Tsugumi Iwakatsu stayed in Nafuno Castle for two days, and on the first day he met Oda Nobunaga's father, Oda Nobuhide.

Oda Nobuhide was a gentle and elegant man. Before coming, he had received an urgent letter from an important official in his family and knew that the man in front of him, Tsukekuni Iwakatsu, had already met Oda Nobunaga, so he used the term "little girl" when referring to Oda Nobunaga to Tsukekuni Iwakatsu.

"I am ashamed to hear that this little girl has a perverse and vulgar character and that she has been so rude to you in her conversation."

"You are very polite. You are an extraordinary person."

Talented people should of course shoulder more responsibilities, and the strong should protect the weak. This is the truth that Jiguo Yansheng has learned and recognized.

Bringing Oda Nobunaga to the level of Jikoku Otoichi, compared to Jikoku Otoichi who only wanted to play the flute and double-land, Oda Nobunaga who cared about the world was actually very [normal] in his eyes.

When Oda Nobuhide heard Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu addressing Oda Nobunaga, his eyes flashed and the smile on his face became much more genuine.

"Oh? It seems that my son has improved a lot recently. In fact, he has always done things that bothered me and has a bad reputation. It is really troubling."

Oda Nobuhide naturally changed the address and said that he had a famous sword in his collection and why not come together to appreciate it.

Jiguo Yansheng showed some interest: "Thank you for the invitation."

What follows is a very boring social time, where they test each other's personality, views and ideas through appreciating famous swords, calligraphy and tea ceremony.

Izawa Sugi was already dozing off out of boredom. At this moment, Merlin sent him a bunch of messages, saying that he might be away for a while. If Merlin wasn't back by the time Izawa Sugi came back, he should be merciful and kick him out.

Ize Shan was a little puzzled and wanted to ask more questions, but he was shocked to find that Merlin had already fled, and what was left in Avalon was an illusion silhouette.

Ize Shan quickly relaxed. It didn't matter even if Merlin was trapped. Merlin wouldn't die easily anyway. Let him feel what it was like to be trapped!

When Izawa Sugi came to his senses, he was surprised to find that Oda Nobuhide and Tsugukuni Iwakatsu actually had a feeling of mutual admiration as if they had met too late, and at the same time, Tsugukuni Iwakatsu suddenly became Oda Nobunaga's kendo teacher.

Izawa Sugi curiously asked Tsugumi Iwakatsu: "How did you become Oda Nobunaga's teacher?"

Tsugukuni Iwakatsu: "I'm not sure how long I can stay in the Oda family. I also want to observe Oda Nobunaga. It would be more appropriate for me to be a kendo teacher first."

The most important thing is that Jikuni Iwakatsu already knows that the eldest son of the Oda family is a girl. Oda Nobuhide is the lord known as the Tiger of Owari. How could he let Jikuni Iwakatsu leave so easily?

Jiguo Yansheng still possesses basic political qualities.

Ize Shan was a little surprised: "You are more familiar with these twists and turns than I thought."

Then Izawa Shan changed his mind and felt a little upset. If Jiguo Yansheng wasn't so thoughtful, he wouldn't be so upset.

"This is a social skill that a family head must master."

Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu was a qualified head of the family who grew up according to the orthodox education of the samurai family, so his thinking circuits could naturally connect seamlessly with Oda Nobuhide.

Ize Shan thought: "I don't think your brother is good at these."

"That's because Yuanyi left Jiguo and didn't receive relevant education." Jiguo Yansheng sighed: "This kind of thing, if you just learn it casually, Yuanyi will master it."

Ize Shanguo shut up.

Oda Nobuhide announced that he had hired Tsugumi Iwakatsu as a kendo teacher for his eldest son, and also held a banquet to introduce Tsugumi Iwakatsu to his right-hand men.

The important officials of the Oda family were somewhat curious and wanted to test Jikuni Iwakatsu. After all, the eldest son's teacher was a very noble status, so it was natural for someone to challenge Jikuni Iwakatsu.

And then…there is no then.

Except for Tsugumi Yuichiro, Tsugumi Iwakatsu has never lost to anyone else. All the important officials of the Oda family were defeated. Even Shibata Katsuie, who was known as the bravest, lost to Tsugumi Iwakatsu.

This time it was Oda Nobuhide's turn to be dumbfounded.

At first, he just thought that Jikuni Iwakatsu was a small country castle lord with good vision. Although it seemed stupid for him to abandon his family in pursuit of kendo, he came to visit him in a proper manner and recognized Oda Nobunaga. As a father and castle lord, Oda Nobuhide should also treat him with courtesy.

