I Formed the Strongest Swordsman Group-Chapter 12: Souji Okita and the Copy Talent: [Prodigy of the Sword]

Long eyelashes, large and bright eyes, delicate nose and mouth, rosy and petite lips—any single feature was flawless, and combined together, they appeared even more perfect.
His delicate, fair skin made his jet-black hair stand out even more vividly.
He did not wear the hideous tsukeyashi hairstyle. Instead, his smooth black hair was tied at the back of his head into a high ponytail that hung down to his neck, secured with a purple satin ribbon, with some natural bangs draping over his forehead.
He looked quite young. Judging by Aoto’s estimation, this beautiful youth was probably only around sixteen or seventeen years old.
His figure was slender and slightly short; his height appeared to be about 1.55 meters.
Aoto found it difficult to find precise words to describe the appearance of the beautiful youth before him.
To put it crudely and simply... this youth’s beauty belonged to the kind that would make even the most unromantic men think, “Even if he’s a guy, it doesn’t matter.”
If it weren’t for his male clothing, Aoto felt he would definitely mistake him for a cute girl.
Aoto thought that if this beautiful youth wore women’s clothes, countless men would willingly become his devoted followers.
Of course—the thing that shocked Aoto was not just his beauty.
At this moment, the beautiful youth was holding a bamboo sword, focused intently on the empty air in front of him, practicing one sword move after another.
Aoto did not understand swordsmanship.
The “original Tachibana Aoto,” who was uninterested in sword techniques, had very few memories related to swordsmanship.
However, although Aoto did not understand swordsmanship, he was proficient in grappling, free fighting, and other hand-to-hand combat arts, as well as police baton techniques he had learned at the police academy.
These skills, like swordsmanship, were martial arts aimed at “subduing and knocking down the opponent,” sharing many commonalities in footwork and stance.
Therefore—thanks to his expertise in hand-to-hand combat and baton techniques, Aoto could tell that the series of sword strikes the beautiful youth was executing was not some flashy, purely aesthetic or leisurely “retirement sword style.”
There were almost no redundant movements; every action of his hands and feet was concise and efficient.
The beautiful youth’s exquisite sword techniques made Aoto involuntarily become somewhat fascinated.
But before he could watch more closely, he saw the youth stop swinging his sword after noticing Aoto and Kondō standing at the entrance of the dojo, tilting his small head to cast a curious and puzzled glance at Aoto, who was standing beside Kondō.
Kondō, who had been standing quietly outside the dojo entrance to avoid disturbing him, quickly led Aoto inside the dojo.
“Souji, come here. I’ll introduce you.”
Souji carried his bamboo sword and quick-stepped over with a “tap tap” sound to stand before Kondō and Aoto.
“This is Tachibana Aoto, who intends to become an apprentice and learn swordsmanship at our Shieikan! For some reason, I have decided to make an exception and allow him to join directly today. When the master returns later, he will perform the formal apprenticeship ceremony!”
After briefly explaining Aoto’s situation to the beautiful youth, the youth’s expression showed understanding. He immediately straightened up and respectfully bowed to Aoto.
“Nice to meet you! I am Okita Souji! An apprentice of this Shieikan. Welcome to Shieikan!”
Not only was his face beautiful, but his voice was also very pleasant—somewhat androgynous, neither rough nor overly delicate.
“Nice to meet you.” Aoto returned the greeting. “I am Tachibana Aoto.”
—Okita Souji...
Aoto silently mulled over the name.
He vaguely felt the name sounded familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.
But after thinking hard and failing to recall when, he simply stopped pondering further.
—Such slender arms, yet able to swing a bamboo sword so steadily.
Aoto couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at Okita’s slender wrists.
Due to his limited swordsmanship knowledge, Aoto couldn’t accurately judge Okita’s level based on the sword moves practiced just now.
But he could roughly estimate: this beautiful youth’s swordsmanship level would not be low.
Because he was able to swing the long bamboo sword with stability, precision, and power.
Swinging a bamboo sword with stability, precision, and power—sounds easy but is very difficult in practice.
It was hard to imagine someone with such a slender frame swinging the bamboo sword so steadily and powerfully.
—This guy is really impressive...
Aoto silently added this admiration in his heart.
...
...
The Shieikan’s tuition was exactly as Kiryu had said—3 monme silver per month.
Since Aoto had already mentally prepared for the expense, he paid the money very readily.
Then Kondō brought over a large book that he said recorded the apprentices’ information and asked Aoto to fill it out.
