I Was a Swordsman in Ancient Japan

Keep everyone waiting.

I really wrote for a whole day today, until my head swelled, and I couldn’t write anymore. I only wrote 2W4 in total, which didn’t reach the agreed 3W-5W.

I also failed to write all the climaxes, because the plot volume is too large to finish, so I can only start first.

The reason is that the writing is always unsatisfactory, deleted and changed, changed and deleted.

Especially this chapter, I can't always write the feeling I want.

I am not very satisfied with this chapter. If there is a fee for this chapter, it always feels like cheating readers.

So for this chapter with a total of 1W4 characters, I decided to broadcast it [for free] without charging any money. It can be regarded as an expression of my apology. I agreed to 3W-5W, but only wrote 2W4.

*****

*****

Not long after Sennosuke left for Edo—

Edo, where Taifu was imprisoned——

The husband continued to hug his knees and curled up in the corner of the wall.

clatter...

The sound of pulling the door sounded slowly.

The husband hurriedly raised his head and looked in the direction of the gate.

But it turns out that the person who pulled the door was not Sennosuke, but a bald head.

After seeing the bald head, the three Iga ninjas who were in charge of guarding the Taifu hurriedly got up to salute and say hello to the bald head.

The bald man waved his hand, signaling for the three of them to excuse themselves, then moved his eyes and scanned around the room. After seeing Taifu Fengling's hands and feet were not tied, he showed doubts:

"Huh? Why isn't the oiran tied up?"

"It was Sennosuke's idea." Someone replied, "He said that with so many people watching, it would be impossible for the Taifu to run away, so he untied the hemp rope from Taifu's body."

"Xianzhizhu?" The bald head looked around, "What about Xianzhizhu?"

The three Iga ninjas looked at each other.

One of them hesitated for a moment,

replied:

"He seems to have a bad stomach and went to shit."

None of the three of them like Sennosuke very much.

But because Sennosuke's seniority and status are higher than them, the three of them don't want to offend Sennosuke too much.

When you are not absolutely sure that what you tell can bring your boss down, don't tell your boss's secret lightly, otherwise you will be in trouble later-this is an iron rule in various occasions.

So after hesitating for a while, they still chose to take the initiative to cover for Sennosuke.

Knowing that Sennosuke was going to shit, the bald head nodded lightly: "Forget it, whatever, I won't bother with him for such a trivial matter as untying the husband.".

After all, the bald head changed into a slightly serious face, and then said seriously:

"There is a new mission."

"Transfer the Taifu to another place."

As soon as the bald head finished speaking, the Tai Fu was startled.

And one of the three people in charge of guarding the Taifu said doubtfully:

"Transfer? Where to go?"

"On the mountain." The bald head spat out a simple word.

But this is actually their code word.

"Shanshang" means the base of Shiranui.

"Let's all take action." The bald head continued, "Let's take a shortcut to go back. The two of you will tie up the Taifu again, and then go back to the mountain with me. You should stay here and wait for Sennosuke, tell Sennosuke about Taifu's transfer, and then Come back with Sennosuke."

The bald head gave one order after another in a simple and clear manner.

The bald head's seniority and status were higher than Sennosuke's, so after the bald head's order was given, the three ninjas nodded in agreement.

The two people who were ordered to re-tie the Taifu walked towards the Taifu, put the Taifu's hands behind her back, and tied her tightly.

Then one person escorted the Taifu, and the other walked to the side of the room and pulled the wooden floor of this place, and the wooden floor was pulled open like a door, revealing a tunnel.

Looking at the tunnel that suddenly appeared in front of him, the Tai Fu's face was full of astonishment.

The "shortcut" mentioned by the bald head just now is actually one of their code words.

This dilapidated and abandoned house is actually one of the strongholds temporarily remodeled by their Iga ninjas.

Reconstruction of various escape routes - this is also one of the traditional skills of the ninjas, and the ninjas of Iga are extremely good at it.

They have been in Edo for a while, and in order to facilitate the travel between Shiranui and Edo, they converted three dilapidated houses into their strongholds.

The first stronghold is the place where they are imprisoning Taifu now.

The tunnel here is connected to their second stronghold - a deserted temple not far away.

There are also tunnels built in the deserted temples, and the tunnels of the deserted temples are connected to their third stronghold - a private house located in the outermost area of ​​northern Edo that is no longer inhabited.

After coming out of the third base, because it is located in the outermost area in the northern part of Edo, it is very close to Shiranui.

The only ones who knew the existence of these three strongholds and knew that these three strongholds were connected by tunnels were the ninjas of Iga, and Shintaro and others who were vassals of Toyotomi with the ninjas of Iga and others who were lurking in Shiranui.

The bald head and the two Iga ninjas who were responsible for retying the Taifu just now pushed the Taifu into the tunnel, and then covered the raised wooden floor again.

Only the Iga ninja who was in charge of waiting for Sennosuke's return was left in the hut.

...

...

Sennosuke, immersed in the beautiful fantasy of "being praised by the Taifu" and "embraced again by the Taifu", happily returned to the base.

Then as soon as he returned to the stronghold, Sennosuke was stunned.

Taifu was not seen.

There was only one of his companions left in the stronghold.

Seeing Sennosuke came back, his companion showed a slight mocking smile, and said:

"It's been a waste of your trip."

"When you just left here, a new task was issued. The Taifu was to be transferred to Shiranui, and we also left here and returned to Shiranui."

"Taifu and the others have probably left Edo by now, and they are almost in Shiranui."

Although he had tried his best to control it, Sennosuke still had a look of obvious frustration on his face.

