Chapter 505 - 174: The Kidnapped Sazanoko, Sazanoko’s Chastity Crisis

Chapter 505: Chapter 174: The Kidnapped Sazanoko, Sazanoko’s Chastity Crisis

...

...

Suddenly, a familiar female voice called his name... Aoto instinctively raised his eyes and saw Sazanoko standing shoulder to shoulder with Nakamura Tsuki.

Finding Sazanoko among the crowd... is hardly a simpler task than this.

Sazanoko, with her striking beauty, always stands out from the scenery and crowd around her, like a rose amongst wild grass.

Only breathtaking views like Hada, Aurora, and starry skies could match Sazanoko’s unmatched beauty.

While escorting the "bearded middle-aged man" and others to the settlement to meet up with Saito, they unexpectedly encountered Sazanoko... This chance encounter left Aoto visibly surprised.

After signaling to Nagakura with "I’ll go have a word with an acquaintance," Aoto walked briskly forward to meet Sazanoko and Nakamura Tsuki.

"Miss Sazanoko, I apologize." Aoto didn’t immediately greet Sazanoko but instead smiled wryly and apologized first, "For letting you see me in such an indecorous moment."

After speaking, Aoto instinctively lowered his gaze and glanced at his bloodstained attire.

None of the blood on Aoto’s clothes was his own; it all belonged to the enemies he had just slain.

After leaving the alley, unable to find a change of clothes, he only found enough water to wash his hands and face, so Aoto continued wearing the bloody clothes.

Aoto’s first words to her after meeting were a polite apology... Sazanoko, caught off guard by this, hesitated before softly saying, "It’s okay."

"Mr. Tachibana, did you... just have a deadly fight with some bandits?"

Sazanoko looked at Aoto with a gaze filled with concern.

"Um... sort of." Aoto smiled faintly and succinctly summarized his recent experience in a calm tone.

Aoto’s tone was so casual, as if he were talking about something trivial, not worth much attention... Despite his words being filled with intensity.

Although Aoto briefly mentioned the solitary battle against 18 samurai in the narrow alley and casually stated he "eventually won," Sazanoko still keenly caught this information she couldn’t ignore.

Once Aoto said all he could, Sazanoko, still in shock, gazed at him, her delicate face unable to hide her amazement.

"Mr. Tachibana... did you defeat so many people alone?"

Being a martial artist herself, Sazanoko understood well what it meant to single-handedly defeat nearly twenty samurai in a life-and-death duel.

"Defeating a group alone" and "defeating a group with allies’ help" are entirely different.

Having reliable comrades around provides a sense of reassurance.

In the absence of any help, facing strong enemies alone... the psychological pressure alone could crush many.

Defeating 18 samurai solo, without any allies... This impact on Sazanoko was no less than when she first heard about Aoto’s famous battle: "Snowy Night Chaos."

"Luck was on my side; they weren’t very strong."

Aoto casually brushed off Sazanoko’s recent question with a smile.

"Miss Sazanoko, are you... out with friends?" This time, Aoto directed the question.

Aoto looked at Nakamura Tsuki standing beside Sazanoko, shoulder to shoulder.

"Um... sort of." Sazanoko reluctantly gathered her shocked emotions and stepped aside slightly to introduce Nakamura Tsuki to Aoto, "Mr. Tachibana, this is a disciple from our Little Chiba Sword Dojo: Nakamura Tsuki."

As soon as Sazanoko finished speaking, Nakamura Tsuki hastily tidied her clothes and hair.

"Nice, nice to meet you!" With a streak of fear across her brow, Nakamura Tsuki folded her hands before bowing respectfully to Aoto, "I’m Na- Nakamura Tsuki!"

Nakamura Tsuki’s voice was filled with strong tension... She was so nervous that she stammered and stumbled through her self-introduction.

Aoto noticed Nakamura Tsuki’s fearful expression and pale face... He knew that this child, who looked under 15 years old, was likely frightened by his blood-soaked clothes.

Aoto gave Nakamura Tsuki an apologetic smile, then bowed slightly in return:

"I am Tachibana Aoto. Sorry for frightening you with my appearance."

After courteously introducing himself to Nakamura Tsuki, Aoto shifted his focus back to Sazanoko.

"Miss Sazanoko, I have many matters to address, so I’ll take my leave now. Let’s meet again when there’s an opportunity."

With tasks like "meeting up with Saito and others" lined up, Aoto indeed had no extra time to linger in the street chatting with Sazanoko.

Bidding farewell to Sazanoko and Nakamura Tsuki, Aoto turned away without hesitation and didn’t look back as he parted from the two women.

The two women stood in place, watching silently as Aoto continued escorting the "bearded middle-aged man" to the settlement with Nagakura.

Only when Aoto’s figure disappeared at the far street corner, did Nakamura Tsuki finally breathe a sigh of relief, as if she could finally breathe again.

"How intense must the fight have been to get covered in so much blood... It’s terrifying..."