Kotetsu Ayane walked into the office and handed a docunt to Katori Nanatsuki and Danmu Zōsuke.
"Professor Katori, Professor Danmu, this is the official outline for the upcoming swordsmanship assessnt."
Katori Nanatsuki and Danmu Zōsuke took the docunt and began reviewing its contents.
A mont later, Danmu Zōsuke exclaid, "Quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals will be held on separate days? And they’re inviting the captains of each squad to spectate?"
Kotetsu Ayane nodded. "That’s right. So I’m counting on you two—Professor Katori and Professor Danmu—to serve as hosts and referees for these matches."
Katori Nanatsuki had no objections. After all, he’d served as a referee during the last assessnt. However, he did have a different concern.
"This assessnt—is it a real sword duel?"
"All the participants are still students. Isn’t it too dangerous to use real swords?"
Kotetsu Ayane sighed. "This was Vice Dean Tsunayashiro’s decision."
"Since this tournant will determine the next Swordsmanship Departnt Head, I wanted to ensure fairness—so I invited a few captains to attend."
"But Vice Dean Tsunayashiro also invited several nobles. They insisted on turning the tournant into a real sword match."
It was Vice Dean Tsunayashiro’s countermove. With the squad captains watching, he wouldn’t be able to rig the outco.
However, he believed that if real swords were used, no student would be able to defeat Kuchiki Sōjun.
Danmu Zōsuke frowned. "Can this even be called a swordsmanship match anymore?"
A real sword duel implied the use of released Zanpakutō!
Kuchiki Sōjun had already mastered Shikai. No other student in the Spiritual Arts Academy could match him. This wasn’t a swordsmanship assessnt—it was a slaughter.
Kotetsu Ayane explained, "This was the Tsunayashiro clan’s proposal—to turn the assessnt into a true sword duel and to draw a larger audience."
"They even brought in the head of the kaido departnt to be on standby in case of casualties."
"The proposal was supported by most noble houses. I had no way to reject it."
She turned to Katori Nanatsuki with a warning. "Katori-kun, this contest for departnt head may drag you into an even larger political whirlpool."
Katori Nanatsuki furrowed his brow. The Tsunayashiro clan was making their stance clear—they intended to claim the departnt head seat.
If he kept opposing them, they likely wouldn’t let it go easily.
But it had co to this—there was no reason to back down.
If their skills truly fell short, so be it. But if his students could win, there was no way he’d let them lose on purpose to Class One.
"We’ve co this far. Let’s see how the students perform. I still have confidence in their strength," said Nanatsuki.
Kotetsu Ayane and Danmu Zōsuke couldn’t help but respect him more. The Tsunayashiro clan was one of the most powerful noble families in Soul Society, yet Nanatsuki faced them without fear. That alone made him exceptional.
"What?! Sensei made golden fried rice this morning?!" Muguruma Kensei looked devastated.
"Yeah! Sensei said eating golden fried rice brings good luck. I bet my draw today will be amazing!" Azashiro Kana said with a bright smile.
The match-ups for the tournant elimination rounds would once again be determined by lottery.
"If I’d known, I wouldn’t have stayed in the dorms last night!" Muguruma Kensei groaned.
He was nervous now.
During the last swordsmanship assessnt, he’d drawn Kuchiki Sōjun right away and got knocked out in the first round.
"You idiot. Sensei was obviously joking. There’s no such thing as lucky golden fried rice," Hirako Shinji said, smacking his lips. "Still, it was really delicious."
"You ate it and now you’re acting all smug?!" Kensei rolled his eyes.
"I didn’t expect the tournant to really use live blades," Kobane Jin’emon said seriously.
That was exactly what Kensei was worried about. If Kuchiki Sōjun had truly mastered Shikai, then those of them who hadn’t yet were on a completely different level.
"So what if it’s real swords? I’m still going to take first place!" Kensei quickly composed himself.
"Let’s go all out! Crush Class One!" Kobane Jin’emon shouted, fired up.
"You? Beat Lord Kuchiki?"
"Keep dreaming!"
"Lord Kuchiki has already mastered Shikai!"
"I rember you—you were the chump who got wiped in the first round last ti. No wonder you’re full of hot air!"
A few students from Class One began mocking them loudly.
"What did you just say?!" Kensei snapped.
"Silence!" Nanatsuki’s voice cut through the tension as it looked like a fight might break out.
He released his Reiatsu—imdiately, a buzzing filled the classroom as the students clutched their heads, falling quiet.
He carried the draw box to the podium. "All students participating in the assessnt, please line up to draw your numbers."
The students, cowed by the spiritual pressure, obediently ford a line. The lottery proceeded smoothly.
Soon it was Kensei’s turn.
"Number 6!" Kensei lit up inside. That was his lucky number!
"Who’s number 6 up against?" he wondered eagerly.
The match-ups hadn’t been announced yet. Everyone would draw first, then the pairings would be revealed.
"What numbers did you guys get?" Kensei asked the others who had already drawn.
"I got 2," said Hirako Shinji.
"I’m number 26," said Kobane Jin’emon.
"I’m 63," said Azashiro Kana.
"Hmm, looks like we’re not matched up. Hopefully we’re not in the sa bracket," said Kensei.
A few monts later, the pairings were posted.
As usual, students were paired by adjacent numbers—1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4, and so on.
There were 63 students in total, so one person would get a bye.
That ant whoever drew 63 would automatically advance!
"I got a bye again!" Azashiro Kana cheered.
Kensei felt a sinking dread as if he’d seen this scene before. A terrible premonition settled in as he scanned the list for whoever had drawn number 5.
It didn’t take long for him to find it.
"This is rigged—absolutely rigged!" Kensei wailed.
He’d drawn Kuchiki Sōjun again.
In the first round. Again!
He was probably about to get one-shotted again.
Hirako Shinji patted his shoulder and grinned. "It’s fate, Kensei—your destined rival!"
He himself was relaxed—his opponent was so forgettable small fry.
Kobane Jin’emon also patted Kensei’s shoulder with a solemn look. "Make good use of the repechage round this ti. Don’t just get knocked out cold again."
"Kana’s really got good luck—two tournants, and she got a bye both tis. Maybe she is Sensei’s lucky koi charm," Hirako Shinji mused, stroking his chin.
"Golden fried rice really works! It totally brings good luck!" Azashiro Kana bead.
"Yeah, I guess all three of us drew good numbers," said Kobane Jin’emon, scratching his head. His own opponent was another forgettable no-na.
Kensei, on the other hand, deeply regretted not eating the golden fried rice.
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