"Only a well-known fact can truly deceive people. In truth, the one in charge of the army that was to attack our Ashina three years ago was none other than the Shogun's son, Lord Hidetada. This was also a move to prove to his father that he, too, had the ability to command a grand army—and my application for peace talks at the time was delivered right into Lord Hidetada's hands."
Genichiro Ashina revealed a cold smile, the taste of irony within it self-evident.
"At that time, Lord Hidetada and I had already come to an agreement. I would first hand over some of Master Dogen's research findings, while The Divine Heir would remain in my hands, and both sides would continue this standoff. Then, when the time was right, he would announce the peace talks. At that point, I would hand over the Power of the Dragon's Heritage, and he promised to enfeoff me as the Daimyo of Ashina, to rule over Ashina for generations, and that the Interior Ministry would never send any officials or armies to be stationed here."
The terms Genichiro spoke of were actually identical to what he had obtained now, but it was clear the party to the transaction was no longer the Shogun's son, but the Shogun himself.
This was very interesting.
Hidetada clearly intended to put this matter on hold for the time being and had already reached a cooperative agreement with Genichiro Ashina. His so-called waiting for the opportune moment was nothing more than waiting until he officially succeeded the position of Shogun, at which point the two would continue their collaboration.
After all, only by becoming the Shogun could eternal life be of maximum benefit to him, and before that...
But the current situation proved that the matter of the peace talks had been leaked, and leaked completely, falling into the hands of the Shogun. The conditions the Interior Ministry now gave Ashina were not just for the sake of continuing the transaction; one could even say this was the Shogun himself rapping his own son on the knuckles.
Suzuki Makoto thoughtfully stroked his chin. In this way, Hidetada would clearly not blame Genichiro Ashina, because the latter had not received any greater reward for it, which meant the possibility of him leaking the information to his father and selling to two buyers to drive up the price did not exist.
Therefore, the one Hidetada would truly hate would have to be the mole by his side, and this hatred might even extend to his father.
Thus, Genichiro Ashina could naturally continue to maintain his relationship with Hidetada, and the two sides could even continue to conspire on more secretive matters.
This also explained why the black Mortal Blade would still remain in Isshin Ashina's hands. Compared to the leaky Lord Hidetada, the ironclad Ashina clan was clearly more trustworthy.
Success is born of secrecy; failure is born of loose talk.
The Shogun's side was clearly unaware of the Mortal Blade's existence, and as for the Shogun's son, he would even help conceal this matter, because this was the only way he might achieve his long-held wish.
"All of this... you never actually told your grandfather, did you?"
"To ensure Ashina continues, I will stop at nothing and use any means necessary. Even if it means tarnishing the name of a samurai, I will not hesitate—but Grandfather, he need only continue to be the Sword Saint, to continue being a banner of glory. I will willingly bear all the filth and corruption!"
Genichiro Ashina stated, his tone firm as hammered iron.
Suzuki Makoto stood up and extended his right hand to the man before him.
All those with extraordinary minds deserve respect, especially when they do not use that will to satisfy their own selfish desires.
"So you're back here again, kid."
"That's right. Your grandson has far more sincerity than you do. At least he knows how to fight for a future, unlike your people."
Isshin Ashina unhappily squeezed the teacup in his hand, it was unclear whether he was unhappy about Suzuki Makoto's appearance or because he couldn't drink sake again.
"Grandfather, Lord Suzuki will be heading to the Fountainhead Palace in a few days. During this time, I can only trouble you to let him stay here temporarily to avoid drawing attention."
Genichiro Ashina said with his head lowered.
"This old man will look after him well. Really now, having to take such a huge detour just to be willing to come back. Wouldn't it have been fine if you'd just stayed earlier?"
"Stayed earlier? Then I'd like to ask you, after you help me kill the Divine Dragon, have you figured out how to protect Ashina?"
Suzuki Makoto retorted.
The old man choked, unable to utter a single word.
"Let me ask you again. When the Interior Ministry discovers their hope for the Mortal Blade is lost, will the internal power struggles cause this country to collapse again, returning to the war-torn Sengoku period, leaving the people in misery?"
Isshin Ashina was silent, rendered speechless.
"Lord Suzuki."
Genichiro Ashina spoke up, a hint of pleading in his voice.
"Pretend I said nothing. Just let me know when your arrangements are made—within ten days."
"Rest assured, I will not go back on my word."
Isshin Ashina looked at his grandson, suddenly realizing that he didn't seem to truly understand this child he had brought back, who had been raised by everyone.
After Genichiro left, the old man finally spoke with hesitation.
"Those questions you just asked, has Genichiro answered them all for you?"
"Of course."
"How did he manage it?"
"Why do you care? It's not like you'll have a chance to see it anyway."
The young man's retort nearly made Isshin Ashina choke with anger, the veins on his forehead throbbing.
"Forget it! This old man is truly not skilled in these matters. However, I only want you to promise me one thing—you must never give this Mortal Blade to Genichiro!"
This statement made Suzuki Makoto a little curious. The old man was clearly unaware of the true contents of his deal with Genichiro, yet he was able to so accurately pinpoint the crux of the matter. Evidently, there was something else about this Mortal Blade that he didn't know.
"Old man, I can see that Genichiro is quite fond of this sword, and he is fully qualified to take over as the lord of Ashina. There's no need for you to be unwilling to pass your personal sword down to him, is there?"
"This Mortal Blade is named 'Open Gate,' meaning it opens the gates to the underworld. By performing a sacrificial ritual with this Mortal Blade, one can pull the dead from the underworld. Moreover, this spirit can only be sent back to the underworld by a Mortal Blade; no other blade can kill it."
Isshin Ashina looked at Suzuki Makoto with a completely serious expression.
"I know what Genichiro is thinking. After I die, he will use this Mortal Blade to perform a sacrifice, pulling me back to the world of the living to continue protecting Ashina. And with the Mortal Blade in my hands, it means no one can kill me again—that is the reason Genichiro has been eyeing this sword from the very beginning!"
Suzuki Makoto looked at the old man before him and suddenly began to laugh.
"If the Mortal Blade is in your hands, why don't you just tell Genichiro that you will kill yourself after being revived, instead of telling me not to give the blade to him?"
"I'm afraid... even Genichiro Ashina himself knows very well that if he brought you back to the world of the living by sacrificing himself, then even you, faced with your dead grandson, would once again take up his will to protect Ashina, wouldn't you?"
____
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