My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 451: Chapter 161: Fierce Battle with Chiba Eijiro! Copy Talent [Gathering Spirit]

From the start of the duel until now, nearly twenty minutes have passed.

Wearing full armor and engaging in high-intensity sword fighting for twenty minutes... Such intense activity is enough to impose a tremendous burden on the body.

Aoto’s breathing had already become so rapid that he needed to open his mouth wide to intake enough air to barely meet his body’s current oxygen demand.

Watching Aoto whose shoulders and chest were heaving violently due to exhaustion, yet who still stared at him with fiery eyes, Chiba Eijiro remained composed.

"Even though you are utterly defenseless against my attacks, you seem surprisingly undismayed," he said.

It was rare for Chiba Eijiro to feel a trace of curiosity towards someone who, despite being beaten so severely, still maintained such high fighting spirit.

Feeling dejected... When Aoto heard this word from Chiba Eijiro, a faint smile of indifference surfaced on his face.

"Realizing firsthand how much I still lack... Why should one feel dejected over this?"

When Aoto said this, Chiba Eijiro showed an expression as if he wanted to laugh heartily.

"Well said."

In Chiba Eijiro’s eyes, there was undisguised appreciation and praise.

He took a deep breath, then slowly spread his feet, adopting the middle rank stance, his sword’s tip pointing at Aoto’s chest, quivering lightly like a wagtail.

What followed was a surprising scene on Chiba Eijiro. He slightly lowered his eyelids, and under the shadow of his eyelids and mask, Chiba Eijiro’s eyes emitted a dazzling light.

In the next instant, an overwhelming momentum surged from Chiba Eijiro’s body, pressing forward at Aoto like a torrential flood!

Chokata and his group, standing at the edge of the arena observing, all sensed the change in Chiba Eijiro’s momentum, and their expressions became solemn.

Aoto, who bore the brunt of Chiba Eijiro’s emitted momentum, held his breath, tightened his grip on the bamboo sword in his hand, and composed his expression.

—"Momentum"...

Chiba Eijiro released his "momentum."

In both "quantity" and "quality," Chiba Eijiro’s "momentum" was far stronger than Zhouzhu’s "momentum" that Aoto had previously felt!

If Zhouzhu’s "momentum" was like a fierce tiger, then Chiba Eijiro’s "momentum" was akin to a dragon in the sky, lowering its head to overlook the creatures below.

As Chiba Eijiro’s "momentum" pressed in, Aoto felt his heart skip a beat.

This immense intimidation... made Aoto feel as if he wasn’t dueling a person, but battling an entire army.

Zhouzhu had previously mentioned to Aoto—when fighting against a master who can control the release of "momentum," if the opponent releases their "momentum," it only means one thing.

They’re about to show their true prowess!

"I’m coming," Chiba Eijiro’s body and voice lunged at Aoto simultaneously.

Whoosh!

The air shuddered.

Aoto saw Chiba Eijiro’s attack coming from above, yet he could only watch as his sword rapidly approached his body.

This move from Chiba Eijiro... Whether in speed or strength, far surpassed any of his previous attacks!

Earlier, Aoto’s body could barely keep up with Chiba Eijiro’s speed; now, the situation had completely changed.

Bang!

Chiba Eijiro’s sword struck heavily on Aoto’s chest, adding another tally to Aoto’s record of "battle deaths."

Aoto retreated half a step, swung his sword in counterattack, but Chiba Eijiro easily dodged.

At this moment, Aoto found himself in an extremely awkward predicament.

Despite having sharp dynamic vision due to "Eagle Eye," his eyes could barely keep up with Chiba Eijiro’s movements, but his body couldn’t react at all.

He could only watch helplessly as Chiba Eijiro’s bamboo sword landed on him without any means to counter... This was the predicament Aoto was deeply mired in.

After Chiba Eijiro had released his "momentum" and started fighting for real, in the blink of an eye, Aoto’s body had been hit dozens of times, and this number was still rising.

—He must think of a way to counteract this...!

Unwilling to keep being passively beaten like this, Aoto took a deep breath and focused on devising any means to contend against Chiba Eijiro at present.

Just then, a thought flashed through Aoto’s mind like lightning.

This thought... was a bold strategy Aoto had never attempted before.

—Should I give it a try...?

Aoto asked himself in his mind.

Bang!

At that moment, Chiba Eijiro’s sword once again slashed against his body.

Seeing the spot where he was just hit by Chiba Eijiro again, Aoto pressed his lips firmly, as if he had finally made up his mind, the look in his eyes focused, then he slowly closed his eyes.

Everyone present, whether it was Chiba Eijiro or Chokata and others standing at the edge of the dojo watching, immediately noticed Aoto’s strange action.

What is he going to do—everyone’s minds conjured this same question.

Chiba Eijiro looked thoughtfully at the suddenly closed-eyed Aoto for a few moments, maintaining his offensive momentum towards Aoto.

Every time Chiba Eijiro’s bamboo sword swung down, Aoto tried to evade or raise his sword to defend. But his movements were always a few beats too slow, only beginning to shift his steps or lift his bamboo sword as Chiba Eijiro’s weapon struck him.

No surprise there, given that Aoto had his eyes closed. Without sight, how could he possibly keep up with Chiba Eijiro’s sword?