The three Ogatas stared at Naoshu, whom they hadn't seen for a while, and the scene was somewhat funny for a moment.
If we were to ask who had the most exaggerated expression among the people present, it would naturally be Nao Zhou.
Although Ogata was now wearing a turban and a bamboo hat, his figure, the sword at his waist, and the two female ninjas standing on his left and right sides made Naoshu recognize that this was the man he had been trying so hard to get to join their "overthrow of the shogunate" campaign.
"O, Ogata..." Naosuke's tongue seemed to be paralyzed and twisted stiffly.
Just as he uttered the surname "Ogata", Naoshige finally came to his senses and realized that this was not a place where he could conveniently pronounce Ogata's name, so he quickly shut his mouth and changed it to Majima.
"Mashima-sama, y-how come you are here...?"
"I want to ask you this question, too..."
——Is Osaka really a big city with a population of one million?
Ogata couldn't help but complain in his heart.
At this moment, Ogata suddenly realized that since he came to Osaka, he seemed to frequently run into acquaintances and people he knew...
After suppressing the urge to continue complaining, Ogata raised his gaze and looked at the small shabby house behind Naoki: "Mr. Isshiki, I want to ask: Is this the residence of Master Yoji?"
After hearing what Ogata said, Naoshige suddenly realized why Ogata was here, and hurriedly asked Ogata:
"Mashima-sama, are you here to see Master Yoji?"
"Yes." Ogata did not hide it. After all, it was not something worth hiding. "I heard that Master Yu Er's sword repairing skills have reached the pinnacle, so I came here specially to ask Master Yu Er to repair my sword."
"Are you here to see Master Yu Er to repair your sword?" Zhi Zhou stepped aside and made way for him. "Master Yu Er happens to be at home right now. Please come in."
"Mr. Naozune, are you friends with Master Yoji?" Ogata asked Naozune as he followed the path made by Naozune and entered the small shabby house.
"We are old friends, right?" Nao Zhou laughed. "For a long time, our Isshiki family has always asked Master Yuer to help forge swords. When a sword is damaged, we also ask Master Yuer to help repair it."
"I don't have anything important to do today, so I thought of coming to chat with this old friend and check on the progress of the knife I had commissioned him to repair."
"I didn't expect to meet you here again. The world is really unpredictable."
After once again feeling that Osaka was really small, Ogata took off the Daishakuten from his left waist and held it with his right hand while taking a quick look at the scene inside the small, shabby house.
The exterior of this small shack is shabby, and the interior is not much different.
After passing through the front door of the house , you will go straight to a slightly cramped living room. There is almost no decent furniture in the living room, only a few broken and old cushions.
The corridor was relatively intact, but the ceiling was in a terrible state. Looking up, I saw that there were three holes of varying sizes in the ceiling of the living room alone.
Although the interior of the house was simple and dilapidated, it was still clean, and the corridors and walls had been well cleaned.
Ogata sniffed. Just now when he was outside the house, he smelled a very strong odor that was a mixture of iron, charcoal, and something burning.
After entering the house, the smell immediately became much stronger.
Ogata noticed that the strange smell seemed to come from a room deep inside the house that was covered with thick curtains.
In addition to the strange smell, there was also the sound of knife sharpening coming from the room.
"Nao Zhou."
At this time, a hoarse middle-aged male voice came from the room.
"Who's coming?"
"Master Yu Er!" Zhi Zhouchong shouted in the direction where the voice just came from, "There is...an old friend of mine who wants you to repair his sword! Please stop what you are doing for now."
"Your old friend? Bring him in."
This brief conversation ended with these cold words.
"Mashima-sama." Naozune, who was old enough to be Ogata's grandfather, respectfully made a "please" gesture to Ogata. This scene was incongruous no matter how you looked at it. "Please follow me. I will take you to where Master Yoji works."
After saying that, Zhi Zhou strode straight towards what he called "Master Yu Er's workshop" - that is, the room where strange smells and noises continued to come from.
After following Yu Zhizhou and pulling aside the door curtain of the room, Ogata's eyes lit up at the sight behind the curtain.
Behind the door curtain is a blacksmith shop.
In the southeast corner of the blacksmith's shop, there were pieces of unhammered pig iron and a small hill of coal.
