Silver fir laurel

In the Edo period when real swords were used, it was not uncommon for different schools to compete with each other in sword skills. Among them, "Momoi of Bits", "Chiba of Skills" and "Saito of Power" stood up and supported the entire swordsmanship world. .In October of the fifth year of Ansei, the fencing competition held at Momoi Dojo of Jingxin Zhiliu naturally attracted many famous swordsmanship masters. Katsura's swordsmanship teacher was from Saito Yakuro, so he had already been quite prestigious. The true biography of the book is also known to everyone, and it is always with you.

Gintoki looked at Gui who was standing not far away, and said to Takasugi in a vague way: "It's surprising, that guy's body has always been weak and easily infected, and he has no strength to speak of, but when he held the sword, he The chill that cannot be concealed and the aura around him are extremely fierce."

"Hmph, be careful, there is a sleepy beast living inside him, and the edge of the sword most wants to point at you."

"Me? It's you."

Gintoki felt the overwhelming aura emanating from Gui who was competing with swords, and subconsciously clenched the sword in his hand—it was the irresistible urge to draw the sword and the strong desire to compete when a master meets a master. But when Takasugi said that Gui also felt the same way, Gintoki fell into contemplation for a moment, and then found Takasugi standing beside him with such a serious expression.

"He doesn't bother to swing his sword at me... I can't beat him, in some respects." Gao Shan replied thoughtfully.

"—Is that so? Unexpectedly timid, Takasugi." Gintoki wanted to hear more reasons, but Takasugi stopped talking.

"The dog can't spit out ivory, so I really want to kill you now."

"I can't ask for it."

Gui wins without suspense, the conversation between the two pauses, catering to Shang Gui's gaze towards them, Gintoki grins and says that the other party is too vulnerable, but Gao Shan suddenly senses a trace of unfriendliness not far from them.

"Even the wig is not messed up, the other party is too weak~" Yinshi raised his hand and gently tugged the long bangs beside Gui's cheeks, teasing with a smile.

"It's not a wig - Yinshi, you'll be next."

Gui took Yinshi's hand and pointed to the sword in his hand.

"Ah—that depends on God's will."

"You're running away again—"

"Small—silver!"

Gui was about to ask further questions but was interrupted by a sudden call. The three of them were really surprised because they were unprepared. The man was standing in front of Yinshi with a lovely smile, and he held Yinshi's hand tightly in front of his chest as he spoke.The three of them were speechless, Takasugi raised his eyebrows, Gui looked surprised, and Gintoki froze in place like petrified.

"Anyone can tell me something!" Gao Shan frowned.

"Xiaoyin, this is God's will, isn't it? The reunion between you and me after 12 years of separation is the result of you missing me so much. I'm so touched—ah, wait and kick!"

Gao Shan was about to draw his sword, when Gintoki suddenly woke up and kicked the visitor's face mercilessly.

"Go away, disgusting, you idiot."

"That, Silver Time..."

Gui's gaze landed on the place where the visitor flew out, and his eyes were full of black lines.

"Let's go quickly, don't get entangled by him—"

"Xiao-yin! Where are you going--"

"Don't come here, I don't know you!"

"Hmph, like attracts like." Gao Shan sighed meaninglessly beside him.

"What are you talking about, Takasugi!"

"Well......"

The person who almost threw himself in front of Gintoki was Ryoma Sakamoto, a Tosa clan merchant, who now travels among the clans doing business and is involved in maritime trade.Before Yinshi was taken away by Shoin, he had a relationship with him once, and his swordsmanship was first-class and he was in full bloom.

"Yinshi, don't be so indifferent, sword fighting requires enthusiasm."

"I'm really passionate about swordsmanship, so what's wrong with being indifferent to you?"

Ryoma put one arm around Yinshi's shoulder and said with a smile, Yinshi turned his face and dealt with it impatiently, Gui wrote "Who is this person, should I explain" but was pulled away by Takasugi, Yinshi also had Meaning to leave, he broke free from Ryoma's arm, and Ryoma's brows and tails trembled slightly.

"Where is the bloody smell on your body, Yinshi." Everyone stopped, Ryoma's voice that had been raised all the time suddenly lowered, and looked at Yinshi.

"I thought your murderous intent like needles would never disappear, so I always remember you, but now I can't smell it at all. Where did you hide it?"