Beautiful fantasies such as "being praised by the Taifu" and "being embraced again by the Taifu" were completely shattered.

"Okay, let's go." The Iga ninja who stayed and waited for Sennosuke to return reopened the tunnel, "I stayed here specially to wait for you to come back. Really, it took me so long to come back..."

"I'll treat you to a good drink later..." Sennosuke let out a long sigh.

The companion who stayed here specially to wait for him entered the tunnel with Sennosuke one after the other.

Before leaving, Sennosuke did not forget to blow out the oil lamp in the room.

Sennosuke, who was walking behind, closed the wooden floor again.

The house returned to calm.

Only the thin smoke left after the oil lamp was blown out drifts with the wind...

...

...

Ogata used the technique of "Shiranui in Stealth", kept a certain distance from Sennosuke, and followed closely behind Sennosuke the whole time.

Although this person's hands and arms are thick, they don't seem to be good at anti-reconnaissance.

He never noticed that someone was following him all the time.

In this way, Ogata was brought to the stronghold they used to imprison the Taifu—that is, the small broken house that was no longer inhabited.

After seeing Sennosuke walking straight towards the small broken house, Ogata hid his body in the darkness, and then carefully looked at the small broken house.

This small shabby house reminded Ogata of his former home in the Hirose domain.

The same is true of the house where he lived in the Hirose domain before.

Small, dilapidated "detached villa".

Just as Ogata was about to get close to the small shabby house, he saw that the light shining through the window of the shabby house was extinguished.

Ogata, who frowned slightly, sped up his pace a little, and at the same time he got close to the small house, he pulled out Da Shitian with a movement so gentle that he couldn't make a sound.

Putting your ear to the door—you didn't hear a sound.

The door was opened a crack—there was no one there.

— gone?

After pulling the door open wide enough for him to get in and out, Ogata dodged into the room.

After entering the house, Ogata found that this small dilapidated house was really similar to his home in Hirose.

There is only one room in the whole house, and there is no distinction between halls and bedrooms.

There is only this one entrance and exit in the whole house, and the only window is too small for an adult male to enter and exit.

A large living person suddenly disappeared in the house, and Ogata only thought of two possibilities—hiding on the ceiling, or running away through some secret passage.

Ogata checked the ceiling first - after all, if that person was hiding on the ceiling just now, the threat would be great.

When he was in Kyoto before, he tried to jump from the ceiling and attack an enemy in Nanban's body.

Ogata pulled out Da Shitian's scabbard, stabbed the ceiling above his head with Da Shitian's scabbard, and checked little by little whether anyone was hiding on the ceiling.

...

...

The tunnels built by their Iga ninjas are only half a person high, and they have to bend over to walk.

The cat walked fast with its waist bent - this was a trivial matter for them Iga ninjas.

Sennosuke and his companion walked quickly through the tunnel at a speed that was not slower than running straight.

Soon, they both reached the end of the tunnel.

After reaching the end, the companion of Sennosuke who was walking in front pushed up the wooden board above his head, and then jumped out of the tunnel along the pushed wooden board and entered a small deserted temple. .

This is the second stronghold that Iga built in Edo.

After coming out of the tunnel, Xianzhisuke and the others quickly closed the tunnel entrance without stopping, and then ran towards the wooden Buddhist altar where there were no longer any Buddha statues.

Aim at a certain place of the wooden Buddhist altar and push hard, the wooden board immediately rotates like a revolving door, and another tunnel appears in front of their eyes.

This tunnel connects to their third stronghold.

After coming out of the third stronghold, you will reach the outermost area in the north of Edo, which is very close to Shiranui.

Sennosuke and his companions dodged into this tunnel, and the deserted temple, which had made a little noise due to the appearance of someone, became quiet again...

...

...

After checking the ceiling and finding that no one was hiding on the ceiling, Ogata began to check the floor.

It is impossible for a living person to disappear out of thin air.

Since the ceiling is fine, only the floor is the problem.

Ogata stabbed the floor bit by bit with Da Shitian's scabbard.

The bottom of the scabbard touched the floor, making a tight "bang bang" sound.

Until——when hitting a certain floor, it finally made a different sound: it sounded like hitting the ceiling.

"I found it..." After muttering softly, Ogata leaned down and Mosuo touched the floor.

Because he couldn't figure out how the board was opened, Ogata made a decisive choice—to make a miracle with all his strength.

Ogata inserted Da Shitian's blade into the place where this board connected to another board, and pried it hard—it didn't.

Go the other way, and continue prying.

After changing the direction of prying for the third time, with a "click" sound, the board was pried open by Ogata, revealing a dark tunnel.

"It's still authentic..."

Ogata's face involuntarily turned serious.

No matter how you think about it, the authentic people who come out of such a remote and inconspicuous place should not be ordinary people.

After Ogata tied up his haori sleeves with a cuff tie, he retracted Da Shitian into the scabbard, pulled out Da Zizi, which was more convenient to wield in a narrow space, and jumped into this half-person-high tunnel.

...

...

As soon as Sennosuke and his companions left, a "new guest" came to the deserted temple.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Keitaro, who was carrying Lin Ziping on his back, panted heavily.

Shuntaro followed closely behind Keitaro.

Keitaro, who was leading the way, led Shuntaro towards a deserted temple.

After rushing into this deserted temple, Keitaro slowly slowed down, panting heavily, and said softly:

"Ha... ha... Finally, I got rid of the official messenger... ha..."

Because of Lin Ziping's "there is a thief", Shuntaro and Huitaro suffered a lot.

