Whether it was Mikami or Sawamura, the expressions on their faces at this time were surprisingly similar - full of panic.

Mikami looked at the half-guards at a loss.

Hanbei is the only one who can give Mikami a sense of security among all the people present at the moment.

Compared to Mikami, Sawamura, who was standing opposite Mikami, was not only panicked, but the fear on his face was also extremely strong, his body was constantly shaking, and he couldn't even hold the knife steadily.

Nanahara, who was kneeling beside Matsudaira Gennai, had a complicated look on his face at this time.

He said in a volume that only he and Matsudaira could hear, and said to Matsudaira Genuchi:

"Lord...... These people ...... How can you say that it is also a samurai...... It would be nice to let civilians and criminals compete in martial arts, and let samurai who have not committed any mistakes also do so, which is really ...... I'm worried that if this matter spreads to Edo, it will easily cause dissatisfaction with the shogun......"

As soon as Nanahara's words fell, Matsudaira Genuchi said nonchalantly:

"What are you afraid of, if it causes the general's dissatisfaction, then let him be dissatisfied."

"I don't care about the future, I just need to be happy now."

"Whether the Hirose Domain will be changed or withdrawn in the future has nothing to do with me."

"Besides, the general is busy with that old man Matsudaira Dingxin right now."

"That reform is now making the general anxious, where does he get the energy to take care of my affairs now?"

"Don't talk to me about these disappointing things again, Nanahara. No matter how nonsense you are, even if it's you, I can't spare you. ”

“…… Be. Nanahara responded softly, and a trace of loneliness flashed across Nanahara's face.

After reprimanding Nanahara, Genuchi Matsudaira turned his attention back to the dojo.

Looking at Mikami and Sawamura, who had not moved for a long time, a look of impatience began to appear on Matsudaira Gennai's face.

"Why don't you start soon?"

"If you don't start the competition, I'll cut off both of your heads."

Just now, Matsudaira Gennai said something that made the Sakakibara Sword Pavilion masters and apprentices led by Hanbei no longer be calm.

"You, and you."

Matsudaira Gennai randomly ordered 2 people among the disciples of the Sakakihara Sword Pavilion.

And these 2 people are Mikami and Sawamura.

"You two, give me a real sword for a duel."

"Only when one side is dead does the other win."

"If you don't, you'll have your heads cut off."

So-there was a scene of Mikami and Sawamura facing off with knives......

After urging Mikami and Sawamura to start the competition quickly in Matsudaira Gennai, the half-soldier guard gritted his teeth, plucked up his courage, and sat down in the dirt seat towards Matsudaira Gennai, and then said in a loud voice:

"My lord! Please spare these 2 children! ”

"If you use a real knife to compete, there will definitely be casualties ......"

"Shut up."

Before Hanbei's words were finished, his words were directly interrupted by Matsudaira Gennai.

Matsudaira Genuchi's tone was still so unhurried, and the expression on his face was still so careless.

As if he was talking about a very ordinary thing, he said softly:

"Old man, if you talk nonsense again, I'll cut off your head."

With that, Gennai Matsudaira turned his attention back to Mikami and Sawamura on the court.

Looking at the two of them who were still silent, the impatience on Matsudaira Gen's inner face became even stronger.

"I've changed my mind!"

"If you don't start the competition sooner, I'm not only going to cut off the heads of both of you."

"And the old guy's head."

Matsudaira Genuchi glanced at the half-guard.

"And these brothers and sisters of yours."

Matsudaira Gennai turned his gaze to the rest of the disciples who were kneeling on the edge of the dojo.

"All of them have been killed!"

Matsudaira Gennai's words immediately caused a low gasp and a groan of pain among the rest of the disciples who were kneeling on the edge of the dojo.

And Mikami, Sawamura, Hanbei and others also turned even more ugly because of what Matsudaira Gennai said just now.

"Three, three seniors ......"

Sawamura tried to make his voice calmer and more normal.

But no matter how hard he tried, the words that came out of his mouth kept shaking.

"Kill me......"

"Just kill me, and you'll save the lives of others...... It's a great deal. ”

With that, a smile appeared on Sawamura's face.

Sawamura wants to pretend to be righteous and awe-inspiring, and he is not afraid of death.

But it's clear - he pretended to be a failure.

Despite his efforts to squeeze out a smile.

But his trembling voice, and his reddened eyes, betrayed what he was thinking, and revealed the deep fear in his heart.

Looking at Sawamura in front of him, who wanted to die generously, Mikami pursed his lips.

Mikami's expression at this time, just using the word "complex" to describe it, is already a little inadequate.

“…… I know. ”

After saying this in a deep voice, Mikami clenched the knife in his hand and put on a mid-section posture that could no longer be standard.

And Sawamura, who is determined to exchange his life for everyone's life, has a flawed upper stance, waiting for Mikami's knife to take his life.

The faces of the rest of the disciples in the audience were different.

Some of them looked relieved, and they were glad that Sawamura knew the times.

Some buried their heads low, and couldn't bear to watch the cruel scene of the next fratricide of the same disciple and brother.

More people are as anxious as Makino.

I want to do something, but I don't know how to resist Gennai Matsudaira.

Especially Makino - Makino is now sweating profusely with anxiety.

Mikami and Sawamura are not only Makino's brothers, but also close friends with Makino.

Not long ago tonight, Sawamura was chatting with him about various and strange topics such as "what kind of girl does Ogata-senpai like?"

And the impatience on his face became more intense, Matsudaira Gennai shouted again:

"Hurry up! Don't waste any more time! I'd like to see a few more! ”

As soon as Matsudaira Gennai said this, Mikami and Sawamura ...... All the disciples of the Sakakibara Sword Pavilion, as well as the half-guards, all threw shocked, stunned, and panicked glances at Matsudaira Gennai.

"Lord ......" the half-guard's lips trembled, "you, you...... Want to see more? ”

"Of course." Matsudaira Gennai took it for granted, "I didn't hit the prey today, and I'm in a depressed mood." ”

"These disciples of yours should work hard and try to make me happy."

"Let's talk about 10 games first, and after I watch 10 games, I should be in a better mood. Anyway, you have more than 20 disciples, more than 10 games—more than enough. ”

"10 ......?!" A groan of pain erupted from the half-guard's throat.

According to the rule that only one person can live in each competition in Matsudaira Gennai, after the 10 competitions are over, there will be at least 10 more corpses on the floor of the dojo......

"Lord!"

The half-guard, who was still in a posture under the earth, forced himself to cry and shouted again, intending to make a final effort.

But—before the half-guard could utter a complete sentence, a calm word that seemed to have no emotional tinges interrupted the half-soldier's words.

"I'd advise you to stop talking nonsense."

"Obediently shut up and watch the competition...... I'm doing this for your good......"

The owner of this voice is none other than Nanahara.

After saying this, Nanahara lowered his eyes.

I don't look at the half-guards next to me, and I don't look at the "martial arts" in the dojo that should start right away......

……

……

Matsudaira Gennai's words just now made Mikami, whose face was already complicated, even more complicated......

Mikami lowered his head slightly, as if thinking about something.

But because of the head down, no one could see Mikami's expression clearly......

It took a long time for Mikami to raise his head again.

Mikami, who raised his head again, had a bit more strange light in his eyes.

Mikami regained his grip on the sword in his hand, slowly moved his steps, and leaned towards Sawamura in front of him.

Little by little, the distance between himself and Sawamura is narrowed......

Soon—Sawamura had already come within enough distance for Mikami to swing his sword and slash.

Sawamura had already closed his eyes as if he had resigned himself to his fate, quietly waiting for the blade that was about to slash at him.