I Was a Swordsman in Ancient Japan

"We were not interested in knowing what the Japanese couple was arguing about, so after taking a look at them from a distance, we left."

"And the Japanese pair didn't seem to notice us from beginning to end."

"Then do you still remember where you saw these two people?" Ogata asked.

"Hmm... I don't really remember." Vasily shook his head, "After all, it was a long time ago."

"We live in no fixed place and change places every few days, so we don't remember where we saw those two Japanese."

Seeing that Vasili forgot where he met those two people, Ogata was a little disappointed.

But the information Vasili just provided still has some value.

If the Japanese couple were really Xuanzheng and Xuanzhen—then Xuanzhen’s mental state might be really bad...

Even Vasili, an outsider watching from a distance, could see that the younger man did not look like a normal person...

"Then have you seen this pair of Japanese again, or have you seen other Japanese with similar appearance?" Ogata continued to ask.

"No more." Vasili shook his head, "Since then, we have never seen that pair of Japanese people again. We have not seen other people with similar appearance either."

"That's it... I understand." Ogata bowed slightly to Vasily, "Thank you for the information you provided."

"It's okay." Vasili waved his hand, "You don't need to be so polite. Hiss..."

Before he finished speaking, Vasily gasped suddenly, and then clutched his chest.

Ogata: "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing...it's just that I accidentally pulled the place where you injured me just now." Vahili smiled, "Speaking of which, you are really amazing...it's the first time I've seen such a fast fist. I have no power to fight back.”

"Are you willing to follow us to our country later?"

"In our country, with your pair of fists, if you participate in those boxing matches, you will definitely make a lot of money!"

"We Cossacks usually like to hold various boxing matches, and then gamble money there!"

"With your ability, you will definitely make a lot of money!"

"No." Ogata politely declined, "I don't know any boxing skills, I only have brute force, and boxing matches are not suitable for me."

"You are so humble." Vasily smiled wryly and shook his head, "With your strength and speed alone, even if you don't know any boxing skills, I think you can sweep away all our boxers."

Vasili was not an idiot either, he could tell that Ogata was just tactfully declining him just now.

His invitation to Ogata just now was just for fun, not serious, so even if Ogata rejected his invitation, he didn't feel depressed.

Originally, what I wanted to ask Vasili was only clues related to the whereabouts of Xuanzheng and Xuanzhen.

All I wanted to ask was done now.

But Ogata didn't take A-Ming away immediately.

Because—just now, Ogata had a second question that he wanted to ask Vasili.

"Vassili," Ogata said.

"Ok?"

Ogata looked at the Kentucky long rifle on the gun rack not far away.

"Can you sell us this gun?"

"Ah, yes. In addition to the gun, I hope you can sell us some of the bullets used in this gun."

"Oh?" Vasily widened his already big eyes, "You want a Kentucky long rifle?"

Vasili cast a surprised look at Ogata.

Atachi, who was standing beside Ogata, also looked at Ogata with surprised eyes.

"Yes." Ogata nodded, "You just said that this gun is currently equipped on a small scale among you Cossacks."

"So can you sell us? The price is negotiable."

"Do you need bear skins and bear bile? We just have 2 bear skins and 2 bear bile here."

"You want our guns... Are you interested in guns?"

"Ok,

more or less. We may also need you to teach us how to use this Kentucky long rifle. "

"Um... sorry." After pondering for a while, Vasili raised his hand and rubbed his short brown hair, which was already messy. "A gun is different from a telescope."

"For us in faraway lands, guns and horses are our life."

"I can give you any binoculars. But not guns."

"I can't just sell important guns to outsiders."

Ogata didn't give up: "Can't you really sell us?"

"Hmm..." Vasili pondered, "How about...you wait for our boss to come back."

"Selling guns is too important. I can't make the decision, the boss has to make the decision."

"You wait for the boss to come back, then ask him."

"Your boss?" Ogata asked, "Then when will your boss come back?"

"He took people to draw a few days ago. I think...should be back soon."

"I'll let you know when he comes back."

"...Alright then." Ogata nodded, "Anyway, we'll stay here for a few days."

"Then when your boss comes back, can you please come and inform us in time?"

