Chapter 408 Young people, talk about warrior morality! [6400 words]
Kondo's "throwing sand" attack can only be considered half a success.
Nagano raised his hand in time to block all the sand and gravel thrown by Kondo, and not a single particle of dust hit his eyes.
When Kondo shouted excitedly, "Have you experienced the power of 'Ogata-ryu'?" and jumped without any help, slashing towards Kondo, Nagano snorted coldly, kicked off his feet, and moved backwards.
With a slight jump, he jumped out of the reach of Kondo's knife.
So it's no surprise that Kondo's knife missed the target and only hit the air.
Kondo's "Ogata-ryu" move was easily broken by Nagano.
Looking at Kondo who was obviously carried away just now, the corner of Ogata's mouth twitched and his brows furrowed uncontrollably.
Kondo may have been too proud and too excited to make an accurate judgment.
The knife he just swung had too many redundant and inappropriate movements.
For example - Kondo should not have chosen to jump and slash just now, but should have taken a step forward and then followed up with a lunge. This would have eliminated a lot of redundant movements and also reduced the consumption of physical strength.
If Kondo had chosen to take a step forward and receive a direct thrust, Nagano might have been stabbed to the ground by Kondo.
Kondo didn't seem to expect that Nagano could dodge his sword, so he looked shocked.
But the look of astonishment dissipated immediately after Kondo appeared for a moment.
The next moment the stunned look dissipated, Kondo stretched out his left hand and touched a pocket sewn on the hakama.
It wasn't until now that Ogata discovered that Kondo's lower hakama seemed to have been modified.
There are two trouser pocket-like things sewn on the waistbands of both sides.
It's bulging, as if there's something inside.
"Ah! Look! A bird poop is about to fall on your head!"
While Kondo yelled like this, he took out his left hand that he had just put into his left trouser pocket.
Kondo took out a handful of sand from his left trouser pocket...
——You guys still carry sand and dirt with you?!
Xuanzang yelled a little louder.
The next moment he took out the sand from his left trouser pocket, Kondo slammed the sand towards Nagano's face.
Kondo's movements of throwing sand are simple and powerful.
It's like I've practiced it many times...
Nagano never expected that Kondo could have a combo.
Just as he put down his left hand, which was originally used to block the sand and gravel thrown by Kondo, he saw another handful of sand and sand hitting his face, even more than before...
This time, Nagano failed to block Kondo's second wave of "Ogata-ryu"...
The sand hit Nagano's face heavily, covering most of his face.
Before Nagano could even scream, he felt a dull pain in his chest.
Even though his eyes were unable to see now, Nagano could roughly guess what happened—Kondo had struck him in the chest.
…
…
Ogata feels very sorry now.
It's a pity that he doesn't have a mirror at hand now.
If there was a mirror, he really wanted to use it to see his current expression.
The expression must be unprecedented.
When he just saw Kondo taking out sand from his obviously homemade trouser pocket, Ogata was stunned.
Especially when Kondo threw the handful of sand he carried with him, he did not forget to say "A bird poop is about to fall on your head" to "mentally disturb" Nagano.
They all formed an "O" shape uncontrollably.
Actually it's not just Ogata.
Everyone present, including the referee, was stunned after seeing Kondo perform this smooth combo.
Many of you here have seen many types of trials.
But it was their first time to see a trial match like this...
The first to recover from the "dumbfounded" state were the six diners from Nagano who had followed him to Edo.
Nagano opened a swordsmanship school in the Dewa area that taught the Ono style Itto-ryu. It had many diners.
This time when he went south to Edo, Nagano brought 6 of the diners from his dojo with him.
After seeing Nagano, who was half their master, being knocked down by Kondo using "Ogata-ryu", Nagano's six diners were the first to recover from their stunned state, rushed to the field, and divided into two waves.
A group of people helped Nagano get rid of the dust stuck to his face.
Another group of people scolded Kondo angrily.
"Are you still considered a samurai? You actually attack by surprise?!"
"Binding people's eyes with sand and dust, you actually used such a despicable trick!"
…
These scoldings from the diners woke up the referee not far away.
The referee's first words when he came back to his senses were: "Hey! What are you doing?! How can you suddenly dig out the sand and come out to attack?!"
The referee's words were obviously directed at Kondo.
The referee also joined in scolding Kondo.
"Huh?" Kondo looked at the referee.
Kondo's expression at this moment was like hearing someone say, "Shit tastes delicious."
"Is there anything wrong with throwing sand?" Kondo asked, "I have carefully studied the rules of the martial arts test. Your rules do not prohibit throwing sand."
"When fighting someone, victory is the most important thing."
Kondo put on a mature tone.
"As long as I can win."
Although Kondo's words sounded cool and convincing, they failed to convince the referee at all.
