My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 640: Chapter 5: Practicing Iaido and Demon Sword Vishnu

Bright red summer kimono... a familiar outfit.

”Good morning, Aoto!”

Mukiwa responded energetically to Aoto.

”Where’s Boss Kiryu? Isn’t he here?”

Aoto looked around the shop but didn’t see Kiryu anywhere.

”One of the regular customers has a house that’s broken, Mr. Kiryu went to help repair it.”

”... Huh? Repair the house?”

”Yes. Mr. Kiryu studied woodworking in Yamato before, so he often helps neighbors and regular customers with their house or furniture repairs.”

”Boss Kiryu seems to be good at everything... Any idea when he’ll be back?”

”Well... I can’t say for sure. Aoto, is there something you need from Mr. Kiryu?”

”Yes.” Aoto nodded forcefully, clenching his right fist and lightly tapping his chest, ”My body has fully healed and my condition is totally recovered. I think it’s time for me to learn Boss Kiryu’s Iaijutsu!”

Upon hearing this, Mukiwa quickly scanned and circled around Aoto, carefully examining every part of Aoto’s body.

”Aoto, is your body really completely recovered?” Mukiwa asked softly, with a slight tone of concern.

Is your body really ready to start Iaijutsu training? Don’t push yourself too hard — Mukiwa’s expression and tone conveyed this concern.

”Don’t worry. My body has indeed completely recovered.”

To dispel Mukiwa’s worries thoroughly, Aoto replied in a half-joking tone.

”I haven’t become obsessed with learning Boss Kiryu’s secret technique to the extent of forcing myself before I’m fully recovered.”

Since Kiryu went to repair houses... Aoto could only wait slowly for Boss Kiryu at the Thousand Affairs House.

Ever since Aoto became Boss Kiryu’s disciple, he formed a deep bond with the Thousand Affairs House.

Now, the Thousand Affairs House has become one of Aoto’s frequent ”bases” after Shiwei Hall.

During the two months of convalescence, Aoto often visited the Thousand Affairs House to pass the time, drinking tea and chatting with Boss Kiryu and Mukiwa.

Familiar with the Thousand Affairs House as if it were home, Aoto deftly removed the Ghost-Slaying from his waist and sat down on a soft cushion in front of the counter.

Meanwhile, Mukiwa skillfully jogged into the kitchen, bringing out freshly brewed tea and some snacks for tea.

By the way— Aoto’s Ghost-Slaying was repaired successfully last month.

”Awu, has anything interesting happened at the Thousand Affairs House in the past few days?”

Sipping tea, Aoto casually asked Mukiwa with a leisurely attitude.

”Hmm... It’s been peaceful lately; nothing noteworthy has happened.”

...

Aoto chatted casually with Mukiwa about little things, passing time while waiting for Boss Kiryu to return.

Although they discussed trivial topics, neither Aoto nor Mukiwa felt bored; instead, they seemed increasingly engrossed and lively.

”By the way, Awu, did you know that Mr. Chokata’s older sister came to Edo...”

As Aoto was about to talk about the recent miscellaneous events in his life—

Woo—! Pop!

Woo—! Pop!

...

Suddenly, fireworks erupted and exploded outside the window.

The sound was loud... these fireworks in the outskirts of Edo caught both Aoto and Mukiwa’s attention.

Aoto turned to look outside the window and saw colorful, magnificent sparks in the air.

These sparks vanished in the blink of an eye, dissolving into the blue sky and white clouds.

”How beautiful...” Mukiwa murmured, ”Is Kagiya testing the fireworks?”

”Yes.” Aoto nodded lightly, ”It should be.”

Since the fireworks festival became a fixed summer event throughout Japan over a hundred years ago, the popularity of fireworks has gradually formed an industry.

The fireworks master profession emerged accordingly.

Among Edo’s many fireworks merchants, the most famous are ”Kagiya” and ”Tamaya.”

Ryogoku’s Kaichuan Fireworks Festival is organized by these two major fireworks merchants.

The upper stream of Ryogoku Bridge is organized by Tamaya, the lower stream by Kagiya.

At each year’s fireworks festival, these two major merchants showcase their skills across Ryogoku Bridge.

To cheer for these two competing merchants, the attending crowd constantly shouts ”Kagiya!” and ”Tamaya!”

Over time, shouting ”Kagiya!” and ”Tamaya!” became a customary practice during fireworks displays.

Unfortunately, this spectacular scene of competition between the two fireworks merchants did not last long.

On April 17th, Tenpo 14 (1843), Tamaya caused severe damage to nearly 50 households due to a fire.

It happened to be the day before the 12th Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyoshi, was set to visit Nikko.

In the Edo Era, the crime of causing a fire was considered serious.

Having done the wrong thing on the wrong day... ill-fated Tamaya was charged with severely damaging Edo and was expelled, leading to its decline.

Without the competition from Tamaya, Kagiya became dominant, and Edo’s annual fireworks festival turned into Kagiya’s ”exclusive showcase.”

However, though Tamaya is no longer around, Edo’s residents still habitually shout ”Kagiya!” and ”Tamaya!” during the fireworks displays.