I Was a Swordsman in Ancient Japan

Before Ogata and the others had time to say anything, Naoshu began to explain to the three of them on his own:

"The 'Great Trial Match' is a trial match jointly organized by my One Color Sword Gym and several other sword gyms that have a good relationship. Let the apprentices in each gym go to the field to test the level of the apprentices in their respective gyms."

Ogata didn't really need Naoshu's explanation.

When he accidentally took a bath in the same bath with Yishihua before, he heard about the "big trial marriage" from Yishihua.

According to Isshika, she and Zhizhou had to take a fast and convenient smuggling boat back to Japan in order to rush back to participate in the "big test".

Because this "big test match" is quite similar to the "respecting the gods and martial arts" held by the Sakakibara Sword Gym where Ogata used to practice swords, so Ogata was quite impressed with this "big test match".

"Mr. Isshiki." Ogata said at this moment, "You want me to come to your hall to watch the 'Great Trial Match'. What does that mean?"

"Mashima-sama." Naoki looked at Ogata with pleading eyes, "This is Master Yuer's residence, so it's not a convenient place to talk."

"There is a tea house that I often go to not far from here."

"Could you spare a little time now to have a detailed talk with me at the teahouse?"

To be honest—Ogata has no interest in the "big test match" that Naoshu said.

Asking Ogata to spend time talking with Naoichi to a nearby tea house about the "big test match"... Ogata is not very happy.

But I can't help but be short-handed.

Ogata has just been taken care of by Naoshu, without Naoshu's help, he might still be trying to persuade Yu Er to help him repair the knife.

"...Okay." After all, Ogata is not the kind of person who has no face and no skin. Just when someone helped you, you don't give them any face. This kind of thing can't be done emotionally, "I see, then Let's go, but don't talk for too long."

"Please don't worry!" Zhi Zhou was now full of excitement, "I will definitely not delay your time for too long!"

Zhi Zhou greeted Yu Er, saying that he had something important to do, so he would take a step first.

At this time, Yuer has already started to repair Da Shitian and Da Zizai.

Holding Da Shitian in his hand, he carefully looked at the blade of Da Shitian,

When Naojou said goodbye to him, he just nodded and said "Well, go slowly".

His eyes never left Da Shitian's blade from beginning to end.

Ogata was very curious about Yuji's behavior of looking directly at the sword.

As soon as he left Yu Er's house, Xu Fang couldn't help but ask Zhi Zhou: What was Yu Er doing just now.

"Oh. He was just 'looking at the sword'." Yu Er replied, "This is a necessary process for repairing a sword."

"Each knife is unique."

"Each knife's blade pattern, frustration pattern, hole, blade curvature...etc, are all different."

"Therefore, there is no unified standard for sword grinding and repair."

"Only the kind of low-level knifesmith will start repairing a strange knife without thinking about it."

"A swordsmith who is really skilled will carefully look at the sword hundreds of times before grinding and repairing the sword, and study the sword thoroughly."

"Conceive how to grind in your mind to best utilize the characteristics of this knife, outline the design drawings for repairing and grinding in your mind, and conceive the sequence of work."

"Whether Yu Er is helping someone repair or sharpen their knives, he usually spends a day researching knives, designing the best repairing and grinding methods before starting work."

"So that's how it is..." Ogata muttered, "Sure enough, there is a lot of knowledge in the grinding and repairing of swords."

"Look forward to it. Mashima-sama." Naoki said with a smile, "Master Yuer's skills will never let you down."

"I can't wait to see my repaired knife in 7 days." Ogata responded half-jokingly.

While they were talking, they had already left the remote suburb where Yu Er lived, and came to a bustling street market.

The "tea house he often goes to" that Naoshu mentioned is located in the center of this street.

According to Zhizhou, when he usually visits Yuer, an old friend, he often comes to this tea house to drink a few cups of hot tea and eat some snacks before going home.

Judging from the reactions of the waiters in the tea house, Naosuke was not lying.

After Naosuke led Ogata and the others into the teahouse, several waiters who were working in the teahouse greeted Naozhou enthusiastically after seeing Naozhou, with a look of familiarity with Naozhou. appearance.

This is a tea house with private room service. After Naoki ordered a private room and the best tea and snacks in the tea house, he sat in the private room facing the three of Ogata.

