Chapter 39 - 39: The Top Eight

Due to the same-group avoidance rule in the quarterfinals, bothChijō KanaandHirako Shinji, being from the winner's bracket, wouldn't be matched against the powerfulKuchiki Sōjun.

The drawing of lots for the sixteen students was quickly completed.

"Who did you get?" Chijō Kana waved the slip of paper in her hand and held it up for Hirako Shinji to see.

Her opponent turned out to beKasumioji Gojō, who had been knocked into the loser's bracket by Hirako Shinji but had fought his way back up.

"Ah, you got that guy too, huh? His sword style is so rigid—like straight out of a textbook. Not much real battle experience. Pretty easy to deal with," Hirako commented as he revealed his own match-up:Ise Rikka.

He glanced into the crowd, where he spotted her—an unassuming girl wearing glasses, her expression gentle and composed, radiating a serene and graceful aura.

Hirako had watched her fight before. Her swordsmanship was refined; she won every match through sheer technique.

"Ise Rikka... She's from the Ise family, huh." Chijō Kana looked at the slip thoughtfully, recalling what she knew about the clan. "I think she's the next head of the Ise family. You'd better be careful."

"Oh? Is she that tough?" Hirako asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kana shook her head. "Not exactly. The Ise family is a bit special. Most of their members can't useAsauchi, but they're incredibly skilled inKidō."

"Ise Rikka, as the heir, is supposed to inherit the family's legendaryEight Mirror Blade."

"But that sword's been lost for a while now, so she definitely hasn't inherited it."

"Which means she probably hasn't undergoneZanpakutō Meditation Training, so you should be able to suppress her with yourReiatsu."

"Then why did you say I need to be careful?" Hirako asked curiously.

Kana grinned. "I meant don't fall in love with her~ There's a rumor in theSoul Society: to love a woman of the Ise clan, you have to be prepared to give your life for it!"

"Huh?" Hirako chuckled. "What kind of weird rumor is that?"

"No no, it's been verified multiple times!" Kana said seriously. "The Ise family leads the rituals, but it's like they're cursed. Many men who married into the Ise family died young and mysteriously."

"...Okay then." Hirako scratched his head.

"The fourth round, first match! Hirako Shinji versus Ise Rikka—please take the stage."

The two quickly stepped onto the platform. Though called a platform, it was actually just a wide wooden board laid atop the sword training room's floor.

There was no chatter. They bowed to each other, then drew their wooden swords.

This time, Hirako didn't wait for his opponent to make the first move. He charged forward at top speed, aiming to suppress her with hisReiatsu.

Kana had mentioned that Ise Rikka likely hadn't undergoneZanpakutō Meditation Training, meaning herReiatsuwas probably weaker than his.

He slashed three times in quick succession.

Rikka's sword fundamentals were solid. She managed to block all three attacks.

But just as Kana had said, she hadn't experiencedZanpakutō Meditation Training, and herReiatsuwas far below Hirako's. After three exchanges, her palms were already numb.

Hirako didn't hold back just because she was a girl. He kept attacking relentlessly.

Thud, thud, clack clack clack—

The wooden blades collided repeatedly in rapid succession.

Rikka was cautious, refusing to let Hirako trap her in blade-to-blade clashes. Every time their swords met, she immediately adjusted her footwork, never lingering in a contest of strength.

But her form gradually fell apart. Soon, she couldn't withstand Hirako's pressure.

"Hrah!" Spotting an opening, Hirako struck down cleanly—his wooden sword smacked her on the head.

Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed unconscious.

"Whoops. Knocked her out by accident," Hirako muttered, scratching his head. 'Her sword skills are really sharp. If myReiatsuwasn't way stronger, I probably wouldn't have won this. Once I saw an opening, I didn't have time to hold back.'

"Hirako Shinji—wins!"

Katori Nanatsukiannounced the result.Kobayashi-sensei, who was on standby for medical duty, stepped forward and carried Rikka away.

"Congratulations, Katori-sensei. Your student made it to the top eight. Looks like I owe you a meal," Kobayashi said teasingly.

"Then I'll thank you in advance. I'm looking forward to your cooking," Nanatsuki replied with a smile.

From the teacher's seats,Asidospoke up, analyzing the fight.

"Hirako Shinji's fundamentals are rock-solid. Attacking with that much speed, and his footwork never once faltered. It's been a while since I've seen such a promising first-year... Really rare talent. Why didn't I get students like that when I was teaching?"

Asido sighed. "Once I return fromHueco Mundo, I'm definitely pulling him intoSquad 11. A kid with this kind of combat potential is perfect for us!"

"He's got Katori-sensei guiding him—he doesn't have to join Squad 11 necessarily," saidNakano, laughing. "He'd be a great fit inSquad 2too."

Nakano had ties to Squad 2. He wasn't just theHead of the Hakuda Department, but also served as aHakuda Instructorin theOnmitsukidō.

"Hirako Shinji's just a first-year. He's still got years till graduation, and you guys are already fighting over him?"Yamada, another department head, chuckled.

"Talents like this are rare!" Asido laughed heartily.

Meanwhile,Tsunayashiro Tokitaniwore a dark expression.

The class assignments had been arranged by the Vice Dean—someone under Tsunayashiro's faction—meant to pave the way for Tokitani to becomeHead of the Swordsmanship Department. But somehow, they'd missed three prodigies.

"Useless fools. They couldn't even handle something this simple..."

The next match wasKuchiki SōjunversusKobane Jin'emon.

Kobane had done well in the exam. Though he lost to Ise Rikka in the first round, he'd worked his way up from the loser's bracket.

He cherished this opportunity. Students who made it to the top eight would receive a special reward—a chance to enter theSwordsmanship Advanced Classa month early.

Kobane desperately wanted in.

Unfortunately, he now faced a far stronger opponent than Ise Rikka.

As soon as the match began, Kobane was swiftly defeated by Kuchiki Sōjun.

The gap between them was massive—inReiatsu,Zanjutsu, andShunpoalike. There was no chance of victory.

"You gave it your all. Come see me after class," Nanatsuki said, patting Kobane on the shoulder in encouragement.

Though his talent was only B+, his dedication and love for swordsmanship made Nanatsuki willing to give him a shot.

Besides, Nanatsuki remembered receiving a trait bonus the first time he took in a disciple with S-rank talent.

He suspected there might be a bonus for each tier of talent he took in.

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