Ashina's castle town was not particularly lively. Most people still appeared to maintain a certain wariness toward outsiders like Suzuki Makoto. However, though the sparrow is small, it has all five organs—the entire castle town at least looked the part.
Suzuki Makoto's attention was not here; he raised his head and looked above the mountain castle at the giant kite floating there, which appeared to be a device used for measuring wind direction.
Except, that sort of thing wouldn't poke you straight on with a piercing gaze.
Ashina Castle was a mountain fortress; the paths to enter were scarce to begin with, not to mention the staggered elevations. If they used that kind of thing as an observation post, any talk of anyone secretly infiltrating this place would be nonsense.
Rejecting the solicitation from a nearby inn, Suzuki Makoto walked straight through the castle town, heading in the direction of the Castle Tower.
Unexpectedly, the road leaving the castle town was not blocked. A few soldiers merely stared at Suzuki Makoto but said nothing extra—seen this way, the so-called trial the soldiers mentioned earlier was placed up on the mountain. These few hundred meters of mountain road were obviously some kind of ultimatum.
"My Lord, another newcomer has set foot on the mountain path."
The seated general did not even open his eyes. The person reporting was accustomed to this; after all, not everyone was qualified to make Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa strike out to test them.
Moreover, Genichiro-sama had also given orders: unless a person's movements were overly suspicious, they were to be allowed passage after only a slight test.
Suzuki Makoto finished walking the final step. The castle gate in front of him suddenly opened, and the soldiers lined up in neat rows shouted in unison, attempting to intimidate him.
However, just as Suzuki Makoto had once said, having senses that were too powerful easily robbed many things of their sense of surprise.
Faced with such a lineup, Suzuki Makoto merely looked inquiringly at the leader.
"Do I have to defeat you all to pass?"
"No, you only need to exchange thirty moves with me."
The leading samurai stepped out. Just as he was about to speak, he felt a chill at his throat; Suzuki Makoto's scabbard was already resting horizontally across his neck.
"Does this count as passing?"
Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa opened his eyes instantly, casting his gaze upon Suzuki Makoto with great interest.
"It counts."
He stood up and picked up his great spear. The lined-up soldiers stepped aside one by one to form a path, allowing Gyoubu to walk up to Suzuki Makoto.
"To have this level of strength at your age, your identity must be no simple matter—although I can let you enter the main castle, before that, you must fight me first."
"General, you should be more skilled in mounted combat, right? Is fighting me on foot really okay?"
Suzuki Makoto looked at the tall horse to the side and placed his sword back at his waist.
"It matters not."
As they spoke, the surrounding people had already all pushed back, clearing a sufficient space for the two of them.
"I am one of the Seven Ashina Spears, Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa!"
The long spear pierced the cold air of the mountaintop, stabbing straight at Suzuki Makoto.
"Wandering samurai, Suzuki Makoto."
The man easily avoided the thrust, spun to dodge a sweep, and dashed in with quick steps to close the distance.
This cavalry general's proficiency in foot combat was also deep, but it was limited to the fundamentals. He might be an excellent general and an outstanding instructor, but he was obviously not that skilled at dueling.
After memorizing the opponent's spear technique, Suzuki Makoto once again tapped his scabbard against Gyoubu's throat.
The general stared at Suzuki Makoto and withdrew his long spear.
"Please. Isshin-sama is inside the Castle Tower."
"Many thanks."
Suzuki Makoto, still neither flushed nor out of breath, walked through the soldiers whose gazes had turned to awe, heading toward the interior of the main castle.
A trace of worry rose in Gyoubu's heart. He hadn't been able to probe out a single move or style from Suzuki Makoto in the battle just now. He couldn't tell at all where the opponent had learned his skills. As for the claim of being a wandering samurai, that was nonsense—a powerhouse as young as Suzuki Makoto would definitely be a guest of honor for daimyo everywhere. As long as he asked, he could have his pick of women other than prostitutes; even if he wanted to marry into a family, a legitimate daughter wouldn't be out of the question.
For such a person to come to Ashina at a time like this... was it a blessing or a curse?
Suzuki Makoto didn't know what kind of delicate thoughts were flowing through that rugged big man's mind; he was simply sizing up the old man before him with curiosity.
"Are you Isshin Ashina?"
"What? You came looking for this old man, yet you've never even seen a portrait of me?"
"I heard rumors during my wanderings, so I came out of interest. As long as the sword is real, what need is there to recognize the person?"
"Hahahaha! Your name is Suzuki Makoto, right? This old man likes you, brat."
The old man wearing the Tengu mask laughed heartily.
"You aren't here to become a disciple, are you?"
"'Dojo busting' sounds a bit harsh, so let's use seeking apprenticeship. After all, I'm a man who fears trouble, and I don't particularly like killing people either."
Isshin Ashina had not invited Suzuki Makoto into the Castle Tower because the Nightjar had reported to him that this young man before him had discovered the Nightjar's surveillance while still in the castle town.
Those were sentries that even the Interior Ministry's Lone Shadows couldn't detect, yet the opponent had realized it back in the castle town. Such keen perception meant he could absolutely not be an ordinary person.
And for such a person to come to Ashina, he was either here for him, or here for... immortality.
"Since it is a dojo challenge, one can be more open outside, no?"
"Why? Is there something inside the Castle Tower that cannot be shown to people?"
Both men placed their hands on their sword hilts, their auras concentrating.
Clang clang!
The old man's rapid Ashina Cross was completely blocked by Suzuki Makoto. What followed was the continuous sound of clashing blades, but after only a short while, the sound stopped.
Suzuki Makoto frowned, looking at the panting old man before him, and actively backed out of engagement distance.
"Everyone says Isshin Ashina has conquered death; even the Interior Ministry thinks so. But why do you still look like an old man with failing vitality?"
"Hahaha. In this life, this old man has loved many things: swords, sake, Ashina. But the only thing I haven't loved is immortality. To be able to use a useless thing to exchange with the Interior Ministry for the right of the people of Ashina to live on—that is the happiest thing for me."
Isshin Ashina's voice was so refreshing; obviously, he really didn't take the so-called immortality to heart at all.
Suzuki Makoto's heart stirred. If Isshin Ashina also despised immortality, then could he inquire about the truth of the Fountainhead Palace from him?
"Then, that so-called immortality, and the Divine Dragon of the Fountainhead Palace—what exactly are they?"
"This is the second question you've asked this old man. Can you allow this old man to ask one first?"
"Please."
"You are so young, yet possess such strength. Why did you also come here? Do you also want to go to the Fountainhead Palace to seek that 'Gift of the Dragon God'?"
Isshin Ashina took off his mask, his eyes burning as he stared at Suzuki Makoto's eyes.
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