The next match was Shinji Hirako vs. Nozomishin Ōmaeda.
Kyōraku Shunsui looked over their records. "Both of them made it to the semifinals in the last assessment. This should be a battle of equals."
Head Professor Nakano shook his head. "Nozomishin Ōmaeda often undergoes special training with the Onmitsukidō. I'm afraid his strength may exceed Captain Kyōraku's expectations."
"Although Professor Katori's disciples are all quite good, if one wants to beat Nozomishin, I fear only Kensei Muguruma might have a chance."
"Could it be..." Kyōraku stroked his chin. "Has Nozomishin Ōmaeda also learned Shikai?"
Head Professor Nakano gave a mysterious smile, keeping them in suspense. "You'll know if you keep watching."
Everyone knew that Nakano was an instructor for the Onmitsukidō, and their anticipation for Nozomishin's performance grew.
The Tsunayashiro Vice-Director also felt a sense of relief. If Nozomishin had truly learned Shikai, he could crush Shinji Hirako.
Although the chance to compete for the head of the Swordsmanship Department was lost, this could still serve to dampen Katori Sora's triumphant spirit.
Below the stage, Shinji Hirako was discussing strategy with his friends.
"I've fought Nozomishin Ōmaeda before. He's a power-type opponent. Try not to clash with him head-on," Kana Azashiro advised.
"Professor said that Nozomishin has been hiding his spiritual pressure, and that it's already very close to Sōjun Kuchiki's level. So, the professor suspects he might have mastered Shikai as well," Kensei Muguruma said.
"I'll be careful. If he really can use Shikai, then I'll have to change my strategy," Shinji said, thinking of the sword technique he learned over the vacation.
It was time for the match. Shinji Hirako and Nozomishin Ōmaeda both ascended the stage.
Nozomishin's appearance was as conspicuous as ever. He sported a brown pompadour, a thick gold chain around his neck, and combined with his massive frame of over two meters, he had an extremely intimidating presence.
Nozomishin grinned. "I've watched a few of your matches. You're pretty good. It's a shame your luck is so bad you drew me."
Shinji also gave a scornful smile. "The bigger the oaf, the bigger the mouth, is that it?"
"Sharp-tongued... too bad you can't beat me..." Nozomishin drew his Zanpakutō. "I won't hide it any longer..."
"Smash it, Goga!"
Shinji's expression tightened. He saw a faint light glow from Nozomishin's Zanpakutō as it transformed into a massive, spiked club!
"This is trouble!"
The professor was right. Nozomishin Ōmaeda had also mastered Shikai!
Wielding the enormous spiked club, Nozomishin advanced on Shinji like a moving mountain.
However, Shinji had no information on Nozomishin's Zanpakutō ability. He didn't dare to block it head-on and chose to retreat quickly.
The club smashed into the ground, and a flash of light accompanied by a terrifying roar of an explosion surged towards him.
BOOM—
A large crater was blasted into the floor of the stage.
Shinji instantly understood Nozomishin's Zanpakutō ability—
It was explosions!
And it seemed the explosion could only be triggered upon contact with an object.
He was glad he hadn't chosen to block it directly, or that single blow would have severely injured him.
At the same time, the edge of Shinji's sword stirred up the dust created by the explosion.
Jintō!
The dust swirled into a dragon and lunged towards Nozomishin.
"Useless!" Nozomishin sneered, swinging his club like a baseball bat and striking the dust dragon's head.
BOOM—
The dust dragon was blown to pieces.
However, Shinji's objective had already been achieved.
Nozomishin's eyes widened. A layer of gray dust now coated them, robbing them of their luster.
"What did you do!" Nozomishin was alarmed; he couldn't see a thing.
He rubbed his eyes vigorously, but the dust remained.
It couldn't be rubbed away until its effect wore off.
The Jintō that Shinji had unleashed didn't just kick up the dirt from the explosion; it also contained its own dust with a blinding effect.
Without a word, Shinji seized the opportunity and launched a "Shungeki" directly at Nozomishin.
Nozomishin sensed Shinji's spiritual pressure approaching and quickly stopped rubbing his eyes.
But at his level, he couldn't yet rely completely on his spiritual sense for combat and couldn't accurately judge the distance between himself and Shinji.
However, he had his own method. He simply swung his club and smashed the ground in front of him.
No matter which direction Shinji attacked from, he would have to get close.
Therefore, Nozomishin chose to detonate an explosion right on his own position.
Shinji's expression changed. Nozomishin's combat experience was rich, and his reaction was too fast. Almost at the same instant "Shungeki" was thrust forward, Nozomishin had already struck the floor.
The "Shungeki" was already in motion; there was no time to evade the explosion created by the club.
To increase the blast radius, Nozomishin had even infused more spiritual pressure. This explosion was even more violent than the last.
Both were engulfed in the blast.
—BOOM!!!
Two figures were sent flying by the explosion, only stopping when they slammed into the Kidō barrier.
Due to it being a live blade competition and some students having mastered Shikai, several Kidō Professors were positioned around the stage to maintain a protective barrier and prevent accidental injury to the audience.
The spectators had not expected this match to be so fierce. The stage had been completely demolished by the explosion.
"Nozomishin Ōmaeda's ability is incredible..." Kensei stared intently into the dust cloud, worried about Shinji.
"It's okay. Although the spiritual pressure fluctuations on the stage are chaotic, I can still sense Shinji's," Kana said, her eyes also glued to the stage.
Jin'emon Tsubaki was still receiving medical treatment and was not present to watch.
"This is bad! Shinji seems to be staying in one spot, he must be badly hurt! But Nozomishin is already moving!" Kensei's face paled.
On the stage, Nozomishin was struggling to his feet.
He was also heavily injured from the recent explosion. The blasts created by Goga were indiscriminate; they wouldn't spare him just because he was the Zanpakutō's master.
Fortunately, his physique was very strong. An explosion of this level wasn't enough to render him immobile.
"That guy should be unable to move now, right?" Nozomishin decided to end the match before Shinji could recover.
Nozomishin quickly walked in Shinji's direction.
His vision had returned. As the dust gradually settled, he soon saw Shinji leaning against the Kidō barrier.
One of Shinji's legs was severely injured, so much so that he couldn't straighten it. His mobility was extremely limited.
"Your tricks were impressive, but I still win," Nozomishin snorted, raising his club to smash down on Shinji.
Just then, Shinji lifted his head and grinned.
"Collapse, Sakanade!"
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