My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 460: Chapter 164: Sazanoko: ”I Will Never Like Mr. Tachibana” [6600]

”Ha?” Aoto couldn’t help but tilt his head.

-- Out of a million people, there might be only one who possesses such talent... Being able to replicate others’ talents?

In his heart, Aoto spoke this line full of jests and sarcasm to himself.

After observing Aoto’s changing expression for a few moments, Chiba Eisuke’s thick eyebrows raised slightly at the corners of his eyes, and a relaxed smile appeared on his sharply defined face.

”Seems like you really lack awareness in this area.”

Chiba Eisuke slowly straightened up, his voice gradually rising as his body straightened.

”Mr. Tachibana, you have the courage to face strong opponents and the temperament not to feel dejected about your own weaknesses.”

”And this... is the talent I mentioned earlier, one that out of a million people, not even one might possess.”

”I noticed your character during the previous Swordsmanship Competition.”

”In the finals, when you were... who was it again?”

”Can’t remember... whatever, not gonna try. In any case, when you were competing against your opponent in the finals, I could clearly feel you becoming more and more courageous.”

”Just now when sparring with me, it was the same.”

”Even when I had you under overwhelming pressure, you didn’t show any signs of dejection or loss of momentum; your fighting spirit grew even stronger.”

”I asked you, ’After getting beaten so badly by me, don’t you feel discouraged?’ and you replied, ’Is realizing one’s weakness something to be ashamed of?’

”That kind of character... for a martial artist, it’s a truly precious treasure.”

”I’ve seen too many martial artists who originally had great talent but ended up insignificant due to poor mentality.”

”Saito Kanosuke from the Training Hall is a great example.”

When Chiba Eisuke spoke to this point, a few degrees of embarrassment slowly appeared on his cheeks.

”Saito Kanosuke also had high swordsmanship talent, but after defeat by me, he lost all his spirit and never regained his vigor.”

”In martial arts, boldness is most crucial.”

”Except for the very few blessed by heaven, a person who loses the courage to scale high peaks will never achieve any new major accomplishments in martial arts.”

”If Saito Kanosuke doesn’t pull himself together soon, his swordsmanship won’t progress any further.”

Upon hearing the name ”Saito Kanosuke” from Chiba Eisuke’s mouth, Aoto couldn’t help but chuckle.

He thought this guy was truly unlucky; it’s the second time Aoto has heard someone use Saito Kanosuke as a negative example in martial arts lessons.

Before the Aizu Marquis Swordsmanship Competition, when Zhouzhu was teaching Aoto about ”Momentum,” he also raised Saito Kanosuke’s example, stating that if Saito Kanosuke doesn’t shake off the shadow of defeat by Chiba Eisuke soon, his future swordsmanship achievements are doomed to stagnation.

Aoto slightly gathered his somewhat scattered thoughts, then carefully recalled every word and sentence that Chiba Eisuke had just said.

Not fearing strong foes, not feeling dejected by one’s own weakness... As for the latter, Aoto was aware, he always knew he possessed such a character.

For a long time, Aoto never considered realizing his weakness and room for growth as something worthy of dejection, frustration, or sorrow.

But regarding Chiba Eisuke’s ”not fearing strong foes”... If it weren’t for Chiba Eisuke mentioning it, Aoto hadn’t quite realized he had such a hidden aspect in his personality.

For no reason, Aoto suddenly recalled the fierce battles he’d fought after coming to this era.

The Swordsmanship Competition finals that excited him beyond measure due to Niitsuma Kan’s unexpectedly sharp abilities...

During the rescue of the Foreign Language Research Institute, despite the Anti-foreigner Group’s numbers far exceeding theirs, he fearlessly launched an assault...

In the ”Snowy Night Chaos,” when confronting Mogami Shofu alone, every nerve and muscle in his body was taut, daring not to relax, despite the hardship there was a peculiar sense of exhilaration...

”In summary.” At this time, Chiba Eisuke spoke again, ”You possess extraordinary talent and this rare character... Haha, I can’t say for sure how far you’ll ultimately grow.”

Lavishing praise upon Aoto, Chiba Eisuke smiled and affectionately gave him a light punch on the chest.

”I’m greatly looking forward to it.”

”Looking forward to the next time I return to Edo, discovering you’ve grown into an expert requiring all my strength to contend with.”

”Never lose your precious boldness against strong foes and indifference to your own weakness, strive to improve yourself, Tachibana Aoto!”

...

...

At this moment—

In Chiba Shigetarou’s room at the Little Chiba Sword Dojo—

Lying on the tatami in his room, Chiba Shigetarou was looking confidently at his ”Prospective Brother-in-law Handbook.”

Over the years, Chiba Shigetarou’s ”Prospective Brother-in-law Handbook” had recorded many excellent young names.

Now, most names had already been crossed out with big X’s and accompanied by short comments stating why these people couldn’t be chosen as a brother-in-law.

Only a few names remained unmarked.

Aoto’s name was among those few that Chiba Shigetarou hadn’t crossed off yet.