Chapter 628 - 2: Chokata Toshisuke Urged to Marry [Bonus Update 10,000 Words]

Chapter 628: Chapter 2: Chokata Toshisuke Urged to Marry [Bonus Update 10,000 Words]

Aoto originally wanted to take a closer look at the appearance of this middle-aged man.

But at that moment, Chokata’s excited shout beside him interrupted his thoughts.

"Uncle Gen!"

Full of excitement and thrill on his face, Chokata hopped towards the middle-aged man like a rabbit.

As he hopped, he continued to shout excitedly:

"Uncle Gen! You’ve finally returned!"

"Toshisuke." The middle-aged man referred to as "Uncle Gen" by Chokata replaced his expression with a kindly smile and gently ruffled Chokata’s head with his right hand, "Long time no see."

...

...

Shiwei Hall, hall room—

"Yong, you finally returned!" Zhouzhu laughed heartily, "Counting on fingers, you’ve been away from Shiwei Hall for more than half a year!"

"Master, I’m sorry to have troubled you." Inoue Genzaburō bowed in salute to Zhouzhu in front of him while offering a smile mixed with apology, "I also didn’t expect that I would be away from Shiwei Hall for so long this time..."

"An old friend from home asked me to help him cultivate wasteland."

"After all, as old friends, it’s hard for me to refuse him."

"The wasteland my old friend wanted to cultivate was much more difficult to deal with than I imagined!"

"I only promised to help him clear various stones from the wasteland and loosen the soil."

"Initially, I thought such work could be completed in three months."

"I didn’t anticipate being busy for as long as eight months... sigh, I don’t want to help in land reclamation again."

"Hohoho..." Zhouzhu rubbed his smooth chin, "Reclaiming land is like this; without toiling for two or three years, it’s impossible to transform an empty wasteland into fertile land where things can be grown."

At this moment, all members currently in Shiwei Hall, including Kondo, Chokata, and Abi, were gathered together in the hall room.

Aoto, Saito, Nagakura, Harada, Kyūbē... Currently boarding in Shiwei Hall, these new residents of Shiwei Hall were seated behind Zhouzhu, now casting doubtful and curious looks towards Inoue Genzaburō opposite them.

Aoto thought to himself:

——So this is Inoue Genzaburō...

This middle-aged man who arrived late at night at Shiwei Hall, and was warmly called "Uncle Gen" by Chokata, was none other than the famous Inoue Genzaburō, whom Aoto admired greatly yet had never met.

Inoue Genzaburō—A disciple of Shiwei Hall with a very veteran status.

Now 31 years old, he joined Shiwei Hall in Kōka 4 (1847) to study the Natural Reasoning Heart Stream.

In terms of seniority, even Kondo Isami should respectfully call him "senior brother."

Those of similar or higher seniority than Inoue Genzaburō have either given up halfway or successfully mastered martial arts and departed.

Only Inoue Genzaburō has remained at Shiwei Hall.

Thus, among all apprentices currently registered at Shiwei Hall, Inoue Genzaburō has the greatest seniority!

The reason Inoue Genzaburō has stayed at Shiwei Hall is not due to a lack of talent, unable to graduate and hence staying at Shiwei Hall in "repetition."

His reason for remaining at Shiwei Hall is quite simple—his deep affection for Shiwei Hall led him to voluntarily stay, assisting the Kondo family in managing Shiwei Hall without seeking anything in return.

Inoue Genzaburō has stayed at Shiwei Hall for over a decade... dedicating all his prime years to Shiwei Hall.

Not seeking fame, nor any compensation.

Quietly nurturing the juniors at Shiwei Hall, silently fulfilling any tasks he can for Shiwei Hall.

All to make Shiwei Hall better.

Appreciating Inoue Genzaburō’s dedication and contribution, the Kondo family repaid him with utmost respect.

Long ago, before Chokata even moved into Shiwei Hall, Zhouzhu invited Inoue Genzaburō, who was then living in a rundown house, to stay with them under the same roof in Shiwei Hall.

Inoue Genzaburō readily accepted Zhouzhu’s invitation to better assist Kondo and others in managing Shiwei Hall.

Therefore, Inoue Genzaburō is considered the earliest lodger at Shiwei Hall.

Being directly invited to reside within Shiwei Hall by Zhouzhu and others... indicates that the Kondo family indeed does not regard Inoue Genzaburō as an outsider.

On the first day of moving into Shiwei Hall, Chokata had told Aoto that Inoue Genzaburō returned home due to some affairs and would return to Edo after some time.

This is why Aoto and others are only meeting Inoue Genzaburō for the first time now.

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Yesterday’s monthly ticket reward goal was successfully achieved! So today, according to the agreement, an update of 10,000 words!

Let’s continue the monthly ticket reward.

Currently, the monthly ticket count stands at 6100 tickets; if it reaches 7200 tickets within today, the author will update again tomorrow!

Seeking monthly tickets! Seeking recommendation tickets! (Crying leopard head.jpg)

A little preview~ tomorrow is the long-awaited combat scene.