As the final school bell rang, the once-quiet campus instantly turned noisy.
Students poured out of the classrooms like a tide.
Ichigo, however, had no mind to enjoy the easy atmosphere after school.
Together with Yasutora Sado, Orihime Inoue, and the others, he anxiously searched all over the campus for the dean of discipline.
Chad was filled with curiosity toward this dean, who had been able to subdue Ichigo with ease.
He urgently wanted to see the man's strength with his own eyes and find out exactly what he was capable of.
So the group first went to the office. Unfortunately, they did not find the dean there.
After that, they made their way to the school parking lot, where they finally managed to corner him.
"Yo, yellow-hair. Did you bring a few classmates along because you need something from me?"
The dean of discipline smiled, his eyes carrying a hint of sly amusement.
"I already told you, I'm not yellow-hair. My name is Ichigo!."
The dean fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Very well, then. Ichigo-kun, do you need something from me?"
Ichigo shook his head and pointed at Chad beside him.
"I'm not the one looking for you. Chad is."
At that moment, Chad stepped forward and bowed deeply to the dean.
Then he raised his head and spoke with a serious expression.
"Sir, I hope you will apologize to Ichigo. You have already confirmed that his hair color is natural, so you should not keep calling him yellow-hair."
The dean raised an eyebrow.
A trace of disdain tugged at the corner of his mouth as he answered coolly, "And what if I say no?"
There was no change on Chad's expressionless face, but his gaze was unwavering.
He clenched both fists and said in a low voice, "Sir, have a man-to-man duel with me. If I can knock you down, you will apologize to Ichigo."
The dean narrowed his eyes slightly and looked Chad up and down with interest, his smile neither warm nor cold.
"Kid, are you that confident you can beat me?"
"Let's find out," Chad said, his voice firm and powerful.
The dean rolled his neck, loosened his limbs, and lightly clenched both fists, preparing himself for the fight.
Chad took a deep breath and launched the first attack.
He rushed at the dean like a hunting leopard, putting all his strength into a punch.
The wind from his fist howled.
However, the dean easily sidestepped the blow. Immediately after, he lifted his leg with lightning speed and kicked Chad hard.
After being struck, Chad staggered several steps backward, but he did not give up. He immediately adjusted his stance and charged forward again.
The two exchanged blows back and forth, fists and feet cutting through the air.
After dozens of moves, neither side seemed able to gain a clear advantage.
At last, Chad caught an opening. Using all his strength, he hoisted the dean onto his shoulder, intending to throw him with an over-the-shoulder slam.
But after Chad seized the dean's arm, no matter how much force he used, the dean's legs seemed welded to the ground. They did not move at all.
Chad's heart sank.
He realized that this dean was no ordinary middle-aged man.
At that moment, the dean seized the opportunity to break free from Chad's hold and struck him in the chest with a punch.
Chad felt a tremendous force slam into him. His body flew backward uncontrollably and crashed hard into the wall.
He slowly slid down to the ground and coughed several times.
"Chad!"
Ichigo hurried over and helped him up.
"I'm fine…"
Chad struggled to stand. Yet the look in his eyes had not changed at all.
The dean looked at them teasingly.
"Looks like you lost, Student Sado."
After saying that, he turned to leave, leaving behind an enraged Ichigo and an injured Chad.
"Damn it…"
Ichigo gritted his teeth and secretly swore that he would definitely make the dean pay for what he had done!
"Wait."
Chad called out to the dean just as he was about to leave.
"Does Student Sado still need something?" The dean stopped and turned back to look at Chad, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
"Best two out of three. Again."
Chad took a deep breath and spoke firmly.
After saying that, he ignored the pain in his body and attacked the dean once more.
The corner of the dean's mouth lifted slightly, as though he had already expected Chad to do this.
He sidestepped Chad's attack, then struck with incredible speed, landing a precise blow to Chad's abdomen.
Chad let out a muffled grunt, and his body involuntarily retreated.
But he clenched his teeth and refused to admit defeat so easily
Enduring the intense pain in his stomach, he rushed forward again, an unyielding light shining in his eyes.
The dean easily avoided Chad's attack, then kicked out and sent Chad flying.
Chad traced an arc through the air before crashing heavily to the ground.
He struggled to get up, but his body would no longer obey him. In the end, he could only lie helplessly on the floor.
"Student Sado, your courage is commendable. Although you still lost in the end, since you were so persistent, I'll stop calling him yellow-hair."
As the dean spoke, he glanced at Ichigo, then continued, "That yellow-haired boy over there… what was your name again?"
Hearing that, Ichigo glared furiously at the dean and shouted, "Damn it! My name is Ichigo Kurosaki! Remember it properly!"
At that moment, Orihime hurried over to Chad, who was lying on the ground, and asked with concern, "Are you okay, Sado?"
The dean quickly explained, "Don't worry. Sado is still a student of this school. How could I seriously hurt one of my own students? He won't have any major problems."
"There really aren't any wounds on him? Just some bruises."
Ichigo walked over to Chad, checked his injuries, and helped him up.
"Thank you, Ichigo," Chad said, forcing out a faint smile.
"I'm the one who should be thanking you, Chad."
Ichigo patted Chad on the shoulder.
"All right, all of you should go home now."
The dean waved a hand, signaling that it was time for them to leave.
Ichigo and Orihime supported the injured Chad as they slowly walked out of the parking lot.
'Next time, I'll definitely win…'
Chad made a silent vow in his heart, his eyes shining with determination.
Just as they were about to leave, the dean suddenly called out to them.
"Hey, wait a moment."
After saying that, he tossed a small bottle in their direction.
Ichigo reacted quickly and caught it. He looked at the bottle in confusion.
"What is this?"
The dean explained, "It's a medicinal wine I made for bruises and injuries. It works very well. Use it on Student Sado."
Hearing that, Ichigo's expression softened slightly, though his mouth still refused to be polite.
"Looks like you've still got some conscience."
Even so, he accepted the medicinal wine from the dean.
After that, Ichigo, Orihime, and Chad left the school together, their figures gradually disappearing into the afterglow of the setting sun.
The dean stood quietly where he was, watching them go.
Then he murmured to himself, "Ichigo… you're truly lucky to have classmates like them."