Chapter 647 - 6: Blade in Hand! Strike Down Aoto! Seize Sazanoko!

Chapter 647: Chapter 6: Blade in Hand! Strike Down Aoto! Seize Sazanoko!

For instance—Chiba Domon Shiro is quite affectionate towards his family.

Aoto had heard from Chiba Shigetarou: When Sazanoko was kidnapped by the Anti-foreigner Group, Chiba Domon Shiro was just as tense as Chiba Dingji and Chiba Shigetarou.

In order to retrieve Sazanoko, Chiba Domon Shiro ran around tirelessly, not sleeping for two consecutive days.

After Aoto successfully rescued Sazanoko, Chiba Domon Shiro followed Chiba Dingji and others to the Ren Medical Hall to express their solemn gratitude to Aoto, who had just been hospitalized at that time.

Perhaps some of Chiba Domon Shiro’s characteristics are not very likable, but his care for his family and the importance he places on family ties are certainly commendable.

In the blink of an eye, Aoto and Sazanoko had arrived outside the gates of the B Area.

As soon as the gates of the B Area came into view, Aoto could already hear the loud voice of Chiba Shigetarou coming from within—

...

"No strength! Morioka, your Qi Union shout is too quiet! It can’t be heard at all! Again!"

"Yes! Haaah——!"

"Good! That’s very spirited! That’s the kind of energy and spirit we need! Hey, Hirata, what’s with your posture? Is that the posture of the Beichen One-Sword Style? After just a few moves, you’re so exhausted you can’t even hold your sword steady? Straighten your waist! Don’t grip the sword so tightly! Give the blade a bit of ’rhythm’! Relax your palms! Relax a bit more!"

"Yes!"

"Oshino, you’ve fallen into your old habits again! You’re planting your feet too firmly, so your steps are becoming less agile! Your feet need to hold the ground steady, but they should also retain a certain nimbleness!"

"Yes!"

...

Inside the B Area, over fifty apprentices were paired off in duels.

The thumping of feet on the ground, the clashing of bamboo swords, the loud sounds of Qi Union... these noises mixed together, becoming deafening.

As the Deputy Master, Chiba Shigetarou roamed the dojo holding a bamboo sword, supervising the apprentices’ moves and ensuring their form was correct.

If anyone’s moves appeared incorrect, Chiba Shigetarou would immediately spring to their side like a cat catching a scent, offering them a stern reprimand.

"Huh? Mr. Tachibana?"

At that moment, Chiba Shigetarou noticed Aoto standing beside Sazanoko outside the dojo gates.

In the next instant, Chiba Shigetarou performed an impressively expressive "Sichuan opera face change."

Just moments ago, his face had been stern and his demeanor fiercely intimidating, but now, Chiba Shigetarou wore a radiant, joyful expression.

"Hahaha! Mr. Tachibana! You’re here!"

With the bamboo sword resting on his shoulder, Chiba Shigetarou laughed heartily, taking long strides to quickly reach Aoto’s side, engaging in an enthusiastic chat.

Some people inside the dojo also paused their activities at this moment.

"Mr. Tachibana?"

"Mr. Tachibana, you’re here again."

"Good morning, Tachibana."

...

In recent days, Aoto’s frequent appearances at the Little Chiba Sword Dojo not only brought him closer to Sazanoko and Chiba Shigetarou.

He also naturally befriended many apprentices from the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, making many new friends.

Aoto greeted and exchanged pleasantries with those he knew, led by Chiba Shigetarou.

Among those he recognized, Aoto quickly spotted a very familiar old face.

"Mr. Tachibana, are you here to check on your cow again?"

A gentle male voice like a spring breeze reached Aoto’s ears... A tall young man standing not far from Aoto leisurely removed the protective mask from his head.

Beneath the mask was a delicate face adorned with two tear moles by the corner of the right eye.

"Yamanaka?" Aoto exclaimed in surprise.

"Mr. Tachibana." Yamanaka Keisuke, with a graceful smile, nodded gently at Aoto, "Good morning. It’s been a while. If I’m not mistaken, we haven’t seen each other since the start of August."

Given Aoto’s recent frequent visits to the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, it naturally meant he had more interactions with Yamanaka Keisuke... this old friend who had been studying swordsmanship at the Little Chiba Sword Dojo.

"Yamanaka." Aoto smiled, sincerely congratulating Yamanaka without pretense, "I’ve heard that at the end of last month you successfully attained the Master of All Techniques for the Beichen One-Sword Style; congratulations!"

"Thank you." Yamanaka chuckled humbly a few times, "Mr. Tachibana, with your talent and strength, it shouldn’t be long before it’s my turn to congratulate you on achieving the highest recognition from the Natural Reasoning Heart Stream."

"Hahaha, I gratefully accept your good words."

The value of a Master of All Techniques depends significantly on which school and style you trained under.

The Master of All Techniques for the Beichen One-Sword Style awarded by Chiba Dingji from the Little Chiba Sword Dojo is obviously far more prestigious than a Master of All Techniques from some unknown swordsmanship master at a rural dojo.

This is one major reason samurai prefer to study at those Great Sword Dojos.

Therefore, Yamanaka Keisuke obtaining the Master of All Techniques for the Beichen One-Sword Style at the Little Chiba Sword Dojo... is quite a remarkable achievement, envied by countless samurai.

Aoto intended to chat more with Yamanaka, but suddenly, he sensed someone’s presence behind him.

Just as he was about to turn around, a familiar young male voice sounded from behind him.

"Mr. Tachibana?"

Standing behind Aoto was a young man who bore a resemblance to Chiba Shigetarou and Sazanoko... it was Chiba Domon Shiro.

Chiba Domon Shiro’s hands were damp with water marks, leading Aoto to guess he had just returned from the restroom.