At that moment, Nara Lukoto forced Rosinante back with a sharp burst of strength, grabbed Yamanaka Makoto with one hand, and rapidly retreated.
"Makoto, how are you?" Nara Lukoto asked urgently.
"Leave... now..." Yamanaka Makoto said weakly. "That guy... he's a monster!"
Inside Rosinante's mind, Yamanaka Makoto had felt a boundless horror.
It was so terrifying that it could no longer even be described as human.
Even a Tailed Beast might not necessarily compare.
Hearing those words, Nara Lukoto's expression changed at once.
Without another word, he grabbed Yamanaka Makoto and in a flash landed atop Akimichi Go's giant shoulder.
"Retreat!" Nara Lukoto shouted.
The moment he heard that, Akimichi Go's face changed as well.
He didn't know what had happened.
But he did know one thing:
This was not the time to ask questions.
With the instincts of a battle-hardened veteran, Akimichi Go immediately carried both Nara Lukoto and Yamanaka Makoto and bolted straight toward the edge of the military camp.
At that exact moment, soldiers were converging from all sides, trying to cut them off.
But Akimichi Go showed no concern at all.
He swung his massive iron club in a wide arc, stirring up a violent gale.
Every soldier standing in front of him was blown away by that savage wind.
And just like that, Akimichi Go carried Nara Lukoto and Yamanaka Makoto straight out of the camp without the slightest obstruction.
"Why aren't you pursuing them, you useless fools?!"
At that moment, Uchida and several other commanders appeared from somewhere and began shouting coldly at the soldiers.
"Are you just going to let the enemy escape so brazenly? You failed to protect the General. None of you can escape responsibility!"
When they saw Akimichi Go's gigantic form charging out of the camp, they had all assumed Rosinante was already dead.
But even so, they still wanted to confirm it as quickly as possible.
And if Rosinante hadn't quite died yet...
They certainly wouldn't mind finishing the job with an extra stab.
That was why they were trying to draw the soldiers away.
"Do not pursue a desperate enemy!"
At that moment, a voice rang out.
The entire scene instantly fell silent.
Everyone turned to look.
A figure was slowly walking toward them.
"General!"
The soldiers cried out in excitement.
After seeing Akimichi Go's giant body and such overwhelming strength, the soldiers had all been deeply worried for Rosinante.
But now—
Seeing him walk out completely unharmed...
A wave of cheers immediately erupted from the crowd.
"G-General... you're alright?" Commander Uchida asked in shock.
"What?" Rosinante said lightly. "Is my being fine... that surprising to you?"
"N-No, of course not!" Uchida said awkwardly. "It's just... I'm astonished by the General's strength. To remain completely unharmed in front of such powerful enemies... truly incredible!"
"Musashi!" Rosinante called out sharply.
"Here!"
A soldier stepped out from the ranks at once.
This soldier was none other than the very same one who had first stepped forward to answer Rosinante on the command platform a month ago.
His name was Musashi Jiro.
"Have the soldiers return to their tents and rest," Rosinante ordered. "And clean up this mess."
"Yes!"
Musashi immediately accepted the order.
Then Rosinante turned his gaze coldly toward Uchida and the others.
That single look was like a blade.
After that, he turned and headed back toward the city.
Under Rosinante's icy stare, cold sweat instantly poured down the foreheads of Uchida and the others.
After spending a month under him, they had all begun to feel it more and more clearly—
Rosinante's pressure was growing stronger by the day.
Now, a single glance from him was already enough to make them feel unable to resist.
Since the tent had been destroyed, it was no longer fit to live in.
So Rosinante chose to return to the city.
And because Fujimitsu had already sent assassins after him...
He could no longer remain passive.
Originally, he had planned to wait another two months before dealing with Fujimitsu.
But now, it seemed he could not wait any longer.
However...
If he was going to leave, there were still some matters he had to settle first.
Otherwise, he would not be able to depart with peace of mind.
After returning to the city, the very first thing Rosinante did was summon Captain Muto.
Inside Rosinante's study, Captain Muto stepped in.
"The one who poisoned me back then... was you, wasn't it, Captain Muto?"
The instant Muto entered the study, Rosinante asked the question lightly.
The moment he heard it, Captain Muto's face changed.
Then, without hesitation, he dropped to the floor and bowed deeply.
"Yes," Captain Muto said. "It was I who poisoned the General. I ask the General to punish me as he sees fit. I have no complaints."
That's right.
When Rosinante had first crossed into this body, it had already been poisoned.
And the one who had administered that poison...
Was Muto.
The reason was simple.
He believed that Saito Ze was more suited to inherit the general's seat than Saito Tsubasa.
The Saito household had already reached a precarious moment, tottering on the edge of collapse.
If the successor lacked sufficient ability, the entire house could be destroyed at any time.
But as Captain of the Samurai, Muto also understood one thing:
He had to stand with legitimacy.
And legitimacy was clear.
Saito Tsubasa was the legitimate heir.
For him to inherit the general's seat was the righteous path.
Because of that, Muto could not openly support Saito Ze.
The only way to make Saito Ze the next General...
Was for Saito Tsubasa to die.
So he had poisoned him.
Rosinante looked at Captain Muto, who remained kneeling with his forehead nearly to the floor.
For a long time...
He said nothing.
The atmosphere in the study became heavier and heavier.
Almost suffocating.
"Back then," Rosinante finally said, "you believed Saito Ze inheriting the general's seat was more suitable than me. Do you still think so now?"
"The General possesses true vision and depth," Muto said in a low voice. "I was narrow-minded and blind. I ask the General for forgiveness."
"Originally, even killing you would not be enough to atone for your crime," Rosinante said calmly. "But I'm going to leave the Saito household for a period of time. While I'm gone, I need someone to hold the Saito household steady. To stabilize everything in my absence."
His gaze sharpened.
"Can you do it?"
Muto's body trembled slightly.
Then he bowed even lower.
"I will stake my life to keep the Saito household stable," he said firmly. "But... where is the General going?"
"I'm going to Fujimitsu's territory," Rosinante said lightly. "I'm going to bring back that old dog Fujimitsu's head."
"General!" Muto said at once. "A gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. Allow me to go to Fujimitsu's territory in your place. I swear on my life that I will do everything in my power to take that old thief's head for you!"
"Are you certain you can definitely take Fujimitsu's head?" Rosinante asked flatly.
Muto hesitated.
"This..." He lowered his head. "I am willing to risk my life and try. But whether I can truly take that old thief's head... I cannot guarantee."
"Then what would you be going for?" Rosinante said coolly. "Your most important task now is to stabilize the Saito household for me. As for Fujimitsu... this General has his own way of dealing with him."
"Yes!"
Muto lowered his head deeply.