After Natori left the room dejectedly and prepared to go to Yoshiwara with Hasegawa later, Hasegawa turned his head and looked at Makimura.
"Mucun, can't you let me meet your friend? I really want to see what kind of young talent this person with such superb skills is like."
"Master Hasegawa." Makimura waved his hand. "I just said that my friend is quite shy."
"With so many things happening tonight, I guess he's probably eating and drinking and relaxing somewhere in Edo right now."
"You won't be able to find him even if you go to Yoshiwara now."
"Lord Hasegawa, if you really want to meet him, I will help you later and persuade him to meet you."
"He is neither with you nor in Yoshiwara now... What a pity."
Hasegawa sighed deeply and said seriously:
"…If possible, I would like to recruit your friend into my Fire Thief Kai."
"Are you planning to recruit him into your Fire Thief Kai?" Although he tried his best to control himself, Makimura's expression became strange after hearing Hasegawa's words.
"We, the Fire Thief Kai, have always been open to young talents with great strength." Just after Hasegawa finished speaking, he paused as if he suddenly remembered something.
Then he added:
"Allow me to ask a question - we, the Fire Thieves, cannot recruit people with bad records, so your friend should not have any bad records, right?"
"Well..." Makimura scratched his hair with a wry smile, "How should I put it..."
"I don't know much about his past, so I don't know if he has done anything bad in the past."
"But no matter whether he has a bad record before, he will definitely not work under you - I can guarantee this."
"He doesn't like being bound by rules, so he definitely has no interest in joining the Fire Thieves Kai, an organization that's no different from the military."
"Is that so..." Hasegawa's face showed an even stronger regret, "Forget it then... Can you tell me his name?"
"Majima Goro."
Makimura dipped his finger in the remaining tea in the cup and wrote four big Chinese characters "Mashima Goro" on the tatami in front of him.
"Mashima Goro... a very impressive name."
"In short - if you really want to meet my friend, when I return, I will help you actively try to persuade my friend to meet you."
As Makimura spoke, he picked up his large sword that was placed next to him.
"Then I will take my leave now."
"Hmm? Makimura, aren't you going to Yoshiwara with me?"
" Why would I go to Yoshiwara?" Makimura shrugged with a smile, "I'm not familiar with the people in Yoshiwara."
"I am only here to negotiate with you at the request of my friend. So there is no need for me to go to Yoshiwara with you."
"Now that my mission is complete, I should go report back to my friend."
"Lord Hasegawa, you should take your offended subordinates and go to Yoshiwara to apologize. I will take my leave now."
After saying that, Makimura carried his large sword and walked straight out the door.
"Wait a minute, Makimura." However, Makimura had just taken two steps when Hasegawa immediately called out to Makimura, "Makimura, can you stay here with me for a while?"
"What's wrong?" Mucun asked puzzledly.
"I... have something very important to tell you." Hasegawa said with an expression that was too serious to be added. "Can you wait here for me to come back after I have made amends with the people from Shirobei Club?"
Because Hasegawa's expression was very serious and there was no hint of joking at all, Makimura was also affected by Hasegawa's serious expression and frowned slightly.
"Important things? What are they? Can't you tell me now?"
Hasegawa shook his head. "What I want to say is too complicated to be finished in a short time, so I plan to apologize to the people at the Shirobei Club first, and then I will slowly tell you in detail."
"...I don't mind listening to you talk about your important matter."
With a hint of distress on his face, Makura raised his hand and scratched his hair.
"But asking me to wait here for you to come back is a bit too much..."
"My friend is still waiting for me to report to him and report the results of my negotiation with you..."
"Then you should go and report back to your friend first." Hasegawa said, "After you report back to your friend, you can come back to me, okay?"
“…That’s no problem.”
After a moment of silence, Mucun nodded slightly.
"Thank you for your help then." Hasegawa said as he bowed deeply to Makimura.
…
…
Edo, Yoshiwara——
If the current time is converted into modern Earth time units, it is already past 10 p.m.
