My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 56: Chapter 40: ”Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow~~!

Divine Skill!

Aside from ”Divine Skill,” Aoto couldn’t think of any other vocabulary to describe his new talent.

Although he couldn’t fall asleep in less than 1 second like Nobi Xiong, it wasn’t much different.

From the moment he closed his eyes to entering dreamland, it took just a few seconds.

He naturally woke up after sleeping for about 4 hours, feeling extremely invigorated.

Adding up his past and present lives, Aoto had never experienced this kind of mental sharpness—it’s like his IQ was raised by 10 points.

High-quality sleep not only made Aoto’s mental state excellent but also greatly restored his physical fatigue.

Clenching his palms several times, Aoto felt that even if he exercised for another 1 or 2 hours, it wouldn’t be a problem!

Aoto raised his hand to touch the corner of his mouth—his mouth was practically grinning to his ears in excitement.

This new talent had directly made his life ”longer” than that of ordinary people.

With a few extra hours of free time every day and high-quality sleep making his daily condition great, he no longer experienced mental lethargy.

Since there were so many extra hours of free time every day, he couldn’t let them go to waste.

Kyūbē’s room was right next to Aoto’s, and Aoto could vaguely hear the faint snoring coming from Kyūbē’s room.

To avoid waking Kyūbē, Aoto carefully tidied up his bedding, dressed, and picked up his sword, heading towards the courtyard of their home.

The 60-tsubo piece of abandoned land of the Tachibana family made a perfect place for practicing swords.

Thanks to his talent ”Night Vision” that enabled him to see in the dark, Aoto didn’t have to worry about bumping into something even without lighting.

Upon reaching the middle of the courtyard, Aoto drew his sword and began practicing the most basic Swordsmanship moves: Suburi.

After swinging the first strike forward, Aoto noticed in astonishment—”Sleep God” seemed to work along with ”Sword Genius”!

His excellent physical condition made his Swordsmanship practice more efficient!

The corners of Aoto’s mouth rose into an excited smile again, lifting the sword in his hand more energetically.

...

...

The next morning, alternating between ”Swordsmanship practice” and ”body training,” Aoto practiced until dawn and, after having breakfast cooked by Kyūbē, took the lunch prepared by Kyūbē and set off for work.

Kyūbē’s waking time had always been earlier than Aoto’s.

Seeing Aoto get up even earlier than himself this morning truly shocked Kyūbē.

The sleep quality boost brought by ”Sleep God” was ridiculously strong; Aoto practiced swordsmanship and honed his body from 2 in the morning to dawn, and yet he still felt quite refreshed.

Entering North Guard Station along the familiar route to work, Aoto immediately sensed an atmosphere around him that was entirely different from before.

Whether it was the Yoriki or the Dōshin from other departments, or the ordinary menial workers, they all cast unusual glances at Aoto upon seeing him.

Workplace gossip is something that exists in every era without exception.

”That Blockhead Don who couldn’t do anything right suddenly got amazing,” ”Yesterday’s case at Mukiura Town was solved by Tachibana Aoto in under an hour” ... these rumors began spreading rapidly within the Magistrate’s Office as early as yesterday.

While some didn’t care much about Aoto’s sudden transformation, most people found it extraordinarily curious.

Within the North Guard Station, most people brushing past Aoto regarded him with eyes akin to observing a curious new species.

Having anticipated that he couldn’t possibly go unnoticed now, Aoto, who was mentally prepared, remained composed in the face of these strange gazes.

Just as he was about to reach Lord Arima’s office, voices from Inagawa and Ushiyama came from behind him.

”Mr. Tachibana! Mr. Tachibana!”

Looking back, Inagawa was running towards him with an excited expression.

Usually stoic Ushiyama, who was walking alongside Inagawa, also rarely showed signs of excitement.

”Mr. Tachibana! I heard everything about yesterday from Lord Arima!” said Inagawa after getting close to Aoto, patting him vigorously on the shoulder, and smiling, ”I truly have newfound respect for you! I never expected such a significant transformation from you!”