Listening to Ryoma's questioning, Takasugi always felt that something was wrong, Gui's gaze shifted to Gintoki.

"Let's go, idiots often talk nonsense." Yinshi ignored Gui's gaze while avoiding Gui's gaze. Longma suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Gui's wrist, and put his head into Gui's ear.

"Because of him?"

"Um!?"

"open."

Before Gintoki could move, Takasugi grabbed Ryoma's arm with his backhand, and Gui was slightly taken aback.Long Ma immediately let go, spread his five fingers, and his movements were chic and neat, without any intention of entanglement at all.

"Looking forward to fighting with you."

"..."

Ryoma smiled cutely, and walked away after leaving these words. Gui was a little unclear so he didn't take it too seriously. Takasugi's face suddenly sank, but only Gintoki noticed this scene, and everyone left afterward. go.

According to the rules and procedures of the sword competition, Yinshi's next opponent is indeed Gui.When Gui didn't go to see Yin that night, he simply ate dinner alone in his room, and then sat on his knees and closed his eyes to meditate until late at night. All this showed that Gui attached great importance to the competition between the two.Gintoki looked at Gui quietly through the crack of the door, passing by but not entering, thinking more about Ryoma's intention after more than ten years of appearance, and at this time Takasugi had already poured himself on the hill behind Momoi Dojo. Drinking, emptying the stars, temporarily inviting Mingyue to accompany you for a few drinks before the silver hour.

"Good fun, good wine." Yinshi's voice was lazy, and Gao Shan had already heard his footsteps.

"Chatty."

"Really, awkward guy, you can't do it with an attitude of asking for others." Gintoki sat on the floor, and was about to get a drink, but Takasugi raised his arm to let him go.

"I don't remember ever begging you. That's why I won't give you the wine."

"Heh, these words are so self-willed that they are a bit like Gui."

"...How long do you think I've known that guy."

"Showing off... oh, what do you want my poor fellow to say."

Yinshi poured a glass of wine alone, the aroma of the wine permeated the dark blue starry sky, wisps of thin clouds curled up the tranquility of the night, and the clear light of the cold moon poured down the ground, the past was like smoke, like fragile glass, Yinshi Touching the ground with both hands and looking up towards the sky, he let out a long sigh lazily, and caught a glimpse of the evil smile on the corner of Gao Shan's mouth.

"...Yinshi, that guy wasn't called Gui at first, because he was weak since he was a child, and his family thought he couldn't be an adult, so he abandoned him. He was adopted by the Gui family and took the surname of Gui, so he could call himself a warrior. Although I knew he was old How old was I, but it was the first time I saw him - thin and slender and sick, I thought he was a woman for a while," Gao Shan suddenly felt a little drunk in his heart, and paused.

"Oh, I agree." Yin Shi took a sip of his wine.

"Really? Damn... At first I thought it was troublesome to deliberately keep a distance from him, but later I found out that he is a guy with an excessive sense of justice and reckless behavior. He knows that his body is hard to bear, but he always stubbornly dives into the bottom of the river and capsizes the boat. He obviously lacks grip strength. Still swinging the sword day and night, until he can knock out the opponent's bamboo sword with one blow, he is a fundamental, stubborn fool who can't take care of himself."

"..." Gintoki took Takasugi's wine glass lightly, and because he wanted to listen to it, he drank the wine in his own glass. Takasugi's arms trembled slightly due to the drunkenness, and finally fell to the ground , wandering in this quiet night full of memories.

"I was taken to the school by Mr. Shoyin, ah, just like you (so I can't understand you). I actually met a person who was abandoned since childhood but could still have no malice towards others, and was still blank and clean. Compared with what I'm used to To me, who learns to kill and destroy, how dirty and shameful I am. He doesn't bother to swing a sword at me, I know in my heart..." A gust of wind blew and messed up Takasugi's purple hair, Gintoki didn't see clearly what he said What kind of expression did Takasugi have when he said these words, he felt that those words were like a deep sigh that had been quenched with poison.

"...You actually said this to me, Takasugi, you're drunk."

"A person like this shouldn't be tainted by this world, right, Gintoki. I can't win, because his sword is for protection, and mine is destined to be full of killing." Drunkenness spread, Takasugi half-opened his eyes His eyes were full of tiredness, and Yinshi seemed to be shaking and blurred in front of him, so he raised his hand and pulled Yinshi's collar.

