[Gintama] Immortal

Snow stopped.

The peaceful world is a vast expanse of whiteness, a figure in armor leads a horse and walks ahead, the birch forest is quiet, and the slender branches are covered with frost and snow, as if the branches were full of flowers overnight.

In the hazy scenery, the only sound that can be heard is the crunch of horseshoes sinking into the thick snow.

Yinshi looked around, not to mention the shogunate army who was chasing him down, he couldn't even see the shadow of other living creatures.

He casually looked away, and the martial attendant who was leading the way turned around for the third time and scanned him carefully from beginning to end, as if he regretted not wrapping him in the quilt before leaving.

... No, no, he is really not cold.

Pausing for a moment, the valet leading the horse turned his head back, Yinshi was slightly relieved in his heart.

Before he could completely relax, he saw the other party suddenly quicken his pace and walk straight towards the vending machine standing in the snow.

……Alas? ? ? ? ?

The vending machine that did not disappear because of his complaints stood quietly in the middle of the woodland. The martial attendant raised his hand, wiped the white mist from the display case with a buckskin glove, and carefully looked at the products on the shelf.

The figure stood in front of the vending machine, tapping here and there, as if expecting a response from the vending machine.

To no avail, the other party turned around, and the eyes under the antler helmet were dark, silently facing him.

"...Have you never seen a vending machine?"

Yinshi twitched the corner of his mouth, he gestured helplessly towards the display cabinet, and then pointed to the coin slot: "Did you see it? The price is marked below. Whichever you want, you put the coin in here and wait for the green light When it lights up, press it and it’s ready to ship.”

The figure with the antler helmet lowered his head slightly, looked at the coin slot he was pointing at, thought for a moment, raised his head, and continued to look at him silently.

"Why? Why? Even if you look at me like this, Ah Yin won't pay!"

"..." The other party was still standing quietly in front of the vending machine.

The woods without the sound of the wind are extremely quiet.

After a long while, snow slid lazily from the branches with a plop, fluffy and muffled.

"...Okay, okay, I see! Turn your face away, turn your face away, do you hear that? Don't keep looking at me like this, tsk." Yinshi looked away and grabbed himself a little irritably Messy curly hair.

"It's just that I happen to be a little thirsty. There's nothing I can do about it. Ah Yin has a heart like gold. I'll buy you a cup." He muttered in a low voice, rummaged through his pockets, and managed to find two shiny silver coins .

A total of 150 yen.

Just enough to buy a bottle of Pocari.

Yin Shi: "..."

I don't know what he was silent about, but the other party was about to come over, he gathered up the coin in his palm, and raised his head casually: "Hey, if you want to choose, hurry up, what do you want to drink?"

The heavy armor rustled softly with the movement, and the samurai wearing the red ghost mask raised his hand, pointed at Pocari in the display case, and looked at him sideways.

Gintoki seemed to see some kind of wonderful anticipation in the brief movement.

"How old are you guys?"

The familiar complaint suddenly blurted out, Yinshi was slightly taken aback, and soon recovered, he put the only two coins on his body into the slender opening, and pressed on the green light that was on.

A clattering sound resounded inside the vending machine, and Samurai squatted down, and took out the indigo-colored Pocari from the outlet below.

Under Gintoki's gaze, the speechless Samurai straightened up and handed him the untouched Pocari.

"……give me?"

The arm covered in chain mail was frozen in the air in front of him.

No sound, no eating, no drinking, no need to rest or sleep, even the ups and downs of breathing can't be seen, he observed for so many days, but the doubts just piled up.

Yinshi stretched out his hand and took the Pocari handed over by the other party.

The figure wearing the antler helmet lowered his hands without hesitation, turned around and took the reins of the war horse.

...The result is just curious about how the vending machine is shipped.

I just want to see the process of the goods rolling to the delivery port, this inexplicable guy!

Yinshi complained in his heart, the words "Pocari Sweat" on the indigo package became more and more silly.

Pausing for a moment, he unscrewed the bottle cap.

The valet leading the horse turned his head, and Yinshi was standing in front of the vending machine, with an obviously disgusted expression on his face, but the corners of his mouth seemed to rise slightly.

Going deep into the hinterland of the mountains, the forest gradually grows tall and dense.

The dwarf birch trees made way for the hemlocks and cedars, and the straight trees stretched out to the sky like spurs protruding from the earth, silently watching the two walking through the mountains.

The sound of the horse's hooves became a constant rhythm in his ears, Yinshi accidentally walked closer a few times, and the flicked horse's tail swept across his face, wiping his mouth and hastily backing away , Before he could complain, the war horse that had become a fine horse turned his head and gave him a disdainful look.

