My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 384 - 145: Chokata Is So Cute and the Man Who Bears the Name of Dragon [6600]_2

"Haha..." Makimura chuckled, "These are indeed things that the Lord would most likely do... So does Tachibana Aoto know that the Young Master likes him?"

"From my observation, Mr. Tachibana seems to be unaware of the Young Master’s feelings for him."

"So in other words, the Young Master has a crush on him... To be pined for by the princess of our Gourd House... If this gets out, I don’t know how many people would envy him to death."

"Kurō, do you personally think that Tachibana Aoto is someone worth the Young Master’s affection?"

Kiryu fell silent, a thoughtful expression appearing on his brow.

After a moment, he nodded slightly.

"... As I just said: Mr. Tachibana is a talented young man worth looking forward to in the future."

"From his behaviors so far, I believe Mr. Tachibana is not unworthy of receiving the Young Master’s admiration."

"So I am adopting a ’let nature take its course’ attitude for now."

"Until we receive further instruction from the Lord, let the Young Master and Mr. Tachibana interact freely."

"Oh, oh... it seems you have a very high opinion of this Tachibana Aoto, Kurō."

As Makimura spoke, he scooped up a handful of warm pool water, splashed it onto his face forcefully, then grinned and laughed heartily.

"I’m becoming more and more curious about this Tachibana Aoto."

"If I didn’t have to leave Edo early tomorrow morning, I would really like to quickly see what kind of extraordinary man he is, who can earn both your admiration, Kurō, inclining you to take him as a closed-door disciple, and the Young Master’s favor."

With that, Makimura straightened his body, which had been leaning against the pool wall, and the water beads ran down his robust muscles with a splash, merging back into the pool.

"Okay... I’ve told you everything I needed to say. Kurō, is there anything important you want to tell me?"

Kiryu shook his head.

"Then let’s call it a night." Makimura raised the thumb and forefinger of his right hand and rubbed his temples vigorously, "After soaking in the bath for so long, I’m feeling a bit dizzy."

"I’m planning to go back to my inn to sleep now. How about you, Kurō?"

"I’ll of course head back to my Thousand Affairs House." Kiryu replied without hesitation, "Makimura, since you’re heading to Aoyu first thing tomorrow morning, do I need to see you off in the morning?"

"Hahahaha, no need. With our friendship of seventy, eighty years, there’s no need for such fuss." Makimura waved his hand heartily.

"Then I’ll just wish you success on your ’Aoyu trip’ from afar." Kiryu smiled slightly, "Our Gourd House’s influence in the Aoyu Region is weak, so be very careful once you get there."

"Hahahaha." Makimura laughed heartily, "Kurō, who do you think I am?"

Makimura’s tone overflowed with confidence and pride.

"The ’Dragon’ I carry on my back hasn’t lost its color yet!"

With that, Makimura stood up from the pool with a "whoosh".

On his back was a tattoo of a dragon that almost covered his entire back!

A red dragon!

Black lines formed the dragon’s body.

A bright red, like blood, became the dragon scales.

The red dragon lay sprawling, coiling on Makimura’s back, its head raised high, staring straight at Makimura’s right shoulder, with its jaws open, and its determined eyes gazing at the sky, as if ready to fly from Makimura’s back at any moment, transform into a true dragon and soar into the clouds, challenging the celestial gods!

...

...

Edo, Little Ishikawa Hoshimura Willow Street, Public Bath · Qianxun House—

After immersing his body into the warm pool water, Aoto immediately felt a large part of his fatigue dissipate, so comfortably that he couldn’t help but half-close his eyes.

But just at this moment, Zhouzhu’s nagging suddenly rang out behind Aoto:

"Mr. Tachibana, even though you made quite a splash in the recent competition, you mustn’t get complacent."

"Practicing martial arts... No, no matter what, becoming complacent and arrogant is the greatest taboo."

"Once a person becomes arrogant, they easily lose sight of their weight, content with past glories, leading to stagnation."

"So Mr. Tachibana, you should maintain a normal mind and continue to work hard in your training..."

...

Zhouzhu’s nagging was incessant, making Aoto feel like there were dozens of mosquitoes buzzing around his ears.

"Master, don’t worry." Aoto smiled wryly at Zhouzhu, "I’m not foolish enough to be overly pleased with myself over such a small achievement."

Tonight, aside from Chokata, who stated he wished to enjoy the bathing area alone in the late night, all the Shiwei Hall men, namely, Aoto, Zhouzhu, Kondo, Saito, and Kyūbē, rarely all came together to this bathhouse adjacent to Shiwei Hall: Qianxun House, to bathe.

It was rare to have so many people bath together.

"Alright, father." Kondo seemed unable to bear Zhouzhu’s nagging at this point and advised, "Mr. Tachibana still has competitions tomorrow, so let him enjoy a good soak and rest now; these principles can be explained later."

Having said so, Kondo turned his gaze to Aoto.

"Mr. Tachibana, you should soak a little longer in the bath today. A hot bath is good for alleviating physical fatigue."

"Hmm." Aoto nodded.

After nodding, Aoto silently added in his heart:

——Actually, my body doesn’t need any fatigue alleviation...

In today’s three matches, Aoto had only swung his sword three times, so how could there be any fatigue?