Zhou Zhu really spent a lot of money on tonight's celebration banquet. Not only did he provide for everyone's food and drink, he also invited artists to perform.

When Qing Teng came back from using the toilet, the artists invited by Zhou's assistant happened to arrive. They performed a funny performance that was very similar to belly dancing in the center of the room, making everyone in the room laugh.

Qingto sat back in his seat and found Saito sitting next to him with a sullen expression.

"Saito, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Saito also attended the celebration banquet.

Saito refused to sit at the same table with Aonto and the others on the grounds that "I'm not a member of the Imperial Guard Hall, so I'd better wait outside the room."

But Seitori ignored Saito. He said to Saito:

"During the time when you and I stayed together in the Trial Guard Hall, didn't you also help with some trivial matters like 'cleaning the floor of the Trial Guard Hall's dojo'? In this way, you can be regarded as half of the Trial Guard Hall.

Okay. Come on, feel free to attend the celebration banquet with us."

With Shuusuke's permission, Ayoto semi-forced Saito to sit next to him, allowing Saito to enjoy the lively celebration atmosphere with him.

"...I'm not feeling unwell." Saito said softly, "I just feel a little embarrassed."

"I am not a member of the Trial Guard Hall, but I am sitting here attending the banquet with you..."

Hearing this, Qingdeng couldn't help but laugh.

"Saito, I've already told you that you are half a member of our trial training hall, and this is what the master has personally admitted."

"Stop thinking about whether these things are there or not. Just relax and enjoy the celebration banquet."

"It's a rare lively banquet. It would be a waste if you keep a sullen expression."

"Let's watch the performance. It's quite interesting."

Having said that, Qingdeng stopped drinking and drank tea instead while drinking tea and watching with relish the artists performing "belly dance" in front of him.

Saito raised his head and looked at the performance in front of him.

Then he slowly turned his eyes and looked at the laughing people around him.

Saito, who was usually expressionless and stern, now had a faint smile slowly appearing on his lips.

After a moment, he looked back.

Like Qing Deng next to him, he was drinking tea and watching the "belly dance" performance attentively.

However, he didn't seem to appreciate this kind of art at all, and his brows continued to frown at a speed that was visible to the naked eye.

…

…

At this moment——

Edo, Okemachi, Little Chiba Sword Hall, Bathroom——

Wow!

Sanako, who was completely naked without any strands of hair, knelt down next to the tub in an extremely standard posture, picked up a basin of cold water and poured it on herself.

After pouring four basins of cold water on her body in one breath, soaking everything from the top of her head to her tiny toes, Sanako closed her eyes and folded her hands on her thighs.

The head is held high and the waist is straight.

As a well-known sect in the Japanese kendo community, Chiba Sword Hall is neither short of fame nor money, so Chiba Nobuyoshi was very generous and opened a private bathroom at home.

Sanako loves to be clean, no matter in summer or winter, she will definitely take a bath once a day.

And every time she takes a bath, she has a habit - after washing her body and before officially taking a bath, she will kneel down next to the tub, pour cold water over her body, and let the coolness of the cold water stimulate her brain and nerves.

.

After pouring cold water all over your body, close your eyes and carefully think about your gains and losses today, think about the mistakes you made today, and think about ways to prevent yourself from making these mistakes again in the future.

At this moment, after Sanako closed her eyes, scenes from today's game quickly passed through Sanako's mind one by one.

——If... I could hold off Tachibana-kun and Souji for a little longer today, the result of the game might be very different...

——If I hold on a little longer, Shannan-kun and the others will be able to come to support me.

——With the support of Shannan-kun and others, there is a chance to reverse the decline and defeat Tachibana-kun and Souji...

Sanako kept reviewing today's battle, counting his shortcomings and mistakes.

The hands folded on the legs slowly clenched and tightened.

——In the final analysis, my strength is still not enough...

——If I could be stronger, strong enough to deal with Tachibana-kun and Souji at the same time, I wouldn't lose today's game.

——I must... be stronger...