If there is no other person on their backs, throwing off the official post and flying away - this is naturally a trivial matter for Shuntaro and Keitaro.

However, Hui Taro has to carry a Hui Taro.

Although Lin Ziping is old, his body is unexpectedly strong.

With Lin Ziping on his back, Hui Taro couldn't increase his speed.

So the two of them took a lot of effort to escape from Chengdong Prison, and it was only now that they finally separated a little from the officials who were chasing them all the way.

"Where is this place?" Shuntaro only breathed a little more quickly and looked around.

"This is one of the strongholds built by the ninjas of Iga in Edo." Keitaro said while walking towards the wooden Buddhist altar not far away, "There is a road leading to the north of Edo here. The authentic way is the shortest way back to Shiranui."

"Heh, I didn't expect you to have such a good thing hidden." Shuntaro sneered.

"In order to build the tunnel, we spent several months and I don't know how much money was spent. During the period, because the digging noise was too loud, the people from the government almost discovered it." Hui who breathed a little more evenly Taro said softly, "Come with me, officials may come over at any time now, it's better to go quickly."

They are only slightly distanced from the official post now, and they have not completely shaken off the official post.

Now the two of them could vaguely hear the footsteps of the officials searching the neighborhood.

It was only a matter of time before the official mission found this place.

Keitaro stood on the wooden altar.

Just when Keitaro was about to open the tunnel leading to the north of Edo Castle——

click.

The wooden board not far away was lifted.

Ogata poked his head out like a mole in a "whack-a-mole machine."

...

...

Ogata didn't have anything to illuminate, so after jumping into this tunnel, he could only move forward in the dark.

Fortunately - there is no fork in this tunnel, just keep going forward and backward.

Ogata walked to the end of the tunnel in one breath.

At the top of the end of the tunnel is a plank.

Ogata pushed hard and pushed it away.

After pushing the wooden board away and poking his head out of the tunnel, Xu Jian saw two men in black.

One of them, who Ogata didn't know, was carrying an old man on his back.

And the other person... Ogata froze for a moment after casting his gaze on him.

This shranui ninja with two swords on his back, Ogata just saw it about 3 hours ago... Although his face was covered with a thin black cloth except for his eyes, Ogata confidently asserted I will never admit the wrong person...

...

...

When Ogata, who popped up like a mole, looked at Shuntaro and Keitaro, Shuntaro and Keitaro also looked at Ogata.

3 people stare at each other.

Unlike Keitaro, who only had astonishment in his eyes, Shuntaro looked at Ogata, who was wearing a personality mask and whose current identity was "Mashima Goro", there were other complex emotions in his eyes besides astonishment.

Keitaro gritted his teeth after being stunned for a short while, and then drew the short gun on his back.

His mind is also a mess now.

A strange samurai suddenly emerged from their tunnel - this impactful scene made Keitaro's thoughts instantly become chaotic.

There are so many questions I want to ask this strange samurai.

Who is he?

Why come out of this tunnel?

How did you discover this tunnel?

Have the tunnels in other strongholds been discovered?

But he doesn't have the time now.

They are still in a hurry to return to Shiranui by the tunnel that leads directly to the north of Edo City from this abandoned temple.

And these tunnels cannot be known to other outsiders.

So now there is only one option before Keitaro—killing the mouth.

"Kill him!" Keitaro gave this order to Shuntaro concisely, and then held the short gun in his hand, and killed Ogata.

Looking at Keitaro who was clearly coming to take his life, Ogata quickly jumped out of the hole, and after his feet were firmly on the ground, he handed over the Dazizao that had been on his right hand to his left hand, and then pulled out with his right hand. Da Shitian.

Just like Keitaro has many questions now, Ogata also has many questions now.

For example, why there are ninjas in Shiranui here.

For example, where did the handsome young man I had been following just now go?

However, when Keitaro stabbed at him with a gun, Ogata could only put these doubts aside.

At the same time Keitaro was killing Ogata, Shuntaro hesitated for a while, then pulled out the double swords on his back, and followed Keitaro.

clang!

Ogata's Da Shitian and Keitaro's short spear collided heavily.

After only one fight, Ogata judged that this guy with a big living man on his back was not some trash.

After parrying Keitaro's short spear, Shuntaro's twin swords came with the wind.

clang!

There was another sound of gold and iron strikes, and Ogata took the two swords of Shuntaro with one Dazizao at the same time.

The force transmitted to Ogata's left palm along Dazizai was much stronger than the force transmitted to Ogata's right palm after catching Keitaro's short spear with Oshiten just now.

Feeling this tyrannical force, Ogata couldn't help but feel his heart sink.

——It really is so strong...

And at this moment, Shuntaro has the same feelings as Ogata.

After seeing Ogata caught his two knives with only one arm and felt the shock force transmitted to his palm, Shuntaro's pupils were full of surprise.

Keitaro also carried Lin Ziping on his back, which was extremely inconvenient to move, so he took the initiative to act as an auxiliary attack. When Shuntaro and Ogata confronted each other, he took the opportunity to attack Ogata.

Ogata used one against two, dealing with Shuntaro and Keitaro at the same time.

Fighting against 2 miscellaneous fish is completely different from the pressure brought to people by fighting against 2 masters.

If Keitaro hadn't carried a big living person behind his back, Ogata thought he would definitely be in a hard fight.

But at the moment when Keitaro is carrying a big living person on his back and his strength is limited, even if he fights against the two at the same time, Ogata can not lose the wind in a short time.

