I Was a Swordsman in Ancient Japan

Although Shintaro asked Shuntaro to find a place to sit down, Shuntaro didn't move at all, and continued to stand where he was, his eyes firmly locked on Shintaro who was already sitting on a big rock.

"Shuntaro, I know you were born on the Rashomon river bank in Yoshiwara, and you may not know much about history, so you have to listen carefully so that you don't miss it."

"Even someone like you who hasn't studied in a school should know it? More than 200 years ago, this country was in the Warring States Period, and wars were everywhere."

"All the daimyos fought in the dark, and finally a daimyo named Oda Nobunaga stood out. Relying on his genius strategy, he conquered all the daimyos."

"At that time, under Oda Nobunaga's command, there was a capable general named Hashiba Hideyoshi."

"When Oda Nobunaga was only one step away from unifying Japan and ending the troubled times of the Warring States Period, he was rebelled by another subordinate, Mitsuhide Akechi, and died tragically in Honnoji Temple."

"And the subordinate named Hashiba Hideyoshi quickly dispatched troops to defeat Akechi Mitsuhide after learning that Oda Nobunaga was killed by Akechi Mitsuhide."

"Relying on the achievements of 'putting down the rebellion and avenging the lord', Hashiba Hideyoshi quickly flourished in the Oda family."

"In the end, Hashiba Hideyoshi seized most of Oda Nobunaga's inheritance, replaced Oda Nobunaga, and became the most powerful daimyo in Japan."

"Our Shiranui also joined Hideyoshi at this time and became the ninja army under Hideyoshi's command. It is the hegemony after Hideyoshi."

"The second strongest daimyo in the country at that time: Tokugawa Ieyasu was far from being the opponent of Hashiba Hideyoshi. He surrendered to Hashiba Hideyoshi early and became Hashiba Hideyoshi's courtier."

"Hashiba Hideyoshi finally established the hegemony that Oda Nobunaga failed to complete - the unification of the world."

"The king lands in all of Japan and is called 'the people of the world'."

"Hideyoshi built a famous city in the world: 'Osaka Castle', and made Osaka the new base of his family."

"In the process of unifying the world, Hashiba Hideyoshi was given the surname 'Toyotomi' by the emperor."

"Since then, Hashiba Hideyoshi has become Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Hashiba's family has become Toyotomi's family."

"The momentum and strength of Shiranui reached its peak when Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified the world."

"It's a pity that the good times don't last long."

"Toyotomi Hideyoshi was already old when he succeeded in unifying the world."

"The throne of 'Man of the World' has not sat on the throne for a few years, and he passed away."

"After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, only the young heir - Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's no-brainer mother: Yododen."

"Not long after the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu began to bully orphans and widows."

"In the "Battle of Sekigahara" in the 5th year of Keicho, Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated Ishida Mitsunari who was loyal to the Toyotomi family, and the Toyotomi family began to lose power."

"The world was replaced by the Tokugawa clan."

"Three years after the end of the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasu was conferred the title of "General Who Conquered Barbarians" by the emperor, and Tokugawa Ieyasu established the "Edo Shogunate" in his base Edo."

Shintaro turned his head and looked in the direction of Edo Castle.

But because of his vision, he naturally couldn't see anything.

"That's why history is so interesting."

Shintaro showed a self-deprecating smile.

"After the death of Oda Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, who was originally a subject of Oda Nobunaga, led his family and replaced the Oda clan."

"After Hideyoshi's death, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was Hideyoshi's courtier, led his Tokugawa family to replace Toyotomi."

"The stories of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu tell us a truth-you must have a child as early as possible, to ensure that when you die, your heir is already a person who can be alone. "

"Shuntaro, do you think it makes sense?"

Shintaro's words are a bit of a joke,

When he said this, he turned his eyes back and looked at Shuntaro with a look of expectation in his eyes.

This look is like saying to Shuntaro: I told a pretty funny joke, let's laugh.

It's a pity that the corner of Shintaro's mouth didn't move, and he continued to stab Shintaro with his cold gaze.

