Early the next morning.
The two girls from the slums were woken by the clamor from the dojo.
Day had barely broken, yet a group of young swordsmen had already begun sparring in the courtyard and training ground.
There were some twenty of them, each with a physique and skills far beyond an ordinary person's.
Some used bokken, some carried wooden staves, and others fought with strange weapons made of wood.
For a time, blades flashed and sweat flew.
Occasionally, someone was knocked to the ground and nearly lost consciousness, but they would grit their teeth, recover for a moment, then climb up to keep fighting.
Back in the slums, the girls could never have imagined such a spirited scene, not even in their dreams.
"Mr. Xia Xi, you really have quite the training atmosphere here."
Gyomei stood beside the dojo with his eyes closed.
He used his Mind's Eye and ears to catch every breath carried on the wind and every burst of intent from clashing weapons.
Xia Xi stood beside him, arms folded, his gaze sweeping over the students.
"It's nowhere near as lively as it used to be."
At its liveliest, Sabito, Giyu, and even Tengen Uzui had all been here.
But now, never mind those few most outstanding swordsmen.
Even the Seventh Squad had been split up and sent across the Far East.
"Speaking of which... what about those two boys while you're staying here with me?"
Gyomei thought for a moment before realizing whom Xia Xi meant.
The adjutants assigned to him at the Nine Hashira Meeting.
The children named Kozō and Tomioka.
"I've already sent word by Kasugai Crow for them to handle some of the less troublesome business and missions."
The Great Monk rolled his Buddhist prayer beads and said calmly, "Besides, this