"Don’t you know? That’s Tachibana Aoto’s nickna! His swordsmanship is as strong as a Tengu’s. It’s said that if he gets serious, not even ten swordsn could get close!"
"Isn’t Tachibana Aoto’s nickna ’New Hero of the Sword’? A ’New Hero’ that could rival the ’Three Heroes of the Three Great Dojos’."
"Nonsense, I think that so-called ’Three Heroes’ can’t compare to Tachibana Aoto at all. Countless ’Anti-foreigner Faction’ fools have fallen under his sword. Niitsuma Kan and others probably haven’t even swung a True Sword many tis."
"It seems like Tachibana Aoto is also participating in today’s competition. Ah, there’s no suspense in this match anymore, right? The strength and sword fighting experience of the other contestants couldn’t possibly compare to Tachibana Aoto’s, could they?"
...
Chokata, walking alongside Aoto, also heard these discussions.
He tiptoed mischievously and whispered to Aoto:
"Mr. Tachibana, you’ve really beco a celebrity now."
Hearing Chokata’s teasing, Aoto couldn’t help but show a mixed expression of laughter and tears.
After successfully rescuing Katsuhiko Kai Shu and others in the "Battle of the Foreign Language Research Institute" and thwarting the Anti-foreigner Group’s plot to destroy it, Aoto’s reputation in Edo made significant strides.
Most Edo townsn now know that the "Three Tis" of the North Guard Station has gained a remarkably powerful swordsman.
Although Aoto’s current fa in Edo isn’t exactly a household na, it’s certainly widely known.
Becoming a celebrity and being admired and respected by so many people, Aoto couldn’t help but feel a little elated inside.
After all, who would dislike being admired and respected by others?
However, the series of chain reactions triggered by rising fa left Aoto feeling a mix of emotions beyond elation.
For example... As Aoto’s fa soared, Edo townspeople began to spontaneously and enthusiastically give him all sorts of nicknas.
Giving people nicknas—this should also count as a traditional idiosyncrasy of the Japanese people.
Throughout history, the Japanese have loved to give various imposing nicknas to prominent figures, with nicknas sounding more majestic one after another.
In the Warring States Era 300 years ago, well-known daimyos and military generals basically each had one or more impressive nicknas.
"Dragon of Echigo" Uesugi Kenshin, "Tiger of Kai" Takeda Shingen, "Lion of Sagami" Houjou Ujimasa, "Shanyin Qilin’Er" Yamanaka Shigekata, "Japan’s Number One Soldier" Sanada Yukimura...
With Aoto’s current fa on the rise, he inevitably entered the process of "being nicknad by people."
If the townspeople gave him grand nicknas, that would be fine, but the nas they gave him... Aoto found quite nuanced.
As far as Aoto knew, his current nicknas included the following: Little Tengu of the North Guard Station, New Hero of the Sword, the First Martial Combat Faction of the Magistrate’s Office...
To put it plainly—Aoto didn’t really like these nicknas given by the townspeople.
Yet, he couldn’t control what others called him, so when hearing others address him with nicknas like "Little Tengu of the North Guard Station," Aoto could only show a helpless expression.
"Mr. Tachibana." Suddenly, Aoto heard Zhouzhu, who was walking ahead, call out to him.
Aoto raised his gaze to look at Zhouzhu and happened to et his eyes.
"Don’t get complacent and overconfident," Zhouzhu said sternly, eting Aoto’s gaze with a serious expression and tone, "In terms of combat experience, having gone through several bloody battles with the ’Anti-foreigner Faction,’ you are indeed a notch above most contestants."
"But that doesn’t an you are truly invincible in this competition."
"If you beco arrogant thinking you’re assured of victory, you might end up suffering a bitter defeat."
Zhouzhu suddenly speaking to Aoto so seriously likely stemd from concerns that certain remarks like "Tachibana Aoto is bound to win this contest" might affect Aoto’s mindset.
"Hmm." Aoto responded solemnly, "I’ve never fantasized about being invincible in this contest from beginning to end."
"Good." Zhouzhu nodded in approval, "That’s the right mindset to have."
...
...
The Aizu Domain truly deserves its reputation as one of the most powerful domains in terms of overall strength; its approach is grand indeed.
The venue for this competition is set at the less populated East Asakusa, carving out a vast open space the size of about eight basketball courts as the competition ground.
Arriving in East Asakusa gives you a sudden sense of enlightennt.
Looking around, you can see a large number of vassals from the Aizu Domain moving throughout East Asakusa, managing the flow of people and preventing the surrounding areas of the venue from becoming too crowded.
The ground of the venue is covered with non-slip white fine sand and stones, and nurous flags embroidered with the Shogunate’s and the Aizu Domain’s crest: the Three-leafed Sunflower are hung around.
The Three-leafed Sunflower is the Tokugawa family’s crest, and affiliated daimyos like the Aizu Domain, which has blood ties with the Edo Shogunate, also use the Three-leafed Sunflower crest, though their pattern slightly differs from the Edo Shogunate’s Three-leafed Sunflower.
A multitude of sunflower banners fluttering in the wind creates a grand spectacle.
The east, west, and south sides of the venue have all been transford into makeshift spectator seats.
Among them, the south side’s spectator seats are exclusively for contestants and relevant personnel from participating Sword Dojos to be seated, with Aoto, Zhouzhu, and others seated there.
The spectator seats on the east and west sides are open to the public who ca to join in the fun and watch the competition.
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