My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 645: Chapter 5: Cultivating Iaido and Demon Sword Vishnu

”A sword is just a sword, nothing more to it.”

With that, Kiryu twirled the sword, holding the Vishnu in a reverse grip, and sheathed it.

”...” Aoto couldn’t help but gaze at Kiryu with a peculiar look.

A family sword with such a heavy burden of death... how did you end up with such a sword?

Thinking of this, Aoto couldn’t help but speak to Kiryu in a complicated tone:

”Boss Kiryu, you’re even more mysterious than I anticipated...”

”Could it be that ’Mamiya Kurō’ isn’t your real name either?”

”Am I unwittingly apprenticing under someone with an extraordinary true identity...?”

Kiryu smiled faintly... saying nothing, he cast a meaningful glance at Aoto and then said softly:

”My life up to now may not have been grand, but it’s been quite a rollercoaster.”

”I’ve met many remarkable people and experienced many things that would sound unbelievable to ordinary folk.”

”When there’s a chance, I’ll gradually tell you about my past stories.”

”Alright, let’s put an end to the chat for now. It’s about time to resume practice.”

”Follow the corrections I just showed you and try slicing through these bamboo mats.”

It was clear that Kiryu didn’t want to share his significant secrets with Aoto just yet.

Since Kiryu was unwilling to elaborate, Aoto also refrained from asking more.

Thus, Aoto could only suppress his curiosity, compose himself, and, following Kiryu’s instructions, stood in front of the pile of bamboo mats again.

For now... just focus on mastering the Flowing Light.

—— Tighten those arms a bit more...

—— Lower your right shoulder a little more...

Aoto followed Kiryu’s recent corrections, adjusting his stance bit by bit.

Once he felt his position was adequate—

Buzz...!

The sword was drawn from its sheath!

Another section of bamboo mat was sliced off.

”Hmm... not bad.” Kiryu glanced at the sliced section of the bamboo mat, smiled gently, and nodded, ”The movement is much better than before. Try again.”

Aoto, pleased with his progress, let out a sigh of relief.

Then he turned his right hand, performed a slightly awkward sword twirl, and in a reverse grip, sheathed the Ghost Heart.

—— This sheathing maneuver really is flashy...!

Aoto inwardly exclaimed with excitement.

...

...

At this moment——

Edo, Little Ishikawa Hoshimura Willow Street, Shiwei Hall, Toshisuke’s room——

”Toshisuke, it’s always fascinating to visit your room.” Chokata Mitsuo, seated on the tatami mat, took an interest in perusing every corner of Toshisuke’s room, ”For someone so lively, your room is impressively tidy.”

”Though I’m lively, I love cleanliness.” Toshisuke, sitting cross-legged in front of Chokata Mitsuo, turned up his nose, ”Sister, what’s brought you here suddenly?”

Toshisuke’s straightforwardness did not surprise Chokata Mitsuo, who smiled knowingly.

She was quite content with Toshisuke’s direct way of addressing her purpose for visiting.

Being direct was exactly how she preferred to communicate.

”Toshisuke.”

Chokata Mitsuo spoke while sitting up straighter.

A solemn expression surfaced on Chokata Mitsuo’s face.

”Perhaps... it’s time for you to give up swordsmanship?”

...

...

After officially starting his Iaido training, Aoto visited the Thousand Affairs House almost daily.

The training progressed with a routine yet rapid pace.

The combined effect of the talents Sword Genius, Ghost Heart, and Gathering Spirit was remarkably potent.

Aoto’s training progress was nothing short of astounding.

Even Kiryu, who claimed to have seen many geniuses, occasionally found himself amazed at Aoto’s learning speed.

In simple terms— Aoto’s two-month recuperation life was a ”triangle lifestyle.”

The ”three points” were Shiwei Hall, Thousand Affairs House, and the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, where Radish was currently being fostered.

To visit Radish and to pass the time, Aoto often went to the Little Chiba Sword Dojo after being discharged from Ren Medical Hall, aside from visiting the Thousand Affairs House.

Peaceful days passed by one by one.

In the blink of an eye... it was August 12th.

As usual, Aoto got up for morning practice at 2 a.m.

Days were long in summer, and dawn came early.

Soon, the eastern sky started to lighten with the dawn light.

Pausing his morning practice, Aoto walked slowly to the window of the dojo, gazing at the sky as the night gradually dissolved.

—— It’s been a while since I last visited the Little Chiba Sword Dojo...

Aoto pondered to himself.

—— Perhaps I should visit the Little Chiba Sword Dojo today...

...

...

Man’en 1 (1860), August 12th, morning——

Edo, Oke-machi, Little Chiba Sword Dojo——

”Moo~~! Moo~~! Moo~~!”

As Aoto reached the familiar entrance of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, he was greeted by the familiar sound of lowing cattle.

Soon, a large black cow dashed out of the dojo’s open gate, trotting briskly toward Aoto.

In one swift move, the black cow reached Aoto’s side and gently nudged Aoto’s waist with its head.

”Good morning, Radish.” Aoto gently stroked Radish’s head.

”Moo~~!”

Radish, seeming to understand Aoto’s greeting, raised its head high and let out a long low.

”Mr. Tachibana, you’re here.”

At that moment, a pleasant female voice emanated from the direction of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo’s gate.

*******

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On the second day of the National Day holiday, a successful burst of updates!

We’ve come one step closer to the goal of ”six days of bursts in a seven-day National Day.”

The author is really pushing hard for the double monthly passes during the National Day holidays... (Bear exhaustion.jpg)

In light of the author’s diligence, do please vote for this book with monthly tickets!

Requesting monthly votes! Requesting recommendation votes! (Bear-headed weep.jpg)

The ten-day ”2nd Character Popularity Vote” has finally concluded.

The winner this time... is Miss Sazanoko~~!

Let’s congratulate Miss Sazanoko for winning the championship again.

I’ve included the results of the vote in this section, curious readers can take a look.