All the disciples of the Sakakibara Sword Hall knelt in the center of the dojo.

Facing the half-guards kneeling in front of them.

"Ogata." The half-guard called out Ogata's name in a small voice.

"In!" Ogata, who was sitting in the middle of the disciples, answered in a loud voice.

"Come forward."

"Yes!"

Ogata stood up, then walked quickly to the front of the disciples, then knelt down on the wooden floor again.

"Ogata, congratulations."

The half-guard congratulated Ogata in a calm tone that was neither salty nor light.

"You're the new chief of our Sakakibara Sword Pavilion! Your progress, as well as ...... I am very happy with your talent. ”

"I'm glad to have an apprentice like you."

"I'm afraid it will take less than 10 years for you to surpass me."

"Master, you're serious!" Ogata hurriedly said modestly, "I'm still far from you, master!" ”

"Hahaha." The half-guard stroked his beard and chuckled a few times, "Ogata...... No, everyone, you've all listened to me. ”

Hearing Hanbei say this, all the disciples kneeling in the dojo immediately cheered up and prepared to listen to the master's teachings.

"Don't think too hard of me."

The half-guard said softly in a calm tone.

"The Hirose Domain is just a small domain."

"I'm just the owner of the Little Sword Pavilion in this remote and small domain."

"Japan is big, and the world is big."

"There are countless strong people in this world."

"There are people outside of men, and there are heavens outside of heaven - I hope you all remember this sentence."

"There is no time to be complacent. No matter how strong your swordsmanship is, there are always people in this world who can be stronger than you. ”

"Therefore keep a humble heart at all times and wherever you are, and do not be complacent."

As soon as Hanbei's teachings fell, all the disciples, including Ogata, hurriedly lowered their heads and propped their hands on the floor: "Yes! ”

After educating all the disciples, the half-guard refocused his eyes on Ogata.

"Ogata, your current level of swordsmanship, and your level of talent, are far beyond my imagination."

"As long as you continue to practice swordsmanship persistently, you will be able to attain great attainments in swordsmanship over time."

"I've taught you this before, but let me nag a little more now."

"No matter how superb you are at honing your swordsmanship, you can't draw your sword and hurt people at will."

"When you encounter something and can solve it without violence, don't solve it with violence."

"Ogata, you have to remember that violence doesn't solve anything."

Hanbei's voice fell, and Xu Yi buried his head again, propped his hands on the ground, and said in a loud voice:

"Yes!"

……

……

That night, Ogata went to the stream house as usual to work his part-time job as a security guard.

After coming to the stream house, Ogata didn't hide it, and directly told Misaki and Fukus about his victory in the big competition in the museum today.

Upon learning of this, Misaki and Afu both cheered.

The two of them actually don't know much about what the Sakakibara Sword Museum is in the museum.

But they knew what it meant to be in chief.

Regardless of the field, it is a matter of celebration to be able to achieve the position of chief - Misaki and Afu believe so.

"Ah Fu!" Misaki said bluntly to Ah Fu beside him, "Go get wine and snacks!" We've got to celebrate tonight! ”

"Yes!" Ah Fu took small steps and walked briskly back to the kitchen.

Ogata laughed and watched as he saw the scene in front of him.

Hired by Misaki.,It's been some time since I came to the flow house to be a security guard.。

For Aki's bold and bold character of inviting people to drink and eat at every turn, Ogata is also used to it.

Compared to Aki and Fuku's excitement, Ogata himself wasn't too happy.

To be able to become the new chief of the Sakakibara Sword Pavilion is certainly a joyful thing.

However, winning the contest in the hall means representing the Sakakihara Sword Museum in the god worship competition to be held at the Izumo Taisha Shrine next month.

Ogata had mixed feelings about going out to the god sacrifice competition.

To be honest, Ogata doesn't have much interest in the god sacrifice.

Ogata is a man who doesn't like trouble.

For things that seem and sound troublesome, Ogata has always been insensitive to them.

If it weren't for the fact that Aki gave him too much money, Ogata wouldn't have taken on a job like being an izakaya security guard, which is very troublesome when he heard it.

Participating in the battle sacrifice god competition is a very troublesome thing in Ogata's eyes.

It is necessary to represent the Sakakihara Sword Pavilion and compete with Renichiro Toyama, who once again represents the Ishikawa Sword Pavilion this year......

Ogata's just thinking about it makes me feel troublesome.

However, he is now the winner of the big competition in the museum, and he is destined to participate in next month's god sacrifice competition, so Ogata has to bite the bullet whether he is looking forward to it or not.

……

……

Preparing the sake and snacks – it takes some time.

Holding his knife, Otomo waited with Misaki in the stream house for Afu to prepare the wine and snacks.

The time of waiting is always boring.

Just when Ogata was thinking about whether to think of some topics and talk to Misaki for a few words, Aki suddenly said:

"Ogata-sama."

Aki kept her voice low.

As if she was afraid that outsiders would hear her voice.

"Huh? Misaki-sama, what's wrong? ”

"That...... I have something I want to ask you for. ”

"Miss Misaki, if you have any requests, please tell me directly." Ogata said cheerfully, "Whatever I can do, I'll do my best." ”

Misaki invited Ogata to drink wine and eat food twice in three days.

I've been embarrassed by Ogata for a long time.

Now Osaki has something to ask Ogata to do, and whether Ogata is out of reason or morality, he naturally has to do his best to fulfill Osaki's request.

"It's actually just a small thing......"

Misaki turned her head and looked at the kitchen behind her.

After confirming that Ah Fu was still in the kitchen to make drinks and snacks, Misaki turned his head and said in a lower voice:

"I want to borrow some money from you to buy a Wu costume."

"Wu Fu?" Ogata wondered.

Wufu – that is, kimono.

The term kimono did not become popular until the Edo period.

During the Edo period and before, it was customary for people to call their traditional costume Kufu.

"Hmm." Misaki nodded, "It was probably at this time 2 years ago that I met Ah Fu, who was almost sold to the Qinglou. Then he adopted Ah Fu over. ”

"So this time of year is a very special time for Ah Fu and me."

After hearing Aki say this, Ogata's face showed a sudden realization.

"I see. So—Miss Misaki, did you decide to buy a Wu costume as a gift for Miss Ah Fu to commemorate this very special time for both you and Miss Ah Fuk? ”