Aoto quietly added this sentence in his heart.
"Great!" Kondo slapped his thigh, "I like people like you who are full of fighting spirit!"
"Hold on. I'll find you a new set of armor."
After leaving these words, Kondo clasped the "Apprentice Information Book" and quickly walked out of the dojo.
After Kondo left, only Aoto and Chokata were left in the dojo.
Just now, Chokata had been sitting quietly next to Kondo, without saying a word.
It wasn't until Kondo left that Chokata said to Aoto the second sentence since their meeting, apart from introductions:
"Welcome to Shiwei Hall!"
Chokata gave Aoto a bright smile.
Most people, when they smile, often have unattractive smiles due to various reasons such as creases on their faces, ugly teeth, etc.
But there are a few who have very good-looking smiles, and when they smile, they possess a unique charm.
The Chokata Toshisuke before him just happened to be one of these people.
Chokata's smile reminded Aoto of the warm sun of spring.
"Our Shiwei Hall finally has a newcomer."
Chokata, who had been sitting respectfully on the ground, suddenly switched to a casual cross-legged sitting posture.
"I can't even remember the last time a newcomer joined our 'Taro Dojo'."
"'Taro Dojo'?" Aoto asked in confusion.
"Hmm? You don't know the nickname for our Shiwei Hall?"
Chokata raised his nice eyebrows and slowly said in a self-deprecating tone.
"It all starts with the style we teach — Natural Reasoning Heart Stream."
"Our Natural Reasoning Heart Stream is widely spread in the Tama region north of Edo, and many disciples are farmers from the Tama area."
[Note: In the Edo Era, commoners could learn swordsmanship at the dojo; they just didn't have the right to carry a sword.]
"So, many idle people mocked our Natural Reasoning Heart Stream as 'Farmer Swordsmanship' and ridiculed our Shiwei Hall as a 'Taro Dojo' that teaches 'Farmer Swordsmanship'."
In the Edo Era, the term "taro" was often used to mock someone for being poor.
For instance, in this era, there was a commonly used term to ridicule samurai: "taro samurai," which was used to mock a samurai for being impoverished.
And "Taro Dojo" meant a poor dojo.
— So, this dojo has such a nickname… Mr. Kiryu never mentioned this to me...
After pondering in his heart, Aoto switched to a smile:
"I just saw the series of sword techniques you practiced. Are those all moves from the Natural Reasoning Heart Stream?"
"Oh? You saw my practice just now, didn't you? Yes! The sword techniques I practiced just now are indeed the moves of the Natural Reasoning Heart Stream!"
"In that case, those who mock your esteemed hall's Natural Reasoning Heart Stream as 'Farmer Swordsmanship' are either blindly following rumors or lack vision."
Aoto said in a confident tone.
"If styles with so many impressive sword techniques are 'Farmer Swordsmanship,' then there wouldn't be many styles in the world that aren't 'Farmer Swordsmanship'."
"Oh oh!" Chokata's eyes lit up, and he showed a happy smile, "It's been a long time since someone praised our Natural Reasoning Heart Stream!"
"You're right! If our Natural Reasoning Heart Stream were 'Farmer Swordsmanship,' then there wouldn't be many styles left that aren't 'Farmer Swordsmanship'!"
Saying this, Chokata paused.
"To be able to see the value of our Natural Reasoning Heart Stream, have you learned swordsmanship before?"
"I only know a bit about swordsmanship." Aoto honestly shook his head, "I'm only proficient in hand-to-hand combat and the baton... Ah, no, the Jitte Technique. Therefore, I can vaguely see the extraordinary nature of your hall's style."
"Hand-to-hand combat and the Jitte Technique?" Chokata was taken aback, then quickly sized Aoto up and down several times, finally focusing on the seal cage on Aoto's right waist, "It turns out you're an official from the Magistrate's Office!"
— You just realized...
With a smile in his heart, Aoto said:
"Yes, I am a dōshin from the North Guard Station Town Patrol."
"Oh oh! Town Patrol? One of the 'Three Times' Town Patrol?" Chokata's eyes lit up again, "No wonder you're good at hand-to-hand combat and the Jitte Technique."
Having said this, Chokata, with eyes gleaming with excitement, slowly said in a careful yet slightly expectant tone:
"So, um... can I see your seal cage?"
"Hmm? Of course."
Although he was puzzled as to why Chokata was interested in his seal cage, Aoto deftly removed the exquisite seal cage from his right waist, which only a Magistrate's Office official like him would possess, and handed it to Chokata.
Chokata delicately held Aoto's seal cage as if it were a fragile item, carefully examining it.
"Are you interested in the seal cage of the Magistrate's Office?" Aoto asked curiously.
"No, I'm interested in the 'Three Times' of the Magistrate's Office." After carefully examining Aoto's seal cage, Chokata reluctantly returned it to Aoto, "I've always admired the samurai of the 'Three Times' in the Magistrate's office since I was a child."
"I think they're amazing, always working hard to maintain the city's security."
"If there's ever a chance in the future, I'd like to join the 'Three Times' too! To run around protecting the people and killing those wicked criminals!"
Having said this, Chokata, filled with determination, raised his hand and patted his flat chest vigorously.