My Gang of Swordsmen

The people caught by Ozuki Minoru’s pleading gaze either pretended not to see or awkwardly looked away.

It’s not that they lacked a sense of justice.

But the situation at hand had already exceeded the extent to which ordinary people could get involved.

The nephew of Shimizu Eiichi… Who had the capability to wade into these troubled waters?

Even without such a prestigious title, just being a “drunken Yakuza” was enough to deter ordinary people.

The only thing they could do was go to the nearby Jishinban and request the Local Clerk for assistance.

No one stepped forward to help them… A layer of despair gradually covered Ozuki Minoru’s delicate and pretty face.

“You’re such a noisy woman…”

With bloodshot eyes seemingly deepening, Shimizu Gosaku released Chang Ci, who had been beaten to a pulp, swaggered to Ozuki Minoru, and swung a large palm to slap Ozuki Minoru to the ground…

…

…

Bang.

The arrow without a tip thrown by Mukiwa hit the goods on the shelf with accuracy once again.

She looked elated, her hands clenched into small fists in front of her chest… In contrast, the game stall owner—a middle-aged man with a shiny bald head—showed an expression as if he wanted to cry but had no tears.

“Con… Congratulations…” The bald owner, relying on strong professional conduct, forced a smile, “You’ve hit another item…”

At this time, Aoto and Mukiwa were standing in front of a game stall.

This stall offered a classic game from the Edo Era—throwing arrows at items on a shelf; hit an item, and it’s yours.

Aoto wasn’t good at this game, but Mukiwa excelled at it.

Mukiwa was displaying her prowess at the stall, hitting 8 out of 10 with an astonishing accuracy rate.

In the blink of an eye, Mukiwa had hit one-fifth of the items on the shelf… From the start, the bald owner was continuously sending pleading glances towards Aoto.

Please, stop playing and just take your lady friend away—this was the message in the bald owner’s eyes.

From Mukiwa’s skilled throwing technique, it was evident she had specially practiced these skills.

With an excellent body technique, skilled at wall-climbing and roof-running, and adept at throwing tools… Aoto always felt that Mukiwa’s diverse skills increasingly aligned her with the folk tale that “Cat Monk is a Female Ninja.”

Mukiwa had no interest in the items at this stall; she simply wanted to enjoy the process of playing the game.

So after thoroughly enjoying herself, she generously told the bald owner: I don’t want these items; I had a lot of fun, thank you for the hospitality!

The bald owner suddenly showed a look of deep gratitude and almost seemed about to cry with excitement.

“Aoto, where should we go to play next?” Mukiwa briskly walked away from the game stall and turned to Aoto, who was walking beside her, with an enquiring look.

Aoto took out his pocket watch and checked the time, “It seems it’s almost time for the fireworks… I think we should go to Ryogoku Bridge to find a good spot to watch them.”

“Is it that time already?” Mukiwa was taken aback, “Well, then… let’s head to Ryogoku Bridge to find a place to watch the fireworks.”

“I hope the Ryogoku Bridge isn’t too crowded now,” Aoto said half-jokingly.

Having decided, the two changed course towards the center of the fireworks festival.

But just then… they suddenly heard a commotion coming from ahead.

“What’s going on?” Mukiwa murmured.

“…” Aoto said nothing but furrowed his brows slightly.

The source of the noise was exactly on the path Aoto and Mukiwa needed to take.

Attracted by the commotion, they quickened their pace slightly.

With an advantage in height over most adults of this era, Aoto, who could “oversee from a height,” quickly saw what was happening ahead.

“?!” Aoto’s face was suddenly filled with shock.

The source of the noise was indeed Shimizu Gosaku and Ozuki Minoru’s group currently brawling in the street.

Just at that moment, Aoto and Mukiwa both saw Shimizu Gosaku slap Ozuki Minoru to the ground.

Sitting on the ground, Ozuki Minoru cried even louder and more pitifully while holding her rapidly swelling cheek.

The Yakuza emanating a strong smell of alcohol, the men and women beaten miserably… Without anyone explaining, just by watching this scene, Aoto and Mukiwa could roughly guess what had happened.

First, Mukiwa was taken aback, then immediately showed an indignant expression.

Strong in her sense of justice, she hated these acts of bullying men and women the most.

Without much hesitation—Mukiwa, wearing a serious look, pulled out a sash from her belt.

But before she could use the sash to tie up the sleeves of her yukata…

“…Awu, you stay here. Leave this matter to me.”

Mukiwa raised her delicate face at the sound—she saw a tall back walking fearlessly towards where the tragedy was unfolding…

…

…

It wasn’t out of any sympathy for Ozuki Minoru.

Aoto found it difficult to feel any empathy for this girl because of his poor impression of her.

The reason he bravely stepped forward at this moment was mainly due to her father, Miyakawa Shunzao.