Chapter 188: Chapter 97: Sweeping Victory! Acquired Talents: Cat Form and Memory

The three swordsmen, led by Yamanaka, finally with enough strength to return and defend the "Main Array," tightened their faces without speaking a word, raised their bamboo swords, and with an indomitable spirit, chased after Aoto and Chokata.

At this moment, Aoto and Chokata had already dashed through the rear court of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, which was left empty after the defeat of the Chiba Siblings, and reached the "Main Array" of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo!

The Grand General of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo was a newcomer named Asakura, who had joined not long ago.

Just as Aoto and Chokata began their fierce battle with the Chiba Siblings at the midfield, Asakura fell into a state of extreme confusion.

Should I go up and help Mr. Chiba and the others?

But... before the match, Mr. Chiba specifically instructed me that as the Grand General, I must stay in the safest place at all times and protect the porcelain bowl on my forehead.

That’s right, I should stay in the "Main Array."

But... it looks like Mr. Chiba and the others are at a disadvantage... should I go up and help...?

...

With no one giving him instructions and not knowing what to do, Asakura found himself unable to advance or retreat.

He stood there bewildered and at a loss, remaining in place until Aoto and Chokata charged left and right into the "Main Array" of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo where he stood, pouncing on him like two hungry tigers!

Though a newcomer, he was still a swordsman of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo and not someone easily handled.

Quickly glancing at Aoto and Chokata charging at him and the three finally returning Yamanaka members in the distance, Asakura’s face darkened as he raised his bamboo sword.

To gain time for Yamanaka and the others to successfully return, Asakura adopted the complete "turtle-style" defense tactic.

He didn’t counterattack, only focused on defense and evasions.

Though Asakura implemented a defensive-only "turtle-style" strategy, it simply couldn’t withstand the joint attack of Aoto and Chokata considering his skills.

However—the few seconds he managed to hold on were more than enough.

And these few seconds... were enough for Yamanaka and the others to make it back to the "Main Array"!

The few seconds Asakura pushed himself to endure garnered a final victory chance for the Little Chiba Sword Dojo.

The three of Yamanaka surged like ink, closing in from three sides behind Aoto and Chokata.

Quickly—Aoto and Chokata, along with Asakura and the returned trio of Yamanaka, engaged in a dazzling speed of interchanges at the "Main Array" of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, bamboo swords clashing with sharp, repeated clicks.

This was a two-on-four duel, with the Little Chiba Sword Dojo side having the numerical advantage, and such a master like Yamanaka.

However, despite their numerical disadvantage, the Shiwei Hall side gained the upper hand in this face-off against many.

For no other reason—besides Yamanaka, none of the other three posed a threat to Chokata.

Chokata swiftly scanned around himself with his gaze, confirming each one’s position, then sank his body and fiercely attacked the enemy on his right.

Stepping in, he bent his upper body, and swiped the bamboo sword upward from below. A "crack" sound was heard, smashing the porcelain bowl of the enemy on his right.

The enemy on Chokata’s left swung his sword toward Chokata, but, having not stepped in properly, his bamboo sword merely brushed past Chokata’s side, hitting only air. Chokata seized the gap, swiftly darting to the left, thrusting his sword straight at the enemy on his left.

This person stumbled backward in retreat, narrowly dodging Chokata’s thrust, and before he could stabilize himself, he suddenly felt his right wrist, gripping the sword, clamped like an "iron clamp."

Aoto and Chokata once again demonstrated an absolutely seamless cooperation.

When Chokata forced this person into a hasty retreat and exposed flaws, Aoto, who was standing beside this person, dexterously flicked his left hand and deftly grasped this person’s right wrist.

Now, with the talent of "Skillful Hands," Aoto’s grip was remarkably powerful, with strength and flexibility of his fingers far surpassing ordinary people.

Aoto’s index and middle fingers pinched the nerve center, causing that person to let out a low, agonized cry, involuntarily loosening his right hand and dropping the bamboo sword to the ground.

Then, without releasing the wrist, Aoto spun around using a swift over-the-shoulder throw to slam this person to the ground, and with the bottom of the bamboo sword hilt, he tapped onto the porcelain bowl on this person’s forehead, shattering it.

The two-on-four battle was quickly reduced to an equal two-on-two.

This was still the first time since knowing Yamanaka that Aoto fought against his old friend.

