My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 665: Chapter 10: Talent Upgrade! Sword Genius Upgraded to Sword Saint! [8800]_3

Slightly pursed red lips, along with beautiful eyes holding strange emotions... together, they sketched out a demeanor quite full of charm.

”...So popular...”

”Hmm? Sazanoko.” Chiba Shigetarou asked, ”Are you speaking?”

”No.” Sazanoko withdrew her gaze from the female apprentices, ”I didn’t say anything.”

”Eh? But I clearly heard you say something...”

”I didn’t say anything.”

Sazanoko, while reiterating what she just said, elegantly raised her swan-like neck.

A cold and proud expression of ”I didn’t lie.”

...

...

”Ha... ha... ha... ha... ha...”

Aoto greedily inhaled every wisp of air near his mouth and nose.

Though not one of them was as powerful as Aoto, these challengers were all apprentices of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo.

In terms of overall strength, they far surpassed the Anti-foreigner Group, composed entirely of lower-rank samurai from society’s base tier.

Facing this many talented contenders, each a banner swordsman of any other dojo, even Aoto, with his ”Strong Essence,” couldn’t help but feel slightly fatigued.

Taking a moment to adjust his breathing, Aoto opened his personal system interface.

times... Gazing at the vivid words ”Sword Genius,” Aoto couldn’t help but let out a breath.

— Just a bit more until it reaches 100...

Unnoticed, the ”Sword Genius” talent’s effect nearly doubled from its original state.

Aoto was overwhelmingly pleased by this.

While pleased, he also held a faint expectation.

Since discovering that talents could merge, Aoto had wondered: Would continually merging talents eventually trigger a ”quantitative change breeds qualitative change” effect someday?

Aoto felt this wasn’t impossible.

Yet whether there really is a ”quantitative change breeds qualitative change,” and to what extent the quantitative change must occur for qualitative change to follow... that depends on the system’s arrangement and design.

After steadier breaths, Aoto’s gaze rose, surveying the audience-filled dojo.

Anyone still wishing to fight me—this message was conveyed through Aoto’s eyes.

A soft disturbance rose in the ”spectator seats.”

Everyone looked at each other... but none found courage to stand again.

Those eager to battle strong warriors and break Aoto’s winning streak had mostly joined the fray.

Remaining were only those unwilling, unable, and afraid to clash with Aoto.

Would Aoto end this series of matches with a flawless victory—just when everyone was thinking...

”...Niō, I wish for your guidance too!”

A sharp female voice captured everyone’s attention,

including Aoto, whose eyes followed the source in surprise—there emerged a tall, slender figure from the southeast corner of the dojo... precisely where the female apprentices clustered.

One stepped forward: a youthful girl, with a fair face and elongated physique.

In her stride, wearing a female kendo uniform of white above and black below, she calmly approached Aoto directly opposite before halting.

”I am Kanazawa Koto!”

She raised her head, pronounced each word clearly toward Aoto.

”Niō! I hope you’ll honor me with your teaching!”

— Kanazawa Koto...? Aoto internally mulled over this slightly familiar name, soon recalling who she was.

During his first visit to the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, Aoto had heard this name.

She was one of the dojo’s well-known figures besides Sazanoko.

The only female apprentice currently learning sword instead of glaive at the Little Chiba Sword Dojo.

Though previously aware of her reputation, he hadn’t seen her until now.

Only knew she was a Daughter of the Samurai Family, possessing outstanding Swordsmanship Talent as a Female Swordsman.

If what Aoto heard is correct, Kanazawa Koto is the daughter of an 1000-koku Hatamoto: the Kanazawa Family.

Her brother is the current Arson and Theft Magistrate Second Squad Captain Kanazawa Chosuke; both her father and grandfather had held high positions in the Arson and Theft Magistrate, creating a family deeply tied to the magistrate.

As for Kanazawa Koto’s swordsmanship... Aoto heard her talent surpasses 90% of the men at Little Chiba Sword Dojo.

— So she’s that Kanazawa Koto...

Aoto’s gaze moved, carefully scrutinizing Kanazawa Koto standing opposite him from head to toe.

The first impression of this woman’s appearance on Aoto was ”truly a promising martial arts candidate.”

Kanazawa Koto is quite tall, as a woman, particularly in Japan’s Edo Era a woman nearly reaching 1.7 meters, long arms and legs.

With such height... Shorter men lacking exceptional skills probably wouldn’t have the chance to close in on her.

That Kanazawa Koto actually wants to step forward and challenge Aoto... Discussion erupted in the ”spectator seats.”

Many shook off fatigue, craned necks, stretched heads eagerly watching Aoto and Kanazawa Koto on the field.

Niō against their second strongest Female Swordsman at the Little Chiba Sword Dojo beside Sazanoko... Such a showdown indeed promises an exciting spectacle!

To Aoto, who comes forth, man or woman, doesn’t matter.

”Please advise!” Aoto called out, igniting fervor anew in the dojo.

...

...

Having donned protective gear, Kanazawa Koto’s first move surprised Aoto—though a woman, she initiated the bout in ”Upper Stance,” focused entirely on offense, disregarding defense.