Chapter 5: Aju's Wish

Upon seeing the figure of Yamamoto Kansuke, he waved and said: "Zenjiro! Quickly call the attendants to begin their training!"

Once the tea is finished, one must continue with their practice. This form of cultivation is devoid of any embellishments; it requires striking down with a sword, blow by blow. This mechanical and tedious method of training is consistent across cultures and eras, both ancient and modern. It is essentially a method for training the subconscious, or what is often referred to as the principle of mastery through repetition. With prolonged practice, the sensation of striking becomes ingrained in the mind, permeating the subconscious. When faced with an adversary, one can instinctively strike out, and you will find that the enemy has been defeated by your hand. It is fundamentally a method for training the subconscious, or what is often referred to as the principle of mastery through repetition. With prolonged practice, the sensation of striking becomes ingrained in the mind, permeating the subconscious. When faced with an adversary, one can instinctively strike out, and you will find that the enemy has been defeated by your hand

According to Kira Bansho Maru, based on his experiences, he could certainly author a book and become a cultural figure of his time. Unfortunately, Yamamoto Kansuke himself did not aspire to this and lacked the ornate language to embellish his writings. Such endeavors are typically undertaken only by those courtiers who have nothing better to do all day.

His missing eye and lame leg were injuries sustained during his study abroad when he encountered an avalanche. The disability in his fingers and the scars on his body are all remnants from battles. Unfortunately, those noble clans looked down upon the unattractive Yamamoto Kansuke and did not believe he possessed any great talent. Whether it was offering strategies or requesting to serve as a castle construction official, he was invariably rejected without exception. Yamamoto Kansuke's path to officialdom was fraught with difficulties

"Aju is not troubled! As long as Your Highness can grow up happily, Aju will be content!" Aju is the maid of the late Lady of the Central Courtyard, who is also from a noble family in the capital. However, she hails from the branch family of the Atago family of the Central Courtyard, which is why she was sent to accompany his mother when she married into the Kira family

"Yes!" Shanzirou immediately stood up and walked over, loudly calling out to the young trainees, quickly organizing the originally chaotic group into several teams. The older ones paired up to practice with each other, while the younger ones, like Kira Banshoumaru, continued to practice basic chopping techniques. In no time, the sounds of shouting and the clashing of wooden swords echoed one after another.

Ah, Aju! You are busy every day without a moment's rest, come and sit for a while!" Kira Wansongmaru tossed the cloth from his forehead into the wooden bucket, picked up the chrysanthemum tea, and gulped it down like a cow. After wiping his mouth, he said: "It's really delicious, from now on, Aju, please prepare more for me! Gathering dew and such can be left to the maidservants! Don't tire yourself out too much!"

According to Yamamoto Kansuke, during his more than ten years of travel and study of books, he has witnessed the snow of Mutsu, the fire of Sakurajima, the samurai of Kanto, and the pirates of Kansai. He has traveled extensively, meeting many people, and has also visited numerous ancient battlefields. He possesses some knowledge of astronomy, geography, culture, and customs, and has participated in over ten battles, both large and small, in the capacity of a wandering samurai

"Who has seen the master?" Kira Manshōmaru shouted, causing everyone to stop. The group of attendants exchanged glances but remained silent. Kira Manshōmaru waved his hand, instructing everyone to disperse and take a break. He then lay down on the corridor in a rather unrefined manner. A clever young attendant soon approached with a wooden bucket filled with cool well water. He picked up a cloth, dipped it in the well water, and placed it on his forehead, the refreshing sensation instantly alleviating the heat.

Oh! Is that a new face? From the vantage point of the main keep, Yamamoto Kansuke, dressed in a hemp robe, was limping as he led dozens of unfamiliar individuals into the second keep. It appeared that this group was not from the nearby noble families, and no one knew what scheme Yamamoto Kansuke was concocting.

