Chapter 175: Chapter 95: Aoto: "Let Me Be the Grand General!" [8,000 Words]

"Yamanaka." Aoto lowered the bamboo sword he was holding, grinning at Yamanaka, "Indeed, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you."

Aoto turned back, pondering carefully—since the day after traveling to this era, after consulting Yamanaka Keisuke, who happened to be studying at the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, about whether Shiwei Hall indeed had a close relationship with Xuanwu Hall and Little Chiba Sword Dojo, he had been too busy with various reasons that kept him from meeting Yamanaka again.

"Yes." Yamanaka replied, "That’s why I specially came to meet and greet you now."

With his usual graceful smile, Yamanaka walked up to Aoto and noticed Chokata standing slightly behind Aoto.

Being someone constantly interacting with Shiwei Hall as part of Little Chiba Sword Dojo, it was natural that Yamanaka recognized Chokata, one of the renowned figures of Shiwei Hall.

"Mr. Chokata." Yamanaka elegantly bowed slightly to Chokata, exchanging greetings.

Yamanaka’s graceful gesture involuntarily reminded Aoto of the equally graceful Miss Sazanoko.

But the elegance of these two people was vastly different.

Miss Sazanoko possessed the kind of "Miss"-like elegance; her demeanor naturally made one conclude that she must have received rigorous "Yamato Nadeshiko" education.

Whereas Yamanaka’s elegance was more of a "cultured and well-read" kind of elegance.

To put it crudely, Yamanaka was the type who appeared very knowledgeable and cultured.

Chokata looked at Aoto in surprise and then at Yamanaka, moments later revealing an expression of sudden realization.

"Oh right... Almost forgot, Mr. Tachibana, you mentioned before that you are friends with Yamanaka Keisuke from the Little Chiba Sword Dojo."

He forgot exactly which day, but during a casual chat with Kondo and Chokata, Aoto had mentioned his relationship with Yamanaka.

With the long-unseen friend specifically dropping by to greet him, Aoto could not afford to be too impolite.

He initiated a conversation with Yamanaka.

After their brief exchange, Yamanaka suddenly sighed at Aoto with faint helplessness and surprise.

"Mr. Tachibana... You’ve truly made me understand what ’men should be given a fresh regard after three days’ means."

"In less than two months, you’ve changed so much that I barely recognize you."

"Upon hearing the name ’Tachibana Aoto’ associated with solving a major case in an extremely short time; defeating over two hundred ’Radical Anti-foreigner Faction’ rioters with a few; I could hardly believe my ears."

Yamanaka’s praise for Aoto contained no negative emotions such as resentment or jealousy.

It was purely full of joy and congratulations.

Facing Yamanaka’s compliment, Aoto smiled and modestly replied, asking:

"Yamanaka, since you’re appearing here... Are you planning to participate in the tournament too?"

"Yes." Yamanaka nodded, "It’s a great honor to be chosen by the master to participate in today’s tournament."

"Ha." Aoto chuckled, "That means... We’ll soon be clashing with each other."

Yamanaka laughed softly, then jokingly said: "Well, I won’t hold back later."

As a "contestant" who would be on stage soon, Yamanaka needed to allocate some time to check the bamboo sword and other gear and warm up, with little time to chat further with Aoto.

Thus, after a brief conversation, Yamanaka quickly stepped away and returned to the "Main Array" of their Little Chiba Sword Dojo.

As Yamanaka left, Chokata hoisted the bamboo sword onto his shoulder, looking at Yamanaka Keisuke’s gradually receding figure, he said wistfully:

"That Yamanaka Keisuke is participating in today’s tournament too. All three masters from the Little Chiba Sword Dojo are here today..."

"The three masters of Little Chiba Sword Dojo?" Aoto turned his head, throwing Chokata a puzzled look for suddenly mentioning a title he had never heard before.

"Ah, it’s a name I personally made up." Chokata laughed, "As a friend of Yamanaka Keisuke, you should know his swordsmanship is excellent, right?"

Aoto nodded; he knew Yamanaka’s swordsmanship was excellent, but he wasn’t clear about its exact skill level, as he had never sparred with Yamanaka.

"Many, including Brother Kondo, believe that apart from Mr. Shigetarou and Miss Sazanoko, some others in Little Chiba Sword Dojo have swordsmanship skills above Yamanaka Keisuke’s."

"But I personally always believe that throughout all the apprentices at Little Chiba Sword Dojo, Yamanaka Keisuke’s strength is only second to Mr. Shigetarou and Miss Sazanoko."

"Hence I’ve collectively referred to Mr. Shigetarou, Miss Sazanoko, and Yamanaka Keisuke as ’the three masters of Little Chiba Sword Dojo’... Hmm?"

Chokata’s words were just halfway through when he suddenly widened his eyes as if seeing something incredible, pointing northwest with his hand.

"Mr. Tachibana, weren’t you looking for Mr. Dingji just now? That’s Mr. Dingji right there!"

Listening to Chokata say this, Aoto was momentarily stunned, then quickly directed his gaze to follow the direction Chokata’s finger was pointing—

Now, if someone unfamiliar with Mr. Dingji, who had only heard his name, saw him here, they would be quite surprised upon witnessing Mr. Dingji’s appearance.

Aoto was a perfect example.

He’s now quite surprised.

"...Mr. Chokata, is that really Mr. Dingji?"

"Yes." Chokata nodded vigorously.

—That person... is Mr. Dingji?