"Okay, Mr. Isshiki." As soon as he sat down on the tatami, Ogai said bluntly to Naoshu, "I have something to say, but please speak up."

Zhizhou didn't dare to talk nonsense, he cleared his throat, and said seriously:

"As I said before, the 'Great Trial Match' is a competition to test the strength of the apprentices jointly held by my One Color Sword Gym and the other sword gyms with better relations."

"There are 4 sword gyms participating in the 'Great Trial'. They are——"

"Katori Shinto School's Quanbingkan."

"The Yuanming Hall without outflows."

"Shimurakan of the Shinto style."

"And Ono Isshiki's Isshiki House—that is, the sword hall of our Isshiki family."

"They are all famous swordsmen in Osaka."

"Every year, the 'Great Trial Match' will be held in April, the beginning of spring."

"The day after tomorrow is the day when this year's 'big test match' will be held."

"Mashima-sama, the reason why I invite you to watch our "big test match" is not for other reasons, but to show the friendship of the landlord and let you enjoy our annual feast."

Naoki chattered about the reason why he invited Ogata to watch the "big test match".

Facing the eloquent Naoshu, Oo was expressionless.

After staring straight at Naoki in front of him for a while, Ogata said to himself in a helpless tone:

——What do you mean "wanting the friendship of the landlord"...it should be "in order to get close to me", "to develop a relationship with me", so that I can be smoothly drawn to join you in your great cause, right...

Naoshu spoke nicely, with a nose and eyes, but Ogata was not an idiot who knew nothing about the world, and he could still understand this kind of "adult diplomatic rhetoric".

Ogata didn't believe a word of what Naoshu said about "wanting the friendship of the landlord", after all, such words were too false and empty.

Then why did he invite him to watch their "big trial match"?

Combining with the fact that Zhizhou had kindly invited Ogata to participate in their "Falling Event", but was directly rejected by Ogata - it is not difficult to speculate that Zhizhou probably still does not want to give up on this, and does not want to miss Ogata, who will definitely be able to greatly An outstanding person who helps them to come down.

So I decided to use another method to win over Ogata—to develop a relationship with Ogata first, and then continue to invite Ogata to sacrifice for the end of the curtain after getting acquainted with Ogata.

The more Ogata thought about it, the more he felt that his speculation was reasonable.

"If you are willing to watch the 'Big Trial Match', it won't take you too much time!"

"This year's 'Great Trial' will be held in the Quanbingkan! It officially starts at 5pm (8am) and ends at 9pm (12pm)! It won't take too much of your time!"

"If you are free the next morning, I sincerely hope that you can come and watch our 'big test match'!"

The sincerity of Naosuke's attitude... It's only one step away from kneeling on the ground in the position of Dogezaza to pray for Ogata...

Naoshu now looked at Ogata expectantly.

Atachi and Azuki, who were sitting on the left and right sides of Ogata, also turned their heads sideways, looked at Ogata, and waited for Ogata's answer.

As for Ogata - his current mood is as complicated as his current expression.

He is really not interested in any "big test fit".

If it was in the past, when Ogata had not left the Hirose Domain, he might still be quite happy to watch this kind of contest.

And now... To put it bluntly, looking at this kind of martial arts competition between apprentices in the sword hall, Ogata only has the feeling of... watching the children babbling and fighting...

You let a swordsman who has experienced hundreds of battles, fought in all types of battles, and cut countless enemies, and watch a group of people who may not even swing real swords to compete there-what's so interesting about it?

Instead of spending time looking at things that will definitely make you yawn, it is better to use this time to go shopping and see around Osaka with A-Machi and the others, and appreciate the style of "the world's number one business capital".

If there were no special circumstances, Ogata would have rejected Naoshu's invitation without hesitation.

It's just that there just happens to be a special situation right now...

——Observing favors...it really is very troublesome...

Ogata sighed helplessly in his heart.

Zhi Zhou persuaded Yu Er to help him repair the knife just now - this debt of favor made it difficult to move his lips and tongue that should have said the words of rejecting the invitation immediately.

In the face of such things as debts of favor, Ogata's view has always been "pay it back if you can."