Once it's past 10 p.m., the Yoshiwara gate will be closed, and both the officials of the Shirobei Club and tourists can only enter and exit through the sode gates on both sides of the Yoshiwara gate.
The sleeve doors on both sides of the gate can barely accommodate two people, but because there are not many people flowing in at this time, even if there are only two narrow sleeve doors left, it is more than enough to handle the current flow of people.
After receiving the officials who entered Yoshiwara to capture the fire thief Kiku-komon, an urgent matter that Shirobei had to attend to outside Yoshiwara immediately fell upon him, forcing him to leave Yoshiwara.
Going out to Yoshiwara to do some work - this was just an ordinary task that Shirobei had to do almost every day.
However, Shirobei never expected that he was just out on business as usual tonight, but so many things happened in the short time of more than an hour when he was away from Yoshiwara.
As soon as Shirobei returned to Yoshiwara, he learned from Ueo and others what had happened in Yoshiwara during the time he was away.
Inside the club, Shirobei and most of the club's executives gathered together.
After hearing the whole story, Shirobei's first words were:
"What happened to those who were injured in the capture of Kiku-chan?"
"Those with more serious injuries were sent to the hospital early," Guasheng replied, "Those with less serious injuries have just received treatment and had their wounds bandaged."
"That's good." Shirobei nodded gently, "Where is Kiku-chan now?"
"He is being held in our prison right now." This time it was Keiemon who answered, "He just woke up and was making a lot of noise. In order to quiet him down, we tied his mouth with a cloth."
"...I understand the details of what happened." Shirobei raised his right hand and rubbed his temple. "Did Mashima-kun really go to negotiate with Hasegawa Heizo, the Fire Thief..."
"That's exactly what he told us..." Guasheng gave a wry smile.
After Majima... that is, Ogata defeated all the members of the Fire Thieves Kai Sixth Division, he left Yoshiwara with his two friends who suddenly appeared (Makimura and Asai).
Before leaving Yoshiwara, Ogata said to Ueyu and others:
"My friend and I are going to talk to Hasegawa Heizo, the fire thief, about tonight's incident. I'll be back soon. You guys stay in Yoshiwara and drink some tea and wait for me to come back. I will handle tonight's dispute, so don't worry about me or this incident tonight."
After leaving these words, Obe quickly left Yoshiwara with his two friends.
After a while after Ogata and his friends left, a group of fire thieves and police officers arrived.
This group of fire thieves who had just arrived in Yoshiwara were here to take away the members of the Sixth Division.
After the members of the Sixth Division headed by Natori were taken away by the fire thieves and police officers who had just arrived in Yoshiwara, Shirobei came back after a while.
"Mashima-kun hasn't come back yet?" asked Shirobei.
"Yeah." Guasheng nodded with a somewhat sad look on his face, "He hasn't come back yet."
As soon as Uechi finished speaking, Kawajiro muttered:
"Does Mashima-kun really have a way to meet Hasegawa and negotiate with him..."
"Since Majima said so confidently before he left that he would negotiate with Hasegawa, he should really have a way to meet and negotiate with Hasegawa..." Although he said this, there was still a sense of uncertainty and lack of confidence in Kei'emon's tone.
"Didn't Mashima-kun say that he was a ronin from Izumo?" Kawajiro continued, "A young ronin from faraway Izumo who has recently been working at our Shirobei Club... I really can't imagine how he could meet and negotiate with the highest commander of the Fire Thieves Kai..."
"...I think Mashima-kun might be able to do it." Uesugi, who had been silent from the beginning, suddenly said, "I think... Mashima-kun is quite mysterious."
"He looks ordinary and unremarkable, but he has such powerful skills."
"I feel like he might actually be able to meet with Hasegawa and negotiate with him..."
As soon as Guasheng finished speaking, everyone present nodded in agreement.
Ueo and the others could still vividly remember how Ogata had defeated more than 20 fire thieves and police officers single-handedly.