"So, tell me honestly what that guy named Ryoma Sakamoto thinks, he's not just a smirk guy, if you bring dangerous people to that guy, do you think—I'll— Do I forgive you..."

I don't know if Takasugi fell asleep drunk, Gintoki covered half of his face with one hand, propped his elbows on his knees, trying to clear his mind, but it didn't work.

Takasugi's words were like fiery imprints engraved on Gintoki's heart and thoughts, and those words seemed to reflect his own feelings. If you want to compare it to being dirty, there are countless blood on your body and hands. How should Yinshi forgive himself? Could it be possible to erase all the sins of the past simply because others did not blame him? Would the dead allow it, and the living tolerate it?

Yinshi sighed softly, picked up the drinking utensils and got up staggeringly, leaving Gaoshan alone to leave.I only know that this night will never happen again.

Dawn will not be late, Gui has been waiting for his opponent in the dojo early on, but Yin Shi did not show up until the start of the competition, this is not because Yin Shi is late, nor is it a temporary escape, because the person standing in front of Gui holding the sword is Ryoma whose cute smile disappeared from that face.

There is also a duel in the next-door venue to be announced, and the two sides are Gintoki and Takasugi. Gintoki has already noticed it, but Takasugi is a little surprised.On this side, Gui wondered if there was some misunderstanding, and stood there in a daze and had a lot to ask Longma.

"It's difficult for me to be so absent-minded. I really have no excuse to explain to Yinshi that I have hurt you like this!"

"--Uh!"

Longma's sword-drawing technique was like lightning and flint, followed by a sharp left cut. Gui, who didn't know the reason, barely blocked it but was shocked by Longma's aura and retreated a few steps. Before Gui's sword was released, Longma didn't explain or wait for him .

Next door, Yinshi tilted his head to look at Takasugi, the atmosphere was tense but not imminent.

"The lottery is drawn." Yin Shi said with a smile.

"It disappointed that guy somewhat, but it also suits my heart!" Gao Shan said and stood still facing Gintoki.

"Ah, it seems that you don't want to kill me all the time, are you sober?"

"Which of your eyes saw that I was drunk, I dug it out and took a closer look."

"It doesn't have to be so rude."

Almost at the same time, three of the four shot with sharp swords, and only Gui was full of doubts. However, this small episode could not stop the two unprecedented battles between masters and masters, genres and genres. Great game.

"You have also avoided that disadvantage, and your reaction is surprisingly sharp."

"Ah—why, why you!"

The dragon horse cut Gui's cheek with the back blade, Gui felt that he had been hit, turned over and jumped to another place, and raised his hand to wipe away the blood.

"Silver hour?"

"Shouldn't my opponent today be him—?!" Long Ma pressed on every step of the way without giving Gui any room to fight back, as if to make it difficult for the opponent to recover once he fell into a disadvantage, Long Ma ignored Gui at all The voiceless questions just kept sending out attacks, and every time Gui could only dodge as best he could.

"Er—answer me!"

With a questioning sound, Ryoma stabbed straight through the protective gear around Gui's waist, and everyone present was astonished by Ryoma's powerful blow. Gui was actually injured by this stab, and hit the wall behind him heavily.

"Naive! Naive guy, it makes people angry. In this situation, do you think you can let me say anything you want to hear if I don't win?"

"—"

"I saw Yinshi covered in blood with my own eyes, holding a sword and beheading people. How could I lose to such a naive you? If Yinshi's murderous aura is confused by your ridiculous innocence," Ryoma approached and raised his sword and pointed at Gui. throat.

"If that's the case, let me regenerate it with my own hands. Even if you desperately resist obstacles, it is absolutely impossible!"

"Why, can't you get up? Are you on this level?"

"...It turns out that you have found the wrong person." Gui whispered.

"Ok?"

"As for the reason, if you ask him directly or simply wave the sword at him, it will be clear. Why did you go to such trouble to find me? I really don't understand. I also want to know the reason why he no longer draws his sword. How much I want to personally experience the sharpness of the Silver Time Sword, but now such an opportunity is destroyed by you willfully, it is really self-assertive!"

"what!"