In the northeast corner is the smelting table for forging iron, which is equipped with bellows (similar to a blower), a horizontal seat (where the swordsmith sits when forging iron), a fire bed and other facilities.
In the northwest corner, there is a huge hammer that looks like it can smash an adult's head as hard as a watermelon falling from a tall building with just a slight swing.
The southwest corner of the room was the only area with tatami. A middle-aged man with a very sturdy build was squatting there, stepping on a whetstone with his feet, grinding a knife held in his hands against the whetstone with a specific rhythm.
This middle-aged man seemed to be around 40 years old, with dark skin and a crew cut which was extremely rare in that era. His short, thin hair stood up like steel needles.
He was only wearing a thin gray bathrobe and had a very strong body, especially his arms. The muscles in his arms were as tight and powerful as granite.
The reason why Ogata's eyes lit up after entering the blacksmith shop was because of this middle-aged man... to be more precise, because of the knife that the middle-aged man was sharpening.
The middle-aged man was now sharpening a very broken knife.
Not only is the blade full of notches, but the blade is also bent nearly 10 degrees to the right.
If such a broken sword were given to Ogata and he were asked to repair it, he would not be able to think of any way to repair a sword that was so badly damaged even if he racked his brains.
However, the scene that appeared before Ogata at this moment told him clearly: There really is someone who can repair this knife.
This broken sword is now in an extremely strange state.
The center of the blade is the dividing line of this knife. From the center of the blade to the tip of the blade, the blade is full of notches and bends.
The part from the center of the blade to the root of the blade is straight and has no gaps, just like a new knife.
A knife that is both damaged and brand new... It looks indescribably strange. To make a similar analogy... It's like grafting a branch of a peach tree onto a banana tree.
The reason why the knife is in such a strange state is because the middle-aged man started to repair the blade from the root of the knife.
At this time, the middle-aged man had been sharpening the base of the blade of the knife with a whetstone. He did not put down his work or look up at Ogata and the others until they came in.
"Mashima-sama." Naozune introduced to Ogata and the others in a timely manner, "This is Master Yoji."
"Master Yuji! This is my old friend - Majima Goro."
"Nice to meet you, Master Yuji." After Naoshige's voice fell, Ogata immediately bowed slightly and introduced himself, "My name is Majima Goro."
The sound of sharpening the knife finally stopped.
The middle-aged man...Yoji finally stopped sharpening the knife and looked up at Ogata and others.
"…Hello, I'm Yuji. Please find a seat anywhere."
Yoji's self-introduction was very brief, and he didn't exchange too many pleasantries with Ogata.
After putting the half-finished sword in his hand aside, Iji crossed his hands and put them into the wide sleeves of his yukata.
"Let me see the knife you want me to repair."
Yuji's style of not talking too much and getting straight to the point is quite to Ogata's liking.
Since Yu Er was so straightforward, Ogata didn't waste any more words. He pulled out Daishikatsu and Daishizhai and handed the two swords to Yu Er.
"I would like to ask you to repair these two swords."
I took the knife with both hands.
Looking at the blades full of gaps between Dashitian and Dazhi, Yu Er looked as if he was used to it and had no expression on his face.
He moved his eyes and took a quick look at the blade, then raised his eyebrows and whispered in a tone of surprise:
"This type of sword-forging method... Is this the sword forged by the monks of the Tianxiang Sect?"
Yoji was able to recognize who forged the two swords just by looking at the blades, which surprised and delighted Ogata.
"That's right." Ogata said.
"The work of the Tianxiang Sect monks..." Yu Er muttered, "I haven't seen the work of those bald monks for a long time... What are the names of these two swords?"
"Strike with the sword to release the heavens, and use the sword to create great freedom..."
——Bald donkey?
After hearing the name "bald donkey" from Yoji, Ogata had a bad feeling in his heart for some reason...
"Using Buddhist terms to name swords... Humph, that's exactly what those bald asses do."
"These two swords seem to have used some southern barbarian forging techniques... but they are mainly based on the unique sword-forging method of the Tianxiang Sect."
Having said that, Yu Er glanced at the Great Buddha and Great Self-Liberation in his hands several times, then nodded slightly.
