(T/N: Chapter 4 out of 6!!)
Next up for the test was Kotetsu Isane.
Danmu Zōsuke looked at the approaching Kotetsu Isane—she was almost taller than him—so he immediately got serious.
For most sword schools, height was a major advantage.
An inch shorter is an inch riskier; an inch longer is an inch stronger.
Tall people usually had longer arms too, and longer arms meant a longer strike range.
"Please take care of me, Teacher Danmu!" Kotetsu Isane bowed politely.
"Come on, then!" Danmu Zōsuke gripped his sword with both hands, taking a textbook stance.
"Haaah!" Kotetsu Isane stepped forward into a lunge and unleashed a quick Shun Strike.
In recent years, Kotetsu Isane had mainly focused on Kaido, and her proficiency already rivaled the average squad member in the Fourth Division. However, her swordsmanship was just average.
But "average" here was in comparison to the other students of the Katori-ryu Dojo.
Among students at the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy, her level was nothing to scoff at.
CLANG!!
Danmu Zōsuke leaned slightly forward and raised his Zanpakutō to block the strike.
"Nice—good strength!" Danmu Zōsuke's eyes lit up as he felt the force from her blade.
This is how an excellent student should perform!
His Reiatsu pulsed through his Zanpakutō and blasted Kotetsu Isane back.
The test only required Danmu Zōsuke to be forced to move, so he couldn't engage at close range for too long—otherwise, the student might find a non-blade method to make him move.
He needed to maintain a safe distance from the examinees.
Kotetsu Isane was knocked back a few steps by the force.
She didn't lose spirit from the failed strike.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai!" she lifted her left hand, fingertip crackling with lightning.
A bolt of white lightning shot straight for Danmu Zōsuke's abdomen.
At the same time, she lunged forward again, swinging her Zanpakutō toward his left shoulder.
"Coming at me from both sides, huh... Don't underestimate your teacher!" Danmu Zōsuke grinned.
His sword moved at blinding speed, slashing a vertical "z"-shaped arc.
The slash shredded the incoming Byakurai, then transitioned into an upward cut, intercepting Kotetsu Isane's blade.
CLANG!!
Her sword was knocked away before it could reach his shoulder.
But Danmu Zōsuke's follow-through had also run out of steam.
Kotetsu Isane closed the gap and raised her hand again to cast Kidō: "Hadō #4: Byakurai!"
Danmu Zōsuke leapt backward to dodge the blast.
"If I hadn't backed off and tried to tank your spell while swinging, you'd be the one more seriously hurt!" he exclaimed, surprised this seemingly timid student had chosen a damage-for-damage strategy.
"Sensei had already spent his strength. If you tried to force a counterattack while getting hit, it wouldn't be fatal. Trading some wounds for results is worth it," Kotetsu Isane asked, "Did I pass the test?"
She had already formulated her plan before signing up.
The current Live Blade Match didn't restrict any personal abilities.
Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Kidō—even Kaido—were all fair game.
Her plan was to leverage her strength in Kaido and fight by trading injuries.
"I already moved, so of course you passed..." Danmu Zōsuke sighed. "You must've learned that from Vice-Principal Katori. Hard to evaluate. If not handled well, that style backfires easily. If it were me, I'd prioritize not getting hurt at all."
Everyone had their own fighting style, and he respected that.
He recalled seeing "Kaido" listed on Kotetsu Isane's application form.
So her intent was to rely on Kaido to make trades. Makes sense.
Next up was Aizen Sōsuke.
Aizen didn't reveal much in his match.
He gave off the impression of being... solid.
Clang, clang, clang—their swords clashed, ringing out loudly.
For some reason, even though Danmu Zōsuke blocked every strike, he felt like Aizen had control of the rhythm.
He couldn't quite explain it. Maybe it was just that Aizen's swordplay was solid, and his tempo impeccable.
"Bakudō #4: Hainawa!" Aizen swept his left hand—spiritual power forming a golden rope that wrapped around Danmu's hilt.
His movement faltered instantly, unable to parry Aizen's next blow. He had to retreat to dodge it.
"Amazing. Your swordwork's solid—you must train hard," Danmu Zōsuke praised.
Aizen hadn't used any flashy moves—just pure fundamentals. Yet mastering rhythm with those alone was already impressive.
One slip, and Danmu could've disrupted his tempo with a counter.
"Practicing the sword is a long-term endeavor. Progress comes only through consistent hard work," Aizen replied humbly.
"Well said! Only through perseverance does one grow stronger. As expected from Vice-Principal Katori's students—each one a gem. Looks like you're the hardworking type!" Danmu laughed. "Even if your talent is average, with your teacher's guidance and your effort, you could easily become a seated officer or vice-captain in the future!"
But what Danmu didn't know...
Aizen had been spending less and less time on training over the years.
Ever since Katori Nanatsuki established the lab, Aizen had become obsessed with research, reducing his practice time.
Yet despite that, his strength had only continued to grow.
They say success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
But for someone like Aizen—who was 99% inspiration—his 1% hardwork outclassed everyone else's 99%.
"Hah, our teacher keeps calling me lazy, but that guy's not any better!" Shiba Isshin wore a deadpan expression as he watched Danmu call Aizen "hardworking."
He knew full well.
Among the Katori-ryu Dojo disciples, aside from those already graduated and in the Gotei 13, Aizen was the hardest to find.
If anyone deserved to be called diligent, it was Komamura Sajin, who came after Aizen.
After recognizing the gap between himself, Aizen, and Shiba, Komamura had become the most devoted trainee.
