The stowaway boat, the cabin where the stowaways live——
"I'm a little embarrassed to say that I'm not used to seeing your real face now." A-Ming said in a joking tone.
Ogata touched his face with a wry smile: "Now that I don't have the human skin mask to cover myself, it will be much more troublesome to go to crowded places like town in the future..."
The smuggling boat that Ogata was on set sail again and headed straight towards the land.
Behind the smuggling boat is the pirate ship that has turned into a ghost ship... to be more precise, it is a pirate ship that has turned into a ghost ship and is burning.
The huge ship, as big as a hill, was now wrapped in layers of flames.
The air was filled with thick smoke and sparks were flying.
The crackling sound of burning wood mixed with the roar of falling wood.
Such a mighty warship, under the erosion of flames, shrank little by little, and turned into fragments that fell on the sea.
The ship engulfed and destroyed by flames exudes an eerie beauty from the inside out.
Before leaving, Ogata collected all the lamp oil on the pirate ship, used the lamp oil as fuel , lit a fire, and turned the pirate ship into a fire ship.
It is impossible for Ogata to take such a big pirate ship away. Even if he took it away, there would be no place to put it and it would be of no use.
If we ignore this pirate ship and let it drift on the sea, it could easily cause trouble.
After all, this three-masted sailing ship, although an outdated ship in Europe, is undoubtedly a large and powerful ship in Japan.
If some evil people get hold of this ship, they might use this powerful ship to do something bad.
Therefore, after some thought, Ogata decided that it would be better to burn the ship once and for all.
Another advantage of burning the ship is that the bodies on board can also be disposed of at the same time.
Ogata did not take anything from the pirate ship - including the 3,000 taels of gold in Yitong's room.
Ogata didn't know that the 3,000 taels of gold were a gift from Miyabe to Antong on the orders of his master.
Regarding the large sum of money in Yitong's room, Ogata subconsciously thought that the 3,000 taels of gold were the money Yitong had saved by trafficking in human beings.
Ogata had no desire to keep or use the money obtained from human trafficking.
Ogata believed that the best fate for this dirty money was to let it sink to the bottom of the sea along with the ship.
Ogata himself was not short of money. The savings he and Atachi had were enough for them to not have to worry about money for at least the next 10 years. So when he decided to let the money sink to the bottom of the sea along with Yitong's ship, Ogata did not feel any pain at all.
When Ogata decided to sink the ship and everything on it to the bottom of the sea, no one on the smuggling boat dared to say a word.
After all, if we talk about achievements, these pirates were basically defeated by Ogata alone.
Be it Naoshige, Isshiki, or Azuku, they basically didn't contribute anything.
Therefore, considering the greatness of his achievements, Ogata has every right to deal with the spoils as he pleases.
Anyone with a bit of common sense wouldn't criticize a samurai who has the power to destroy an entire pirate ship on his own.
What’s more… this samurai is the famous executioner Ittosai.
"Ah, those people are looking at you again..." At this time, A-Machi suddenly reminded Ogata in a low voice.
Hearing the voice, Ogata turned his head and looked around him.
And then... a scene that made Ogata couldn't help but smile helplessly appeared - wherever his gaze turned, the people there hurriedly lowered their heads.
Some of the braver people, after lowering their heads, still couldn't help but look up and secretly look at Ogata, their eyes filled with curiosity, surprise and other emotions.
This complex emotion is mixed with a hint of...fear.
Ogata sighed silently.
After Ogata returned to the deck of the stowaway ship in his true identity, the first person to exclaim was Isshiki.
Isshiki covered his mouth with both hands and shouted in a cracked voice: "Ichi, Ittosai?!"
Then, as if a chain reaction had started, the rest of the people on the deck responded in all kinds of strange ways.
Some people who simply thought Ogata's face looked familiar were suddenly awakened from a dream.
Those who did not recognize what Ogata Ittosai looked like and had only heard of his name looked at Ogata in shock.
At that time, Ogata paid special attention to the expressions of everyone on the deck. According to Ogata's observation, most of the people on the deck, including Isshiki, Azuki, and Naoki, should have recognized who Ogata was at the first moment.
This makes Ogata feel very complicated until now.
Because so many people recognized who he was at the first sight, this meant two things:
1: Ogata's name has now spread all over Japan. His wanted posters are probably posted in every corner of Japan.
Thinking back to the beginning - when he had just left the Hirose Domain, he didn't even need to cover his face. When he walked on the streets of the city, very few people could recognize him at first glance.
2: Ogata 's wanted poster really looks like him...
This is the most complicated part for Ogata...
Until now, Ogata insists that the wanted poster portrayed him in an ugly light.
Although he didn't think he was a particularly handsome man, he was at least good-looking, so he was very dissatisfied with the portrait on his wanted poster.
Ogata even thought about reporting the matter to the shogunate and asking them to change his portrait and paint one that more resembles him.
Although Ogata has always insisted that the portrait on the wanted poster does not look like him and that he is ugly, the cruel facts have repeatedly slapped Ogata in the face - the wanted poster did not make you ugly, it faithfully reproduced your appearance. You see, no matter who it is, they can recognize you at the first sight...