Shintaro, who made himself a boring man, pouted his lips and continued:

"After the Toyotomi clan lost power, Shiranui did not abandon the Toyotomi clan. In order to repay Toyotomi Hideyoshi's kindness, he continued to assist the Toyotomi clan wholeheartedly."

"Although the Toyotomi clan has lost power and is no longer able to fight against Tokugawa Ieyasu's Edo shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu has always regarded the Toyotomi clan as a thorn in his side."

"11 years after the establishment of the Edo Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu launched the 'Osaka Battle' in Keicho 19."

"Through the two battles of 'Osaka Winter Battle' and 'Osaka Summer Battle', the Toyotomi Clan was completely uprooted."

"Historical records say this - after losing to the Tokugawa clan, Toyotomi Hideyori, the patriarch of the Toyotomi clan, committed suicide at the age of 23."

"His son Toyotomi Kunimatsu was captured alive and then beheaded in Rokujo Kawara at the age of 8."

As soon as he finished speaking, a meaningful smile appeared on Shintaro's face.

"But that's actually what's written in the historical records."

"The truth is—Toyotomi Kunimatsu is not dead."

Shintaro's pupils shrank slightly with just this sentence.

"When Tokugawa Ieyasu launched an army to attack Osaka, and when Osaka City was in flames, a group of people risked their lives and rushed into the flames to rescue Toyotomi Kunimatsu."

"And these people are the ninjas in Shiranui who are loyal to Toyotomi."

"After the ninjas in Shiranui rescued Toyotomi Kunimatsu, they brought Toyotomi Kunimatsu to Satsuma in Kyushu."

"The one who was beheaded at Rokujo Kawara was Toyotomi Kunimatsu's substitute."

"After rescuing Toyotomi Kunimatsu, in order to prevent the Edo shogunate from discovering that Toyotomi's blood remained, they took the initiative to distance themselves from the descendants of the Toyotomi clan and stop dealing with them."

"At the same time, they also took the initiative to forget this history that they rescued the descendants of the Toyotomi clan."

"The ninjas who participated in the rescue of Toyotomi Kunimatsu all kept silent about this history."

"Neither inform others, nor use words to record this history."

"After the ninjas who participated in the rescue of Toyotomi Kunimatsu died one by one, the ninjas in Shiranui who were still alive naturally forgot this history."

"Now that I think about it carefully, the ninjas in Shiranui were really loyal enough."

Shintaro smiled but didn't smile, his shoulders shook.

"After the Toyotomi clan lost power, they still never left the Toyotomi clan."

"When the Toyotomi Clan was about to perish, he sacrificed his life to save the Toyotomi Clan's bloodline."

"As far as I know, many ninjas died in order to save Toyotomi's blood."

"After successfully rescuing Toyotomi's bloodline, in order not to let the Edo shogunate find out that there is still Toyotomi's bloodline left, they took the initiative to alienate the former master's family and forget this period that could have left a dazzling mark in history' Operation Savior'."

"To this day, neither outsiders nor the ninjas in Shiranui know the legend created by a group of ninjas in the burning Osaka Castle 200 years ago."

"After the successful defeat of the Toyotomi family, there is no family in the world that can threaten the Edo shogunate."

"From then on, the Edo Shogunate enjoyed the world for 200 years until—"

Shintaro raised his right index finger and pointed to the ground under his feet.

"Nowadays."

"The rescued Toyotomi blood has survived tenaciously during the past 200 years."

"And... For the past 200 years, the descendants of the Toyotomi family have never forgotten their hatred with the Edo Shogunate."

"The descendants of the Toyotomi clan have truly lived their lives for 200 years!"

Shintaro's tone gradually became excited.

"Finally, at the moment when the Edo shogunate is declining day by day, the descendants of the Toyotomi clan are determined to start now! Take back everything that should belong to them from the Edo shogunate!"

"Money, fame, and... the world!"

The two corners of Shintaro's mouth were pulled upwards with an exaggerated range.

The smile on display was horrifyingly ferocious.