"It's a good sword, both tough and sharp. I have seen countless swords of all kinds, but there are only a handful of swords that can surpass your two in quality."
"Can these two swords be restored to their original state?" Ogata asked.
"...Have you seen this sword?" Yuji did not directly respond to Ogata's question, but suddenly pointed to the half-repaired "bent blade" broken sword that he had just put aside, "I can even repair a sword that is damaged like this, let alone your sword?"
I Er looked at the blades of Mahavairocana and Mahavairocana, which were already chopped into holes and looked like saws.
"Although your sword is badly damaged, it is not difficult to repair it and make it as good as new."
Hearing Yoji's words, Ogata couldn't help but smile with joy.
"Then I'll leave it to you. The price..."
Before Ogata could finish his words, he suddenly saw Yoji in front of him handing back the double swords in his hands.
Then he said something that made Ogata's expression freeze .
"But I don't want to help you repair your knife."
After Yu Er said this, the blacksmith shop was silent for several seconds.
After several seconds, Azhu, who was always lively, broke the silence first.
"Why?" Azuki asked anxiously, "Didn't you say that it wouldn't be difficult to repair Majima-sama's sword?"
"Yes, I did say that." Yu Er nodded seriously.
"Will it be expensive to repair the knife?" Ating also asked, "If you are worried that we can't afford it..."
Before Atachi could finish her words, Yoji interrupted her and said:
"It's not about money. I simply don't want to help you repair the knife. No matter how much money you give me, I won't help you repair it."
At this moment, Ogata suddenly recalled that Yoji had just called the monks of the Tensho sect "bald donkeys".
"...Master Yuer." Ogata said in a deep voice, "Have you ever...had any conflicts with the monks of the Tianxiang Sect before?"
“…You are both right and wrong.” Yu Er closed his eyes, raised his head, and took a deep breath. “I don’t have a grudge against the monks of Tianxiang Sect. I have a grudge against all the monks in the world!”
After he finished speaking, Yu Er, who had originally closed his eyes, suddenly opened them.
His eyes were filled with intense resentment.
He muttered :
"25 years ago, a girl I had always had a crush on eloped with a stinky monk."
"Since then, I have made up my mind - Buddhism and I will never coexist!"
"Your sword is made by a monk, which makes me feel uncomfortable. I don't want to touch this sword made by the hands of a monk."
"Please go back."
……quiet……
……quiet……
……quiet……
Ogata's brain stopped working for a long while.
It's not just Ogata.
A-Ming and A-Zhu also looked like their brains had stopped working.
As for Naoshige, who was sitting behind Ogata and the others, he had a helpless expression on his face.
After a long while, Ogata's brain finally started working again.
After his brain resumed functioning, the first words that came out of Ogata's mind were:
--ha?
——Is that why?!
Yu Er, who had been expressionless and looked like a master just now, now crossed his arms over his chest with an angry look on his face, just like a little boy whose snacks were stolen.
Refusing to help him repair his sword just for this reason - Ogata didn't know what kind of expression to make.
The expression on Yoji's face just now made Ogata think that there was some kind of blood feud between him and the monk...
It was no use dwelling on why Yoji refused to help him repair his sword, so he might as well find a way to persuade Yoji to help him repair his sword. So Ogata put aside his complaints about Yoji and said quickly:
"Could you please be flexible? I'm willing to pay double the price."
"I've already said it, this isn't a question of money." Yu Er answered without hesitation, "I said I won't repair it, and that means I won't repair it."
“And I’m still busy.”
Yu Er pointed at the "bent" knife at his side.
"I am busy repairing Naoshige's sword. It will take at least another month to completely repair his sword. I don't have time to repair your sword now."
"This sword belongs to my nephew." Naoshige smiled at Ogata and said, "I don't know what's wrong with my stupid nephew's brain. He suddenly said that he wanted to study swordsmanship that can split stones."
"I took my knife and chopped it against a huge rock, and then the knife was chopped into this shape."
Ogata's face couldn't help but darken at this moment.
Whether it's being able to restore a sword with such severe "side bending" to look like new, or being able to tell at a glance that Ogata's sword was forged by a monk of the Tensho sect, all of these show that Yoji is an extremely skilled swordsmith.
