I Was a Swordsman in Ancient Japan

"I?"

Ogata pointed to himself.

"Yeah." Hanbei nodded solemnly, "Ogata, I originally thought——you are just a talented apprentice, and you are still a little far from Mikami."

"But your recent performance and growth have surprised me time and time again."

"Makes me have to reevaluate your talent."

"In the competition in the gymnasium not long ago, after seeing you beat Mikami with your beautiful skills, I was convinced——you are a gifted swordsmanship genius!"

"The feat of you breaking into the Ishikawa Sword Gym by yourself yesterday and finally getting out of your body made me firmer in my judgment of your talent."

"Now, I have decided to entrust this book to you, the most talented person in our Sakakibara Sword Gym."

"Ogata, just take this book."

"If you can comprehend one and a half moves in the book, that would be the best."

"If there is no way to comprehend, you don't have to feel anxious. I won't blame you or scold you for it."

"After all, of all the moves recorded in this book, neither my brother nor I have comprehended even a single move."

Speaking of this, Banbei didn't say much more.

He looked at Ogata silently.

Waiting for Ogata's response.

On the other hand, Ogata lowered his head, looking at the book in his hand with a complicated expression.

Ogata is actually very interested in this book that records the two-sword swordsmanship of "Wuwo Two-sword Style".

But... Ogata was a little afraid to ask for this book...

The reason why I dare not ask for it is also very simple.

If an acquaintance like Hanbei gave Ogata some worthless gadgets, Ogata would definitely accept it generously.

But if he gave Ogata several thousand taels of gold, then Ogata would not dare accept it...

If I accept it, I always feel that my conscience will be a little uneasy...

The situation Ogata is facing now is similar to this.

And the keen Hanbei, from Ogata's expression at this time, saw this concern of Ogata.

In order for Ogata to accept the book without hesitation, Hanbei cleared his throat:

"Ogata, please accept this book with peace of mind."

"To me, this book is like a chicken rib. It's tasteless to eat, but it's a pity to discard it."

"I couldn't comprehend the half-movements recorded in this book. I kept it in the cabinet to collect ashes. I just ruined the book."

"So it's better to entrust this book to a talented young talent."

"I'd be happier if you could master some of the moves of the 'Wuwu Two Swords Style'."

Speaking of this, Hanbei paused as if he remembered something.

After the meeting, he said in a deep voice:

"...And——Ogata, if you can learn some of the moves recorded in this book, maybe you can win a month's deathmatch."

After hearing Hanbei's words, Ogata's pupils shrank slightly.

Then he pursed his lips tightly and remained silent.

"Ogata, you should also be clear, right? You broke into the Ishikawa Sword Gym and injured more than ten disciples of the Ishikawa Gymnasium. That Toyama Renrou will definitely not let you go."

"I can't imagine how that Yuanshan will deal with you in the god sacrifice competition one month later..."

"How else can you deal with me." Ogata sneered, "Of course you are betting on your life, and have a life-and-death duel with me."

Hanbei looked at Ogata who was sneering in front of him, and sighed softly:

"Ogata, what is the conflict between you and that distant mountain, and why did it get to the point where you can't stop dying now..."

"I don't know either." Ogata raised his eyes, looked at Hanbei, and then replied without hesitation, "I don't know what kind of conflict between me and that Yuanshan made Yuanshan so hate me.

"

"...Ogata, is there some misunderstanding between you and Toyama?" Hanbei said tentatively.

"Who knows?" Ogata shrugged.

"Ogata, I think you should have a good talk with Toyama. If it's really a misunderstanding, then you and Toyama can avoid a death fight that could have been avoided."

"Talk? Master, there's no need." Ogata smiled, "I'm not a quick-talking person. I prefer hands-on to talking."

"And the relationship between me and Yuan Shan has become so bad that we can no longer meet each other."

"If I meet him, maybe before I can say what I'm here, the two of us will have already started cutting each other."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Ogata to negotiate with Toyama, Hanbei heaved a long sigh as if resigned to his fate.

After Ogata took his gaze away from Hanbei, he turned back to the book in his hand.

"...Master, I understand."

"I solemnly accept this book."

After finishing speaking, Ogata put the book in his hand back on the tatami in front of him, then bent down, and bowed solemnly to the Hanbei in front of him.

...

...

Hanbei sent Ogata to the entrance of his house.

"Ogata, since I have already asked you to take a day off, you should take a good rest today."

"Yes! Huh? Master, are you going out too?"

Ogata looked suspiciously at Hanbei who was wearing straw sandals.

"Yeah, I still have to go to the Ishikawa Sword Gym."

"Ishikawa Sword Hall?" Ogata raised his eyebrows.

"Ogata, don't you think that the series of riots yesterday is over?"

"I'm going to the Ishikawa Sword Gym, and have a good talk with that guy Ishikawa Bingma about how to properly put a good end to yesterday's riot."

"Toyama and others injured a large number of disciples in our Sakakibara Sword Academy."

"And Ogata, you also ruthlessly retaliated against them, wounding a large number of disciples in the Ishikawa Sword Gym."

"We're on even terms now."

"The Ishikawa Sword Gym is even more disadvantaged."

"The ones who wounded all the disciples of our Sakakibara Sword Gym were a mighty group of people from the Ishikawa Sword Gym."

"And you, Ogata, are the only one who injured all the disciples of the Ishikawa Sword Gym."

"One of our disciples from the Sakakibara Sword Gym wounded all 12 of their disciples until no one dared to fight."

"Being beaten up like this by only a young talent, Ishikawa Kenkan will lose face even more."

"Although that Ishikawa Bingma is annoying, he is not an unreasonable person."

"Now that both sides have suffered, it will be much easier to negotiate."

"It's not going to do either of us any good if yesterday's riots aren't handled properly."

"I don't want to intensify the effects of yesterday's riots."

"I believe that Ishikawa soldiers must be the same as I think, and will be happy to take a step back with me, so that yesterday's riots will end in a more decent way."

"Then—Ogata, I'll take a step first, you go home and have a good rest."

"Yes!" Ogata bowed deeply to Hanbei, "Master, you have worked hard!"