He cried so hard that he couldn't help himself.

His body softened and he fell forward, lying on the ground, his body shaking violently from crying.

"I don't have a lot of knowledge..."

"I don't have any extraordinary charm..."

"The only thing I have... is my swordsmanship... and my loyalty to you...!"

"I will do my best for you...!"

"It is precisely because I admire you, and precisely because I believe in you, that I will willingly take over all the dirty work...! That is why I will willingly become 'cutting people to hide them'...!"

"Now that things have come to this...are you unwilling to protect me?!"

"Aren't you just trying to survive by cutting off your tail...?!"

"Traitor...you traitor...!"

"I don't want to die...I don't want to die...!"

"I don't want to die in vain...!"

"Even if you are as humble as me, I don't want to die in this way...!"

"Traitor...! Traitor...! Traitor...!"

Gradually, he stopped howling.

All that was left in the cell was low whimpering and repeated whispers of "traitor."

…

…

Goto Shojiro ran towards Okada Izo's cell in three steps at a time.

At this moment, many people had come outside Okada Izo's cell.

They surrounded the cell tightly and stood ready.

Seeing Goto Shojiro coming, these people saluted and greeted him one after another.

Goto Shojiro didn't care about anything else and ran to the cell door with a sprint, his eyes fixed on Okada Izo inside the cell.

I saw Okada Izo hanging his head, his face was ashen, as if he had lost his soul, and his eyes were dim.

Goto Shojiro glanced at Okada Izo, then turned to look at the other people present:

"You all stand down first."

Everyone responded in agreement and then filed out.

After only himself and the other party were left at the scene, Goto Shojiro said seriously:

"...Okada Izo, I have heard the specific reasons. You are willing to expose Takeichi Hanheita's sins, right?"

Okada Izo nodded numbly:

"I'm willing to confess...but I have one condition."

Goto Shojiro was not surprised at all by Okada Izo's request.

He raised his chin and said:

"Have said that, as long as you are willing to identify Wu Shi Hanping Tai, I will try my best to satisfy you in whatever way I can."

Okada Izo's expression remained unchanged, and he said slowly:

"I don't want to die... As long as you let me live, I will tell you everything I know."

When Goto Shojiro heard this, he frowned slightly:

"Okada Izo, you have killed so many people and your crime is unforgivable. Even now, you still want to survive?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Okada Izo said in a tone that left no room for doubt:

"That's all I ask for."

"Let me live - it's that simple."

"If you don't agree, I won't say anything."

"Even if you torture me for another five or ten years, I won't open my mouth."

"Your goal is only to overthrow the King Tosa Kin's gang, kill Takeichi Hanheita, and avenge your uncle, isn't it?"

"I'm just a dog adopted by Takeshi Hanpingtai, worthless."

"To you, my life and death don't matter at all, right?"

Goto Shojiro lowered his eyelids and his eyes were deep.

"...Okada Izo, you have killed countless people and committed heinous crimes."

"Do you know how many people hate you to the core?"

"Do you know how many people are eager to eat your flesh and drink your blood?"

"Even if I can spare you, no one in the world can spare you."

"The 'Hitoko Izo' who was already imprisoned is walking around the city with great arrogance - if this thing gets spread, how will the world view me, Goto Shojiro, and me, Tosa?"

"Therefore, it is impossible for you to stay in this country and this land any longer."

Speaking of this, Goto Shojiro paused for a moment, and then changed the topic:

"But...just in half a month, there will be a merchant ship heading to the United States."

"As long as you remain anonymous and promise never to come back for the rest of your life, I can help you get the ticket for this merchant ship."

"After you go to the United States, whether you live or die, whether you die in old age or thrive, it all depends on your destiny."

"This is my biggest concession."

"If you can't accept it, then there's nothing left to talk about, so you can just continue to stay here."

After hearing the word "America", Okada Izo frowned and showed strong disgust - under the influence of Takeichi Hanheita, Okada Izo was disgusted with all Western things.

However, he did not refuse.

Although he was an ignorant and reckless man, under the influence of his desire to survive, his brain became particularly bright at this time.

He knew very well: This was indeed Goto Shojiro's biggest concession.

Based on the crimes he had committed, even 10 heads would not be enough to cut him off, not to mention letting him go free.

Goto Shojiro is willing to risk his reputation and help him escape to the United States, which is already very sincere.

No matter how much Izō Okada talks, he can't get the other party to come up with a better plan.

If he dared to say "no", Goto Shojiro might really turn around and leave, too lazy to deal with this greedy guy again.

After pondering for a moment, Okada Izo asked bluntly:

"...You talk empty talk...How can I believe you...?"

Goto Shojiro put on a straight face and said seriously:

"Who do you think I am? A cunning and ruthless rogue?"

"I am Goto Shojiro."

"Tosa Domain's political participation, Yoshida Toyo's nephew, Goto Shojiro!"

"'Reputation' is what I rely on to make a living."

"Since I can say it, I can definitely do it!"

"I swear in the name of my uncle and the dignity of a warrior that what I just said is true and I will never break my promise!"

After saying that, Goto Shojiro raised his hand to reach for the sword at his waist, pulled out the small half, and then took it back heavily. The blade collided with the sheath, making a loud clang.

Breaking the gold and swearing an oath - a very serious oath-taking ceremony for warriors.

Upon seeing this, Okada Izo nodded slowly but solemnly.

"...Okay...it's settled...!"

…

…

The next day, a piece of news like a bolt from the blue spread throughout Tosa, and then spread to all directions - Okada Izo confessed!

Not only did he admit to the various crimes he had committed, but he also confessed in detail the crimes of Takeichi Hanheita.

According to what he said, Takeichi Hanheita was very jealous of Yoshida Toyo and believed that Yoshida Toyo, who advocated openness, innovation, and reform, was a heinous evil. It was only because of this person's suppression that the Tosa Kinnoi party was unable to rise to power.

As a result, Takeichi Hanheita secretly contacted the conservative forces that had lost power due to Yoshida Toyo's rise to power, and worked together to assassinate Yoshida Toyo.

Takeshi Hanheita sent Nasu Shingo, Oishi Danzo, and Yasuoka Yoshisuke to kill Yoshida Toyo when he returned home.

After beheading Yoshida Toyo, Nasu Shingo and the other two fled the feudal clan and disappeared without a trace.
To be continued...