Aoto with Kasumi Stance, and Toshisuke with Flat Cyan Eye... neither of them moved.
The two confronted remotely, emitting an aura that made it difficult for anyone to approach.
Amidst the nearly frozen atmosphere, Toshisuke was the first to take action.
He concentrated his strength on the toe of his rear foot, bent his back knee, and at the moment he bent his knee, swiftly accumulated sufficient force in his legs and waist, then pushed off with his rear foot and lunged forward, using the momentum of the rush to forcefully stab the sword towards Aoto’s chest!
At the same moment, Aoto’s body moved too.
His movements were almost identical to Toshisuke.
Bent his back knee, accumulated force, took advantage of the ground-pushing momentum to forcefully strike out with his sword!
The two, adopting different stances, used the same move, and the two bamboo swords shot straight at each other like meteors!
Bang!
The tips of the two bamboo swords collided in mid-air.
Though Toshisuke’s explosive power was incredibly strong, Aoto, who had been persistently training his physique and was gifted with "Take the Lead," "Bear’s Waist," "Gathering Spirit," and "Lone Brave," did not have lesser attacking force than Toshisuke!
The tips of the two bamboo swords were like two bulls colliding in a duel, neither giving way, as one exerted more force, the other too exerted more.
Finally — this brief duel ended in a draw.
With a "snap," the tips of the swords passed each other.
Aoto’s sword tip grazed Toshisuke’s left shoulder, while Toshisuke’s sword tip grazed Aoto’s right abdomen.
Their bodies, driven by inertia, lunged forward a few steps, passing each other.
Toshisuke didn’t run far, stopping two steps behind Aoto and quickly turning around, simultaneously readying his bamboo sword in front.
The "Clashing of the Unconscious Swords" ended in a tie, as both swords only brushed past the other’s body, so this spar did not determine victory, the contest should continue.
However, when Toshisuke quickly turned to face Aoto and repositioned himself, he blinked in rapid astonishment due to the scenery before him — Aoto didn’t regroup rapidly like him, instead, he slowly lowered his bamboo sword, the muscles on his originally tense body gradually relaxing as he stood up straight.
"Mr. Tachibana, what’s the matter?"
Seeing Aoto seemed disinterested in continuing, Toshisuke hurriedly asked.
"... Mr. Chokata."
Aoto sighed silently, then said softly in a helpless tone.
"Let’s just stop today’s sparring here."
"Your focus is scattered... continuing further is meaningless, it’d only exhaust our energy without any real learning or improvement."
As soon as Aoto finished speaking, a stern, elderly voice interjected between Aoto and Toshisuke:
"Toshisuke, are you feeling unwell these days?"
The owner of the elderly voice was Zhouzhu, who had been watching Aoto and Toshisuke practice from the side.
Usually, Zhouzhu smiled cheerfully, but now he showed a rare serious expression.
With hands behind his back, he walked slowly towards Toshisuke, speaking deeply.
"Since yesterday, you’ve been acting strange, like you’re unsettled, often spacing out, sword practice is unfocused, and you missed several chances to threaten and counter Mr. Tachibana because of your inattention."
"Toshisuke, surely I needn’t explain ’lack of focus is a great taboo in martial arts training,’ right?"
Zhouzhu along with Kondo, Hijikata, and others watched Toshisuke with serious yet slightly concerned eyes.
Those with enough strength sharply noticed Toshisuke’s lacked focus during the contest.
Aoto timely stopped the match correctly.
Inattention during competition may seem trivial for practice effect, but injury due to lack of focus is grave.
Scolded sternly by Zhouzhu, Toshisuke buried his head and shrank his shoulders as if wanting to hide himself.
"So sorry..."
Seeing Toshisuke sincerely admitting his mistake, Zhouzhu’s expression softened.
"Toshisuke, are you feeling unwell?"
Zhouzhu asked softly, matching his softened expression.
"Or is there something troubling you?"
He stared into Toshisuke’s eyes with concern.
If feeling unwell or troubled, speak freely with me — Zhouzhu conveyed with his gaze.
"Well... ah hahahaha..."
Toshisuke lifted his mask, revealing a face with a dry smile.
"I’m fine... it’s just... lately I feel a bit physically fatigued."
"Fatigued?" Zhouzhu promptly asked, "Are you ill?"
After speaking, Zhouzhu touched Toshisuke’s forehead.
Feeling meticulously, Toshisuke’s temperature was normal with no anomaly.
"Not sick, probably it’s too hot lately, haven’t slept well."
"Not sick is good..." Zhouzhu withdrew his hand from Toshisuke’s forehead, "If feeling unwell, don’t practice for now, go rest and sleep well in your room, resume practice when recovered."
"Yes..."
Toshisuke slightly bowed, politely saluting Zhouzhu, then retreated to the dojo side, placing his bamboo sword back in the bucket at the corner.

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