My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 358 - 140: I Want to Be Sazanoko’s Husband! [4700]

Upon hearing Chiba Shigetarou mention Aoto’s name, Chiba Tadomaru Shiro—who had experienced some unpleasantness with Aoto during the Plum Blossom Festival—displayed a peculiar expression.

Similarly, Chiba Dingji’s expression turned strange upon realizing that Chiba Shigetarou now intended for Aoto to become the Chiba family’s son-in-law.

"Tachibana Aoto?" Chiba Eijiro slightly furrowed his brows, indicating he was unfamiliar with the person.

Chiba Shigetarou’s smile widened: "Brother Rong, you’ve been in the Mito Domain recently, so it’s normal that you don’t know Mr. Tachibana."

"This Tachibana Aoto, you see, is a ’Three Times’ Dōshin whose fame suddenly surged three months ago..."

Chiba Shigetarou meticulously recounted all of Aoto’s achievements to date.

Outstanding swordsmanship talent, barely three months of training, assisting Shiwei Hall in defeating Little Chiba Sword Dojo at the Plum Blossom Festival, leading a mere few dozen to repel over two hundred Anti-foreigner Faction rioters...

Chiba Eijiro listened quietly, gradually revealing a subtle expression of surprise.

Once Chiba Shigetarou finished speaking, he thoughtfully nodded:

"Oh... I didn’t expect such an impressive talent to emerge in Edo in the few months I’ve been away."

"Tachibana Aoto..."

Chiba Eijiro carefully pondered this name.

As if wanting to etched it in his memory.

...

...

Edo, in a residential area of Hatamoto, resides Niitsuma Kan—lauded as one of the "Three Heroes of the Three Great Dojos."

Hoo...! Hoo...! Hoo...! Hoo...!

At this moment, in Niitsuma Kan’s chamber, the sound of the bamboo sword slicing through the air echoed repeatedly.

Bare-chested, Niitsuma Kan stood in a corner of his room, holding a bamboo sword with both hands, practicing suburi with precise form. Each time he struck forward, a fierce wind would erupt around him.

Drip, drip... Large beads of sweat rolled down Niitsuma Kan’s solid frame to the floor.

"113... 114... 115... 116..." As he swung the sword, Niitsuma Kan quietly counted his strikes.

Despite sweating profusely, Niitsuma Kan maintained steady movements and breathing.

"147... 148... 149... 150...!"

At 150, Niitsuma Kan stopped the sword practice.

He held the sword-striking stance for a while before finally lowering the bamboo sword and straightening up.

"Very good...!" Niitsuma Kan stretched his back forcefully, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Feeling great...!"

After stretching his slightly aching back, Niitsuma Kan untied the sweat towel from his waist and placed the bamboo sword against the wall.

While wiping away sweat with the towel, he lifted his gaze to a painting hanging on the wall before him.

It’s a woman’s portrait drawn with exquisite Ukiyo-e brushstrokes.

The portrait depicts a beautiful woman in a kendo uniform, hair tied in a high ponytail, elegantly crossing her hands in front.

Gazing at the portrait, Niitsuma Kan unconsciously straightened his back, adopting a solemn expression like a devout believer.

Once he had wiped off the sweat and worn his clothes, Niitsuma Kan approached the portrait, stretched out his hand, and gently caressed it as if touching a fragile item.

After repeatedly caressing the portrait, Niitsuma Kan involuntarily murmured in a tender voice:

"How long must I wait... to become a member of the Chiba family..."

The woman in the portrait is none other than the Chiba family’s cherished jewel—Chiba Sonako!

If a clueless person saw Niitsuma Kan hanging Sonako’s portrait in his room, they’d think he secretly loved Sonako.

But actually... that’s not the case.

Niitsuma Kan hung Sonako’s portrait prominently in his room for his future prospects!

In the rigid class hierarchy of the Edo Era, "practicing martial arts" was one of the few avenues for samurai to potentially break through class barriers.

The Shogunate and various Vassal States often employed skilled martial artists to strengthen their samurai or to gain a reputation as patrons of talent.

For instance, the famous early Edo Era Great Sword Hero: Miyamoto Musashi. He’s the quintessential example of gaining a position through martial prowess.

Miyamoto Musashi started as a poor ronin with no fixed abode and uncertain meals.

But, having founded Niten Ichi-ryū and being highly skilled, Musashi gradually built his name with his formidable prowess, eventually gaining recognition from Kumamoto Castle Lord Hosokawa Tadatomo, who invited him to Kumamoto Castle to teach military strategy.

Rising swiftly from a humble ronin to a distinguished samurai with official rank.

Speaking more recently—Chiba Eijiro is also a prime example of achieving a position through martial prowess.

Seven years ago, the Mito Domain invited the extraordinarily skilled Chiba Eijiro to serve them, offering him a position with a status and salary beyond measure to retain this prodigy.

Previously uninterested in an official career, Chiba Eijiro unexpectedly agreed to the offer, moved to the Mito Domain, and embarked on his official career.