"… Maybe Mashima-kun and Hasegawa are old acquaintances." Shirobei proposed a possibility at this time, "Maybe Mashima-kun met Hasegawa by chance on his way from Izumo to Edo."
"After all, Hasegawa often takes people all over Japan to catch those vicious criminals."
"So Mashima-kun and Hasegawa knew each other before - this possibility is not impossible."
As soon as Shirobei finished speaking, the sound of "dong dong dong" footsteps approaching quickly was suddenly heard outside the room.
The paper sliding door of the room was pulled open, and the person who opened the paper sliding door - an ordinary servant of their club shouted to everyone in the room in a somewhat anxious tone:
"Master Shirobei! Master Hasegawa Heizo, the Fire Thief Kai, is here to visit!"
"...Hasegawa Heizo?" After hearing the report from his subordinate that was so shocking that it made people feel unreal, Shirobei's face was full of surprise.
"Lord Hasegawa Heizo, the Fire Thief Kai, is here to visit!" The servant repeated what he had just reported.
At this moment, it's not just Shirobei.
Everyone in the room looked in disbelief.
Keiemon swallowed his saliva and said, "Hasegawa Heizo...it should be that Hasegawa Heizo, right?"
"In the whole world, there is only one Hasegawa Heizo." After saying this to Keimon in a bad mood, Shirobei quickly stood up and walked quickly out of the room.
After Shirobei stood up, the rest of the people in the room also stood up belatedly and followed Shirobei.
After quickly walking to the door of the club, Shirobei and others saw two figures waiting outside the door.
Because the work functions of the Shirobei Club and the Fire Thieves Kai are completely different, and because of their completely different statuses, Shirobei and Hasegawa Heizo have almost no friendship.
Although they were not close friends, Shirobei had seen Hasegawa several times by chance since their respective bases were in Edo.
Therefore, with just one glance, Shirobei recognized one of the two people waiting outside the club's door. It was the leader of the Fire Thieves Kai - Hasegawa Heizo.
After Shirobei recognized one of the two men as Hasegawa at a glance, Ueo, Keiemon and others also recognized who the other one was - it was the fire thief who wanted to steal the credit of Shirobei's club, the leader of the 6th team, Natori.
Shirobei recognized Hasegawa, and Hasegawa also recognized Shirobei.
After seeing Shirobei leading a large group of people out of the club, Hasegawa immediately bowed deeply to Shirobei and others in front of him, and then said loudly:
"I have just learned about the series of disputes that occurred with you tonight."
"It was all because of my subordinates' ignorance that these incidents tonight occurred."
"I am here to apologize to everyone at the Shirobei Club."
When Hasegawa bowed and apologized to the people in the Shirobei Club in front of him, Natori, who was standing next to Hasegawa, immediately followed suit and bowed to the people in front of him along with Hasegawa.
With the look of astonishment still on his face, Shirobei stared blankly at Hasegawa and Natori in front of him.
Shirobei, who was the first to come to his senses, said hurriedly:
"Master Hasegawa, please follow me into the house. We can discuss this in detail once we are inside."
…
…
When Hasegawa had just left the Fire Thieves' headquarters and had not yet reached Shirobei's clubhouse -
Edo, somewhere——
"Hey, Ogata-san."
After leaving the headquarters of the Fire Thief Kai, Makimura hurried to the meeting place agreed upon with Ogata.
After arriving at the agreed meeting place, Makimura saw Ogata leaning against the wall, munching on a daifuku.
Because it was in private and there were no passers-by around, Makimura could call out "Ogata" openly instead of calling Ogata's pseudonym "Mashima".
In fact, even if others heard Makimura calling Ogata "Ogata", it would not be a big deal.
After all, Ogata is not a very rare surname in Japan.
So just calling out "Ogata" won't arouse suspicion, and just don't call out Ogata's full name "Ogata Noriyoshi".
Seeing that Makimura was heading towards him, Ogata, who was chewing on a daifuku, waved at Makimura in response.
When Makimura ran up to him with his large sword in his hand, Ogata had just swallowed the daifuku in his mouth.