The commotion made by Kondo attracted some higher-ranking officials to come over.
A group of officials gathered together to discuss how to determine Kondo's victory.
In fact, there was nothing wrong with what Kondo said just now - because the rules of their martial arts test did not say "throwing sand is prohibited".
Because this was the first time for the "Imperial Trial Match" to be held, there was a lack of experience, so there were quite a lot of omissions in the rules that were drawn up.
After a brief discussion that was not too intense, the officials decided that Nagano would win and Kondo would lose.
After receiving this result, Kondo looked dissatisfied.
"Wait! Why are you judging me to lose!"
"Because we cannot tolerate this kind of sneak attacks on opponents." A pot-bellied official said sternly, "So we temporarily supplemented the rules - it is prohibited to use concealed weapons and objects with the same effect as concealed weapons to attack opponents."
"Huh? Temporarily changing the rules? What is this?!" Kondo's eyes widened.
Ogata was not surprised that Kondo was directly sentenced to a loss.
After all, the government will definitely not agree to "throwing sand in the opponent's face" in the "imperial trial match".
If everyone follows suit and brings a handful of sand with them to attack the enemy, then the martial arts test will change from a competition of who is stronger to one who can throw sand more accurately...
Kondo still wanted to argue and struggle for a while longer.
It's a pity that officials no longer care about Kondo.
Therefore, this trial match between Kondo and Nagano ended with Nagano's victory.
It is worth mentioning that Nagano is quite elegant.
After wiping the sand off his face, he did not angrily scold Kondo for being despicable. Instead, he said to Kondo with an attitude of hating iron but not steel: "Young man! You must be upright in your conduct! You must practice samurai ethics!"
…
…
Today's martial arts test lasted until dusk.
Except for a short break at noon, I played non-stop in the morning and afternoon.
Although there were occasional interruptions, today's martial arts test ended successfully.
At the end of today's martial arts test, an official announced to everyone: Half of the participants have been successfully screened out. Those who defeated their opponents today must be there on time tomorrow.
Half of the people were screened out - that is, everyone played a game, and half of the winners and half of the losers emerged.
The number of about 400 people was reduced to about 200 people.
After the official announced that today's martial arts test was over, Kondo walked back to Edo with a displeased face.
"Kondo." As soon as Kondo left the scene of the martial arts test, a young samurai similar to Kondo ran towards Kondo, "Do you want to go back together?"
"No." Kondo shook his head, "I'm in a bad mood, so I plan to go have a drink first."
"That's it..." The young samurai named Sumiko Kondo smiled bitterly, "Okay then, I'll take the first step."
After bidding farewell to his friend, Kondo walked alone on the way back to Edo.
As soon as he returned to Edo City from the countryside, Kondo turned onto a road that he had walked countless times with ease, and then stepped into an izakaya.
"Aya!" Kondo shouted as soon as he entered the izakaya, "2 bottles of sake!"
"Oh, Kondo, you're here." A young girl walked out of the kitchen of the izakaya holding a dinner plate.
"Yes." Kondo found a random spot, took off the saber from his waist and put it aside, "Hurry up and bring the wine. I'm in a bad mood today. I plan to get drunk."
Aya: "What happened? Did a senior bully you?"
"No." Kondo smiled bitterly, "What on earth did I do today...I can't tell you, but let's bring the wine quickly."
"Okay, okay, okay." Aya returned to the kitchen holding the dinner plate.
Not long after, two bottles of sake appeared on Kondo's dining table.
Kondo didn't order any appetizers, but ordered two bottles of wine, and then began to drink heavily, expressing his inner resentment.
In places like izakaya, business only slowly gets busier in the evening.
It's only dusk now, and there are only a few people drinking in this izakaya.
When Kondo was enjoying his drink, he suddenly felt the shadow on his hand darken.
Looking to the side - he saw 6 somewhat familiar young warriors standing beside him, looking at him with gloomy expressions.
Anyone who knows how to read the air can tell that these people have bad intentions.
"What are you doing?" Kondo asked in a deep voice while grabbing the saber next to him.
The noise made by Kondo shocked the guests at other tables, as well as the waitress Aya who was working in the kitchen.
The guests at other tables, not wanting to be affected by the conflict between the samurai, hurriedly fled the izakaya.
Some people were not surprised and continued to drink wine calmly in their own places.
At this time, Aya also ran out of the kitchen in a panic.
Aya: "What happened?"
"...Aya, don't worry." Kondo said in a deep voice, "It's just that someone seems to be looking for revenge on me... I remember who the six of you are. You are the Nagano people, right? Just this morning.
I’ve seen your faces.”
"We are Lord Nagano's diners." One of the six young samurai said, "Since you remember us, it will save you trouble."
