My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 408: Chapter 150: Shiwei Hall Begins to Thrive!

"Sorry, I don’t recognize any... Hmm?"

Aoto’s words suddenly stopped abruptly at this moment.

Because right at that moment, Aoto suddenly recalled—besides Katsu Rintarō, he knew other renowned figures.

Quite a few, in fact, a total of three.

Although these three couldn’t compare to someone as famous as Katsu Rintarō, they did have some reputation in Edo.

Moreover, what’s more important is—according to Aoto’s judgment, these three might be willing to become apprentices or guests at Shiwei Hall!

"...I really do know some people with some fame in Edo... I know a total of three." Aoto raised his gaze, looked at Chokata, Kondo, and the others who were showing surprised expressions, and continued softly.

"Mr. Kondo, if you’re interested... I can bring them over tomorrow."

...

...

The next day—

To participate in the Marquis of Aizu’s Swordsmanship Competition, Aoto had asked for a two-day leave, for the day before yesterday and yesterday, from Hosoi.

Now that the Swordsmanship Competition has concluded successfully, Aoto naturally returned to the busy life of an office worker handling various official duties.

The Arson and Theft Magistrate truly lives up to its reputation as a special armed force responsible for handling major cases and vicious criminals.

After being brought in by the Shogunate to assist the Magistrate’s Office in dealing with Edo’s "Radical Anti-foreigner Faction," the burden on Aoto and the others was greatly reduced.

With the assistance of the Arson and Theft Magistrate, the Magistrate’s Office recently achieved significant success in cracking down on the "Radical Anti-foreigner Faction." Many thugs who committed violent acts under the guise of "Anti-foreigner" were brought to justice, effectively quelling the arrogance of the "Radical Anti-foreigner Faction."

Unfortunately, however... the Anti-foreigner Group, which was listed as a key target by the Shogunate, remains at large to this day.

The extreme lack of intelligence has left the Magistrate’s Office and the Arson and Theft Magistrate unable to locate the hideout or the whereabouts of key members of the Anti-foreigner Group.

Without knowing their location, any cleanup actions are naturally impossible to initiate.

Because of the assistance from the Arson and Theft Magistrate, Aoto and his team recently no longer had to be as exceedingly busy as they were right after the "Sakurada Gate Incident," when they were overwhelmed and couldn’t maintain a regular schedule. They have gradually returned to normal working rhythms and can go to and from work on time, as before.

For example, today, as the sky was tinted with the unique orange glow of dusk, Aoto finished all his tasks for the day and left work sharply and sprightly.

In the past, when Aoto commuted, he was always accompanied only by his bodyguard, Saito.

However, today was slightly different—this time when he left the North Guard Station, besides Saito, there were three additional figures with him!

Aoto led them, and the group swaggered back to Shiwei Hall.

"Oh, Mr. Tachibana, you normally reside here, huh." Harada, shouldering his beloved spear, looked at the gate of Shiwei Hall with great interest.

"The gate is very clean... this Sword Dojo is well maintained daily." Nagakura observed the gate seriously and mumbled earnestly.

"Ah..." Fujimura let out a low gasp, then raised his hand to scratch his head with a guilty face, "I almost forgot, coming empty-handed like this... Is it not appropriate?"

"It’s fine, it’s fine." Aoto waved his hand at Fujimura, "Mr. Kondo and the others won’t mind such trivial matters. Alright, let’s go in quickly."

Aoto led Saito and his three subordinates into Shiwei Hall.

Just as they passed through the gate of Shiwei Hall, Aoto shouted skillfully into the hall, "We’re back!"

No sooner had Aoto’s "We’re back" landed than a series of "pat, pat" footsteps approached rapidly.

Following that, Aoto spotted Chokata, holding a bamboo sword, drenched in sweat, who must have been practicing swordsmanship earlier.

"Mr. Tachibana, Mr. Saito, you’re back!" Chokata gave Aoto and Saito his trademark bright smile and then turned his gaze to Nagakura Shinpachi, Harada Sazō, and Fujimura Heisuke, who stood behind Aoto.

"Mr. Tachibana." With an expectant tone in his voice, Chokata hesitantly asked Aoto, "These three are Mr. Nagakura, Mr. Harada, and Mr. Fujimura, right?"

Aoto nodded with a smile, "Yes, indeed. According to our agreement last night, I’ve brought them along with Nagakura today."

...

...

More than half a month ago, during the "Foreign Language Research Institute Battle," not only did Aoto’s fame increase significantly, but also Nagakura and the others, who ventured into the institute with Aoto, gained notoriety.

Whether in government offices or among common people, many now know that the ’Little Tengu of the North Guard Station’ Tachibana Aoto has recently recruited three extremely capable undercover informants!

Aoto has earned the title of the "North Guard Station’s Strongest Martial Combat Faction," thanks to the support of Nagakura and the others.

Some enthusiasts even exaggeratedly claimed that the combat strength of Aoto’s small team might exceed the combined strength of the other "Three Times" squads from the South and North Guard Stations!

Although in terms of fame, Nagakura and the other two are still far from being recognized as "renowned figures."

However, due to the "Foreign Language Research Institute Battle," they do have a certain reputation in Edo.

Therefore, Aoto made an agreement last night with Kondo and the others—that today, he would bring over his three subordinates!

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