Shintaro's appearance at this time made Shintaro feel a little creepy.

The Shintaro at this time is completely different from the Shintaro that Shuntaro knew in the past.

The Shintaro in Shuntaro's memory is low-key, taciturn, and silently doing all the tasks assigned to him like a diligent old scalper.

At this time, Shintaro showed a ferocious and somewhat weird smile, and said in an excited tone the "true history" that has stunned Shintaro from the beginning to the present.

If someone else tells Shuntaro the story of "there is Toyotomi's blood and waits for revenge", Shuntaro will definitely think that his story is well written, and it would be a pity not to sell this story to the storyteller.

But at the moment when so many things have happened tonight, when Shintaro told this story, Shintaro's perception of history was involuntarily shaken...

While Shuntaro was still in shock, Shintaro continued what he had just said and continued.

"Shuntaro, it's just as I told you."

"I, Keitaro, and Hannosuke have been companions for a long time."

"We are all... Toyotomi's retainers...!"

Shuntaro had already vaguely guessed that Shintaro and the others might be related to the "surviving Toyotomi descendants" he just said, but after hearing Shintaro and the others admit that they were Toyotomi's retainers, Shuntaro's face There was still surprise in his eyes.

"Shuntaro, I, Keitaro and you are all 'foreign ninjas'."

Shintaro continued.

"You were born on the banks of the Rashomon River in Yoshiwara, and then you were spotted for your talent, and then you were invited to join Shiranui."

"And I, Keitaro, and you are all foreigners."

"Before entering Shiranui, we were already Toyotomi's retainers."

"In order to control Shiranui from the inside, we have already started making preparations."

Shuntaro clenched his fists tightly, and the half of the kimono sleeve and the letter in his hand seemed to be crushed by him.

"Control Shiranui from the inside..." Shuntaro said in a deep voice, "Since six years ago, have you wanted to control Shiranui... What do you want to do? In order to let Shiranui return to Toyotomi's command ?”

In Shuntaro's impression, Shintaro joined Shiranui 6 years ago.

And not long after, Keitaro also became a part of Shiranui.

"Hmm...well." Shintaro shrugged, "In order to completely destroy the Edo Shogunate, we need to unite and master all the forces we can."

"For this reason, we also recruited the remaining ninjas in Iga no Sato."

Shintaro grinned and smiled.

From just now, he looked like a child who had succeeded in a prank, happily showing off his successful prank to Shuntaro.

"After the demise of Iga no Sato 40 years ago, we consciously searched for and contacted the surviving Iga no Sato ninjas, and brought them over."

Shuntaro turned his head and glanced at Hannosuke not far away.

Hannosuke remained silent, probably acquiescing to Shintaro's words just now.

"We've been preparing for tonight for a long time..."

Shintaro raised his head, closed his eyes, and let out a long sigh.

"In order to gain enough voice in Shiranui, I climbed all the way to the high position of the 'Four Heavenly Kings'."

"About a year ago, we made all the preparations to seize power in Shiranui. We can start to formally control Shiranui."

"First, persuade the Balrog to submit to the shogunate, and move the base in Shiranui to Edo."

"At that time, it took me a lot of effort to successfully persuade the Balrog to submit to the shogunate."

"In the past few months after moving the base to Edo, we have been looking for the most suitable time to do it."

"And—finally today, the best time to implement the plan came."

"Both you and Jitaro happened to be on mission tonight, so you didn't stay in the village."

"There's no better time to do it than tonight."

"In order to control Shiranui, who should be eliminated, I have already made a plan."

Shintaro sneered, raised his hand and stroked his neck.

"First of all—the Balrog who rules the entire Shiranui must die."

"Secondly, Ji Taro and Kotaro."

"As long as three of them die."

"It doesn't matter if the ninjas other than the three of them are dead or alive."

"Broken Demon, an old guy who only wants to revitalize Shiranui, is really in the way."

"Gekitaro and Kotaro not only have a high status and power in Shiranui, but they are also the kind of people who don't have any concerns."

"Gekutaro is greedy for wine and sex."

