I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Mr. Ogata, what do you think? Is it really the work of 'immortality'?"

He was eagerly hoping to obtain new and useful information from Ogata.

Unexpectedly… Ogata let out a silent sigh:

"do not know."

"To be honest, my understanding of the 'power of immortality' is far from being 'proficient'."

"After all, this thing is something that humans simply cannot understand."

"I just have a special affinity for the 'power of immortality,' so I'm more experienced than the average person."

"However, what can be confirmed is that that extraordinary vitality does indeed resemble the characteristics of 'immortality'."

"If you want to know the details, you'll have to go there yourself and find out for yourself."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng was taken aback.

Then, a beat late, he noticed a small bundle in the corner of the room, which looked like a suitcase.

Aoto instantly realized something, looking at Ogata in surprise while quickly asking:

"Mr. Ogata, are you planning to go to Goryokaku?"

Ogata chuckled softly a few times:

"I have long been living in seclusion and have no intention of interfering in worldly affairs."

"However, this matter seems to be related to the 'power of immortality,' so I can't stand idly by."

He paused here, then abruptly changed the subject:

"Mr. Tachibana, this battle involves dealing with the Ainu people, so a translator fluent in Ainu is essential."

Qingdeng didn't react for a moment, blinked, and looked bewildered.

Ogata smiled helplessly:

"What? Didn't you understand what I meant?"

“Don’t you remember? Three months ago, I told you myself that I had lived in Ezo for a period of time, where I not only learned the Ainu language, but also developed hunting skills.”

As he spoke, he patted his chest, a confident smile spreading across his face:

"I'll be your Ainu translator! I may not be an 'immortal,' but I am a true 'Ainu expert'!"

……

……

March 15——

Qin Jinfan, Da Jin, the cowshed of radish—

"Moo moo moo!"

Radish pawed the soil with its hooves while making excited noises.

As a very intelligent and kind cow, it instinctively sensed that it was about to go on a long trip!

Therefore, it was very excited.

Since the recapture of Oyu and the victorious return of the army, it has been staying in the cowshed, spending its days either leisurely grazing or idly sleeping.

Because Qing Deng and Sanako are both very busy and rarely come to play with it, it's getting restless.

At this moment, Aoto and Ogata stood on either side of it, the latter with his arms crossed, carefully examining it with great interest.

"What a strong bull... Mr. Orange, is your big black bull called 'Radish'?"

"um, yes."

“‘Radish’… I really miss it. I once had a horse that was also named ‘Radish’.”

He said this as he slowly walked towards the radish.

Seeing this, Qingdeng quickly reminded him:

“Mr. Ogata, be careful. Don’t let its憨憨 (simple and honest) appearance fool you, it has a very bad temper. It’s only close to me and Sanako.”

"It's okay, it's okay, I'm very good at dealing with animals."

After saying that, he stretched out his right hand and touched the radish's head.

"Moo moo moo...!"

However, his hand had barely reached halfway into the air when he received a low growl from Radish and a fierce glare, as if to say, "You insignificant human, don't touch me!"

Ogata smiled knowingly:

"Oh? You certainly have a short temper. Don't be nervous, I'm not a bad person, and I certainly won't slice you up and eat you."

Before he finished speaking, he reached out again.

Radish growled again and assumed a "ready to headbutt someone" stance.

But then, it suddenly widened its eyes—Ogata's "friendly smile" was clearly reflected in them—as if it had seen something terrifying.

The next moment, it trembled and lay down on the ground, head down, its "ready to butt someone" turning into "let you play with it."

Ogata patted the radish's big head and praised it:

"Good boy, this is a good cow that understands people."

Qingdeng stared speechlessly at the radish that was sliding down its knees at lightning speed.

"...Okay, it's now close to three people."

Ogata smiled, stopped teasing the radish, and silently stepped aside.

Qingdeng stepped forward and patted Luobo on the back, and the latter understood and got up again.

"Mr. Ogata, let's go to Osaka!"

Before he could finish speaking, he nimbly landed, flipped onto the ox, and the two of them trotted out of the cowshed.

*******

*******

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Chapter 1053 The Girl Named Isshiki Hana [4200]

Today is the day Aoto officially departs for Osaka.

When he appeared on the streets of Otsu riding a radish, it immediately caused quite a stir.

Looking up, the streets were packed with people—all there to see Qingdeng off.

The enthusiastic scene of people lining the streets to see them off continued all the way to the outskirts of Otsu.

Although most were just there for the spectacle, there were also many genuinely there to cheer on Qingdeng.

"Lord Niou! You must return victorious!"

"Come back soon!"

"Long live Lord Niou!"

Since Aoto took office in Otsu, he has been benevolent to the people and cherished all things, eliminated corrupt practices, and vigorously developed the economy.

Today, Otsu is no longer the desolate place it once was; it has become a vibrant town.

No matter where or what place they are, the people's thoughts are very simple—whoever can make their lives better, they will support.

Thus, out of their fervent support for Aoto, the people of Ōtsu formed a rather simple understanding: anyone who opposes Niō must be a bad person!

Even though they might not know where Qingdeng was going or who he was going to fight, it didn't stop them from having complete trust in him.

At this moment, observant people noticed that there was a stranger they had never seen before to the right rear of Qingdeng.

The man was tall and slender, with two swords, one long and one short, at his waist, suggesting he was a warrior. He wore a thick veil over his face, covering even his hair, leaving only his bright, piercing eyes visible.

"Who is that person next to Niou? Is it Nagakura Shinpachi?"

“Nagakura Shinpachi is very strong, that’s why he’s not this thin.”

"In this hot weather, aren't you hot wrapped up so tightly?"

It's the height of summer, and the July sun is like a series of whips, making people's skin sting.

Lately—especially today—it's been hot and humid, like a giant steamer, with the perceived temperature approaching forty degrees Celsius.

Just looking at the "face mask man's" outfit makes you feel hot.

With the blessing of the talent "Sensor of Wind +4", Qing Deng could hear all the discussions around him.

Qingdeng turned his head to the side, looking helplessly at the "masked man," and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:

“Mr. Ogata, your outfit is really too eye-catching.”

The "mask-wearing man"... that is, Ogata, shook his head with a wry smile:

Do you think I wanted this?

"I'd like to stay in Kyoto for a few more years."

"If people who know me find out that I, an old man selling wagashi, have managed to 'climb the social ladder' to be worthy of Lord Niou, how am I supposed to live in Kyoto?"

He spoke weakly, revealing a hint of exhaustion... It seems that even the unparalleled "Eternal Sword Saint" is afraid of the heat.

Regarding this mysterious "muscle man," Qing Deng claimed that he used his connections to find an Ainu translator named "Majima Kazuma."

No one suspected anything amiss, and they all marveled at Qingdeng's extensive network of connections.

In this era, people who can speak Ainu are extremely rare.

Normally, only in the Matsumae Domain, which borders the Ainu-populated areas, can one find translators who speak Ainu.

Ogata has many acquaintances in Kyoto, and Otsu is too close to Kyoto, so it's hard to guarantee that no one will recognize him.

To avoid trouble, he disguised himself—that is, his current appearance with his face tightly wrapped up—and his reason was that he had contracted smallpox as a child and was unfortunately disfigured, so he covered his face with a white cloth.