The information to fill out was minimal, only basic details such as name, age, and address.
Aoto leaned on the dojo floor and quickly filled out his information in the book.
After closing the book and tucking it under his arm, Kondō laughed heartily:
“Tachibana-kun! Once the master returns and you perform the apprenticeship ceremony, you will officially become a disciple of our Shieikan!”
“It's still early, not yet 4 chō (10 a.m.). How about starting your Tennen Rishin-ryu training today?”
“Of course!” Aoto said.
—I came here precisely to learn swordsmanship quickly and fight people.
He added this thought silently.
“Good!” Kondō slapped his thigh. “I like your fighting spirit!”
“Wait a moment. I’ll get you a new set of protective gear.”
After saying this, Kondō hurried out of the dojo, carrying the “apprentice information book.”
After Kondō left, only Aoto and Okita remained inside the dojo.
Okita had quietly sat beside Kondō without speaking since earlier.
It was only after Kondō left that Okita spoke his second sentence since meeting Aoto, besides the self-introduction:
“Welcome to Shieikan!”
Okita smiled brightly at Aoto.
Most people’s smiles were often unattractive due to wrinkles or crooked teeth.
But a very small number of people had truly beautiful smiles with unique charm.
Okita Souji was exactly one of those people.
His smiling face reminded Aoto of warm spring sunlight.
“Our Shieikan finally has a newcomer.”
Okita, who had been sitting politely kneeling on the floor, now casually switched to sitting cross-legged.
“I almost forgot when was the last time we had a new member join our ‘Taro Dojo.’”
“‘Taro Dojo’?” Aoto asked in confusion.
“Hmm? You don’t know our Shieikan’s nickname?”
Okita raised his handsome eyebrows, then said in a self-mocking tone:
“That all starts with the style we teach—Tennen Rishin-ryu.”
“Our Tennen Rishin-ryu is widely spread in the Tama area north of Edo, and many of our disciples are farmers from Tama.”
[Note: In the Edo Period, commoners could learn swordsmanship at sword schools, but they were not allowed to bear swords.]
“So, many bored folks mockingly called our Tennen Rishin-ryu the ‘farmer’s sword style’ and ridiculed this Shieikan as the ‘Taro Dojo’ that teaches ‘farmer’s sword style.’”
In the Edo Period, the term “taro” was often used to mock someone as poor or unsophisticated.
For example, a common insult for samurai was “taro samurai,” used to deride a samurai as poor or uncultured.
And “Taro Dojo” meant a poor, uncultured dojo.
—So the dojo actually has this kind of nickname... Kiryu never mentioned this to me...
Aoto thought silently, then smiled:
“I just saw the series of sword techniques you practiced just now. Are those all moves from Tennen Rishin-ryu?”
“Oh? You saw my training just now? That’s right! Those sword techniques I practiced are all moves of Tennen Rishin-ryu!”
“In that case, those who mock your Tennen Rishin-ryu as ‘farmer’s sword style’ are either parroting rumors or simply lack insight.”
Aoto said confidently.
“If a style with so many powerful sword techniques is called ‘farmer’s sword style,’ then there wouldn’t be many styles in this world that aren’t ‘farmer’s sword style.’”
“Oh!” Okita’s eyes lit up, and he smiled happily.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard someone praise our Tennen Rishin-ryu!”
“You’re right! If our Tennen Rishin-ryu is ‘farmer’s sword style,’ then there are hardly any styles left that aren’t!”
Okita paused for a moment after saying this.
“To be able to see the value of our Tennen Rishin-ryu, did you learn swordsmanship before?”
“I only know a bit about swordsmanship,” Aoto honestly shook his head. “I’m only good at hand-to-hand combat and the jutte techniques... ah, no, juttejutsu. So I can vaguely see your style’s excellence.”
“Hand-to-hand combat and juttejutsu?” Okita was momentarily stunned, then quickly sized Aoto up from head to toe, finally focusing on the inrō hanging at Aoto’s right waist.
“So you’re a magistrate’s officer!”
—You just realized that...
Smiling to himself, Aoto said:
“Yes, I’m a dōshin of the North Edo Teimachi squad.”
“Oh! Teimachi squad? One of the ‘Three Squads’?” Okita’s eyes brightened again. “No wonder you’re skilled in hand-to-hand combat and juttejutsu.”
After saying that, Okita’s eyes glowed with excitement as he cautiously, yet with some expectation, said:
“Um... could I take a look at your inrō?”
“Hm? Of course.”