"Of course! But... As compensation, can you promise me one thing?"

"Things? What's the matter? Don't talk about something too difficult."

"It's not difficult..."

Vasili swallowed hard, then looked at the naturally hanging under Ogata without turning his eyes...

hands.

Although he tried his best to conceal it, Vasili still couldn't hide the fiery light in his pupils.

Sensing the fiery Ogata in Vasili's eyes, his brows frowned involuntarily.

Vasili's light... Ogata was somewhat familiar with it.

In the past, when I was lurking in Yoshihara and working in the Shirobei clubhouse in Yoshihara, the tourists who came to have fun looked at the wandering girls with similar eyes...

"After I rest for a few days, can you come and compete with me again?" Vasily raised his right fist.

The contest with Ogata just now was still fresh in Vasily's memory.

Whenever Ogata's fist landed on him, apart from feeling the pain, he also felt as if his body was melting into the colorful mist, which was very refreshing.

The five bodies seemed to be uttering the same cry: Yes! That's it! This is what boxing has to do! No mercy! Feel free to call!

Vahili also couldn't figure out why he felt so comfortable when the fist of the strong man hit him.

He has asked other people - the rest will not be like him, and the rest will only feel pain, no matter whether they are beaten by the weak or the strong, and they will not feel happy.

Although it seems that he is very different, Vasili doesn't care about it.

Today, Vasili experienced the most hearty and comfortable feeling from Ogata for the first time in a long time.

It's like after living as an ascetic monk for more than half a year, I suddenly found a beautiful girl who can compose beautiful memories together for only 1 ruble.

The last time I had a similar feeling was with the boss—but his boss doesn’t like to fight with others very much. If he is not in the mood, even if Vasily’s lips are worn out, his boss will never fight him hit.

Vahily himself forgot when was the last time he fought against his boss.

He really wanted to experience the exhilarating feeling he had just experienced from Ogata again.

"You really like boxing with others..." Ogata murmured, "It's okay. But is your body okay? When I sparred with you just now, every punch I made was not light. If you only rest for a few days, will your body be able to recover?"

"No problem! I have been fighting with people since I was a child. I grew up fighting with people! I have developed a thick skin long ago."

"The wounds you left me today, just need to rest for a few days, and they will be completely healed."

Seeing that Vasily only asked to fight him again, Ogata couldn't help feeling a little surprised.

Vasili's fiery gaze just now made Ogata think that he was going to raise some strange conditions...

"In that case, I will trouble you." Ogata said, "When your boss arrives, please go to Kuma Village and let us know."

"However, when we go to other villages in the future, we need to follow the clues of the two people we are looking for, so we may not be in the village for a few days."

"Okay." Vasili nodded, "I will notify you when the boss comes back."

"If you happen to be out of the village, I'll tell our boss about your desire to buy a gun first."

"Well, I'm sorry to trouble you." Ogata bowed lightly to Vasili again, "Then let's take our leave first."

Vahili stood up: "I'll send you out of our camp."

"No need." Ogata said quickly, "We remember the way we left."

Although Ogata said that there is no need to send them off, Vahili insisted on sending them off.

Seeing that Vasili insisted on being a landlord, Naogata didn't say anything more, and let Vasili lead the way.

Vahili is also really resistant to fighting. He just said that he has a thick skin, but he is really not bragging.

When I fought with Ogata just now, after receiving so many heavy punches from Ogata, I can still walk and talk well, and still have the strength to send Ogata and the others out of their camp.

As soon as he got out of the tent where Vasili lived, Xu Bian saw Vasili's subordinates busy.

Ogata guessed that these people who can still walk well should be busy taking care of those companions who were injured in the "traditional activity" just now...

He heard groans and cries of pain not far away...

"Why do you have a traditional activity that brings out many wounded people, and it can last for thousands of years..." A-Ming listened to the moans and cries of pain, and looked puzzled, "Although we have many similar activities in Japan. activities, but they are all point-to-point, but there is no one who beats people like you..."

"Hahahaha!" Vasili laughed a few times, "This is probably due to the character of the nation!"

"Although many people are injured every time in our traditional activities."

"But there are some benefits to such an activity."