Ogata pursed his lips, weighed the pros and cons, and finally said:

"Are you sure that your 'big test match' will only be held for two hours the next day?"

"It's absolutely true." Zhizhou hurriedly said, "Maybe it will take a little longer, but the annual 'big test match' will basically end within two hours."

"We have 4 sword halls, so many apprentices, it is naturally impossible for everyone to compete."

"Each sword gym sends the most outstanding disciples from three gyms to participate in the trial match, so there are only 12 apprentices participating in the 'big trial match', and the competition is almost over in two hours."

Ogata listened carefully while nodding slightly from time to time.

"...Then——" Ogata let out a silent sigh, and then slowly said with the mentality of "I will pay you back", "I will come to bother you in the morning of the next day."

Hearing Ogata's words, Naosuke was stunned for a while.

Then, with a face full of ecstasy, he bent down towards Ogata in front of him, and said loudly, "I'm so happy that you are willing to come to watch the 'Big Trial'" and other words.

Naosuke's excited appearance made Ogata worried that at such an age, he would be overwhelmed with excitement...

——"Big Trial Match"...

Ogata thought to himself.

——Since it is a sword gym that Youse Sword Gym is participating in... that means we will see that person again...

At this time, a figure in light yellow kimono flashed in Ogata's mind.

...

...

Osaka, Quanbingkan——

"drink!"

"Yo—!"

"what!"

"Shout louder! Want to swing a knife in such a low voice?!"

In the huge dojo, various qi harmony sounds and shouts came and went.

In terms of comprehensive strength, Quanbingkan is undoubtedly the number one sword gym in Osaka.

There are more than 300 apprentices in total, and there are four Daochang halls that can accommodate dozens of people practicing swords at the same time.

Quanbingkan is also one of the largest Katori Shinto-ryuken gymnasiums in western Japan.

Many people who are also practicing the Katori Shinto style have come to the Quanbingkan in Osaka to study in order to further their studies.

Quanbingguan has 4 dojos. For the convenience of management and title, these 4 dojos are called "A Dojo", "B Dojo", "C Dojo", and "D Dojo".

The apprentices in the hall were divided into different dojos one by one based on their strength.

The weakest apprentices practice in "No. D Dojo", while the stronger ones go to "No. C Dojo"... By analogy, "No. A Dojo" gathers all the best apprentices in the whole military hall.

It is also because the people who practice in the "No. 1 Dojo" are all masters in the Quanbingguan, so the atmosphere of this dojo is completely different from other dojos.

The air in the "Dojo A" was filled with a chilly atmosphere. There was also the least amount of chatter and laughter in the dojo, and everyone was concentrating on practicing their swords.

At this moment, in the corner of "No. 1 Dojo", Bei Yuan was holding a huge wooden knife and was practicing Su Zhen (the basic sword technique of constantly using downward chopping on the air in front of him).

Bei Yuan, who took off his upper body clothes, was already sweating profusely from his upper body, and he could faintly see streams of heat coming out of Bei Yuan's body.

The wooden knife he is wielding is a heavy wooden knife specially made by his client, which is twice as heavy as a real knife. When Bei Yuan usually practices swords, he uses this wooden knife to temper his arm strength.

"198...199...200..."

When counting to "200", Beiyuan let out a long breath, then put down the heavy wooden knife in his hand, took out a clean white handkerchief from his waist, and wiped his face and upper body covered with sweat.

"Yo! Beiyuan!"

Bei Yuan heard the voice of an acquaintance behind him, looked back, and saw a friend of his who was walking towards him with a wooden knife in his hand.

"It's really hard work. What? Are you planning to win the first place in the 'big test match' in the future?"

"Well, that's right." Bei Yuan nodded without any pretense, "I will definitely win the first place in the 'Great Trial' this year!"

"Oh?" Beiyuan's friend put on a joking tone, "Why haven't I seen you have such a strong drive a few years ago?"

"Oh, I remembered."

Beiyuan's friend patted himself on the forehead in a very contrived way, and then said in a joking tone.

"I almost forgot—a few years ago, Miss Yishi never came to watch the 'big test match', but this year, Miss Yishi has definitely come to watch."

"Don't stand here and talk about these things." Bei Yuan reprimanded angrily, "I'm going to continue practicing swords, don't bother me."

