A few days later, the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy's real blade competition was held as scheduled.
Today's audience was noticeably larger, with captains from the Gotei 13 and representatives from numerous noble houses attending to watch.
After several rounds of elimination matches, the top eight had been decided.
This time, in addition to several of Katori Nanatsuki's disciples, many others from their class had also performed admirably in the competition.
The sword techniques Nanatsuki had taught them shone brilliantly in this tournament.
It wasn't like last time, where they had been completely crushed by Class 1.
Back during the previous assessment, the students had only just started learning the basics of swordsmanship, and the gap between them and Class 1 was too wide—they had placed near the bottom. But this time, quite a few students made it into the top thirty-two, with even several breaking into the top sixteen.
It was clear to every spectator that Katori Nanatsuki's class had improved significantly as a whole.
Kyōraku Shunsui flipped through the elimination match records on the table and remarked, "Katori-kun's teaching abilities are truly impressive."
Kotetsu Ayane couldn't help but agree. "Indeed. If Katori-sensei's students were strong, one might attribute that to their natural talent. If that were all, then perhaps you could just say he had good luck or a sharp eye for talent."
"But taking Class 2, which had weaker foundations, and producing these results shows Katori-sensei's educational skills are truly exceptional."
Unohana Retsu joked, "I had been thinking that if Katori-kun was just wasting his talents at the academy, I'd find a way to steal him for Squad Four. But it turns out he's genuinely gifted at teaching."
Kyōraku Shunsui laughed. "Captain Unohana, don't go stealing him from Headmaster Kotetsu. Keeping Katori-kun at the academy will help cultivate more fresh blood for the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."
Just then, a Shinigami delivered a list.
"Headmaster Kotetsu, here's the bracket for the quarterfinals."
The matchups for the quarterfinals were now confirmed:
Muguruma Kensei vs. Amamimon TomoyaKobane Jin'emon vs. Iba JirōHirako Shinji vs. Ōmaeda Kishinosuke Azashiro Kana vs. Kuchiki Sōjun
All of Nanatsuki's students had made it to the quarterfinals!
Department Head Yamada stroked his beard and commented, "This year's top eight are truly impressive. Kuchiki Sōjun and Ōmaeda Kishinosuke go without saying, but Katori-sensei's students are also outstanding."
"Amamimon Tomoya… I believe he's a key heir being groomed by the Amamimon clan."
"And Iba Jirō… he's the younger brother of Vice-Captain Iba, isn't he?"
Vice-Captain Iba was currently acting as the interim captain of Squad Three, as the division had no captain at the moment. She had come to spectate as well.
She nodded with a modest smile. "Yes, Jirō is indeed my younger brother, but he's not as strong as the others yet. He still has room to grow."
Ukitake Jūshirō smiled. "You're too humble, Vice-Captain Iba. Everyone knows the Iba family places great importance on swordsmanship. Jirō is certainly a skilled swordsman."
Department Head Nakano also laughed. "To have so many exceptional young talents in one cohort… we really owe much of it to Vice Headmaster Tsunayashiro!"
Vice Headmaster Tsunayashiro's face was dark.
So many noble students had entered the academy this year because of his tireless efforts persuading various houses. His family name still carried weight, and most families he visited had given him face and enrolled their juniors accordingly.
Yet despite all that, half of the quarterfinalists weren't from Class 1!
He couldn't help but regret overlooking Azashiro Kana.
Among Katori Nanatsuki's quarterfinal students, three had seemingly emerged out of nowhere, practically picked up by Nanatsuki—what rotten luck.
Azashiro Kana, though… there had been a chance to recruit her.
But the Azashiro family had long since abandoned martial pursuits. Back when classes were assigned, he hadn't thought much of their juniors and had deliberately placed Kana with other so-called low-ranking nobles in Class 2. Now, her performance had thoroughly slapped him in the face.
But that didn't matter anymore. Kana's next opponent was Kuchiki Sōjun.
She had already lost to him in the previous assessment, and this time would be no different.
Thinking this, Vice Headmaster Tsunayashiro let out a cold smirk.
"The quarterfinals don't mean much. It's those who reach the semifinals who will earn a place in the Gotei 13 after graduation."
Azashiro Kana and the others also received the match list.
"We're not matched up yet… but Kana drew Kuchiki Sōjun," Hirako Shinji noted.
"It's fine. This time, I'll definitely beat him! If we all win our matches, we'll meet in the semifinals!" Kana clenched her tiny fists.
"Just imagining that moment gets me hyped!" Kobane Jin'emon said excitedly.
"No worries—I'll set the tone with an opening win!" Muguruma Kensei stretched his shoulders.
"I've fought Amamimon Tomoya before," Kana warned. "He doesn't have much power, but he's tricky. Lots of flashy moves and quick footwork. He might dodge your Senmai-Oroshi."
Muguruma Kensei's opponent was Amamimon Tomoya—a nimble and unpredictable fighter.
"Got it. I won't need to think too hard against him," Kensei nodded confidently as he walked toward the arena.
Amamimon Tomoya stepped onto the stage. With a traditional sakayaki hairstyle, short build, a pointy chin, and monkey-like features, he resembled a knife-wielding monkey.
Tomoya stared warily at Kensei's hands, muscles taut and ready.
As soon as Kensei placed a hand on his sword's hilt, Tomoya immediately flipped back and started darting rapidly around the arena—never lingering in one spot for more than a second.
Kensei's eye twitched. Tomoya was simply too fast. It was nearly impossible to track him precisely and land a hit with Senmai-Oroshi.
So Kensei chose to stand still and wait for Tomoya to make the first move. There was no way he could keep jumping like that forever.
High-speed movement drained stamina quickly.
As expected, Tomoya lost patience seeing that Kensei hadn't drawn his blade. He leapt behind Kensei and lunged at his waist with a sharp thrust.
But Kensei had been using his spiritual senses to track Tomoya's movements. The moment he appeared behind him, Kensei reacted instantly—leaping into the air and dodging the attack before swiftly drawing his sword.
Tomoya's thrust had been a feint. Seeing Kensei respond, he quickly rolled to the side.
But when he glanced back, he saw that Kensei hadn't used his terrifying Iaido technique.
Instead, Kensei pressed his left hand against the spine of his blade, spiritual pressure flowing into it, and grinned.
"Blow It Away—Tachikaze!"
His Zanpakutō flared with a green glow, transforming into a short dagger.
"He released his Shikai!" Tomoya was shocked. In all the matches he had watched, Kensei had never activated his Shikai. He had assumed Kensei wouldn't do so against opponents without Shikai of their own.
"So you're agile, huh? Let's see how you compare to the wind!" Kensei swung the dagger, now swirling with fierce gales. The wind formed sharp, threadlike blades that shot toward Tomoya.
Tomoya had no time to dodge. He felt a cold slash across his abdomen—and then a terrifying wound tore open.
"I surrender!" Tomoya shouted in panic. The speed and power were overwhelming. He couldn't dodge that at all.
He had nearly lost half his torso.
"Muguruma Kensei is victorious!" Nanatsuki declared the match's result.