No one was too surprised by Kensei Muguruma's performance. After all, he had already learned Shikai, which gave him a massive advantage. In the eyes of the spectators, Kensei, like Sōjun Kuchiki, was now a seeded contestant expected to reach the finals.
The next match was between Jin'emon Tsubaki and Jirō Iba.
"Yo! I finally get to fight you. I've been looking forward to this battle for a long time," Jirō Iba said, drawing his Zanpakutō and slinging it over his shoulder, exuding a wild aura.
"It seems we're the same type," Jin'emon Tsubaki said, drawing his own sword. "Come on! Jin'emon Tsubaki, at your service!"
"Jirō Iba, let's go!" Jirō charged forward at high speed, swinging his sword down at Jin'emon.
Clang—
After blocking the strike, Jin'emon judged that his opponent's spiritual pressure was about the same as his own.
Jirō Iba was a tough opponent!
Jin'emon grew excited. His dream was to become a great swordsman like his professor. He would not fear battle; a fight between equals like this was exactly what he craved!
Jin'emon pushed Jirō's Zanpakutō away and stepped forward, intending to thrust.
At the same time, Jirō used his family's sword technique, twisting his body and throwing his Zanpakutō with all his might.
Hiryu-ken! (Flying Dragon Sword!)
Jin'emon had no choice but to use Shungeki against the flying Zanpakutō.
Clang—
Jirō's Zanpakutō was knocked away, but it seemed he had anticipated the direction it would go. The next moment, he was already at the spot where it was landing and caught it.
After catching his Zanpakutō, Jirō immediately threw it at Jin'emon again.
This time, Jin'emon chose to sidestep and dodge the thrown blade instead of blocking it.
However, as if he had predicted Jin'emon's move, Jirō had already used Shunpo to appear behind him, catching the Zanpakutō and instantly delivering a thrust.
Hiryu Orikaeshi-ken! (Flying Dragon Returning Sword!)
Jin'emon's expression changed slightly. It felt like Jirō had calculated his every reaction; he had completely fallen into his opponent's rhythm.
He gritted his teeth, turned slightly, and met the blade with his left arm.
Jirō's sword cut a bloody line on his arm. Just as Jirō was about to turn it into a horizontal slash, Jin'emon's bicep bulged powerfully, clamping down on the sword's edge along with his forearm muscles.
A flash of surprise crossed Jirō's eyes. He quickly tried to withdraw his sword but found it was pinned tightly by Jin'emon and couldn't be pulled out immediately!
Ignoring the pain, Jin'emon seized the opportunity while Jirō was stuck and swung his own sword with his other hand.
Jirō was forced to raise his left arm to block the blow.
Pfft—
The momentum of Jin'emon's sword was spent, and it got stuck in the bone of Jirō's shoulder.
If Jin'emon hadn't been positioned sideways to Jirō, which was not ideal for a full swing, Jirō's left arm would likely have been severed.
Jirō then clamped down on the flat of Jin'emon's blade, preventing him from pulling it back either.
Both were injured, and both in their left arms.
They were locked in an extremely awkward stalemate, neither able to get the upper hand.
"How about we both back off?" Jin'emon suggested.
"Alright!"
As soon as the words were spoken, Jin'emon Tsubaki and Jirō Iba simultaneously pulled their swords free and retreated.
"A man of his word!" Jirō praised. If Jin'emon had cheated when he loosened his grip, he probably would have lost.
"Same to you! A true man must keep his word!" Jin'emon became even more excited. He sheathed his sword. "I'm going to use my strongest sword technique. I've only just learned this move and can't control its power well, so be careful!"
"Bring it on—" Jirō laughed heartily. "Let me see your strongest sword technique!"
Jin'emon lowered his stance, his muscles tensing as he gathered spiritual pressure in his right arm, waist, and legs.
Then, Jin'emon's figure instantly vanished from his spot.
Katori Style: Shunpo Iai!
The next moment, Jin'emon's figure abruptly appeared behind Jirō Iba.
Jirō slowly turned his head and uttered two words: "So fast..."
Spurt—
A spray of blood suddenly erupted from his abdomen, and his body fell backward limply.
Jin'emon's figure also swayed, but he managed to plant his Zanpakutō into the ground to support himself, preventing his own collapse.
He looked down at his abdomen, where a Zanpakutō was now sticking out, blood flowing from his body along the blade.
"Your sword is fast too..."
Jirō Iba was too weak to get up again. In the end, Jin'emon Tsubaki was the one who was slightly superior.
"Jin'emon Tsubaki is the winner!" Sora announced the result, and four members of the 4th Division immediately came to carry both men away.
Class Two had won another match, greatly surprising the audience.
Kyōraku Shunsui remarked, "Not a single one of Lord Katori's disciples is weak. To think that even Vice-Captain Iba's younger brother couldn't beat him!"
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni asked Ayane Kotetsu for the previous assessment's results and, after looking at them, noted that Jin'emon had been unremarkable before.
"Jin'emon Tsubaki's results in the last assessment were very average; he was eliminated in the knockout stage. For him to reach the semifinals in this assessment is truly a feat."
"Director Kotetsu, this old man has heard that this assessment has been made into such a grand event to decide the head of the Swordsmanship Department."
"This old man thinks there is no need for further consideration. Katori Sora's teaching results are worthy of commendation. The position of Swordsmanship Department head shall be his."
Ayane Kotetsu smiled faintly. "Head-Captain, your judgment is clear. I think so as well. Having Katori Sora as the head of the Swordsmanship Department is the most suitable choice."
After Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni had spoken, the matter of the department head was settled. No one came forward to object to his decision, because he was the founder of the Central Spiritual Arts Academy.
Others who knew the inside story couldn't help but look at Tokinada Tsunayashiro and the Vice-Director.
Both of their faces were ashen, feeling as if they had just swallowed a fly.
This time, they had essentially shot themselves in the foot.
They had originally envisioned the students of Class One taking most of the spots in the quarterfinals and showcasing their strength in front of the Head-Captain. This would have made Tokinada's appointment as department head a matter of course.
Instead, only four students from Class One made it to the quarterfinals, and now two of them have been eliminated.
These top students of Class One had become stepping stones for Katori Sora's disciples to display their strength!
The competition wasn't even over, and the position of department head had been directly decided by Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
The Tsunayashiro family's scheme for the Swordsmanship Department had already failed.
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