"Ah, Azuki is also secretly looking at you now." A-Machi whispered to Ogata again.
Ogata turned his head and looked at Azhu who was sitting in the old place.
When Azhu noticed that Ogata was looking at him, he immediately lowered his head like the others, as if trying to cover up his ears and steal a bell.
Ogata originally thought that after he got rid of the pirates and returned to the smuggling ship, Azuki would definitely pester him and ask him a bunch of questions like "Why did you master the power so quickly?"
But unexpectedly, Azhu was surprisingly quiet.
They did not rush over to surround Ogata and ask questions. After returning to the cabin, they sat quietly in their old seats, constantly looking at Ogata secretly with strange eyes.
Azhu didn't come to him to ask questions, and Ogata was too lazy to take the initiative to look for her.
After all, ever since he got off the pirate ship, Ogata has been feeling very tired. So tired that he doesn't want to do anything else except taking care of Atachi.
It's not physical fatigue.
It's psychological fatigue.
On that pirate ship, too much important information was received in a short period of time, which was difficult for Ogata to digest in a short period of time.
Because too much important information entered Ogata's mind at the same time, he felt exhausted.
This feeling of exhaustion made Ogata lose all urge to have an enthusiastic conversation with anyone.
…
…
After Ogata withdrew his gaze from Azhu, Azhu immediately raised his head again like a mole jumping out of a hole in the ground and looked at Ogata.
Her face and eyes were filled with complex emotions, and she thought to herself:
——I actually found Ogata Ittosai…
…
…
Most of the people on the boat were secretly looking at Ogata - this also included Isshiki and Naoshige.
Like everyone else - Isshiki and Naozune's gazes towards Ogata were filled with mixed emotions.
"I never expected that..." Isshiki sighed, "I would actually run into Ogata Ittosai in a place like this..."
"No wonder there has been no news of Ogata Ittosai since the fall of Kyoto's Nijo Castle... So Ittosai has been using a special method to change his face... But why is he showing his true face now...?"
Naoshiro muttered in a puzzled tone.
He was very interested in how Ogata changed his appearance.
He really wanted to get closer and ask Ogata directly what method he had used to change his face before, and why he suddenly showed his true face again.
However, considering that he didn't know Ogata's personality clearly, he didn't know if his question would offend him, so he didn't have the courage to go up and ask.
Just as Zhi Zhou finished his doubtful murmur, a faint voice slowly emerged from beside him:
"...Grandpa...I...still find it hard to accept..."
Naozou turned his head and looked at Isshiki.
I saw Isshiki sitting on the ground, hugging his legs with his arms with lifeless eyes.
"So... Ichitosai, the unrivaled swordsman, has always believed that swordsmanship is a skill that should be eliminated..."
Isshiki slowly clenched his fists.
There was an emotion in his eyes...an emotion that was difficult to describe in words.
This emotion feels a bit like grievance and also a bit like resentment.
Looking at Isshiki who looked smaller because he hugged his knees, Zhi Zhou sighed heavily.
Faced with Isshiki's situation, Naoshige didn't know what to say to comfort him.
Raising his hand and patting Ise's back a few times, Naoshige looked up at Ogata in the distance again.
"This is... a good opportunity..." Zhi Zhou murmured after a long silence.
…
…
After experiencing the unexpected robbery by pirates, the rest of the journey of the smuggling ship was smooth sailing.
The ship arrived safely at a place in northern Oshu.
After the ship docked and the cabin door opened, the stowaways in the cabin immediately rushed out and set foot on the land of mainland Japan.
One of the reasons why the stowaways were so eager to leave the smuggling boat was largely because of Ogata.
Although Ogata does not have a bad reputation in some places, in the eyes of the general public who do not care much about current affairs and national affairs, Ogata is a wanted criminal, and a wanted criminal with a terrifyingly high bounty.
Being on the same ship with a wanted criminal with such a high bounty is a very psychologically stressful thing for many ordinary people.
So as soon as the ship docked and unloaded the cargo, most of the illegal immigrants immediately "escaped" in a hurry as if they were liberated.
Azhu was not in a hurry to "escape".
After she slowly walked out of the smuggling boat, she suddenly stopped as if she had realized something and turned her head to look at the smuggling boat behind her.
A thoughtful look appeared on his face.
Azhu looked at the smuggling boat behind him for a while with a thoughtful look on his face, then threw away the black robe on his body and quickly ran into a dense bush not far away.
After Azhu hid in the bushes, two people did exactly the same thing as she did.
…
…
"My Lord, this is your horse..."
The crew members standing in front of Ogata stammered as they handed radishes and grapes to Ogata and Atachi.
Not only was this crew member so nervous that he had a severe stutter, he was also so nervous that his entire body was covered in cold sweat.
At this time, Ogata and Atachi did not leave the smuggling boat immediately with the other stowaways, because they still needed to go to the bottom of the smuggling boat to get their horses.
After taking the reins from the crew member in front of him, Ogata couldn't help but say to the crew member:
"I say...you don't have to be so nervous...I'm not some man-eating evil ghost..."
