So—after returning to Shiwei Hall with Kondo and the others, Aoto, who hadn’t paid any attention to Sakamoto Ryoma, had already pushed this person’s na to the depths of his mory.
...
...
Chiba Shigetarou was in a very good mood now.
He was in such a good mood that he started humming a little tune out of tune.
He turned his head, looked towards the direction where Shiwei Hall was located, and let out a peculiar laugh:
"Hahaha, Mr. Tachibana agreed to participate in the swordsmanship competition hosted by the Marquis of Aizu, hehehe~~"
Since their Little Chiba Sword Dojo was defeated by Shiwei Hall, led by Aoto at the "Red and White Battle" during the "Plum Blossom Festival," Chiba Shigetarou had resolved—to consider Tachibana Aoto as a "potential brother-in-law" seriously!
The first thing that Chiba Shigetarou considered was Aoto’s character.
During these nearly two months, Chiba Shigetarou collected "information" about Aoto from all quarters.
Whether by entrusting friends or going himself to ask Shiwei Hall’s apprentices, or the officials at the Magistrate’s Office... seeking opinions from all people related to Aoto about his character.
Almost everyone praised Aoto’s character.
They all said Aoto was a very humble person, never becoming arrogant or complacent because of his current fa in Edo and his great achievents.
At the sa ti, he was extrely diligent. According to so apprentices at Shiwei Hall, Aoto would get up to practice swordsmanship before dawn every day, and in the evening, he would focus on strength training, hardly ever slacking off.
From his interactions with Aoto, Chiba Shigetarou also felt that Aoto indeed had a good character, bringing a feeling akin to being bathed in the spring breeze.
The more Chiba Shigetarou investigated, the more satisfied he beca with this "potential brother-in-law."
Excellent character, apart from an unattractive hairstyle without a Tsukushi haircut, decent appearance, outstanding talent, with unlimited prospects.
He found out that the Tachibana family still owed over 500 gold ryo in gambling debt... but so what?
Firstly, these over 500 gold ryo were not owed by Aoto, but by his father, Tachibana Ryuzo.
Secondly, Chiba Shigetarou did not think this over 500 gold ryo gambling debt was such a big deal.
He believed based on Aoto’s current ability, paying off this over 500 gold ryo gambling debt was only a matter of ti.
Moreover, if Aoto indeed beca their Chiba family’s son-in-law in the future, their Chiba family could help pay off this debt at any mont!
After all, their Chiba family was one of the most famous Martial Arts Noble Sects in Japan, able to clear this trifling over 500 gold ryo debt with a re flick of the wrist.
Chiba Shigetarou beca more pleased and delighted as he looked at Aoto—Aoto’s recent major contribution in protecting the Foreign Language Research Institute was the "final straw that broke the cal’s back" in Chiba Shigetarou’s heart.
Upon learning that Aoto had made yet another major contribution, with his family salary directly increased by 400-koku, elevating him from Subordinate Imperial Family mbers, Chiba Shigetarou finally made up his mind—he’s the one!
From this mont on, Aoto is my brother-in-law! Anyone who offends Aoto will have offended him, Chiba Shigetarou!
Of course—all of this was Chiba Shigetarou’s decision made by himself...
Recognizing Aoto as his brother-in-law was useless; Chiba Sonako had to recognize Aoto as her husband for it to matter.
Therefore, to achieve this goal, Chiba Shigetarou’s current work focus had shifted to "how to match Aoto and Sonako."
He knows very well what kind of personality his own sister has.
The very competitive Sonako only respects the strong; she always disregards those she perceives as weak in both body and mind.
Therefore... Chiba Shigetarou had a bright idea.
If you want to match Aoto with Sonako and make Sonako fall for Aoto... then the best thod is naturally to let Sonako discover the shining points in Aoto that attract her.
Since Sonako admires the strong... then let her see Aoto’s strength!
With this... Chiba Shigetarou, whose logical thinking was quite "ticulous," upon learning that the Marquis of Aizu was going to hold a swordsmanship competition, imdiately dashed to Shiwei Hall to tell Kondo and the others... mainly to tell Aoto.
He told Aoto about this, then urged Aoto to participate in this competition—this was the main purpose of Chiba Shigetarou’s "trip to Shiwei Hall" today.
Chiba Shigetarou thought: based on Aoto’s current strength, shining brightly in this competition aid at swordsmanship novices is just a very easy task.
This brother-in-law, who is exhaustively ntally driven by his sister’s marriage, had a very simple plan: let Aoto participate in the competition, then let Sonako witness Aoto’s heroic presence as he wins, subsequently being attracted to Aoto’s talent.
Ah, it’s truly a perfect plan!
Chiba Shigetarou was extrely satisfied with this plan.
At present, with Aoto having nodded in agreent, expressing his willingness to participate in this competition, Chiba Shigetarou’s plan is considered half successful.
With a sense of pride from the successful implentation of his plan, Chiba Shigetarou returned to the Little Chiba Sword Dojo.
The real na of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo is actually "Chiba Sword Dojo," but for convenience and to distinguish it from the family’s Xuanwu Hall, it is usually referred to by others as "Little Chiba."
As a large sword dojo whose scale and reputation are on par with the "Three Great Sword Dojos," led by the family’s Xuanwu Hall, Little Chiba Sword Dojo boasts a set of luxurious facilities that match its fa and scale.
Little Chiba Sword Dojo has three dojos; for convenience of distinction and managent, these three dojos are respectively nad "A Area," "B Area," and "C Area."
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