Now it was Shiba Isshin's turn.
"I've just mastered a killer move. Perfect time to test it out!" he thought. This was a rare chance to make Danmu go all out.
"This feels a bit excessive..." Danmu felt uneasy.
Even ignoring that he was Katori Nanatsuki's disciple, Shiba was also a core talent from the Shiba Clan.
Given time, he could rival even Kuchiki Sōjun from back in the day.
No doubt about it—Shiba's strength was anything but ordinary.
"Sensei, I'm coming!" Shiba's body surged with fiery aura. "Crimson Tide!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! You passed already!" Danmu hastily backed off.
"Come on! How can you just forfeit?!" Shiba shouted in frustration.
"Stand still and take a move like that? I'm not stupid!" Danmu scoffed.
"Tch... I thought it was a good chance too..." Shiba let the flames dissipate, disappointed.
Next up was Azashiro Sōya.
He looked nervous.
His teacher had been busy these past few years and rarely present at the dojo.
So he'd gone wild, spending his time out and about.
He never imagined that he'd have to participate in a Live Blade Match in his first year.
When his teacher said everyone had to join, he was forced onto the stage.
He'd breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the match could assist with their Zanpakutō Meditation Training.
If he could awaken his Shikai early, he might earn a decent result.
After all, even upperclassmen rarely had Shikai.
Unfortunately—
After two weeks of intense training, he still hadn't learned it.
Among their group, only Shiba, Komamura, and Aizen had achieved Shikai.
Worse still, Azashiro Sōya not only lacked Shikai...
His Zanjutsu, Shunpo, Kaido, and Hakuda were all weaker than Kotetsu Isane and Yadōmaru Lisa.
His only saving grace was that he had a decent handle on Hadō and Bakudō.
Before Kakyō graduated, she would often visit their home in the Rukongai.
Azashiro would tag along every time she went.
As a result, he and Kakyō were close.
She was skilled at Kidō and knew this younger "senpai" loved to slack off, so she'd often teach him some spells on the side.
'Maybe I should copy Aizen and bind Sensei's blade, then force him to retreat?' he thought.
"What are you standing there for?" Danmu waved him over. "Hurry up. I've got more students to test!"
"A-ah, right!" Azashiro snapped out of it and quickly stepped onto the stage.
"Bakudō #4: Hainawa!" He started by copying Aizen directly.
A golden rope of energy shot toward Danmu's hilt.
"What the hell are you doing???" Danmu asked, frowning, then casually cut the rope.
He had no idea why Azashiro would open with such a low-tier spell.
Sure, instructors at the academy weren't known for strength, but that spell was way too obvious.
"You brat from the Azashiro Clan! Don't look down on me!"
Danmu was actually a bit offended. He needed to clarify—being caught by Aizen's spell earlier wasn't because he was weak.
"Aizen only caught my blade because I was fully focused on his sword! His swordplay is solid, and his rhythm is precise. Just blocking him was hard enough! In that situation, even a slight distraction throws off my timing. And you? You think opening with Hainawa is gonna bind me? Dream on!"
"S-sorry! I'll do it seriously now!" Azashiro flushed with embarrassment.
"Hurry it up. Time's almost up. Don't say I didn't give you a chance!" Danmu said.
"Chariot of thunder, seam between spinning wheels, light split sixfold..." Azashiro began his strongest Bakudō: "Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō!"
Reishi condensed into six golden rods that shot toward Danmu.
This was a higher-level Bakudō—not easily broken by ordinary slashes.
This time, Danmu couldn't cut through. The rods pinned him in place.
Now Azashiro only had to attack again to force him to dodge.
"Now that's more like it!" Danmu stepped back. "You passed!"
"Your combat experience seems a bit low, though." Danmu was puzzled. Azashiro's earlier mistake was way too basic. And he didn't seem like he was fooling around.
"Wait... did your teacher only just take you as a student?" Danmu scratched his head. He remembered Azashiro had been at the dojo for a while.
"..."
Azashiro felt like he'd embarrassed his teacher. He was one of the older disciples, but this was how he performed.
His peers like Lisa and Isane were doing much better.
And the later arrivals—Shiba, Komamura, and Kakyō—had even unlocked Shikai.
There was already a massive gap between them.
"Don't beat yourself up too much!" Shiba slung an arm around his shoulders. "Next time you goof off, make sure I'm invited—but no slacking off during training!"
"If he trains with a slacker like you, there's no hope," Lisa crossed her arms. "He should pair up with Komamura. That'll guarantee growth!"
She wasn't just saying that.
Lately, she'd been sparring with Komamura daily, rapidly growing from real combat experience.
Komamura had spent years surviving in the Rukongai, so his battle experience was no joke. Training with him was genuinely effective.
"I'd be glad to," Komamura nodded.
He liked helping fellow students, and sparring with different opponents was beneficial to him too.
"Thanks, everyone!" Azashiro bowed gratefully, determined to work harder and not bring shame to his teacher in the Live Blade Match.
"Alright, you've all passed the test." Danmu stamped "Pass" on the registry. "The group divisions will be posted in two days."
The match would be divided into eight groups, one point per win.
Top scorers would enter the quarterfinals.
However, the top three in points would also get a chance to challenge another group's winner.
After passing the test, none of them left right away. They stuck around to watch other participants.
They noticed that many of the younger students couldn't even pass the test.
Those who did were all close to graduation.
Of course, this was only one of several sign-up locations. Their group didn't represent the entire academy.