Chapter 33 The Two Swords Flow Without Me (Part 1)
All the disciples of the Sakakihara Kenkan sat on their knees in the center of the dojo.
Facing the Hanbei who was kneeling in front of them.
"Ogata." Hanbei called Ogata's name in a medium-pitched voice.
"Yes!" Ogata, who was sitting among the disciples, shouted in agreement.
"Come forward."
"yes!"
Ogata stood up, walked quickly to the front of the disciples, and then knelt down on the wooden floor again.
"Ogata, congratulations."
Hanbei congratulated Ogata in a calm tone that was neither salty nor light.
"You are the new chief of our Sakakihara Sword Hall! Your progress and... your talent make me very happy."
"I am very happy to have a disciple like you."
"I'm afraid it will take less than 10 years for you, Ogata, to surpass me."
"Master, you are serious!" Ogata hurriedly said modestly, "I am still far behind you, master!"
"Hahaha." Hanbei stroked his beard and chuckled a few times, "Ogata... no, everyone, please listen to me."
Hearing what Hanbei said, all the disciples kneeling in the dojo immediately cheered up and prepared to listen to their master's teachings.
"Don't think too hard of me."
Hanbei said softly in a calm tone.
"Hirose Domain is just a small domain from afar."
"I'm just the owner of the small sword hall of Yuanxiaofan here."
"Japan is big, and the world is big."
"There are countless strong people in this world."
"There are people outside the world, and there is a sky outside the world - I hope you can all remember this sentence."
"Never be complacent at any time. No matter how strong your sword skills are, there will always be someone stronger than you in this world."
"Therefore - no matter when and where you are, you must maintain a humble heart and not be proud and complacent."
As soon as Hanbei's teachings came to an end, all the disciples, including Ogata, quickly lowered their heads and put their hands on the floor: "Yes!"
After educating all his disciples, Hanbei refocused his attention on Ogata.
"Ogata, your current swordsmanship level and your talent level are far beyond my imagination."
"As long as you continue to practice swordsmanship diligently, over time you will be able to achieve great achievements in swordsmanship."
"Although I have taught you this principle before, let me talk about it a little more now."
"No matter how skilled you are in swordsmanship, you can't just draw your sword and hurt someone at will."
"When you encounter a problem, if it can be solved without violence, don't use violence to solve it."
"Ogata, you have to remember - violence cannot solve any problems."
After Hanbei's words fell, Oconi lowered his head again, put his hands on the ground, and said loudly:
"yes!"
…
…
That night, Ogata went to Ryuya as usual to work on his part-time job as a security guard.
After arriving at Ryuya, Ogata did not hide anything and directly informed Asaki and Afu that he had won the competition in the museum today.
After learning about this, Asaki and Afu both cheered.
The two of them actually didn’t know much about the Sakakihara Kenkan’s in-house competition.
But they know what it means to be at the top.
No matter what field you are in, being able to achieve the top position is a matter worthy of celebration - this is what Asaki and Afu believe.
"Afu!" Asaki said bluntly to Afu beside him, "Go get the wine and snacks! We have to celebrate tonight!"
"Yes!" Ah Fu quickly returned to the kitchen with small steps.
Ogata cried and laughed as he witnessed the scene in front of him.
It has been some time since I was hired by Asaki to work as a security guard at Ryuya.
Ogata was already used to Asaki's generous personality and his habit of inviting people to drink and eat.
Compared to Asaki and Afu's excitement, Ogata himself was actually not too happy.
Being able to become the new chief of the Sakakihara Sword Hall is certainly a joyful thing.
But winning this in-house competition means that he will represent the Sakakihara Kenkan in the competition to be held next month at the Izumo Grand Shrine.
Ogata's mood was very complicated regarding the fact that he was going to compete in a competition to worship the gods.
To be honest - Ogata actually has no interest in the God Sacrifice Competition.
Ogata is a person who doesn't like trouble.
For those things that looked and sounded troublesome, Ogata was always respectful and indifferent.
If Asaki hadn't given him too much money, Ogata wouldn't have taken on the troublesome job of being a security guard at an izakaya.
Participating in the battle to worship the gods - in Ogata's eyes, it is a very troublesome thing.
I want to represent the Sakakihara Kenkan and compete with Renichiro Toyama, who once again represents the Ishikawa Kenkan in the God Festival this year...
Ogata felt troubled just thinking about it.
However, he is now the winner of the in-house competition, and is destined to participate in the God Festival Competition next month, so whether Ogata is looking forward to it or not, he has to bite the bullet.
…
…
Prepare the wine and appetizers - this will take some time.
Oubon held his knife in his arms and waited with Asaki in the stream house for Afu to prepare the wine and appetizers.
The time of waiting is always boring.
Just when Ogata was thinking about whether to think of some topics to chat with Asaki, Asaki suddenly said:
"Lord Ogata."
Asaki kept her voice low.
As if she was afraid that outsiders would hear her voice.
"Hmm? Miss Asaki, what's wrong?"
"Um...I have something to ask you."
"Miss Asaki, if you have any requests, please just say it." Ogata said cheerfully, "I will do my best to do whatever I can do."
Asaki treated Ogata to drinks and delicious food every three days.
This has long made Ogata feel embarrassed.
Now that Asaki has something to ask Ogata to do, Ogata naturally has to try his best to fulfill Asaki's request, whether out of reason or morality.
"Actually, it's just a small thing..."
Asaki turned around and looked at the kitchen behind her.
After confirming that Ah Fu was still in the kitchen making drinks and appetizers, Asaki turned back and said in a lower voice:
"I want to borrow some money from you to buy a Wu suit."
"Wufu?" Ogata asked doubtfully.
Wufu - that is, kimono.
The term kimono did not become popular until after the Edo period.
During the Edo period and before, people would customarily call their traditional clothing Wufu.
"Yes." Asaki nodded, "About this time two years ago, I met Ah Fu who was almost sold to a brothel. Then I adopted Ah Fu."
"So this time of year is a very special time for Ah Fu and I."
After hearing what Asaki said, a look of sudden realization appeared on Ogata's face.
"I understand. So - Miss Asaki, did you decide to buy a Wufu as a gift for Miss Afu to commemorate this special day for you and Miss Afu?"