Breakthrough with the Forbidden Master Chapter 432: My Name Is…

“Alright, Espie! Slayer! Let’s escape!”

“You got it! I’ve got the dango too!”

“Seriously, we entered the country openly, yet we have to flee when leaving……”

With both the commoners and the Samurai acting far from normal, more like a festival in full swing, we decided to seize an opportunity and make our getaway.

Getting surrounded any further would just be a hassle.

“Wha, oh, ooh…….”

“Oh, Shinobu’s brother, you and your friends are coming too!”

“Ah, th, thank you!”

While we’re at it, we called out to Fuuma and his companions, Iga and Kouga, who are technically wanted men right now, hoping they would be able to blend into the chaos.

“Hey, wait a minute!”

“Oh, the God of Go!”

“W, wait! You… what’s your name……!”

“Wait, Onii-san! At least tell us your name!”

Voices could be heard calling out to us from behind, but there was no way we were going to stop just because of that.

“Aaaaaaaargh! We let even Fuuma and the others get away, I say! W, wait, come to think of it, what are we even supposed to do!?”

And it seemed they had finally remembered the important matter they had completely forgotten.

But it was too late now.

Even if the ninjas started chasing us now, they wouldn’t be able to catch us.

Fuuma and the others are top-tier ninja warriors themselves, and with this much distance between them and the enemy, there was no chance they’d be caught.

“Kuhaha, no way~…… that was quite the bizarre experience, but we managed to get away somehow.”

We ran and leapt across the rooftops of Japone. Looking back to make sure no one was catching up with us, we laughed.

“Ahahaha, for sure, for sure~. Glad you’re okay too, Shinobu dear’s big brother and friends ♪?”

“Yeah. We didn’t really plan on causing a ruckus today either, so it’s good we could help without it turning into a fight. Besides, it was kind of fun in its own way.”

Espie and Slayer laughed together as they clutched a bag full of dango.

Fuuma and the others looked dumbfounded at us for a moment, then snapped to attention while running and spoke up.

“Well… we owe you for saving us… I never imagined I would be in Japone……”

“Yeah, talk about fate. I have… mixed feelings about you, though……”

“Huh…… Hmm……”

When I said that with a bit of spite, Fuuma’s face darkened.

He knew what I was referring to.

In other words, “that incident” was something that weighed on him as well……

“I know… it’s about that ogre… right?”

This meant that he, too, felt guilty about that matter.

“Big brother, by ogre…… you mean …….”

“Yeah… but… it’s okay now.”

Well, there’s no point in dwelling on it now.

Given Shinobu’s situation, I’ll stop bringing it up too.

“So, Shinobu’s brother……”

“Fuuma is fine. …Um, if you and Shinobu…well… get marri—”

“Oh, don’t expect me to call you ‘Brother’ or anything.”

“…… I, I see……”

He looked a little disappointed…… Well, it’s certainly a possibility, so it’s not really a “what are you talking about” situation.

Still, right now, there are more important matters……

“So, you all came back to Japone because of Mr. Outei, Mrs. Kagerou and the others, as well as Koujiro and Granpa Mikado, right?”

“Huh!? H, how……”

“How do I know? Well, our friends are currently hiding your parents, Koujiro, Granpa Mikado, and their comrades, along with Shinobu and the others. A lot has been happening these past few days…”

“Huh!?”

“And the reason the three of us came to the capital today was to play around… and also to gather information, but we were lucky.”

“What…… such things were happening while we were unaware…”

“Yeah. Anyway, I’ll tell you all about it later. Everyone’s safe, so relax.”

Yeah, it’s not something I can explain while running.

A lot had happened.

“I see…… Then that’s fine…… as long as Father, Mother, Shinobu, Lord Kojiro, and Lord Mikado are all safe… Shinobu must have had many complicated feelings about the ‘Makura’… but as long as you are by her side……”

And Fuuma didn’t press for all the details right then. For now, just knowing his family was safe was enough. He let out a sigh of relief.

“You saved them all?”

“Huh? Well… I don’t know… A lot of coincidences lined up… It wasn’t like I did it all by myself……”

“Is that so? But still, somehow…… I feel it was because you were there that everyone was safe… I don’t know why, but I just feel it… and that means I owe you another debt of gratitude…”

“That’s not true.”

It’s a bit embarrassing, and I really didn’t handle it all by myself.

Especially since Espie and Slayer were there, also Mr. Chieftain and the elves had cooperated.

“That’s right…… after we met the other day… I ended up forgetting to ask you… something important…”

“Hmm?”

“Your name…… what is it?”

And then, at that moment, I realized something that I had been too slow to realize.

Come to think of it, I never introduced myself to Fuuma and the others, did I?

“Hahahaha, what’s the matter~, Big brother? You haven’t even introduced yourself to your potential future brother-in-law~?”

“Hahaha, but putting off noticing something important like that… that’s just like you, Brother… You were like that with us too, after all.”

A shared chuckle erupted from Espie and Slayer as our conversation sparked memories of the past.

It was an undeniable fact: in prior times, those who accompanied me addressed me as “brother,” rendering my name unnecessary. When I was with Norja, I adopted the moniker “Ragaan-Man.”

It was only during the confrontation with Gouda that I formally introduced myself as “Earth Lagann.”

『Fufufu…… What a curious turn of events.』

“Hmm? Tre’ainar?”

At that precise moment, Tre’ainar, standing beside me, let out a soft, amused chuckle of his own.