The friend who had been ordered by Beiyuan to "remove guests" shrugged, and walked away swaggeringly with a wooden knife on his shoulder.

The place where Beiyuan was standing happened to be next to a window.

After his friend left, he turned his head and looked at the sky outside the window.

"Miss Isshiki..." Beiyuan muttered.

Isshikika's voice and appearance appeared in his mind.

Just recalling Isshiki's face, Kitahara felt his whole body full of strength again.

——This time, I must perform well in front of Miss Isshiki!

After saying this in a decisive tone in his heart, Bei Yuan picked up the special wooden knife beside him again.

In order to prepare himself in the best condition for the "big test match" in the future, Beiyuan has brought his washing tools, change of clothes and other luggage to the military hall since today.

From now on, I will practice in closed-door training in the Quanbingguan, do not go outside, and do not make contact with anyone outside.

While repeating Isshiki's name in his heart, Beiyuan pointed at the air in front of him again and practiced Suzhen.

...

...

Osaka, One Color Sword Gym——

The Yishi Sword Gym in their family is a very typical structure where the home and the sword gym are integrated.

After passing through the dojo and then walking inside, it is the place where Isshiki and his family live.

In the deepest part of their house, there is a small Buddhist hall.

Isshiki, who is still dressed in a goose yellow kimono, is now in this small Buddhist hall.

This small Buddhist hall houses a golden Buddha statue.

Yishihua knelt on a futon placed in front of this golden Buddha statue, with a pair of bare white feet buried between her buttocks and the futon, her eyes closed, her hands clasped together, and a string of brown Buddha beads, devoutly chanting Buddhist scriptures.

Isshiki's mother is a devout Buddhist.

Influenced by her mother, Yishihua has a devout belief in Buddhism since she was a child.

Isshika's father didn't have any religious beliefs, but in order to take care of his wife's pious heart, he specially spent a lot of money to build this small Buddhist hall and erected this golden Buddha statue.

When living at home, Yisehua would definitely come to this Buddhist hall every day and recite Buddhist scriptures in front of the Buddha statue.

After doing the routine chanting of Buddhist scriptures, Yisehua opened her eyes, put away the prayer beads, and left the Buddhist hall quickly.

As soon as she left the Buddhist hall, she saw her grandfather Yise rushing towards her excitedly.

"Xiao Hua, you are here, I finally found you."

"Grandpa." Isshiki frowned her pretty eyebrows, "What's wrong? What's the matter?"

"Xiaohua, guess who I met outside today?"

"I can't guess." As soon as Zhizhou's voice fell, Yishihua said coldly, "Grandpa, if you have anything to say, just say it directly, and don't play this boring 'guessing game'."

Isshiki doesn't cooperate -- but Naoshu isn't offended by it.

Naoki looked around, and after confirming that there was no one around, he put his lips close to Isshiki's ear, and said in a low voice:

"I met Mr. Yidao Zhai outside today."

As soon as Zhizhou said this, Yishihua's eyes, which were originally full of indifference, suddenly opened wide, and she almost cried out in surprise.

Zhizhou succinctly told Yishika about the whole story of meeting Ogata today and successfully inviting Ogata to watch the "big trial match".

"Grandpa..." Isshiki looked at Naoki with an unbelievable expression, "Did you really... successfully invite Mr. Yidao Zhai...?"

Naoki nodded triumphantly: "You mustn't make it public, the only people who know that Ogata Yidaosai will be here are you and me, and the third person must never know."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhi Zhou froze for a moment.

Then he slapped himself on the head violently.

"Too bad... I forgot to explain to Ogata that 'Isshiki Ryoma' does not exist, only 'Isshiki Flower' exists..."

Zhi Zhou smiled wryly.

"It's troublesome... Isshiki Ryoma will turn into a woman the day after tomorrow, Mr. Isshiki Ryoma... I really don't know how to explain it..."

"...Grandpa. You don't have to explain this at all."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Master Yidao Zhai already knew that 'Isshiki Ryoma' was disguised as 'Isshiki Flower'..."

"What do you mean?" Zhi Zhou widened his eyes in astonishment, "You...have you revealed your identity to Mr. Yidao Zhai?"