"The biggest advantage is that it can kill everyone's energy."

"As long as the energy is spent, it's not easy to think about all kinds of messy things."

"Under the request of the boss, we can't do any bad things. Fighting has become one of the important ways for us to spend our energy."

"If you can't even fight, I feel that there will be many people who can't bear this boring life."

"Can't do bad things?" Ogata raised his eyebrows, "Your boss still has such a request?"

"Our boss... I don't know whether to call him noble or pedantic." Vasili shrugged, "He doesn't allow us to do any bad things."

"So during the four years we left our homeland and went to the Far East, we were like a group of noble knights."

Vasily adopted a half-joking tone.

"Wherever I go, I will never do anything evil."

"Not only don't do anything evil, but do something good now and then."

"Ah, so-called knights, you can understand that kind of noble people."

"There used to be two people who didn't listen to the boss's discipline, sneaked into a certain village and harmed a village girl."

"Then the boss hanged those two people in front of everyone and the villagers of that village."

"Thanks to the boss, he is very charming and very good at dominating others."

"Otherwise, if other people were brought in and the subordinates were not allowed to do all kinds of bad things, the team would have already collapsed due to low morale."

Speaking of this, Vasily sighed lightly.

"I don't know how the boss is doing now."

"I must be enjoying the adventure..."

"Speaking of which - I don't know what your boss's name is." Ogata said, "What's your boss's name?"

"His name is Skulucci. Skulucci Dorfnar. A Scotchman, and a Cossack at the same time."

...

...

At this very moment—

Ezo, somewhere——

Today is a cloudy day.

A few rays of sunlight struggled through the thick clouds, sprinkled like light dust on the white snow field.

Everywhere is white.

The ground is white, and the leaves, grass, and stones are all covered with a thick layer of snow.

But in this world, which is all white as far as the eye can see, there is a very conspicuous and abrupt red.

This red is actually red hair.

A young man with short red hair was sitting on a boulder.

Every now and then a breeze would blow, stirring his red hair.

His red hair stood out against the snow-white.

At this time, he used to hold a map in his left hand... To be precise, it was a half-drawn map, and he held a pencil in his right hand. While looking at the scenery in front of him, he was drawing on the semi-finished map in his hand. with.

He was on a high ground with an unobstructed view of the lowlands ahead.

He was smiling and seemed to be in a good mood.

"Boss! Boss! Boss Scruucci!"

At this moment, excited shouts sounded from behind the red hair.

The red-haired man looked back and saw a young man with freckles running towards him carrying 6 rabbits.

"Boss Scruucci! Look! I caught so many rabbits!"

"Hey! Afjah!" the redhead yelled, "Where did you hunt so many rabbits?"

"Boss Skulucci, have you forgotten what I told you before? Rabbits are very stupid animals!" said the freckled youth, "Just throw a stick over the rabbit's head, and they will mistakenly think that they have been attacked. bird attack, and plunged headlong into the snow, unable to move!"

"I'm lucky today! I caught 6 fat rabbits in a row with this method!"

"Afjay! You're a fucking genius for hunting!"

"Your hunting skills alone are enough to confer a title!"

"If I were the king of England, I would give you an earl! The fief should be in Glamorgan! I will make you the Earl of Glamorgan!"

"Let's go! Let's go back to camp! Set up the pot! Light up the fire! Prepare to eat rabbit meat!"

After finishing speaking, the red-haired put away the unfinished map and pen in his hand, warmly embraced the shoulder of the freckled young man, and strode towards the camp they set up not far away.

"Boss Skulucci." The freckled youth who was carrying six fat rabbits asked the red-haired youth beside him, "Is the map ready? When are we going back to Lord Vasili?"

"Soon, soon!" the red-haired said, "The map can be drawn the day after tomorrow at the latest!"

If Vasili was present, after seeing this red-haired young man, he would definitely call out "Boss" very affectionately.

Because this red-haired young man is the leader of their group—Skulucci Dofnar.

This time out for drawing, Scruucci brought a total of 12 subordinates.

After returning to the camp not far away, Skulucci saw another 11 subordinates rushing around the camp.