Ogata held Da Shitian and Da Zizai Wu in his hands tightly, blocked every attack of Shuntaro and Keitaro one by one, and waited for an opportunity to launch a counterattack.

After parrying Shuntaro's sword away again, Ogata frowned slightly involuntarily.

I don't know if it is Ogata's illusion.

He always felt that the current offensive of the "two swordsman" was not as fierce as when the two of them first confronted more than three hours ago.

If the current offensive of the "Double Swordsman" was as fierce as when the two of them first confronted more than three hours ago, then Ogata felt that this one-on-two battle would be much more difficult for him.

As soon as Ogata pushed Shuntaro away, Keitaro at the side saw the timing again, swung the short spear in his hand again, and stabbed Ogata in the side.

After Ogata used a step to dodge Keitaro's thrust, he flew up and kicked Keitaro.

Ogata's calf hit Keitaro's belly, and Keitaro showed pain, and took a few steps back quickly before he managed to stabilize his figure.

As soon as Keitaro retreated, Shuntaro killed him again.

clang!

Ogata arranged Da Shitian and Da Zizai in an "X" shape to block Shuntaro's double swords.

The two held their knives and fought hard like this.

Ogata exerted a little force, and Shuntaro pushed back.

Ogata has already used 70% of his strength, but Shuntaro still can't lose the wind.

Looking at the "Double Swordsman" who was so close to him, Ogata's eyes showed complicated emotions.

During the first confrontation more than 3 hours ago, Ogata cut the black cloth on the face of this "two-sword man".

Although he only saw half of the face at that time, Ogata still keenly realized that it was a face he knew.

Ogata wasn't sure at first.

But now, after getting closer to the "Double Swordsman" and seeing the familiar eyes of the "Double Swordsman" exposed outside the black cloth, Ogata was finally sure.

It is confirmed who this "Double Swordsman" is...

Keitaro, who took a few steps back because of being kicked by Ogata just now, rushed towards Ogata again.

Looking at the spear head stabbing at him again, Ogata could only pour strength into his arms, push Shuntaro away in front of him, and then jumped back to avoid Keitaro's gun.

Da da da da da da da...

At this moment, footsteps from far to near suddenly sounded outside the temple.

Such a shout could still be faintly heard.

"Hey! There seems to be strange movement in that temple!"

"It seems to hear the sound of swords colliding!"

"Quick! Go there and have a look!"

Hearing these shouts and these footsteps, Keitaro's face darkened.

After gritting his teeth, Keitaro yelled at Shuntaro:

"Can't stay anymore! Withdraw!"

After saying that, Keitaro took out a pill-like thing from his arms. After throwing it heavily on the ground, a puff of smoke immediately exploded.

The thick white smoke separated Ogata from Shuntaro and Keitaro.

The smoke was so thick that it instantly obscured Ogata's vision.

Ogata subconsciously wanted to pursue him, but he heard a series of "cracking" sounds.

It sounded like a piece of iron falling to the ground.

Hearing this voice, Ogata's pupils shrank slightly, and he stepped back with his feet that had already been raised.

Ogata recognized the sound of "哗啦啦".

It was the sound of Sa Ling being thrown to the ground.

Before heading to Edo, Machi built some new weapons at the Gourdya headquarters in Owari.

Among them is Sa Ling.

A-cho introduced Sa Ling to Ogata. According to A-cho, Sa Ling is a prop used by their ninjas when they retreat. Used with Smoke Bombs.

Use smoke bombs to obstruct the enemy's vision, so that the enemy can't see the ground clearly, then throw Sa Ling on the ground.

People who are not familiar with ninja tactics will often continue to rush forward through the smoke foolishly, and then get pierced by Sa Ling on the ground.

A-Ming also demonstrated the usage of Saling to Ogata.

At that time, when A-Ming was demonstrating how to use Sa Ling to Ogata, the sound of Sa Ling falling to the ground was exactly the same as the falling sound of "crack la la la" that Ogata heard just now.

Because the sight was obscured by the smoke, Ogata couldn't even see the ground under his feet clearly, so he stood where he was until the smoke cleared, and didn't dare to act rashly to avoid stepping on Sa Ling.

And after the sound of "hua la la la" falling, Ogata heard the sound of the window being opened.

After the smoke gradually cleared, Ogata could no longer see Shuntaro and Keitaro.

All I could see was an open window that had been closed on the opposite side.

Because Ogata was in the way, Keitaro gave up on escaping through the tunnel, and led Shuntaro to jump out of the window to escape from the temple, away from the officials who were about to be killed.

From in front of Ogata to the opened window, the path is full of Sa Ling shining with cold light.

Looking at Sa Ling with the sharp thorns facing upwards, Ogata couldn't help but twitched the corner of his mouth.

Fortunately, he reacted in time just now. After hearing the sound of Sa Ling being thrown on the ground, he stood where he was without moving before his vision became clear.

If he had chased after him recklessly just now, he might have had a few Sa Ling pierced on the soles of his feet now, and he would not be able to walk normally in the next few days.

Carefully avoiding these Sa Ling, after coming to the opened window, Oo looked out - Shuntaro and Keitaro were completely gone, probably fled somewhere.

Da da da da da da da...

The footsteps outside the house became denser and closer.

In addition to footsteps, Ogata also heard the collision of some equipment.

Ogata was also familiar with the sound of these instruments colliding.

That was the sound of the big and small traps on the officials and messengers colliding together.

Ogata was tired of hearing this kind of voice in Kyoto before.

So just hearing the sound of the collision of the equipment, Ogata knew that the officials must have come.

