"If we're just talking swordsmanship, I think a few of my students should rank pretty well," Nanatsuki said after a pause. "Besides them, Kobane Jin'emon has also been practicing earnestly."
"I see Katori-sensei is quite confident? But they haven't been learning swordsmanship for that long, right? Most of the students in Tsunayashiro-sensei's class have been training with swords since they were kids," said Kobayashi-sensei, clearly unconvinced.
Even geniuses need time to grow. Expecting students who've trained for just two months to defeat those with years of experience—it just didn't seem realistic.
In her view, unless they were talents with vice-captain-level potential at minimum, there was no way they could pull it off. And it wasn't like a whole batch of vice-captain-level prodigies had suddenly popped up in one class.
"True. Personally, I'm betting on Kuchiki Sōjun, Ōmaeda Kishinosuke, and Kasumioji Gojō from Tsunayashiro-sensei's class. They're all incredibly gifted. I heard their families are grooming them as successors. They're probably going to take the top three spots this time," said Sakai-sensei.
"If you're so confident, Katori-sensei, why don't we place a little wager?" Kobayashi-sensei's eyes lit up as a plan formed in her head. "Let's bet on whether any of your students make it into the top ten."
"If it's about who'll take first place, I'm not confident. After all, their training time is still short. But just the top ten..." Nanatsuki smiled. "I have faith in them."
His three students had made solid progress. All of them had mastered Reiatsu control techniques and could swing the Flagfish wooden sword for over an hour.
Don't be fooled by how quickly they picked it up—just one or two weeks. That was a rare feat. If any other student in class tried the same training, even after one or two years they might not succeed.
Besides, the Flagfish wooden sword recipe was a secret technique passed down at the Katori-ryu Dojo. The Academy's standard methods couldn't hold a candle to the Flagfish Suburi training, which is why many students started learning Reiatsu control in their third year but still hadn't mastered it by graduation.
"I heard from Chijō Kana that Katori-sensei is quite the cook. So how about this—if none of your students make it into the top ten, you'll cook us a meal. If any of them do, then I'll treat you all instead!" Kobayashi-sensei beamed.
She was just looking for a chance to have dinner with Katori Nanatsuki—to deepen their relationship.
Ever since seeing Nanatsuki's display of Kaido, she had admired him.
Someone so young already possessing Kaido skills nearly on par with Unohana-taichō... given another hundred years, who knows? If Unohana-taichō ever steps down, the Fourth Division Captain's seat might just go to Katori Nanatsuki.
"I'm in," said Sakai-sensei enthusiastically. Either way, she'd be getting a free meal.
...
Before the test, Nanatsuki decided to give his students a little pep talk.
After all, if he lost, he'd be the one paying for dinner.
"You've all improved a lot in the past two months. I'm very proud of you," he said with a smile. "I've taken the time to observe Class 1-1's training. There are three opponents you'll need to watch out for—Kuchiki Sōjun, Ōmaeda Kishinosuke, and Kasumioji Gojō. They're gifted swordsmen who've been training since childhood. They'll be your strongest rivals."
"I'm super confident too!" Chijō Kana rolled up her sleeves and raised a fist, brimming with energy. "Don't worry, sensei! I'll take first place!"
She had recently mastered the sword technique Shun Strike, and during sparring with Muguruma Kensei and Hirako Shinji, as long as she landed that move, they couldn't defend against it. Her confidence was sky-high.
"Hmph, first place is mine. Kana, you'll be fighting Shinji for second," Muguruma Kensei said without backing down.
Though he hadn't mastered Shun Strike yet, he'd begun to grasp the concept of the Reiatsu Blade during his practice with cutting tatami mats using a wooden sword. He wasn't without a chance against Chijō Kana.
Shun Strike was powerful, yes, but Kana's execution was still sloppy—it took two to three seconds to charge up, which left a huge opening.
All Kensei had to do was apply pressure and not give her a chance to use it. Then he could win.
"Eh, I won't be competing for the swordsmanship top spot this time. I think I've got a better shot in the Kidō test," said Hirako Shinji.
He'd started training later than the others and had only just begun practicing cutting tatami mats. He had no understanding of Reiatsu Blade, which put him at a disadvantage—he'd have to use extra Reiatsu just to protect his wooden sword from being broken by the others' Reiatsu Blades.
That said, his Kidō progress was much better. Kana and Kensei weren't particularly talented in that area.
"Looks like you're all feeling confident," Nanatsuki said with a smile. "If you make it into the top ten, I'll cook you something delicious you've never had before. If you make the top three..." He paused for effect as their eyes lit up with anticipation. "I'll teach you a new sword technique."
"Wait—if I place in the top three, does that mean I'll only get the new sword technique and not the food?" Kana looked torn.
"The rewards stack," Nanatsuki said with a grin.
"Yay! I want both the feast and the new technique!" Kana cheered.
"Top three?" Kensei grinned. "Too easy."
"Looks like I've got my work cut out for me..." Shinji muttered.
...
The swordsmanship exam was held in a large training room.
Students from both classes drew lots to determine opponents. With a combined total of sixty-three students, one person would inevitably get a bye.
The instructors sat at a long table, waiting as students lined up to draw.
Even Asido, the Division Head, made time from his busy schedule to personally oversee the test.
Tsunayashiro Tokitani, who often skipped class, also showed up—though reluctantly.
He'd been dragged there by someone on Asido's orders, and he wasn't pleased. His face said it all.
Besides the swordsmanship instructors, teachers from other courses were also in attendance.
"My turn," said Muguruma Kensei, reaching into the box and pulling out a slip of paper. "Let's see which poor soul I'm up against."
He paused after reading the name.
Behind him, Hirako Shinji leaned in. "Tsk tsk, why so quiet? Don't tell me you drew Kana?"
"It's... Kuchiki Sōjun," Kensei replied, face growing serious.
He'd drawn the worst possible matchup in round one. The Kuchiki clan was one of the Soul Society's Five Great Noble Houses, and Sōjun was a standout even among them. Even someone from a different class like Kensei had heard his name.
"Still, maybe this is a good thing. Once I take him out, there'll be no one left to stop me from taking first!" he said, quickly regaining his spirit.
"Hey! Don't act like I don't exist!" Kana snapped.
"Hurry up and draw, you two. There's still a line behind you," Nanatsuki reminded them.
Shinji stepped forward, nudging Kensei aside, and drew his lot.
"Kasumioji Gojō... Great, another pain to deal with." He rubbed his forehead, clearly annoyed.
Getting matched with such a well-known student this early meant he'd have to go all-out, which would let others observe his abilities—bad news if he wanted a top rank.
"My turn!" Kana chirped, drawing her slip.
"You're awfully quiet. Don't tell me you got Ōmaeda Kishinosuke?"
"I got a bye!"
"Huh?"