"Hmm..." Isshiki lowered her head and said in a very vague tone, "Just... the night before I parted ways with Mr. Iktosai in the northern part of Oshu, when I was going to take a bath, Mr. Isshiki ran into him in the corridor. Me in women's clothing, my daughter's body is exposed like this..."

Because she was not good at lying, Isshiki's eyes kept wandering -- but because she lowered her head, Naosuke didn't notice Isshiki's strangeness at this time.

"Did such a thing happen...why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"It's not something worth telling people. Why should I tell you?"

"You... well, forget it. Since the adult knows that you are a daughter, it will be easy." Zhizhou cleared his throat, "The adult will come to visit in the future, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be with him A chance to build a good relationship."

"Because he only knows me and you, so in order not to embarrass that adult because he has no acquaintances by his side, I plan to let you sit by his side at the beginning of the 'big test match' and watch the test with him. combine."

"how do you feel?"

"……whatever."

"Okay, then it's decided." Zhizhou told Isshika in a serious tone, "Remember in the future—don't say anything rude to Mr. Yidao Zhai."

Naoki talked to Isshiki about all kinds of precautions in a very long-winded manner.

Impatient Isshika gradually appeared on her face, and she said angrily:

"I know...it's just Yidao Zhai, why make it so grand..."

After finishing speaking, Yishihua turned around and left quickly.

Naosuke yelled "I haven't finished my words" to Isshika's back, but Isshiki was completely unmoved and didn't stop at all...

...

...

——That person...has come to Osaka...

Isshika, who was walking quickly in the corridor of her home, murmured softly in her heart.

Meeting Ogata for the first time—it was quite a while ago.

But when recalling this past event in detail, it feels like it was yesterday.

Fragments of memory...especially those fragments of bathing in the bathhouse with Ogata, as if they had their own consciousness, emerged one by one in Isshiki's mind.

Isshiki suddenly felt her blood rushing to her cheeks.

He raised his hands and touched his cheeks—the cheeks were as hot as if they had just been roasted by fire.

...

...

Isshika's mother, whose original name was "Kazama Mi", changed her name to "Isshiki" after marrying into the Isshika's family.

As the daughter of a samurai family, she has received a very good education since she was a child, and she is proficient in all kinds of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting.

On weekdays, she likes to do these elegant things to pass the time.

At this moment, Ah Shi was in his room, humming a nice tune while drawing on the desk.

"Mother……"

Suddenly—Ah Shi heard her daughter's voice coming from outside the room.

As soon as she turned her head following the sound, Isshiki opened the paper sliding door of her room and knelt down in front of her.

"Xiao Hua, what's the matter?" Ah Shi put down the pen in his hand.

"Mom... can... teach me how to make up?"

"Ah?" Ah Shi raised his right hand and covered his mouth lightly, with a surprised expression on his face, "What's the matter? Why did you say you want to learn makeup so suddenly?"

"When I wanted to teach you before, didn't you always say that you were not interested?"

At this time, Ah Shi suddenly realized something, so he hurriedly asked Yishihua in an expectant tone:

"Do you have someone you like?"

"...There is no such thing." Yishihua muttered.

...

...

While Isshiki was whispering, asking her mother how to put on makeup——

Mount Koya, Sengenji Temple——

"Toyotomi Nobuhide... Long time no see..." An old man with gray eyebrows smiled at a young man sitting in front of him.

"It's not been a long time." The young man shrugged.

"What's the reason for the sudden visit?" the old man asked.

"My lord, there are some accidents in the shogunate and ours." The young man stretched out a finger, picked out his ear, and continued in a casual tone as if he was talking about his dinner today, "So, I decided to launch the third 'Osaka Battle' ahead of schedule!"

"Just recently, the long-lost 'Taige Tong' was hung on the Osaka Castle!"

*****

*****

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Thank you book friend [L5? ? 】The leader of the reward!

This book friend has already rewarded 3 leaders of this book, I am really grateful, I am tearful, I don’t know what to say (leopard headache crying.jpg).

The author will immediately try to update 12,000 according to the rules as soon as possible, in order to thank the book friend!

PS: The character Isshikika has a historical prototype~~ She is a very famous female swordsman in Japanese history. I wonder if anyone remembers this person.