"Then it looks like... I have to work harder... and try to become stronger before the action starts."
"Ogata-kun..." Kuranagi cast a complicated look at Ogata, "I heard from Tobiru that... you practiced your sword extra hard today..."
"Although it is a good thing to practice swordsmanship hard, Ogata-kun, you must also learn to pay attention to rest."
"Furthermore—although practicing swordsmanship diligently now can indeed make your swordsmanship a little better, it won't improve you too much."
"No matter how hard you practice, Ogata-kun, you can't become a great swordsman with unparalleled swordsmanship in just one month."
"So, Ogata-kun, don't try too hard."
"If you lose your health before the action begins, you will be in trouble."
To Kuronaga who gave him these advices, Ogata straightened his clothes and then bowed respectfully to Kuronaga.
"Yes, I will pay attention."
Although the tone is very respectful, Ogata's words are just perfunctory...
"By the way, Ogata-kun, this is for you."
After saying that, Kuronaga waved to Tobiru next to him, and Tobiru immediately held him in his arms from just now and handed something covered with a white cloth to Kuronaga.
"Ogata-kun, this is the knife I... specially prepared for you."
After saying that, Kuranagi pulled open the white cloth on top, revealing the things inside - a katana and a wakizashi.
"I spent a lot of money to buy these two knives."
"A sword matches a hero. Whether a sword is easy to use or not will have a huge impact on the swordsman."
"The weight, curvature, and length of these two swords are all different from the sword you originally used, Ogata-kun."
"So in these days, Ogata, you should practice more and try to become familiar with these two swords."
"My lord, thank you very much." Ogata was not pretentious, he was magnanimous, he saluted to Kuronaga and took the knife from Kuronaga.
…
…
The next time Matsudaira Gennai goes out to hunt, that's when their action begins.
I might go hunting at the end of this month, or I don’t know when next month.
Not knowing when the action would begin gave the patriots a deep sense of crisis.
Everyone is practicing their swords in the dojo more diligently, striving to become stronger, striving to increase even a slight chance of winning in this shocking action.
All seven Ogata people are currently living in Kuranaga's mansion.
There are only a few things he does every day: eat, go to the toilet, sleep, and practice swordsmanship.
At least two-thirds of the day is spent in the dojo.
Maybe it's because the food has gotten better. In the past, Ogata felt a little weak after two or three games with his brothers.
And now I have competed several times with other lofty ideals, and I still have enough energy left to continue practicing.
Maybe it's because his mentality has changed compared to before. Ogata feels that practicing swordsmanship is not as hard and boring as before.
Whenever Ogata feels tired and bored, he will think of the faces and voices of his master and fellow apprentices.
When I think of their faces and voices, I feel like a spring of strength!
Matsudaira Gennai is surrounded by a large number of guards at all times.
When the assassination operation begins, the seven of them will face hundreds of guards from Matsudaira Gennai...
So - Ogata has only one thought in his mind right now: upgrade.
Try your best to upgrade the "Wuwo Sword Style" who is good at using one enemy against many!
…
…
August 20——
[Acquire 50 personal experience points and 50 swordsmanship "Sakakibara Itto-ryu" experience points]
"Come on, continue."
"Ogata-kun...don't you really want to take a rest?"
"No, I still have the strength. This time I want to challenge 3 people at the same time!"
"3,3?"
"Yes, anyone can do it. Come and compete with me."
…
August 23——
[Acquire 130 personal experience points and 120 experience points for the swordsmanship "Wuwo Sword Style"]
[Ding! When the experience is full, your personal level will be upgraded by 1, and you will gain 1 skill point]
As soon as the system sound fell, Xufeng thought to himself without hesitation: Add 1 point to the "physical power" value!
…
August 27——
"Shichiro... your face has turned pale... let's finish practicing today..."
"No...I can still fight again..."
…
September 1st——
"Ogata-kun."
"It's Fei Yuan...what's the matter?"
"The proprietress and the maid of the house are still looking for you... Today I met the two of them in the city, asking passers-by one by one if they had seen a young samurai who had not shaved his head..."
"……I see."
…
September 3rd.
[Acquire 180 personal experience points and 170 experience points for the swordsmanship "Wuwo Sword Style"]
[Ding! When the experience points are full, the level of "Wuwo Swordsman Style" will be increased by 1 level, and 2 skill points will be obtained]
——Strength increased by 1 point! Transfer to intermediate level!
…
September 8th.
"My lord, what's wrong? Why do you look so ugly?"
"Ogata-kun... today... your senior brother's family came to me and wanted me to seek justice for them..."
"...My lord, how did you reply to them?"
"How else can I reply? Should I tell them that I am ready to assassinate the Pig Lord? I can only say some high-sounding words and send them away..."
"...My lord, when will Matsudaira Gennai start his next hunting trip?"
"I have asked Fei Yuan to follow closely. Once there is news, I will notify you immediately. You should continue to recharge your batteries now."
…
[Ding! Get personal experience points...]
…
[Ding! Experience points are full...]
…
"Ogata-kun...are you...training too hard?"
"My lord, please rest assured, I know my own body well."
…
[Ding! Strength +1]
…
[Ding! Experience points are full...]
…
[Ding! Experience points are full...]
…
…
September 19——
Emotionally, he looked at the six people in front of him expressionlessly.
The six people standing in front of Ogata were none other than Ichiro and others.
Ichiro and others held the wooden swords in their hands and semi-surrounded Ogata.
At this time, it was Ogata who tried countless times to defeat one against six.
Although they had a huge advantage in numbers, Ichiro and others still looked like they were facing a formidable enemy and did not even dare to show off.
The first person to move was Ogata.
Ogata glared on his back and rushed towards Saburo who was directly opposite him.
Wakizashi held Saburo's sword, stabbed Saburo hard in the chest with the sword, and defeated Saburo with extremely smooth movements.
"Drink!"*2
Two loud shouts sounded from both sides of Ogata.
Jiro and Goro raised their swords high and slashed at Ogata who had entered their formation.
Snapped!
Ogata raised his two swords and blocked the attacks of Erlang and Goro respectively. Then he shook his hands and shook the two swords away. Two blasts of wind sounded at the same time. Ogata waved the two swords in his hands and hit the standing man almost at the same time.
Erlang and Wulang on his left and right sides.
Without giving Ogata any time to breathe, Mukuro's sword swung at him.
Ogata slipped his feet and quickly retreated subconsciously with a strange footwork.
However - the accident happened at this moment.
Ogata, who subconsciously retreated quickly, hit the wooden wall behind him.
With no way to retreat, Ogata could only watch helplessly as the tip of Mukuro's knife pressed firmly against his chest.
"Shichiro..." Rokuro smiled at Ogata, "You lost again."
"Well..." Ogata smiled bitterly, "Yeah... I lost again. It's really difficult to defeat many with one against many in this kind of not spacious environment..."
"Yes." Ichiro walked over and agreed with a smile, "As long as the space here is spacious enough, Shichiro, you can rely on roaming to continuously create a one-on-one environment."
"In one-on-one terms, none of the six of us can be your opponent."
"As long as you can turn 1 vs. 6 into 6 games of 1 vs. 1, then we will be the losers."