Chapter 781: How Dare You! Show Respect to Lord Niō!

This brief battle has finally quieted down.

Shimizu Gosaku and the others, stunned by Aoto’s skills, did not foolishly charge forward but held their ground about seven steps away, facing off with Aoto.

Meanwhile, Chang Ci and others, who had been staring at Aoto with shock since earlier, slowly shifted their gaze to Ozuki Minoru.

Is this really Tachibana Aoto?

You call this “Blockhead Don”?

Didn’t you say he was a talentless hack, good for nothing?

…

Their eyes fiercely communicated such sentiments.

Faced with Chang Ci and others’ questioning glances, Ozuki Minoru was completely oblivious.

“He actually won…?” Ozuki Minoru murmured to herself, looking like she’s seen a ghost.

At this moment, she was wholly immersed in an intense “brainstorm.”

Why? What’s happening?—Those words flashed repeatedly in Ozuki Minoru’s mind.

She could not associate the “Blockhead Don” in her mind with the powerful Aoto before her, who defeated five opponents single-handedly.

When did the “Blockhead Don,” who used to circle around her like a puppy, become so formidable?

Aoto’s sudden appearance and actions provided a spectacle for the onlookers.

Some onlookers, caught up in the excitement, gazed at Shimizu Gosaku and his group with expressions akin to spectators enjoying the drama.

Shimizu Gosaku and his group were now in a tight spot.

Fight Aoto again? They’re no match for him.

Just leave? That would be humiliating.

Shimizu Gosaku’s henchmen were all brawny fools who relied on brute force to solve problems, lacking wisdom.

Thus, unsure of what to do, they could only look to Shimizu Gosaku for help.

But when they looked at Shimizu Gosaku, who was surrounded by them, they were horrified to find that he seemed… very strange.

“Hoo…! Hoo…! Hoo…!!”

With his hands on his face, Shimizu Gosaku’s breaths grew heavier.

Even Aoto noticed Shimizu Gosaku’s odd behavior.

—Has he drunk too much? Or is he having a seizure?

While Aoto was perplexed, Shimizu Gosaku abruptly let out a roar akin to a beast.

“Get away! Get away!”

Spreading his large hands, Shimizu Gosaku looked like he wanted to push away his henchmen and continue fighting Aoto.

The henchmen were all scared out of their wits.

Aoto has drawn his sword… During this era, a samurai drawing a true blade was a serious signal.

This meant the warrior would not hesitate to kill…

Afraid Shimizu Gosaku would recklessly rush forward and get killed by Aoto’s sword, the henchmen quickly held him back.

“Let go! Let go of me! Boy! Tell me your name!”

Shimizu Gosaku shouted, waving his arms dramatically, head shaking, his bloodshot eyes sparking with the violent glare of a ravenous predator.

Unrestrained, hysterical.

“Dare to throw me to the ground! I tell you, you’re done for!”

“I’m the nephew of the Shimizu Clan’s leader! Just wait! I’ll call my men right now and have them deal with you!”

Shimizu Gosaku’s words immediately changed the atmosphere.

Ozuki Minoru and her group, now aligning themselves with Aoto, who had saved them, shared in his fate.

They involuntarily glanced back and forth between Aoto and Shimizu Gosaku in fear.

Indeed, what good is Aoto’s fighting ability? That man is the nephew of the Shimizu Clan, backed by a towering tree. If he really calls for reinforcements, what can they do?

Aoto can fight five men… but can he fight fifteen men?

The surrounding crowd also began to buzz.

“Hey, is this man really Shimizu Eiichi’s nephew?”

“Indeed… I once crossed paths with Shimizu Eiichi’s nephew… and this man is definitely Shimizu Eiichi’s nephew: Shimizu Gosaku.”

“Tsk… if that’s the case, the samurai’s in trouble… getting into conflict with the Shimizu Clan… unless he escapes Edo, there will be no peace from now on.”

“Alas… I wonder if I’ll live to see the Shimizu Clan fall…”

“Hush… hush… you can’t say such things in public… if someone hears, it will be problematic…”

Many in the crowd lamented Aoto’s fate… yet some voiced discord:

“Hey, does that samurai look familiar to anyone?”

“Hmm, I think so… seems like I’ve seen him somewhere before…”

…

Ozuki Minoru and the crowd were all worried about Aoto, who had provoked the Shimizu Clan… but Aoto, the subject of the matter, remained exceedingly calm.

“…’Shimizu Clan’?”

Aoto raised his eyebrows slightly, his expression visibly turning peculiar.

This person is actually from the Shimizu Clan… this indeed took Aoto by surprise.

Various kinds of “surprises”…

Seeing Aoto’s expression, which they perceived as fearful, Shimizu Gosaku, after taking several heavy breaths, lifted his head high and shouted even more loudly and arrogantly:

“Izakura! Hurry and go call reinforcements from our Shimizu Clan’s base camp! Get as many people as you can…”