"Come outside with us. We don't want to disturb this store's business."
Kondo looked at the six heads, and then at the knives on their waists. There was a hint of hesitation on Kondo's face.
But after only a few seconds of hesitation, Kondo grabbed his saber and stood up with a firm look on his face.
"Let's go."
After saying that, Kondo took the lead and walked outside with the knife in hand.
Before Kondo was about to leave, Aya, the waitress in this izakaya, cast a worried look at Kondo.
When he opened his mouth and was about to say something, Kondo spoke up first:
"Aya, I'll be right back." Kondo smiled at Aya with his usual honest smile, "Help me prepare 2 bottles of sake first. My original 2 bottles of wine have almost been finished."
…
…
at the same time--
"Shintaro-sama, Shintaro-sama."
Hearing someone calling him, Shintaro slowly opened his eyes.
Opening his eyes and tilting his head following the voice, Shintaro saw Xuntaro's big face.
Shintaro is one of the jonins in their Shiranui sect. Although he is a relatively inconspicuous jounin, he has great ability to do things, so he is quite relied on by Shintaro.
In this mission to "capture the traitorous ninja who fled Edo", Xuntaro was transferred to Shintaro's command to assist Shintaro.
"How is it?" Shintaro stood up a little straighter, "Did you ask anything from that vegetable shop?"
Shintaro and Xintaro are currently in an inconspicuous alley in Edo.
Just now, Shintaro was standing, leaning against the wall of the alley and taking a nap.
Years of running around have allowed Shintaro to develop the skill of falling asleep even while standing.
These days, Shintaro has been leading the subordinates sent to him by Enma to run around Edo, which has a population of one million, looking for traces of the traitorous ninja.
After running around for days, Shintaro had accumulated a lot of fatigue without even realizing it.
After ordering Shintaro to go to the tea house not far away to get information, Shintaro leaned against the wall of the alley and took a nap.
Although he only slept for less than 5 minutes from beginning to end, this short sleep was enough for a experienced ninja like Shintaro.
As soon as Shintaro finished asking questions, Shintaro smiled slightly:
"I asked for useful information. About yesterday evening, a guy who completely matched the appearance of the traitorous ninja went into the vegetable store and bought two green onions."
"Well..." Although it was good news, Shintaro remained unmoved, still looking expressionless and cold, "Our net is gradually tightening, and the traitorous ninja probably won't be able to stay alive for much longer.
Already."
"Sir Shintaro." Xintaro asked, "Please give me the next task."
"There's no rush." Shintaro said, "Those traitorous ninjas who can't escape don't need to be so anxious. Let's take a rest now. You haven't eaten yet, right?"
After saying that, Shintaro reached into his arms and took out two rice balls wrapped in lotus leaves.
After opening the lotus leaf, Shintaro threw one of the rice balls to Xuntaro.
"Eat."
"Yes Yes!"
Looking at the rice ball in his hand, Xuntaro's face was full of excitement.
After giving one of the two rice balls in his hand to Shintaro, Shintaro picked up the other rice ball and began to chew it silently.
Shintaro and Xintaro stood opposite each other, silently chewing the rice balls in each other's hands.
While Xintaro was chewing the rice ball in his hand, he looked at Shintaro standing in front of him from time to time.
Shintaro, who was standing opposite Xintaro, could naturally feel Xintaro's gaze.
"What are you doing?" Shintaro, who couldn't stand Xuntaro's constant sizing up of his behavior, asked in a deep voice, "If you have anything to say, just say it."
"...Shintaro-sama." After hesitating for a while, Xintaro took a deep breath and looked determined, "I... hope you can actively strive for the position of the 18th Enma."
"I think you are the most suitable person to be the next leader of Shiranui."
Upon hearing Shintaro's words, Shintaro, who always looked like a Furui Fuha, narrowed his eyes slightly.
At this time, Xuntaro continued:
"Although it may be a bit treacherous to say this... the 17th Enma-sama is so old, he probably won't live long."
"The next generation of Enma will definitely be chosen from the three of you, Shuntaro-sama, and Gokutaro-sama."
"Kutaro-sama is headstrong and indulges in drinking and sex. After moving to Edo, he became even more stubborn and wandered around Yoshiwara every day."
"Although Shuntaro is strong, I feel that he doesn't care about Shiranui. He has always treated Shiranui's various matters, big or small, as if they don't concern him."
"And he also caused something like that three years ago... I have always doubted Shuntaro-sama's loyalty to our Shiranui."
"Whether it's Gokutaro-sama or Shuntaro-sama, I don't think they are qualified to be the 18th Enma..."
"The only person who has the qualifications and the ability to sit on the high position of 'Brogra'... I think you are the only one, Shintaro-sama."
Xintaro's face was serious, and there was no hint of "joking" or "not serious" at all.
