Those who did not know Aoto or were unfamiliar with him, such as Saito Mijuro and others, showed expressions of surprise and anticipation.
Throughout the “audience seats,” only Kiryu and Mukiwa’s expressions were entirely different from everyone else’s.
Before Toshisuke could be shocked by Aoto’s sudden Iaido stance that he had never seen before, he heard Aoto continue:
“Oh...” Kiryu raised an eyebrow, a mysterious smile appearing on his face.
...
That was enough.
Replacing it was a gentle smile.
“The remaining stamina I have isn’t enough to let me engage fiercely with Chiba Daisaburo for much longer.”
Initially, I planned to update with 10,000 words today, finishing the duel with Chiba Daisaburo in one go, but last night something unspeakable and unavoidable happened... (dying laugh.jpg) Despite that, I still want to ask for a wave of monthly tickets! (crying with a leopard-head.jpg)
Mukiwa was first startled, then delighted.
“So both you and I must give it our all, and neither of us can afford to fail.”
Aoto and Toshisuke had been conversing in a volume only they could hear... now, Toshisuke lowered and deepened her already soft speaking volume further.
...
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“Alright.”
Then, she quietly assumed the Flat Cyan Eye stance, placing her bamboo sword in front of her!
Her simple “Alright” perfectly expressed an abundant trust in Aoto!
I based it on Flat Cyan Eye and Unconscious Sword and came up with a new ultimate move!
Toshisuke blinked her big eyes a few times, looking straight at Aoto’s side profile, whose facial lines were made sharper by his solemn expression.
Just as Toshisuke turned his face in confusion, he saw Aoto placing his left palm on his left waist, using it as a scabbard, then slightly lowering his waist, flipping his right wrist to twirl a fancy sword flower, and then in an underhand grip, lithely sheathing the bamboo sword in the “scabbard” at his left waist.
“The stamina I have left is only enough for me to use my Profound Technique once.”
“Hmm?”
There was almost no hesitation or any superfluous words. Just a simple “Alright.”
Gently chewing on the word Aoto had just mentioned, she smiled as if recalling something amusing.
“Mr. Tachibana, what a coincidence... I recently also realized a brand-new Profound Technique.”
“So I plan to stake the outcome on this Profound Technique of mine.”
As he said this, Aoto exhaled deeply, his eyelids lowered, his face quickly taking on the most serious, grave expression possible.
“I’ve recently come up with a move that’s tentatively quite powerful... a Profound Technique.”
“...Toshisuke, can you help me knock one of Chiba Daisaburo’s swords out of his hand? Either sword will do. Wakizashi, Tachi, both are fine.”
She stared intently at Chiba Daisaburo for a moment with a thoughtful look, then—
Moments later, the dazed look in Toshisuke’s eyes gradually dissipated.
“Mr. Tachibana, I will use my ‘Flat Cyan Eye Three-Stage Thrust’ to secure the best attack opportunity for you.”
Seeing Toshisuke’s stance, Aoto suddenly recalled something she had told him earlier:
Toshisuke slowly moved her gaze from Aoto’s side profile to Chiba Daisaburo facing opposite.
Upon saying that, Toshisuke exhaled deeply with a “Hoo.”
“Chiba Daisaburo’s Beichen Dual Swordsmanship Style can attack and defend, allowing one sword to attack and the other to defend at the same time. If we let him keep wielding two swords, it will be very tough for us. But conversely—if we can reduce the swords in his hands to just one... our chances of winning will greatly increase.”
“A Profound Technique, huh...”
“Toshisuke, help me knock one of Chiba Daisaburo’s swords out of his hand. Then leave the rest to me!”
“Mr. Tachibana, this is...?”
The reason everyone in the “audience seats” was reacting this way was because Aoto on the field had assumed... the stance of Iaido!
Aoto’s tone overflowed with unpretentious solemnity, confidence... and determination!
For those who can’t remember when Toshisuke told Aoto about realizing a new ultimate move, you can review Volume 2, Chapter 2.

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