After finishing another topic with Mukiwa, Aoto began pondering the next new topic, when finally a sound ca from the direction of the store door that Aoto and the others had been waiting for a long ti—
"Young Master, I’m back."
Only to see Mr. Kiryu holding a bamboo basket filled with many fruits and vegetables in his left hand, while his right hand lifted to open the store door.
Upon opening the store door and seeing the exceptionally lively front hall, Mr. Kiryu imdiately raised his eyebrows in slight surprise.
"Ah, Mr. Kiryu, you finally returned." Mukiwa quickly stood up and walked briskly to Mr. Kiryu, quickly reporting what had happened.
"...Hmm, understood." After listening to the full story, Mr. Kiryu nodded towards Mukiwa to indicate understanding, then turned his gaze to the young samurai, "I’m terribly sorry."
With an elegant movent, Mr. Kiryu bowed apologetically to the young samurai.
"I was away due to so matters, causing you to wait for a long ti."
"It’s nothing!" The young samurai bounced up from the floor, waving his hand grandly, "I haven’t waited long. You must be the store owner, right? I’m here to inquire about work!"
"Hmm." Mr. Kiryu nodded, "Please wait a mont, sir."
Mr. Kiryu then turned his gaze to Aoto and the others.
"Mr. Tachibana, I have heard everything from the Young Master." Mr. Kiryu said to Aoto with a helpless smile, "You have sothing you wish to discuss with , right? If it’s not too urgent, could you allow to first attend to this guest?"
"Hmm." Aoto replied without hesitation, "Please go ahead; my matter is not urgent."
His "viewing invitation" wasn’t anything urgent, so it was fine to let Mr. Kiryu handle his business first.
"Thank you very much."
Mr. Kiryu handed over the lunch and dinner he bought from the market for him and Mukiwa to the Young Master, then sat behind the counter, motioning to the samurai to co over.
"Please allow to introduce myself first. My surna is Kiryu, and my first na is Kazuma. I’m the owner of this Thousand Affairs House. May I know your na and the kind of job you are looking for?"
"My na is Nagakura Shinpachi!"
The samurai grinned widely, raising his right thumb and pointing to himself.
"I’m looking for work that involves swordsmanship!"
"Swordsmanship?" Mr. Kiryu slightly narrowed his eyes, "Are you skilled in swordsmanship?"
"Very skilled!" The young samurai, claiming to be "Nagakura Shinpachi," said confidently, "Even though I wouldn’t dare call myself an unbeatable Great Sword Hero, I don’t think I’m a weakling either!"
With that, Nagakura removed the bundle from his back and began to search through it, pulling out a scroll. He then handed this scroll over to Mr. Kiryu.
Mr. Kiryu accepted the scroll from Nagakura, and upon glancing at it, he let out a low note of praise: "Oh? You’re actually a holder of the Shindo Mononoke-ryu nkyo Kaiden..."
Shindo Mononoke-ryu nkyo Kaiden—Upon hearing this term, Aoto, Chokata, and Saito subconsciously raised their gazes and looked at Nagakura.
Due to the angle, Aoto could clearly see what was written on the scroll—indeed, it was a nkyo Kaiden certificate.
The fact that this man is a holder of nkyo Kaiden... Aoto thought to himself, unable to resist taking another look at Nagakura.
"How about it? I’m not bluffing, am I?" Nagakura chuckled, "Now, quickly suggest so good jobs! With my nkyo Kaiden in Shindo Mononoke Stream, I should be able to get so good work, right?"
Hearing Nagakura’s words, Mr. Kiryu smiled slightly.
"Mr. Nagakura, obtaining the Shindo Mononoke-ryu nkyo Kaiden—It’s indeed a remarkable achievent."
"But rely having a nkyo Kaiden certificate isn’t enough for to help you find top-notch work."
Then Mr. Kiryu returned the nkyo Kaiden certificate to Nagakura.
"Ah?" Nagakura opened his mouth in an "o" shape.
"Holding a nkyo Kaiden only indicates that you’ve completely mastered the techniques of that school." Mr. Kiryu explained lightly, "It doesn’t prove that you’re an outstanding swordsman."
"There are countless people who hold a nkyo Kaiden, yet during actual combat, due to poor ntality or other reasons, their actual combat capabilities are significantly lacking..."
"So rely a nkyo Kaiden certificate can’t prove you’re an exceptional swordsman."
Confused, Nagakura blinked: "My nkyo Kaiden can’t help find a job? Then, what should I do?"
Mr. Kiryu smiled at Nagakura again.
"If there’s a thod that best proves a person’s real swordsmanship level, without a doubt, it’s through actual combat."
"Mr. Nagakura, might I ask if you could demonstrate sparring with soone, so I can see your true swordsmanship level?"
"Sparring with soone?" Nagakura paused, "Well... I don’t mind showcasing my skills on the spot... But Mr. Kiryu, do you understand swordsmanship? Can you assess soone’s swordsmanship?"
"You don’t need to worry about that," Mr. Kiryu said calmly, "I once learned a bit of swordsmanship in Edo, so I have so foundational sword skills. I can discern whether a person’s swordsmanship is strong or weak."
"Alright then... Since Mr. Kiryu said so—let’s proceed!" Nagakura replied boldly, "Anyway, I have plenty of ti, so if you want to spar with others, I’m ready at any ti!"
"But who should I spar with? Mr. Kiryu, surely you won’t ask to spar with you?"
Mr. Kiryu smiled and was about to say sothing.
But at that mont, as if thinking of sothing, he paused.
"...Mr. Tachibana."
After pausing for a mont, Mr. Kiryu smiled and turned to look at Aoto, who was sitting quietly observing from the side.
"Could I ask you to do a favor and compete with this Mr. Nagakura?"
*******
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Wishing all the college entrance exam students great success! In order to bless the students, I wrote a bit more today—this Chapter is full in both word count and information.
Seeking monthly votes! Seeking recomndation votes! (Leopard head crying.jpg)
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