My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 654: Chapter 8: Niō Shows His Power! Defeating the Little Chiba Sword Dojo’s Elites in a Row! [7200]

If Tachibana Aoto had just wielded a real blade, Wada’s chest would have been completely split open by now, his organs sliced to shreds. Wada, suffering such a devastating blow to his chest, would be lying on the ground like a dead dog, barely breathing, and it wouldn’t be long before he met Amaterasu.

Being unable to even take a single blow from Aoto, killed instantly by Aoto’s sword... Wada felt an overwhelming sense of humiliation and anger engulfing his body and soul.

Wada was a typical person who took great pride in holding the title of ”Swordsman of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo.”

Having successfully passed the entry assessment of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, becoming a member of the dojo, and subsequently advancing to the B Area—accessible only to apprentices of a certain level—through rigorous training, was Wada’s most proud achievement in his life so far.

He had thought to himself: even if he wasn’t a match for Aoto, as a top student of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, he should at least be able to exchange a few fierce moves with Aoto.

He couldn’t believe that he didn’t even have the skill to block a single move from Aoto...

His pride shattered, the gap between reality and imagination too vast... The anger and humiliation in his heart tormented Wada.

At this moment, Wada desperately wanted to shout to Aoto, ”Fight me again!” using a new battle to wash away his shame.

Yet no matter how his lips moved, no matter how his mouth opened and closed, he couldn’t bring himself to shout ”Fight me again” out loud.

It’s not because Wada feared being scorned as a sore loser if he cried out.

But because even if he fought Aoto again, Wada couldn’t guarantee he’d perform better than the last bout...

Aoto’s swift strike earlier... just thinking about it made Wada’s heart tremble each time.

If Tachibana Aoto attacked him again with the same speed of sword, would he be able to fend it off?

Wada couldn’t give himself an optimistic answer...

Unable to muster the confidence to challenge Aoto again, Wada gritted his teeth, stood up slowly, and walked off with his head drooping like a defeated rooster, full of unwillingness, shock, and grief.

Below the stage, the Sazanoko Pursuer Corps exchanged bewildered glances.

Their faces were filled with expressions of shock and fear.

To think that Wada, taking the lead, would be defeated so miserably... Such a disastrous beginning made them suddenly realize that this detestable Tachibana Aoto seemed much more formidable than they had anticipated...

Though Wada wasn’t the strongest among them, he was at least an apprentice who could practice swordsmanship in the B Area of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo.

Such a Wada was taken down by Aoto in an instant...

At this moment, a burly man with very fair skin stood up with a calm face and slowly walked out of the ”audience section.”

”I am Taniuchi Ichiro. Mr. Tachibana, I also wish to seek your guidance. May I ask for the honor?”

Yet another person wanted to challenge Aoto...

The majority of those in the ”audience section,” led by Yamanaka, did not belong to the Sazanoko Pursuer Corps.

To Yamanaka Keisuke and the others, it seemed quite strange: why did so many people suddenly want to challenge Aoto?

”...” Standing alongside Chiba Shigetarou and Chiba Domon Shiro, Sazanoko slightly pursed her red lips.

She looked thoughtfully at Taniuchi, who had stepped out after Wada... her expression inscrutable.

Aoto glanced at Taniuchi: ”Please guide me!”

Taniuchi nodded to Aoto and then picked up the bamboo sword and protective mask placed by his side, stepping briskly into the arena and standing opposite Aoto.

The apprentices in the B Area were already on a break, so none of them had taken off their protective gear.

Therefore, all they needed to do was put on their masks and pick up their bamboo swords to participate in the match.

Gazing at Taniuchi, now standing poised opposite Aoto, many within the Sazanoko Pursuer Corps breathed a sigh of relief.

Taniuchi’s swordsmanship far exceeded Wada’s.

In terms of overall strength, Taniuchi ranked in the upper middle tier within the Little Chiba Sword Dojo.

With the strong Taniuchi in the fray... it slightly eased their anxious hearts, troubled by witnessing Wada’s miserable defeat.

Another person requested a bout with Aoto, and Aoto gladly accepted... Such a duel where both swordsmen are ”in mutual agreement” cannot be stopped by anyone.

The true courtesy of a martial artist is to respect both parties’ wishes and provide the best conditions for their duel.

Fully understanding this point, Chiba Shigetarou returned to the arena with a serious face as referee, positioning himself once more between Aoto and the challenger.

”Salute... Begin!”

”Waaahh——!”

In comparison to Wada, Taniuchi’s fighting style was noticeably more aggressive and violent.

As soon as Chiba Shigetarou shouted ”Begin,” Taniuchi bounded toward Aoto, emitting a surprisingly powerful Qi Union while swiftly thrusting his sword at Aoto’s chest.

Aoto calmly watched as the sword tip came toward him, without a hint of tension. He sidestepped to the left, effortlessly averting the danger.

”Waaahh——!”

It could be noted that Taniuchi was quite loud in battle.

With a voice that seemed to tear his throat, Taniuchi issued another Qi Union, withdrew his empty thrust quickly, and then fiercely launched a new attack on Aoto.