Kotetsu Ayane walked into the office and handed a document to Katori Nanatsuki and Danmu Zōsuke.
"Professor Katori, Professor Danmu, this is the official outline for the upcoming swordsmanship assessment."
Katori Nanatsuki and Danmu Zōsuke took the document and began reviewing its contents.
A moment later, Danmu Zōsuke exclaimed, "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 assessment. However, he did have a different concern.
"This assessment—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 tournament will determine the next Swordsmanship Department 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 tournament 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 outcome.
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 assessment—it was a slaughter.
Kotetsu Ayane explained, "This was the Tsunayashiro clan's proposal—to turn the assessment into a true sword duel and to draw a larger audience."
"They even brought in the head of the kaido department 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 department 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 department head seat.
If he kept opposing them, they likely wouldn't let it go easily.
But it had come 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 come 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 tournament 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 assessment, 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 tournament 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 remember you—you were the chump who got wiped in the first round last time. 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—immediately, 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 assessment, please line up to draw your numbers."
The students, cowed by the spiritual pressure, obediently formed 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 same bracket," said Kensei.
A few moments 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 meant 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 some forgettable small fry.
Kobane Jin'emon also patted Kensei's shoulder with a solemn look. "Make good use of the repechage round this time. Don't just get knocked out cold again."
"Kana's really got good luck—two tournaments, and she got a bye both times. 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 beamed.
"Yeah, I guess all three of us drew good numbers," said Kobane Jin'emon, scratching his head. His own opponent was another forgettable no-name.
Kensei, on the other hand, deeply regretted not eating the golden fried rice.