Jiguo Yansheng had a dream again.

At first he thought it was a sequel to his last monk dream, such as studying Buddhist texts in a temple, traveling and begging for alms, but he soon realized that the vision was wrong.

He once again became the height of a child, wearing the attire of the Demon Slayer Corps, and walked on the road to slay evil spirits.

"Ashan! I'm studying here. If anything happens, please let me know."

This is a woman with a beautiful face and gentle temperament. She has a butterfly-shaped hair ornament on her head and wears a new style of clothing that has never been seen before, which seems to be some kind of school uniform.

The boy and the girl waved goodbye, "No problem, you too, keep in touch."

Jiguo Yansheng suddenly realized what was going on. This was Saber's dream! No, this was Saber's past!

Because through the reflection of the woman's eyes, Jiguo Yansheng saw that the boy was wearing a dark green coat, exactly the same as Saber's.

Ji Guoyansheng was rarely curious, and he observed the future world from a first-hand perspective.

For example, there were rumbling trains, extra telephone poles on the streets, and iron bumps (cars) on the roads that are now Edo but will be called Tokyo in the future... These new and novel things from the future opened Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu's eyes.

On this day, Saber seemed to be on his way at night, but just as he left the outskirts of Tokyo, a man in a dark purple striped samurai costume walked towards him from a distance.

The moment he saw this man, Ji Guoyansheng was struck by lightning and was completely stunned.

This guy looks exactly like him, but he has six eyes on his face!

...Yes, he remembered that Saber once said that due to the life span limit of 25 years for the spotted pattern, Jigoku Iwakatsu did not want to die, so he took the initiative to choose to become a ghost.

But the reason why Jiguo Yansheng felt sad was not that he became a ghost, but that the ghost had six eyes on his face.

Up, down, front, back, left, right... six directions, six eyes. Even after becoming a ghost, Jigoku Iwatsu still cannot reach the highest realm, so he uses his six ghost eyes to capture everything in the world as much as possible.

——The younger brother, Jiguo Yuanyi, has been able to see through the entire world since he was born. Even though the older brother, Jiguo Yansheng, has become a ghost, his obsession in his heart is still to surpass his younger brother and want to see everything as much as possible.

Ah, what a sad ending that makes one want to cry and want to die in pain.

At this moment, Saber's strength was low, and she was no match for the demon-like Jigoku Iwakatsu, and was pierced through the heart by the opponent's sword.

Jiguo Yansheng's vision changed from the six-eyed face to the dark night sky.

There were stars twinkling in the night sky and the Milky Way running through the field of vision. The sharp contrast between the vast sky and the impending death and the insignificance of life gave Ji Guoyansheng a strange feeling.

...Is this death?

At the moment of exhaustion and imminent death, a tiny struggle suddenly broke out from the bottom of the heart, followed by a call from the blood, causing some thin dark purple grass to appear around.

These grass stems replace the function of the heart, forming a blood circuit and maintaining the body's minimum functions.

Jiguo Yansheng suddenly had a sense of déjà vu.

Even if you are about to die, even if there is no way out, you must persist in living and never give up.

How similar is this to his pursuit of his younger brother to inherit the throne?

Finally, the boy was rescued by the woman with butterfly hair accessories whom he had met before.

Later, he and his companions even fought against Upper Rank One, Kokushibo, and successfully killed him.

Ji Guoyansheng was a little dazed, and before he knew it, he woke up from his nap.

Izawa Sugi noticed that Jiguo Yansheng's steady breathing suddenly became disordered, and subconsciously asked, "What's wrong?"

"...Nothing." After waking up from the dream, Ji Guoyansheng calmed down. He hesitated for a few seconds, but still asked the question in his heart, "Saber, don't you hate me?"

Ize Shan was stunned: "Huh? Why should I hate you?"

Jiguo Yansheng said hesitantly: "I have seen your past. I have hurt you badly. Although you killed Upper Rank One, the grudge is settled, but..."

Even if all past grudges were written off, one wouldn't go to such lengths to help someone who had hurt him so badly, right?

Izawa Sugi smiled: "You are dreaming."

His tone was very relaxed, and even a little nostalgic. "Although you may find it a little funny, for me, when I think back on the past now, especially the battle with you, the feelings that arise in my heart are mostly joy and happiness."

"As for the sword you gave me at first... well, thank you for letting me face reality. Whenever I get complacent, someone always comes and gives me a blow. It's a good thing."