"Makimura, you've come just in time." Ogata threw the only remaining daifuku in his hand to Makimura, "I just bought a few daifuku, and there's only one left. I can't eat it anymore, so I'll give this one to you."
"Oh! Then I'll be welcome."
Makimura, who happened to be a little hungry, took the daifuku from Ogata's hand and began to eat it in big mouthfuls without any hesitation, just as he had said just now.
"How is it?" Ogata asked, "How is the negotiation with Hasegawa going?"
Ogata's question was actually asked despite knowing the answer.
Because just by looking at Mucun's current expression, he knew what the outcome of the negotiations was.
And Makimura's answer did not surprise Ogata.
"It's a perfect ending." Because his mouth was full of Daifuku, Makimura's words were a little vague. "Right now, Hasegawa is taking his offended subordinates to Yoshiwara to apologize."
"Hasegawa is going to apologize in person?" Ogata raised his eyebrows in surprise, "He has a very serious personality..."
"I think so too." After a bitter smile, Makimura said seriously, "Ogata, you should go back first. I still have some things to do later."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, it's just that Hasegawa just told me that he has something very important to tell me."
"I have made an appointment with him to wait for him at the headquarters of the Fire Thief Kai after he has made amends with the people from the Shirobei Club."
"Important things...what important things can he and you have to say?"
"I'm confused too. Are you going to talk to me about the follow-up to what happened in Kyoto three months ago? Anyway, when you go back, tell the lord and the others that I might be back late tonight."
"I see. But - I won't go back too early. I have to go back to Yoshiwara later."
"Brother Ogata, are you going back to Yoshiwara later?"
"After all, I have to say goodbye to people." Ogata smiled, "Besides, I haven't received my salary for today yet."
…
…
Edo, Yoshiwara, Shirobei Club, reception room.
After Hasegawa's visit, Shirobei and others took Hasegawa and Natori to the highest-level reception room in their Shirobei Club, which was specially used to receive dignitaries.
After sitting down in the reception room, Hasegawa apologized to Shirobei and others in an extremely sincere tone.
The Natori even took a dogeza in front of Shirobei and the others and apologized to everyone in that posture.
After meeting Shirobei and others, Hasegawa recognized at a glance that Uesugi should be the girl who was pushed to the ground by Makimura's subordinates, injured her cheek, and climbed up from the ground with tears in her eyes.
Looking at Uemori with his left cheek wrapped in sackcloth, Hasegawa's face and eyes became more apologetic involuntarily.
So Hasegawa made a very sincere apology to Uesugi.
"You must be Miss Ueyu, right? My subordinates used such brutal means to cause you great harm both physically and mentally. As the leader of the fire thieves, I cannot escape the blame."
Hasegawa knelt respectfully on the tatami, leaned forward, and apologized to Uesugi in a tone so solemn that the listeners felt heavy-hearted.
"Please forgive my men, and we will also cover your medical expenses."
Guasheng: “???”
Guasheng felt a little confused.
She did get injured on her left cheek because Natori and the others were the first to use violence, but it was just a minor wound that didn't hurt.
After she was pushed to the ground, she was immediately helped up by her colleagues.
The small wound on her face didn't hurt or itch for her. After Ogata dealt with Natori and the others, if it weren't for her colleagues' repeated insistence, she wouldn't even bother to treat such a minor injury.
There was no serious physical or mental damage as Hasegawa just said...
——Did Mr. Hasegawa misunderstand something?
Uesugi really wanted to ask Hasegawa if there was any misunderstanding. She was not physically or mentally injured, just had some minor scratches on her cheek.
But the atmosphere around him told Guasheng that it was not appropriate to ask back at this time, so Guasheng could only hold his questions back in his stomach.
Hasegawa's extremely sincere apology made Shirobei and others feel a little embarrassed.
"Lord Hasegawa, and Lord Natori, please raise your heads."
When Hasegawa finished his long apology and was taking a breath, Shirobei quickly saluted Hasegawa and interrupted.
"We received your apology."
