The expression on Katsu Rintarō’s face uncontrollably grew heavy.

The faces of Umegorō and the others were also so dark that it seemed as if black water would drip from them; on the brows of a few individuals, even a trace of despair began to emerge.

They all knew—they were probably not going to see the reinforcements from the Magistrate’s Office arrive...

...

...

At this very moment——

Outside the Foreign Language Research Institute——

The "Attack Team" responsible for breaking into the Investigation Office was now fiercely engaged in battle with Shinno alongside Katsu Rintarō.

Meanwhile, the "Surrounding Team" tasked with encircling the Foreign Language Research Institute was quite at ease.

After all, their mission was only to ensure that not even a single fish slipped through the net from the Investigation Office and to prevent anyone from approaching it.

On this street, there was no shortage of townsmen who were alarmed by the commotion of the fire, dragging their families to prepare to flee to safety.

So many Samurai in murderous intent surrounded this Foreign Language Research Institute... Townsmen who saw this scene vaguely realized what was happening...

But they didn’t dare to interfere, nor did they dare to approach.

Fearing the calamity of getting involved, the townsmen pretended they didn’t see or hear anything and walked around the Investigation Office.

Thus, a strange "no man’s land" was formed around the Foreign Language Research Institute, with no one but members of the Anti-foreigner Group present.

"Why haven’t Mr. Kamino and the others come out yet?"

"I’ve been hearing gunshots since earlier..."

"I hope nothing’s happened to Mr. Kamino and the others..."

"Shh! Don’t talk nonsense!"

...

The whispered conversations and breathing of the members of the "Surrounding Team" were the only sounds in this "no man’s land."

But suddenly, their peace was shattered by a series of strange noises.

These strange noises kept approaching the "no man’s land" from afar.

When the strange noise got closer, the Surrounding Team gradually realized—it was the sound of someone running fast.

They hurriedly lifted their heads in the direction the sound was coming from.

They saw five shadows flickering at the street corner to the east.

Because the distance was a bit far and it was late at night with poor lighting, the Surrounding Team couldn’t see clearly the appearance of these five shadows.

These five shadows, like arrows shot from a bow, charged straight towards them!

"Someone’s approaching!"

"Stop!"

"Who are you?! Stop!" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

...

The members of the "Surrounding Team" quickly drew their swords, shouting warnings.

Just as the members drew their swords, the foremost shadow suddenly accelerated!

If this shadow’s speed was like an arrow just now, it was now like a cannonball fired from a cannon!

Sprinting, leaping—the shadow completed the pounce smoothly, like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, leaping towards a member with buck teeth.

As the shadow leaped towards the buck teeth, he drew with his left hand a Jitte with a red tassel tied to his right waist.

With the momentum of rushing forward and leaping, the tip of the Jitte fiercely struck the philtrum of the buck teeth, directly breaking his two buck teeth.

The Jitte, with momentum unabated, its tip plunged into the buck teeth’s mouth, flipping him backward.

The buck teeth, flying backward, heavily collided with a short man behind him, and the two of them embraced, eating dirt together.

"Aaaahhhhh——!" The buck teeth clutched his mouth, emitting a piercing scream.

His scream completely shattered the silence of this "no man’s land"!

********

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A long-awaited 10,000-word Chapter, asking for monthly tickets and collections! (Crying like a leopard head.jpg).

PS: Following the news from yesterday... I think you can check into the Chapter where Ii Naosuke was assassinated.