Although he didn't know why an official came here in such a timely manner, Ogata knew that it was time for him to withdraw.

If the officials caught him, there would definitely be a lot of trouble coming to his door. Just interrogating him why he was here might last until dawn.

Ogata did not choose to jump out of the window.

Because he knew there was a better escape route here.

"Are you going back the same way..."

Ogata said softly in a helpless tone, while jumping back to the tunnel he just drilled out.

As soon as the tunnel entrance was covered, the officials rushed into the deserted temple in a swarm.

Looking at the empty temple, the officials looked at each other in blank dismay.

They clearly heard the sound of someone fighting here just now.

"Look! There are a lot of strange things on the ground!" An official pointed to those Sa Ling on the ground.

"Quick! Look around! I just heard someone fighting here!"

Ogata, who was hiding in the tunnel at this time, could clearly hear the movement outside the tunnel.

Ogata wasn't sure whether these officials could find the tunnel, so he decided to leave here quickly and return to the dilapidated cabin by the same route.

But before returning the same way, Ogata lowered his head and glanced at his palm.

The palm still retains the shock that was transmitted to his palm after he received Shuntaro's slashes repeatedly.

"It's amazing..." Ogata couldn't help muttering softly.

——I don’t know who is stronger after he and I are fully fired...

This thought appeared in Ogata's mind as if it had a life of its own.

...

...

When Ogata and Genichi separated——

Edo, Yoshiwara——

After arriving at the fire site, Genichi found Shirobei.

His cheeks and clothes were scorched black by the thick smoke of the flames. Shirobei, who was tied with a thick linen cloth on his left arm, was standing alone beside a house that had been burnt to charcoal, looking at the people in front of him. A private house that has become charred, I don't know what I am thinking.

"Shirobei." Genichi Genichi deliberately lowered his voice, calling Shirobei's name in a voice so deep that he couldn't hear his original tone.

After hearing someone calling him, Shiro Bingwei was taken aback for a moment, then quickly turned his head to follow the sound.

Because Genichi changed his voice and covered his face with a tengu mask, Shirobei didn't recognize Genichi immediately.

It wasn't until Yuanyi walked up to him, and he looked at Yuanyi for a long time, that he showed surprise.

"It is you."

Now many of Genichi's enemies have come to Edo-this information was reported to Genichi by Shirobei.

Because of this, Shirobei was very careful not to call Genichi's name. After all, there are many people walking around here.

"I heard that there was a big fire here in Yoshihara, so I came to see you. I heard that your left arm was burned. Is there any serious problem?" Yuan Yi patted his left arm.

"It's just a small injury. I've finished taking the medicine. Just rest for a while."

After all, Shirobei turned his gaze back to the charred house in front of him.

After walking to Shirobei's side, Genichi glanced at the large group of coke that was once a house in front of him with Shirobei, and said softly:

"It's so miserable..."

"That's right..." Chief Guard Shirohe sighed, "It's really tragic. The statistics have come out, and 42 houses were burned... The specific property losses are still being counted."

"Overnight, dozens of families were made homeless."

Genichi pursed his lips and turned his gaze.

Not far from him, a man and woman who seemed to be husband and wife knelt in front of the ruins of a dark wooden block, hugging each other and weeping.

There are many, many more similar pictures.

Many people who originally lived here were either silent or sobbing in front of the ruins of their respective homes.

Their homes were either destroyed by flames or forcibly demolished while trying to fight the fire.

Those whose homes were destroyed by fire generally do not receive compensation from the shogunate.

Occasionally token tokens might be given, but basically nothing has been given over the years.

The shogunate has also been very difficult these years, with all kinds of natural disasters and man-made disasters. Even those who want to compensate those whose homes were destroyed by the flames have more than enough energy.

"...When I left the feudal clan at the age of 16 and started traveling around the world, I have seen such scenes many times."

Genichi murmured softly in a tone that sounded like he was talking to himself.

"Whether it's peace or war, the hardest ones will always be the common people."

"...I miss it a bit." Shirobei smiled, "I almost forgot when was the last time you said such serious words."

"I've always been serious." Genichi responded in a half-joking tone.

"Master Shirobei!"

At this moment, an official came running towards Shiro Bingwei quickly.

"It has been counted how many houses have been demolished!"

"Well, very good." After Shirobei nodded lightly, he turned his head to look at Yuan Yi, "Thank you for coming to see me, I'm fine. I'm still busy now, so I can't entertain you properly. After time, let's talk about the old days together."

"Yeah." Yuan nodded, "Pay attention to rest, don't be exhausted."

"My body is still strong." Shirobei laughed.

Saying goodbye to Shirobei, Genichi turned and left.

——I don’t know if Ogata-kun is still at Mimeya, or if he’s already returned to the hotel...

While talking secretly like this, Genichi walked slowly towards outside Yoshihara...

...

...

Edo, outside Yoshiwara, weaving teahouses——

"Bill, please."

After drinking a total of 5 bottles of sake, the one-eyed old man finally said something other than "have another bottle of sake".

This phrase is also the favorite phrase of every businessman.

The owner immediately greeted him with a smile on his face, and reported a number.

The one-eyed old man didn't talk too much nonsense, he just took out his wallet, gave enough money, and then took the bag of dried sweet potatoes he just bought, got up and walked out of the shop.

...

...

Genichi passed through the gate of Yoshihara, and boarded the avenue outside Yoshihara that connected to the gate - Fifty Kendo.

Almost at the same time, the one-eyed old man walked out of the weaving tea house beside Fifty Houses Road.

