My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 346 - 136: The Three Heroes of Edo’s Three Great Sword Dojos

"Hmm? Mr. Chiba?"

In the next instant after hearing this sharp voice... Chiba Shigetarou’s expression slightly changed and he halted his steps, turning his head toward the owner of the sharp voice.

The owner of this sharp voice was a young samurai, very youthful and quite handsome.

He was bursting with an enthusiastic smile that nearly reached his ears, sprinting three steps in two to reach Chiba Shigetarou.

"Mr. Chiba, what a coincidence! To meet you here!"

"Mr. Niitsuma." Chiba Shigetarou responded in an indifferent tone, "Why are you here?"

The young samurai chuckled, then softly said, "I am here to prepare for tomorrow’s Aizu Marquis swordsmanship competition."

Niitsuma Kan—the name of the young samurai.

If one closely followed the swordsmanship world of Edo, the name "Niitsuma Kan" would certainly not be unfamiliar.

After all, Niitsuma was one of the recently renowned "Three Heroes"!

At Xuanwu Hall teaching the Beichen One-Sword Style.

At Shixue Hall teaching the Mirror Heart Mingzhi School.

Teaching the Shindo Mononoke Stream at the Training Hall.

These three sword dojos, due to their scale, faculty strength, and various other reasons, are acclaimed above all other sword dojos in Edo, hence they are collectively called "Edo’s Three Great Sword Dojos."

With the loudest reputation, naturally comes the most attention.

The topics swordsmanship enthusiasts in Edo love to discuss are who’s earned the "Master of All Techniques" from the Three Great Sword Dojos, which prominent elder has left the dojo after mastering the craft, and which striking newcomers have emerged...

Just the year before last, there was an interesting coincidence—the Three Great Sword Dojos each nearly simultaneously produced a newcomer with both impressive talent and strength.

These three newcomers are—

Tsuzaki Heiyo from Xuanwu Hall.

Morioka Tadao from Shixue Hall.

And now, standing before Chiba Shigetarou, is this young man: Niitsuma Kan from the Training Hall.

These three all began learning the sword in Year 5 of Ansei (1858), and after donning protective gear and picking up a bamboo sword, they quickly exhibited dazzling swordsmanship talent!

...

Tsuzaki, on his first day in Xuanwu Hall, had his talent highly praised by the hall master and senior disciples...

Negishi defeated a senior disciple who had been practicing swordsmanship for years within just two months...

Niitsuma, shortly over a year after joining, defeated three seasoned senior disciples in a sparring match simultaneously...

...

These three seem to be in competition with each other, continuously producing one headline after another that amazed and elicited envy from Edo’s swordsmanship enthusiasts.

In less than two short years, relying on their repeated stunning performances, the three slowly built their reputations.

As their fame grew, some enthusiast dubbed them the "Three Heroes of the Three Great Sword Dojos."

This title initially circulated in a small community among certain individuals, but gradually it became widely known.

Chiba Shigetarou met Niitsuma Kan, one of the "Three Heroes," by chance.

If one were to discuss the most enviable among the "Three Heroes"... it would undoubtedly be Niitsuma.

Although Tsuzaki and Morioka are equally renowned with Niitsuma, both have aspects where they fall far short of Niitsuma.

Morioka has a face... to put it nicely, it’s unremarkable, to put it bluntly, it looks like a "pig morphing into man" face.

Tsuzaki, on the other hand, comes from a poor family; he is a lower-level feudal samurai from the Sano Domain.

Sano Domain, a small feudal country with a total koku of only a pitiable 16,000 koku, with Tsuzaki being a lower-level feudal samurai in this impoverished small domain, naturally is as poor as to be described by the term "shocking to the eye" to illustrate his situation.

He managed to scrape together the cost required for him to study swordsmanship in Edo by borrowing money from all his family, friends, and acquaintances.

Compared to Tsuzaki and Morioka, Niitsuma’s conditions are most excellent and comprehensive—coming from a Hatamoto family with a salary of 700 koku, and possessing a handsome visage.

With his remarkable appearance and family background, paired with his outstanding swordsmanship talent... As long as he trains steadily, Niitsuma’s future is bound to be brilliantly illuminated!