——As long as I am strong enough, whatever happens today... or whatever happened in the past... the outcome will be different...

Sanako's eyes, which were originally closed, slowly opened.

Her beautiful eyes, as bright as the stars in midsummer, were flashing with a hint of depression and sadness.

His appearance... seemed to bring back some bad memories.

The head held high was lowered, and the chin almost touched her collarbone.

The candle on the lampstand standing in the corner of the bathroom was swaying slightly at the moment.

The flickering dim candlelight shone on Sanako's body from top to bottom.

It stretched Sanako's lonely figure very long.

…

…

Small Chiba Sword Hall, Chiba Nobuyoshi's room——

Father and son Chiba Nobuyoshi and Chiba Jutaro sat face to face.

Chiba Nobuyoshi, who was dressed in pajamas, asked Chiba Jutaro in front of him with a faint smile:

"Jutaro, what do you think of today's game?"

"...Father, if I think about it carefully - a large part of the failure in today's game was due to my mentality."

"If our fighting spirit and mentality had not been shaken by the long-term inability to attack the defense line of the trial defense hall, then the outcome of today's game should be very different."

"Yes." Chiba Nobuyoshi nodded gently, "Jutaro, since you can think of this, it means that you have indeed a clear understanding of today's game."

The corners of Chiba Nobuyoshi's mouth turned up slightly, revealing a slight smile.

"The reason why I agreed to the priest of Yushima Tenmangu Shrine and allowed the Little Chiba Sword Hall to hold the 'Red and White Battle' at the 'Plum Blossom Festival' was because I simply wanted to take care of and satisfy my old friend.

It’s just a wish to have people have fun at the Plum Blossom Festival and boost public sentiment.”

"After all, the priest of Yushima Tenmangu Shrine and I have been friends for many years. He has helped me a lot in the past, and I am embarrassed to ignore his request."

"I never expected that today's game would bring so many unexpected surprises."

"To me, today's defeat is a great defeat. It has made me, and you, deeply realize how terrible it is to underestimate the enemy."

Chiba Nobuyoshi's tone gradually became serious.

"Today, too many people in our Little Chiba Sword Hall came into the game with the mentality of 'we will definitely win this game' and underestimated the enemy."

"Because you underestimated the enemy too much, you immediately panicked when you discovered that the enemy was far stronger than you thought. You could only use 60% or 70% of your 100% strength."

"All martial arts are like this - courage is far more important than strength."

"As long as you are full of courage and are not afraid of death and danger, even if you are facing a strong person who is far superior to you, you will still have a chance to defeat him."

“This is why the Satsuma Show-style style that ‘never teaches people how to defend or dodge, but only teaches people how to risk their lives to attack’ is so frightening.”

"Today's defeat reminded me: from now on, I must put more effort into correcting the mentality of some people in the museum."

Having said this, Chiba Nobuyoshi suddenly paused.

"Speaking of which - Jutaro, has Sanako been in a better mood now?"

"Sanako, she's going to take a bath now." Chiba Jutaro replied, "Her mood... doesn't seem to have improved yet. Before she went to take a bath, I saw that she still had a stern face."

"That's it..." Chiba Sadayoshi smiled helplessly, "Sanako is so strong, and she lost a game today with so many people watching... She must be extremely unhappy now."

"Jutaro, please remember to pay more attention to your sister from now on, and guide her if necessary."

"...Father." Chiba Jutaro seemed to have remembered something at this moment, his expression changed slightly, "Speaking of Sanako...Father, I want to tell you something."

"Huh? What's the matter?"

"Father." Chiba Jutaro raised his head and asked Chiba Nobuyoshi with a somewhat eager look, "What do you think... Tachibana-kun?"

Chiba Nobuyoshi's expression was startled.

Then, he narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at his son with a meaningful look.

"...Jutaro, you shouldn't have...included Tachibana-kun in your 'preparatory brother-in-law list', right?"

"Father, don't you think Tachibana-kun and Sanako are a good match?"
To be continued...