Chapter 162: Chapter 91: Nagakura Shinpachi

After finishing another topic with Mukiwa, Aoto began pondering the next new topic, when finally a sound came from the direction of the store door that Aoto and the others had been waiting for a long time—

"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 immediately 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 movement, Mr. Kiryu bowed apologetically to the young samurai.

"I was away due to some matters, causing you to wait for a long time."

"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 moment, 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 something you wish to discuss with me, right? If it’s not too urgent, could you allow me 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 come over.

"Please allow me to introduce myself first. My surname is Kiryu, and my first name is Kazuma. I’m the owner of this Thousand Affairs House. May I know your name and the kind of job you are looking for?"

"My name 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 Menkyo Kaiden..."

Shindo Mononoke-ryu Menkyo 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 Menkyo Kaiden certificate.

The fact that this man is a holder of Menkyo 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 some good jobs! With my Menkyo Kaiden in Shindo Mononoke Stream, I should be able to get some good work, right?"

Hearing Nagakura’s words, Mr. Kiryu smiled slightly.

"Mr. Nagakura, obtaining the Shindo Mononoke-ryu Menkyo Kaiden—It’s indeed a remarkable achievement."

"But merely having a Menkyo Kaiden certificate isn’t enough for me to help you find top-notch work."

Then Mr. Kiryu returned the Menkyo Kaiden certificate to Nagakura.

"Ah?" Nagakura opened his mouth in an "o" shape.

"Holding a Menkyo 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 Menkyo Kaiden, yet during actual combat, due to poor mentality or other reasons, their actual combat capabilities are significantly lacking..." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"So merely a Menkyo Kaiden certificate can’t prove you’re an exceptional swordsman."

Confused, Nagakura blinked: "My Menkyo Kaiden can’t help me find a job? Then, what should I do?"

Mr. Kiryu smiled at Nagakura again.

"If there’s a method 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 someone, so I can see your true swordsmanship level?"

"Sparring with someone?" Nagakura paused, "Well... I don’t mind showcasing my skills on the spot... But Mr. Kiryu, do you understand swordsmanship? Can you assess someone’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 some 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 time, so if you want me to spar with others, I’m ready at any time!"

"But who should I spar with? Mr. Kiryu, surely you won’t ask me to spar with you?"

Mr. Kiryu smiled and was about to say something.

But at that moment, as if thinking of something, he paused.

"...Mr. Tachibana."

After pausing for a moment, Mr. Kiryu smiled and turned to look at Aoto, who was sitting quietly observing from the side.

"Could I ask you to do me a favor and compete with this Mr. Nagakura?"

*******

*******

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 recommendation votes! (Leopard head crying.jpg)