"Master... I thought you would hate what I said..."
"Huh? Why do you say that?"
"Because... I always feel that Master, you are a person who doesn't like violence, so I think Master, you would be very disgusted by my words..."
"How come." Hanbei smiled, "It's true that I hate violence. I always teach you that violence can't solve any problems."
"But have you forgotten? When I teach you this truth, I always add a sentence at the end - 'Do not use violence unless absolutely necessary'."
Ogata recalled it.
I found that it was exactly what Hanbei said - when Hanbei nagged him about this truth before, sometimes he would add this sentence at the end, but sometimes he would not.
"When the last resort comes, I will be more violent than anyone else."
Hearing Hanbei's words, Ogata thought to himself:
——Master, what is his definition of "last resort"...
——Obviously Yuan Shan and I were already ready for the previous God Sacrifice Competition, but the master still wanted to stop me and not let me play...
——Does it mean that in the eyes of the master, the situation in the previous sacrifice competition is not considered a last resort...
Hanbei then continued to say.
"In a life-and-death fight, the most important thing is to win and survive."
"As long as you can win in a fight to the death, no matter what tricks you use, they are legitimate and there is nothing despicable about them."
"The kind of person who doesn't understand this truth, even if he has mastered every sword skill of Sakakibara Itto-ryu to the pinnacle, I will not give him the certificate of Fuyotsuden."
As soon as Hanbei finished speaking, a disciple in the field suddenly said loudly in a joking tone:
"Master! I understand this truth! When I have a life-and-death duel with someone in the future, I will do whatever it takes! Can you also give me a certificate of immunity?"
"You?" Hanbei heard that the disciple was just joking, so he also changed his tone of joking, "You only met the second condition for obtaining the Kaden Certificate of Exemption. You have not met the first condition."
What are the conditions? Do you have any sword skills that you are proficient in?"
As soon as Hanbei's words fell, he immediately burst into laughter.
Thanks to the trick played by this disciple just now, the atmosphere in the dojo became much more relaxed.
After everyone had finished laughing, Hanbei looked at Ogata with serious eyes again.
"Ogata, there is no need to make any further excuses. Just accept the certificate of exemption without any worries."
Ogata deflected his gaze and shifted his gaze from the Hanbei in front of him to the scroll in his hand.
Looking at the four large kanji characters for "无愿也传" on the scroll, Ogata pursed his lips.
"...Master, I understand. I accept the certificate that is not passed on to everyone."
"Yes." Hanbei nodded softly, "I hope you won't do anything that will disgrace our master in the future."
"yes!"
"Okay." Hanbei stood up, "Everyone can continue practicing swordsmanship."
As Hanbei's words fell, the other disciples who were kneeling behind Ogata immediately stood up and then "pounced" towards Ogata.
"That's awesome! Is this a certificate that everyone can pass on?"
"Maybe everyone will pass it on... I'm so envious."
"Ogata-senpai, can you show us the certificate?"
"Ogata-kun, congratulations!"
…
Seeing the people who had passed the certificate for the first time, they immediately surrounded Ogata on three levels inside and three outside.
Many people even reached out to borrow Ogata's certificate of exemption and take a look.
Naturally, Ogata graciously agreed to these people's requests, and then readily handed over his certificate of exemption for everyone to circulate.
Just as everyone was excitedly circulating Ogata's certificate of exemption, Mikami suddenly said loudly:
"Everyone! Please listen to me!"
Mikami's loud shout immediately attracted everyone's attention, including Hanbei who had not yet left the dojo.
"I have a proposal!"
Mikami said with a smile on his face.
"To celebrate that Ogata-kun is about to recover from his injury, and also to celebrate that Ogata-kun has become the first person in our Sakakibara Kenkan to receive a certificate of exemption! How about we hold a banquet?"
The Sakakihara Kenkan is a "young swordsman" that was just established. Ogata is indeed the first disciple to receive a certificate of exemption from the Kaden since the establishment of the Sakakihara Kenkan.
"banquet?"
"Sounds good."
"It's been a long time since I had a good drink recently."
After Ogata heard Mikami's suggestion, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
Holding a banquet to celebrate his impending recovery and receiving a certificate of exemption from all the banquets - when Ogata heard Mikami's suggestion, he felt unhappy in his heart, it must be a lie.
…
While everyone was quietly discussing Mikami's proposal just now, Mikami added again:
“I hope everyone can attend!”
"Master." Mikami turned his head and looked at Hanbei, "I hope you can come to participate!"
"I can come to participate." Hanbei said softly, "But - where do you plan to hold the banquet?"
Sanshang had an awkward smile on his face and pointed down with his right index finger.
To be precise, he pointed at the dojo floor under his feet.
"No!" Mikami refused directly without thinking, "The dojo is a place for practicing swordsmanship! It is not a place for holding banquets!"
"Master!" Mikami clasped his palms together, "Please be more accommodating! To hold a banquet here, you only need to prepare drinks and meals! If you go to an izakaya or restaurant outside to hold a banquet, it will cost a lot more money.
!”
As soon as Mikami finished speaking, other disciples all echoed:
"Master! Please!"
"Please be accommodating!"
"We'll clean up afterward!"
…
Because there are quite a few people who want to hold a banquet...or rather, want to drink heavily with their fellow apprentices.
Therefore, Hanbei's plea for mercy was quite powerful.
Looking at the disciples who kept pleading with him, Hanbei gave a helpless smile.
"...Okay, let me lend you this dojo for a while."
As soon as Hanbei finished speaking, cheers erupted in the dojo.
"Senior Mikami!" A disciple asked Mikami in a hesitant tone, "So - shall we share the money for the banquet equally?"
As soon as this disciple finished speaking, many people immediately focused their attention on Mikami.
The disciples of Sakakihara Kenkan have different daily jobs, so their incomes are also different.
Some disciples live a less than decent life because of their low salary.
If the money for hosting a banquet is shared equally, then those people who live in a tight financial situation will be very hesitant to participate.
"No!" Mikami patted his chest, "I will pay for all the money for the banquet!"
Mikami's words immediately caused many people present to exclaim.
Including Ogata.
"Senior Mikami!" Ogata said urgently, "How can I let you spend so much money!"
"It doesn't count as spending money." Mikami smiled heartily, "I still have some savings, and it's more than enough to host a banquet."
If someone else said this, it would be necessary to doubt its authenticity.
But if Mikami said this, there is no need to doubt it.
Because Mikami is considered to be one of the highest paid among the disciples of their Sakakihara Kenkan.
However, at this moment, Hanbei suddenly spoke:
"Mikami, you don't need to spend any money. I will pay for the banquet."