“Yes, yes, yes! I, I, I, I, I, I, I understand!” The crew member nodded and bowed, telling Ogata with his actions that his well-intentioned reminder was completely useless...
Because the crew member's stuttering was so severe, Ogata was very suspicious that he might accidentally bite his tongue.
If we talk about whose reaction was the most exaggerated after Ogata's identity was exposed, it was undoubtedly the crew of this smuggling ship.
Samurai were strictly prohibited from boarding this smuggling ship - but after Ogata and his crew took the initiative to reveal their identities as samurai in order to defeat the pirates, no crew member dared to say anything against them.
Not to mention blaming Ogata and his crew, after dealing with that gang of pirates, those crew members didn't even dare to come into the cabin again.
Even when notifying everyone that they were about to dock, he just stood outside the cabin door and shouted towards the inside.
Their attitude and behavior towards Ogata are now as if they have become different people.
Before this, although their actions could not be considered arrogant, they could be considered as completely ignoring the illegal immigrants like Ogata.
Except for a few individuals, the rest of the crew behaved rudely and had no manners at all.
But now——when facing Ogata, they have all become "role models for men".
Everyone was very polite, using the highest level of honorifics when speaking to Ogata and being extremely respectful... No, the word "extremely respectful" is not quite accurate; it should be said that they were overly respectful.
Everyone was like one of Ogata's retainers, and they were just about to kneel down and kowtow to Ogata.
Ogata had no choice but to show helplessness to the crew members' overly respectful attitude towards him.
After the human skin mask was destroyed, Ogata was mentally prepared for the treatment he would suffer.
Ogata and Atachi, each holding a radish and a grape, got off the smuggling boat.
When getting off the boat, Ogata did not forget to put on his hat, and then pulled his scarf higher to cover most of his face.
Now, without the human skin mask, Ogata can only rely on hats, veils, scarves and other items to cover his face.
Fortunately, it is the beginning of spring now and the weather is still relatively cool. We can still wear a scarf to cover our face.
At this time, the rest of the stowaways on the ship had basically left. After Ogata and his companions led the horses and walked to the shore, there was no one left on the shore.
Ogata and Atachi were the last two stowaways to get off the ship. After they got off, the crew of the stowaway ship immediately closed the cabin, raised the anchor, and prepared to leave.
"It's been a long time..." Ating took a deep breath, "The smell of Japan..."
Not long after dealing with Yi Tong and others, the smuggling boat entered a relatively calm sea, and Ating felt much better.
Because of this, after getting off the ship, Ating is still quite energetic and not too exhausted due to seasickness.
"A-machi, let's go," Ogata said, "Let's try our best to see if we can reach Toyonan-machi before dark."
When taking the horses just now, Ogata asked the crew: Where is the nearest town from here?
Compared to sleeping outdoors, Ogata naturally preferred to spend the night inside the town.
Especially when you have been drifting on the sea for several days, you would like to spend the night in a place with hot water for bathing and tatami for sleeping.
According to the crew members, there was a small town nearby. If you walk straight along the path in the southeast direction for two and a half miles (about 10 kilometers), you will reach a small town called "Fengnan Town".
Just as Ogata and Atachi were about to sit on the horses of Radish and Grape, a loud shout suddenly reached their ears.
"Master Ittosai!"
"Huh?" Ogata looked in the direction of the voice and saw two figures running out from the bushes in the distance.
These two people were Isshiki Naoshu and Isshiki Ryoma.
The loud shout just now was made by Isshiki Naoshige.
Ogata narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at the two people who had just hidden in the bushes: "It's you, what's wrong?"
As Ogata spoke, he secretly raised his alert, ready to draw his sword at any time to deal with any emergency.
"Master Ittosai." He quickly ran to Ogata's side and said in a serious tone, "My grandson and I were rude to you before. Please forgive me and my grandson for being rude to you before!"
After saying this, Isshiki Naoshige bowed 90 degrees towards Ogata very respectfully.
Isshiki, who was standing next to Naoki, hesitated for a while, and finally slowly bowed 90 degrees to Ogata like his grandfather - but there was a hint of reluctance on his face when he bowed to Ogata.
Ogata turned aside and refused the greetings from Naoshige and the others.
The rude remarks that Naoshige received were probably referring to the previous argument between Isshiki and him about whether swordsmanship should be eliminated.
It would be fine if it was just Isshiki, but Naozune was, after all, an old man with white hair and beard. Ogata always felt it was a bit strange that an old man of this age would show him such a great respect.
"You don't have to apologize to me. I don't care about such a small matter." Ogata said calmly, "You hid yourself and waited for me to get off the ship. It shouldn't be just to apologize to me, right? If there is anything else you want to tell me, please tell me as soon as possible."
Hearing Ogata say this, Naoshige was stunned for a moment, and then a solemn look appeared on his face at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Since Ogata was going straight to the point, he also got straight to the point.
"Master Ittosai, we are so humble that we would like to invite you to come to Osaka, to our sword gym! To be our swordsmanship master!"