If you draw a straight line in the direction where the faces of the two people are facing, the straight line between the two people will just form a right angle.

An old man about his age walked out of the tea house not far away, and suddenly appeared in his field of vision——Yuan subconsciously glanced at the one-eyed old man.

It was this subconscious glance that made Yuan Yi's face hidden behind the mask appear full of astonishment and shock.

It was a face very familiar to Yuan Yi.

And it was the kind of face that would never be mistaken.

Because he was too stunned and shocked, Yuan Yi's footsteps were subconsciously paused.

"The Balrog..."

Yuan Yi murmured in a low voice, spit out the word, his tone was full of astonishment.

Yuan Yi saw the one-eyed old man, but the one-eyed old man didn't see Yuan Yi because of his vision.

After leaving the Masa tea house, the one-eyed old man turned his body without any hesitation and walked away from Yoshihara.

Looking at the one-eyed old man who had gone far away, Yuan Yi, after contemplating for a while, moved his feet again and followed...

...

...

The one-eyed old man held a pack of dried sweet potatoes in his left hand, put his right thumb in the belt around his waist, hung his whole right hand on his waist, and walked forward slowly.

Yuan Yi followed closely behind the one-eyed old man the whole time.

The one-eyed old man looked like he was walking around aimlessly.

After walking on a quiet path without even the sound of insects, he finally stopped in his tracks.

Then--

"The guy who has been following me."

As he spoke, he turned his head and pierced his eagle-like gaze behind him.

"Show yourself."

"I advise you to show up obediently by yourself. I don't have to go to catch you. You can also suffer less physical pain. It's good for you and me."

When the one-eyed old man turned his face away, Yuan Yi hurriedly hid in a nearby alley.

But as soon as he hid in the alley next to him, he heard the words of the one-eyed old man.

——Have you been discovered...

A bit of helplessness appeared on Yuan Yi's face involuntarily.

There is a world of difference in difficulty between stalking someone in a busy city and stalking someone in a quiet place where no one is around.

Tracking a mediocre ninja and tracking a top ninja in the world - the difficulty between the two is also very different.

If it was in a noisy place - such as Yoshihara in the evening, Genichi still had some confidence that he would not be discovered by the old man when he followed the old man.

It's a pity that there is not even half a person here, so Yuan Yi has long been mentally prepared that he will be discovered.

Seeing that he was discovered, Yuan Yi walked out of this alley frankly because he had already prepared himself mentally.

At this time, the tengu mask on Yuanyi's face was still on.

Looking at Genichi walking slowly out of the alley, the one-eyed old man frowned, staring at Genichi's face still wearing the tengu mask.

Before the one-eyed old man asked Yuan Yi's identity, Yuan Yi raised his hand a step ahead and reached for the mask on his face.

"Long time no see, Balrog." Yuan Yi took off his mask, revealing his wrinkled face like this one-eyed old man.

"Yuanyi...!" The one-eyed old man's pupils instantly shrank like pinholes.

While the one-eyed old man was staring at Yuan Yi's face, Yuan Yi was also staring at the one-eyed old man's face.

Just happened to bump into the one-eyed old man coming out of the weaving teahouse outside Yoshiwara, and Genichi instantly recognized it—it was the 12th generation Balrog of Shiranui who had a lot of grievances with him.

Just now I had time to take a closer look, but now after looking at Balrog carefully for a while, Yuan Yi couldn't help but sigh with emotion: Balrog is as old as me...

The last time I met Balrog was already 10 years ago when Genichi boarded Shiranui by himself to mediate the dispute between Shiranui and Fuma no Sato.

Ten years ago, Genichi was 54 years old and Balrog was 55 years old.

Compared with 10 years ago, the two now have the same appearance changes—there are more wrinkles on the face, and neither the hair nor the beard on the chin is black.

However, the overall appearance did not change much, so Yuan Yi was able to recognize the Balrog at a glance.

"...It's been a long time, Yuan Yi." Balrog looked Yuan up and down several times with complicated eyes, and then sneered, "Compared to 10 years ago, you seem to be much older."

Source 1: "Each to each other."

"We really have an incredible relationship, and we were able to meet here by chance. I didn't expect you to be in Edo now."

"As soon as I saw you, I felt the pain in my left eye." Balrog raised his right hand and stroked the vertical scar on his left eye, "Even though it has been more than 40 years, you cut me blind I still remember the knife in the left eye until now."

"Although my left eye was lost because of your knife, I still have to praise you—that knife was really beautiful, and it was a knife that I couldn't handle no matter what at that time."

"...You seem to be very calm." Yuan Yi said in a calm tone, "I thought that after seeing me, you would definitely rush up and chop me with anger."

Yuan Yi very much agrees with what Balrog said just now, "The two of them have a terrible fate".

Although on the surface, Yuan Yi was casually chatting with the Balrog, but after appearing from the alley, the muscles of Yuan Yi's whole body were actually tense the whole time, ready to fight at any time Prepare. It's like a carnivore that will jump up at any time to kill its prey.

If Yuan Yi were asked to make a list and write the names of all the powerful enemies he had encountered in his life, Yuan Yi would definitely write the name of Balrog on it.

More than 40 years ago, when the two were still young people in their early 20s, the two began to feud.

From knowing Balrog to now, Yuan Yi has forged two major hatreds with him.

The first major hatred was more than 40 years ago, when a death fight broke out with Balrog, he cut off the left eye of Balrog with a single knife. This battle was very dangerous, and Yuan Yi almost died. After reaching the "Selfless Realm", Yuan Yicai turned the tide of the battle in one breath and blinded the Balrog's left eye with a single blow.

