I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

With a look of surprise, Todo Heisuke turned his head to look—Ito Kashitaro was leaning against the door frame of the dojo, looking at him with a big smile.

"Master? What are you doing here?"

"I've been very busy lately, sitting all day, and my spine has become stiff. So I thought I'd take advantage of this free time to come here and stretch my muscles. I didn't expect to run into you."

As he spoke, Ito Kashitaro moved to the sword rack not far away and casually picked up a bamboo sword.

"Heisuke, since we've met here by chance, how about a long-awaited sparring match?"

Upon hearing this, Todo Heisuke's eyes immediately lit up with excitement, and he nodded hastily:

"I can't ask for it!"

Ito Kashitaro grinned:

"Very good, then hurry up and put on your protective gear! Let me see how much your swordsmanship has improved!"

After donning their protective gear, the two moved to the center of the dojo, facing each other, squatted down, and bowed to one another.

They were a very close master and disciple, and naturally they had many opportunities to practice and exchange skills.

However, after joining the Shinsengumi, due to busy work schedules and other reasons, although the two still saw each other often, the number of times they sparred decreased significantly.

Heisuke Todo couldn't remember the last time he had sparred with his master.

After performing the squatting salute, the two slowly rose, their sword tips touching as they cautiously tested each other.

Ito Kashitaro, who doesn't carry a sword, is a gentle and refined gentleman.

After picking up the sword, he seemed like a completely different person, exuding a sharp aura that made people hesitant to approach him!

Seeing this, Todo Heisuke couldn't help but sigh inwardly:

—As expected of my master, there was no opportunity for me to take advantage of him!

His opponent's perfect posture made him dare not let his guard down.

Left with no other choice, he could only resort to a "two-person show" strategy, circling around Ito Kashitaro, kicking the ground and shouting, trying to force the other party to reveal a weakness.

Unfortunately, no matter what strategy he adopted, the other side remained as steady as Mount Tai and did not waver in the slightest.

In any high-level swordsmanship contest, it's always the same – either as still as a mountain, or as swift as thunder! Once offense and defense begin, all exchanges happen in the blink of an eye!

In the blink of an eye, Toudou Heisuke, who disliked prolonged stalemates, seized the initiative:

"Drink it! Ahhhhhh!"

He shouted and his bamboo sword struck Ito Kashitaro's right wrist with lightning speed.

This is the classic tactic of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū style: chopping off hands!

As the owner of the complete manual of the Hokushin Itto-ryu style, he has mastered every "hand-chopping" technique of the Hokushin Itto-ryu style to perfection.

Unfortunately, this brilliant strike had no effect whatsoever.

Ito Kashitaro raised his sword and skillfully deflected Todo Heisuke's slash to the side.

Immediately afterwards, he skillfully twisted his wrists, causing the sword tip to leap into the air, drawing a beautiful and exquisite arc, and striking Todo Heisuke's right wrist precisely.

The one who tried to cut off another's hand ended up having his hand cut off instead.

Ito Kashitaro seemed to haven't had enough of fighting yet. After pulling the bamboo sword back to his hand, he shouted with great momentum:

"Again!"

Just as Todo Heisuke was about to retaliate, he readily agreed, regained his footing, and gripped his bamboo sword tightly.

This time, he planned to attack Ito Kashitaro's chest.

The methods have changed, but the outcome remains the same—

Snapped!

Another dull thud followed as Ito Kashitaro's bamboo sword struck Todo Heisuke's left shoulder.

"Again!"

……

Snapped!

"Again!"

……

Snapped!

"Again!"

……

Snapped!

"Again!"

……

Sword after sword, round after round; battle after battle, defeat after defeat.

In the blink of an eye, Todo Heisuke unleashed another confident slash—he feinted, then lowered his center of gravity, his sword moving downwards, striking at Ito Kashitaro's waist and abdomen from a tricky angle.

His previous moves had all been seen through by his opponent, and this time was no exception.

Ito Kashitaro dodged to the right, causing Todo Heisuke's slash to miss. Then, he kicked off with his left foot, leaping out like a spring and crashing into Todo Heisuke with his sword. With the momentum of the lunge, he slashed hard at Todo Heisuke's head.

Snapped!

Heisuke Todo was unable to dodge in time and was knocked to the ground.

If he hadn't been wearing protective gear, Ito Kashitaro's sword strike would have easily knocked Todo Heisuke unconscious.

If it were a real weapon, Todo Heisuke's head would have been chopped in two.

"Huff...huff...huff...Master...I can't go on...I can't even move a single finger..."

Seeing the exhausted Heisuke Todo collapsed on the ground, Kashitaro Ito mimicked the motion of sheathing a sword, tucking his bamboo sword to his left hip, and loudly proclaimed:

Let's stop here for today.

With difficulty, Todo Heisuke propped himself up, removed the headgear, revealing a face covered in sweat and a bright smile.

"I lost... Compared to my master, I am still far behind!"

Ito Kashitaro smiled slightly:

"Of course, I am your master, how could I let you surpass me so easily?"

"However, Heisuke, you don't need to underestimate yourself."

"Although your swordsmanship is still far from perfect, it has improved a lot compared to before, and it deserves praise."

For Heisuke Todo, the people he admired most were Aoto and Kashitaro Ito.

He respects one of these two more... To be honest, he himself can't say for sure.

The former was his idol, and the latter was his mentor; both were the most important people in his life.

After chatting for a while, the two quietly adjusted their breathing and relaxed their muscles.

Suddenly, as if struck by a sudden thought, Ito Kashitaro abruptly said to Todo Heisuke:

"Oh, right, Heisuke, there's something I almost forgot to tell you."

"I recently gained some new insights while reading 'The Great History of Japan'."

"Western science and technology are indeed impressive and worth learning from, but we cannot ultimately break away from the fundamental principle of 'using Western technology as a substitute for Japanese technology'."

"Therefore, I plan to open a private school in my residence... I'll call it 'Ito Juku', and it will be dedicated to teaching the 'Great History of Japan'."

Are you interested in participating?

Upon hearing this, Todo Heisuke's eyes lit up, and he immediately perked up.

He has always loved reading and once thought that one day when the world is at peace and there is no need to wield swords, he would devote himself to becoming a scholarly "bookworm".

The course content was "The History of Japan," which he was very interested in, and the instructor was his most respected teacher. How could he not be interested?

"Master, may I participate?"

Ito Kashitaro chuckled, somewhat annoyed.

"If you can't participate, then why am I even asking you?"

After receiving an affirmative answer, Todo Heisuke shouted almost without hesitation:

"Master, please let me participate! To be honest, I haven't studied for a long time! I find myself quite unbearable! I've been wanting to find an opportunity to settle down and study properly!"

……

……

That night--

Humming a little tune, Todo Heisuke strolled leisurely down a street in Otsu, carrying his old copy of the first volume of "Dai Nihon Shi" which he had read many times.

Just as the Ito residence came into view, he suddenly noticed a familiar figure directly in front of him and was startled.

He quickly quickened his pace and caught up with the other person, walking side by side.

After seeing the other person's face clearly, he stared in surprise, and involuntarily asked in a loud voice:

"Huh? Saito-san? What are you doing here? Where are you going?"

Saito glanced at Toudou Heisuke and said calmly:

"I'm going to attend classes at the Ito Juku."

He said this while showing what he was holding in his arms—the first volume of a brand new "Great History of Japan".

*******

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P.S.: On the first day of the new moon, not only did Leopard update 6400 words, but he also updated earlier than usual. He deserves encouragement (vote for him!) Wow! (Leopard is humble.jpg)