Aoto did not know much about the level of other Sword Dojo apprentices, but each ti he heard Zhouzhu and others’ advice, "Don’t underestimate the enemy," Aoto would feel a chill in his heart.
Indeed, this world had many masters... It was unexpected that even in just Edo, there were so many young people whose strength equaled his!
After last night’s spar with Zhouzhu, Aoto was more convinced: there truly are countless hidden talents in this world!
Since this competition had so many experts... I cannot afford any pride or carelessness.
Aoto decided to test the teachings Zhouzhu had given him last night — every ti before a fight, one must hold onto the tenacious spirit of "I must win no matter what."
It must be said, these psychological suggestions were rather useful.
After adopting the determination to "definitely win," Aoto felt that his strength seed to increase.
Aoto finished bowing to the opponent, Adachi, and rose with his bamboo sword. The spectator stands erupted with louder cheers and exclamations — the long-awaited first match was finally about to begin!
"Mr. Tachibana, let’s go!" Adachi shouted fiercely, raising his stance high above. "I’ve long wanted to have a big match with you, the so-called ’Little Tengu of the North Guard Station’!"
"Let’s have a good duel!"
"I humbly ask for your guidance!"
——This person... such an intense fighting spirit.
Seeing the opponent’s fierce and imposing deanor, Aoto couldn’t help but feel a chill in his heart.
——For now, let’s start with a probing attack to test his true strength.
With this thought, Aoto readied his bamboo sword, and then—
Whoosh—!
The bamboo sword sliced through the wind and air.
Step forward!
Strike!
All in one go!
In the instant Aoto struck, the excitent on Adachi’s face instantly froze.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Adachi recalled a phrase often heard from storytellers in audiobooks: "A glimr of cold light first appears, then the spear shoots out like a dragon"—though Aoto was using a bamboo sword and there was no cold light at all.
The tip of the bamboo sword magnified rapidly before his eyes.
The speed was so fast and the timing so perfect that although his mind reacted, his body did not respond in ti.
Just before Aoto’s bamboo sword struck his helt, a thought flashed through Adachi’s mind—
Is this the kind of strike a swordsman who has practiced for less than three years at our level can deliver?
Pa!
The sword point heavily knocked against Adachi’s helt with such a forceful impact that it left his head spinning.
Adachi staggered several steps backward, then leaned back heavily, falling to the ground in a clumsy heap.
...
Silence...
...
The previously noisy spectator stands quieted down significantly.
After a few particularly silent monts, exclamations, gasps, and applause erupted from all directions.
Those in the stands who had just been saying "Aoto should have a close and fierce fight with Adachi" and "Aoto should take a few moves to defeat Adachi" now wore expressions brimming with surprise.
Many had speculated that Aoto would likely defeat Adachi.
But they did not expect Aoto to achieve the first victory so effortlessly! Defeating Adachi in a single blow left him with no opportunity to counterattack.
Chiba Shigetarou, Chiba Domon Shiro, who had just said "Aoto should take a few moves to defeat Adachi," now stared with wide eyes and altered expressions.
Sazanoko, who confidently told Chiba Shigetarou that "Adachi isn’t weak, Aoto should have to expend so effort to defeat him," now lost her usual cool deanor.
Her fair hands, crossed and laid on her lap, suddenly clenched tightly, her enticing red lips forming into a cute "O" shape, and her expression turned dazed, with her beautiful eyes sparkling with amazent.
Those who secretly admired Sazanoko and usually kept an eye on her would likely be quite surprised now upon seeing her expression — this pinnacle of aloof beauty, who maintained a frosty deanor with all n except her family, showing such an expression.
Chiba Eijiro first paused in shock, then his eyes lowered slightly as he gave a pensive look to the field, tinged with surprise.
Compared to the commoners who did not understand swordsmanship, people like Chiba Eijiro, Chiba Shigetarou, and Sazanoko, who had a certain level of attainnt in swordsmanship, could see the extraordinariness of Aoto’s strike.
This wasn’t sothing a "newcor who has trained for less than three years" could deliver!
The siblings Chiba Shigetarou and Sazanoko were the most shaken — because they had personally witnessed Aoto’s capability two months ago during the Red and White Battle.
Now, comparing Aoto’s strength to two months ago... it’s like heaven and earth!
In just two months’ ti, the improvent in skill was so vast? This, this... Chiba Shigetarou couldn’t help but show his astonishnt on his face.
Compared to Sazanoko and others... Zhouzhu and Chokata remained much more composed.
They watched the short match calmly from start to finish, not even moving an eyebrow — but of course, they had long predicted that the Aoto vs. Adachi match would end quickly.
"Hohoho..." Zhouzhu chuckled quietly in amusent.
Kondo nodded in satisfaction.
Hijikata grinned widely.
Clap clap clap clap clap... Chokata, who held his hands up in front of his chest, clapped several tis like a seal, applauding Aoto’s splendid first victory.
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