Izawa Sugi's tone was extremely calm, yet there was an indescribable arrogance and arrogance in it.

"After all, I survived, and all the enemies who had caused me trouble in the past were destroyed."

Precisely because he is the final victor, he can look at the past with a calmer and more tolerant attitude, draw lessons from it, and even be grateful for the troubles caused by the enemy.

As a swordsman who has been fighting for many years, Jiguo Yansheng easily caught Izawa Sugi's confidence. He was silent for a long time before saying, "Then have you never met someone like Yuanyi in your life who you can never catch up with no matter how hard you try?"

Ize Shan said speechlessly: "I have encountered such situations before, but why should I compare myself with them? They are them, and I am me. Why should I live like others?"

—Brother, you compare yourself with your younger brother and want to be like him, but don’t apply your logic to me!

Jiguo Yansheng: "..."

His tone became weak, "But don't you want to become stronger? Those people have talents and abilities that you can never catch up with. Have you ever thought about having them too?"

Ize Shan laughed angrily: "You are also a swordsman, you should also understand that only the swordsmanship that suits you best can bring out the greatest power, right?"

"There are three stages in cultivation. First, you must see yourself. You must be familiar with and understand yourself, and integrate your own feelings into the sword, so that you can wield a sword that is unique to you."

"The clash of swords is actually a clash of beliefs between two swordsmen. By exchanging moves and competing with sword intent, they achieve the goal of showing themselves and understanding each other."

This is one of the reasons why Naruto is always able to successfully talk his enemies out of trouble after every big battle.

"I have my own sword spirit and path, why should I envy others?"

After hearing this, Jiguo Yansheng sighed: "You are right, I understand, but if the person with talent doesn't care at all, or even discards it like a worn-out shoe, and the person who desires it can't get it no matter what, I guess you have never felt that kind of pain?"

Ize Shan was a little confused: "So you are... disappointed with your brother?"

It turns out that Jiguo Yansheng loves his younger brother deeply!

"I have no idea."

Jiguo Yansheng's thoughts are also very messy and complicated.

But it must be said that dreaming about becoming his younger brother and becoming a monk, and learning from Saber's dream that his future self would still be trapped in the shadow of his younger brother, Yunichi - even if he became a ghost, he would have to have six eyes! - made Jiguo Yansheng realize that no matter how hard he struggled, whether he was a human or a ghost, it seemed that the final result would always be completely suppressed and covered by his younger brother.

Ji Guoyansheng's mentality is really a bit broken.

But his perseverance and persistence as well as his status as an older brother made him pursue the goal obstinately and inertialy. Even if there was a dead end ahead, he did not want to retreat.

This is subtly similar to Izawa Sugi. Izawa Sugi has never given up in his life, and Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu does not want to and cannot retreat.

Izawa Sugi caught the confusion in Jikuni Iwakatsu's heart and felt a little conflicted.

Should we take a strong dose or proceed step by step?

When Tsugumi Iwakatsu was confused and Izawa Sugi was entangled, the two arrived in the Owari area.

Owari is the gateway to Kanto, where the economy is relatively developed and residents lead a stable life. After entering Owari, there are more pedestrians coming and going, and farmers are busy with farm work in the fields. The fields are no longer barren, and there is a more peaceful scene.

Owari is the territory of the Oda family. Theoretically, the people living in Owari would not easily talk about their lord, but to Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu's surprise, he heard a lot of stories about the Owari fool along the way!

The so-called Great Fool of Owari refers to Oda Nobunaga, the eldest son of the Oda family, the lord of Owari, and whose childhood name was Yoshifushi.

It is said that this young master does not care about respect and etiquette, likes to pick quarrels and stir up trouble, and even wears women's clothes. He often plays and fights with civilians regardless of his status. He is idle all day long, just like a naughty boy!

"… Is this Owari fool the future sixth-day demon king you told me about?"

Jiguo Yansheng questioned Izawa Sugi in disbelief about the gossip he heard.

"Yeah, what's wrong?" Ize Shan deliberately said, "I heard that Ji Guoyuan liked to play the flute and double-sixes when he was young, but now he is still rubbing all the swordsmen and ghost kings on the ground?"

Jiguo Yansheng: "..."

Ize Shan said earnestly: "Don't look down on young people because they are poor."

Jiguo Yansheng: "..."

