Chapter 510 - 175: Rescuing Sazanoko! (Part 1)

Chapter 510: Chapter 175: Rescuing Sazanoko! (Part 1)

Kondo’s expression being grim wasn’t much... but seeing Chokata’s face also so grave, Aoto couldn’t help but feel a sinking feeling in his heart.

Chokata, always cheerful and bright every day, showing such an expression... Aoto vaguely guessed that something particularly bad must have happened, and an ominous premonition arose in his heart.

Aoto clutched the basin tightly in his arms, leading Saito and the others to quicken their pace a little.

"Ah, Mr. Tachibana!" Chokata was the first to notice the returning Aoto and his group. He waved his hand vigorously at Aoto and the others, "You’ve come back just in time!"

Back just in time... Hearing Chokata’s words, the ominous premonition in Aoto’s heart intensified a bit.

Before Aoto could ask "what’s wrong," Chiba Shigetarou, whose face was slightly pale, quickly said:

"Mr. Tachibana, have you seen Sazanoko today?"

"Miss Sazanoko?" Aoto’s eyebrows furrowed sharply.

...

...

Though Chiba Shigetarou was so anxious that cold sweat was running down his forehead, he hadn’t lost his basic ability to speak.

Under his rather clear and detailed explanation, Aoto understood what had happened, and his expression immediately became as serious as Kondo’s and Chokata’s.

Sazanoko was missing!

Today, with the task of "going to give lessons to Princess Date," Sazanoko was supposed to return to Little Chiba Sword Dojo by noon, but by afternoon, there was still no sign of Sazanoko returning.

At first, Chiba Shigetarou and the others didn’t pay much attention because it was common for Sazanoko to spontaneously decide to take a stroll somewhere before heading home.

Time ticked away... It wasn’t until the sky darkened that Chiba Shigetarou and the others gradually realized something was wrong.

Sazanoko had never been absent from home for such a long time...

With a growing sense of foreboding, Chiba Dingji and Chiba Shigetarou could no longer sit still.

Chiba Dingji personally went to the Uwajima Domain’s Vassal Mansion to inquire if they knew of Sazanoko’s whereabouts.

Chiba Shigetarou first went to several places Sazanoko often visited, like Xuanwu Hall, to search for her.

Neither Chiba Dingji nor Chiba Shigetarou found anything.

The ominous premonition in their hearts turned into terrifying speculation!

It was already dark, and the Magistrate’s Office had long since closed, so reporting it would only result in an empty building.

Concerned for Sazanoko’s safety, Chiba Shigetarou and the others, regardless of the darkness or the late hour, decided to mobilize everyone they could to assist in searching for Sazanoko.

For instance, they just entrusted the people at Xuanwu Hall to help. Chiba Shigetarou sought out his and Sazanoko’s cousins: Chiba Daisaburo, the Hall Master of Xuanwu Hall, and Chiba Domon Shiro, the Deputy Master of Xuanwu Hall.

Sazanoko was the apple of the Chiba family’s eye, and upon hearing she was missing, Chiba Daisaburo and Chiba Domon Shiro became very anxious.

After Chiba Shigetarou explained the situation to them, they unhesitatingly expressed, "We’ll do everything to help."

The reason Chiba Shigetarou showed up at Shiwei Hall at this moment was to ask if anyone at Shiwei Hall had seen Sazanoko and to request their help as well.

Could it be a coincidence... that Chiba Shigetarou really came to the right place when he came to Shiwei Hall?

Aoto had indeed seen Sazanoko, just today.

"Near noon today, I saw Miss Sazanoko," Aoto said gravely. "She was with a girl named Nakamura Tsuki, and they seemed to be going somewhere to have fun."

"Nakamura Tsuki?" As soon as Aoto finished speaking, Chiba Shigetarou’s eyes widened with shock and joy.

After a busy night, they finally received some high-value information related to Sazanoko... In a frenzy of delight, Chiba Shigetarou hurriedly asked:

"Mr. Tachibana! Could you describe in detail the entire process of how you saw Sazanoko today?"

