Chapter 629 - 3: Aoto vs Inoue Genzaburō, Copying the Strong Essence Talent! [8500]

Chapter 629: Chapter 3: Aoto vs Inoue Genzaburō, Copying the Strong Essence Talent! [8500]

Perhaps due to his darker complexion and rough skin texture, Inoue appears slightly older.

Though he’s only 31 this year, just past his prime, he looks like an uncle in his forties.

From Inoue’s interactions with Zhouzhu, Kondo, Chokata, and others, it’s clear—the Kondo family truly treats Inoue like one of their own.

Zhouzhu engages in conversation with Inoue with the enthusiasm one would show to a dear family member.

Abi, who usually wears a stern face, surprisingly softens his usual cold demeanor.

Kondo and Chokata gaze at Inoue with respect and trust.

As an outsider by surname, Inoue holds such an esteemed position within Shiwei Hall and the Kondo family... Aoto fully understands this.

After all, Aoto has heard Inoue’s story and holds great admiration for him.

Even before officially meeting Inoue tonight, without knowing what Inoue looked like, Aoto already had immense respect for the elder at Shiwei Hall.

During a previous conversation, Chokata once told Aoto: After moving into Shiwei Hall, Inoue voluntarily took care of laundry, cleaning, cooking, virtually all household chores. From scrubbing the dojo’s floors to cleaning bamboo swords, all the necessary hard and tiring tasks of running the Sword Dojo, Inoue often competes to do them.

Whenever someone asks Inoue why he willingly takes on these dirty, tiring, and menial tasks, this uncle always cheerfully responds:

"Because these things are interesting. Don’t you think personally nurturing and managing the Sword Dojo you love is a fun thing to do? Anyway, I find joy in it."

In short—Inoue Genzaburō is like a diligent old ox at Shiwei Hall.

To Zhouzhu, Kondo, and others, Inoue is the old caretaker who organizes their daily lives and also a trusted, affectionate mentor and reliable elder.

Ever since entering the hall room... no, to be precise, ever since Aoto and others appeared, Inoue’s gaze has seldom left them.

His eyes towards Aoto and others are filled with curiosity.

Inoue observes Aoto and others with such curiosity... rightfully so.

After all, before he returned to his hometown to help an old friend with farming, Shiwei Hall only had a total of 5 residents, including himself, Zhouzhu, Abi, Kondo, and Chokata.

Since he hadn’t returned to Edo for just over half a year, Shiwei Hall suddenly has so many fresh faces...

Inoue is certainly aware of the recent influx of new residents at Shiwei Hall, led by Aoto.

After Inoue returned to his hometown, Zhouzhu and Kondo kept communicating with him via letters, and they must have mentioned Shiwei Hall’s recent situation in the correspondence.

Inoue just doesn’t know who each of these new faces is.

Zhouzhu noticed the curious glances Inoue frequently cast towards Aoto and others.

"Oops, we’ve been busy chatting."

Zhouzhu smiled and tapped his forehead with his hand.

"Inoue, come, let me introduce you!"

Zhouzhu slightly shifted his body so Inoue could better see the faces of Aoto and the others sitting behind him.

"These are the ones I and Yong frequently mentioned in our letters to you: Tachibana Aoto, Saito Ichiro, Nagakura Shinpachi, Harada Sazō, and Kyūbē!"

Following Zhouzhu’s words, Inoue offered a kind smile to Aoto, Saito, and the others.

"Hahaha, our Shiwei Hall is truly bustling now!"

Inoue sat up a bit straighter.

"Hello!"

"Although you all probably know who I am, I still want to formally introduce myself once more."

Inoue, without any pretense, bowed his waist, placed three fingers on the ground, and made a bow to Aoto and the others.

"My name is Inoue Genzaburō, nice to meet you, please take care of me."

Considering Inoue’s high seniority and status at Shiwei Hall, it would be inappropriate for Aoto and others to be disrespectful.

Nagakura performed a perfectly standard bow in true samurai fashion.

"I am Nagakura Shinpachi, nice to meet you, please instruct me."

With a carefree attitude, Harada thumbed towards himself confidently.

"I’m Harada Sazō!"

Saito slightly bowed, his tone as emotionless as his expression.

"Saito Ichiro, pleasure meeting you."

...

The last to announce his name and return the gesture was Aoto.

"I am Tachibana Aoto. I have long heard of your esteemed name, and am overjoyed to finally meet you."

"Oh?" Inoue raised his eyebrows with interest, his eyes lighting up. "So, you’re Tachibana Aoto."

While carefully examining Aoto’s face, Inoue revealed a simple, farmer-like grin.

"Mr. Tachibana, I’ve been wanting to meet you for quite some time."

"The letters from the master and the young master often mention you."

In his heart, Aoto thought: the master and young master Inoue referred to are probably Zhouzhu and Kondo.

"Earlier this year, just after you joined Shiwei Hall, the young master wrote me a lengthy letter."

"Most of the letter praised you."

"The young master directly stated in the letter: ’We’ve gained a new disciple at Shiwei Hall who’s outstanding in both talent and diligence, sure to achieve greatness in the future.’"

"After reading the young master’s letter, I’ve been eager to meet you in person, to see what such a highly praised individual looks like."