”If it weren’t for Lord Arima saying it himself, I wouldn’t believe you could utter such passionate words as ’realizing the enormity of your responsibilities, hence deciding to put away all carelessness.’”

Ushiyama also joined in praising Aoto at this point.

Facing the compliments from these two seniors, Aoto could only wear a humble smile tinged with a bit of awkwardness.

In order to reasonably explain why he was no longer acting like a blockhead, Aoto had crafted a noble persona for himself as ”awakened to the truth, resolved to make a fresh start.”

Listening to the surrounding people praise him based on his exaggerated persona... made Aoto feel a slight sense of shame and guilt.

...

...

After reporting in at Arima’s office alongside Inagawa and Ushiyama, Aoto headed to his designated district, patrolling each Jishinban within his jurisdiction just like he did yesterday.

Comparing today with yesterday, today was quite peaceful.

There were no sudden emergencies like the day before.

The morning passed in tranquility.

The sky was still overcast in the morning, but after noon, the thick clouds between the heavens and earth gradually dispersed, and warm winter sunshine gently fell upon Aoto.

Aoto was walking down a narrow path, half-closed his eyes, deliberately taking slow steps, leisurely enjoying the caress of the warm sunlight.

Winter’s warm sun, spring’s gentle breeze, summer’s raindrops, autumn’s moonlight — four things to savor throughout the year.

Since crossing over, every day for Aoto has been rushed with barely any chance to idle.

Uncertain when another emergency might pop up, where even rest is a luxury, Aoto treasured the time now to patrol leisurely through his district.

Just as Aoto was about to leave the path he was currently on, he suddenly spotted a familiar silhouette ahead.

Upon closer inspection— not far in front of him, a young woman in a bright red kimono was carrying something, taking small steps, walking out in the same direction as Aoto.

—Hmm? Isn’t this... the Shodai working at the Thousand Affairs House?

Looking at the young girl in front, after some thoughtful reminiscing, Aoto finally recalled why the figure seemed familiar — she was the girl he had met just the day before at the placement agency: the Thousand Affairs House, where she worked: Mukiwa.

This girl’s extreme shyness, speaking as if reciting a spell, left a deep impression on Aoto.

Fancy meeting an acquaintance here...

Aoto raised an eyebrow.

He realized that so far, he seemed to meet someone he knew whenever he patrolled.

Met Chokata at the tea house yesterday.

Ran into Mukiwa on this path today.

—Well... should I go say hello...?

Although he only met Mukiwa once before, they could still be considered acquaintances.

Just as Aoto was pondering whether to approach and greet her, he suddenly noticed Mukiwa stop walking.

Unaware, Aoto instinctively halted as well.

What happened to her — just as this question popped into Aoto’s mind, he saw Mukiwa, who had suddenly stopped, slowly lift her little head and fix her gaze on the top of the dirt wall beside her.

Following Mukiwa’s gaze, Aoto turned his focus and was greeted by a striking orange sight.

It turned out a Big Orange Cat was perched on top of the dirt wall.

The petite Mukiwa stood at the wall base, lifting her head, expressionlessly looking at the Big Orange Cat.

And the Big Orange Cat also seemed to notice Mukiwa’s gaze, turning its head to meet her eyes.

—Oh, so she was watching a cat.

Aoto smiled warmly.

Boss Kiryu helped him greatly the other day, and without Kiryu’s help, he might still be worrying over which Sword Dojo to join.

Since Boss Kiryu once assisted him, he couldn’t be too indifferent to the young girl working at the Thousand Affairs House in front of him.

Aoto decided to go over and say hello.

Resolute, Aoto lifted his right leg, preparing to walk towards Mukiwa.

But just as he raised his right leg—

Mukiwa: ╰(*°▽°*)╯”Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow~~~~!”

Aoto: (°ー°
)”.........”

Aoto froze in place, maintaining the pose with his right leg raised.