The six diners Kondo and Nagano walked to an open space a little away from the izakaya.

This open space is located in a quite remote and inconspicuous location, and no passers-by pass by this open space.

"Kondo." One of the six diners put his hand on the saber on his waist, "You should also know why we came to find you, right?"

"...Besides seeking revenge from me, what else can you do for?"

"It's good that you know. You were so despicable today that you threw sand directly into Mr. Nagano's face! Although Mr. Nagano wasn't hurt at all, we really can't get rid of our anger without giving you a good beating.

!”

As soon as the words were spoken, the six people took out the knives from their waists, then turned the blade and pointed the back of the knife towards Kondo.

"We won't kill you, we will just beat you up. So as long as you are willing to stand there and let us beat you with the back of the knife, then you and I will save trouble, and we will make you suffer less."

The skin and flesh are bitter.”

"Only a fool would not resist!" Kondo shouted angrily as he drew out the sword from his waist, then like these six people, turned the blade around and faced the enemy with the back of the sword.

Both sides used the back of the sword tacitly.

Both Kondo and these six people had a tacit understanding of the same idea: no killing in Edo.

After all, killing people in Edo was no joke.

Six diners formed a semicircle and slowly surrounded Kondo.

Kondo carefully observed the semicircular formation formed by these six people, gritted his teeth, and then rushed towards the person standing at the end of the formation.

Kondo plans to defeat these 6 people one by one.

His calculations were very loud.

But his strength does not match his plan.

The plan he drew up in his mind was to move around and attack at the same time, hitting one at a time and knocking down all six of them in one blow.

However... Kondo had just swung a powerful and heavy slash at the man standing at the end of the formation, and his slash was firmly caught by this man.

The moment Kondo's knife was caught by "diner 1", "diner 2" standing next to him immediately aimed a horizontal slash at Kondo's flank with quick eyesight and quick hands.

Kondo, who had never fought in such a "one versus many" battle, became confused when he saw "Dinner 2" next to him slashing at him with a knife.

He hurriedly jumped back to avoid the horizontal slash of "Dinner 2".

It's just that... although he successfully escaped the attack of "Dinner 2", he jumped into the attack range of "Dinner 3"...

Kondo was like a puppy jumping in a hot pot, jumping around hurriedly to avoid the slashes of these six people one after another.

Kondo's lack of experience in fighting against multiple enemies was clearly demonstrated at this time.

How to avoid attacks from different directions, who is the best target, and when is the best time to launch a counterattack... Regarding these issues, Kondo is completely confused...

Kondo also realized that if he continued like this, he would lose.

So he planned to use his secret skill again...

Jumping to the right, he jumped in front of "Dinner 5". "Dinner 5" immediately looked like he was playing whack-a-mole and saw a mole jumping out of the hole. He raised the knife in his hand and slashed at Kondo.

go.

This time, Kondo didn't hide.

Instead, with lightning speed, he put his left hand into the sand contained in his homemade trouser pocket, and then threw it at "Dinner 5"'s face.

"watch out!"

Kondo has high hopes for his handful of sand.

Think of it as a game-breaking move.

However... "Diners 5"'s subsequent actions dashed Kondo's hopes.

"Dinner 5" raised his left hand just in time to block the handful of sand.

Then he swung the knife in his right hand and drew it toward Kondo's left thigh.

The hard back of the knife hit Kondo's thigh firmly, who was stunned for a moment due to the failure of "Ogata-ryu" and had no time to escape.

"Ahhh!"

After letting out a low scream, Kondo jumped away on one foot to distance himself from "Diner 5".

"The same trick will have no effect if used too many times. Diner 5" said while patting the remaining dust on his left hand, "We have been paying attention to this trick of yours. As long as we know in advance that you have this trick,

Then your move is no threat to us."

Kondo put down his left hand and touched the thigh that had just been struck by the back of the knife.

It hurts a little, but the bones should be fine. After all, the opponent only used the back of the knife, and the thigh is the most fleshy part.

"Dinner 5": "We have just said that we will not kill you, we will only give you a good beating and teach you a lesson. So just give up your resistance. We will let you go after we let you suffer some physical pain."

"

"As I said, only fools will not resist and let you beat them up." Although Kondo's response showed no sign of weakness.

"Then there's nothing we can do. Diner 5" clenched the knife in his hand again, "Then let's continue beating and see how long you can hold on."

The six diners rearranged themselves into a semicircular formation and surrounded Kondo.

Looking at the six people who had rearranged themselves into a semicircular formation, the look on Kondo's face gradually became heavy.

Although he didn't want to admit it, Kondo had to face the reality that he didn't have the ability to deal with 6 samurai at the same time who all had high attainments in swordsmanship.

When Kondo was racking his brains, thinking of ways to defeat the enemy,

"I'm sorry. Can you guys let that fool go?"

A male voice suddenly sounded from the entrance and exit of this open space.

The six diners and Kondo followed the sound toward the entrance and exit of the open space.

Kondo and the six people showed different expressions.

After hearing this sound, the expressions on the faces of the six diners were just confusion.

After Kondo heard this voice, he was slightly startled.

Then he showed an expression that was half shocked and half ecstatic.

Kondo immediately recognized that this was the voice of someone extremely important to him.

However... when Kondo looked at the source of the sound with ecstasy and shock, he did not see that familiar face.

All he saw was a face with ordinary features that he had never seen before.

Kondo's expression immediately froze.

…

…

After successfully attracting everyone's attention to himself, Ogata quickly walked into the open space and came to Kondo's side.

"Teacher..." As soon as Ogata came to Kondo's side, Kondo opened his mouth impatiently, planning to say something.

However, Ogata raised his hands one step ahead and pinched the cheeks on both sides of his face, making Kondo unable to speak.

While stopping Kondo from speaking, he signaled Kondo with his eyes: Don’t ask any more questions.

Although Kondo has a simple and honest personality, he is not a stupid person.

Kondo, who instantly understood the meaning of Ogata's eyes, obediently swallowed the words that came to his mouth, and temporarily suppressed all the questions in his heart.

"...Mashima-sama, I have admired you for a long time."

"Dinner 2" slowly put down the wooden knife in his hand, changed into a much gentler tone, and used honorifics.

"Your trial today is an eye-opener for both Mr. Nagano and us."

"Oh?" Ogata raised his eyebrows, "Did you pay attention to my trial fit today?"

"Of course. Diner 2" said in a slightly more excited tone, "I wonder if you have forgotten that Master Nagano once invited you to be a diner at the dojo."

Ogata nodded: "I haven't forgotten."

On the first day Ogata came to work in Yoshiwara, he met a troublesome heir of the Hohoin style spear art.

When Ogata defeated the troublemaker beautifully, Nagano was leading his six diners to watch the battle on the second floor of a tea house not far away.

Nagano, who was fascinated by Ogata's swordsmanship, extended an invitation to Ogata to be a guest at his dojo, but Ogata naturally refused.

It was also at that time that Ogata met Nagano.

"Sir Nagano has always expressed deep regret for not being able to invite you as a guest."

"I have been quietly following your news since then."

"After learning that you won the first place in the literary test and that you had single-handedly repelled 25 officials of the Huofu Thief Kai, Mr. Nagano admired you even more."

"After hearing your name from the 'Boundary' this morning, Mr. Nagano immediately couldn't wait to take us to watch the battle."

"Both Mr. Nagano and we all admire the horizontal slash you made today."
To be continued...