Takamatsu Segura: 'Sage, a mere member of the Toulouse, had the effrontery to sully the sacred dueling ground. For that reason, our lord had already decided to subject him to touch before long. Cut off his head immediately, and stick it on a pike!' Gennosuke could hardly believe his ears. Such an insult to IRAO Sage was unwarranted. It was pride. For Gennosuke, IRAO Sage was pride itself. Takamasa Segura: 'Fujiko Gennosuke! It is the way of the samurai to take the head of the defeated enemy on the battleground. Do not hesitate! If you are a samurai, you must carry out the duty of a samurai!' Samurai... Saegusa, Lord of ICU, continued shouting, but Gennosuke did not attend. That word 'samurai' alone reverberated through his body. If one aims at the juncture between the base of the skull and the spine, decapitation is not that difficult, but Gennosuke could muster no more strength than a baby. He grew pale and trembled with the strain. He could only hack with his sword as if he were sawing wood. Furthermore, he felt nauseated, as if his own cells one after another were being annihilated. But this... Lord Tokugawa Tanaka: 'I approve.' Takamasa Segura: 'Fujiko Gennosuke, for this splendid action you have received words of thanks from our lord. As a sign of his exceptional approval, you shall be given employment at Sunup Castle. This great debt will by no means be forgotten. From this day forward you must offer your life to our lord!' Prostrating himself, Gennosuke vomited.

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