What's the result?

It turns out that there is something wrong with his brain!

When one's kendo skills reach the level of Jikuni Iwaki, even if one has many soldiers and guards, it will be meaningless if the opponent really has bad intentions... In an instant, cold sweat broke out on Oda Nobuhide's forehead.

Oda Nobuhide was generous in his praise, claiming that Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu was the most powerful samurai he had ever seen.

After hearing this, Jiguo Yansheng's face turned even darker. He shook his head and said in a gloomy tone, "You flatter me. In front of truly talented people, I am as dim as the light of a firefly."

As he said this, he looked at Oda Nobunaga, who was sitting next to him with bright eyes.

Jiguo Yansheng added: "My brother's talent is a hundred times stronger than mine. He is the true god of swordsmanship."

Oda Hidenobu followed the gaze of Jikuni Iwakatsu and saw Oda Nobunaga, and suddenly understood something.

The reason why he resolutely chose Oda Nobunaga as his successor was because he believed that in this chaotic world, only Oda Nobunaga had the ability to protect the family and lead Oda to the peak.

Thinking about what Jikuni Iwaki mentioned before about the gifted nobleman... So that's how it is. Could it be that this Jikuni Iwaki encountered a similar situation as Oda Nobunaga?

Oda Nobuhide was filled with emotion.

His wife and important officials all thought that Oda Nobunaga was a mean person, especially as a woman, and they actively persuaded him to make Oda Nobukatsu his successor.

Although Oda Nobuhide firmly believed in Oda Nobunaga, he was admonished by others for many years, and Oda Nobunaga did have a rebellious personality, so Oda Nobuhide would occasionally doubt himself: Is my choice the right one?

At this moment, Oda Nobuhide was recognized by Jikuni Iwakatsu, and his confidence increased immediately.

"Then I'll leave it to you from now on."

Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu said, "Leave it to me. I will teach Oda Nobunaga to be a respectable samurai."

Then the next day he was slapped in the face.

Oda Nobunaga bought a rifle from some merchant and fired it at Jikoku Iwakatsu.

Oda Nobunaga laughed and said: "Times have changed! My new teacher, the sword is no longer useful, firearms are more powerful!"

Jiguo Yansheng: "..."

He slowly drew out the long sword from his waist and sneered, "Your Highness, I guess you don't know that the enemies I faced before didn't use swords."

Those evil demons used sharp claws and teeth, as well as various bizarre blood magic.

So the sword that Oda Nobunaga had found with great difficulty was chopped into pieces by the sword of Jikuni Iwakatsu, and even the bullet was evenly split into eighteen petals. When Oda Nobunaga saw the bullet the size of his little finger broken into rice, he suddenly calmed down.

Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu hopes that Oda Nobunaga will concentrate on swordsmanship, but Oda Nobunaga has wild ideas and she is not interested in becoming the strongest swordsman.

"I am a man who wants to conquer the world, why should I hold a sword?"

Jiguo Yansheng retorted: "If I don't become the strongest, how can I lead my family to conquer the world?"

Oda Nobunaga was amused and said, "The generals today are not the strongest, and His Highness who sits on the throne is not the strongest either. The so-called strongest is the one who saves the people, not the one who defeats the people!"

Jiguo Yansheng's eyes widened slightly, and his hand holding the long sword trembled a little: "...But if I'm not the strongest, I will die halfway."

Oda Nobunaga said as a matter of course: "Isn't there a teacher here?"

Jiguo Yansheng couldn't understand: "How can you entrust your life to others? If one day I have evil intentions..."

"That's my problem too." Oda Nobunaga looked at Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu seriously. "I am your student. Even you have evil intentions towards me. It can only mean that I am too stupid and incompetent. How can I become the head of the Oda family or even go beyond the small Owari?"

"Besides." Oda Nobunaga's face showed an eager and burning ambition, "Don't you want to see how far I can go?"

"If I slack off or stop one day, come and kill me, my teacher!"

"I have given my life to you in advance. In this case, you must do your best to help me before I die!"

Jiguo Yansheng:!

He closed his eyes, and his usually steady and regular breathing became rapid. He looked horrified, with complex emotions that were beyond words.

Ah, he lost again.

He didn't lose to Yoshiichi, but to Oda Nobunaga who was in front of him.

Ji Guoyansheng couldn't help but ask himself: Would he say something similar to his younger brother Ji Guoyuanyi?

No, because he couldn't bear the fact that he was the elder brother but weaker than his younger brother.

