The second name Katori Sora drew was Isane Kotetsu.
"¡Professor Katori drew Isane Kotetsu!" Sōsuke Tanuki announced excitedly. "The opponents for all four contestants have been decided. Sōsuke Aizen will face Isane Kotetsu, and Sajin Komamura will face Lisa Yadōmaru!"
The audience buzzed with discussion about the draw.
Most of the Shinigami had not seen the top-eight matches, so those sitting near the student section couldn't help but ask the students around them.
"How strong are these contestants?"
"That announcer said Sōsuke Aizen is a favorite to win. Is he the strongest?" a Shinigami asked.
"They are all Professor Katori's disciples and are extremely strong!" an enthusiastic student replied. "But to say Aizen is the favorite to win is a bit of an overstatement!"
"Yeah, yeah, I voted for Lisa Yadōmaru, the cool goddess! That Spear of Thunder was so awesome! If I could get poked by her spear, my life would be set straight!"
"You'd definitely be 'set straight' if you got hit by that. He was asking about her strength!"
"I think... Sajin Komamura is the strongest. His techniques are terrifying. I could feel my breath catching even from behind the spiritual particle barrier."
"Indeed... that kind of wide-area attack... even Aizen's fast Shunpo would be useless."
"Aizen just relied on his fast Shunpo and that one 'Dankū' to wear out Isshin Shiba's stamina and Spiritual Pressure. He's overhyped!"
"The fact that he can use 'Dankū' is proof enough that he's strong, isn't it? Can Sajin or Lisa even break through his 'Dankū'?"
"Why not!"
The students began to argue.
The surrounding Shinigami grew more and more confused the more they listened.
However, they did pick up on one thing: the other contestant who wasn't mentioned much, Isane Kotetsu, was likely the underdog.
"Isane Kotetsu... she's Director Kotetsu's daughter, right?"
The Shinigami who had first asked the question continued.
"That's right. She's also very strong, with an ice-type Zanpakutō, which has some advantage against Aizen's water-type. And I heard she started training under Professor Katori even earlier than him. Her chances of winning shouldn't be low."
The helpful student answered.
"That Aizen guy doesn't sound all that great. I should bet on Isane to win. Fortune favors the bold!" The Shinigami made up his mind.
He clutched the freshly paid salary in his robe and left his seat.
After finishing the draw, Sora returned to his seat in the guest section.
The discussion here was completely different from that of the students.
The guests seated here were at least at the lieutenant level and could naturally understand the strength Aizen had previously displayed.
"Katori-kun, you've drawn the worst possible opponent for Isane!" Director Kotetsu lamented.
"Sōsuke Aizen's strength has probably already reached the level of a lieutenant," Kyōraku Shunsui said. He felt this was a battle with no suspense.
He was more looking forward to the next match. What Sajin and Lisa had shown was more on the surface; it was hard to say which of the two was stronger.
"I have an idea," Kenpachi Kuruyashiki pointed to the man with the shaved-pate hairstyle next to him. "Doesn't the champion have to challenge an active Shinigami? Let's have Lieutenant Gosuke go up. If the winning student can defeat him, they'll be promoted directly to lieutenant!"
Kuruyashiki wanted to put some pressure on his lieutenant.
"Challenge me? These students look tough!" Lieutenant Gosuke rubbed his head helplessly. How did coming to watch a match put his job on the line?
"Isn't that too fast of a promotion? A lieutenant position requires more than just strength!" Jūshirō Ukitake was more cautious. He believed that one needed more experience after the Academy before becoming a lieutenant.
"I'm about to retire soon anyway. If someone can defeat Lieutenant Gosuke, let him take my position. I can mentor him for a while before I retire," the 5th Division's lieutenant said with a chuckle.
"If Lieutenant Yanagihara is watching over him... I have no objection," Ukitake nodded. He held great respect for this senior.
Everyone looked to Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, waiting for his opinion.
"If they can defeat Lieutenant Gosuke, they may be appointed as the 3rd Seat of the 5th Division," Yamamoto stated.
The Captain-Commander had agreed.
The 5th Division currently had no captain, with the lieutenant handling daily affairs.
But Lieutenant Yanagihara was old and his strength was waning; he was close to retirement.
Therefore, it was necessary for the 5th Division to develop a lieutenant who could take charge.
"Looks like Shinji's wish is not going to come true..."
Sora thought to himself.
A few years ago, Shinji Hirako had chosen to join the 5th Division because he felt it had great potential for advancement.
Lieutenant Yanagihara had even painted him a bright picture, saying he wouldn't be in the lieutenant position for much longer.
It was very likely that when he retired, Shinji could take over.
Once Shinji's strength reached the captain level, he could then naturally take over as the captain of the 5th Division.
Unfortunately, his strength didn't grow as fast as Aizen's.
Aizen had reached the lieutenant level before him.
"So, in the future, Aizen will be Shinji's captain? Interesting..."
Sora suddenly thought that if things continued this way, Aizen would still reach the captain level before Shinji.
One step ahead leads to always being ahead. Aizen was on track to become Shinji's captain.
Sōsuke Aizen and Isane Kotetsu stepped onto the stage.
"Just think of this as a daily sparring session. Don't be nervous," Aizen said with a smile.
"I know I don't have much of a chance, but I will give it my all!" Isane said seriously.
"Then let's begin," Aizen nodded. "I will also give it my all."
He drew his Zanpakutō, a slight curve appearing on his lips.
"Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu!"
In an instant, most of the people in the audience fell under its influence.
Aizen glanced nonchalantly in the direction of the noble seating area.
The nobles were seated in the very front, able to see the stage clearly without needing the screen.
The members of the Tsunayashiro clan were all watching the stage intently.
The goal of the hypnosis had been achieved.
All the key members of the Tsunayashiro clan had fallen under Kyōka Suigetsu's spell.
On the other side, Isane also drew her Zanpakutō.
"Dash, Kōten!"
The blade of her Zanpakutō split into three.
Immediately after, a cloud of ice mist spread out from the weapon.
After a few days of familiarization, her control over 'Kōten' had deepened, and she could now release ice mist with it.
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Hey guys, I want to apologize for not uploading any chapters lately. My mother passed away a week ago, and honestly, I just didn't have the energy to do anything. The chapters that were uploaded were the ones already scheduled.Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience and for still being here. Starting tomorrow, uploads will return to normal.