His old friend being hailed as one of the "three great masters of Little Chiba Sword Dojo" by Chokata was indeed skillful.

Yamanaka’s objective was always clear.

He knew that in the current context where the Chiba Siblings had been defeated and Kondo and Chokata still survived, with the morale of Shiwei Hall swordsmen high, it was extremely challenging for their Little Chiba Sword Dojo to secure a win.

Their only chance of victory now was to immediately find a way to shatter Aoto’s porcelain bowl while engaging with Aoto and Chokata!

Yamanaka lowered his center of gravity and swept in a low stance towards Aoto.

But as soon as he raised his blade, Chokata swiftly returned to defend at Aoto’s side, shielding Aoto—upon charging with Aoto, Chokata never strayed more than two steps away from Aoto to protect the Grand General of their Shiwei Hall side.

The tip of Yamanaka’s blade scraped the ground as it swung upwards.

Chokata swung his sword down as though to suppress Yamanaka’s swift blow.

The bamboo swords clashed, leaving their round of combat unresolved.

At this moment, Asakura, the Grand General of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, attempted a side attack on Aoto, but Chokata had already predicted this move.

With a motion resembling the flick of a whip, Chokata swung the sword tip at Asakura, striking his left wrist, causing Asakura to retreat several steps in pain.

Immediately afterwards, Chokata engaged in combat with Yamanaka once more.

Chokata took the initiative to slash at Yamanaka, who parried with his sword.

After several exchanges of blows, Chokata exhaled deeply, withdrawing the bamboo sword before him, adopting the stance of Flat Cyan Eye, the sword tip aimed at the ceramic bowl on Yamanaka’s forehead.

Observing Chokata’s movement, Aoto instantly realized: Chokata was likely aiming to execute his specialty sword technique — Thrusting Skill: Unconscious Sword.

The Unconscious Sword was Chokata’s forte.

The Unconscious Sword of the Natural Reasoning Heart Stream originally begins with a Middle Stance, but Chokata prefers to initiate it with Flat Cyan Eye.

As expected by Aoto, Chokata indeed intended to employ the Unconscious Sword.

Chokata’s bamboo sword, like a stream of light, surged toward the ceramic bowl on Yamanaka’s forehead with terrifying momentum.

The speed of this strike was exceedingly rapid, its force incredibly fierce.

Yamanaka’s pupils shrank intensely, barely managing to raise his bamboo sword in time—

Bang—!

A massive sound exploded.

Yamanaka managed to barely deflect Chokata’s Unconscious Sword.

But his posture became disordered due to the overly forced parry.

Aoto again sensed a rare opportunity!

He hurriedly advanced, thrusting his sword toward the ceramic bowl on Yamanaka’s forehead.

With no time to adjust his stance, Yamanaka... had no ability left to defend or evade Aoto’s blow.

Bang.

This was the fourth ceramic bowl Aoto shattered in this contest.

[Ding! Talent detected]

[Successfully copied talent: "Memory"]

[Talent description: Remarkable memory; even books glimpsed just once can be recalled clearly, word for word, years later]

Little Chiba Sword Dojo’s "Main Array"... had only one person remaining.

Could it be said that courage must be admired? Asakura still hadn’t lost his fighting spirit and intent.

Despite being the last one left, he still clenched his teeth tightly and gripped the bamboo sword in his hand.

To handle the now unassisted Asakura, Chokata alone was sufficient.

With a mere horizontal swing of his sword, Chokata deflected Asakura’s blade, breaking through his defenses, and then aimed at the ceramic bowl on Asakura’s forehead, swinging his sword—

Crack.

The Grand General’s ceramic bowl from Little Chiba Sword Dojo... shattered.

On the southern side of the field, the Divine Master of Yudashima Tenman Temple, acting as the chief referee, stared intently at Asakura, whose ceramic bowl had been shattered.

Moments later.

Clearing his throat, he slowly stood up.

"The winner of today’s contest—"

The Divine Master raised his hand towards the eastern direction of the field, indicating where Shiwei Hall’s "Main Array" was located.

"Red side! Shiwei Hall!"

As soon as the Divine Master’s announcement fell, the audience fell into a brief silence.

In an instant, stillness turned to motion, as a colossal wave of mixed exclamations, praises, and various sounds erupted from the audience.