My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 632: Chapter 3: Aoto vs Inoue Genzaburō, Copying the Strong Essence Talent! [8500]_4

Inoue was taken aback by the force of Aoto’s strike, eyes slightly widened and face showing astonishment.

Not only Inoue was surprised, but Aoto himself was also quite startled by the power of his own hit.

— Indeed... Once the explosive power of the waist increases, the explosive power of the limbs and other parts will also strengthen.

Compared to the past, today’s Aoto has notably enhanced upper limb strength.

The reason for this is that he has copied a rather useful new talent from Scythe Weasel — the waist’s explosive power is out of the ordinary, known as the ”Bear’s Waist.”

The waist, being the central area of the body, serves the purpose of linking the upper and lower body, providing strength to every part of the body, and can be called the source of power.

Simply put, if the waist has significant explosive power, it can drive the force enhancement of the limbs and other parts.

The ”Bear’s Waist” and the ”Iron Waist,” a talent effect that Aoto previously copied from Arima which includes ”the waist is less prone to strain, injury, and fatigue,” are a perfect match.

One enhances the explosive power of the waist, while the other boosts the durability of the waist... The effects of the two talents stack together, allowing Aoto’s waist to provide potent strength to his limbs for extended periods.

Aoto’s upward strike certainly surprised Inoue, but he quickly calmed his mind and stabilized the sword in his hand, preventing the bamboo sword from slipping away.

”Hah—!”

With a silent shout, Inoue gracefully slid forward, intending to brush past Aoto.

Just as their figures intersected, seemingly tightly complemented bodies, they exchanged another move. This time, Aoto proactively launched an attack towards Inoue.

Aoto swung horizontally, aiming at Inoue’s chest, but Inoue easily deflected it.

The floor thudded underfoot as they passed by each other, quickly standing firm, twisting their bodies, and facing each other once more.

Inoue’s movements remained flawless.

”Hah—!”

Once again, Inoue issued a sharp Qi Union sound, his momentum soaring like a rainbow as he swung his blade and advanced.

Despite not having a strong physique, he managed to unleash an aura akin to ”Mount Tai Pressing Down.”

Facing this ’mountain’ rushing towards him, Aoto reacted composedly.

He retreated his left foot half a step to the left and back, and while dodging Inoue’s slashing sword, initiated an often-used Kasumi Stance attack, the tip of his blade darting toward Inoue’s chest.

Inoue claimed that during his time back in his hometown, he gained completely new insights into the step technique... His words seemed genuinely not exaggerated.

Inoue’s footwork was exceptionally agile.

Though using this term to describe a middle-aged man may seem odd... Inoue’s step technique indeed reminded Aoto of a ”Ballet Dancer.”

Inoue focused his strength on the tips of his toes, lightly leaping backwards like a feather, causing Aoto’s sword to stab only air.

”Ho ho ho...” Observing from the side, Zhouzhu, upon seeing Inoue’s steps, smiled with a touch of delight, ”Impressive step technique...”

How coincidental it is. Zhouzhu was smiling... and Aoto on the field was also smiling at this moment.

A serene smile appeared on Aoto’s face at this very moment.

Nestled within this peaceful smile was a mix of complex emotions intertwined together.

Aoto was reflecting with deep emotion that he is no longer an ignorant person as he was before.

If it were 8 months ago, he would only be toyed with when facing Inoue Genzaburō.

But now, in a duel with Inoue Genzaburō, he hasn’t even activated the ”Lone Brave.”

This indicates that based on the system’s judgment, Inoue’s abilities do not exceed his own!

This gives Aoto a unique sense of encouragement.

— The body is indeed still rather stiff...!

After slightly complaining about his body’s loss of former vigor, Aoto exhaled deeply, revitalized, and pursued Inoue who was leaping sideways and backwards.

Only to see Aoto’s tall figure leap high without a running start, using gravity to slash downward with the knife in his hand, aimed directly at Inoue’s forehead.

Inoue’s body bounced back like a spring, simultaneously lunging forward with a sword, attacking Aoto who was in mid-air.

Even though Inoue seized the chance while Aoto was airborne and unable to alter his position, made a fierce attack, but Aoto quickly altered his move, precisely sealing Inoue’s descending blade with the sword tip.

In an instant, Aoto landed gracefully, standing at the spot where Inoue had previously been.

Faster than it takes to say it, as if unwilling to give Inoue any respite, Aoto swiftly launched a new offensive once his feet touched the floor again, striding forward to fiercely strike at the opponent’s shoulder.

This time, Inoue didn’t evade or defend but attacked Aoto directly with an offense!

Inoue moved with an elegant step technique reminiscent of a ballet dancer, body tilted like a flying swallow, ”flying” straight towards Aoto, slashing at Aoto’s chest.

Bang!

The two bamboo swords engaged in an offensive clash neither managed to hit their intended targets, entangled midway.

The two wooden swords collided fiercely once more in the air, the bamboo bodies creaking.

The air pressure generated from the bamboo swords’ collision blew up the hair around the temples of the two swordsmen, and swayed the nearby candle flames unsteadily.

The swaying candlelight lightly flickered the shadows cast by the two on the floor, adding a hint of tension to the dojo’s atmosphere.

As if having agreed upon it in advance, Aoto and Inoue simultaneously slid forward, their flickering shadows briefly overlapping before quickly separating.

When the two moved past each other and faced once more, the fierce duel recommenced!