The only sounds around him were the sound of the wind blowing by his ears and the sound of his own footsteps.

"...It's a bit lonely."

Ogata mumbled like this at a volume that only he could hear clearly.

Before parting ways with Kurunaga and the others, Ogata still felt lonely.

After leaving Kuranagi and the others, a feeling of loneliness emerged unconsciously from the bottom of Ogata's heart.

Master, brothers, Kuranagi, Tobiru, Ichiro... all the people Ogata knew are no longer alive.

In this world, Ogata's only friends are Asaki, Afu, and...the sword at his waist.

Asaki and Fuku, for a long time in the foreseeable future, Ogata will not have the opportunity to return to Hirose Domain and meet Asaki and Fuku.

In other words... the sword on his waist is the only thing left to accompany him in this world.

Ogata couldn't help but raise his left hand and hold down the katana on his left waist.

"I don't know what's ahead..."

Ogata groaned again.

This time, his tone no longer contained sadness, but instead contained a bit of excitement and expectation.

What lay at the end of the horizon ahead - Ogata didn't know.

He didn't even know whether he was walking east or west.

But Ogata didn't care about this.

After all - no matter which direction you go, you are moving forward. Just keep moving forward.

His feet are full of energy, and his eyes sparkle with the unique energy of young people.

Ogata slightly pushed up the edge of the bamboo hat on his head, looking at the distant and completely unfamiliar road ahead.

Putting his left hand boredly on the knife at his waist, Ogata walked forward along the winding country road, bathing in the sunlight pouring down from the sky.

The wind is calm and the sun is beautiful, with no clouds in the sky.

…

…

at the same time--

Edo--

Somewhere in Edo, there is a magnificent mansion.

This mansion is not the home of a dignitary, but the residence of a famous government office in Edo...no, well-known to everyone in Japan.

Outside the gate of this grand yamen, there are two spring lanterns.

The lantern is painted with the family crest of the Tokugawa family, which rules the entire Japan: the three-leaf sunflower pattern.

There is a wooden sign hanging next to the large door, which is large enough for eight people to enter side by side.

On this wooden sign, there are five vigorous and powerful Chinese characters written on it.

These 5 Chinese characters are the name of this yamen that is well known all over the world.

At the same time, it is also a name that scares countless thieves all over the world - Huo Fu Thief Kai.

It's just past noon, and the entire Edo Castle has fallen into a lazy atmosphere.

However, the Huo Fu Thieves Reform Office is quite lively here.

An official wearing a uniform modified by a Huo Fu Thief, holding the knife on his waist, walked quickly towards the Yamen modified by a Huo Fu Thief.

It was precisely because of the sudden arrival of this official that the atmosphere of Huo Fu Thief's yamen, which was also immersed in a lazy atmosphere, instantly changed.

The two officers standing outside the gate of the Yamen and guarding the gate both recognized the man who was rushing towards them in a hurry.

This person is the right-hand man of Hasegawa Heizo, the leader of their bandit gang reform: Imai Cheng.

After quickly rushing into the yamen that had been converted by thieves, Imai moved straight towards somewhere inside the yamen without any hesitation.

At this moment, a young man suddenly shouted from his side:

"Master Imai!"

Imai followed the sound.

"It's Mr. Tachibana."

Tachibana Heitaro - the name of this young man named Imai.

He is a newcomer who just joined their Huo Fu Thief Kai this year.

Although he is young, he has strong swordsmanship and ability to handle various cases, so he is highly valued by Imai.

Tachibana walked quickly to Imai's side, maintaining the same walking speed as Imai, and walked side by side with Imai.

"Imai-sama! Why are you so angry? Have some troublesome bandits appeared again?"

"That's right." Imai said solemnly, "Tachibana-kun, you came just in time. Let me ask you - is Mr. Hasegawa in the Yamen now?"

"Yes!" Tachibana said without hesitation, "But Hasegawa-sama is taking a nap now!"

"It's good that he's here. Ju-kun? Just listen. You should start making preparations for the long journey now."

"We are leaving for Kansai soon."

"Kansai?" Tachibana exclaimed, "Are you going to such a far place?"

"That's right. We are going to chase down a thief who has given us a headache for many years. I have just received the latest information - that thief has been in Kansai recently."

"Have we finally tracked down this thief? We can't let him go no matter what."

"Thieves..." Tachibana became even more confused.

He thought for a long time, but he still couldn't figure out who the thief Imai mentioned was.

After all - they are absconding, and they have bribed thieves and reformed officials, and they are tracking too many thieves all over the world.

"Master Imai!" Tachibana asked? "Who is the thief we are going to chase?"

"You prepare for the long journey first!" Imai said in a somewhat impatient tone, "I will tell you later who the person we are going to chase is!"

"Yes Yes!"

Seeing that Imai didn’t want to say more? Tachibana didn’t dare to ask any more questions.

Did you quickly get rid of the status of walking side by side with Imai? Prepare to follow Imai's instructions and make preparations for a long journey.

Imai walked quickly through the corridors they had attacked the thieves at a speed no less than running.

Finally - he stopped in front of a paper sliding door facing a small courtyard.

Facing this sliding paper door, Imai knelt down on one knee.

Then--

"Hasegawa-sama!"

He shouted to the paper sliding door in front of him in a voice that was neither too high nor too deep.

After Imai finished speaking, a lazy voice unique to humans when they just woke up sounded from inside the sliding door:

"It's Imai..."

"You suddenly came to me, what's the matter?"

"Lord Hasegawa," Imai said solemnly, "We have traced... the traces of the 'Buddha Enemy'!"

As soon as Imai finished speaking, the sound of the quilt being lifted was heard from behind the sliding paper door.

And... the sound of hurried footsteps.

call!

The paper sliding door in front of Imai was suddenly opened.

A middle-aged man wearing an ordinary brown kimono maintained his posture of opening the paper sliding door and said with a stern face:

"...Imai, report all the information you know so far to me."

"yes!"

…

…

Omi area? In a certain mountain——

Mountains are the farthest places from humans.

However, in a certain mountain in the Omi area, a village was built unexpectedly.

However, it would be a stretch to call this collection of buildings a village.

Because this "village" does not have the vitality and popularity that a human settlement should have.
To be continued...