My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 398: Chapter 148: Unleashing Momentum! The Whole Arena Is Shocked!

After Aoto and Niitsuma Kan assumed their stances to confront each other, nearly all the spectators who realized that the winner would be determined by the next strike watched the arena with solemn expressions, their eyes fixed without blinking.

Especially for the Shiwei Hall group, a tinge of tension showed on their faces.

Just moments ago, when seeing Aoto make such remarkable progress in such a short time, Chiba Eijiro also wore a slightly surprised expression.

Upon seeing the two in the arena take different stances and raise their swords at each other, Chiba Eijiro, like the others, transitioned from astonishment to solemnity on his face.

Since yesterday, Aoto has given Chiba Eijiro many surprises.

At this moment, Chiba Eijiro couldn’t help but concentrate, feel curious, and anticipate whether this young man, only 9 years his junior, could bring him any more surprises.

An instant is very brief, just long enough for a person to blink.

But an instant is also very long; it can decide the outcome of a swordsmanship contest!

Without any warning, as many anxiously speculated on how long the duel between the two would last, Niitsuma Kan moved!

Almost at the same moment, the white fine sand at Aoto’s feet was kicked up!

The two launched towards each other nearly simultaneously, raising the arena’s tension to a new height.

The distance between Aoto and Niitsuma Kan was merely 5 or 6 steps, just a fleeting distance for the two charging at each other.

However, at that electrifying moment! Just as Aoto and Niitsuma Kan’s shadows were about to merge on the ground! An invisible qi field suddenly emanated from Aoto, crashing towards Niitsuma Kan like a tidal wave!

This sudden anomaly caused the expressions of almost everyone with a profound understanding of swordsmanship in the audience to change instantly!

Those who lacked knowledge of swordsmanship or had limited skills might not sense or understand the invisible qi field emanating from Aoto at this moment.

But those like Chiba Eijiro, who have achieved something in swordsmanship, understood very well what this was!

Instantly, the expressions on the faces of many spectators in the audience varied greatly.

Chiba Dingji, Chiba Domon Shiro, who had some unpleasantness with Aoto, as well as Saito Mijuro and Taojing Chunzang, who weren’t acquainted with Aoto, displayed pure astonishment.

Usually squinting, Zhouzhu now had his eyes wide open.

Chokata, Kondo, and Hijikata looked utterly incredulous.

Chiba Eijiro’s pupils contracted sharply.

Chiba Shigetarou, who is always expressive and emotional, had his mouth agape as if his jaw was about to drop to the ground.

Sazanoko, who had appeared composed and indifferent to the match’s developments, also lost her elegant demeanor as a well-bred young lady at this moment.

Like yesterday, she clenched her tiny, delicate hands resting on her lap, her luscious red lips forming an adorable "O" shape, and her dazed gaze made her appear stunned.

Her beautiful eyes sparkled with shock far surpassing that of yesterday.

...

...

The feeling of striking Niitsuma Kan’s helmeted head was substantial.

If Aoto were using a real sword and Niitsuma Kan wasn’t wearing a helmet... it wouldn’t just be a simple matter of Niitsuma Kan being knocked to the ground; his entire head might have been severed.

[Ding! Talent detected!]

When Aoto struck Niitsuma Kan to the ground, the mechanical and cold system voice arrived as expected.

[Successfully copied talent: "Swordsman with Minor Achievement"]

[Talent Description: Swordsmanship talent amplification is 8 times the average level of an ordinary person]

[Ding! Detected that the host already possesses a similar type of talent]

[Ding! Initiating talent fusion]

[Ding! "Sword Genius" and "Swordsman with Minor Achievement" are beginning to fuse]

[Please wait... Please wait...]

[Ding! Talent fusion successful]

["Sword Genius" ability upgraded]

["Sword Genius" Talent Description: Swordsmanship talent amplification is 70 times the average level of an ordinary person]

— As expected, it’s "Swordsman with Minor Achievement" again...

At the start of the finals, Aoto had estimated that Niitsuma Kan, like Morioka and Tsuzaki, who were also part of the "Three Heroes" and known as "geniuses," likely possessed the "Swordsman with Minor Achievement" talent.

Now it seems that Aoto’s guess was right.

Hearing the system voice in his mind, Aoto couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful.

Compared to these talents that enhance martial arts abilities, Aoto is currently more interested in those that can directly transform his body and instantly make him stronger.

Like the "Eagle Eye" talent that enhances dynamic vision or the "Cat Form" talent that improves body balance Aoto already possesses... what he desires now are talents that can directly modify his physical functions.

Oh well, it’s not bad that "Sword Genius" can upgrade again... Aoto dismissed this slight regret in his heart and then slowly lowered the bamboo sword in his hand, turning his head to look at the two referees beside him.

This extremely intense final match has finally reached a conclusion!

Simultaneously, the two referees extended their arms towards Aoto and shouted with all their might, in the loudest volume they could muster:

"Victor—Tachibana Aoto!"

Wow—! Wow—! Wow—!

As soon as the referees’ voices fell, waves of ecstatic cheers erupted from the audience!