Chapter 612 - 193: Aoto’s New Title: [Niō]! [Volume 1 Finale]

Chapter 612: Chapter 193: Aoto’s New Title: [Niō]! [Volume 1 Finale]

Honestly, I thought the storyline at the end of Volume 1 would take over ten thousand words to write. I didn’t expect to misjudge the amount again; it wrapped up smoothly in just 8,000 words, so I’ll save the long Chapter for the first Chapter of Volume 2!

*******

*******

"...Huh?"

With a cryptic comment, Kiryu left Aoto looking baffled, letting out a surprised "huh?" again.

Kiryu had anticipated Aoto’s reaction, so he was mentally prepared, responding calmly:

"Flowing Light is the ultimate skill I’ve honed through countless efforts."

"Emotionally and rationally, I don’t want to see my Flowing Light lost forever."

"Fifty years ago, I began searching for someone who could inherit my legacy."

"This ’disciple search journey’... in a word: utterly despairing."

"I spent a long time and countless efforts, yet never found someone who truly met my expectations to inherit my legacy."

"Until... now."

Aoto’s gaze narrowed slightly.

Just as Kiryu’s words trailed off, Aoto, with a serious tone, asked in return:

"...Boss Kiryu, why do you think I’m the right disciple for you?"

Aoto scrutinized Kiryu’s face, locking eyes with him as if examining him.

"Since you’ve spent 50 years searching for someone to inherit your legacy... surely the talented geniuses you’ve encountered are countless, right?"

"You spent 50 years and couldn’t find someone to your liking... why choose me after exactly 50 years?"

Kiryu burst into hearty laughter.

"Mr. Tachibana, indeed, as you said, in these 50 years, I’ve met countless talented individuals."

"The unchanging truth in this world is that there are always more skilled people out there."

"Some folks... are practically like divine beings descending to earth."

"What takes ordinary people years or even decades to barely touch, these godlike beings achieve effortlessly with a flick of the wrist."

"Since I began seeking an inheritor of my legacy, I’ve encountered more young talents with greater skill and spirit than you, Mr. Tachibana, than I can count on two hands."

"But... Mr. Tachibana, none of these individuals were as interesting as you."

"When I choose a disciple, I don’t only look at talent and spirit, but also whether they are interesting."

"Interesting...?" Aoto murmured, chewing over the word with confusion written all over his face.

"Hmm... it’s hard for me to explain what exactly I mean by ’interesting.’"

"I’ll put it simply: when I choose a disciple, I really value whether they catch my eye."

"Generally speaking, ordinary people wouldn’t dare do something as crazy as challenging over sixty Samurai alone."

Kiryu gave Aoto an inscrutable look.

"Your temperament, Mr. Tachibana... reminds me of an old friend who recently likes to leisurely bask in the sun alone on the street."

"My instinct tells me—"

Kiryu pointed a finger to his chest.

"You absolutely have the potential to become... my most proud disciple!"

"I’m not fond of formalities; if you’re willing to inherit my legacy, then there’s no need for any ceremony, nor do you need to call me ’Master.’ Just continue calling me ’Boss Kiryu,’ as I quite like being called ’Boss.’"

"You don’t have to pay me a tutor payment. Having served my lord for over seventy years, my savings are ample; I don’t lack money."

"I have just one request—keep the fact that you learned Iaijutsu from me a secret from everyone."

"When people ask, ’Where did you learn Iaijutsu?’ just say ’I figured it out myself.’"

"After all, with your talent, even such a response wouldn’t arouse suspicion."

"I don’t want too many people knowing that the origins of Kiryu Kazuma from Thousand Affairs House are remarkable."

"Mr. Tachibana, what do you say?"

Kiryu smiled, placing both elbows on the counter in front of him, interlocking his fingers, and awaited Aoto’s response.

"..." Aoto lowered his eyelids, frowning slightly.

Kiryu had just been discussing in detail some serious, information-heavy revelations and suddenly shifted to talking about accepting a disciple without any transition...

The drastic change in topic left Aoto’s thoughts a little scrambled.

"The matter of apprenticeship... let’s table it for a more detailed discussion later."

Aoto said, quietly.

"I still have some questions for you."

"Once all my remaining questions are answered, we can talk about the matter of apprenticeship in depth."

"Boss Kiryu, you’ve told me so many things that don’t seem fit for an outsider to know... are you really okay with that?"

Aoto asked, half-seriously and half in jest.

"Aren’t you worried that I’ll spread ’Boss Kiryu from Thousand Affairs House is no ordinary person,’ ’Kiryu Kazuma’s true identity is Mamiya Kurō,’ and ’the organization backing him is a business called Gourd House’ to everyone?"

"You won’t do that."

Kiryu responded without hesitation, using a resolute tone, then switched to a teasing manner.

"I’m not foolish enough to pick someone who can’t even keep their mouth shut as my disciple."

"Then why tell me so many of your secrets, the secrets of the Gourd House?" Aoto pressed, "Are you planning to bring me into the Gourd House?"