If Oda Nobunaga was the elder brother of Yoshikazu Kokumi, he would surely accept his younger brother's talent without reservation, not care about his rebellious behavior, and immediately control his younger brother.

Jiguo Yansheng sighed deeply, and finally bowed his head and said: "If this is your wish, I understand."

Since he had decided to serve the Oda family, Jikoku Iwakatsu wrote a letter to his younger brother who stayed in Jikoku Castle to inform him of the matter. He said, "I am going to fight for my career. Jikoku Castle is yours. Anyway, my father also planned to make you the heir, so you take care of the house."

After sending the letter, Jiguo Yansheng felt like he was reborn and starting over.

Izawa Sugi was in a good mood as Jigoku Iwakatsu's wish was almost fulfilled. He only had to wait for Jigoku Iwakatsu to enter the world of immortal arts, and then Izawa Sugi could leave.

It may be that Jiguo Yansheng has completely let go, or it may be because he now has a new goal, his whole spirit and spirit are very different, and the progress of his cultivation of immortal arts is also more gratifying.

Under the guidance of Izawa Sugi, Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu soon began to sense the natural energy in the air.

Izawa Sugi used Servant Mimicry several times, allowing Jigoku Iwaki to observe the world and appreciate nature in a transparent state.

By the end of the year, Jiguo Yansheng was able to maintain the immortal state for minutes.

...It's just a simple maintenance, and I can't use magic to fight.

But for Jiguo Yansheng, it was enough. After all, he did not learn the magic for fighting. As long as he could save his life and not damage his lifespan, he could practice slowly in the future.

On New Year's Day, Izawa Sugi told Tsugumi Iwakatsu about his departure, and Tsugumi Iwakatsu felt a little lost and melancholy after hearing it.

Although Saber appeared suddenly, it completely changed the trajectory of his life.

Moreover, Jiguo Yansheng had been feeling depressed before, and could not tell anyone about his thoughts. But facing Saber, who knew him inside and out, Jiguo Yansheng could freely express his inner unbearableness and jealousy, and he felt better after saying what was in his heart.

Now that Izawa Sugi proposed to leave, Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu said, "I see... Yuichi wrote to me before saying that he would visit the Oda family during the New Year. Let's wait until he comes before leaving."

Ize Shan was also worried that he would fail at the last minute, so he simply nodded: "Okay."

After more than half a year of getting along and adjusting to each other, Tsugukuni Iwakatsu had become a relatively important retainer of the Oda family. When Oda Nobuhide and Oda Nobunaga heard that Tsugukuni Iwakatsu's younger brother was coming to visit, they were both very happy and curious.

However, on the day when Tsukoku Junichi arrived, Oda Nobuhide received an invitation from the Oda family, so he had to temporarily take Oda Nobunaga to Kiyosu Castle. So the person who came forward to entertain Tsukoku Junichi became Oda Nobukatsu.

Oda Nobukatsu was the younger brother of Oda Nobunaga. In the minds of many retainers and his mother, Lady Tsuchiya, Oda Nobukatsu was the true heir of the Oda family.

After learning that Tsuchikuni Enichi, who was stronger than Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu, had arrived at the Oda family, former wife Tsuchiya instructed her son: "Be sure to invite that Enichi to be your teacher!"

Oda Nobukatsu seemed to agree on the surface, but when he actually met Ji Kuniyoshi, he kept saying that my sister Oda Nobunaga is the best in the world, and since you are Lord Iwakatsu's younger brother, you should be loyal to your sister.

——Yes, Nobukatsu Oda is a sister complex.

Isn't this just a coincidence?

Ji Guoyuan immediately shook his head and said, my brother is the best in the world, I will only be loyal to my brother!

"My sister has great ambitions and cares about the world!"

"My brother flies kites and plays double-six with me."

"My sister is proficient in both civil and military strategies!"

"My brother practiced swordplay with me."

"My sister is so gifted, no one can match her. No one can keep up with her!"

"My brother made me a flute himself. I carry it with me every day. This flute is like my brother. My brother and I are together all the time."

Oda Nobukatsu: “…”

The boy's mentality collapsed. His sister Wuwuwuwu didn't even accompany him to fly kites, play double-dragons or play the flute!

Ji Guoyuanyi: "Really? Your sister has never been with you? That's really incompetent."

He and his brother were forced to separate, and his brother even secretly came to play with him!

Oda Nobukatsu said angrily: "Don't you dare say that about my sister! No matter how good your brother is, he is still my sister's retainer! He has to accompany my sister, not you!"

