I Formed the Strongest Swordsman Group-Chapter 40: “Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow~~!

Divine skill!
Besides "divine skill," Aoto could think of no other term to describe his new talent.
While he couldn't fall asleep in less than a second like Nobita Nobi, it wasn't far off.
From closing his eyes to entering dreamland, it took only a few seconds at most.
He naturally woke after just about four hours of sleep, feeling extremely refreshed.
Counting both his previous life and current one, Aoto had rarely experienced this state of mental clarity where it felt like his IQ had increased by ten points.
The extremely high-quality sleep not only gave Aoto excellent mental state but also greatly restored his physical fatigue.
Clenching his palms several times forcefully, Aoto felt that even if he trained for another hour or two now, it wouldn't be a problem!
Aoto raised his hand to touch the corner of his mouth—it had practically stretched to his earlobe from excitement.
This new talent directly made his life "longer" than ordinary people's.
He gained several extra hours of disposable time each day, and the extremely high sleep quality made his daily condition excellent, making it difficult to experience listlessness again.
Since he had so much extra disposable time each day, he couldn't waste it.
Kyūbei's room was located right next to Aoto's, and Aoto could faintly hear soft snoring coming from Kyūbei's room.
To avoid waking Kyūbei, Aoto carefully tidied his bedding, put on his clothes, picked up his worn swords, and headed toward their family's garden.
Their Tachibana family's 60-tsubo vacant lot was perfectly suitable for use as a swordsmanship practice ground.
Thanks to the "Night Vision" talent that allowed him to see clearly in darkness, Aoto didn't need to worry about bumping into anything even without lighting lamps.
After reaching the center of the garden, Aoto drew his worn swords and began practicing the most basic swordsmanship movement: suburi.
After swinging his first forward strike, Aoto surprisingly discovered—"Sleep God" seemed to synergize with "Sword Prodigy"!
His excellent physical condition made his swordsmanship practice more efficient!
The corners of his mouth curling up in excited smiles again, Aoto raised his sword with even greater fighting spirit.
......
......
Early the next morning, after alternating between "practicing swordsmanship" and "physical training" continuously until dawn, Aoto ate the breakfast Kyūbei prepared, picked up the lunchbox Kyūbee had made, and set off on his commute to work.
Kyūbei had always woken up earlier than Aoto.
This morning, seeing Aoto unusually wake up earlier than him genuinely surprised Kyūbei.
The sleep quality enhancement from "Sleep God" was ridiculously powerful—Aoto had practiced swordsmanship and trained his body from 2 AM until dawn, yet still felt quite refreshed.
Following his familiar commute route into Kita Bansho, Aoto immediately sensed an atmosphere completely different from usual surrounding him.
Whether Yoriki and Dōshin from other departments or ordinary miscellaneous workers, everyone cast peculiar looks at Aoto when they saw him.
Workplace gossip exists inevitably in every era.
"That good-for-nothing Idiot Aoto has suddenly become capable," "Yesterday's Kiyayanagi Town case was solved by that Tachibana Aoto in less than an hour"... these rumors had already begun spreading rapidly throughout the Magistrate's Office since yesterday.
Regarding Aoto's sudden transformation, some people didn't care at all, but most felt extremely curious.
Within Kita Bansho, the vast majority of people passing by Aoto examined him with looks as if studying some novel species.
Since he had anticipated that his current self would inevitably attract attention, Aoto had mentally prepared himself early on. Facing these various peculiar gazes, he maintained a normal expression.
Just as Aoto was about to reach Arima's office, Butagaya and Ushiyama's voices came from behind him.
"Tachibana-kun! Tachibana-kun!"
Looking back, Butagaya ran toward him with an excited expression.
Ushiyama, walking alongside Butagaya with his typically minimal expressions, now unusually showed excited emotions too.
"Tachibana-kun! I heard about your yesterday's deeds from Arima-sama!" After approaching close to Aoto, Butagaya vigorously patted Aoto's shoulder while laughing, "I've developed immense respect for you! Never expected you to undergo such tremendous transformation!"
