My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 403: Chapter 149: Oh! Miss Sazanoko, You’re Blushing?

Sazanoko couldn’t help but cast a gaze mixed with a hint of resentment towards Aoto.

But, at this moment!

Just as Sazanoko looked at Aoto with a resentful gaze, her expression suddenly froze, and she stood rooted to the spot.

For some reason, as she watched Aoto, who was smiling while receiving congratulations from the crowd... a long-buried memory surfaced and flashed before Sazanoko’s eyes.

Three years ago, a man named Sakamoto Ryoma also achieved a stunning victory in a prestigious swordsmanship competition, cutting through the ranks with his remarkable prowess.

After claiming the glory of the championship crown, he too was tightly surrounded by people congratulating him, just like Aoto now... Back then, Sazanoko was also among those eagerly embracing him at his side...

Though Aoto and that man looked nothing alike, at this moment, Aoto’s figure fused astonishingly with that of the man in her memory...

In comparison, the radiance emanating from Aoto seemed even more dazzling than that man’s—after all, that man did not possess Aoto’s extraordinary talent.

”It’s so alike...” Sazanoko murmured to herself in a volume only she could hear.

Following that, the faint resentment in Sazanoko’s eyes towards Aoto gradually dissipated.

In its place was an indescribably complex emotion.

As the emotions in her eyes changed, a touch of melancholy appeared between Sazanoko’s beautiful brows

...

...

Since Aoto returned from the ”VIP Platform,” Chiba Eijiro had been casting a peculiar gaze at Aoto.

After a while, he muttered softly to himself:

”Is Mr. Tachibana’s ’momentum’... my imagination...”

Emotionless, Chiba Eijiro’s lips pursed slightly, and his pupils flickered with a thoughtful gleam.

...

...

On the other side of the martial arts seats—

Taojing Chunzang, the handsome elder known as ”Position of Peach Well,” glanced towards where Aoto and the Shiwei Hall group were, revealing a smile full of sentiment:

”It seems that the next Chiba Eijiro... no, perhaps a swordsman who can surpass Chiba Eijiro is about to be born...”

Leaving this sentiment in a self-talking tone, Taojing Chunzang placed his hands behind his back and quickly led his Shixue Hall disciples away from the martial arts seats.

Swordmasters of the caliber of ”Powerful Saito” and ”Position of Peach Well” naturally perceived the ”momentum” Aoto had released in the arena.

Almost all swordsmen who sensed Aoto’s released ”momentum” now shared a common understanding—after Chiba Eijiro, Edo has produced another genius on par with or potentially surpassing Chiba Eijiro!

In response, some were envious, some jealous, some joyful, and some worried.

But regardless of the emotions towards this new brilliant star Aoto, after this competition, there was no doubt that everyone had firmly remembered the name ”Tachibana Aoto”!

At the Training Hall’s seats, ”Powerful Saito,” Saito Mijuro comforted the still-stunned Niitsuma Kan sitting at the seat:

”Mr. Niitsuma, cheer up.”

”The path of Martial Arts requires overcoming many setbacks and hardships to grow strong.”

”You’ve done well today, far beyond my expectations.”

”Let’s go. Use this defeat as nourishment and strive even harder to improve yourself in the future.”

With that, Saito Mijuro reached out and patted Niitsuma Kan on the shoulder.

And just as Saito Mijuro’s hand touched Niitsuma Kan’s shoulder, his expression abruptly changed.

”Hmm?” Saito Mijuro quickly reached out with his other hand to feel Niitsuma Kan’s forehead—he felt like he was touching a red-hot brick...

”Mr. Niitsuma, why do you have such a high fever?”

”Ugh...” Niitsuma Kan struggled to open his eyes wide, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something.

However, what came out were murky, incoherent words.

Seeing Niitsuma Kan feverish to the point of incoherence, Saito Mijuro hastily called to the disciples around him:

”Quick! Take Mr. Niitsuma to Ren Medical Hall!”

Ren Medical Hall—a famous hospital in Edo.

The couple who established this hospital: Beifang Ren and Rikka Saki were both renowned for their highly advanced medical skills.

Under Saito Mijuro’s direction, six Training Hall apprentices hurriedly supported Niitsuma Kan up. Leading the group personally, Saito Mijuro, along with the disciples, swiftly pushed through the crowd, taking the bewildered Niitsuma Kan towards Ren Medical Hall...

...

...

As the spectators gradually departed, the once lively competition venue became cold and deserted.

In less than 20 minutes, the martial arts seats, once packed to capacity, now had only a handful left in place.

Rakshasa and a short, stubby middle-aged man were among the few who remained.

”Hahaha... what a surprisingly eventful match.”

Rakshasa tilted his head back, letting out a satisfied laugh.

”Afterwards, keep an eye on that Niitsuma Kan for me,” Rakshasa said to the stubby middle-aged man, ”See if he can withstand the side effects of the ’Mindless Medicine.’”

”If he can’t withstand it, then so be it.”

”But if he does, record the time it takes for him to overcome the side effects, as it is valuable experimental data.”

”Yes.” The stubby middle-aged man nodded vigorously.

”And—” Rakshasa continued, ”If Niitsuma Kan successfully overcomes the side effects of the ’Mindless Medicine’ and survives, remember to inform me immediately.”