I Formed the Strongest Swordsman Group-Chapter 9: The Shieikan Dojo of Tennen Rishin-ryu

—A relationship that's both employment and master-servant... What kind of messy arrangement is this...
Though Aoto found the relationship between Kiryu and that girl named Kinoshita Mai strange, since it was their private matter, he didn't feel it appropriate to inquire further.
"My apologies, we got sidetracked earlier. Let's return to our previous topic." Kiryu cleared his throat. "There are three reasons why I recommend the Shieikan dojo of Tennen Rishin-ryu."
"First: Tennen Rishin-ryu isn't some flashy but impractical school. It perfectly matches your requirement of 'wanting to learn practical swordsmanship.'"
Kiryu raised his first finger.
"This style was founded seventy years ago during the Kansei era by a swordsman named Kondo Umanosuke."
"Kondo Umanosuke was originally a practitioner of Katori Shinto-ryu. After mastering swordsmanship, he incorporated his own understanding into Katori Shinto-ryu and ultimately created a completely new style—Tennen Rishin-ryu."
Katori Shinto-ryu—a famous swordsmanship school in Japan with a long history spanning four hundred years. Among Japanese swordsmen, no one is unfamiliar with Katori Shinto-ryu.
"The philosophy Tennen Rishin-ryu pursues is 'one-strike kill,'" Kiryu continued his explanation. "It emphasizes defeating opponents in the shortest time possible—a style with remarkably fierce techniques."
"And Shieikan is the main dojo of Tennen Rishin-ryu. Its current headmaster is the third-generation successor: Kondo Shusuke."
"I see..." Aoto nodded seriously while listening attentively.
"Second: Although Tennen Rishin-ryu is highly practical, due to various reasons like poor fortune, it remains relatively unknown even now."
"Therefore, Shieikan remains quite small, not what you'd call a major dojo. The tuition is quite affordable—only three monme silver per month—well within your current financial means."
"As for the third reason, this is actually the main reason I'm recommending Shieikan to you."
Kiryu raised his third finger.
"At Shieikan, your wish to spar with as many skilled swordsmen as possible will be fulfilled to the greatest extent."
"Hmm?" Aoto frowned slightly. "Mr. Kiryu, didn't you just say Shieikan is a small dojo? Wouldn't that mean it has few students?"
Kiryu nodded lightly.
"Indeed, Shieikan does have few students."
"But by joining Shieikan, you'll have ample opportunities to spar with practitioners from both the Genbukan and Kobushis Chiba dojos."
"Genbukan and Kobushis Chiba?" Aoto's eyes widened in astonishment.
Even the "original Tachibana Aoto," who had no interest in swordsmanship or dojos, had heard of these two famous schools.
In current Edo, there are three renowned sword dojos collectively known as the "Three Great Dojos of Edo"—their reputation resounds throughout Japan:
The Renpeikan dojo teaching Shinto Munen-ryu.
The Shigakukan dojo teaching Kyo Shin Akechi-ryu.
The Genbukan dojo teaching Hokushin Itto-ryu.
These three dojos teach what are undoubtedly Japan's most popular and famous swordsmanship styles today. These schools are like the martial sects in Chinese wuxia novels—each with distinct characteristics.
In modern Japanese swordsmanship circles, Renpeikan, Shigakukan, and Genbukan hold status comparable to Shaolin, Wudang, and Emei sects in the martial world.
Hokushin Itto-ryu is a relatively young style founded just over thirty years ago by the swordsman Chiba Shusaku. After creating Hokushin Itto-ryu, Chiba Shusaku established the Genbukan dojo in Edo to teach his new style.
The Chiba family possesses exceptional swordsmanship genes. Chiba Shusaku's younger brother, Chiba Sadakichi, was also a highly talented swordsman who quickly mastered Hokushin Itto-ryu under his brother's guidance.
After Chiba Shusaku established Genbukan in Edo, Chiba Sadakichi also opened a dojo teaching Hokushin Itto-ryu. To distinguish it from his brother's Genbukan, Chiba Sadakichi's dojo became known as "Kobushis Chiba."
Due to various fortunate circumstances, Hokushin Itto-ryu has produced many capable practitioners. Within just thirty years, Hokushin Itto-ryu dojos have spread throughout Japan, now implicitly regarded as "Japan's premier swordsmanship style."
All Hokushin Itto-ryu dojos in Japan undoubtedly revere Genbukan and Kobushis Chiba as their leaders—one founded by the style's creator, the other by his brother. These two hold transcendent status in Japanese swordsmanship circles.
Consequently, gaining admission to these dojos is extremely difficult. Beyond tuition, they have strict requirements for applicants' skill—not just anyone can enter Genbukan or Kobushis Chiba to study swordsmanship.
The idea of being able to spar with practitioners from these elite dojos while at Shieikan... Kiryu's statement was akin to saying: "At some third-rate college, you can engage in academic exchanges with students from Tsinghua and Peking University..."
Kiryu had anticipated Aoto's reaction. Smiling slightly, he continued:
"This story begins seventy years ago during the Kansei era."
"Seventy years ago, Tennen Rishin-ryu's founder Kondo Umanosuke was close friends with Chiba Shusaku's father—Chiba Koeimon."