"Guys! Turn your eyes away!" Scruucci shouted. "Look at the six fat rabbits in Afja's hands! We're eating rabbits today!"

As soon as Scruucci's voice fell, cheers immediately sounded one after another.

Afterwards, everyone prepared to eat with quick movements.

A pan for a pan.

The splitting of the splitting wood.

Burning fire burning fire.

Rabbit Killer Rabbit Killer.

As for Sculucci - he was lying on a hammock not far away, holding a book in his hand, reading it with relish.

As the boss, he has the privilege of doing nothing but lying down and waiting for dinner.

The book Scruucci was reading now was an English translation.

So only people who know English can understand what is written on the cover of the book - "Don Quixote".

When Scruucci was reading a book, he suddenly raised his eyebrows.

Then he closed the book in his hand abruptly.

"guys!"

Scruucci jumped from the hammock.

"I heard the sound of a large number of horses approaching us from the west!"

"Stop what the hell you're doing! Take out your guns!"

"Remember not to take out the wrong one! It's a gun in your crotch!"

Having said that, Scruucci grabbed a very long rifle from the side—a Kentucky long rifle.

As soon as Scruzzy said this, the expressions of the subordinates around him changed drastically, and then they hurriedly stopped all work in hand and picked up their respective rifles.

The rifles used by these subordinates of Sculucci are also the most advanced rifles at present-Kentucky long rifles.

They are all old people who have followed Scruucci for a long time.

Having been with Scruzzy for so long, they already knew-Scruzzy's senses are very sensitive.

Sensitive like a superpower.

He said that if something is close, something must be close.

They stopped what they were doing, took out their weapons, took cover, and aimed their guns at the west side that Scruucci had just mentioned—their movements were done in one go, like a group of well-trained soldiers.

Before long, they also heard the sound of horseshoes.

Scruucci was right again.

There really were a lot of horses approaching them from the west.

This sound, there are at least 50 horses.

Some of the younger ones swallowed involuntarily.

As for Skulucci——he is an old god on the ground, using a big tree as a cover, looking very leisurely, and still humming a little tune.

Finally—the large number of horses showed their figures.

There were people sitting on the large number of horses approaching them.

And the clothes of this group of people are extremely similar to Skulucci and the others.

As for the person walking in the front, Skulucci looked very familiar to him.

"Wow~~" Scruucci whistled, "Isn't this Vladimir? It's been a long time."

Like Skulucci, this cavalry team was also a Cossack expedition sent by the Tsar of Lucia to explore the Far East.

And the leader was also someone Skulucci knew—Vladimir.

"Isn't this Skulucci? I saw cooking smoke here just now, so I asked someone to come over and take a look. I didn't expect to meet you here." Vladimir waved his hand to signal the subordinates behind him to stop.

Although he met someone he knew, Skulucci did not appear from behind the tree that was used as a cover, nor did he let his subordinates release from the battle state.

"Vladimir, why did you come here? I remember you went east to explore?"

"That's a long story. Skulucci, since it's rare to meet a fellow Cossack, I have something good to tell you. Do you want to come and listen?"

"Good things? I love to hear good things the most. Come and tell me."

Vladimir got off his horse and said, "Come with me, let's go to a place where no one will disturb you."

After Skulucci winked at the subordinates beside him, he put the Kentucky long rifle in his hand behind his back, and followed Vladimir to a place not far away from his subordinates.

As soon as he came to this undisturbed place, Vladimir hurriedly said to Skulucci:

"Scruucci, do you want to come and have some fun?"

"Fun? Fucking fun is my favorite thing! I often have snowman-building contests with my guys just for fun!"

"Every time I successfully build a giant snowman, I feel as happy as if I found a tavern where I don't have to pay for my drinks."

"Oh, Skulucci." Vladimir frowned slightly, "It's been a long time since I saw you, and you're still as poor-mouthed as ever."

"When I say 'have fun', it's more fun than building a snowman."

"Don't build a snowman? Build a castle? Vladimir, let me tell you, I am the best at building gothic style castles. If His Majesty the Tsar holds a 'Gothic castle building contest', I will definitely take the fucking first place name."

"That's enough, don't interrupt. Do you want to go with us to plunder the local aboriginal village?"