"Kotaro is not greedy for alcohol, but only for sex."

"This kind of person who has no worries is the most troublesome and inconvenient to control."

"In order to deal with Ji Taro, I sent Keitaro to Ji Taro's side 5 years ago, making Keitaro and Ji Taro be brothers on the surface, and actually monitoring Ji Taro."

"And prepare to kill him when the opportunity comes."

"As for Kotaro, I had corresponding arrangements for him, but Kotaro had already been killed by Ogata Ittosai, so I saved a little effort."

"Today evening, I managed to add poison to the Balrog's dinner today."

"Although this kind of poison takes a while to take effect, it is a strong medicine that will kill you after you eat it."

"While pouring medicine into Yanmo's dinner tonight, give Keitaro an order—when going out with Jitaro to perform this task tonight, kill Jitaro at the right time."

"It's just that something happened to Huitaro. Before he could do anything, Jitaro was killed by unknown people, but it doesn't matter, as long as Jitaro is dead."

"In addition, I also ordered Hannosuke and the others to go to Yoshiwara and kidnap Mrs. Fengchi."

"Shuntaro, do you know? I wanted to kill you too."

Speaking of this, a strange smile appeared on Shintaro's face.

"You are the scariest one among the 'Four Heavenly Kings'."

"It's not just because of your superior strength, and your high prestige and status in Shiranui."

"If you want to completely control Shiranui, it's impossible not to get rid of or control you, who has a high reputation."

"But after careful consideration, I decided to let you go and not kill you."

"You are not a person who is greedy for vulgar things like wine and sex like Ji Taro and Kotaro."

"You have always been pursuing only stronger skills and becoming stronger."

"But you are not as carefree as Ji Taro and Kotaro."

"You have a very close relationship with Taifu Fengchi from Yoshihara."

The strange color in the smile on Shintaro's face became more and more intense.

On the other hand, Shuntaro's expression became more and more ugly.

"The two of you are the children of a wandering girl on the banks of the Rashomon River, so you are like childhood sweethearts."

"After learning that you and Taifu Fengling have such a close relationship, to be honest, I was stunned."

"I never thought that the leader of the 'Four Heavenly Kings' in Shiranui, and the leader of Yoshihara Younv are friends since childhood."

"While feeling stunned, I am also very happy."

"People who are concerned are the easiest to manipulate."

Before Shintaro finished speaking, Shuntaro said with a sullen face:

"So you kidnapped Ah Chang and plan to use Ah Chang as a hostage to blackmail me and let me do things for you?"

"That's right." Shintaro clapped his palms, "But don't worry, Taifu Fengchi is safe now, just like I said just now, not even a bit of skin is broken."

"...Are you planning to rely on Ah Chang to blackmail me?" Shuntaro shrugged and sneered.

"Yes." Shintaro's brows and eyes showed a look of sarcasm, "Because I know that Shintaro is a person who values ​​affection."

"It's impossible for you to sit back and watch your friends die."

Shintaro's words made Shuntaro purse his lips tightly.

After a long silence, he let out a few low laughs.

"So this is ah……"

"I understand why you worked so hard to persuade Balrog to submit to the shogunate."

Shuntaro now feels like the fog surrounding him suddenly dissipates.

A few months ago, the person who proposed to Balrog to surrender to the shogunate and move the base to Edo——was Shintaro.

Shuntaro looked at Hannosuke who had been silent since just now.

"So—you Iga ninjas also came to Edo to find us in order to support Shintaro?"

"...That's right." Hannosuke said softly, "But our hatred for Genichi Kinoshita is real."

"When we came to Edo this time, in addition to assisting Shintaro and the others, we also really looked for Kinoshita Genichi in Edo to see if Kinoshita Genichi was attracted to Edo by the 'Gozen Trial'."

"...You guys are really generous." Shintaro changed into a slightly mocking tone, "Just so generously said 'there is still the blood of the Toyotomi family, and trying to take revenge on the Edo shogunate' Tell me such important news.”

"Are you not afraid that I will leak these important news to other people, or directly to the shogunate?"