Aoto nodded and then recounted in detail the entire encounter with Sazanoko.

After Aoto recounted everything he knew, Chiba Shigetarou followed up with a new question:

"Did Sazanoko mention where she was going with Nakamura Tsuki?"

"No," Aoto gently shook his head. "Miss Sazanoko didn’t say where they were going at the time, and I didn’t ask."

The most critical part was a complete blank... Urgency and regret flooded uncontrollably over Chiba Shigetarou’s eyes and face.

At this point, Aoto, who had just been the "questioned," suddenly changed roles and asked Chiba Shigetarou in a serious tone:

"Mr. Shigetarou, Miss Sazanoko once told me that this Nakamura Tsuki is currently a martial arts student at Little Chiba Sword Dojo. Since she’s one of your own at the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, do you know where this girl lives?"

"I don’t know... but the dojo’s student register should have Nakamura Tsuki’s address!"

"Alright," Aoto nodded. "In that case, let’s go to Nakamura Tsuki’s house first! Once we find Nakamura Tsuki, maybe we can get some clues from her!"

Nakamura Tsuki is the only clue at present... Apart from seeking out Nakamura Tsuki, there isn’t any more effective action at the moment. As such, Chiba Shigetarou firmly and solemnly nodded, agreeing with Aoto’s suggestion.

...

...

With Sazanoko currently missing, Shiwei Hall couldn’t possibly remain indifferent.

Therefore, without needing further pleas from Chiba Shigetarou, Aoto, Chokata, and the others volunteered their wholehearted assistance.

After a brief discussion, the team from Shiwei Hall quickly divided up the tasks.

Chokata and the others went to various places in Edo to search for Sazanoko.

Meanwhile, Aoto and Chiba Shigetarou went together to find Nakamura Tsuki. They first returned to Little Chiba Sword Dojo, found Nakamura Tsuki’s address in the dojo’s student register, and then hurried straight to Nakamura Tsuki’s house.

As expected of an up-and-coming liquor merchant in recent years... The mere outer walls of the Nakamura family’s residence exuded a sense of wealth.

After reporting to the steward of the Nakamura family, Aoto and Chiba Shigetarou were led inside, and shortly thereafter, a prominent figure appeared to meet them in person.

This prominent figure was none other than Nakamura Tsuki’s father: Nakamura Chouhachirou.

Eager to find his sister, Chiba Shigetarou couldn’t be concerned with formalities. After a few brief pleasantries with Nakamura Chouhachirou, he bluntly stated the reason for their visit, and asked where Nakamura Tsuki was at present.

Before arriving at the Nakamura household, Aoto had considered various scenarios.

He had speculated that Nakamura Tsuki might be safe, and also speculated that perhaps she had disappeared along with Sazanoko.

Despite having mentally prepared himself with various suppositions... Nakamura Chouhachirou’s response still caught Aoto completely off guard.

"Ayue returned home this afternoon," Nakamura Chouhachirou said gravely, "but she is not at home right now."

"Her grandmother, who lives in Osaka, has been unwell for some time."

"This afternoon, a messenger brought a letter from her grandmother saying she had fallen ill. Although the illness isn’t serious, it requires some bed rest."

"Worried for her ill grandmother, Ayue hurriedly set off for Osaka around the seventh hour (4 PM) this afternoon, and she probably won’t return for half a month."

"What?" Chiba Shigetarou’s eyes widened as shock overtook him, "Miss Nakamura isn’t at home right now? Did she mention anything about Sazanoko to you today?"

"No," Nakamura Chouhachirou shook his head, "She only told me that she ran into Miss Chiba today and went to have fun with her, and that she had a great time with Miss Chiba."

...Sitting beside Chiba Shigetarou, Aoto now had his brows tightly knitted.

Today, Sazanoko went missing, and Nakamura Tsuki, who was with her, conveniently wasn’t at home because she’d gone to Osaka to see her sick grandmother...

You’ve got to be kidding... Aoto thought bitterly to himself, narrowing his eyes slightly and casting a deep, meaningful gaze at Nakamura Chouhachirou.

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