"Looting the village?" Skulucci raised his eyebrows, "Vladimir, have you forgotten His Majesty's request?"

"He asked us to have less incidents on this expedition and just focus on exploration and mapping."

Just as Skulucci finished speaking, Vladimir interrupted roughly:

"His Majesty the Tsar only wants us to 'reduce incidents'. There is no requirement that we must act like noble knights."

"We are Cossacks. Killing our enemies and humiliating their wives and daughters is the life that suits us best. The life of a noble knight—this is not suitable for us."

"Since we came to the Far East, my brothers and I have been holding back, almost unable to hold back."

"Scruzzi, I'll tell you the truth. My brethren and I haven't had a good blow out in a long time."

"So I've decided—I'm going to take advantage of the Maslenitsa festival to be celebrated soon, and lead my subordinates to plunder! Have a good time!"

"I've successfully lured Alexei into the group."

"Alexey, like me, also wants to have a big fight after a long absence."

"My people plus Alexie's people, there are 82 people in total."

"If you also join the group, we will have hundreds of people."

"Looting a village is completely out of the question."

"Although I can't appreciate the appearance of the indigenous women who come here, it doesn't matter. Anyway, they have what women should have."

As soon as Vladimir finished speaking, Skulucci said with an exaggerated expression and voice:

"Wow! Vladimir! You even brought Alexei into the group, and you gathered so many people!"

"You are a fucking genius! You are an extraordinary knight! A born leader! Brother of the sun and moon! Son of God! A man among men!"

"If I were the king of England, I would definitely make you a fucking duke!"

"The fief is set in North Munster! I will make you the Duke of North Munster!"

"Okay! Skulucci! Don't talk about things like this!" Vladimir frowned, "Why do you always talk so much nonsense?"

Why couldn't he hear it—Scruzzi's words just now smacked of yin and yang from beginning to end.

"Vladimir." Skulucci put away the exaggerated expression he showed just now, showing a calm look, "Don't you know——I, Skulucci, never do such a thing?"

"Of course I know." Vladimir said, "But we are a little short of manpower now, so I can only invite you to join us."

"Skulucci, I don't know why you force yourself and your subordinates to live like noble knights."

"Don't you think this kind of life is tiring?"

Vladimir threw his arms around Skulucci's shoulders.

"Looting is a very happy thing."

"There is nothing more joyful than taking away other people's property, wives and daughters."

"It's rare to meet the annual Maslenitsa, just follow us."

"As long as you join the group, there will no longer be any indigenous settlements that will be our opponents."

"How? Do you want to come together?"

Like a demon whispering in someone's ear, Vladimir pressed his bad breath lips to Skulucci's ear.

...

...

Vasili sent Ogata and the others all the way to the camp.

After Ogata and A-Machi left Vasili's camp side by side, and were a little further away from Vasili's camp, A-Machi immediately turned his head and asked Ogata as if he couldn't wait:

"Why did you suddenly say you want to buy their iron cannon?"

"Of course it's for you." Ogata said bluntly, "Don't you think that iron cannon is very powerful and suitable for you?"

When he first met A-cho in Butterfly Island, Ogata can still vividly remember the heroic figure of A-cho sniping an archer with a long iron cannon from a long distance.

The long iron cannon that A-Ming used on Butterfly Island before was a modified iron cannon by her. It's a pity that it was damaged during the battle with the "demon monk".

According to A-Ming, she owns 2 of these long iron cannons modified by her.

One has been destroyed on Butterfly Island.

The other one was kept in Shiranui's house—it's a pity that with the defection of A-cho, all the items in her house were cleaned up, including the only remaining long iron cannon that has been modified.

Because the long iron cannon is inconvenient to carry, so when Uncle Qing helped A-cho leave Shiranui, he could only bring out Su Ying and Kasumi Nagi, but failed to bring out the long iron cannon—it has to be said, This is really a pity.

After leaving Butterfly Island, Ah Ding has been unable to get another long iron cannon in his hand for a long time.

Even if you want to make another one yourself, you don't have enough tools and materials.

Ogata didn't know what Ah-cho was thinking, anyway, Ogata had always regretted it--Ogata, who was good at shooting, had not been able to have a handy main battle weapon again for a long time.