It's a pity that after beheading Balrog's left eye, Balrog was rescued by his companions who arrived later, and Yuan Yi at that time didn't have the strength to pursue him.

That was the first time Yuan Yi entered the "Non-Self Realm". Because this battle was very meaningful, Yuan Yi recorded this battle in every cheat book of the Wu-Seo Two Swords Style written by him.

The second biggest hatred is that 10 years ago, Genichi forcibly intervened in the dispute between Shiranui and Fuma no Sato, causing Shiranui to miss the opportunity to kill Fuma who caused them Shiranui to suffer huge losses.

These two hatreds are picked out at random, and they are enough for Balrog to draw his sword recklessly and rush forward to chop Yuanyi's great hatred.

Balrog's appearance at this time was unexpectedly calm, which surprised Yuan Yi.

"You know me very well. If I had met you a few hours ago, I would definitely not be able to talk to you so calmly."

"But now..."

Speaking of this, the Balrog became silent.

A strange smile appeared on his face.

After being silent for a while, the Balrog pouted towards a dark alley next to him.

"... Genichi, this may be the last time the two of us will meet."

"I don't know why, but now I really want to find someone I know to say something that I have been holding back in my heart."

"Come and chat with me."

Before Yuan Yi could respond, Balrog took the bag of sweet potatoes in his hand and stepped into the dark alley.

Looking at the Balrog who turned around and walked towards the alley, Yuan Yi frowned.

His eyebrows and eyes were full of surprise and doubt.

Yuan Yi only hesitated for a moment, then followed closely.

After following the Balrog into this dark alley, Yuan Yi maintained his vigilance the whole time, in case of a possible sneak attack by the Balrog.

After the Balrog entered the alley, he walked all the way to about the middle of the alley, and then sat down on the ground with his back against the earth wall.

When Yuan Yi also entered the alley, Balrog said to Yuan Yi in a half-joking tone:

"What a surprise, I thought you wouldn't come over. After all, you didn't have a reason to come here to listen to me."

"I'm also very surprised now." Yuan Yi said softly, "The leader of the dignified Shiranui would go out to drink in such a late night. And he would even invite me, a deadly enemy, to chat."

Just now, Yuan Yi had already smelled a faint smell of alcohol on Balrog's body.

"To each other." Balrog sneered, "I didn't expect you, Genichi, to be in Edo right now."

"What are you doing in Edo?"

"Are you here to watch the 'Imperial Trial Match'?"

"Or just for fun?"

"Or... are you here to trouble us again in Shiranui?"

"Come to trouble you Shiranui?" Yuan Yi remained calm, "Why do you say that?"

"Because every time I see you, you basically come to trouble us in Shiranui."

"The last time I saw you, you came to mediate our war with Fuma no Sato, causing us to miss the chance to kill that bastard Fuma."

"We Shiranui just moved our base to Edo, and you showed up in Edo. It's hard for me not to suspect that you're here for trouble."

After that, Balrog untied the package of dried sweet potatoes in his hand, picked up a sweet potato, stuffed it into his mouth and chewed.

"If you're here to trouble us again in Shiranui, you're really lucky."

"Now Shiranui is weak like never before."

"Tomorrow sooner, or a few days later, there should be news that the 12th Balrog in Shiranui has passed away, and someone will succeed him as the 13th Balrog."

"The 12th Balrog passed away?" Yuan Yi raised his eyebrows, "Isn't the 12th Balrog talking to me very energetically now?"

Balrog smiled.

"About... a month ago."

"I just found out that one of my capable subordinates is a little weird."

"As for which of my subordinates, I won't say."

"After discovering the strangeness of this subordinate, I became more careful. For more than a month, I have been using Shadow Warrior frequently."

"Kage warrior?" Yuan Yi exclaimed in a low voice, "Do you still have shadow warriors?"

Shadow Warrior——In the Warring States Period more than 200 years ago, it was very popular to use Shadow Warrior.

Every big name will look for someone with a similar appearance to serve as their own substitute to ensure their own safety. This kind of lord substitute is called a shadow warrior.

It is said that Tokugawa Ieyasu has several shadow warriors.

After entering the peaceful Edo period, there is still a lingering custom of using shadow warriors.

Not only daimyo would look for Kagemusha, but even some wealthy businessmen would look for Kagemusha as well.

"I have always had a shadow warrior. I just never told anyone. After all, once people know that I have a shadow warrior, the shadow warrior will be useless."

The Balrog said softly.

"It took me a lot of effort to train my shadow warrior."

"It took me almost a year just to find someone who looked exactly the same."

"After finding someone who looks similar to me, it took me a lot of energy to train him."

"He has to have the same scars as mine first, and he has to practice ninjutsu so that he can have muscles that are shaped like mine."

"However, it's worth the effort. The shadow fighters I cultivated are almost exactly the same as me, regardless of their appearance or temperament."

"In the whole Shiranui, no one knows that I have a shadow warrior, and no one can distinguish me from that shadow warrior."

"For more than a month, except for very few occasions, most of the time, my shadow fighters showed up in front of everyone."

"My true self has been lurking, waiting for my subordinates to reveal themselves."

"Just tonight, my subordinate finally showed his feet."

"He poisoned my meal tonight."

"But the person who ate the poisonous food is naturally not me, but my shadow warrior."

"And now everyone in Shiranui thinks I'm dead."

"Right now, 'my' body is probably placed somewhere in Shiranui."

Yuanyi had been listening quietly.