"For this dispute tonight, both sides of us actually have some responsibility."
"So let's just let what happened tonight go. Just pretend that what happened tonight never happened."
"Thank you very much." Hasegawa bowed again to Shirobei in front of him and saluted. "I was in a hurry tonight and didn't have time to prepare a sufficient apology gift."
"I promise you all: I will severely punish Mingdori and will visit him again in the future with an apology gift."
"No need for an apology." Shirobei smiled helplessly, "Just an apology from Lord Hasegawa is enough."
…
…
No matter what Shirobei said, Hasegawa insisted on visiting again in the future with a formal gift of apology.
Hasegawa led Natori to apologize for nearly 20 minutes before finally leaving Yoshiwara.
Shirobei led a group of executives from the club and stood outside the gate of Yoshiwara, watching Hasegawa and the other man leave.
After Hasegawa completely disappeared, Ueyu, who still had a blank expression on his face, said softly:
"I didn't expect that Hasegawa Heizo would come to apologize in person..."
Until now, everyone, including Shirobei, was still immersed in shock and surprise that Hasegawa Heizo, the leader of the Fire Thieves Kai, came to apologize in person.
Uesugi and his friends had imagined many possible scenarios that might occur after the "clash with the fire thieves and the officials" occurred.
But the only thing they didn't expect was that Hasegawa Heizo would come to apologize overnight...
Or rather, I thought of this possibility, but naturally felt that it was impossible for it to happen...
"Could it be that Majima-kun really succeeded in meeting and negotiating with Hasegawa Heizo..." Kawajiro said slowly.
"...I suddenly want to build a good relationship with Mashima-kun." Keimon said seriously.
"By the way - where's Mashima-kun?" Ueyoshi asked in confusion, "Why isn't he with Hasegawa?"
"Yes. Where is Mashima-kun now?" Kawajiro raised his hand and scratched his hair, "He hasn't been paid for today yet..."
…
…
After bidding farewell to Shirobei and the others, Hasegawa led Natori and rushed back to the headquarters of their Fire Thieves Kai without stopping.
As soon as he returned to the headquarters, Hasegawa cast a cold gaze at Natori.
"From now on, you are grounded."
"You are not allowed to leave the detention room until I issue the next punishment."
"Yes..." Natori, whose face had been pale ever since he followed Hasegawa to Yoshiwara to apologize, nodded weakly.
After instructing two subordinates to take Natori to the detention room, Hasegawa hurried to the quiet room where he usually took a short rest when he was tired from working.
When Hasegawa took Natori to Yoshiwara to apologize, he instructed Yamazaki that if Makimura came back after rescuing his friend, he should take Makimura to the quiet room he often used.
As soon as he arrived at the door of the quiet room and opened it, Hasegawa saw Makimura again, with whom he had just parted not long ago.
"Sorry, Makimura, I kept you waiting."
"It's okay. I didn't wait too long." Makimura was sitting cross-legged at this time, with his large sword placed on the tatami beside him.
"I'm really sorry to have embarrassed you tonight." Hasegawa smiled bitterly and sighed, "You've seen the ugly side of the fire thief..."
"Nothing, I understand." Mucun smiled slightly, "I used to be an official, so I know very well - once you have more subordinates, it is inevitable that there will be some people with bad behavior or who make fools for a while."
After straightening his crooked body, Makimura asked Hasegawa sternly:
"Hasegawa, it's not too early now, so let's make it short."
"What's the important thing you want to tell me?"
Makimura's straightforward request was exactly what Hasegawa wanted.
Hasegawa knelt in front of Makimura, a serious look on his face.
"Makimura. I know you and Ogata Ittosai are friends, so I'll just tell you straight out - is Ogata Ittosai still alive now?"
When he heard Hasegawa's question, Makimura's brows immediately frowned.
Before Makimura could even respond, Hasegawa peppered him with new questions.
"If Ogata Ittosai is still alive, is he coming to Edo with you now?"
"If you are in Edo, can you help me contact Ogata Ittosai?"