However—a talent as exceptional as him... Chiba Shigetarou just couldn’t seem to take a liking to him.

Chiba Shigetarou always felt that Niitsuma was... somewhat too arrogant.

Despite Niitsuma usually posing as a polite demeanor, his speech always exuded a kind of... superiority as if he were the center of the universe.

Chiba Shigetarou never liked those who were not modest in dealing with people, hence in interactions with Niitsuma, his attitude has always been lukewarm.

Ordinarily, Chiba Shigetarou would never actively converse with Niitsuma, whom he’s neither close nor fond of.

But Niitsuma’s statement just now piqued Chiba Shigetarou’s interest, causing him to rare pursuit Niitsuma inquiring:

"Preparing for tomorrow’s competition...?" Chiba Shigetarou scanned Niitsuma up and down, "Preparing what? Taking a stroll to relax your nerves?"

The illustrious Marquis of Aizu is organizing a swordsmanship competition exclusively for newcomers from each sword dojo... this is a rare event.

Such a level of competition naturally holds great appeal to those aspiring in swordsmanship.

From what Chiba Shigetarou knows: almost all sword dojos in Edo with any reputation have registered for this swordsmanship competition, with nearly a hundred participants.

This long list of participants includes quite a few names familiar to swordsmanship enthusiasts.

Such as—recently acclaimed as the "strongest martial combat faction in the North Guard Station," Tachibana Aoto.

And also—the "Three Heroes"!

Tsuzaki, Morioka, and Niitsuma, all have had less than three years in mastering the sword, qualifying them for participation in this competition.

Upon first learning that all "Three Heroes" will participate in this competition, even Chiba Shigetarou couldn’t resist a low exclamation.

This competition... seems like it will be particularly lively.

Regarding Chiba Shigetarou’s inquiry "what are you here preparing for," Niitsuma stood silent a moment then smiled wryly:

"Well... I’m afraid I can’t say much."

After speaking, Niitsuma glanced at the medicine pouch in Chiba Shigetarou’s hand.

"Mr. Chiba, I noticed you were hurriedly walking, are you rushing somewhere?"

"Ah, my father’s old back ailment flared up." Chiba Shigetarou shook the medicine pouch in his hand, "I’m rushing home to apply this freshly acquired medicine to him."

"Mr. Chiba Dingji’s back ailment relapsed?" Niitsuma’s face showed surprise, followed immediately by embarrassment replacing his surprise, "I’m truly sorry... for intruding when you’re pressed for time."

Niitsuma spoke as he sidestepped.

"Mr. Chiba, I won’t take any more of your time, please hurry home."

"Hmm." Chiba Shigetarou nodded, then politely replied, "Mr. Niitsuma, see you next time."

Though unable to pry from Niitsuma the meaning of "preparing for tomorrow’s competition," Chiba Shigetarou was not particularly keen on the question.

After saying goodbye to Niitsuma, Chiba Shigetarou quickly collected his thoughts and moved past Niitsuma.

Niitsuma stood planted in place, silently watching Shigetarou’s departure.

As Shigetarou’s silhouette was about to leave his visual range, his lips moved—

"What a shame... there’s urgent business... I was hoping to chat more with Mr. Chiba, to strengthen our rapport..."

Niitsuma’s murmur was filled with deep regret.

...

...

After saying goodbye to Niitsuma, Chiba Shigetarou encountered no others who would greet him, smoothly returning home.

As soon as he stepped through the gate of the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, Chiba Shigetarou called out with his loud voice:

"I’m back!"

After entering the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, he first passed through the "C Dojo" specifically for less skilled apprentices.

Walking down the corridor, crossing the gate of C Area, Chiba Shigetarou spotted a familiar figure inside.

"Sazanoko!" Chiba Shigetarou called out loudly to his sister while taking big strides into C Area.

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Requesting monthly tickets! Requesting recommendation tickets! Requesting collections! (Panther head crying.jpg)

Thank you, admin [Nv Jiayan], for compiling information on Chiba Eijiro!

Chiba Eijiro is a historical figure, one of the strongest Great Sword Heroes in the Bakumatsu period, with a rich and remarkably robust battle record.

Admin [Nv Jiayan] has compiled parts of Chiba Eijiro’s exploits in the book review section at Qidian, those interested can take a look.