"If not for Arima-sama personally saying it, I wouldn't have believed you could utter such impassioned words like 'realizing the significance of my responsibilities, I decided to abandon all careless attitudes'!"
Ushiyama now joined in praising Aoto too.
Facing these two seniors' praise, Aoto could only show a humble smile containing slight embarrassment.
To reasonably explain why he was no longer foolish, Aoto had forced himself into a noble persona of "suddenly awakening and earnestly reforming."
Hearing people around him praising him using this fabricated persona... made Aoto feel somewhat ashamed and guilty.
......
......
After ing to Arima's office with Butagaya and Ushiyama, Aoto went to patrol each jishinban in his responsible jurisdiction, just like yesterday.
Compared to yesterday, today was quite peaceful.
No emergency incidents suddenly occurred like yesterday.
The morning passed in complete tranquility.
The morning sky had been overcast, but after noon, the thick dark clouds accumulated between heaven and earth finally slowly dispersed, with bundles of gentle winter sunlight shining on Aoto.
Aoto was currently walking on a narrow path, half-closing his eyes, intentionally walking slightly slower to leisurely enjoy the sunlight's gentle caress.
Winter sunlight, spring breeze, summer dew, autumn moonlight—four things one must carefully savor throughout the four seasons.
Since transmigrating until now, Aoto's days had passed hurriedly, with almost no opportunities to relax.
Who knows when another emergency incident allowing no rest might suddenly come, so Aoto quite valued this current time where he could leisurely patrol various places within his jurisdiction.
Just as Aoto was about to leave this narrow path he currently occupied, he suddenly saw a somewhat familiar graceful figure ahead.
Focusing his gaze—not far ahead, a young woman wearing bright red kimono was holding something, taking small hurried steps, moving along the same direction as Aoto toward the path's exit.
—Hmm? Isn't this... that shop assistant working at Senjiya?
Looking at the young girl ahead, after carefully thinking and recalling for a while, Aoto finally remembered why this graceful figure seemed somewhat familiar—it was the girl he met at that employment agency: Senjiya two days ago: Kinoshita Mai.
This child's extremely shy personality, afraid of strangers and speaking like chanting magic spells, left a deep impression on Aoto.
To actually encounter someone he knew...
Aoto couldn't help raising his eyebrows.
He realized that so far, he seemed to encounter acquaintances every time he patrolled.
Yesterday meeting Okita at the teahouse.
Today bumping into Kinoshita Mai on this path.
—Well... should I go greet her...?
Although he and this Kinoshita Mai had only met once, they still counted as acquaintances.
Just as Aoto considered whether to approach and greet this child, he suddenly saw Kinoshita Mai ahead stop walking.
Not understanding why, Aoto also subconsciously stopped.
What's wrong with her—this question just emerged in Aoto's mind when he saw Kinoshita Mai, who had suddenly stopped, slowly raise her small head and gaze toward the top of the earthen wall beside her.
Aoto followed Kinoshita Mai's gaze, and then a beautiful orange-yellow color entered his vision.
It turned out to be a large orange cat sitting atop the earthen wall.
The petite Kinoshita Mai stood below the wall base, looking up expressionlessly at this large orange cat.
This large orange cat also seemed to notice Kinoshita Mai's gaze, turning its head to make eye contact with her.
—So she was looking at a cat.
Aoto smiled faintly.
The day before yesterday, owner Kiryu helped him greatly—without owner Kiryu's assistance, he might still be struggling over which sword school to join.
Since owner Kiryu had helped him before, he shouldn't be too cold toward this young girl working at Senjiya either.
Aoto decided to go greet her.
Having made up his mind, Aoto lifted his right leg, preparing to walk toward Kinoshita Mai.
But just as he raised his right leg—
Kinoshita Mai: ╰(*°▽°*)╯ "Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow~~~~!"
Aoto: (°ー°〃) "………………"
Aoto remained frozen in place, maintaining his raised right leg posture.