"They once worked together in Edo."
"This friendship between their families has continued to this day."
"When Chiba Koeimon's son—Chiba Shusaku—founded Hokushin Itto-ryu and Genbukan over thirty years ago, Tennen Rishin-ryu's third-generation successor Kondo Shusuke almost simultaneously established Shieikan in Edo."
"This seventy-year friendship between their families has made Shieikan exceptionally close with both Genbukan and Kobushis Chiba. Practitioners from all three dojos frequently gather for swordsmanship exchanges."
"In other words—if you join Shieikan, you'll have opportunities to spar with practitioners from Shieikan, Genbukan, and Kobushis Chiba."
"Seriously?" Aoto couldn't help but exclaim softly.
Kiryu smiled and nodded: "Every word I've said is absolutely true."
"You even know that Tennen Rishin-ryu's founder and Hokushin Itto-ryu founder's father once worked together in Edo..."
"Well, this is my livelihood. If I didn't know more than the average person, this job-placement and dojo-introduction business wouldn't survive."
Aoto pressed his lips together, thinking rapidly.
From the "original Tachibana Aoto's" memories, both Genbukan and Kobushis Chiba were major dojos with hundreds of students—the largest in Edo.
If Kiryu's words were completely true... then Shieikan was indeed the perfect place for the current Aoto who desperately wanted to spar with as many people as possible to maximize his system's effectiveness—bar none.
Kiryu, who had been closely observing Aoto's expression, reached into a drawer below and pulled out a sheet of paper.
"It seems you've become quite interested in Shieikan."
With that, Kiryu picked up a brush resting at the counter's corner, dipped it in ink, and wrote a flowing line of characters on the paper.
"This is Shieikan's address."
"If you're interested, you can visit the dojo now to see it for yourself."
Aoto respectfully accepted the paper with both hands.
After glancing at the writing, Aoto couldn't help but praise:
"Wow, your handwriting is beautiful."
"Thank you for the compliment," Kiryu replied modestly. "I once studied calligraphy in Echizen region. Just a trivial skill."
"With this level, you could teach brush writing..."
"You flatter me." After another humble smile, Kiryu picked up the brush again. "Since you're a new customer, as a welcome gift for your first visit, I'll give you something else."
"I have quite a connection with Shieikan."
"If you decide to join, you can show this to Shieikan's people and say you were referred by Kiryu Kazuma."
"This way, they'll likely provide some conveniences when admitting you."
With that, Kiryu handed Aoto a slip of paper bearing the four characters "Kiryu Kazuma."
Aoto solemnly accepted the paper, carefully folding it together with Shieikan's address before tucking both into his kimono. He then bowed respectfully to Kiryu.
"Thank you for the recommendation!"
"You're welcome," Kiryu returned the bow.
"How much is the referral fee?" Aoto, now thoroughly interested in Shieikan, asked directly.
"Thirty mon," Kiryu stated without hesitation.
"Here." Aoto promptly counted out thirty copper coins from his purse before standing and bowing again. "Truly, thank you for the recommendation—you've been a tremendous help!"
"You're welcome," Kiryu smiled faintly. "Feel free to return if you have other questions."
Having obtained what he needed, Aoto excitedly prepared to leave the agency when—
Creak, creak...
From the inner rooms came the sound of footsteps on wooden flooring.
Aoto looked—it was that girl named Kinoshita Mai.
No longer appearing as if she'd just woken up with disheveled clothes, the girl who called herself Kinoshita Mai was now neatly dressed in a predominantly red kimono with pure white tabi socks. She carried a tray holding a steaming cup of tea.
With her head bowed low, she approached Aoto with small, quick steps.
Besides her footsteps, Aoto heard a "clatter"—the sound of the teacup rattling against the tray as Kinoshita Mai's hands trembled slightly.
"U-um... p-please... have some tea..." Kinoshita Mai timidly extended the tray toward Aoto.
Her voice was so faint Aoto almost didn't catch her words again.
Though her lowered head obscured her face, Aoto could vaguely see the girl's cheeks flushed with embarrassment and nervousness throughout.
—This girl is really shy... She's so nervous serving tea she can barely hold the tray steady.
Thinking this silently, Aoto smiled as warmly as possible at Kinoshita Mai.
"Ah, thank you for the tea."
Aoto took the cup and drank it in one gulp before carefully returning it to the tray.
"Thanks for the hospitality! Boss, I'll take my leave now. I'll definitely return when possible!"
"Mm." Kiryu bowed in farewell. "Take care."
After saying goodbye, Aoto strode out of Senjiya.
Watching Aoto depart, Kiryu turned to Kinoshita Mai with a smile.
"Young Master, you've improved—now daring to serve tea to guests."
"Hehe..." Kinoshita Mai giggled foolishly, clearly delighted by Kiryu's praise.
"But there's still much to work on." Kiryu's smile suddenly vanished. "When serving tea, don't thrust the tray toward people's faces—that's very rude."
"Y-yes! I'll be more careful in the future!"
*******
*******
New book launch! Seeking monthly votes! Recommendation votes! Bookmarks!
While others update 4000 characters daily before publication, I'm doing 6-7000—very conscientious! So given this author's diligence, please vote more for this book! QAQ