"What Shiranui needs now is a strategist who can lead all ninjas to gain a foothold in the thorny shogunate."
"In terms of strategy, in terms of grasping the current situation, in terms of loyalty to Shiranui, Shintaro-sama, you are the unquestionable leader of the 'Four Heavenly Kings'."
"At that time, it was you who proposed to Enma-sama to submit to the shogunate and become the royal ninja of the shogunate, so as to use the power of the shogunate to strengthen our strength."
"I have always believed that if you, Shintaro-sama, can be the 18th Enma, we in Shiranui will be able to..."
Before Shintaro finished speaking, Shintaro interrupted:
"Okay, Xuntaro, let's end this topic."
"...I'm sorry." Xuntaro lowered his head and apologized.
"To me, it doesn't matter who succeeds Balrog."
Shintaro said softly.
"The only thing I care about from beginning to end is whether we can continue to exist and grow stronger."
"As long as there is anyone who can allow us to survive and grow further in Shiranui, I will willingly accept this person as our new lord."
As soon as Shintaro finished speaking, Shintaro was stunned.
Then, a look of longing and admiration appeared in his eyes.
"I really did not misjudge the person." Xuntaro's tone was filled with excitement, "Sir Shintaro, you are indeed great! I feel more and more that you are the next generation of Enma!"
Shintaro didn't answer Kuntaro's words and just smiled.
"Eat quickly." After saying that, Shintaro took a bite of the rice ball in his hand, and then said vaguely, "After eating this meal, we have to continue working to catch the traitorous ninja."
"Yes!" Xintaro responded loudly, then took a bite of the rice ball in his hand.
As soon as he took a bite, Xuntaro seemed to have remembered something, and his chewing speed slowed down a little.
"...Shintaro-sama, can I ask another question?"
"Just ask."
"I heard... that the guy who caused us to be busy all over Edo these days is absconding in fear of crime. Is this true? I recently heard some friends who were also responsible for arresting that guy say that he committed something.
Only then did things flee from us in Shiranui in a hurry."
"Oh, this." Shintaro sneered, "That guy is indeed absconding out of fear of crime. After he learned that we had discovered the crime he had committed, he fled Shiranui in a hurry."
"What crime did that guy commit?" Xuntaro asked.
"He helped those 'Ku' escape from Shiranui."
"What?" Xuntaro's eyes widened because he was so surprised.
"Not long after we moved our base to Edo, we discovered that the number of 'Ku' who had successfully escaped had increased a lot."
"We realized something was wrong and started a thorough investigation."
"Then we found that guy."
"After that guy found out that his affair was exposed, he fled from Shiranui in a hurry."
"...I see." Xintaro gritted his teeth, "It's unforgivable... He dared to let those 'Ku' people run away..."
"That guy can't run far." Shintaro sneered again, "It can take as long as 7 days, or as short as 5 days, and we can catch that guy."
"If you're lucky, you might be able to catch that guy's accomplices too."
"That bastard rebel nin has any accomplices?" Xuntaro asked in shock.
"Yes. After finding out that the traitorous ninja had been assisting the Kuu people to escape, we conducted a thorough investigation of the Kuu village and captured several Kuu people who had been in contact with the traitorous ninja."
"After some torture, those 'Ku' confessed that the traitorous ninja had an accomplice inside and outside Shiranui."
"It was precisely because of the cooperation between that accomplice and the traitorous ninja that they were able to successfully allow so many 'scum' to escape smoothly."
"According to our statistics, there are currently about 23 "Gu" who have escaped, all thanks to these two."
"...There are actually accomplices." Shintaro's face became more gloomy, "It's really hateful... Shintaro-sama, did you ask those 'Ku' what his accomplices looked like and what their names were?
?”
"Those 'Ku' have never seen what that bastard accomplice looks like or what his name is." Shintaro said softly, "The only thing I know so far... is that that bastard accomplice is not from our Shiranui clan."
"Now let's go step by step and take our time. The thorough investigation of 'Ku Village' is still going on, and it won't be long before we can find out a few more 'Ku' who have had close contact with the traitorous ninja."
"By then, we might be able to get information about the traitorous ninja accomplice."
"Or after we catch the traitorous ninja, we can directly ask him about the whereabouts of his accomplices."
"No matter what, we will never allow those who dare to cause destruction in our Shiranui to live freely."
As he finished speaking, a strong coldness emerged from Shintaro's pupils.
"I'm more curious now whether the traitor's accomplice is a man or a woman."
A strange smile appeared on Xuntaro's face.
"I prefer that the traitorous ninja's accomplice is a woman. That would be a lot more interesting. Our 'Flower House' is short of people right now."
Shintaro didn't comment on what Kontaro just said, and only smiled meaningfully.