now I’m 23 in a blink of an eye.

For this annual birthday, I ask for nothing but for everyone to cast more monthly votes for the book today and allow me to take a day off tomorrow (leopard-headed crying.jpg)

I was already celebrating with friends yesterday, which is why today’s update is shorter. I probably won’t have time to write today, so there might be no update tomorrow.

Please allow me to take tomorrow off so I can have a good birthday today! (leopard-headed crying.JPG)