It was not easy to find such a craftsman with such outstanding skills, and Ogata really didn't want to miss it.
If I had missed Yu Er, God knows when I would find such a great knife maker again.
And for Ogata now, the best place to practice sword skills is undoubtedly Osaka.
Because this place is closest to Koyasan, the straight-line distance between the two places is only 50 kilometers.
After repairing the sword, he could go straight to Koyasan to find a way to clear the "immortal poison" in his body.
Ogata, who didn't want to return home disappointed, cleared his throat and prepared to continue trying to persuade Yoji.
But at this moment——
"To the Second Master."
Naoshige, who had been sitting behind Ogata and the others, spoke up.
After everyone's puzzled gazes were focused on Zhi Zhou, Zhi Zhou continued loudly:
"Could you please help Majima-sama repair his sword, considering that we are old friends?"
After Zhi Zhou said this, Yu Er, who had a determined look on his face just now, finally changed his expression.
Yu Er: "Zheng Zhou?"
"The repair of my nephew's sword can be postponed." Nao Shu glanced at the "scimitar" and said, "You can repair Majima-sama's sword first."
"After you repair Majima-sama's sword, it won't be too late to repair my nephew's sword."
"Nao Zhou, are you serious?" Yu Er asked back with a frown.
"Of course I'm serious." Naoshige's tone became more serious at this time, "Mashima-sama is... a very important old friend of mine. Please, just consider it as a favor to me and make an exception for once and help Mashima-sama repair his sword."
After saying that, Zhi Zhou bent down, knelt on the ground, and bowed to Zhi Zhou opposite him.
"Mr. Isshiki..." Looking at Naozune who was helping him get the opportunity to repair his sword, Ogata's eyes flashed with surprise and joy.
At this time, Yu Er had a complicated expression.
He looked at Ogata, then at Yoji.
Finally—he let out a long sigh.
“…Since you’ve come to this point, Naoshige…Okay then.”
I spread my hands.
"Give me your knife."
Yu Er, who had been unmoved just now, finally changed his mind. Unable to hide the joy on his face, Ogata handed Daishikiden and Daishizai, along with the swords and sheaths, to Yu Er again.
After receiving the Great Indra and Great Freedom, Yu Er said slowly:
"It will take seven days to repair your knife."
"Come back to me in 7 days to get the knife."
"The total cost of repairing your two swords is 12 taels. You must pay me half of the money as a deposit first, and the rest of the money will be paid again after I return the repaired swords to you."
…
…
"Thank you very much for your help, Mr. Isshiki."
After leaving Yu Er's workshop and returning to the empty living room of this shabby house, Xu Fang immediately bowed to Zhi Zhou and thanked him.
"Hahaha, it's okay, it's okay." Nao Zhou smiled, "It's just a piece of cake."
After delivering Daishakuten and Daijizai, Ogata's waist is now empty.
Ogata had always been accustomed to the feeling of having a heavy object hanging on his left waist, and when he walked, he was used to stepping deeper with his left foot and shallower with his right foot.
Now there is no sword hanging on the left waist - this makes Ogata extremely uncomfortable, and even the way he walks becomes awkward.
"You really helped me a lot." Ogata continued to bow to Naoshu and thank him, "I really don't know how to thank you."
"No need to thank me, I told you it's just a small favor." Naoshige continued to laugh, "Mashima-sama, did you come to Osaka just to have Master Yoji repair your sword?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Ogata nodded, "If I hadn't come to find the supposedly powerful Master Yoji to help me repair my sword, I probably wouldn't have come to Osaka."
At this moment, a thoughtful look appeared on Zhi Zhou's face.
"Mashima-sama, I wonder if you will be free the day after tomorrow?"
"The day after tomorrow? Well... I should be quite free until my sword is repaired." Ogata answered honestly.
Ogata planned to accompany Atachi and the others to leisurely tour the bustling Osaka Castle while waiting for the sword to be repaired.
“I see…”
At this moment, a light of "planning is understood" flashed in Zhi Zhou's eyes.
"In that case... Lord Majima, I have a humble request."
"I wonder if you, Master Majima, can come to my sword hall the day after tomorrow to watch the 'grand test' between my Isshiki Sword Hall and other sword halls?"