... What kind of hatred does this horse have against him?

The martial attendant walking in the front didn't notice the little discord between one man and one horse, and focused on leading the way in the forest.

"Hey, where are we going?"

Even if you ask this question, the other party will not answer, and will just continue to move forward in silence.

The gray sky is as soft as fog, and it seems that snowflakes will fall in the next moment.The mountains far away from human habitation can't hear other sounds, and the towering fir trees have stood here since ancient times, making pedestrians and travelers as small as ants, like an insignificant ink spot on the earth.

He still has a lot of things to do, and there are many people waiting for him. He knows that after leaving this mountain, there will be continuous artillery fire, billowing wolf smoke, the light of swords and shadows of swords, endless fighting and a battlefield with no turning back. .

But Yinshi doesn't mind taking a longer road now.

He has been running.

Always.

From the night when the private school was engulfed by flames, there is no turning back, and there is no place to look back.

When the field of vision suddenly widened, the first thing Yinshi felt was the wind on his face.

The land seemed to be drawn out, the dense pine forest suddenly stopped at the edge, the faint light leaked from the vast clouds, and the huge lake was like a mirror embedded in the mountains, reflecting the ray of skylight and shining slightly.

The mountains are silent, and the pure white snow extends to the four poles of the earth.

Leading the horse, the samurai wearing an antler helmet was waiting in the snow by the lake, and turned around to look at him.

——"Look, Yinshi, it's a lake."

The breeze blew by, and the reeds by the lake swayed like soft waves.

The golden wheat fields are boundless, Songyang carries him through the undulating fields, the sun is shining warmly on his body, and the sky can't be seen without twisting his neck.

The world is vast and the journey is long. He lies on that warm and broad back. Songyang’s voice always contains a gentle smile. Sometimes he falls asleep with that voice on his pillow. There is no wind in the smooth dream, and finally there is no stiffness. Cold corpses and lonely sunsets.

... silver hour.

After many years, he heard that gentle and soft voice again.

Look, it's a lake.

Not just the lake.

There are also mountains, plains, rolling hills and blue seas.

A gentle world where a child can sleep peacefully on the teacher's shoulder.

Yinshi stood where he was, but suddenly he couldn't move and could only stand there.

The samurai wearing a ghost mask walked back leading the horse.

Clouds cast moving shadows across the vast lake, and the wind rose and fell, and finally calmed down with undulating ripples.

Withdrawing his gaze, Yinshi slightly lowered his eyelids, and his voice was hoarse:

"Is this what you want to show me?"

There was no answer, the other party held the rein in one hand, patted the saddle with the other, and looked at him expectantly.

"..." Yinshi was silent for a while, "You don't want me to ride it, do you?"

nod.

Sakata Gintoki smashed the jar.

"I can't ride a horse."

nod.

——I guess it means "I know you won't".

"..." Taking a deep breath, Yinshi restrained the urge to complain—when did he become a slave to complain—he raised his head, "Do you want to teach me? Teach me how to ride a horse?"

As an affirmative response, the masked Samurai patted the saddle expectantly again and silently extended the invitation.

A minute later, Gintoki sat down on the saddle with a blank expression.

The field of vision suddenly increased, and the other party took the reins and led the maroon horse for a few steps. After making sure that he sat firmly and would not fall off, he suddenly turned his head slightly and glanced at him.

The moment an ominous premonition welled up in my heart, the horse suddenly jumped forward——

The other party led the horse and ran.

The whistling wind brought icy snow particles to blow towards the face.

Tuk tuk - tuk tuk -

The spread horseshoes imprint plum petals on the snow-capped field, heading for the distant mountains, or simply running along the lakeshore.

Gradually getting used to the rhythm of the horse's back bumping, Yinshi pulled the rein and slowly straightened up.

He turned his head.

The clouds were receding like a turbulent tide, the nearby scenery was animated, and only the huge lake was fixed.

The gray sky and distant mountains are reflected on the surface of the lake, with thin waves glowing in the middle.

Tuk tuk - tuk tuk -

The sound of the horse's hooves gradually slowed down, and the well-dressed figure turned the horse's head sideways, stepping on the thick snow in a plum blossom-like arc.

That figure led the horse, ran in an invisible circle like trying to cheer a child up, and then stopped slowly.

There was a gap in the clouds in the sky, and the light that was so thin that it was almost transparent poured down silently. The unknown martial servant stood in the light and shadow of the snow, looking up at him, because the mask covered his expression, and his shoulders seemed to be Trembling slightly.