Hearing this, Yuan Yi couldn't help but interject.

"Since that subordinate of yours has already shown his feet, why don't you show up and arrest him immediately?"

"That's what I intended."

The smile on Balrog's face became more and more weird.

"I originally planned to show up after he showed his feet, as you just said, and then drag him and his accomplices who were trying to poison me to death."

"But after my Shadow Warrior was poisoned and I was nominally dead, I suddenly changed my mind."

"I think it's not bad to let me die in name like this!"

The Balrog's tone gradually became excited.

"In this way, I can justifiably leave Shiranui!"

"Don't be a Balrog anymore!"

"Stop worrying about Shiranui!"

Of the three sentences of the Balrog, one sentence is louder than the other.

When he said the words "Don't worry about Shiranui", the corners of his mouth could not stop rising.

And Yuan Yi frowned tightly at this moment.

At this time, the Balrog, like a child showing his new toy to a friend, continued to say excitedly:

"30 years ago, the former Balrog held my hand and said to me - 'I will leave Shiranui to you'."

"In addition to the previous Balrog, there are many people who had a good relationship with me at that time, and they all said similar things to me."

"The former Balrog has been kind to me in nurturing me."

"I don't want the former Balrog to be disappointed."

"I don't want my friends to be disappointed either."

"In order to live up to their expectations, after I became the Balrog, I have been working hard."

"I want to revitalize Shiranui with all my heart."

"But within a few years, I found out."

"The age of the ninja—long gone."

"Now there is no place for ninjas. No matter how hard I try, it is impossible to revive Shiranui."

"But I have already taken the position of the Balrog, and shouldering the expectations of so many people, I can only continue to bite the bullet and try every means to revitalize Shiranui."

"Yuanyi, I don't know if you know what it's like to be doing something impossible to succeed."

"That feels exhausting!"

"And this kind of thing, I have done a full 30 years!"

"I-I've long been tired of things like revitalizing Shiranui!"

"Rejuvenate Shiranui? Don't be kidding! Now it's not the Warring States period, and there is no place for us ninjas! How can we revitalize Shiranui!"

The Balrog's words were almost roared out.

It was as if he wanted to vent out the grievances and hard work that had been squeezed in his heart for 30 years.

"So after my Shadow Warrior was poisoned, I didn't choose to immediately jump out and find out the subordinate who betrayed me."

"I think it's a great opportunity."

"It's a good opportunity to justifiably remove Balrog's position and not have to deal with anything in Shiranui!"

"So I decided to take this opportunity to leave Shiranui."

"Don't bother with everything in Shiranui."

"After leaving Shiranui just now, I came to Edo, found a tea house that was still open, had a few drinks, and then ran into Genichi you."

After all, the Balrog heaved a sigh of relief.

Then he patted his chest.

"These words... I held back for a long, long time..."

"Now that I say it in one breath, I feel much more comfortable in an instant..."

"...So that's the case." Yuan Yi said softly, "Is this what you said to me just now 'the words that have been kept in your heart'?"

"That's right." Balrog grinned, "Genichi, I feel very happy now, as if the boulders that have been pressing on me for decades have been lifted away."

"I'm so happy."

"I'm finally free."

"I've made up my mind now. I'm going to Kansai first."

"Before I became a Balrog, I once saw a very beautiful maple forest in Kansai."

A faint look of memory appeared on Balrog's face.

The smile on his face also changed a little.

Just now, the smile on Balrog's face was full of excitement and excitement.

But now, the smile on the Balrog's face was only soft.

"I've always wanted to go see it again."

"It's a pity that not long after I discovered the extremely beautiful maple forest, I chose to be the Balrog. I worked hard for Shiranui for 30 years, and I never had a chance to see it again."

"I want to take advantage of this opportunity when I am finally free to see the maple forest that I have been away for more than 30 years."

"I'm even starting to prepare dry food for travel now."

The Balrog clapped the bag of dried sweet potatoes in his hand.

"So—Genichi, I don't care what you came to Edo for."

"If you really came to Edo this time to find trouble for Shiranui, then it's up to you."

"Just don't bother me."

"I don't want to meddle in anything related to Shiranui anymore."

"I don't know what will happen in the fire, and I don't want to care about it anymore."

"I've done enough, it's time to set me free too."

Yuanyi had been listening quietly.

After Balrog's voice fell, Yuan Yi said softly:

"The reason why I followed you just now was to see if I should take advantage of your order to settle the grievances with you."

"But now it seems that it is unnecessary."

"There is no 12th generation Balrog anymore."

"Now there is only... an old man who has been exhausted by the 'people's expectations'."

Hearing Yuan Yi's words, Balrog was a little taken aback.

Then a meaningful smile appeared.

"Is it an old man who is tortured physically and mentally by the 'people's expectations'... This sentence sums it up really well."

After saying that, the Balrog stood up.

"I've been holding back in my heart, but I haven't been able to find someone to say, I've finished it."

"There is nothing to talk about between you and me."

"We probably won't see each other again in the future."

"See you again, Yuan Yi."

The Balrog didn't say much farewell.

After saying a few words, he took the dried sweet potato in his hand and walked slowly towards the other end of the alley.

Yuan Yi didn't speak, nor did he move.

He just silently watched the Balrog leave.

Let the Balrog's back become smaller and smaller in his field of vision.

Just like what Genichi said just now—the Balrog no longer exists.

There is only one old man who has been tortured physically and mentally by "the expectations of everyone".

Regarding this old man, Yuan Yi couldn't find any reason to draw his sword against him. Latest URL:

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