Although he didn’t understand why Okita was interested in his inrō, Aoto quickly unfastened the exquisite inrō hanging from his right waist—a piece only magistrate officers like him possessed—and handed it to Okita.
Okita carefully held Aoto’s inrō as if it were something fragile, flipping it over and examining it intently.
“Are you very interested in the magistrate’s inrō?” Aoto asked curiously.
“No, I’m interested in the ‘Three Squads’ of the magistrate.” After carefully inspecting the inrō, Okita reluctantly returned it to Aoto.
“Since I was a child, I have admired the ‘Three Squads’ samurai of the magistrate.”
“I think they’re amazing, always running around tirelessly to maintain the city’s security.”
“If I have the chance in the future, I want to join the ‘Three Squads’ too! To run around protecting the people and execute those vile criminals!”
Saying this, Okita’s face was filled with determination as he raised his hand and pounded his flat chest with force.
“Running around protecting the people... that’s very tiring.” Aoto responded half-jokingly.
“If I can execute criminals and protect the people, then even if it’s tough and exhausting, I think it’s worth it.”
After saying this, Okita smiled brightly at Aoto again.
Okita seemed especially interested in Aoto’s “police” identity and immediately asked further:
“I’ve always been very interested in the ‘rope capture technique’ used in the ‘Three Squads’!”
While speaking, Okita moved his arms in a strange motion as if performing a ritual.
“I was once fortunate enough to see a ‘Three Squads’ samurai catch a thief on the street using the rope capture technique.”
“When the thief threw a punch, the samurai raised his hand and caught the thief’s fist, then quickly twisted the thief’s hands behind his back and tied them tightly with the rope.”
“It was incredible how quickly the samurai could bind the thief’s hands.”
The rope capture technique was a skill passed down for generations among the magistrate’s “Three Squads” samurai in the Edo Period, allowing them to quickly tie up criminals using a rope.
It was one of the essential skills for the “Three Squads” samurai responsible for maintaining law and order.
The “original Tachibana Aoto” had decent proficiency in the rope capture technique, so after inheriting his memories, Aoto gained another hand-to-hand combat skill.
“I’ve always wanted to ask you—how do you instantly bind someone who was just throwing punches at you moments ago?”
After asking, Okita blinked curiously.
“Ah, this... how should I say...” Aoto scratched his chin. “It’s hard to explain just with words.”
“How about this—I’ll let you throw punches at me, and I’ll demonstrate how we quickly bind an attacker in one go.”
Aoto stood up and pulled out a sleeve tie from his pocket.
[Note: Sleeve ties were used in Edo Period Japan to bind up the wide sleeves of kimono before doing work, making them a common item to carry when going out.]
Seeing Aoto offer a demonstration, the expectation in Okita’s eyes grew stronger.
“Should I just throw punches straight at you?” Okita straightened up.
“Yes, just punch me directly.” Aoto added in a half-joking tone, “But don’t hit too hard. My rope capture technique isn’t very advanced, so if you hit too hard, I might not be able to handle it.”
“Then... I’ll try to pretend to be a frail old lady!” Okita chuckled.
“No need to act that weak. Alright, you can start.”
“Okay! Here I come!”
Okita took a deep breath and lightly punched Aoto’s chest with his right fist.
Aoto did not immediately counterattack but stepped aside to dodge Okita’s attack.
He was waiting.
Waiting for the perfect opportunity to bind Okita in one swift motion.
When the first punch missed, Okita quickly retracted his fist and threw another punch, but Aoto dodged again.
Judging by Okita’s movements, it was obvious he was playing around—his punches were not thrown with full strength.
But perhaps due to his sword training, Okita’s stance and attack angles were very skillful, making it difficult for Aoto to find the best moment to counterattack.
Only when Okita threw the fifth punch did Aoto finally find the perfect chance—
Just as Okita’s small fist was about to hit Aoto’s chest, Aoto nimbly dodged to the side following the rope capture technique remembered from “original Tachibana Kiyotaka.”
Then he pulled Okita’s right fist and left hand behind Okita’s back, swiftly tying both hands firmly with the sleeve tie.
“How is it? Feels like being arrested by a ‘Three Squads’ samurai?” Aoto intended to tease Okita with these words.
But just as he opened his mouth, system notifications rang in his mind like thunder, causing Aoto to freeze on the spot.
[Ding! Talent detected]
[Successfully copied talent: “Sword Genius”]
[Talent description: Swordsmanship talent amplified to 50 times the average person’s level]
*******
*******
New book launch! Please support with monthly votes! Please recommend and bookmark! QAQ