Gui instantly drew his sword out of its sheath to block the sharp edge pointed at him by the dragon horse. Gui, who was holding the sword in his hand, was suddenly surrounded by a gust of cold air. His eyes were like a hollow abyss with no bottom to see. The silent and thoughtless Xiaosha sword energy forced Longma to resist with all his strength.

"Seriously."

"This sword technique is Beichen's one-sword style..." Gui's voice was cold, and Longma smiled lightly.

"Please raise your sword. I accept your challenge in the name of a person who spreads the divine way without thinking." Gui also raised his sword and pointed at the dragon horse, speaking loudly and righteously.

"Oh...so that's the case." Ryoma seemed to understand something, with an extremely serious expression.

"murderous look! Gintoki and Takasugi, who were facing each other with their swords drawn, felt the sudden murderous aura at the same time, and a trace of uneasiness was added to their focused hearts out of thin air. Different thoughts and worries gradually turned into anxiety at the same time. Although no outsiders should intervene regardless of what happens in the middle of the sword competition, there are always some unspeakable reasons and difficulties that make people endure and be desperate at the same time.

Everyone was amazed by the overwhelming swordsmanship of the two. The peerless confrontation between the two top swordsmanship schools, Beichen Yidao Style and Shindao Wunian Style, was not only enjoyable and hearty, but the two who held the sword as if they were rubbing fiercely with heavy metal. people.

"Your sword is shouting dissatisfaction, can't you hear it?" After several rounds of confrontation, Gui's eyes were still deep and quiet, and he whispered.

"So it's not enough, it's not enough—"

"Isn't it too disappointing for a warrior who can't satisfy himself with his sword?"

"Oh, that's because the opponent's sharp blade spoiled the sword in my hand."

As Ryoma said, he waved his cassock and slashed his robes. The swords of the two of them bounced off quickly after they missed each other. Thin sweat flowed down their cheeks, but the expressions on each other were calm and happy. It was obvious that they were immersed in this In a duel, prepare for the final blow.

"Are you trying to say that your sword has been spoiled by Gintoki? Then you still picked the wrong opponent, Ryoma."

Gui said, bowing his head and closing his eyes, as if there was a barren and empty space around him, filled with dim light, and countless silhouettes spliced ​​together, which is called the divine way, just like the shocking prosperity of the world that flies to ashes and disillusionment in an instant, called no thought.

"You think so, isn't it the best choice to fight directly with you who can make Gintoki's spirit disappear—"

"...As you have praised."

"where."

In an instant, two sword lights that could not be recognized by the naked eye flashed past in mid-air, and saw other sword qi that did not belong here interspersed in the dazzled, several messy figures, everyone was dumbfounded and wanted to see the situation clearly, but It can only be speculated based on everything that has been frozen in front of me at this moment, Ryoma's sword was elbowed against the neck by Takasugi, but Katsura's sword scratched Gintoki's arm, blood was falling to the ground drop by drop.Everyone stared intently, speechless.

"Who...why are Takasugi and Gintoki here?" ’ ‘Who won, the last time! ’ ‘No, I didn’t see clearly! 』

"His sword has never been rusted and dulled by anyone, because he has always run through his Bushido spirit, even if the sky is broken."

"—" Ryoma was startled.But Gui's tone was quiet without any ups and downs, she put the knife back into its sheath, turned and walked out without even looking at Yinshi.

"......Angry."

Yinshi looked towards the door, smiled wryly, blood flowed down the arc of his arm.

[Fuchen Xiao recalls the old knot, who is right and wrong in the future?It's not too early when the blood turns like a blade, and the sword sweeps and seals the throat. ]

The two contests that were originally eye-catching had ended like this, which naturally attracted public opinion. Momoi Haruzang Naomasa, who presided over the sword competition, personally explained the reason. Apologizing to the public, of course, the reasons are just perfunctory rhetoric.

Just in this year of this era, the vassal system at the end of the shogunate was torn apart by the artillery bombardment of foreign barbarians like a closed country. The land eroded by wind and frost for a long time could no longer bear the smoke of gunpowder anyway. , businessmen, priests and monks do not want to be the fish on the cutting board and let the barbarians slaughter them.

Time gradually became chaotic, and people's hearts began to move towards ambiguous differences and inexplicable confusion.

Of course, who would have guessed that in the near future these four unknown people would have a profound influence on the success or failure of the country's great destiny.

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