Volume 1: Re:Zero -Starting Life as a Samurai Chapter 33: Muga Two-Sword Style (Part 1)
All the disciples of Sakakibara Sword Hall knelt in the center of the dojo.
Facing the half-soldiers who were kneeling in front of them.
"Ogata." Hanbei called Ogata's name in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft.
"Here!" Ogata, who was sitting among the disciples, responded loudly.
"Step forward."
"yes!"
Ogata stood up, then quickly walked to the front of the disciples and knelt down on the wooden floor again.
"Ogata, congratulations."
Hanbei congratulated Ogata in a calm tone that was neither salty nor bland.
"You are the new chief of our Sakakibara Sword Gym! I am very happy with your progress and...your talent."
"I am very pleased to have a disciple like you."
"I'm afraid that in less than 10 years, Ogata, you will surpass me."
"Master, you are too kind!" Ogata said modestly, "I am still far behind you, Master!"
“Hahaha.” Hanbei stroked his beard and chuckled a few times, “Ogata… No, everyone, listen to me.”
Hearing what Hanbei said, all the disciples kneeling in the dojo immediately perked up and prepared to listen to their master's teachings.
"Don't think too highly of me."
Hanbei said softly in a calm tone.
"The Hirose Domain is just a small remote domain."
"I am just the owner of a small sword hall in this remote and small province."
“Japan is big, and the world is big.”
"There are countless powerful people in this world."
“There are always people who are better than you, and there are always better things to do—I hope you can all remember this.”
"Never be complacent at any time. No matter how strong your swordsmanship is, there will always be someone stronger than you in this world."
“Therefore, no matter when or where you are, you must maintain a humble heart and not be proud or complacent.”
As soon as Hanbei's teachings fell, all the disciples, including Ogata, lowered their heads and placed their hands on the floor: "Yes!"
After educating all his disciples, Hanbei turned his attention back to Ogata.
"Ogata, your current level of swordsmanship and your level of talent far exceed my imagination."
"As long as you continue to practice swordsmanship diligently, you will be able to achieve outstanding accomplishments in swordsmanship in due course."
"Although I have taught you this before, let me nag you a little more now."
"No matter how advanced your swordsmanship is, you can't just draw your sword and hurt someone casually."
"If you encounter problems and can solve them without violence, don't use violence."
"Ogata, you must remember this - violence cannot solve any problem."
When Hanbei finished speaking, Obunaga lowered his head again, placed his hands on the ground, and said loudly:
"yes!"
…
…
That night, Ogata went to Nagaya as usual to carry out his part-time job as a security guard.
After arriving at Ryuya, Ogata did not hide anything and directly told Asaki and Afu that he had won the competition in the gym today.
Upon learning this, both A-saki and A-fu cheered.
In fact, the two of them didn't quite understand what the internal competition of Sakakibara Sword Gym was.
But they know what it means to be the top dog.
No matter what field you are in, being able to achieve the top position is something worth celebrating - this is what Asaki and Fuku believe.
"Fuku!" Asaki said directly to Fuku beside him, "Go get some wine and snacks! We have to celebrate tonight!"
"Yes!" Ah Fu took small steps and quickly returned to the kitchen.
Ogata watched the scene in front of him with tears and laughter.
Hired by Asaki, I have been working as a security guard at Ryuya for some time.
Ogata has become accustomed to Asaki's generous personality, who often invites people to drink and eat.
Compared to Asaki and Fuku's excitement, Ogata himself was not too happy.
Being able to become the new chief of Sakakibara Sword Hall is certainly a happy thing.
But winning this in-school competition means representing Sakakibara Sword Hall in the Shinto competition to be held at Izumo Taisha Shrine next month.
Ogata had mixed feelings about having to compete in the festival .
To be honest - Ogata actually has no interest in the kami-sacrificial competition.
Ogata is a person who doesn't like trouble.
Ogata has always politely declined things that seem or sound troublesome.
If the money Asaki gave him hadn't been so high, Ogata wouldn't have taken on a job as a pub security guard, which sounded so troublesome.
Participating in the war festival competition - in Ogata's eyes, it was a very troublesome thing.
I will represent Sakakibara Kenkan and compete with Toyama Hitoshiro, who will represent Ishikawa Kenkan again in the Shinto competition ...
Ogata felt troubled just thinking about it.
However, he has now won the museum competition and is destined to participate in the festival competition next month, so whether Ogata is looking forward to it or not, he has to go for it.
…
…
Prepare the wine and side dishes - this will take some time.
Obunaga held his sword and waited with Asaki in the stream house for Fuku to prepare the wine and snacks.
The time of waiting is always boring.
Just as Ogata was thinking about whether to think of some topics to chat with Akane, Akane suddenly said:
"Ogata-sama."
Asaki lowered her voice.
As if she was afraid that outsiders would hear her voice.
"Hmm? Miss Asaki, what's wrong?"
"Um...I have something I want to ask you."
"Miss Asaki, if you have any requests, please tell me directly." Ogata said cheerfully, "I will do my best to do whatever I can do."
Asaki often invites Ogata to drink and eat delicious food.
Ogata had already felt embarrassed.
Now that Asaki has asked Ogata to do something, Ogata will naturally do his best to fulfill Asaki's request, both logically and morally.
"It's just a small matter..."
Asaki turned around and looked at the kitchen behind him.
After confirming that Fuku was still in the kitchen preparing drinks and snacks, Asaki turned back and said :
"I want to borrow some money from you to buy a Wufu."
"Wufu?" Ogata asked puzzledly.
Wufu - that is, Kimono.
The term kimono did not become popular until the Edo period.
During the Edo period and before, people used to call their traditional clothing Gofuku.
"Yeah." Asaki nodded. "It was around this time two years ago that I met Fuku who was almost sold to a brothel. Then I adopted Fuku."
"So this time of year is a very special time for Ah Fu and me."
After hearing what Asaki said, Ogata's face showed a look of sudden enlightenment.
"I see. So, Ms. Asaki, did you decide to buy a kimono as a gift for Ms. Fuku-san in order to commemorate this special day for both you and Ms. Fuku-san?"
