The matches from the quarterfinals onward were not determined by a random draw. By this stage of the competition, Head Ashido had already gotten a clear grasp of the students' relative strengths. To eliminate some of the luck factor and make the subsequent matches more exciting, he personally decided the matchups for the remaining contestants.
This arrangement ensured that Shinji Hirako, Kana Azashiro, Sōjun Kuchiki, and Nozomishin Ōmaeda did not face each other in the round of eight. As Head Ashido had predicted, all four of them defeated their opponents smoothly.
The matchups for the semifinals were Shinji Hirako versus Sōjun Kuchiki, and Kana Azashiro versus Nozomishin Ōmaeda.
"It's over," Shinji's face fell. "I have to fight Sōjun Kuchiki?"
Shinji had watched Sōjun's matches. This was not an opponent he could possibly defeat. The gap in their strength was simply too large. Shinji even felt that Sōjun hadn't shown his true power in any of the previous rounds. In his matches, he would always let his opponent attack for a few rounds, and only when they were out of tricks would he step in and finish them in an instant, as if he were merely appraising their swordsmanship.
"Your luck is pretty good, all things considered. I ran into that monster in the first round! Hiss—" Kensei Muguruma rubbed his forehead; the lump from Sōjun's strike had not yet disappeared.
"My opponent is strong too. That guy is so violent, he's smashed the floor several times already," Kana Azashiro sighed, as if completely forgetting that she had also broken the floor.
"There are only four of you left. No one who has made it this far is weak," Katori Sora came over to encourage them. "I am very pleased that you've all come this far. Don't feel too much pressure. Just do your best!"
"I'll do my best! One more win, and I'll get to learn a new sword technique!" Kana said, shaking her small fist and cheering herself on.
"I'll try my best!" Shinji nodded. He was already quite satisfied with his results. After all, he had never practiced swordsmanship before, and in just two months, he had defeated so many students who had been training for years.
After a short break, the contestants for the next match stepped onto the stage one after another. Shinji's eyes were fixed on his opponent.
Sōjun Kuchiki had smooth, jet-black, medium-length hair. A portion of it was tied back with a Kenseikan near his left ear. His eyes were gentle, and the corners of his mouth were slightly turned up in a soft smile. He lacked the overbearing arrogance of most upper-class nobles. He looked completely harmless, yet Shinji felt an inexplicable pressure. Throughout all his previous victories, Sōjun's expression had never once changed.
The match began. The two bowed and drew their swords. Sōjun didn't engage in any trash talk; he just stood there quietly, waiting for Shinji to attack. Shinji didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, raised his hand, and swung his sword.
THUD—
Shinji's high-speed slash was easily blocked. He didn't stop, instead concentrating Spiritual Pressure in his legs, crouching, and then kicking off, suddenly leaping behind Sōjun Kuchiki. He raised his sword and swung it fiercely at the back of Sōjun's neck.
THUD—
Another crisp sound. It was as if Sōjun had eyes in the back of his head. Without even turning around, he simply raised his wooden sword above his head and blocked Shinji's powerful downward strike.
Shinji put strength into his wrist and, using the force from Sōjun's blade, launched himself into the air again, instantly changing his position and slashing at Sōjun from another angle. The process was extremely fast. By his calculations, Sōjun shouldn't have been able to turn his blade in time to block this strike.
And just as Shinji predicted, the blade of Sōjun's sword did not block his attack.
THUD—
However, just as his sword was about to hit its mark, the sound of wood striking wood rang out again. Shinji's pupils dilated—his sword had been blocked by the hilt of Sōjun's sword! And he had blocked it with the very end of the hilt!
If their Spiritual Pressure and control were equal, being struck on the end of the hilt like that would absolutely cause one to lose their grip. Yet, Sōjun had only bent down slightly to dissipate the full force of the blow, his own sword still held firmly in his hand.
Sōjun's eyes smiled. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the sword resting on his hilt flying. Then, he leaped into the air in an instant, and the end of his sword hilt struck Shinji directly under the chin.
Shinji's vision went black, and he lost consciousness before he even hit the ground.
"The Kuchiki family is truly enviable. Every generation produces such an outstanding heir. This Sōjun Kuchiki will definitely be another captain-level powerhouse in the future!" Head Yamada sighed. He came from a minor noble family that had never produced anyone with captain-level potential.
"It seems this year's students will have to live their entire academy careers in Sōjun's shadow. I hope it doesn't crush their confidence," Head Nakano shook his head, lamenting. He remembered his own time at the academy; he was in the same class as Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō, and those two had stolen all the limelight.
Nakano glanced at Tokinada Tsunayashiro, suddenly remembering that this swordsmanship instructor had also been his classmate. Back then, Tokinada had been quiet and unremarkable. But during his time in Squad 2, Nakano had heard some rumors about him; his personality was apparently quite cruel, and he enjoyed tormenting commoners from the Rukongai. "A person like you, when faced with a student like Sōjun, do you feel pleased or envious?" Nakano wondered to himself.
However, he was wrong. At that moment, Tokinada felt neither pleased by Sōjun's victory nor envious of his talent, but rather disgusted. He watched the gentle smile on Sōjun's face and narrowed his eyes. He knew the history of the Soul Society and how the five great noble families came to be. He found Sōjun's pretentious act utterly nauseating.
Sora carried Shinji off the stage. He used Kaidō to treat his swollen chin and, after confirming he wasn't seriously hurt, left him in the care of Kensei and Professor Kobayashi.
"Go, Kana! You're the last hope of Class 1-2! I don't want to see a final between two students from Class 1-1!" Kensei shouted to Kana Azashiro.
"I will defeat my opponent!" Kana nodded heavily and turned to step onto the stage.
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