My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 444: Chapter 159: Chiba Eijiro Comes for Aoto

Under the half-joking prodding of Chiba Eijiro, Nagakura and Harada slowly straightened their waists, which had bent in a bow to Chiba Eijiro.

After helping Chiba Eijiro with introductions to Nagakura and Harada, Zhouzhu cheerfully raised his hand, rubbing his smooth chin.

"Eisuke, thinking about it again... it’s indeed been a long time since you last visited us."

"Did you come alone today?"

"Yes, I did." Chiba Eijiro smiled faintly, "My visit this time was an impromptu decision to ’avoid guests’, so I did not bring any family or followers."

"’Avoid guests’?" Zhouzhu’s white eyebrows lifted slightly.

There was a hint of bitterness in the smile on Chiba Eijiro’s face: "Ever since I returned to Edo, guests looking to pay their respects to me, as well as martial artists looking to challenge me, have nearly worn down the doors of Xuanwu Hall."

"If it were on an ordinary day, I could let it slide."

"But today is the annual Dragon Boat Festival, and I don’t want to be disturbed by visitors during the festivities."

"Therefore, after greeting my family this morning, I went out alone, planning to return to Xuanwu Hall after dark."

"My intention was to find a place where I wouldn’t be disturbed for some peace and quiet."

"Then I suddenly thought: I haven’t visited your esteemed establishment in quite some time as well."

Chiba Eijiro smiled and spread his hands.

"So—I came here."

"I hope you’ll forgive my unannounced visit."

Chiba Eijiro maintained a very relaxed demeanor throughout.

He neither held his body tensely nor uttered overly formal pleasantries, simply and directly explaining the reason for his sudden visit to Shiwei Hall.

"Ho ho ho, I see." As soon as Chiba Eijiro’s voice faded, Zhouzhu nodded with a cheerful smile.

—Avoiding those visitors, huh...

Aoto thought to himself as he showed an expression of "Ah, I can relate."

Chiba Eijiro hails from the Chiba family, the preeminent family in the martial arts world, and is himself a renowned martial artist with titles such as "Skill of Chiba" and "Strongest Swordsman of Edo."

With such family background and strength, it’s no wonder countless people seek to befriend or challenge him.

Aoto could thoroughly empathize with the feeling of being troubled by visitors — for he had also recently encountered many who wanted to visit him.

After Aoto won the Swordsmanship Competition under the Marquis of Aizu, his already prominent reputation in Edo once again soared.

Many people came to Shiwei Hall or even the North Guard Station, wanting to see for themselves this young man who has popped up in the public eye intermittently over the past few months.

Some genuinely came just to see what Aoto looked like.

But more of them actually wanted to curry favor with Aoto.

Although the number of people visiting Aoto wasn’t excessively large, it was enough to cause him considerable annoyance, as they had already started affecting his daily life.

While Aoto was sympathetic to Chiba Eijiro’s words, Zhouzhu continued to speak cheerfully to Chiba Eijiro:

"Eisuke, you came at the perfect time. Every Dragon Boat Festival, we at Shiwei Hall make rice dumplings, and my wife’s dumplings are exceptional. You must give them a try later."

Chiba Eijiro laughed heartily a few times: "In that case, I must have a good taste later!"

With that, Chiba Eijiro suddenly paused.

After a moment of quiet, he said softly:

"Apart from avoiding those bothersome people and taking the opportunity to visit your esteemed establishment, there is actually another reason for my sudden visit today."

"I came for Mr. Tachibana."

After speaking, Chiba Eijiro glanced sideways, giving Aoto a meaningful look.