Your Highness! If you have time, do come back to Kyoto for a visit! Aju's big, expectant eyes were fixed on him, making him feel somewhat embarrassed. He hesitantly replied to the book, "Going to Kyoto? It's too far! Besides, I don't know many people there!"

With a series of light footsteps, Aju forgot to tidy up the tea tray and dashed away like a gust of wind, leaving Jiliang Wansongmaru in a daze, somewhat understanding yet confused: "What is wrong with this girl? By the way, he is only a few years older than me, and his figure is quite impressive, even the traditional clothing cannot conceal his curves! No way! Am I also experiencing youthful infatuation?"

According to Yamamoto Kansuke, mastering the technique of slashing to a certain extent signifies that one's strength has been initially developed. Beyond further enhancement, one can then proceed to learn more advanced swordsmanship techniques and complex psychological tactics. Ultimately, this leads to the ultimate secrets of military strategy, the application of momentum, and the cultivation of sect-specific skills. In summary, practicing swordsmanship is a rather troublesome endeavor. Kira Manshomaru spent five years honing his skills before he grasped the general outline of military strategy

The mother of these two brothers is the former legitimate wife, Lady Gotō. Lady Gotō passed away due to excessive grief after her eldest son was killed in battle. The mother of Kira Manshōmaru is the second wife that Kira Yoshiyasu took after the death of his eldest son, brought from the Kōgō family in Kyoto. It is possible that she was not accustomed to the rural life in Mikawa, or perhaps she was overwhelmed by nostalgia for her hometown. In any case, this lady from the Kōgō family has been bedridden with illness since giving birth to Kira Manshōmaru in the tenth year of the Tenbun era.

"How can you say you don't know anyone! Your uncle is in Kyoto! The princess, before her passing, still longed for Kyoto. She hopes you can return to her hometown, so Aju begs you, please make sure to visit Kyoto!" Aju bowed deeply, catching Kira Banshomaru off guard. He hurriedly comforted her, saying: "Aju, please get up! You are of the same kin as my mother, and you are also my relative. If it weren't for my father's poor health, he would have certainly taken you as a concubine!"

Why is the summer in this era so hot? It makes me feel dizzy! A maid approached quietly, kneeling beside him, and placed a cup of tea next to Kira Manshomaru, softly saying: "Your Highness! Aki has prepared chrysanthemum tea to clear the heat and reduce inflammation for you. This was brewed with the morning dew that Aki collected just for you! Please drink it quickly!"

Regardless of the style of swordsmanship, one must start with the basics, using a wooden sword to chop trees or wooden posts. As the head of the Kira family and a direct disciple of Yamamoto Kansuke, Kira Banshomaru's training is significantly more demanding than that of the junior practitioners. Each swing of the weighted wooden sword causes sweat to trickle down his forehead. Looking up at the blazing sun hanging high in the sky, he vented his frustration: "Swinging the sword a thousand times every day, and still with this heavy wooden sword! This is child abuse, you know! By the way, where did that guy go?"

"Your Highness, please do not speak such strange words! The late Duke Yiyao and Your Highness the Princess lived in harmony as husband and wife, and never entertained the thought of taking in Aju. Aju is content as long as she can watch Your Highness grow up happily." Aju awkwardly shifted the topic with her flushed red cheeks, seemingly realizing that it was not quite appropriate to discuss here. She then gently leaned forward and said, "In any case, I entrust Your Highness's wishes to you! Aju will take her leave now!"

Kira Banshomaru's father is Kira Yoshiyasu, the seventh head of the Kira family. He had two older half-brothers before him. His eldest brother, Kira Yoshiyoshi, the eighth head of the family, died in battle against the Imagawa clan in the eighth year of the Tenbun era. His second brother, Kira Yoshian, was adopted by the rival branch of the family, the Tojo Kira family, as their head shortly after his birth.

After practicing for half an hour, until the sun was setting in the west, Shanzilang ran breathlessly from the connecting point of the two circles and shouted: "Master of the Hall! Lord Yamamoto has returned! He has also brought a group of unfamiliar faces!"