Ji Guoyuanyi: "..."

Tsugumi Kuniichi's mood became worse. Hey, wasn't his brother going to give him a surprise? Did his brother plan to stay in the Oda family forever?

When Tsugukuni Iwakatsu accompanied Oda Nobuhide and Oda Nobunaga back to the Oda family, he was surprised to find that his younger brother Tsugukuni Enichi seemed to have a good relationship with Oda Nobukatsu? The two of them actually avoided the servants and roasted sweet potatoes in an inconspicuous place in the city!

The two of them complained to each other while eating.

"Your baking is not as delicious as my sister's."

“This is my brother’s taste.”

"I want to kill all those idiots at home who can't see the good in my sister."

"If my brother enters the government, he won't practice swordplay with me anymore... ah."

The two brothers were chatting with each other, when suddenly Ji Guoyuan looked up and said with a happy look on his face: "Brother."

Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu's face turned black, but Oda Nobunaga burst into laughter.

"What? Mr. Iwakatsu's brother is not serious or formal at all. He looks more interesting."

Oda Nobukatsu brushed the dust off his body in a panic, and immediately regained his adult demeanor, saying politely, "Onee-sama."

"Don't worry about it." Oda Nobunaga sat next to his brother with a smile, picking up a sweet potato from the fire. "I've been traveling all day, and I didn't eat anything at the banquet of those idiots in Kiyosu. I'm starving."

"Onee-sama! I baked this, please eat it!"

"Brother, you must be hungry too. I have roasted some sweet potatoes. Please enjoy them."

Ji Guoyuanyi, as if refusing to admit defeat, placed his roasted sweet potato in front of Ji Guoyansheng.

Ji Guoyansheng stared at the people present, but he sat on the ground without any scruples to make a fire and roast sweet potatoes. This behavior is too...

"Teacher, please sit down too." Oda Nobunaga reached out and pulled Jikuni Iwakatsu, "Don't worry about those rigid rules. Anyway, father has to deal with Shibata and mother first. He doesn't know what we are doing."

Ji Guoyansheng sat down helplessly. He looked at the roasted sweet potato in his hand, and his expression softened for a moment.

He recalled the time when he and his brother were in the Demon Slayer Corps, slaying demons. At that time, the brothers occasionally traveled together, and Yuan Yi always prepared food and lodging.

Ji Guoyuanyi seemed to have thought of this as well. He smiled, and the firelight shone on his face, giving his features a more human aura.

"I never thought I would have the chance to eat sweet potatoes with my brother."

Before Tsuchikuni Iwakatsu could say anything, Oda Nobunaga said naturally, "Why don't you come to the Oda family? Then you can have dinner with Mr. Iwakatsu every day!"

Ji Guoyuan was a little tempted: "But my brother asked me to take care of Ji Guocheng..."

"Yuichi doesn't like fighting. Nobunaga-sama, please let him stay in Jikoku Castle."

Jiguo Yansheng suddenly said: "Yuichi, do you know that the Breathing of the Sun has become a kind of Kagura dance? If you are interested, you can try to dance it."

Instead of swinging swords, it is better to show the flames of God to mankind to lead them forward in the long darkness.

Ji Guoyuanyi was really interested: "Really?"

Jiguo Yansheng put down the sweet potato in his hand and stood up.

Since he had just accompanied her to Qingzhou Castle, he wore the most formal and gorgeous clothes. Standing in front of the flame, Jiguo Yansheng casually broke off a cherry branch, raised his head and glanced at the crescent moon hanging in the night sky, which began to dance gently.

“It’s your breath.”

——This is the Breathing of the Sun and the Kagura of Fire that you pass on to the future, and it is also the trace you leave in this world.

Jiguo Yansheng was unable to master the Breathing of the Sun, he could only practice the Breathing of the Moon.

But Izawa Sugi is different.

As the clear vision that Jiguo Yansheng could never forget appeared, a burning sensation rose from his lungs. His body was out of his control. The swaying cherry blossom branches seemed to weigh more than a thousand pounds. The flames entangled his body and then swirled up into the sky.

Ji Guoyansheng felt a little dizzy, but he persisted in watching, feeling and remembering.

Is this what it feels like when Ji Guoyuan swings his sword? Is this the difference between him and his brother?

Faintly, he seemed to hear Oda Nobunaga's scream and Gokoku Yoshiichi's shout.

They seemed to be asking him to stop, but...

Jiguo Yansheng suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, the dizziness disappeared, and Saber also left.

What left with it was the unattainable supreme realm.

It is the dream of ordinary people.