『Despite your monumental achievements in the preceding era, a mere handful ever recognized you as ‘Earth Lagann’…… Even within that secluded Elven Settlement, only the chieftain and Lal were privy to your true identity.』

“Y-You speak the truth………”

『And the more I reflect, the more I recall your involvement in pivotal events within both Cacretale and the Heavenly Realm…… Yet, both the Heavenly Realm and Cacretale are insular domains where information seldom flows freely…… Consequently, the wider world remains oblivious to your heroic deeds as Earth Lagann……』

“Hmm? Well…… That does hold a certain logic……”

I couldn’t quite pinpoint the peculiarity in Tre’ainar’s pronouncements.

However…

『Since your departure from the Empire…… you have navigated an existence brimming with extraordinary experiences…… You engaged with Shinobu and her formidable ninja cohorts, you contended with the mighty Ogre Aka, and within Cantidan, you crossed paths with the shadowy figures of the underworld and the notorious outlaw Bro…… In Cacretale, you emerged victorious from a tournament against formidable martial artists like Machio…… In the Heavenly Realm, you spearheaded an all-out war against a reigning Kingdom…… Subsequently, you were dispatched to the past, sowing seeds of chaos…… fufufu, and regarding the esteemed Six Supremacy, you battled against such titans as Jamdi’el, Paripi, Norja, and Gouda…… The formidable adversaries you have vanquished, though spanning different epochs, are undeniably on par with the legendary accomplishments of the Seven Heroes……』

“W-What is this? Are you attempting to lavish me with excessive praise to the point of overwhelming me? …But I must concede, upon reflection, it truly is a rather astonishing tally of achievements………”

『Indeed, is it not? And yet… fufufufu, your name has, in reality, not permeated as widely across the globe as one might expect. With only a select few exceptions, of course…』

“Ah……”

It dawned on me as Tre’ainar articulated it.

Yes, I have undoubtedly survived some truly mind-boggling battles thus far. I can assert this with unwavering conviction.

I even went toe-to-toe with some of my father’s former adversaries, and I take pride in admitting that I managed to hold my own against them… well, with a bit of assistance from Tre’ainar, I must add.

However, owing to a confluence of circumstances, my name has not garnered widespread recognition throughout the world.

Thus, even in the face of an event like today’s, no one truly comprehends my identity……

“Kuhahaha!”

“””!?”””

That is certainly the case. The sheer absurdity of it all compelled me to burst into laughter.

“Honestly…… I absconded from home with the solemn vow to eclipse my father’s legacy and to be recognized as Earth Lagann…… Yet, even after traversing such an arduous path, I find my name remains somewhat obscure…”

『Fufufu, it is highly probable that your exploits have yet to grace the pages of any widely circulated newspapers.』

“Ah… Even with all that I’ve accomplished… I suppose I still have a considerable journey ahead of me?”

『Precisely. The path that lies before you is indeed a lengthy one.』

To think that even after achieving all of this, there remains more to be done?

The situation is so profoundly ludicrous that laughter is my only recourse.

“Very well then, it appears I shall require your continued tutelage for a while longer, Master ♪.”

『Hmph. That signifies that there remains an abundance of knowledge yet to impart to you~~. An extraordinarily vast amount, in fact~.』

We converse in this manner, our thoughts intertwined, sharing in a silent, hearty laugh.

But soon, the question “What is your name?” will become obsolete.

Because inquiring about my name will no longer be a necessity.

I will not even need to proclaim myself as “Earth Lagann” for others to discern my identity… for I shall attain such renown that I will ascend beyond even the Great Hero Hiro. My visage and my name shall be universally acknowledged, irrespective of any racial distinctions.

“…… Ah, Big Brother! You two are engaged in a clandestine discussion at this very moment, are you not?! Pray tell, what secrets are you sharing? Your contented expressions are terribly unfair!”

“Precisely! You cannot possibly hoard such private conversations and exclude us!”

“””?””””

With a keen observation of my demeanor, Espie and Slayer seemed to have discerned the situation, and they swiftly approached me, their faces etched with mild discontentment.

They’ve figured it out, have they? Well, Fuuma and the others remain in a state of utter perplexity.

“There, there. I shall elucidate everything to you both at a later juncture.”

“Mmm~, you give your word? Does Tre’ainar also receive this explanation ~?”

“Truthfully, Brother does not belong solely to you; Tre’ainar also has a claim. Do you comprehend?”

『…… Hmph……』

The two of them murmured their sentiments to me from either side, eliciting a wry smile from Tre’ainar.

Indeed…… From this point forward, these two will also accompany us on our ongoing expedition……

“It is of no consequence. He understands. Moreover, his disposition is currently quite favorable. I permitted him to indulge in his passion for playing Go to his heart’s content.”

『Hmm…… Well, it is indeed true that I derived considerable amusement from our goings-on today…』

“Ahahahaha, that is quite accurate. However, I must confess my surprise~, I had absolutely no inkling of his profound proficiency in the game of Go…… Say, by the way, Tre’ainar, do you possess any other latent formidable skills or cherished hobbies?”

“That is a valid point. Our mere intention was to enjoy a brief period of leisure in Japone, and it unexpectedly escalated into such a significant commotion… While it was undeniably enjoyable, mind you… hehe, I wonder if further escapades of this magnitude await us in the future?”

Further escapades? From this point forward?

The words uttered by Espie and Slayer once again incited laughter within me……

“Kuhahaha, what exactly are you two discussing? Is this not merely the nascent stage of our journey?”

“”?””

“Myself, Espie, Slayer, and Tre’ainar…… Our shared adventures in this current epoch? We have only just embarked upon the very first day, you understand?”

Will there be more? Assuredly, there will be.

From this point forward? For all eternity.