But words flowed to my lips, but nothing came out.
He didn't know what he could say to Ogata now...
Any words of comfort seem extremely pale now...
Since last night, after checking that there was no living person in the dojo, Ogata's expression has been strange.
Kuronaga couldn't think of any words to describe Ogata's expression.
On the surface, he looks expressionless.
But under this expressionless appearance, Kuronaga can clearly feel the surging emotions, and the power is hidden within...
When Kuronaga hesitated to say something to Ogata, Ogata suddenly grabbed the knife in his arms and stood up.
"...My lord, I'm going to take the first step."
After saying that, without waiting for any response from Kuranaga, Ouri walked straight out of Xuanzhen Temple, and within a short time, he completely disappeared from Kuranaga's field of vision.
"...Fei Yuan, are you there?"
"Yes, I'm here."
At this time, Fei Yuan dodged out of the forest on the side, then stood beside Kurunaga, waiting for Kurunaga's orders.
"Flying Monkey... I feel more and more... I am really a cruel person..."
"After seeing the Sakakibara Sword Hall being wiped out by my lord, while I felt sympathy, I also felt...a little happy..."
"Because in this way, the possibility of Ogata-kun joining us will be greatly increased..."
After saying that, Kuronaga raised his head and sighed.
"Heh... I even feel like I'm cruel..."
"Lord..." Tobiru searched his guts, thinking of the right words, "It is thanks to your cruelty that the Hirose Domain can maintain its current stability..."
"...Let's go back to the house." After that, Kuranagi stepped forward and walked down the stairs, "Next...we will slowly wait for Ogata-kun to wake up..."
…
…
The next morning——
Hirose Domain, Ogata’s home——
Ogata is currently sitting on the tatami in the center of the room.
Two sabers were placed neatly on the right side of his body.
Also placed neatly on the tatami on the right side are the secret book of "Muga Two Swordsman Style" and the Sakakihara One Sword Style Free Pass Certificate.
Ogata, wearing clothes that had obviously been recently washed, was combing his hair.
After combing his hair and fastening it into a bun, Ogata picked up the sword at his side, inserted it back into his waist, and took out the only two things that could be regarded as his precious possessions besides the sword - the secret book of "Muga Two Sword Style"
He put the Itto-ryu-free pass certificate with Sakakihara into his arms, and then walked slowly towards the earth room of the house.
After putting on the straw sandals in Doma, Ogata turned around and carefully looked at the small shabby house where he had lived for some time.
The house is spotless.
Because Ogata had cleaned the house thoroughly yesterday.
Ogata looked at everything in the house carefully, as if he wanted to engrave everything and every detail in his mind.
"farewell……"
After whispering these words, Ogata opened the door without any nostalgia, and then left this small shabby house that had been with him for a long time...
…
…
Hirose Domain, Ryūya.
"Afu!"
Asaki frowned and said to Ah Fu next to him:
"Did you hear any strange noises outside the kitchen just now?"
"Eh? Is there any? I didn't hear it."
"...Let's go out and take a look."
Asaki and Afu walked out of the kitchen one after the other.
When I left the kitchen, I didn't see a single person.
But Asaki had a letter on the table closest to the door.
"What's this……?"
Asaki muttered as he walked towards the table, then picked up the letter and unfolded it.
The letter only contained one simple sentence:
(Miss Asaki, Miss Afu, I'm sorry, you need to hire a new samurai to guard the house. Because of some things, I may have to leave Hirose Domain forever, so - farewell.)
The signature in the lower left corner of the letter is - Ogata Issei.
"Ogata-sama..." Asaki murmured Ogata's name, an uneasy look gradually appeared on his face, "What... happened?"
"Miss Asaki, what's written in the letter?" The uneasy look on Asaki's face made Ah Fu anxious.
"Afu! The house is closed today! Let's go find Ogata-sama!"
…
…
Hirose Domain, the residence of Kurunaga——
"Wait!"
The two gatekeepers of the Kurunaga Residence looked at the young samurai in front of them with wary eyes.
"No one is allowed to come near me!"
"Please inform the elder of the family." The young samurai said softly, "Just say that Ogata Issei is visiting."
"Ogata Yoshi?" the two gatekeepers exclaimed in unison.
The two of them had previously received instructions - if a young samurai claiming to be Ogata Isei comes to visit, they must report it immediately.
"...I understand, please wait here for a moment." A gatekeeper left these words and hurried into the mansion.
Not long after the gatekeeper left, the heavy wooden door was slowly opened, and Kuranaga's magnificent mansion appeared in front of Ogata again.
…
…
"Ogata-kun..."
In the reception room of the mansion, Kuronaga and Ogata sat opposite each other.
When he met Ogata again, Kuronaga didn't exchange much greetings with Ogata.
"Are you... ready to wake up?"
"I'm ready to wake up." Ogata responded without hesitation.
"If you become an executioner, your future fate will be a narrow escape from death." Kuranagi looked straight at Ogata, his sharp eyes seeming to see through Ogata's inner thoughts, "Even so, you will
Are you willing to work with me to support the great cause?"
Ogata also looked at Kuranagi with eyes full of power without showing any signs of weakness.
"I don't care much about justice."
Ogata said seriously.
"Destroy Matsudaira Gennai with a thousand swords - that's my purpose!"
"Even if my body and shape are destroyed, I will definitely kill the traitor!"
Kuronaga looked directly at Ogata, his face still expressionless.
But after hearing Ogata's words, a faint smile appeared from the corner of Kuranaga's slightly raised mouth.
"Flying Monkey!"
Kuronaga shouted outside the room.
As soon as Kuranaga's voice fell, Tobiru, who had been waiting outside the room, immediately opened the paper sliding door.
"Go tell Ichiro and the others - there are new patriots joining us!"
"yes!"
After Tobiru quickly left, Kuranagi turned his attention back to Ogata.
"Come on, Ogata. I'll take you to meet other patriots."
…
…
Kuronaga led Ogata along the winding corridors of the mansion and walked towards the depths of the mansion.
Ogata, who was following Kuranaga obediently, asked Kuranaga:
"My lord, I remember you told me before - apart from me, there are only 6 people in total who are willing to wield a sword to kill Matsudaira Gennai, right?"
"That's right."
"Six people... Including me, there are only seven people in total... Sir, the number of people here is too small, right?"
"...Now that the world has been at peace for a long time, the warriors are gradually slacking off in their martial arts practice."
"In today's era, it is not easy to find reliable warriors."
"And it is even more difficult to find warriors who are not only reliable in strength, but also willing to sacrifice themselves for the righteousness..."
"Except for you, these 6 people are also the lofty ideals that I finally found after a lot of effort."
After saying that, Kurunaga stopped in front of a huge paper sliding door.
"Ogata-kun, we are here."
"The rest of the patriots will practice their swords inside."