My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 668: Chapter 11: ”What Do You Think About Aoto Marrying Sazanoko?

Besides the large courtyard now dedicated to carrot cultivation, the depths of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo contained another area commonly referred to as the ”Inner Courtyard,” where only Sazanoko’s family and their house attendants could freely come and go.

There was a well in the Inner Courtyard, and the daily water usage by Sazanoko’s family was all drawn from this well in the Inner Courtyard.

”...Brother.” Sazanoko’s beautiful eyes slightly squinted, ”Wouldn’t it be more appropriate for you to take Mr. Tachibana to the Inner Courtyard to wipe sweat and rest?”

”That wouldn’t do.”

Chiba Shigetarou seemed to have anticipated Sazanoko saying this, as if he had prepared a draft earlier, he quickly replied without hesitation:

”Although the ’Mr. Tachibana’s Endurance Gauntlet Challenge’ was a minor episode, it has already come to an end.”

”It’s not even noon yet, and the morning’s training session is far from over.”

”I have to continue teaching, so I can’t step away.”

”You are the only one with the time to take Mr. Tachibana to the Inner Courtyard to rest.”

”If not you, who else could go?”

Chiba Shigetarou’s reasoning...was impeccable.

Throughout the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, only the Inner Courtyard had a well for drawing water to cleanse the body.

And for such a private place as the Inner Courtyard, only Chiba Shigetarou and Sazanoko could conveniently take Aoto there.

Since Chiba Shigetarou still needed to continue teaching the apprentices, naturally, only Sazanoko was left to take Aoto to the Inner Courtyard.

Although Chiba Shigetarou’s reasoning was very reasonable and flawless...Sazanoko still half-closed her beautiful eyes, staring directly at Chiba Shigetarou’s face without speaking, with a deep gaze as if looking at a distant horizon.

”What’s wrong?”

Chiba Shigetarou met Sazanoko’s gaze, unwavering and unafraid.

His face turned serious, adopting a ”my thoughts are simple and righteous” upright man’s demeanor, he spoke righteously:

”Sazanoko, wouldn’t you consider leaving Mr. Tachibana alone, unattended?”

”Regardless of Mr. Tachibana’s current relationship with our Chiba family.”

”Purely considering Mr. Tachibana’s current identity as ’our visiting guest,’ we cannot ignore the weary Mr. Tachibana.”

”That would be so discourteous.”

So discourteous—Chiba Shigetarou’s words hit the mark precisely for Sazanoko.

Sazanoko, who had been educated as a ”Yamato Nadeshiko” since childhood, valued etiquette and feared accidentally doing something discourteous.

Precisely caught by Chiba Shigetarou, Sazanoko no longer stared at her brother with a deep gaze as if looking at a distant horizon but instead narrowed her eyes, tinged with urgency and helplessness.

After several breaths, as if abandoning the struggle, Sazanoko shook her head with a light but steady force, looking straight ahead without glancing at her brother again.

”...I understand.”

Muttering softly.

Chiba Shigetarou nodded lightly with a blank expression, then turned his head like Sazanoko, shifting his gaze back to his own front.

Sazanoko was standing directly to the right of Chiba Shigetarou, so she could only see the right half of Chiba Shigetarou’s face from her perspective.

Thus, Sazanoko did not notice the change in expression on the left half of Chiba Shigetarou’s face—his left corner of the mouth was slightly raised.

Revealing a ”successful plan” satisfied smile.

...

...

Aoto’s bow and words naturally captured the dojo’s sounds and everyone’s attention.

Gulp, gulp... Occasionally, the sound of difficult swallowing disturbed the dojo’s tranquility.

Everyone...whether they cast positive glances at Aoto or showed negative expressions towards him, without exception, all stood astonished, watching Aoto, who maintained his bowing posture.

No matter how much they disliked Aoto, they had to admit: Niō...this young swordsman had achieved a remarkable feat!

He challenged all 18 disciples at the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, leaving the entire dojo without anyone daring to challenge him further, fully retreating in triumph... As this matter spread, the name ”Niō” was bound to grow even louder!

After all, this isn’t an obscure third-class Sword Dojo; this is the renowned Little Chiba Sword Dojo, a recognized hub of swordsmanship experts.

To battle and win overwhelmingly among the masters gathered at Little Chiba Sword Dojo... whether it’s ”unprecedented” can’t be said, but ”unparalleled” is certain!

Before today, no one has had the ability or opportunity to accomplish such a feat.

The ”Sazanoko Pursuer Corps” had fallen silent completely.

Not only did all their skilled members come forth, but even those who had little to do with Sazanoko became involved, each one stepping onto the stage with sword in hand... yet none could give Aoto a single defeat.

At this moment, those whose spirits were utterly crushed by Aoto’s displayed strength hung their heads dejectedly, gazes confused, and their heads seemed like an extra part of the body, helplessly resting against their chests.

Gone was their previous swagger and arrogance about confronting Aoto.

From a certain perspective... they are very fortunate.

They don’t know a harsh truth—if they knew that Aoto in the field during the relentless battles never exerted his full strength, their already shattered confidence would likely crumble even further.

From accepting the first challenge to taking on 18 consecutively, Aoto’s ”Lone Brave” was never activated.