"Go and leak it." Shintaro spread his hands, "Since I dare to tell you 'Toyotomi is not dead', it means that I am not afraid of you leaking the news at all."

"Does the shogunate know that Toyotomi's bloodline has not been cut off? This is not an important matter to us."

"We don't care for a long time whether the shogunate knows that 'Toyotomi's bloodline has not been cut off' or whether 'Toyotomi intends to take revenge on them'."

"We are full of wings, and we have long been afraid of any shogunate."

"What's more, our base is located...in a place that is difficult for the shogunate to reach."

"With this convenient location, we have nothing to fear."

"You're really confident." Shuntaro said coldly, "What are you trying to do by telling me so many secrets? Are you planning to drag me into the Toyotomi Clan and make me a retainer of Toyotomi?"

"If you are willing to join our Toyotomi family, that would be the best. But——according to my understanding of you, you will definitely not join." Shintaro smiled, "The reason why I told you all these things is that It’s because there are some important tasks that need to be entrusted to you who are highly skilled.”

"For the sake of convenience, I will tell you these things that are not really important."

"Okay, let's talk about these relaxed and happy things first."

"It's time to talk about something more serious."

"Shuntaro, I have a task right now, and I need your cooperation."

"In order for Mrs. Fengling to have no lack of hands or feet, you will definitely cooperate with me, right?"

There was a faint sarcasm on Shintaro's face, and he did not hide the banter in his tone.

If sharp enough eyes could stab people to death, then Shintaro must have been stabbed to death by Shintaro who was staring at him fiercely by now.

It's a pity - this kind of thing can only be "if".

...

...

Edo, outside Yoshiwara, weaving teahouses——

The owner of the Kasa Tea House has always cared about the one-eyed old man since he entered the shop.

When the one-eyed old man entered the store, a certain table near the window was still empty, so the owner asked the one-eyed old man to sit at this table.

Although their tea house mainly sells tea and refreshments, it also sells some wine.

After taking his seat, the one-eyed old man ordered a bottle of sake without ordering any appetizers.

Just such a person holding a bottle of sake, drinking in small sips.

There are fewer and fewer customers in the store now.

The officials of the town fire department who went to the tea house to drink a few cups and rest for a while, as well as the officials of the Shirobei clubhouse, left the tea house in twos and threes.

Originally, nearly 80% of the seats were full of people in the tea house, but now there are only a few tables left.

Seeing that he had been busy for so long, the owner could finally rest, leaning on the wooden pillar behind him, and exhaled a long breath.

But before the owner had time to take a good rest, he suddenly heard an old voice:

"Is there any wine left?"

It was the voice of the one-eyed old man.

As soon as the one-eyed old man finished speaking, the boss immediately nodded vigorously like a conditioned reflex:

"Have!"

"Give me another bottle of sake."

"Okay!"

The host ran into the kitchen neatly and came out with a bottle of sake.

When he came to the desk of the one-eyed old man, after serving the bottle of sake, the one-eyed old man opened the bottle without saying a word, and poured it into the small wine glass in his hand.

"Guest officer, do you need some food and drink?"

One-eyed old man: "No need."

"Then please enjoy it slowly!"

After smiling politely at the one-eyed old man, the host was holding the plate and was about to get up and leave——

"Wait a moment."

The one-eyed old man suddenly stopped his host again.

"Guest officer, is there anything else I need?" Dong's knelt down beside the one-eyed old man again.

"Do you sell that kind of dry food here?"

"Yes, yes...but we sell dry food here, only dried sweet potatoes."

"It doesn't matter."

After finishing speaking, the one-eyed old man took out some money from his pocket, and spread it on the table in front of him.

"I can buy as many dried sweet potatoes with this money."

"Okay! I'll get ready right away!"

...

...

The inn where Edo, Ogata and the others lived——

Ogata and A-Ming had just chatted with Uncle Qing, when Chiba approached Ogata and told Ogata that the treatment for Guasheng was over.

And when Chiba finished treating Guasheng, Lin's lecture to Yuanyi just ended.