Tsugukuni Iwakatsu held his breath and continued to rush towards the Furuno Castle where Oda Nobunaga lived. He wanted to see this Owari fool with his own eyes! !

If it were in later generations, Oda Nobunaga would definitely be a person who would be on the hot search every day, because just when Ji Kuni Iwakatsu was on his way, Oda Nobunaga did another thing that would be on the hot search: he took a few attendants to Kiyosu Castle and set it on fire!

Oda Nobunaga's father, Oda Nobuhide, controlled most of the Owari territory, but Kiyosu Castle belonged to the Oda family faction. The Kiyosu Oda was arrogant, so Oda Nobunaga simply took his men to secretly set fire to the city...

After hearing the news, Jiguo Yansheng's entire world view was overturned.

Because Kiyosu Oda was the main family, and Oda Nobuhide was nominally subject to the main family, but his son ran to the main family and set it on fire, which is simply...

Ji Guoyansheng was furious: "How could an inferior defeat a superior? This is simply unforgivable!"

Ize Shan threw cold water on him coldly: "Your brother beats you every day, isn't that also a case of the underdog trying to overthrow his superiors?"

Jikoku Iwakatsu immediately retorted: "Yuichi is indeed stronger than me, and now Oda Nobunaga is still a child in his teens. He just relied on his father's protection and rashly caused trouble. It's really nonsense!"

Izawa Sugi sneered: "Let's go to Gu Ye first to see the situation."

Oda Nobunaga was never afraid of anything in his life.

Tsugukuni Iwakatsu quickened his pace and arrived at Nagoya Castle, where the lord Oda Nobuhide lived. There were many civilian houses surrounding Nagoya, forming a scale similar to that of an outer city.

Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu found a teahouse to rest and heard a piece of gossip while drinking tea that Oda Nobunaga was imprisoned by his father Oda Nobuhide because he went to Kiyosu to set fire. At the same time, Oda Nobuhide went to Kiyosu Castle in person to apologize to the Oda family.

After hearing this, Jiguo Yansheng frowned slightly, but relaxed the next second.

At noon that day, he arrived at Nakuruno Castle, knocked on the door, handed in his business card, and said that he was the former lord of Keikoku Castle and was traveling around and wanted to visit Owari's guardian Oda Nobuhide.

Jiguo Yansheng was led to the reception room by a servant. After waiting for a while, he heard a slightly light sound of footsteps.

Jiguo Yansheng smiled.

In the absence of Oda Nobuhide, the person who could receive guests on his behalf was either an important minister or his eldest son, Oda Nobunaga.

This is just convenient for him to observe the future Demon King of the Sixth Heaven!

Swish! The paper door was opened, and a person dressed simply in a gorgeous lady's coat walked in.

He... to be exact, she had long hair loose, her face was full of confidence and indifference. She came in front of Ji Guo Yansheng, not kneeling like a woman, but sitting cross-legged like a man.

"Jiguo... I've heard a little bit about it, but didn't the head of Jiguo leave a long time ago?"

Jiguo Yansheng: "..."

He stared at the girl in front of him blankly, opened his mouth and closed it again. He looked dignified and calm, but in fact he was already stupid.

Ize Shan almost laughed out loud.

He immediately controlled Jiguo Yansheng's body and answered on his behalf: "Hearsay is not to be trusted. Prince Nobunaga's appearance is very different from the rumors. I'm sure you know it well, right?"

Oda Nobunaga raised her eyebrows, and her nonchalant expression disappeared. She seemed to be interested: "Oh? Did my reputation as a fool spread to the country?"

Izawa Sugi continued to answer on behalf of Jikuni Iwakatsu: "Does Nobunaga-sama wish to pass it on, or does he not wish to?"

Oda Nobunaga laughed out loud: "Of course I hope so! Even if it's a bad reputation, it means that someone knows me! This means that I have taken the first step towards becoming famous!"

In this age when communication relies on horses, fame is indeed an invisible force.

Although Oda Nobunaga's father supported her as the master of Owari as a woman, her mother was very uncomfortable with her unconventional words and deeds, and there were also people who opposed her within the Oda family.

After all, she has a younger brother, Nobukatsu Oda.

Compared to her sister Oda Nobunaga, many old-fashioned and traditionally compliant ministers hoped that Oda Nobukatsu would inherit the Oda family.

While Izawa Sugi was speaking on his behalf, Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu finally came to his senses.

He started arguing with Izawa Sugi in his mind.

