After the rainy season ended, the humidity in the air gradually decreased. However, waves of heat came one after another. Even leaning against the towering trees didn't provide any relief.

Photosynthesis only had a slight effect in the early summer morning. Under the scorching sun, it had no choice but to admit defeat, defeated by the sultry air flow.

The cicadas in the trees kept calling out tirelessly, making it difficult for people to sleep.

Sogo Okita pushed the blindfold on his forehead, held the Kikuichi script that he was proud of, put on the headphones, chewed the chewing gum that he didn't know how many days ago, and inadvertently tilted his head to look outside the camp.

A girl holding a wooden sword unexpectedly barged into his line of sight.

The girl was carrying a small linen colored luggage, and the clothes on her body were washed white, almost impossible to see the original color.

Her long black hair was tied into a high ponytail, and her dark eyes were childish.

Her cheeks were red, and there were some fine beads of sweat on her forehead, but her breathing was not particularly heavy.

"Is there anyone here?" The girl's voice was clear and pleasant, breaking the silence of the Shinsengumi camp.

She poked her head out, hesitating whether or not to walk in.

Okita looked at her, blinked, and did not answer.

Obviously, the other party did not see him, and he did not want to move.

"What's the matter, miss?"

The first to run over to greet her was Yamazaki, and he politely smiled, "Miss, do you have a request?"

The girl shook her head, "I want to join Shinsengumi," as if afraid that people would not believe her, she handed the wooden sword in front of Yamazaki, "I have been learning swordsmanship since I was young, and it has been ten years."

"This …" Yamazaki hesitantly scratched the back of his head, "Shinsengumi does not have women.

This is not a joke, miss, you should go home. "

"But …" The girl was a little anxious, she never thought that the other party would directly reject her before the test even began.

"If you can defeat Yamazaki, A long queue will take you in."

Perhaps feeling that life was too boring, Okita stood up from under the tree and walked to Yamazaki's side.

He put his hands in his pockets and blew a bubble leisurely. His red eyes were as clear as crystal. The girl smiled at him and said firmly, "No problem."

"Captain Okita!"

Yamazaki called out helplessly. Whether or not Shinsengumi accepted women was one thing, but the two of them did not have the right to decide whether this girl should stay or leave. The deputy commander would make him commit seppuku, okay?

"Let's go, Yamazaki. I have faith in you."

Okita patted Yamazaki's shoulder and gave him a determined look. Then, he stepped aside to give the two of them enough space.

What kind of expression is that?

I didn't promise you, did I?

I never promised you anything, did I?!

Of course, Yamazaki did not dare to say these words out loud. He was afraid of Hijikata's deputy commander, but he was even more afraid of Okita.

Thus, he looked at the girl without any backbone, hoping that she would give up on the duel. However, he did not expect that the girl would take out a wooden sword and cross it in front of her chest in an attacking posture. She looked at him sharply.

"Mr. Yamazaki, please take care of me."

Okita smiled suspiciously, crossed his arms, and said in a monotonous voice, "Yamazaki against an unknown woman, the first round, begin!"

"Ando Yamazaki, Mr. Okita." The girl looked at Okita and reminded him of her name.

Okita looked at her and said indifferently, "You can only have a name if you win."

Okita's personality was like that. He would not treat his opponent differently just because she was a girl. On the battlefield, no matter if it was a woman or a man, an old person or a child, the opposing side was the enemy, and the fighting side by side was the companion.

Thus, he was different from Yamazaki. He would not deny her because she was a woman.

Moreover, life was so boring that it required all kinds of seasoning. He just happened to like watching women fight.

Ando nodded and turned to look at Yamazaki. Her eyes were filled with murderous intent.

Yamazaki's mouth twitched. He could not help but say, "You don't have to admit that …" But before he could finish, Ando cut him off.

"Be careful, Mr. Yamazaki!"

She stabbed her sword. Yamazaki was a little surprised. He dodged to the side, but his clothes were still pierced.

It was a wooden sword, but it had such destructive power. This was something that Yamazaki and Okita did not expect.

"I'm not an amateur, so Mr. Yamazaki, please treat me seriously."

Ando put away her sword and stood still. It was obvious that she was just warning him. She did not use any killing moves.

She gave up on catching him off guard. Was it because she was confident in her own strength, or was it because she wanted to be fair?

Okita took off his earphones and put them in his pocket. He continued to watch calmly.

Yamazaki nodded solemnly. In his previous missions, he had met many women. Some were thin, some were seductive, but all of them had one thing in common — they were strong.

In this patriarchal society, it was not easy for women to rise up. Once they were able to take on big responsibilities, they would have to go through more setbacks than men.

Although the woman in front of him was young and immature, she gave off a feeling that could not be ignored.

"Excuse me." Yamazaki also raised his sword. His eyes were vigilant and respectful.

Ando smiled and attacked with the same move as before. Without the surprise at the beginning, Yamazaki blocked it easily.

Ando squatted down and used her sword to sweep towards Yamazaki's lower body. As expected, he dodged it, but she did not stop her move. Instead, she stabbed with her backhand, then used her hands to support herself on the ground and kicked Yamazaki with her legs. Yamazaki withdrew his sword slowly and could only block it with his arm. The dull pain spread from his arm to his entire body. Yamazaki's feet lightened and he lost his balance and sat on the ground.

Yamazaki held his arm. The pain slowly disappeared. He did not expect this woman to be so strong. He also did not expect that he would lose so quickly.

"I still underestimated you." Yamazaki smiled bitterly. "No, maybe I'm not your opponent even if I use all my strength.

Your moves are as smooth as flowing water. The person who taught you swordsmanship must be very strong. "

"Thank you for teaching me, Mr. Yamazaki."

Ando was a little excited. She put away her wooden sword and bowed to Yamazaki. Then she looked at Okita and asked, "Can I join Shinsengumi now?"

Okita blinked and said as if it had nothing to do with him, "It's not my business."

"How can this be!" Ando's shining eyes dimmed. "Do all Shinsengumi go back on their words like this?"

"No, Miss Ando." Yamazaki rubbed his butt and stood up. He hurriedly denied it.

Shinsengumi did not have a good reputation among the public. In order to protect the remaining Shinsengumi's image, Yamazaki gritted his teeth and said, "I'll report to the vice captain. Miss Ando can stay here soon."

"Thank you, Mr. Yamazaki." Ando happily shook his hand. Yamazaki's face was a little red. He pulled his hand out and went to find Hijikata.

Ando looked at his back as he left. It was as if he was a warrior who would not return.

"Captain Okita, I'm Ando Yamazaki. Nice to meet you!"

Ando remembered his words, so after winning, she introduced herself to Okita.

Okita's expression did not change. He said calmly, "Sogo Okita, welcome to the team."

Even though she said she couldn't make the decision, he still welcomed her.

Ando looked at the young man with chestnut-colored hair who was half a head taller than her. He had a delicate face, beautiful eyes, and a great body under his well-ironed black uniform.

She had to admit that this person was much better looking than Yamazaki.

"Nice to meet you." Ando said.