Yin Shi was stunned for a moment, before reacting belatedly:

--Laughed.

The guy is laughing.

With a light cough, he rolled over his horse and took the rein from the opponent's hand—the red horse gave him a sidelong glance, without resistance—he led the horse into the forest, and seemingly casually said:

"I forgot to say before, you ride a horse well."

There was no response from the side, Yinshi's hand holding the rein slightly tightened, and then quickly relaxed.

"Do you believe it?" He chuckled, carelessly hiding the self-mockery in his voice, "After death, people will continue to exist in a different way."

His steps slowed down.

"……you……"

The sound of breaking silk suddenly sounded, and the red ghost-faced military attendant turned his head at the sound, but Yin Shi's movements were faster than him.

There was a sonorous sound of gold and stone, and the eyes of the young man who was scared by the dead snake before screaming changed in an instant.The white-haired Yaksha pulled out the Taidao hanging on the side of the saddle in an instant. The sword was bright and sharp, and split the lead bullets that were fired rapidly into two, cutting them in half.

There was the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground from the tree, and the arc of the cold edge suddenly appeared. Yinshi turned his momentum and retracted the knife to block upwards. The enemy attacking from above happened to be chopped down with the knife. Metal clanging.

Seeing that the situation was not good, when the sneak attacking enemy retreated, there was a bang, and a long arrow pierced through the air, piercing through the vent pipe impartially, and the snow-white arrow feathers were instantly splashed with bright red.

Standing next to the bay red war horse, the warrior wearing the red ghost mask bent his bow and set his arrow again. The tense bowstring was loosened suddenly, and the long arrow disappeared. The next moment, it appeared on the left chest of the enemy. The bright red arrow feathers swayed slightly outside, like buzzing.

Covered by arrows, Gintoki rushed into the enemy's formation with a sword. The tachi, which had once shined in the Genpei War, was long and heavy.The white-haired Yasha sliced ​​open the armor in the enemy's abdomen, threw the Taidao in his hand to catch it lightly, and received the other person's slash with his backhand. After parrying it, he slashed down from the shoulder to the right waist, almost killing the enemy. Cut in half.

It was probably just an outpost or a vanguard, and the team with only a few people was quickly killed.

Instead of looking at the corpse lying on the snow, Yinshi wiped away the blood from his mouth, and was about to turn around and ask the unnecessary "Are you okay?" The side of his neck suddenly felt pain, and his dark red pupils only had time to shrink slightly, Then he fell helplessly.

The samurai wearing the devil's mask stretched out his hand—Yae stretched out his hand, and caught Gintoki's slumped body.

--"sorry."

She raised her hand slightly, as if she wanted to touch the disheveled and soft silver curly hair as before, her fingers with deerskin gloves hesitated for a while in the air, and then slowly put them down.

——"We will meet again."

soon.

Just wait for her to finish this matter.

Yae put Gintoki on the horse's back, retracted the sword into its sheath, and fastened it on the side of the saddle.

The bay red war horse lowered its head meekly, allowing her to stroke the mane on the side of its neck.

"please."

Snorting slightly, the horse turned around, shaking its bit and bridle, and disappeared into the snow-covered forest.

As long as you walk in that direction, you will meet the barbarians who almost turned this mountain range upside down these days.

Will it be Takasugi or Katsura?

If it was Takasugi, he might be beaten up.It's a pity that I couldn't witness it with my own eyes.

The corners of the lips under the mask were slightly curved, Yae raised his hand, and put back the mask that showed signs of loosening during the previous battle.

The cold weather is good for her, but after so many days, this body is almost too stiff to use.

Yae checked the quiver - there was one arrow left, enough.

With her quiver on her back, she held the longbow and walked in the opposite direction from where the war horse left.

The thick clouds dispersed, and the sky was blue, as if it had been cut and pasted.

The vast snowfield was blindingly white, and the shogunate soldiers in uniform armor were lined up in neat formations, the battle flags were waving fiercely in the wind, and the spears and halberds stood in a row with bright knives.

The general in the army is wearing a haori and a helmet with the Inoue family crest printed on it, and sits astride a sturdy and fat horse.It was a middle-aged man in his forties, with prominent cheekbones, a majestic face, sharp eyes like a hunting goshawk, and thick eyebrows.

The rustling sound of armor ran towards him, and the captain of the Guards got down on one knee and reported to him:

"There is an enemy attack."

The figure sitting on the horseback did not move, and spoke slowly:

"How many enemy troops?"

The guard who knelt on one knee in the snow hesitated for a moment.

"one person."

