That night, when Nanatsuki returned from the laboratory to the dojo, he once again ran into a disciple waiting outside his room.
Kotetsu Isane sat kneeling at the door, her head bobbing up and down as if she were fishing.
"Isane?"
"Te-teacher!" Isane suddenly snapped awake and quickly wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth.
"It's quite late—shouldn't you be asleep by now?" Nanatsuki smiled. "Don't tell me you're here for a guidance session too?"
"Yes!" Isane stood up immediately. "Lisa said her Zanpakutō responded to her... I want some guidance too!"
After Nanatsuki guided Lisa the night before, her Inner World had fully formed.
Lisa's Zanpakutō still wouldn't reveal its name immediately, instead setting a small test she had to pass first.
Isane had been envious upon hearing this—and a little anxious.
From what she'd learned, among the top eight competitors, only she and Lisa had yet to attain Shikai.
If Lisa succeeded, then she would be the only one who hadn't!
She had to find a way to catch up!
Her teacher had been busy during the day, so she came at night to seek his guidance.
"Come on in," Nanatsuki said. He'd already anticipated this and naturally wouldn't favor one student over another. He was more than happy to help them perform better in the tournament.
As soon as Isane entered the room, she noticed the fresh flowers on the table.
She recalled seeing Lisa bringing back some flowers earlier that afternoon—identical to the ones now in the vase.
'So those flowers were for teacher…'
Isane looked around the bedroom and wanted to help somehow.
"Teacher, let me take care of cleaning your room from now on!" she offered, noticing a light layer of dust on the bookshelf.
"Then I'll leave it to you," Nanatsuki smiled, lighting an incense burner. "I really am a bit lazy when it comes to cleaning. Now—prepare for Zanpakutō Meditation Training."
"Okay!"
Isane sat cross-legged, placed her Asauchi on her lap, and began meditating.
"Then, I'm coming in," Nanatsuki said as he reached out his hand.
A few days later, the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy held its live-blade tournament as scheduled.
Nanatsuki came to spectate as well.
Besides academy staff, captains and vice-captains from various squads of the Gotei 13 had also been invited to watch.
Right now, it was time for the drawing of lots.
On the stage sat a box filled with slips bearing the students' names.
"Next..." Danmu Zōsuke announced, "Let us welcome the esteemed Katori-sensei to the stage to draw the matchups!"
The students watched with nervous anticipation as Katori Nanatsuki stepped onto the platform.
Isane was also nervous. The quarterfinalists were all formidable, and she honestly didn't feel confident about winning.
"I hope teacher draws me a good match..." Lisa whispered.
"Doesn't matter who it is—I'll win either way!" Isshin said confidently.
Komamura and Aizen remained silent, calmly watching the teacher on stage.
Nanatsuki reached into the box and drew the first ball:
"Aizen Sōsuke..."
"The first draw is you, huh? Let's see which poor soul you're up against."
Isshin nudged Aizen with his elbow.
Nanatsuki quickly drew the second name:
"Shiba Isshin..."
As Katori Nanatsuki read the name aloud, Shiba Isshin's face instantly fell.
"The poor soul is you!" Lisa burst out laughing.
"Even if it's Sōsuke..." Isshin clenched his fist. "I'll still win this match!"
He quickly let go of his frustration. His goal was to be champion, and sooner or later, he'd have to face Aizen anyway.
The matchups were quickly finalized:
Kotetsu IsaneIchinose MakiYadōmaru LisaKyōraku MunenoriIba TetsuzaemonKomamura SajinAizen SōsukeShiba Isshin
"Thank you, Katori-sensei. The matchups are now finalized! Let us now invite Kotetsu Isane and Ichinose Maki to the stage!" announced Danmu Zōsuke.
Nanatsuki returned to the guest seats.
The guest section had grown lively—after all, Kotetsu Ayane's daughter, Kotetsu Isane, was the first to step onto the stage.
"Hard to believe Ayane's daughter has grown up this much. Time flies!" Kyōraku Shunsui sighed.
He couldn't help but reflect—Ayane was only a few years older than him, yet her daughter was already this old, while he hadn't even gotten married.
"I heard Isane is one of Nanatsuki-kun's students too," said Ukitake Jūshirō, watching Nanatsuki descend from the stage.
"I've heard that from him as well. Isane is quite talented at Kaido—I hope to see her use it today." Unohana Retsu smiled.
"It's all thanks to Katori-sensei's guidance," Ayane said with a small laugh.
"She has talent in Kaido, and she works hard too," Nanatsuki added as he returned to his seat.
"That Ichinose Maki already has Shikai!" Shihoin Yoruichi frowned, flipping through the student profiles.
Of the sixth-year students, Ichinose Maki, Kyōraku Munenori, and Iba Tetsuzaemon had all achieved Shikai and were notably strong.
To her knowledge, Isane hadn't yet reached that level.
Kotetsu Ayane's face also revealed concern—without Shikai, her daughter would be at a serious disadvantage.
"Isane's just a first-year. Reaching this stage is already impressive," Ukitake Jūshirō said encouragingly.
Nanatsuki simply smiled and said nothing.
What none of them knew was—Kotetsu Isane had achieved Shikai in the past few days!
But she had asked to keep it a secret. She wanted to surprise her mother during the match, and Nanatsuki had agreed to keep it confidential.
"You've done excellent work with these students. The live-blade tournament should continue—it gives the combat-focused students a platform to train and shine. But don't forget other aspects too," said Yamamoto, flipping through the student records. "Especially those from Rukongai—many have weaker foundations. Some can't even read. You can't neglect their general education."
"I've taken that into account as well," Nanatsuki replied with a smile. "We've added optional general education courses. Students can choose freely, and we encourage clubs based on their interests—with faculty providing guidance."
"That Aizen Sōsuke is also one of your students, right? He even founded a calligraphy club, and I'm their supervising teacher," said the Kaido Department Head.
"Isn't there a segment later where the champion challenges a current Shinigami?" Kuyashiki Kenpachi said, stretching. "Maybe I'll do it—I haven't had a good fight in a while."
"Captain Kuyashiki, don't you think that's a bit much?" Kyōraku Shunsui teased. "You'd have a student face a Captain? That's a sure way to crush their confidence!"
"Huh? That's not allowed?" Kuyashiki scratched his cheek, looking disappointed.
Meanwhile, Kotetsu Isane and Ichinose Maki had already stepped onto the stage.