Lin looked as if she was still angry.

Yuanyi is what it was before, and what it is now...

According to Qianye, although Guasheng had many injuries, none of them were serious injuries. He could recover after applying medicine, taking good medicine, and recuperating for a period of time.

Chiba really helped a lot tonight. After paying the medical expenses of Uncle Qing and Guasheng to Chiba, Ogata originally wanted to send Chiba and Kondo back to the North Wind House where they are currently staying temporarily, so that He expressed his sincerity and gratitude, but was strongly rejected by Chiba and Kondo—especially Kondo.

Seeing that the two strongly refused, Ogata couldn't force it, so he had to settle for the next best thing, send the two out of the hotel, and then watched them leave.

Of course—because Chiba didn't know that "Mashima Goro" was "Ogata Itsue", Ogata wore a human skin mask when paying Chiba's medical fees and sending them away.

After sending Chiba and Kondo away, and returning to the big room where he lived, he said to everyone: I'm going to Yoshihara.

As soon as Ogata's words fell, Mamiya was the first to ask in doubt:

"Ogata-kun, why did you go to Yoshiwara again for no reason?"

"When I was going to rescue Guasheng, there was a sudden fire at Yoshihara's place." Ogata said succinctly, "So I'm going to see how the fire is going, and I'll go back as soon as I go."

When I rushed to Yoshihara just now, I was busy saving Guasheng, and I didn't have the energy to take care of the fire in Yoshihara.

Now that Guasheng has been rescued, her and Uncle Qing's treatment is over, and after nothing has happened to his shoulders for the time being, Ogata plans to go back to Yoshihara to see how the fire that devastated Yoshihara is doing.

Ogata was also someone who worked in Yoshiwara for a short period of time. He is still one of Yoshiwara's servants.

Whether it's public or private, Ogata can't just ignore Yoshihara.

As soon as Ogata said this, he immediately got Guasheng's response:

"I also need to go!"

"You stay here until tomorrow morning, and you don't leave here." Ogata responded to Guasheng without hesitation, "You can't ignore the fact that Shiranui Sato sent the second batch of ninjas after the first batch of ninjas who came to chase you failed. The possibility of coming to assassinate you."

"So you'd better not get close to Yoshihara now."

"After you stay with us tonight, it may not be as comfortable as your home, but at least it's safe."

"What's more, you are still injured, and you can't even walk quickly. You should stay here peacefully."

Although Guasheng really wanted to refute Ogata, she had to admit that what Ogata said was correct, so she could only nod with a little reluctance.

"Ogata-kun, I'll go with you." Another person suddenly expressed that he wanted to go with Ogata.

This person is Yuan Yi.

As soon as Yuanyi finished speaking, he immediately received Lin's terrifying gaze.

To be precise, it was a terrifying sight.

Before Lin could speak, Yuan Yi turned his head, looked at Lin, and spoke first.

"Shirobei, he and I are old acquaintances."

Yuan Yi rarely used a serious tone.

"I'm a little worried about how Shirobei is doing now."

"Based on what I know about him, after a fire breaks out, he will definitely rush to the forefront of fire fighting."

"Let me go and see how my old friend is doing."

Perhaps it was because Yuan Yi of the "serious state" was so rare to see, Lin froze for a moment.

After pursing her lips and being silent for a while, Lin let out a low sigh:

"Understood, go and go back quickly... Remember to be safe and don't cause any trouble again."

"It's just to see how the old friend is doing." Yuan Yi smiled, "What can cause trouble?"

Ogata had no reason to stop Yuan Yi, so he naturally agreed to let Yuan Yi go.

After Ogata and Genichi inserted their sabers in their waists, they rushed towards Yoshihara one after the other...

...

...

Edo, outside Yoshiwara, weaving teahouses——

"Is there any wine left?"

"Have!"

"One more bottle of sake."

"Okay! Guest officer, do you really not need appetizers?"

"unnecessary."

"Okay! Come, your sake!"

The host once again politely placed a bottle of sake on the table of the one-eyed old man.