Suddenly there was a slight commotion in the formation of the own army, and a vague figure walked straight across the vast snow field.

"One person?" When the figure approached, he saw clearly the red ghost-like mask and the indistinct bloodstains on the lacquered bamboo armor, and the general sitting astride his horse showed a mocking smile.

"It's just a 'fake' - take my arrow. "

After the birth of firecrackers, arrows retreated from the battlefield and became hunting tools for warriors and nobles.

The era of the war between the two armies started by arrows has been eclipsed in history for a long time.

A middle-aged man wearing a haori and sitting astride a horse holds a bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right hand. The arrow is aimed at the figure standing alone in front of the army formation in the vast snowfield, and the bowstring is pulled to a tight arc like a full moon——

His fingers loosened suddenly, and the arrow shaft pierced with eagle feathers made a sound like water, whizzing away from the string.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire army, the lonely martial attendant standing in the snow raised his right hand, as if grasping a sparrow, and took a leisurely grip towards the void.

The arrow feathers beeped, and the arrow shaft seemed to be still shaking. The martial attendant wearing the red ghost mask grabbed the long arrow shot in the air, turned around, bent the bow and set the arrow, and opened the string to return the shot arrow.

puff--

A long arrow suddenly appeared from the throat, and blood stains fell on the snow like plum blossoms in full bloom. The guard who was very close to the general fell down and did not move.

The wind stopped, and there was silence on the snow field.

The blue veins on the middle-aged man's forehead burst out, and then an angry roar resounded through the entire army:

"The Gunnery Squad is ready——!!!"

Yae put down her longbow, and watched the gunmen at the forefront of the shogunate kneel down on one knee, loaded and loaded their guns, and pointed their black muzzles at her direction.

——For hundreds of years, she has never interfered in human wars, nor set foot in human political affairs.

It doesn't matter whether the lives are in dire straits, or there are many mourners.

As a conscientious theatergoer, she would at most pick up corpses and play role-playing games. When she was hunted down by the human army in the name of a monster, she never thought of killing her.

I wish I could drive all human beings to extinction. For hundreds of years, I have been stepping on mountains of corpses and seas of blood——

It has always been false.

"Fire——!!!"

The guns exploded in unison, and the deafening gunshots echoed like thunder on the snow field.

This body was already dead, and there was no pain when the rapidly spinning lead bullet pierced the skull.

The sound of the wind came with great force, as if someone had pushed hard on her chin, her spine was broken back, and with a click, she saw the blue sky on the snow field before her vision disappeared for a short time.

The sky is very high and far away, especially blue.

The figure of Songyang walking towards the distance through the boundless fields when carrying the silver on his back, the soft wind and the warm light blended into one and slightly blurred.

——But the moment she broke through the siege of the shogunate army and took Yinshi away, she had already made an exception.

...No, maybe earlier.

Maybe from the first time that silver-haired kid awkwardly called her "Yae", she was destined to meddle in the affairs of this world.

Just because the other party is a person from this world.

The gunfire echoing in the valley gradually subsided. The gunmen of the shogunate army put down their gun barrels, and the smoke and dust dispersed. The figure in heavy armor fell on the snow about a town ahead, with a broken neck, an antler helmet crooked, and a red ghost. His mask cracked open, revealing the cold blue skin of the person underneath.

The middle-aged man who was sitting astride the horse with dark eyebrows snorted coldly:

"ended."

Before the words were finished, there was a sudden change. The corpse that had been shot through the throat by an arrow before suddenly turned its head, snapped back to the misplaced bones, and stood up straight.

His pupils widened suddenly, and the middle-aged man in a feather weave showed horror on his face. He stretched out his hand and was about to draw his knife, but the next moment he tilted his body, and fell down from the horse with the spray of blood.

Yae flicked the blood on the tip of the knife, and all the eardrums rumbled were the screams and howls of the people around.

She raised her hand and pulled out the long arrow stuck in her neck.

—As long as there are dead people, she can act.

The screams of the surrounding soldiers overwhelmed the shouts of orders, and the crowd was thrown into chaos.

Yae sighed slightly inwardly.

——It was because she looked too scary that she made up her mind to send Yinshi away.

She didn't want any acquaintances to see her like this.

... Among the acquaintances, Xu might not be included.

The neck made a sound like rust, but the eyeballs were still warm and lively, Yae turned his head, and the eyeballs stained red due to intracranial congestion looked at the surrounding shogunate soldiers.

As if they were being choked, maybe because they had already realized their fate, all those people stopped screaming.

——As long as one casualty is created in the enemy's formation, she can slaughter the enemy army to the last.