My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 141: Chapter 86: Gaining Three Talents: Skillful Hands, Healthy Tongue, Iron Waist

Usually silent, Ushiyama is actually very skilled at saying sweet words, often charming the women on the Flower Street into giving discounts or even free services.

After replicating ”Skillful Hands” from Inagawa, with his psychological expectations higher, Aoto thought it was very likely he would replicate a talent like ”better eloquence” when sparring with Ushiyama.

But unexpectedly, the talent replicated from Ushiyama was... named ”Healthy Tongue”.

[Talent Description: The tongue is far more flexible and powerful than the average person]

The tongue becoming more flexible and powerful could be considered a form of improving eloquence.

After obtaining this talent, Aoto noticeably felt his articulation became clearer and more forceful.

As for Arima... when he tied him up with hemp rope... ahem, not during sparring, Aoto’s mood was a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

Because he had absolutely no idea what kind of talent he would replicate from Arima, who always kept his back straight, only turned at 90-degree angles, never glanced sideways, and had a peculiar eating posture...

Ultimately—the talent Aoto replicated from Arima was both unexpected yet reasonable.

The talent replicated from Arima was ”Iron Waist”.

[Talent Description: The waist is less prone to strain, injury, or fatigue]

Understanding why Arima could always maintain such a perfectly straight posture without tiring became clear to Aoto once he acquired this talent.

This talent is quite useful, as anyone who has practiced martial arts knows the importance of the waist.

The waist serves as a central part that supports the body and conducts force, its importance goes without saying.

For Aoto, who is currently focused on enhancing his skills, acquiring such a waist-related talent is naturally advantageous.

Overall—from the talents replicated from the horse, pig, and cow, none can be considered superfluous and are all quite useful.

However, afterward, when slowly reflecting and considering the usefulness of these three new talents, Aoto felt his mood slightly complex.

Fingers and tongue becoming flexible and powerful, a waist that is less prone to strain, injury, or fatigue... upon closer thought, aren’t these skills that certain ”Flower Street Bodyguards” desire the most?

Aoto thought that if he were to visit the Flower Street now, he would certainly leave a lasting impression on many courtesans in no time.

The visit from Arima and others was a small interlude for Aoto during this time.

Apart from this, Aoto did not encounter any major events in recent days and lived quite peacefully and quietly.

...

...

February 10th—

Around 8 PM—

Edo, Little Ishikawa, Hoshimura, Willow Street, Shiwei Hall—

Aoto, fully armored and holding a bamboo sword in the Middle Stance, faced off against Kondo Haru, who was also fully armored and in the Middle Stance, on the opposite side.

Since it was already evening and well past closing time, only Aoto and Kondo were in the dojo, with no other disciples present.

Aoto increasingly felt that living at Shiwei Hall was incredibly satisfying. Even after closing time, he could still stay to practice swordsmanship and even invite Kondo and others for morning or evening practice like now.

”Hah...” Aoto exhaled deeply, then held his breath, gathering his strength. Simultaneously letting out a bright Qi Union, he stepped forward, rushing into range to strike Kondo with his sword, and slashed towards Kondo’s face.

Clang!

The sound of bamboo swords clashing rang out.

Just as Aoto’s bamboo sword was about to hit Kondo’s face, Kondo timely placed his bamboo sword horizontally above his head, deflecting Aoto’s attack.

Seeing his previous attack fail, Aoto quickly retreated a few steps, widening the distance from Kondo.

The first round of their engagement ended in a draw.

Watching Kondo, who had resumed the Middle Stance, Aoto adjusted his breath while thinking to himself:

— Truly worthy of being the future Fourth Generation Leader of the Natural Reasoning Heart Stream Main Family... not a single flaw...

Failing to find a flaw in Kondo... After thinking for a moment, Aoto adjusted his sword-holding stance—he slowly raised his bamboo sword above his head.

Seeing Aoto switch from the balanced Middle Stance to the ”heavier attack, lighter defense” Upper Stance, Kondo narrowed his eyes slightly and also changed his sword-holding stance—lowering his bamboo sword, with the tip pointing diagonally at the floor in front.

Aoto moved his feet, gradually closing the distance between himself and Kondo.

Kondo did not intentionally evade, allowing Aoto to approach, letting the distance between them gradually shrink.

When the distance closed enough for their swords to touch in the next instant—

Aoto’s Qi Union and the sound of striking erupted simultaneously.

The slash from the Upper Stance, in both momentum and power, far surpassed the previous chop Aoto delivered.

This time, Kondo did not endure Aoto’s attack but swiftly retreated two steps, dodging Aoto’s slash.

In the moment after dodging Aoto’s slash, Kondo quickly lifted the bamboo sword from the lower stance—thrusting sharply at Aoto’s chest!

Aoto’s eyes followed Kondo’s sword speed—but his body couldn’t keep up.

He could only watch as Kondo’s bamboo sword struck his chest, causing him to retreat two steps before regaining his balance.