I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Um, Ms. Sanako, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's talk about something more interesting."

As Qingdeng spoke, he racked his brains, pondering new topics.

For some reason, he suddenly recalled what he had just talked about with Souji.

As long as the topic of "Souji is a girl" can be avoided, it doesn't matter what we talk about—with this mindset in mind, Aoto casually asked:

"Miss Sanako, what are your thoughts on your future?"

No sooner had Qing Deng finished speaking than Sanako misunderstood him again.

—Tachibana-kun really doesn't want people to know he's a member of the cult...

Sanako nodded solemnly and gently.

Sanako understood Aoto's reluctance to share his secrets with others, so she readily accepted the conversation Aoto had brought up.

"The future..."

Sanako raised her eyes, gazing at the distant horizon, as if deep in thought.

After a short while, she slowly said:

"If possible, I would like to stay at the Chiba Sword Academy and devote myself to the study of swordsmanship and naginata techniques, dedicating my life to the martial arts."

Sanako paused at this point.

When she spoke again, her tone suddenly changed:

"But... it's probably very difficult for my wish to be fulfilled."

“My father’s ‘judgment’ was correct; my martial arts realm has reached its limit.”

"I... no longer have the opportunity to study martial arts."

"So, I'll probably become a doctor in the future, open a small clinic, and make a living by practicing medicine."

After speaking, Sanako raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a calm smile, with dimples flickering on her cheeks.

A beautiful smile.

A smile that anyone would find charming.

However, Qingdeng, who was standing right next to that radiant smile, only felt stiffness and rigidity, as if he were a puppet being manipulated by strings.

This is the smile of "Edo's most beautiful woman".

But it wasn't the smile of Chiba Sanako that Aoto was familiar with.

At this moment, Qing Deng really wanted to say some "white lies" like "Miss Sanako, don't listen to your father" or "Your martial arts level is far from over" to comfort Sanako.

However, after careful consideration, Qingdeng breathed a sigh of relief and changed his mind.

Sanako isn't stupid. Such baseless statements are not only unlikely to have any effect, but may even backfire.

Several months ago, the scenes of accompanying Sanako to the fireworks festival flashed before Aoto's eyes like a slideshow.

At that time, Sanako had overheard Chiba Sadakichi's cruel comment that "Sanako has no talent," and she was so upset that she briefly ran away from home, only to be "picked up" by Aoto...

Although the truth is harsh, Aoto has to admit that Chiba Sadakichi's judgment was correct...

Indeed, Sanako possesses exceptional swordsmanship talent.

In terms of swordsmanship talent alone, Qing Deng believes that among the nationally renowned Chiba family, only two monsters, namely "Edo's strongest swordsman" Chiba Eijiro and "the second head of the Hokushin Itto-ryu main family" Chiba Dozaburo, can easily surpass Sanako.

However, in the world of martial arts, while "skill" is important, "physical fitness" is even more important!

Sanako was much stronger and more agile than the average woman... but that was all.

Without a strong physique as support, it is difficult to further refine skills and improve strength.

Unable to move faster...

Unable to swing the knife more forcefully...

Unable to react more quickly...

Unable to master more advanced techniques...

In comparison, Souji, who is also a female swordsman... is the one who is "blessed by the gods".

Souji not only possesses exceptional swordsmanship skills, but also an incredibly powerful physique.

She can jump more than 1.5 meters high with a simple leap without a running start.

She can easily run a 100-meter distance in under 8 seconds with just a slight lift of her leg.

It's worth noting that Qing Deng's previous world records for standing vertical jump and 100-meter sprint were only 1.65 meters and 9.59 seconds, respectively.

All I can say is—they truly live up to their reputation as residents of a low-level martial arts world.

In short, physical deficiencies limited Sanako's development.

Sanako's current strength has reached the limit that her body can withstand.

For a long time to come, her martial arts skills will stagnate, and then decline further as her body ages and her spirit weakens...

Just as Aoto was racking his brains for words to comfort Sanako, hurried footsteps suddenly came from afar.

Along with the sound of footsteps came a remarkably familiar, androgynous voice:

"Tachibana-kun! Sanako-san!"

With a whoosh, the bushes opposite the hot spring were parted, and a slender ponytail swayed in the wind, catching Qingdeng's eye.

"Oh, Okita-kun, you're back! How did it go? Did you catch that butterfly?"

"No, that butterfly flew so fast, I couldn't catch it at all... Ah, no! This isn't the time to talk about that! Tachibana-kun, Sanako-san, quickly put on your shoes and socks and come with me!"

The commander's voice was filled with intense tension.

Realizing that Souji was not joking, Aoto immediately stopped smiling and then pulled his legs, which were soaking in the hot spring, away without saying a word.

Almost at the same time that Qingdeng got up, Sanako also stepped out of the spring.

Ripples spread across the surface of the pool.

Her straight, slender legs emerged from the hot spring, truly like a lotus rising from the water.

The steam from the hot spring gave Sanako's skin a hazy rosy glow.

Her already fair and rosy feet looked even healthier and more lustrous, making them exceptionally alluring and tempting to hold gently.

However, despite the beautiful scenery, Qingdeng had no time to appreciate it.

As he hurriedly put on his shoes and socks, he pressed the commander for an answer:

"Okita-kun, what happened?"

"I was just chasing butterflies! While chasing them, I unknowingly wandered into a dense forest, and then, and then..."

Due to his emotional state, Souji's tongue got tied.

After a long pause, she finally managed to continue the conversation:

"Then, deep in that dense forest, I found a simple thatched hut!"

The moment he heard the word "thatched hut," Qing Deng's expression turned solemn.

……

……

Led by the commander, Aoto and Sanako traveled through mountains and rivers.

Climbing through forests, wading through rivers, scaling boulders...

After speeding for nearly 2 kilometers, Qingdeng couldn't help but complain:

"Okita-kun, just how far did you run to chase that butterfly?"

"Almost there! Almost there!"

The commander shouted loudly without turning his head.

She wasn't lying.

Before long, she led Qing Deng and Sanako into a dark forest.

Because it faces south, this grove of trees receives very little sunlight, and the ground is covered with mushrooms, moss, and other plants that prefer darkness and dampness.

The lack of sunlight makes the temperature in this forest quite different from the outside world.

A chilling atmosphere permeated the air around Qing Deng and the others, making people shiver.

Moss, mushrooms, grass and trees—nothing else.

A lone bird flew low over Qingdeng and the others, flapping its wings monotonously.

The commander pointed forward:

"It's right there! Just walk a little further ahead and you'll see that thatched hut!"

Soon, a simple thatched hut appeared directly in front of Qingdeng and the others.

Qingdeng looked around. The terrain of Kikyō Mountain is relatively low, so it would be easy to miss it if you didn't look carefully. This forest is located at the top of Kikyō Mountain!

The hut, the mountaintop... the appearance and location of this thatched hut perfectly match Ugaki Goro's description of Tachibana Takayuki's "secret stronghold".

"Tachibana-kun! Sanako-san! Look! It's that house!"

Having said that, the commander quickened his pace.

Aoto and Sanako followed closely behind.

However, at that moment, Qing Deng suddenly stopped and let out a loud shout:

"Wait a moment!"

Although Souji and Sanako were confused, they still stopped in their tracks.

"Tachibana-kun, what's wrong?"

Sanako asked.

Qing Deng did not answer Sanako's question immediately, but instead slowly squatted down and stared at the ground in front of his toes.

Souji and Sanako bent down and looked in the direction Aoto was looking—in an instant, they both widened their eyes in surprise.