And now—a great opportunity to end this pity, appeared in front of Ogata.

If this Kentucky long rifle really has a super long range and super high accuracy as Vasily said just now, if someone used this gun to accurately kill an enemy commander 300 yards away, then this The gun can be regarded as the sniper rifle of this era.

It matches well with Machi, who is good at shooting.

"Since it is rare to meet a very powerful iron cannon, there is no reason not to work hard to get it, and—" Ogata smiled, "You want that iron cannon very much, right?"

Just now, Ogata discovered that A-Machi was very interested in this Kentucky long rifle.

While listening to Vasili's account of what happened when they met the two strange Japanese who had quarreled, A-Machi kept glancing at the Kentucky long rifle on the gun rack from time to time.

Moreover, when A-Machi heard about the superb performance of the Kentucky long rifle from Vasily's introduction, Ogata keenly captured the way her eyes lit up.

"If there is a chance to own such a long iron cannon, I would be very happy to have it..." A-Ming muttered, "But I think even if they are willing to sell it to us, the price we have to pay must be very high..."

"That Vahili said it just now. Guns and horses are their lives."

"Even if you are willing to sell it, you will definitely not sell it to us cheaply."

"Then let's talk about it later." Ogata shrugged, "When their boss named Skulucci comes back, let's see what he has to say."

"If they're asking a reasonable price, then we'll buy it."

"If they're charging an unreasonable price, or won't sell it to us ... let's wait until then."

As if infected by Ogata's optimism, A-Machi smiled faintly.

Machi smiled while lowering her head as if shy.

"……thanks."

Ogata didn't say much.

He only smiled and walked side by side with Ah Ding towards Kuma Village not far away.

...

...

In the next few days, Aiyaka also continued to fulfill his promise.

He had made an agreement with Ogata and the others before—not only would he take Ogata and the others to Kuma Village where he lived, but he would also take them to other villages that had made friends with his Kuma Village to look for clues to Xuanzheng and the others.

Aiyaka has 4 sled dogs that can pull sleds.

Ogata and the others relied on this sled to travel between various villages.

However - nothing has been found.

No matter which village I went to, no matter who I asked, I didn't receive any useful information.

While going to various villages to look for clues to Xuanzheng and the others, Ogata also silently waited for the return of Vasily and the others' boss named Skulucci - on the contrary, until now, their boss has not yet been waited for.

Time passed bit by bit.

Finally—unknowingly, Aiyaka has taken Ogata and the others to almost all possible villages.

The village that hasn't been visited yet - there is only one left.

...

...

night--

Kuma Village, Aiyaka's home——

"Mashima." Aiyaka said to Ogata, who has been staying at their house recently, "you should rest early tonight. I will take you to China Village tomorrow. China Village is quite far from us. , so get up early."

"Qina Village..." Ogata smiled helplessly, "Is this the last village you can take us to?"

"Well." Aiyaka also showed a helpless smile, "That's right. If you can't find any clues about the person you are looking for, then there is nothing I can do."

"After all, I have no way to take you to a village that is completely unfamiliar with our Kuma Village."

"The Ainu are also quite xenophobic, and they don't like people from other villages who are completely unfamiliar with their village to enter their village casually."

"It's okay." Ogata smiled at Aiyaka, "You have helped us a lot, we are not ungrateful people."

"If we can't find clues in this last China village, we will find another way."

"Yeah." Aiyaka nodded vigorously, "Then you guys go to bed early, I'm going to bed too."

Just when Aiyaka turned around to leave, he suddenly seemed to remember something, paused, and then turned back.

"By the way, Mashima. Before going to Kina Village, let me tell you a little bit."

"Qina Village is different from all the villages you have seen before, so you have to be mentally prepared."

"Different?" Ogata asked back, "What's different?"

"Qina Village has a lot of female warriors." Aiyaka said, "It's better to say—most of the warriors in their village are female warriors."

"Female warrior?" Ogata exclaimed in a low voice, "Why are women coming to be warriors? Where are their men?"

"Many young people in Qina Village suddenly disappeared for some reason two years ago." Aiyaka replied in a low voice.