Chapter 603 - 191: Aoto Makes Mukiwa Blush

Chapter 603: Chapter 191: Aoto Makes Mukiwa Blush

"Check your injuries at the Ren Medical Hall every 7 days, don’t slack off."

"As a martial artist, you shouldn’t need me to explain how scary it is to not treat your injuries properly and let them become hidden wounds, right?"

And so, under the slightly nagging advice of Beifang Ren, Aoto was smoothly discharged.

Although he only stayed at Ren Medical Hall for about 20 days, returning to the familiar Shiwei Hall made Aoto feel like years had passed.

Finally back at Shiwei Hall, free once more... Aoto first went to the Little Chiba Sword Dojo to see Radish.

Having been away from Radish for over 20 days, Aoto was initially worried that this big black bull might have forgotten about him.

Unexpectedly, Radish’s intelligence once again surprised Aoto.

Radish still remembered his owner.

When Aoto arrived at the gate of Little Chiba Sword Dojo, he heard the loud "moo, moo, moo" getting closer, and soon saw a big black bull huffing and puffing from the dojo’s courtyard, rushing to him, raising its head, and gently rubbing its furry head against Aoto’s waist.

Radish being so obedient and cute made Aoto further convinced that keeping Radish as both pet and mount was indeed the right choice.

After visiting the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, the second place Aoto was eager to go after regaining his freedom... was the Thousand Affairs House.

Thousand Affairs House... Aoto had been wanting to visit for a long time.

He had so many questions he wanted to ask Boss Kiryu one by one.

...

...

Man’en 1 (1860), June 13th, morning—

Edo, Thousand Affairs House—

Aoto slightly lifted the straw hat shading his head, looking at the Thousand Affairs House he hadn’t visited in a while.

"I wonder if Boss Kiryu is here..."

Mumbling to himself, Aoto stepped forward and pushed open the door of the Thousand Affairs House.

A vibrant red full of youthful energy instantly caught Aoto’s eyes.

"Welcome... Ah, Mr. Tachibana!"

This sweet, bell-like female voice initially sounded timid and uncertain.

But upon seeing who arrived, her tone immediately changed, becoming strong and full of delight.

Soon, Aoto heard the sound of bare feet pattering briskly towards him, "pada, pada, pada."

Wearing a cool red yukata and with her lovely bare feet, Mukiwa emerged from behind the counter with a big smile and quickly approached Aoto.

"Mr. Tachibana, you’ve come."

"Miss Kinoshita, good morning."

Smiling, Aoto exchanged simple pleasantries with Mukiwa and looked around.

"Where’s Boss Kiryu?"

"Mr. Kiryu had an urgent matter to attend to. He was asked to clear out white ants."

Aoto’s visit to Thousand Affairs House today was arranged with Kiryu and Mukiwa beforehand.

While Aoto was at Ren Medical Hall, Kiryu and Mukiwa, like the Sazanoko siblings, visited Aoto daily.

On June 10th, the day before Aoto’s discharge, he mentioned to Kiryu and Mukiwa that he’d likely be leaving Ren Medical Hall and regaining his freedom the next day.

Therefore, Aoto, with many questions to ask Kiryu, arranged to visit Thousand Affairs House on the morning of June 13th.

"Clear white ants? Boss Kiryu knows how to clear white ants?"

"Yes. Mr. Kiryu once learned some special techniques to remove white ants in Ryukyu. His skills in exterminating white ants are well-regarded, and it’s said that places cleaned by Mr. Kiryu won’t see a single ant egg for at least a year."

"Mr. Kiryu really knows a lot of skills..."

Aoto softly marveled at Boss Kiryu’s many talents while untying the Orange Water at his waist, sitting on a cushion meant for visitors.

For now, Aoto’s sword has temporarily returned to Orange Water.

The reason for not wearing the Ghost-Slaying Divine Blade is simple—it is still under repair.

Rescuing Sazanoko, battling the Anti-foreigner Group, dueling Shinno and Scythe Weasel... The Ghost-Slaying Divine Blade excellently endured these three almost continuous major battles.

The Ghost-Slaying Divine Blade truly lives up to being a treasure sword bestowed by Ii Naosuke, as a regular sword would likely have broken under such fierce sustained combat.

However, no matter how "treasure" a sword is, it can’t change the fact that "a sword is a consumable."

No matter how exquisite the steel or how superb the forging, a sword will break and need repair by a swordsmith.

On the day the battle with the Anti-foreigner Group ended, Aoto counted the nicks on the Ghost-Slaying Divine Blade.

The sword had a whopping 17 nicks on its edge...

These numerous nicks made the blade resemble a saw.

Thankfully, the blade didn’t snap; if it did, it would be beyond repair and would have to be melted down for recasting.

While Aoto was sent to Ren Medical Hall to recuperate, the Ghost-Slaying Divine Blade was sent to a reliable swordsmith for repairs.

According to the swordsmith, Aoto would have to wait until at least early July to see his Ghost-Slaying Divine Blade again.

"Mr. Tachibana, please sit for a while. I’ll make tea for you."

Mukiwa moved her small feet and bounded towards the kitchen, "pada, pada."

At this moment, Aoto saw Mukiwa’s Big Orange Cat Dodo, meowing, walking elegantly from the back of the Thousand Affairs House.

Since Aoto frequently visited the Thousand Affairs House, Dodo had memorized Aoto’s scent.