"Oda Nobunaga is a woman! You lied to me!!"

"...Ah? I'm not lying to you. Oda Nobunaga was indeed the one who ended the Hundred Years of Warring States Period. He was honored as the Sixth Heavenly Demon King and was the brightest and most dazzling sun in the Warring States Period."

"She's a woman!"

"Yeah, what? Because you're a woman, it's impossible to do it? No way? Are you so narrow-minded? You know, there are also female pillars in the Demon Slayer Corps, and they are very strong!"

Just as Izawa Sugi and Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu were arguing, the paper door was suddenly opened again. A middle-aged man looked over in panic, and after seeing Oda Nobunaga, his body staggered and was about to fall.

"Young Master! Why are you... aren't you in confinement?"

The middle-aged man almost fainted.

Young Master, do you understand that you are a woman? If the news that the next young master of the Oda family is a woman gets out...

Oda Nobunaga said nonchalantly, "We have guests." She looked at Jiguo Iwakatsu with a smile, "Father just doesn't let me go out, otherwise Kiyosu... Haha, besides, Jiguo Castle Lord is not as old-fashioned as you."

Jiguo Yansheng pursed his lips, trying to keep his expression unchanged, and said in a deep voice: "...That's not the case, but this is an internal matter of your family. The only person I saw was the young master of the Oda family."

What he meant was that he himself did not recognize Oda Nobunaga. He just met the young master chosen by the Oda family themselves, and it had nothing to do with whether it was a man or a woman.

After hearing this, Oda Nobunaga was thoughtful: "You are unexpectedly more sincere. You are not affected by rumors and gender at all. It's amazing. I was rude before."

She straightened her expression and finally had some convincing majesty.

"I am Nobunaga of the Oda family. Please forgive me for my rude words and poor hospitality."

"My father is away for some reason. If Your Highness does not mind, you can stay in the city for a while. When my father returns, I will discuss the matter with you in detail as soon as possible."

Jiguo Yansheng's face looked better. He bowed slightly and said, "Sorry for disturbing you."

So Jiguo Yansheng stayed temporarily in the guest room of Kuno Castle.

After the servants left, Jiguo Yansheng whispered to Izawa Sugi: "...Is this what you wanted me to see?"

Ize Shan asked cautiously: "What did you see?"

Jiguo Yansheng did not answer.

Ji Guoyuanyi is the younger twin brother with facial markings. He was excluded from the line of heirs immediately after birth.

Oda Nobunaga of the Oda family was a woman, so she should have been excluded from the line of succession.

The middle-aged man who interrupted the meeting just now was an important official of the Oda family. He called Oda Nobunaga the young master, and explained that Oda Nobuhide supported his daughter Oda Nobunaga to become the head of the family and made her the young master. The important officials of the Oda family knew about this and openly acknowledged it.

Why? In the war-torn era, Oda Nobuhide actually appointed a woman as his successor? !

There is only one answer.

Oda Nobunaga's talent and gifts far surpassed those of her younger brother Oda Nobukatsu. She could lead the Oda family to glory, which is why Oda Nobuhide did not care about gender and firmly established Oda Nobunaga as his successor.

When his younger brother Ji Guoyuan defeated his retainer with a single swing of his sword and displayed his extraordinary talent, the lord of Jiguo Castle immediately decided to replace the heir, but Ji Guoyuan left Jiguo Castle overnight and gave the position of heir to his elder brother.

But the Oda Nobunaga in front of him not only showed his true face frankly, but also confidently stated that he would become famous in the world in the future.

What would it be like if talented people made good use of their talents and worked hard to improve themselves?

What kind of dazzling sun will she grow into, ending the chaos of the Warring States Period as Saber said?

In the dream, Jiguo Yansheng is the younger brother. He became a monk, and the older brother Jiguo Yuanyi became the head of the Jiguo family.

The dream ends here, but reality is about to begin the continuation of the dream.

Iwakatsu Tsuchiya: "I saw another destiny."

If Yuanyi had not given in back then, what heights could he have achieved as the head of the family?

Since this life is destined to be a hopeless pursuit, we must always know the true distance.

It's not about the younger brother being humble to the older brother, it's not about practicing without fighting spirit, it's not about not caring about winning or losing at all...

"Saber, thank you for bringing me here. I want to see with my own eyes how far she can go."

Please be serious and go all out to defeat everything! Let him know the true gap between humans and gods and demons!